China's resolute, sustained efforts in energy transition have made irreplaceable contributions to improving the well-being of humanity.

As a country home to 1.4 billion people, how China produces and consumes energy greatly affects the future of all people around the world.

A white paper titled "China's Energy Transition" released recently showcased historic achievements in its energy transition over the past decade and shared its practices with the world.

In 2023, clean energy consumption accounted for 26.4 percent of China's total energy use, up 10.9 percentage points from 2013.

Over the same 10-year period, China had one of the most rapid energy intensity reduction rates in the world, recording a 26 percent decrease. Its cumulative reduction of carbon dioxide emissions was approximately 3 billion tonnes.

China has been shifting from a resource-reliant energy development model to one driven by innovation. By applying an innovation-driven development strategy within its energy sector, it has achieved core technology breakthroughs and created new technologies, industries and business models.

What is more, China's new energy products have provided clean, reliable, affordable solutions to a world that faces the challenges of energy security and green, low-carbon transition.

Over the past decade, the global average kilowatt-hour cost of wind projects has fallen by more than 60 percent, and that of photovoltaic projects by 80 percent, largely due to China's contributions, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.

The global new energy production capacity is not excessive; it is insufficient. In achieving the temperature control target proposed in the Paris Agreement, the production capacity of the global new energy industry is far from meeting market demand, especially in developing countries where potential demand is experiencing dynamic growth.

The global demand for new energy vehicles will reach 45 million units in 2030, which is three times the 2023 figure, and global power battery demand will hit 3,500 gigawatt hours, which is four times the level of global power battery shipments in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency.

China is committed to pursuing an energy transition, which will also create new opportunities for deepening international cooperation on clean energy. The country has implemented a foreign investment management system based on pre-entry national treatment and a negative list, and removed restrictions on foreign investment in all energy industries except nuclear power plants.

Multinational companies such as General Electric and Siemens have been steadily increasing their investment in China's energy sector.

As a responsible major developing country, China will continue to advance its energy transition and share its knowledge and experience with other nations for the development of global sustainable energy and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

For the future of the planet and all who live on it, countries should abandon all forms of unilateralism and trade protectionism, and work together to maintain the stability and smooth flows of the global energy industrial and supply chains.
"Leap Year" is a romantic comedy film released in 2010, starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode.

Plot:

The story follows Anna Brady (Amy Adams), a successful real estate stager from Boston. Anna has been dating her boyfriend, Jeremy, for four years and is frustrated that he hasn't proposed yet. When Jeremy goes to Dublin, Ireland, for a conference, Anna learns about an Irish tradition that allows women to propose to men on Leap Day (February 29th), a day that occurs once every four years. Believing this might be her chance to take control of her destiny, she decides to fly to Dublin and propose to Jeremy on Leap Day.

However, bad weather forces her flight to land in Wales, and from there, she must make her way to Dublin. Along the way, she encounters Declan O'Callaghan (Matthew Goode), a cynical but charming Irish innkeeper who agrees to drive her to Dublin for a fee. As they journey together through the picturesque Irish countryside, they face a series of comedic misadventures and mishaps. Despite their initial dislike for each other, they slowly develop feelings, challenging Annas plans.

As the story unfolds, Anna begins to question whether Jeremy is really the right man for her and whether her heart might actually belong to someone else.

"Leap Year" is a light-hearted and charming film that explores themes of love, destiny, and the unexpected twists that life can take.

***

H/t:
Ray Martin has revealed he almost died while shooting an SBS documentary series on death in November last year.

The veteran journalist was filming the final scene for the three-part series, called Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye, when he felt 'really crook'.

The 79-year-old told The Daily Telegraph, he's 'never sick' so his daughter Jenna took him to the emergency department.

He was diagnosed with a blood clot on the heart caused by a severe chest infection.

'It's the only time in my life, because I was so drugged, that I thought, "This could be the end",' he admitted.

'I'm 79, I've never been in hospital in my life and I was thinking, "I can't afford to die now".'

Ray was monitored by heart and lung specialists and doctors have since given him a clean bill of health.

Last year, the veteran reporter insisted that he still has a lot of life left in him, as he grows older gracefully.

Ray Martin has revealed he almost died while shooting an SBS documentary series on death in November last year

'I'm never going to retire. David Attenborough is in his 90s and he's my role model. He says you've got to keep doing what you love,' he told Woman's Day magazine.

He added the workaholic lifestyle he once had prevented him from enjoying the important things in life and he was never going to repeat that mistake.

'I lived in New York for 10 years as the ABC correspondent and I worked eight days a week. Yet I think of all the things I didn't do and should have done.

'You've got forever to sleep, you've got to have a go.'

The esteemed A Current Affair host added that as he gets older, he's more committed than ever to spending time with his children Jenna and Luke and two grandchildren.
Anne Hathaway confidently showed off her natural beauty in a barefaced selfie uploaded to her main Instagram page on Friday.

The Devil Wears Prada actress, 41 - who recently put on a youthful display during a getaway to Sardinia - also added an assortment of colorful, star-shaped pimple patches on her cheek and chin.

The beauty flashed a cheerful smile towards the camera and also sported a pair of fashionable black shades.

A denim cap was placed on top of her head, and partially covered her brunette locks that flowed down past her shoulders in light waves.

Hathaway paused for the quick snap while sitting inside a vehicle as natural light streamed through the windows.

Anne Hathaway, 41, confidently showed off her natural beauty in a barefaced selfie uploaded to her main Instagram page on Friday

In the caption of the post, Anne penned to her 34.7 million followers, 'stars, they're just like us,' followed by a yellow start emoji.

The Princess Diaries actress has previously opened up about aging and beauty in the past.

While talking to People last year in September, the mother-of-two expressed to the outlet, 'Aging is just another word for living. And what you do with it from there is personal and up to you.'

'I feel great - I feel better than I did in my twenties because I'm taking much better care of myself.'

When it comes to self-care and focusing on health, the star discussed her decision to give up drinking.

'In my 30s, I had to give up alcohol. I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't lead the life that I wanted while drinking,' Hathaway stated. 'And in my 40s I'm finding I have to support myself differently nutritionally.'

'I want to go back and talk to my 25-year-old self who felt like she didn't have to do anything and just be like, "Oh honey, honey, there's a whole other world out there and it tastes like an avocado."'

And during an interview with Vogue in August of last year, she recalled the moment that she became interested in skincare.

While talking to People last year in September, the mother-of-two expressed to the outlet, 'Aging is just another word for living. And what you do with it from there is personal and up to you'; seen in May in Rome

'In my 30s, I had to give up alcohol. I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't lead the life that I wanted while drinking,' Hathaway stated

She recalled working with a fellow actress while in her 20s and 'observed how she took her makeup off at the end of each day. And it was a layered process.'

'Cleansing her skin was a layered process, and something clicked for me. And I started to treat my skin more delicately with more consideration, more thought. And the result was pretty profound to me.'

Anne added, 'And it's funny, because I found that the longer I've made skin care a priority, the less makeup I wear.'

'There's nothing wrong with makeup, and in fact, I wear it quite a lot for my job. But I find that in my life, I'm really happy just being in my skin,' the star revealed.

The beauty later expressed that, 'There's a lot of pressure to do self-care right. And I think that it's not really a right or a wrong.'

'If you're lucky enough to get to a certain age in your life, you realize that your habits are your legacy.'

The Idea Of You star said, 'And I don't know, I get very excited by that. I get very excited about the idea of investing in the self that I hope to be one day.'

And during an interview with Vogue in August of last year, she recalled the moment that she became interested in skincare

Hathaway has been keeping busy, and recently whisked herself away to Sardinia earlier this month for a relaxing, summer getaway.

During the trip, the star was seen enjoying a boat day and donned a colorful wetsuit as well as black flippers and goggles before taking a dip in the cool water.

Anne also has a few projects under her belt, such as the upcoming sci-fi film titled, Flowervale Street, which is slated to hit theaters next year in May 2025.

Alongside Hathaway, other stars that were cast in the project - which was written, co-produced and directed by David Robert Mitchell - include Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella and Christian Convery.

Anne also has a few projects under her belt, such as the upcoming sci-fi film titled, Flowervale Street, which is slated to hit theaters next year in May 2025; seen in April in NYC

The premise of the film - which takes place in the 1980s - follows a family who begin to notice strange occurrences in their neighborhood.

Anne also recently appeared in the Amazon Prime Video movie, The Idea Of You, with Nicholas Galitzine which premiered on the streaming site in March.

Upon its release, the romantic comedy garnered a positive response from critics and currently has a score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Hathaway also starred in the psychological thriller, Mothers' Instinct, with Jessica Chastain - which was released in theaters last month in July.
Nicki Minaj's husband, Kenneth Petty, faced backlash after fans accused him of using a gay slur during an Instagram Live session on Friday.

The drama unfolded as the Grammy-winning rapper, 41, addressed her followers with a message about protecting their happiness, with her 46-year-old husband sitting behind her.

'Dont you let anybody or anything steal your motherf****** joy,' she remarked.

His response, which many interpreted as him saying, 'That's right, especially little f***** and f***boys,' sparked a wave of criticism on social media.

One outraged follower posted, 'Kenneth petty says the F slur while on live with Nicki Minaj and she does nothing,' as another shared, 'Just insulted her entire male fanbase.'

Nicki Minaj 's husband, Kenneth Petty, faced backlash after fans accused him of using a gay slur during an Instagram Live session on Friday

The drama unfolded as the Grammy-winning rapper, 41, addressed her followers with a message about protecting their joy, with her 46-year-old husband sitting behind her

Another referenced Petty's sex offender status, commenting, 'Are we shocked? Hes also a rapist. I wouldnt put anything past him. Filth.'

However, many social media users argued that Petty actually said 'haters' and not a gay slur.

The controversy comes almost 3 months after Petty was granted permission to travel internationally to support his wife on her Pink Friday World Tour while on probation for failing to register as a sex offender.

He had told the court in documents reviewed by TMZ that it's essential he be allowed to accompany the artist in Europe to watch their three-year-old son.

The slate of dates began in Montreal and spanned through locales such as London, Amsterdam and Paris, and wrapped July 14 in Belgium - the same date Petty told the court he could be in the U.S. by.

The probation officer overseeing Petty's case - stemming initially from his first-degree attempted rape conviction in April 1995 - 'hasn't raised any objections to his travel request,' the outlet reported, citing court docs.

Petty's legal issues made headlines last September, after he received a 120-day house arrest sentence in connection with a probation violation after he posted social media clips with aggressive messages made toward Migos rapper Offset.

A court order filed in the case in California's Central District stated that Petty on September 16, 2023 'was recorded on video making threatening remarks to a specific individual while in the company of someone with a criminal record,' according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Minaj, whose full name is Onika Tanya Maraj, has been wed to Petty since October of 2019.

His response, which many interpreted as him saying, 'That's right, especially little f***** and f***boys,' sparked a wave of criticism on social media

One outraged follower posted, 'Kenneth petty says the F slur while on live with Nicki Minaj and she does nothing,' as another shared, 'Just insulted her entire male fanbase'

In a December 2023 Vogue profile, the Super Bass artist explained the dynamics of her relationship with Petty, who she's known since high school.

'Because I've known my husband for so long, there's an ease we have with each other,' Minaj said of Petty. 'We make each other laugh. We're silly. And we're always reminiscing about some old story.

'If it was a guy that I met as Nicki Minaj, I think I'd feel like they liked me because I'm Nicki Minaj, and what if I don't look like Nicki Minaj every day? And that, combined with pregnancy, would probably have made me crazy.'

In the interview, she said of staring a family with Petty, 'I think that deep down inside, I believed that once I had a family, I would just lose the desire to make music.

'I would always tell people, "Watch, when I have a child Im going to cook every meal for him and bake cookies every day." Maybe subconsciously I hoped my focus would just be on being a mother, and I looked forward to that idea. It felt like a relief. But what happens is that you find out you have to work.'

Petty's probation stems initially from his first-degree attempted rape conviction in April 1995. Pictured in 2021 mug shot

Minaj took to Instagram Tuesday evening with a series of images of herself, Petty and their son, captioning the image, 'Go PAPA!!!!! Mommy & Daddy loveeeee youuuuuuuuuuuu.'

Minaj said she and Petty ventured through the infant years of their son - who they have not publicly named - with little help from others, which led to things getting 'testy between' them.

'Because of our history, I think we knew wed get past it,' Minaj said. 'But theres no such thing as confidence in parenthood.

'I kind of wish that someone had told me - although Im sure I wouldnt have been able to understand it - that theres a level of anxiety, and you think its going to go away, but in fact it gets scarier. So often you think: I dont know how to do this!'

Minaj took to Instagram Tuesday evening with a series of images of herself, Petty and their son, captioning the image, 'Go PAPA!!!!! M
Cheryl Burke reacted to her former Dancing With The Stars colleague Artem Chigvintsev recent domestic violence arrest.

Artem, 42, was jailed Thursday on felony domestic violence charges after a reported bust-up at the $1.5million California home he shares with wife Nikki Garcia.

He was released on $25,000 bail just hours later and Nikki has since left the state with their four-year-old son Matteo, as per photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com on Saturday.

During the new episode of her Sex, Lies and Spray Tans podcast, pro dancer Burke said she'd been left 'in complete shock' over Artem's arrest.

'I hesitate to smile right now because of the current news,' said Burke, who has considered the Russian-born star a good friend for years.

'It's just really hard for me because he was  he's my family,' she continued. 'I don't know what to say here other than I hope everybody's okay.'

Cheryl Burke reacted to her former Dancing With The Stars colleague Artem Chigvintsev recent domestic violence arrest

Burke's connection to Chigvintsev predates their DWTS fame, with the star revealing that they'd literally 'grown up' together.

'We used to live together in my family's home in the Bay Area,' Burke said. 'It's so shocking. I get kind of emotional.

'My heart goes out to everyone involved,' Burke concluded.

Chigvintsev was taken into custody Thursday at 10am PST in Yountville, the Napa County town where the couple have been living the last few years, on charges of corporal injury to spouse, TMZ reported

Later that same day, Artem was booked into the Napa County Jail on felony domestic violence charges at 10:59am PST before being released on bond.

A mugshot released by the Napa County Sheriff's office showed the dancer looking stoic in a green-patterned plaid shirt.

DailyMail.com has been told he was driven away from the jail in a black Ford F-150 pick-up truck and has not returned to the family home.

Radio dispatch obtained by the outlet confirmed the report that the DWTS pro called 9-1-1 to request medical assistance, claiming his wife threw shoes at him.

But then he followed-up by calling off the emergency medical request. But still, when police arrived the home an hour later, they arrested Chigvintsev.

Nikki broke her silence on the incident in a statement asking for privacy.

'This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time,' said the WWE star's rep on Friday.

On Saturday, Nikki and son Matteo were seen boarding a JSX flight to Sin City at Oakland airport, as per DailyMail.com's exclusive photos.

Artem, 42, was jailed Thursday on felony domestic violence charges after a reported bust-up at the Napa Valley, California home he shares with wife Nikki Garcia

During the new episode of her Sex, Lies and Spray Tans podcast, pro dancer Burke said she'd been left 'in complete shock' over Artem's arrest

'It's just really hard for me because he was  he's my family,' she continued. 'I don't know what to say here other than I hope everybody's okay'

Nikki, who was wearing a brown low-cut top and baggy jeans for the trip, is due to host a hotdog eating contest between Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi at the Luxor casino on Sunday, which will be screened on Netflix.

She was not wearing her wedding ring at the time of boarding.

The arrest of the Russian-born star, who specializes in Latin dancing, came just a couple of days after they celebrated their second wedding anniversary, which they both recognized on their respective Instagram pages.

Bella shared a video montage documenting their relationship through the years, captioning it with lyrics to Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling In Love.

She gushed about their 'love story' and recalled 'falling in love' with Artem.

'This song is our love story. I'll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem,' she wrote.

'Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. 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.

'Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you!' concluded Garcia, who included photos from their wedding day.

Artem and Nikki met when they were paired up on Dancing With The Stars in 2017

Just days before his Thursday arrest, Artem professed his 'love' for Niki on Instagram in honor of their second wedding anniversary

As for Chigvintsev, he gushed over his lady, writing, 'Happy anniversary my love, can't see my life with out (sic) you. You are my everything.'

The couple first met as partners on DWTS in 2017, but Bella happened to be engaged to actor and pro wrestler John Cena at the time.

But the pair called off their engagement the following year and Nikki eventually began dating Chigvintsev.

They welcomed their first child together, son Matteo, on July 31, 2020.

He was born just 22 hours before her twin sister Brie Bella (born Brianna Monique Garcia-Colace) delivered her son Buddy, which is her second child with husband Daniel Bryan.

Along with being WWE icons, Nikki and her twin sister are best known for their E! reality show Total Bellas.
Matthew McConaughey enjoyed some father-son bonding on Friday in Los Angeles.

The actor, 54, who showed his sense of humor posing sans pants with his wife Camila Alves to promote their Pantalones Organic Tequila, was seen enjoying a lunch break with son Levi, 16, on the set of Way of the Warrior Kid.

McConaughey and Alves are also parents to Vida, 14, and Livingston, 11.

The Gentlemen star looked dapper in a blue linen button down shirt and beige pants.

The Oscar winner stepped out in flip flops and covered his wavy dark blond hair with a brown billed cap. He wore dark sunglasses with silver frames and sported a scruffy beard.

Matthew McConaughey enjoyed some father-son bonding and lunch with his son Levi, 16, on the set of Way of the Warrior Kid Friday in Los Angeles on Friday

The A-list star had placed a pair of headphones around his neck which were wired to a communication device hooked on his pocket.

Levi looked relaxed in a black T-shirt beneath a red and black checked shirt and loose fitting straight leg jeans.

The teen wore a black belt and stepped out in burgundy shoes.

His dark hair was styled in natural curls.

Both McConaugheys enjoyed some refreshing watermelon with their lunch.

It's unclear what role Levi is playing in the family friendly action film.

The plot focuses on young man named Marc, played by Jude Hill, who is being bullied at school.

His uncle Jake, played by Chris Pratt, a Navy seal who was injured while on a mission, moves in with Marc's family while he gets back into fighting form.

The Gentlemen star looked dapper in a blue linen button down shirt and beige pants and flip flops. Levi, 16, looked relaxed in a black T-shirt beneath a red and black checked shirt and loose fitting straight leg jeans. The teen wore a black belt and stepped out in burgundy shoes

Levi is the oldest of the Oscar winner and wife Camila Alves' three children. They also share Vida, 14, and Livingston, 11 (Pictured in Austin, TX in April)

In Way of the Warrior Kid, Chris Pratt plays a Navy seal who moves in with family to recover from an injury. During his time there, he learns his nephew is struggling at school and makes his mission to help the boy find his inner warrior (Pictured in New York City in June 2023)

When Uncle Jake discovers his nephew is struggling academically, socially and physically, he makes it his mission to help the boy find his inner warrior.

The movie is based on the book by the same name from former Seal Team Three member Jock Willink.

The author and Pratt became pals when he was working to transition from the comedy of Parks and Rec to become the leading man in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, according to Deadline.

No release date has been announced for Way of the Warrior Kid.
The Danish woman at the centre of the Tommy Fury cheating rumours has broken her silence and revealed what she and the boxer spoke about on their night out.

The boxer, 25, was accused of 'brazenly kissing' jewellery assistant Milla Corfixen, 20, in a nightclub during a boozy holiday in North Macedonia earlier this year - something which he has denied.

Tommy's fiancee Molly-Mae Hague, 25, announced their split after five years together saying in a statement she 'never thought our story would end this way'.

Now, Milla has spoken out about their night out as she told The Sun: 'We had a great time but nothing happened.

'We were talking about Molly-Mae, and talking about Bambi and how beautiful she was. We were just getting to know each other - no flirting.'

MailOnline has contacted Tommy's representatives for comment.

The Danish woman at the centre of the Tommy Fury cheating rumours has broken her silence and revealed what she and the boxer spoke about on their night out

The boxer, 25, was accused of 'brazenly kissing' jewellery assistant Milla Corfixen, 20, in a nightclub - something which he has denied

Tommy, who shares daughter Bambi, 20 months, with the former Love Islander, has denied any cheating claims and has said he is 'horrified' by the 'false allegations'

It comes after the 20-year-old posted on Monday following the creation of two fake Instagram accounts in her name and begged social media users to report them.

Two individuals created fake Instagram accounts using different variations of her online name: @millacorfixen and @millacorfixenx.

Calling out the trolls in her story, Milla shared a screenshot of both accounts and wrote: 'Just to clarify these are fake accounts, can everyone please report them.'

An Instagram Stories post shared on a fake account for Milla on Monday read: 'I've had to delete all my posts due to the hate and nasty comments, as stated in the news story I have gave [sic]! I didn't do anything with Tommy Fury....'

'I didn't even no [sic] who he was we only shared a kiss nothing else happened. And if I'd of [sic] known about Molly-Mae I would never have kissed him back'.

Milla previously stated she would delete her social media posts due to intense trolling in the comments. Her official page currently has no posts.

Last week Milla denied smooching the Love Island star and insisted: 'He was a proper gentleman', despite onlookers claiming the boxer 'didn't seem to care' who saw him brazenly kiss the blonde as he downed vodka and partied at a nightclub at 2am.

Speaking to The Sun, she said she was shocked when she found out about Tommy and Molly-Mae's split and insisted she will try and talk to the Influencer to share her side of the story.

It comes after the 20-year-old posted on Monday following the creation of two fake Instagram accounts in her name and begged social media users to report them

Jewellery assistant Milla posted on Monday following the creation of two fake Instagram accounts in her name and begged social media users to report them

Milla also revealed she had a boyfriend, while Tommy has previously denied he has cheated on Molly.

'I am the girl but nothing happened. We just had fun,' she explained. 'I don't know what he's been doing but someone else must have kissed him.'

Danish Milla spends her summers in Ohrid where she has family, and is said to be regular on the party scene in the region.

She revealed that she partied with Tommy and his friends on three separate occasions during the boxer's holiday after meeting him through members of his security team, who she is friends with.

She recommended night spots and beach clubs for the group to party at and later saw them at Latin bar Cuba Libre.

'They invited us to his table and we had fun and that's it. We did not do anything. I would never have done anything with a married man, as he's basically married, with a little child.'

She also saw Tommy on his last night of the trip at Omnia club, but she explained: 'We were at the same places but we were not together, although at Cuba Libre we were close. He didn't flirt with me, he was just being friendly.'

MailOnline have contacted Tommy's representatives for a comment.

It comes after Molly-Mae said she will always love Tommy as she reflected on the 'very real' two weeks since they ended their engagement in a new YouTube video on Thursday

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

It comes after Molly-Mae said she will always love Tommy as she reflected on the 'very real' two weeks since they ended their engagement in a new YouTube video on Thursday.

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...

'...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.'
Jodi Gordon looked effortlessly chic as she stepped out in Sydney on Saturday.

The Neighbours star wore over $1500 worth of designer clothes as she arrived at the Museum of Contemporary Art for the Australian Women's Weekly Health Summit.

The 39-year-old actress dressed to impress in a beige pantsuit by Australian luxury fashion company Oroton, which retail for $429.

She completed the look with the brand's chic 'Wrap Blazer' which sells for $600.

Jodi also matched her suit with the brand's Sabine small shoulder bag, priced at $529.

She accessorised with a pair of white heels and wore sunglasses as she arrived to the event.

Jodi left her long brunette locks out and let her natural beauty shine with a natural makeup palette.

She attended the Australian Women's Weekly Health Summit to be a guest on the conference's 'mental health' panel alongside Jessica Rowe, Julie Goodwin, and Liz Dale.

Jodi Gordon looked effortlessly chic as she stepped out in Sydney on Saturday to attend the Australian Women's Weekly Health Summit

The actress recently revealed her career change as a mental health support worker with Sane Australia.

Known for her role as Elly Conway on Neighbours, Jodi has spent over half her life in front of cameras and in make-up chairs, but she now dedicates four days a week in the mental health industry.

However, her commitment to mental health doesn't stop there.

Jodi is also pursuing a Bachelor's degree in counselling and communication at Torrens University in Sydney, where she's gaining a deeper understanding of the transformative power of language in mental health.

'Stepping into a professional job in mental health is a huge change for me,' Jodi shared with Stellar.

'It's funny, because Home And Away was the first time I ever auditioned for an acting role. And Sane was the first corporate job I ever interviewed for. I was over the moon when I got it,' she continued.

The Neighbours star wore over $1500 worth of designer clothes as she arrived at the Museum of Contemporary Art

Despite her fame, those who call Sane's helpline remain unaware that the empathetic voice on the other end belongs to a Logie Award-winning actress who once graced the runways of Milan.

'This is what I love about Sane. Because it's a telehealth service, I'm just Jodi,' she explained.

'I'm just having a chat, asking questions like, 'What's going on in your day? What are you struggling with?' I love the anonymity.'

Jodi's new role at Sane Australia is more than just a job; it's a mission.

'It's quite an honour to work for a company that really fights to change the stigma around mental health. It's wonderful to work in the space of advocacy. Having experienced discrimination and stigma firsthand, there's a lot of purpose in what I do.'
Emily Ratajkowski and Emma Corrin looked incredible as they led the stars attending Miu Miu Women's Tales Dinner during the Venice International Film Festival on Saturday.

Model Emily, 33, turned heads as she displayed her taut midriff in a long-sleeved denim crop top which she wore with matching jeans.

The Gone Girl star added height to her frame with a pair of black heels which she paired with a matching handbag.

Emma, 28, put on a leggy display in a navy midi dress which they wore with a pair of black leather boots.

The actor, who uses they/them pronouns, wore their brunette locks in their trademark pixie cut and carried a black handbag.

Emily Ratajkowski (left) and Emma Corrin (right) led the stars attending Miu Miu Women's Tales Dinner during the Venice International Film Festival on Saturday

Also in attendance at the event was Felicity Jones who cut an elegant figure in a white blazer and matching trousers.

The Theory Of Everything actress complemented her outfit with a black handbag and matching open toe heels.

Felicity was joined by her partner Charles Gaud who looked dapper in a black suit.

Cailee Spaeny put on a daring display in a teal sleeveless dress with a large cut out detail across the chest.

Benedict Cumberbatch opted for a casual look in a short sleeved baby blue shirt along with a pair of black trousers.

Meanwhile, fellow actor Joe Alwyn opted for a black jacket with matching trousers and a white T-shirt.

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 the model turnout, an array of A-listers have descended in Venice.

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.

Also in attendance at the event was Felicity Jones who cut an elegant figure in a white blazer and matching trousers

Felicity was joined by her partner Charles Gaud who looked dapper in a black suit

Cailee Spaeny put on a daring display in a teal sleeveless dress with a large cut out detail across the chest

Benedict Cumberbatch opted for a casual look in a short sleeved baby blue shirt along with a pair of black trousers

Joe Alwyn opted for a black jacket with matching trousers and a white T-shirt Joe Alwyn opted for a black jacket with matching trousers and a white T-shirt

Both George and Brad will be attendance at the September 1 screening.

Brad's ex wife Angelina Jolie also promoted 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 was at the screening her erotic thriller Babygirl on Friday.

Pupi Avati's The American Backyard will close the festival on September 7.
Chrissy Teigen looked stunning while getting glammed up on set of a new project this week.

She took to Instagram on Saturday to share a series of photos and videos of herself getting her hair and makeup done for an unspecified project she was working on.

In the caption of her post, the 38-year-old model  who recently showed off her breast lift scars during date night with her husband John Legend  tagged her glam team and wrote: 'CLOSED SET!!!! NO POSTING!!!!'

The first slide was a clip that showed her sitting in a makeup artist's chair and modeling a sheer, bubblegum pink dress with a wet look.

While singing along to Beyonce and Miley Cyrus' song, II Most Wanted, Teigen flipped her hair over and over to get the perfect voluminous and windswept look.

Chrissy Teigen looked stunning while getting glammed up on set of a new project this week

She took to Instagram on Saturday to share a series of photos and videos of herself getting her hair and makeup done for an unspecified project she was working on

On the second slide, she shared a photo of herself sitting cross-legged in a chair while her hairstylist was ironing her hair.

Meanwhile, she was scrolling on her phone and appeared to be gearing up for a costume change as she was wearing a casual, all-black athleisure outfit.

She also shared a snap of the final result after she got her brunette tresses styled in mermaid beach waves and her makeup done in a monochromatic, soft pink look.

Her shimmering smoky eye and her glossy pout matched the glittering, pink dress with a one-shoulder neckline that she had changed into.

At some point, she got to take a break, and she was seen lounging on a massive bean bag chair and jamming out to Chloe Bailey's Have Mercy.

She was bundled up in a cozy fleece blanket when she kicked her feet up and waved her hand tiredly in the air to the beat of the music.

At the end of her post, she added a clip of herself in sparkling pink look as she got her hair and lipstick touched up.

After her makeup artist finished lining her lips, she stuck her tongue out and immediately started lip-syncing to Nas' The World Is Yours.

The first slide was a clip that showed her sitting in a makeup artist's chair and modeling a sheer, bubblegum pink dress with a wet look

In the caption of her post, the 38-year-old model  who recently showed off her breast lift scars during date night with her husband John Legend  tagged her glam team and wrote: 'CLOSED SET!!!! NO POSTING!!!!'

While singing along to Beyonce and Miley Cyrus ' song, II Most Wanted, Teigen flipped her hair over and over to get the perfect voluminous and windswept look

Her post comes two weeks after she enjoyed a family outing and went toy shopping in Beverly Hills with her husband, 45, and their four kids.

While Teigen was carrying their 20-month-old daughter Esti, Legend was carrying two large shopping bags and keeping an eye on their two eldest kids  their eight-year-old daughter Luna and six-year-old son Miles.

It appeared their youngest child, 14-month-old son Wren Alexander, was being carried by a nanny and walking ahead of the couple.

And back in July, Teigen revealed that their eldest son Miles has Type 1 diabetes after eagle-eyed fans noticed the youngster with an insulin monitor on his arm in a photo of the family at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Teigen took to Instagram to reshare the photo and gush about the support they received from fans.

Her post comes two weeks after she enjoyed a family outing and went toy shopping in Beverly Hills with her husband John Legend, 45, and their four kids; seen at 2024 Paris Olympics on July 26

The couple are parents to daughters Luna, eight, and Esti, 20 months, as well as sons Miles, six, and Wren, 14 months

She thanked her followers for 'the most beautiful and incredible words I have ever witnessed on this platform.'

'You noticed his Type 1 diabetes monitor and extended so much love and encouragement in every way possible,' she continued.

'I was, and am, so blown away by the kindness of this community, already.'

She added that 'things could be so much worse' and her family feels blessed to have the help of a 'wonderful, kind, huge-hearted' specialist.
Joel Kim Booster and longtime boyfriend John-Michael Sudsina are engaged to be married.

Taking to social media on Saturday, the 36-year-old Fire Island actor shared the news while posting a carousel of images.

The proposal was captured in a photo that showed Booster on bended knee as he popped the question on a boat in Korea.

He wrote in an Instagram caption to his 239,000 followers, 'Big time Korea DUMP. Keep scrolling for a special surprise Very much in love.'

The new fiance added, 'Very happy. No matter where I am, hes my home.'

Joel Kim Booster and longtime boyfriend John-Michael Sudsina are engaged to be married

The proposal was captured in a photo that showed Booster on bended knee as he popped the question on a boat in Korea

Taking to social media on Saturday, the 36-year-old Fire Island actor shared the news while posting a carousel of images

Booster also shared the life update on his X account.

He shared just two photos from their special day and wrote in the post: 'Vacation boyfriend -> Vacation husband. Try to be normal about this.'

The couple met while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, which the reality star described as 'Gay Disneyland' on an episode of the Dinners on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson podcast.

He explained, 'It was the first big party weekend and we met out through mutual friends on the first night and I took him home and we watched the sunrise together on the beach and talked after we hooked up.'

Despite expecting the connection to just be a hookup, the pair's relationship has stood the test of time.

The comedian continued, 'And then the next day it was like, I saw him again and we both had very much the vibe of like, "We know how these weekends work. You dont have to continue to talk to me. You can find your next conquest. Im not going to glom onto you. Youre not going to glom onto me."

'And he was very, again, like, you know, "This is not going to be a relationship." And I said, "Thats fine." Meanwhile, Im talking about him on every podcast that I go on.'

Joel also discussed the challenge of introducing John-Michael to his conservative mother.

The happy couple pictured at the Emmys in JanuaryOn

On New Year's Eve in 2022, Joel wrote on Instagram, 'Lots of good things happened in 2022 but kissing this boy was still number 1'

Recounting how he approached the situation, he explained, 'I called my mom, and I was sort of like, "Lets talk about this. What would you do if I brought a guy home?"'

The entertainer mentioned that after losing his father, his mother was more open to the idea.

He shared: 'I think because of my dad passing, she was sort of like, "Were not on the same page on that part of your life, but if you brought home someone that you loved, who loved you back, I would love them as much as I love Dan," whos my sisters husband.

'And that was a huge moment for me. I brought him home the following Christmas and there was not a moment in my entire childhood, teenagehood, twenties  ever  that I conceptualized what it would be like to bring a guy home.'
A stray kitten taken in by a Lockport family recently has tested positive for rabies, the Niagara County Department of Health reported.

Health officials said the kitten, about 4 weeks old, was found on Prospect Street and was taken to a veterinarian Aug. 25 after it began scratching aggressively.

According to the report, the animal was euthanized and sent for testing after showing signs of a potential neurological disorder.

Health officials are checking those who had direct contact with the kitten to see if they need rabies vaccinations.

Because rabies is a serious threat in Niagara County, health officials warned that wild animals and stray dogs and cats should be avoided and advised that family pets should be kept indoors at night.

 Dale Anderson
The celebrities were out in force to celebrate Father's Day.

Irena Gilbert kicked off the tributes with a sweet post for her husband, The Bachelor star Locky Gilbert, with the pair welcoming daughter Ava in February.

Alongside a photo of the new father, she wrote: 'Happy fist Father's Day. Seeing you with Ava is my favourite time of everyday.

'The way she looks at you and smiles melts me every single time. Her giggle with you is the sweetest sound in the world. She loves you so much I hate to admit it but I think she loves you the most,' she continued.

'Ava is going to be your little adventure buddy and you're going to be her biggest cheer leader.

'She is so lucky to have you as her dad and I know that parenthood has been more challenging than you thought it was going to be and you doubt yourself sometimes but I want you know that you are exactly what Ava needs and you are doing such an amazing job. We love you dada'.

Bindi Irwin took time out of her day to make sure her husband Chandler Powell felt appreciated.

She posted a photo of Chandler with their three-year-old daughter, Grace, along with a loving caption.

Irena Gilbert kicked off the tributes with a sweet post for her husband, The Bachelor star Locky Gilbert (pictured), with the pair welcoming daughter Ava in February

Bindi Irwin took time out of her day to make sure her husband Chandler Powell felt appreciated. Pictured with daughter Grace

'Every day I'm in awe of your love, kindness and strength,' the Wildlife Warrior wrote.

Jules Robinson also posted a dedication to husband Cameron Merchant, who she met on Married At First Sight.

Alongside an image of Cam with their two sons, Oliver Chase and Carter James, she wrote: 'Whatta man! Whatta guy! Whatta a daddy! Happy Father's Day.

'Our boys don't know yet just how lucky they are to have a daddy, best friend, mentor and influence in their lives like you,' she continued.

Jules Robinson also posted a dedication to husband Cameron Merchant, who she met on Married At First Sight. Pictured with their children

Billionaire Adrian Portelli, known as Mr Lambo, is a new dad and enjoying every moment. Pictured with his son

'Thank you for riding the parenting rollercoaster with me we divide and conquer always together.

'You're wonderful, we love you so much, thank you for making so much joy and laughter for us and for kicking ass in this world and then coming home & wiping ours with such precision and meticulous care and detail'.

The Kyle and Jackie O Show shared a photo of Kyle Sandilands with wife Tegan and their son Otto.

'Happy Father's Day, everyone! Sending love and light from the Sandilands,' the caption read.

The Kyle and Jackie O Show shared a photo of Kyle Sandilands with wife Tegan and their son Otto. All pictured

Bec Judd posted an image of her husband Chris Judd (pictured) curled up with the family's dog, writing, 'Our king to four humans'

Married At First Sight star Martha Kalifatidis paid tribute to her partner Michael Brunelli by hosting a Father's Day breakfast (pictured)

Billionaire Adrian Portelli, known as Mr Lambo, is a new dad and enjoying every moment.

He posed alongside his seven-month-old son, Mercy, and wrote: 'MY FIRST FATHER'S DAY. It's an absolute honour to be your dad little man'.

Married At First Sight star Martha Kalifatidis paid tribute to her partner Michael Brunelli by hosting a Father's Day breakfast.

The influencer also posted a photo of a magazine cover with Michael on the front holding their son, Lucius.

Bec Judd posted an image of her husband Chris Judd curled up with the family's dog, writing, 'Our king to four humans'.
Amy Dowden looked incredible in a pink dress while attending her Ring The Bell party, where she was joined by a slew of guests including Jowita Przystal and Katya Jones.

The Strictly favourite, 34, celebrated in style on Saturday night and appeared to be having the time of her life at the swanky event at The Shard's Shangri-La.

For the special occasion, Amy was a vision in a shimmery strapless dress and glam make-up as she was quite the star of the night.

The ballroom alum led the glitz at the event and was seen taking to the stage for a speech as she celebrated being cancer free.

She teased the preparation on her Instagram stories earlier, and followed by reposting pals and guests' best bits from the night.

Amy Dowden looked incredible in a pink dress while attending her Ring The Bell party, where she was joined by a slew of guests including Jowita Przystal, Katya Jones and more

The Strictly favourite, 34, celebrated in style on Saturday night and appeared to be having the time of her life at the swanky event at The Shard's Shangri-La (pictured with pal Jack Browse)

Katya, 35, snapped a mirror selfie as it read 'We Love You Amy' on it, as she captioned: 'The nation speaks.'

Meanwhile Amy posed with her best smile for a selfie with Canadian pro dancer Polina Mayer and her husband James Cutler.

Also in attendance was Lauren Oakley who reposted a clip with Strictly star Jowita Przystal, writing: 'Thank you @amy_dowden what a fun night celebrating with you!'

Meanwhile Amy grinned from ear to ear and blew a kiss while posing for a quick clip with Giovanna Fletcher and Candice Brown.

The Great British Bake Off winner Candice, 39, shared a picture of Amy talking on stage and penned emotionally: 'Beyond proud to call this lady a friend @amy_dowden Congratulations on ringing that bloody bell.'

It comes after Amy has revealed that cancer has 'changed her forever', noting that she'll never take 'anything for granted' again after fearing she'll 'not make it to Christmas'.

The Strictly star was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023 and in what became the toughest year of her life, Amy underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, fertility treatment and also almost died of sepsis.

And in a new interview, Amy told how she's taking a positive outlook on life after coming through the other side, admitting she's no longer 'angry' at the disease.

For the special occasion, Amy was a vision in a shimmery strapless dress and glam make-up as she was quite the star of the night

The ballroom alum led the glitz at the event and was seen taking to the stage for a speech as she celebrated being cancer free

She teased the gruelling preparation on her Instagram stories earlier, and followed by reposting pals and guests' best bits from the night

Katya, 35, snapped a mirror selfie as it read 'We Love You Amy' on it, as she captioned: 'The nation speaks'

Speaking to Prima magazine on how her cancer experience has shaped her, Amy defiantly explained: 'Cancer has changed me forever. Ill never take anyone or anything for granted, and I know my own self-worth now. You could maybe have walked over me in the past, but now I know my strength.'

The dancer had found a lump in her breast the day before heading on honeymoon in May last year and after undergoing treatment, she was given the all clear this year.

But while she's over the worst, the Welsh beauty candidly admitted that there were times that she didn't think she'd make it through the illness as negative thoughts engulfed her.

Recalling the dark times she endured, Amy explained: 'I would lay awake for hours, thinking, "Am I going to make it to Christmas? Am I going to dance again?" I dont go to bed worrying now.'

Amy positively told how she's moved on from those thoughts now and that her cancer experience had even helped her to not stress about her Crohns as it had to 'take a backseat' over cancer.

The star is now looking forward to the future and can't wait to get back on the Strictly dancefloor later this year.

On coming through the other side, she said: 'Ive come through the other side, and I cant be angry any more. I cant change whats happened, I can only move on. I have the rest of my life ahead of me and I cant give it any more time than it has already taken.'

The Strictly Come Dancing star was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023 and in what became the toughest year of her life

Amy has also written a book Dancing In The Rain, about her experience, with the blonde beauty recalling how the process of writing her book was so important during her healing process as it gave her 'purpose'.

She said: 'When you suffer from a chronic illness or cancer, theres a weird sense that the world is spinning without you. Your normality is taken away and you lose a sense of purpose. Im usually such a busy bee, but I was waking up every day and not doing what I love, so the book gave me purpose in what was a very lonely dark time.'
Simone Holtznagel and her ex Jono Castano have reunited to celebrate Father's Day.

The former couple took their five-month-old baby daughter Gia for a beachside walk in Wollongong on Sunday.

Jono took over pram duty, wheeling the tot along, while Simone walked slightly ahead of him.

The model opted for a black, sleeveless tank top paired with tights that clung close to her figure.

She added a pair of black sneakers with socks in the same tone and had on a pair of designer sunglasses.

Simone wore her blonde hair partially up and opted for a warm makeup look with peachy blush and a dark nude lipstick.

The celebrity trainer meanwhile wore a white T-shirt and track pants along with sneakers.

The former couple appeared largely relaxed in each other's company as they looked for a place to sit by the beach, but at one point had an animated discussion.

Simone Holtznagel and her ex Jono Castano have reunited to celebrate Father's Day. Pictured

The former couple took their five-month-old baby daughter Gia for a beachside walk in Wollongong on Sunday

The former couple appeared largely relaxed in each other's company as they looked for a place to sit by the beach, but at one point had an animated discussion

It comes a day after Simone took a swipe at her ex-boyfriend as she spoke for the first time on their split.

The 31-year-old, who is raising the former couple's baby daughter as a single mother, told Stellar Magazine that she 'couldn't change' the man she thought she loved.

'I wanted to set an example for my daughter; that's something that shifted for me. One day I was like, "What am I doing? This isn't right." And I would hate if she was ever in this situation,' she said.

'You have to do what is right for you at the end of the day. No matter the number of promises or anything else that people make, when they show you who they are, believe them. Because you can't change people'.

Jono took over pram duty, wheeling the tot along, while Simone walked slightly ahead of him

The model opted for a black, sleeveless tank top paired with tights that clung close to her figure

She added a pair of black sneakers with socks in the same tone and had on a pair of designer sunglasses

Simone wore her blonde hair partially up and opted for a warm makeup look with peachy blush and a dark nude lipstick

The celebrity trainer meanwhile wore a white T-shirt and track pants along with sneakers

Simone said she is content raising her baby, Gia, five months, alone, and that she is confident she made the right choice.

'I've never felt more sure of anything. And I know I can do it by myself. It's unfortunate that I'm mostly having to do it by myself, but I couldn't think of it any other way, really,' she said.

'What I'm doing just feels very right for me. The most important thing to me is that Gia is happy and healthy, and that I'm happy too,' Simone continued.

'Because I firmly believe that if the mother is unhappy, it's hard to have a happy child. And I feel like Gia at this point is a reflection of me, as she's just a very content and happy little bubba.'

It comes just a day after Simone took a swipe at her ex-boyfriend as she spoke for the first time on their split

The 31-year-old, who is raising the former couple's baby daughter as a single mother, told Stellar Magazine that she 'couldn't change' the man she thought she loved

'I wanted to set an example for my daughter; that's something that shifted for me. One day I was like, "What am I doing? This isn't right." And I would hate if she was ever in this situation,' she said

'You have to do what is right for you at the end of the day. No matter the number of promises or anything else that people make, when they show you who they are, believe them. Because you can't change people,' she added

Simone and personal trainer Jono, 33, welcomed Gia on Easter Sunday.

In May, Jono confirmed that he and Simone decided to go their separate ways in May - just nine weeks after the birth of baby Gia.

'Who knows what the future holds, our idea is just to be the best parents for Gia at this stage,' he told Daily Mail Australia in a statement at the time.

A close friend of the couple then revealed the writing was on the wall for the end of Simone and Jono's relationship for quite some time.

Simone and personal trainer Jono, 33, welcomed Gia on Easter Sunday

In May, Jono confirmed that he and Simone decided to go their separate ways in May - just nine weeks after the birth of baby Gia

'Who knows what the future holds, our idea is just to be the best parents for Gia at this stage,' he told Daily Mail Australia in a statement at the time

A close friend of the couple then revealed the writing was on the wall for the end of Simone and Jono's relationship for quite some time

A source told The Daily Telegraph that several friends and family members warned Simone her model lifestyle was not compatible with Jono's fitness influencer career.

The first sign of trouble was when Jono posted pictures of himself on a luxurious holiday in Thailand days after Gia's birth on March 31 without Simone and their baby.

Although many of Jono's followers were quick to gush over the snaps, Simone neither liked or commented on them.

Speaking to Women's Health, Simone addressed the positives and negatives of doing motherhood 'alone', despite seemingly sharing parenting duties with Jono.

Simone, who has not yet commented on the split, also notably failed to mention Jono in an apparent swipe as she thanked her family and friends for supporting her.

Simone said she is content raising her baby, Gia, five months, alone, and that she is confident she made the right choice

'I've never felt more sure of anything. And I know I can do it by myself. It's unfortunate that I'm mostly having to do it by myself, but I couldn't think of it any other way, really,' she said

'What I'm doing just feels very right for me. The most important thing to me is that Gia is happy and healthy, and that I'm happy too,' Simone continued

When asked about the aspect of motherhood that surprised her, Simone shared: 'Positive: I can do this alone. Negative: I am doing this alone.

'My family and friends have gone absolutely above and beyond for me, and I am lucky that the negatives feel a lot easier with them by my side.'

Despite the challenges of motherhood, Simone described being a parent to baby Gia as an 'absolute joy' and admitted it has not been as hard as she expected.

'Every day, I tell myself, ''This is the last day she will be this little,'' and that helps me enjoy even the smallest or more difficult moments,' she added.

Her remarks came in a candid Q&A to promote her new campaign with Nala called Sorry To Offend You, which aims to break the stigma around public breastfeeding.

Jono showed his support for her campaign this week as he appeared to be trying to win back his girlfriend, weeks after publicly confirming their split in July.

'Because I firmly believe that if the mother is unhappy, it's hard to have a happy child. And I feel like Gia at this point is a reflection of me, as she's just a very content and happy little bubba,' she concluded

Speaking to Women's Health, Simone addressed the positives and negatives of doing motherhood 'alone', despite seemingly sharing parenting duties with Jono

The Acero gym owner left a sentimental comment beneath a post about her promotional on Instagram, showing Simone breastfeeding their daughter Gia.

'This is so good well done nuffle,' he wrote, seemingly using his pet name for her.

His gushing remark came days after he was seen leaving flowers at the 'postpartum hotel' where Simone was staying at with their newborn Gia in an apparent bid to win her back.

Simone's campaign comes after she had been keeping a low profile following the bombshell news about her split from Jono emerged last month.
Pete Wicks has admitted he took some persuading to sign up to the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Confessing he wasn't a fan of the show, the former TOWIE star, 35, was begged to sign up for the BBC One show by his manager and close pal Sam Thompson.

Sam's girlfriend Zara McDermott appeared in the BBC series last year before reports emerged that she was 'hit and kicked' during rehearsals by now axed professional Graziano Di Prima.

Pete told Sam on their Staying Relevant podcast about his own stint on the show: 'It's the last thing I think anyone would ever think I would do. I've never thought about doing it. I've never really watched Strictly.'

He continued: 'You do like a taster day where I had to see how I got on for an hour with one of the pros.

Pete Wicks has admitted he took some persuading to sign up to the new series of Strictly Come Dancing

'And I am going to be honest with you, I went because I was semi-forced by my management and Sam and anyone else obsessed with Strictly.'

'And I did the taster and I f****** loved it. I genuinely loved it.'

While he is now enjoying training, he added that he regrets giving the costume department free reign.

'You also see like the costume team and they discuss what you like wearing, what you're comfortable in and how far you'd like to go with it,' Pete explained.

'I spoke to my management beforehand and they said to me, "In for a penny, in for a pound." So the costume lady was like, "We're gonna have some fun." I instantly regretted saying that.'

Pete is seemingly nervous about what people will think of him as he takes to the dancefloor in front of millions of viewers.

He concluded: 'So many people are gonna watch, but they're people who don't know. They're gonna f****** hate me.'

Fans have furiously slammed this year's lineup as 'the worst to ever exist'. The BBC show is currently embroiled in controversy over how the professional dancers teach the celebs, with multiple accusations emerging of bullying and abusive behaviour.

It's also been reported that the recent scandals that have engulfed the show may have put off some female stars from taking part.

Confessing he wasn't a fan of the show, the former TOWIE star, 35, was begged to sign up for the BBC One show by his manager and close pal Sam Thompson

Zara McDermott has already given her verdict on close pal Pete's new look ahead of his debut on Strictly.

The former Love Island star, 27, appeared in the BBC series last year before reports emerged that she was 'hit and kicked' during rehearsals by now axed professional Graziano Di Prima.

In a fun clip shared to the show's offical Instagram page Pete, 36, slipped into a plunging floral suit and sparkly trousers.

The caption read: 'Your Strictly countdown is on! There are only 15 days till Pete puts the tan in Tango!

Zara, who's in a relationship with Pete's pal Sam Thompson, commented: 'The sequins really suit you.'

Zara has given her verdict on close pal Pete's new look ahead of his debut on Strictly Come Dancing

The Love Island star, who's in a relationship with Pete's pal Sam Thompson , commented: 'The sequins really suit you.'

Earlier this month Zara broke her silence after it was confirmed Pete has signed up for the show's latest series.

His appearance surprise to some viewers, given his friendship with Zara, and her boyfriend Sam, following her negative experience.

However, sharing the news to Instagram, the documentary maker threw her support behind Pete saying it 'made her so happy.'

Re-posting the official announcement, Zara wrote: 'I've never been so excited. Love you.'

In a comment, she added: 'This makes me so happy. Youre going to have the best time. I am so proud of you. I cannot wait to see you in some sparkles and maybe even some hot pants.'

Sam also shared: 'No words. So proud of you... the content we are going to make that you don't even know about yet.'

Despite their close-knit friendship, he has landed a spot on the Strictly line-up amid shocking reports Zara performed on the show with a 'fractured' leg following an injury in training and needed painkillers to get through ten-hour rehearsals.

The latest revelation comes after professional dancer Graziano, 30, admitted to kicking Zara during their sessions, causing him to be sacked from the BBC series.

The former Love Island star, 27, appeared in the BBC series last year before reports emerged that she was 'hit and kicked' during rehearsals by now axed professional Graziano Di Prima (L-R) Graziano, Zara's boyfriend Sam Thompson, Zara and Pete pictured during last year's series

In a fun clip shared to the show's offical Instagram page Pete, 36, slipped into a plunging floral suit and sparkly trousers

It follows claims his abusive behaviour was caught on video, in clips Zara stated were 'incredibly distressing to watch.'

A source told MailOnline: 'Zara is so happy for Pete landing the Strictly gig.

'Her experience on the show was so individual  she hopes no one will go through the same again.'

They added: 'She knows that Pete will have an amazing time and could even impress the judges, he's incredibly hardworking and a good person, and will thrive in the environment, which can be intense, but he performs best when he's challenged and under pressure.

'Zara doesn't want anything that happened to her to taint his Strictly journey and backs Pete even if it is a bit close to home.'

Pete joined Sam in the Strictly studio audience last year and together they wore patterned shirts embellished with Zara's face to show their support.

They posed for photographs alongside Zara and Graziano, who has since fled to his native Sicily in the wake of his Strictly axing.
Married At First Sight star Jade Pywell has broken her silence following surgery in Turkey.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Sunday, the 26-year-old revealed that she had her breast implants replaced while on holiday.

Jade, a devoted mother to her eight-year-old daughter Victoria, explained her decision to undergo the procedure.

'I've had them done for almost 10 years, so I decided it was time to either take them out or redo them,' she said.

'But because I'm still so young, I just decided to redo them. So yes, I've taken them out and put new ones in. I just haven't told anyone yet.'

'I went a tiny bit bigger because it looked better'.

The brunette beauty is currently recovering in a hospital in Turkey, where she's been receiving support from her partner, Ridge Barredo, who she met on the show.

Ridge, 27, was seen in a series of Instagram posts entertaining Jade at her bedside, offering fans a glimpse of her recovery.

'She's alive,' he assured followers, standing casually in shorts and a T-shirt with a massive bouquet of flowers in the background.

Married At First Sight star Jade Pywell has broken her silence following surgery in Turkey. Pictured

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Sunday, the 26-year-old revealed that she had her breast implants replaced while on holiday

In a sweet gesture, Ridge revealed he had brought Jade a mix of 'warm food and some cold food,' including her favourite fruitspineapple and oranges.

Jade, looking comfortable in her hospital bed, responded with a warm, 'Ahh, nice,' as Ridge continued to dote on her.

Adding a playful element to the situation, Ridge encouraged fans to 'guess the surgery' in a series of Instagram Stories.

'I've had them done for almost 10 years, so I decided it was time to either take them out or redo them,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday

He first shared a snap of Jade in a blue hospital gown, followed by a makeup-free photo of her enjoying a sandwich while resting in the ward.

Later, Jade herself posted a video from a lift, tagging her location in Turkey and confirming that the couple had travelled abroad for the procedure.

Earlier this week, the loved-up pair marked a special milestone in their relationship, celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary.

Ridge, known for his catchphrase 'deece,' took to Instagram to reflect on their journey, writing, 'This time last year I married a complete stranger. I guess now the rest is history.'

In a sweet gesture, Ridge revealed he had brought Jade a mix of 'warm food and some cold food,' including her favourite fruitspineapple and oranges
Margot Robbie, Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper were among those invited to the most A-list party in the Mediterranean as they holidayed together this week.

The Hollywood elite proved the most exclusive gathering this summer was hosted at sea, as they kicked together back on a $250M superyacht with their children.

Pregnant actress Margot, 34, who is expecting her first child with her husband Tom Ackerley, hung out with fellow celebrity power couple Gigi and Bradley.

Joining the group of glitterati was fellow actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who was also spotted aboard the luxury vessel, which is known as Multiverse.

Multiverse is a 350ft (116m) yacht which was launched by from Kleven Maritime AS from Norway in 2018 and is thought to be the 50th biggest yacht in the world.

Margot Robbie , Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper were among those invited to the most A-list party in the Mediterranean as they holidayed together this week

Pregnant actress Margot, 34, who is expecting her first child with her husband Tom Ackerley , hung out with fellow celebrity power couple Gigi and Bradley

The yacht can cater for up to 30 guests in 15 cabins, while also being capable of carrying up to 36 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

At one point away from the group, Gigi and Bradley were spotted sharing a few affectionate moments while cozying up on one of the decks on the spacious yacht.

The pair - who were first romantically linked last year in October - embraced and also kissed while underneath a shady area.

The stars also held a lighthearted conversation as the Silver Linings Playbook actor sipped on a warm drink.

Gigi sported a stylish orange bikini for the day on the water, and when she wasn't taking a dip, the beauty layered the swimsuit with a semi-sheer, white coverup.

Her short, blonde locks fell down naturally to nearly brush the tips of her shoulders, and she also opted for a pair of fashionable shades.

Bradley also kept it casual by wearing a sleeveless, grey shirt as well as a pair of dark green swim trunks.

He was also accompanied by his seven-year-old daughter, Lea - whom he shares with ex and supermodel Irina Shayk.

On Thursday, the couple reached a milestone in their relationship when Gigi was spotted for the first time with Lea as they touched down in Sardinia - with the actor's mother Gloria also joining the group.

At one point away from the group, Gigi and Bradley were spotted sharing a few affectionate moments while cozying up on one of the decks on the spacious yacht

The Oscar winner soaked up the sun during the last days of summer with the supermodel - who was seen for the first time with his daughter Lea, seven, during the relaxing getaway

They stepped out of a sleek, black SUV together after arriving to the island of Palmarola on a private jet.

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At the time, Margot was seen already spending time on the lavish yacht with her husband, Tom.

She showed off her baby bump in a black bikini - after it was confirmed last month that the pair are expecting their first child together.

And on Saturday, the Barbie actress was spotted once again as she joined Bradley and Gigi on the large boat.

The mother-to-be showcased her burgeoning stomach in a black bikini top as well as a short-sleeved, black outer piece that was unfastened at the front.

Her blonde locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in light waves.

On one of the upper decks of the yacht, Hadid and Robbie were seen talking, while Bradley and Tom sat nearby.

Later in the day, the group ventured off the yacht and some had a blast on a speedboat on the water.

Hadid also wore a life vest and afterwards, stepped underneath an outdoor shower alongside Bradley.

Cooper enjoyed solo time as he got a bit exercise on a canoe and paddled his way to a sandy shore where he also took a quick dip.
Hosts on The Project were left reeling in stunned silence after guest Amy Remeikis made a bizarre on-air comment about 'crap dads' on Father's Day.

The Guardian's political reporter appeared on the Channel Ten current affairs program on Sunday night to discuss Australia's housing shortage and cost of living crisis.

At the end of her interview with presenters Hamish Macdonald and Sarah Harris, Ms Remeikis signed off by noting Father's Day with a snarky comment.

'Happy Dad's Day to all the non-crap dads and for all the mums and everyone else who had to stood up for the crap dads [sic],' she said.

The bizarre off-the-cuff remark left the bemused hosts lost for words with a perplexed Harris appearing to grimace.

'Okay, in other news,' Macdonald eventually responded as he quickly moved to the next segment.

The studio audience laughed and the awkward moment has since gone viral on social media.

Dozens of viewers took to X to question the confusing reference after the program shared the segment online, which has since been deleted.

At the end of the interview about Australia's rental crisis, Amy Remeikis (pictured) wished dads a happy Father's Day in an unusual way

'What was that little rant at the end about c**p dads? one viewer asked.

'More time spent with the blow dryer rather than being mean could be a better career move.'

Others slammed the comment and believed that it shouldn't have been aired.

'Happy Fathers day to the non crap dads'. Are you serious? What a s**t thing to say,' another viewer wrote.

'Just say happy Father's Day, or don't.'

But some viewers did see the funny side.

'I've just watched Amy Remeikis discuss capitalism and crap dads on Fathers Day. Cannot ever imagine an equivalent on British TV,' person wrote.

'Lol crap dads,' another person chimed in.

The bizarre remark left hosts Hamish Macdonald and Sarah Harris lost for words (pictured)

Single parents who solely raise their children alone also leapt to Remeikis' defence.

'Just saw you on The Project. As a mum who does both roles. THANK YOU!' one mum wrote.

Another viewer wrote: 'I just caught the end of your spot on The Project. Absolutely love your work!'

Ms Remeikis provides political commentary on several television and radio programs and is often seen on ABC's Insider's show.

Ms Remeikis explained the government should be worried about leaving renters behind at the next federal election as the housing crisis worsens.

She said Aussies are being left out of the housing market and slammed the failure of housing polices that has made made owning a home increasingly unaffordable.
Daniel Craig and his wife Rachel Weisz have arrived in Venice ahead of the premiere of his hugely anticipated movie Queer next week.

The Brit actor rocked his new look of long blond locks as he walked through Marco Polo airport with Rachel, and headed to the Venice Film Festival in the city.

The James Bond star, 56, has taken fans by surprise in recent months with his new do which appears to be for his upcoming film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, which began shooting in June.

Daniel has reprised his role as Detective Benoit Blanc for the third instalment with the film set for a release date next year.

He kept the rest of his Venice arrival look simple in a white t-shirt and jeans while Rachel looked as chic as ever in a black dress and shades.

Daniel Craig and his wife Rachel Weisz have arrived in Venice ahead of the premiere of his hugely anticipated movie Queer next week

The Brit actor rocked his new look of long blond locks as he walked through Marco Polo airport with Rachel, and headed to the Venice Film Festival in the city

Daniel is in town to promote his new movie Queer, which will premiere at the festival on September 3.

Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Queer is ased on William Burroughs' semiautobiographical novella and 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.

Initial reviews suggest mpviegoers will be left shocked by the explicit nature of some of the key moments in the movie.

One much talked about scene, in particular, sees Craig perform oral sex on Allerton.

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.

It would mark the first ever Oscar nod for Craig.

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.

Sigourney Weaver will receive the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award during the festival.

The actor, 56, has taken fans by surprise in recent months with his new do which appears to be for his upcoming film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Daniel pictured in 2012 prior to his new look)

He kept the rest of his look simple in a white t-shirt and jeans while Rachel looked as chic as ever in a black dress and shades

Daniel is in town to promote his new movie Queer, which will premiere at the festival on September 3. He star plays an American expat and war veteran who becomes embroiled in a romance with younger man

Eva Longoria and her husband Jose Antonio Baston also touched down at Marco Polo Airport on Sunday, arriving hand in hand

Adrien Brody was spotted out and about the festival, looking dapper in a grey suit

Aaron Taylor-Johnson touched down, showing off his laid back style

Sadie Sink cut a cool figure as she was spotted leaving Venice on Sunday

Sadie was wearing a band T-shit with white jeans and a black blazer

The Stranger Things star wore a pair of sunglasses and wore headphones around her neck

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.

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.

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.
Felicity Jones and Joe Alwyn led the star arrivals at the photocall for their film The Brutalist during the Venice International Film Festival in Italy on Sunday.

The actress, 40, looked demure as she arrived on the red carpet in a chic black and white belted dress, which she styled with black strappy heels.

Felicity's backless dress was paired with minimal accessories and the screen star wore her brunette locks in a pretty low ponytail.

She was joined by fellow actor Joe, 33, who looked equally stylish in an all black ensemble, consisting of a black shirt and suit with boots.

The Brutalist, which is directed by Brady Corbet, is one of 21 films competing for the festival's prestigious Golden Lion award.

Felicity Jones (pictured) and Joe Alwyn led the star arrivals at the photocall for their film The Brutalist during the Venice International Film Festival in Italy on Sunday

She was joined by fellow actor Joe (pictured), 33, who looked equally stylish in an all black ensemble, consisting of a black shirt and suit with boots

The actress, 40, looked demure as she arrived on the red carpet in a chic black and white belted dress, which she styled with black strappy heels

The Brutalist is a post-war epic about a Holocaust survivor attempting to rebuild a life in America.

Director Brady Corbet said at the festival: 'The film is about the physical manifestation of the trauma of the 20th century. It's dedicated to the artists that didn't get to realise their vision.'

Inspired by the Jean-Louis Cohen's book Architecture in Uniform, the film starring Adrien Brody as a Hungarian architect will have its world premiere on Sunday.

Spanning decades, The Brutalist tells the story of Laszlo Toth and his attempts to pursue his art after the war in America.

Adrien Brody plays Toth, and Felicity his wife, Erzsebet. He lives in near-poverty until a wealthy industrialist, Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), gives him an important contract. Joe and Alessandro Nivola also star.

Adrien said it was a character and a story he felt an 'immediate kinship and understanding for.'

His mother, photographer Sylvia Plachy, was a Hungarian immigrant who fled in 1956 during the anti-Soviet revolution to restart and attempt to build a life as an artist.

Brody said: 'Even though it's fiction, it feels very real and very real to me. That's so important for me to embody a character and make it real.'

Joe Alwyn, Alessandro Nivola, Stacy Martin and Felicity (pictured L-R)

The Brutalist, which is directed by Brady Corbet, is one of 21 films competing for the festival's prestigious Golden Lion award

Running 215-minutes (with a 15-minute intermission) and presented in 70mm, The Brutalist arrived in Venice with expectations high.

Wearing sunglasses, Brady was feeling emotional speaking about the film, which he'd worked on for seven years.

'This film does everything that we are told we are not allowed to do,' said Corbet. He added that conversations about runtime are 'silly.'

'I've read great novellas, I've read great multi-volume masterpieces,' Corbet said.

'Maybe the next thing I make will be about 45 minutes, and I should be allowed to do that.  As Harmony Korine once said, cinema is stuck in the birth canal. And I agree with him.'

In 2018 Corbet brought his divisive Vox Lux, in which Natalie Portman plays a pop star who witnessed a school shooting in her youth, to Venice.

He earlier premiered The Childhood of a Leader there.

Brady wrote the script with his wife Mona Fastvold, who is also a filmmaker. Brady thanked the Venice Film Festival for supporting him.

'When no one was supporting these films, this festival was,' he said. 'It made my films possible.'

Joe, Alessandro, Stacy and Felicity posed together at the event

Felicity posed with her co-star Guy Pearce

(L-R) Joe Alwyn, Alessandro Nivola, Stacy Martin, Felicity Jones, Isaach De Bankole, Adrien Brody, Emma Laird, Guy Pearce and Raffey Cassidy
Lauren Zonfrillo, the widow of beloved MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo, has shared an emotional tribute to her late husband on Father's Day.

Jock, who tragically passed away on April 30, 2023, was found unresponsive in a hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne's CBD.

Lauren took to Instagram to post a touching video of Jock playing joyfully with their two children.

'Happy Father's Day,' she simply captioned the video.

In her heartfelt message, Lauren expressed the bittersweet memories of their time together, writing, 'Jock, always doing the reckless stuff with the kids that I would never do. And I wouldn't have had it any other way.'

'You felt the overwhelming love from the incredible humans you left behind. And you realised that the most beautiful parts of you are yet to be realised in them,' she continued.

The touching post garnered an outpouring of support from followers, who flooded the comments with messages of love and strength.

Lauren Zonfrillo, the widow of beloved MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo , has shared an emotional tribute to her late husband on Father's Day. Both pictured

Lauren took to Instagram to post a touching video of Jock playing joyfully with their two children

' Jock always seemed like such a beautiful man, Lauren. I hope you and your precious little humans can feel his love and presence today. You're an amazing mother, and your children are very blessed to have you. ,' one fan wrote.

Australian activist Grace Tame also lent her voice of support, writing, 'Big, overwhelming love to all you incredible humans, always and forever (today especially) xxx.'

The family had been holidaying in Italy when Jock's sudden death occurred.

In her heartfelt message, Lauren expressed the bittersweet memories of their time together, writing, 'Jock, always doing the reckless stuff with the kids that I would never do. And I wouldn't have had it any other way.'

Alarmed when he stopped answering her calls, Lauren contacted Victorian Police, leading to the devastating discovery.

In the months following Jock's death, Lauren took over his Instagram account, using it as a platform to continue his legacy while sharing her journey through grief and the challenges of solo parenting.

Jock was found dead at the Zagame's House hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne's CBD, at about 2am on April 30 last year.

Jock is survived by his wife Lauren, their two children Alfie and Isla, as well as his adult daughters Ava and Sophia from his first two marriages
Felicity Jones and Joe Alwyn were among the stars promoting their new film The Brutalist on the lido at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday afternoon.

The actress, 40, oozed Hollywood glamour in a pink strapless gown as she joined the actor, 33, at the premiere for the period drama.

Felicity wore her brunette locks sleeked back into a chic bun and added a slick of red lipstick and dazzling Boucheron jewellery to complete her look.

Joe looked equally stylish in an all black suit, which included a suit teamed with a shirt and tie all in the same shade.

Also at the screening was the film's leading man Adrien Brody, who was joined by his girlfriend Georgina Chapman.

Felicity Jones and Joe Alwyn were among the stars promoting their new film The Brutalist on the lido at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday afternoon

The actress, 40, oozed Hollywood glamour in a pink strapless gown as she joined the actor, 33, at the premiere for the period drama

The actress, 40, oozed Hollywood glamour in a pink strapless gown as she joined the actor, 33, at the premiere for the period drama

English fashion designer and actress Georgina stunned in a plunging blue dress with beaded detailing and sheer sleeves.

Earlier in the day, the duo led the star arrivals at the photocall for the film.

Felicity looked demure as she arrived on the red carpet in a chic black and white belted dress, which she styled with black strappy heels.

Felicity's backless dress was paired with minimal accessories and the screen star wore her brunette locks in a pretty low ponytail.

She was joined by fellow actor Joe, 33, who looked equally stylish in an all black ensemble, consisting of a black shirt and suit with boots.

The Brutalist, which is directed by Brady Corbet, is one of 21 films competing for the festival's prestigious Golden Lion award.

The Brutalist is a post-war epic about a Holocaust survivor attempting to rebuild a life in America.

Director Brady Corbet said at the fesrival: 'The film is about the physical manifestation of the trauma of the 20th century. It's dedicated to the artists that didn't get to realise their vision.'

Also at the screening was the film's leading man Adrien Brody who was joined by his girlfriend Georgina Chapman

Felicity wore her brunette locks sleeked back into a chic bun and added a slick of red lipstick and dazzling Boucheron jewellery to complete her look

Stacy Martin looked glamorous in a dramatic champagne strapless dress

English fashion designer and actress Georgina stunned in a plunging blue dress with beaded detailing and sheer sleeves

The film's direcotr Brady Corbet attended with his wife Mona Fastvold and daughter Ada

Inspired by the Jean-Louis Cohen's book Architecture in Uniform, the film starring Adrien Brody as a Hungarian architect will have its world premiere on Sunday.

Spanning decades, The Brutalist tells the story of Laszlo Toth and his attempts to pursue his art after the war in America.

Brady plays Toth, and Felicity his wife, Erzsebet. He lives in near-poverty until a wealthy industrialist, Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), gives him an important contract. Joe and Alessandro Nivola also star.

Brady said it was a character and a story he felt an 'immediate kinship and understanding for.'

His mother, photographer Sylvia Plachy, was a Hungarian immigrant who fled in 1956 during the anti-Soviet revolution to restart and attempt to build a life as an artist.

Brady said: 'Even though it's fiction, it feels very real and very real to me,' Brody said. 'That's so important for me to embody a character and make it real.'

Felicity looked demure as she arrived on the red carpet in a chic black and white belted dress, which she styled with black strappy heels

She was joined by fellow actor Joe (pictured), 33, who looked equally stylish in an all black ensemble, consisting of a black shirt and suit with boots

Felicity's backless dress was paired with minimal accessories and the screen star wore her brunette locks in a pretty low ponytail

Joe Alwyn, Alessandro Nivola, Stacy Martin and Felicity (pictured L-R)

The Brutalist, which is directed by Brady Corbet, is one of 21 films competing for the festival's prestigious Golden Lion award

Running 215-minutes (with a 15-minute intermission) and presented in 70mm, The Brutalist arrived in Venice with expectations high.

Wearing sunglasses, Brady was feeling emotional speaking about the film, which he'd worked on for seven years.

'This film does everything that we are told we are not allowed to do,' said Corbet. He added that conversations about runtime are 'silly.'

'I've read great novellas, I've read great multi-volume masterpieces,' Corbet said.

'Maybe the next thing I make will be about 45 minutes, and I should be allowed to do that.  As Harmony Korine once said, cinema is stuck in the birth canal. And I agree with him.'

In 2018 Corbet brought his divisive Vox Lux, in which Natalie Portman plays a pop star who witnessed a school shooting in her youth, to Venice.

He earlier premiered The Childhood of a Leader there.

Brady wrote the script with his wife Mona Fastvold, who is also a filmmaker. Brady thanked the Venice Film Festival for supporting him.

'When no one was supporting these films, this festival was,' he said. 'It made my films possible.'

Joe, Alessandro, Stacy and Felicity posed together at the event

Felicity posed with her co-star Guy Pearce

(L-R) Joe Alwyn, Alessandro Nivola, Stacy Martin, Felicity Jones, Isaach De Bankole, Adrien Brody, Emma Laird, Guy Pearce and Raffey Cassidy
Sydney Sweeney turned heads in a classy cream co-ord as she was seen departing Venice hand in hand with her fiance Jonathan Davino on Sunday.

The Euphoria star, 26, looked gorgeous in a pleated mini skirt which highlighted her long legs.

Adding a touch of elegance, she donned a matching buttoned long-sleeve bustier which perfectly hugged her slender frame, while finishing with white stiletto heels.

The style queen finished her look with a matching cream Miu Miu handbag.

The Anyone But You actress packed on the PDA with the film producer, 41, who was snapped gently cradling her arm and holding her hand.

Sydney Sweeney turned heads in a classy cream co-ord as she was seen departing Venice hand in hand with her fiance Jonathan Davino on Sunday

The Euphoria star, 26, looked gorgeous in a pleated mini skirt which highlighted her long legs

The couple appeared very smitten and couldn't keep their hands off one another, as they prepared to depart Italy after Sydney attended the Armani Beauty event at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday.

The actress and Jonathan were first linked in 2018 and engaged in 2022.

Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opened the Venice Film Festival on August 28.

Sigourney Weaver meanwhile will receive the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award during the festival.

The 81st Venice International Film Festival is organised by La Biennale di Venezia and is held on the Lido di Venezia from 28 August to 7 September 2024.

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.

Adding a touch of elegance, she donned a matching buttoned long-sleeve bustier which perfectly hugged her slender frame

The Anyone But You actress packed on the PDA with the film producer, 41, who was snapped gently cradling her arm and holding her hand

Sydney kept her blonde locks in a high ponytail

The lovebirds coordinated as Sydney's beau sported smart trousers and a white T-shirt, teamed with brown loafers

The style queen finished her look with a matching cream Miu Miu handbag

The couple appeared very smitten and couldn't keep their hands off one another, as they prepared to depart Italy after Sydney attended the Armani Beauty event at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday

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.
Kourtney Kardashian gave her 221 million fans a treat on Sunday by sharing jaw-dropping snaps to her Instagram.

The 45-year-old reality star, fresh off her appearance at the Reading Festival with husband Travis Barker, posted photos showcasing her in a daring, leg-baring outfit.

Wearing a tiny black mini skirt, Kourtney flaunted her figure while lounging on a chair.

She completed the look with a baby blue oxford shirt, a black tuxedo jacket, and sky-high heels with metal-studded straps.

Adding a touch of attitude, Kourtney quoted Sabrina Carpenter's summer hit Espresso in her caption, writing, 'My give a f**ks are on vacationnnnn.'

Kourtney Kardashian gave her 221 million fans a treat on Sunday by sharing jaw-dropping snaps to her Instagram

The 45-year-old reality star, fresh off her appearance at the Reading Festival with husband Travis Barker , posted photos showcasing her in a daring, leg-baring outfit

Last week, Kourtney and her 48-year-old Blink-182 rocker husband arrived hand-in-hand at the annual UK Reading music festival.

Kourtney opted for a casual yet stylish ensemble, sporting an army camouflage coat paired with leggings and boots.

She kept her makeup natural and let her sleek black hair flow freely for the outdoor event.

Travis, who wed Kourtney in a series of lavish ceremonies in 2022, chose army pants and showed off his tattoo sleeves in a white vest.

Kourtney - who has Mason, 14, Penelope, 12, and nine-year-old Reign with former partner Scott Disick - welcomed baby Rocky Thirteen with Travis in November last year.

Meanwhile, Sabrina celebrated her hit single Espresso surpassing one billion streams on Spotify earlier this month.

The hitmaker, 25, shared a story announcing that the single had reached the 'billions club' to her Instagram.

'Holy s**t!!! Thank you for streaming,' the star  whose fans slammed her 2025 tour ticket prices as 'scandalous and appalling'  wrote, adding a heart emoji.

Wearing a tiny black mini skirt, Kourtney flaunted her figure while lounging on a cream chair

Adding a touch of attitude, Kourtney quoted Sabrina Carpenter's summer hit Espresso in her caption, writing, 'My give a f**ks are on vacationnnnn'

Meanwhile, Sabrina celebrated her hit single Espresso surpassing one billion streams on Spotify earlier this month; seen performing in New York City in June

Released in April 2024 as the lead single from her forthcoming album Short n' Sweet, Sabrina's infectious pop track Espresso swiftly captivated listeners worldwide.

The song, accompanied by a visually stunning music video directed by Dave Meyers, soared to the top of the Billboard Global 200 chart, marking her first number-one hit.

Kourtney quoted the Espresso lyrics that read: 'I can't relate to desperation/My 'give-a-f**ks' are on vacation.

'And I got this one boy, and he won't stop calling/When they act this way, I know I got 'em.'
Samantha Fox has been cleared of assaulting her wife on a British Airways flight after prosecutors dropped the charge.

The former Page Three model, 58, had been due to stand trial at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Monday after reportedly assaulting Linda Olsen on a flight from Heathrow to Munich on December 3 2023 - which she denied.

The incident reportedly stopped the London to Munich flight from taking off.

It is understood the assault charge was discontinued after changes to the evidence meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.

Sam had pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and using threatening behaviour, causing harassment, alarm or distress to a police constable during a court hearing in April.

Samantha Fox has been cleared of assaulting her wife on a British Airways flight after prosecutors dropped the charge (pictured in January 2023)

The former Page Three model, 58, had been due to stand trial at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Monday after reportedly assaulting Linda Olsen on a flight from Heathrow to Munich on December 3 2023 - which she denied (pictured together in June 2022)

She will be sentenced for the two charges at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Sam spent the night in jail after the 'drunken bust up' on the flight from Heathrow to Munich.

The Page 3 icon had boarded the flight to Munich when she allegedly got into a boozy row with a fellow passenger.

Sources told The Sun that Sam 'kicked off' on the plane, forcing it to turn around on the runway and abandon takeoff in London.

Police confirmed that a woman in her 50s was arrested on suspicion of being drunk on board an aircraft and has been bailed until March.

Sam said she is 'deeply sorry for any disruption caused' and is helping police with their investigation.

While Sam spent the night in jail, her fellow passengers spent the night in a hotel before making the journey the following day.

MailOnline contacted Sam's representatives for comment at the time.

The model started dating Linda in 2016, a year after the death of her former partner Myra Stratton from cancer.

It is understood the assault charge was discontinued after changes to the evidence meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction

Sam announced in 2018 she had finally found love again and the couple got married in a lavish Eurovision Song Contest-themed ceremony at the Kings Oak Hotel in Epping Forest, Essex, in June 2022.

She previously spoke about her relationship with Linda after she left the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2017.

'I've now [fallen] in love with another woman,' she said.

'I met somebody a couple of months ago and I'm very happy. As you get older life goes so quick.'
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The stars were out in force for the amfAR Gala during the 81st Venice Film Festival in Italy on Sunday night.

Eva Longoria, Kate Beckinsale and Rumer Willis led the glamorous arrivals at the event presented by the Red Sea International Film Festival and the World Gold Council.

Actress Eva, 49, turned heads in a sheer, sequin gown that revealed her gorgeous curves and was teamed with strappy black heels.

She pulled her brunette tresses back and opted for glamorous makeup while beaming for the cameras at the swanky charity event.

Meanwhile actress Kate, 51, showed off her toned pins in a white corset-style dress which was cinched in at the waist to highlight her figure.

L-R: Eva Longoria, Kate Beckinsale and Rumer Willis led the glamorous arrivals at the amfAR Gala during the 81st Venice Film Festival in Italy on Sunday night

Actress Eva, 49, turned heads in a sheer, sequin gown that revealed her gorgeous curves and was teamed with strappy black heels

Actress Rumer, 36, looked sensational in a floaty bronze dress which had a plunging neckline to show off her assets.

Elsewhere Stella Maxwell and Josephine Skriver brought some model energy to proceedings. Model Stella, 34, turned heads in a plunging glitzy orange gown as she posed up a storm.

Meanwhile Danish model Josephine was the epitome of class in a strapless black velvet number.

It featured a glitzy silver belt and was teamed with strappy black heels while she wore her brunette tresses slicked back.

Elsewhere Antonio Banderas, 64, - who will receive the Global Impact Award at the event arrived in a white suit with his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel, 43.

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world's leading nonprofit organisations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy.

Since 1985, amfAR has raised nearly $900 million in support of its programs and has awarded more than 3,800 grants to research teams worldwide.

It hosts glitzy galas at Cannes and Venice Film Festivals.

Kelly Rowland and Rumer will perform at the event hosted by Kate as the first week of the film festival comes to an end.

She pulled her brunette tresses back and opted for glamorous makeup while beaming for the cameras at the swanky charity event

Eva has been enjoying the festival all week and was out to shine on Sunday night

Meanwhile actress Kate, 51, showed off her toned pins in a white corset-style dress which was cinched in at the waist to highlight her figure

She sported a bronzed tan and accessorised her eye-catching silver look with a round bag as she posed for the cameras

Actress Rumer, 36, looked sensational in a floaty bronze dress which had a plunging neckline to show off her assets

Rumer opted for a dramatic makeup look

Kelly Rowland and Rumer Willis (seen arriving) will perform at the event hosted by Kate Beckinsale

Toni Garrn attends the amfAR Gala Venezia 2024 presented by Red Sea International Film Festival and World Gold Council

Toni was a vision of beauty as she posed at the event

Emily In Paris star Lucien Laviscount looked smart in a black suit and crisp white shirt as he posed inside the function

The actor smouldered for the camera as he enjoyed the charity gala

(L-R) Nicole Kimpel, Honorree Antonio Banderas, Eva, Honoree Mohammed Al Turki and Jon Kortajarena posed for snaps inside the glamourous event

Former British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, and models Jon Kortajarena and Toni Garrn then joined Eva and Mohammed

Eva took to the stage to honour Richard Gere, who planted a kiss on her cheek as he stepped up to make a speech after he received the 'award of inspiration'

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.

'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.

Richard Gere, 75, looked dapper as he joined his glamorous wife Alejandra Silva, 41, as well as his son Homer, 24, at the event

Alejandra, 41, who married the star in 2018, stunned in a semi-sheer mesh gown with navy floral detailing

Elsewhere Stella Maxwell (seen) and Josephine Skriver brought some model energy to proceedings. Model Stella, 34, turned heads in a plunging glitzy orange gown as she posed up a storm

Elsewhere Antonio Banderas, 64, - who will receive the Global Impact Award at the event arrived in a white suit with his girlfriend Nicole Kimpel, 43

Meanwhile Danish model Josephine was the epitome of class in a strapless black velvet number as she posed up a storm at the event

It featured a glitzy silver belt and was teamed with strappy black heels while she wore her brunette tresses slicked back

Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opened Venice Film Festival on August 28.

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 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 that have descended in Venice.

George Clooney is 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.

Brad's ex wife Angelina Jolie is also 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.

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

Nicole cut a glamorous figure in a long gold dress as she arrived to the event hand in hand with Antonio

Julian Lennon wore an all-black look

He added dark shades to his ensemble

Kate Beckinsale and Simon de Pury took to the stage inside the event

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.
Venice is famously one of the most romantic cities on earth so it is surely fitting that Hollywood heart-throb Brad Pitt chose the film festival last night to go red carpet official with his girlfriend Ines de Ramon.

The divorced actor, 60, was all smiles as he walked up the red carpet of the film festival alongside de Ramon, a jewellery designer who he has been dating for around two years.

De Ramon, who is also divorced, moved in with him in Los Angeles in February this year.

It was a double-date night as Pitts long-time buddy George Clooney was on the red carpet with his wife Amal, an international human rights lawyer.

The two men are promoting their film Wolfs, in which they play criminal clean up specialists who are unexpectedly hired for the same job  disposing of a body in a hotel room.

Venice is famously one of the most romantic cities on earth so it is surely fitting that Hollywood heart-throb Brad Pitt chose the film festival last night to go red carpet official with his girlfriend Ines de Ramon

The divorced actor, 60, walked up the red carpet of the film festival alongside de Ramon, a jewellery designer who he has been dating for around two years

De Ramon, who is also divorced, moved in with him in Los Angeles in February this year

Pitt and Clooney were reportedly paid $35 million each to act in the caper film, and had insisted on a release in cinemas.

But Apple had a change of heart and the film, which insiders say cost up to $200 million all in, is now only being released in cinemas in the US for one week.

In all other territories it will go straight to streaming, making it easily the most expensive TV film ever made.

Apples change of heart follows a run of expensive films made by the streamer - including Napoleon, Killers of the Flower Moon and Argylle - all flopping at the cinema.

Clooney denied that their fees were as high as $35 million, saying the true figure was many many millions below that amount. But he added that it was a bummer that it wasnt going to cinemas.

He said: We would have liked that, we wanted that, and Brad and I gave some of our salary back to do that. We have had some bumps along the way, and that happens.

Its a bummer, of course its a bummer, but a lot of people are going to see the film and we are getting a release in a few hundred theatres. It would have been nice to get a wider release.

He said that the economics of streaming are still being figured out but added: We are figuring it out. We need Apple and Amazon and they need Sony or Warners who have been doing it for 100 years.

It was a double-date night as Pitts long-time buddy George Clooney was on the red carpet with his wife Amal, an international human rights lawyer

De Ramon looked stunning in a form-fitting white gown as she joined Pitt on the red carpet

Pitt and his girlfriend, who is 34, were first seen together at a Bono concert in late 2022 (pictured in Venice on Sunday evening)

Pitt said: I love the existence of the streamers because we get to see more story more talent and it gets seen by more eyes as well but its a delicate balance.

Asked what the fact that a film with two huge stars was going straight to streaming said Clooney deadpanned: Clearly we are in decline.

The two men have been friends for decades and last worked together 15 years ago in the movie Burn After Reading. Asked why they were working together again Clooney joked: Well the restraining order ran out. No, it was just cash, money will do it.

He added: In Burn After Reading I got the extreme pleasure of shooting him in the face and we thought maybe we would try it 15 years later. Brad and I have been doing this a long time separately and together. Over a period of time its worked pretty well. It felt like that banter, the way we blast at each other all the time, just felt easy.

The two men are now planning to act in a sequel and Pitt said: We figured there had to be a good reason to get into a film together, something that we could build upon. I also have to say that as I have got older working with people who I enjoy spending time with has become really important to me.

Pitt and Clooney are promoting their film Wolfs, in which they play criminal clean up specialists who are unexpectedly hired for the same job  disposing of a body in a hotel room

Pitt and Clooney (pictured with wife Amal) were reportedly paid $35 million each to act in the caper film, and had insisted on a release in cinemas

Clooney denied that their fees were as high as $35 million, saying the true figure was many many millions below that amount. But he added that it was a bummer that it wasnt going to cinemas

Apple, which funded the project has splashed out over 1 million on hiring the entirety of the Cipriani hotel for Pitt, Clooney and friends over the weekend.

These friends include Clooneys agent Bryan Lourd, who accompanied Amal to a dinner on Saturday night, and the Apple boss Tim Cook, who previously spent time with the Clooneys at their holiday home on Lake Como. They also include the films director Jon Watt who was absent after contracting Covid while in Venice and has now flown home.

Hollywood analyst Richard Rushfield said: It is always amazing to see how far off the rails things can go when its not clear what exactly youre doing in this business in the first place.

What the titans of other businesses never see coming is just how much money you can lose in Hollywood.

Pitt and his girlfriend, who is 34, were first seen together at a Bono concert in late 2022. She had separated from her husband that spring and Pitt had been largely single since breaking up with Angelina Jolie in September 2016.

The couple have spent much of the summer together in Europe, including a period of time at the Chateau Miraval in France where Pitt part-owns a vineyard. He is involved in litigation with Jolie after she sold her stake in it to Stoli tycoon Yuri Sheffler.

In July, a source told People magazine that Pitt and de Ramon were in a serious relationship, adding: Things have been amazing since they moved in together. Its more of a serious relationship than just dating. Brad loves so many things about her. She's great for him.

She went to the premiere of his film Babylon in November 2022 but they did not walk the red carpet together, with de Ramon instead being spotted with him at the after-party. Sources say that de Ramon is easy going. Pitt was linked with model Nicole Poturalski in 2019 and 2020 and with model Emily Rajatowski in 2022, although sources cautioned that it was a casual romance which didnt really amount to dating.
Grace (ITV1)

Rating:

One of the advantages of the South Coast, apart from its balmy climate and good transport links, is the scenic backdrop it offers for murder.

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, on his Brighton patch, doesn't have to contend with the windswept moors or dingy tenements that are the stomping grounds of colleagues such as Vera or Rebus.

One of his victims, as Grace returned for a fourth series, was suffocated in a clifftop car park on the South Downs with views across the Channel. Nice place for a picnic, as long as you go on a day when it's not being used by vengeful gangsters.

Another, the charmingly scatty Aileen, lived in a Victorian villa with high ceilings and parquet floors. The disadvantage was that she was perpetually being harassed by cold callers, dealers scavenging for antiques, and men from the water board.

You might think the water engineers were the worst, since they're the ones who tortured Aileen to death before burgling her safe. But in my book, the woman selling timeshares in Spain was the real villain, and not just because she turned out to be the boss of an organised crime family. Cold calls are a real nuisance.

John Simm as DS Roy Grace and Zoe Tapper as Cleo Morrey in the ITV1 crime drama

(Left to right) John Simm as DS Roy Grace,Brad Morrison as DC Nick Nicholl, Craig Parkinson as DS Norman Potting, Laura Elphinstone as DS Bella Moy and Richie Campbell as DS Glen Branson

Grace, is a returning British ITV drama series based on Peter James' award-winning Roy Grace novel series

Based on the excellent novels by Peter James, Grace is a meticulously plotted serial made all the better by a brilliant cast. John Simm plays the fretful detective, conscientious and demanding of his team but equally willing to give praise and support  the opposite of the 'maverick' type who star in most crime dramas.

Back in the 1950s, with police heroes like Gideon and Dixon, men like that were the ideal archetype. They're out of fashion now.

Grace's weakness is his anxiety over the memory of his wife, Sandy. She vanished long ago but  though he doesn't know it  she's back in Brighton, spying on him and his new girlfriend, Cleo, who is pregnant. Is it Sandy (Clare Calbraith) who left a burning pram outside Grace's house, or one of his many other enemies?

Either way, Grace is still half in love with Sandy. 'You don't have to live in the past  just let it go,' he pleaded with Aileen's bereaved brother, a hollow sentiment that earned him a sarcastic glance from his sidekick, DS Branson (Richie Campbell).

Carolyn Pickles as her character Aileen Daly who is tortured to death by water engineers before they burgled her safe

Guest star Robert Glenister plays Gavin Daly in the fourth series of the ITV1 crime drama

Laura Elphinstone plays the quick-witted, straight-talking DS Bella Moy, a woman who is destined to be chief constable if ever there was one. And Craig Parkinson is her opposite, DS Norman Potting  so crass and antagonistic, it's a marvel he hasn't been relegated to traffic duty.

Guest star Robert Glenister was enjoying himself as an East End hard man, on the trail of his dad's stolen pocket watch.

The chase ended in the sewers under London's streets, and a scene that hinted at a homage to Orson Welles in The Third Man.

With a balanced mix of action and deduction, private life and public duty, Grace is a cut above.
Australian radio host Amy Gerard has opened up about her concerns with breast checks after admitting she has breast implants.

Speaking on KIIS Network's Chris Page and Amy Gerard in the morning on Sunday, Amy reminded women to get checked regularly - but admitted to feeling confused about the process.

'My breasts probably differ from a few other women out there, but I had an implant put in about ten years ago,' began Gerard.

'I have been actively trying to feel around and check for any lumps and bumps,' she said of her self-checks.

'But to be honest, I actually genuinely don't know if things are different for me, or if I just go about things the exact same way as somebody who doesn't have an implant in,' she added.

'I know that the female breast is kind of crushed like into a sandwich press [during a mammogram], and I just don't understand how that would work when there is an implant in there.'

A mammogram is performed by compressing the breast between two flat plates on a mammography X-ray machine.

While implants can affect findings, those with implants can still have mammograms performed, however often with additional images taken.

Australian radio host Amy Gerard (pictured) has opened up about her concerns with breast checks after admitting she has breast implants

These extra images, called implant-displaced views, help the radiologist evaluate tissue that would otherwise be blocked by the implants.

'I know you have to go in and get it squished between the machine, but I genuinely should go and get mine checked,' Gerard admitted.

It comes just days after the radio star had surgery to remove cancer from her face.

Gerard dropped the bombshell in her Instagram Stories on Tuesday.

In a series of posts, the mother-of-three showed the graphic process of having basal cell carcinoma cut out of her forehead.

In a post-surgery image, Gerard revealed 'this is the 5th [basal cell carcinoma] I've had cut out and I never used to even put my face in the sun'.

Another photo showed a long row of stitches across Gerard's forehead.

In a later video, Amy revealed the surgery had dramatically altered her appearance by tightening her forehead skin.

'I shouldn't laugh, but this is my normal face,' said the author while fighting back tears of laughter.

'I look so concerned,' she said, explaining the surgeon had pulled her skin tight while stitching her up.

It comes just days after the radio star had surgery to remove cancer from her face. Pictured last week pre-surgery

The procedure had raised her eyebrows, giving Gerard a permanently worried expression.

'Let's hope it settles. It's very tight.'

The health update comes weeks after Gerard detailed how she received a mum-shaming remark on Instagram.

One of her followers had privately messaged her in June to tell her they thought it was 'inappropriate' and 'unhygienic' that she kisses her kids on the lips.

In a later video, Amy revealed the surgery had dramatically altered her appearance by tightening her forehead skin. Pictured post-surgery

Amy - who is a mother to three young kids, Charli, Bobby and Kobe - read out the message live on-air as she didn't hold back in her response to the judgmental fan.

The message read: 'Hi Amy, I love your videos with your kid but I think it's really inappropriate that you kiss your kids on the lips. Don't you think it sends the wrong message and it's also so unhygienic?'

In response, Amy - who is married to husband Rhian - firmly shut down the troll as she told how it is 'healthy' for parents to show their children affection.

'I look so concerned,' she said, explaining the surgeon had pulled her skin tight while stitching her up

'Firstly, it's my kid and I will kiss him wherever I want on the face,' she replied.

'And secondly, he's four years old, not 18. And as a mum who has carried him and given birth to him, breastfed him, that is my God-given right to smooch his adorable little face on the lips.'

'And I'm going to do it until he goes, "Mum, you're embarrassing", and that's exactly what happened to my other two kids.

'There's nothing unhygienic, in fact, it is so healthy for parents to show their kids affection.
Kate Beckinsale looked incredible on Sunday in a strapless peach dress and huge silver glitter platform heels as she attended the amfAR Gala Venezia 2024.

The busy dress, which flashed her long legs, featured feathers and a half skirt attached to a large waist-cinching silver belt.

The skirt was floor-length and under it Kate, 51, wore a tiny playsuit of a slightly darker peach and covered in glitter.

Kate, who stars in the upcoming action-thriller Canary Black, accessorised with a gorgeous dark gold spherical handbag.

The gala, taking place during Venice Film Festival, was presented by the Red Sea International Film Festival.

Kate Beckinsale, 51, looked incredible on Sunday in a strapless peach dress and huge silver glitter platform heels as she attended the amfAR Gala Venezia 2024

The busy dress, which flashed her long legs, featured feathers and a half skirt attached to a large waist-cinching silver belt

The skirt was floor-length and under it Kate, who stars in upcoming action-thriller Canary Black wore a tiny playsuit of a slightly darker peach and covered in glitter

Earlier in August, Kate posed for a slew of stunning snaps with her adorable cat and dog on Instagram.

The actress looked sensational in an all-black two piece as she displayed her flat tummy and toned legs during her Mexican retreat.

She tried to enlist the help of her cat Willow and dog Myf for the purposes of the social media shoot, but the feline wasn't having much of it for long.

After taking a few photos, Willow growled in discontent and fled the scene. Kate captioned the post: 'Problem child.'

In a video shared in her post, Kate warned the cat when it growled at her: 'Don't be a d**k!'

But in another photo, Kate revealed that the shoot had not ended well because she sustained an injury.

The actress showed her million followers a piece of her bloodied skin that had seemingly been clawed at by the cat.

The Underworld star was then asked in the comments section of her post why Willow had attacked her.

Kate Beckinsale tried to pose for pictures with her cat and dog on Sunday but the feline had other ideas

She tried to enlist the help of her cat Willow and dog Myf for the purposes of the social media shoot, but the feline wasn't having much of it for long.

The fan asked: 'Why Willow attacked you? (sic)'

Kate replied: 'hates myf', revealing a supposed rivalry between her Persian and her Pomeranian.

The Hollywood star still managed to look sensational as she scooped her honeyed locks up into a ponytail.

In 2023, Kate got a touching tattoo tribute of her beloved cat Clive following his passing in June.
Despite its vigorous Neighbourhood First policy, India has struggled to maintain stable and lasting relationships with neighboring countries

Ironical as it might seem, despite a vigorous pursuit of a Neighbourhood First policy in tune with its strategic imperatives, India has floundered to build lasting and steady bilateral relations with countries in its backyard. The pendulum of Indias fortunes continues to swing up and down with regime changes in the neighbourhood.

Despite intense diplomatic engagements and regular outreach at the highest political levels in its neighbourhood, India often finds itself out in the cold each time a party or leadership not so inclined towards it sweeps to power. Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and even Afghanistan are cases in point. And now, with the ignominious exit of the Awami Leagues Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, India has lost the only loyal and steadfast friend it had in the neighbourhood for over a decade. Indeed, so heavily was New Delhi invested in Sheikh Hasinas prime ministership that it was even accused of interfering in the countrys elections to favour her when she won a fourth consecutive term this January.

If her ouster took Sheikh Hasina by surprise, it also caught New Delhi completely unawares. India was blindsided, even though the Sheikh Hasina government was being accused of increasing authoritarianism and a ruthless decimation of the Opposition with backsliding of democracy. New Delhi saw no reason to complain with Sheikh Hasina delivering on what it wanted  connectivity, crackdown on north-east insurgents sheltering in Bangladesh, not making too much noise about the unfulfilled Teesta waters agreement and keeping Indias interests in mind while building ties with China. Under Sheikh Hasina, the cordial bilateral ties were not impacted even when the Indian government brought in the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which fast-tracks citizenship for persecuted non-Muslim minorities from neighbouring countries, though it created considerable disquiet in Bangladesh.

Likewise, she chose not to make a fuss over the controversial National Register of Citizens in Assam, which was seen as targeting illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. For sure, Indias ruling partys hyper-nationalism does not help the countrys cause in its neighbourhood either, especially in Muslim-majority Bangladesh and the Maldives. Moreover, Indias propensity to openly back a particular regime often works to its detriment. It leaves not only the government of the day open to charges of being India's lackey but equally helps the Opposition there fuel anti-India sentiments. In Bangladesh where the Opposition had briefly initiated an India Out campaign, India will face an uphill task in building ties with the new government once elections are held. Likewise in the Maldives, the Opposition had launched an India Out campaign, which helped propel current President Mohamed Muizzu and his party to power.

Along with its required development initiatives, India threw its entire weight behind Muizzus predecessor, Ibu Solih and his Maldivian Democratic Party, but failed to see him win a second term. Given these experiences, Its time India extended support to its neighbours in a more discreet and calibrated manner instead of being seen as an emperor doling out largesse to subjects. India may like to be seen as a close friend, benefactor and net security provider in the Subcontinent and the Indian Ocean Region, and it does do a lot for all this, but there is a marked shift in how it is now perceived.

For one, neither the polity nor the people of these nations want to be seen as mere appendages of a big neighbour even though their countries seem inevitably tied with India owing to their geographical location.

Second, small as they may be, there is a growing assertion of national identity and sovereignty among them. Third, they know that India isnt the only big power they can turn to for financial and other assistance.

China, with far greater financial muscle, after all, is only too happy to step in. Indeed, with Chinas expanding footprint in the Subcontinent and beyond, India has considerably stepped up its financial assistance for infrastructure projects and sought to forge strong economic linkages and trading ties with its neighbours, among other things. It has also sought to be the first responder when they require humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Even so, those days when India was seen as the sole provider for its smaller neighbours are long gone. In Nepal, the Kalapani border dispute was drummed up as a sovereignty issue by then Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to rally public support for his government. Oli even altered Nepals map to show the disputed area as part of Nepal.

New Delhi could have simply prevented matters from escalating by holding a meeting at the foreign secretary level as was demanded by Kathmandu to discuss the territorial dispute. But India looked the other way instead of addressing Nepals concerns. Consequently, Kalapani remains a major irritant in the relationship. India did something similar with the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report prepared jointly by a team of experts from the two countries, with one of its mandates being to review the Nepal-India Friendship Treaty of 1950 that Kathmandu wants revised in keeping with present times.

Its been ready since 2018 but has been given a quiet burial by New Delhi even though Kathmandu had been pressing that its findings be made public. In Sri Lanka too, Indias fortunes change with the change of guard. The going was difficult with the Rajapaksas in power, though India now appears to have regained some lost ground after it provided the island nation with loans after its economy was badly hit during the pandemic.

However, this does not mean that India will enjoy the goodwill of all political parties there for all times to come, given that relationships in the neighbourhood appear to have acquired a transactional character. Going forward, India will do well to not put all its eggs in one basket and seek to engage more vigorously with parties across the political spectrum in its neighbourhood, while continuing to help the countries with financial and other assistance. It should come across as a benevolent friend, not be perceived as an overbearing bully.

(The writer is a senior journalist; views are personal)
The recent meetings of the BJP leader with former LJP MPs Pashupati Paras and Prince Paswan, have intensified tensions within the Paswan family and the LJP

The recent meeting between former LJP MPs Pashupati Paras and Prince Paswan with Amit Shah has significantly elevated Chirag Paswan's political profile. Despite this boost, Chirag Paswan's statements during the last parliamentary session have left many observers puzzled, as he voiced positions that often contradicted those of the BJP. Issues such as the creamy layer in reservations, lateral appointments, and the Waqf Board Amendment Act 2024 saw Chirag taking stances that directly opposed the BJPs views.

In response, Pashupati Paras and Prince Paswan met with BJP leader Amit Shah. During these discussions, Chirag Paswan reportedly expressed concerns about his party's struggles to his uncle, Pashupati Paras. Political insiders suggest that this interaction was part of a broader BJP strategy, with Amit Shah subtly indicating that neither Pashupati Paras nor Prince Paswan are beyond his influence. Additionally, MPs affiliated with the LJP family have begun issuing clarifications, while RJD MLA Mukesh Roshan has alleged that the BJP is targeting LJP R MPs. Furthermore, three MPs from Chirag Paswan's party are reportedly in communication with senior BJP leaders.

The BJP is known for its strategic patience, gradually consolidating its position. This approach saw Pashupati Paras receiving assurances during the Lok Sabha elections, and the Rajya Sabha seat was subsequently occupied by Upendra Kushwaha. Pashupati Paras is now banking on the upcoming 2025 assembly elections, understanding that neither the BJP nor the JDU are likely to allocate him separate seat shares. Consequently, both Pashupati Paras and Chirag Paswan may need to share assembly seats within the NDAs seat-sharing framework, potentially alleviating BJPs concerns.

However, the emergence of the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLP) poses a threat to the NDA, particularly as it fields candidates against NDA allies like Chirag Paswan's party.

This increases the likelihood of vote splitting, whether it results in a reduction or redistribution of votes. Within the RJD, Ram Vilas Paswan's son-in-law, Anil Kumar Sadhu, has been vocally critical of Chirag Paswan. Should Pashupati Paras align with the India Alliance, internal conflicts could escalate, with figures like Sunny Paswan from Congress already preparing to oppose Chirag.

Former Samastipur MP Prince Paswan could also emerge as a significant political challenger to Chirag Paswan. Despite these tensions, Pashupati Paras has publicly expressed a willingness to mend relations with his nephew, stating that familial bonds could overcome political differences. In media statements, he emphasized that blood is blood, indicating his desire to reconcile with Chirag Paswan.

Pashupati has communicated his intentions to the NDA leadership, aiming to thaw the strained relationship. Nevertheless, Chirag Paswan has accused Pashupati Paras of previously undermining the LJP by breaking away MPs and seizing party offices established by their father, Ram Vilas Paswan, thereby betraying the family. Despite these accusations, Pashupati Paras now appears to be seeking reconciliation.

This scenario may reflect the BJP's damage control efforts or a strategic policy shift aimed at balancing the factions within the LJP. The BJP aims to prevent the LJP from splitting into the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti and LJP (R) factions. During the Lok Sabha elections, Pashupati Paras was a target of BJP's strategies. The Paras faction suffered losses during the Lok Sabha elections, losing both MPs and Union Minister positions. When they sought a seat allocation for Sunil Pandey in a by-election, the BJP appropriated their candidate. LJP remains caught in a predicament of political uncertainty.

(The writer is a senior journalist; views are personal)
Recent debates in the Lok Sabha, marked by factual blunders and misguided accusations, underscore the pressing need for well-prepared and knowledgeable representatives

The saying parliament is the temple of democracy has become a cliche phrase. Still, it is heard across the world where democracy is in vogue. In India, even the Communists, Dravidians and even Maoists use this term despite their nationalist views. The functioning of a nations parliament symbolizes its civility. No doubt, the names of Benjamin Disraeli, who served twice as Prime Minister of Britain and William Gladstone, who had a 12-year term as Prime Minister (spread over four non-consecutive terms) are two names students of political science would never forget.

Disraeli was premier during 1868 and 1874-1880 and served as leader of the opposition. Gladstone was his contemporary and both were known for their tongue-in-the-cheek retorts. Though the verbal duels at times crossed all levels of parliamentary decorum, both the parties they headed (Conservatives and Labor Party) never had any issues with their style of exchange of words.

If Gladstone fell into the Thames, that would be a misfortune. But if anyone pulled him out, that I suppose would be a calamity, Disraeli reportedly told the Parliament once.

Similarly, Gladstone was named as GOM (Grand Old Man ) of British politics and Disraeli said that GOM stood for Gods Only Mistake.

India, described as the worlds biggest democracy has its colourful past. The likes of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Mahavir Tyagi and Piloo Modi are some of the names that come to mind while thinking of the Indian parliament.

The debates and discussions featuring them remain eternal classics in the annals of the countrys parliamentary democracy. Those were the days when Television and live telecasting of proceedings of the House were unheard of. Not any more. The proceedings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are being aired live by the LSTV and RSTV.

After watching the Lok Sabha debate on the motion of thanks to the Presidents address to the joint session of the Houses, what struck my mind was the scarcity of good leaders or speakers in the Opposition benches. K C Venugopal, as of date, the strongest leader in the Congress after the Gandhi clan, made a bloomer when he charged that the last ten years of Modi rule saw 2.5 lakh persons getting killed in train accidents across the country. Though Jagadambika Pal, a Congress turncoat occupying the chair asked him to check the facts, the Kerala Chanakya ( as KC is addressed by his followers) stood his ground and reiterated that more than 2.5 lakh had perished in train mishaps during the last ten years. A senior railway official had a hearty laugh when asked about the charge made by the Congress leader.

Many members of the Lok Sabha are not competent to occupy the treasury or opposition benches. Thol Thirumavalavan, of the VCK, a Dalit outfit, blamed the Center for the recent hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadus Kallakurichi which claimed 63 innocent lives.

Had Thirumavalavan spent at least 15 minutes of his time reading the Constitution of India presented to him by Rahul Gandhi, he would not have made this blunder. The manufacture, distribution and sale of liquor is the exclusive prerogative of the State governments under the seventh schedule of the Constitution. When one comes to the House to deliver an important speech like thanking the president for the address to the joint session of both Houses, one has to do some homework.

Gumma Tanuja Rani, a tribal leader representing Araku constituency in Andhra Pradesh was a major relief. She spoke from the bottom of her heart about the inadequacies in the education system for tribals in her constituency. The absence of good teachers costs the tribal students quality education. India, which has dozens of communication satellites of its own could dedicate one or two transponders for educating the tribal teachers making use of the quality teachers available in the country. _

The words of representatives like Tanuja Rani should not be confined in the records of the House. The ministers of science and technology and human resources development should sit with the ISRO chairman and work out an action program to launch tribal schools through our satellites. Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, a Congress MP from Punjab, spoke about the eternal pain of farmers in his State as well as the rest of the country.

This is proof of how our ministers in charge of agriculture failed to resolve the hardship faced by the farming community.

Wherever one goes in India, the farmers wail over their difficulties in getting water for irrigation, bank loans and of course the lack of marketing facilities.

A research scholar may be able to get a PhD for his thesis on how the politicians succeed in keeping the farmers in perpetual poverty and how they are forced to resort to extreme steps. Period.

Discussing an inconsequential comment made by the Leader of the Opposition about Sanatan Dharma is a waste of time. The ruling party should understand that he has to make some statements to stay relevant. There are three kinds of people in the world, according to Shiv Khera, a management guru. Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened. Our LOP does not belong to the first two categories!

(The writer is special correspondent with The Pioneer; views are personal)
The AAP on Sunday accused the BJP of kidnapping its Bawana Councillor Ram Chander, with the BJP vehemently denying the allegation even as the abducted member returned to his residence.

These kidnapping charges came just some days before the crucial zonal ward committee elections of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), slated to be held on Wednesday. Upon his return, Chander, councillor from Ward no. 28, claimed that he was threatened on the pretext of being framed in ED-CBI cases by the opposition outfit.

He along with four other AAP Councillors joined the BJP last Sunday albeit returning to AAP a few days later after he claimed seeing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his dream.

Later, in a video message, he said that he was taken by some people to BJP headquarters.

There they threatened me saying I would be framed by ED and CBI. My son Akash called the police helpline while our senior party leaders called the police commissioner. When they (BJP) got to know about it, they sent me back home, Chander said in the video message.

I want to tell BJP, I am not scared of ED and CBI. I have done nothing wrong. I am a soldier of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said in the video shared by AAP. The party demanded answers from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, and the Police Commissioner.

On Sunday, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh shared a video of Ram Chanders son Akash on X alleging that his father had been kidnapped. In the post, Akash said, My father received a call from an ex-councillor of BJP saying, We are standing downstairs near your house to meet you. My father went downstairs to his office. What we have learnt is that there were four to five people, who threatened my father that he would be implicated by ED-CBI and they have taken him. We are searching for him.

AAP councilor Ram Chanders son, Akash, called on 100 and informed the Delhi Police about the entire incident and many senior leaders of AAP talked to the Police Commissioner over the phone and demanded to release councilor Ram Chander from the clutches of the BJP as soon as possible. After heavy pressure from all sides, the BJP people left Ram Chander at his home through someone, AAP said in a statement.

Reacting to Singhs post, senior party leader Manish Sisodia reiterated the charges levelled by Akash. AAP MLA and MCD in-charge Durgesh Pathak accused the BJP of making a mockery of law and order in Delhi.

BJP, in collusion with Delhi Police, got AAP councilor Ramchandra kidnapped. The former BJP councilor went to Ramchandras house to meet him and said that he wanted to meet him. When Ramchandra went to meet him, the BJP leader and five to six people accompanying him intimidated him, forced him into a car and kidnapped him, he said.

Hitting back, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva dismissed the allegation and called it baseless and false. AAP leaders are merely making unsuccessful attempts to create confusion among the public, he said, demanding an investigation by the Delhi Police in the matter.

In the lead-up to the zonal ward committee elections, both AAP and BJP have claimed that councillors from the other side are ready to switch allegiance and defect from one party to another.
Dont underestimate the power of the common man. That was the message from a renowned Bengali television actress as she participated in a massive procession of cine personalities and other celebrities, demanding justice for the RG Kar Medical College doctor who was raped and murdered on duty more than three weeks ago.

Indeed, the City of Joy once again transformed into the City of Rallies  a title Kolkata earned in the 1970s. The long marches, now not only growing in length but also in breadth, saw the apolitical demand for justice spreading like wildfire, drawing in people from all walks of life, from celebrities to students, veterans to shopkeepers.

This movement continued even as reports of more rapes and molestations surfaced from various parts of the State, including hospitals. Over five thousand cine personalities, accompanied by women and men from all walks of life, braved the hot and sultry weather to march more than three kilometres from College Square to Esplanade. They demanded justice not only for Abhaya  the name by which the victim doctor is now known  but for the entire society that has fallen victim to this broken system.

Expressing the grit and determination of the Swastika, a noted award winning Bengali actress said, Those who are trying to shield the guilty and preserve the system that is rotting all the medical colleges and the educational institutions thought things would die down automatically after people lose interest with time have just started realising that this time the public is not going to give up because this is not a political movement this is the movement of the people who have descended on street enough is enough we want justice not only for the victim but for the whole society the whole women folk.

Director and actress Aparna Sen, who had hit the street regularly during the Singur and Nandigram movements too participated in the march. How long the woman will continue to be treated as a commodity why always the powers that be try to brush the crime against women under the carpet all the time this cannot go on we need not only justice but also an answer, she said.

Ten kilometres from South a rally of three thousand alumni of Ramakrishna Mission group of schools marched carrying the portraits of Ramakrishna Paramahansa Mother Sharada Devi and Swami Vivekanada demanding justice from Gol Park to Nandan Cine complex.

Similar rallies were taken out by the former students of 10 South Kolkata schools from Minto Park to Hazra Crossing. Jadavpur University area too witnesses long rallies and street corner theaters with thousands of people thronging around.

A time has come when you have to explain your conduct  the civil society demands explanation for every work of yours  you have let loose the goons control the education campuses who are running syndicate raj everywhere  and whenever there is a protest you simply eliminate them  this cannot continue for eternity, said Mrinal Biswas a doctor who took part in a rally of joint forum of doctors. He would however not dwell much on who he referred to as you.

A nine-year-old girl was molested by a neighbour at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas leading to the locals attacking the house of a local panchayat member. The police had to resort to a lath-charge and burst tear gas shell to disperse the crowd. The incident took place on Saturday night. One person had been arrested, police said.

Another incident took place at Howrah General Hospital where a hospital staff was reportedly hauled up for molesting a minor patient who had come for treatment. My daughter was bitten on her lips and was molested by this man  when she started crying loudly we rushed to that room and caught hold of him, said the mother.

Hospital Superintendant said, we have issued a showcause notice to the accused person and would take appropriate action.

Similar incident took place at Ilambazar in Birbhum district where a relative of a patient molested an on-duty nurse leading to the doctors and paramedical staff going for a temporary cease work. He was molesting me while I was taking care of the patient  when I raised hue and cry he started to threaten me  the police later told that he has been arrested, the nurse said.
It has been three years since Chandan Mitra is gone. I left the Pioneer in 2012 summer but my phone still has his number saved as Editor. I last met him on January 19, 2019. I presented him a copy of my book Delhi Political 1947-2013 and clicked a picture together. Since we both had French beards and sported similar glass frames, some commented that I was indeed a true disciple, since I did not simply follow him in his writings but also the style of his beard.

Covid followed, poor health got the better of Chandans physical charm and our interactions got limited to exchange of messages on the phone. My last message to him was on 24 July 2021, on Guru Purnima. Somewhere I had this gut feeling that he may not be there to receive the customary message on Teachers' Day, September the 5th. It turned out to be true.

In 1992, I was working as a district correspondent in the Patna edition of the Hindustan Times. I remember reading a front-page review of Mani Ratnams film Roja sitting in the dingy district bureau office. It was sometime then that somewhere inside me the thought arose, if I were to make a career in journalism, Chandan Mitra was the writer to follow.

Soon after, I came to Delhi and found a job at the newsdesk in The Pioneer. The newspaper then had a good number of feature and theme pages. The newspaper's then Editor, Ashok Bhattacharya, gave me somewhat of a license to write on these pages if it would not compromise with my desk work. I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

In 1996, Chandan came as the Editor to Link House, the office of The Pioneer. In the first meeting with the newsdesk, then officiating editor Ajoy Bose introduced me saying that I was some kind of a specimen, who despite working till late in the night on the desk could still find time to write. Chandan responded, I am surprised as I always thought of you to be in someone in the writing departments.

Soon he made me jump the fence, and I was part of the City reporting team. In less than two years time I was heading the City unit. When I took over, my friends told me that the job was jinxed as, since the launch of the paper in Delhi, nobody completed a year as the Chief Reporter.

When I completed a year, I wrote a thanksgiving note to the Editor, and Chandan in a hand written reply said I survived not because of his benevolence but because of my work. He said I would have many more years in the office. I worked in The Pioneer for 18 years on a trot and of which 16 years were with Chandan.

We were ideologically not much aligned. Given my military school background I was never much amused by the life of glamour which he enjoyed but still we managed to work together. With time I came to look after the newspaper's editions in Dehradun, Chandigarh and Ranchi in addition to the Delhi City unit charge.

Those were tumultuous years. The Thapars gave up on the newspaper and Chandan brought it back from the brink of closure. In those years many left for better opportunities; sometimes I ask myself what held me back. The charm of attending the evening news meetings with Chandan in the chair, things never got boring. They used to be great gatherings with Swapan Dasgupta and Kanchan Gupta, all mahapandits of right wing ideology, with poor me fighting to justify my sympathies for the then Sheila Dikshit Government. Chandan would face a lot of heat from Delhi BJP leaders like Madanlal Khurana for having me as the head of the papers City unit.

The majority of the years that Chandan held the reigns of The Pioneer, the paper was in an adversarial role vis-a-vis the Government at the Centre.

Not that under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government, Chandan mortgaged his right to criticise. There was this instance of a border skirmish with Bangladesh in which a BSF officer was killed. His corpse was returned in a most undignified manner. The images made one baulk and at the same time angry even as the Government talked of peace. The front page editorial in the paper said, Bend, dont genuflect. Now this was a startling criticism coming from a newspaper known for its ideological proximity to the Government of the day. This must have required a lot of courage on the part of Chandan, and a real large heart on the part of the Government to take the criticism in the right spirit.

During those 16 years, Chandan gave me the freedom to make my team. The team had to be made every six months as someone who had just started to shine would be poached by bigger media houses. Today these freshers are the strength and backbone of many a media house across the country.

Whenever one gets to meet them, they show gratitude for giving them the break but I could do so because Chandan allowed it. That was Chandan!

(Sidharth Mishra is author & president Centre for Reforms, Development and Justice)
Senior Janata Dal (United) leader and former Member of Parliament (MP) KC Tyagi whose stand on various issues often highlighted his partys differences with ally BJP, resigned from the partys national spokesperson on Sunday, saying there is little to defend the party from. In his letter to Nitish Kumar, he cited personal reasons for his resignation.

However, sources suggested that the resignation was due to the leaderships displeasure with his recent statements on various issues. What also worked against Tyagi was a recent joint statement he issued with Opposition leaders on the Israel-Hamas war. Rajiv Ranjan Prasad will be replacing Tyagi as the new national spokesperson of the party, which is in power in Bihar under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

This is the second time in two years he resigned or was dropped as national spokesperson of the party. He was previously dropped from the position in March 2023, although this decision was reversed within two months following Kumars intervention.

The National President of Janata Dal (United), Nitish Kumar (Chief Minister, Bihar) has appointed Rajiv Ranjan Prasad as the National Spokesperson. Shri K.C. Tyagi, who is in the party on the post of spokesperson, has resigned from the post of party spokesperson due to personal reason, the JDU has said in a statement.

Tyagi, party leaders said, will continue in his another role as political advisor.

It is believed that frequent comments of Tyagi, who is based in Delhi and enjoys an unlikely high profile in the national media for a regional party leader due to his experience and articulation, on central governments policies were seen by many within his party as unhelpful to the BJP-JD(U) ties.Be it on the Uniform Civil Code, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the lateral or even the Palestine issue among a number of other matters, his articulation of the JD(U)s stand different from the BJP created ripples and left the saffron party less than amused. He was the only member of the ruling National Democratic Alliance in a recent meeting, which included several opposition parties members, with Mohammad Makram Balawi, Secretary General of League of Parliamentarians.

According to sources, Tyagi resigned because the party leadership felt that his statements, including the recent one on the Israel-Palestine issue and the lateral entry controversy, deviated from the party line. He had urged the Centre to stop arms supplies to Israel and had stated that India supports peace and a ceasefire in Gaza.

Last month, when the PM broached the subject of UCC once again, Tyagi said the party supported UCC but wanted a wider consultation. He said this was a position made clear by Kumar himself in his letter to the Law Commission back in 2017.

Tyagi was among the parliamentarians and former MPs who put out a statement targeting Israel. We, the undersigned Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, unequivocally condemn the ongoing Zionist aggression and the heinous genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel. This brutal assault is not only an affront to humanity but also a gross violation of international law and the principles of justice and peace, the statement said.Party sources alleged that Tyagi made statements without consulting the leaders and that there were talks of alleged differences within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) due to his remarks.

In his letter, Tyagi has stated that he had earlier, too, requested to be relieved of organisational responsibility. You must have noticed that I have kept myself from TV debates for the past few months. I am not able to do justice to the post as spokesperson due to other work. Please relieve me from this responsibility. I will be available to publicise about you and Bihar governments achievements, he wrote.

Tyagi, the 73-year-old leader, has been with Nitish Kumar throughout his political journey and has been considered as a prominent face of the party. He was a Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar from 2013 to 2016 and was a Lok Sabha member from 1989 to 1991 from the Hapur constituency.

Tyagi has been a Rajya Sabha member representing Bihar and has also held the position of chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on industry. Previously, he was a member of the ninth Lok Sabha and served as chairman of both the committee on papers laid on the table and the central warehousing corporation.

Tyagi began his political career in 1974 and made his first attempt at the Lok Sabha elections in 1984, contesting from the Hapur-Ghaziabad constituency.

It may be noted that the BJP has been reaching out to allies to maintain coordination and harmony in the ruling National Democratic Alliance in its bid to quell reports of differences in the bloc.
An 18-year-old man was stabbed to death in a robbery bid in the Uttam Nagar area of Dwarka.

According to the police on Sunday, the victim has been identified as Monu, a native of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, who had come to Delhi to work during a Janmashtami Mela and he was working as a labour at a balloon shop near metro pillar no. 681, Uttam Nagar in the area of Bindapur police station.

DCP Dwarka Ankit Singh said that a call was received at Uttam Nagar police station at 11.15 pm on Saturday regarding a scuffle and the stabbing of a man. At the time of the alleged incident, Monu and his friend Monu Kumar were on their way to have dinner when they were stopped by four to five men near a metro pillar.

It further transpired that the injured along with Monu was going to eat food and when they neared Pillar No. 656, Uttam Nagar, Delhi, four to five boys came and asked for money, which they denied. Suddenly, one boy came and stabbed with a knife on the upper back of Monu, Singh added.

Monu was taken to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital before being shifted to Safdarjung Hospital. He died during treatment.

Case of robbery under section 311 (Robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 3(5) (When a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone) of BNS was registered and was being investigated. It further transpired that the injured was declared dead, accordingly Section of Murder was added. CCTVs of the area are being examined & efforts to trace the alleged are on, the DCP stated.
Delhi BJP staged a Jhuggi Jhopri Jan Akrosh protest against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday over high electricity bills and dirty water in the slum areas with residents of 254 slums and service colonies in the city.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, who led his party's protest at Chitra Vihar slum colony in East Delhi, alleged the absence of basic facilities and higher electricity, water bills and dirty water in the slum areas.

The residents of Delhi's slum and service colonies are indeed the foundation of Delhi's development, supporting the lives of the highly educated, yet it is unfortunate that despite grand promises from the Delhi government, they are forced to live in subhuman conditions, he asserted.

With Delhi elections to be held early 2025, the BJP's slum expansion campaign has been connecting with citizens in slum and service colonies, running every Sunday for more than a month now.

Hitting out at the AAP, Sachdeva said, It is sad that those promising free electricity and water are in power, but slum residents are forced to buy drinking water and receive electricity bills amounting to thousands of rupees.

The slums lack cleanliness, DUSIB toilets are filthy, and neither the Delhi government nor the Municipal Corporation is providing them with basic human amenities.

Shyam Bai, a slum dweller, said "the problem is that we are not getting clean water. We have been living here for 40 years. Nobody is giving us a place to live. We are fed up by paying such big amounts of electricity bills."

We don't have a place for washrooms. There are 12 people in the family, and we only get 15 kilogrammes of food to eat, she added. Jyoti, another slum dweller, said the biggest problem is that there is no medical facility at all.

We want at least a dispensary to be there so that we don't have to go far away for minor health issues," she added.

Sachdeva further said the elections in Delhi will be held in the next few months and when a BJP chief minister will be there in the national capital, all these bills will be reimbursed. So, I have requested all these people to keep the bills with them," he added.
A Hyderabad bound flight of a private airline made an emergency landing after a 'Explosion @ 9:00 AM' was found written in the bathroom of the flight.

The flight that took off from Jabalpur to Hyderabad made an emergency landing in Nagpur. Actually, it was written in the washroom of the flight 'Explosion @ 9:00 AM'. After which the flight landed in Nagpur. Here the plane was inspected. Nothing was found in it. After which the flight was sent to Hyderabad in the evening.

IndiGo flight number 6 E-7308 took off for Hyderabad from Dumna Airport in Jabalpur at 8 am on Sunday. It was supposed to land in Hyderabad at 9:40. But it landed at Nagpur Airport at 9:10.

This flight remained in Nagpur for over 6 hours. During this time, officials of security agencies questioned the 69 passengers and 4 crew members present in the flight. The luggage kept inside the flight was also checked. During this time, Maharashtra Police along with CISF along with bomb squad and dog squad were also present.

Neeraj Kumar, director of Dumna Airport, Jabalpur said that Nagpur Airport Authority officials said that the news of the bomb was completely a hoax. However, investigation is going on, who and why spread such a rumour in the plane, is being found out.

The flight was thoroughly checked in Nagpur. Nothing was found in it. No suspicious thing was found. After which the flight was sent to Hyderabad at 3.30 pm. The flight reached Hyderabad at around 5.30 pm.

IndiGo manager Hina Khan said, 'There are 69 passengers and 4 crew members on board the plane. Shortly after taking off from Jabalpur, Jyotismita Sakia, who was part of the crew, went to the washroom. Here a message written in blue ink was seen on a piece of toilet roll. It read- 'Explosion @ 9:00 AM.'

Sakia informed the pilot. Who informed the Area Traffic Control, Nagpur.

The flight was diverted to Nagpur. The Bomb Threat Assessment Committee was informed by the MIL Security and Terminal Department. After this, the plane landed at Nagpur Airport. All the passengers were evacuated from the plane. The security team is also trying to gather information about who wrote this message and when?
Chandigarh has become the epicenter of the latest farmers protest as thousands rally for urgent agricultural reforms, marking a dramatic escalation in their long-standing struggle for policy changes. Starting Sunday, the Sector-34 Dussehra Ground has transformed into a hub of activity, with farmers from across Punjab converging to voice their grievances. Their demands are clear  the implementation of a comprehensive agriculture policy, promotion of chemical-free crops, and substantial measures to combat the escalating drug problem in the State.

The protest, organized by the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, has attracted widespread attention with its sheer scale and intensity. Farmers have traveled in buses, tractor-trolleys, and personal vehicles, bringing with them essential supplies and setting up temporary kitchens to sustain themselves throughout the five-day demonstration. This mobilization reflected their deep frustration with the Punjab Governments inaction, despite promises made over two years ago when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) assumed power in the state.

The protestors primary concern is the delayed implementation of a robust agriculture policy. Despite assurances from the AAP Government, the promised reforms have yet to materialize, leaving farmers disillusioned. The lack of progress on this front has exacerbated existing challenges within the agricultural sector, prompting this large-scale protest. Farmers argued that the governments failure to act on the committees recommendations, submitted last October, has hindered their livelihoods and well-being.

In addition to their demands for policy reform, the farmers are calling for the promotion of chemical-free crop cultivation. They believed that such measures are crucial for both environmental sustainability and public health. Furthermore, the protestors are seeking compensation for the families of farmers who have committed suicide due to economic distress  the demands underscoring the dire situation faced by many in the agricultural community, who have been driven to extreme measures as a result of financial pressures.

The protest also highlighted the urgent need to address the growing drug problem in Punjab, which has become a significant concern for rural communities. The farmers are pressing for stronger actions to combat drug abuse, which they see as a critical issue affecting the health and stability of their communities.

Farmers to March Towards Vidhan Sabha Today

As the Punjab Vidhan Sabhas three-day monsoon session set to begin from Monday, the timing of the protest is strategically significant. Farmers plan to march towards the assembly, where they will present a memorandum of their demands to the Chief Minister and the opposition leaders. The move is intended to ensure that their concerns are addressed during the legislative session, amplifying their message at a crucial moment.

The farmers will march towards the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday and hand over a memorandum of their demands to the Chief Minister and opposition leaders, said Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan.

Farmers' Strategy Meeting on Sept 5 Amidst Anticipation of Govt Response

Expecting that elected representatives will discuss agri issues during the monsoon session, farmers leaders are preparing for a decisive strategy meeting scheduled for September 5. The meeting will be pivotal as it will follow the submission of a comprehensive memorandum of demands to the Government, which aims to address critical issues affecting the agricultural sector.

The assembly session, which concludes on September 4, will be scrutinized for its response to the farmers concerns, particularly their call for an effective agriculture policy. The upcoming meeting on September 5 will determine the next phase of the farmers strategy, as they seek to push for meaningful reforms and accountability from the government.

Traffic Advisory Issued

The Chandigarh Police have issued a traffic advisory to manage the anticipated disruptions caused by the protests. Residents are advised to use alternative routes to avoid congestion and delays. Real-time updates on traffic conditions will be available through the Chandigarh Traffic Polices social media channels, providing crucial information to help navigate around the protest zones.

As per traffic diversions and parking arrangements, to manage the situation effectively, the vehicles approaching Sarovar Path from Gaushala Chowk (Sector 44/45-50/51 Chowk) will be diverted at Budail Chowk (Sector 33/34-44/45 Chowk), with restrictions extending to Sector 33/34 Light Point and New Labour Chowk (Sector 33/34-20). Traffic will be restricted near the V-4 and V-5 roads in Sector 34, specifically around Polka Bakery, Flower Market, and the Dispensary.

Additionally, no turns will be allowed on Sarovar Path, and traffic will be redirected away from Peace Path at Sector 33/45 Light Point. Vehicles coming from Matuar Chowk are advised not to turn left at Gaushala Chowk, while those from Faida Light Point should turn right at Sector 45/46-49/50 Light Point instead.

For parking, farmers can utilize designated areas near Sector 33-D Market, the open ground near Sector 44 Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Mandis Ground in Sector 45-D, and Dussehra Ground in Sector 46-D.
More information was released late Saturday afternoon on the shooting death of a man Friday night by Orchard Park police, but the identity of the deceased and the names of two officers put on administrative leave were withheld pending review.

"Yesterday evening at approximately 8:50 p.m., our 911 dispatch center received a 911 call reporting a confrontation involving a gun and a knife in the area of Hawthorne Drive and Poplar Avenue," Police Chief Patrick Fitzgerald said, providing the first information on where and when the incident occurred. "Officers responded and upon arrival located a male who the department has had prior interactions with in an area that is well known to our department.

"I can confirm that when officers arrived, the male was armed with a knife and officers gave clear commands to the male that were disregarded," Fitzgerald said. "He advanced at the officers and was a clear threat to the officers when he was shot."

Fitzgerald added that immediate life-saving efforts were attempted.

"I am mindful and sympathetic of the family's loss as a result of this incident," Fitzgerald said. "This is a very serious event and we continue to investigate in a thorough, methodical and transparent manner as we cooperate with outside agencies."

Fitzgerald declined to take questions from the press, saying more information would become available as the investigation proceeds. The state Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation is charged with investigating deaths caused by police officers.

This is at least the fourth fatal shooting involving an area police department in the past several months.

In July, a Buffalo police officer shot a 25-year-old man who suddenly sped away from a traffic stop, dragging the officer as the car reached speeds of over 60 mph. The man died from his injuries in the shooting.

In February, a 58-year-old man holding a shotgun was fatally shot by Buffalo police on Sycamore Street. Police said he fired the gun once despite numerous commands to put the weapon down.

Also last February, a 36-year-old Jamestown woman was fatally wounded when she was shot in a struggle with a Town of Hamburg police officer. The woman had broken into a residence on McKinley Parkway.
Making a big announcement in the cultural capital Kashi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that in the next two years, one lakh youth would be recruited in the UP Police. He further said that not only this, in the coming two years, two lakh youth would be linked to government jobs.

Chief Minister Yogi was addressing the state working committee meeting and membership workshop of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) at Trade Facilitation Centre in Bada Lalpur, here on Sunday.

Today there is no discrimination against the youth in the state. Youth are being linked to government jobs in a fair and transparent manner. In the last seven and a half years, we have given jobs to more than six and a half lakh youth. Just yesterday (Saturday), we successfully completed the written examination of the biggest police recruitment process in the state, which will give more than 60,200 youth a chance to serve in the police force, he said.

During his address, Yogi Adityanath gave tips on politics to the youth and called upon them to choose politics for the establishment of values and ideals in accordance with the principles.

Politics should not be a means of attaining power or achieving self-interest but should become a medium for the promotion of values of state interest and national interest, he said.

While giving the mantra of meaningful politics to the BJYM workers, Yogi Adityanath drew attention towards the teachings of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Always remember one thing, politics without principles is a noose of death. We should not get trapped in temptation and no matter what happens, we should not compromise with our values, he said.

Regarding the changing perception of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi said that when one works to provide employment to the youth, the result is in front of everyone. Today the youth in the state are getting jobs in their districts and villages and every big investor of the country wants to invest in UP and the state has become the second largest economy in the country, he said, adding that all this has happened due to the focus on youth power.

We are going to make the state the number one economy of the country in the next 3-4 years, he said. He gave the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha workers the target of making the organisation number one in every sense.

Yogi said that in the Global Investors Summit held in February 2023, the state received investment proposals worth Rs 40 lakh crore. About 1.5 crore youth will get employment from this and the youth will not have to wander in any other state. Employment will be available in their own district and village, he said, adding that electricity is now available 24 hours a day in the state and the condition of roads has improved.

According to Chief Minister Yogi, earlier, UP was at the first position in terms of population but at the seventh position in terms of economy. Today the growth in the economy of UP has become a topic of discussion not only in the country but also in the world and this has been possible only due to collective efforts. In seven and a half years, we have succeeded in making the state the second largest economy, while within three-four years we are going to make it the number one economy of the country, Yogi said.

Hitting out at the Samajwadi Party and Congress, Yogi said that it was very strange that today they (opposition leaders) were seen performing aarti for votes. Remember, these are the same people who do not hesitate to give shelter to those who spew venom against the country, he said, adding who does not know the faces of SP.

The Congress ruled the country for the longest time but it opposed Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, he said, appealing to the BJYM workers, reminding them that their role has increased in such a situation and they will have to play a big role in safeguarding the interest of society.

On this occasion Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha president Priyanshu Dutt Dwivedi, national general secretary and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, state general secretary Amod Goyal, Devendra Patel, Harshvardhan Singh, regional president Shailendra Maurya, Anubhav Dwivedi, Rajesh Rajbhar, Ranjit Rai and others were present.
Bhopal Crime Branch has arrested two drug peddlers who used to bring Cannabis by road from Odisha to Bhopal in a Traveller vehicle. The roof of the vehicle was cut to make a box which was used to smuggle drugs.

Police have seized the vehicle along with four and a half kg of Cannabis from the possession of the accused. The value of the seized goods is around Rs 5.5 lakh. Action has been taken against both the accused under the NDPS Act.

According to the police, on Friday night, information was received that two people were sitting in a white coloured Traveller vehicle bearing registration number MP41L0131 at Jamboree Maidan Piplani. Both were waiting to deliver Cannabis to the customer. After the information, the Crime Branch team reached the spot. Both the youths were taken into custody and on searching the Traveller, a black coloured backpack was found under the back seat. When the bag was opened, four packets wrapped in brown coloured tape were found inside it. Four and a half kg of drug was kept in these packets. The cost of the seized ganja is about Rs 80000.

The accused told the police that they had bought Cannabis from unknown people from the forests of Odisha on the instructions of Mahendra Yadav and Ashok Vishwakarma, residents of Vidisha. A total of 90 packets of ganja were brought.

The ganja was hidden in a box made on the roof of the Traveller vehicle. Other packets of cannabis were delivered to the address given by Mahendra in Vidisha.

The accused were identified as Suraj Yadav (21) of Kokta bypass Bilkhiriya who studied till class 8. He has been booked earlier under the NDPS Act in Vidisha district.

Hari Singh Gurjar (22) of Uday Giri Road Ganesh Pura Vidisha has studied till class 8. Currently he does a job with a private fiim.
The Delhi Police has arrested a domestic help for allegedly stealing jewellery and over Rs 70,000 from the employers' house in south Delhis CR Park area.

According to the police on Sunday, they have also arrested a goldsmith for purchasing the stolen jewellery from her. A complaint was received on August 27 regarding the theft of gold and diamond jewellery including two gold bangles and a pair of gold earrings sets and Rs 70,200 in cash from the complainant's home in the CR Park area.

An FIR was lodged and an investigation was initiated, police said. "During the investigation, the team visited the crime spot and gathered more information about the incident. They also checked the CCTV footage of the crime spot as well as surrounding areas. Some important clues were collected," Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Ankit Chauhan said

From the analysis of CCTV footage, the team managed to find that there was no trespass in the complainant's house during the time of the incident, police said. The complainant revealed that a domestic servant, who had been working in the house for the last two years, was available at his home during the day when he went for his job.

After that the team questioned the domestic servant (maid) which was found suspicious. Hence, on sustained interrogation she broke down and confessed to the above said crime, Chauhan said.

"She was apprehended and she confessed her crime. During interrogation, she disclosed that she was in urgent need of money. She later sold the jewellery to a goldsmith identified as Ankit Jain (31)," the DCP said.

From Jains possession, one stolen gold chain with a diamond pendant and one diamond gold ring were recovered.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Sunday urged the Centre to give permission for artificial rain during winter, when air quality levels in the city plummet, stating that the problem of pollution in the city can only be solved through teamwork.

Addressing a press conference, Rai said though the Delhi government has taken several steps to address the problem, pollution levels in and around the national capital spike in November. "An emergency situation arises in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The Kejriwal government is working to reduce the pollution levels. Ever since our government came to power, the pollution levels have declined," he said, adding that although November witnesses a spike in pollution levels

"Last year, IIT-Kanpur submitted a proposal that artificial rain or a cloud seeding experiment could be done in Delhi. They said that financial management and security permissions were needed. Last year, there was very little time so permissions could not come through. We held a meeting with experts and I wrote to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and sought the Centre's help," he added.

Rai said he has requested a meeting with central agencies and IIT Kanpur experts to discuss the proposal for artificial rain.

"In order to use the technology for Delhi, permission is required from Ministry of Defence, Home Ministry, SPG, Government of Delhi, Airports Authority of India, IMD, CPCB, ASI, BCAS and the Uttar Pradesh government.

We are ready to give money and permission from our end but we need the Centre's support," he said.

Rai wrote to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav last week, urging the Centre to convene a meeting with all stakeholders for evaluating the feasibility of cloud seeding for artificially inducing rain in Delhi to combat the winter air pollution.

He said tackling the issue of pollution requires teamwork and support from the Centre and neighbouring states. Citing various measures, including procurement of electric buses and increasing the green cover, taken by the Delhi government to bring down pollution in the city, he said, "If the other two parties have suggestions for reducing pollution, we will be happy to implement them," referring to the BJP and the Congress.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that he is frustrated by the falling graph of the AAP government and his own neglect within the party.

Claiming that he is completely desperate after facing public opposition in Babarpur assembly, Kapoor alleged,

In this desperation, he is trying to stay in the news by making statements and writing letters on pollution.

He said that Rai should first clarify when he wrote a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding stubble burning or met him on it.
India will become the worlds economic superpower by the year 2047 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Three revolutions are necessary to make the country an economic superpower. The first is the Green Revolution, the second is Industrial Revolution and the third is the Tourism Revolution. IATO will play an important role in bringing tourism revolution in the country and Madhya Pradesh.

Deputy Chief Minister Shukla was addressing the closing ceremony of the 39th session of IATO at Hotel Taj. Deputy Chief Minister Shukla said promoting tourist places is very important to attract tourists. Through this convention, IATO members will get to know the tourism of Madhya Pradesh closely and will give information about it to the tourists. This will lead to a significant rise in the number of foreign tourists in Madhya Pradesh soon. Deputy Chief Minister Shukla also urged IATO member tour and travel operators to promote the tourist destinations of Madhya Pradesh among foreign tourists and motivate them to visit Madhya Pradesh.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture, Tourism and Religious Trusts and Endowments, Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Madhya Pradesh will become the leading state in the country in tourism. IATO will play an important role in increasing the number of tourists in Madhya Pradesh. Minister Lodhi informed the IATO members about the tourism-related features of Madhya Pradesh and the governments efforts to develop tourism facilities. Minister Lodhi said that after the convention, all IATO members will be taken on a tour of Madhya Pradesh through the FAM Tour.

All the members will be able to know closely about the natural beauty, historical heritage, and rich culture of Madhya Pradesh. Minister Lodhi urged all IATO members to bring in a maximum number of tourists to Madhya Pradesh.

IATO President Rajeev Mehra gave the welcome address. He also gave the assurance on behalf of IATO members to bring more tourists to Madhya Pradesh. IATO President Rajeev Mehra presented the statue of Lord Krishna to Deputy Chief Minister Shukla and Minister of State Lodhi as a mark of respect.

President of Madhya Pradesh Chapter of IATO, Mahendra Pratap Singh proposed the vote of thanks.

IATO honored states and organizations that have done remarkable work in the field of tourism. Madhya Pradesh was honored with the Best Promotional Publication by State Award. Bidisha Mukherjee, Additional Managing Director of Tourism Board, received it.

At the closing ceremony of the program, renowned stand-up comedian Suganddha Mishra performed and entertained the people present in the conference hall with her mimicry.

On this occasion, Managing Director of State Tourism Development Corporation Ilaiyaraaja T, IATO Vice President Ravi Gosai, and members of IATO were present.

The third day of the convention started with Run for Responsible Tourism. The 5 km race which started from VIP Road was flagged off by Managing Director, of Tourism Development Corporation Ilaiyaraaj T, and Additional Managing Director (AMD) of Tourism Board Bidisha Mukherjee. More than 500 IATO members from across the country took part in the race and spread the message of eco-friendly tourism. The race culminated at Gauhar Mahal via Imperial Segway. During this time they got to see a mix of natural beauty and heritage of Bhopal.

Post-event fam tours are being conducted to make tourists from all over the world aware of the natural beauty, glorious history, glorious culture, and diverse wildlife of Madhya Pradesh. IATO members will be taken to tourist destinations like Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal, Rewa, Pachmarhi, Bhojpur, Bhimbetka, Sanchi, Dhar, etc., and made aware of the features and tourist facilities of the tourist places. More than 350 IATO members are participating in a total of 10 FAM Tours.
In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day, which falls on September 10th, the Jeevan Suicide Prevention Centre organized a series of inter-school and inter-college competitions today at the RMS High School auditorium in Khutadih. The event saw enthusiastic participation from over 200 students representing 17 schools and 4 colleges, competing in three categories: Nukkad Natak, Debate, and T-shirt Painting.

The Nukkad Natak competition, with the theme Changing the Narrative on Suicide  Start the Conversation, aimed to encourage young people to talk openly about mental health issues and work towards removing the stigma associated with them. The event featured 15 teams and was judged by Geeta Dubey, Nizam, and Gautam Gope, who praised the performances for their powerful messages and impactful delivery.

The T-shirt Painting competition focused on the theme Importance of Mental Health. Fifty-one students showcased their creativity and artistic skills by painting meaningful slogans and designs that highlighted the significance of mental health awareness. The judges for this competition, Jasmin Adeshra, Harpreet Marwah, and Mokshita, were impressed by the originality and thoughtfulness displayed by the participants.

The Debate competition, conducted in both Hindi and English, provided a platform for 48 students to express their views on the topic The Effectiveness of Essential Mental Health Education in Educational Institutions. The participants debated passionately both for and against the motion, showcasing their eloquence and understanding of the topic. Judges Shamita Ahuja, Vandana Jain, and Anuradha Banerjee evaluated the students' arguments, commending their insightful perspectives and strong articulation.

Teachers and parents accompanying the students appreciated the seamless organization and smooth conduct of all three events by Jeevan volunteers. "It was inspiring to see such a large number of students engage so deeply with the topic of mental health," one teacher remarked.

Certificates of participation will be awarded to all students, with special prizes for the winners in each category to be distributed during an evening function organized by Jeevan on Tuesday, September 10th.

In addition to todays events, Jeevan has urged schools and colleges to organize rallies on dates that suit them to further promote mental health awareness. So far, five institutionsDB College of Education, Arka Jain University, Dayanand Public School, JUSCO School Kadma, and RMS High School Khutadihhave planned such rallies, with Jeevan volunteers set to accompany them.
Dr Kuber Datt Gautam, the professor in charge of Media at Medicaps University Indore, stated that the university recently welcomed distinguished representatives from Alma College in Michigan, USA, as part of a major effort to broaden its international academic collaborations. The delegation, which included Dr. Tim Pinnow, the dean of graduate studies and chief operating officer, and Mr. Victor Finch, associate vice president of graduate and professional enrollment, had productive conversations about joint projects that would improve student learning.

The primary focus of their visit was to explore the establishment of a student exchange program and a "2-plus-2" agreement. This initiative would allow undergraduate students from Medi-Caps University to complete the first two years of their education in India and the subsequent two years at Alma College, USA, thereby offering a unique global learning experience.

Key leaders of Medi-Caps University, including Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Patnaik, Mr. Palash Garg, OSD to Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Sunil D. Upadhyay, Dean of Agriculture, Prof. (Dr.) Pramod S. Nair, Dean of Engineering, and Dr. Kalyan Sahu, HoD Management, warmly received the Alma College representatives. During their discussions, they deliberated on various collaborative programs, the creation of student exchange opportunities, and the potential for dual-degree initiatives that would benefit students from both institutions.

Dr Ravindra Pathak, Head of the Office of International Affairs at Medi-Caps University, expressed his deep appreciation for the insightful exchanges with Alma College. He emphasized the importance of such partnerships in enriching the academic experience of students and broadening their global perspectives.

This landmark visit was made possible through the unwavering support of the Honourable Chancellor Shri R.C Mittal, OSD to the Chancellor, and the Registrar's Office.

It marks a significant step in Medi-Caps University's commitment to fostering global academic relationships and providing its students with international learning opportunities that will prepare them for a globalized world.
The Samajwadi Party and Congress, on Sunday, targeted the Uttar Pradesh government after two of the three accused in the IIT-BHU gang-rape case were released on bail, saying that it exposed the hypocrisy of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led dispensations claims about security of women.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav said the rape accused, who worked with the IT cell of the BJP, getting bail was both condemnable and worrisome.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai charged that the BJP, which claims to be dealing with rapists with iron hand, instead welcomes them with garlands.

In a post on X, Akhilesh Yadav shared a video, asserting that the accused were granted bail due to weak perusal of the case by the state government.

The question is who was pressurising the prosecution to defend the rapists in a weak manner in court. It is a shameful thing that is demoralising the daughters of the country that not only these rapists were released on bail, they were accorded warm welcome with garlands as per BJP tradition, Yadav said and added, Would BJP like to say something to the sisters and daughters of the country about this? It is hoped that all the women anchors doing true journalism will definitely do a show about this.

Akhilesh Yadav said the BJP owed a clarification to the people whether its workers had been given special exemption and freedom to commit rape in the Lok Sabha constituency of the prime minister.

The backlash intensified as photos depicting accused Anand alias Abhishek Chauhan and Kunal Pandey receiving a warm welcome upon their release and cutting cake went viral.

The UP Congress president accused the Uttar Pradesh Police of facilitating the bail for the two accused, allegedly involved in the rape of a BTech student of IIT-BHU, Varanasi.

Rai claimed that in this incident, which is a shame on humanity, the rapists got bail just due to the poor investigation of the police.

Reacting to the development here on Sunday morning, Rai alleged that after the gang-rape, the accused went to campaign for the BJP in the Madhya Pradesh elections and both of them took shelter there. He said due to the pressure of Congress and students, the Varanasi police arrested the accused after about 60 days.

The UP Congress president remarked what the Yogi Adityanath government thinks about women is clear from this incident.

"First the government tried to save the accused and when they had to be arrested due to pressure, the case was weakened by weak advocacy in the court," he charged.

On one side there is the power of authority and on the other side there is criminal tendency. What is the guarantee that they will not come out and threaten the victim or try to pressurise her? Not only this, after the bail of both the accused, they are being welcomed with garlands of flowers, the UP Congress chief said.

Rai said that recently the prime minister had said that justice should be delivered quickly in cases of crime against women whereas in his own parliamentary constituency Varanasi, rapists were being benefited due to poor advocacy.

When criminals who commit crimes against women are welcomed with garlands, their morale will increase and half the population will lose faith in law and order.

The truth is that the way crimes against women are increasing day by day in Uttar Pradesh is the result of this weak and insensitive law and order. Garlands for rapists and disappointment and fear for victims have become the identity of this Yogi government, Rai said..

Reportedly, Chauhan and Pandey were released from a Varanasi jail last week.

Allahabad High Court Justice Krishan Pahal granted bail to Chauhan on July 2 and to Pandey on July 4.

Pandeys counsel told the court that he had no criminal history and had been languishing in jail since December 31 last year.

The three accused allegedly raped a woman student of the Indian Institute of Technology-Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU) when she had come out of her hostel with a friend on the night of November 1 last year, according to the complaint lodged in the matter.

The accused allegedly took her to a corner, gagged and stripped her. They also made a video and clicked photos of the student before letting her go, the complaint stated.

Chauhan, Pandey and the third accused Saksham Patel were arrested in December last year.
The annual marketing festival, 'Brandholic 3.0,' organized by the Prestige Marketing Club at the Prestige Institute of Management and Research, kicked off with a pomp. The event brought together an enthusiastic crowd of guests, students, and faculty members. Over the course of two days, the festival promises to offer an in-depth exploration of the latest trends and strategies in the dynamic world of marketing. During the inaugural ceremony, global policy expert Siddharth Raj Hans shared valuable insights into the constantly evolving landscape of marketing and branding. He emphasized the significance of staying ahead in the rapidly changing industrial and business environments, cautioning against complacency. Using real-world examples, Hans illustrated how once-dominant brands faded into obscurity due to a failure to adapt. He also provided strategic advice on how brands can achieve long-term sustainability and success in todays fiercely competitive market.

The 'Tech-With-Us' session provided an exciting platform for students to engage directly with industry leaders. Renowned financial influencer CS Ujjwal Pahwa discussed the intersection of financial branding and content creation, while tech influencer Samyak Rakhecha emphasized the critical role of technology in contemporary branding strategies.

Colonel S. Raman Iyer, Director of the PIMR UG Campus, highlighted the powerful influence of brands in shaping consumer perceptions and driving business success. Dr. Nidhi Sharma, faculty mentor of the Prestige Marketing Club, captivated the audience with the story of 'Nykaa,' illustrating the journey of the brands growth and success. She emphasized that a strong brand identity is essential for standing out in a competitive marketplace. Prestige Marketing Club Presidents Aditi Sharma and Tanya Srivastava also took the stage, elaborating on the objectives and significance of 'Brandholic 3.0,' positioning it as a key event for aspiring marketers.
Punjab Vidhan Sabhas three-day monsoon session, which kicks off on Monday, is shaping up to be a heated arena of political confrontation. With the opposition parties sharpening their knives, the AAP-led State Government is bracing for an onslaught of criticism over a range of issues that have left the State simmering with discontent. Among the hot topics slated for debate are the worsening law and order situation, and the ballooning state debt  both of which have been fuel for growing public concern.

The session, brief but expected to be intense, likely to put the ruling government on the defensive as opposition leaders gear up to demand accountability for what they see as a slew of broken promises and administrative failures. Moreover, the brevity of the session has already sparked controversy, with opposition leaders accusing the government of stifling meaningful discussion.

The three-day session, which will run from September 2 to 4, will begin with customary obituary references, but this somber start is expected to quickly give way to fierce debates. The opposition, particularly leaders from the Congress and BJP, are prepared to spotlight what they argue are the governments glaring shortcomings, from the rise in crime to unfulfilled pre-poll promises that were central to the AAPs electoral success.

As the political temperature rises, the session is likely to be a crucible for the AAP government, ahead of impending byelections to five assembly segments and ensuing local body polls, testing its ability to defend its record in the face of mounting criticism.

Congress leader and Dinanagar MLA Aruna Chaudhary has signaled that her party will prioritize discussions on the declining law and order situation in the state. Deteriorating law and order is one of the biggest issues. Every day, incidents of snatching, theft, and extortion are taking place, making life difficult for ordinary citizens, Chaudhary asserted.

She also criticized the government for failing to deliver on its promise to provide Rs 1,000 per month to every woman in the State. The AAP Government deceived the women of Punjab, she lamented, pointing to the growing discontent among the state's female population.

The states rising debt is another key issue that the opposition intends to bring to the fore. Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli has expressed concerns over the AAP governments inability to fulfill its pledge to establish 18 new colleges in Punjab. Two and a half years have passed since the AAP came to power, and they have not even procured land for a single college, Kotli noted, highlighting the widening gap between the government's promises and actions.

Kotli also called for the extension of the sessions duration, criticizing the three-day schedule as insufficient for addressing the myriad of pressing issues facing the state. When AAP was in opposition, they demanded longer sessions to discuss public concerns. Now that they are in power, they seem content with short sessions that barely allow for any substantive debate, he remarked.

BJP MLA Jangi Lal Mahajan has vowed to raise the issue of illegal sand mining, which has been a persistent problem in the State. Mahajan contended that the governments lax enforcement has allowed illegal operations to flourish, resulting in significant environmental damage and loss of revenue for the state.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira took to social media to voice his discontent with the limited duration of the session. The @BhagwantMann government has ruined the importance of the Vidhan Sabha, the most crucial pillar of democracy, by curtailing its sittings to almost negligible, leaving no scope for any meaningful debate! Khaira tweeted, underscoring the frustration among opposition members.

Despite the barrage of criticism, the AAP Government maintained that it is committed to addressing the states challenges. Senior AAP leaders have hinted that the session will include discussions on several key policy initiatives, though specifics have not been disclosed.

The Governments spokespersons have also defended the short duration of the session, citing the need to balance legislative duties with administrative responsibilities. However, this explanation has done little to quell the oppositions concerns.

House to pay tributes to Dr Patar today

The session will begin with tributes to prominent figures who have recently passed away, including a notable Punjabi poet-writer Dr Surjit Singh Patar, former Speaker Surjit Singh Minhas, former Minister Surjit Singh Kohli, former MPs Kamal Chaudhary and Gurcharan Kaur.

While these tributes are a customary part of the assemblys proceedings, opposition leaders argue that dedicating the first day solely to obituary references diminishes the time available for substantive debate on pressing issues.
Punjab Excise Department intensified its crackdown on illegal serving of alcohol to minors, with a focused two-day enforcement drive conducted on August 30 and 31 in Ludhiana. Under the supervision of Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, the department inspected 23 premises, including hotels, clubs, bars, and pubs, uncovering violations at nine locations where underage customers were served alcohol.

The drive, part of an ongoing state-wide initiative, aimed to uphold stringent compliance with the Punjab Intoxicants Licence and Sales Orders of 1956, which prohibits the sale of alcohol to individuals under 25 years of age. The Excise Departments actions are a direct response to previous lapses and are designed to ensure that such breaches are met with rigorous legal consequences.

Cheema highlighted that the crackdown was crucial in maintaining the integrity of alcohol regulations and protecting youth from potential harm. He emphasized that establishments found in violation would face prosecution and possible suspension of their liquor licenses. This drive is just the beginning. We will continue to carry out similar enforcement actions across the state to ensure strict adherence to the law under the direct supervision of Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Finance Commissioner (Taxation) Vikas Partap Singh and Excise and Taxation Commissioner Varun Roojam, Cheema stated.

The enforcement teams were also instructed to conduct regular inspections and monitor establishments closely to prevent future violations. Additionally, bar owners and managers are now required to verify the age of customers before serving alcohol and prominently display statutory warnings as mandated by law. Staff training on compliance and responsible service practices has also been emphasized to curb future infractions.

Cheema stressed the importance of social responsibility among liquor vendors and their critical role in ensuring that regulations are strictly followed. He said that during the two-day drive, the owners and managers of the concerned establishments were also reminded of their critical social responsibility towards the youth and society. They have been instructed to strictly comply with the excise provisions and rules, including the verification of customers' age before serving alcohol, he added.
The Rotary Club of Bokaro Steel City organized a cultural program titled "Ek Shaam Kanha Ke Naam" at its premises in Janvrith 4. The event saw enthusiastic participation from numerous club members. Following the regular meeting, Club President Rotarian Mahesh Kumar Gupta and Club Secretary Rotarian Hardeep Singh entrusted the program's proceedings to the Ladies Committee, led by its President, Rotarian Alka Gupta.

The evening commenced with devotional songs celebrating the birth of Laddu Gopal, followed by offerings of various delicacies, including makhan and mishri, to Shri Banke Bihari Ji.

Under the leadership of Rotarian Alka Gupta, members including Rotarian Pushpa Kejriwal, Rotarian Sandhya Raj, Binny Kakkar, Rotarian Khonen Liu, Kunjala Narayan, Rotarian Mansi Sahana, Rotarian Jaswinder Kaur, Sunita Jain, Rotarian Aarti Rastogi, Rotarian Rakhi Banerjee, Rotarian Poonam Trehan, and Ayesha Agarwal, presented captivating dances and skits. Notably, Rotarian Sandhya Raj's portrayal of Lord Krishna was highly appreciated, while Rotarian Alka Guptas performance as Narad Muni garnered resounding applause.

Speaking on the significance of such events, President Rotarian Mahesh Kumar Gupta emphasized that these performances allow us to imbibe the virtues of our deities, fostering positive energy in our conduct and inspiring the audience to adopt a better lifestyle and noble values.

The event also featured other cultural performances, with large participation from club members. This program, under the capable leadership of President Rotarian Mahesh Kumar Gupta, exemplified the club's inclusive spirit and commitment to providing opportunities for all, contributing to the event's undeniable success.
In a significant breakthrough, the sleuths of the Anti-Terrorists Squad of Uttar Pradesh have arrested two criminals, including the mastermind, of a gang involved in a major counterfeit racket.

The prime accused, hailing from Mirganj police station area in Siwan district of Bihar, and his accomplice were arrested by the ATS in Gorakhpur on Sunday morning.

Fake Indian stamp papers of the value of approximately Rs10,00,000 were recovered from him. The recovered items include counterfeit Indian stamp papers of Rs 6,94,000 and fake stamp tickets valued at Rs 72,000. Additionally, three mobile phones and a four-wheeler (Creta) were seized from the suspect. He was wanted by the Cantonment police of Gorakhpur and carried a reward of Rs 25,000 on his arrest.

The operation highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb the illegal circulation of counterfeit stamp papers and tickets and maintain the integrity of legal processes.

According to an official communique, the UP ATS was receiving intelligence that a syndicate was operating in the state and it was printing counterfeit Indian stamp papers and counterfeit Indian stamp tickets from Bihar and smuggling them to various districts of the country and the state through the associates of their gang.

When the said intelligence was developed through various means, it was found that Nawab Arzoo alias Lalu, a resident of Bihar, along with some of his associates, had formed an interstate gang and printed counterfeit Indian stamps and tickets and supplied them to various districts of Uttar Pradesh.

The ATS came to know that Nawab Arzoo was going to come to Gorakhpur district on Sunday with some of his associates to supply counterfeit Indian stamp papers and tickets.

On confirmation of the information, a trap was laid and Nawab Arzoo alias Lalu, and his associate Raju Kumar Yadav were arrested by ATS Uttar Pradesh from Gorakhpur.

Nawab Arzoo alias Lalu is a shrewd criminal who has previously been jailed in various police stations for smuggling counterfeit stamp papers.

He was also wanted in FIR No. 14/2024 under sections 255, 258, 259, 260, 419, 420, 467, 468, 471, 474, 120B of the IPC, by the Cantonment police station of Gorakhpur. The Gorakhpur police had announced a reward of Rs 25,000 on information leading to his arrest. The suspect is also charged under sections 178(3), 179, and 180 of the BNS 2023 at the same station.

He was involved in smuggling counterfeit Indian stamp papers and stamps in various districts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi states. Other active members of this gang, identified as Kamruddin, Sahabzade, Aish Mohammad, Ravindra Dixit, Nandlal Prasad, and Santosh Gupta, have already been arrested and sent to jail by the Gorakhpur district police for smuggling of forged Indian stamp papers and stamps.

Other active members of the gang are on the radar of the ATS.

Further legal action against the arrested accused is being taken by the Cantonment police of Gorakhpur district.
Alleging that the NDA governments at the Centre and in Bihar were against caste census and reservation, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday asserted that such an enumeration was "like an X-ray", ascertaining population of various caste groups and their socio-economic conditions.

Addressing party workers while leading a dharna at the RJD office in Patna, Yadav sought to know from the JD(U) its stand on the demand for inclusion of the hiked quota for deprived castes in Bihar in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

"The Mahagathbandhan administration in Bihar last year urged the Centre to incorporate the hike in reservation from 50 to 65 per cent in state government jobs and educational institutions in the Ninth Schedule. But they did not do it. The NDA governments at the Centre as well as in the state are against reservation for the deprived section of the society and also against caste census," he said.

"I must say that caste census is like an X-ray that will ascertain the population of various caste groups and socio-economic conditions of the impoverished sections of the country," he added.

Yadav's RJD organised dharnas across the state, demanding the inclusion of the hiked quota in the Ninth Schedule and the implementation of a nationwide caste census.

The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution is a list of central and state laws that cannot be challenged in courts.

"I simply ask one question to the JD (U) leaders, they must tell people whether they are in favour of putting it in the Ninth Schedule or not. If yes, then why are they not doing it when they are part of the NDA? And if not, they must say it. Why is the CM maintaining a stoic silence over the issue? What happened to him?" asked Yadav.

"BJP wants the son of a garbage collector to clean drains. All the veteran socialist leaders, from time to time, talked about the caste census. Our great leaders always talked about the reservation and talked about those sections that are at the bottom of the society, whether Dalits, tribals or socially marginalised people," he added.

Yadav also accused the BJP and its allies of celebrating when "Bihar was denied special category status".

"JD(U) leaders were happy when Bihar was not given the special category status. They are not interested in the overall development of Bihar at all," he alleged.

Reacting to Yadav's comments, JD(U) spokesperson Sanjay Kumar Jha said the chief minister ensured that a caste survey took place in the state.

"He took all affirmative actions regarding it. The opposition leaders in Bihar are people who did not even provide reservation in panchayats when they were in power," he said.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said delay in court decisions in heinous crimes, like rape, forces the common man to think that the judicial process lacks sensitivity, even as she called for a change in 'culture of adjournments' in the judiciary.

She said longstanding pendency and backlog of cases is a big challenge before the judiciary.

"When court decisions in a heinous crime like rape come after a generation has passed, the common man feels that the judicial process lacks sensitivity," Murmu said addressing the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary.

The President said programmes such as special Lok Adalat week should be organised more frequently to clear the backlog.

"All stakeholders have to find a solution by giving priority to this problem," she said.

Murmu lamented that "in some cases, people with resources continue to roam around fearlessly and freely even after committing crimes."

Those who suffer from their crimes live in fear as if they have committed some crime, she said.

She also pointed out that the poor from villages are afraid to go to court.

"They become a participant in the justice process of the court only under great compulsion. Often they tolerate injustice silently because they feel that fighting for justice can make their lives more miserable," she said at the event held by the Supreme Court at Bharat Mandapam here.

For them, going away from the village to the court even once becomes a cause of great mental and financial pressure, she said.

"In such a situation, many people cannot even imagine the pain that poor people experience due to the culture of adjournment. Every possible measure should be taken to change this situation," she said.

The President said that many are aware about "White Coat Hypertension" due to which people's blood pressure increases in a hospital environment.

Similarly, she said, the stress of an ordinary person increases in the courtroom settings, a phenomenon known as "Black Coat Syndrome".

This nervousness renders ordinary people often unable to tell even those things in their favour which they already know and would like to say, she said.

Murmu said every judge and judicial officer of the country has the moral responsibility to respect dharma, truth, and justice.

"At the district level, this moral responsibility is the lighthouse of the judiciary. The district-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens.

"Therefore, providing justice to the people through the district courts with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost is the basis of the success of our judiciary," the President said.

Murmu said there are many challenges before the judiciary which require coordinated efforts for their resolution.

For example, the judiciary, government and police administration should work together to find solutions to issues related to evidence and witnesses, she said.

The President said the feeling of faith and reverence towards justice has been a part of the country's tradition, which even entails treating judges as gods.

Murmu said that in the past few years there have been significant improvements in the availability of infrastructure, facilities, training and human resources of the judiciary at the district level.

"But a lot remains to be done in all these areas," she said.

The President said the Constitution provides for the devolving of power and responsibilities of the Legislative and Executive bodies to local level through panchayats and municipalities, and urged those present "if we could think of a justice system at the local level equivalent to these."

Murmu said that justice delivery in local language and conditions can help country achieve the ideal of justice for all.

She also suggested efforts be made to look after health and education of children of women in prisons.

She said it "should also be our priority" to help juvenile delinquents improve their thinking and mental health, and provide them with useful life skills and free legal aid.

Murmu said since its establishment, the Supreme Court of India has made an invaluable contribution as a vigilant sentinel of the judicial system of the world's largest democracy.

Indian jurisprudence has a very respectable place because of the Supreme Court, she said at the conference organised to mark 75 years of establishment of the top court.

Murmu also expressed happiness over the increase in the number of women judicial officers.

She unveiled the flag and insignia of the Supreme Court during the event attended by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi on Sunday took out a march in Mumbai to protest the collapse of Shivaji Maharaj's statue and rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology over the incident, stepping up the political confrontation with the ruling Mahayuti ahead of the assembly polls.

Claiming that the statue incident was being "politicised" by the Opposition, the ruling BJP also demonstrated in various parts of the state.

The 'jode maro andolan' (hitting with slippers) protest reflected the unity among the Maha Vikas Aghadi partners- Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress, pitted against the ruling troika of Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP.

Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and state Congress chief Nana Patole laid wreaths at a memorial dedicated the martyrs of the joint Maharashtra' agitation in south Mumbai, before leading the march from Hutatma Chowk to the Gateway of India.

They slammed the Union and state governments over the statue crash, with Thackeray dismissing Modi's apology as one "smacking of arrogance". Pawar alleged the statue episode was an example of corruption.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hit back at Thackeray and accused him of playing politics in the name of Shivaji but emulating the deeds of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and Bijapur general Afzal Khan --both highly polarising figures in Maharashtra and the Maratha history.

The statue of the 17th century Maratha warrior king at Rajkot fort in Malvan tehsil fell on August 26, over eight months after it was unveiled by PM Modi on the occasion of Navy Day.

"Did you notice the arrogance in the (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's) apology? It smacked of arrogance. One deputy chief minister was smiling," Thackeray told a gathering after the culmination of the march at Gateway of India.

Asserting that the people of Maharashtra will never forgive the insult to the revered king, Thackeray cited the statue crash, leakages in Ram Temple and the new Parliament complex to mock Modi's "guarantees".

"The PM apologised for what? For the statue, he inaugurated eight months ago? For the corruption involved? The MVA cadre must work together to defeat the forces that have insulted Shivaji Maharaj. The collapse of the statue is an insult to the soul of Maharashtra," the former chief minister said.

Speaking at a function in Palghar on Friday, PM Modi said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king but a deity. "Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity," he had said.

Addressing MVA leaders and workers at the protest march, Pawar said the collapse of the statue was an example of corruption. "It is an insult to all Shivpremis (followers of the warrior king)".

Patole said, much before the PM, the opposition had sought forgiveness from the Maratha emperor for allowing such "Shivdrohi" (betrayers of Chhatrapati Shivaji's principles) government to come to power.

He alleged the prime minister apologised with an eye on the upcoming elections in Maharashtra.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said the collapse of Shivaji Maharajs statue has broken the hearts of people in the country who draw inspiration from the legendary warrior king.

The Mughals didn't succeed in breaking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But this corrupt government has done what Mughals could never do, he alleged.

Several leaders from opposition parties, including Congress MP Shahu Chhatrapati, a descendant of the Maratha emperor, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and MLA Anil Deshmukh, joined the protest march, which commenced after 11 am and concluded at noon.

Thackeray joined Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress leaders to hit a poster of CM Shinde and deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar with footwear.

Shahu Chhatrapati said Shivaji Maharaj's must be maintained at all costs.

The protesters placed a bust of the legendary warrior king at Hutatma Chowk, while protesters carried placards denouncing the statue's collapse. They shouted slogans against the Eknath Shinde government.

Sharad Pawar walked some distance before getting into his vehicle.

Shinde, who heads Shiv Sena, said the people of Maharashtra had forced Thackeray to "get out" of power two years ago.

"People of Maharashtra have shown him his place two years ago. You take the name of Shivaji but your deeds of Aurangzebi and Afzal Khani," Shinde said as he accused the Opposition of politicising the statue collapse incident.

He claimed the opposition sensed defeat (in elections) and became jittery over the stupendous success of the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme for women.

BJP leaders and workers held agitations in different cities.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Bawankule, who joined a protest in Nagpur, said PM Modi had apologised to Shivaji Maharaj as well as the warrior king's followers over the collapse of the statue.

"Despite the PM's apology, the MVA is politicising the issue for vote bank politics. They are trying to spread anarchy ahead of the polls," Bawankule alleged.

Attacking Thackeray, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis wondered whether the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief would seek an apology for comments made by the country's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru on Shivaji Maharaj in his book 'Discovery of India'.

"Why Uddhav and Sharad Pawar mum over the damage caused to Chhatrapati Shivaji's statue in Madhya Pradesh by the (previous) Congress regime. Why didn't they utter a single word on the removal of Chhatrapati's statue in Karnataka. They should first answer this," Fadnavis added.

He accused Congress of teaching wrong history through books stating Shivaji Maharaj had looted Surat.
The problem of pollution in Delhi can only be solved through teamwork, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Sunday as he urged the Centre to give permission for artificial rain during winter, when the city's air quality plummets.

Addressing a press conference, Rai said though the Delhi government has taken several steps to solve the problem, pollution levels in and around the national capital spike in November.

"An emergency situation arises in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The Kejriwal government is working to reduce the pollution levels," he said.

But November witnesses a spike in pollution levels, he said.

"Last year, IIT-Kanpur submitted a proposal that artificial rain or a cloud seeding experiment could be done in Delhi. It said that financial management and security permissions were needed.

"Last year, there was very little time so permissions could not come through. We held a meeting with experts and I wrote to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav seeking the Centre's help," he added.

Rai said he has requested a meeting with central agencies and IIT Kanpur experts to discuss the proposal for artificial rain.

"In order to use the technology in Delhi, permissions are required from ministries of defence, home and environment, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Special Protection Group, Delhi government, Airports Authority of India, Uttar Pradesh government, India Meteorological Department, Central Pollution Control Board, Archaeological Survey of India and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security," he said.

"The Centre should support us in this to save the lives of Delhiites. It should hold a meeting with IIT Kanpur experts and Delhi government representatives so that we can move forward rapidly in this direction and get the necessary permissions by November," he added.

Rai wrote to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav last week, urging the Centre to convene a meeting with all stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility of cloud seeding for artificially inducing rain in Delhi to combat the winter air pollution.

In his letter, Rai said that it was imperative to assess cloud seeding as a potential emergency measure.

At the press conference on Sunday, Rai said tackling the issue of pollution requires teamwork and support from the Centre and neighbouring states.

He cited various measures, including procurement of electric buses and increasing the green cover, taken by the Delhi government to bring down pollution in the city.

He claimed that pollution levels in Delhi have come down by 45 per cent since 2012.

"If the other two parties have suggestions for reducing pollution, we will be happy to implement them," he said, referring to the BJP and the Congress.

The minister further claimed that his repeated requests to meet the Union environment minister over the last five years have gone unanswered.

"We all know that giving these permissions is not in the hands of the Delhi government alone. We are ready to give whatever permission the Delhi government needs to give.

"When we wrote a letter to the Union environment minister for this, BJP leaders got angry at me and started saying 'how did you write a letter to the Union environment minister', 'you do all the work'," Rai said.

He urged the central government to prioritise collective action over political differences.

The BJP had on Saturday slammed the Delhi government, accusing it of indulging in "political gimmicks" and "letter game" with the Centre on the issue of air pollution, instead of taking concrete steps to tackle the health hazard.

The ruling AAP had rejected the charge.
Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE  Free Report) by 4.5% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 45,096 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,948 shares during the period. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLCs holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $3,209,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in NextEra Energy by 33.3% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 35,783 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,173,000 after acquiring an additional 8,949 shares in the last quarter. GUNN & Co INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. increased its holdings in NextEra Energy by 1,573.0% during the 4th quarter. GUNN & Co INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. now owns 596,204 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $36,213,000 after purchasing an additional 560,567 shares during the period. Certuity LLC raised its position in NextEra Energy by 52.3% during the 4th quarter. Certuity LLC now owns 10,152 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $617,000 after purchasing an additional 3,487 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in shares of NextEra Energy by 46.0% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 28,222 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,714,000 after buying an additional 8,893 shares during the period. Finally, MONECO Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 15.2% during the 4th quarter. MONECO Advisors LLC now owns 11,992 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $728,000 after buying an additional 1,585 shares in the last quarter. 78.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently weighed in on NEE shares. Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating and issued a $95.00 price objective on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of NextEra Energy from $75.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $91.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on NextEra Energy from $79.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on NextEra Energy from $74.00 to $84.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, NextEra Energy has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $81.00.

NextEra Energy Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of NEE stock traded up $0.99 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $80.51. 6,808,205 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 11,064,933. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a 1 year low of $47.15 and a 1 year high of $81.07. The company has a current ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. The stock has a market cap of $165.41 billion, a PE ratio of 21.94, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.54. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $75.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $69.32.

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 the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.03. NextEra Energy had a net margin of 24.45% and a return on equity of 11.75%. The business had revenue of $6.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.29 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.88 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.39 EPS for the current year.

NextEra Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a $0.515 dividend. This represents a $2.06 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. NextEra Energys payout ratio is 56.13%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other NextEra Energy news, EVP Nicole J. Daggs sold 658 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.97, for a total value of $50,646.26. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 100 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,697. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.18% of the stock is owned by insiders.

NextEra Energy Company Profile

(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.

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Confluence Wealth Services Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 7.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,722 shares of the railroad operators stock after buying an additional 674 shares during the period. Confluence Wealth Services Inc.s holdings in Union Pacific were worth $2,200,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Forum Financial Management LP increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 7,037 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,731,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,100 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,007,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 3,015 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $741,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,269 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $312,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fortis Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC now owns 916 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $225,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,552 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.59, for a total value of $875,887.68. Following the transaction, the president now directly owns 64,945 shares in the company, valued at $16,014,787.55. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.28% of the companys stock.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE UNP traded up $4.21 on Friday, hitting $256.09. 2,386,564 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,260,287. The company has a market capitalization of $156.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $237.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $239.18. Union Pacific Co. has a 52-week low of $199.33 and a 52-week high of $258.66.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.74 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.03. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 42.62% and a net margin of 26.90%. The business had revenue of $6.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.05 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.57 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a $1.34 dividend. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.09%. This is an increase from Union Pacifics previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. Union Pacifics payout ratio is presently 49.62%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on UNP. Susquehanna reduced their target price on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $250.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. StockNews.com downgraded Union Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 18th. TD Cowen dropped their price target on Union Pacific from $259.00 to $255.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Benchmark restated a buy rating and issued a $266.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price target on Union Pacific from $290.00 to $273.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 8th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $258.79.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Union Pacific

About Union Pacific

(Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.

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GoalVest Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 1,181 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 17 shares during the period. GoalVest Advisory LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,069,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of LLY. TFB Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 10.7% in the second quarter. TFB Advisors LLC now owns 1,931 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,748,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the last quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC now owns 5,362 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,855,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Adero Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. Adero Partners LLC now owns 1,037 shares of the companys stock valued at $939,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the period. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $862,000. Finally, Centerpoint Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.5% during the second quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 3,444 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,118,000 after purchasing an additional 16 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Eli Lilly and Company

In related news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 750 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $819.47, for a total value of $614,602.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 7,130 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,842,821.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 192,794 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the insider now owns 98,208,810 shares in the company, valued at $81,490,724,273.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 750 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $819.47, for a total transaction of $614,602.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 7,130 shares in the company, valued at $5,842,821.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 1,097,883 shares of company stock worth $972,022,568 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

Shares of NYSE LLY opened at $960.02 on Friday. 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 business has a 50-day moving average of $891.13 and a 200-day moving average of $819.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $912.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 141.39, a PEG ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.41. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $516.57 and a fifty-two week high of $972.53.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.54%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 76.58%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on LLY. Guggenheim increased 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 report on Friday, August 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $725.00 to $1,025.00 in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Berenberg Bank lifted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $900.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $994.00 to $1,015.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $961.76.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on LLY

About Eli Lilly and Company

(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.

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Intact Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) by 2.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,600 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,100 shares during the period. Intact Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $4,470,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Duke Energy by 1.6% in the second quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,093 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $611,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the period. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO increased its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO now owns 2,147 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $215,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its position in Duke Energy by 6.5% in the 2nd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 1,706 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $171,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust CO grew its position in Duke Energy by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust CO now owns 3,390 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $328,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Breakwater Capital Group increased its stake in shares of Duke Energy by 3.9% in the first quarter. Breakwater Capital Group now owns 2,912 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $282,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the period. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently commented on DUK. Barclays raised their target price on Duke Energy from $99.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $102.00 to $113.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $104.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $135.00 price objective on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Thursday. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $113.92.

Insider Activity at Duke Energy

In other Duke Energy news, EVP Louis E. Renjel sold 540 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.64, for a total value of $61,365.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,884 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,259,617.76. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Duke Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE DUK traded up $0.96 during trading on Friday, hitting $113.95. The company had a trading volume of 3,022,442 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,948,703. Duke Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $83.06 and a 52 week high of $116.67. The businesss 50-day moving average is $107.96 and its 200 day moving average is $101.26. The company has a market cap of $87.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.63, a PEG ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a current ratio of 0.78.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $7.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.84 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.25% and a net margin of 10.78%. Duke Energys revenue was up 9.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.91 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th will be issued a dividend of $1.045 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 16th. This represents a $4.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.67%. This is a positive change from Duke Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.03. Duke Energys payout ratio is currently 105.03%.

Duke Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM  Free Report) (TSE:ITH) in a research note released on Wednesday. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the mining companys stock.

International Tower Hill Mines Trading Down 1.1 %

THM stock opened at $0.51 on Wednesday. International Tower Hill Mines has a fifty-two week low of $0.31 and a fifty-two week high of $0.80. The company has a market cap of $102.42 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -25.65 and a beta of 1.19.

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International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM  Get Free Report) (TSE:ITH) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 9th. The mining company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Tower Hill Mines

About International Tower Hill Mines

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. grew its stake in shares of International Tower Hill Mines by 54.5% during the 4th quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 51,018 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 18,000 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in shares of International Tower Hill Mines by 1.0% during 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Herr Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in International Tower Hill Mines during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,416,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.

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Ascent Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL  Free Report) by 31.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 66,319 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after buying an additional 15,884 shares during the quarter. Oracle comprises about 1.4% of Ascent Wealth Partners LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. Ascent Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Oracle were worth $9,364,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Oracle by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 151,213,890 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $18,993,977,000 after purchasing an additional 1,514,569 shares during the period. Capital World Investors grew its stake in shares of Oracle by 0.4% in the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 18,466,713 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $2,319,604,000 after buying an additional 82,551 shares in the last quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Oracle by 17.7% in the 4th quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC now owns 14,599,902 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $1,539,268,000 after buying an additional 2,191,342 shares during the period. Janus Henderson Group PLC lifted its stake in Oracle by 148.8% during the 1st quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 12,872,300 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $1,616,855,000 after acquiring an additional 7,699,141 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Putnam Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Oracle by 6.0% during the 4th quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 12,339,385 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $1,300,941,000 after acquiring an additional 697,961 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 42.44% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on ORCL shares. Morgan Stanley reissued an equal weight rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of Oracle in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. KeyCorp raised their price target on shares of Oracle from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Oracle in a research report on Tuesday, June 11th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Oracle from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on Oracle from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 17th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Oracle has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $145.83.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Oracle news, insider Edward Screven sold 235,918 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.30, for a total value of $34,042,967.40. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 2,626,764 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $379,042,045.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Oracle news, insider Edward Screven sold 235,918 shares of Oracle stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.30, for a total value of $34,042,967.40. Following the sale, the insider now owns 2,626,764 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $379,042,045.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Leon E. Panetta sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $137.89, for a total value of $2,068,350.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 58,090 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,010,030.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 1,862,500 shares of company stock valued at $266,776,624 over the last three months. 42.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Oracle Stock Performance

ORCL stock traded up $1.87 on Friday, hitting $141.29. The companys stock had a trading volume of 7,980,679 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,052,333. Oracle Co. has a 1 year low of $99.26 and a 1 year high of $146.59. The company has a current ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.25. The stock has a market cap of $389.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.02. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $138.57 and a two-hundred day moving average of $127.34.

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, June 11th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.63 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.65 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $14.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.57 billion. Oracle had a return on equity of 223.01% and a net margin of 19.76%. Oracles quarterly revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.35 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Oracle Co. will post 5.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Oracle Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 11th were paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 11th. Oracles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 43.13%.

Oracle Company Profile

(Free Report)

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.

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Picton Mahoney Asset Management reduced its stake in Eaton Co. plc (NYSE:ETN  Free Report) by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 47,245 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 1,197 shares during the quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Managements holdings in Eaton were worth $14,813,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. raised its position in shares of Eaton by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. now owns 2,776 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $870,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Well Done LLC raised its position in shares of Eaton by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Well Done LLC now owns 2,551 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $800,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Eaton by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,059 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $644,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Fragasso Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Eaton by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Fragasso Group Inc. now owns 1,032 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $323,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Valley National Advisers Inc. raised its position in shares of Eaton by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 682 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $213,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. 82.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Eaton Price Performance

NYSE ETN traded up $5.84 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $306.93. The stock had a trading volume of 2,320,225 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,169,083. Eaton Co. plc has a twelve month low of $191.82 and a twelve month high of $345.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $122.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.24, a PEG ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.02. The firms 50 day moving average is $305.11 and its 200 day moving average is $310.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.05.

Eaton Announces Dividend

Eaton ( NYSE:ETN Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.61 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $6.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.35 billion. Eaton had a net margin of 15.12% and a return on equity of 21.45%. Equities research analysts forecast that Eaton Co. plc will post 10.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, August 5th were issued a $0.94 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 5th. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.23%. Eatons dividend payout ratio is presently 44.39%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on shares of Eaton from $357.00 to $333.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Eaton from $320.00 to $315.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. HSBC raised their price target on shares of Eaton from $240.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 3rd. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Eaton from $318.00 to $319.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Eaton from $376.00 to $371.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $328.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Eaton

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Eaton news, insider Heath B. Monesmith sold 49,040 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $301.02, for a total value of $14,762,020.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 71,262 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,451,287.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Taras G. Jr. Szmagala sold 335 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.72, for a total transaction of $96,721.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 9,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,858,328. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Heath B. Monesmith sold 49,040 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $301.02, for a total value of $14,762,020.80. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 71,262 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,451,287.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 52,511 shares of company stock valued at $15,809,326. Insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock.

Eaton Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eaton Corporation plc operates as a power management company worldwide. The company's Electrical Americas and Electrical Global segment provides electrical components, industrial components, power distribution and assemblies, residential products, single and three phase power quality and connectivity products, wiring devices, circuit protection products, utility power distribution products, power reliability equipment, and services, as well as hazardous duty electrical equipment, emergency lighting, fire detection, explosion-proof instrumentation, and structural support systems.

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Sage Mountain Advisors LLC boosted its position in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 12.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,473 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after purchasing an additional 269 shares during the period. Sage Mountain Advisors LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $311,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC increased its holdings in EOG Resources by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC now owns 2,584 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $325,000 after acquiring an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its position in shares of EOG Resources by 7.2% in the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 97,268 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $12,243,000 after purchasing an additional 6,507 shares during the last quarter. IFG Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of EOG Resources during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $320,000. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of EOG Resources by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,118 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $896,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new stake in EOG Resources in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,285,000. 89.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other EOG Resources news, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 11,037 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.50, for a total value of $1,429,291.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 74,250 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,615,375. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other EOG Resources news, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.48, for a total transaction of $505,920.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 35,058 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,434,135.84. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 11,037 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.50, for a total value of $1,429,291.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 74,250 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,615,375. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 21,537 shares of company stock worth $2,751,612 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

EOG Resources Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:EOG traded down $1.16 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $128.82. 2,820,225 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,136,932. The firms fifty day moving average price is $126.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $125.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a current ratio of 2.32. EOG Resources, Inc. has a twelve month low of $108.94 and a twelve month high of $139.67. The company has a market cap of $74.03 billion, a PE ratio of 10.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.30.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The energy exploration company reported $3.16 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.98 by $0.18. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 25.65% and a net margin of 30.33%. The company had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.07 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.49 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 12.13 EPS for the current fiscal year.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 17th will be given a $0.91 dividend. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 17th. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.75%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on EOG shares. StockNews.com raised EOG Resources from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $124.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 24th. Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of EOG Resources from $155.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $147.00 price objective on shares of EOG Resources in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of EOG Resources in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $144.00.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on EOG

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.

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Sage Rhino Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 10.5% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 5,834 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 555 shares during the quarter. Sage Rhino Capital LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $232,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Navalign LLC raised its stake in shares of Bank of America by 6.7% during the second quarter. Navalign LLC now owns 30,692 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,221,000 after buying an additional 1,915 shares during the last quarter. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Bank of America by 12.2% during the second quarter. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC now owns 57,588 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,290,000 after purchasing an additional 6,269 shares during the period. Skyline Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Bank of America by 8.2% during the second quarter. Skyline Advisors Inc. now owns 23,169 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $921,000 after purchasing an additional 1,758 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in Bank of America during the second quarter valued at approximately $11,654,000. Finally, Wolf Group Capital Advisors acquired a new position in Bank of America during the second quarter valued at approximately $214,000. 70.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on BAC shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $39.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of Bank of America from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $43.00 to $49.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $42.07.

Bank of America Stock Performance

Shares of BAC traded up $0.58 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $40.75. The company had a trading volume of 49,098,180 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,229,773. The firm has a market cap of $318.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.10, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.35. The business has a fifty day moving average of $40.20 and a 200-day moving average of $38.21. Bank of America Co. has a 12 month low of $24.96 and a 12 month high of $44.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $25.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.22 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 13.28% and a return on equity of 10.56%. The companys revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.88 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Bank of America Co. will post 3.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be given a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.55%. This is a positive change from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.99%.

Bank of America announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to buyback $25.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the financial services provider to purchase up to 7.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 7,938,699 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.61, for a total transaction of $322,390,566.39. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 882,723,903 shares of the companys stock, valued at $35,847,417,700.83. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Bank of America news, insider Bernard A. Mensah sold 92,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.80, for a total transaction of $3,661,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 96,082 shares in the company, valued at $3,824,063.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 7,938,699 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.61, for a total transaction of $322,390,566.39. Following the sale, the insider now owns 882,723,903 shares in the company, valued at $35,847,417,700.83. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 99,609,567 shares of company stock valued at $4,122,483,669. 0.29% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Bank of America

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets.

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Focused Wealth Management Inc bought a new stake in Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 14,686 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $63,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MPW. Amalgamated Bank raised its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 376,806 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,850,000 after purchasing an additional 3,322 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 378,885 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,857,000 after buying an additional 18,916 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Medical Properties Trust during the 4th quarter worth about $25,655,000. HighPoint Advisor Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Medical Properties Trust during the 4th quarter worth about $62,000. Finally, Waterloo Capital L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Medical Properties Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $86,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.79% of the companys stock.

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Medical Properties Trust Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of NYSE:MPW opened at $4.50 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 2.93 and a quick ratio of 2.93. The stock has a market cap of $2.70 billion, a P/E ratio of -2.03, a P/E/G ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.27. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. has a 1-year low of $2.92 and a 1-year high of $7.40. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $4.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $4.60.

Medical Properties Trust Cuts Dividend

Medical Properties Trust ( NYSE:MPW Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.54) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.21 by ($0.75). The firm had revenue of $266.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $259.53 million. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 21.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.48 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Medical Properties Trust, Inc. will post 0.9 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 9th will be paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 9th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.11%. Medical Properties Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -27.03%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Elizabeth N. Pitman sold 10,025 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.98, for a total transaction of $49,924.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 68,653 shares of the companys stock, valued at $341,891.94. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Medical Properties Trust news, Director C Reynolds Thompson III sold 20,530 shares of Medical Properties Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.38, for a total value of $89,921.40. Following the sale, the director now owns 54,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $239,310.06. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Elizabeth N. Pitman sold 10,025 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.98, for a total value of $49,924.50. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 68,653 shares of the companys stock, valued at $341,891.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.53% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $5.00 target price on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research note on Tuesday, May 14th. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $4.50 to $5.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, May 30th. BNP Paribas downgraded shares of Medical Properties Trust from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the company from $6.00 to $4.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Medical Properties Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, May 18th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $4.86.

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Medical Properties Trust Company Profile

(Free Report)

Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed in 2003 to acquire and develop net-leased hospital facilities. From its inception in Birmingham, Alabama, the Company has grown to become one of the world's largest owners of hospital real estate with 441 facilities and approximately 44,000 licensed beds as of September 30, 2023.

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Auxano Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in International Paper (NYSE:IP  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor acquired 7,282 shares of the basic materials companys stock, valued at approximately $314,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of IP. Retirement Systems of Alabama raised its stake in shares of International Paper by 0.3% during the second quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 76,616 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $3,306,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its position in International Paper by 27.7% during the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,157 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 251 shares in the last quarter. Czech National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of International Paper by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 60,897 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,376,000 after buying an additional 295 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems grew its position in shares of International Paper by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 27,685 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,001,000 after buying an additional 298 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 180 Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of International Paper by 4.2% during the first quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,845 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $306,000 after buying an additional 318 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.95% of the companys stock.

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International Paper Stock Up 0.6 %

International Paper stock traded up $0.31 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $48.42. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,194,132 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,970,194. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 98.82 and a beta of 1.06. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $45.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $41.35. International Paper has a 52-week low of $31.76 and a 52-week high of $49.24.

International Paper Announces Dividend

International Paper ( NYSE:IP Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The basic materials company reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $4.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.78 billion. International Paper had a net margin of 2.34% and a return on equity of 7.28%. International Papers revenue for the quarter was up 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.59 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that International Paper will post 1.55 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.4625 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.82%. International Papers payout ratio is presently 377.55%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.77, for a total transaction of $25,662.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 42,802 shares in the company, valued at $1,830,641.54. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.77, for a total value of $25,662.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 42,802 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,830,641.54. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Clay R. Ellis sold 9,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.83, for a total transaction of $439,470.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 49,832 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,433,296.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 12,000 shares of company stock valued at $573,822. Company insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on IP shares. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of International Paper from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of International Paper from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, June 28th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded International Paper from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $38.00 to $57.00 in a report on Thursday, May 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on International Paper in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $48.70 price target on the stock. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on International Paper from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $50.21.

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International Paper Profile

(Free Report)

International Paper Company produces and sells renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp products in North America, Latin America, Europe, and North Africa. It operates through two segments, Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers. The company offers linerboard, medium, whitetop, recycled linerboard, recycled medium and saturating kraft; and pulp for a range of applications, such as diapers, towel and tissue products, feminine care, incontinence, and other personal care products, as well as specialty pulps for use in textiles, construction materials, paints, coatings, and others.

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Abacus Planning Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Dover Co. (NYSE:DOV  Free Report) by 38.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,702 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 471 shares during the period. Abacus Planning Group Inc.s holdings in Dover were worth $307,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in shares of Dover by 27.4% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 166,211 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $29,451,000 after acquiring an additional 35,750 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Dover by 14.4% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 202,659 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $35,909,000 after purchasing an additional 25,562 shares during the period. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Dover by 9.2% in the 4th quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 226,382 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $34,820,000 after buying an additional 19,156 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Dover during the 4th quarter worth approximately $175,275,000. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its stake in Dover by 14.2% in the 4th quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 281,912 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $43,330,000 after buying an additional 35,109 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.46% of the companys stock.

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Dover Stock Performance

Shares of Dover stock opened at $186.03 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $180.50 and a 200 day simple moving average of $177.45. Dover Co. has a fifty-two week low of $127.25 and a fifty-two week high of $192.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The firm has a market cap of $25.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.22.

Dover Increases Dividend

Dover ( NYSE:DOV Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The industrial products company reported $2.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.21 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $2.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.15 billion. Dover had a return on equity of 24.94% and a net margin of 17.58%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.05 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Dover Co. will post 9.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.11%. This is a boost from Dovers previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. Dovers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.60%.

Insider Transactions at Dover

In other news, SVP Ivonne M. Cabrera sold 1,220 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.00, for a total transaction of $225,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 47,060 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,706,100. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, SVP Ivonne M. Cabrera sold 1,220 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.00, for a total transaction of $225,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 47,060 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,706,100. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Brad M. Cerepak sold 4,341 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $184.59, for a total value of $801,305.19. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 12,324 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,274,887.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 30,565 shares of company stock worth $5,576,733. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

DOV has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Robert W. Baird reissued an outperform rating and set a $208.00 price objective on shares of Dover in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Dover from $185.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Dover from $192.00 to $193.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Dover has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $192.63.

Read Our Latest Research Report on DOV

About Dover

(Free Report)

Dover Corporation provides equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services worldwide. The company's Engineered Products segment provides various equipment, component, software, solution, and services that are used in vehicle aftermarket, waste handling, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, industrial winch and hoist, and fluid dispensing end-market.

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Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Cencora, Inc. (NYSE:COR  Free Report) by 9.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,865 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 606 shares during the quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Cencora were worth $1,547,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Cencora during the 4th quarter valued at $4,212,508,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD purchased a new stake in shares of Cencora in the first quarter valued at $2,183,619,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new stake in Cencora during the 1st quarter worth about $1,199,695,000. Boston Partners acquired a new position in Cencora in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,001,269,000. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors acquired a new position in Cencora in the 1st quarter valued at about $650,424,000. 97.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Cencora Stock Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE COR opened at $239.57 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $47.21 billion, a PE ratio of 26.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.93. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $231.85 and a 200-day moving average of $232.94. Cencora, Inc. has a 52-week low of $171.65 and a 52-week high of $247.66.

Cencora Dividend Announcement

Cencora ( NYSE:COR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $3.34 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $74.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $73.32 billion. Cencora had a return on equity of 266.60% and a net margin of 0.65%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.92 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Cencora, Inc. will post 13.61 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 26th. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th were given a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.85%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. Cencoras dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.32%.

Insider Activity at Cencora

In other Cencora news, EVP Silvana Battaglia sold 1,473 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $242.69, for a total transaction of $357,482.37. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,948 shares in the company, valued at $2,656,970.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Cencora news, EVP Silvana Battaglia sold 1,473 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $242.69, for a total value of $357,482.37. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,948 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,656,970.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Steven H. Collis sold 10,755 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $222.12, for a total value of $2,388,900.60. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 285,088 shares in the company, valued at approximately $63,323,746.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 4,450,399 shares of company stock worth $1,070,392,799. Company insiders own 15.80% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have issued reports on COR. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Cencora from $236.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Cencora from $280.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 21st. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Cencora from $285.00 to $287.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. StockNews.com upgraded Cencora from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Leerink Partners reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $275.00 target price on shares of Cencora in a research note on Thursday, June 27th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $258.63.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on COR

Cencora Company Profile

(Free Report)

Cencora, Inc sources and distributes pharmaceutical products. The company's U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment distributes pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, long-term care and alternate site pharmacies, and other customers; provides pharmacy management, staffing, and other consulting services; supply management software to retail and institutional healthcare providers; packaging solutions to various institutional and retail healthcare providers; clinical trial support, product post-approval, and commercialization support services; data analytics, outcomes research, and additional services for biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturers; pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, micro feed ingredients, and other products to the companion animal and production animal markets; and sales force services to manufacturers.

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Clearway Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CWEN  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, August 1st, Zacks reports. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be given a dividend of 0.417 per share on Monday, September 16th. This represents a $1.67 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 3rd. This is a boost from Clearway Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.41.

Clearway Energy has increased its dividend payment by an average of 13.6% annually over the last three years. Clearway Energy has a dividend payout ratio of 183.5% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Equities analysts expect Clearway Energy to earn $0.80 per share next year, which means the company may not be able to cover its $1.67 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 208.8%.

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Clearway Energy Stock Up 1.5 %

Clearway Energy stock opened at $28.96 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $5.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.85. Clearway Energy has a 52 week low of $18.59 and a 52 week high of $29.48. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $26.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $25.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Clearway Energy ( NYSE:CWEN Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.43 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.66 by ($0.23). The company had revenue of $366.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $424.59 million. Clearway Energy had a return on equity of 1.80% and a net margin of 7.21%. The firms revenue was down 9.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.33 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Clearway Energy will post 0.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Several research firms recently commented on CWEN. StockNews.com raised Clearway Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. Morgan Stanley raised Clearway Energy from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price objective for the company from $25.00 to $36.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on Clearway Energy from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, May 14th. Finally, Roth Mkm reissued a buy rating and issued a $32.00 price objective (up from $30.00) on shares of Clearway Energy in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $31.17.

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About Clearway Energy

(Get Free Report)

Clearway Energy, Inc operates in the renewable energy business in the United States. The company operates through Conventional and Renewables segments. It has approximately 6,000 net MW of installed wind, solar, and energy generation projects; and approximately 2,500 net MW of natural gas-fired generation facilities.

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Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF (BATS:EZU  Free Report) by 4.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 43,823 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 2,022 shares during the quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF were worth $2,140,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of EZU. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 21,380 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,044,000 after buying an additional 283 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF by 11.9% during the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 2,756 shares of the companys stock valued at $135,000 after acquiring an additional 293 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF by 122.6% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 610 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 336 shares during the period. Ballew Advisors Inc lifted its stake in iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Ballew Advisors Inc now owns 29,286 shares of the companys stock worth $1,465,000 after purchasing an additional 567 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Contravisory Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 16,191 shares of the companys stock worth $791,000 after purchasing an additional 683 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF Price Performance

EZU opened at $51.37 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.73 and a beta of 0.94. iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF has a one year low of $36.77 and a one year high of $47.13. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $49.53 and a 200-day moving average price of $50.04.

iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI EMU ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EMU 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 European Monetary Union (EMU) markets, as measured by the MSCI EMU Index (the Index).

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Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp decreased its holdings in shares of MFS Government Markets Income Trust (NYSE:MGF  Free Report) by 8.6% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 299,777 shares of the companys stock after selling 28,142 shares during the period. Consolidated Portfolio Review Corps holdings in MFS Government Markets Income Trust were worth $920,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MGF. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its stake in MFS Government Markets Income Trust by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,847,628 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,672,000 after purchasing an additional 24,717 shares during the last quarter. WMG Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in MFS Government Markets Income Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Kraft Davis & Associates LLC acquired a new position in MFS Government Markets Income Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $566,000. Karpus Management Inc. raised its stake in MFS Government Markets Income Trust by 47.5% in the 1st quarter. Karpus Management Inc. now owns 2,655,475 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,498,000 after purchasing an additional 854,941 shares during the last quarter. Finally, L.M. Kohn & Company raised its stake in MFS Government Markets Income Trust by 62.2% in the 1st quarter. L.M. Kohn & Company now owns 23,467 shares of the companys stock valued at $75,000 after purchasing an additional 9,000 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 54.77% of the companys stock.

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MFS Government Markets Income Trust Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of MGF traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $3.23. The company had a trading volume of 117,068 shares, compared to its average volume of 60,519. MFS Government Markets Income Trust has a 1-year low of $2.91 and a 1-year high of $3.26. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $3.14 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.11.

MFS Government Markets Income Trust Announces Dividend

About MFS Government Markets Income Trust

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 13th were paid a $0.0198 dividend. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 13th.

(Free Report)

MFS Government Markets Income Trust is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Massachusetts Financial Services Company. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of United States. It primarily invests in investment grade debt instruments. The fund also invests in mortgage backed, U.S.

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Enbridge Inc. (TSE:ENB  Get Free Report) (NYSE:ENB) has been assigned an average rating of Hold from the twelve brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$53.67.

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on Enbridge from C$53.00 to C$55.00 in a research report on Monday, May 13th. National Bankshares raised their price objective on Enbridge from C$53.00 to C$57.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Enbridge from C$56.00 to C$57.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. CIBC lifted their target price on Enbridge from C$57.00 to C$59.00 in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Scotiabank lowered Enbridge from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 14th.

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Enbridge Stock Up 1.6 %

TSE:ENB opened at C$54.22 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of C$118.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.85, a PEG ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.91. Enbridge has a 1-year low of C$42.75 and a 1-year high of C$54.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 131.26. The businesss fifty day moving average price is C$51.08 and its 200 day moving average price is C$49.35.

Enbridge (TSE:ENB  Get Free Report) (NYSE:ENB) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 2nd. The company reported C$0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.62 by C($0.04). Enbridge had a net margin of 13.54% and a return on equity of 8.57%. The business had revenue of C$11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$5.86 billion. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Enbridge will post 2.7922146 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Enbridge Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a $0.915 dividend. This represents a $3.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. Enbridges payout ratio is 140.77%.

Insider Activity

In other Enbridge news, Director Steven Walter Williams bought 18,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$53.74 per share, for a total transaction of C$999,564.00. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Enbridge Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Enbridge Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company. The company operates through five segments: Liquids Pipelines, Gas Transmission and Midstream, Gas Distribution and Storage, Renewable Power Generation, and Energy Services. The Liquids Pipelines segment operates pipelines and related terminals to transport various grades of crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbons in Canada and the United States.

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Fielder Capital Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) by 7.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 8,257 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 550 shares during the period. Fielder Capital Group LLCs holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $499,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. NBC Securities Inc. raised its stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 9.6% in the first quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 1,815 shares of the companys stock valued at $114,000 after buying an additional 159 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 8.2% during the second quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 2,158 shares of the companys stock valued at $130,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc boosted its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 3.3% during the second quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc now owns 5,338 shares of the companys stock worth $323,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the period. Accordant Advisory Group Inc lifted its stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Accordant Advisory Group Inc now owns 23,462 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,418,000 after buying an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CHICAGO TRUST Co NA grew its stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. CHICAGO TRUST Co NA now owns 4,207 shares of the companys stock valued at $264,000 after buying an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.28% of the companys stock.

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Archer-Daniels-Midland Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ADM traded up $0.15 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $60.99. 3,369,054 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,319,551. The stock has a market capitalization of $29.16 billion, a PE ratio of 10.70 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a 52 week low of $50.72 and a 52 week high of $81.70. The companys 50 day moving average price is $61.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.25.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Announces Dividend

Archer-Daniels-Midland ( NYSE:ADM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.22 by ($0.19). The firm had revenue of $22.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.12 billion. Archer-Daniels-Midland had a net margin of 2.93% and a return on equity of 12.06%. Archer-Daniels-Midlands revenue for the quarter was down 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.89 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company will post 5.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 21st. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio is currently 35.09%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Archer-Daniels-Midland news, CEO Juan R. Luciano sold 3,683 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.00, for a total transaction of $224,663.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 265,210 shares in the company, valued at $16,177,810. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on ADM shares. Citigroup cut their price target on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $64.00 to $63.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $65.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Archer-Daniels-Midland presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $64.62.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ADM

Archer-Daniels-Midland Profile

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company engages in the procurement, transportation, storage, processing, and merchandising of agricultural commodities, ingredients, flavors, and solutions in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

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Hixon Zuercher LLC increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 12.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 22,585 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 2,467 shares during the quarter. Hixon Zuercher LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,347,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Abbott Laboratories by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 165,301,921 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $18,788,216,000 after purchasing an additional 8,834,840 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors raised its position in Abbott Laboratories by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 86,588,614 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $9,530,825,000 after purchasing an additional 7,527,778 shares during the period. Capital International Investors raised its position in Abbott Laboratories by 9.1% in the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 70,177,564 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $7,976,382,000 after purchasing an additional 5,882,780 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in Abbott Laboratories by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 32,236,101 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $3,548,228,000 after purchasing an additional 1,027,390 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth $2,115,836,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

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Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of ABT opened at $113.27 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $197.05 billion, a PE ratio of 35.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.68. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $89.67 and a fifty-two week high of $121.64. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $106.97 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $108.76.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $10.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.37 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.65% and a return on equity of 20.18%. The businesss revenue was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.08 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 15th were issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 68.54%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ABT has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Edward Jones cut shares of Abbott Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $125.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Tuesday, June 4th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $121.00 price objective on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $121.80.

View Our Latest Research Report on Abbott Laboratories

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The 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.

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Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Free Report) had its price target reduced by Sanford C. Bernstein from $185.00 to $178.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock.

H has been the subject of several other research reports. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Hyatt Hotels from $141.00 to $151.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Mizuho cut their price target on Hyatt Hotels from $204.00 to $200.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. StockNews.com lowered Hyatt Hotels from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on Hyatt Hotels from $162.00 to $158.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Hyatt Hotels from $153.00 to $159.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, May 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $148.50.

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Hyatt Hotels Stock Performance

Shares of H opened at $151.92 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.59 and a quick ratio of 0.59. Hyatt Hotels has a one year low of $96.77 and a one year high of $162.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.59 and a beta of 1.51. The business has a fifty day moving average of $147.08 and a 200 day moving average of $149.34.

Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.58. Hyatt Hotels had a return on equity of 8.44% and a net margin of 10.21%. The company had revenue of $1.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.76 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.82 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Hyatt Hotels will post 3.47 EPS for the current year.

Hyatt Hotels Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 27th will be given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 27th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.39%. Hyatt Hotelss dividend payout ratio is currently 9.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Mark Samuel Hoplamazian sold 51,388 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.77, for a total value of $7,696,380.76. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 623,556 shares in the company, valued at $93,389,982.12. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other Hyatt Hotels news, insider Mark Samuel Hoplamazian sold 51,388 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.77, for a total transaction of $7,696,380.76. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 623,556 shares in the company, valued at $93,389,982.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Michael A. Rocca sold 1,189 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.52, for a total value of $177,779.28. Following the sale, the director now owns 20,219 shares in the company, valued at $3,023,144.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 97,101 shares of company stock worth $14,469,903. Corporate insiders own 23.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hyatt Hotels

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in H. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 1.1% during the first quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 6,527 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,042,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Red Spruce Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 0.7% during the second quarter. Red Spruce Capital LLC now owns 13,994 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,126,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System grew its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 0.8% during the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 12,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,945,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 23.9% during the second quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC now owns 559 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank grew its stake in shares of Hyatt Hotels by 2.7% during the second quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 4,398 shares of the companys stock valued at $668,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. 71.02% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Hyatt Hotels

(Get Free Report)

Hyatt Hotels Corporation operates as a hospitality company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Owned and Leased Hotels, Americas Management and Franchising, ASPAC Management and Franchising, EAME Management and Franchising, and Apple Leisure Group segments. The company manages, franchises, licenses, owns, and leases portfolio of properties, consisting of full-service hotels and resorts, select service hotels, and other properties, including timeshare, fractional, residential, vacation, and condominium units.

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Barnwell Industries, Inc. (NYSE:BRN  Get Free Report) CEO Craig Douglas Hopkins bought 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $2.37 per share, with a total value of $11,850.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 70,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $165,900. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Barnwell Industries Price Performance

Shares of Barnwell Industries stock opened at $2.52 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $2.32 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 company has a market capitalization of $25.27 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.64 and a beta of 0.15.

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Barnwell Industries (NYSE:BRN  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 13th. The company reported ($0.12) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Barnwell Industries had a negative return on equity of 18.20% and a negative net margin of 13.29%. The company had revenue of $5.53 million for the quarter.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Barnwell Industries

Analysts Set New Price Targets

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Barnwell Industries stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its holdings in Barnwell Industries, Inc. ( NYSE:BRN Free Report ) by 1.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 355,534 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 6,612 shares during the quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned 3.55% of Barnwell Industries worth $836,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 40.71% of the companys stock.

Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Barnwell Industries in a research report on Friday. They issued a hold rating for the company.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Barnwell Industries

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.

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Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:INO.UN  Get Free Report) Senior Officer David Giraud bought 19,700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$1.08 per share, for a total transaction of C$21,354.80.

David Giraud also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, August 26th, David Giraud purchased 13,500 shares of Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust stock. The shares were 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 Performance

Shares of Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust stock opened at C$1.08 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of C$35.20 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.52 and a beta of 1.79. Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust has a twelve month low of C$0.69 and a twelve month high of C$3.43. The companys fifty day moving average is C$1.12 and its 200 day moving average is C$1.13. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 100.22.

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.

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Intact Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX  Free Report) by 87.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 26,020 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 12,120 shares during the period. Intact Investment Management Inc.s holdings in L3Harris Technologies were worth $5,844,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of LHX. Capital World Investors grew its stake in L3Harris Technologies by 26.0% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 16,056,272 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,381,784,000 after buying an additional 3,308,506 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in L3Harris Technologies by 15.4% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,186,512 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,251,683,000 after buying an additional 2,692,771 shares during the last quarter. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC grew its stake in L3Harris Technologies by 990.3% in the 4th quarter. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC now owns 2,204,675 shares of the companys stock valued at $464,349,000 after buying an additional 2,002,475 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in L3Harris Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $325,147,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in L3Harris Technologies by 34.7% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 4,416,904 shares of the companys stock valued at $930,288,000 after buying an additional 1,138,549 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.76% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, VP Sean J. Stackley sold 3,354 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $218.00, for a total transaction of $731,172.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 17,540 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,823,720. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, VP Sean J. Stackley sold 3,354 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $218.00, for a total transaction of $731,172.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 17,540 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,823,720. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Christopher E. Kubasik sold 26,190 shares of the businesss 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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 120,326 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,157,578.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 59,312 shares of company stock valued at $13,523,822 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.82% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on LHX. Susquehanna increased 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. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of L3Harris Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating and increased their target price for the stock from $245.00 to $257.00 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of L3Harris Technologies from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $275.00 to $257.00 in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of L3Harris Technologies from $262.00 to $260.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of L3Harris Technologies from $245.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, L3Harris Technologies has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $247.08.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on LHX

L3Harris Technologies Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE LHX opened at $236.67 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $229.66 and a 200-day moving average price of $219.79. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $160.25 and a 1 year high of $245.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.74.

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. L3Harris Technologies had a net margin of 5.73% and a return on equity of 13.02%. The company had revenue of $5.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.30 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.97 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that L3Harris Technologies, Inc. will post 13.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

L3Harris Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be given a $1.16 dividend. This represents a $4.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th. L3Harris Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 75.32%.

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.

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Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller (LON:IPU  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 444.93 ($5.87) and traded as high as GBX 454 ($5.99). Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller shares last traded at GBX 454 ($5.99), with a volume of 22,309 shares changing hands.

Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 22.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.42. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 444.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 427.03. The stock has a market cap of 153.59 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2,063.64 and a beta of 1.03.

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Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 1st were paid a GBX 3.85 ($0.05) dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 1st. This represents a dividend yield of 0.85%. Invesco Perpetual UK Smallers payout ratio is -7,727.27%.

Insider Activity at Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller

Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller Company Profile

In related news, insider Bridget Guerin acquired 4,134 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 433 ($5.71) per share, for a total transaction of 17,900.22 ($23,605.72). Corporate insiders own 4.26% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

INVESCO Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Invesco Fund Managers Limited. It is co-managed by Invesco Asset Management Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Sage Mountain Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) by 11.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,543 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 685 shares during the quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $635,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Simplex Trading LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 84.4% in the 4th quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 5,116 shares of the companys stock valued at $507,000 after acquiring an additional 2,341 shares during the period. Brio Consultants LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $218,000. Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 21,791 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,163,000 after acquiring an additional 931 shares during the period. Vantage Financial Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 9.2% in the 4th quarter. Vantage Financial Partners LLC now owns 335,320 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,281,000 after acquiring an additional 28,241 shares during the period. Finally, Mather Group LLC. increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 32.1% in the 4th quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 6,373 shares of the companys stock valued at $633,000 after acquiring an additional 1,548 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.63% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF stock opened at $100.25 on Friday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $98.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $97.54. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 12 month low of $91.58 and a 12 month high of $100.92.

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Company Profile

IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account.

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Aptus Capital Advisors LLC trimmed its holdings in iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV  Free Report) by 5.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 61,644 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,607 shares during the period. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC owned 0.20% of iShares Europe ETF worth $3,376,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IEV. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Europe ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $838,000. Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in iShares Europe ETF by 20.1% in the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 5,475 shares of the companys stock valued at $289,000 after purchasing an additional 917 shares in the last quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in iShares Europe ETF by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 25,803 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,364,000 after purchasing an additional 883 shares in the last quarter. ShoreHaven Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in iShares Europe ETF by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. ShoreHaven Wealth Partners LLC now owns 37,166 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,965,000 after purchasing an additional 1,066 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. purchased a new position in iShares Europe ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $66,000.

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iShares Europe ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA:IEV traded up $0.13 on Friday, reaching $58.19. The stock had a trading volume of 151,496 shares, compared to its average volume of 295,695. The company has a market cap of $1.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.09 and a beta of 0.83. iShares Europe ETF has a 12-month low of $45.43 and a 12-month high of $58.38. The firms fifty day moving average is $55.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $55.52.

iShares Europe ETF Company Profile

iShares Europe ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Europe 350 Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Europe 350 (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the stocks of companies in the countries, which includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

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JPL Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Ares Management Co. (NYSE:ARES  Free Report) by 4.5% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 25,051 shares of the asset managers stock after buying an additional 1,076 shares during the quarter. Ares Management comprises about 1.6% of JPL Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. JPL Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Ares Management were worth $3,339,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Gulf International Bank UK Ltd raised its holdings in Ares Management by 0.7% during the first quarter. Gulf International Bank UK Ltd now owns 13,420 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,784,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. West Oak Capital LLC grew its position in Ares Management by 66.7% during the first quarter. West Oak Capital LLC now owns 250 shares of the asset managers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its position in Ares Management by 10.8% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 1,073 shares of the asset managers stock worth $143,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the period. Americana Partners LLC grew its position in Ares Management by 7.2% during the second quarter. Americana Partners LLC now owns 1,613 shares of the asset managers stock worth $215,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. Finally, Chase Investment Counsel Corp grew its position in Ares Management by 0.4% during the first quarter. Chase Investment Counsel Corp now owns 32,668 shares of the asset managers stock worth $4,344,000 after buying an additional 115 shares during the period. 50.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Ares Management

In other news, Director Judy D. Olian sold 3,417 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.00, for a total transaction of $457,878.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 27,312 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,659,808. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Judy D. Olian sold 3,417 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.00, for a total transaction of $457,878.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 27,312 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,659,808. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Michael J. Arougheti sold 27,120 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.67, for a total value of $3,950,570.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 222,880 shares of the companys stock, valued at $32,466,929.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 703,312 shares of company stock valued at $98,664,278 over the last three months. 1.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Ares Management from $158.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Ares Management from $160.00 to $158.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Ares Management from $151.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Ares Management in a research note on Tuesday, August 27th. They set a neutral rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Ares Management from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Ares Management has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $138.92.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Ares Management

Ares Management Stock Up 1.4 %

Ares Management stock traded up $2.05 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $146.40. The stock had a trading volume of 1,607,467 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,006,619. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market cap of $45.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 65.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.22. Ares Management Co. has a 12 month low of $96.00 and a 12 month high of $155.53. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $142.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $137.97.

Ares Management (NYSE:ARES  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 2nd. The asset manager reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $788.68 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $860.09 million. Ares Management had a return on equity of 20.46% and a net margin of 12.53%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.90 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Ares Management Co. will post 4.15 EPS for the current year.

Ares Management Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th will be issued a $0.93 dividend. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. Ares Managements dividend payout ratio is currently 166.82%.

Ares Management Company Profile

(Free Report)

Ares Management Corporation operates as an alternative asset manager in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The company's Tradable Credit Group segment manages various types of investment funds, such as commingled and separately managed accounts for institutional investors, and publicly traded vehicles and sub-advised funds for retail investors in the tradable and non-investment grade corporate credit markets.

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Citizens & Northern Corp lowered its position in McDonalds Co. (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) by 11.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 5,124 shares of the fast-food giants stock after selling 647 shares during the period. Citizens & Northern Corps holdings in McDonalds were worth $1,306,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of MCD. GUNN & Co INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. raised its position in shares of McDonalds by 1,168.1% during the 4th quarter. GUNN & Co INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. now owns 168,419 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $49,938,000 after purchasing an additional 155,138 shares during the last quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. raised its position in shares of McDonalds by 20.7% during the 4th quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 4,384 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $1,300,000 after purchasing an additional 753 shares during the last quarter. Cannell & Co. raised its position in shares of McDonalds by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. Cannell & Co. now owns 4,677 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $1,387,000 after purchasing an additional 510 shares during the last quarter. LGT Fund Management Co Ltd. raised its position in shares of McDonalds by 31.5% during the 4th quarter. LGT Fund Management Co Ltd. now owns 10,430 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $3,086,000 after purchasing an additional 2,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mechanics Financial Corp raised its position in shares of McDonalds by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Mechanics Financial Corp now owns 5,331 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $1,581,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.29% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,098 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $260.00, for a total value of $285,480.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 14,780 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,842,800. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 1,098 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $260.00, for a total value of $285,480.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 14,780 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,842,800. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Marion K. Gross sold 1,498 shares of McDonalds stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $248.26, for a total transaction of $371,893.48. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 1,560 shares in the company, valued at $387,285.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 4,793 shares of company stock worth $1,260,106. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

McDonalds Stock Performance

NYSE:MCD opened at $288.66 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $207.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.50, a PEG ratio of 3.86 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $265.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $270.88. McDonalds Co. has a fifty-two week low of $243.53 and a fifty-two week high of $302.39.

McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 29th. The fast-food giant reported $2.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.07 by ($0.10). McDonalds had a negative return on equity of 178.68% and a net margin of 32.25%. The company had revenue of $6.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.62 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.17 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that McDonalds Co. will post 11.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

McDonalds Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be issued a $1.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $6.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.31%. McDonaldss payout ratio is 56.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen downgraded shares of McDonalds from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $285.00 to $280.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $285.00 to $265.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $320.00 to $310.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $290.00 to $270.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of McDonalds from $288.00 to $278.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, McDonalds presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $303.71.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on MCD

About McDonalds

(Free Report)

McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald's brand in the United States and internationally. It offers food and beverages, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, various chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, desserts, sundaes, cookies, pies, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages; and full or limited breakfast, as well as sells various other products during limited-time promotions.

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Mizuho Markets Americas LLC increased its position in Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET  Free Report) by 868.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 298,017 shares of the pipeline companys stock after buying an additional 267,256 shares during the period. Mizuho Markets Americas LLCs holdings in Energy Transfer were worth $4,834,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its position in shares of Energy Transfer by 18.7% during the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 138,936 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $2,254,000 after acquiring an additional 21,897 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 7.7% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 1,407,317 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $22,827,000 after buying an additional 100,312 shares in the last quarter. IFG Advisory LLC increased its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer by 21.0% in the 2nd quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 87,926 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $1,426,000 after buying an additional 15,233 shares during the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer by 27.4% in the 2nd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 76,040 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $1,233,000 after buying an additional 16,346 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Klingman & Associates LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Energy Transfer during the 2nd quarter valued at about $204,000. 38.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Energy Transfer Trading Up 0.9 %

ET traded up $0.14 on Friday, reaching $16.10. 7,872,503 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 18,481,058. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. The company has a market cap of $55.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.66. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $16.10 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $15.69. Energy Transfer LP has a one year low of $12.90 and a one year high of $16.50.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

Energy Transfer ( NYSE:ET Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The pipeline company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $20.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.01 billion. Energy Transfer had a net margin of 5.19% and a return on equity of 12.74%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.25 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.4 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th were issued a $0.32 dividend. This is an increase from Energy Transfers previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 9th. Energy Transfers payout ratio is presently 117.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, June 10th. UBS Group raised their price target on Energy Transfer from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 15th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Energy Transfer from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, June 20th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, June 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Energy Transfer has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $19.29.

View Our Latest Report on Energy Transfer

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Energy Transfer news, Director Kelcy L. Warren acquired 3,000,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $15.68 per share, for a total transaction of $47,040,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 123,385,650 shares in the company, valued at $1,934,686,992. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Gregory G. Mcilwain bought 20,000 shares of Energy Transfer stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $15.68 per share, for a total transaction of $313,600.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the executive vice president now owns 591,211 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,270,188.48. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Kelcy L. Warren purchased 3,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $15.68 per share, with a total value of $47,040,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 123,385,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,934,686,992. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders acquired a total of 3,040,000 shares of company stock valued at $47,667,200 over the last three months. 3.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Energy Transfer Profile

(Free Report)

Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users.

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Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. cut its position in shares of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW  Free Report) by 54.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 960 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 1,170 shares during the period. ServiceNow comprises 1.8% of Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd.s holdings in ServiceNow were worth $755,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Creekmur Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of ServiceNow in the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in ServiceNow by 466.7% during the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 34 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Managment Co. purchased a new stake in ServiceNow during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC grew its stake in ServiceNow by 3,900.0% during the 1st quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 40 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ridgewood Investments LLC purchased a new stake in ServiceNow during the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. 87.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NOW has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on ServiceNow from $885.00 to $900.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and issued a $900.00 target price on shares of ServiceNow in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on ServiceNow from $830.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Guggenheim reiterated a sell rating and set a $640.00 price target on shares of ServiceNow in a research report on Monday, July 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on ServiceNow from $850.00 to $880.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twenty-five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $849.62.

ServiceNow Stock Performance

NOW stock traded up $23.73 during trading on Friday, hitting $855.00. The company had a trading volume of 1,920,980 shares, compared to its average volume of 957,899. The firm has a market cap of $176.13 billion, a PE ratio of 91.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.13 and a beta of 0.99. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 1-year low of $527.24 and a 1-year high of $857.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $791.80 and a 200-day moving average price of $760.54. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The information technology services provider reported $3.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.85 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $2.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.61 billion. ServiceNow had a return on equity of 14.52% and a net margin of 11.51%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 22.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.77 EPS. On average, analysts expect that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 6.78 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at ServiceNow

In other ServiceNow news, insider Jacqueline P. Canney sold 94 shares of ServiceNow stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $825.92, for a total value of $77,636.48. Following the sale, the insider now owns 4,019 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,319,372.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Christopher Bedi sold 215 shares of ServiceNow stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $700.00, for a total transaction of $150,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,892 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,124,400. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Jacqueline P. Canney sold 94 shares of ServiceNow stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $825.92, for a total value of $77,636.48. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,019 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,319,372.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 7,129 shares of company stock valued at $5,759,436. 0.25% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

ServiceNow Company Profile

(Free Report)

ServiceNow, Inc provides end to-end intelligent workflow automation platform solutions for digital businesses in the North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates the Now platform for end-to-end digital transformation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, process mining, performance analytics, and collaboration and development tools.

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Moneda S.A. Administradora General de Fondos decreased its stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM  Free Report) by 30.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 24,012 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 10,564 shares during the period. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile comprises about 0.7% of Moneda S.A. Administradora General de Fondos investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Moneda S.A. Administradora General de Fondos holdings in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile were worth $978,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Prudential PLC bought a new position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the 4th quarter valued at $30,572,000. Robeco Schweiz AG grew its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 23.4% during the 1st quarter. Robeco Schweiz AG now owns 1,407,650 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $69,200,000 after purchasing an additional 267,005 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 8.4% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 2,144,179 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $105,407,000 after purchasing an additional 165,370 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. purchased a new stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the 4th quarter valued at $8,076,000. Finally, Earnest Partners LLC boosted its position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 9.3% during the 1st quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 1,019,368 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $50,112,000 after buying an additional 86,811 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 12.41% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on SQM shares. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 24th. 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 for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Berenberg Bank started coverage on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. They set a hold rating and a $35.00 price target for the company. Finally, Bank of America dropped their price target on shares of 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. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $53.94.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Stock Up 0.0 %

NYSE SQM traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $38.80. 1,649,223 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,065,923. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. has a 52-week low of $32.24 and a 52-week high of $64.62. The firm has a market cap of $11.08 billion, a PE ratio of 27.91 and a beta of 1.05. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $38.81 and a 200 day simple moving average of $43.92. 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 results on Wednesday, August 21st. The basic materials company reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.99 by ($0.24). Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile had a net margin of 0.48% and a return on equity of 23.15%. The business had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.27 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.03 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. will post -0.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Company Profile

(Free Report)

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA produces and distributes specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium derivatives, potassium chloride and sulfate, industrial chemicals, and other products and services. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers.

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OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE:OUT  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,180,000 shares, a drop of 19.2% from the July 31st total of 6,410,000 shares. Approximately 3.9% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 1,470,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.5 days.

OUTFRONT Media Stock Performance

NYSE:OUT traded up $0.05 during trading on Friday, reaching $17.05. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,826,468 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,423,864. OUTFRONT Media has a 12 month low of $8.18 and a 12 month high of $17.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.71. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $15.35 and a 200-day moving average of $15.13.

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OUTFRONT Media (NYSE:OUT  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.60. OUTFRONT Media had a return on equity of 37.83% and a net margin of 12.32%. The business had revenue of $477.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $482.27 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.47 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that OUTFRONT Media will post 1.53 earnings per share for the current year.

OUTFRONT Media Dividend Announcement

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.04%. OUTFRONT Medias dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -45.11%.

OUT has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of OUTFRONT Media from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. TD Cowen assumed coverage on OUTFRONT Media in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. They issued a hold rating and a $16.00 target price for the company. Barrington Research upped their price objective on shares of OUTFRONT Media from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on OUTFRONT Media from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $16.00.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On OUTFRONT Media

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Quarry LP increased its position in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 258.8% in the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,837 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,325 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC increased its holdings in OUTFRONT Media by 8.7% during the 2nd quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 834,530 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $11,934,000 after purchasing an additional 66,516 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp bought a new position in OUTFRONT Media during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $230,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in OUTFRONT Media by 7.9% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,304,725 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $18,658,000 after buying an additional 94,997 shares during the period. Finally, Dark Forest Capital Management LP grew its position in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 25,133 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $359,000 after buying an additional 738 shares during the last quarter.

OUTFRONT Media Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location, and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go.

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Banque Cantonale Vaudoise decreased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,289,899 shares of the companys stock after selling 51,437 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International makes up about 5.2% of Banque Cantonale Vaudoises holdings, making the stock its 2nd biggest position. Banque Cantonale Vaudoises holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $130,706,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 684.4% in the 2nd quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 251 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 250.0% in the 1st quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH now owns 322 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares in the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 57.4% in the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 318 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Northwest Financial Advisors bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Olistico Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Trading Up 0.6 %

PM opened at $123.29 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $191.69 billion, a PE ratio of 24.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.58. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $87.23 and a 1 year high of $123.45. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $111.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $101.06.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.57 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $9.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.19 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 113.32% and a net margin of 9.41%. Philip Morris Internationals quarterly revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.60 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 21st were given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.22%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 21st. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is presently 101.56%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com raised Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Barclays lifted their price target on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $109.80.

Read Our Latest Report on PM

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total value of $2,260,200.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 158,447 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,906,095.47. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total value of $1,038,150.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 85,629 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,877,305.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total value of $2,260,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 158,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,906,095.47. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Polaris Inc. (NYSE:PII  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, July 25th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of 0.66 per share on Monday, September 16th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.12%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd.

Polaris has increased its dividend payment by an average of 1.6% annually over the last three years and has increased its dividend annually for the last 29 consecutive years. Polaris has a payout ratio of 45.7% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Polaris to earn $5.94 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.64 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 44.4%.

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Polaris Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of PII opened at $84.65 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.52 and a beta of 1.53. Polaris has a 1 year low of $71.90 and a 1 year high of $114.24. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $80.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $85.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 0.40.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Polaris ( NYSE:PII Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.27 by ($0.89). The firm had revenue of $1.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.18 billion. Polaris had a return on equity of 26.38% and a net margin of 3.98%. The firms revenue was down 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.42 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Polaris will post 3.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

PII has been the topic of several recent research reports. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Polaris from $92.00 to $82.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 8th. Bank of America cut their target price on Polaris from $86.00 to $85.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Polaris from $97.00 to $82.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on Polaris from $90.00 to $75.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Roth Mkm cut their target price on Polaris from $92.00 to $79.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Polaris has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $89.18.

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About Polaris

(Get Free Report)

Polaris Inc designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets powersports vehicles in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Off-Road, On-Road, and Marine. The company offers off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles and side-by-side vehicles; military and commercial ORVs; snowmobiles; motorcycles; and moto-roadsters, quadricycles, and boats.

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StockNews.com cut shares of RenaissanceRe (NYSE:RNR  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently commented on RNR. Bank of America boosted their price target on RenaissanceRe from $334.00 to $347.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on RenaissanceRe from $265.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on RenaissanceRe from $257.00 to $240.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on RenaissanceRe from $288.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their target price on RenaissanceRe from $216.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, RenaissanceRe presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $263.40.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on RNR

RenaissanceRe Price Performance

Shares of RNR opened at $254.79 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $13.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.38. RenaissanceRe has a fifty-two week low of $183.82 and a fifty-two week high of $259.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The businesss 50-day moving average is $230.94 and its 200-day moving average is $227.78.

RenaissanceRe (NYSE:RNR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The insurance provider reported $12.41 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.88 by $1.53. The business had revenue of $2.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.93 billion. RenaissanceRe had a return on equity of 27.74% and a net margin of 25.38%. Equities research analysts expect that RenaissanceRe will post 38.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

RenaissanceRe Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.61%. RenaissanceRes dividend payout ratio is 3.45%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Robert Qutub sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $224.56, for a total value of $561,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 73,915 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,598,352.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other RenaissanceRe news, EVP David E. Marra sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.00, for a total transaction of $230,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 85,544 shares in the company, valued at $19,675,120. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Robert Qutub sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $224.56, for a total value of $561,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 73,915 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,598,352.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in RenaissanceRe during the first quarter worth $26,000. Blue Trust Inc. acquired a new position in RenaissanceRe during the second quarter worth $27,000. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of RenaissanceRe during the first quarter worth $31,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of RenaissanceRe during the second quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. bought a new stake in shares of RenaissanceRe during the first quarter worth $34,000. 99.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About RenaissanceRe

(Get Free Report)

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Property, and Casualty and Specialty segments. The Property segment writes property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, as well as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, windstorms, tornadoes, explosions, and acts of terrorism; and other property class of products, such as proportional reinsurance, property per risk, property reinsurance, binding facilities, and regional U.S.

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Rothschild Investment LLC acquired a new stake in Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 11,402 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $5,326,000.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Blue Fin Capital Inc. increased its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Fin Capital Inc. now owns 7,114 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $3,323,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Cadinha & Co. LLC increased its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Cadinha & Co. LLC now owns 1,397 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $653,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. WP Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. WP Advisors LLC now owns 2,006 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $937,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Americana Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 6.0% in the 2nd quarter. Americana Partners LLC now owns 10,819 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $5,054,000 after purchasing an additional 611 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC now owns 20,858 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $9,743,000 after purchasing an additional 493 shares during the last quarter. 74.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Lockheed Martin Stock Up 0.2 %

LMT stock opened at $568.10 on Friday. Lockheed Martin Co. has a one year low of $393.77 and a one year high of $569.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $135.41 billion, a PE ratio of 20.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.56 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.24. The company has a fifty day moving average of $514.24 and a 200-day moving average of $473.51.

Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend

Lockheed Martin ( NYSE:LMT Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The aerospace company reported $7.11 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.45 by $0.66. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 9.48% and a return on equity of 95.03%. The company had revenue of $18.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $6.73 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 26.65 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be issued a $3.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $12.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.22%. Lockheed Martins dividend payout ratio is presently 46.10%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Lockheed Martin from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their target price for the company from $500.00 to $600.00 in a report on Monday, August 5th. Bank of America restated a buy rating and issued a $635.00 target price on shares of Lockheed Martin in a report on Friday. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $511.00 to $538.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Susquehanna increased their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $540.00 to $565.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, TD Cowen upgraded shares of Lockheed Martin from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $480.00 to $560.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $541.85.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on LMT

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Timothy S. Cahill sold 3,975 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $515.36, for a total value of $2,048,556.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 8,877 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,574,850.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Lockheed Martin Company Profile

(Free Report)

Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments.

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Sabal Trust CO increased its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF  Free Report) by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,678 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Sabal Trust COs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $2,799,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of IWF. GLOBALT Investments LLC GA bought a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $350,964,000. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 409.6% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 1,312,397 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $442,343,000 after purchasing an additional 1,054,881 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 6.7% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,413,232 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,641,130,000 after purchasing an additional 341,407 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 1,332.3% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 302,036 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $91,568,000 after purchasing an additional 280,948 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Assets Advisory LLC bought a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $73,003,000.

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iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Stock Performance

IWF opened at $365.46 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $362.20 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $345.83. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a 52 week low of $256.01 and a 52 week high of $382.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $96.68 billion, a PE ratio of 35.64 and a beta of 1.20.

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment returns that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 1000 index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth.

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Kobe Steel, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:KBSTF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,228,200 shares, a decline of 8.6% from the July 31st total of 1,343,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Kobe Steel Price Performance

Kobe Steel stock remained flat at $12.50 during midday trading on Friday. Kobe Steel has a 1 year low of $9.42 and a 1 year high of $14.45. The businesss fifty day moving average is $12.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.87.

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About Kobe Steel

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Kobe Steel, Ltd. engages in the materials, machinery, and electric power businesses worldwide. The company offers steel sheet products, including high-tensile strength, hot and cold rolled, electro-galvanized, and hot-dipped galvanized steel sheets; steel wire rods and bars; and aluminum and steel plates.

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SIR Royalty Income Fund (TSE:SRV.UN  Get Free Report)s stock price passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$13.54 and traded as low as C$12.55. SIR Royalty Income Fund shares last traded at C$12.56, with a volume of 2,300 shares.

SIR Royalty Income Fund Price Performance

The firms 50 day moving average price is C$12.60 and its 200-day moving average price is C$13.54. The stock has a market cap of C$105.25 million, a P/E ratio of 5.51 and a beta of 2.53.

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SIR Royalty Income Fund Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th were paid a $0.095 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 16th. This represents a $1.14 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.08%. SIR Royalty Income Funds dividend payout ratio is presently 50.00%.

Insider Transactions at SIR Royalty Income Fund

SIR Royalty Income Fund Company Profile

In related news, insider Lembit Janes acquired 2,700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 26th. The shares were bought at an average price of C$11.50 per share, for a total transaction of C$31,050.00. Insiders own 28.33% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

SIR Royalty Income Fund, through SIR Royalty Limited Partnership, owns SIR's restaurants in Canada. The company operates concept restaurants under the Jack Astor's Bar and Grill, Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar, and Canyon Creek Chop House; and signature restaurant brands under the Reds Wine Tavern, Reds Midtown Tavern, Reds Square One, and The Loose Moose brands.

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Spire Wealth Management decreased its position in Fair Isaac Co. (NYSE:FICO  Free Report) by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,854 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 67 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Managements holdings in Fair Isaac were worth $8,698,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in FICO. EntryPoint Capital LLC acquired a new position in Fair Isaac in the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Fair Isaac during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Family Firm Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Fair Isaac during the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of Fair Isaac during the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, DSM Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Fair Isaac during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.75% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Fair Isaac

In other news, EVP Thomas A. Bowers sold 3,000 shares of Fair Isaac stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,715.27, for a total transaction of $5,145,810.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,769 shares in the company, valued at $9,895,392.63. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Fair Isaac news, CFO Steven P. Weber sold 1,800 shares of Fair Isaac stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,735.00, for a total value of $3,123,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 575 shares of the companys stock, valued at $997,625. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Thomas A. Bowers sold 3,000 shares of Fair Isaac stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,715.27, for a total transaction of $5,145,810.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,769 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,895,392.63. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 24,891 shares of company stock valued at $38,037,731. Corporate insiders own 3.54% of the companys stock.

Fair Isaac Trading Up 1.0 %

Fair Isaac stock traded up $16.98 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $1,730.27. The company had a trading volume of 119,526 shares, compared to its average volume of 156,344. Fair Isaac Co. has a fifty-two week low of $811.99 and a fifty-two week high of $1,818.02. The company has a market cap of $42.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 90.83, a P/E/G ratio of 5.57 and a beta of 1.34. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $1,623.63 and a 200 day simple moving average of $1,398.94.

Fair Isaac (NYSE:FICO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The technology company reported $4.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.33 by ($0.34). Fair Isaac had a net margin of 28.94% and a negative return on equity of 60.67%. The business had revenue of $447.85 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $448.53 million. Research analysts forecast that Fair Isaac Co. will post 19.33 EPS for the current year.

Fair Isaac announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, July 30th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the technology company to buy up to 2.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on FICO shares. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Fair Isaac to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Fair Isaac from $1,264.00 to $1,700.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Fair Isaac from $1,500.00 to $1,800.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Fair Isaac in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. They issued an outperform rating and a $1,725.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Fair Isaac from $1,350.00 to $1,500.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,515.82.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Fair Isaac

Fair Isaac Company Profile

(Free Report)

Fair Isaac Corporation develops analytic, software, and digital decisioning technologies and services that enable businesses to automate, enhance, and connect decisions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Scores and Software. The Software segment provides pre-configured analytic and decision management solution designed for various business needs or processes, such as account origination, customer management, customer engagement, fraud detection, financial crimes compliance, and marketing, as well as associated professional services.

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TELUS International (Cda) Inc. (NYSE:TIXT  Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Reduce from the sixteen analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, thirteen have given a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $7.55.

A number of research firms recently weighed in on TIXT. Cibc World Mkts downgraded TELUS International (Cda) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. TD Securities reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $3.75 price target (down from $10.00) on shares of TELUS International (Cda) in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of TELUS International (Cda) from $7.00 to $5.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Royal Bank of Canada cut TELUS International (Cda) from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and dropped their price target for the company from $10.00 to $5.00 in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group cut their price objective on TELUS International (Cda) from $16.50 to $16.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 7th.

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Check Out Our Latest Report on TELUS International (Cda)

Hedge Funds Weigh In On TELUS International (Cda)

TELUS International (Cda) Price Performance

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of TIXT. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in TELUS International (Cda) by 5.9% during the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 8,440,050 shares of the companys stock worth $48,744,000 after acquiring an additional 472,103 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in TELUS International (Cda) by 2.3% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 223,262 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,290,000 after acquiring an additional 5,017 shares in the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in shares of TELUS International (Cda) during the second quarter worth about $191,000. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its holdings in TELUS International (Cda) by 971.6% during the 2nd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 75,443 shares of the companys stock worth $441,000 after buying an additional 68,403 shares during the last quarter. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc lifted its stake in TELUS International (Cda) by 2.1% during the second quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 254,914 shares of the companys stock worth $1,472,000 after purchasing an additional 5,351 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 59.55% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE:TIXT opened at $3.66 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $391.00 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.40, a PEG ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.74. TELUS International has a one year low of $2.83 and a one year high of $11.51. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $5.00 and a 200-day simple moving average of $6.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.09.

TELUS International (Cda) (NYSE:TIXT  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, August 2nd. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.19 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $652.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $682.32 million. TELUS International (Cda) had a net margin of 2.70% and a return on equity of 11.66%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.16 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that TELUS International will post 0.44 EPS for the current year.

TELUS International (Cda) Company Profile

(Get Free Report

TELUS International (Cda) Inc design, builds, and delivers digital solutions for customer experience (CX) in the Asia-Pacific, the Central America, Europe, Africa, North America, and internationally. The company provides digital experience solutions, such as AI and bots, omnichannel CX, enterprise mobility solutions, cloud contact center, big data analytics, platform transformation, and UX/UI design; and customer experience solutions, including work anywhere/work from home, contact center outsourcing, technical support, sales growth and customer retention, healthcare/patient experience, and debt collection.

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COPT Defense Properties (NYSE:CDP  Free Report) had its price objective lifted by Truist Financial from $27.00 to $31.00 in a report issued on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a hold rating on the stock.

CDP has been the subject of several other research reports. Wedbush increased their target price on COPT Defense Properties from $28.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on COPT Defense Properties from $28.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $29.50.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on COPT Defense Properties

COPT Defense Properties Stock Performance

Shares of CDP opened at $29.79 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 3.17, a current ratio of 3.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.56. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $27.46 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $25.25. The stock has a market cap of $3.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -27.58, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.98. COPT Defense Properties has a 52 week low of $22.20 and a 52 week high of $30.05.

COPT Defense Properties (NYSE:CDP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 29th. The company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by ($0.33). The company had revenue of $187.34 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $166.11 million. COPT Defense Properties had a negative return on equity of 7.52% and a negative net margin of 15.75%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.60 EPS. On average, analysts expect that COPT Defense Properties will post 2.56 EPS for the current year.

COPT Defense Properties Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.295 per share. This represents a $1.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.96%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. COPT Defense Propertiess dividend payout ratio is presently -109.26%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On COPT Defense Properties

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its holdings in COPT Defense Properties by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 58,401 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,462,000 after buying an additional 574 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of COPT Defense Properties by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 31,508 shares of the companys stock valued at $789,000 after purchasing an additional 578 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its stake in shares of COPT Defense Properties by 5.1% in the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 19,981 shares of the companys stock valued at $500,000 after purchasing an additional 967 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of COPT Defense Properties by 12.5% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 9,342 shares of the companys stock valued at $233,000 after purchasing an additional 1,037 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bailard Inc. lifted its stake in shares of COPT Defense Properties by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 17,400 shares of the companys stock valued at $436,000 after purchasing an additional 1,100 shares during the last quarter.

COPT Defense Properties Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

COPT Defense, an S&P MidCap 400 Company, is a self-managed REIT focused on owning, operating and developing properties in locations proximate to, or sometimes containing, key U.S. Government (USG) defense installations and missions (referred to as its Defense/IT Portfolio). The Company's tenants include the USG and their defense contractors, who are primarily engaged in priority national security activities, and who generally require mission-critical and high security property enhancements.

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Van ECK Associates Corp reduced its stake in Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Free Report) by 13.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 52,441,492 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 8,072,100 shares during the quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp owned 8.37% of Hecla Mining worth $254,341,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in HL. Continuum Advisory LLC raised its position in Hecla Mining by 313.6% in the second quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 6,551 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 4,967 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hecla Mining in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Oak Family Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Hecla Mining in the second quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in Hecla Mining by 27.7% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 13,447 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 2,916 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Advisors LLC increased its position in Hecla Mining by 48.9% in the first quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 15,532 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $75,000 after buying an additional 5,104 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.01% of the companys stock.

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Hecla Mining Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HL traded down $0.04 during trading on Friday, reaching $5.93. The company had a trading volume of 7,614,959 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,098,600. The company has a fifty day moving average of $5.53 and a two-hundred day moving average of $5.11. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.71 billion, a P/E ratio of -39.53 and a beta of 2.01. Hecla Mining has a 12 month low of $3.33 and a 12 month high of $6.35.

Hecla Mining Increases Dividend

Hecla Mining ( NYSE:HL Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $245.66 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $208.80 million. Hecla Mining had a negative return on equity of 0.42% and a negative net margin of 5.56%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.03 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Hecla Mining will post 0.04 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 26th will be given a dividend of $0.0138 per share. This is a boost from Hecla Minings previous quarterly dividend of $0.00. This represents a $0.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 26th. Hecla Minings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -33.33%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP Robert Denis Brown sold 24,792 shares of Hecla Mining stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.91, for a total value of $121,728.72. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 607,649 shares in the company, valued at $2,983,556.59. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, VP Robert Denis Brown sold 24,792 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.91, for a total transaction of $121,728.72. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 607,649 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,983,556.59. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Russell Douglas Lawlar sold 11,679 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.91, for a total value of $57,343.89. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 393,894 shares in the company, valued at $1,934,019.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 67,105 shares of company stock valued at $329,486. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on HL shares. CIBC lifted their price objective on Hecla Mining from $6.75 to $7.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Cibc World Mkts raised shares of Hecla Mining to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Roth Mkm reduced their price objective on shares of Hecla Mining from $6.25 to $6.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $10.25 target price on shares of Hecla Mining in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Hecla Mining to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, May 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $7.13.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on HL

About Hecla Mining

(Free Report)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

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Wealth Alliance Advisory Group LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Amcor plc (NYSE:AMCR  Free Report) by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 47,388 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,155 shares during the period. Wealth Alliance Advisory Group LLCs holdings in Amcor were worth $463,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AMCR. Riverview Trust Co bought a new stake in Amcor during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Quent Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Amcor by 51.8% in the 2nd quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 3,638 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 1,241 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Amcor by 132.8% in the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,416 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 2,519 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in Amcor by 38.7% during the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 4,656 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 1,299 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ORG Partners LLC bought a new stake in Amcor during the second quarter worth $47,000. 45.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on AMCR shares. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Amcor from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Amcor from $10.00 to $11.10 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Amcor from $9.80 to $10.50 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Amcor in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. They set a hold rating and a $10.80 target price on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Amcor from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Amcor currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.73.

Amcor Stock Performance

Shares of Amcor stock opened at $11.44 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The company has a market cap of $16.53 billion, a PE ratio of 25.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a 50 day moving average of $10.32 and a 200-day moving average of $9.81. Amcor plc has a 1-year low of $8.45 and a 1-year high of $11.45.

Amcor (NYSE:AMCR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 15th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.21. Amcor had a return on equity of 25.45% and a net margin of 5.35%. The firm had revenue of $3.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.30 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.19 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Amcor plc will post 0.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Amcor Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.125 per share. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.37%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. Amcors payout ratio is 111.11%.

About Amcor

(Free Report)

Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries.

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Derry Girls star, TV presenter and sustainable fashion supporter, Siobhan McSweeney has officially launched this years Oxfam Ireland Second Hand September campaign.

This years sixth annual campaign kicks off on Sunday, September 1, and calls on the public to sign up for the month and "Dress for the world you want".

The campaign, which highlights the use of sustainable and pre-loved fashion, is raising awareness around the impacts of the textile industry on the planet.

Buying second hand can play a part in tackling the impacts of climate change, and clothes dont have to cost the earth.

Speaking ahead the month-long awareness drive, Siobhan Mc Sweeney explains why she was happy to give her support as the lead Ambassador for the campaign:

I was really delighted to be asked. I immediately said yes when Oxfam invited me to come on board as their ambassador. 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.

The joy of knowing that youre not contributing to the absolute mess of the world makes the whole experience all the better, Siobhan added. Its all the more satisfying.

"There is a huge ethical responsibility when it comes to clothing. A lot of weight is put on the individual. Theres so little we can do in the face of such huge systems that are actively working against people who are trying to do good in the world.

"By buying a really cool item of clothing thats pre-loved, knowing you could be helping rather than adding to the negativity is a really amazing feeling," the actor continued.

I get really worked up over this issue. I feel that women especially get lumped with a lot of the guilt and responsibility for changing things that we dont have much power over. My favourite element of buying second-hand is that Im not contributing to the mess - and landfill.

The humanitarian charity, which plays a role globally in slowing down the detrimental impacts of fast fashion, runs the month-long campaign to raise awareness and ask people to change their purchasing habits.

We are sharing a simple but striking fact, said Mark Sweeney from Oxfam Irelands Trading Team. Decision-making around where and how we buy our clothes is an area where individual action can have a lasting and meaningful impact. The textile industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, after the oil industry, so the choices people make about their clothes can make a difference.

Our campaign theme - Dress for the World You Want - is about making conscious decisions around doing the right thing by dressing intentionally, in gorgeous, pre-loved outfits that make a statement about who you are and the kind of world you want."

Oxfam Ireland is asking the people of Ireland to come on board with the campaign and share their stories throughout the month using the #OxfamIrelandSHS hashtag.

With a network of 48 Oxfam shops throughout the country, theres no shortage of choice.

See oxfamireland.org for details on the campaign and keep an eye on Oxfam Irelands socials throughout the month.
In July, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israels occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is unlawful and must cease as rapidly as possible.

The court further ruled that Israel is obliged to immediately halt all new settlement activity; evacuate all settlers from the occupied territories; and pay reparations to Palestinians for the damage caused by Israels 57 years of military repression.

The ICJ also stated that a number of Israels policies in the occupied territories amount to the crime of apartheid.

Although the ICJ ruling as an advisory opinion is non-binding it is nonetheless the expressed opinion of the worlds highest court on the legality of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, and represents a complete repudiation of Israels so called legal defence of its genocidal actions in occupied Palestine.

The ICJ has been very clear that Israel cannot claim to be acting in self-defence either to maintain its military occupation, or to suppress acts of resistance against that occupation.

It is of course naive to imagine that the occupation can be ended solely through court rulings and legal mechanisms. The US, UK and EU abandoned any pretence of adherence to international law when they chose to join Israel in an axis of genocide.

This does not however mean that Israel cannot be made to pay a price for its inhumane war on Palestine.

The most critical issue in this regard is the transformative impact the ICJ ruling can have on the relationship of states with Israel. The Genocide Convention confers the following obligations on states

1. To prevent genocide from happening and to co-operate to bring it to an end

2. Not to recognise the situation

3. Not to provide aid and assistance to the state plausibly committing genocide

4. To enable the criminal punishment of those individually responsible

In light of the ICJ ruling which is further reinforced by a growing number of reports from UN and EU Human Rights observers, Israel must now be subject to sanctions across the academic, trading, sporting, cultural, military and diplomatic spheres. Israel must be made a pariah state and there has never been a more favourable moment for such action to bring about change.

A recent Mondoweiss opinion piece entitled, The end of Israels economy has laid out the stark facts of the economic catastrophe the Zionist state has brought on itself through its war-mongering.

Over 46,000 businesses have been bankrupted, tourism has halted, Israels credit rating has been lowered, Israeli government bonds are selling at junk bonds levels, and foreign investments which had already fallen by 60% in the first quarter of 2023 are showing no prospects of recovery.

It is also reported that the majority of the money invested in Israeli investment funds has been transferred abroad because Israelis do not want their pension funds or savings to be tied to the fate of the State of Israel.

The seizure of Israeli financial assets within the European financial system to fund reparations and the rebuilding of Palestine would undoubtedly have a dramatic effect on the mindset of the Israeli public.

While the Zionist regime continues to boast of its ability to destroy Lebanon and Iran the reality as described by leading Israeli academics is very different.

In one analysis, the economist Prof. Dan Ben David has asserted that the Israeli economy is held together by no more than about 300,000 people who comprise the senior staff in universities, tech companies, and hospitals.

If a significant percentage of these people choose to leave, Israel will in his view cease to exist.

Many educated Israelis are already leaving, some families are taking lengthy holidays abroad and others are exploring options for work and study elsewhere.

Leading Israeli historians, including Ilan Pappe have publicly stated that the Zionist project is now coming to an end. It may take some more time before this is an irrefutable fact.

Nonetheless it is undoubtedly certain that when a critical mass of Israelis accept that Israeli apartheid has become unsustainable, they will seek a better future for themselves from self interest if for no other reason.

This process can be accelerated by networks of international alliances working together to co-ordinate global anti-Zionist campaigns and actions.

One World One Struggle is the guiding principle of the Bloody Sunday Trust. In September the Trust will host its next Derry Peace and Conflict International, bringing together a large number of anti-Zionist activists to strengthen support networks, explore ideas for international campaigns and create joint action plans that will work towards a new and democratic political system in Palestine based on one person, one vote that guarantees equal rights to citizens of every religion and ethnicit.
PICTURED ABOVE: The Cast and Production team left to right, back row: Director Patricia Byrne, Writer Caitriona Cunningham, Stage Manager Susie Garvey Williams, Dramaturg Emily De Dakis, Cast members: Maeve Connelly, Maureen Wilkinson and Una Morrison. Left to right, front row: Sorcha Shanahan, Roma Harvey, Aoibh Johnson, Shannon Wilkinson and Rachel Harvey.

A powerful new play written by a Derry survivor of a mother and baby institution is at the centre of an innovative creative heritage project taking place this autumn, aiming to dispel the shame and address the trauma faced by young women in a brutal system that forced young unmarried mothers to give up their babies.

The project, which will also involve a series of workshops, oral history recordings and a digital exhibition, has received a major grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

'The Marian Hotel' is a moving drama based on the real-life experiences of the writer, Caitriona Cunningham, who gave birth to her daughter in the Marianvale home in Newry.

Produced by Derry-based theatre company Sole Purpose, the play opens in September, coinciding with the sitting of an expert panel that is currently taking evidence from survivors ahead of a full public inquiry. The production will tour venues in Derry, Letterkenny, Strabane, Newry and Belfast.

Sole Purpose Artistic Director Patricia Byrne said: The play is a searing portrayal of a dark time in Irish history. The inquiry in the North of Ireland has just got underway after a three year delay and this play is a call to all those impacted to come forward and raise their voices so that they may never again be silenced and shamed for being human.

Victims suffer ongoing trauma related to abuse in the institutions, reflecting the legacy of a deep culture of shame about unmarried mothers in Irish society. As a direct testimony from a survivor, this play can connect in a unique way and may help to encourage those impacted to come forward to give their testimony to the Inquiry.

The play is set in 1979 against the backdrop of the Troubles and follows 19-year-old Kitty from Derry who goes into the home after becoming pregnant. She meets other young women in a similar situation and they form a bond coping with the strict regime and rigid discipline of the institution. It is packed full of humour in adversity, as they cope with the Spartan conditions, poor food and hard work in the laundry. The girls sarcastically label the institution The Marian Hotel.

Caitriona said: "I hope that audiences will get a sense of how things were for unmarried pregnant women, how 'given up for adoption should have been termed 'taken for adoption. These institutions are part of our recent history, the effects they have had on our society still reverberate today.

I was one of the lucky ones. When I came out of Marianvale I got my daughter back at three months old and went on with my life. But I was very ashamed of having been through the system. I didnt talk about it until recently but I always thought about the other women, especially around my daughters birthday.

Many women and their children were never reunited, for some it is too late but I hope that this play will help to open up discussions and that ultimately there will be no more shame, she added.

A series of heritage outreach and engagement activities running alongside the tour aims to encourage people to come forward and share their experiences. With support from WAVE Trauma Centre, the project will create a space to explore and understand the important stories of the birth mothers, adopted children and families affected.

Stella Byrne, Head of Investment for The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Northern Ireland said: Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we are supporting Sole Purpose with an award of 58,000 towards The Marian Hotel: Memories from Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Homes Project.

Activities such as the reminiscence workshops, with support from the Wave Trauma Centre, present the opportunity to preserve memories, gather authentic narratives and ensure that these hidden histories are recorded and archived as part of our social history.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland Commissioning Programme supported the development of the play. Lizzie Devlin, Community Arts Development Officer, commented, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support Sole Purpose. National Lottery funding is a game changer for their important work which demonstrates the power of the arts in shining a light on and creating discussion around important societal issues. Well done to all involved.

The play will be premiered in Newry Town Hall on September 20, with other venues including An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny; The Playhouse, Derry; The Alley Theatre, Strabane and the Lyric Theatre, Belfast.

On selected dates the tour will include Q&A sessions with Professor Phil Scraton from the School of Law, Queen's University Belfast, a member of the Independent Panel set up to investigate the institutions and co-author of its report, Truth, Acknowledgement and Accountability.

Professor Scraton said: 'What happened in Mother and Baby Institutions and Magdalene Laundries has had a profound impact on mothers and their children. The Marian Hotel takes their story to a wide audience, revealing the silencing, shame and hurt inflicted on the lives of survivors and their loved ones.'

Heritage outreach activities taking place this autumn include creative writing Reminiscence Workshops, an Oral History archive involving one-on-one interviews with survivors, The Sunflower Project Exhibition featuring artwork produced by women impacted by the institutions. The work will be collected and presented to the public in a Digital Exhibition called The Marian Hotel: Memories from Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Homes, launching in 2025.

It has been funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council of Northern Ireland Commissioning Programme, Foyle Foundation, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. The Sunflower Project is funded by The Ideas Fund (a grant programme funded by Wellcome, run by the British Science Foundation).

Tour Dates:- 20th / 21st Sept - Newry Town Hall; 26th Sept - An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny; 3rd - 5th Oct - The Playhouse, Derry; 14th Nov - Alley Theatre Strabane; 21st - 23rd - The Lyric Theatre Belfast.

Wellbeing support available throughout for those affected by the issues in the play.

Q&As with Phil Scraton: Fri 20th Sept  Newry Town Hall; Sat 5th Oct  The Playhouse, Derry  Derry; Fri 22nd Nov  The Lyric Theatre.

For more information and how to book tickets for The Marian Hotel go to: www.solepurpose.org
Louth has among the lowest number of second hand homes for sale across Ireland according to new research by property consultants Savills Ireland.

The analysis looked at the number of second-hand properties for sale across the 26 counties, adjusting the number of properties for population. Savills says that its analysis shows that Louth has the fifth lowest number of houses available, at 18 homes per 10,000 people.

The data was collected on the 19th of August. Across Ireland, there were 24.2 properties for sale per 10,000 population, Monaghan had the lowest number of properties for sale on an absolute numerical basis (81), but also on a population adjusted basis (12.2 per 10,000), which is almost half the national average.

Monaghan was followed by Meath, with 13.4 homes per 10,000 people, then Kildare (14.3 homes) and Carlow (17.7 homes). Savills says in its analysis that "what ties these counties together is that they are all commuter counties to Dublin, suggesting that the higher prices in Dublin are leading to stiff competition for homes for sale within striking distance of the capital".

Savills added in its report that "it should also be noted that availability across the country is down significantly, with a recent Daft report noting that just 11,400 homes were for sale in Ireland compared to an average of 24,700 between 2015-2019."
Collective action by workers within their communities is crucial to facing down the spread of far-right hate and misinformation, SIPTU Organiser, Brian Condra, told the Rally Against Racism organised by Dundalk Communities United, in Earl Street, Dundalk, last Sunday.

Addressing the event, Mr Condra, said: The labour movement begins in your workplace but it does not end there. It must also be on our streets, in our houses and in our communities. The labour movement is based on the power of the collective, the politics of hate and division are directly opposed to that.

He continued: In Ireland, our history has told us what the power of the collective can do in the face of an overwhelming colonial power and disaster. James Connolly the forefather of the trade union movement of this land, was himself the child of migrants, who knew the hatred and the fear that came with that.

"He spent most of his life outside of Ireland. In the US he once made the observation that Ireland must become the beacon of freedom to the oppressed, we should be that beacon.

He added: It is not enough to just be anti-racist, we must be anti-intolerance of all kinds. As a collective, that is how we will build a better Ireland. The far-right has been thoroughly rejected by the local community in Dundalk, it is you through the power of the collective which has removed them from our streets.

The Rally Against Racism was a family-friendly event which included an interactive art piece under the theme If your table's too small make it bigger and live performances by local musicians. The rally was called in opposition to recent far-right rallies in Dundalk.
An Bord Pleanala has given the go ahead for a new Primary Care Centre at the former Carroll Village Shopping Centre in Dundalk, following an appeal by Carroll Village Retail Management Services Limited against Louth County Council's decision to grant planning permission for the development last year.

Louth County Council granted conditional planning permission in June 2023 to Aviva Life and Pensions Ireland DAC for the development, which proposed partial demolition of the existing shopping centre building and the construction of a new four storey Primary Care Centre.

The planned development includes a General Practitioners Surgery, Pharmacy Unit and HSE accommodation, with planned works also including car parking and set down area; erection of access control barriers; new totem sign; general wall mounted signage; and new elevational treatment to north facade.

Carroll Village Retail Management Services Limited had appealed Louth County Council's decision, raising issues including, lack of legal entitlement to use the existing car park; lack of strategic vison (masterplan) for the overall site; inadequate parking provision; and negative impact on the development potential of the remainder of the site.



In granting planning permission for the development, An Bord Pleanala said that "the Board agreed that the matter of car parking is adequately addressed by condition requiring the provision of adequate carparking as per the requirements and calculations of the PA in respect in respect of the County Development Plan, in advance of commencement of development."

It also said that, "the Board agreed with the Planning Authority 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 animate the street which would adequately support the D1 Regeneration Zoning objective for the site."
Louth Independent TD, Peter Fitzpatrick, announced on Friday that he will not contest the next general election. Deputy Fitzpatrick, who has been a TD since being elected in 2011, released a statement, 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."
A VARIETY of Irelands finest homes and indoor and outdoor spaces feature in a new series fronted by Irelands favourite architect and property guru.

In Dermot Bannons Super Spaces starting on RTE1 at 9.35pm on Wednesday, September 4, he tours Ireland visiting a host of spaces, from beautifully renovated and award-winning homes to outdoor swimming pools, and even Limericks new rugby visitor experience.

First up, he heads to Fernwood Farm in Connemara, where Simon and Anne Ashe have created a luxurious getaway on their 150-acre property.

Perched on 57 stilts, Stilt House is the epitome of a hidden gem. Alongside it is the Dome House, a one-bedroom escape nestled in the crowns of the trees.

Back in Dublin, Dermot pops in to visit architect Jack OKelly, who has renovated an old house in Phibsborough, across the road from the Hendron buildings.

Taking inspiration from his time as an architect in Barcelona, Jack bought this three-storey house in 2016 and started renovations in the basement, then the ground floor and finally the first floor. The work might have been slow, but the results are amazing.

Clontarf Baths is an oasis on the north Dublin coast, and Dermot talks to those who use this pool, not only for sea-swimming training, but also for their mental health.

While in Dubiln, he heads to the North Strand, to the cleverly designed Charleville House, inhabited by Sean and Sofie OSullivan and their children.

An hour away, he travels to the award-winning house An Tui, a 200-year-old thatched cottage restored and extended by architect Karen Brownlee.

Also in the episode, Paul OConnell puts Dermot through his paces at the new International Rugby Experience, in Limerick.

Designed by Niall McLaughlin, it has stunning 360-degree views of the city, sitting on the edge of a conservation area on a tight urban site. The challenge was to create a modern interactive experience in a building that also sits comfortably in the Georgian Quarter.

Back in Dublin, in a laneway away from the hustle and bustle of Camden Street, a brand new home sits on a tiny triangular site. Owned by Akin Jabar and her husband David, it is just two metres wide at its narrowest and yet packs a serious punch.

Finally, Dermot heads to Basalt House in Portrush, Antrim. One of the most spectacular homes he has ever visited, it is the home to David and Joanna Glenn and their family.
A call for 75 additional gardai for Cork city and county, a full review of free legal aid, and improvements in pay and conditions for gardai, are among the justice issues Independent candidate for Cork South Central Mick Finn intends to raise during the upcoming general election campaign.

The former councillor and Lord Mayor said he believes more garda resources should be allocated to Cork to reduce crime rates in the city and larger towns.

We havent enough gardai on the streets of our city and larger towns and we all know that garda presence and vigilance on the beat is the best deterrent to ongoing crimes being committed in public view, Mr Finn said.

There is also a need to reform the Free Legal Aid scheme.

My suggestion is that criminality yields revenue, for example the sale of drugs, so should be excluded from the scheme, as should situations where defendants are found guilty multiple times.

We should also move to a system where compensation is paid from the wages or state payments of those who riot or cause criminal damage to state property, such as garda cars, trams and buses. Those currently appearing in court on such charges are laughing at those paying taxes to fund the legal aid.

That needs to stop we need to tilt the balance in favour of law-abiding members of our communities.

Mr Finn said he believes that there is sufficient tax revenues being collected to address these areas, but suggested that changes to pay and conditions of those entering the gardai and the defence forces are required to attract young people in.

At the moment, whod be a garda or a soldier or join the navy?

Years of inaction and tolerance of the status quo by Government have brought us to this point. Make those jobs attractive  add in guaranteed housing incentives or benefits, and people will go for them.

The former Lord Mayor announced he will run for a Dail seat in Cork South Central in the next general election last month.

He previously served 15 years on Cork City Council but opted not to contest a seat in the recent local elections.

He was successful in his three local election campaigns, topping the poll in 2014 and 2019, when he garnered the highest percentage vote across the city.

Mr Finn, 52, will hope that its third time lucky in securing a seat in the Dail, having ran for the general election on two previous occasions.
Care Champions, a group advocating for improvements for those in care, is launching what it has described as The Peoples Covid Inquiry, which it says will put the voices of families of those who died in hospitals and nursing homes during and since the pandemic to the fore.

People in Cork and elsewhere travelled to Dublin to share their personal stories, which will go live on the Care Champions social media pages.

The group also unveiled a memory wall in the Arlington Hotel, where people can write the names of their loved ones who died.

The Peoples Covid Inquiry is a group of people who have come together in order to try and find out what exactly happened, what policies Government used, and how the policies during Covid were implemented or not implemented, and its also to look at the experiences of people on the ground  people in nursing homes, people in hospitals, and how Covid really affected all people who use care services, Care Champions founder Majella Beattie told The Echo.

We have a group of academics, we have a group of lawyers, researchers, and medical people, and theyre giving their time to us because we have been four years begging Government to look at the tragic loss of life, the tragic impact on people who survived Covid.

We have been brushed under the carpet, weve been ignored, so we now feel that it is time to start standing up for ourselves, and if the Government wont do it, we will do it.

The expert group set up to carry out The Peoples Covid Inquiry, said Ms Beattie, is now finalising the terms of reference.

Then we will start setting up processes for people to be able to come forward to give testimony.

We intend to run it similarly to the Clann Project for mother and baby homes, where they develop and do their research reports for public consumption, she said.

Ms Beattie said the inquiry will give a voice to people who suffered in care and make suggestions and lead to reform for people who use care services now and into the future.

It will, she believes, be a huge vehicle for change.

While the Government has announced its intention for an evaluation on the Covid-19 response, Ms Beattie said Care Champions fear this will be behind closed doors.

Asked in a parliamentary question before the Dails summer recess for an update on the Governments plans for a Covid-19 inquiry, Taoiseach Simon Harris said a comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed Covid will provide an opportunity to learn lessons from our experiences in dealing with a pandemic.

He said such an evaluation will include a review of the whole-of-government response to the pandemic and a consideration of the health service response covering hospitals, the community, and nursing homes, along with the wider economic and social response.

It is intended to have a public element to hear the lived experiences of all society, he said.

The review should be undertaken by those independent of the national response and with relevant expertise.

A consultation with opposition parties and stakeholders has taken place on draft terms of reference. It is intended to bring the terms of reference to Government shortly, Mr Harris added.
AN EMERGENCY doctor, who is due to speak in Cork next month about his experiences in Gaza, has described the horrific injuries suffered in the war by Palestinian civilians, many of them small children.

Dr Chris Hook, an English doctor who works with Doctors Without Borders, or Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), was working in Nasser hospital in Gaza earlier this summer, having also worked with MSF in the Palestinian enclave late last year and before that with the Red Cross.

When there are big mass-casualty events, its because people have been exposed to heavy weaponry in a closely confined area within a city, or trapped within a collapsed building, and so you see people with multiple injuries, he told The Echo.

As in, big fractures to all limbs, along with burns, along with injuries to the chest and abdomen, these really badly, multiply injured people, often with really big, difficult-to-heal wounds with big pieces of tissue missing from the explosive forces and being hit by debris.

Many of the people who survive their wounds will have huge ongoing care needs, he said, with many never walking properly again, or walking at all, with many people unable to ever work again.

And a lot of these are kids, Dr Hook said. Were seeing lots and lots of bad injuries to children, loads of unconscious kids with nasty injuries, nasty burns, fractures.

Although he is an experienced trauma surgeon, Dr Hooks voice trailed off as he attempted to recount the injuries inflicted upon small bodies by the violence of war.

Childrens bodies are a bit more flexible and pliant, so you often see a lot of the energy from these injuries is transmitted through them and they get lung injuries and bowel injuries and its just um yeah.

He resumed, with a little difficulty: When there are explosions, and attacks in heavily populated areas, thats what you see, [but] at various points that does change.

We saw, just when I was leaving in December, as fighting gets closer and closer to the population, as the ground forces get closer, you tend to see a few more bullet injuries as people get caught in crossfire.

Israels military campaign has killed more than 40,000 people in Gaza since October according to Palestinian health authorities.

The war in the tiny, crowded enclave began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen stormed into Israeli communities, murdering around 1,200 people and abducting about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

All these months of war later, most of Gazas hospitals are out of service, having been repeatedly attacked, besieged and raided by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), and MSF says patients and medical staff have been killed with sickening regularity.

Dr Chris Hook, an English emergency doctor who works with Doctors Without Borders, or Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), was working in Nasser hospital in Gaza earlier this summer.

MSF medical teams have been providing emergency surgeries, wound treatment, medical and maternity care in increasingly difficult circumstances in refugee camps, and in two of Gazas main remaining hospitals, Nasser in Khan Younis and Shuhada al-Aqsa in Deir al-Balah.

Dr Hook worked in Nasser hospital in November and December of last year, being forced to leave when IDF attacks came too close to the hospital, eventually overrunning it.

By May and June of this year, the IDF had withdrawn, so MSF medics were able to return, and he was part of the team that helped re-establish orthopaedic surgery and post-operative care for patients there, as well as working in the emergency department there.

Essentially what we mainly do there is look after people who have been the victims of trauma and burns, and we provide post-operative care to people with injuries to bone, plastic surgery and burn cases, he said.

Now we are providing lots of primary care in refugee camp-style tented facilities where people come and get basic medication.

Many of the people injured in Gaza suffer from extreme burns and major fractures that wont heal properly and may go on to require amputations, he said.

Many of these patients, even if they can get back to something resembling normal life, will have severe chronic pain that will require substantial pain management as well.

It would be a huge burden even on the most functional healthcare system, let alone for a system under intense pressure, like in Gaza.

Whenever the IDF bombs a hospital in Gaza, it tends to be a standard claim that Hamas is using medical facilities as shields for terrorist activities, or as terrorist command centres.

When asked whether he had seen any evidence to support such claims, Dr Hook said he has been granted complete freedom of movement in every Gazan hospital he has visited and he never seen any sign of military activity within them.

For sure, we know that [combatants] injured in the war will come to hospital, but their weapons are left elsewhere, and thats part of humanitarian law, that anyone who is injured will get treated, but I have never seen anything that resembles people hiding within the population, or using a hospitals as a command centre or a base, he said.

From the first days of this war, MSF has been calling for an immediate ceasefire and greater access for residents to food, medication and healthcare.

Dr Hook has Irish nationality, thanks to a grandfather born in Derry, and he said the best thing Irish people can do is to try and keep the war in Gaza on the political agenda and keep advocating for a ceasefire and better access for humanitarian organisations like MSF.

We have to try and remain aware that this is still going on and we have to remember that while they might be far away and have different belief systems, these are just regular, normal people, just like us, who are suffering, he said.

We have to remember that these are just people like you and I and they just want to raise their kids in safety.

Dr Chris Hook will speak about his experiences in Gaza at a free public event in Cork on September 5, and he will be joined by MSF worker Jacob Burns, who has also worked in Gaza, and Dr Jennifer Hulse, who recently returned from Darfur, in Sudan.

The people of Sudan have faced horrific levels of violence since the war broke out there in March 2023.

MSF is currently active in eight states in Sudan, providing lifesaving assistance to people affected by the violence, displacement, and disruptions in the health system.

The MSF event Gaza and Sudan: Healthcare on the Frontline takes place at the Triskel Arts Centre, Tobin Street, Cork, at 7pm on Thursday, September 5. Registration is required. See MSF.ie, email events@dubin.msf.org, or call 01 6603337.
(Photo: Juan Michel / WCC)Explosion in Mozambique

A Catholic bishop from Mozambique has described the "painful" suffering of Christian communities attacked by extremist militias responsible for thousands of deaths in a conflict that has no end in sight.

Bishop Antonio Juliasse of Pemba Diocese told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that as soon as it became possible to visit Christians targeted by Islamist terrorists in regions affected by the armed conflict, he "departed immediately".

Bishop Juliasse wrote that he "managed to celebrate Mass and administer the Sacrament of Confirmation in the parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Nangololo," Independent Catholic News' Amy Balog wrote on Aug. 29.

Nangololo Mission is in the Muidumbe district in the Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique, not far from the border of Tanzania, which was attacked, occupied, and devastated by armed groups.

There the faithful gathered around the ruins of a church that "had been destroyed and vandalized" during attacks from 2020 many caarried out by Jihaidsts, according to reports.

He explained, "Everywhere I went, we celebrated Mass this way, in the open, among the ruins of the churches... It is very painful to see the ruins of buildings that were an expression of people's faith for so long.

"Now, not much is left besides the wreckage."

ONGOING VIOLENT CLASHES

Violent clashes between insurgents seeking to establish a hard-line Islamic state and the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces have been ongoing in Cabo Delgado Province, northern Mozambique since October 2017.

More than 5,000 people have died, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced as a result of the fighting.

The bishop told ACN: "Everywhere there is fear and uncertainty about the future. There is still great suffering. Many people live in camps for the internally displaced, though with less humanitarian assistance nowadays.

"Without safety, people are afraid to go and work their fields, which are often a few kilometers away from the villages, as they are afraid of being attacked."

(Photo: Juan Michel/WCC) Chair in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique

He said that food "production is low" because of the fear of further attacks, "which leads to hunger because people don't produce enough food, and also because the other services don't work properly."

Save the Children reported on July 3 that an escalation of violence in Cabo Delgado province was driving up cases of early and forced marriage with girls abducted and forced into marriage by armed groups or by families seeking a dowry.

Child protection staff from Save the Children have found an increase of 10 percent in recorded cases of children marriage in 2023 compared to the previous year with fears the numbers are rising further as the conflict cuts children off from the protection and support needed.

More and more children are voicing concerns that this could happen to them as the conflict heads toward its eighth year, with no end in sight.

A surge of attacks in Cabo Delgado since January this year has led to school closures putting more than 22,700 children out of the classroom so far this year said Save the Children.

The CIA Factbook says that of Mozambique's 33 million people, more than 40 percent are Christians, with Catholics the most numerous among them in the former Portuguese colony.
First-time teachers and first-time voters gearing up for the 2024 election may have only ever been exposed to toxic polarization  its their norm.

But for those of us whove been in the classroom for decades, the landscape of teaching civics has changed dramatically. In the early 2000s, America was polarized, but teaching during a presidential campaign was thrilling.

But with the rise of social media, misinformation and disinformation, we fear that students this year will be denied the same opportunities to learn about democracy and acquire skills to constructively engage one another.

A typical classroom back then analyzed political cartoons and discussed candidates major policy stances. They listened to sound bytes, compared speech rhetoric and reviewed the election process, from super-delegates to the Electoral College.

In most classrooms, no one told these students what to think or who to vote for; helping prepare such a thoughtful, curious and motivated generation of citizens to engage in the process was enough. It was nobodys job to make them liberal or conservative.

By 2020, the classroom pulse could not have been more different. Teachers shared that they did not want to touch elections and electoral politics for fear of accusations of indoctrination, bias or unsafe learning environments. Each day felt like navigating invisible landmines. Many avoided the election completely. Ignoring the topic was not only easier than dealing with an irate parent, hostile administration or divisive school board  it was a means of survival.

This was not a unique experience. A recent RAND study found that two-thirds of teachers are limiting instructional time on political and social issues, even in states that have not required it. That makes sense, given the increase in teacher firings over political concerns in the past four years.

If, in the words of Eric Liu, co-founder and CEO of Citizen University, the road to democracy runs through the classroom, its critical to at least discuss the political process. Its more important than ever to prepare students for the public sphere, and in a non-politicized way.

Whats more, if we cannot practice the real skills of debate, discussion, analysis and critical thinking, will students learn to practice them in real life?

Political polarization is not new; toxic polarization is. Eighty-four percent of Americans say political debate has become less respectful lately. Growing numbers have negative or hostile attitudes toward the opposing political party, believing it more closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent than other Americans.

The remedy, civil discourse, can be applied in the classroom and among the general public.

To begin, lets stop defining civil discourse by where we see it lacking. Instead, we need a common language around what it means and its purpose. Civil, from the Latin civilis, means relating to a society, pertaining to public life, relating to the civic order, befitting a citizen. With such a definition, were reminded that its vital to a functioning democratic society, meant to benefit each citizen.

Second, we must come to terms with the fact that in a country of over 330 million people, were not all going to agree on even trivial things (say, ice cream flavors), let alone public policy or Americas future. And thats normal.

Remember: civility is not about being passive or even polite. Its not about agreeing for the sake of agreement. Its merely the avenue to navigate daunting topics that might otherwise feel hopeless, curating citizenship in deeper, more tangible ways and reminding us that we have more in common than we realize.

Hence, to appreciate what we share, we must interact and practice civil conversations. Whats often lacking are the right skills.

Good conversations dont result from countering every statement your counterpart makes. They occur when all participants feel heard. You can practice this with reflective listening  repeating what you think you heard. When your partner begins to appreciate that youre trying to understand them (with or without agreement), you build trust.

Finally, be curious and authentic. When youve built respect and trust, you can truly be honest about your perspective. The process is simple, but not always easy. It requires practice and can be messy, but sometimes it needs to be messy to be authentic.

The more you listen, the more youll realize that contrary to the caricature of your fellow citizen presented on TV or social media, this person likely means well and is not an extremist.

In the classroom, civil discourse is simple: It looks like listening. Lets start there and remember that its about our humanity, which is bigger than politics. Civil discourse is a mirror, reflecting our values back on ourselves. Little doses of courage make it possible.

And when we all feel like were walking on eggshells, a bit of courage will go a long way.
In Volos, Greece, hundreds of thousands of dead fish were found washed up on the shore.

Over 100 tons of dead fish were collected in and around the popular tourist destination after a mass die-off linked to flooding and extreme weather fluctuations, according to 'ABC News.' The floods, according to authorities, displaced freshwater fish, forcing them into salt water habitats.

Many have gathered to begin the removal process of the fish. In 24 hours, over 40 tons of fish were collected.

"It spans kilometers. It's not just along the coast, but also in the center of the Pagasetic Gulf," city council member Stelio's Limnos explained.

The substantial number of fish alongside the amount of time required to collect them has left the area with a pungent, fish-like stench that pervades the beaches. The smell has been described as unbearable.

Many believe that this could have been avoided if proper recourse was taken. Achilleas Beos, the mayor of Volos, directly blamed the government for not taking preventative action to avoid the die-off.

"They didn't do the obvious, to put a protective net," he said in a news conference, per 'NBC News.'

Beos further expressed concern that the aroma of this surplus of dead fish may pose an environmental hazard for other creatures who are native to the environment, thereby causing more environmental issues down the line.

An investigation surrounding the incident has begun to see what was neglected to allow this to occur. The environment ministry has not yet made a comment regarding this natural disaster.

As the environment struggles, the economy struggles as well. Following the severe floods of last year, many in the town have noted a substantial decrease in patronage at local businesses and restaurants.

A restaurant owner in the town, Dimosthenis Bakoyiannis, lamented that the damage is done. "Closing the barrier now doesn't help. Now it's too late, the tourist season is over," he said, according to the 'New York Post.'

Following the floods, he has noted an approximately 80% drop in business.
A TikToker was in "shock" after a character at Disneyland tapped her baby awake without her consent.

Kat Pond, who runs the TikTok account @ThePondss, which "romanticizes parenthood after loss & infertility," posted their recent trip to Disneyland when she says she encountered a crazy scenario.

According to 'PEOPLE,' one of the theme park characters tapped her baby awake without asking her first.

In the video, she begins to explain that her 11-month-old baby was "chest to chest with me, dead asleep in her carrier." After staying in the restaurant for a bit she recalled that "all of a sudden somebody reaches over me and taps my sleeping baby. I turn around and I'm ready to be mad and it's a Disney character, and I'm like, 'What is happening,' like I was just so shocked by the whole experience."

When Pond told the character that the child was asleep, they reportedly replied, "Oh, it looks like princess is awake now."

She ended up taking a picture with the Disney character because she "wanted this experience to be over so badly."

"It made [my baby] so grumpy that we couldn't get her to be chill because she didn't get a good nap and we ended up having to leave for the day," Pond recalled.

The TikToker shared that she reported the event to Disney, and the company is investigating the incident.

Many in the comments section of her video wondered whether or not the character in question was in fact a Disney character. Some suggested that it may have been an adult guest who was visiting the park in cosplay.

Read more: Whoopi Goldberg Recalls First Trip To Disneyland With Late Mom

These rumors were quickly shut down by Pond who attested that the character was accompanied by a chaperone. "She was real & had an escort nearby!!!" she said.

On Tuesday, she wrote to her followers how she'll "let you guys know when I have an update."
While talking about Artem Chigvintsev's arrest on her podcast, Cheryl Burke got very emotional.

'Dancing with the Stars' star, Artem Chigvintsev, was arrested for felony domestic violence Thursday morning. His arrest took place only three short days after he celebrated his wedding anniversary to Nikki Garcia.

Burke, 40, and Chigvintsev had been close before they joined the ABC dancing competition show together. On a recent episode of 'Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans,' published Thursday, Burke shared with listeners that she and Chigvintsev "used to live together" in her "family's home in the Bay area."

"I hesitate to smile right now because of the current news... which I am in complete shock about," she said on the podcast, which was recorded a few short hours after Chigvintsev's arrest.

Burke continued, "Artem  it's so shocking, I get kind of emotional  so he was arrested today. And domestic violence has been thrown in the mix. I'm not going to say that he was charged with [that] but allegedly, domestic violence was the issue and he has a bail of like $25,000."

Despite her shock, the TV host made it clear that she does not sympathize with domestic violence of any kind.

"My heart goes out to everyone involved," she said. "It's just really hard for me because he is my family and I don't know what to say here other than I hope everybody is okay."

The accusations compared with the friend that she grew up with do not seem to go hand-in-hand to the dancer. "Domestic violence and Artem don't really... that's why it's so shocking."

Meanwhile, Garcia -- a former WWE star -- also broke her silence on Friday through her rep. Whether she was involved in any domestic dispute has not been confirmed.

"This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time," her rep told People.

According to 'TMZ,' who first broke the story, Chigvintsev, 42, was booked into Napa County Jail Thursday for felony domestic violence.

The circumstances surrounding what led up to Chigvintsev's arrest are currently unclear, but Garcia posted online she was also in Napa on her Instagram Story.

His bail was posted at $25,000, per 'Page Six.'

Chigvintsev was released on a $25,000 bail after his arrest. He was charged with felony corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant.
The Atlanta airport is being criticized for sharing an insensitive tweet following the death of two Delta Air Lines workers.

On Tuesday, a small explosion took place at a maintenance facility at Delta's TechOps Tire and Maintenance facility. A tire explosion took the lives of two employees at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

To remember the lives of the two that died on the job, including one who was "unrecognizable" and was only identified by his lanyard, the Atlanta airport shared a social media post deemed insensitive and tone-deaf.

The company took to their official X account writing, "We send condolences to our partners as they continue to 'Keep Climbing' during this difficult time." Many followers took issue with the inclusion of "Keep Climbing," Delta Air Lines slogan in the now-deleted tweet.

"It is highly inappropriate to put a slogan right next to the condolence message. If you're this lazy, at least a chatgpt check would have saved you," wrote one disappointed follower. Another shared, "PIO pro tip: Don't be an idiot. Using your corporate slogan when people died is a WILD choice."

Delta also released a statement to their staff, expressing their deep sadness for the families of 58-year-old Mirko Marweg and 37-year-old Luis Aldarondo, promising to offer support to their colleagues.

"We are now working with local authorities and conducting a full investigation to determine what happened," the Atlanta-based airline said, per 'NPR.'

The blast was so severe that Marweg's family was not allowed to see his body because it was so disfigured. Marweg, who was an Air Force veteran, was set to retire in June 2025. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Marweg's wife, Scottie Ann, remembered her "Mr. Fix-It" husband who always had "a big heart, [and] a big smile."

"Just getting through one day at a time, one hour at a time," she said, according to 'WRWD 12.' "I have my family around me and friends, so I'm blessed."

A third employee was injured in the explosion, but his identity has not been released at this time.
It seems the filming of 'The Deliverance' by director Lee Daniels came along with some strange activity on set.

So much so, Daniels requested a "deliverer" on set after being made aware of all the spooky occurrences that took place while 'Poltergeist' (1982) and 'The Exorcist' (1973) were being filmed.

The cast, alongside Daniels, 64, visited the SiriusXM Studios with Bevy Smith Wednesday where the director admitted how he wouldn't allow any paranormal activity to occur on his set, revealing they were proactive with prayer.

"Things happen, and I was not gonna let things happen on my set, and also I needed it for me. And so we prayed before every  and there's those of us that don't believe in prayer," he stated, per 'The Jasmine Brand.'

That said  strange things did still occur, per the media outlet. Mo'Nique, who plays the role of Cynthia Henry in the horror movie  reportedly had a health scare while filming. Daniels' dog died on set, and his sister was diagnosed with lung cancer shortly after filming a chemotherapy scene.

"My sister is in every movie that I've ever done as my good luck charm, and she was in the scene with Glenn [Close] in the chemo scene, and she's the one that sort of gave her attitude in the chemo scene," Daniels detailed. "Two days later, after being in the chemo scene, she was diagnosed with lung cancer  literally. My dog died on the set."

Co-stars Andra Day, Glenn Close, and Demi Singleton were also present in the interview, as Day told 'PEOPLE' that she prayed in tongues while on set  a practice in which a person prays directly to God through a language that is not their own  for help during filming.

Mo'Nique, born Monique Angela Hicks, also revealed details behind her medical emergency.

"The demon was supposed to be on top of the building, so they kept blowing this  I mean, at one point I'm like, 'Lee, do we have this s**t because I can't breathe.' They kept blowing. He was like, 'One more time. One more time.' So when I got finished, right, my thyroid was a big  I mean, it was just sick. Oh baby, I was like, 'What kind of s**t is this?' It was a lot of things happening with 'The Deliverance,' " the 56-year-old stated.

Lee, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for 'Precious' (2009), says he created the film based on a story of faith. The film's Indiana family discovers strange, demonic occurrences which attempt to convince them that their community and house is a portal to hell, per 'Netflix.' It's proposed that the ominous psychological horror is inspired by true events.

'The Deliverance' premieres on Netflix on August 30.
One of the doctors charged in Matthew Perry's overdose death faces up to a decade in prison after agreeing to plead guilty.

On Friday, San Diego-based Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, appeared in Los Angeles federal court to be arraigned on one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine in connection with Perry's fatal ketamine overdose at age 54 in October 2023, the Associated Press reported.

During the arraignment, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth allowed the plea agreement Chavez signed with prosecutors to move forward.

Prosecutors announced earlier this month that the doctor agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to distribute the surgical anesthetic.

In his plea agreement, Chavez admitted to selling ketamine to the other physician charged in the case, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who then allegedly sold the drug to Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.

RELATED: Matthew Perry's Death Same With Michael Jackson's? Here's Why Their Doctors Were Charged

Chavez did not enter his guilty plea during Friday's arraignment but will do so at a later date.

Chavez could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release.

He could also be fined half a million dollars during his sentencing.

Judge Rosenbluth allowed Chavez to post a $50,000 bond and be released once he surrendered his passport and medical license, according to AP.

Chavez's lawyer Matthew Binninger told reporters that his client was "incredibly remorseful, not just because it happened to Matthew Perry, but because it happened to a patient."

RELATED: Matthew Perry's Last Words Before Death Revealed As Ketamine Doctor Reopens Clinic Amid Charges

The attorney added that Chavez, who is cooperating with prosecutors, was "trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here."

"He didn't accept responsibility today, but only because it wasn't on the calendar," Binninger said of his client.

Chavez is one of five people charged in Perry's accidental overdose death.

Iwamasa, who injected the "Friends" actor with ketamine multiple times on the day of his death, and Erik Fleming, an acquaintance of Perry's who admitted to acting as a drug messenger and middleman, both pleaded guilty to their charges

Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, an alleged drug dealer known as the "ketamine queen," were arrested but have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.
The government has announced a 'restricted zone' across Norfolk and Suffolk due to a surge in the number of bluetongue cases.

Farmers in both counties have been told to 'urgently act now' to prevent the disease spreading in their herds.

There have been several confirmed cases of bluetongue virus 'BTV3' at premises across East Anglia, with the total number now standing at 27 individual cases.

It follows confirmation of the disease in a single sheep on a farm in Norfolk earlier this week, which made it the first UK bluetongue case this summer.

The new restriction zone replaces the original temporary control zone (TCZ), which was set up earlier this week following the first case.

It means livestock keepers must now follow stricter restrictions on animal and germinal product movements.

All infected premises - which total ten - have been placed under restriction and susceptible animals can only be moved under licence from infected premises.

Essential moves of susceptible animals can take place without a licence within the restricted zone but cannot be moved out of the zone without a specific licence.

A general licence to move animals to designated abattoirs is also available.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss urged farmers not to move animals within the zone "unless it is absolutely necessary".

Following an increased number of bluetongue cases, we have declared a restricted zone across Suffolk and Norfolk," she said.

"This means all keepers in these regions must urgently act now to both prevent the disease spreading to their herds and any further.

We have not taken this action lightly and we are clear that farmers and their vets must remain vigilant and report any suspicions to APHA immediately.

Bluetongue virus is primarily transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep and camelids such as llamas.

The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly  some show no clinical signs or effects at all while for others it can cause productivity issues such as reduced milk yield, while in the most severe cases can be fatal for infected animals.

The virus can also be spread through germplasm (semen, ova, and embryos) as well as transmitted from mother to unborn offspring.

Farms close to the coast in counties along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent and along the south coast from Kent to Devon have been classed as the highest risk of incursion.

Last November, government vets identified the first case of the disease in Britain since 2007.

The government recently set out its plans to minimise the impact of a likely outbreak of bluetongue as experts feared a surge in cases during the summer months.

There is currently no BTV-3 vaccine authorised or approved for use in the UK, however free testing is now available for animal keepers.

BTV is a notifiable disease. Suspicion of it in animals in England must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZPRA) war veterans association has urged Zanu-PF and government officials to refrain from interfering with the preparations for the upcoming Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) congress.There are concerns that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is using the war veterans' congress to undermine the presidential ambitions of his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga.The congress has already been postponed twice. It was originally scheduled for June 14 to 16 in the Midlands province, Mnangagwas stronghold, but was delayed due to alleged divisions among ex-combatants.Patrick Moyo, deputy spokesperson for the ZPRA association, emphasized that Zanu-PF and the government should not meddle in the selection of leaders for the ZNLWVA."This should be a matter for the two liberation movements," Moyo stated."We are the ones who founded the ZNLWVA led by Chenjerai 'Hitler' Hunzvi in 1997. No one should lead what they did not start."Moyo also expressed concerns about leaving a legacy and criticized attempts to exploit the future of the younger generation."We cannot feast on the future of unborn children, as they will inherit poverty," he added.Currently, there are three competing ZNLWVA structures led by Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, Moffat Marashwa, and Andrease Mathibela.Other prominent figures such as Victor Matemadanda, Joel Mureremba, and Mathibela are also vying for the top position within the ZNLWVA.There are fears that some ex-combatants might seek to transform the ZNLWVA into a political party, inspired by events in South Africa where former president Jacob Zuma formed Umkhonto weSizwe.The ZNLWVA has historically been a key support pillar for Zanu-PF during elections, with war veterans often accused of leading violent campaigns against the opposition. Notably, in 2000, they played a central role in the land invasions, and they were also influential in the events leading up to and following the November 2017 coup that brought Mnangagwa to power.
Alicia Vikander "felt loved" after she won an Oscar for her role as Gerda in 'The Danish Girl'.

Alicia Vikander struggled to process winning an Oscar

The 35-year-old actress won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2016 for her role as Gerda Wegener, the partner of transgender painter Lili Elbe - played by Eddie Redmayne in Tom Hooper's biographical drama - and she admits her life was completely transformed by the recognition.

Speaking to OK! magazine, she said: "Because of the press commitments and being busy, it's almost like I didn't reflect at all when it was happening.

"It was something that was beyond anything I could ever have dreamt of. So you stand there and you're kind of overwhelmed, constantly - and feel extremely happy and fortunate.

"The rooms you are in, the people you get to meet. And I felt loved. You have your own idea of yourself and then, suddenly, it's like seeing yourself from an outside perspective for the first time."

Alicia also explained that despite finding herself at the top of the acting world, she struggled to enjoy it all as it was happening.

She explained: "I think it was something I realised after it happened. It was the biggest thing I've ever been through. I can't deny that. But then at a certain point afterwards, it's almost like you're afraid of not being as happy as you should be all the time because the most incredible thing has happened.

"My friends back home, almost all of them, are not in the industry, so they became better at seeing things as they were. They'd just say, 'Hey, you haven't been home for two years.'"

Alicia is married to actor Michael Fassbender, who she met on the set of 'The Light Between Oceans' and started a relationship with in 2014.

The 'Tomb Raider' star - who has two sons with the 'Alien: Covenant' star - has previously described her life with him as like being in a "circus family".

Asked about balancing work and family life, Alicia told The Observer magazine: Its gone pretty well, actually. Weve been together almost 10 years and we tend to not work at the same time. Were more like a circus family, always on the move.
Justin Theroux doesn't live in Los Angeles because he wants to avoid constant reminders of the movie industry.

Justin Theroux chooses not to live in LA

The 53-year-old actor explained that he much prefers to be in New York and away from the glare of Hollywood when he's not filming as it gives him the "space" to meet people in other professions.

In an interview with People magazine, Justin said: "When you're in the business, it's really nice when you're not (filming) something actively, to not be in the business.

"That's why I don't live in Los Angeles, because you're constantly just reminded you're in the business.

"In New York you have the space to meet people that do something else. You can meet painters, dancers, writers and investment bankers or whatever. I feel like I have a fuller life in New York."

Justin features as Rory in the new movie 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice'  Tim Burton's long-awaited sequel to the 1988 film 'Beetlejuice'  and described how he and co-star Winona Ryder were pleased to "goth it up" when it came to their character's outfits.

He recalled: "To step onto set and see Winona in her black petticoat dress and her black, sharp bangs and her smoky eye, it was just so fun.

"I think both Winona and I were so excited for our wardrobe. It was really fun to kind of goth it up a little bit, put a little eyeliner on and play these characters."

The 'Zoolander' actor also likened starring in the movie to being granted access to Burton's mind.

Justin said: "It feels like you sort of opened up the front of Tim Burton's head and got pure access to whatever his creative geniuses and impulses are.

"The sets were monstrous and wonderful, so the imagination part of the world itself is sort of done for you. At that point, your only job is to make Tim laugh."
Katie Price was told by a psychic that she will die peacefully in her sleep.

Katie Price fears dying in her sleep whilst going under the knife after a shock reading form a psychic

The former glamour model has gone under the knife countless times over the years, including her most recent face lift, which is said to have cost around 10,000, despite her ongoing bankruptcy case, and Katie now fears dying when she's put asleep for her cosmetic procedures.

She told Greatest Hits Radio: I remember when I was in America and I went and saw a lady with a crystal ball, you know, like a medium or clairvoyant or whatever theyre called.

And I said to her, How do you think Im going to die? I know not many people would ask that, but I did.

She continued: She said Oh, youre going to die in your sleep peacefully, And then my sister said [during their podcast] And youre going for surgery, youll probably die in your sleep.'

And that sort of triggered something in my head. And I was like Do you know what? Imagine if that is because the amount of times Ive been put to sleep and thats stuck in my mind.'

If I have surgery again, what if I do go in my sleep because you are asleep. And I think thats connected something in my brain, I was saying that.

The 46-year-old star - who was arrested on her return from Turkey to London's Heathrow Airport last month after failing to attend a hearing on July 30 - was due to face questions from barristers in a specialist bankruptcy court on Tuesday (27.08.24) but her lawyer, Bertie Boer-Roberts, requested she be able to attend a "private interview" in September instead.

The barrister cited her "mental well-being" as one of the reasons behind having the case heard behind closed doors, noting Katie had "long been subject to extreme media scrutiny" and this would be exacerbated by public examination of her financial affairs.

The lawyer said his client would be able to give "more considered answers" in a private interview and felt it would be useful to "take stock of a complex matter with a long history."

He also stressed Katie "understands her duties" and had "been compliant" with the case so far.

However, Judge Nicholas Briggs admitted he was hesitant to agree and said: "My concern is we've been here before".

He then asked lawyers for both sides to discuss details out of the courtroom and on return, both Mr. Boer-Roberts and Darragh Connell, the barrister for the trustee, agreed to Katie attending a private interview on September 24, before a potential personal examination on February 11, if deemed necessary.

The judge told the former 'Loose Women' star: "If you fail to comply with the undertaking you will be at risk of being arrested."

As she left the London court building, Katie - who was previously declared bankrupt in 2019 and then again in March this year over an unpaid tax bill of over 750,000 - blasted assembled media.

She raged: I hope you reporters write a good story today, wont you, all the bull**** that you write, scumbags."

Katie was previously ordered to pay 40 per cent of her monthly income from OnlyFans until February 2027 and have six of her vehicles delivered to the trustee to help pay off the money she owes.
Naomi Ackie is "obsessed" with Beyonce - but would be too starstruck to meet her.

Naomi Ackie cannot get enough of Beyonce but could never meet her

The 'Star Wars' actress cannot get enough of the 'Crazy in Love' hitmaker, 42, and saw her when she brought her 'Renaissance World Tour' to the British capital last year, but she wouldn't be able to cope if they were ever in the same room.

She told NME: I remember leaving my boyfriends and just running to Tottenham. It was one of my favourite of her shows. I mean, that woman knows how to captivate an audience. Her craft oh my god Im obsessed. I do not want this to become just about Beyonce but her craft and her attention  Im in awe. Shes such an inspiration to me.

Asked about meeting her, she said: No, no, no. This is the point: I actually cant ever meet her. Id make a fool of myself. I just want to keep it as an idea. Her as an ideology is enough for me. So stay clear of me, Beyonce!

For her latest role, the 31-year-old star plays Frida in Zoe Kravitz' directional debut 'Blink Twice', and for one of the scenes she had to film herself pretending to choke on a raspberry.

She recalled: Zoe wanted me to have this help me kind of look. It was so funny as well because she said: Youve got to choke on the raspberry. Make it look convincing but dont actually die. OK, action!

The film stars 35-year-old Zoe's real-life partner Channing Tatum, 44, as billionaire tech mogul Slater King, who invites waitress Frida to his private island, and she had a lot of "fun" playing the part.

She said: One of my favourite things about Frida is that shes quite competitive. The raspberry thing is a question of, did she choke on purpose [to draw Kings attention away from another of the girls in the group]? Is she actually as innocent as shes seeming? Is there something else going on? And that was always fun to play with.
New research by charity organisation Collective Fashion Justice (CFJ) showed only 3.39 per cent of British Fashion Council (BFC) member brands have any emissions reduction target, and just 2.4 per cent of brands have a science-based target aligned with the Paris Agreement.

Without science-based targets to reduce absolute emissions, the fashion industry is digging its own and our collective grave, the CFJ research report noted.

Research by Collective Fashion Justice showed 3.39 per cent of British Fashion Council member brands have any emissions reduction target, and just 2.4 per cent of brands have a science-based target aligned with the Paris Agreement. The fashion industry is less willing to acknowledge a key contributor to its climate crisis: the use of animal-derived materials.

This finding is an embarrassment for an industry that considers itself one of the most creative and innovative in the world. This industry has failed to invest in climate action meaningfully, and government policy has failed to necessitate that investment, it said.

With 38 per cent of fashions climate impact tied to irresponsible raw material production, particularly those derived from ruminant animals and fossil fuels, it is essential that work to reduce the use of the most climate impactful materials is prioritised as these targets are worked towards.

Though fossil fuel fibres are not climate-friendly, the fashion industry is less willing to acknowledge a key contributor to its climate crisis: the use of animal-derived materials, particularly from ruminants. Leather, wool and cashmere have major methane footprints, said the report.

CFJ urged BFC and its brands to quickly set science-based emissions reduction targets, and to ensure they are met with an improved material sourcing strategy. Animal-derived materials must be reduced and replaced through a just transition towards bio-based, plant and recycled materials.

BFC received millions of pounds from government departments such as the Greater London Authoritys UK Shared Prosperity Fund to engage with designers and fashion businesses to support sustainability progress, and while this is positive, clearly more work needs to be done, the CFJ report said.

There are key solution areas that are yet to be adequately addressed by the British fashion industry.

The use of fossil fuels to power manufacturing facilities, and a lack of attention on the need for fashion to use circularity to support degrowth in line with planetary boundaries are all critical to address, said the report.

Animal-derived materials must not continue to be green-washed and ignored, but reduced as science necessitates, responsibly replaced with bio-innovation.

Decarbonisation is also essential, the report noted. Fashion and textile manufacturing is energy-intensive and relies heavily on fossil fuels, especially at factories where coal and other fuels are burned to dye and process fabrics.

Two of the key steps to achieving the scale of decarbonisation required include ensuring full transparency of the environmental impact of supply chains, which can in turn support a phase out of fossil fuel energy and a transition to wind, solar and other renewable energy, it said.

Some experts suggest that the industry must reduce in size by a fourth to stay within planetary boundaries, the report said.

The United Kingdom is the third largest footwear and apparel market in the world after China and the United States. Downsizing the scale and volume of production and consumption has to be an integral part of any climate targets worth pursuing, the report added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Orange County, California--(Newsfile Corp. - September 1, 2024) - A unique, immersive Storydriven event, "Creativity with a Conscience," is set to take place at the Orange County Museum of Art, bringing together a unique collection of innovators, investors, brand builders, and creatives. This invite-only event will provide an immersive experience focused on value creation, sustainability, and community impact.

Creativity with a Conscience Announces Orange County Museum of Art as Event Venue

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As the world grapples with challenges that require urgent solutions, "Creativity with a Conscience" offers a platform and aspirations of a Netflix-style docuseries where leaders can collaborate to inspire meaningful change.

The event will feature immersive round tables, dynamic talks, and storytelling sessions centered around innovation with a purpose.

Event Highlights:

Conversation and Storytelling around Value Creation: Participants will delve into how innovation can drive impact and sustainability, ensuring that these principles remain at the forefront of value creation.

Partnerships and Collaboration: The event will emphasize the importance of working with like-minded innovators to sustainably add value and drive returns, highlighting the power of collective action.

Connection: Attendees will explore how to build relationships with customers and audiences who are increasingly seeking authenticity and goodness in what and how they operate.

In a world where doing something good is far more powerful than simply avoiding harm, "Creativity with a Conscience" is more than just an event; it's a mindset that champions value creation across the economy, community, and environment.

Event Schedule:

September 9: VIP Dinner and Private Tour of OCMA's YSL Exhibition (sponsored by John Hardy), offering an exclusive glimpse into the intersection of art, fashion, and social responsibility.

September 10: A full day of engaging conversations and collaborative presentations, addressing timely topics such as sustainable ecosystem development, the role of creative thinkers in innovation, and the evolving landscape of impact investment.

Presented in partnership with John Hardy, Sparq, Grace Farms, KP Aviation, Pentel of America, American Medical Response, The Buddy Group, SailPlan, Keen Apparel.

"Creativity with a Conscience is for those who believe in the power of innovative thinking to drive change. This event is an opportunity to connect with leaders who are committed to making a difference and to join a movement that prioritizes value creation and impact," said Nicks Ericcson, Chief Marketing officer of Keen Apparel and Pete Deutschman, CEO of The Buddy Group in a joint statement.

Sustainable Luxury brand John Hardy Chief Marketing Officer, Matt Tepper, who is a presenter at the event, said, "The event is going to be really unique in that it will explore themes such as navigating the boardroom, financing, and the production floor to create businesses where sustainability and community impact are integral. Attendees will hear from organizations like ours that prioritize economic models that integrate business with environmental and social impact."

"Creativity with a Conscience" is set to challenge conventional thinking and inspire a new wave of innovators, investors, and value creators who are committed to doing good - for the economy, the community, and the environment.

Video URL: https://vimeo.com/982838270/0a5a614e00?share=copy

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221477

SOURCE: Plentisoft
News / National

by Staff reporter

Samuel Chirambadeya, a 27-year-old resident of Chirambada village in Mudzi, was sentenced to prison by Kotwa Magistrate Henry Sande for stealing 28 goats.Chirambadeya, who admitted to the stock theft charges, received an 18-month prison sentence, with six months suspended on the condition of good behavior.According to the prosecution, on August 23, two villagers, Tinashe Kachidza and Pamhidzai Nyamono, had taken their 28 goats to grazing land when Chirambadeya stole them. A neighbor witnessed Chirambadeya driving the goats away and alerted the complainants.The villagers reported the theft to the police, leading to Chirambadeya's arrest. Nathan Majuru handled the prosecution of the case.
White Plains, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 1, 2024) - McBean Immigration Lawyers has announced the expansion of its immigration legal services in several areas in the United States, including New York, Michigan, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia.

McBean Immigration Lawyers Announces Expansion of Immigration Legal Services to New York, Michigan, New Jersey, and Other Areas

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According to LaToya McBean Pompy, the force behind McBean Immigration Lawyers, the move is a response to the growing need for immigration legal services in these areas, particularly in New York and Michigan, which have both seen an increase in arrivals who want to apply for work and keep their families intact.

"Many immigrants have faced challenges in these areas, with some being forced to represent themselves in court. Our expansion means helping more families thrive in the land of the free," said LaToya, who immigrated to the US herself and whose experience sparked her interest in helping many families unite in the US.

The company's move to expand also comes after a ruling that US citizens cannot challenge visa denials for their spouses based on constitutional rights.

"Bringing your spouse to America can feel like an endless process, but we don't let these obstacles get in the way of your dream to be together," states LaToya, who leads a team of New York immigration lawyers who help clients navigate the complexities of securing a green card for their spouses. "With the right guidance and support, they can overcome these hurdles and bring their spouse to America where they belong."

The law firm has been a leading name in legal immigration services, particularly with its online content videos helping thousands of immigrants looking for guidance on visa applications, green cards, and citizenship.

In family-based visas - which cover petitions for a spouse, child, parent, fiance, or sibling - the team assists clients from the beginning of the process or on appeal in the case of denials.

In cases of complex marriages, the team analyzes the case to prepare new filings for previously denied cases. They also respond to a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), Notice of Intent to Revoke (NOIR), or Requests for Additional Evidence (RFE) and prepare Removal of Conditions waivers.

The team also prepares waivers to address complex inadmissibility issues. McBean Immigration Lawyers prepares the I-601A (unlawful presence), I-601 (fraud, misrepresentation, criminal grounds, health grounds, alien smuggling), I-212, nonimmigrant visa waiver, I-602 (for refugees), and the COVID vaccination waiver based on religious beliefs or moral conviction.

Aside from providing legal immigration services, McBean Immigration Lawyers also provides complimentary immigration tips, weekly news, and inspiring stories through its Immigration Newsletter, which currently has subscribers. It also established McBean Immigration TV, a go-to resource for immigrants all over the world.

Those who want to speak with a professional about their immigration needs may schedule a meeting with the McBean Immigration Lawyers team today at https://mcbeanlaw.com/ to get started.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221089

SOURCE: Plentisoft
According to David, his son began talking about his past life as Princess Diana only when he was two years old read more

Princess Diana was a figure that was revered by many and the aura she exuded every time she made a public appearance. Billy Campbell, an 8-year old boy has claimed to be the reincarnation of the princess. Hes the son of Australian TV host David Campbell.

According to David, his son began talking about his past life as Princess Diana only when he was two years old. Billy once pointed to a photograph of Diana and said, Thats me as a princess. Then one day the sirens came and I wasnt a princess anymore.

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Netflix drama The Crown finally entered the most interesting part of the British royal saga last year. While the first four episodes attempted to recreate the final days of Princess Diana, makers also shed light on her relationship with Egyptian film producer Dodi Al-Fayed and the events that led up to her death in a Paris channel.

Amid that, there was also a special scene that showed the late princess planning her final gift for her youngest son, Prince Harry. In the episode, Princess Diana was seen buying a PlayStation as a birthday present for Harrys 13th birthday; however, she never got to wish her son or present him the gift.

Princess Dianas final gift for her son Harry

Speaking about the scene, the drama shows Princess Diana asking a member of Dodis team to get a birthday present for her son. Later, she is shown wrapping the PlayStation while sitting in the Eiffel Tower with the wrapping paper and writing a note that reads, Happy Birthday Harry, Love, Mummy. It was on 30 August 1997 that the late princess got the gift, while Harrys birthday was on 15 September 1997.

Coming back to Prince Harrys memoir, he mentions that it was days after his mothers death that he received the box from his aunt Sarah and found an Xbox inside it.
A new study reveals that cats exhibit grief-like emotions after the loss of a fellow pet. However, it is still unknown if the felines mourn the loss of their human owners read more

Research reveals that cats mourn the loss of another animal when it dies in the house that it shares. Representational image/Pixabay

As we grieve the loss of a pet, we may not be the only ones feeling the pain. Research is showing that cats who are left behind when another animal in their home dies could be mourning along with us.

Grief is a well-documented human response to loss  but its roots may be far more ancient as some scientists believe it evolved in extinct species of humans. Corvids  members of the crow family  primates, and marine mammals like dolphins and whales, have all been observed to change their behaviour when one of their own dies, from carrying dead offspring for days, to staying close by the body, as if keeping vigil.

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How do animals grieve?

One theory is that grief is a by-product of the natural stress response to separation seen in social animals. According to this idea, distress and searching behaviour probably evolved to encourage animals to reunite with lost group members, which was beneficial for survival. These responses persist when separation is permanent, like in death, leading to the enduring pain of grief.

While theres plenty of research on how losing a pet affects humans, much less is known about how cats cope with loss, something recent research by US-based comparative psychologists Brittany Greene and Jennifer Vonk investigated.

Unlike typical social species, the cats wild ancestor was largely solitary. However, domestication has reshaped their behaviour, enabling them to live in groups and form social bonds.

The study showed that cats displayed signs of distress, such as increased attention-seeking, vocalising and reduced appetite, following the death of a companion. Representational image/Pixabay

Green and Vonks study suggests that cats can grieve the loss of a fellow pet. In their study of 452 cats, many displayed signs of distress, such as increased attention-seeking, vocalising and reduced appetite, following the death of a companion. The study found that the strength of the bond between the animals, their time spent together, and daily interactions were key factors in this grief-like behaviour.

This study builds on earlier research by animal welfare researcher Jessica Walker and her team in 2016, which examined how cats and dogs react to the loss of a companion. Walkers study, conducted in New Zealand and Australia, found that 75 per cent of surviving pets showed noticeable behavioural changes, with cats showing increased affection, clinginess and anxiety-related vocalisations.

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It should be noted that both studies relied on owner perceptions to assess changes in pet behaviour, which presents a potential problem. While pet owners are often the most attuned to subtle changes in their animals, their observations may also be influenced by their own grief and emotional state.

Is it really grief?

There is an alternative explanation for changes in behaviour the owners in studies observed after a companions death. The presence of a deceased animal can signal danger in the environment, causing pets to change their behaviour as a safety measure, rather than being a grief response. Although this hasnt been studied in domestic cats, 2012 research on western scrub-jays revealed that seeing a dead member of their species can prompt alarm calls and behaviour aimed at avoiding danger, much like how they would react to a predator.

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Similarly, a 2006 study on bumblebees found that they were less likely to visit flowers that contained a freshly killed bee or its scent, probably reducing their own risk of being attacked.

This suggests that what we interpret as grief might, in some cases, be a survival instinct. Some behaviour the owners in the studies noticed after the death of a companion, such as their cat hiding or seeking higher vantage points, could support this idea.

A question you might be asking is whether cats mourn the deaths of their owners. Though we would like to think that our cat would mourn our death, at the minute, we simply dont know. There seems to be little to no research on how cats react to the death of their owner.

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The study suggests that what we we interpret as grief in cats might, in some cases, be a survival instinct. Representational image/Pixabay

One unsettling behaviour that has been well documented upon death of an animals owner is the consumption of their remains. While cats often get a bad reputation for this, dog lovers should note that both cats and dogs have been known to scavenge human remains. In fact, pet dogs are more frequently documented doing so. Some scientists suggest this behaviour might stem from hunger, but it has also happened when food was plentiful. Another theory, better aligned with the idea of grief, is that scavenging might start as an attempt to revive an unresponsive owner. When nudging or licking doesnt work, the animal may escalate to nipping or biting in an effort to rouse them.

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So the jury is still out on whether cats grieve in response to loss, or if are they responding to changes in their environment that we have yet to fully understand.

Grace Carroll, Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, School of Psychology, Queens University Belfast

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Studying in countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK will become more difficult with some mulling a cap on foreign students and imposing other restrictions. In our weekly roundup, we tell you how this will hit Indians and look at other stories from around the world read more

Changes to Canada's immigration policy have left the future of more than 70,000 student graduates in uncertainty. Representational image/AFP

Gaza has been in the spotlight since Israels constant assault on the enclave in retaliation to the October 7 Hamas attack. But less than 100 kilometres away, even the West Bank has been facing the wrath of the Jewish nation. The situation escalated when the Israeli Defense Forces launched its largest military operation in years earlier this week.

In the US, as the presidential election nears, campaigns are hotting up. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz gave their first big interview to CNN on Thursday. Meanwhile, Donald Trumps Arlington visit turned controversial.

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In South Asia, turmoil grips Indias neighbourhood. Bangladesh saw protests earlier in the week and was battling floods, which it blames New Delhi for. In Pakistan, there have been multiple attacks in the Balochistan province.

We talk about all this and more in our weekly wrap of explainers from around the world.

1. Like Gaza, Israel is also targeting the West Bank. The Israeli military launched its largest offensive in the area in 20 years on Wednesday, killing at least 15 Palestinians. Since the war began, 600 have been killed in the area by the Israeli forces. What is this land on the Bank of River Jordan to Israels east? And whats behind the latest raids? We explain.

Members of Israeli forces prepare to enter in an armoured vehicle during a military operation in the West Bank refugee camp of Nur Shams, Tulkarem, on August 29. AP

2. The next few months will be hectic for Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz. Amid campaigns, the two gave an interview to CNN, their first since the Democratic National Convention. What did they talk about? What did the US vice president say about her rival Donald Trump? Heres a recap.

3. Since Sheikh Hasina fled to India, Bangladeshis have been furious with New Delhi. On Monday (August 26), protests erupted at a visa centre in Dhaka over delays. Thats not all. The embattled neighbour is facing floods and believes India is responsible, a claim denied by its Ministry of External Affairs. We take a look at how the anti-India sentiment is surging in the country.

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4. Violence continues to grip Pakistans restive southwest. Dozens have been killed in attacks by separatists in Balochistan. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has been attacking police stations, railway lines, and vehicles on highways in what officials said was the most widespread assault by the insurgent group in years. What is this group? And whats going on in the region? We explain.

People look at burnt vehicles, torched by gunmen after killing passengers, at a highway in Musakhail, a district in Baluchistan province in southwestern Pakistan on August 26. AP

5. A foreign degree is much coveted. Its a big dream for many Indian students. But several countries in the West are now imposing restrictions. Australia has announced plans to cap the number of new international students at 2.7 lakh for the calendar year 2025. While New Zealand has doubled its visa fees, Canada has changed its policies, leaving 70,000 international students facing deportation. The UK and Poland are also tightening rules. Studying abroad then is not only becoming more expensive but also more difficult. Heres the complete story.

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Canada is angering India again by threatening to deport Indian students.https://t.co/ClMahNw3SA  Derek J. Grossman (@DerekJGrossman) August 30, 2024

6. One of the biggest mysteries of the modern era is the disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. The plane, which took off from Kuala Lumpur with 227 passengers and 12 crew members on board, went off the radar. There was no trace found of the aircraft, no bodies of passengers.

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Now an Australian scientist claims to have solved the mystery. Heres what he says.

A man takes pictures of a flight information board displaying the scheduled time of arrival of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, March 8, 2014. The Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew lost contact with air traffic controllers from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. File photo/Reuters

7. Talking about vanishing, will men disappear from Earth? Will the planet be dominated only by women? A recent study talks about the shrinking Y chromosomes, the genetic key that unlocks male-specific traits. We take a look at what the research reveals and what this means for the future of man.

Happy Sunday! Hope you enjoy our recommendations. And if you like the way we explain the news come back for more.
The attacks in Balochistan this week, which coincided with a high-profile Chinese military official, General Li Qiaomings visit to Islamabad, assume great significance. It is one of nearly a dozen attacks in the last six years unleashed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a radical Baloch organisation. The BLA explains these attacks as a response to the ubiquitous Sino-Pakistan nexus to put down the Baloch movement for an independent state. The attacks too showcase the umbrage the BLA has taken against the Chinese government, which has been Pakistans principal benefactor for decades.

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The day of the attack, August 26, 2024, is symbolic as it marked the 18th death anniversary of the tallest Baloch leader, Nawab Akbar Shahbaz Khan Bugti. Many Balochs decry the Chinese involvement in the killing of Nawab Bugti in August 2006. It is essential to mention that Pakistans Deep State killed Nawab Bugti in a military operation a few months after President Pervez Musharraf visited China in February 2006, which preceded the killing of three Chinese engineers in Hub (Balochistan) in an attack by Baloch rebels.

The present attacks could, therefore, be precisely the BLAs follow-up action (on Bugtis death anniversary) against the Chinese Foreign Ministry delegations visit to Gwadar last month (July 2024). The Baloch people find something fishy about the visit by a Chinese delegation amidst massive protests in Gwadar by Baloch people against Pakistan over rampant human rights abuses, enforced disappearances, and the exploitation of Balochistans natural resources. The question arises how, despite the critical local situation, the Chinese delegation dared to initiate dialogue on phase II of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which the Balochs have been opposing tooth and nail since the day of its inception.

The Baloch resentment against China is well-known and decades-long. Chinas all-weather friend is Pakistan, whom the Baloch people have been resisting since the illegal occupation of their territory in 1948. The Balochs consider Pakistan their sworn enemy. Hence, the enemys (Pakistan) friend (China) is an enemy. Consequently, several attacks have been against vital Chinese interests in Balochistan since early 2000 onwards.

Islamabads deliberate attempt to hand over power of attorney to Chinese companies to explore and exploit the natural resources in Balochistan has added fuel to the Balochs fury. Chinese companies started mining the valuable natural assets of the region without caring for the greater interests of the local people.

Further, Chinas tacit support to Pakistan for its counter-terrorism efforts in the last couple of decades mainly targeted the dissenting population in Balochistan, which further aggravated the already tense situation. The so-called iron brothers made a steely resolve to suppress their enemies (especially the Balochs) with iron hands. The discontent against China grew further when the Pakistani Army killed Nawab Bugti. Till his death, Nawab Bugti not only fought with the Pakistani establishment to achieve independence of Balochistan but also remained a stumbling block to the Chinese bid to exploit its rich natural resources.

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With the Sino-Pak agreement for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2015 and the subsequent inauguration of the Gwadar deep sea port in 2016, the Baloch people understood the Chinese intent to continue its expansionist designs in Balochistan even at the expense of the local people. This Pak-Chinese move left no option for the Balochs except to knock on the doors of international organisations and human rights organisations, failing which Baloch organisations such as the BLA launched a string of attacks against the Chinese people, projects, and personnel in Balochistan. China committed a grave mistake at this point. Despite knowing the discontent among Balochs, Chinese authorities ignored the grievances of the local Balochs and went on with their effort to build the CPEC.

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Similarly, in complete chorus with Pakistan, China dubs the Balochs as separatists and terrorists. It even extends support to Pakistans much-avowed kill and dump policy against the Balochs. However, China and Pakistan maintain double standards on the issue of terrorism. They both profess something and practice something else. It is a pity that those who act against Chinese interests anywhere in the world, for example, the Balochs in Pakistan, even the Uyghurs, are known as terrorists. On the contrary, China wholeheartedly defends Pakistan-based dreaded terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar, who has been instrumental in several terrorist attacks in and around the region.

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The Balochs also consider China an oppressor. The oppression and suppression of ethnic minorities like Uyghurs and Tibetans at the hands of China is a worldwide fact. The Balochs are the only people in Pakistan who have expressed solidarity with Uyghurs. Like the Balochs in Pakistan, Uyghurs have a similar fate in Chinas Xinjiang region. China has imprisoned over a million Uyghurs in the so-called re-education camps in Xinjiang. According to some news reports, former Pakistani Army Chief General Aseem Bajwa had plans to establish detention camps for Baloch people similar to the ones in Xinjiang. It is essential to mention that Pakistan, as the nation most loyal to China, has not bothered about the Uyghurs but rather hounded them out in its territory, besides providing tremendous support to Chinas counter-terrorism efforts against the Uyghurs.

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On an exciting note, the Uyghurs show similar solidarity with the Baloch and even support them against the Chinese. At a conference organised by the Baloch National Movement in Berlin in September 2022, the World Uyghur Congress represented the Uyghurs. It described how both Uyghurs and Balochs have suffered under one common enemy, China. Few Uyghurs, who have spoken to this author sometime ago, feel elated when Balochs attack Chinese interests in Pakistan. Some Uyghur diaspora people celebrated the killing of Chinese at the hands of the BLA and even posted and reposted the BLA commanders viral video on social media, threatening that the Chinese would have to pay a heavy price in the coming times.

The Balochs are not the only ones who oppose China, its designs, its overtures, and its pet project, the BRI. People of Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Bangladesh in the past have strongly protested the Chinese bid to bring its engineers and workers for any infrastructural work in these countries, thereby breaking the promise of transforming the local economy and providing jobs to the local populace. The anger of the local Baloch people against an alien and aggressive force (China) misusing the regions natural resources without benefiting them is well understood. Both the Chinese and Pakistani authorities must address the issues and concerns of the local people in Balochistan, or else they will have to bear the Balochs brunt in the coming times.

Mahesh Ranjan Debata teaches at the Center for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Opium cultivation and drug processing are an intangible part of the history of Myanmars Shan State, where political instability nurtures the trade of illicit substances, affecting the security of Indias northeastern region and entire Southeast Asia read more

The cost of conflict in Myanmar is only a fraction of the profits of the drug trade, wherein the conflict itself is necessary for the trade to continue to thrive. Image: Hkun Lat/AP

It is said that Chinas frustration was with the Tatmadaws inability to control cybercrime, cyber slavery, trafficking, money laundering, and illicit gambling that had a direct impact on its citizens. This resulted in China backing the Three Brotherhood Alliance with the very successful Operation 1027. It was easy enough to achieve as the leader of Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Peng Jiasheng, who was also known as the King of Kokang, was one of the most influential people in the Kokang region of Shan State.

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Peng had been ousted to China by none other than the present Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who led the coup in 2021. Consequently, with the success of Operation 1027, there was much hope around the world that Myanmar would stabilise, democracy would return, and the region would no longer be lawless.

However, these observations may have been either premature or looking at the situation in Shan Statepiecemeal. Northern Shan State has a history of illegal activities. If Peng Jiasheng was known as the King of Kokang, there was much before him the Princess of KokangOlive Yang. She was the second daughter of the ruling prince from the House of Yang, who went on to become the largest producer of opium and heroin in the world.

Born in 1927, Olive was expected to, as other girls of her stature, have her feet broken and bound in order to get married into a family of equals. However, at an early age she was found carrying pistols to school and commanding hundreds of boys who came to be known as Olives Boys, her own personal army. It was Olive in the 1950s who first delivered opium packed on mules to Thailand and later by truck to the Golden Triangle. Olive became one of the most powerful militia leaders in the region, later expanding from opium production to methamphetamines.

Historically, drug trade and militias have been long connected with this region, irrespective of the change in power centres in Myanmar. It was the nationalist Chinese Kuomintang Army in the late 40s that set up labs on the border of Thailand and Shan State. In the 60s, with China ramping up support for the Communist Party of Burma (CPB), many militias became a part of it. Later, apart from Olive, there were many other infamous drug traffickers. Such as the powerful warlord from Kokang, Lo Hsing-Han, who was dubbed the Godfather of Heroin by the US, and Khun Sa, who alone is said to have controlled at one point a staggering 70 per cent of the worlds heroin supply in the 1970s.

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In the 80s, when the CPB disintegrated from its ranks, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the MNDAA emerged. It was militia leaders like Olive and Hsing-Han who brokered the ceasefire and negotiated special regions for the state. Such was the power of the local warlords in Shan State.

Opium cultivation and drug processing are an intangible part of the history of Shan State. When UWSA emerged as a player, it challenged Khun Sas dominance on the heroin market. With Operation Tiger Trap in 1994, many of the accused were extradited to the US, and the likes of Khun Sa surrendered to the government in Myanmar, leaving a vacuum for many other groups to enter the illicit trade, transforming the region into not just a hub of heroin production but also methamphetamines.

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With legal precursor materials coming in from China and time-tested infrastructure, the area barely has a legitimate economy anymore. It has also irrevocably linked the drug trade with armed conflict and territorial dominance. For instance, UWSA occupied the town of Mong Yawn (previously controlled by Khun Sa) and made it into a production hub for Yaba pills, meaning crazy pills in Thai.

A combination of methamphetamine and caffeine, the colourful pills stamped with the letters R or WY have become popular party drugs, costing between $1 and $5 only. In addition to heroin and Yaba, crystal meth (a pure crystalline form of methamphetamine) production has become dominant. In 2008, the US Treasury Department called the UWSA the most powerful drug trafficking organisation in the world. They alleged that they were even making their own precursors.

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An estimated 154 tonnes of heroin were produced and exported from Myanmar in 2023, with a value of approximately $2.2 billion. Opium production increased by 36 per cent to 1080 tonnes. And according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Report for 2021, between mid-February and early April of 2020, Myanmar authorities conducted a series of operations in northern Shan State.

The operations resulted in seizures of 193 million methamphetamine tablets (equivalent to 17.4 tonnes) and 500 kg of crystalline methamphetamine. Methamphetamine seizures at a record high, even during the pandemic, are indicative of the vast trafficking networks, easy procurement of precursors, and high demand.

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An oversupply has kept the prices low, making synthetic drugs in the region easily accessible. In 2020 alone, more than 867 million tablets were seized. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) follows the 10 per cent rule based on the assumption that authorities only catch 10 per cent of trafficked narcotics. If that is the case, it would be surprising to know that in 2010, it was estimated that 1 billion Yaba tablets were trafficked to Thailand from Myanmar alone. International Crisis Group estimates the total value of the Mekong drug trade is estimated at over $40 billion per year and rising.

However, it is not just countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam that are affected by drug trafficking but Yaba pills have been seized as far as Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. Nearly 1.2 tonnes were seized in 2017 in Melbourne. With Myanmar in a state of conflict and drug production and trafficking at an all-time high, India too has much to worry about. Arakan Army (AA), which was an integral part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, has also been involved in the transit of drugs, especially to Bangladesh, where the demand for Yaba is high.

In 2016, over 300 peddlers from Myanmar were arrested in Bangladesh on smuggling charges with $29 million worth of Yaba. With increasing trafficking and addiction to Yaba, the Bangladesh government in 2018 passed a bill, The Narcotics Control Act of 2018, making manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine pills/Yaba punishable by death. It has also been reported that the AA has been using the Rohingyas to traffic drugs to the borders of Bangladesh and Indias northeast.

In India, in 2023, Assam Rifles and Special Narcotics Cell Officials seized 1 lakh tablets of methamphetamines worth Rs 33.33 crores in Mizorams capital city, Aizawl. Drugs worth Rs 7,887.76 crores were seized in Manipur in the last seven years. In September 2023, the Director General of Assam Rifles, PC Nair, said that in the past four years, drugs valued at Rs 4200 crores were seized. This year alone, Mizoram recorded seizures of 3.380 kg of heroin worth Rs 1,01,40,000, 15.152 kg of methamphetamine worth Rs 1,96,97,600, and 10.385 kg of crystal meth worth Rs 31,15,50,000.

Nagaland seized 32 kg of opium and 26.63 kg of heroin. Meghalaya recovered nearly 19,000 Yaba pills in 2022, 60,000 in 2023, and 2000 tablets in 2024. A recent Border Security Force report suggests that Tripura has the highest seizures of drugs, which includes increasing seizures of meth tablets and Yaba.

Ironically, as Shan State continues to remain fractured with semi-autonomous groups, profiteering militias with the only drugs cutting through the ethnic and political divides, the quality of Yaba and other methamphetamine pills has come down. There is a flow of fake pills on the market that are made up of only caffeine. With the retreat of the real warlords of Kokang, not only are there many brands of drugs but also no single large controller of the illegal trade. This way, the illicit cash to finance militias is spread out amongst all producers and drug traffickers, making the situation far more complex than ever before.

Leading investigative journalist Patrick Winn wrote in his book Narcotopia, With more than fifty billion pills produced so far this century, a conservative estimate, Yaba is among the most popular illegal products ever created. Its probably the most consequential narcotic innovation in modern times." So when the United Nations suggests growing alternative crops such as coffee beans, there is much left to be said. Finally, if the Three Brotherhood Alliance was seen as a victory for democracy, the future of this democracy in Myanmar seems very fragile. There are no Olives, Hsing-Hans, or Khun Sas to negotiate amongst the warring contenders, nor are there any signs of the drug trade abating. On the contrary, the cost of conflict in Myanmar is only a fraction of the profits of the drug trade, wherein the conflict itself is necessary for the trade to continue to thrive.

Rami Niranjan Desai is an anthropologist and a scholar of the northeast region of India. She is a columnist and author and presently Distinguished Fellow at India Foundation, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Firstpost.
Millions of Brazilian X users found themselves unable to access the platform on Saturday morning after internet providers and mobile companies in Brazil began to implement the plan after the court order read more

On Sunday, one of the worlds most popular social networking platforms, X, went offline in Brazil after its boss Elon Musk failed to comply with local laws. On Friday, Brazils Supreme Court ordered the suspension of X, formerly known as Twitter, in the country after Musk failed to bring a new legal representative in an ongoing case.

Millions of Brazilian X users found themselves unable to access the platform on Saturday morning after internet providers and mobile companies in Brazil began to implement the plan after the court order. Seems like you lost connectivity. Well keep retrying," read the message when some of the users tried to access their accounts, The Guardian reported.

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As a result of this, several Brazilians sought refuge in rival networks like Bluesky, which reported that it had gained 500,000 users in the past two days. Blueskys new members included Felipe Neto, one of Brazils top social media influencers with more than 17 million X followers.

Dont forget, when you go to another country, youre obliged to follow its legislation, even if you disagree with it, Neto wrote on Saturday morning. It is pertinent to note that X had 22 million users in Brazil. Its ban came as a climax of a politically charged, months-long arm wrestle between the countrys top court and the rightwing tech billionaire.

What happened?

One of Brazils most influential judges who also oversaw the case, Alexandre de Moraes, had been spearheading an attempt to force X to purge anti-democratic, far-right voices, following the January 2023 uprising in the capital Brasilia. Supporters of the former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro carried out the attack.

Musk who usually aligns himself with rightwing figures including Bolsonaro and his US ally Donald Trump, pushed back on Moraess demands and accused the Brazilian judge of squelching free speech and trying to censor conservative views.

While Musk kept on attacking Moraes on X, the final straw that led to the eventual ban was when Musk ignored a 24-hour deadline to name a new legal representative after the social media platform closed its local office in mid-August. In the Friday judgement, Moraes accused X of treating the social network like a no mans land  a veritable land without law by allowing the massive propagation of misinformation, hate speech and anti-democratic attacks.

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Shortly after midnight, several Brazilian users began noticing that they were no longer able to get on X. Following the judgement, Musk ramped up attacks on Moraes, referring to him as Voldemort. He is a dictator and a fraud, not a justice, Musk wrote on X, although Brazilian users could no longer read his words without using a virtual private network (VPN).
Taliban government in Afghanistan has affirmed its commitment to international engagement despite backlash over a new morality law that imposes severe restrictions on womens public behavior and attire. The law has sparked criticism from the UN and EU, who warn it could hinder diplomatic relations, but the Taliban insists on continuing positive interactions in line with their interpretation of Islamic law read more

A Taliban government spokesman has said the Afghan authorities were committed to engagement with the international community after a new morality law sparked tense exchanges over womens rights.

The United Nations and the European Union have warned that the law  requiring women to cover up completely and not raise their voices in public  could damage prospects for engagement with foreign nations and international organisations.

Deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat was responding to comments by a spokesman for the UN secretary-general assuring continued engagement with the Taliban authorities after Afghanistans morality ministry said it would no longer cooperate with the UN mission in the country, UNAMA, over criticism of the law.

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Fitrat said the authorities were committed to positive interactions with all the countries and organisations in accordance with Islamic law, in a voice message to journalists on Saturday.

Interaction is the only way to achieve solutions to problems and for the progression and expansion of relations, he said, urging nations and organisations to engage positively with the Taliban authorities.

Since taking power in 2021, no state has recognised the Taliban government but it has made diplomatic inroads recently, including attending UN-hosted talks on Afghanistan in Qatar.

On Friday, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, We will continue to engage with all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including the Taliban.

We have always done so following our mandate and I would say impartially and in good faith, always upholding the norms of the UN, pushing the messages of human rights and equality, said Stephane Dujarric.

We would urge the de facto authorities to, in fact, open more avenues for diplomatic engagement, he added.

- Gender apartheid -

Earlier Friday, the morality ministry had said it would no longer cooperate with UNAMA over its criticisms of the Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, which was ratified last week.

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The law, which includes rules on many aspects of Afghans lives according to the Talibans strict interpretation of Islamic law, sparked concern among Afghans, various countries, human rights advocates, UN agencies and the EU.

It prohibits women from raising their voices in public and requires them to cover their entire body and face if they need to leave the house out of necessity.

Mens behaviour and dress are also strictly regulated by the law, which gives morality police powers to warn and detain people for non-compliance.

UNAMA head Roza Otunbayeva said last week that the law offered a distressing vision for Afghanistans future, adding that it could set back cooperation efforts, a warning echoed by the EU.

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The Taliban government has consistently dismissed international criticism of its policies, including restrictions on women that the UN has labelled gender apartheid.

Chief government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has said the law is firmly rooted in Islamic teachings that should be respected and understood, adding rejection of the law showed arrogance.
California lawmakers have approved comprehensive legislation to regulate AI, focusing on combating deepfakes, protecting workers, and increasing transparency. Proposed measures include banning deepfakes in elections, requiring AI detection tools, and safeguarding workers from AI replacement. Governor Gavin Newsom has until September 30 to review and act on the bills read more

California lawmakers approved a host of proposals this week aiming to regulate the artificial intelligence industry, combat deepfakes and protect workers from exploitation by the rapidly evolving technology.

The California Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, is voting on hundreds of bills during its final week of the session to send to Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk. Their deadline is Saturday.

The Democratic governor has until Sept. 30 to sign the proposals, veto them or let them become law without his signature. Newsom signaled in July he will sign a proposal to crack down on election deepfakes but has not weighed in other legislation.

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He warned earlier this summer that overregulation could hurt the homegrown industry. In recent years, he often has cited the states budget troubles when rejecting legislation that he would otherwise support.

Here is a look at some of the AI bills lawmakers approved this year.

Citing concerns over how AI tools are increasingly being used to trick voters and generate deepfake pornography of minors, California lawmakers approved several bills this week to crack down on the practice.

Lawmakers approved legislation to ban deepfakes related to elections and require large social media platforms to remove the deceptive material 120 days before Election Day and 60 days thereafter. Campaigns also would be required to publicly disclose if theyre running ads with materials altered by AI.

A pair of proposals would make it illegal to use AI tools to create images and videos of child sexual abuse. Current law does not allow district attorneys to go after people who possess or distribute AI-generated child sexual abuse images if they cannot prove the materials are depicting a real person.

Tech companies and social media platforms would be required to provide AI detection tools to users under another proposal.

California could become the first state in the nation to set sweeping safety measures on large AI models.

The legislation sent by lawmakers to the governors desk requires developers to start disclosing what data they use to train their models. The efforts aim to shed more light into how AI models work and prevent future catastrophic disasters.

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Another measure would require the state to set safety protocols preventing risks and algorithmic discrimination before agencies could enter any contract involving AI models used to define decisions.

Inspired by the months-long Hollywood actors strike last year, lawmakers approved a proposal to protect workers, including voice actors and audiobook performers, from being replaced by their AI-generated clones. The measure mirrors language in the contract the SAG-AFTRA made with studios last December.

State and local agencies would be banned from using AI to replace workers at call centers under one of the proposals.

California also may create penalties for digitally cloning dead people without consent of their estates.

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As corporations increasingly weave AI into Americans daily lives, state lawmakers also passed several bills to increase AI literacy.

One proposal would require a state working group to consider incorporating AI skills into math, science, history and social science curriculums. Another would develop guideline on how schools could use AI in the classrooms.
The incidents endanger the safety of life at sea, and violate the right to freedom of navigation to which all nations are entitled under international law, the EU statement said read more

The European Union accused China on Sunday of taking dangerous actions against the Philippines, as Beijing and Manila blamed each other of deliberately ramming their coast guard ships.

The collision marks the latest in a spate of similar incidents in recent weeks in the South China Sea, where Beijing claims almost all of the economically vital body of water despite competing claims from other countries and an international court ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

The EU condemns the dangerous action by Chinese Coast Guard vessels against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the area of the Sabina Shoa, said Nabila Massrali, spokesperson for the EUs top diplomat Josep Borrell, in a statement.

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A Chinese coast guard spokesperson had said Saturdays incident took place off the disputed Sabina Shoal, which has emerged as a new hotspot in the long-running maritime confrontations between the two countries.

The incidents endanger the safety of life at sea, and violate the right to freedom of navigation to which all nations are entitled under international law, the EU statement said.

The EU condemns all unlawful, escalatory and coercive actions that undermine these principles of international law and threaten peace and stability in the region.

Since taking office in 2022, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Manila has more firmly asserted its claim to sovereignty over disputed reefs despite Beijing showing no intention of backing down on its own claims.
News / National

by Staff reporter

On Friday, the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe hosted an open house for educators to mark President Emmerson Mnangagwas state visit to China.During the event, Chinese Charge d'Affaires Cheng Yan announced that China will award 11 governmental scholarships to Zimbabwean students this year. Cheng emphasized the role of education in social progress and sustainable development, expressing hope that the students would excel in China and return with enhanced knowledge and skills.Cheng also noted that, in addition to the scholarships, China has invited 260 Zimbabwean locals to participate in short-term training programs. He highlighted the alignment between Zimbabwe's Heritage-Based Education 5.0 Philosophy and Chinas focus on science, technology, and talent development.The Chinese embassy has been active in cultural exchange through initiatives like the Confucius Institute at the University of Zimbabwe, which has trained approximately 3,000 graduates and offered Chinese language courses to over 16,000 students.Cheng expressed optimism about the potential for enhanced bilateral cooperation resulting from President Mnangagwas visit, which coincides with the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit. He underscored the need for continued collaboration in areas such as university and school exchanges, scholarships, and short-term programs to strengthen the relationship between China and Zimbabwe.Laston Mukaro, co-director of the Confucius Institute, spoke on the importance of mutual respect and learning between China and Africa. He emphasized that their interactions should be guided by harmony and understanding, which will promote economic development, educational collaborations, and technology transfer, advancing industrialization efforts in both regions.
The military stated that the bodies that were found on Saturday evening were believed to be the bodies of the Israeli hostages read more

In this photo released by Israeli Defense Forces on August 27, 2024, Israeli soldiers walk with Farhan Al-Qadi toward a military helicopter during the rescue operation. IDF

A group representing the families of hostages held in Gaza called for a public demonstration after Israel Defence Force (IDF) said that it had located several dead bodies in the coastal enclave. The military stated that the bodies that were found on Saturday evening were believed to be the bodies of the Israeli hostages.

After finding the corpses, the Israeli forces immediately commenced the identification process and urged the public to refrain from spreading rumours. Shortly after the news broke out, the group called Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a statement slamming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Netanyahu abandoned the hostages. Now its a fact, the group said adding that starting tomorrow the country will tremble, we are calling on the public to prepare. Following the statement, the families of hostages gathered for an emergency meeting at the groups headquarters. They discussed the plans to hold a demonstration on Sunday.

Netanyahus rivals come in hostage support

Yair Golan, a former MK and head of the Democratic party, published a statement in support of the protesting group. Tomorrow everyone will be on the streets, the Israeli politician declared. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said, Our sons and daughters are abandoned and dying in captivity and Netanyahu is busy spinning.

It is pertinent to note that IDFs recent revelation came days after the Israeli military said that it had recovered the body of a soldier who was murdered in Hamas surprise attack on October 7. Not only this, earlier this month, IDF also recovered the bodies of six hostages who were kidnapped alive on October 7: Avraham Munder, Chaim Peri, Yoram Metzger and Alex Dancyg from Kibbutz Nir Oz; and Nadav Popplewell and Yagev Buchstab from Kibbutz Nirim.

While Munders death was only confirmed after his body was found, the deaths of other five hostages were confirmed two months ago. This week, the IDF by chance located hostage Kaid Farhan al-Qadi, who was abducted on October 7. The hostage was found in a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip. He was alone and was not handcuffed.

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In an unusual step, the force questioned al-Qadi before rescuing him to find out if there were other hostages in the tunnel, but none were found. The Israeli hostage was eventually sent to Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva, where it was announced that he was in good medical condition.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said on Saturday evening that his staff is in touch with the Israeli officials to get an update on the current situation that is unfolding. Its time this war ended, Biden added. I think were on the verge of having an agreement. Its time to end it. Its time to finish it.
Mpox is usually a mild but life threatening virus with children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems at higher risk. The WHO last month sounded an alert over the mpox outbreak in Africa after cases in Congo spread to nearby countries. read more

Authorities in Pakistan on Sunday reported another case of monkeypox (mpox) virus amid the confusion about the total number of cases confirmed so far in the country.

The fourth case was detected in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province where authorities confirmed three previous infections of the virus. The medical team at Peshawar airport transferred the patient (fourth case) to the Police and Services Hospital (PSH) after detecting symptoms of the virus during the screening, KP Health Director Dr Irshad Ali Roghani said.

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Roghani said the rapid response team took samples from the patients wound in the hospital and sent it to the laboratory which confirmed mpox in the patient, who was reported in a stable condition. According to officials, all patients returned from abroad and so far there was no local case reported.

Apart from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, health officials on August 19 reported that a 47-year-old resident of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, who recently returned from Saudi Arabia, was admitted in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) here due to mpox symptoms.

Dr Nasim Akhtar, the hospitals focal person, had told the media that the patient showed symptoms consistent with mpox and was placed in a special ward designated for such cases at PIMS.

However, it was not clarified if his mpox infection was confirmed.Another patient, who was isolated in Karachi on Saturday due to symptoms of the virus, was later cleared as no infection of mpox was detected. There is still confusion over the total number of confirmed cases in Pakistan but the latest confirmation by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa official suggested there were four confirmed cases in the country.

Pakistan has taken precautions to tackle the disease by putting in place a strict screening system at its airports after it emerged that all the patients confirmed with the virus had returned from abroad.

The mpox virus shows flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.

At least 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths, mainly among children, have been reported in Congo since the current outbreak of the virus in January last year.
Immigrants are being blamed for a worsening housing situation along with an affordability crisis in Canada. Business groups have expressed concerns about the new measures to reduce the number of foreign workers entering the country read more

Amid mounting public criticism, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken steps to revise the countrys foreign worker program, considered one of the worlds most progressive migration policies.

With the election looming next year and his party trailing in the polls, Trudeau announced last week that his cabinet is exploring potential reductions to certain permanent resident streams.

Were looking at the various streams to make sure that as we move forward, Canada remains a place that is positive in its support for immigration, but also responsible in the way we integrate and make sure there are pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada, he said.

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The move comes after scores of Canadians expressed concerns that the country welcomes too many immigrants, prompting Trudeaus government to re-evaluate its approach.

Trudeau has long been a vocal advocate for welcoming those fleeing conflict zones, famously greeting Syrian refugees at Toronto airport in 2015 with warmth and kindness, providing them with winter jackets and saying, You are home. Trudeaus government has also extended a similar welcome to refugees from Ukraine, showcasing Canadas commitment to providing a safe haven for those in need.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program, designed to address labour shortages by bringing non-Canadian workers into the country on a short-term basis, has expanded significantly in recent years.

However, it has faced criticism for suppressing wages and exposing workers to potential abuse, particularly due to permits that bind employees to specific employers. While business groups advocate for increased immigration and the use of temporary foreign workers to alleviate labour shortages, economists are challenging the idea that government intervention is necessary in this area.

Simranzeet Singh, manager of policy at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, told Financial Times that more consultation was needed to ensure changes do not inadvertently harm our economy or critical services.

Canada is following the UK and Germany in tightening immigration policies amid growing public concern over the influx of foreigners. Immigration has also become a focal point in this years U.S. election, with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris facing criticism over the increase in migrants crossing the southern border from Mexico during the Biden administration.

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Ideally they should do nothing, but its hard for governments to do nothing when employers are upset, The Star quoted Christopher Worswick, an economics professor at Carleton University as saying.

Many economists contend that a tight labour market benefits both workers and the economy, as labour shortages compel businesses to raise wages and invest in productivity-enhancing technologies.

When governments and employer groups talk about shortages, its really not clear what they mean. Does it mean that we wished at a low wage, we could hire extra workers? Well, thats not the way economies work, Worswick said.

Canada has long prided itself on welcoming newcomers, and the current Liberal government has overseen a dramatic increase in the influx of new residents, especially temporary ones, as many employers struggled to fill vacancies coming out of the pandemic.

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But over the past year, the tide has shifted: Immigrants are being blamed for a worsening housing situation along with an affordability crisis in the country. Critics have accused the federal government of bringing in too many people.

Meanwhile, Canada is seeing record levels of refugee claims - more than 18,000 in June, according to the Immigration and Refugee Board. This is despite government efforts to deter people by closing the land border to asylum-seekers through a contested bilateral agreement with the United States and by implementing new visa requirements for Mexicans.

Canada cannot dictate how many people file refugee claims but it can make it difficult for asylum-seekers to reach the country. Miller said the government may impose stricter criteria on temporary resident visas to prevent asylum-seekers from coming.

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The government had also previously said it would pursue a regularization program to give status to undocumented residents.

That is not on the table before the election, Miller said, but he noted there is a possibility of sector-specific programs.
The comments from the Vice President Kamala Harris came shortly after the Israeli military revealed the identities of the hostages whose bodies were reportedly found under a tunnel in Rafah read more

US Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the death of six Israeli hostages whose bodies were recovered by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) from Gaza on Saturday. The Democratic Presidential nominee said in a statement that Hamas must be eliminated and cannot be allowed to control Gaza.

She also extended condolences to the family of Israeli-US national Hersch Goldberg-Polin, who was one of the hostages found in the recent search. The comments from the Vice President came shortly after the Israeli military revealed the identities of the hostages whose bodies were reportedly found under a tunnel in Rafah.

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The hostages were Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lubnov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 25. As per the recent update, the IDF stated that the six hostages were murdered by Hamas a short while, possibly around a day or two, before troops found them. The IDF made it clear that there were no clashes with Hamas during the search operation. The tunnel where the slain hostages were found in Rafah was just about a kilometre away from where soldiers found hostage Farhan al-Qadi earlier this week.

Harris calls Hamas an evil organisation

While extending condolences to Goldberg-Polins parents Jon and Rachel, Harris emphasised that the safety of Americans is her top priority. I have no higher priority than the safety of American citizens, wherever they are in the world. President Biden and I will never waver in our commitment to free the Americans and all those held hostage in Gaza," the 59-year-old presidential hopeful said in a statement.

Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas continued brutality, and so must the entire world. From its massacre of 1,200 people to sexual violence, taking of hostages, and these murders, Hamas depravity is evident and horrifying, she added.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden called for the end of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Its time this war ended. We should end this war. I think were on the verge of having an agreement, he remarked.

I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages, he added.

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The anger keeps brewing among the families of the hostages

Shortly after the news broke out, the group called Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a statement slamming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for demonstrations across the country.

Netanyahu abandoned the hostages. Now its a fact, the group said adding that starting tomorrow the country will tremble, we are calling on the public to prepare. Following the statement, the families of hostages gathered for an emergency meeting at the groups headquarters. They discussed the plans to hold a demonstration on Sunday.

The forum said that the six murdered hostages would still be alive if the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reached a deal with Hamas for their release. If it werent for the saboteurs, the excuses, and the spin, the hostages whose deaths we learned of this morning would probably be alive, the forum says in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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          ,  ,  ,   ,     .



        6  . 6           .



 11    pic.twitter.com/rvCUnHRCiy       (@BringThemHome23) September 1, 2024

Netanyahu: enough of the excuses. Enough of the spin. Enough of the abandonment. The time has come to bring our hostages home  those living for rehabilitation and the fallen and murdered for burial in their land, the group added.

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Hostages were brutally murdered: IDF

Meanwhile, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that the six hostages who were recovered from southern Gazas Rafah were brutally murdered by Hamas shortly before troops arrived. According to an initial assessment they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short while before we reached them. They were abducted alive on the morning of October 7 by the Hamas terror group," the IDF spokesperson explained at a press conference.

Their bodies were found during the fighting in Rafah, in a tunnel, about a kilometre away from the tunnel from which we rescued Farhan al-Qadi a few days ago, the Israeli official furthered.

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Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid accused the Netanyahu administration of burying the hostages. Instead of making a deal they are doing politics, instead of saving lives, they are burying the hostages. Instead of doing everything to bring them home, [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is doing everything to stay in power. The government of disasters is burying the State of Israel, he wrote on X.

 .  .    pic.twitter.com/u9B68Jokde    - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) September 1, 2024

Following this incident, there are expected to be only 97 hostages live in Gaza, out of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 33 confirmed dead by the IDF. Hamas released 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in late November, and four hostages were released before that.
The six were among 251 hostages seized during Hamass October 7 attack that triggered the ongoing war, 97 of whom remain captive in Gaza including 33 the army says are dead. Scores were released during a negotiated one-week truce in November. read more

An Israeli soldier stands guard the near the scene of a car that exploded in the West Bank settlement of Karme Tsur, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.- AP

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday he was completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six Israeli hostages in Gaza, blaming Hamas for their deaths.

My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time, Starmer said on X, adding, Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.

I am completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time.



Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.  Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 1, 2024

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Israel announced Sunday its troops had found six dead hostages in a Gaza tunnel, as Israeli police said a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank killed three officers.

The deadly shooting near Hebron added to surging violence in the West Bank, which is separated from Gaza by Israeli territory and where Israel has since Wednesday carried out a large-scale military operation that has sparked international concern.

US President Joe Biden said he was devastated and outraged by their deaths, but told reporters he was still optimistic a Gaza truce and hostage release deal can be reached.

Its time this war ended, said Biden, whose administration has been involved in ceasefire mediation efforts along with Qatar and Egypt.

EU top diplomat Josep Borrell said he was horrified at the murder of the hostages, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed shock at their senseless killing.

The six were among 251 hostages seized during Hamass October 7 attack that triggered the ongoing war, 97 of whom remain captive in Gaza including 33 the army says are dead. Scores were released during a negotiated one-week truce in November.

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With inputs from agencies.
The curfew will be imposed in all provinces of Iraq on November 20 and 21 to conduct a population census, Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani said in a statement read more

This handout picture released by Iraq's Prime Minister's Media Office on August 22, 2024 shows Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani (R) receiving Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Baghdad. AFP

Iraq will impose a two-day curfew in November for the countrys first census in 27 years, the authorities announced on Sunday.

The curfew will be imposed in all provinces of Iraq on November 20 and 21 to conduct a population census, Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani said in a statement.

Ravaged by decades of conflict and violence, Iraq has postponed a census several times, most notably in 2010 because of tensions between communities over disputed territories.

The last general census was held in 1997 in 15 Iraqi provinces  excluding the three northern provinces that made up the autonomous Kurdistan Region.

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Iraq has regained some semblance of stability in recent years, despite sporadic violence and political turmoil.

Current estimates put todays population at around 43 million.

The authorities have partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the upcoming census.

The initiative plays a crucial role in equipping Iraq with accurate demographic information, facilitating effective policymaking, and promoting inclusive growth, the agency has said.

In the past, Iraq held a census every 10 years. A count could not be organised in 2007, when the country was embroiled in sectarian violence.
According to Netanyahu, the fact that Hamas continues to commit atrocities such as those it committed on October 7 obliges us to do everything we can to ensure that it can no longer do so, referring to the Palestinian groups unprecedented attack on southern Israel that triggered the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip read more

After the military retrieved the remains of six captives from a Gaza tunnel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to settle the score with Hamas.

Those who kill hostages do not want an agreement for a Gaza cease-fire, Netanyahu said in a statement, warning Hamas leaders that we will hunt you down, catch you, and settle the score.

Netanyahu stated that Israel is fighting on all fronts against a cruel enemy who wants to murder us all, referring to a gun incident near the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank that killed three police officers earlier on Sunday.

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Hamas has not claimed the attack but in a statement called it a heroic operation by the resistance.

Israel announced it has retrieved the remains of six hostages in Gaza, including a young Israeli-American man who became one of Hamas most well-known prisoners after his parents visited with international leaders and advocated for his release.

The military stated that all six were slain just before the arrival of Israeli soldiers. Their return triggered demands for major rallies against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom many Israelis blame for failing to bring them back alive in an agreement with Hamas to end the 10-month-old conflict. Negotiations for such a settlement have dragged on for months.

Netanyahu claimed Israel would hold Hamas accountable for killing the captives in cold blood, and blamed the Palestinian organisation for the halted talks, adding Whoever murders hostages doesnt want a deal.

Militants kidnapped Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and four other captives at a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas October 7 raid, which sparked the conflict.

The Berkeley, California native lost part of his left arm to a grenade during the attack. In April, a Hamas-issued video showed him alive but with his left hand removed, prompting new rallies in Israel calling on the government to do more to ensure the hostages release.

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The army named the other slain captives as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33, who were also seized from the music event. The sixth, Carmel Gat, aged 40, was kidnapped from the adjacent rural town of Beeri.

It claimed the remains were found in a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza, around a kilometre (half a mile) from where another prisoner, 52-year-old Qaid Farhan Alkadi, was liberated last week.

According to Netanyahu, the fact that Hamas continues to commit atrocities such as those it committed on October 7 obliges us to do everything we can to ensure that it can no longer do so, referring to the Palestinian groups unprecedented attack on southern Israel that triggered the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

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A senior Hamas official said that several of the six hostages found dead had been approved for release in the event of a truce deal, which has yet to be finalised despite months of mediation efforts.

Some of the names of the captives announced as found by the (Israeli) occupier were part of the list of hostages to be released that Hamas had approved in a proposed exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly on the issue.

Israeli media reported that US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin and two others whose bodies had been recovered from Gaza  Carmel Gat and Eden Yerushalmi  had been approved by Hamas to be released in the event of a truce deal.

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The Hamas official said the six captives were killed by the occupations fire and bombing, an accusation denied by the Israeli military.

Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani in an online briefing with journalists that according to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists.

We do know they were murdered by Hamas terrorists. We do know - I can tell you - there was no real-time fire engagement in the tunnel, Shoshani said.

Claims by Hamas that the hostages were killed by Israeli forces were psychological warfare, he said.

The bodies were found in a tunnel in the southern city of Rafah, around one kilometre (0.6 miles) away from where troops had rescued alive another hostage, Kaid Farhan Alkadi, on Tuesday, according to Shoshani.

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With inputs from agencies
Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October, Hezbollah has engaged in near daily cross-border fire with Israel in support of its Palestinian ally, which the Lebanese Forces and other parties oppose read more

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Israeli shelling in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila. AFP

The head of the Christian political party Lebanese Forces on Sunday accused Hezbollah of dragging the country into a war with Israel without consulting the people.

In a speech attacking the Islamist group, Samir Geagea, who heads the main Christian bloc in parliament, accused Hezbollah of confiscating the Lebanese peoples decision on war and peace, as if there were no state.

Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October, Hezbollah has engaged in near daily cross-border fire with Israel in support of its Palestinian ally, which the Lebanese Forces and other parties oppose.

The clashes are a war that the Lebanese people reject, but has been imposed on them, Geagea said in a speech to supporters in northern Beirut.

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It is a war that the Lebanese people do not want and over which the government has had no say. This war does not serve Lebanon, it has brought nothing to Gaza, nor alleviated its suffering one iota, he added.

Iran-backed Hezbollah was the only Lebanese faction that did not disarm after the 1975-1990 civil war.

Its arsenal, which is significantly larger than that of the Lebanese army, is touted by its supporters as a shield against Israel.

The movements critics call Hezbollah a state within a state.

This war, in which Hezbollah is engaged, must stop before it brings about a major war that will spare no one, Geagea said.

He called on the government to urge Hezbollah to stop its fight with Israel.

Lebanon is without a president and the caretaker government is struggling to run a country gripped by a crippling financial crisis.

Tensions on the border appeared to have cooled since a major escalation last month. Analysts say both parties are showing restraint to avoid a regional escalation.

In the latest incident, one person was killed and 11 wounded in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon Sunday, the health ministry in Beirut said.

The violence since October has killed some 607 people in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah fighters but including at least 132 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

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On the Israeli side including in the annexed Golan Heights, authorities have announced the deaths of at least 24 soldiers and 26 civilians.

Tens of thousands of people remain displaced on both sides.
The bodies of Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino have been returned to Israel, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters read more

Protesters rally outside the Defence Ministry against the government and to show support for the hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Reuters

Israel said it recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza where they were apparently killed shortly before its troops reached them, triggering protests by Israelis on Sunday and planned labour strikes over the failure to save them.

The Israeli military announced the recovery of the bodies from underground in the southern city of Rafah, as a polio vaccination campaign began in the war-shattered territory and violence flared in the occupied West Bank.

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The bodies of Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino have been returned to Israel, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters.

A forensic examination determined that they had been murdered by Hamas terrorists in a number of shots at close range 48-72 hours previously, an Israeli health ministry spokesperson said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces growing calls to end nearly 11 months of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza with a deal that includes a ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages, said Israel would not rest until it caught those responsible.

Whoever murders hostages - does not want a deal, he said.

Senior Hamas officials said that Israel, in its refusal to sign a ceasefire agreement, was to blame for the deaths.

Netanyahu is responsible for the killing of Israeli prisoners, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters. The Israelis should choose between Netanyahu and the deal.

Thousands of Israelis joined protests in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as pressure mounted on Netanyahu to do more to bring the remaining hostages home from Gaza.

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The head of Israels trades union federation, Arnon Bar-David, called for a general strike on Monday to pressure the government into signing a deal, and said Ben Gurion airport, Israels main air transport hub, would be closed from 8 a.m. (0500 GMT).

A deal is more important than anything else, he said. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who has clashed frequently with Netanyahu, also called for a deal and opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid urged people to join the demonstration in Tel Aviv.

In Jerusalem, protesters blocked roads and demonstrated outside the prime ministers residence. Some lined roads, waving Israeli flags in honour of the six hostages.

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Municipal services in Tel Aviv and other sites across Israel planned a half-day strike on Monday in solidarity with hostages and their families.

The recovered bodies were from about 250 hostages captured during the Hamas-led shock incursion into southern Israel on Oct. 7 that sparked Israels retaliatory war in Gaza.

Their deaths leave 101 Israeli and foreign captives still in Gaza, but around a third of these are known to have died, with the fate of others unknown.

The Hostage Families Forum called on Netanyahu to take responsibility and explain what was holding up an agreement.

They were all murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity. The delay in signing the deal has led to their deaths and those of many other hostages, it said.

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Devastated and outraged

Netanyahus office said he had spoken to the family of Alexander Lobanov, whose body was among those recovered, apologising and expressing deep sorrow.

But the family of another hostage, Carmel Gat, said they had refused to speak to Netanyahu, and instead called on Israelis to join the protests.

U.S. President Joe Biden, who has closely followed the fate of the hostages, said he was devastated and outraged at the news of the death of 23-year-old Israeli American Goldberg-Polin and the other hostages.

Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages, he said in a statement.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was completely shocked by the deaths.

Biden, speaking to reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, earlier, said he was still optimistic about a ceasefire deal.

Months of stop-start negotiations mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt have so far failed to secure a deal, despite increased U.S. pressure and repeated trips by top officials to the region.

Polio vaccinations

The two sides agreed to pause fighting in areas of Gaza for at least eight-hours daily from Sunday to Tuesday to allow the start of a complex operation to vaccinate 640,000 children against polio.

The campaign comes after the confirmation last month that a baby was partially paralysed by the type 2 polio virus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years.

Israeli forces continued to battle Hamas-led militants in several parts of Gaza, with the Israeli military targeting what it said was a Hamas command centre in a former school in Gaza City. Palestinian medics said they had so far recovered four dead from the strike and that many others were wounded.

In Khan Younis, an Israeli air strike killed two Palestinians and wounded 10 others, according to medics.

About 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas assault on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, at least 40,738 Palestinians have been killed and 94,154 injured in Israels military offensive in Gaza, the enclaves health ministry says.

The war has created a major humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as fuelling tensions across the region and in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli officials said on Sunday that three Israeli police officers were killed when their vehicle came under fire near the city of Hebron.

Hundreds of Israeli troops have been carrying out raids across the West Bank since Wednesday in one of their largest actions in the area in months, which Israel says is aimed at rooting out Islamist militants.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a hardline member of Israels security cabinet, called for tougher action against Palestinian militants, in comments from the scene of the attack.

Hamas praised the attack, but did not claim responsibility for it, saying it was a natural response to the massacres and genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian armed factions said their fighters were confronting Israeli forces in the flashpoint West Bank city of Jenin with machine-guns and explosive devices.
Around 3.3 million people are eligible to vote in the state of Saxony, whereas, nearly 1.7 million are expected to hit the polling booth in Thuringia on Sunday. read more

Around 3.3 million people are eligible to vote in the state of Saxony, whereas, nearly 1.7 million are expected to hit the polling booth in Thuringia on Sunday. AP

As two states in Germany underwent voting on Sunday, polls indicated that the far-right Alternative for Germany has the chance to become the strongest party in the region for the first time. Not only this, the partys rise could also put a major dent in the already unpopular government at the centre. As the race continues, a new party founded by a prominent leftist also hopes to make an immediate impact in the state elections.

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According to The Independent, around 3.3 million people are eligible to vote in the state of Saxony, whereas, nearly 1.7 million are expected to hit the polling booth in Thuringia. Sundays elections are being watched nervously in Berlin since the three parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholzs governing coalition were weak in the states already. However, the major risk is the fact that the party may see a risk of dropping under the 5 per cent support threshold needed to stay in the state legislatures at all.

Apart from these two states, the third state election is scheduled to take place in Brandenburg. Interestingly, the state is currently led by Scholzs center-left Social Democrats. The next national elections in the country are due in a little over a year.

AfD seeks to govern the states

Alice Weidel, a national co-leader of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany, or AfD described the positive polls as an important milestone for the national parliamentary election next year. It is interesting to note that the controversial party has already secured its first mayoral and county government posts last year, and now says it wants to govern at the state level, too.

However, the recent polls are putting the party at 30 per cent in both states. This means that AfD would likely need coalition partners to formulate government in both states. But, it is highly unlikely that other parties will join hands with the controversial AfD to form new state governments.

One of the reasons why the partys rise is concerning for oppositions and many across Europe is because of the fact that the partys leader in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, has been convicted of knowingly using a Nazi slogan at political events.

AfD has tapped into high anti-immigration sentiment in the region. It also remains to be seen whether the knife attack in Solingen would have any impact on voters sentiments.
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Mnangagwa this morning, toured Chinese electric car manufacturing company BYD and global telecommunications giant Huawei, in China's technology-hub city of Shenzhen.After touring the two companies, the President said Zimbabweans must leverage on enduring relations between Harare and Beijing, that were soldiered during the liberation struggle, to hasten the country's industrialisation and modernisation drive."Each time we pay a visit to the People's Republic of China, and in particular on both visits, I have been given an opportunity to visit Huawei, and each time you find out that they have moved on, it does seem that technology evolves year after year," he said."I hope that our people in Zimbabwe will embrace the technology that we have been exposed to here in China. These are our closest friends."The President, who is accompanied by ministers and other top government officials, is also expected to visit the city of Changsha in Hunan Province and Nanjing in Jiangsu Province.After the business engagements, the President will head to Beijing, the political capital of China, for a State visit.The President will later on join other heads of State and Governments for the trenial Forum on China-Africa Cooperation ( FOCAC), which will run from September 4 to 6.
Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, pressured the government by calling a general strike for Monday, the first since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that started the war. Several US Democrats have renewed calls for an Israeli-Hamas ceasefire. read more

Yigal Sarusi, center, mourns during the funeral of his son, slain hostage Almog Sarusi, who was killed in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, at a cemetery in Ra'anana, Israel, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. Photo- AP

In one of the largest protests since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began nearly 11 months ago, tens of thousands of grieving and angry Israelis took to the streets after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza, chanting Now! Now! as they demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a cease-fire with Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.

Some of the protesters weeping, gathered outside Netanyahus office in Jerusalem. In Tel Aviv, hostages relatives marched with coffins to symbolise the toll.

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We really think that the government is making these decisions for its own conservation and not for the lives of the hostages, and we need to tell them, Stop! said Shlomit Hacohen, a Tel Aviv resident.

Cease-fire negotiations have dragged on for months, and many blame Netanyahu for failing to reach a deal. Israels army has acknowledged the difficulty of rescuing dozens of remaining hostages and said only a deal can bring a large-scale return.

Nothing is worse than knowing that they could have been saved, said Dana Loutaly. Sometimes it takes something so awful to shake people up and get them out into the streets.

Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, pressured the government by calling a general strike for Monday, the first since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that started the war. It aims to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care and the countrys main airport.

Several U.S. Democratic lawmakers renewed calls for an Israeli-Hamas ceasefire on Sunday in reaction to the killing of six hostages in a tunnel under Gaza, while Republicans criticized President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for not giving stronger support to Israel.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Goldberg-Polins parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, who appeared at the Democratic National Convention last month, to offer condolences, a White House official said.

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Another US official said national security adviser Jake Sullivan will hold a virtual meeting on Sunday with the families of American hostages held by Hamas.

Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza where they were apparently killed shortly before its troops reached them, triggering Israeli protests on Sunday and planned strikes over the failure to save them.

Netanyahu has vowed to continue the fighting until Hamas is destroyed. Some Israelis support that as society remains deeply divided on the war.

But critics have accused the prime minister of putting his personal interests over those of the hostages. The wars end likely will lead to an investigation into his governments failures in the Oct. 7 attacks, the governments collapse and early elections.

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I think this is an earthquake. This isnt just one more step in the war, said Nomi Bar-Yaacov, associate fellow in the International Security Program at Chatham House, shortly before Sundays protests began.

Israels Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu got into a shouting match at a security Cabinet meeting Thursday with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who accused him of prioritizing control of a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border  a major sticking point in the talks  over the lives of the hostages.

With inputs from agencies.
Across the country, a network of Republican political operatives, lawyers and their allies is trying to shape Novembers election in ways that favour former President Donald Trump read more

This combination photo shows Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaking during a presidential debate, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, left, and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaking during a Democratic presidential primary debates, July 31, 2019, in Detroit. AP

Italo Medelius was leading a volunteer drive to put Cornel West on North Carolinas presidential ballot last spring when he received an unexpected call from a man named Paul who said he wanted to help.

Though Medelius, co-chairman of Wests Justice for All Party, welcomed the assistance, the offer would complicate his life, provoking threats and drawing him into a state election board investigation of the motivations, backgrounds and suspect tactics of his new allies.

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His is not an isolated case.

Across the country, a network of Republican political operatives, lawyers and their allies is trying to shape Novembers election in ways that favour former President Donald Trump. Their goal is to prop up third-party candidates such as West who offer liberal voters an alternative that could siphon away support from Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.

It is not clear who is paying for the effort, but it could be impactful in states that were decided by miniscule margins in the 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden.

This is money Wests campaign does not have, and he has encouraged the effort. Last month the academic told The Associated Press that American politics is highly gangster-like activity and he just wanted to get on that ballot.

Trump has offered praise for West, calling him one of my favorite candidates. Another is Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Trump favors both for the same reason. I like her very much. You know why? She takes 100% from them. He takes 100%.

Democrats are exploring ways to lift Randall Terry, an anti-abortion presidential candidate for the Constitution Party, believing he could draw voters from Trump.

But the GOP effort appears to be more far-reaching. After years of Trump accusing Democrats of rigging elections, it is his allies who are now mounting a sprawling and at times deceptive campaign to tilt the vote in his favor.

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The fact that either of the two major parties would attempt financially and otherwise to support a third-party spoiler candidate as part of its effort to win is an unfortunate byproduct of current election laws that facilitate spoilers, said Edward B. Foley, a law professor who leads Ohio State Universitys election law program. This phenomenon is equally problematic whichever of the two major party engages in it.

One key figure in the push is Paul Hamrick, the man on the other end of the call with Medelius in North Carolina.

Hamrick serves as counsel for the Virginia-based nonprofit People Over Party, which has pushed to get West on the ballot in Arizona, Maine, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as North Carolina, records show.

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In an interview, Hamrick declined to say who else besides him was orchestrating the effort and he would not divulge who was funding it. He vigorously disputed any suggestion that he was a Republican, but acknowledged that he was not a Democrat, either.

His history is complex.

Hamrick was chief of staff to former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, a one-term Democrat who was booted from office in 2003 and later was convicted and sentenced to prison on federal bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud charges. Hamrick was charged alongside his former boss in two separate cases. One was dismissed and he was acquitted in the other.

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Though he insists he is not a Republican, Hamrick voted in Alabamas Republican primary in 2002, 2006 and 2010, according to state voting records maintained by the political data firm L2. He was tapped briefly in 2011 to work for the Alabama state Senates Republican majority. And since 2015, according to federal campaign finance disclosures, he has contributed only to GOP causes, including $2,500 to the Alabama Republican Party and $3,300 to Georgia Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican who has trafficked in conspiracy theories.

Hamrick denied that he voted in any Republican primaries, suggesting that the voting data was inaccurate.

For years, he was a consultant for Matrix LLC, an Alabama firm known for its hardball approach.

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Matrix LLC was part of an effort in Florida to run ghost candidates against elected officials who had raised the ire of executives for Florida Power & Light, the states largest utility.

Daniella Levine Cava, the current mayor of Miami-Dade County, was a target. As a county commissioner, Levine Cava had fought with FPL. When she ran for reelection in 2018, Matrix covertly financed a third-party candidate they hoped would siphon enough votes to tip her seat to a Republican challenger, The Miami Herald reported in 2022.

Hamrick was deeply involved. A company he created paid the spoiler candidate a $60,000 salary and rented a $2,300-a-month home for him, according to the newspaper and business filings made in Alabama. Hamrick said the candidate worked for him to help recruit business. Hamrick denied having anything to do with the mans campaign.

Either way, it did not work. Levine Cava was reelected before winning the mayors seat in 2020.

Now Hamrick is playing a prominent role to place Wests name on the ballot in competetive states. Hamrick surfaced in Arizona two weeks ago after a woman told the AP that a document was fraudulently submitted in her name to Arizonas secretary of state in which she purportedly agreed to serve as an elector for West. She said her signature was forged and she never agreed to be an elector.

After the AP published her account, Hamrick said he spoke to the womans husband, trying to rectify the situation and gave some information. Hamrick declined to say what information was shared. He also tried to persuade another elector who backed out to recommit to West, according to interviews and voicemails.

The next day, with the deadline to qualify for the Arizona ballot just hours away, Brett Johnson, a prominent Republican lawyer, and Amanda Reeve, a former GOP state lawmaker, made house visits to each as they tried to persuade both to sign new paperwork to serve as West electors.

Johnson and Reeve work for Snell & Wilmer, which has done $257,000 worth of business for the Republican National Committee over the past two years, campaign finance disclosures show.

Hamrick declined to comment on the role of Johnson and Reeve. They did not respond to requests for comment.

West did not qualify for the Arizona ballot.

Other Republican-aligned law firms also have been involved in the national push, opposing Democrat-backed challenges to Wests placement on the ballot:

 In Georgia, Bryan Tyson, a partner at the Election Law Group, represented the state Republican Party as it tried to keep West on the ballot. The firm has collected $60,000 in payments from the RNC since April, campaign finance records show. Tyson did not respond to a request for comment.

On Thursday, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger overruled an administrative law judge and placed West, Stein and Party for Socialism and Liberation nominee Claudia De la Cruz on the ballot. Tyson did not respond to a message seeking comment.

 In North Carolina, Phil Strach, a member of the Republican National Lawyers Association, successfully challenged in court a North Carolina State Board of Elections decision to bar West from the ballot. Strach did not respond to a message left for him.

 In Michigan, John Bursch, a senior lawyer for the Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative legal group that helped overturn Roe v. Wade, successfully fended off a challenge to Wests placement on the ballot. Burschs firm, Bursch Law PLLC, was paid $25,000 by Trumps campaign in November 2020 for RECOUNT: LEGAL CONSULTING, according to campaign finance disclosures. Bursch did not respond to a request for comment.

 In Pennsylvania, a lawyer with long-standing ties to Republican candidates and causes, unsuccessfully argued in August for West to stay on the ballot. The attorney, Matt Haverstick, declined to say in an interview who hired him or why. People Over Party, the group Hamrick is affiliated with, had tried to get West on the ballot.

None of these actions was funded by Wests campaign, though he and his Justice for All party have coordinated at times with Hamricks People Over Party, according to legal filings, a news release and social media posts.

In North Carolina, People Over Party, worked with Blitz Canvassing and Campaign & Petition Management  two firms that routinely work for the GOP  to gather signatures for West. Hamrick later responded in writing on behalf of workers for the two companies after the state election board opened its inquiry.

Jefferson Thomas, a longtime Republican operative from Colorado, submitted petition signatures that his firm, The Synapse Group, gathered on behalf of Stein in New Hampshire, records show. He did not respond to requests for comment.

In Wisconsin, Blair Group Consulting oversaw Wests petition signature drive to qualify for the ballot, as previously reported by USA Today. David Blair, the firms president, was a the national director of Youth for Trump during the 2016 campaign and was a spokesman in the Trump administration. Blair declined to comment.

Mark Jacoby, whose signature gathering firm Let the Voters Decide often works for Republicans, was involved in the failed Arizona push to get West on the ballot. The California operative has was convicted in 2009 of voter registration fraud, court records show. Jacoby did not respond to a message left at a phone number listed to him.

Medelius, the North Carolina co-chairman of Wests Justice for All Party, said the partisan battles over third-party candidates amounted to a gang war.

If they want to use us for cannon fodder, theres not much I can do about it, he said.
A police statement said the incident occurred on a Friday night last month, without specifying the date, when the 34-year-old suspect left home with the weapon he held as part of his reserve service read more

Israeli police said on Sunday that a reservist soldier who went on a mission to shoot someone of Arab origin was arrested after firing at a victim in Jerusalem.

A police statement said the incident occurred on a Friday night last month, without specifying the date, when the 34-year-old suspect left home with the weapon he held as part of his reserve service.

The suspect was on a mission to search for a victim of Arab origin in a park in west Jerusalem, the statement said.

When the suspect identified a potential victim, he made the individual sit on a bench by the side of the road and began questioning him while holding the weapon against his body, it said.

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After the suspect was convinced that the person was of Arab origin, he aimed his weapon and attempted to shoot. However, the victim managed to escape without injury.

The suspect was arrested a few days later and told authorities he fired the weapon to intimidate the victim, the statement said, adding that an indictment is expected to be filed against him in the coming days.

Such incidents are relatively rare in Jerusalem, although in June Israeli police said a Palestinian man was seriously wounded in a shooting incident in annexed east Jerusalems Old City during a quarrel between off-duty Israeli soldiers and Palestinians.
Turkeys parliament approved on July 29 a move to euthanise some of the countrys four million stray dogs, a measure opponents say could lead to a vast animal cull. read more

People shout slogans during a protest against a bill approved by Turkish legislators that aims to remove stray dogs off the country's streets, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. Boards read in Turkish: "Collect murderers, not dogs" and "The right to life of every living being is unique and sacred".- AP

Thousands of protesters gathered in Istanbul on Sunday to protest recent legislation that critics say is leading to the killing of stray dogs across Turkey.

Animal lovers fear it will lead to widespread culling or dogs ending up in disease-ridden and overcrowded shelters and called for the law to be repealed, brandishing posters reading shelters are death camps and withdraw the bloody law.

Last month, Turkish legislators approved a law aimed at removing millions of stray dogs from the countrys streets that animal lovers fear will lead to many of the dogs being killed or ending up in neglected, overcrowded shelters.

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We want this law to be withdrawn immediately, protester Hasan Kizilyatak, 64, told The Associated Press. They (stray dogs) are living beings, just like us. We are here because we are against them being annihilated.

Ayten Arslan, 55, who said she supports Erdogan, also showed up to protest.

Just like we stood beside our president on July 15 (2016) when there was a coup attempt, we are here for the stray animals, she told the AP. I say as an AK Party supporter, this law, is a bloody law.

Following the law approved in July this year, people gathered in Istanbuls Sishane Square issued a defiant message to the government. Your massacre law is just a piece of paper for us, the protest organisers told the crowd. We will write the law on the streets. Life and solidarity, not hatred and hostility, will win.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the law was necessary to deal with the countrys stray dog problem.

The main opposition Republican Peoples Party moved to repeal the law in the Constitutional Court less than two weeks after it passed.

The government estimates that around 4 million stray dogs roam Turkeys streets and rural areas. Although most are harmless, several people, including children, have been attacked.

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A report released by the Safe Streets and Defense of the Right to Life Association, an organization campaigning for the removal of all stray dogs from the streets, says that 65 people have died in street dog attacks since 2022.

The legislation says dogs will be put down if they present a danger to the life or health of people and animals, display uncontrollable negative behaviour, have a contagious or incurable disease or whose adoption is forbidden.

It says local councils must build animal shelters and implement the law by 2028. Mayors who refuse could be jailed for up to two years.

With inputs from agencies.
Republicans across various states are ramping up efforts to prevent noncitizens from voting, despite the rarity of such incidents. Measures include voter roll reviews, proposed constitutional amendments, and new laws, but critics argue these could unnecessarily restrict access for legal voters and fuel misconceptions about noncitizen voting read more

Only US citizens are eligible to vote in this falls election for president and other top offices. While that is nothing new, the potential for noncitizens to register or vote has been receiving a lot of attention lately.

Citing an influx of immigrants in recent years at the U.S.-Mexico border, Republicans have raised concerns about the possibility that noncitizens will be voting and they have taken steps in numerous states to address that prospect, even though cases of noncitizens actually voting are rare.

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GOP officials have undertaken reviews of voter rolls, issued executive orders and placed constitutional amendments on state ballots as part of an emphasis on thwarting noncitizen voting. Some Democrats contend the measures could create hurdles for legal voters, are unnecessary and lead people to believe the problem of noncitizens voting is bigger than it really is.

A 1996 U.S. law makes it illegal for noncitizens to vote in elections for president or members of Congress. Violators can be fined and imprisoned for up to a year. They can also be deported.

When people register to vote, they confirm under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens. Federal law requires states to regularly maintain their voter rolls and remove anyone who is ineligible, a process that could identify immigrants living in the country illegally.

No state constitutions explicitly allow noncitizens to vote, and many states have laws that prohibit noncitizens from voting for state offices such as governor or attorney general. But some municipalities in California, Maryland and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia, do allow voting by noncitizens in some local elections such as for school board and city council.

Voting by noncitizens is rare. Yet Republican officials have highlighted voter registration reviews that turned up potential noncitizens.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said this past week that more than 6,500 potential noncitizens have been removed from Texas voter rolls since 2021, including 1,930 with a voter history who have been referred for investigation by the attorney generals office. Texas has almost 18 million registered voters.

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Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, said in August that he referred for potential prosecution 138 apparent noncitizens found to have voted in a recent election and 459 more who registered but did not vote. Those figures were higher than reviews from previous years but a small fraction of the more than 8 million registered voters in Ohio.

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, a Republican, recently announced that 3,251 people previously identified as noncitizens by the federal government are being switched to inactive status on the states voter registration rolls. They will be required to provide proof of citizenship and fill out a form to vote in November. Alabama has more than 3 million registered voters.

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In Georgia, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger found that 1,634 potential noncitizens tried to register to vote between 1997 and 2022, though election officials flagged them and none was registered. Georgia registered millions of other voters during that time.

Some election administration experts have said the voter roll reviews show that current tools to flag noncitizen voters are working.

Arizona provides a case study for the long-running attempts by Republicans to prohibit noncitizen voting.

Under a 2004 voter-approved initiative, Arizona required a drivers license, birth certificate, passport or other similar document to approve a federal voter registration application. But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that Arizona cannot require documentary proof of citizenship for people to vote in federal elections.

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The state responded by creating two classes of voters. For state and local elections, voters must provide proof of citizenship when they register or have it on file with the state. But because that cannot be required in presidential and congressional elections, tens of thousands of voters who have not provided proof of citizenship are registered only for federal elections.

An August order by a divided U.S. Supreme Court will allow voter registration forms submitted without documentary proof of citizenship to be rejected by Arizona counties while litigation over the law continues. People will be able to register to vote in presidential and congressional elections using a different federal form that requires people to swear they are citizens under penalty of perjury, without requiring proof.

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Republican-led legislatures in eight states have proposed constitutional amendments on their November ballots declaring that only citizens can vote.

Proposals in Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin would replace existing constitutional provisions stating that every citizen or all citizens can vote with new wording saying only citizens can vote. Supporters contend the current wording does not necessarily bar noncitizens from voting.

In Idaho and Kentucky, the proposed amendments would explicitly state: No person who is not a citizen of the United States can vote. Similar wording won approval from Louisiana voters two years ago.

Voters in North Dakota, Colorado, Alabama, Florida and Ohio passed amendments between 2018 and 2022 restricting voting to only citizens.

Although noncitizen voting already is prohibited in the state constitution, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana is continuing to draw attention to the issue. He recently signed an executive order requiring state agencies that provide voter registration forms to include a written disclaimer that noncitizens are prohibited from voting.

In Georgia, Raffensperger last week required every polling place to post a sign in English and Spanish warning noncitizens that it is illegal to vote.

Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton of Texas, citing significant growth of the noncitizen population" in the state, set up a special email account Wednesday to report suspected violations of election laws.

In Wisconsin, Republicans have filed a pair of similar lawsuits in recent weeks that challenge the states process for verifying whether a registered voter is a citizen. The lawsuits seek court orders requiring the elections commission to perform checks to ensure there are no registered voters who are noncitizens.

North Carolina Republicans have sued the state election board, alleging it is not enforcing a new law aimed at removing people from voter rolls who seek jury duty exclusions because they are not citizens.

Tennessees top election office sent letters in June asking for proof of citizenship from more than 14,000 registered voters, though those who failed to respond will not be barred from voting. The list was based on data from the state Department of Safety and Homeland Security, which has information about whether residents were U.S. citizens when they first interacted with that department.

Republicans in Congress are pushing a bill, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote. During a news conference about the legislation this year, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., did not provide specific examples of noncitizens voting but insisted it is a concern.

We all know, intuitively, that a lot of illegals are voting in federal elections," he said, but its not been something that is easily provable.

The legislation passed the Republican-led House in July largely along partisan lines but has not come to a vote in the Democratic-led Senate. The Biden administration said it is strongly opposed and that laws against noncitizen voting are working.

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, the White House said in a statement.
Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza where they were apparently killed shortly before its troops reached them, triggering Israeli protests on Sunday and planned strikes over the failure to save them read more

Several U.S. Democratic lawmakers renewed calls for an Israeli-Hamas ceasefire on Sunday in reaction to the killing of six hostages in a tunnel under Gaza, while Republicans criticized President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for not giving stronger support to Israel.

Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza where they were apparently killed shortly before its troops reached them, triggering Israeli protests on Sunday and planned strikes over the failure to save them.

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The military said the bodies of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who is an Israeli-American citizen, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino have been returned to Israel.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Goldberg-Polins parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, who appeared at the Democratic National Convention last month, to offer condolences, a White House official said.

Another U.S. official said U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan will hold a virtual meeting on Sunday with the families of American hostages held by Hamas.

Democratic U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said in a post on X that he was heartbroken and devastated by the news of Goldberg-Polins death, echoing sentiments of other U.S. officials and lawmakers.

A ceasefire must be reached immediately that allows all remaining hostages to be released, humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, and an elusive and neglected long-term vision for peace and stability to become a reality, said Durbin, the second-ranking Senate Democrat.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son Sagui is another hostage with American citizenship, said the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to engage in negotiations with Hamas to bring hostages home and time was running out.

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He said the entire senior military establishment and intelligence community has been saying publicly and openly for weeks and months that the time has come to end the fighting in Gaza, get our hostages home, as many alive as possible, Dekel-Chen told the CBS Face the Nation program."

Blaming Biden

Republican lawmakers on Sunday did not urge a stronger push for ceasefire negotiations, with some blaming the Biden-Harris administration for not supporting Israel strongly enough.

They continue to encourage and embolden Hamas, with calls for a ceasefire, said Republican Senator Tom Cotton.

Asked what Netanyahus government should do in the face of growing protests in Israel, Cotton said: I would urge him to finish the job against Hamas, which is exactly what Kamala Harris and Joe Biden should have done from the very beginning.

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In a statement released by the White House just before midnight on Saturday, Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, did not call for a ceasefire and condemned Hamas for the deaths.

Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas continued brutality, and so must the entire world, Harris said.

Harris later posted on X that she and her husband Doug Emhoff spoke to Goldberg-Polins parents to express our condolences following the brutal murder of their son by Hamas terrorists.

Republican senator Lindsey Graham called for more pressure on Iran, Hamas main sponsor, telling ABCs This Week that the Biden administration and Israel should hold Iran accountable for the fate of remaining hostages and put on the target list oil refineries in Iran if the hostages are not released.
Alfredo Romero, the president of the non-government human rights organization Foro Penal, wrote on X on Saturday that at least 40 teenagers arrested during the protests had been released from prison in the states of Tachira, Merida, Amazonas, Bolivar and Lara read more

At least 40 teenagers have been released from prison over the weekend in Venezuela, according to a human rights group, after being arrested during anti-government protests following Venezuelas disputed presidential election in late July.

Venezuelas electoral council and its top court have proclaimed President Nicolas Maduro, in power since 2013, as the winner of the July 28 election, but has not published complete voting tallies. Venezuelas opposition has published its own tallies showing a landslide win for its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez.

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The post-election street protests left some 27 people dead and 2,400 more arrested. The Venezuelan government has blamed the opposition for the deaths, while opponents accuse the government of carrying out a campaign of repression.

Alfredo Romero, the president of the non-government human rights organization Foro Penal, wrote on X on Saturday that at least 40 teenagers arrested during the protests had been released from prison in the states of Tachira, Merida, Amazonas, Bolivar and Lara.

Venezuelan authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Earlier in the day, the officials who reported to the site of the accident mentioned that the plane was carrying two people and stated that at least one resident had been unaccounted for read more

In this photo provided by Portland Fire & Rescue, multiple fire companies, including Gresham Fire, Portland Fire & Rescue, Clackamas, and Vancouver Fire, positioned hose lines to extinguish the primary building involved and adjacent structures after a small plane crashed Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. AP

Three people were killed after a small plane crashed into a row of townhouses in Portland on Saturday. According to local reports from KATU-TV, the crash eventually set the homes in the region ablaze.

Earlier in the day, the officials who reported to the site of the accident mentioned that the plane was carrying two people and stated that at least one resident had been unaccounted for. Meanwhile, The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that a twin-engine Cessna 421C came down on Saturday, at about 10:30 am (local time), near the Troutdale airport.

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The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the matter," the federal body said in a statement on Saturday. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide any updates," the statement further reads.

Videos of the incident circulate online

Scott Lewis, chief of the nearby Gresham fire department told local reporters that the fire that erupted due to the crash has spread from two units to four. He also noted that five families had to be evacuated from the area and the incident left two people injured.

The Multnomah County Sheriffs Office posted to X that it was responding to the scene. A small aircraft has crashed into a residential neighbourhood in Fairview. PIO is responding. The media staging area is NE Sandy and Fairview Parkway, the Sheriffs office wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. The videos of the crash also circulated online.

A small aircraft has crashed into residential neighborhood in Fairview. PIO is responding. Media staging area is NE Sandy and Fairview Parkway.  Multnomah Co. Sheriffs Office (@MultCoSO) August 31, 2024

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John Plock, a public information officer from the sheriffs office, eventually gave a news conference and mentioned that the initial distress call came at 10:20 am (local time) and there were some reports of plumes of black smoke coming out of the region.

At some point during the crash, it hit a power pole or tower, causing it to fall over. The aircraft crashed into a building of townhomes and that structure also caught fire, Plock said, according to KATU. It was also reported that the plane was split into multiple parts as it crashed in the residential area in the city of Fairview.

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 BREAKING: PLANE CRASHES INTO HOUSE IN OREGON



A small plane crashed into a townhome in Fairview, just outside of Portland, Oregon.



The crash ignited a fire, causing significant damage.



There are unconfirmed reports of casualties, but the exact number and extent of pic.twitter.com/q5fPMI2tlf  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 31, 2024

On the Port of Portlands website, Troutdale Airport is described as a flight training and recreational airport. As the authorities investigate the matter, the full extent of damage and injuries are still unknown.

With inputs from agencies.
Biden announced that dual Israeli-US citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among one of the hostages whose bodies were recovered from the region read more

US President Joe Biden confirms that the body of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among six recovered in Gaza by Israeli forces. AP

US President Joe Biden said that the ongoing Israel-Hamas war should come to an end while reacting to the news of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) recovering several dead bodies from Gaza. The proclamation from the American president came while he was exiting the church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, The Times of Israel reported.

While addressing local reporters, Biden stated that there are uncertainties about the exact number of dead bodies found by the Israeli military in Gaza. A lot of speculation about who they are, he noted urging the people to wait until they are identified and their families are notified.

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Its time this war ended. We should end this war. I think were on the verge of having an agreement, he remarked. Biden also announced that dual Israeli-US citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among one of the hostages whose bodies were recovered from the region. The POTUS noted that six bodies were found in a tunnel beneath Rafah.

I am devastated and outraged, Biden said, adding that he and other Americans will have Hershs parents Jon and Rachel in their prayers. I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages, he added.

Families of hostages call for protests

Meanwhile, shortly after the news broke out, the group called Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a statement slamming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for demonstrations across the country.

Netanyahu abandoned the hostages. Now its a fact, the group said adding that starting tomorrow the country will tremble, we are calling on the public to prepare. Following the statement, the families of hostages gathered for an emergency meeting at the groups headquarters. They discussed the plans to hold a demonstration on Sunday.

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The identity of one of the victims confirmed

On Sunday, the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American taken hostage on October 7, confirmed that their son was one of the hostages IDF found dead in Gaza. With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time, the family said in a post on Facebook.

The California native was held hostage while he was trying to escape terrorists who infiltrated the Nova music festival. Polin eventually lost his hand in a grenade blast during the October 7 attacks. He also appeared in a Hamas propaganda video in April.

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With inputs from agencies.
Opinion / Columnist

This season we are living in, it's not a time for a hairdo. People are perching on the edge of the cliff.There is a loud whisper drifting around, almost like a wish among many. These chaps will burst each other any time; but let them do it, we don't quite care about it. That's what you will hear in the dark corners of the dingy pubs.They are referring to the gory succession politics in Zanu-PF, which, on the unwritten rule, also interchanges with the government. Let's put it more directly. Many people feel and think that there will be another coup in Zimbabwe.Here is the thing. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has on two occasions said that he will not extend his tenure in office beyond 2028 when his second term expires because that would be against the constitution. But even then, not many people are taking his word.That's because the Zanu-PF structures  well, the dominant faction and kowtowers thereof  are keeping on with the slogan that says Mnangagwa must be in power beyond 2028. Inadvertently, they are acknowledging that the president, who replaced the late Robert Mugabe through the 2017 coup, is moving too slowly with his agenda such that he would need more time to do so after 2028.Yet, on the hand, there seems to be a Zanu-PF camp that hates that talk with a passion. This camp has been linked to Mnangagwa's deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, who led the 2017 power transfer as commander of the Defence Forces.They are crying betrayal. We have heard for quite a while now that this camp wanted Mnangagwa to hand over the reins to Chiwenga even before the expiry of the former's first term between 2018 and 2023.This reported standoff between the two coup masters is what is giving space to the feeling that there could be a coup any time.In essence, there is suspicion that Chiwenga will lead a coup against Mnangagwa so that he can get his chance to rule and chow with chosen eaters.In the main, two things have fed that speculation quite generously.Unlike most of the people in the Zanu-PF and government structures, Chiwenga has not endorsed the Vision 2030 slogan that is being used to moblise for Mnangagwa to stay post-2028.Secondly, and very tellingly, Chiwenga has spoken with a twisted tongue to apparently condemn the 2030 campaign.Just recently, he said people must not owe their allegiance to individuals but Zanu-PF and Zimbabwe.Those individuals, when interpreted in the court of public opinion, are Mnangagwa, Mnangagwa and Mnangagwa.The logical thinking, then, is: If Chiwenga led a coup back then, he will lead a coup again if he is not too happy with the king.Never mind the fallacy in that, the argument still makes sense. And, quite interestingly, there are so many rastas out there who believe that the army will any time from now do a Mugabe on Mnangagwa, in favour of Chiwenga.We will talk about this in two different breaths. This week, let's try to get a firm understanding of the factors and conditions that aided the 2017 coup.That way, we will then be able to decide whether or not Zimbabwe will see another coup any time in the near-to-not-so-distant future. There is this simplistic and pretty myopic thinking that the 2017 coup was possible because the army, then led by Chiwenga, wanted and decided to do it. The truth, though, is that Chiwenga and his army might have wanted a coup as much as the Chiadzwa diamonds but it would not have succeeded if that wish and plan were not enabled by other compelling factors.Mugabe's overstay in power was one of the leading issues that motivated and inspired the coup. The internal  that is within Zanu-PF  and external resentment around Mugabe's drawn-out stay in power started developing seriously from the late 1990s. That was when Zimbabwe's economic and political fortunes started plummeting.The likes of the late general, Solomon Mujuru, increasingly got frustrated with him because he was hurting their commercial and political interests, especially as they related to global dynamics following the introduction of sanctions at the turn of the millennium.Mujuru led a Zanu-PF faction fronted by his wife, Joice, that pushed both overtly and covertly for Mugabe's removal, culminating in the political sabotage or "bhora musango" of 2008 towards that year's elections when they prodded Simba Makoni to form the ill-fated Mavambo party.Of course, by the time of the coup, the Mujuru faction had been weakened when Joice was removed as VP in 2014 to make way for Mnangagwa and camp loyalists like Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa sent running for cover.But what you can't take away is the fact that the Mujuru faction had a huge following in Zanu-PF, so there was critical resentment of Mugabe in Team Gamatox, as the Mujuru camp got to be known.There is a telling irony, though. The very architects of the 2017 coup, chief among them Mnangagwa and Chiwenga, seem to have privately hated Mugabe's continued stay in power, but publicly and practically supported his rule.Mnangagwa, in particular, felt it was his turn to take over from the aged Mugabe. But, in order for his dream to come true, it was necessary to keep Mugabe in the chair till the opportune time.However, the longer Mugabe loitered in power without anointing him a successor but instead played his camp against Mnangagwa's rivals that came to be known as G-40, the more precarious it became for the current president's power plans.Number two, the army factor.In retrospect, the military-assisted power takeover from Mugabe is something that took a long time in planning before execution in November 2017.Clearly, Mnangagwa and Chiwenga shared the same vision of having Mugabe removed. Especially on the eve of the coup when the G-40 that incorporated Grace Mugabe became increasingly publicly critical of the army.So, there was this hugely useful readiness in the army to pressure Mugabe out. It was of particular value that Chiwenga was the CDF. He had enough power and influence to rally most of the military in favour of Mugabe's removal.The rank and file in the military, even if it may not have liked the idea, had no choice but to follow orders.But then, the rank and file had already started what looked like a rebellion because of frustration caused by the economic hardships during Mugabe's rule.You will remember the shop lootings and the raid at the farm of then governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe by low-ranked soldiers as hyperinflation turned gunners' salaries into trash paper, which they were battling to get from the banks, anyway.In a way, the army was generally united against Mugabe. Fine, the likes of Perrance Shiri, then in charge of the air force, were somewhat shifty.Shiri, as you will remember, was strategically absent from the then KGVI Barracks presser when Chiwenga announced the military's frustration with the political situation in the country a few days before the coup.Thirdly, the external factor. There are anecdotal indications that some powerful countries like China and Britain favoured Mugabe's removal. There is some rhyme in that. When Chiwenga called the press conference at the now Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare, he had just returned from China. The coincidence is informative.And Mugabe had just kicked out major Chinese miners like Anjin and Jinan out of the lucrtaive Marange diamond fields. He had previously complained bitterly about Chinese dishonesty in the so-called mega-deals.Britain was among the first to embrace the post-coup administration, most probably because it loathed Mugabe for his perennial anti-British rhetoric. Mugabe had become intensely unpopular locally, regionally and internationally because of political misrule, corruption and human rights abuses. Millions of Zimbabweans didn't like him.Sadc saw him as a burden and the local opposition would do anything at its disposal to have him out.That is why it led the impeachment process against Mugabe. Ever wondered why Sadc never condemned the coup? The West and East had also basically become united against Mugabe.Number five, political laxity. Mugabe was regularly briefed on the intentions and actions of the Lacoste movement.Even G40 players like Jonathan Moyo were well aware of what was happening and warned Mugabe.Ironically, though, they seemed not to believe their own fears because they, instead, went home to sleep soundly.The issue is that, mainly, they never believed that Team Lacoste had the capacity to do a coup.Mugabe later said he feared a bloodbath, considering that the army was heavily involved, but that sounds like a political statement because he could have gone ahead and reshuffled the army well in time.When they tried to arrest Chiwenga at the airport upon his return from China, the horses had already bolted.Then there was Mugabe's age and his judgmental competence. This could partly explain the political laxity.Already in his mid-90s, Mugabe's judgment had become severely impaired and the excitable but politically blunder-some Grace had practically taken over.He couldn't adequately comprehend the implications of what was taking place.Number seven, the coup plotters enjoyed not only military backing but the ability to moblise the Zanu-PF party structures.Mnangagwa had been in Zanu-PF for a very long time and enjoyed lots of traction in the ruling party, having managed to incorporate many provincial chairpersons and other influential party leaders.This combined well with the fact that the Mujuru loyalists had already made up their minds against Mugabe.This would prove useful when the army used military precision to whip up popular sentiment in favour of the coup.In addition, Team Lacoste had managed to infiltrate the intelligence structures in the security sector, to the extent that it didn't help Mugabe in any way that the head of CIO, Happyton Bonyongwe, and police boss, Augustine Chihuri, were fighting from his corner.------Tawanda Majoni writes in his personal capacity and can be contacted on majonitt@gmail.com
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Christopher Tomlinson

The Alcove rock panel in Horseshoe Canyon is a striking formation in Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah. The area has some of the most significant rock art in North America, spanning thousands of years. The best known is the Great Gallery, which is a seven-mile round-trip hike into the canyon.
Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with two sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have two dogs: Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel
Thu Thursday

86 /55

More sun than clouds. Highs in the mid 80s and lows in the mid 50s.
An event was held on Saturday in Beijing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and African media, and to promote cultural exchanges in the digital era.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the activity via video-link and delivered a keynote speech.

Given the drastic changes underway in the world and the rise of information technology, participants emphasized the need for media in China and Africa to stick to the win-win cooperation philosophy and better present how their countries pursue development through cooperation.

They highlighted the importance of illustrating how each nation navigates its path to modernization based on domestic realities, and how they are working to improve the well-being of their people.

Participants also underscored the significance of exchanges and collaboration on cutting-edge technologies. They called for media to beef up the public-opinion foundation for further China-Africa cooperation and to help foster a global discourse that is fair, objective, positive and healthy.

The event, hosted by China Media Group, was held days before the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Participants expressed the belief that the upcoming summit would open new horizons for the development of China-Africa relations.

More than 200 representatives of international organizations, media outlets, and think tanks from over 20 African countries and China took part in the event.
A version of this story first appeared in Talk of the Town, a weekly newsletter by Spotlight PAs State College regional bureau featuring the most important news and happenings in north-central Pennsylvania. Sign up at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown.

STATE COLLEGE  Local governments of all sizes require committed leaders and staff to run smoothly, but problems can arise when they dont have the right people to do the job.

When city, township or borough elected officials cannot effectively serve, residents are left with few options.

Spotlight PA Local Accountability Reporter Min Xian spoke with a panel of experts about the challenges local governments face in finding and retaining dedicated elected officials and the impacts those people have on residents lives.

Here are five key takeaways from the discussion, which can be viewed in full here.

Voice of the average citizen

Each government unit on the local level is run by a governing board in Pennsylvania. Varying numbers of members  generally between three and seven  make decisions about public services like fire and police, water, sewer and parks.

The amateur status of most elective officials means that ordinary citizens can bring expertise from all walks of life into government operation, according to the Citizens Guide to Pennsylvania Local Government published by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The fragmented and hyperlocal structure of municipal government gives the average person a voice, and their voice counts, John Brenner, executive director of the Pennsylvania Municipal League, said during the panel.

Training not required

Dan Murphy, a former State College Borough Council member, said he considered himself an atypical municipal government candidate when he ran for office in 2017. Murphy was a single, young professional who rented rather than owned a home and became the boroughs first openly gay council member. He said he wanted to represent those perspectives in his community.

He learned on the job to make up for his lack of experience holding elected office. Resources provided by professional associations like the Pennsylvania Municipal League, the knowledge of borough staff and connections with other municipal leaders helped him mount the learning curve.

Even seasoned officials have to keep up with increasingly complex responsibilities due to changing technologies and ever-evolving regulations and mandates, Brenner said. While training and ongoing education opportunities are plentiful, they are not required for elected officials in Pennsylvania.

Brenner said he would like to see state lawmakers make some essential training a requirement. Someday were going to convince enough legislators that there should be a baseline training program.

Increasingly vacant seats

Pennsylvanias more than 2,500 municipalities require about 12,000 elected officials. A 2021 survey of nearly 900 of them found that about half ran unopposed in both the primary and general elections. It is also common for officials to vacate their positions before the end of their terms.

Tim Kearney served two terms as mayor of Swarthmore Borough before being elected to the state Senate, where he is minority chair of the Local Government Committee.

People dont run for office for a variety of reasons, the Delaware County Democrat said, including the demands of their jobs, lack of recognition of the significance of local government or fear of sacrificing their privacy.

Theyre things that we need to solve and things that we havent come up with a solution yet, Kearney said.

Municipalities of all sizes have trouble finding enough people to run them, said Brenner, who was a two-term mayor for the City of York. That brings into question whether having so many governing boards is the most efficient way to serve Pennsylvania communities.

Kearney said there have been legislative changes that allow lowering the number of members on borough councils.

Failure of decorum

Milesburg Borough resident Bryce Taylor said he witnessed kind of a worst-case scenario in the governance of his communitys borough council because of high turnover and hostility among elected leaders.

We had a pretty robust failure of decorum, and nobody wants to sit through that, Taylor said.

His attempts to raise concerns within the borough and with outside agencies did not lead to any resolution. He said he was left with no other option but to take the borough to court himself over alleged violations of the states Borough Code and its open meetings law.

Personality conflicts and vitriol can easily derail a municipal government, Brenner said. In some places, developing a code of conduct or civility pledge can help guard against those behaviors.

Ideas to improve local governance

Citing personal experience researching Pennsylvania's laws, Taylor said enforcement of regulations meant to oversee local governance is lacking. He discussed the possibility of a third party that could provide a neutral viewpoint, raise red flags and enforce corrective actions in municipalities.

Laws addressing higher pay for municipal officials were enacted this year, Kearney said. This will allow public servants to be better paid for the time commitment required of their positions. More people from different backgrounds might be better able to participate in local office because of this change.

SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/donate/statecollege. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results.
'Renaissance of illegals': Since start of war in Ukraine, Russia relies more on bargain-basement spies

By Graham Keeley August 31, 2024

They are known as "illegals" a spies who operate under the guise of normal jobs.

Since Russia lost many of its valuable spy assets when dozens of diplomats were expelled from Western countries after the invasion of Ukraine, these civilian agents have become essential.

Experts in Russian intelligence told VOA that this was the "renaissance of illegals," with 90% of operations now carried out by these shadowy figures.

The August 1 hostage swap, in which American journalists and Russian rights activists were exchanged for an assassin and spies, exposed how some of these "illegals" operate.

Many manage to avoid detection by working in innocuous jobs that allow them access to events and people of interest to Moscow. The prisoner swap included supposed art dealers and a freelance journalist.

President Vladimir Putin welcomed back Russian couple Artem and Anna Dultsev, who posed as Argentinians and ran a tech start-up and gallery in Slovenia, and Spanish-Russian freelance reporter Pablo Gonzalez, also known as Pavel Rubtsov.

On the surface, Gonzalez worked as a reporter for media outlets that included DW and VOA, specializing in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. But in reality, according to the head of the British MI6 secret service, he was gathering information on Russian opposition groups and trying to destabilize Ukraine in the run up to Moscow's full-scale invasion.

Polish authorities detained Gonzalez in February 2022. Until August 1, he was held in a high-security jail on charges of spying for Russia a allegations he had denied.

Media watchdogs condemned the conditions in which Poland held Gonzalez, but footage of him being welcomed by Putin after the swap appeared to confirm his primary role was spy craft, not journalism.

Gonzalez himself gave VOA a cryptic answer to a request for an interview. Referring to an earlier VOA article about his release, Gonzalez said through his Spanish wife, Oihana Goiriena, "If there are no more speculations, then I don't know what you want to talk about."

Russian roots

Speaking perfect Russian and Spanish, Gonzalez forged a career in journalism after studying Slavic studies at the University of Barcelona. But despite his new life in the West, he retained much sympathy for his country of birth.

A source with knowledge of the Russian intelligence sector who did not want to be named told VOA that Gonzalez grew up in Spain's Basque country, where sympathies for a regional independence movement are common a and, in left-wing circles, support for Putin is not unusual.

This meant many who met him did not question his pro-Russian leanings; far fewer suspected he secretly worked for Russian intelligence.

"This is a renaissance for illegals," Oleksandr V. Danylyuk, an expert in subversive Russian and Soviet special services, told VOA from Kyiv.

"Historically, it was so difficult to travel abroad. [These spies] can travel, they can live, they can join governments, businesses," said Danylyuk, who is an associate fellow of the London-based Royal United Services Institute, a defense think-tank.

"Some people are still not convinced that illegals are important, but it is 90% of all the [Russian intelligence] activity."

Danylyuk said part of their value is that millions of Russians a and foreign-national Kremlin sympathizers a can travel freely without suspicion.

"They can travel to Silicon Valley and steal secrets, and they can recruit Westerners. Why would you need to use diplomats?" he said. "For some specific tasks, yes, but in fact for other operations you would use illegals, and you would have spymasters."

Danylyuk said one purpose of illegals is to exert influence on the Western world by infiltrating radical protest groups or opposition organizations.

In 2016, Gonzalez engaged with leaders of the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom a named after the Russian opposition politician assassinated in 2015 a where he became close with key members of the group.

Nemtsov's daughter and co-founder of the foundation, Zhanna Nemtsova, said she was a target of Gonzalez's espionage.

"I was the first to tell Agentstvo about Pablo Gonzalez/Pavel Rubtsov in May 2023 after I had access to the case materials," she wrote on the social media X platform on August 27. Agentstvo is an independent Russian media outlet.

Gonzalez collected detailed reports on his contacts with Nemtsova and the foundation, Agentstvo said.

Spy operations

Marc Marginedas, a correspondent for Spanish newspaper El Periodico, said despite the expulsions of Russian diplomats after the Ukraine invasion, the Russian intelligence service is like a small army.

"Tens of thousands of people work for the different branches of the intelligence services in Russia. Some sources elevate this to hundreds of thousands if it includes those working not on a regular basis," said Marginedas, who specializes in the former Soviet states and Middle East.

Staff in Russian embassies and state-run media organizations, he added, are probably forced to work in some kind of intelligence capacity.

Marginedas agreed that "illegals" are now a mainstay of Moscow's spying operation.

"Russia has invested heavily in 'illegal' agents who do not enjoy diplomatic protection," he said.

"They provide them with a personal alibi that is very difficult to track down. Latin American countries, with not very tight controls and regulations when providing citizenship to foreigners, are very useful for this purpose."

Marginedas said that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine resulted in large numbers of suspected Russian spies being expelled from embassies around the world. So, when Putin appeared at the airport in Moscow to welcome the agents in the prisoner swap in August, it sent a specific message.

"Following the war in Ukraine and the mass expulsions of Russian diplomats from Western countries, its capacities were seriously undermined," Marginedas said.

"Putin, by receiving those people with pomp at [Moscow's] airport and promising them jobs and medals, was sending out the message to the future spies that the Russian state will not abandon its spies."

A journalist who knew Gonzalez said his real identity came as a shock.

Xavier Colas, who works for the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, has known Gonzalez since 2014 when they met in Ukraine.

"He was not a person who pretended to be a journalist. He really was one. He did reports and traveled and knew what he was talking about," Colas said. "He styled himself as an expert in Ukraine and other [post-Soviet] republics. He knew his stuff."

Colas, whom Russia expelled earlier this year, also said Gonzalez espoused "pro-Russian" arguments that attacked Ukraine and the European Union, and claimed Alexey Navalny, the late opposition leader imprisoned by Russia, was being treated well by the Russian government.

Navalny died in a penal colony in the Arctic in February.

"Gonzalez's opinions were very pro-Russian. But he was not some stupid young radical journalist. He knew what he was talking about, but his arguments did not make sense," Colas remembers.

He said that Gonzalez worked for mostly regional newspapers such as the pro-separatist Basque Gara newspaper, but he never seemed short of funds to travel to all parts of Ukraine and Syria.

Gonzalez worked for Spanish outlets Publico, La Sexta and Gara. He also worked as a freelancer for Voice of America in 2020 and 2021 and the public broadcasters Deutsche Welle and EFE.

VOA hired Gonzalez via a third-party freelance media platform. After learning of his arrest in Poland, the broadcaster removed his content.

Deutsche Welle did not reply to a request for comment. But Miguel Angel Oliver, president of EFE, told VOA: "We have not made any comment. Gonzalez worked for EFE over two years ago. It was a brief collaboration principally about photographs at the start of the Ukraine war."

Colas said he thought Gonzalez came from "a wealthy Basque country family." It was a shock, he said, when Gonzalez emerged from a plane with a Russian hitman and other spies.

"I knew for a while that the Spanish secret services believed he was a spy. But this was still a shock for me," he said.

Intelligence services

Three different intelligence services had no doubt about where Gonzalez's real loyalties lay a even if his colleagues and many peers were in the dark.

Spanish secret services, who spoke on background to a VOA reporter, said they believed he was a Russian spy. And Polish security services said Gonzalez was included in the prisoner swap because of "common security issues" with the United States.

In a statement, they said: "Pavel Rubtsov, a GRU officer arrested in Poland in 2022, [had been] carrying out intelligence tasks in Europe."

Richard Moore, the head of Britain's foreign intelligence service MI6, said at the Aspen Security Forum in 2022 that Gonzalez was an "illegal" arrested in Poland after "masquerading as a Spanish journalist."

"He was going into Ukraine to be part of their destabilizing efforts there," Moore said.

Gonzalez has always denied spying for Russia.

His lawyer, Gonzalo Boye, noted the case of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter Russia detained on false espionage charges who was freed in the prisoner swap and welcomed by U.S. President Joe Biden.

"Nobody in the USA has questioned that Gershkovich was simply a journalist. We think that neither Gershkovich nor Pablo Gonzalez are spies, but journalists are trapped in a new kind of cold war, where truth matters little," he told VOA.

Boye also acted as a lawyer for Edward Snowden and Carles Puigdemont, a fugitive former Catalan independence leader wanted in Spain on charges of embezzlement and misuse of public funds. (Boye himself has faced legal action, convicted in a 1996 trial involving Basque separatists.)

Gonzalez is now living in Russia, but his wife, Goiriena, still lives with the couple's three children in Spain's Basque country. She told VOA that she remains in touch with her husband daily by social media or telephone.

"So far there is no news of him coming back from Russia," she said. "I think he has to recover from everything he has been through."

While living in Warsaw in the run-up to Russia's invasion, Gonzalez had a girlfriend named in local media as Magdalena Chodownik. She is under investigation by Polish authorities for allegedly assisting espionage but denies any wrongdoing.

Chodownik, who has worked for several European outlets, declined to comment to VOA when asked about Gonzalez.

Spain's Foreign Ministry did not reply when asked by VOA if Gonzalez will be allowed to return to Spain to see his family while Poland has accused him of spying.

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CENTCOM Forces and Iraqi Security Forces conduct partnered raid in Western Iraq

U.S. Central Command

Press Release | Aug. 30, 2024

USCENTCOM

Aug. 30, 2024

Release Number 20240830-02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces and Iraqi Security Forces conducted a partnered raid in Western Iraq in the early hours of Aug. 29, resulting in the death of 15 ISIS operatives. The ISIS element was armed with numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive "suicide" belts. There is no indication of civilian casualties.

This operation targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade ISIS' ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond.

Iraqi Security Forces continue to further exploit the locations raided.

ISIS remains a threat to the region, our allies, as well as our homeland. U.S. CENTCOM alongside our coalition and Iraqi partners, will continue to aggressively pursue these terrorists.

We will provide more information as it becomes available.

-30-

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Tuning Into the Future: U.S. Soldiers Deployed to Europe Master New Radio Technology

By Pfc. Jason Sessions August 31, 2024

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania -- The U.S. Army, in collaboration with Sev1Tech, a leading provider of IT modernization, engineering, fielding, training, and program support services for U.S. government agencies, hosted a two-day event to train U.S. Soldiers on new radio equipment at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, Aug. 28-29, 2024.

The ability to communicate effectively in combat environments has been a cornerstone of military success for centuries. In modern warfare, radio is one of the most essential tools for maintaining this communication. With increasing reliance on digital networks and real-time data exchange, ensuring that Soldiers are well-trained in using and maintaining new radios in the field is paramount.

"Today's training is about transitioning from older radio equipment to much newer radio equipment," said Pfc. Josalynne McCants, a joint fire support specialist assigned to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). "This training exercise is important because a lot of what we do relies heavily on effective communication; therefore, learning and becoming better acquainted with the tools that will enhance and improve communication is absolutely essential."

Hands-on training with the AN/PRC 14 Delta and AN/PRC 170 allowed the Soldiers to familiarize themselves with the new communication technology. This technology is crucial in maintaining tactical advantage and seamless coordination during operations. The two-day course covered everything from basic operational procedures to advanced troubleshooting and maintenance.

Army training programs designed to teach Soldiers how to operate new radio systems have become a top priority as technology advances. This training initiative, led by expert defense contractors, focused on hands-on instruction with the latest field radios. Soldiers were taught to set up secure communication links, troubleshoot common issues, and maintain connectivity in difficult environments.

"The goal of this training event is to become more knowledgeable about our equipment, to learn the correct skills, and acquire the knowledge needed to operate the new radios proficiently," said 1st Lt. Julia Agan, a fire support officer assigned to 10th MTN Div. (LI). "As a fire support officer, we are first into the battlefield with the infantry units, so it's extremely important to be well-versed with the new equipment so that we can do our jobs efficiently."

Through training initiatives like this, V Corps  the Army's only forward deployed warfighting headquarters  continues its unwavering commitment to maintaining a combat-ready force. Through modernization, resolving capability gaps, and evolving force structure, V Corps continuously engages in competition, responds to crises, and prepares to win in conflict. By staying ahead of technological advancements, V Corps ensures Soldiers are prepared for today's missions and the missions of tomorrow.

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Chinese experts criticize Philippines for endangering ships and violating humanitarian principles after Philippine vessel deliberately collides with CCG ship at Xianbin Jiao

Global Times

By Zhang Yuying Published: Aug 31, 2024 05:03 PM Updated: Aug 31, 2024 09:42 PM

At 08:02 on Saturday, the Philippine ship 9701 weighed anchor and continued its provocations at China's Xianbin Jiao (also known as Xianbin Reef) in the South China Sea. In response, the Chinese coast guard ship 5205 lawfully issued verbal warnings and conducted monitoring and control measures, according to the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday.

At 12:06, the Philippine ship deliberately rammed into the Chinese ship 5205 in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, causing a collision for which the Philippines bears full responsibility, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said.

China once again urges the Philippines to face reality, abandon illusions, and immediately withdraw their illegal ship, as this is the only correct path forward. The Philippines should not misinterpret the situation, provoke conflicts, or escalate tensions, otherwise, the consequences will be solely borne by the Philippine side, the spokesperson warned.

The CCG reiterated China's indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, or Nansha Islands, including Xianbin Jiao, and their adjacent waters. China will take necessary measures to resolutely thwart any provocative acts of infringement and firmly defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the spokesperson said.

Since mid-April, the Philippine Coast Guard ship 9701, also known as BRP Teresa Magbanua, has been illegally and harmfully anchored in the lagoon of the Xianbin Jiao.

The Philippines' long-term anchoring at Xianbin Jiao constitutes illegal occupation, which does not change the legal status of the occupied territory, according to Zhang Qiyue, a research fellow at Shanghai Institute for International Studies.

The Philippines has seriously infringed on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, violating the basic principles of the United Nations Charter for the peaceful resolution of international disputes, and gone against the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which promotes peaceful use of the seas, Zhang stressed, noting that this action has caused serious damage to international legal norms and the rule of law.

In response to the illegal intrusion of Philippine vessel 9701 into Xianbin Jiao, China has shown a high degree of restraint by refraining from taking forceful measures against it, and only implementing necessary control measures to prevent the vessel from staying long-term, said Chen Xidi, a research fellow at China Institute for Marine Affairs, noting that China has been actively communicating with the Philippine side throughout this situation.

This fully demonstrates China's sincerity in adhering to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, not expanding and peacefully resolving disputes, Chen said. "In sharp contrast, the Philippines continues provocations by deliberately ramming into the Chinese ship. The Philippines is the one undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and violating humanitarian principles," Chen noted.

In fact, the Philippines is not concerned about the safety of its ships, aircraft, and personnel at Xianbin Jiao, nor does it care about the "freedom" and "stability" of the South China Sea, Chen noted. "The only thing the Philippines cares about is whether its actions in the South China Sea are aggressive and attention-grabbing enough, and whether it can win the 'favor' and 'support' of certain countries outside the region," Chen said.

Experts urged the Philippine side not to harbor any illusions about the illegal occupation of Xianbin Jiao, nor to repeatedly test China's bottom line. Otherwise, it will only waste time and be of no benefit to the resolution of the dispute.

"The only way to solve the dispute is for the Philippine side to withdraw its coast guard ship and other vessels as soon as possible, and restore peace and stability in the South China Sea," Zhang said.

On Friday, China released an on-site investigative report regarding the ecological system of the coral reefs in the South China Sea's Xianbin Jiao, revealing the coral reef ecosystem in Xianbin Jiao is generally in good health, in response to allegations made by the Philippines this year, which groundlessly accused China of reclaiming an artificial reef around Xianbin Jiao that led to widespread coral bleaching.

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Pal Jonson signs Joint Declaration on defence cooperation with Czech Republic

Government Offices of Sweden

31 August 2024

Mr Pal Jonson, Minister for Defence, Sweden, today had a bilateral meeting with Ms Jana Cernochova, Minister for Defence, Czech Republic, during the security conference GLOBSEC Forum, which is taking place from 30 August to 1 September in Prague. A Joint Declaration on the Enhancement of Defence Cooperation was signed.

The Joint Declaration expresses the will of Sweden and Czech Republic to increase the defence related cooperation in areas, such as, the use of JAS 39 Gripen aircraft beyond its originally intended period till 2027, support in operating, experience sharing and joint training activities of Swedish made CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, and provision of assistance to Ukraine in its fight against the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine.

- I am convinced that with this Joint Declaration the defence cooperation between Sweden and Czech Republic will further increase to the benefit of both parties. I am looking forward to enhancing our relations and to take stock of the concrete results in due course, says Minister for Defence Pal Jonson.

During the meeting the two defence ministers discussed European security, the Czech ammunition initiative, as well as cooperation on Gripen aircraft and CV90 infantry fighting vehicle.



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Yemen says Israel-bound ship hit in Gulf of Aden

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 31, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced a new military operation against an Israeli-bound ship in their latest move to support Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza.

The announcement was made by the Yemeni Army Spokesman Yahya Saree on Saturday.

He said that Libera-flagged Groton ship was targeted in the Gulf of Aden because its owner company violated a Yemeni ban on ships entering ports in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Yemen's "naval, UAV, and missile forces" participated in the operation, and "the ship was hit accurately and directly", he added.

Saree also said that the Saturday attack was the second on Groton ship this month. The vessel was first targeted on August 3, he added.

The spokesman further noted that the Yemeni armed forces will continue their maritime operations in support of the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank until Israel stops its aggression and lifts its siege on Gaza.

Yemen began its pro-Palestine operations in mid-November and has continued them despite airstrikes by the US and the UK on Yemeni territory, which have been ongoing since mid-January.

Yemen says the strikes by the two Western states are aimed at supporting the Israeli regime.

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Palestinians in Jenin use RPGs for first time during battles with Israeli forces

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 31, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Palestinian resistance fighters based in the occupied West Bank are using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) for the first time during their battles with Israeli occupation forces.

Palestinian news agencies, citing Israeli media, reported on Saturday that these weapons are being used by resistance fighters in Jenin, a city in the northern West Bank that has been the scene of fierce clashes in recent days.

Jenin has been a flashpoint area for months now. However, tensions have been escalating since Wednesday (August 28) when Israeli forces launched a large-scale military operation that has also targeted other parts of the West Bank, including the city of Nablus.

Nearly two dozen Palestinians have been killed since then, most of them in Jenin.

Israeli media have described the ongoing operation in the West Bank as the biggest by the regime in the occupied Palestinian territories over the past 22 years.

In the meantime, the Central Command of the Israel Occupation Forces, which is responsible for the units and brigades located in the West Bank, Al-Quds, the Sharon, Gush Dan and the Shephelah, has warned that the situation in the West Bank is about to explode.

The Central Command has also warned that the expansion of the conflict in the West Bank would impose extra burden on Israeli forces.

The warning comes as the Israeli regime is continuing its war in the besieged Gaza Strip where nearly 40,700 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war in early October 2023.

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Hezbollah targets Israeli military sites with rockets, drones

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 31, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has reported a rocket attack on the Israeli military base Al-Marj, hitting it directly.

In a statement on Saturday, the group emphasized that the strike was taken in solidarity with the people of Gaza and in support of Palestinian resistance.

Simultaneously, Israeli military radio reported that the three missiles fired from Lebanon struck the area of Misgav Am in Upper Galilee.

Sirens sounded continuously across eight different sites in northern occupied Palestine as a warning of the incoming threat.

In response to the missile strikes, Israeli forces launched artillery attacks on the Yohmor al-Shaqif area in southern Lebanon.

The situation remains tense as both sides continue to exchange rocket and missile fire across the border.

In a separate statement, Hezbollah said it had launched an aerial attack with a swarm of armed drones on the headquarters of the Sahel Battalion in the Beit Hillel barracks.

Hezbollah said the drone strike was in response to the Israeli aggression on the southern Lebanese towns.

The resistance movement also said it had hit Israeli military sites of Branit Barracks and Birkat Risha with rockets and other weapons.

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Hamas terms Israeli attack on humanitarian aid convoy "war crime"

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 31, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has censured Israel's targeting a US humanitarian aid convoy in Gaza, saying it was a war crime.

Hamas urged Washington to stop concealing Israeli regime's crimes, the Palestinian Information Center released on Saturday.

"Despite the relief organization's confirmation that the 4 martyrs who were killed in the occupation's bombing of the convoy were workers of the company transporting aid, the IOF [Israeli occupying force] insists on falsely claiming that they were armed, a false claim that it always uses to justify its blatant crimes against relief workers and humanitarian organizations," the report says.

Then, it termed such a move as a "repeated war crime."

Hamas calls on the international community and the United Nations (UN) to condemn the brutal crime committed deliberately against the Palestinian people and the aid bodies and impose severe punishment for preventing the regime from continuing its crimes in Gaza.

Despite a resolution approved about two months ago by the UN Security Council in support of ceasefire in Gaza, the prime minister of the Israeli regime Benjamin Netanyahu insists on continuation of war.

Since the start of war in Gaza last October, over 40,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the enclave.

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34 Palestinians martyred in fresh Israeli attacks on Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 31, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The continuation of the Israeli regime's aggression on the Gaza Strip led to the martyrdom of 34 Palestinians in the besieged area during the past hours.

According to Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen TV network, the Zionist occupying forces heavily bombarded the Al-Zeitoun district in the Gaza Strip by using helicopters, drones and other military equipment.

The Israeli regime also targeted the southern areas of Al-Zeitoun neighborhood with artillery strikes and destroyed several residential buildings.

Nine people were killed and more than 10 were wounded in just one of such attacks on a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza.

Al Jazeera TV channel also reported that 34 Palestinians have been martyred in different parts of Gaza since early Saturday morning.

On Thursday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced in its latest statistics that the occupying regime committed four massacres in the past 24 hours, resulting in martyrdom of 68 people and the injury of 77 others.

According to the ministry, 40,602 Palestinians have been martyred and 93,855 wounded since the onset of the genocidal war on Gaza since October 7, 2023.

About 11 months into the war, fierce clashes are ongoing between the occupation troops and resistance fighters in various areas of the Gaza Strip.

This war, which was launched by the Israeli regime with the declared objectives of annihilating the Hamas movement and returning the Zionist captives, has not yet achieved any of these goals.

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After a late-winter hearing featured stories of a man who was missing for 10 years, a father-son conspiracy to avoid paying a debt and a defendant bragging about his crimes on hidden camera, convicted killer Kevin Michael Moores Aug. 30 sentencing felt largely like a formality.

The exception was the testimony of Melissa Proffitt, step-daughter of the late Jesse Morgan Hicks.

Jesse was the quintessential father figure and the leader of our household, Proffitt told the court.

Speaking in measured tones as she read from her victim impact statement, Proffitt noted that Labor Day weekend marked 20 years since her 47-year-old step-father disappeared. She said the quest to find the Fluvanna County man was life-consuming.

We entertained rumors and pored over aerial maps, drove over countless back roads and searched tirelessly, she testified. There were multiple times when one of us thought we saw Jesse in public only to be met with the crushing realization that it wasnt him, further deepening our anguish.

As her mother testified at the trial in March, Hicks went missing on Sept. 1, 2004, the night he had hoped to collect a $35,000 debt owed by Moores father. Prosecutors also charged that father, Glenn Spradlin, with murder and conspiracy, but Spradlin didnt live to see his sons trial or even his own trial; he died of cancer in 2023.

Before taking the stand, Proffitt and her sister Ashley McMillian, who were 18 and 12 respectively when their step-father disappeared and who each now have children of their own, flanked their mother in the courtroom gallery. Proffitt spoke of her step-fathers love of babies and her regret that Hicks never got to play with his grandchildren.

Our family jokes that he would likely kiss their little heads so often that they would probably have had bald spots, she testified.

Proffitt also shared the familys heartbreak when, after a decade of searching, the man she called her father was found dead.

It was a bittersweet moment, said Proffitt, adding that the relief was tempered by the trauma of hearing about rodents gnawing at the skeletal remains.

Seeing Mr. Moore and his father Glenn Spradlin in the community, knowing the timeline of his disappearance and the outstanding debt only became more difficult after Jesses remains were discovered on Spradlin hunting grounds, she said. Mr. Moore committed this terrible act on behalf of his father.

Watching and listening without emotion to Proffitts testimony was the defendant, now wearing handcuffs, waist chain and the two-tone, gray jumpsuit of the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. And in contrast to his appearance in front of the jury during the trial  clean-shaven and street clothes  the 39-year-old Moore appeared at his sentencing in a newly grown, gray-flecked, Abraham Lincoln-style beard.

We are grateful, continued Proffitt, that at least our family and the community know the truth and that a jury of peers validated what we suspected all along.

Proffitt went on to thank the cases lead detective, Phil Giles of the Albemarle County Police Department, as well as the Office of the Commonwealths Attorney and the late Edward Gilbert Fitzgerald, better known as Harley for his lifelong penchant for riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Fitzgerald was the former criminal who agreed to wire his Chevy van and ask Moore if he would consider serving as a hit man.

The ensuing tapes were pivotal at trial. While the defense tried to downplay Moores apparent confessions to Hicks killing because he never named his victim, the jury seemed to believe that Moores descriptions about ambushing, shotgunning, dragging and burying a man matched what happened to Hicks.

This trial was validating but also excruciating, as hearing Mr. Moore boast about the murder brought a fresh wave of grief and anxiety, said Proffitt. While no sentence can ever undo the pain we have endured or restore what we have lost, we hope it will reflect the gravity of his actions and provide some measure of justice for Jesse.

Prosecutor Richard Farley asked the judge to assign the penalty sought by the jury, 28 years on first-degree murder, murder conspiracy and the use of a firearm in commission of a felony. So too did defense attorney Brooke Howard, since the jurys recommendation came in below the voluntary sentencing guidelines.

The court is going to follow the recommendation of the jury, said Albemarle County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Higgins.

Having already served six years while awaiting his COVID-delayed trial, including a stint under home electronic incarceration, and with Virginia requiring felons to serve at least 85% of their sentence, Moore could be eligible for release before he turns 60.

His lawyer told the court that they are considering an appeal and asked that a transcript of the trial get typed.

Moore declined the opportunity to make a statement during the hearing, and none in the trio of female relatives at whom he smiled as the proceedings got underway was willing to speak to The Daily Progress afterward.

Also Friday, the Appomattox man who had been slated to appear as a trial witness to convey something Moore said behind bars but who bowed out without warning, came to court as he had been instructed. The 51-year-old Luke David Yates told the press he was not at liberty to divulge the information he might have said on the stand.
Israeli security apparatus fears Hezbollah drones: Report

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 31, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Israeli media has admitted that the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah's drones have worried the occupying regime's security apparatus.

The Zionist regime's Channel 12 reported that the threat of drones on Israel's northern front has intensified, and Hezbollah drones left several dead and wounded and caused a lot of damage to Israel's infrastructure.

According to the report, Hezbollah is sending several drones into the occupied territories every day, with Israel's air defense not being able to intercept them due to the high power of these drones.

This report was released at the same time that Hezbollah targeted the Zionist settlements and bases in the north of occupied Palestine.

This news channel also reported that the Zionist regime's air defense intercepted and destroyed some of the missiles fired from Lebanon towards the West Al-Jaleel in the north of occupied Palestine.

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Hezbollah launches missile attacks on northern occupied Palestine

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 31, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Some news outlets reported late on Friday that the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah has targeted the Zionist regime's bases and settlements in northern occupied Palestine through tens of missiles.

The alarm was sounded continuously from eight sites in northern Israel in order to warn the settlers against the missiles, according to Al Jazeera.

Also, Israel's Channel 12 reported that the regime has intercepted some of the fired missiles from Lebanon to Western Galilee in northern occupied Palestine and annihilated them.

Further, an Al Jazeera correspondent reported a huge explosion near a trade center in northern Bethlehem.

Is seems that Hezbollah targeted the northern occupied Palestine under the retaliatory measures as the Israeli regime had attacked the Lebanese southern areas hours before.

From the start of the war in Gaza last October, resistance groups in Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, and Yemen have been carrying out anti-Israel operations in support of the Palestinian people and in order to reduce pressure on the Resistance in Gaza.

Since the time, over 40,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza.

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New details emerege of attack on Israeli Karmei Tzur settlement

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Aug 31, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- A Palestinian fighter ran over an Israeli guard in the settlement of Karmei Tzur with a car, then entered the settlement and shot at some Zionists, Israeli news outlets reported on Saturday.

According to the Palestinian Sama news agency, the Israeli media reported that the shooting operation was carried out after a car bomb exploded at the entrance to the settlement.

The reports also said that two Israelis were wounded in this retaliatory operation.

The regime's army has also declared that the operation has not come to an end and that the assault is still underway around this settlement.

Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the regime's troops fired at the fighter who carried out the operation.

Media reports show that the regime's army has dispatched a large number of its forces to this incident area.

Yedioth Ahronoth also reported that there may be a connection between the operations in Karmei Tzur and Gush Etzion, where two people were injured.

Hamas issued a statement on Saturday, labeling the "double operation" conducted in the early morning as "heroic," which led to the martyrdom of two Palestinians following explosions at a gas station in Gush Etzion and within the unauthorized Israeli settlement of Karmei Tzur located south of Beit Lahm town in the occupied territory.

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China vessel damages BRP Magbanua; PH 'seriously concerned'

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora and Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

August 31, 2024, 5:28 pm Updated on August 31, 2024, 5:52 pm

MANILA -- The Philippines expressed its "serious concern" over the latest ramming incident in Escoda Shoal, National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Vice Adm. Alexander Lopez said on Saturday afternoon.

This was after China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5205 on Saturday repeatedly rammed into BRP-Teresa Magbanua, the biggest ship of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed in April to Escoda Shoal, which is about 75 nautical miles from Palawan.

"Well, the position of the government, especially the National Maritime Council, we take this with serious concern," Lopez said in a press briefing following the latest collision between a CCG vessel and a PCG vessel.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua sustained damage in its bridge wing and freeboard. No injuries to the crew were reported.

As of this posting, the Filipino ship remained anchored inside the Sabina Shoal.

Lopez said a report will be submitted to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for appropriate action.

"This is part of the reports that we will be submitting to the Department of Foreign Affairs, and then the DFA will come up with its own study to come up with the most appropriate actions," he said.

What happened

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the vessel lifted its anchor 8 a.m. with the intention of "loitering around Escoda Shoal."

When it was already on the move at 12:07 p.m., CCG vessel 5205 carried out the "dangerous maneuver resulting to its direct ramming" into the port bow of BRP Teresa Magbanua.

The Chinese ship turned around, then rammed the PCG vessel anew, hitting the starboard quarter.

"After this, it went around and then did another ramming to the PCG vessel. On the port beam of MRRV-9701, the CCG vessel 5205 has once again directly and intentionally rammed the PCG vessel," Tarriela narrated.

In a drone shot presented before the press, Tarriela showed that BRP Teresa Magbanua was originally surrounded by People's Liberation Army Navy tugboats 175 and 185, CCG vessels 4301 and 3104, and Chinese maritime militias.

As the Filipino ship heaved up its anchor, CCG vessel 5205 joined the fray.

Illegal presence

Lopez said China's presence in Escoda Shoal is illegal, considering that it is "well within our 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone."

He added that the PCG, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea, is merely exercising its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Escoda Shoal.

"So, the Chinese Coast Guard vessels are the ones illegally [patrolling]. 'Yung presence nila diyan ang (Their presence there is) illegal. We are there on a legal basis dahil atin 'yun. Hindi tayo puwedeng magpaalam sa sariling bahay natin (because that is ours. We do not ask for permission because that's ours). Let us be very clear about it," he said.

Lopez earlier said the Philippine government is eyeing to file a case before an international body against China following the recent "unlawful and aggressive maneuvers" by CCG ships against PCG vessels in waters adjacent to Escoda Shoal.

US condemns China's 'intentional ramming'

Meanwhile, the United States condemned the ramming, saying it was a dangerous act and a violation of international law.

"The US condemns the multiple dangerous violations of international law by the PRC (People's Republic of China), including today's intentional ramming of the BRP Teresa Magbanua while it was conducting lawful operations within the (Philippine) exclusive economic zone," US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said in a statement.

"We stand with the Philippines in upholding international law," she added. (PNA)

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Yemeni forces target Israeli-bound ship in Gulf of Aden: Army spokesman

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 31 August 2024 6:22 PM

The spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces says the country's forces have carried out an attack on an Israeli-bound ship in the Gulf of Aden in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree made the remarks in a statement on Saturday, a day after two missiles targeted a Liberian-flagged container ship transiting the Gulf of Aden.

"We carried out a military operation targeting the 'Groton' ship in the Gulf of Aden because the company that owns it violated Yemen's decision to ban entry to the ports of occupied Palestine," he said.

Saree went on to say that the operation involved many missiles and drones, adding that the hit was accurate.

The spokesperson further emphasized that the naval operations of the Yemeni armed forces will continue in support of Palestinians in Gaza as well as until the Israeli aggression stops and the blockade on the besieged enclave is completely lifted.

On Friday, two missiles suspected to have been fired by Yemen's armed forces targeted the "Groton" ship.

Britain's maritime safety agency, UKMTO, said the attack saw two missiles "exploding in close proximity to the vessel" some 240 kilometers east of the Gulf of Aden.

The ship "reports all crew are safe and proceeding to next port of call," the UKMTO said, adding that "Investigations are ongoing."

The Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) later identified the vessel targeted as the Liberian-flagged container ship Groton, adding that one of the missiles had caused minor damage.

The ship "was targeted due to other vessels within its company structure making recent port calls in Israel," the center said.

This was the second time the "Groton" ship was targeted by Yemeni armed forces. Back in August, the naval and missile forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a joint military operation in which they targeted the "Groton" ship in the Gulf of Aden with many ballistic missiles.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the Israelis in response to the regime's decades-long campaign of death and destruction of Palestinians.

The Israeli war on Gaza has so far killed at least 40,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 93,855 more, according to Palestinian health officials.

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Aug 30: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 31 August 2024 2:26 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 40,700 Palestinians so far, the majority of them children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Friday, August 30, are as follows:

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on August 30:

Detonated several pre-prepared explosive devices on the Nablus Street Axis in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank, which destroyed a "Namer" military vehicle.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces that had penetrated the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank and its camp, using machine guns and explosive devices.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces from point-blank range using machine guns.

Ambushed an Israeli infantry force on Nablus Street in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank, and fired a heavy barrage of bullets at them.

Engaged in fierce battles with Israeli forces in the Jabriyat neighborhood, south of Jenin city, occupied West Bank, using machine guns and explosive devices.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces that had penetrated the Damj Axis in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank, with machine guns and explosive devices.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces storming Balata camp in the city of Nablus, occupied West Bank, using machine guns and explosive devices.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on August 30:

Detonated a pre-planted explosive device on a D9 military bulldozer on the Al-Damj Axis in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on August 30:

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces and their military vehicles using appropriate weapons in the city of Jenin and its camp, occupied West Bank.

Targeted Israeli forces stationed on the "Netzarim" Axis with several Haseb-111 rockets.

Al-Asifah Forces' operations on August 30:

Detonated a pre-prepared Asif bomb on a D9 Israeli military bulldozer in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank, wrecking it, followed by fierce clashes with regime forces.

Hezbollah's operations on August 30:

The Zabadani site in Lebanon's Shebaa was targeted with rockets.

The Ramtha site in Lebanon's Kfar Shuba was targeted with rockets.

Israeli soldiers in Baram were targeted with appropriate weapons.

An Israeli soldier was targeted at the Matla site with a suicide drone.

A deployment of Israeli soldiers in Jabal Nadhar was targeted with rockets.

The 411th Battalion in Neve Ziv and the headquarters of the 300th Western Brigade in the Ya'ara barracks were targeted with Falak and Katyusha rockets.

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Jenin under siege as Israel's brutal assault on West Bank continues

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 31 August 2024 1:58 PM

On the fourth day of Israel's assault on the West Bank, the city of Jenin has been "cut off from the world" as the regime's troops have blocked access to aid for Palestinians and continue their deadly raids on the occupied territory.

According to a report by Al-Jazeera Arabic, Israeli troops were stationed on the outskirts of the Jenin refugee camp on Saturday, blocking access to aid for Palestinians there.

A Jenin resident told AFP that they "are cut off from the world."

"The water is cut off. The electricity is cut off, the sewage system is no longer working. All the infrastructure is destroyed, we no longer have any services that work."

Director of Jenin Government Hospital, Wisam Bakr, also said that he thinks "it's the worst day since the start of the raid" on the occupied territory on Wednesday.

"We hear from time to time clashes and sometimes there is a big bombing."

The regime's forces have killed at least 20 Palestinians, including a person with disabilities and several children, in the northern West Bank since the regime has launched its deadly raid on several cities in the northern West Bank, according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

According to residents of Jenin, Israel's bulldozers rumbled through the streets on the first day of the raid, clearing the way for Israeli soldiers while tearing up the asphalt and piercing underground pipes.

Red Crescent ambulance shot

According to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), the regime's military forces fired at one of its ambulances in Jenin on Saturday.

It said the ambulance was hit despite its entry being coordinated ahead of time.

PRCS medics have been repeatedly targeted while on the job in the occupied West Bank, with at least 22 of them being killed since October 7, according to the organization.

Israel has once again come under intense international pressure to halt its deadly raids on the occupied West Bank, with the UN human rights office, (OHCHR) warning that the regime's latest hostilities risked further enflaming an "already explosive situation," in the occupied territory.

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Ankara-Damascus rapprochement in both nations' interests: Turkish defense minister

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 31 August 2024 1:21 PM

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler has expressed satisfaction with the process of rapprochement and restoration of diplomatic relations with Syria, stating that a quick normalization of mutual ties is in the interest of both neighboring countries.

On Saturday, Guler recalled Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement about his willingness to meet with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad, noting that Damascus has accepted Ankara's initiative positively.

He also described as "quite positive" the recent statements by the Syrian leader that rapprochement with Turkey requires mutual respect for sovereignty and a true commitment to addressing the root causes of tensions in bilateral relations between Damascus and Ankara.

"I don't think there is an insurmountable problem between us. Once we resolve our issues, we can continue our normal activities as neighboring countries. Resolution of the conflict will be in the interest of both sides," Guler stated.

Addressing the People's Assembly, Syria's legislative authority, on August 25, Assad said, "For any normalization of relations to occur, Turkey must reverse the policies that have led to the current situation, including the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory and the cessation of support for terrorist groups."

Assad emphasized that such issues are not mere conditions but fundamental requirements for successful diplomacy.

The Syrian leader also called for a formal agreement between Damascus and Ankara, which would outline the principles for future negotiations and ensure that all steps are aligned with international law and the sovereignty of both countries.

The normalization of relations between Ankara and Damascus commenced on December 28, 2022, marked by a meeting in Moscow involving the defense ministers of Russia, Syria, and Turkey. The gathering represented the most significant dialogue between the two nations since the onset of the Syrian conflict.

Since 2016, Turkey has undertaken three significant ground operations targeting militants in northern Syria who are supported by the United States.

The Turkish government asserts that the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militants have connections to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group.

Syria considers the Turkish presence on its soil to be illegal, saying it reserves the right to defend its sovereignty against the occupying forces.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has tied rapprochement with Turkey to Ankara's ending occupation of the northern parts of the Arab country and its support for militant groups wreaking havoc and fighting against the Damascus government.

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Palestinian resistance groups praise coordinated West Bank operations

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 31 August 2024 11:14 AM

Palestinian resistance groups have commended two separate retaliatory car bomb explosions that targeted the illegal Israeli settlements of Gush Etzion and Karmei Tzur in the southern part of the occupied West Bank.

According to the Israeli military, a car exploded at a gas station near the Gush Etzion junction in the first incident Friday. Troops dispatched to the scene shot dead a Palestinian, who had arrived in the vehicle and who purportedly attempted to attack them.

In the second incident, which occurred about 20 minutes later, another Palestinian breached into the nearby Karmei Tzur settlement, before being shot dead. The Palestinian man's car exploded inside the community.

Media reports said at least three Israeli settlers were injured in the two separate attacks.

Hamas said in a statement that the operations send a clear message that the resistance front will remain firm, strong and resilient as long as Israel continues its brutalities and acts of aggression against the Palestinian nation and occupied territories.

"The qualitative operations have profound significance as they were carried out in the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil, and came at a critical moment as the occupying entity has stepped up its aggression in the northern side of the West Bank, and intensified its massacres and genocide in the West Bank.

"These operations remind the Zionist regime of the fact that it cannot partition any part of our homeland, and that our people and heroic resistance fighters will surprise Israel anywhere and anytime," the statement read.

Hamas noted that the coordinated car bomb explosions represent a new blow to the Israeli security apparatus, and highlights that illegal settlers cannot enjoy security on occupied Palestinian lands and will continue to receive more painful strikes from Palestinian resistance fighters.

"We call upon our people and resistance groups to further confront and respond to the ongoing Israeli crimes. We are in the midst of the blessed al-Aqsa Storm battle, and must therefore unite all our efforts in order to deter the occupying Israeli regime and thwart its fiendish plots."

For its part, the Islamic Jihad resistance movement dismissed as "a futile attempt" the Israeli media outlets' campaign to downplay the repercussions of the operations.

"Their made-up stories will not change the reality. These attempts only reveal that the operations have put the Zionist entity's security and political services to shame," the Gaza-based group said.

"We reaffirm that the enemy's attempts to eliminate the resistance front, whether in the West Bank or Gaza, will fail. An end to the crimes being committed by the criminal Israeli regime is the core issue of surprise operations launched by resistance groups," it said in a statement.

The Palestinian Freedom Movement also stated that the operations are indicative of the fact that resistance fighters are present in all areas and that they are the ones who decide the timing, location and manner of their retaliatory attacks.

"We urge our people and resistance fighters to conduct more heroic operations in response to the Zionist regime's Nazi crimes, and step up actions aimed at jamming up the Israeli war machine. Through the establishment of deterrence, the occupying regime's aggression and malicious plans could be foiled," it said in a statement.

Since Israel unleashed a war on the besieged Gaza Strip in early October 2023, casualties have been rising in the West Bank as a result of intensified near-daily Israeli raids into villages and cities in the occupied territories.

According to Palestinian health officials, at least 670 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 5,400 others injured by Israeli forces in the West Bank since the outbreak of the war on Gaza.

Nineteen Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during raids over the same period, according to Israeli official figures.

On Saturday, Israel pressed on with a large-scale invasion of the West Bank for a fourth day on Saturday, as fierce fighting raged in the nearly 11-month Gaza war.

At least 20 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli troops since Wednesday in raids in several cities in the northern West Bank.

The dead included an 82-year-old man, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, and two teenagers, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent, which said another 55 had been wounded since the launch of the Israeli operation.

Since Friday, soldiers have concentrated their operations on the city of Jenin and its refugee camps.

In Gaza, Israel pushed forward with its onslaught despite a three-day pause announced by the UN World Health Organization (WHO) for polio vaccinations.

Gaza's civil defense agency said its rescuers pulled 29 bodies from the rubble since dawn and transported dozens of wounded to hospitals across the devastated Palestinian territory.

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Germany pulls out military forces from Niger

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 31 August 2024 9:29 AM

Germany has pulled out its military forces from the country of Niger in the restive Sahel region of Africa.

At a signing ceremony on Friday in Niamey, representatives from both the Nigerian and German Defense Ministries signed an agreement finalizing "the withdrawal of German troops and equipment from Niger."

Nigerien and German 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.

The Bundeswehr, Germany's army, said it removed the last 60 soldiers and equipment from Niger.

For eight years German soldiers had served in the international MINUSMA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali).

MINUSMA was established under the auspices of the United Nations on April 25, 2013 after the Tuareg rebellion of 2012. The UN peacekeeping mission was terminated on June 30, 2023.

Germany's airbase in Niamey, which served as a logistics center for the UN mission, had been staffed by up to 120 men and women at any one time. Since February 2016, some 3,200 German soldiers deployed to the airbase served in the region.

Last year on July 26, the country witnessed a coup d'etat widely supported by Malians, resulting in the removal and detention of pro-West president Mohamed Bazoum.

The Bundeswehr initially announced its decision to withdraw German troops in July, noting that it had no cooperative working agreement with the new military government.

In 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.

Negotiations between the two sides to extend that agreement broke down, notably because the German military would no longer benefit from immunity from prosecution.

The withdrawal of German troops from Niger followed the pullout of troops from the United States and France, the former colonial power.

Niger's coup was one of several in the region in the recent past as countries cut their traditional colonial ties linking them to Western imperialism.

In Niger, Russian "military trainers" have replaced the Western troops in Niamey.

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Republican Derrick Anderson and Democrat Eugene Vindman, vying for Virginias 7th District seat in Congress, have agreed to appear together in four public debates or forums, with a fifth pending, in a critical race that didnt wait for Labor Day to heat up.

Anderson is accusing Vindman of dodging joint appearances in the district after the Democrat declined to participate in a debate proposed by a local network television station in Arlington County. He said the debate at WJLA-TV, an ABC affiliate owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, would be the only one televised in the D.C. media market, including most of the 7th District.

Yevgeny Vindman is hiding from voters, he said in a Thursday statement, referring to Vindman by his Ukrainian name. The fact that he would decline to stand up on TV and debate should tell voters all they need to know about how hed govern if he were elected.

Vindmans campaign dismissed the criticism, noting that the campaigns were already negotiating over three joint appearances, including a confirmed debate at the University of Mary Washington, before Anderson proposed six earlier this week.

The notion that we are dodging debates or forums is ludicrous, given what has already been announced, Vindman campaign manager Jeremy Levinson told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Friday.

Anderson and Vindman are competing in a high-stakes race for the 7th District, which includes the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, Culpeper, Orange, Caroline, King George, Greene and Madison as well as parts of Albemarle and Prince William counties.

The seat opened up late last year when Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger announced she would run for governor in 2025 instead of seeking reelection to a fourth term in November. Anderson and Vindman captured their party nominations with convincing primary victories on June 18.

The campaigns have agreed to a forum proposed by the Fredericksburg Free Press and two local NAACP chapters on Sept. 16 in Fredericksburg, the University of Mary Washington debate on Oct. 2, a virtual forum conducted by ARC of Virginia on Oct. 7 and a Phi Beta Sigma fraternity forum in Manassas that has not yet been scheduled. Levinson said the campaign is still negotiating with the Culpeper NAACP on a debate proposed in Culpeper on Sept. 17.

Levinson said all of those appearances would be inside the district, while the proposed debate at WJLA would be outside of the district at its Arlington studio.

In the neighboring 10th Congressional District, based in Loudoun and Prince William counties, Democrat Suhas Subramanyam and Republican Mike Clancy will participate in a debate at WJLA on Sept. 26. They will also appear at a breakfast debate sponsored by the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 20 in Leesburg.

Subramanyam expects to participate in a third debate on Sept. 30, but it has not been announced.
At least 3 Israeli settlers injured in separate attacks in occupied West Bank

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 31 August 2024 2:30 AM

In two separate attacks, at least 3 Israeli settlers have been injured in the occupied West Bank.

Media reports said on Friday the incidents happened in two different Israeli settlements.

The first incident took place close to a gas station near Al-Quds where a vehicle exploded, injuring two settlers.

The Israeli military says the man behind the attack was shot and killed.

Separately, in an attempted car ramming attack a settler was injured near Al-Khalil.

The regime troops said the person responsible was shot and killed.

The operations come against the backdrop of Israel's large-scale incursion into the occupied West Bank.

The regime has killed over 670 Palestinians in the West Bank since it started genocide in the Gaza Strip last October.

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 40,600 people and wounded another 93,778 in the besieged Gaza Strip

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.

Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East al-Quds, areas Palestinians want for a future independent state, in a 1967 war.

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China, Philippines trade blame over "ramming" at disputed shoal

The Philippines says the incident is the fifth time China has harassed its vessels in the area in August.

By RFA Staff 2024.08.31 -- China and the Philippines traded accusations of ramming each other's vessels on Saturday at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, marking an apparent escalation in an already tense situation in the area.

Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea - part of South China Sea over which the Philippines claims jurisdiction - said that a Chinese coast guard vessel "deliberately rammed and collided" three times with a Philippine coast guard ship "despite no provocation" from the Philippine side.

The Philippine vessel, BRP Teresa Magbanua, has been on deployment at Sabina Shoal, known in the Philippines as Escoda Shoal, since April to monitor what the Philippines fears is China's plan to reclaim land at the shoal.

Tarriela told a press briefing in Manila that the incident was the fifth case of harassment by China of Philippine ships operating in the area in August. He said there were no reports of any injuries to Philippine personnel.

A Chinese coast guard spokesperson accused the Philippines of provocation at the shoal, which both sides claim but which lies entirely within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, or EEZ, where the Philippines holds rights to explore for natural resources.

The Chinese coast guard ship 5205 "lawfully issued verbal warnings and conducted monitoring and control measures" against the Philippine ship which "continued its provocations at China's Xianbin Jiao," Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said, referring to the shoal by its Chinese name.

At around midday, the Philippine ship "deliberately rammed into the Chinese ship 5205 in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, causing a collision for which the Philippines bears full responsibility," Liu said.

Sabina Shoal has in recent days become the latest flashpoint between the Philippines, a close U.S. ally, and China in the South China Sea, raising concerns about conflict between the neighbors.

The U.S. has spoken in support of Manila, with Ambassador MaryKay Carlson saying in a statement that Washington "condemns the multiple dangerous violations of international law" by China, including Saturday's incident.

"We stand with the Philippines in upholding international law," she added.

Less than a week ago, Philippine officials said another ship - the BRP Datu Sanday - "encountered aggressive and dangerous maneuvers from eight Chinese maritime forces" while attempting to deliver diesel, food and medical supplies to Filipino fishermen operating near the shoal.

China has repeatedly accused the Philippines of "illegally grounding" the BRP Teresa Magbanua in order to "forcibly occupy" the shoal. China on Friday released an ecological report to back its claim to the feature that officials said is a Chinese island.

Jason Gutierrez in Manila contributed to this story. Edited by RFA staff.

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.

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UN Vows To Remain Engaged In Afghanistan Despite Taliban's Latest Restrictions On Women

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi August 31, 2024

The United Nations said it will continue to engage with all parties in Afghanistan, including the Taliban, even after the hard-line rulers issued a "distressing" new morality law that severely bans women's activities in public.

"We have been very vocal on the decision to further make women's presence almost disappear in Afghanistan," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a news conference in New York on August 31.

"In terms of the contacts with the de facto authorities...we will continue to engage with all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including the Taliban."

"We have always done so following our mandate. And I would say impartially and in good faith, always upholding the norms of the UN, pushing the messages of human rights and equality. And we will continue our work as mandated by the Security Council," he added.

Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said on August 25 that the laws presented a "distressing vision" for Afghanistan's future.

The laws expand the "already intolerable restrictions" on the rights of women and girls -- with "even the sound of a female voice" in public deemed a violation of morality laws.

The Taliban has attempted to police the public appearances and behavior of millions of Afghans, especially women, since seizing power in 2021.

Enforcement of the extremist group's rules governing morality, including its strict Islamic dress code and gender segregation in society, was sporadic and uneven across the country.

But on August 21, the hard-line Islamist group formally codified into law its long set of draconian restrictions, triggering fear among Afghans of stricter enforcement.

The Law on the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice imposes severe restrictions on the appearances, behavior, and movement of women. The law also enforces constraints on men.

Taliban leaders say the laws are based on their interpretation of Shari'a law.

Several leading Afghan clerics have come out publicly to oppose the latest restrictions.

Mawlawi Abdul Sami Ghaznavi, said it was the Taliban's "responsibility to create favorable conditions for women's education."

On August 27, the UN Human Commission on Human Rights demanded that the "repressive law be immediately repealed."

"This is utterly intolerable," it said.

"We call on the de facto authorities to immediately repeal this legislation, which is in clear violation of Afghanistan's obligations under international human rights law."

With reporting by AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-women-unama-taliban- morality/33100882.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.

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Azerbaijan's Second Snap Vote Since Karabakh Victory Could Further Signal Democratic Dead-End

By RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service and Andy Heil August 31, 2024

Azerbaijan holds parliamentary elections on September 1 that will almost certainly be dominated by allies -- and their children -- eager to help President Ilham Aliyev further consolidate his dynastic rule.

The carefully vetted process offers Azerbaijan's 6 million-plus voters limited alternatives to Aliyev loyalists and comes early in a fifth term built for decades on petro-wealth and carefully choreographed elections, and more recently on the culmination of a generation-defining dispute with neighboring Armenia.

Many Azerbaijanis and outsiders speculated that a resolution of the "Karabakh question," ending the post-Soviet world's longest-running frozen conflict, could offer a chance for rejuvenating democratic impulses in Baku even if Aliyev remained firmly in place.

But the absence of any "genuine alternative" to the 62-year-old Aliyev's re-election in February, Baku's bitter fallout with the Council of Europe's rights- and democracy-promotion arm PACE, and its recent encouragement of Moscow and embrace of the BRICS alliance all suggest otherwise.

Moreover, the emergence of a handful of children of aging, establishment-linked lawmakers vying to replace their fathers in this weekend's parliamentary elections could portend a whole new generation of Azerbaijani elites beholden to Aliyev and his system.

And a crackdown on journalists and civil-society activists since the repatriation of Nagorno-Karabakh last year is being likened to a notorious spate of jailings and harassment a decade earlier, only broader.

"It just seems to be trying to clear everyone [else] out," Michael Runey, an adviser on democracy assessment for the intergovernmental International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), told RFE/RL. "That's really a sign of a government that's trying to wipe out any sort of independent organization in society."

He cited recent arrests including that of Bahruz Samadov, a 29-year-old Azerbaijani doctoral student abroad accused of high treason, apparently over critical statements about the 2020 war and 2023 military operations around Nagorno-Karabakh.

In metrics like representation, rule of law, and participation, Runey said, Azerbaijan already fared poorly. There were hopes that a more democratic path might open once the Karabakh conflict was resolved, he said, but "people are experiencing that this is not the case."

Instead, he warned, "the government is attempting to consolidate and close off any sort of possible avenues for democratization."

Runey said that especially since retaking Karabakh last year, "I feel like the government in Baku feels they just don't really need to placate the West anymore."

Baku's tightly controlled analytical community routinely describes Aliyev's recent moves as "independent foreign policy," as opposed to any turn away from the West and toward Russia or other authoritarian counterparts by a key oil and gas provider in an unstable corner of the former Soviet Union.

Western observers have consistently criticized elections cementing Aliyev's reign as undemocratic, and Azerbaijani votes stretching back to 2003 and as recently as 2020 have been marred by violence.

As a result, Aliyev's New Azerbaijan Party -- which is formally chaired by first lady and Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva -- and an assemblage of loyalist parties have dominated the 125-seat National Assembly.

The leading opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP) is staying away from "the government's masquerade of a fraudulent election" for the seventh straight time. But the Musavat Party is participating despite serial problems like obstacles to monitoring, campaigning and media that is heavily skewed toward the ruling party, and serious election-day irregularities, saying, "Even if only five or 10 people show up, the election will be considered as held" because of the lack of any turnout threshold since 2003 .

At least a handful of next-generation elites are likely to join the existing loyalist ranks in parliament. Candidates in the September 1 vote reportedly include Samir Ahmadoglu Valiyev, a son of former lawmaker and university rector Ahmad Valiyev; Mahir Tahiroglu Suleymanli, a son of influential former lawmaker Tahir Suleymanov; and Gunay Agamali, who is running to replace her father, Fazail Agamali, a nearly 30-year parliamentary veteran and Motherland Party leader who is said to be stepping down for health reasons. Aygun Manyeva, the daughter of a former legislator who is now a member of the Central Election Commission, initially appeared on the New Azerbaijan Party list but reportedly withdrew her candidacy.

Aliyev has ruled Azerbaijan since taking over from his dying father in 2003 and won a new seven-year term in a snap vote seen by international observers as deeply flawed.

Written and with reporting by Andy Heil with additional reporting by RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan- elections-aliyev-democracy/33098431.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.

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Moldova 'Confident' Of Democratic Vote Despite Warnings

By RFE/RL August 31, 2024

Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi has expressed confidence that Moldovan authorities and society can ensure smooth and democratic elections despite fears of Russian meddling when voters go to the polls in three months to pick a president and weigh in on EU aspirations.

Senior Moldovan officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of hybrid and other attempts to undermine the pro-Western government in Chisinau -- including through covert operations and influence campaigns -- since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine in early 2022.

Reform-minded President Maia Sandu is running for reelection on October 20 in a vote that will coincide with a referendum asking Moldovans if they want the pursuit of EU membership enshrined in the constitution.

"We are confident...like in previous elections, when we've had challenges, but we've always had democratic elections," Popsoi told RFE/RL at the Globsec security conference in Prague on August 31, after acknowledging the perceived risk from Russian and pro-Russian elements.

"And democratic standards for elections are sacrosanct in Moldova," he added.

The United States, in particular, has warned of alleged Russian plans to use disinformation to interfere in the October voting to derail Moldova's significant progress on reforms.

Moldova lies between Ukraine and Romania and has been riven for decades by a pro-Russian breakaway leadership in its Transdniester region, where Russia maintains hundreds of troops at a former Soviet weapons depot.

"We are working with our electorate, campaigning, explaining, the risks and the threats that Moldova faces in a democratic environment, in a competitive democratic space, which unfortunately the pro-Russian candidates would not be able to enjoy in Russia," Popsoi said.

Moldovan authorities initially banned a party founded by fugitive businessman Ihan Shor, a 37-year-old entrepreneur convicted in Moldova of masterminding the theft in 2014 of around $1 billion in banking assets who has since resettled in Russia.

But critics have also suggested that pro-Russian parties are trying to unseat Sandu and her allies but also use the threat of unrest to destabilize the vote.

"Of course there might be attempts, but as long as there is a democratic election, our citizens have learned through many iterations to accept the outcomes of elections," Popsoi said. "You may not like it, but it's a democratic election."

U.S. officials have said the election will be "historic and pivotal" for the country of around 3 million people.

"We are optimistic that our citizens, by and large the majority, know to make the difference between right and wrong," Popsoi said. "And those that may be full victims to certain instrumentalizations by the Kremlin will not be large enough to cause any significant troubles."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-elections-popsoi-russia- democracy/33100940.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.

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Taking Heat From Allies, Kosovo President Blames 'Dark Forces'

By Krenare Cubolli and Andy Heil August 31, 2024

PRAGUE -- Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani has defended her country's right to protect its sovereignty in line with its constitution but acknowledged that the success and sustainability of those efforts depend on better cooperation with allies.

Kosovar authorities have increasingly imposed central authority over aspects of daily life in the north of the Balkan country where many Serbs, who are a majority locally, are resisting recognition of Kosovo's independence, which was declared by its ethnic Albanian majority in 2008.

The moves have drawn blunt criticism from partly recognized Kosovo's Western partners as being uncoordinated and unilateral and potentially harmful to decadelong international efforts to help normalize Serbian-Kosovar relations.

Speaking to RFE/RL's Kosovo Service at the Globsec security conference in Prague on August 31, Osmani cautioned against allowing "any dark force, any state that has malicious intentions toward Kosovo and the region, to create division between us and our allies."

She was responding to criticism from the United States, the European Union, and Britain, Germany, and France over Kosovar security forces' closure on August 30 of five so-called "parallel" facilities in majority-Serb municipalities.

"The situation in the north of Kosovo is very challenging, because according to the 2013 agreement, which requires all illegal structures to be dismantled, [those illegal structures] have been strengthened by [Serbian President Aleksandar] Vucic in this decade and have turned into mafia groups that challenge security and sovereignty but also the very lives of citizens living in the north of the country."

Neighboring Serbia -- along with Russia, China, and a few EU member states -- does not recognize Kosovo's sovereignty and continues to encourage Kosovar Serbs' reliance on Belgrade for shadow institutions that Pristina calls illegal.

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti's government has called the shuttered facilities a violation of the country's constitution and laws, an accusation that echoes recent crackdowns on the use of Serbian dinars and Serbian postal and bank outlets by the tens of thousands of ethnic Serbs in the area.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien this week urged Kurti once again to stop "uncoordinated actions that negatively affect our partnership."

Washington has been among Pristina's strongest allies since independence but has signaled increasing frustration with the Kurti government's actions over the past 18 months, when violence has erupted that has pitted Serbs against Kosovar authorities and sometimes NATO KFOR peacekeepers.

"This separation, in the long term, costs Kosovo a lot," Osmani told RFE/RL. "Kosovo has the opportunity to be successful in extending its sovereignty, together with its allies. More communication, more consultation, more coordination is required."

Serbian and others' refusal to recognize Kosovo's statehood costs Pristina deeply and blocks its integration into international institutions.

But a failure to resolve the impasse through the mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is also hindering Serbia's EU accession efforts -- a point Vucic reiterated on August 31 was "a very difficult issue for us."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-osmani-serbs-globsec- vucic-kurti-kfor/33100924.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.

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Montenegrin President Says EU Shares Early Outlook On Membership

By Andy Heil August 31, 2024

PRAGUE -- Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic predicted on August 31 that his Balkan nation of under a million people will join the European Union within the next five years.

He also told the audience at the Globsec security conference in the Czech capital that he had spoken with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen the previous day and suggested she agrees.

Von der Leyen addressed the same forum in Prague on August 30.

"Now I truly believe, and I think that she also believes, that Montenegro can and will become [an EU] member state during her mandate," Milatovic said.

Von der Leyen was recently approved for a second five-year stint as president of the EU's executive arm, which should keep her in the post into the latter half of 2029.

She has not publicly commented on any discussions this week with Milatovic.

Speaking on a separate panel on August 31, the EU special representative for the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, said Montenegro's goal of accession in 2028 was "realistic."

Montenegro has been an EU candidate country since 2010 and has long been regarded as a front-runner for the first wave of bloc expansion since Croatia joined in 2013.

Momentum waned for years over enlargement despite Balkan enthusiasm as the bloc grappled with its own internal problems, but it has publicly increased since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began early in 2022.

Milatovic, 37, a former finance minister elected president in early 2023, suggested at a panel discussion beside Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic that "size matters" in terms of the bloc's ability to absorb new members and Montenegro is the smallest of the Western Balkan aspirants.

But, describing himself as an "optimist" and Vucic a "pessimist" on EU enlargement, he also said Montenegro had been using the euro and aligning its foreign and security policies with the European Union for decades and been a NATO member since 2017.

Montenegro is the region's only EU aspirant to have opened all of its negotiating chapters with the European Union, Milatovic said, although he acknowledged it had closed just three.

But Milatovic added that his country had passed key barometers on rule of law and "there is a hope that by the end of the year we will be ble to close a few new chapters."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/montenegro-eu-membership- leyen-milatovic/33100826.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.

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Vucic Denies Close Ties To Putin, Says Serbia Is No 'Trojan Horse' For Russia

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service August 31, 2024

PRAGUE -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic denied having close links to Russian President Vladimir Putin and repeatedly batted back the notion that his EU candidate country was a "Trojan horse" for Moscow despite its refusal to join European sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine and other differences with the bloc.

Speaking at the Globsec conference in Prague on August 31, Vucic said he hadn't met or spoken to Putin in at least the two and a half years since Russian troops rolled across the Ukrainian border in February 2022.

"There are no 'both sides,'" Vucic said. "We are on the EU path. Yes, we have traditionally very good ties -- and we are not hiding it and I'm not ashamed of that -- with Russia; it has always been the case between Serbs and Russians."

He said that, while he'd recently had a "great" conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was also in Prague this week, "Nobody in Europe agrees with me on this issue, but everybody in Europe understands my position."

He added that he thinks Serbia has implemented its growth and reform agenda "better than anyone else."

Serbia and Turkey are the only EU candidate countries that have avoided imposing sanctions on Russia.

Serbian officials, particularly current Vice Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin, have maintained close ties with Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine.

Alongside his Montenegrin counterpart in Prague, President Jakov Milatovic, Vucic called on his EU partners to show more trust in Serbia's intention to join.

He said the process depends not on Serbia's relations with Russia but primarily on normalizing relations with Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008. Belgrade does not recognize its former province's sovereignty.

"Yes, we are on [an] EU path, and the biggest problem for Serbia...is our relationship with Pristina," Vucic said. "It's not all this stuff on Ukraine, because all these big political decisionmakers, they know everything."

"It's all about this, and this is a very difficult issue for us; everybody knows it," Vucic said.

Kosovo and Serbia have been negotiating normalization since 2011 through the Brussels dialogue, supervised by the EU.

"The goal is to establish mutual trust between Serbia and the EU, not to view Serbia as a Russian 'Trojan horse,'" Vucic said.

Vucic disagreed with Milatovic regarding the EU perspective. Milatovic took an "optimistic position," predicting that Montenegro could become an EU member by 2029, while Vucic said Serbian integration would not be possible before 2030.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/vucic-serbia- russia-putin-eu/33100827.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.

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No Ceasefire in Gaza for Polio Vaccination Says Netanyahu's Office

Sputnik News

20240831

TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied reports of an alleged complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the purpose of vaccinating the population against polio, noting that limited zones will be allocated for safe vaccination for a short period.

"Reports about a general ceasefire in order to administer polio vaccines in Gaza are false. Israel will allow a humanitarian corridor only, through which vaccination personnel may pass; designated safe areas will also be established for administering the vaccines during certain hours," the statement says.

The Prime Minister's Office added that Israel attached great importance to preventing a polio outbreak in the Gaza Strip, including with the aim of preventing the spread of epidemics throughout the region.

Polio reemerged in Gaza after being eradicated for 25 years following Israel's bombardment of Gaza, which has damaged or destroyed every hospital in the enclave. Water treatment and desalination facilities have also been targeted and destroyed by Israeli forces, forcing Palestinians to rely on contaminated water to survive. In July, six out of seven sewage samples taken in Gaza tested positive for polio.

The first case confirmed case was a 10-month old baby who had paralysis of a leg. Polio is highly contagious and medical professionals warned it could spread outside of Gaza. They suspect thousands of Palestinians have already been exposed to the virus. Israel has been vaccinating their soldiers against polio for weeks.

Israel continued its airstrikes on Gaza on Saturday, killing at least 61 people in the Gaza strip according to local health authorities. Another 22 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank since Wednesday, when Israel launched a siege of the refugee camps and towns in Jenin, Nablus, Tubas and Tulkarem.

 Sputnik

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Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill 89, Injure 205 Over 48 Hours - Health Ministry

Sputnik News

20240831

CAIRO (Sputnik) - At least 89 people have been killed and another 205 injured in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in the past two days, the enclave's health ministry said on Saturday.

"Over the past 48 hours, the Israeli occupation forces have committed five mass murders of families in the Gaza Strip. Eighty-nine dead and 205 injured have been admitted to hospitals," the ministry said.

This brings the Palestinian death toll in Gaza up to 40,691, with more than 94,000 others injured since Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel estimated that some 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others taken hostage in the onslaught.

In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip. Israel declared a total blockade of the enclave, cutting the supply of water, electricity, fuel, food, and medicines to the besieged enclave.

 Sputnik

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When Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine walks in the annual Labor Day parade in Buena Vista on Monday, he is likely to see a face that hes going to get to know well in the next 66 days before Election Day on Nov. 5.

The parade could mark the first time that Kaine, a Democrat who is seeking reelection to a third term in the U.S. Senate, meets Hung Cao, the Republican candidate trying to unseat him with an endorsement from former President Donald Trump at the top of the GOP ticket.

Kaine also is getting some help from the top of the Democratic ticket, transformed in the past six weeks by the sudden ascension of Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee after President Joe Biden stepped aside under pressure from senior Democrats concerned about his age after a disastrous debate with Trump on June 27.

Harris, after accepting the nomination at the Democratic National Convention late last month in Chicago, is trying to ride the energy of a revived and unified Democratic Party as it seeks to maintain its grip on Virginias 13 electoral votes, maintain its Senate majority and flip control of the House of Representatives.

Labor Day sparks the traditional sprint to Election Day, with early voting commencing Sept. 20. While Democrats have carried Virginia in four consecutive presidential elections, Republicans believe the state is up for grabs.

I think we have a really good chance, and a better chance, frankly, with Kamala, than we did, Kaine said in a recent interview with reporters and editors at the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Trump and his Republican allies insist that Virginia, which voted for Biden by 10 percentage points four years ago, is now in play from the top of the ticket down to a handful of competitive House races in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

They point to the appearance of Gwen Walz, wife of the Democratic vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, at an education conference in Manassas on Friday, and a visit by second gentleman Doug Emhoff to Newport News on Labor Day. Emhoff and Kaine will join U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott as the 3rd District Democrat holds his 47th annual Labor Day cookout in the city on the Virginia Peninsula.

I think its in play because this weekend you have both Democratic spouses barnstorming in Virginia, state Republican Party Chairman Rich Anderson told the Times-Dispatch on Thursday.

Democrats note that the Gwen Walz and Emhoff visits are meant, in part, to underscore the coming start of early voting.

In addition, Tim Walz and Gwen Walz attended a campaign fundraiser Friday night at the Fairfax County home of former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

Trump stopped at a Vietnamese restaurant in Falls Church on Monday with Cao, Kaines opponent.

Is Virginia in play?

Jeff Ryer, Virginia spokesman for the campaign of Trump and his running mate Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, noted that the campaign has opened 19 offices across the state and said, Virginia is officially a battleground.

Both presidential campaigns are waging the most aggressive campaigns Virginia voters have seen since 2012, Ryer said. After months of denying the obvious, Democrats now realize a state they thought was safely blue isnt.

Democrats are focusing on something else: a surge in people offering to volunteer for the Harris-Walz campaign, with more than 11,000 people offering their time to knock on doors, make phone calls, host campaign parties and distribute yard signs. Already, Democrats say theyve knocked on more than 100,000 doors in two months, opened 25 campaign field offices and hired close to 100 staff.

Im seeing energy and enthusiasm that, quite frankly, was not there a few months ago, state Democratic Party Chair Susan Swecker told the Times-Dispatch.

Jake Rubenstein, director of the Harris-Walz campaign in Virginia, said the campaign isnt taking any voters for granted, but noted that Trump lost two previous presidential races in Virginia.

Were seeing unprecedented energy and enthusiasm across Virginia  and just like Democrats have done every time Trump has been on the ballot here, we will defeat Trump and his extreme agenda again, Rubenstein said.

Kaine thinks Biden could have won in Virginia, but he said his internal polling showed the presidents 6-percentage-point lead turning into a dead heat two weeks after the presidents June 27 debate with Trump.

But he said Harris regained that 6-point margin in the senators internal polling after Biden stepped aside on July 21. Now, Kaine said, Democrats have not just unity, but we have energy.

Republicans take heart in the poll that Roanoke College released almost two weeks ago, showing Harris leading by 3 percentage points, but with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

Anderson said the Trump campaign is putting money into opening offices and hiring staff  something he said they didnt do in 2020 when Virginia proved out of reach.

This year, its margin of error, neck and neck, he said.

Larry Sabato, president of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, doesnt buy it. Sabato rates the state as likely Democrat. So does the Cook Political Report. The 538  an ABC News measure of polling, election and demographic data  estimates that Harris would win in Virginia 81 of 100 times.

I think thats about right, Sabato said.

Edward Lynch, a political scientist at Hollins University, said the close margin in the Roanoke College poll indicates that Virginia warrants increased attention from both campaigns.

Biden won the state by 10 points in 2020, so Trump is 7 points ahead of where he was, Lynch told the Times-Dispatch. I know that the Trump campaign has an extensive and fairly sophisticated system in place to drive turnout, and I have not seen evidence of a similar effort by the Democrats.

They may be relying on Kaine to get out the vote, but since Virginians are notorious ticket-splitters, that may not be enough. Republicans, for their part, will hope [Gov. Glenn] Youngkin can inspire a high level of enthusiasm among the GOP, he continued.

I dont know if Virginia will see visits from Trump or Harris, but I think its a near certainty well see Vance and Walz, he added.

Swecker said: Every day we have people knocking on doors and staying late to text and call folks across the state in a highly targeted manner to turn them out to vote and vote early. If that isnt sophisticated, I dont know what is.

Mark Rozell, dean of the Schaar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, thinks Virginia is competitive, but still likely to go Democratic in the presidential race in November. He cautions that a year after Biden won the state by 10 percentage points, Youngkin became the first Republican elected governor in Virginia in 12 years.

Presidential turnout traditionally peaks in Virginia in presidential campaigns.

I cant discount the intensity of the enthusiasm in the Democratic base that was not there with Biden, Rozell told the Times-Dispatch. I dont think theres any doubt that Democrats have improved their prospects with a new candidate who has brought a surge of energy.

Chris Saxman, a former Republican delegate and current executive director of Virginia FREE, a pro-business organization, thinks the state is still gettable for Republicans, but said that will depend on their own surge in October and on Election Day itself. He expects Democrats to put a big effort into turnout for early voting.

Right now, Id definitely put it in the lean category for Democrats, Saxman told the Times-Dispatch. Its not put away yet. The swing vote can swing back.

Congressional contests

All agree that the race at the top of the ticket will strongly affect what happens in the races for Congress.

Cao, a retired U.S. Navy captain from Loudoun County, is counting on support from Trumps campaign to counter Kaines advantage in name recognition after 30 years in public office, from Richmond City Hall to the Virginia Capitol to the U.S. Capitol. Cao spoke at the Republican National Convention last month in Milwaukee and appeared last week with the former president at Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnamese restaurant in Falls Church.

The Roanoke College poll showed Kaine leading by 11 percentage points, but Caos campaign thinks the gap is narrower and surmountable if he can deliver his message to voters.

Cao has a dramatic personal story as a veteran who came to the U.S. with his family as a refugee from the Communist takeover in Vietnam.

Hes running because he believes in freedom, and hes fighting for the country that saved his life, campaign spokeswoman Brittany Yanick told the Times-Dispatch.

Capt. Caos campaign is very much driven by small-dollar donors all over the commonwealth and, in fact, all over the country, Yanick said. In the lead-up to Nov. 5, we will focus on telling Capt. Caos story and getting his message out to as many Virginians as possible on the ground and on the airwaves.

Kaine has a big financial advantage, having raised almost $16 million with $7.8 million in the bank on June 30. In contrast, Cao had raised $3 million and had less than a half-million dollars in hand at the end of June.

Cao will need help from the national party, but Saxman doesnt see him getting it. They wont be spending any money on Cao, he said.

Both parties are also focusing on congressional races, especially the 2nd District seat in Hampton Roads, where Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans faces Democrat Missy Cotter Smasal, and the 7th District seat in Northern Virginia, currently held by Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger who is running for governor next year instead of reelection this year for a fourth term.

Spanberger, who plans to attend Scotts Labor Day cookout in Newport News, also is out on the campaign trail, both as a gubernatorial candidate but also on behalf of Democratic congressional candidates. She is unopposed for the Democratic nomination, but if nominated, she is likely to face either Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears or Attorney General Jason Miyares next year.

Earle-Sears said she plans to attend the Labor Day parade in Buena Vista, a political rite in the small city surrounded by Rockbridge County, and the Labor Day parade in nearby Covington. Miyares office has not released his plans for the holiday.

Spanberger has made multiple appearances in the 7th District for Democrat Eugene Vindman, who faces Republican Derrick Anderson in an election that could determine the control of the House. Inside Elections recently rated the race as a toss-up instead of tilt Democratic. Both candidates are U.S. Army veterans in a district heavily populated by active-duty military and retired veterans, as well as federal government employees and contractors.

Spanberger says she is focusing on issues such as protecting federal employees and the communities where they live from Trumps promise to move more than 100,000 federal workers out of the Washington area and convert civil service jobs to political appointments. Virginia is home to about 140,000 federal employees, including 60,000 in the 7th District.

Good luck in Virginia, she said of Trumps prospects.

In the 7th, based in Prince William, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, Vindman also has raised concerns about Trumps plans for the federal workforce. Anderson has vowed to oppose any legislation that could weaken national security, raise the cost of living, or hurt VA-7 jobs  regardless of which party proposes it.

Over the holiday weekend, both candidates plan to attend the Taste of the Mountains festival in Madison County and a rodeo in Culpeper County on Saturday. Vindmans campaign plans also to include a barbershop tour and Hispanic Heritage festival in Fredericksburg on Saturday and a Northern Virginia Labor Federation picnic on Sunday. Anderson plans to visit small businesses in the district.

Im fired up to bring this election home, Vindman said Thursday.

Kaine said he expects Harris to boost chances for Vindman in the 7th; Smasal, who is challenging Kiggans in the 2nd; and Democratic state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam who is vying with Republican Mike Clancy for the 10th District seat that Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton is vacating for serious health reasons.

Cook Political Report rates the 7th as lean Democrat and the 2nd lean Republican. (Inside Elections rates the 2nd as tilt Republican.) Cook rates the 10th as solidly Democratic.

As Republicans eye the 7th and the 10th, the 2nd District is the Democrats best Virginia opportunity to pick up a seat in the House, now narrowly controlled by Republicans.

I think Kamala can win the 2nd, and if she wins the 2nd, that gives Missy a real fighting chance, Kaine said.

Republicans are focused on flipping the 7th, which Rozell called a tough one for Democrats.

That one is going to need as much help from the top of the ticket as possible, he said.

The same is true of Republican candidates with Trump.

If Virginia goes for the top of the ticket, I would think it would have some coattails, said Del. Geary Higgins, a Loudoun Republican and former chairman of the 10th District Republican Committee.

However, Rozell said, Its hard to imagine Trump getting the kind of numbers in Virginia that would make the outcomes different down ticket.

Thats why Sabato is not expecting any Virginia surprises in November.

Its not a hotbed of change this year, he said.

Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Dave Ress contributed to this story.
Israeli airstrikes kill dozens in Gaza as polio vaccination campaign begins

By VOA News August 31, 2024

Israeli airstrikes Saturday killed at least 42 people in central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip, the enclave's civil defense agency said, as fierce fighting continues ahead of a massive polio vaccination campaign.

The United Nations is preparing to inoculate about 640,000 children in Gaza against polio. The campaign is contingent on daily 8-hour breaks in fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas that are to start Sunday, but one vaccination event began Saturday.

"There must be a cease-fire so that the teams can reach everyone targeted by this campaign," said Gaza's deputy health minister, Dr. Yousef Abu Al-Rish. He implored the international community to push for an end to the violence.

Later Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement saying, "Israel will allow a humanitarian corridor only" and "areas will be established that will be safe for administering the vaccines for a few hours."

Nearly three-quarters of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced by the war that began after Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in an October 7 attack on Israel. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 107 hostages, including 42 the military says are dead.

Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 40,600 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. Gaza health officials have said women and children make up the bulk of the dead; Israel has said most of the dead are combatants.

Violence in West Bank

In the occupied West Bank, the Israeli military announced Saturday that two Palestinians were killed overnight while allegedly preparing bombings. Their deaths came on the fourth day of a major Israeli military operation aimed at stopping attacks by Iranian-backed militant groups.

Since the operation began Wednesday, at least 23 Palestinians, including fighters and civilians, have been killed, the Israeli military said Saturday.

Israel has said its West Bank operation is to protect Israeli civilians from attack by Iranian-backed militant groups, including near settlements largely seen as illegal by the international community.

Hamas praised a recent operation in the southern West Bank as "heroic." Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas, called the operation a "coordinated attack."

Israel's operations have focused on Jenin and its refugee camps, which are known for their resistance against Israeli forces.

On Saturday morning, an Agence France-Presse photographer in Jenin reported ongoing clashes. He said the streets were mostly empty except for armored vehicles, including one blocking the path leading to the government hospital.

Airstrike in southern Gaza

In southern Gaza, the group American Near East Refugee Aid, also known as Anera, said that an Israeli airstrike killed four Palestinians on Friday in the lead vehicle of a convoy delivering food and fuel to a hospital.

Anera said the convoy was following a "coordinated and cleared transport plan" with unarmed security guards. Israeli authorities said the vehicle was carrying weapons. Despite the attack, the convoy delivered aid to the Emirati-run hospital in Rafah.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, warned that attacks on aid workers are severely limiting aid delivery in Gaza.

OCHA underscored that the attacks endanger aid workers and impede efforts to assist more than 2 million people in need.

VOA's Margaret Besheer and Natasha Mozgovaya contributed to this story. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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Djibouti offers port to defuse Ethiopia-Somalia tension

By Harun Maruf August 31, 2024

Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf says his country has a proposal that could solve the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia.

In an interview with VOA's Horn of Africa Service, Youssouf said his country has offered to give Ethiopia access to the port of Tadjoura, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the border with Ethiopia.

He said Djibouti and other countries such as Turkey have been trying to solve the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, which ignited at the beginning of this year when Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the breakaway region of Somaliland, a deal Somalia sees as an infringement to its sovereignty.

Under the deal, Somaliland would lease 20 kilometers (12 miles) of shoreline to Ethiopia in return for recognition, according to Somaliland officials.

Ethiopia already relies on Djibouti's main port to import most of its goods, using four different terminals, said Youssouf, who is a candidate for the African Union Commission chairperson.

"Djibouti is even ready to hand over a new port, a brand-new port that has been built, a brand-new corridor to the northern border of Djibouti, that corridor will be very helpful to Ethiopia, at least to decrease the cost of transport," he said.

"Djibouti is even ready to consider a mix-management of the port with Ethiopia," he added.

After no agreement was reached following two rounds of talks in Turkey, Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Taye Atske Selassie said he is a confident that "Ethiopia's legitimate interests to secure dependable access to and from the sea will be fulfilled peacefully in cooperation with our neighbors."

Somalia is willing to accept giving commercial sea access to Ethiopia but rules out any naval base, said Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

"If Ethiopia wants access to Somalia sea, we welcome it. But we want Ethiopia to have access the same way that Uganda has access to Kenya sea, the same way that Burundi and Rwanda have access to Tanzania sea ... and the same way Ethiopia has access to Djibouti sea," he said.

"We are not accepting anything beyond that," he added.

Youssouf said Djibouti put the port proposal on the table a month ago and informed Ethiopian leaders, who responded.

"The response we get is a positive one, so they are considering the technicalities of it, so we will certainly in a few days' time or in [a] few weeks, sit down again and put the final adjustments to the formula and see how we can help," he said.

Djibouti is a small Horn of Africa country in a strategic maritime location. It hosts military bases for France, the United States, Italy, Japan and China. Youssouf said his country hosts these five militaries because it is neutral and because the maritime route between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden faces threats from militants, Houthis and, sometimes, piracy.

"The presence of those naval bases in Djibouti is first and foremost to protect, you know, and guarantees the safety of navigation in the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb," he said.

Asked if Djibouti's offer includes a naval base for Ethiopia, Youssouf said, "No."

"I mean it's [a] small country, which is already crowded, so we have even turned down from other countries  India, Russia, and we told them that it's a very small place, so we don't want to create any friction, any tension between those who are already present," he said.

"We need to keep [a] conducive environment for those who are already present to protect the strait of Bab el-Mandeb and fight all kind[s] of illegal acts."

Youssouf said Djibouti's proposal is based on a plan to restore the "good relationship" that used to exist between Ethiopia and Somalia.

The foreign ministries of Somalia and Ethiopia did not immediately respond to VOA requests for comment.

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Kyrgyzstan resettlement of Uzbekistan enclave gets mixed reviews

By VOA News August 31, 2024

While Kyrgyz state media have portrayed the recent resettlement of residents of a Kyrgyz enclave in Uzbekistan in glowing terms, a different picture emerged during a VOA visit to the residents' new home.

At issue is Barak, a Kyrgyz hamlet of less than 1,000 inhabitants in Uzbekistan that was moved in April as part of a border deal with Uzbekistan.

Barak is one of a number of parcels of land shared by Soviet Central Asian republics that, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, became problematic. The Uzbek territories of Shakhimardan, Sokh, Qalacha, and Jangail are all located within Kyrgyzstan's Batken province. Vorukh and Western Qalacha, two Tajik districts, are also surrounded by Batken province. Tajikistan's Sarvak lies within Uzbekistan's Fergana province. Enclave residents have long complained about stiff border control measures by the Central Asian governments that have hampered travel and trade. As a result, the enclaves often become flashpoints for border-related confrontations.

Nurgul, a Barak primary school teacher who only provided her first name, described to VOA the difficulties of living in Barak, which was connected to Kyrgyzstan by a 3-kilometer road through Uzbekistani territory.

"To reach Kyrgyzstan, we had to cross several border and police checkpoints. Border guards frequently closed the road, and this left Barak without food and medicine for weeks." She added that, exhausted by such difficulties, some of her relatives left Barak to resettle in Kyrgyzstan's Osh province, about 20 kilometers away, in 2018.

In late 2022, in accordance with a Kyrgyz-Uzbek border agreement, Barak's territory was absorbed by Uzbekistan. In exchange, Kyrgyzatan received an equivalent parcel of land from Uzbekistan.

In November 2022, Kyrgyz officials said that Barak residents would be permanently resettled in a new village in Osh province.

The new settlement is called Jany Barak, or "New Barak" in Kyrgyz. Construction began in April and was to be completed by August 31, the anniversary of Kyrgyzstan's independence.

Osh provincial Governor Elchibek Jantaev told local media in April that Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov had allotted $3 million for the construction of 101 new houses, a secondary school, and a health clinic for the resettled Barak residents and Kyrgyz state media provided extensive coverage of government's resettlement works.

An early May broadcast on Kyrgyz state TV described the resettlement as a historic event. The broadcast also presented interviews with several Barak residents who said they were joyous about being reunited with mainland Kyrgyzstan.

A different picture

That is not the picture that emerged during a VOA visit to the site of Jany Barak.

Kalyssa, a retired accountant from Kara-Suu, a town in Osh province near Jany Barak, who would only let her first name be used, said construction is still in progress, adding, "people have questions about quality of the new houses. They are also worried the houses will not be completed until winter."

VOA observed August 17 that the new houses being built are not winterproof and there are no paved access roads or sewage system.

Nurgul, the primary school teacher from Barak, said Barak residents were not given a choice between financial compensation and housing.

"Some people would rather take money instead of moving into government-built houses," she told VOA.

Marat Imankulov, the head of Kyrgyzstan's Security Council - part of Kyrgyz President's Office - said in a May interview with Kyrgyz media that the land-swap deal allowing for resettlement of Barak could serve as model for "solving border issues with Tajikistan." Some experts, though, have expressed doubts about land-swap solutions for enclaves.

Chris Rickleton, a journalist based in Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, wrote in a late April analysis paper published by RFE/RL that 2021 comments by Kyrgyz President Japarov's ally and national security chief Kamchybek Tashiev about a potential transfer of Tajik enclave Vorukh to Kyrgyz control "were met with anger from Vorukh locals, not to mention a former top Tajik official who publicly lambasted Tashiev."

Kyrgyz political analyst Emil Juraev, in an April interview, described Vorukh, compared with Barak, as "a massively more difficult situation, with around 40,000 people in Vorukh compared to just a few hundred in Barak."

A Kyrgyzstani journalist who covered the enclaves for Kyrgyz media pointed to high economic costs from potential land-swap deals, saying Central Asian governments "are cash-strapped, and they cannot afford such costly resettlement projects."

Uzbek officials have their own reasons to oppose further land-swap deals with Kyrgyzstan. An Uzbek government official from Ferghana province, which has jurisdiction over Uzbekistani enclaves of Shakhimardan and Sokh, told VOA on condition of anonymity that the two territories "have strategic importance for Uzbekistan."

"They are major holiday destinations due to their picturesque sceneries and mountain lakes," the official said, adding that both enclaves house small Uzbek military outposts.

Nevertheless, there are positive developments related to enclave solutions.

Since November 2022, the Uzbek and Kyrgyz governments have eased border restrictions for Shakhimardan and Sokh inhabitants and have pledged to jointly develop the tourism potential of the enclaves.

"This step is a crucial move forward," the Uzbek government official from Ferghana said.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 31 August 2024 - Day 920

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the day, there have been 183 combat clashes, Russian forces launched four missile strikes using 9 missiles, 59 air strikes using 77 KABs, 381 kamikaze drone strikes and carried out almost 2,400 shelling the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements using different types of weapons.

In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces throughout the day carried out two attacks near vovchans ka and liptiv. One battle is still going on.

The Defense Forces repelled 25 attacks in the Kupyansky direction. The Russian opponent showed the greatest activity in the areas of Synkivka, Kolisnikivka and in the direction of Lozova, where clashes are still ongoing.

Seventeen times, Russian forces attacked in the Lyman direction, tried to advance towards eight different settlements and in the Serebryansky Forest. Concentrated efforts near Grekivka, Nevsky and Tverdohlibovogo.

In the Siversky direction throughout the day, Ukrainian defenders repelled eight Russian assault actions in the areas of Verkhnyokamiansky, Spirny, Zvanivka, Bilogorivka and Viimka. Fighting is still ongoing in four locations.

19 combat clashes occurred in the Kramators komu direction. The largest activity of the Russian occupiers showed in the area of kalinivki - where spent more than half the attacks. The fights are still on.

The enemy tried to infiltrate Ukrainian defense 14 times in the Toretsky direction. During the day, Russian forces attacked in the areas of the settlements of Kurdyumivka, Toretsk, Nelipivka and New York. 13 attacks have already been carried out by Ukrainian defenders.

In the Pokrovsky direction since the beginning of the day in the areas of the settlements of Suha Balka, Vozdvizhenko, Zelene Pole, Novogrodivka, Hrodivka, Karlivka, Selidove and Mikhailivka Ukrainian troops repelled 30 Russian offensive and assault actions. Four of them are still going. Ukrainian troops are taking measures to maintain defined borders, giving a strict cut-off. According to preliminary data, for today Russian forces lost 168 people killed and 216 wounded, also Ukrainian soldiers destroyed two T-72 tanks, three BMPs and nine cars. In addition, two tanks and 17 enemy vehicles were significantly damaged.

In the Kurakhiv direction at this time of the day, there are 28 combat clashes. Zagarbniki maintain activity, trying to go forward in the areas of konstantinivka and georgiivka - carried out five and 13 attacks respectively. Also attempts to advance were made towards Ukrainian, lisivki and galicinivki. The Russian invaders will suffer losses.

In the Vremivs komu direction, Russian forces attacked in the direction of Vugledara, Vodanogo, Makarivka and Vremivka. The situation is under control.

In the orihivs komu direction, Ukrainian troops stopped four Russian attacks near small tokmacka and robotinogo.

In the Pridniprovsky direction, the situation has not changed significantly, loss of positions and territories is not allowed. Ukrainian soldiers repelled three attacks of Russian zagarbnikiv.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the units of the Sever Group of Forces in Liptsy and Volchansk directions have defeated the 92nd Air Assault Brigade and the 113rd Territorial Defence Brigade of the AFU near Alisovka and Volchanskiye Khutora (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses were up to 125 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles.

The units of the Zapad Group of Forces have improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of 14th mechanised, 3rd assault brigades of the AFU, 1st national guard, 119th territorial defence brigades near Petropavlovka, Lozovaya (Kharkov region), Novovodyanoye, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Serebryansky forestry.

Two counter-attacks of the AFU 77th Airmobile Brigade have been repelled.

The AFU losses were up to 460 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun, and three Anklav-N electronic warfare stations. Six AFU field ammunition depots have been eliminated.

The units of the Yug Group of Forces have taken more advantageous lines, inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 28th, 30th mechanised, 143rd infantry, and 56th motorised infantry brigades near Chasov Yar, Zaliznyanskoye, Kurdyumovka, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

One counter-attack launched by assault detachments of the AFU 24th Mechanised Brigade has been repelled.

The AFU losses were up to 780 Ukrainian troops, one tank, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, four motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 gun, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, two U.S.-made 105-mm M119 guns, one 220-mm Uragan multiple-launch rocket system combat vehicle, and two electronic warfare stations. Two ammunition depots have been also destroyed.

The units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have liberated Kirovo (Donetsk People's Republic) and continue to advance to the depths of enemy defences.

Russian troops lave launched an attack on AFU 44th mechanised, 95th air assault, 142nd infantry, 71st jaeger brigades have been hit near Grodovka, Kalinovo, Mikhaylovka, Rozovka, and Druzhba (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, seven counter-attacks of AFU 32nd, 53rd mechanised, 68th jaeger brigades, and the 37th Marine Brigade have been repelled.

The AFU losses were up to 455 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, three motor vehicles, two 152-mm Msta-B guns, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M101 howitzer.

The units of the Vostok Group of Forces have improved their position along the front line and hit manpower and hardware of AFU 72nd mechanised, 58th motorised infantry brigades close to Vodyanoye and Ugledar (Donetsk People's Republic).

One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 31st Mechanised Brigade has been repelled.

The AFU losses were up to 125 Ukrainian troops, one tank, one armoured fighting vehicle, and four motor vehicles.

The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have engaged units of 65th mechanised, 141st infantry, 128th mountain assault brigades of the AFU and the 39th Coastal Defence Brigade near Novodanilovka, Orekhov, Nesteryanka (Zaporozhye region), Kazatskoye, Sadovoye (Kherson region), and Kherson.

The AFU losses were up to 80 Ukrainian troops, eight motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one UK-made 155-mm AS-90 self-propelled artillery system, and one electronic warfare station. Two ammunition and one military hardware depots have been eliminated.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have destroyed one U.S.-made M270 MLRS launcher, in addition, assembly workshops for unmanned aerial vehicles, one missile and artillery weapons depot as well as clusters of enemy manpower and military hardware in 135 areas.

Air defence facilities have shot down four U.S.-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, six French-made HAMMER guided bombs, six Czech-made Vampire projectiles, and 48 unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, 641 airplanes and 283 helicopters, 30,749 unmanned aerial vehicles, 575 air defence missile systems, 17,790 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,433 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 13,846 field artillery guns and mortars as well as 25,474 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to repel the AFU attempt to invade the territory of the Russian Federation.

The units of the Sever Group of Forces supported by Army Aviation and artillery have repelled six attacks launched by enemy assault detachments in the direction of Borki, Bakhtinka, Komarovka, Malaya Loknya, and Matveyevka.

In addition, attempts by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to launch attacks in the direction of Korenevo and Malaya Loknya have been foiled. The AFU losses were up to 30 troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles. One serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine surrendered.

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue reconnaissance and search operations in forestry areas to locate and eliminate enemy sabotage groups.

Aviation, artillery, and troops have engaged manpower and hardware of 21st, 22nd, 61st, 115th mechanised, 82nd air assault brigades, and the 1004th Security and Service Brigade close to Apanasovka, Borki, Byakhovo, Vishnyovka, Krasnooktyabrskoye, Kruglenkoye, Lyubimovka, Martynovka, Novoivanovka, Novaya Sorochina, Plekhovo, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, Russkoye Porechnoye, Sverdlikovo, and Snagost.

Operational-Tactical Aviation has struck areas where reserves of 21st, 22nd, 41st mechanised, 17th tank, 80th, and 95th air assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 1st National Guard Brigade as well as 101st, 103rd, 107th, 119th, and 129th territorial defence brigades have been concentrated near Belopolye, Glukhov, Kiyanitsa, Obody, Svessa, Sosnovka, Sumy, Shalimovka, Shalygino, and Esman.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses were up to 400 troops and 18 units of hardware, including one tank, three armoured personnel carriers, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, three artillery guns, three mortars, one electronic warfare station, and seven motor vehicles.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses were over 8,200 troops, 76 tanks, 36 infantry fighting vehicles, 67 armoured personnel carriers, 521 armoured fighting vehicles, 242 motor vehicles, 56 artillery guns, 16 multiple-launch rocket system launchers, including four HIMARS MLRS and two U.S.-made MLRSs, five SAM launchers, 12 electronic warfare stations, one counter-battery radar, one air defence radar, five engineering vehicles, including two counterobstacle vehicles and one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.





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Statement on the second anniversary of the UN assessment on human rights situation in Xinjiang

Global Affairs Canada

Statement

August 31, 2024- Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Today, Global Affairs Canada issued the following statement:

"Two years have passed since the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights released a landmark assessment, detailing grave human rights violations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The assessment describes serious human rights violations that have been committed in Xinjiang, and notes that the extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.

"After the assessment was released, Canada called on the Chinese government to uphold its international human rights obligations and respond to the grave concerns and assessment recommendations.

"Two years later, China has not taken meaningful steps to address these concerns despite ongoing calls from Canada, other governments, UN experts, human rights organizations, victims' groups and the global Uyghur diaspora.



"Reports continue to point to systemic human rights violations by Chinese authorities. Uyghurs are forced into labour in Xinjiang and elsewhere in China. Religious practice, particularly Islam, is limited, with mosques being the first to be massively targeted.



"UN experts have also expressed concerns that children are being forced into state-run residential schools in Xinjiang and other parts of China. Instead of addressing these concerns with transparency, China denied the findings and blocked discussion at the UN Human Rights Council.

"Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs MAlanie Joly has raised Canada's concerns with Wang Yi, China's Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Canada's Ambassador to the People's Republic of China Jennifer May also raised them with local officials during her recent visit to Xinjiang.

"Canada calls on China to address the concerns raised in the UN assessment and to implement its recommendations without delay. This includes allowing UN independent experts access to Xinjiang and to other regions of China to assess conditions.

"Canada will continue to work with its international partners to address the situation in Xinjiang and to ensure the Chinese government is held accountable for its actions."

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China-Africa closer cooperation driven by real needs of continent

Global Times

By Zhao Yusha Published: Aug 31, 2024 12:36 AM

A tour bus filled with travelers passed by a bustling construction site in a suburb of Tanzania's Zanzibar, adorned with posters of Chinese companies and where Chinese engineers were busy at work. One American tourist couldn't help but wonder: why are there so many Chinese in the local area?

That is the question that is also befuddling officials in Washington. As China and Africa have fostered closer partnership in many fields and China's engagement in this continent becomes deeper and wider, some Western countries have started to not only smear their cooperation, but also called for competition to be stepped up with China in Africa. Such hyping and calling for competition have intensified just ahead of the 2024 Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The key distinction between China and the US in their engagement with Africa is that Beijing has taken a reciprocal and more empathetic approach, allowing it to better understand the needs of the continent and tailor its collaboration accordingly. This stands in contrast to the traditional carrot-and-stick approach used by some Western countries to coerce African nations into serving their own interests, according to experts.

This year's FOCAC will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced last month.

The theme of the summit is "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," Hua said, adding that leaders of FOCAC's African members will attend the summit at the invitation of the forum.

The upcoming FOCAC summit marks another grand reunion of the China-Africa big family post-COVID pandemic, and has been hailed by Chinese and African experts as a milestone opportunity to chart the course for enhanced cooperation in the future.

Ahead of the highly-anticipated gathering, some foreign media have launched another wave of campaign hyping China's cooperation with Africa, with reports on issues ranging from sensationalizing Chinese loans to China's green product exports to the continent.

The National Interest, an American magazine, published an article saying that China is winning the Global South as a provider of a large amount of public goods for developing countries, including African ones.

In recent years, US officials have also called for Washington to prioritize efforts to match China's influence among the Global South. Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing last month, Ben Cardin, a Democratic senator and chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the US needs to offer the Global South an alternative to China.

Closer cooperation

A new Gallup report released in April this year shows median approval ratings for the US in Africa slipped from 59 percent in 2022 to 56 percent in 2023. Of the four global powers surveyed, the US was the only one not to see its image improve across Africa in 2023. Meanwhile, China's approval in the region rose six percentage points, from 52 percent in 2022 to 58 percent in 2023, two points ahead of the US.

There are vast differences in the quality of the engagement with the West, spearheaded by the US and the engagement with China, Mwangi Wachira, a former economist with the World Bank and an advisor for the Kenyan government, told the Global Times.

The Chinese engagement shows thoughtfulness. It gives us say in what we are doing, in contrast to the Western institutions, Wachira noted.

"You [China] can put yourself in my shoes...You can look at things from my perspective. Not always true from the Western side," said Wachira.

China's cooperation with Africa differs from the US' in its essence. While China offers equal and mutually beneficial partnerships that contribute to the development of these nations, the US often employs a carrot-and-stick approach to coerce for support in its own interests, and treats these countries as tools in a geopolitical competition, said Song Wei, a professor from the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Experts said geopolitical struggles are not what African countries want, and if the US really cares, it can find vast potential for cooperating with China on this continent, not competition, said Song.

Apart from trade, African scholars also praised China for its assistance in building infrastructure in Africa, Chinese companies' contribution to local development and how China's development model can present valuable insights that can guide African countries and other Global South economies in shaping a more prosperous and inclusive future.

The cooperation between Africa and China and that of Africa and the West differ mainly in how African preferences are addressed, Endalkachew Sime, PhD student at Peking University, ex-state minister of planning and development of Ethiopia and ex-secretary general of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, told the Global Times.

"For specific projects, particularly in infrastructure, African countries find that their needs and priorities are better met through Chinese cooperation. It's not just about financing; it's also about training and capacity building," said Sime.

Take the companies as an example. Once Chinese companies establish operations in Africa, they hire local people, offer training skills and raise local people to the management level, said Wachira.

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Analysts: Vietnamese leader visited China to reassure Beijing

By Le Nguyen August 31, 2024

Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam visited China to make sure that bilateral ties are on track under his country's new leadership and to build personal ties with China's top leaders, experts told VOA.

Lam landed in China on August 18 in his first foreign trip in his new role at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, just two weeks after Lam had been appointed party chief following the sudden passing of his predecessor, Nguyen Phu Trong.

At the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi reportedly told Lam that China "has always regarded Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy," while Lam described ties with Beijing as "a top priority in Vietnam's foreign policy."

The two leaders witnessed the signing of 14 cooperation documents on topics ranging from cross-border railways to crocodile exports. Xi also promised to widen the market for Vietnam's agricultural produce.

According to China's Xinhua News Agency, Xi visited then-party chief Trong in Hanoi late last year to promote the deepening of the two countries' bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a "China-Vietnam community with a shared future." Xi did not meet Lam, who was then the minister of public security.

This time, Lam and his wife traveled to Beijing with a high-level entourage that included five members of the Politburo, the country's highest decision-making body, and were greeted at the airport by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Lam was later received by Xi and his wife outside the Great Hall with a 21-cannon salute, the highest level for a head of state.

The next day, he was seen off at the airport by Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong.

The pomp that Beijing arranged for Lam is "indicative of it valuing ties with Hanoi and treating Hanoi as a heavyweight in its neighborhood diplomacy," Khang Vu, a visiting international relations scholar at Boston College, wrote to VOA in an email.

Apart from Xi, Lam also familiarized himself with other top Chinese leaders during his visit, including Premier Li Qiang, Chairman of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji, and Chairman of the People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning.

The fact that Lam traveled to China first and early into his party leadership speaks to a relationship that is on track and growing, even though Vietnam had just gone through an abrupt leadership change, Khang observed.

Alexander Vuving, a professor at the Hawaii-based Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, pointed to a possible meeting between Lam and U.S. President Joe Biden next month at the U.N. General Assembly in New York as the main reason Lam wanted to meet with Xi so quickly.

"This is to reassure Beijing of any progress in the Vietnam-U.S. relations and to express Hanoi's deference to Beijing, which is an important element of Vietnam's current approach to the great powers," Vuving told VOA in an email.

Hanoi has made great efforts to strike a balance between the superpowers, an approach famously known as "bamboo diplomacy." Biden visited Hanoi a year ago to elevate bilateral ties to the highest level a another comprehensive strategic partnership three months before Xi's arrival in Hanoi.

The fact that Lam's first foreign trip was to Beijing signifies the great importance Hanoi attaches to ties with its big neighbor, said Sang Huynh, a visiting scholar of international relations at the National University of Taiwan, in an email.

"Hanoi wants to keep the relationship stable, while Beijing is keen to keep Hanoi in its orbit," he noted. "In general, the relationship is unlikely to take a different trajectory under To Lam."

Party-to-party ties

Both Lam and Xi are chiefs of the largest communist parties in the world, and party-to-party ties have been exclusively at the core of bilateral ties. The joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the visit stressed the "historic mission" of the two parties to steadfastly pursue the socialist path.

In fact, Lam seized the opportunity on this trip to stress the countries' shared communist heritage. He kicked off the visit not in Beijing but in Guangzhou, where late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh, the country's founder, trained Vietnam's first communists 100 years ago.

"The stop in Guangzhou is highly symbolic because Vietnam wants to show appreciation for Chinese support a century ago," Sang said.

Khang noted that party-to-party ties, which have been active since the countries normalized ties in 1991, have played out well in mitigating tension, especially in the South China Sea.

"Hanoi is in a better position than Manila to deal with Beijing," he observed.

However, Sang noted that Lam is less of an ideologue than Trong, so he is more pragmatic in his approach to China.

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Dispute over border telecom plan further strains China-North Korea ties

By Christy Lee August 31, 2024

A new sign of discord has emerged in the ties between North Korea and China over Beijing's plan to install telecommunication facilities near its border, which analysts say could be a way for China to exert its influence over its southern neighbor.

Pyongyang has apparently objected to China's plan to install the facilities, which could broadcast FM radio signals into North Korea.

Pyongyang sent an email complaining about the plan to the U.N. telecoms agency, the International Telecommunication Union, or ITU, saying Beijing failed to consult it about the plan in advance, which constitutes an "infringement" of an ITU guideline, Kyodo News reported this week.

The complaint was sent after the U.N. agency, which facilitates global communication connectivity, disclosed information in June about China's plan to set up 191 telecom facilities capable of broadcasting FM signals, including 17 stations near the North Korean border, according to Kyodo.

Pyongyang said those 17 stations, including the ones in the border city of Dandong, could cause "serious interference."

A spokesperson for ITU told VOA Korean that "ITU cannot confirm whether or not it received such a complaint" as "such objections may contain sensitive or confidential information not intended for the general public and may hamper bilateral consultations."

The spokesperson said China and North Korea have "no formal obligation to get agreement from each other before registering FM stations with ITU or bringing them into service.

"Therefore, operation of FM stations in these countries without prior coordination does not represent an infringement of ITU's Radio Regulations," but "such coordination is very much desirable and recommended to avoid interference."

Patricia Kim, a fellow specializing in Chinese foreign policy at the Washington-based Brookings Institution, said, "It's quite notable that Pyongyang chose to publicly lodge a complaint with an international organization rather than to resolve this dispute with Beijing privately."

"This is not how allies typically handle disputes, and the incident suggests that Beijing and Pyongyang are not on favorable or intimate terms at the moment," she said.

Lui Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told VOA on Wednesday that China and North Korea "have always maintained friendly relations" and the "relevant issue can be properly resolved through dialogue and communication."

Growing signs of strain

Some signs of trouble have begun to show in the relationship between Pyongyang and Beijing since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un forged a close bond with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September 2023 when the two met in Russia.

Putin reciprocated Kim's visit by taking a trip to Pyongyang in June when the two signed a mutual defense treaty and vowed to deepen their military cooperation.

A few days after Putin's Pyongyang visit, North Korea switched its state TV broadcast transmission from a Chinese satellite to a Russian one, according to South Korea's Unification Ministry.

In July, China demanded that North Korea take back all its workers in China after their visas expired, while Pyongyang wanted to repatriate them gradually over time, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

North Korean workers are thought to have remained in China despite U.N. sanctions that required them to be sent back by December 2019.

Analysts say China may have decided to put telecom facilities at the border to transmit information to North Koreans as a way to exert its influence in the country and to offset its strained ties with the regime.

Beijing "could have made the decision not to put anything near the North Korean border, but they didn't do that," said Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation.

"China wants to dominate East Asia," and spreading Chinese propaganda and perspectives to promote its lifestyle and get people to buy from Chinese markets is "a key part of China's plans for dominance in the region," he said.

China has been North Korea's largest trading partner. In 2023, North Korea conducted more than 98% of its foreign trade with China. But the trade between the two has been falling this year, dropping 6% in May from April, according to Chinese customs trade data released in May and reviewed by VOA Korean.

A report by the Korean Institute for International Economic Policy in Seoul forecasts that "North Korea's exports are unlikely to increase significantly" in 2024 "as North Korea-Russia military cooperation is expected to continue."

Military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow has branched into economic cooperation. On Wednesday, talks were held in Pyongyang between industry and trade representatives of North Korea and Russia on "further developing the economic cooperation," according to state-run KCNA.

Fear of outside information

Even if Beijing does not intend to convey information directly to North Koreans, the regime might have objected to Chinese telecom stations because they provide an "additional path through which information will be able to reach the country from the outside," said Martyn Williams, a senior fellow for the Stimson Center's Korea Program.

"Some of the new stations will be receivable inside North Korea, and it could be for this reason that North Korea has complained," Williams said.

North Korea is known to take tight control of information coming from the outside world, prohibiting media content that is not sanctioned by the government.

The regime cracks down harshly on people who receive outside information, especially South Korean drama and music, by sending them to prison with the penalty of months of hard labor or sometimes even death.

Michael Swaine, senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said despite North Korea's attempt to control information entering the country, the complaint about the Chinese telecom stations shows that "Pyongyang does not control its broadcast space."

Soyoung Ahn and Jiha Ham contributed to this report.

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Ayatollah Khamenei appoints Bagheri Kani as member of Iran's Council on Foreign Relations

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 31 August 2024 2:11 PM

Former Iranian acting foreign minister Ali Bagheri Kani has become a member of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations.

In a decree on Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei appointed Bagheri Kani as a member of the council.

Bagheri Kani became Iran's interim foreign minister after his predecessor Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a tragic helicopter crash along with President Ebrahim Raeisi and six others on May 19.

The Strategic Council on Foreign Relations was established in 2006 as per a decree by Ayatollah Khamenei. According to its website, it is a leading think tank and advisory body to the Leader to engage and assume a role in major policymaking, open up new horizons in the realm of foreign relations, benefit from the elite, and develop indicators with the aim of realizing objectives of the Iran Outlook Plan.

Kamal Kharrazi, a former foreign minister, is the head of the council.

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Iranian Police Commander Fired After Death In Custody

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda August 31, 2024

Iran's police force has fired the police commander in the city of Lahijan shortly after the death in custody of Mohammad Mirmusavi.

In announcement issued late on August 30, the national police command said the Lahijan commander was dismissed for "lack of sufficient supervision over the performance and behavior of employees."

Earlier, rights activists published a video of Mirmusavi's lifeless body and alleged that he had died "due to a severe beating."

The August 30 police statement said officials were awaiting a final report on the "cause of the death of this citizen."

A police statement earlier on August 30 said local police in the city in the northern Gilan Province had exhibited a "lack of anger control" in handling Mirmusavi. A police station commander and several officers were reportedly suspended.

Mirmusavi was arrested on August 24 after being involved in a fight. The Norway-based Kurdish rights group Hengaw said on August 28 that Mirmusavi died the day of his arrest, but it was not known whether his body had been handed over to relatives.

The incident occurred shortly before the second anniversary of the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, died after being detained by Iran's so-called morality police for allegedly violating the country's strict Islamic dress code.

Her death sparked national outrage and a wave of anti-government protests.

Javad Ruhi, who was involved in the Amini protests, died in custody under unclear circumstances in September 2023. Ruhi's supporters said he had been told he would "never leave prison alive."

Following Ruhi's death, Amnesty International called for those responsible to be "criminally investigated and held to account," adding that his "death in custody again exposes the Iranian authorities' assault on the right to life."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-police- rights-torture-gilan/33100686.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.

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Taiwan reference in PIF communique removed due to China pressure

ROC Central News Agency

08/31/2024 05:38 PM

Sydney, Aug. 31 (CNA) A communique issued by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) that mentioned support for Taiwan has been taken down and later republished on Saturday with the country's name no longer mentioned, due to pressure from China.

In response, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) condemned China for its "irrational behavior" which undermines regional peace and stability, while calling on like-minded countries to keep close tabs on Beijing's actions and safeguard the harmonious and stable development of Pacific island countries.

MOFA added that the communique will not affect Taiwan's status in PIF or its right of future participation, and thanked Taiwan's diplomatic allies and like-minded countries' support for the country's continued participation in PIF.

The 18-member PIF, an inter-governmental organization, held its 53rd summit this year from Aug. 26-30 in Tonga. Despite being a nonmember, Taiwan has been an active participant of the annual event under the status of "development partner" since 1993.

Nonmembers including China, the United States, Japan, Canada and the European Union also participate in the annual forum and other PIF events as "dialogue partners."

When the forum wrapped up on Friday, the PIF posted a joint communique on its website which contained a line reaffirming the decades-long arrangements regarding Taiwan.

"Leaders at the forum reaffirmed the 1992 Leaders decision on relations with Taiwan/Republic of China," the PIF was quoted as saying under paragraph 66 of the communique.

On Friday evening, the communique was taken down from the PIF website.

It was republished online the next day, but with paragraph 66 about Taiwan no longer included.

According to a Nikkei Asia report on Friday, its reporters had witnessed a "visibly angry" Qian Bo (e), China's special envoy for the Pacific, confront the PIF Secretary General Baron Waqa and tell him that the statement about Taiwan in the communique was "unacceptable."

Qian then spoke with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka, and later turned his attention to reporters outside the venue, the report said.

"Taiwan is part of China. Taiwan is not a dialogue partner of PIF, so China has the representation on behalf of the whole China, including Taiwan and the mainland," Qian was quoted as saying in the report.

Nikkei Asia also reported that Qian said the reference on Taiwan "must be a mistake," as 15 of the 18 PIF members "have categorically stated they abide by the 'One-China' principle."

"This is a surprising mistake made by someone, I'm not sure, but it must be corrected," he added.

The PIF members currently include three of Taiwan's diplomatic allies -- Palau, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu.

The PIF's altered communique came after a report in The Australian newspaper earlier this week claimed that the Solomon Islands would table a motion at this year's summit to strip Taiwan of its "development partner" status.

According to an anonymous source cited by the Australian, the Solomon Islands received explicit instructions from Beijing to block Taiwan's attendance at next year's summit of PIF countries, which will be held in the Solomon Islands' capital Honiara.

(By Yang Chun-hui and Ko Lin)

Enditem/cs

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"Our momentum in UAVs is admired across the world"

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

31.08.2024

Speaking at the Air War College Commencement and Flag Handover Ceremony, President ErdoAYan said: "The momentum we have achieved in unmanned aerial vehicles is admired not only by friendly and brotherly nations, but also across the whole world. As you know, we are one of the top 3-4 countries in the world in this field."

President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan delivered a speech at the Commencement and Flag Handover Ceremony at Air War College in Istanbul.

Congratulating the 198 cadets, graduating today, President ErdoAYan said: "In the last 8 years, 1379 cadets, including 126 guests, have graduated from the Air War College."

"WE STRENGTHENED OUR MILITARY IN EVERY FIELD"

Highlighting the tremendous progress over the last 8 years, President ErdoAYan said: "Let me underscore once again that the Turkish Armed Forces have managed to overcome one of the most severe tests, a military can face, with the least damage possible. We not only uprooted that treacherous gang called the FETO, which had grown like a malignant tumor for nearly 40 years, but also strengthened our military in every field."

Thanking everyone who contributes to building the Century of TArkiye, President ErdoAYan said: "Our aviators, who are our source of pride with their wings of steel, also play critical roles in the defense of our homeland. Our Air Forces take great responsibilities in eliminating threats to the security of our country, especially in the fight against terror. We are endeavoring to strengthen our Air Force in every field with the motto 'The future is in the skies'. "The momentum we have achieved in unmanned aerial vehicles is admired not only by friendly and brotherly nations, but also across the whole world. As you know, we are one of the top 3-4 countries in the world in this field. Turkish UCAVs produced by our companies are used in more than 50 countries from Europe to Asia, Africa to the Middle East," President ErdoAYan said.

"With the commissioning of KAzAlelma and ANKA-3, which are currently being tested, we will be a player in a new league in this field. KAAN, our national combat aircraft, is one of our most exciting projects. While developing our 5th generation fighter jet, we are simultaneously modernizing our F-16s. We use our ATAK helicopters very effectively in the fight against terror. We will also meet an important need with our multi-purpose helicopter GAKBEY and our training aircraft HARJET. In the EFES-2024 Exercise, many of our systems, especially HARJET and GAKBEY, took part for the first time," President ErdoAYan said.

"Inshallah, we will accomplish our 'Steel Dome' project, which we will develop as a system of systems, with all its components. If they have the Iron Dome, we will have the Steel Dome. The Steel Dome will enable our layered air defense systems and all our sensors and weapons to work integrated with each other. From missiles to air defense systems, we strive to produce, develop or procure whatever our Air Force needs for the defense of the homeland without hesitation," President ErdoAYan said.

"WE WILL NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF PUTTING ALL OUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET"

Pointing to the importance of TArkiye's progress in defense industry in the last 22 years in the face of regional developments, President ErdoAYan said: "Every sagacious and wise person can easily see this fact. TArkiye is a country that has to take the matters into its own hands. In the Syrian crisis, we have all seen how the alliances we are a member of behaved in case of our need. Except for one or two countries, they even refrained from sending Patriot batteries. They did not hesitate to openly support the Syrian extension of the PKK and welcome the ringleaders of the separatist terrorist organization with red carpets. I do not even need to count here the overt and covert embargoes and export restrictions we have been subjected to in the field of defense industry."

Stating that TArkiye has always faced the same obstacles, from the Cyprus Peace Operation to the cross-border operations against terrorist organizations in recent years, President ErdoAYan said: "Always ambivalent attitudes... Allah forbid, if something happens to our country tomorrow, it is highly probable that we will face the same situation again. Therefore, whatever we do as a state, we do it in the light of these painful experiences of the past. We do not rely on anyone other than our own abilities and our own strength. Apart from our brothers and sisters whom we have always stood by us in our difficult times, we rely only on our nation, we rely on our own human resources. We will continue on our path in the same way. Of course, we will not turn our backs on those who want to walk with us, but we will not make the mistake of putting all our eggs in one basket."

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"We will protect our rights in the Blue Homeland till the end"

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

31.08.2024

Speaking at the Naval War College Commencement and Flag Handover Ceremony, President ErdoAYan said: "We will protect our rights in the Blue Homeland, trivialized by some, till the end. We will not allow the rights of our Cypriot Turkish brothers and sisters to be violated. We will resolutely put into action whatever TArkiye's interests necessitate in the Aegean, the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean without seeking anyone's approval or without heeding who says what."

President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan delivered remarks during the Naval War College Commencement and Flag Handover Ceremony in Istanbul.

"TURKISH NAVY WILL CLIMB TO A VERY DISTINCTIVE LEAGUE"

Drawing attention to the steps taken uninterruptedly to reinforce the Turkish Armed Forces, apple of the eye of the Turkish nation, President ErdoAYan noted that the new-type submarine project has been coming to fruition gradually, and said: "We plan to commission our HAzAr Reis submarine in 2025 and Murat Reis submarine in 2026. We will complete the remaining three submarines by 2029. We will thus have added to the ranks of our Naval Forces six modern submarines that have more advanced qualities than their equivalents."

Stressing that TArkiye will be among the few countries in the world in the area of submarines with the MILDEN project, President ErdoAYan stated: "We continue our contacts regarding our aircraft carrier that is set to be the big brother of our navy's flagship, Anadolu. The Turkish Navy will climb to a very distinctive league with the inclusion of our aircraft carrier following our UCAV carrier."

Noting that TArkiye has been doing whatever is necessary to be an effective naval power that has a high level of deterrence and operational capability, President ErdoAYan added that much bigger successes will be achieved by using the distance covered over the past 22 years as a stepping stone.

"WE WILL NOT ALLOW THE RIGHTS OF OUR CYPRIOT TURKISH BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO BE VIOLATED"

Stating that TArkiye cannot reach its targeted destination if it turns its face only to the west, President ErdoAYan pointed out that TArkiye can become a powerful, prosperous, prestigious and effective country only if it strengthens its relations with the west and the east concurrently. "Any way other than this would not benefit but harm TArkiye, pushing it off the equation," said President ErdoAYan. "Therefore, we are under no obligation to make a choice between the European Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as some claim. Quite the contrary, we have to improve our relations both with these and with other organizations on a win-win basis. We have always acted with this understanding over the past 22 years."

"While developing our relations with different geographies, we have shaped our policies by caring about 'what our nation says' rather than 'what others say.' This is how we will continue on our path in the future as well," said President ErdoAYan. "We will protect our rights in the Blue Homeland, trivialized by some, till the end. We will not allow the rights of our Cypriot Turkish brothers and sisters to be violated. We will resolutely put into action whatever TArkiye's interests necessitate in the Aegean, the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean without seeking anyone's approval or without heeding who says what."

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PM meeting with President Macron of France: 29 August 2024

Prime Minister Keir Starmer met President Emmanuel Macron at the ElysAe Palace this morning.

29 August 2024

The Prime Minister met President Emmanuel Macron at the ElysAe Palace this morning.

The Prime Minister congratulated President Macron on hosting such a successful Olympic Games and said he was looking forward to watching the Paralympics in the coming weeks.

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, the Prime Minister said he was very concerned about the escalation in the West Bank in recent days.

The leaders agreed on the urgency of concluding the ceasefire negotiations, 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.

Moving to the shared challenge of small boat crossings, the Prime Minister welcomed the joint action between the UK and France and the leaders agreed to do more together to dismantle smuggling routes further upstream and increase intelligence sharing.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

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Zelenskyy fires Air Force chief following F-16 crash

By Mariia Prus August 30, 2024

There has been no official explanation of what caused one of the U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets recently delivered to Ukraine to crash Monday during a massive Russian missile-and-drone attack, killing the pilot. The general staff of the armed forces of Ukraine announced Thursday that a special commission had been set up to investigate the crash.

Still, the incident sparked recriminations between a member of Ukraine's parliament, Mariana Bezuhla, and the commander of Ukraine's Air Force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, with Bezuhla claiming the F-16 was brought down by friendly fire and denouncing a "culture of lies in the Air Force command."

In response, Oleshchuk called her "a tool to discredit" Ukraine's military leadership.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy weighed in Friday, when he removed Oleshchuk as air force commander.

"I have decided to replace the commander of the Air Forces. ... I am eternally grateful to all our military pilots," he said in his evening address without providing a reason for his decision.

Zelenskyy announced on August 4 that the first of 80 F-16s promised by Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Norway had arrived in Ukraine. While he didn't say how many had been delivered, The Wall Street Journal on Thursday cited an unnamed U.S. official as saying that six F-16s had arrived and that Ukraine had six pilots trained to fly them.

In announcing the investigation into the F-16 crash, Ukraine's general staff said that F-16s "were used together with units of the anti-aircraft missile forces" to repulse the large-scale August 26 Russian drone-and-missile attack, which "demonstrated their high efficiency, and four enemy cruise missiles were shot down by airborne weapons." It added that "[w]hile approaching the next target... the jet crashed, the pilot died."

For its part, Ukraine's air force said Thursday that the dead pilot, Colonel Alexei "Moonfish" Mes, "had destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack UAV [drone] while repelling a massive Russian combined air-and-missile strike," adding that he "saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles ... at the cost of his own life."

The Journal and CNN had initially reported, citing Ukrainian Air Force sources, that the F-16 likely crashed because of "pilot error," but retracted the "pilot error" theory in subsequent updates.

In her Thursday Facebook post, Bezuhla wrote that Mes' F-16 "was shot down by a Patriot anti-aircraft missile system due to discoordination between units. ... The incident occurred during one of the most powerful Russian air attacks on August 26. War is war, such episodes are possible."

She continued: "But the culture of lies in the Air Force command ... as in other higher military headquarters, leads to the fact that the management system of military decisions does not improve on the basis of truthful, consistently collected analytics, but worsens and even collapses. ... And none of the generals were punished. [Lieutenant] General Oleshchuk remains in office."

Responding to Bezuhla, Oleshchuk insisted the official investigation would determine what brought down the F-16, adding in a Telegram post: "Information about such incidents cannot be immediately released into the public space and cannot be detailed for the media. [THERE IS A] WAR IN THE COUNTRY! But it doesn't matter to the people who chose Maryana Bezuhla as a tool to discredit the top military leadership. ... Maryana, the time will come when you will apologize to the entire army for what you have done, I hope in court!

"Once again, you not only poured dirt on me personally and on the Air Force, you discredited the manufacturers of American weapons a the main ally of Ukraine a the USA! You have again become the main newsmaker of enemy propaganda and are breaking all records on Russian television! All of Russia applauds you!"

Zelenskyy's order removing Oleshchuk as Air Force chief came a day later.

A Ukrainian Air Force official, on the condition of anonymity, told VOA's Ukrainian Service that "various versions are being considered, including the 'friendly fire' of their air defense systems, a technical malfunction and pilot error. But the exact reasons will be known only after the investigation is completed."

Mes traveled with fellow pilot, Andrii "Juice" Pilshchykov, a college classmate and lifelong friend, to Washington, D.C., in 2022, where they met with U.S. lawmakers to try to persuade Western allies to allow the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine.

Pilshchykov died in a training accident in August 2023, a year before the death of his fellow pilot.

Adam Kinzinger, a former U.S. congressman from Illinois and retired U.S. Air National Guard lieutenant colonel, shared his recollections of meeting the two Ukrainian pilots on Capitol Hill.

"I feel like you could have taken Juice or Moonfish, put them in an American squadron, and they would blend in immediately, because of the personality, the commitment, the dedication. They were obviously fantastic fighter pilots," Kinzinger told VOA.

He added, "Ukraine would not have F-16s today if it wasn't for their tireless advocacy. And you know, like we say, when anybody falls in war, you die twice. You could die when you actually die, and then when you're forgotten. And I think Moonfish and Juice will never be forgotten."

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Ukraine: Zelensky dismisses air force chief after deadly F-16 crash

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 31 August 2024 7:00 AM

Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, commander of Ukraine's air force, has been fired by President Volodymyr Zelensky after an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a bombardment of Russian territory.

Zelensky dismissed Oleshchuk on Friday four days after the incident. Media reports said the dismissal is probably related to the F-16 crash in which the pilot, Lt. Col. Oleksiy Mes, died.

"We need to protect people. Protect personnel. Take care of all our soldiers," Zelensky said in a public address minutes after the order was published on the presidential website.

Zelensky insisted that Kiev needed to strengthen the command level of its armed forces.

The Ukrainian Air Force has come under US experts' scrutiny in an investigation to determine the cause of the fatal crash of the newly acquired US-made warplane donated by NATO-member European countries.

Zelensky had announced just earlier this month that Kiev's forces had finally received the F-16 fighter jets he had begged for the former Soviet republic.

On August 4, Zelensky said the US-led Western countries had provided Kiev forces with two F-16 fighter jets.

The Ukrainian leaders spent more than two years of intense lobbying with Western countries to get the American-made jets.

"F-16s are in Ukraine. We did it," Zelensky said in a video, claiming that the Ukrainian pilots had received enough training and "have already started using them."

Zelensky said the West was initially opposed to supplying Kiev with the US-made F-16 fighter jets.

US-led Western countries have promised to provide Kiev with 80 F-16 jets to fight in the West's proxy war against Russia.

Also, Zelensky seems to be seeking to make vast changes in the country's armed forces' top tier command level.

Earlier this year, Zelensky removed the top military commander Valery Zaluzhny in what seemed to be a major shake-up of the military leadership outlining war strategy in the third year of the conflict with Russia.

Since Russia launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022, the US-led Western countries have been flooding Kiev with all kinds of weapons and ammunition in an attempt to strengthen the Ukrainian forces against Russian troops.

Despite the West's all-out military and intelligence support to Kiev, Russia has been able to maintain its absolute military superiority over Ukraine on all fronts.

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Russia Pounds Kharkiv, Donetsk Regions As Ukraine Defense Chief Presses U.S. On Weapons

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service August 31, 2024

Ukraine's Kharkiv and Donetsk regions continued to be hit by deadly strikes from Russia, even as Kyiv's defense chief traveled to the Pentagon to maintain pressure on Washington to loosen restrictions on the use of U.S.-made long-range weapons and allow strikes deeper into Russia to stop Moscow from "killing our citizens."

Oleh Synyehubov, the governor of Ukraine's Kharkiv region, said on August 31 that a Russian guided bomb attack on a residential building killed two people and injured 10 others -- including children -- in the village of Cherkaska Lozova.

"Two women were killed. One was removed from the rubble, the other died in an ambulance," he said.

A day earlier, Synyehubov reported that at least seven people were killed and nearly 100 injured -- including at least 22 children -- when a Russian strike on Kharkiv hit a high-rise residential building and playground.

In the Donetsk region, five people were killed by Russian shelling on August 31 in Chasiv Yar, according to Vadym Filashkin, the head of the Donetsk regional government.

"Chasiv Yar -- is a city in which normal life has been impossible for more than two years. Don't turn yourself into a Russian target! Evacuate!" he wrote on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said on August 31 that its forces had captured the settlement of Verezamske, in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, part of incremental gains claimed by Moscow's forces at a time when Ukrainian troops are operating in Russia's Kursk region following their surprise cross-border attack on August 6.

The reports could not immediately be confirmed.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, visiting the Pentagon, told CNN that the U.S. administration is still considering Kyiv's request to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons to hit deeper inside Russia, saying he has presented a list of proposed targets to senior U.S. officials.

"We have explained what kind of capabilities we need to protect our citizens against the Russian terror that Russians are causing us, so I hope we were heard," Umerov said in the August 30 interview.

Umerov, who met on August 30 with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, told CNN that "we are showing that the airfields that they are using to hit our cities are within the range of deep strikes."

"They're killing our citizens. That's why we want to deter them, we want to stop them, we don't want [to] allow their aviation to come closer to our borders to bomb the cities," he said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has pressed the United States and other allies to ease restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), saying the use of such weapons would allow Kyiv to strike sites inside Russia used by the Kremlin to launch attacks against civilian areas in Ukraine.

On August 26, he called on Ukraine's global allies to take "decisive action" after Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv and other cities across the country that damaged vital utilities.

The United States and other allies of Ukraine have placed restrictions on the use of the weapons over concerns that it could escalate the war.

Washington has signaled it has given its approval to Kyiv to strike over the border in response to Russian attacks into Ukraine but has resisted further loosening of restrictions.

"You've heard us say that the Ukrainians can use U.S. security assistance to defend themselves from cross-border attacks, in other words counterfire," Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said this week.

"But as it relates to long-range strike, deep strikes into Russia, our policy has not changed," he added.

Umerov also said the recent dismissal of Air Force chief Mykola Oleshchuk was "not related" to the crash of an F-16 fighter jet and was more related to a "rotation" of leadership.

"I would probably say that this is a rotation. These are two separate questions...at this stage, I would not link them," Umerov said.

"We are analyzing what happened [in regard to the crash]. We have also opened this case to our partners so that they can also analyze it and investigate it with us," he added.

Zelensky dismissed Oleshchuk from his post as commander of the Air Force on August 30, a move that came after Ukraine lost the first F-16 fighter jet provided by Western partners. The pilot was killed in the crash.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kharkiv-umerov- pentagon-zelenskiy-russia/33100929.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.

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Prague Backs Ukraine Defense On Russian Territory But Acknowledges 'Dilemma'

By Andy Heil August 31, 2024

PRAGUE -- Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky has insisted Ukraine has a right to defend itself, including through attacks on Russian territory amid a debate over Western-imposed limits on the use of weaponry, but he acknowledged that Prague's allies supplying the most sophisticated weapons face "strategic dilemmas."

Speaking on the second day of the Globsec security conference in Prague on August 31, the Czech Republic's top diplomat also acknowledged broadly that there are "a lot of difficulties and a lot of divergences" ensuring that allies are on the same page.

"The Czech Republic has a very simple stance: Ukraine is a victim of aggression, and according to the UN Charter, the aggressor has the right to defend itself," Lipavsky told RFE/RL. "This defense can logically also take place on the territory of the aggressor. That means the Czech Republic does not set any limits on the systems it provides, or on the weapons or ammunition it supplies, to what military equipment is supplied to Ukraine."

Czech President Petr Pavel and outgoing EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell each argued publicly on August 30 for abandoning restrictions on how Ukraine can use donated weapons.

With the United States and Germany most notably said to be imposing such curbs, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly urged them and others to take "decisive action" and allow Ukraine to strike military targets deeper inside Russia with Western-provided weapons.

Earlier this month, Ukraine launched an incursion into Russian territory with Zelenskiy saying Russia "must feel what it has done."

"On the other hand," Lipavsky said in Prague, "let's be realistic in that the most sophisticated weapons systems, which may have a long reach, or simply put the supplier into certain strategic dilemmas, do not flow from the Czech Republic. That means we do not [face] the questions that some of our allies have, for example."

Russian aerial bombardments have devastated Ukraine's power and other infrastructure and caused large numbers of civilian casualties throughout the country in the two-and-a-half-year full-scale invasion, although Moscow insists it does not target civilians.

"It's better if the plane with the missile or bomb doesn't even take off, to give an example, than trying to shoot down the plane or the missile that is targeting [Ukraine]. I think that is logical and Russia has no claim it can impose on Ukraine," Lipavsky said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a day earlier that Central Europe was "the beating heart of solidarity" since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

But the Czech Republic's neighbors -- and fellow EU and NATO members -- Slovakia and, especially, Hungary have resisted or, in Budapest's case, refused to supply Kyiv with military aid despite widespread consensus among most members.

Lipavsky said the Czech stance "is absolutely clear and Czechia is committing to support Ukraine militarily, humanitarily, [and] politically as long as it is necessary for Ukraine to win."

But he acknowledged that maintaining the kind of "solidarity" that von der Leyen referred to is a challenge even among Central Europeans, keeping allies like Hungary and Slovakia on side.

"We have to work on that. It is not easy," Lipavsky said. "Here is a lot of difficulties and a lot of divergences. But this is the task, to keep them as close as possible."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/czech-ukraine-weapons-limits- lipavsky/33100658.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.

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Foreign Ministry statement on the terrorist attack against Belgorod by the Ukrainian Nazis

31 August 2024 13:10

1600-31-08-2024

Zelensky's neo-Nazi junta continues to terrorise civilians in Russia. On the evening of August 30, its fighters perpetrated yet another crime by using Vampire, a Czech-made multiple rocket launcher, to shell Belgorod and its suburbs with cluster munitions. This barbaric strike left five civilians dead and 46 wounded, including seven minors. One child is in a critical condition and has already undergone surgery. Two adult patients are on their way to Moscow for medical treatment. Residential buildings and other civilian sites have been damaged in the attack.

The Foreign Ministry sincerely mourns the victims and wishes the wounded a speedy recovery.

Russia's Investigative Committee launched a criminal investigation into the attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces against Belgorod and the Belgorodsky District as per Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (terrorist attack). It is gathering information regarding the circumstances of the attack. All those who plotted and carried out this and other crimes perpetrated by the Kiev junta will face inevitable punishment under the law.

There is no doubt that this terrorist attack was designed to sow fear among people and was carefully planned well in advance. Once again, the Kiev clique demonstrated its Nazi essence - just like eight decades ago, during the Nazi invasion, today's followers of the Nazis and Bandera continue killing innocent people.

Just as back then, the supposedly civilised and enlightened West world, which in reality supports the Nazis, turns a blind eye to their bloody atrocities while also delivering lethal weapons to the cynical killers it nurtured. NATO-made missiles brought all this suffering, fires and destruction to the Belgorod Region. The name of these missiles, Vampire, is quite telling. The Ukrainian Nazis and their Western masters, the bloodsuckers of the 21st century, must recall the lessons of history and seriously consider about the disrepute and infamy the European fascists and their Banderite accomplices had to face at the end of their life's journey in May 1945.

Once again, we call on the responsible governments and the relevant international structures to firmly condemn this outrageous terrorist attack and to distance themselves in public from the Kiev regime and its Western curators who commit these crimes. Staying silent in the face of this rampant manifestations of barbarism by the Ukrainian Nazis and their puppeteers and accomplices representing the so-called civilised democracies will be akin to assisting them in their bloody acts.

All this senseless and cruel shelling targeting residential neighbourhoods in Donbass, the Belgorod, Kursk, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, Crimea and other Russian regions, as well as the merciless killings of civilians - all this testifies to the agony of the criminal Zelensky regime. It has been mired in terrorist, illegal, corrupt and cynical practices. All it seeks in its impotent rage is to kill as many Russians as possible.

However, no matter how hard it tries, its efforts will be vain and doomed to fail. People living in these Russian regions have demonstrated their courage and resilience by staying calm and reserved, while the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are ready to promptly respond to any crime by the Ukrainian militants.

The special military operation will carry on until it reaches all its objectives, including de-Nazification and demilitarisation of Ukraine.



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Russian Defence Ministry report on repelling an invasion attempt of the AFU on the territory of the Russian Federation (31 August 2024)

31.08.2024

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to repel the AFU attempt to invade the territory of the Russian Federation.

The units of the Sever Group of Forces supported by Army Aviation and artillery have repelled six attacks launched by enemy assault detachments in the direction of Borki, Bakhtinka, Komarovka, Malaya Loknya, and Matveyevka.

In addition, attempts by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to launch attacks in the direction of Korenevo and Malaya Loknya have been foiled. The AFU losses were up to 30 troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles. One serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine surrendered.

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue reconnaissance and search operations in forestry areas to locate and eliminate enemy sabotage groups.

Aviation, artillery, and troops have engaged manpower and hardware of 21st, 22nd, 61st, 115th mechanised, 82nd air assault brigades, and the 1004th Security and Service Brigade close to Apanasovka, Borki, Byakhovo, Vishnyovka, Krasnooktyabrskoye, Kruglenkoye, Lyubimovka, Martynovka, Novoivanovka, Novaya Sorochina, Plekhovo, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, Russkoye Porechnoye, Sverdlikovo, and Snagost.

Operational-Tactical Aviation has struck areas where reserves of 21st, 22nd, 41st mechanised, 17th tank, 80th, and 95th air assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 1st National Guard Brigade as well as 101st, 103rd, 107th, 119th, and 129th territorial defence brigades have been concentrated near Belopolye, Glukhov, Kiyanitsa, Obody, Svessa, Sosnovka, Sumy, Shalimovka, Shalygino, and Esman.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses were up to 400 troops and 18 units of hardware, including one tank, three armoured personnel carriers, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, three artillery guns, three mortars, one electronic warfare station, and seven motor vehicles.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses were over 8,200 troops, 76 tanks, 36 infantry fighting vehicles, 67 armoured personnel carriers, 521 armoured fighting vehicles, 242 motor vehicles, 56 artillery guns, 16 multiple-launch rocket system launchers, including four HIMARS MLRS and two U.S.-made MLRSs, five SAM launchers, 12 electronic warfare stations, one counter-battery radar, one air defence radar, five engineering vehicles, including two counterobstacle vehicles and one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The polling stations have been officially opened for the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said at a press conference, Trend reports.

He noted that all voters now can cast their votes at polling stations.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

For the first time, an election to the parliament is being held in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. Special attention has been given to organizing and conducting the election at the highest level in the territories liberated from occupation, where 54 polling stations have been established to uphold the constitutional rights of more than 42,000 eligible voters.

In the election to the parliament, 990 candidates are vying for seats. All necessary conditions have been provided for their free campaigning, in line with legislative requirements. More than 600 international observers and over 112,000 local observers are monitoring the election, with web cameras installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without the need for registration.

Portable ballot boxes will also be available for voting in the parliamentary election, with all polling stations equipped accordingly.

In connection with the election, the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company, have applied to the CEC to conduct an exit poll during the election.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
NATO Chief Refuses to Admit West's Role in Ukrainian Attack on Kursk

Sputnik News

20240831

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg refused on Saturday to admit that Ukraine had coordinated its attack on the western Russian region of Kursk with the allies, despite Russia's claims to the contrary.

"Ukraine did not discuss its planning of the Kursk offensive with NATO in advance. In this respect, NATO played no role," Stoltenberg said in an interview to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.

Stoltenberg argued that the choice of methods to defend itself lied with Ukraine and that its right to self-defense did not end at the internationally recognized Russian border.

Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev said Ukraine would not have risked an incursion into Russia without a go-ahead from NATO and Western intelligence agencies. NATO countries have funneled weapons and military instructors to Ukraine and are providing intelligence and controlling Ukrainian actions, he added.

Early on August 6, Ukrainian forces crossed the border into Russia and launched an offensive in the Kursk Region. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the move a large-scale provocation that aimed at civilians and vowed a proper response.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on August 31 that Ukrainian troops had lost over 8,200 servicemen and 76 tanks in the offensive.

A Sputnik

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Russian Investigative Committee Opens Criminal Case After Ukraine's Belgorod Region Attack

Sputnik News

20240831

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia has opened a criminal case on terrorism charges in connection with the attack by Ukrainian armed forces on the city of Belgorod and the Belgorod Region, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals, the Russian Investigative Committee said on Saturday.

"A criminal case has been initiated regarding the terrorist attack by Ukrainian armed formations on the city of Belgorod and the Belgorod Region. The main investigative department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has opened a criminal case under Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (terrorist act) regarding the attack on the city of Belgorod and the Belgorod Region, which resulted in the deaths of five civilians and injuries to at least 46 people, including seven minors, with civilian infrastructure facilities damaged," the investigative committee said on Telegram.

On Friday evening, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said air defenses worked over Belgorod and the surrounding region, several air targets were shot down near the city. Later, he reported that the shelling had been carried out from the Vampire multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

A Sputnik

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US Administration Will Not Send Contractors to Ukraine to Maintain F-16 Fighters - Reports

Sputnik News

20240831

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The administration of US President Joe Biden has abandoned the idea to aasend American contractors to Ukraine to maintain F-16 fighter jets due to concerns about safety, instead suggesting that European countries take responsibility for servicing the fighters, US media reported, citing US officials.

On Thursday, the Ukrainian air force confirmed media reports that a US-made F-16 jet, which was transferred to Ukraine by its Western partners, crashed on Monday just weeks after the first batch of such aircraft was delivered to Kiev.

The report said that according to officials, the US National Security Council considered the proposal to send civilian contractors to Ukraine to maintain F-16s and other weaponry, but the intelligence community deemed it too risky, so the hope instead is that European countries will take on more responsibility for the maintenance.

"The intelligence community raised concerns over the prospect of Russia targeting American contractors in Ukraine," a US official told the WSJ.

However, according to the report, the US administration does not rule out that US contractors could be sent to Ukraine in the future.

Russia has been conducting its special military operation since February 2022. President Vladimir Putin has said the operation aims to "protect people subjected to genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years." According to the president, the ultimate goal of the operation is to completely liberate Donbas and create conditions that guarantee Russia's security.

Russia earlier sent a note to NATO because of arms supplies to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia.

A Sputnik

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Number of Civilians Wounded in Belgorod Shelling by Ukraine Rises to 46 - Governor Gladkov

Sputnik News

20240831

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The number of civilians wounded in the Ukrainian shelling of the Russian city of Belgorod and the Belgorod Region has risen to 46, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

On Friday evening, the governor said air defenses worked over Belgorod and the surrounding region, several air targets were shot down near the city. Later, he reported that the shelling had been carried out from the Vampire multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), five people were killed, 37 were wounded.

"We have again lost civilians as a result of shelling of the city of Belgorod by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Five civilians were killed... 46 civilians were wounded. There are currently 37 people in hospitals, seven of them are children. One child is in serious condition," Gladkov said in a video published on Telegram.

Video appearing to be from the attack posted on social media show civilian vehicles being hit and no military targets in the area.

A Sputnik

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In the United States, Andriy Yermak Met with U.S. Military and Security Experts

President of Ukraine

31 August 2024 - 21:08

During a visit to the United States as part of a Ukrainian delegation headed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak met with U.S. military and security experts.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, Deputy Minister of Defense Oleksandr Balanutsa, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Volodymyr Horbatiuk, Chief of the Main Logistics Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Shevtsov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Mykola Tochytskyi and Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Dariia Zarivna.

During the meeting, the prospects for cooperation on joint arms production were discussed. The parties shared their perspectives and exchanged recommendations on further steps in this direction.

Rustem Umerov informed in detail about the situation on the battlefield.

The Head of the Presidential Office noted that Russia continues to systematically destroy our country's energy infrastructure and emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukraine's air defense. This week alone, Russia has fired over 400 missiles and drones of various types at Ukraine.

In addition, the Head of the Presidential Office pointed out that Ukraine needs partners' assistance to increase the production of long-range weapons, including strike drones and cruise missiles.

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We Need the Abilities to Really and Fully Protect Ukraine and Ukrainians - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

31 August 2024 - 20:42

Dear Ukrainians!

Today in Kharkiv, the clearing of rubble on the sites hit by Russian bombs continues. In total, yesterday's strikes took the lives of six people in Kharkiv. My condolences to their families and friends.

Ninety-seven people were injured; all of them were provided with the necessary assistance. And this is just in Kharkiv, and this is just one day of Russian strikes.

Since this morning, Russian terrorists have also been bombing the Sumy region with guided aerial bombs, and again the Kharkiv region. And this terror can be effectively stopped only in one way: by strikes on Russian military airfields, on their bases, on the logistics of Russian terror. And most importantly, it is possible. We talk about it every day with our partners. We convince them. We present arguments.

These days, our Ukrainian delegation is working in Washington: the First Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, representatives of the General Staff, and the Head of the Office. There have been meetings at various levels, and among the primary issues for us is the long-range capability of our Defense Forces, the ability to prevent all this terror that our Kharkiv and other our cities, many, so many communities of Ukraine are forced to go through.

Clearing the Ukrainian skies of Russian guided aerial bombs is a strong step to force Russia to seek an end to the war and a just peace. Ukrainian representatives provided all the necessary information, all the necessary details to our partners. And I appeal to the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany: we need the abilities to really and fully protect Ukraine and Ukrainians. We require both: permissions for long-range use, and your long-range shells and missiles. Vital decisions - exactly the ones that can influence events in the right way - cannot be postponed.

We are also talking with our partners about air defense - about systems, we need so much, especially now, before the school year starts, to provide more security for our Ukrainian children in schools, for our cities, for our energy sector. After all, we have the agreements with you, on air defense and on missiles for air defense systems. It is important to implement everything as soon as possible. We are working even harder these days for such news - about additional air defense systems.

I want to thank everyone in the world who is helping! And I thank all the friends of Ukraine who do not keep silent about this Russian terror, who react to all these strikes, who spread the truth about this war and urge the world to be more decisive and therefore more effective in defending Ukraine against Russia.

Today I spoke with the Commander-in-Chief. The Pokrovsk direction faces the highest number of assaults. The situation is also difficult in the Kramatorsk, Toretsk, and Kupyansk directions. Nearly two hundred battles are being fought daily along the entire front. And the most important thing now is to inflict maximum losses on the occupier and to respond to all Russian strikes.

We also discussed with the Commander-in-Chief the details of our offensive operations - active actions in the Kursk region. We continue to replenish the exchange fund for Ukraine and push the war into Russian territory. The resilience of each of our units, the precision of our warriors and the strong decisions of our partners are equally crucial. I thank all our combat brigades!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Andriy Yermak Met with Foreign Policy Advisor to the U.S. Vice President Philip Gordon

President of Ukraine

31 August 2024 - 14:30

During a visit to the United States as part of a Ukrainian delegation headed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak met with Foreign Policy Advisor to the Vice President of the United States Philip Gordon.

The meeting was also attended by Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Mykola Tochytskyi and Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Dariia Zarivna.

The Head of the Office of the President emphasized that in the face of the growing missile terror by the Russian Federation, it is important for Ukraine to receive the necessary weapons and equipment as soon as possible.

In addition, during the meeting, the parties discussed the strengthening of air defense, increasing the number of artillery and combat aircraft, formation of new brigades and meeting their needs.

Special attention was paid to the implementation of the Peace Formula. The Head of the Presidential Office thanked U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for her participation in the first Peace Summit and for the close attention she and her team are paying to the implementation process of the Peace Formula, despite the preparations for the elections.

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Supporting Ukrainian Energy System and Tightening Sanctions Against Russian Federation: Andriy Yermak Met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien

President of Ukraine

31 August 2024 - 14:00

During a visit to the United States as part of a Ukrainian delegation headed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien.

The Head of the Office of the President described the recent Russian shelling of Ukraine's energy facilities. Andriy Yermak noted the need to restore energy infrastructure following these attacks; he also emphasized the key role of American partners in enabling its rapid restoration.

The Head of the Presidential Office also informed the Assistant Secretary of State on the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, particularly in strengthening air defense.

"Now it is especially important to maximize our efforts for the sake of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. This is the key moment that we must seize together," Andriy Yermak said.

The Head of the Presidential Office paid special attention to the tightening of sanctions against the aggressor state.

"Sanctions are costing the Russian economy dearly, but it is still not enough. We must continue our work on tightening the sanctions restrictions. Each day of waging war should cost Russia more," Andriy Yermak said.

Among other things, the Head of the Office of the President stressed the need to strengthen the sanctions policy against Russia in the sphere of finance, oil and gas exports, as well as the measures aimed at stopping the supply of Western equipment to the military-industrial complex of the Russian Federation.

The Head of the Presidential Office described the development of the Peace Formula process and the preparations for thematic conferences to be held in the near future based on its points.

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Arms Supply and Peace Formula Implementation: Ukrainian Delegation Met with National Security Advisers of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France in Washington

President of Ukraine

31 August 2024 - 13:21

During a visit to the United States as part of a Ukrainian delegation headed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak met with National Security Advisers of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.

The Ukrainian side was also represented by Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Mykola Tochytskyi and Adviser to the Head of the Presidential Office Dariia Zarivna.

The U.S. delegation was headed by National Security Adviser to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan, the UK delegation - by National Security Adviser Timothy Barrow, the German delegation - by Foreign Policy and Security Adviser to the Federal Chancellor Jens PlAtner, and the French delegation - by Diplomatic Adviser to the President Emmanuel Bonne.

The parties discussed the necessary efforts to further strengthen Ukraine's air defense and energy system protection.

The Head of the Office of the President emphasized that it is crucial for Ukraine to receive the necessary weapons and equipment as soon as possible.

"Our coordination and joint efforts are particularly important. We have already come a long way together and achieved a lot. But now is a special moment when we need to maximize our efforts to help Ukraine prevail. It is important to use this moment correctly," Andriy Yermak stressed.

The Head of the Presidential Office noted that the Advisers had traveled a long way for the meeting and thanked them for the joint work.

Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov described the situation on the battlefield and the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

The meeting also focused on expanding opportunities for joint arms production and allied investment in Ukraine's defense industry.

The parties also discussed in detail the preparation and procedure for further implementation of the Ukraine Compact, adopted by Ukraine's partners at the 75th NATO Summit in Washington.

In addition, the parties agreed on an action plan for the implementation of the already signed security documents.

Special attention was paid to the Peace Formula implementation. The Head of the Presidential Office spoke about the thematic conferences to be held in the near future.

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Ukraine, Russia trade attacks, leaving dozens dead or injured

By VOA News August 31, 2024

A Russian guided-bomb attack hit a village in Ukraine's Kharkiv region Saturday, killing two people and injuring 10 others, including children, local officials said.

Governor Oleh Syniehubov said guided bombs struck Cherkaska Lozova, damaging a residential building.

"Two women were killed," Syniehubov said. "One was found in the rubble, and the other died in an ambulance."

Two children were among the injured.

The Kharkiv region, which borders Russia, has faced frequent shelling and bombings during the 30-month conflict.

In a separate incident, Ukrainian air defenses reported shooting down 24 of 52 Russian drones launched overnight across eight regions.

The Ukrainian air force said 25 Shahed drones fell on their own, while three veered toward Russia and Belarus.

No injuries or major damage resulted from these drone attacks, though air alerts caused many people to take cover.

In Kyiv, where the air alert lasted approximately four hours, all drones targeting the city were intercepted without causing significant damage.

This was Kyiv's fourth drone attack this week.

Ukrainian air defenses also shot down drones in the Poltava, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Mykolayiv regions.

In Cherkasy, drone debris caused damage to several private homes.

On Friday, a similar Russian bomb attack on Kharkiv hit a playground and a 12-story residential building.

Officials say six people, including a 14-year-old girl, were killed. On social media Saturday, regional Governor Syniehubov said the number of injured had risen from 47 to 96.

Twenty of the injured are reported to be in serious condition, officials say.

The residential building also 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 again called on his country's 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."

US, Ukrainian officials meet

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," Zelenskyy's office said in a statement about the meeting.

The statement also said Andriy Yermak, Ukraine's 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. The defense ministers met for their first informal meeting following a summer recess, and speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, they said military aid for Ukraine remains at the top of the agenda.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said Ukraine's recent incursion into Russia's 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.

Netherlands Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said his country is close to delivering Patriot missile defense systems it 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.

Ukraine's 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 Moscow's offensive against the city of Kharkiv but left other restrictions in place.

Speaking with reporters, Kuleba said he expects permission to be granted and the delivery of weapons to be used for that purpose. European Union 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.

Fighting continues

Meanwhile, fighting continues in Ukraine, with local authorities in the northeastern Ukraine city of Sumy saying a Russian strike Friday killed two women and wounded eight other people.

The city's 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 was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Representatives of 22 international media are monitoring the extraordinary parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said at a briefing, Trend reports.

He said that representatives of international media, as well as local media, are free to oversee the election process and interview observers.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

For the first time, an election to the parliament is being held in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. Special attention has been given to organizing and conducting the election at the highest level in the territories liberated from occupation, where 54 polling stations have been established to uphold the constitutional rights of more than 42,000 eligible voters.

In the election to the parliament, 990 candidates are vying for seats. All necessary conditions have been provided for their free campaigning, in line with legislative requirements. More than 600 international observers and over 112,000 local observers are monitoring the election, with web cameras installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without the need for registration.

Portable ballot boxes will also be available for voting in the parliamentary election, with all polling stations equipped accordingly.

In connection with the election, the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company, have applied to the CEC to conduct an exit poll during the election.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
London, UK, Aug. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As 2024 progresses, United-CFX.com reviews is making waves in the trading industry with the launch of its latest AI-driven trading features specifically designed for Australian investors. This significant update enhances the platform's capabilities, providing users with unprecedented tools to navigate the financial markets with greater efficiency and confidence.

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JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a significant move to bolster trade relations and strengthen global economic ties, the Hisense factory in South Africa recently welcomed a high-profile delegation from India. The visit, highlighted by the presence of the South African High Commissioner designate to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, underscored the deepening connections between three key BRICS nations: China, India, and South Africa.



Strengthening Economic Ties

Hisense, a major player in the South African economy, continues to drive progress through substantial investment, job creation, and local manufacturing. The factory tour provided the Indian delegates a firsthand look at these contributions, showcasing Hisenses role in empowering South Africas economic growth.

In his address, Professor Sooklal emphasised the strategic importance of fostering trade relations among BRICS countries, particularly between South Africa, India, and China. "Investment from companies like Hisense is vital, not only for job creation but also for sustaining our nations development," he stated.

BRICS: A Pillar of Global Cooperation

The visit also highlighted the crucial role of BRICS in shaping global geopolitics and economics. Professor Sooklal reflected on the collaboration within BRICS, noting, "As we work closely with India, its essential that we ensure the Global South remains integral in global decision-making." He expressed confidence in the continued cooperation between these nations, particularly as India prepares to lead BRICS in 2026.

A Shared Vision for Economic Growth

The event further solidified the strong historical ties between India and South Africa. Hisenses investment in the region exemplifies how global businesses can make a meaningful impact by creating jobs, upskilling local talent, and fostering innovation.

The general manager of Hisense South Africa Vivi Liu reaffirmed the companys commitment to partnership and community development, stating, "By continuously improving and enlarging our manufacture in South Africa, we are building bridges between nations, empowering communities, and contributing to a more inclusive global economy."

Looking Forward

The visit concluded with a commitment from all parties to continue building on these foundations, ensuring that the economic partnerships between China, India, and South Africa remain robust and mutually beneficial.
WAKE FOREST, N.C. and ADELAIDE, Australia , Sept. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avance Clinical, the award-winning market-leading CRO for biotechs, announced today that 2,000 clinical sites across North America had joined the Avance Clinical GlobalReady Site Partnership Network.



Avance Clinical CEO, Yvonne Lungershausen said these 2,000 highly qualified sites further enhanced delivery of unprecedented efficiency and effectiveness for our biotech clients during their clinical development.

Tina Schied, Avance Clinicals US-based Senior Site Specialist said the team has individually reviewed these sites for quality, therapeutic area expertise, advanced processes, and compliance so our clients can be assured of quality, rapid startup, and patient access which are vital elements for a successful clinical program.

Avance Clinical is highly regarded among US-based biotechs and they now make up more than 80% of our clients. A key factor is we can accelerate their clinical development in the US, Australia and Asia, from preclinical stages through to Phase III, said Schied.

This is our GlobalReady program which leverages our unique, streamlined multi-region process. With a global pathway, we can ensure efficiency every step of the way, she said.

Biotechs are looking for a partner that can seamlessly help transition rapidly with high-quality data that is readily accepted by the FDA and other regulatory agencies. Our in-house global regulatory affairs team assists biotechs to navigate regulatory complexities with confidence and supports our clients with FDA, EMA and TGA submissions.

Avance Clinical is a mid-sized, agile, and responsive CRO with a proven track record of swiftly advancing high-quality clinical programs. Our global team is focussed on accelerating drug development for its biotech clients, from preclinical stages through to Phase III.

Avance Clinical is also an accredited cell and gene technology CRO which means it can run clinical operations for pre-clinical and clinical trials for GMO therapies.

New analysis by market research leader Frost & Sullivan shows one of the major challenges for US biotechs was finding the right biotech aligned CRO partner.

More than 60% of US biotechs experience delays seeking the right CRO partner to accelerate their drug development programs, Lungershausen said. (See report here).

The comprehensive report underscores the increasing biotech preference to collaborate with the right sized CROs that can accommodate the fast-paced nature of biotech demands.

Find out more:

Learn about the GlobalReady model here https://www.avancecro.com/avance-clinical-north-america-operations/

For more information about the benefits of running your next study with Avance Clinical contact us

Request an application about joining the GlobalReady Site Partnership Network

About Avance Clinical

Avance Clinical is the largest premium full-service Australian, Asian, North American and EU CRO delivering quality clinical trials, with globally accepted data, in Australia, New Zealand and the US for international biotechs. The companys clients are biotechs completing Phase I to Phase III of their drug development program that require fast, agile, and adaptive solution-oriented clinical research services.

Frost & Sullivan Awards

Avance Clinical, a Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific CRO Market Leadership Award recipient for the past five years, has been providing CRO services in the region for more than 26 years.

Pre-clinical through to mid to late phase

Avance Clinical offers pre-clinical services with their experienced ClinicReady team right from pre-clinical through to Phase III clinical services leveraging significant Australian Government incentive rebates of up to 43.5% and rapid start-up regulatory processes.

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www.avancecro.com
Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the second year running, Global Standard is taking consumers #BehindTheSeams this September, highlighting the sustainable and social qualities of GOTS-certified products  from runway fashion to hygiene products and so much more in between. Building on the success of last year, #BehindTheSeams 2024 has expanded to take over the entire month, Sept. 2-30, with more education on the people and practices making sustainable textiles, plus giveaways planned each day.



Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognised for its comprehensive approach to sustainability. From promoting human rights along the value chain to banning harmful chemicals in certified textiles, GOTS sets a benchmark for integrity and sustainability. This campaign gives certified companies the opportunity to emphasise how they are at the forefront of changing the textile industry, and how adherence to GOTS is better for the environment more socially conscious throughout their textile production value chain.



Throughout September, Global Standard is excited to introduce daily giveaways on Instagram, featuring partnerships with leading GOTS-certified brands such as Frugi, FC St. Pauli, LangerChen, Natracare, Organic Basics, Mandala, Dedicated and more. Additionally, two major giveaways will be hosted on behindtheseams.eco, where visitors can learn about sustainability by answering daily questions and earning entries. One lucky person based in Europe and their guest will win a sustainable trip to Paris. This includes train travel, a two-night stay at the eco-friendly Eden Lodge Paris and a private fitting for a custom GOTS-certified jacket by John Preston. The winner will also enjoy dinner at La Table de Colette, a Michelin-starred restaurant committed to eco-responsibility, including a menu highlighting the carbon footprint of each dish. A lucky winner based in North America will win a hand-built GOTS-certified organic Serenade mattress sponsored by Naturepedic.



#BehindTheSeams is also spotlighting "organic in-conversion" farming and urging brands to support farmers during the critical transition period from conventional to organic. In this campaign, GOTS has partnered with the Organic Cotton Accelerator, a multi-stakeholder organisation dedicated to supporting farmers throughout the cotton supply chain as they make the shift to and sustain organic practices. Together, GOTS and OCA want to send a message that brands can bolster the organic cotton supply by investing in and buying organic in-conversion cotton.



"Global Standard and GOTS-certified companies work hard in the background to ensure a more organic, sustainable and socially conscious textile industry, but the consumer doesnt always see or know what that actually means when they pick up a GOTS item in a store," said Holger Stripf, head of marketing at Global Standard. This campaign is a fun, engaging way to educate the public on living eco-consciously and why choosing organic textiles is better for the health of humans and the planet.



Learn more at behindtheseams.eco.





(Press release in Japanese)

(Press release in Chinese)





###

About Global Organic Textile Standard

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), managed by non-profit Global Standard, is the world's leading standard for organic textile certification. It sets strict environmental and social criteria for the entire textile value chain, from the harvesting of raw materials to the finished product. GOTS certification ensures the integrity of finished organic textiles and provides comprehensive solutions for the industry and assurance to consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.global-standard.org.
studied the 13 states' constitutions, as well as the efforts of other nations to form democracies, to learn from their experiences;

put together a plan for a new constitution, sent it to George Washington and Virginia Gov. Edmund Randolph for their reactions, and obtained their support;

persuaded Randolph to present the plan to the Virginia delegates (Randolph had greater stature within the state than Madison);

used his network of political allies in other states to gain information about the delegates being selected for the Convention;

and, got to Philadelphia early and set about meeting with various delegates, identifying their interests and concerns.

It was September 1786, and James Madison was despondent. He had traveled to Annapolis, where leaders from the 13 states were to meet and discuss methods for increasing interstate trade. But the Annapolis Convention never got started; it lacked a quorum to begin the proceedings.If we can't get leaders to meet and discuss something as important as increased trade, thought Madison, how will we tackle the far more important (and difficult) question of revising the Articles of Confederation?Madison realized that the emerging republic was at risk of failure. Under the Articles of Confederation, each state saw itself as an autonomous nation -- indeed, Thomas Jefferson referred to Virginia as "my country." Congress had no power to regulate commerce or to tax the states, which refused to pay their share of the national government's costs. They also refused to cooperate on building roads and canals, and six of the states had their own currencies. There was no central executive under the Articles, only a Congress that couldn't require the states to do anything of importance without a majority of the members of at least nine states.What had held the states together was their opposition to British rule. With independence, they no longer had a common enemy. That didn't bother most Americans, however. In fact, they were delighted to have such a weak central government. But Madison realized that if the young country was to survive as a true nation, it needed a true central government. And that required tossing out the Articles and starting over.Madison also realized something else: he wasn't the person to bring the states' leaders together for such a daunting task. At 5 feet 4 inches, Madison was a diminutive man. His voice was weak, he was sickly most of his life and he lacked the credibility necessary to convince others to attend the meeting. Acknowledging his own limitations, he asked himself, who can bring us together? The answer was obvious: George Washington.Madison began courting Washington, who had retired from public life. Washington thought it unlikely that state leaders could agree on the creation of a strong central government, and didn't want to become a delegate to the proposed meeting in Philadelphia. For six months, Madison talked with him, wrote him letters and had others do the same. Finally, in March of 1787, Washington agreed to attend the meeting. His willingness to serve at the Constitutional Convention gave the meeting credibility and convinced others to attend.Madison's behind-the-scenes leadership was just beginning. He then:By the time the Constitutional Convention convened on May 25, 1787, Madison had identified potential supporters for his plan, knew what the objections would be and had very credible people ready to support it. By the end of that summer, as we know, the framers created an enduring (if flawed) document that has served us extremely well for over 220 years.James Madison's extraordinary campaign to convince people of the need to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new Constitution (and thus end enormous state autonomy in favor of a strong central government) not only saved a fledgling nation, it also provides us with an inspiring example of collaborative leadership.Governing
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. More than 42,000 voters will vote at a total of 54 permanently open polling stations in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan Mazahir Panahov said at a briefing, Trend reports.

He highlighted that there are 10 districts designated for IDP voting.

"Seven of these districts are permanent, and three partially cover IDPs. There will be 574 polling stations for IDPs, with 397,862 registered voters. More than 42,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots in the liberated territories," he added.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

For the first time, an election to the parliament is being held in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. Special attention has been given to organizing and conducting the election at the highest level in the territories liberated from occupation, where 54 polling stations have been established to uphold the constitutional rights of more than 42,000 eligible voters.

In the election to the parliament, 990 candidates are vying for seats. All necessary conditions have been provided for their free campaigning, in line with legislative requirements. More than 600 international observers and over 112,000 local observers are monitoring the election, with web cameras installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without the need for registration.

Portable ballot boxes will also be available for voting in the parliamentary election, with all polling stations equipped accordingly.

In connection with the election, the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company, have applied to the CEC to conduct an exit poll during the election.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
With Google's recent Pixel 9 series release, the company is finally challenging the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with its top-tier Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Both handsets are similarly priced right now, so it's a valid dilemma for many users looking for an upgrade right now. Especially in the US, where smartphone choice is somewhat more limited with fewer brands owning the entire market.

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 following text.

Size comparison

Google

Pixel 9 Pro XL 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm

(6.41 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) 221 g

Samsung

Galaxy S24 Ultra 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm

(6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in) 232 g

The Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Galaxy S24 Ultra are rather large devices - with their 6.8-inch displays, we'd go as far as calling them borderline unwieldy for most people. If you never held one of these two in your hand, better go and try one in a store to check them out for size.

However, if you know you what one, then you should bear in mind a few nuances. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is wider and has sharp, pointy corners that make the phone feel bigger than it actually is. Some find the sharp corners offer a more secure grip, but others find them awkward.

The Pixel, on the other hand, has rounded corners and  flat side frame, so it feels easier to hold in the hand.

In any case, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better option build quality-wise. It has supposedly tougher Gorilla Armor protective panels on the front and back, compared to the Victus 2 sheets on the Pixel, and it boasts a superior titanium frame design as opposed to regular aluminum.

Display comparison

Google

Pixel 9 Pro XL LTPO OLED

120Hz 1344x2992

pixels 486

ppi 6.80"

Samsung

Galaxy S24 Ultra LTPO OLED

120Hz 1440x3120

pixels 505

ppi 6.80"

The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a more boxy screen ratio, so even though both phones have the same screen 6.8-inch screen diagonal, the S24 Ultra will also offer you a tad more screen real estate.

Feature-wise, both panels are neck and neck - 120Hz refresh rate with granular control, HDR10+ certification, etc.

In our tests, the Pixel scored an outstanding 2,365 nits of max brightness in auto mode and more than 1,300 nits in manual mode. That's hands-down the brightest display on a flagship this year (maybe even before that). The S24 Ultra caps at 1,440 nits in Auto mode.

It's still important to note that Samsung has added a unique so far anti-reflective coating, making the S24 Ultra's display extra comfortable under the bright sun. Still, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is noticeably brighter so it should make up for that easily.

Battery life

The Galaxy S24 Ultra wins by a small margin in the battery endurance race. The handset scores more than an hour of extra Active Use Score, mainly due to its longer 4G call runtime. It also has a tad better video playback and gaming scores but falls short of the Pixel in the web browsing segment.

Nevertheless, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is probably your safest bet if battery life is one of your top priorities. The Pixel's tiny web browsing runtime advantage is largely negligible in this context.

Charging speed

Google

Pixel 9 Pro XL

5060 mAh 15min

39% 30min

67% Full

78min 37W

Samsung

Galaxy S24 Ultra

5000 mAh 15min

39% 30min

69% Full

65min 45W

Neither of the two phones is particularly fast when it comes to charging - the Galaxy is rated to charge at up to 45W, while the Pixel - at up to 37W. Both companies have a 45W fast charger to offer you as an extra purchase. The chargers don't have any proprietary technologies and both use USB Power Delivery 3.0 - they are even quite closely spec'd.

Of course, the max charging power ratings don't tell the whole story. At the 15 and 30-minute marks, both phones are equally fast, or slow, depending on how you look at it.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers ever so slightly faster charging to 100%. In our tests, it completed a full cycle in 1 hour and 5 minutes, which is 13 minutes faster than the 9 Pro XL.

Speaker test

According to our speakers test, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is slightly louder than the Pixel 9 Pro XL, but they both get a "Very Good" score. The difference is in the tuning. The Pixel sounds a tad warmer, deeper and the mids are a bit more pronounced, whereas the S24 Ultra's speakers sound more flat. The difference isn't striking, though, as both handsets offer excellent sound quality.

Performance

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has Google's latest Tensor G4 chipset but this chipset is far from being the fastest on the market.

On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the top silicon available currently - it's even the slightly overclocked "for Galaxy" edition a.k.a. SM8650-AC.

Google

Pixel 9 Pro XL Google Tensor G4

4 nm 128GB 16GB RAM

Samsung

Galaxy S24 Ultra Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SM8650-AC

4 nm 256GB 12GB RAM

Regarding memory, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a notable advantage. The device comes with 12GB/256GB by default and can go up to 12GB/1TB. The Pixel's default option is 16GB/128GB and goes up to 16GB/1TB. Sure, you do get more RAM with the Pixel, no matter the configuration, but storage is arguably more important nowadays. 12GB on the S24 Ultra is plenty, so we would prefer more storage instead.

Benchmark performance

Google

Pixel 9 Pro XL AnTuTu 10

1,380,138 Geekbench 6

4,854 3D Mark

8,841

Samsung

Galaxy S24 Ultra AnTuTu 10

1,823,822 Geekbench 6

7,076 3D Mark

17,931

As expected, the Galaxy S24 Ultra outperforms the Pixel 9 Pro XL in every possible scenario. Pixel phones have never been the best performers in the flagship space, but the difference isn't negligible.

In CPU-heavy workloads, like Geekbench 6, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-AC outperforms the Tensor G4 by around 45%. In combined scenarios such as AnTuTu 10, the S24 Ultra pulls ahead with 32% higher performance and in the GPU-intensive tasks, Samsung's contender offers 36% higher performance.

Camera comparison

The Pixel 9 Pro XL packs a potent camera setup with 50MP f/1.7, 1/1.31" main camera aided by a 48MP f/2.8, 1/2.55" periscope telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. The ultrawide unit is 48MP f/1.7, 1/2.55" with autofocus. An unconventional 42MP f/2.2 selfie camera with an ultrawide lens sits on the front.

As for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it has just as big 200MP 1/1.3" sensor with f/1.7 aperture, but is joined by not one but two telephoto units - 10MP f/2.4, 1/3.52" with 3x zoom and 50MP f/3.4, 1/2.52" periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom. The ultrawide is 12MP f/2.2, 1/2.55", while the selfie camera is once again 12MP f/2.2.

Judging solely by the specs sheet alone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a more versatile setup thanks to the extra 3x telephoto unit. But let's dive deeper to see the nuances.

Image quality

The stills from both phones' main cameras aren't fundamentally different, but you will likely find the Galaxy's shots a bit more lively. The HDR algorithm goes for brighter shadows and the post-processing, although more restrained in the current S24 series, prefers punchier color reproduction. This leaves the Pixel 9 Pro XL with slightly muted colors and darker shadows, in comparison.



Pixel 9 Pro XL: 0.5x  1x  2x  5x  10x



Galaxy S24 Ultra: 0.6x  1x  2x  5x  10x

It's hard to tell which one does a better job in the 2x crop zoom mode, but the Galaxy's stills are somewhat cleaner and slightly sharper.

The same goes for the 5x telephoto samples. The S24 Ultra still delivers livelier scenes with brighter shadows and punchier colors and if you look closely enough, you could make a case for the S24 Ultra being slightly sharper too. Still, the difference is hard to spot, so we call this a tie. We couldn't find any notable difference in the 10x hybrid zoom photos either.

Although the ultrawide camera on the Pixel 9 Pro XL is better on paper, it barely shows any advantage over the Galaxy. It does have a bit of extra definition, but we can't say it's noticeably better than the Ultra.

In the low-light scenery, the S24 Ultra has a slight upper hand, delivering a tad sharper, more defined objects in both shadows and highlights. Samsung's flagship handles highlights and light sources better too.



Pixel 9 Pro XL: 0.5x  1x  2x  5x



Galaxy S24 Ultra: 0.6x  1x  2x  5x

These findings become more apparent as you move up the focal length. The low-light 2x zoom photos are better on the Galaxy, while the 5x telephoto pictures are considerably cleaner and sharper.

When it comes to the ultrawide, both phones trade blows. The 9 Pro XL's low-light ultrawide shots are somewhat cleaner with less noise, especially in more challenging conditions, but the S24 Ultra's are sharper and more detailed.

Selfies look quite similar in terms of quality, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL's ultrawide selfie cam has wider FoV.



Selfies: Pixel 9 Pro XL  Galaxy S24 Ultra

Video quality

We didn't expect it to be that easy, but the winner in the video quality comparison is the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The phone consistently delivers considerably sharper footage with all of its cameras.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL's video capture capabilities mostly pale in comparison, except for low-light video recording, where the Pixel's main camera delivers sharper footage.



Pixel 9 Pro XL: 0.5x  1x  5x  1x Low-light



Galaxy S24 Ultra: 0.6x  1x  2x  5x  1x Low-light

Verdict

Although the Galaxy S24 Ultra's launch price was higher than the Pixel 9 Pro XL's, both devices are now similarly priced. In fact, the former can be found for a little less, tipping the scales in its favor. Especially if you consider the more powerful chipset, twice the default storage, more versatile and perhaps better overall camera experience, longer battery life, the more premium build and the S Pen. Perhaps not all will care about the stylus, but it's a bonus worth considering. It has its perks and features.

Then again, the software could be a deciding factor for many users still on the fence. The two companies have a fundamentally different approach when it comes to software. The Pixel software is plain, vanilla Android with Pixel-exclusive features on top. At the same time, Samsung's One UI is a heavily customized Android skin overlay with a plethora of features and a very different UX. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, so it's up to you to decide. Both OEMs promise 7 years of software updates.

All in all, the Galaxy S24 Ultra seems like the more sound choice as it has an advantage in key areas, asks a little less than its rival and brings more value to the table in terms of features.

Get the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for: The easier handling, feels more compact.

The brighter display.

The slightly better-sounding speakers.

The slightly longer web browsing runtime in battery tests.

More RAM (16GB) across all storage tiers.

The contactless thermometer sensor (if you need one on your phone for some reason).
A confirmation hearing was held Thursday on the appointment of Atty. Sean Brown to serve as a magistrate judge of the Superior Court of Guam.

He drew strong support from a number of fellow attorneys and family members as a dedicated prosecutor and family man.

Brown is an assistant attorney general who has served for more than 10 years at the Office of the Attorney General of Guam.

He earned his juris doctor degree in 2010 from California Western School of Law in San Diego. He also holds a bachelor of science degree in sociology from the University of California, Riverside.

Brown was one of three candidates recommended by the Guam Bar Association to Supreme Court of Guam Chief Justice Robert Torres, who testified at the confirmation hearing that Brown possesses the character and temperament for a life on the bench.

Torres said temperament shapes the entire courtroom environment and Attorney Browns record demonstrates his deep understanding of these principles and his capacity to handle significant legal issues with the impartiality required for this position, Torres said.

A magistrate judge has broad responsibilities in civil cases and they also oversee the first appearances of criminal defendants, handle arraignments, set or modify bail, order pre-trial conditions or detention, accept pleas, sentence misdemeanants, and enter judgments, Torres said.

Their duties are essential to ensuring the timely delivery of justice for our community, Torres added.

When testifying on his own behalf, Brown said, If you guys let me become a magistrate judge were going to move cases. Were going to get things done. People will be heard, people will have their day in court.

Despite his more than decade-long career as a lawyer, Brown said he wants to serve from the Bench, Im sincere about this. This is what I want to do with my life, this is my dream, Brown said.

He was asked by Speaker Therese Terlaje to comment on how he would handle so-called catch, release and re-offend cases that are the subject of the publics growing concerns.

Brown said, every person that will come before me will have a different set of facts. Theres not one approach that covers everything. Well listen to what the attorney generals office has to say, well hear what the defense has to say.

Brown said he will weigh the accuseds criminal history, background, severity of the case, the danger to the community, and the danger to the victim, Whatever decision I make, Im going to explain to the parties why Im making it. I plan to be thorough and I plan to be consistent, because a judge has to be consistent, Brown said.

He also told a story about how when he first came to Guam he was accepted by his wifes grandmother to live at her home in Malesso. She passed away last year, Brown said, and the ninth night of her first year anniversary coincided with his confirmation hearing.

We were all supposed to be at church but oddly enough the power went out in Barrigada and church was canceled, so even now shes with me, still watching over us, Brown said.

If confirmed, Brown would replace Judge Benjamin Sison whose second term as magistrate judge expires in October.
Even with its bright rainbow-flagged exterior, youll hear the bar before you see it: A bass-pounding playlist of classic dance-y anthems, from Village Peoples YMCA to Whitney Houstons I Wanna Dance With Somebody is spilling out of Laffites Blacksmith Shop.

At 6 p.m on Saturday, Aug. 31, the crowd outside of the bar has all found somebody to dance with  even if its a stranger.

At Southern Decadence, Ross Chapman  who lives in Kansas City but owns a home in the Bywater  dances with a new friend.Emily Topping

The best part of Southern Decadence is reconnecting with old friends from across the country, says an attendee named Pete, who travelled to New Orleans from Florida to witness the five-day-long celebration of gay culture. Were seen so many people we love.

On the first full day of the festival, attendees could be seen dancing, kissing, drinking rum-heavy cocktails out of plastic jugs and flipping the bird to religious protesters on Bourbon Street.

If youre only in New Orleans for the weekend, thats a pretty good place to start. (The only concern is waking up in time for tomorrows parade at 2 p.m.)

Outside of Laffites, a group of friends celebrate Southern Decadence.Emily Topping

Stefan and Cameron, visitors from Dallas, show off their moves in the street.Emily Topping

Ambassadors for VACAY, a line of gay and LGBT+ cruises, host a giveaway outside of OZ New Orleans.Emily Topping

Religious protesters are given the middle finger by Southern Decadence attendees.Emily Topping

If bare buttocks offend you, it's best to avoid the French Quarter during Labor Day weekend.Emily Topping

Nate Jones and Germaine Elliott take a break from dancing to take a selfie.Emily Topping

Tourists may believe the stereotypical New Orleans 'tradition' of lifting your shirt for beads, but at Southern Decadence, the rules are a little different.Emily Topping

Drag performer Sheeya Mann walks down Bourbon Street after a performance at Grand Pre's. Emily Topping

Southern Decadence attendees pack the streets and balcony of Oz, a gay bar in the French Quarter.Emily Topping

No shirt, no problem at Southern Decadence. Emily Topping

Festival attendees from Dallas pose in the window of Oz. Emily Topping

Not everyone in the Quarter is here for Southern Decadence. This family from the Northshore drove to New Orleans to celebrate their daughter's birthday, and were promptly surprised by the sights and sounds of the festival. Emily Topping

Two different types of uniforms are on display at Southern Decadence, as police block off streets for the festival. Emily Topping

Tess Schwaten and Niamh Lister, of Scotland, are visiting New Orleans for the first time.Emily Topping

Jennifer Jones AKA the dancing lady of New Orleans fits right in at Southern Decadence wearing her day-to-day attire. Emily Topping

Jarin Vallesteros and Thomas Vaughan enjoy a cocktail in the streets, one of New Orleans most beloved privileges.Emily Topping




Haiti - FLASH : Important message from the Ministry of Health





Faced with the resurgence of Mpox cases (formerly known as "monkeypox") worldwide (more than 120 countries have reported cases of Mpox between January 2022 and August 2024, with more than 100,000 laboratory-confirmed cases), the World Health Organization (WHO) considers this disease a public health emergency, the highest level of alert.



Consequently, Dr. Georges Fils Brignol, Minister of Public Health, in the interest of transparency, shares the following information for a better understanding by the population of this new health issue,



"1. To date, no cases of monkeypox (Mpox) have been reported in Haiti. However, it is essential that we remain well informed and prepared to protect our population;



2. Monkeypox (MPox) is a viral disease that is transmitted primarily through close contact with an infected person, whether through broken skin, bodily fluids, or respiratory droplets [either through direct contact with infected animals or indirectly through contaminated materials (such as bedding or surfaces)];



3. Symptoms of monkeypox (MPox) include fever, headache, muscle aches, and rash [incubation period of 12 days];



4. Although the disease is rare, it can affect anyone. That is why we must all be aware of the risks and know how to protect ourselves;



5. Prevention is our best weapon against monkeypox (MPox). We must all ensure that we adopt rigorous hygiene practices, avoid close contact with sick people, and follow the recommendations of health authorities;"



The Minister also wishes to reassure you that he is closely monitoring the situation globally and regionally, and is working on the necessary measures to prevent the outbreak of this disease in Haiti.



The Ministry has strengthened epidemiological surveillance to detect possible cases of this disease early. In this regard, instructions have been sent to the competent services at the central and departmental levels to apply the appropriate protocols in the presence of suspected, probable and/or confirmed cases.



The Minister encourages you to stay informed and follow the advice of the national health authority that is the Ministry.



Let's adopt rigorous hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing and avoiding close contact with people with suspicious symptoms.



"Together, by remaining vigilant and cooperating, we can continue to protect our nation from this disease. Let's be united and supportive to preserve everyone's health !"



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Agriculture : Development of the cocoa sector





At the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Organization Agronomes et Veterinaires Sans Frontieres (AVSF), as part of the project "JADEN / KREYOL / PROFISUD", funded by Global Affairs Canada and Swiss Cooperation, a workshop to present the strategic framework for the development and governance of the cocoa sector in Haiti was held this week at the Montana Hotel.



Hosted by Group Croissance S.A, this activity aimed not only to present the issues facing the sector but also to gather the opinions and reactions of the stakeholders on the guidelines of this document mainly focusing on a better approach to the development and governance of the cocoa sector.



Cleome Abel, the Coordinator of the Haitian Coffee Institute (INCAH), said, "This workshop allows us to provide one or more concrete answers to this crucial question : how can we revive the cocoa sector in Haiti with a view to reconciling the interests of producers and agricultural entrepreneurs with the increase in national wealth following a dynamic of good governance ?" continuing, "At the level of the Ministry of Agriculture, measures are being taken so that, within the next ten years, the cocoa sector regains its performance and growth through this strategic framework that will soon be finalized." The data provided by Vernet Joseph, the Minister of Agriculture, suggests a failure of the cocoa sector in recent years. "I will not dwell on statistics on cocoa production in Haiti. It is appropriate to focus on the most recent ones, stigmatizing the decline in this production which went from 20,000 tons in 1960 to 5,000 tons per year in 2022," deplores the Minister adding "Nevertheless, this is a very important sector in the country's economy. Cocoa generates on average 536 million Gourdes per year over the last 5 years, and approximately 130,000 people depend directly on this sector", affirms Minister Joseph before adding that various constraints prevent the normal development of this sector. He cited among others, technical and financial constraints, the lack of outlets during the harvest period, the aging of cocoa trees and producers and the decline in yields. However, the Minister added, increasing cocoa production is a priority and given the dynamics and internal specificities of this sector, increasing its production will require the implementation of numerous targeted and complementary actions in different horizons in the short, medium, and long term.



"It will thus be supported by a progressive approach focused on a diversity of productive and structuring actions and a specific plot development technique," the Minister maintains.



In her speech, Ermitha Mingot, Project Manager for Agronomists and Veterinarians Without Borders (AVSF), recalled that cocoa is the third largest agricultural export product in Haiti after essential oils and mango. Haitian cocoa, she continued, is in high demand on the international market for its intrinsic qualities. "Thus, it is good that the actors, producers, cooperatives, regulatory support institutions continue the improvement process initiated in order to address the various challenges facing the sector," concluding, "The vision is to achieve a competitive value chain that generates increased income and acts as a lever for creating decent jobs."



It should be noted that the document was analyzed both in form and substance. After a day of arduous work between lectures and group discussions, the technicians were unable to finish with the technical and strategic considerations that also deserve to be explored in depth. Also, they made an appointment to continue the exercise and share their recommendations within a reasonable time frame.



See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41416-haiti-agriculture-70-organic-dark-chocolate-from-haiti-finalist-at-the-good-food-awards-2024.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41405-haiti-agriculture-towards-the-production-of-25-000-cocoa-seedlings.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The voting process for the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan is proceeding in full compliance with established norms, Coordinator of the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS) monitoring group Andrei Yatskin told Trend.

The organization at the polling stations is commendable. We observe a well-coordinated effort from polling station chairs and members of the election commissions. There are no campaign materials at the polling stations, only those necessary for informing voters. Voter lists are clearly organized, and the voting process adheres to established norms.

Overall, today can be described as a festive occasion for citizens, as their enthusiasm and eagerness to participate in the election aimed at the further development of Azerbaijan are evident, he 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 the extraordinary election for September 1.

For the first time, an election to the parliament is being held in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. Special attention has been given to organizing and conducting the election at the highest level in the territories liberated from occupation, where 54 polling stations have been established to uphold the constitutional rights of more than 42,000 eligible voters.

In the election to the parliament, 990 candidates are vying for seats. All necessary conditions have been provided for their free campaigning, in line with legislative requirements. More than 600 international observers and over 112,000 local observers are monitoring the election, with web cameras installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without the need for registration.

Portable ballot boxes will also be available for voting in the parliamentary election, with all polling stations equipped accordingly.

In connection with the election, the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company, have applied to the CEC to conduct an exit poll during the election.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, released the following statements to celebrate September as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month:

Xavier Becerra  HHS Secretary

More than 100,000 Americans have Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). In addition to debilitating pain crises, many of those suffering from SCD  they are often called warriors - face serious health complications, including infections, strokes, vision problems, and organ damage. Unplanned hospital stays are common, causing untold disruptions to daily life. The estimated life expectancy of those with SCD in the United States is more than 20 years shorter than the average life expectancy. African Americans and Latinos are disproportionately affected and all individuals living with SCD experience challenges with access, quality, and affordability of care.

As we celebrate National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, we acknowledge the perseverance, strength, and resiliency of all those living with this disease. While medical advancements bring us closer to cures, too many individuals with Sickle Cell Disease and their loved ones still face challenges obtaining the care they need. The Biden-Harris Administration has worked tirelessly to provide care and support for those living with SCD, and to advance research into new treatment modalities. We will continue with this work as long as there is need.

This month, we renew our commitment to close gaps in care, prevent stigma, and accelerate the identification and implementation of innovative solutions to improve the quality of life for patients living with SCD. We continue to work on improving the quality of life for people affected by this disease and find new, potentially transformative treatments.

Admiral Rachel Levine, M.D.  Assistant Secretary for Health

At the Department of Health and Human Services, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with sickle cell disease through innovative research, comprehensive care programs, and robust public education. By partnering with researchers, healthcare providers, and community organizations, we strive to address disparities in treatment and access, ensuring that every individual with sickle cell disease receives the care and support they deserve. Let us use this month to spread awareness, foster understanding, and drive meaningful change. Together, we can make significant strides toward improved treatment and, ultimately, a cure."

The Biden-Harris Administration at HHS is leading efforts to close gaps in care and advance treatments and cures for SCD:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Youth is showing high activity in the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Secretary General of IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy told Trend.

Communicating with parties, their headquarters, and individual candidates, we see that a significant number of young people are featured on party lists.

We also observe the engagement of young people directly at the polling stations. Young people in Azerbaijan are interested in politics, as we saw in the presidential election in February. You have very active youth, he told local media.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

For the first time, an election to the parliament is being held in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. Special attention has been given to organizing and conducting the election at the highest level in the territories liberated from occupation, where 54 polling stations have been established to uphold the constitutional rights of more than 42,000 eligible voters.

In the election to the parliament, 990 candidates are vying for seats. All necessary conditions have been provided for their free campaigning, in line with legislative requirements. More than 600 international observers and over 112,000 local observers are monitoring the election, with web cameras installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without the need for registration.

Portable ballot boxes will also be available for voting in the parliamentary election, with all polling stations equipped accordingly.

In connection with the election, the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company, have applied to the CEC to conduct an exit poll during the election.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Congress government in Karnataka is gearing up to hot back at the BJP that has drawn the Siddaramiah government into the centre of the alleged MUDA and Valmiki scams. Covid alleged scam report to be submitted today to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

The commission of inquiry headed by retired High Court judge John Michael D'Cunha, which has completed the investigation into the alleged Covid-19 irregularities during the BJP government, will submit a report to CM Siddaramaiah on Sunday afternoon.

Also Read - Bengaluru police tighten security ahead of Gauri Ganesha festival, enforce strict guidelines: Report

The commission has investigated the alleged COVID scam in the Health Department and Medical Education Department during the last BJP government.

During Covid-19, the BJP government bought medicine and medical equipment. In the report of the accounting committee submitted in this regard, there was a serious allegation of illegality.

BJP's own MLA and former Union Minister Basan Gowda Patil Yatnal had made serious allegations against the then BJP government that thousands of crores of misappropriations had taken place in the management of Covid-19.

The Commission has investigated the procurement of medicines, equipment, and materials to prevent COVID, oxygen management, and deaths due to lack of oxygen.

CM Siddaramaiah, who was then the leader of the opposition during the BJP government, had demanded the formation of a commission of inquiry headed by a retired High Court judge into the alleged Covid corruption. But the BJP government rejected this allegation.

Also Read - BJP high command targeting me, with JD(S) they want to destabilise Congress govt: CM Siddaramaiah

After the Congress government came to power an inquiry commission headed by Judge John Michael D'Cunha was formed.

As per the source, the Congress government is set to use this report as a tool to take action against anybody involved, which includes BJP ministers and officials in the alleged irregularities.

Meanwhile, on Saturday the state Congress unit participated in the "Raj Bhavan Chalo" protest which marched from Vidhansouda Gandhi Statue to Raj Bhavan to condemn the Governor's move to grant sanction of prosecution against the CM Siddaramaiah.

"The Governor's office has been misused to destabilize the Congress government in the state. Doing this is wrong. A governor should not work against the law, he should work in favour of the law. Also, the constitution should be protected. The office of the Governor should be a name for equality. So, our struggle for the survival of democracy and constitution is continuous," said Deputy CM DK Shivakumar at the protest.
The Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), which ruled Haryana for nearly 53 months as the junior coalition partner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is now grappling with significant desertions and a steep decline in political clout as the state approaches its assembly elections. Former Haryana deputy CM Dushyant Chautala (File)

Less than a year after being formed in December 2018, the JJP had silenced its critics by winning 10 assembly seats in 2019 assembly elections with a 14.84% vote share.

With the BJP, which won 40 seats, falling short of a majority in the 90-member assembly, the JJP became a crucial ally. The post-poll alliance led to Dushyant Chautalas elevation as deputy chief minister (CM) of the coalition government led by then CM Manohar Lal Khattar.

Also Read | Haryana voters will ensure BJPs victory for the third term: CM Nayab Saini

The JJP capitalised on its position and secured a dozen-odd portfolios that included top-of-the-line departments, such as excise and taxation, revenue and public works.

However, the partys fortunes began to falter after the BJP abruptly ended the alliance on March 12 this year, in a strategic move to counter rising anti-incumbency ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The development marked the beginning of an existential crisis for the JJP, which had earlier positioned itself as a promising regional player during its time in power (October 27, 2019 to March 12, 2024).

Also Read | Haryana polls: Front-runner in polls, Congress plagued by factional feuds



The severity of the partys decline became evident in the recent Parliamentary elections, with its vote share plummeting to a mere 0.87 %, down from the 14.84% it achieved in the October 2019 assembly elections. This drastic fall has left the party struggling to maintain relevance in a political landscape dominated by the well-organised BJP and Congress.

According to Prof Rajendra Sharma, head of the department of political science at MD University, Rohtak, the emergence of the BJP as a dominant force has disrupted the prospects of regional parties across the country and they are scrambling for relevance.

The BJP has shrewdly captured the space of its allies all over the country. They stitched alliances wherever they did not have a base and gradually pushed its coalition partners to political margins. JJP is in crisis and does not have a bright future, Sharma says, reminding how the BJP once played a junior role to the INLD in Haryana.

The JJPs alliance with the BJP has turned out to be a double-edged sword, sowing seeds of discontent within its core base. While the partnership catapulted the JJP into power, it alienated a significant portion of its supporters, particularly after the farmers protest.

The JJPs base, predominantly Jat voters who are traditionally wary of the BJP, felt betrayed by the partys decision to ally with the saffron party, especially during the cultivators agitation. The perception that the JJP sided with the BJP against farmers interest further eroded its support.

According to Sharma, the growing discontent has led to notable desertions within the party, signalling a deeper crisis where the partys identity and purpose are being questioned.

Former deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala, however, has consistently defended the alliance as a strategic move to fulfil the aspirations of the partys vote bank.

The stance was echoed by JJP national president Ajay Chautala in Rohtak on Saturday, who highlighted the partys role in ensuring that Haryana now has the highest old-age pension ( 3,000) in the country. He further claimed that had the JJP held a full majority, the pension would have been 5,100 from the Day 1, alleging collusion between the BJP and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in undermining the JJP.

Both the BJP and Hooda leave the field open for each other during elections as needed, and this was evident during the Rajya Sabha elections as well, he said.

From having 10 MLAs in the 2019 assembly elections, the JJP is now down to just three: Dushyant Chautala, his mother Naina Chautala and Julana MLA Amarjeet Dhanda.

Discontent among the JJP legislators began shortly after the coalition government was formed with the Narnaund MLA Ram Kumar Gautam being the first to criticise Dushyant Chautala. Gautam, Jogi Ram Sihag and Anoop Dhanak, defected to the BJP on Sunday. The Tohana MLA Devender Singh Babli, who later became a minister, publicly raised concerns about corruption in the state government.

At the heart of this unrest among the JJP MLAs was party leaderships reluctance in sharing the spoils of power. Political observers say the JJP must address its internal challenges and adapt to the changing dynamics. The potential revival of the INLD, from which the JJP originally split, could also pose a significant threat.

As the assembly elections approach, the JJPs ability to evolve and respond to the challenges will be crucial in determining its long-term viability.
Chief minister Nayab Saini also attended a Jan Ashirwad rally in Jind on Sunday, where he highlighted various schemes and decisions taken by the Haryana government for the welfare of the people. Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini addressing the public during the Jan Ashirwad rally in Jind. (Manoj Dhaka/HT)

The CM spoke about the state governments efforts to provide tubewell connections to all farmers, setting up 4,000 schools in the state, increasing the salaries and benefits of safai karamcharis among others.

He also mentioned the decision to provide pension benefits for more than 75.000 people in the state, and the decision to increase the salaries of various government employees by 8% as well.

Saini, who welcomed leaders from other parties including three Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) legislators into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fold, came down heavily on principal opponent, the Congress, saying the party has formed in Himachal, Telangana and Karnataka on the basis of false promises and now former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda looking to fool the people of Haryana on similar lines.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi blasts Modi govt after attacks on Muslims over beef suspicion

In Himachal, the CM himself asked the ministers to use their salaries for the development works as the government is facing fund crises. In Haryana, Hooda is eyeing power to loot the state exchequer. We have asked Hooda to answer our 15 questions but he remained mum on our questions. The Haryana voters will give answer to Hooda by ensuring BJPs victory for the third term, Saini added.

Saini exuded confidence in his partys chances, saying, Big leaders of other parties have joined the BJP today. The BJP is going to form the government for the third consecutive time.

Three former Jannayak Janata party (JJP) legislators, Ram Kumar Gautam from Narnaund, Jogi Ram Sihag from Barwala and former Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautalas close aide Anoop Dhanak from Uklana, meanwhile, joined the saffron party during the event.

Also Read | Haryana polls: Front-runner in polls, Congress plagued by factional feuds

Anoop remained the labour minister with independent charge in the BJP-JJP alliance government in Haryana until March this year when the saffron party parted ways with its junior alliance partner. However, the BJP did not allow Narwana MLA Ramniwas Surjakhera to join the party as he was booked in a rape case last week. Prior to that, he was expected to join the BJP.

Ambala mayor and Jessica Lals murder convict Manu Sharmas mother Shakti Rani Sharma also joined the BJP in the presence of Saini, partys state chief Mohan Lal Badoli and former Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb.

Speaking on the occasion, Gautam said the previous government adopted a culture of parchi-kharchi (getting jobs and other works through money and recommendation of ruling leaders) but Manohar Lal Khattar brought that to an end. Khattar had regularised several unauthorised colonies and gave relief to people who were facing problems, he added.

BJP state chief Mohan Lal Badoli, meanwhile, the public had only seen the trailer of CM Sainis governance in the few months that he has been in power. Today rumours were spread by the Congress that Amit Shah had to cancel todays rally in Jind. This time the truth will prevail and you have to be cautious from Congresss false narrative. We will form the government for the third time, he added.
A 45-year-old woman was crushed to death by a crane on Saturday evening near the main crossing of Sahnewals Pava village, officials said. A 45-year-old woman was crushed to death by a crane on Saturday evening near the main crossing of Sahnewals Pava village, officials said. (HT File)

They added that the victim, Manju Devi, was walking home after buying vegetables at the time of the incident.

The police arrested the cranes driver, 41-year-old Deepak Kumar, and registered a case against him.

According to Sahnewal police, the incident came to light when Manju Devis husband, Bheem Revani, received a call from his sons friend, informing him of the accident.

Bheem, who was at work at the time, rushed to the spot and found his wifes body under the cranes tyre.

Eyewitnesses alleged that Deepak Kumar was driving recklessly. He hit Manju Devi and then mowed her down under the vehicle. The onlookers nabbed the accused and handed him over to the police.

Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Gurwinder Singh, who is investigating the case, said a first-information report (FIR) was registered under sections 281 (rash driving) and 106 (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
{Road rage} 3 held A couple from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Nihang aides allegedly barged into the home of a 30-year-old man and assaulted him swords in an incident of road rage (HT File)

A couple from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Nihang aides allegedly barged into the home of a 30-year-old man from the same locality and assaulted him swords in an incident of road rage, official aware of the development said.

The incident occurred after the victims scooter grazed a womans scooter at a turn in their locality.

The Sadar police have registered a first-information report (FIR) on attempt to murder charges against all the accused - including Onkar Singh, his wife Satvir Kaur, her brother Mangal Singh alias Manga Nihang, Mangas son Narinder Singh alias Nindi Nihang, their aide Jugraj Singh alias Joga of Dr Ambedkar Nagar, and six unidentified accomplices.

Three of the accused were arrested on Saturday, officials said.

The FIR was registered following a statement by the victim, Sahil Singh. Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Pritpal Singh, who is investigating the case, said the incident took place on August 26 when Sahils scooter accidentally hit Satvir Kaurs scooter. He said there was no damage to either of the vehicles. Sahil and the woman went home without any argument. However, minutes later, the woman, along with her husband, brother Mangal Singh and Nihang aides, forcibly entered Sahils house armed with swords and other sharp-edged weapons. They assaulted Sahil and thrashed his wife when she tried to intervene. The accused fled the scene and the injured Sahil was rushed to the hospital.

The ASI added that Sahil was initially unfit to give a statement due to his injuries. After recording his statement on Saturday, the police registered a case under sections 109 (attempt to murder), 333 (house trespassing), 118(1) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 351(1) (criminal intimidation), 324(4) (mischief), 191(3) (rioting, armed with deadly weapons), and 190 (unlawful assembly) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

He added that the police have arrested Mangal Singh, Narinder Singh, and Jugraj Singh. A hunt is on to arrest the other accused, he said.
Despite tall promises to make the industrial city pedestrian-friendly, the municipal corporation has fallen short as locals continue to grapple with multiple issues while travelling on foot. Commuters violating a zebra crossing in traffic lights in Dholewal Chowk in Ludhiana. (Gurpreet Singh/Hindustan Times)

Locals alleged that the city lacks proper road traffic infrastructure, particularly zebra crossings and footpaths, designed to ensure pedestrian safety.

Road safety experts stressed the need for a yellow stop line to give motorists enough space to allow pedestrians to cross safely. They say these should be positioned two to three metres from crossings without signals and a metre away from the ones with traffic lights.

They added that speed signal boards, indicating the presence of zebra crossings, should be installed and obstacles such as road dividers and bushes blocking pedestrian pathways, should be removed.

Gagandeep, a resident of Sector 32, Jamalpur, said while pointing to the plight of pedestrians, The zebra crossing on Chandigarh Road is merely for namesake as the authorities have drawn it haphazardly. The zebra crossing at Vardhaman Chowk ends at a divider tangled with wires, making it impossible to use.

Major intersections in the city, including the Bhai Bala Chowk, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Samrala Chowk, Vardhaman Chowk, Jamalpur Chowk, and Veer Palace, lack essential road safety measures. At Bhai Bala Chowk, only half of the road is painted with zebra crossing stripes. The marks on crossings at Samrala Chowk, Jamalpur Chowk and Chandigarh Road are faded as well.

Additional commissioner Paramdeep Singh said, I will ask the officials concerned to review the shortfalls and will take action accordingly.

According to the design issued by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), zebra crossings should be present on both sides of any road at intersections.

Kamaljit Soi, a member of the National Road Safety Council, hit out at the civic authorities for what she said was their lack of commitment to implementing adequate road safety measures.

He pointed out that the citys high fatality rate among pedestrians and cyclists indicates a serious disregard for public safety.

Ludhiana has no traffic management. Its all chaotic. About five years ago, 180 people died annually in road accidents. Now, the number has increased to 400, he added.

In May 2023, the Punjab government enforced the Right to Walk under Article 21 of the Constitution, which provides for safer roads for pedestrians.
A Jalandhar-based hotelier was killed on Sunday after he lost control over his car and rammed into a truck plying ahead of him, officials said. Rajandeep Singh of Nakodar district Jalandhar died in a road mishap after his car crashed into a truck at Ludhiana- Ferozepur road near Circuit house in Ludhiana on Sunday. (HT Photo)

They added that the mishap occurred near Circuit House on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur Road in the wee hours as the victim was on his way to a hotel near Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

The deceased, 30-year-old Rajandeep Singh of Jalandhars Nakodar, was returning after attending a party near South City.

PAU station-house officer (SHO) inspector Rajinderpal Singh said the incident occurred at around 3 am. On being informed, the police reached the spot and initiated an investigation.

The inspector said the impact of the crash was such that the car was stuck under the truck. They initiated a rescue operation and rushed the victim to a hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.

The inspector said they are yet to ascertain what led to the crash.

He said police suspect the man was speeding.

The police handed over the body to the deceaseds family after a post-mortem at the civil hospital. The truck driver escaped after the crash.

The police have initiated inquest proceedings following a statement by the victims family members.
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand police on Sunday said they have arrested Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) block head for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. (Representative Photo)

Bhagwat Singh Bora, block chief from Almora district, was arrested on Saturday night, said senior superintendent of police (SSP) Devendra Pincha, adding that a case was registered against him on Friday.

We arrested him while he was on the run. We will produce him in the local court and seek his remand, Pincha said.

A first information report (FIR) was first registered by the revenue officials, who transferred the case to the regular police on orders from the district magistrate (DM) on Friday, said the SSP.

According to the police, the incident took place on August 24, however, a complaint was received six days later, on August 30.

Bora has been booked under Section 74 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, said police.

The minors mother told the police that her daughter had gone to a nearby forest to graze goats with her brothers when the BJP leader arrived there and molested her daughter by luring her with chocolates.

The allegations are of molestation. In her statement before the court, doctors, and child welfare committee (CWC), the woman has denied allegations of rape. The medical examination of the girl has already been conducted, the SSP said.

A woman sub-inspector is probing the case, the police said.

Meanwhile, the BJP termed the incident unfortunate and taking stern action, expelled Bora from the party.

We have expelled the accused from primary membership of the party. Our government has a zero-tolerance policy in dealing with crimes against women, said state BJP president Mahendra Bhatt.

Bhatt said the opposition leaders should refrain from making political statements and allow the law to take its own course.

Our government has taken strict action in similar cases that have come to light in the past, he said.

Uttarakhand Congress on Saturday staged protests across the state against rising crimes against women and overall deterioration of law and order.

State Congress chief spokesperson Garima Mehra Dasauni said, They (BJP) cant evade the responsibility by just expelling the accused from the party, rather, they have to ensure a secure environment for all girls and women living in the state. The BJP gave the Beti Bachao-Beti Bachao slogan, but it is seen that they try to save the accused if they belong to their party.
The students writing any sort of political slogans in answer sheets may be disqualified for the entire examination, the West Bengal state higher secondary education council has said in the rules and regulations relating to the Class 12 board exams, triggering a controversy amid the ongoing mass protests against the August 9 rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The West Bengal state higher secondary education council said writing political slogans in an answer sheet will be treated as adopting unfair means or misbehaviour during an examination. (Representational image)

It said writing political slogan in an answer script will be treated as adopting unfair means or misbehaviour during an examination and may lead to disqualification. The next examination is scheduled to be held in February 2025.

The decision triggered a row with many veteran academicians describing the move as unprecedented and questioning the rationale behind it.

I have never seen any school education board or university council in West Bengal issuing an order that specifically bans political slogans, Pabitra Sarkar, former vice-chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University, said.

Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, president of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education, told the media on Saturday that people were creating an unnecessary controversy.

Our decision has nothing to do with the current events. Approval to the examination related regulations were given before the R G Kar Hospital incident happened, Bhattacharjee said.

Thousands of former and current students from schools and colleges across Bengal have hit the streets alongside people from all walks of life since August 9 when the grisly crime rocked the nation.

On Sunday, for example, former students of all Ramakrishna Mission-run schools, which accounts for the maximum number of toppers in Bengal, took out a silent procession that covered a six-kilometre stretch through south Kolkata.

The body of the 31-year-old post-graduate trainee doctor, who was brutalised according to the postmortem report, was found in the seminar hall of the chest department of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Sanjay Roy (31), a civic volunteer working for the Kolkata Police, was arrested on August 10 as the prime suspect.

The CBI started probing the crime on August 14, a day after the Calcutta high court transferred the case from the Kolkata Police to the federal agency. The court passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the victims parents. The CBI did not arrest anyone till Sunday afternoon.

All political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the states main Opposition force, have demanded the resignation of chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also in charge of the home and health departments.

Reacting to the higher secondary education councils decision, Bengal BJP chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said: The government wants to suppress the outrage of the student community.

TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said: This is an administrative matter relating to the higher secondary education council.
Terrified that they might be lynched by hundreds of people chasing them, a gang of three cattle thieves were rescued by police after they sought help from UP112 emergency helpline, police officials said. The sequence of events, which lasted for around five hours, took place in a village near Bareillys Aonla town in the wee hours of Saturday. A grab from a video showing a mob chasing three cattle thieves in a village near Bareillys Aonla town. The trio were finally rescued and taken into custody when a deputy superintendent of police-rank officer and the Aonla circle officer (CO) reached the spot with personnel from three police stations. (Sourced)

Around 2,000 people had surrounded the three men after a local spotted them stealing buffaloes. The trio even fired multiple rounds to scare off the locals. One of them got himself stuck from an iron fence when he tried to hide in a bush. This was when one of the three thieves called 112 seeking help.

Annoyed locals even attacked the first responder police team and chased them away. The three thieves were finally rescued and taken into custody when a deputy superintendent of police-rank officer and the Aonla circle officer (CO) reached the spot with personnel from three police stations.

Aonla CO Neelesh Kumar Mishra told media persons that the incident took place at Dhausganj village of Bhamura police station when a gang of thieves tried to steal buffaloes owned by one Ram Sewak Singh Gurjar and Sipttar Singh.He said Ram Sewak alerted other villagers on spotting the movement of the three thieves identified as Zamal Hussain (48), Sahibe Alam (20) and Mohd Asif (32).

The thieves tried to escape but villagers chased and surrounded them in the fields. The trio opened fire with the weapons they were carrying, which annoyed the locals even more. Within a few minutes, hundreds of villagers had gathered. Later, the crowd swelled to around 2,000 when people from the adjoining villages of Ferozepur and Tazpur joined, another police official said.

After the first responders were attacked, police personnel from three stations  Bhamora, Aliganj and Bisrataganjwere rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.
 Flash

Two civilians were killed and a third was injured on Saturday when a bomb left by the Islamic State (IS) group exploded in Salahudin province, north of Baghdad, according to a provincial police officer.

The explosion occurred near a civilian car traveling on a desert road connecting the city of Baiji in Salahudin province with the city of Haditha in Anbar province. The blast destroyed the car, killing two of its occupants and injuring a third, according to Mohammed al-Bazi from the Salahudin police command media office.

Despite improvements in security since IS's defeat in 2017, remnants of the group continue to conduct guerrilla attacks in Iraq, infiltrating urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, and targeting both security forces and civilians.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. In the Yasamal district of Baku, voters have begun actively participating in the ongoing parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Voting at polling station No. 20 in Yasamal's second electoral district No. 16 commenced at 08:00 (GMT+4).

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

For the first time, an election to the parliament is being held in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. Special attention has been given to organizing and conducting the election at the highest level in the territories liberated from occupation, where 54 polling stations have been established to uphold the constitutional rights of more than 42,000 eligible voters.

In the election to the parliament, 990 candidates are vying for seats. All necessary conditions have been provided for their free campaigning, in line with legislative requirements. More than 600 international observers and over 112,000 local observers are monitoring the election, with web cameras installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without the need for registration.

Portable ballot boxes will also be available for voting in the parliamentary election, with all polling stations equipped accordingly.

In connection with the election, the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company, have applied to the CEC to conduct an exit poll during the election.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath conducted a surprise inspection of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University (SSU), Varanasi, on Sunday. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath inspecting SSU Varanasi on September 1. (HT photo)

Giving this information, SSU vice chancellor Prof Bihari Lal Sharma said the CM was apprised that a 3-D museum based on the evolution of Vedic literature will come up at the university.

Yogi, who was on a daylong visit to the temple town, also inspected the development works at the university. The VC and other officials informed the CM in detail about teaching and other development and academic activities of the university.

During the inspection, Yogi visited the library, hostels along with various faculties of the university. He also saw ancient manuscripts stored in Saraswati Bhavan library of the SSU.

Moreover, Prof Sharma said the proposal to convert the Government Ayurvedic College, Chowkaghat, again into a faculty of the SSU was accepted.

On the VCs request, the CM inspected the 234-year-old main building situated on the university campus and directed to make a museum on Indian astrology and astronomy and the works done by Indian sages.

The VC said the chief minister was overwhelmed after seeing the rare manuscripts preserved in the universitys library. These included the Raas Panchadhyayi, the Bhagavad Gita and the Durga Saptashati among others.

The CM praised the university for continuing the campaign to preserve Indian culture. He also observed the work of conservation of manuscripts by the National Mission for Manuscripts with the support of the Government of India in the extension building.

Yogi visited the Research Hostel and Ganganath Jha Hostel. The VC informed the chief minister about making the signboards of all the departments of the campus in Sanskrit language. After inspecting the SSU, the CM visited the Kashi Vishwanath Baba Kaal Bhairav temples.

Yogi was accompanied by several state ministers, including Ravindra Jaiswal, Dayashankar Mishra Dayalu, MLAs Dr Neelkanth Tiwari and Saurabh Srivastava, the SSU vice chancellor, Varanasi DM S Rajalingam and additional police commissioner S Chinnappa among others.

The CM also attended a party programme on Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hastkala Sankul premises in Bada Lalpur. On the occasion, UP Jal Shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh was also present.
It is protest vs protest in Mumbai on Sunday as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance is set to march from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India against the recent collapse of a statue of Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in Malvan town of the Sindhudurg district. MVA workers protesting in Mumbai (ANI)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the largest constituent of the ruling three-party Mahayuti coalition, will stage a counter-demonstration against the politicisation of the issue.

Leaders and workers of the three MVA constituents  Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar)  have started gathering at south Mumbai's Hutatma Chowk, the rally's starting point, despite police denying permission for the march, dubbed by the MVA as Jode Maro Andolan (Hit them with shoes protest).

The Aghadi, however, had already stated that the rally will be held despite permission being denied, and that permission was sought only as a matter of protocol.

Stating that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is God-like for us, Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha member, Arvind Sawant, remarked that with the collapse of the statue, our devotion, honour, and self-respect collapsed and fell there.

We are being stopped in our own Maharashtra by our own police. I have never seen police being so helpless. The prime minister's apology is politicalsee the timing. The PM always makes political statements, Sawant told news agency ANI.

The statue was inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi on Navy Day in December last year. On Friday, speaking at an event in Palghar, he apologised for the collapse.

Assembly elections will be held later this year in Maharashtra. The state will witness a two-way contest between the two alliances, the ruling Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party) and the opposition MVA.
Mumbai: Chief minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday alleged that the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition wants to destabilise Maharashtra and create a riot-like situation in the state. Taking up cudgels on behalf of the ruling Mahayuti coalition on a day when the MVA held a rally in Mumbai seeking punishment for those behind the collapse of the Shivaji statute at Malvan on August 26, Shinde accused the MVA of using Shivaji for political gains. Nagpur: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde addresses the gathering during the inauguration of phase-two of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, in Nagpur, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (PTI Photo) (PTI08_31_2024_000157B)(PTI)

MVA wants instability, unrest and riots in Maharashtra. They are scared about a defeat in the assembly elections as the Ladki Bahin and other schemes are receiving huge response and the popularity of the Mahayuti government increasing, said Shinde, accusing the MVA of playing politics over sensitive issues. The state government, he said, will ensure that law and order is maintained despite their efforts.

Also Read | Maharashtra: BJP goes for collective leadership for state polls

Shinde referenced recent statements by Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Chandrakant Khaire to buttress his claim about MVAs intention of creating a riot-like situation. Raut had, in his weekly column in the party mouthpiece Saamna, questioned the lack of vociferous protests in Maharashtra following the collapse of the Shivaji statue in Malvan, saying, There was unrest in Maharashtra over the statue collapse incident, but the state is not burning with rage. Why?

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Aurangabad MP Chandrakant Khaire had gone a step further, saying, Earlier, riots used to take place after such incidents. But this time, there were no riots. It should have happened in the state.

Alluding to the MVAs rally in the city on Sunday, wherein posters of top Mahayuti leaders were hit with shoes, Shinde said the people of Maharashtra would hit the MVA with their footwear in the assembly polls.

Also Read | Maharashtra sees surge in voter registrations for polls, 2.4m new names added

Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis too slammed the MVA on Sunday over its protests following the statue collapse incident. I want to ask Uddhav Thackeray if he is going to ask the Congress to tender an apology for what Pandit Nehru wrote about Shivaji Maharaj in his book Discovery of India? Why did Thackeray and Sharad Pawar not utter a single word when the Congress removed statues of Shivaji maharaj in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, he said.

The BJP also held protests at various places in the state to counter MVAs rally in Mumbai over the statue collapse incident. The partys state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule led the protest in Nagpur, while Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar led the protest in the city. In Aurangabad, police detained both BJP and MVA activists who were protesting aggressively.
One woman was killed and four others, including her daughter and a police commando, were injured in an attack by heavily armed militants at Koutruk in Imphal West district of Manipur on Sunday afternoon. The incident took place around 2pm close to the border between Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts when shots were fired from the nearby hills. (Representational image)

According to officials, the incident took place around 2pm close to the border between Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts when shots were fired from the nearby hills. Imphal West is dominated by the Meitei community while Kuki are a majority in Kangpokpi.

The woman was hit on her head and the daughter on her right arm. They were rushed to hospitals. The three others were also rushed to hospitals in Imphal, two of them at Raj Medicity, a private hospital.

Police and security forces were rushed to the affected place after the incident and the gunfight continued till the time of filing this report at 6pm.

A house was damaged when a bomb was dropped using a drone. No one was injured. It is said the incident occurred at a place near a Border Security Force (BSF) station. One police commando, who was in the reinforcement team, was hit by a splinter of a drone-dropped bomb.

The incident comes a day after Kuki-Zo groups carried out protest rallies against chief minister N. Biren Singh in Kuki-Zo dominant districts of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur on Saturday.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpurs Advanced Centre for Materials Science (ACMS) hosted the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Academia Workshop on Technical Advancements and the Role of Standardization in Powder Metallurgical Processes and Products in collaboration with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur and the Indian Institute of Metals. The BIS - Academia Workshop was attended by industry experts, academicians, and researchers who held discussions on the latest advancements and the critical role of standardization in powder metallurgy.

The workshop was attended by industry experts, academicians, and researchers who held discussions on the latest advancements and the critical role of standardization in powder metallurgy.

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Prof. Anish Upadhyaya, Head of ACMS at IIT Kanpur, presented the welcome address. He served as the workshop coordinator.

Kantesh Balani, Head of the Materials Science and Engineering Department and Prof AK Singh, Faculty In-charge of TechnoPark at IIT Kanpur, addressed the attendees and emphasized the importance of continuous innovation and adherence to standards in advancing the field of powder metallurgy.

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Swagat Bhandari, the Nodal In-charge of the newly incepted Translational Research Initiative at IIT Kanpur shed light on the strategies to synergise the activities to ensure seamless translation of research or prototype stage to industrial adoption and production.

A press release issued by IIT Kanpur informed that the morning session featured insightful presentations from representatives of leading industries.

The attendees included Mahesh Nipanikar, Technical Director at Hoganas India, V. Sadafal and S. Biradar, Deputy General Managers at Emitec Technologies India Pvt Ltd., and Rajesh Bhatia, CEO of RVB Shorelube Industry Pvt. Ltd.

The session was followed by a tour of the ACMS facilities, which offered participants a closer look at the cutting-edge research being conducted at IIT Kanpur, stated the release.

Also read: Shankar IAS Academy lands in trouble, CCPA imposes 5 lakh fine on coaching centre for misleading ads

Whereas the afternoon session witnessed the 21st Technical Meeting of the Sectional Committee (MTD25) on Powder Metallurgical Materials and Products.

Meanwhile, a series of six technical lectures were conducted in the evening session, which was attended by over 70 students, staff, and faculty participants.

G. Ram Sai Kumar, Scientist and Deputy Director at the Metallurgical Engineering Department, BIS, opened the session with a lecture on the Role of BIS and Standardization in Powder Metallurgy.

He emphasized the importance of standardization for maintaining consistent quality and supporting innovation in powder metallurgy.

Dr Mayadhar Debata, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneshwar, spoke on the Development of Non-Ferrous Alloys through Powder Metallurgy with a particular focus on strategic applications.

Other speakers of the session included Dr. Pradyut Sengupta (Senior Scientist at CSIR-IMMT), Dr. Gururaj Telasang (Scientist E, ARCI Hyderabad) Dr. Deepak Pattanayak (Principal Scientist at CSIR-CECRI), Prof. Anish Upadhyaya (IIT Kanpur), and Anshu Bhatia (Managing Director at Camstar Defense India Pvt Ltd).
Sunny Deol and actor-brother Bobby Deol's mother Prakash Kaur celebrated her birthday on Sunday. Taking to Instagram, Sunny posted an adorable picture featuring himself and his mom. The mother-son duo happily posed for the camera. Also read | Border 2: Varun Dhawan joins Sunny Deol's sequel as fauji Here's how Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol wished their mom Prakash Kaur on her birthday.

Happy birthday to my everything

Sharing the post, he wrote, Happy birthday mama. Bobby Deol also extended the heartwarming wishes to his mom. He shared a cute selfie with her on Instagram and captioned the post, Happy birthday to my everything. Maa I love you.

Check out their birthday posts:

More about Prakash Kaur

Veteran star Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1953 when he was yet to make his Bollywood debut. Apart from Sunny and Bobby, Dharmendra also has daughters Vijeta and Ajeita with his first wife. However, while working in films, Dharamendra' became close to veteran actor Hema Malini, and in 1980, the two tied the knot. Dharmendra and Hema Malini have daughters Esha and Ahana together.

Upcoming work

On the work front, Sunny Deol recently wrapped up his shooting for the upcoming film Lahore 1947. The film is directed by the renowned Rajkumar Santoshi. Leading the cast will be Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta, who will play pivotal roles in this highly anticipated film.

The film was officially announced last October, garnering attention for its star-studded cast and promising storyline. Veteran actor Shabana Azmi and Ali Fazal will also be seen in the film. Interestingly, Sunny will also be seen sharing screen space with his son Karan Deol in Lahore 1947.

Sunny also has the war film Border 2 in his kitty. The film will be directed by Anurag Singh, who previously helmed Akshay Kumar-starring Kesari in 2019. Border 2 is a sequel to JP Duttas 1997 blockbuster Border, also headlined by Sunny.

Bobby Deol, on the other hand, will soon be seen locking horns with Suriya in Kanguva. Kanguva is also the first Tamil film in Bobby Deol's career. He plays the antagonist Udhiran.
Nicole Kidman is earning some of the best reviews of her career for Babygirl, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in the Main Competition section. The erotic thriller sees the 57 year-old play a tough businesswoman whose perfectly composed life threatens to fall apart as she begins an affair with his much younger male intern. Kidman, who has built a career out of risky, unpredictable roles, said that the film left her 'exposed' like never before. As the rest of the world awaits the release of Babygirl in a few months, it is perhaps best suited to go back to the Australian actor's enviable career and select a film that still haunts the daylights out of me. (Also read: Nicole Kidman's Babygirl wows Venice: Her upcoming projects prove she is still going strong) Nicole Kidman in a still from Birth.

Nicole Kidman in Birth

Such a film is Birth, directed by Jonathan Glazer. As time would have it, Birth also premiered at Venice exactly two decades ago in 2004. Kidman was still the face of that confounding, bizarre film. She is still here, as adventurous and inquisitive an actor as ever, taking on films with relatively new filmmakers and submitting herself to their off-the-grid vision. Even if the film pales, Kidman is always the high point, ever present to elevate it to something undeniable.

Birth is somehow the distillation of all these features. It tells the impossible story of Anna (Kidman), who is ready to get married again after the loss of her husband Sean ten years ago. Little does she know that a 10 year-old kid slithers inside her apartment and announces that he is the husband, reincarnated. It is a ridiculous premise to begin with, whether you believe in afterlife or not. Anna also agrees, and scoffs off the little boy on their first encounter. However, he persists. I am Sean, he tells with a firmness that is strange for a boy his age. He tells him she is committing a big mistake by marrying again. Eerily when she comes to meet him outside the park, it is the same place where Sean had died. The little boy also reveals intimate details about the family and their relationship that only they could have known.

Anna's turmoil

At the centre of this unusual crisis is Kidman, whose Anna does not want to believe what this little boy is saying. However, she chooses to confront that possibility gradually, which is first depicted in a single take sequence that tightly focuses on her face. Anna is sitting in a theatre, but her mind is somewhere else. Her face registers a gamut of feelings: hope, wonder, grief, and the shock that can this be true. It is the emotional core of this strange beast of a film, and Kidman submits to its vision with an abandon that is mesmerizing to witness. Anna begins as someone who would laugh at this thought, but in the course of the film, she is constantly in some kind of turmoil, shifting inside, fighting with herself around the possibility that her husband is back. By the end, she is not recognizable at all, culminating into that devastating final sequence by the sea.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the actor shared her thoughts on the film, and said, "I dont find it strange but maybe that means Im strange. But I never found it strange. I found it profound, the way it deals with grief and how people will fill holes to explain things, needing to explain things and then being incredibly open to all possibilities when youre in a deeply vulnerable state.

Birth takes big swings, and might fall flat for many viewers for its utterly preposterous choices. Still, the film works as a study of faith and the lengths one would go to believe in a tangible possibility. Birth might also just work as an interrogation on community and social structures. Above all, it works as a daring confrontation on grief that never leaves. It only accumulates and gets shadowed under other feelings.

Anna's belief in Sean grows and grows, and manifests so intensely that she even dreams of the possibility of running away from him, and setting up a new life. She is willing to sacrifice her position, her entire life and face the consequences. She is willing to take a second chance at her love, that she craved so relentlessly but never received. Kidman, in a performance of ferocious power, makes all of it work.

This is Weekend Ticket, where Santanu Das talks about similar films and shows based on the most recent releases.
Brad Pitt and his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon are reportedly happy together as they enjoy a great summer together. The two were recently spotted on an outing on Saturday, August 31 at the Venice International Film Festival. Pitt and Ramon attended the film fest to celebrate the formers latest Wolfs with co-star, George Clooney which will be released on September 1. Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon had 'a great summer together'.(Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty)

Also Read: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez risk $25 million loss on Beverly Hills mansion: Huge white elephant, says experts

Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramons happy summer

A source told People that the pair is stronger than ever as they spent a great summer together. Brad's been working in Europe, so they've spent a lot of time there. The source revealed to the media house that the actor is serious about Ines. They added, He's serious about Ines," the source adds. "He's very happy and enjoys spending time with her. She's easygoing and everyone likes her."

The two first sparked rumours of a relationship when they were spotted together at a Bono concert in November 2022 and a few weeks later were spotted at the Los Angeles Babylon premiere. The two spent the evening together in the afterparty to celebrate Pitts movie.

Also Read: Jennifer Lopez spotted with new ring, ditching Ben Afflecks wedding diamond, while he enjoys Chick-fil-A delivery

Their relationship timeline

After initial rumours of Pitt and Ramon being together in 2022, a source revealed to the media outlet that the pair was going very strong in 2023. They added, They truly enjoy each other's company and are very into each other, the insider said at the time. It's apparent to anyone who sees them together.

In February it was reported that the jewellery designer moved into Pitts home. The news of their strong bond came amid his feud with ex-wife Angelina Jolie which has been going on for eight years since they split in 2016. The former Hollywood couple have been involved in this long legal battle for their $164 French winery which is only turning bitter with the time.
Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra has withdrawn from the upcoming seminar in Kochi following her sexual harassment allegations against film director Ranjith. The actor announced her decision on Sunday morning, citing the recent turmoil in her life and the intense media scrutiny surrounding the allegations as reasons for her break. (Also read: Radhika Sarathkumar details how it took 4 years for Hema Committee report to be published) Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra has accused filmmaker Ranjith of harassing her. (File Photos)

What Sreelekha wrote

In her Instagram post, the actor detailed the emotional toll the situation has taken on her. "August has always made me feel it's 'august' presence..my birth month and the month of my mom's passing , my brother's birth month, and the month nd day of my very dear friend's passing. The 15th of August being our Independence Day and the day I moved out of my 'shashur bari' to start (wasn't even sure how) afresh. This August too began with the #rgkarrapemurdercase infuriating all of us across territories, then the #jhargramelephantkilling to something I never felt would come out in the open after 15 odd years about the #malayalamfilmindustry incident and how I became an integral part of the entire #metoo movement .I had been hounded by press media across country narrating the said incident over n over n over again which took a heavy toll on me as it did back here when I took names of #bengalifilmindustry who's who ..REMEMBER?" she wrote.

I needed a breather

She apologized for not being able to attend the seminar and expressed her intention to take time for herself. "Yes I took a break from everything and travelled to the mountains whose quiet would calm my soul .This was my birthday treat to myself and done giving any justification to anyone for my said act. Sorry I couldn't travel to Kerala for the seminar which had been cancelled becos of me . I needed a breather as I have my right to live My Life according to My Choice and have never ever bowed down to the misogynistic society and film industry by n large. .Again sorry Mr Joshy Joseph for declining your offer. Hopefully will come back in better times. I HAVE DONE MY BIT NOW LET ME BE," Sreelekha added.

Earlier, Malayalam film director Joshy Joseph responded to the controversy.

"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," Joshy Joseph had said while speaking to ANI.

More details

Earlier, the actor had lodged a complaint with the Kochi City Police against Ranjith on Monday, a day after he resigned as the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy.

The complaint alleges that in 2009, during discussions about a film role, Ranjith made inappropriate physical advances towards her.

In an email sent 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. She 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 discussion I was called to the flat in which Sri Ranjith was staying at Kaloor Kadavanthra, Kochi. During the course of discussion, he clutch hold of my hand and later on attempted to spread his hand to other parts of my body with sexual intention. Realizing that his intentions are not the discussion regarding the film and with sexual intent, I had to escape from the flat and returned to the hotel where I was staying. My bitter experience was shared on the next day to a script writer Sri Joshy Joseph. As I was not given the travelling ticket for my return journey, I was compelled to seek the help of Sri Joshy Joseph," the actress wrote in her complaint.

She also added that she initially did not pursue legal action since she was from Kolkata and unfamiliar with the local legal process but has now come forward.

"As a person hailing from Kolkata, West Bengal, I was unable to pursue this matter any further to prosecute Sri Ranjith for the offence attracting section 354 & 354 B of the Indian Penal Code at the time of commission of crime."

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 the public functionaries also were brought to my notice and the response would show that a written complaint is necessary to register a crime. As the conduct of Sri Ranjith constitute the commission of a cognizable offence, a written complaint is not a prerequisite, as I am told, following the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court. In view of the public stand taken by the public functionaries in the State of Kerala, that a written complaint is a prerequisite, I am lodging this complaint by way of e-mail addressed your goodself as the offence has been committed within your territorial limits at DD Flats, Kadavanthra, Kochi. This may be treated as a complaint and set the law in motion, as insisted by the State functionaries to initiate criminal action against an offender," she added in her complaint.

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 last month.

With inputs from ANI
B Unnikrishnan, director and general secretary of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), recently discussed the findings of the Justice K Hema Committee report. Talking to Matrubhumi, he denied the existence of power groups in the Malayalam film industry but admitted that the casting couch exists. (Also Read: Mammootty supports Hema Committee report; reveals why he waited this long to react: 'I wholeheartedly welcome...') B Unnikrishnan discussed the findings of the Hema Committee report.

Its undeniable that strong alliances exist

Talking to the publication, Unnikrishnan said that it was an undeniable fact that some production houses had strong alliances with certain directors, writers and actors to make big films.

They often work together on several projects back-to-back, and naturally, everyone tries to align themselves with them to get opportunities. However, such alliances are based on commercial interests. But there cannot be a secret lobby of different cinema-related organisations which decide who should be isolated; the industry will not be able to function, he said, stating that such alliances werent confined to the Malayalam film industry alone.

Unnikrishnan also said that denying casting couch exists in Mollywood would be denying reality. He said, Claiming that there is no casting couch in Malayalam cinema would be ignoring reality. Instances of casting couches in Malayalam cinema have been seen and heard about many times. This issue exists in every industry. We should take a stand against this practice in Malayalam cinema. While we might wish for a perfect, utopian future, achieving that ideal is very challenging.

Director Vinayan previously challenged Unnikrishnans position in FEFKA, writing to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan about it. He did so on the grounds that the Competition Commission of India had penalised Unnikrishnan for unfair trade practices.

Mohanlal, Mammootty finally react

After days of silence, actors Mohanlal and Mammootty finally reacted to the findings in the Hema Committee report. Mohanlal held a press conference on Saturday, requesting people to not kill the Malayalam film industry and stating that he had not run away anywhere. This comes after he resigned from his post as president of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Artistes) without making a statement. Mammootty also claimed that he stayed mum so far because he wanted AMMA to speak about it first.

With inputs from PTI
JABRAYIL, Azerbaijan, September 1. In connection with the extraordinary election to the parliament of Azerbaijan, polling stations in Jabrayil town and Soltanli village have been operating since the morning, with observed high voter activity, Trend reports.

A total of two polling stations are functioning in Jabrayil, which was liberated from occupation. Polling station No. 80 is situated in Jabrayil city, while polling station No. 81 is located in Soltanli village.

There are 54,486 registered voters across 82 polling stations in the district, including 570 individuals voting for the first time. At all polling stations in the district, including those in the liberated territories, conditions have been set up to ensure a democratic, transparent, and fair election process.

The polling stations are equipped with the necessary technical and methodological resources, electricity, communication networks, and fire safety equipment. Booths have been installed to allow voters to express their choices freely. Each polling station is also equipped with seating for the secretary and members, as well as observers overseeing the election.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

For the first time, an election to the parliament is being held in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. Special attention has been given to organizing and conducting the election at the highest level in the territories liberated from occupation, where 54 polling stations have been established to uphold the constitutional rights of more than 42,000 eligible voters.

In the election to the parliament, 990 candidates are vying for seats. All necessary conditions have been provided for their free campaigning, in line with legislative requirements. More than 600 international observers and over 112,000 local observers are monitoring the election, with web cameras installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without the need for registration.

Portable ballot boxes will also be available for voting in the parliamentary election, with all polling stations equipped accordingly.

In connection with the election, the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company, have applied to the CEC to conduct an exit poll during the election.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Justice K Hema Committee report that details sexual harassment and exploitation faced by women in the Malayalam film industry left the nation shocked. But when actor Rajinikanth was asked by the press to share his opinion on the same, heres what he said. (Also Read: FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan admits there's casting couch, denies power groups in Malayalam film industry) Tamil actor Rajinikanth was asked about the Hema Committee report recently.(AP)

Rajinikanth on Hema Committee report

Rajinikanth was spotted by the press as he arrived at the Chennai airport on Sunday. Journalists clamoured by his car to take his opinion on various topics, including his upcoming film Coolie. While the actor was more than happy to chat away about everything else, he seemed unenlightened about the Hema Committee report.

In a video shared by Polimer News, when a reporter asked if a similar committee should be set up to explore exploitation in the Tamil film industry, Rajinikanth asked her to repeat the question with a confused face. When she said, Hema Committee, Malayalam, he replied, I dont knowI dont know anything about that. Sorry, with a smile. He answered one question after that before making his way.

The Hema Committee report

Samantha Ruth Prabhu and the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) have recently asked the Telangana government to publish a similar report on the Telugu film industry. The collective had submitted findings to the government two years ago. The government is yet to respond to the request.

Radhika Sarathkumar has been pointed out WCCs role in the report seeing the light of the day, telling ANI, The Hema Committee was started by WCC, a group of women who are standing up for women's rights and working conditions...they had gone to the Hema Committee. But, after the report was constituted, it was not published. It had gone to the government and it was lying there for four years till they went to court. The court had to tell them to release the findings.

After initial delay, ex-president of AMMA Mohanlal and Mammootty also responded to the committee findings, hoping the victims get justice.
Nikki Garcia, the professional dancer and wife of Dancing with the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev, was recently seen boarding a private jet with her son, Matteo. The sighting comes amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Chigvintsevs recent arrest on domestic violence charges. He was reportedly taken into custody Thursday morning in Napa Valley, California, and held on felony charges, according to TMZ. Artem Chigvintsev was arrested on domestic violence charges in Napa Valley, California, just days after celebrating his wedding anniversary (Theartemc/Instagram)

Nikki Garcia spotted without ring

On Saturday, TMZ reported that Nikki 'Bella' Garcia and her son Matteo were seen boarding a private jet at San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. This marks her first public appearance since her husband Chigvintsevs arrest, which occurred just days after the couple celebrated their third wedding anniversary.

While the victims name has not been disclosed, a spokesperson stated, 'This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.

Also read: DWTS Artem Chigvintsev released from jail following domestic violence arrest, days after Nikki Garcia anniversary

Nikki Garcia gearing up for Netflix show

While the exact destination of Nikki Garcia's recent private jet trip remains unconfirmed, reports suggest that she might be heading to Los Angeles. The WWE alum is probably co-hosting Netflix's "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef," a live hot dog eating competition, alongside Rob Riggle on Monday, September 2. Before boarding her flight, Garcia and her son were seen leaving their home in Napa Valley, California, and making a quick stop at Starbucks, according to PageSix.

Only two days before the arrest, Garcia posted a heartfelt message to celebrate her two-year wedding anniversary with her husband. The 40 years old took to her Instagram and while referring to Elvis Presley's hit song, Can't Help Falling in Love she wrote, Happy anniversary my love, cant see my life without you. You are my everything.

Artem Chigvintsevs domestic violence case

The Dancing With the Stars pro, 42, was reportedly arrested on a felony corporal injury charge Thursday morning. While it's unclear if Garcia was involved in the incident, she was confirmed to be in Napa at the time, as indicated by her Instagram story. Chigvintsev was released shortly after the arrest, with bail set at $25,000, according to booking records reviewed by the POST. A 911 call recording obtained by TMZ reveals that she allegedly threw shoes at her husband.

Also read: Artem Chigvintsevs wife Nikki Bella breaks silence over DWTS star's domestic violence arrest

Initially, this came in as requesting medical, but now the RP [reporting party] is stating he got into an argument with his wife, and his wife threw shoes at RP. There is a child on scene, the call operator was heard saying.
During their time in the Bigg Boss 17 house, actor Ankita Lokhande and her businessman husband Vicky Jain often expressed their desire to start a family. In fact, after the reality show came to an end and Ankita went to meet superstar host Salman Khan, he advised her to have a baby soon. Well, it looks like the couple are now ready to expand their family. Earlier today, Ankita and Vicky shared good news with their fans on social media. The two have become parents! We mean pet parents, to an adorable kitten who they have named Mau Lokhande Jain. Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain with their daughter Mau Lokhande Jain

Along with a cute clip, where Vicky welcomes their baby home and Ankita showers their princess with love, the actor shared, Youre the newest addition to our family, mommy and Daddy are already head over heels in love with you! Your tiny meows and cuddles have stolen our hearts. May your little paws bring immense joy and happiness to our lives. Congratulations to us, the proud parents! May our lives be filled with laughter, snuggles, and endless joy, courtesy of your adorable antics, Mau. Their fans were delighted and showered the couple with lots of love in the comment section below.

Comment section of Ankita Lokhande's new post, welcoming Mau into her home

One social media user shared, Can see the motherly love in ankita's eyes , whereas another fan stated, Ankita wil b best mother. God bless u all. A third comment read: Idk why but looks like Ankita is waiting to become a mother , while a fan gushed, She caring girl like a mother . Of course, there were some netizens who questioned Ankita and Vicky about when they would bring a child into the world. For instance, one comment read: Mai aise aap dono ko aapke baby ke sath khelte hue dikhna chahti hun  aap billi se khel rhe ho , while another fan wrote: Jaldi Vicky ankita k little version bhi ajana chaiye jaldi karo age 40 ho gaye.. Jalldi jadi pregnancy plan karo ankita... hame intezar hai nanne munne bachho k liye.

Well, when and if they plan to have a child is completely their choice. But for now, we are super excited for Ankita and Vicky as they embark on this wonderful journey of parenthood together.
Actor-model Lin Laishram was recently left 'shocked' by the body shaming she encountered on social media, an experience so distressing that she felt compelled to share her feelings through an Instagram story. Lin Laishram

Subsequently, we reached out to Laishram regarding the online trolling and negativity. Addressing it, she tells us, "It was not the first time I faced body shaming from trolls. The comments have been a constant issue, and I wouldnt stay silent. Ive tried to respond kindly, explaining that everyone is different, and some people are naturally skinny. Ive struggled with body dysmorphia for a long time, and now that Im older, there are additional challenges as well."

Also read: Randeep Hooda reveals how he met his wife-to-be Lin Laishram

What particularly surprised Laishram was the disproportionate number of women commenting on her body shape compared to men. "It was shocking to see the number of comments from women telling me to lose weight. For instance, at a big celebrity bash earlier this year, a seasoned actor asked me, 'Why dont you workout?' Over the years, Ive noticed that majority of such comments come from women," shares the 38-year-old, who is married to actor Randeep Hooda.

Laishram, who next features in the film Bun Tikki, finds this attention 'rude'. "I have worked out all my life, I was a sportsperson. When you get comments like that... it's unnecessary pressure on somebody. It's none of your business to tell someone to exercise, or troll or make fun of how they look. They say 'you are a part of the celebrity gang', but each one of us is also a part of the society; human emotions don't fade away."

In her Instagram story, Laishram stated, "I can still rock a ramp or a photoshoot, even if I'm overweight, and I refuse to conform to your narrow expectations."

Expanding on this, she says, "You cant live your life trying to please everyone you meet; true happiness comes from within. I am content with my weight, and your ideal image of me doesnt define who I am. My intention wasnt to demean anyone but to highlight that the pressure being placed on me is unnecessary and unwelcome."
In a wave of Hollywood candour, several celebrities have recently shared their experiences with cosmetic procedures, sparking a broader conversation about self-image. Heres a look at what some stars have disclosed about their treatments: Selena Gomez and Kim Kardashian

Selena Gomez

On July 27, Gomez clarified which cosmetic procedures she has undergone in a comment on TikTok while responding to Marissa the PA, a Botox and filler injector from Florida, who had speculated about her treatments in a video. Marissa admitted to having no knowledge of Gomezs procedures, which prompted Selena to comment, Honestly I hate this. I was on stripes because of a flare up. I have Botox. That's it. Leave me alone.

Selena Gomez on botox

Megan Fox

Megan Fox has been candid about her cosmetic surgeries, particularly in an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast with Alex Cooper on March 20. Fox said, I had my boobs done when I was 21 or 22. I had them redone after I was done breastfeeding my kids because I don't know where they went but they went and then I had to have them read and very recently because the first set I didn't have enough body fat to disguise you could see the rippling of the implant so I had to switch them out to this set.

Also Read: From Priyanka Chopra to Anushka Sharma: 5 celebs who admitted getting work done on their face before Rimi Sen

Megan Fox on botox

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian has expressed concerns about how her cosmetic procedures might impact her acting career. In the June 20 episode of The Kardashians, Kardashian revealed that her Botox injections could affect her ability to convey emotions on screen. She noted, "I feel like you need less Botox for more emotion, and I dont have it." She also shared her reluctance to make extreme physical changes for a role, stating, Im not going to be gaining 500 pounds for a role and losing a million. Thats just not where I need to be.

Kim Kardashian on botox

Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman on botox

Olivia Colman, known for her role in The Crown, has also been open about her use of cosmetic treatments. On March 2, Colman discussed her Botox routine on the BBC Radio 2 show with host Vernon Kay. When asked about her experiences with the procedures, she admitted, "Oh, I've had loads," and added, "Yeah, it's needless in your face." Her candid remarks were well-received by fans, who appreciated her honesty.
Five people were killed in landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in Andhra Pradeshs Vijayawada city, while three others died when the car which they were travelling in was washed away in an overflowing stream in Guntur district on Saturday, officials familiar with the matter said. Due to the landslide in Vijayawada, heavy stones from the hillock crashed on the houses on Saturday. (HT Photo)

The landslide took place at Sunnapubatti centre of Moghulrajapuram Colony abutting a hillock in the heart of Vijayawada at around 7.15 am. Heavy stones from the hillock crashed on the houses. While one house was completely destroyed killing four of the inmates inside, at least three other houses suffered partial damage, a senior police official of the Vijayawada police commissionerate said.

Vijayawada Municipal Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra said five persons died due to landslides at Mogalrajapuram.

The police, along with revenue officials, immediately rushed to the spot and took up rescue operations. However, heavy rains hampered the speedy rescue operations. The affected houses were located close to the hills; so there were chances of further landslides, the official said.

Also Read | Andhra Pradesh: Seven die in rain-related incidents

The deceased were identified as M Meghana (25), Bolem Lakshmi (49), Lalu (20) (believed to be a worker from Bihar) and Annapurna (55). While Meghanas body was the first one to be retrieved from the rubble, it took more than eight hours to bring out the bodies of the other three. As the rescuers were attempting to retrieve the bodies of the victims, another landslide occurred in the afternoon, further complicating rescue efforts, the official said, adding that six others, who were also injured in the landslides, are recuperating at the Vijayawada government hospital.

An official statement said chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the incident and announced ex gratia of 5 lakh to each of the families of the deceased. He asked the authorities to shift people from the areas abutting the hillocks to safer places.

Naidu assured the affected families of the governments support and urged the public to cooperate with the officials during these operations. Vijayawada East zone MLA Gadde Rama Mohan visited the site to oversee rescue operations.

In a related incident, landslides also hit the Indrakeeladri hill due to the relentless downpour in Vijayawada. Boulders fell onto the Protocol Room, but a major disaster was averted as the ghat road had been closed in advance.

Vijayawada has received heavy rainfall since Friday night, bringing the entire city to a standstill. Several places including Jawaharlal Nehru RTC Bus Station were completely submerged in knee-deep water. Major highways and state roads, including the Benz Circle Flyover, have been inundated, making travel difficult.

Officials said that vehicles coming from Hyderabad and Chennai were stuck at the Ramavarapadu Ring Road due to heavy traffic congestion. At the same time, waterlogging also affected the major national highways including the Kondapalli-Chhattisgarh National Highway.

According to a weather bulletin from IMD, Amaravati, Vijayawada received about 187 mm rain over the past 24 hours. Vijayawada Municipal Corporation officials and police have been on high alert and monitoring the situation in the city to take up rescue and relief measures wherever necessary.

Meanwhile, a school teacher and two students were washed away in the overflowing stream at Uppalapadu village of Pedakakani block of Guntur district on Saturday.

The teacher, identified as Nadumpalli Raghavendra (38) who teaches mathematics at the government school at Namburu village, was returning to his native place Uppalapadu, along with two students  Pasupuleti Sourish (6) and Koduri Manwith (9), both from his village.

As the car was crossing the stream, which was overflowing due to heavy rains in the area, Raghavendra lost control over steering and it overturned in the water and got washed away in the flood. Their bodies were recovered in the evening, the police said.

Several other parts of Andhra Pradesh received heavy to very heavy rainfall due to due to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal which intensified into a depression.

The IMD said the well-marked low-pressure area over the west-central and adjacent northwest Bay of Bengal off the coast of north Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha had moved west-north-westwards and intensified into a depression by 5:30 am on Saturday.

Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) managing director R Kurmanadh indicated that parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh are expected to receive heavy rainfall. Penumalli in Krishna district received the highest rainfall of 202.5 mm till Saturday morning, followed by 182 mm in Vijayawada, 162 mm in Ungutur in Krishna district and 148.5 mm in Eluru district.

Most of the districts on the coastal Andhra declared a holiday for schools on Saturday because of heavy rainfall.
Around 60 girls of a tribal welfare residential school in Andhra Pradeshs Alluri Sitarama Raju district were hospitalised on Saturday allegedly due to food poisoning, district officials said, adding all are out of danger. The incident took place at Jamiguda tribal welfare residential school for girls of Korrai gram panchayat in Dumbriguda block in Araku valley on Friday evening (File photo)

The incident took place at Jamiguda tribal welfare residential school for girls of Korrai gram panchayat in Dumbriguda block in Araku valley on Friday evening. Of the 650 girls staying at the school hostel, about 60 students experienced symptoms such as vomiting and abdominal pain, ASR district collector AS Dinesh Kumar said.

Kumar further said prima facie, it was revealed that the girls were served with a curry made with contaminated eggs for dinner. Hours after the meal, students began experiencing vomiting, prompting immediate medical intervention. Meanwhile, one student was diagnosed with malaria and is receiving special treatment, he said.

On receiving the information about the incident, district tribal welfare authorities rushed to the school and shifted them to the government area hospital at Araku, he said.

A team of doctors monitored their condition after administering them with saline and antibiotics. Now, their condition is stable and they are recovering, the collector said.

An official statement from the chief ministers office said chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu spoke to the collector and district medical and health department officials to enquire about the condition. He asked them to see that the hospitalised students get the best treatment.

The collector, along with joint collector Abishek visited the hospital to check on the students and consult with the medical staff about the condition of the students. AP ST Commission chairman Dr D V G Sankara Rao also spoke to the officials and enquired about the situation.

Kumar assured that actions would be taken against the erring officials to prevent the recurrence of such events. He said that strict instructions were given to the authorities to maintain hygiene in the welfare hostels. We shall also introduce a policy that requires daily menus to be photographed and sent to the project officers of Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) for monitoring, he said.

This is the fourth incident of students falling ill due to food poisoning in the state. On August 18, three children, including two girls, all below nine years of age, died and 74 were taken ill after suspected food poisoning after having a meal at a hostel run by a religious institution at Kailasapatnam village of Kotavuratla Mandal of Narsipatnam block in Anakapalli district.

On August 21, 70 students at Chittoor Apollo Health University fell seriously ill after consuming contaminated food, with all the affected individuals currently undergoing treatment in the Chittoor Government Hospital.

On August 27, as many as 342 students fell ill due to contaminated food in a single day allegedly due to lack of proper hygiene in the hostel mess.
Dhaka: Bangladeshi authorities have enhanced security along the border with India to prevent any illegal movement across the frontier, according to an official. Indo-Bangladesh land crossing at Birmur (File Photo)

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) public relations officer Shariful Islam said in a brief message, BGB has stepped up security to prevent illegal movement. The paramilitary force also asked the public to provide information about people illegally crossing the border on two mobile phone numbers.

The move was made as many people are trying to flee to India through the border across the country. BGB has taken the measure so that no one can leave Bangladesh across the border, Islam told HT.

Last week, BGB personnel detained AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik, a retired judge of the appellate division of the Supreme Court, while he was allegedly fleeing to India through the border in the Sylhet sector.

Last month, police in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya recovered the body of Awami League leader Ishaque Ali Khan Panna in Jaintia Hills district, which borders Bangladesh.

Since former premier Sheikh Hasina stepped down in the face of student-led protests and fled to India on August 5, there have been several instances of leaders and activists of her Awami League party trying to flee to neighbouring India. Awami League leaders have also been beaten to death, and some were sent to jail in different criminal cases.

Bangladesh and India share a 4,096 km border. The killing of Bangladeshi citizens in firing by Indian security forces has been raised by Dhaka as a security concern.
The ministry of home affairs has formed an inter-ministerial central team to evaluate the damage caused by the heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in Gujarat, a government release said. The team, led by the Executive Director of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), will visit the worst-affected districts in the state to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. A flooded area after heavy rainfall in Vadodara on Tuesday. (PTI)

Between August 25 and 30, Gujarat witnessed severe rainfall due to a deep depression formed over the state and neighbouring Rajasthan.

Also Read | Flood-ravaged Gujarat to receive more rains next week, warns IMD

The deep depression and subsequent downpour resulted in widespread flooding and damage across the state, with Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan also facing heavy to very heavy rainfall during this period. The MHA has assured that it is closely monitoring the situation in these states and is prepared to send IMCTs to assess damages there as well if necessary.

This year, IMCTs have already been sent to Assam, Kerala, Mizoram, and Tripura to assess flood and landslide damage.

Also Read | Gujarat floods: 24 crocodiles rescued in 2 days in Vadodara

The heavy rainfall in Gujarat caused widespread disruption across the state. Several towns and villages have been submerged, particularly in the Kutch district, where Mundra taluka recorded 26 mm of rainfall in just a few hours. Other areas, including Veraval, Dwarka, and Dantiwada, also received significant rainfall, leading to waterlogging and flooding.

Amit Shah reviewed flood situation in Gujarat

On Friday, Union home minister Amit Shah reviewed the ground situation in his Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, which was severely affected by the rainfall. Shah instructed local authorities to take immediate measures to restore normalcy, including draining floodwaters, cleaning roads and drains, and conducting fogging and pesticide spraying to prevent the spread of diseases.

Also Read | After a wet August, IMD says Sept to be rainy too

"Taking stock of the current situation, Shah gave necessary instructions to restore public life, prevent epidemics and resolve the issue being faced by the citizens immediately. With the weakening of monsoon activity on Friday, Shah held a telephonic discussion with the collectors as well as municipal commissioners of both Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts as well as cities," a BJP release said.

Despite the abatement of rainfall on Friday, many areas in Gujarat remained waterlogged due to swollen rivers.

Vadodara, which faced a flood-like situation due to the overflowing Vishwamitri river, is gradually recovering as water levels recede.
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 favorable outcomes, focussing instead on preserving the integrity of the arbitration process as a whole. 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. (HT Archive)

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 20000 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. A group of international observers from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly is monitoring the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Coordinator of the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS) monitoring group Andrey Yatskin and Secretary General of IPA CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy visited polling station No. 1 of District No. 17, located in secondary school No. 60 named after Pasha Nazarov.

At the polling station, they observed the sealing of ballot boxes and the start of voting. The observers confirmed that all necessary procedures were followed and that voting began as scheduled at 8:00 (GMT+4).

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

For the first time, an election to the parliament is being held in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan. Special attention has been given to organizing and conducting the election at the highest level in the territories liberated from occupation, where 54 polling stations have been established to uphold the constitutional rights of more than 42,000 eligible voters.

In the election to the parliament, 990 candidates are vying for seats. All necessary conditions have been provided for their free campaigning, in line with legislative requirements. More than 600 international observers and over 112,000 local observers are monitoring the election, with web cameras installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without the need for registration.

Portable ballot boxes will also be available for voting in the parliamentary election, with all polling stations equipped accordingly.

In connection with the election, the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company, have applied to the CEC to conduct an exit poll during the election.

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A day after the Election Commission announced a new date for the counting of votes in poll-bound Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir, on Sunday accused the poll panel of doing what suits the BJP, the ruling party at the Centre. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti (HT file photo)

The change in dates will lead to a seven-day gap between the final leg of polling in J&K and the counting day.

They (ECI) do what suits the BJP. When I contested the (Lok Sabha) elections, they unnecessarily changed the date (of polling). Everything is done as per the wishes of the BJP and its proxy parties, she charged, according to PTI.

Mufti, who leads the PDP, was addressing reporters at the party headquarters in Srinagar. She was the last chief minister of J&K before the BJP government at the Centre, led by prime minister Narendra Modi, withdrew the region's special status in August 2019.

The same year, it was bifurcated and converted from a state to a Union territory, which meant that instead of an elected chief minister, it would be helmed by a Centre-appointed lieutenant governor.

Politicians in the Valley have been bitterly opposed to these moves of the Modi government.

Meanwhile, the upcoming assembly elections will be also the first assembly polls here since December 2014. Then, the PDP and BJP, the largest and second-largest parties, respectively, formed a coalition government. Their uneasy alliance, however, ended in June 2018.

Meanwhile, polling for the 2024 Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections, will be done as per the original schedule: September 18, 25, and October 1. Haryana too was to vote on October 1, in a single phase.

Now, Haryana will poll on October 5 and the results for both places will be declared on October 8, instead of October 4.
The 57th city civil and sessions court on Saturday dismissed the bail applications filed by Pavithra Gowda and Anukumar, both are accused in the murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy. The bail application for Pavithra was initially filed on August 19, with the court hearing the case on August 28 before postponing the decision to August 31. (File photo)

Representing Pavithra Gowda was Tommy Sebastian, while senior advocate Ramasingh appeared on behalf of Anukumar. The bail application for Pavithra was initially filed on August 19, with the court hearing the case on August 28 before postponing the decision to August 31.

During the hearing, special public prosecutor (SPP) Prasannakumar objected to granting bail to Pavithra, arguing that gender should not be a factor in such cases. Citing previous orders from the Kerala and Kolkata high courts, he said that bail was denied to female defendants even after charge sheets were filed. In this case, as the charge sheet had not yet been filed, Prasannakumar argued that there was no reason to grant bail to Pavithra, especially given the serious nature of the charges against her in what he described as a cold-blooded murder.

Detailing the evidence implicating Pavithra Gowda in the murder of Renukaswamy, he said that other accused had provided statements linking her to the murder. The court was informed that Renukaswamy was abducted with the intent to kill and the assault led to his death. Prasannakumar emphasised that the investigation was ongoing and that the evidence, including CCTV footage showing Darshan of Pavithra Gowda, blood stains on her slipper confirmed by an FSL report, and the severe injuries inflicted on the victim, all pointed to her involvement in the murder.

Pavithras defence lawyer Tommy Sebastian argued that the accusations against her were baseless. He claimed that while Darshan might have visited Pavithra Gowdas house, there was no substantial evidence linking her directly to the fatal attack on Renukaswamy. The lawyer contended that the injuries leading to Renukaswamys death were caused by a blow to the chest, which was not inflicted by Pavithra Gowda. He argued that there was no serious charge against her and requested that bail be granted.

Darshan Thoogudeepawas arrested on June 11 for his alleged role in the murder of Renukaswamy, a fan who had allegedly sent inappropriate messages to Pavithra Gowda, a close associate of Darshan. The police are investigating whether these messages were a possible motive for the crime.
As the third most-powerful country in the world, India should get its rightful place as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), according to ex-Singaporean diplomat Kishore Mahbubani, a former president of the top UN body. An overall view as the UN Security Council holds a meeting on the situation in the Middle East at UN headquarters on June 10, 2024 in New York. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

The United Kingdom, one of the five permanent members, should step aside for India, he said.

There is absolutely no question that India is the third most-powerful country today after the United States and China. The Great Britain (UK) is no longer great, Mahbubani told NDTV.

On why he thinks that the UK should relinquish its permanent membership, Mahbubani, who headed the UNSC between January 2001 and May 2002, stated that fearing backlash, the UK has not used its veto power for decades.

So, the logical things is to give up its seat to India, Singapore's former Permanent Representative to the UN, added.

India, where the British rule ended in August 1947, is the fifth-largest economy in the world, having surpassed the latter in September 2022.

The US, UK, France, China, and Russia, hold the five permanent seats in the Security Council, where India has had eight terms as a non-permanent member, most recently in 2021-22.

There are fifteen members of the UNSC  five permanent (each with veto power) and 10 non-permanent (no veto power). The non-permanent seats are allotted on a rotational basis.

The G4 nations  Brazil, Germany, India, Japan  support each other's bids for a permanent membership.

Meanwhile, speaking on potential reforms in the United Nations, Mahbubani, the ex-UNSC chief, remarked that the founders of the world body ensured that that all great powers of the time had vested interests in the organisation in order to make it work.
From justifying Karnataka governor Thawar Chand Gehlots decision to accord sanction to prosecute chief minister Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) issue, the submissions before the high court on Saturday in Bengaluru ranged to how the CMs wife, Parvathi, got alternative sites as compensation for a parcel of non-existent land supposed to belong to her. The MUDA issue pertains to allegations of corruption and irregular allocation of 14 plots to Siddaramaiahs wife as compensation by MUDA for 3.16 acre of land taken by MUDA to develop into plots (HT PHOTO)

Lasting for five hours, the submissions were made by Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta on behalf of the governor, senior counsel Maninder Singh for social activist Snehamaiyi Krishna, advocate Ranganath Reddy for social activist TJ Abraham and senior advocate Prabhuling K Navadgi for Pradeep Kumar (all complainants against the chief minister) made out a case of the prosecution sanction being in order.

The high court was hearing the plea filed by Siddaramaiah challenging the governors decision to grant sanction to prosecute him in the MUDA issue. It pertains to allegations of corruption and irregular allocation of 14 plots to Siddaramaiahs wife as compensation by MUDA for 3.16 acre of land taken by MUDA to develop into plots, which she claims was not acquired but encroached by the agency.

Justice M Nagaprasanna hearing the case granted interim relief to Siddaramaiah from the special courts of taking any action against him till the disposal of the matter in his court. The next hearing of the case is on September 2.

Referring to the cabinet meetings note to the governor advising him not to prosecute the chief minister, Mehta cited a previous judgment that said if the advice of the council of ministers is irrational or shows bias, then governor will have to act on his own, apply his mind independently to whether a prima facie case is made out.

On the application of mind by the governor while granting sanction, Mehta said the complainant Abraham appeared before the governor and that the latter dictated his own prima facie conclusions after considering each and every allegation.

Mehta said the governor was justified in ignoring aid and advice of the cabinet which had recommended against grant of sanction. On the 90-page cabinet note, which reproduced the opinion of the advocate-general and the chief secretary, Mehta said this was the longest note ever sent by any state government, which was then copy pasted by the chief minister in his reply too.

The irony is, Bengaluru is the IT capital of the country. There is artificial intelligence available. They could have used artificial intelligence at least to paraphrase what is being copied. On the lighter side, they say that artificial intelligence can never match natural stupidity. This is the collective non-application of mind (referring to the state cabinet), he maintained.

Maninder Singh in his submissions said the land acquisition began in 1992. The revenue records show MUDA as the owner in 1998.

But as far as I know, the moment the land is recorded as government land under revenue records, any transaction after that is rendered void, except entitlement to receive compensation. However, in the said land as owned by MUDA, there was a notification saying it is being developed under a scheme from 2001 to 2004 for which sale deeds are in existence, he added.

Taking it forward, Ranganath Reddy, appearing on behalf of social activist TJ Abraham, said MUDA was the owner of the 3.16 acre of land and the notification to acquire it was issued in 1992 followed by a final notification in 1998. However, 45 days after the final notification, the land was denotified. But none came to reclaim the denotified land.

Reddy explained though MUDA continues to be the owner of the land and had formed plots, it was gifted by one Mallikarjuna Swamy to his sister (Siddaramaiahs wife). In 2014, the CMs wife petitioned MUDA for compensation of the land which had become sites by now. Was the compensation (14 alternative sites) allotted to a non-existent land which was gifted and also converted? he asked.

Substantiating it, Reddy said: The land is non-existent. Yet, it is subjected to conversion. Gift deed was made by Mallikarjuna Swamy to the petitioners wife. The wife then claims compensation for the land.

When justice Nagaprasanna wanted to know whether after receiving the gift, she had become the owner of the land, Reddy asked: But which land? Where is the land? The possession actually is still with MUDA.

Reddy claimed according to his computation the 14 sites allotted are worth 55 crore, though the chief minister has said he is ready to return the plots, if MUDA pays him 67 crore. A non-existent land undergoes conversion, sale deed is done, compensation claimed without the petitioner losing anything, he said adding that from 1998 to 2014 when the transactions happened Siddaramaiah was holding the post of either the deputy chief minister or chief minister.

At one juncture justice Nagaprasanna said: All of you have argued many things. What is the role of the chief minister, nobody has said. It is his sanction. Something should answer on that.

Earlier, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi concluded his submissions on behalf of Siddaramaiah, while reserving his rights to make rejoinder submissions once the respondents have concluded their arguments.
The Gujarat Forest department has rescued a total of 24 crocodiles between August 27 to 29 from Vadodara's residential areas after heavy rains increased water levels in the Vishwamitri river and flooded the city. A Crocodile was spotted on the roof of a house as heavy rainfall inundated Akota Stadium area of Vadodara in Gujarat.(PTI)

The Regional Forest Officer (RFO) said no incident of crocodile-human conflict was recorded. Usually, crocodiles do not attack humans. In the river, they survive on fish and animal carcasses. They may also kill and eat dogs, pigs or any other small animal, the official explained.

Vadodara Range Forest Officer Karansinh Rajput said the river is home to almost 440 crocodiles and water release from the Ajwa dam also led to flooding in residential areas. Increased flooding led to animals from the river getting disbursed into areas closer to the riverbed.

"The smallest crocodile we rescued was two feet long, while the largest was 14 feet long was caught on Thursday from Kamnath Nagar situated along the river. Local residents alerted us about this huge crocodile. Two other crocodiles, 11 feet long, were also rescued on Thursday from EME Circle and an open area near the Zoology Department of MS University," the official added.

Apart from 24 crocodiles, the department has also rescued 75 other animals, including snakes, cobras, five large turtles weighing nearly 40 kilograms and a porcupine during these three days. Since the water level of Vishwamitri river has reduced significantly, the rescued crocodiles and other reptiles will be released again into the river.

Rains in Gujarat

Cyclone Asna over the Arabian Sea been causing heavy rain in Gujarat. The cyclone is expected to move west-northwest over the northeast Arabian Sea, away from the Indian coast, within the next 24 hours.

Six columns of the Indian Army have been deployed to assist ongoing relief operations in the worst affected areas. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said that more than 5,000 people have been rehabilitated and over 12,000 people rescued as of Wednesday from the floods following the heavy rains that lashed the city of Vadodara.
An Indigo flight 6E 7308, operating from Jabalpur to Hyderabad was diverted to Nagpur on Sunday due to a bomb threat. An IndiGo Airlines Airbus A320 aircraft (Representational photo)(Reuters)

Upon landing in Nagpur, all passengers were disembarked and mandatory security checks were promptly initiated, according to an Indigo statement.

The airline apologised, saying, Passengers were provided with assistance and refreshments, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Hoax bomb threats to airports and hospitals have increased in recent times. On June 18, 41 airports including those in Jaipur, Chennai and Varanasi received bomb threat over emails. This led to extensive anti-sabotage checks that lasted for hours, but all the threats were found to be hoaxes.

Hoax bomb threats and messages disrupt flight schedules and also require a thorough inspection of all passengers, their luggage and the entire aircraft. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) had proposed a five-year flying ban for those found guilty of such acts.

Earlier on August 22, a full emergency was declared at Thiruvananthapuram airport following a bomb threat on an Air India flight arriving from Mumbai.

The flight landed at the airport around 8am and was directed to an isolation bay and passengers were safely evacuated by 8.44am.

The threat was communicated by the pilot around 7.30am as the aircraft neared Thiruvananthapuram airport. There were 135 passengers on board.

On June 17, authorities detained a 13-year-old boy for allegedly sending an email to Delhi Airport falsely claiming that a bomb had been planted on a Dubai-bound flight.

An emergency was declared by airport authorities upon receiving the email, and Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport was placed on high alert.

Earlier, around 60 hospitals across Mumbai had also received hoax emails about bombs kept in their premises. Mumbai police had said this included both private and public hospitals and all emails were sent using Virtual Private Networks (VPN) to the hospital's public mail-id's.




A 19-year-old student from Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, daughter of an IPS officer, was found dead in her hostel room on Saturday night, news agency PTI reported citing police. The university said that she died of cardiac arrest. The University said that Anika Rastogi died of cardiac arrest. (Representative Image)

The deceased, identified as Anika Rastogi, was a third-year BA LLB (Hons) student. She died due to cardiac arrest, the university stated.

According to PTI, local police officials mentioned that Rastogi's father is a 1998 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer currently serving in the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

In an official statement, the university said, It is with profound sadness that we announce the untimely demise of Ms. Anika Rastogi, a third-year BA LLB (Hons) student, who passed away last night around 10 pm due to cardiac arrest.

Similar incidents

Last week, a post-graduate student from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Anurag Jaiswal, was found dead in his rented apartment on Sunday morning. According to the police, Jaiswal had returned home around 3 am after a party with friends in Vashi, where it is suspected he may have ingested a toxic substance.

Jaiswal, originally from Uttar Pradesh and studying human resources (HR) at TISS, lived with three classmates in a rented apartment near Chembur naka. When he failed to wake up on Sunday morning, his roommates rushed him to Sushrut Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His body has been transferred to Rajawadi Hospital for a post-mortem examination scheduled for Monday. The police have informed his parents in Lucknow, who are expected to arrive in Mumbai soon.

In another incident, a post-graduate student from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati was found hanging from the ceiling of her hostel room on August 9, news agency PTI reported citing a spokesperson from the institute,

The student, originally from Uttar Pradesh and residing in Disang Hostel, was discovered after her friends noticed her absence from classes during the day. This marks the third unnatural death of a student at the institute this year.

The police later reported that her body had been sent for a post-mortem examination, and further investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of her death.
Actor Mohanlal on Saturday broke his silence on the Justice Hema Committee's report on alleged sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry, saying those guilty must be punished. Meanwhile, a man accused director Ranjith of sexual misconduct.

Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith (File Photo)
Kolkata rape-murder case highlights: War of words over the steps taken to tackle crimes against women continued between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Union government. After Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a stringent Central law, Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi asked the West Bengal government to expedite the setting up of fast-track courts. She said the information given by the state government regarding such courts as inaccurate and added that it indicated an attempt to cover up the delay in trial of cases of crimes against women....Read More

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in its letter to the National Task Force (NTF), reemphasised its demand for a central law to ensure the safety of doctors and medical professionals. The NTF was constituted by the Supreme Court with a mandate to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of healthcare professionals.

The West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) will hold free-of-cost Abhaya Clinic health camps across the city today. Protesting junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have also launched the initiative named Abhaya Telemedicine Clinic.

Rumours on the alterations of crime scene continue with video and audio leaks, weeks after the CBI) took over probe into the gruesome rape and murder of a female doctor. The agency concluded a second round of polygraph tests on former principal Sandip Ghosh and will submit a progress report on the investigation to the Calcutta High court on September 17. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also investigating charges of money laundering against Dr Ghosh.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been questioning the ex-principal of the RG Kar hospital, Dr Sandip Ghosh, daily for 15 days. It subjected him to the polygraph test as well. However, it is still trying to solve the puzzle linked to the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case. Dr Sandip Ghosh

Sandip Ghosh had been trying to deflect the blame on why the hospital officials tried to mislead the parents of the deceased woman, reported News 18.

The CBI is trying to understand after 15 days of questioning that why the principal of the hospital was informed about the crime 30 minutes late.

Before informing him, the authorities called the parents of the victim and told them that their daughter had died by suicide.

The agency is probing why Ghosh's aides were inside the seminar hall of the hospital if he didn't have any information about the crime.

The channel reported that Sandip Ghosh got the information about the rape and murder at 10.20 am on August 9. The body was found at 9.30 am.

The police were informed at 10.10 am.

Dr Sandip Ghosh said that he got a call from Sumit Roy Tapadar, an associate professor in the department of respiratory medicine, at 10 am (30 minutes after the body was discovered), reported the channel.

He couldn't pick up the call because he was taking a shower in the bathroom. He got to know about the incident at 10.20 am when he called him back.

He reached the office at 11 am.

The woman was found dead at the seminar hall where she had gone to rest during the early hours of August 9. Her autopsy revealed she had been raped, beaten and strangled to death. 25 internal and external injuries had been found on the body of the victim.

Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, has been arrested by the police.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. High voter activity has been observed at the polling station in Sabail electoral district since the start of voting in Azerbaijan's parliamentary election, Chairperson of the Election Commission for polling station No. 10 in Sabail constituency No. 7 Lala Aliyeva told Trend.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Facing allegations of sexual assault, Malayalam actor Jayasurya said he will face the case legally and promised to return to India from the United States as soon as possible. Actor Jayasurya in movie Sunny

In an Instagram post, the actor thanked his well-wishers for extending greetings on his birthday and standing by him.

Due to my personal commitments, my family and I have been in America for the past month, and during this time, two false allegations on the grounds of sexual harassment were made against me, Jayasurya wrote.

The actor said the allegations have shattered him and his family and added that his legal team will be looking after the rest of the proceedings. False allegations are easy to make for anyone who lacks a conscience. I only hope one realises that facing a false accusation of harassment is just as painful as the harassment itself, the post read.

A lie always travels faster than the truth, but I believe truth will prevail, Jayasurya wrote, adding that he will return to India after finishing his commitments in the US.

Expressing faith in the judiciary, he promised to continue all legal proceedings to prove his innocence. I have complete faith in our judicial system. Thank you to those who contributed to making this birthday the most painful one, he wrote.

What is Jayasurya accused of?

Several female actors associated with the Malayalam film industry are opening up about their experience after the Hema committee report revealed widespread sexual abuse in Malayalam cinema.

The Kerala police registered a second sexual assault case against Jayasurya after a woman actor accused him of molestation inside a movie set near Kerala's Thodupuzha during 2012-2013.

Also read | Second case against director Ranjith on male actor's complaint

A new FIR under Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Jayasurya was registered at the Karamana police station. Section 354 C of the IPC, which deals with voyeurism, has also been invoked against the actor.
As part of his visit to the United States, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin visited the offices of tech giants Google and Microsoft and signed various pacts towards skilling initiatives in AI. The pacts also aim to improve Tamil Nadu's capability to manufacture semiconductors and smartphones. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin during a visit to Google's office, in USA.(PTI)

The Tamil Nadu government also signed a pact with Google to skill two million youngsters in the state in AI under the state government's skill development programme "Naan Mudhalvan". The initiative will help to collaborate with startups, MSMEs, and the rural economy besides making the youth a future-ready force, Stalin said.

Also read | Why MK Stalin wants to elevate Udhayanidhi now?

Besides the pact, Stalin also met top officials of Google at Mountain view campus and discussed further expansion of Pixel 8 phone production in Tamil Nadu. Launch of other Google products and technology facilities was also discussed.

During the visit, Stalin thanked Google for ensuring Tamil Nadu a place in the global electronics manufacturing map. He also outlined the various initiatives of the DMK government to improve the manufacturing environment of the state and highlighted that Tamil Nadu is a leading state in terms of human resources and infrastructure.

This landmark visit and the signing of the MoU with Google highlights Tamil Nadus commitment to leveraging strategic partnerships with global tech leaders to drive growth and innovation. The state remains determined to capitalise on these opportunities, reinforcing its position as a leading hub for technology and manufacturing in Asia and is determined to become AI leader of the country, the government press release added.

Also read | DMK district secy meeting sets target for 2026 assembly polls

The chief minister invited Apple to invest in the state and expressed his appreciation for the company's contribution to Tamil Nadu's economy. He also listed various government initiatives designed to enhance the states manufacturing ecosystem.

Meeting with Microsoft officials led by Ryan Roslansky, the CEO of LinkedIn, Stalin discussed the expansion of data centre infrastructure in Tamil Nadu and the establishment of a Global Capability Centre. Skilling opportunities in AI was also discussed with Microsoft.

Also read | Stalin signs six MoUs in U.S. for 900 investments to Tamil Nadu

In San Franciso, Applied Materials India Private Limited has signed a pact with the Tamil Nadu Government to establish an advanced AI-enabled technology development Center of Excellence focused on semiconductor manufacturing and equipment in Chennai. As part of this effort, the company will grow its workforce in the state to more than 500 technical jobs over the next few years.

Speaking on the MOU, State Industries Minister TRB Raja said, Tamil Nadu aims to grow the semiconductor ecosystem by fostering industry partnerships, cultivating a research-oriented culture, and developing a skilled workforce.
The Kolkata doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College Hospital knew too much and was silenced, West Bengal Doctors' Forum advisor Dr Koushik Lahiri said on Sunday.



In an exclusive conversation with HT's Kumkum Chadha, Lahiri said,"She always tried to share what she was facing. She was not the only one. Many young and senior doctors are exposed to the same kind of offences. Most of them are silenced. The silence is also violence. This girl tried to break her silence."



ALSO READ: RG Kar rape-murder: IMA questions cops over non-experts presence at crime scene Dr. Koushik Lahiri, advisor for the West Bengal Doctor Forum(Hindustan Times/YouTube)

Loopholes in August 9 rape-murder probe

Dr. Lahiri said it is painful and shameful to discuss what happened on August 9, the morning the body of the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was found in the hospital's seminar hall.



Kolkata murder case protest LIVE coverage

A 31-year-old postgraduate student at department of chest and pulmonology at RG Kar was found in a horrific condition, obviously raped and murdered, on August 9. After this, what happened is baffling and absolutely unbelievable. At 10:10 am, the Tala Police Station was informed that someone was found unconscious at RG Kar Hospital. This is a question mark on unconscious. Who is reporting this, Lahiri said.



ALSO READ: Kolkata rape-murder: Was Dr Sandip Ghosh informed 30 minutes late?



At 10:50, someone introduced self as deputy super called the father of the deceased to inform him that his daughter had committed suicide. By the time, they already knew that it was not a case of suicide. This is absolutely unthinkable. At 11:30, one general diary was filed and again this is on confusion. The Chief Justice of India asked whether it was an unnatural death (UD) case, he added.



UD case pertains to unnatural death which is actually an unclaimed body. Suppose there is a train or road accident, there is a body which is unclaimed or nobody knows the identity of the deceased. In such situation, the police files a UD case. Mr Sibal is saying that UD case was filed at 1:47 pm. It is more suspicious that why at 1:47 this case was filed," the doctor added.



Dr Lahiri further alleged that the doctor's parents were informed and made to sit for three hours at the hospital for no reason. Everyone was allowed to look at the body except for the parents. Between 6:10 and 7:10, the postmortem was carried out. Autopsy is rarely done after sunset after 2023. It is in the rule, and you can do that in a government setup. But if you ask any senior doctors or lawyer, this is not the norm, he added.



Dr Lahiri further claimed that at 8:30 pm, the body was cremated. Very recently, we learned that all the signatures were done by some political leader of the locality and not by the parent. Even more dangerous and unbelievable is the fact that the FIR was lodged after the postmortem at 11:45. This is recorded in the apex court, he claimed.



Dr Lahiri came down heavily on Dr Sandip Ghosh, the ex-principal of the college, who resigned days after the incident.



The principal resigned from his post and service verbally. He said on camera that I am leaving my government service. We don't know whether it is a Freudian slip or not that I have tried to save her but this was inevitable. Why is the principal, the father figure of the RG Kar Medical College, told this? he added.



Alleging a conspiracy, the top doctor said,"Suppose there is a theft or crime in any area of any civilised world, what the administration should do? They should nab the culprit and hand it over to the police. Here what exactly happened, they are shielding the culprit. If there are more than one perpetrator, they are trying to hide the identity."
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into alleged supply of arms, including AK-47 rifles, from the northeast to Bihar, in a bid to investigate if there is a larger conspiracy and an interstate smuggling racket involved, people aware of the matter said. The Bihar police had busted a network of arms smugglers in May this year with the arrest of two people. (HT PHOTO)

The Bihar police had busted a network of arms smugglers in May this year with the arrest of two people  Vikash Kumar and Satyam Kumar  from Muzaffarpur railway station and recovered a butt and a scope of an illegally procured AK-47 rifle. The probe revealed that Vikash had bought the rifle from one key supplier  Ahmad Ansari, a resident of Gopalganj. The rifle was later found to be hidden along with five rounds of live ammunition near a bridge in Muzaffarpur. Three days later, Ansari was arrested from Dimapur, Nagaland along with a mobile phone and two walkie-talkies, Bihar police had said.

The NIA has taken over the probe from Bihar police and registered a case in the first week of August, an officer said on condition of anonymity.

The NIA has been roped in to find out if there is an interstate racket and a larger conspiracy involved as the rifle had come from Dimapur. It is possible that more such weapons might have come from the northeast to be supplied to arms syndicates or individuals in Bihar, said the officer.

Earlier in 2019, the NIA probed the Purnea arms and ammunition smuggling case, in which a consignment of smuggled arms, including barrel grenade launchers (UBGLs) meant for Maoists and gangsters of organised crime syndicates was seized along the Myanmar border.
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman praised anime director and Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki on Sunday after he was honoured with this year's Ramon Magsaysay Award. She described Miyazaki as someone who serves anime like a magician and noted that anime has much for adults. Sitharaman highlighted two of his renowned films, My Neighbor Totoro and 'Kiki's Delivery Service', calling them masterpieces that she could watch repeatedly. Sitharaman highlighted two of his renowned films, My Neighbor Totoro and 'Kiki's Delivery Service', calling them masterpieces that she could watch repeatedly.

Co-founder of #StudioGhibli #HayaoMiyazaki gets the Ramon Magsaysay award. His masterpieces are 'My Neighbour Totoro' and 'Kiki's Delivery Service'can watch them any number of times. Anime have much for adults and Miyazaki serves them like a magician, Sitharaman wrote on X.

Film director and Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has been honoured with this year's prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, often dubbed Asia's Nobel Prize.

2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees

The 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Award winners were announced globally on Saturday. This prize honours individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to Asia. According to The Japan Times, it was established to commemorate the former President of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay, who was known for his integrity.

The Manila-based Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation selected the 2024 recipients, which include three individuals and one organization. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Manila in November, according to The Japan Times.

Studio Ghibli shared news about Hayao Miyazaki winning the Ramon Magsaysay Award on their X handle. The post said, Hayao Miyazaki wins the Ramon Magsaysay Award, known as the Nobel Prize of Asia.

The foundation praised him, stating, 'He has used art to help children understand complex issues, such as environmental protection and the promotion of peace. He has created many of the most memorable and beloved films in the world.' The award ceremony will be held in Manila in November, it added.
Bhubaneshwar: Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday directed the police to convene a state-level conference to discuss issues related to the safety and security of women in Odisha. Odisha chief minster Mohan Charan Majhi (Twitter Photo)

His remarks come amid the countrywide outrage and rising concerns over womens safety following the Kolkata incident in which a woman trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College was raped and killed on August 9.

Maintaining that womens safety is his governments topmost priority, the CM said that his government is committed to the safety and security of women in Odisha and directed the authorities to ensure justice for the victims of gender violence.

The state government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards violence against women. Exemplary action will be initiated against those showing negligence in providing justice to the victims, Majhi said.

Speaking in the assembly later in the day, the CM said that his government will go for a massive recruitment in Odisha police within the next 100 days.

Our government will recruit 3,000 police personnel in 100 days. We have decided to provide over 9,000 motorcycles to Odisha police. Each police station in the state will get at least seven motorbikes for better policing, said Majhi, who also holds the states Home portfolio.

The state government is committed to equipping the Odisha police with modern technology to check crimes in the state. A special battalion will be raised to upgrade security arrangements at Puri Jagannath temple, Majhi said.

Besides, 2,298 homeguards would be recruited. Apart from that, 1,000 posts for traffic management across the state, 4,000 posts for the Odisha Industrial Security Force, and 10 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force teams would be formed. The government has also made a budgetary provision of Rs.117 crore for the Emergency Response System, he added.
Criticised by opposition parties over the Assam assembly's move to discontinue two-hour Friday namaz break for its Muslim members, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday remarked that comments from people will not make his government stop its work. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav (left) has hit out at Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of seeking cheap popularity by targeting Muslims.

Our work will not stop based on the comments of people. Our work is to keep going forward, the BJP leader was quoted as saying by ANI.

RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, ex-deputy CM of Bihar, has been particularly scathing towards Sarma on the namaz issue.

On Friday, he called the latter a Chinese version of Yogi, in a veiled reference to Yogi Adityanath, who leads the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier, he accused Sarma of seeking cheap popularity to remain in the news.

While, Yogi Adityanath is using bulldozers, the Assam CM is stopping namazthe country belongs to everyone. There should be peace but these people (BJP) are only spreading hatred, the RJD member said to ANI.

Meanwhile, the party's Manoj Jha defended Tejashwi, attacked by the BJP for the Chinese version barb.

When we say that something is a Chinese maal, we mean that it is not durable. This was said in the context of dog-whistle politics, the politics of polarisation, Jha stated.

Jha also pointed to alleged anti-Muslim statements made by prime minister Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha elections, held earlier this year.

As far as the dignity of words is concerned, where do you place bhains, mangalsutra and mujra? he asked without naming the prime minister.
The Koramangala police on Saturday submitted a 1,205-page charge sheet in the court in connection with the murder a 24-year-old woman at her PG hostel in Koramangalas VR Layout, police said. The charge sheet, consisting of 1,205 pages and supported by testimonies from 85 witnesses, was presented against the accused (File photo)

The charge sheet, consisting of 1,205 pages and supported by testimonies from 85 witnesses, was presented against the accused, Abhishek Ghoshi (23), a resident of Begum Ganj in Madhya Pradesh, to the 39 ACMM court.

The incident took place on the night of July 23, when the victim, Kriti Kumari, a resident VR Layout in Koramangala for past three years and originally from Bihar, was found murdered in her PG. She used to work in a tech company. The police said that Abhishek, who was unemployed, had allegedly been in a relationship with the girl for several years. He used to frequently travel to Bengaluru to Kriti.

According to the charge sheet, the relationship between Kriti and Abhishek began to deteriorate when the woman discovered that Abhishek had falsely claimed to have secured a job. When she realised he was not serious about his job search, she began distancing herself from him. This angered Abhishek, who started creating disturbances at PG.

In an effort to avoid further confrontations, Kriti moved her roommate to another PG just days before the incident. However, on July 23, Abhishek came to her PG at around 11 pm and slit her throat, the charge sheet stated.

The motive behind the murder is grudge against Kriti, investigation officer Inspector B Nataraj told HT.

After committing the murder, Abhishek returned to his hometown in Madhya Pradesh and confessed to his parents that he had killed Kriti. The Bengaluru police, who traced his whereabouts by contacting his parents, coordinated with the local police in Madhya Pradesh to apprehend him. He was booked under BNS 103 (murder), he said.

Followed by the incident, the police and BBMP enforced strict guidelines to PG s in city.
Bhubaneshwar: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday suggested changing the name of 156-year-old Ravenshaw University in Odishas Cuttack, the oldest higher educational institution in the state, triggering a row. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan (File Photo)

Speaking at a function in Cuttack to mark local self-governance day, Pradhan questioned the role of TE Ravenshaw, after whom the state university has been named, raising questions about his role during the infamous Na Aanka famine in 1866, when 3 million of the state perished to the tragedy.

There is a need for a name change. What did Ravenshaw, after whom the university is named, do during the famine hurt Odia? It is a matter of pride, the education minister said.

He added, The devastating famine of 1866 had taken place in Odisha during the tenure of TE Raveneshaw as the British Commissioner of the state. Many Odia people had perished in the famine. The calamity had occurred due to the administrative failure of the British authorities, including TE Ravenshaw.

However, he said that it was his personal opinion. Intellectuals in Odisha should mull over it. There should be debates over the matter.

Ravanshaw had established the college, which was named after him later, in Cuttack City in 1868.

The Union ministers proposal to change the name evoked sharp reactions from its former students as well as educationists. The name of Ravenshaw University should not be changed. Ravenshaw is not a name; rather, it is a way of life. It has more than 100 years of history behind it.The ministers statement is unrealistic, said Hemendra Narayan Das, a former student of Ravenshaw University.

Satyakam Mishra, a former student and administrator of the university, said those who know about the contribution of Ravenshaw will never say that the university named after him should be changed. If our students have read Odia, its because of Ravenshaw said Mishra.

Those who dont know about Ravenshaws contribution will talk about famine. The famine didnt occur due to RavenshawHe played a great role in spreading education in Odisha, added Mishra.

Former Odisha chief secretary and an alumnus of the university, Sahadeb Sahoo, said Ravenshaw never tormented people. He played a great role in spreading education in Odisha. People honoured him by naming the prestigious college after him. There is no need to change the name he said.

Supporting Pradhans suggestion, Bharatiya Janata Partys Cuttack Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahatab said the name should be changed to uphold the states self-dignity. Names of many famous roads and places have already been changed. What is wrong with it? he said.

Odia intellectual Pradyumna Satpathy, showing support, thanked Pradhan for the suggestion. As a true Odia, the minister has raised the issue to uphold our asmita (self-respect). I support his suggestion fully.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The extraordinary parliamentary election has commenced in Azerbaijan's Lankaran, Trend reports via the "Election 2024" Independent Media Center.

A total of 20 candidates are competing in Lankaran across three constituencies. A total of 139,166 voters are registered at 132 polling stations, with 1,399 voters participating for the first time.

Webcams have been installed at 22 polling stations in Lankaran district across the three constituencies. Both local and international observers are monitoring the election process.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday called for efforts to change the culture of adjournments in the courts.



Pendency of court cases is a big challenge for all of us, the President said while addressing the valedictory event of the two-day National Conference of the District Judiciary in the capital. President Murmu added that all the judges of the country have the responsibility to protect justice(HT_PRINT)

"All possible efforts need to be made to change the culture of adjournments in courts," PTI quoted her as saying.



President Murmu added that all the judges of the country have the responsibility to protect justice.



Pointing to the citizens' stress levels that go up in courtroom settings, a phenomenon she called Black Coat Syndrome, the President suggested that it should be studied.

Murmu also expressed happiness over the increase in the number of women judicial officers.



Union law minister Arjun Meghwal, who was also present at the event, said,"It is the collective responsibility of all of us present in this ceremony at Bharat Mandapam today to come out with a pledge to break the common perception of 'Tariq pe Tariq' culture regarding the justice system."



ALSO READ: Dismayed and horrified: President Murmu on Kolkata rape-murder case

CJI calls for action plan to reduce case pendency

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who also addressed the conference, spoke on the action plan for reducing case pendency through case management.



ALSO READ: Time to remind citizens that we exist for them: CJI Chandrachud

The Committee on Reducing Arrears of Cases has skilfully laid out an action plan for reducing case pendency through case management. The three stages of the action plan include first the preparatory stage of forming district-level case management committees to identify target cases, undated cases and reconstruction of records," ANI quoted the CJI as saying.



The ongoing second stage aims to resolve cases that have been pending before the courts for 10 to 20 years, 20 to 30 years and more than 30 years. Third, from January to June 2025, the judiciary shall execute the third phase of clearing the backlogs of cases pending for over a decade in courts, he added.



(With PTI, ANI inputs)
Two separate incidents of alleged molestation in West Bengal hospitals emerged on Sunday, leading to renewed public outrage amid protests over the brutal killing of a junior doctor in the Capital last month. People protest the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, on Sunday. (PTI)

On Saturday night, a 13-year-old girl and a nurse were reportedly assaulted in separate incidents at medical facilities in Howrah and Birbhum districts, police officials said on Sunday.

The incidents were reported even as hundreds gathered for protests in the state capital Kolkata, while the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party too held their own demonstrations, with each trying to build pressure on the others.

Also Read | RG Kar rape-murder: IMA questions cops over non-experts presence at crime scene

I want justice for my sisters, proclaimed a large banner carried by a protest of citizens who held a march starting from College Square in Kolkata.

In Birbhum, a nurse at Illambazar block hospital was allegedly molested and verbally abused by a male patient on Saturday night. In Howrah, a laboratory technician was arrested for allegedly molesting a minor girl at the district headquarters hospital, where the 12-year-old had been admitted last week and was to undergo a CT scan when she was attacked.

Members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the CPI(M), demonstrated at the block hospital on Sunday, demanding the resignation of its superintendent.

Also Read | Kolkata murder case: Doctor's family under house arrest, claims Congress leader

At Howrah district hospital, the father of the molestation victim said: The man in the room did not allow me to accompany my daughter. He did not allow me to sit outside either. My daughter came out crying and said he misbehaved with her and molested her, the victims mother told reporters at the hospital.

Dr Narayan Chatterjee, the hospital superintendent, condemned the incident, stating, This is a heinous crime. The question of compromising with security of women does not arise. We will intensify security.

In a separate the Ilambazar primary health centre in Birbhum district, a patient was arrested for allegedly molesting a nurse as she administered an injection.

These assaults have prompted renewed calls for improved security measures in health care facilities. How can we work on night shifts if there is no security? The administration must take action immediately, said Arpita Banerjee, a nurse at the Ilambazar centre, during a staff protest on Sunday.

The incidents further fuelled political tensions, with opposition parties intensifying their demands for chief minister Mamata Banerjees resignation.

Sukanta Majumdar, president of the Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, said at a public meeting, We are witnessing multiple incidents of molestation and rape in West Bengal every day. The RG Kar Hospital incident cannot be seen in isolation. The chief minister must accept her responsibility and step down.

The Trinamool Congress, with its administration having been criticised for the handling of law and order and the response to the protests, held its own protest, demanding the Central Bureau of Investigation that has now taken over the probe build a strong case and the federal agency ensures the rapist is hanged.

On 28th August, our leader (Mamata Banerjee) had given directions to Trinamool Mahila Congress to stage a demonstration on 1st September in every block. CBI has not said a word about investigation so far, our demand is for them to tell us about the progress of the investigation and build such a case that the rapist is hanged, said Chandrima Bhattacharya, Trinamool leader, according to news agency ANI.

The ongoing protests, sparked by the death of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, have seen an unprecedented surge in public participation. On Sunday, thousands marched through Kolkata, including prominent figures from the Bengali film industry.

Filmmaker Aparna Sen, participating in a rally for the second time since August 9, criticised the political response to the crisis. Common people have the right to demand answers. The anguish comes from the bottom of their heart. I decry the role of all political parties in the RG Kar Hospital incident. Nobody seems to be bothered about the victim, she told the media.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday blasted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following two recent incidents of violence targeting Muslims over suspicion of beef consumption. Taking to the social media platform X, Gandhi shared his concerns about what he perceives as a growing atmosphere of fear and lawlessness under the current government. Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP government over attacks on Muslims. (ANI)

Those who have climbed the ladder of power by using hatred as a political weapon are continuously establishing the reign of fear across the country, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha wrote on X.

Hateful elements hidden in the form of mobs are openly spreading violence, challenging the rule of law, he added, posting screenshots of videos from both incidents.

On August 28, a 72-year-old man was assaulted on a train in Maharashtra's Thane after being accused of carrying beef.

Ashraf Ali Syed Hussain, a resident of Jalgaon, was travelling on the Dhule CSMT Express when a dispute over a seat quickly escalated to a group of men accusing Hussain of carrying beef in two containers. In the viral videos, the men are seen questioning Hussain about two containers of meat that he was carrying, before kicking and slapping him.

The police have identified six people allegedly involved in the assault and arrested three of them. They face multiple charges, including unlawful assembly, rioting, and criminal intimidation.

Migrant worker killed in Charkhi Dadri

The second incident took place in Haryana's Charkhi Dadri on August 27, when a migrant worker named Sabir Malik was beaten to death by members of a cow vigilante group. Malik, originally from West Bengal, was lured to a shop under the pretence of selling empty plastic bottles. There, he was accused of eating beef and thrashed mercilessly, resulting in his death.

Seven individuals, including two juveniles, have been arrested in connection with Malik's murder.

Also Read | Haryana CM says migrant worker's murder over suspicion of eating beef not 'mob lynching': Who can stop them?

Rahul Gandhi alleged that these "miscreants" have been emboldened by the BJP government, leading to an increase in violence against minorities.

These miscreants have got a free hand from the BJP government, that is why they have got the courage to do this. Attacks on minorities, especially Muslims, are continuing and the government machinery is watching as a mute spectator, Gandhi said.

"The rule of law must be established by taking the strictest action against such anarchic elements. Any attack on the communal unity of India and the rights of Indians is an attack on the Constitution, which we will not tolerate at all. No matter how much effort BJP makes, we will win this historic battle to unite India against hatred," he added.
Kolkata: Amid allegations of evidence being tampered with in the Kolkata rape and murder case at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has raised questions over the identities of two persons who were present inside the cordoned off area at the crime scene. RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata (File Photo)

This comes a day after the Kolkata police stated that all those who had entered the area cordoned off by the investigators to protect the crime scene were associated with the investigation.

The Bengal state branch of the IMA, however, said in a statement on Friday that one of the persons, whom the Kolkata police had identified as a finger print expert, was a first-year trainee doctor of another hospital.

...When Dr Avik De became a fingerprint expert? As we all know, he is a 1st year postgraduate trainee of a surgery department of SSKM (Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial) Hospital, the IMA stated.

Also Read: NHRC issues notice to Kolkata commissioner over police action on protestors

Indira Mukherjee, deputy commissioner (central division), had said on Friday that only policemen, forensic experts, videographers, and fingerprint experts could be seen in a video, which was making the rounds on social media.

Even though Avik De could not be contacted by HT, his colleagues told media persons that he was not present at the crime scene.

Questions have also been raised over the identity of another person who could be seen wearing a purple-coloured shirt and standing near the cordoned off area in the video.

We suspect that it was Birupaksha Biswas, who shared close links with Dr Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. What was he doing there? Avik Ghosh, a member of IMA, told the media.

Biswas, however, refuted the allegations, saying that it was not him and effort was on to malign him.

I was there at RG Medical Hospital on that day, but I was not present in the seminar room or at the scene of crime. These are wild allegations. Just because I was wearing a purple shirt, my name was dragged, Dr Biswas told the media.

Allegations of evidence being tampered with at the crime scene inside the seminar room of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have been surfacing since the first day.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is handling the probe, had earlier told the Supreme Court that the crime scene was altered as a result of which they were facing difficulties. The state government, however, had refuted the allegations.

Earlier this week, a video surfaced on social media in which several persons, including doctors, police, and private security guards of the hospital, could be seen gathering inside the seminar hall after the body was found on August 9.

Kolkata police had said that the body was found in one corner of the seminar room measuring 51x32 and that the area was cordoned off. Hospital doctors had gathered outside the cordoned off area.

There is no question of anyone entering that cordoned off area. People, who can be seen gathering in the video, were all outside the cordoned off area, Mukherjee had told reporters earlier.
Police in Haryana announced on Saturday they had arrested five men and detained two boys for allegedly lynching a man from West Bengal after accusing him of eating beef, an incident that triggered angry reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) rivals as the state prepares to elect a new government in a little over a month. Screengrab showing people beating up a man over suspicion of eating beef, in Charkhi Dadri district in Haryana. (PTI)

Sabir Malik, 26, from North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal had been living in Hansawas village in Charkhi Dadri with his wife and 2-year-old daughter, working as a ragpicker, and was killed on August 27 by a group of men who had first summoned him on the pretext of handing out plastic waste.

Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini condemned the incident but defended the states stance on cow protection. Mob lynching is not right, but people from villages react when such incidents [purported beef consumption] come to light, Saini said. We have enacted a strict law in the state assembly for the protection of cows and there is no compromise on it, he said, after stating that cows are revered in the villages here and when people hear about such things, who can prevent what happens.

Also Read | Haryana CM says Charkhi Dadri murder not 'mob lynching': Who can stop them?

The incident drew condemnation from rival parties. Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) general secretary Digvijay Singh Chautala criticised the governments response. Who has given permission to cow vigilantes to kill a ragpicker? he asked. The chief minister has failed to provide safe places to state residents, said the leader of the party that was an ally of the BJP till March.

Former two-time Badhra MLA and senior Congress leader Ran Singh Mann alleged the CM failed to maintain law and order, adding that cow vigilantes are taking the law in their hands with the backing of the state government.

There is a deep conspiracy to divide people on caste and religious lines during the Haryana polls. The police should probe the case from all angles and give strict punishment to the culprits, he added.

The incident is in a long line of such crimes attributed to violent, right-wing extremist vigilante groups that often cite their mission to protect cows to justify violent attacks. Their targets are almost exclusively Muslims.

Also Read | Five arrested in Haryana for lynching man on suspicion of eating beef

The arrested accused were identified as Abhishek, Mohit, Sahil, Ravinder and Kamaljeet, while two minors had been detained.

Badhra police official Bharat Bhushan said the incident occurred on August 27 when cow vigilantes got information that some migrant workers from Assam staying at Hansawas village had allegedly consumed beef, they visited the labourers shanties.

Sabir was also staying in the same village. The cow vigilantes informed the police and our team reached there on August 27. Upon inspection, meat was found in utensils and the labourers claimed that they had cooked meat twice in the last two months. Forensic and veterinary experts inspected the site and meat samples were collected and sent to a laboratory to confirm whether it was beef. Hours later, these youths called Saibir and his aide Asseruddin to a shop in Badhra on the pretext of selling empty plastic bottles. The vigilantes started thrashing them and Asseruddin managed to flee. They took Malik to the nearby Bhandwa village where he died when they assaulted him again, the DSP added.

The DSP said that a special team has been formed to investigate the case and they are interrogating the accused.

In his complaint to the police, the victims brother-in-law Surajuddin Sarkar said three men had visited their shanties on August 27 afternoon, asking Sabir to come along since they had many plastic bottles to sell.

They assaulted him near Badhra bus stand and later took him to another place. Sabir was found dead near a canal in Bhandwa village. Earlier in the day, police had called my father and I to Badhra police station and we told them that we had not consumed beef. Then, my sister called me and said that Sabir has not returned. We informed the police and my brother-in-law was found dead the same evening, he said.
New Delhi The Supreme Court on Friday commended the Union government for its significant efforts in tiger conservation, noting a steady growth rate of 6% and an increase in the tiger population to 3,682 in 2022. This makes India home to approximately 75% of the worlds tiger population. Project Tiger is a wildlife conservation project launched by the Government of India on April 1st 1973 to protect the Bengal tiger and its habitats. (Photo: Shutterstock)

We have seen your (Centres) report. Good work has been done, a bench comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna and PV Sanjay Kumar said after reviewing the data and measures implemented by the government and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The bench was hearing a petition filed by advocate Anupam Tripathi in 2017, which sought action to protect endangered tigers whose numbers were declining across the country.

During the proceedings, additional solicitor general (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre and NTCA, presented statistics highlighting the success of the governments conservation efforts. She informed the court that substantial work had been undertaken to increase the tiger population.

Also Read | 5 tigers to be shifted to Rajasthan from MP, Maharashtra to improve gene pool

This positive development marks a significant improvement over the last decade, with the number of tigers rising from 2,226 in 2014 to 3,682 in 2022. Satisfied with the progress, the court decided to close the public interest litigation (PIL) proceedings.

According to the governments latest status report, regions such as central India, the Shivalik Hills, and the Gangetic plains saw notable increases in tiger populations, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra. However, some areas, such as the Western Ghats, experienced localised declines.

Indias tiger population is primarily concentrated in 53 dedicated tiger reserves, covering 75,796 square kilometers  2.3% of the countrys total land area. The reserves with the highest tiger numbers include Corbett National Park, which reported 260 tigers, followed by Bandipur (150) and Nagarhole (141).

The estimated figure of 3,682 tigers is an average, with the population likely ranging between 3,167 and 3,925. These estimates are based on the number of unique tigers captured on camera, along with an extrapolation of tigers that may not have been photographed.

In its latest status report before the court, the government also presented data on tiger deaths, informing the bench that as of April 12 this year, India lost 47 tigers, with 17 deaths in Madhya Pradesh, 11 in Maharashtra, and 6 in Karnataka. In 2023, 181 tigers died, with Maharashtra recording the highest number of deaths at 45, followed by Madhya Pradesh (43) and Uttarakhand (21).

While the 2024 tiger deaths are still under investigation, the status report revealed that 115 of the 181 deaths in 2023 are also under scrutiny. The report noted that 44 tigers died of natural causes in 2023, nine were victims of poaching, and seven died due to unnatural reasons not related to poaching, while six deaths were due to seizures.

The top court in 2017 had issued notice to the Union ministry of environment, the National Board for Wildlife and the NTCA on Tripathis plea, which had also sought relocation of people living near tiger reserves. The petition added that tigers were being killed either by poisoning by locals or the authorities, shooting by forest guards or by poaching.
The Congress on Saturday held Raj Bhavan chalo rally in Bengaluru to protest against the alleged misuse of the governors office after governor Thawar Chand Gehlot over his sanction to prosecute chief minister Siddaramaiah for alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Karnataka Congress leaders, led by state party chief and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar submit an appeal to governor Thawar Chand Gehlot over his decision on MUDA case, in Bengaluru on Saturday. (ANI)

The march to Raj Bhavan from the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the precincts of Vidhana Soudha was led by deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar with ministers, MPs, legislators and Congress functionaries. Siddaramaiah recused from the march. He participated in a dharna before the Gandhi statue, prior to the protest.

Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, said the march was organised to ensure that Raj Bhavan does not become the office of a political party.

I want to clarify that the protest was not on behalf of the chief minister as the court is hearing the matter. We are going to Raj Bhavan with a demand to protect the sanctity of this constitutional post, he added.

The governor met the Congress leaders in the banquet hall of Raj Bhavan, where a memorandum was submitted to him. The delegation demanded Gehlot to look into the prosecutions pending his sanction against former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and former BJP ministers G Janardhan Reddy, Murugesh R Nirani and Shashikala Jolle under section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and grant of prior approval under section 17 (A) of the same law.

The governor accorded his nod to prosecute Siddaramaiah and investigate the allegations in the allotment of the alternative sites on August 16, which the Congress is fighting legally and politically.

In the five-page memorandum, the Congress raised concerns against the unwarranted sanction against Siddaramaiah. The governor granted prosecution sanction against Siddaramaiah without any formal request from an investigation agency, based on petitions from individuals with questionable backgrounds. The Congress sees this as politically motivated, the memorandum stated.

Referring to the pending sanction for Kumaraswamy, it stated: The Lokayuktas Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted several requests for sanction to prosecute Kumaraswamy for his alleged involvement in the illegal approval of a mining lease in 2007. Despite substantial evidence, the governor is yet to grant the necessary sanction.

Besides delayed actions in other corruption cases involving former ministers Shashikala Jolle and Murugesh R Nirani, where requests for approval under the Prevention of Corruption Act have been pending despite clear evidence of wrong-doing, the memorandum said.

In the memorandum, the Congress accused the governor of actions that seem politically biased, which they believe is undermining the publics trust in his being impartial.

The memorandum demands that the governor immediately act on all pending requests for prosecution sanctions, maintain impartiality, and conduct his duties according to the Constitution, free from political influence, it said.

After meeting the delegation, the governor is reported to have said he will look into the matter.

Meanwhile, Ramesh Babu, president, KPCC media and communication wing, filed a petitioned to President of India Droupadi Murmu seeking her intervention to urge the governor to withdraw the prosecution sanction. The President has replied to Babu asking him to get in touch with the Karnataka governments chief secretary.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday unveiled the new flag and insignia of the Supreme Court at the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary in New Delhi. The newly unveiled flag features symbols central to India's legal and cultural heritage: the Ashoka Chakra, the Supreme Court building, and the Constitution of India. The new Supreme Court flag is blue in colour. The insignia has Supreme Court of India and Yato Dharmastato Jayah (in Devanagari script) inscribed on it. President Droupadi Murmu, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice DY Chandrachud, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Law & Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal and Supreme Court Judge Surya Kant during the valedictory session of the 2-day National Conference of District Judiciary organised by the Supreme Court of India, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sunday.

What does Yato Dharmastato Jayah mean?

The phrase "Yato Dharmastato Jayah" is a Sanskrit expression that translates to "Where there is Dharma, there is victory" or Victory lies where Dharma (righteousness) prevails.

President addresses the event

Addressing the event, the President commended the Supreme Court for its invaluable contribution to Indian jurisprudence, saying it has stood as a vigilant sentinel of justice since its establishment. She also appreciated the efforts of all those, past and present, who have contributed to the Indian judiciary's legacy, which has strengthened public trust in the legal system.

President Murmu also addressed the persistent issue of case backlogs, urging for innovative solutions to reduce the pendency of cases. She called for more frequent initiatives like special Lok Adalat weeks to expedite the resolution of cases, noting that such efforts are essential for maintaining public confidence in the judicial system. The President was pleased that discussions during the conference had focused on case management, expressing hope that these deliberations would lead to practical reforms.

Also Read | President Droupadi Murmu calls for efforts to change culture of adjournments in courts

In her speech, the President proposed the idea of a justice system at the local level, akin to the powers and responsibilities granted to Panchayats and Municipalities by the Constitution. She suggested that providing justice in local languages and under local conditions could bring the judiciary closer to the people.

Highlighting the need for collaboration among the judiciary, government, and police, President Murmu stressed the importance of addressing issues related to evidence and witness protection.

Also Read | Enough is enough: Full text of President Murmu's statement on Kolkata rape-murder case

She also voiced concerns over the delays in justice delivery, especially in heinous crimes like rape, which she said could erode public faith in the judicial process.

President Murmu said it is a sad aspect of our social life that, in some cases, people with resources continue to roam around fearlessly and freely even after committing crimes, and those who suffer from their crimes live in fear, as if those poor people have committed some crime.
Heavy rainfall continued to wreak havoc across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, leading to severe flooding, loss of life, and widespread disruption. Both states have been grappling with relentless downpours over the past few days, causing rivers to swell and inundating vast areas, including major cities like Hyderabad and Vijayawada. **EDS: SCREENGRAB VIA PTI VIDEOS** Khammam: A woman and children trapped on a rooftop appeal for help amid floods, in Khammam district, Sunday, Sep. 1, 2024. (PTI Photo) (PTI09_01_2024_000183A)(PTI)

Emergency meetings were held by the respective chief ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, A Revanth Reddy and N Chandrababu Naidu, to assess the situation and coordinate rescue operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to both CMs and enquired about the situation in their states in the wake of heavy rains and floods. He assured all possible assistance from the Centre to overcome this challenge.

The situation in Khammam district is particularly dire, with 110 villages submerged under floodwaters.

Also Read | Flood-ravaged Gujarat to receive more rains next week, warns IMD

Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar said 119 people are stranded on hillocks and buildings, awaiting rescue.

Informed Honble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji about the severe situation in Telangana's Khammam & that 110 villages in the district have been submerged, 9 people are stranded on Prakash Nagar hillock, 68 people on Azmeera Thanda hillock in Palair constituency, and 42 others are trapped on buildings, he posted on X.

In response, nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been dispatched to Telangana to assist in the rescue operations. These teams, drawn from Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Assam, are already in action following orders from the Union home minister Amit Shah, Sanjay Kumar said.

Also Read | After a wet August, IMD says Sept to be rainy too

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh has also been severely affected by heavy rainfall. Vijayawada, one of the major cities in the state, has witnessed severe flooding, particularly in the Rama Krishna Puram area, where houses and cars were submerged. The NDRF, along with local police, has been actively involved in rescue and relief operations, relocating affected residents to rehabilitation centres.

10 key points on the rainfall and flood situation in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh:
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday lashed out at some non-government organisations (NGO) over their alleged silence on the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.



Certain NGOs who are on road for drop of an incident, drop of a hat, but they are in silence mode. We have to question them. Their silence is much worse than the culpable act of perpetrators of this heinous crime that happened on August 9 2024, PTI quoted Dhankhar as saying at Rashtriya Military College Dehradun.



Those who seek to play politics and brownie points, keep on writing letters to one another, are not responding to the call of their conscious, he added.



This is not the first time when Dhankhar has spoken on the Kolkata murder case, which has triggered massive outrage across the nation.



On Friday, the vice president had described the incident as painful, calling for a deterrent ecosystem to punish the perpetrators for such crimes. Vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar.

V-P slams Sibal's purported SCBA resolution

The vice president slammed Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Kapil Sibal for stating in a purported resolution that the incident was a "symptomatic malaise" and suggesting that such incidents are commonplace.

"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 greatest injustice to the high position," Dhankhar was quoted by PTI as saying.



For partisan interest? For self-interest? You take a stance, leveraging your authority to perpetrate such kind of heinous injustice on our girls and women? What can be a greater injustice to humanity? Do we trivialise the suffering of our girls? No, not any longer, he added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Voting in the extraordinary parliamentary election is underway in Azerbaijan's Fuzuli, a region recently liberated from occupation, with voters showing high enthusiasm, Trend reports via the "Election 2024 Independent Media Center.

Voters are casting their ballots at Polling Station No. 75 in Fuzuli Constituency No. 84, located at Secondary School No. 1 named after Mirzo Ulugbek.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray said on Sunday that there was a hint of arrogance on the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the latter apologised over the collapse of a statue of Maratha icon Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra. MVA leaders during their protest against the collapse of Shivaji's statue.

During the MVA alliance's protest against the incident in Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray said the people of Maharashtra will not accept PM Narendra Modi's apology.

"There was arrogance on the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while tendering an apology," he said.

He claimed PM Modi apologised to hide the corruption that led to the collapse of the statue.

"Modi tendered an apology to cover the corruption. Wherever there was the hand of Modi, including the Ram temple, Parliament House and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue  every work was proved to be of low quality," he added.

"Maharashtra will not accept Modi's apology and will teach the ruling party a lesson," he added.

Referring to BJP's counter-protest, Uddhav Thackeray said they should leave India.

"Whatever is going on in Maharashtra is not politics. Today anti-Shivaji Maharaj people (BJP) are holding protests against the MVA. Let them do it. We want to tell them  get out of India," he added.

NCP(SP) leader Sharad Pawar said the stand of the ruling party has insulted Shivaji Maharaj.

"In Maharashtra, there are many such statues of Shivaji Maharaj but the one at Malvan fell. There is a general feeling among the people that corruption took place in the project, which is an insult to Shivaji Maharaj," he said.

Leaders of the opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi on Sunday held a march from the iconic Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India in south Mumbai to protest against the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district.

The statue was unveiled by PM Modi on December 4, 2023, on the occasion of Navy Day.

Meanwhile, chief minister Eknath Shinde said Shivaji Maharaj can't become a political issue.

This is a very sad thing for usShivaji Maharaj cannot be a political issue for us, this is a matter of identity and faith for us. The incident that happened was unfortunate. Doing politics on it is a sad thing and the opposition is doing politics on this. Two JCBs were brought to break the statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Karnataka, and that statue was uprooted, those who did this should be beatenThe people of Maharashtra are wise, they are seeing this. In the coming elections, the people of Maharashtra will beat them with shoes, he added.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud on Saturday said that judiciary cannot be indifferent to the suffering and injustice of litigants approaching courts as he exhorted members of the district judiciary  the first point of contact for citizens seeking justice  to give back to the society by reminding citizens that we exist for them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud in Delhi on Saturday. (HT Photo)

Speaking at the inaugural event of a two-day national conference of the district judiciary in the Capital, the CJI said that the face of future judiciary is changing with the increased adoption of technology into legal and judicial process and with young recruits, who are technologically savvy, joining judiciary as a matter of first resort.

The CJI said, We today have a young judiciary which is technologically savvy, technologically equipped and representative of the changing demography of India, a truly young nation. They are joining the judiciary not as a matter of last resort, but as a matter of first resort.

Also Read | CJI, PM Modi present as Kapil Sibal raises bail concerns at trial court level

Noting the tremendous push by the e-Courts project leading to the computerisation of 3,500 court complexes and more than 22,000 courtrooms, the CJI said, We must recognise there has been a tremendous improvement in the conditions of service of our district judiciary. Now, it is our time to give back to society. Now that we have been recognised in terms of the conditions which have been created for us, it is time for us to remind citizens that we exist for them and what better way to do it than in the work we perform.

He presented data to further suggest that an increasing number of women have been joining the district judiciary in the past few years and said, These are a few examples which paint the picture of a promising judiciary of the future.

Also Read | Speed up trials of crimes on women: PM to courts

With over 800 district judicial officers in attendance from all states and union territories, CJI reminded them that the district judiciary is a crucial component of the rule of law, serving as the backbone of judiciary that serves as the first point of contact for citizens, We must realise as judges, that we exist for reasons beyond our own existence. The core of our function is to serve others. That can happen when we put ourselves in the place of those who come before us with real life stories of suffering and injustice, justice Chandrachud said.

At the same time, he reminded that for many citizens, district courts may end up being the last resort for justice due to numerous reasons, some of them being financial constraint, lack of awareness about their statutory rights, or geographical difficulties in physically accessing court.

The CJI said, The quality of our work and the conditions in which we provide justice to citizens determine whether they have confidence in us and is a test of our own accountability to society.

Each case has the potential to make us more sensitive to the human condition and the human story behind the case. This, in turn, enables us to practice judging with empathy and compassion, he said.

But there is a flip side as well as the CJI underscored the need for judges to cater to their mental health and holistic wellness.

It is difficult for a judge not to be affected by the actual face of suffering that each one of us encounters every day  a family which is coming face to face with a gruesome crime, an undertrial who is languishing for years or the children in a parental matrimonial dispute. Judges are, despite being professionals, affected by their own brush with reality. Their mental health may suffer as a consequence, the CJI said, coining the term judicial wellness that has the potential to impact the overall ability of the judge to render justice.

The need for judges to keep pace with evolving times and update themselves with new laws and changing societal conditions was also highlighted in his speech. Society changes with the passage of time and while judges are required to be islands, standing independent, they must still be aware of the world around them. This is indispensable in ensuring that justice is delivered in each case, he said.

Justice Chandrachud cited his own example to suggest how judges must take the lead in integrating technology into their day-to-day functioning. After the adoption of the Parichay application at the Supreme Court, I no longer use a pen to sign or mark the administrative files which require my attention. I instead review and approve files using my computer.

He told the judicial officers that purchasing technological devices is insufficient in the mission to ensure that courts become citizen-centric. Rather, he said, We must embrace and implement technological processes by utilising the technology at our disposal and ensuring their full use in our work.

At the event, coinciding with the 75 years of the Supreme Courts establishment, judges of the apex court and chief justices of high courts were also present. The conference will discuss a range of issues concerning district judiciary, including managing the judicial docket, security and wellness of judicial officers, addressing gender dynamics in judiciary, and concerns of infrastructure and manpower.

The CJI advocated against the use of the term subordinate judiciary and said, Seventy-five years after Independence, the time has come for us to bury one more relic of the British era  the colonial mindset of subordination.

Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also spoke on the occasion along with BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Kapil Sibal.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took the blame for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse in Sindhudurg district on August 26 and asked for forgiveness from the Maratha people for the great Maratha king was his revered deity.  For me, my colleagues and everyone, Chhatrapati Shivaji was not just a king. He is highly revered and worshipped by all. For us, he is our aaradhya dev (revered deity, the PM said at the inauguration of the Vadhvan Port. Prime Minister Narendra Modi

It is not that PM Modi either constructed the statue or installed it at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district. He simply inaugurated the statue on December 4, 2023, which is celebrated as the Navy Day. The construction and installation of the 35-foot-tall statue was awarded to the lowest bidder (L-1), certified by architects and planners, paid for by the Maharashtra Government and handed over to the state government by the Western Navy in April 2024.

While a joint probe headed by a Naval Commodore is now trying to ascertain the reasons for an accident for which the PM of India had to seek forgiveness, the collapse raises serious questions on Indian workmanship and the curse of awarding contracts to the lowest bidder to escape the auditor and allegations of corruption. The L-1 process has been the bane of India in many ways as quality and workmanship are often compromised ostensibly saving some money for the government.

The 600-feet-tall Sardar Patel statue is built in such a way that it allows the high-velocity winds from Narmada Valley funnel to pass through.(Photo by Shishir Gupta)

It is the same L-1 process that has often caused delays in construction and acquisition as the Sarkari Babu has to justify the purchase and accord sanction on file so that his job is safe and not marred by armchair auditor objection. The poor workmanship, which is a hallmark of the Indian sub-continent as is evident from frequent road and bridge collapses, is also a direct outcome of a country that has come to terms with mediocrity in all spheres of life. The due diligence and the worker pride are simply missing at the beginning of the project and there is hardly any maintenance of the project once the inauguration is done, red carpets and air-conditioned tents are removed from the site. Cynical Indians will say that the PM apologized for the collapse keeping in mind the Maharashtra elections, which are around the corner, but it is quite evident that Narendra Modi is most upset as top PMO officials are making calls to both the Navy and the State government to hold the culprits accountable. PM Modi is upset as he inaugurated the statue of the tallest Maratha leader--whose life and times have been an aspiration for the three-time PM of Indiaand the statue fell in just nine months.

While the state government is on record stating that the 35 feet tall Shivaji statue collapsed due to high-velocity winds, the 600 feet tall statue of Sardar Patel proudly stands in Kewadiya, Gujarat due to specialized construction that allows howling winds from Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River to pass through without obstruction. It is all about project planning, workmanship and skills by the best in the business not L-1 contractors with mediocre skill sets. The collapse is a result of a mediocre bureaucracy (there is no difference between civilian and armed forces) which is more focused on processes rather than outcomes. And there is hardly any maintenance post-inauguration as is evident from the leaking taps and cracked porcelain pots seen routinely at public convenience places, roads, fly-overs, railway stations and airports. The public is equally responsible for the filth and dirt seen in these places.

While politicians of the country promote mediocrity over merit in the name of social empowerment and votes, there has to be a minimum skill qualification or course or license for those practicing tradecraft. The Ustaad-Chela jugaad model does not work for a rising India. Unless we want to embarrass PM Modi further.
Amid the uproar over the recent rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, a lab technician at another state-run hospital in West Bengal's Howrah district has been accused of allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl who had been admitted the previous week, news agency PTI reported citing police. The incident occurred on Saturday evening and according to a hospital official, an FIR has since been filed and the accused arrested. While the minor girl was being taken for a CT scan, she emerged from the department in tears and sought help from a relative of another patient. (Representative Image)

An FIR has been registered at Howrah Police Station and the accused has been arrested. We have asked for an explanation from the private partner who conducted the CT scan on the victim. We will forward this to higher authorities and take appropriate action. The individual arrested was an employee of the private-public partner... We are providing security to the victim and her family. Repair work was being done in the CT scan room, which unexpectedly started in the evening. We were not aware of it, said Narayan Chattopadhyay, Superintendent of Howrah Government Hospital, as quoted by ANI.

What happened?

The incident occurred on Saturday at around 10 pm at Howrah district Headquarters Hospital, where the 12-year-old girl had been admitted the previous week for pneumonia. According to an India Today report, while she was being taken for a CT scan, she emerged from the department in tears and sought help from a relative of another patient.

Later a family member stated that the girl left the laboratory in tears, alleging that the lab technician had touched her inappropriately and threatened her with severe consequences if she told anyone about the incident, according to PTI.

The girl's mother, who was waiting outside, hurried to her daughter's side upon hearing her cries and immediately notified the police.

The news of the incident quickly spread, causing outrage among the locals and the victims family gathered at the hospital to protest, with some reportedly attempting to confront and assault the accused.

Police arrived at the scene and intervened to rescue the accused, Aman Raj, from the angry crowd. He was arrested following a complaint filed by the girl's family, and authorities stated that an investigation is currently underway.

On Sunday, members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the CPI(M), staged a protest at the hospital, demanding the resignation of the hospital superintendent.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
HIFU, or High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that has gained popularity in recent years for its ability to lift and tighten the skin without surgery. How exactly does this technology work and what makes it an effective anti-ageing solution? Let's take a closer look. Secret to youthful skin: Here's how HIFU is revolutionising anti-ageing without surgery (Photo by Dermaclara)

The Science Behind HIFU

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Geeta Mehra Fazalbhoy, Dermatologist at Skin and You Clinic in Mumbai, explained, HIFU uses focused ultrasound energy to target the deeper layers of the skin and underlying tissues. Unlike traditional ultrasound, which uses lower-intensity waves, HIFU devices emit high-intensity ultrasound waves that can penetrate the skin and reach the foundational layer known as the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system).

She elaborated, When the HIFU waves reach the SMAS, they create targeted thermal and mechanical effects that stimulate the body's natural healing response. Specifically, the focused ultrasound energy causes controlled injuries (Micro Thermal Zones) in the deeper skin layers, which in turn triggers the production of new collagen and elastin fibers. This collagen and elastin production results in a gradual tightening and lifting of the skin over the following weeks.

According to Dr Geeta Mehra Fazalbhoy, as the skin becomes firmer and suppler, visible signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and sagging begin to diminish. She revealed, One such device Ultracel Q+, from Jeisys, South Korea is an innovative HIFU customisable to address both face and body. LinearFirm is the worlds first HIFU cartridge with a bulk heating effect by linear irradiation. It is used to treat various areas of the face and neck to reduce sagging skin and wrinkles. It can also be used on other parts of the body.

Some of the advantages of HIFU ultracel Q+ for skin tightening and lifting include non-invasiveness, minimal downtime and long-lasting results. Dr Geeta Mehra Fazalbhoy gushed, It also has linear technology to achieve a skin-brightening effect and fat reduction on top of the non-surgical lifting and tightening effect. It benefits in double chin jowl reduction, under eye bags reduction, 1.5 mm depth cartridge helps in texture and tone improvement, 3 mm is for collagen generation and 4.5 mm helps in lifted and contoured jawline shaping.

The HIFU Treatment Process

Dr Geeta Mehra Fazalbhoy informed that HIFU treatments are typically performed in a clinical setting by a licensed practitioner where the process generally involves the following steps -

1. Consultation: You'll meet with the practitioner to discuss your aesthetic goals and have your skin evaluated to ensure HIFU is the right treatment for you.

2. Skin Mapping: The treatment area is mapped out, and the practitioner uses a special HIFU device to precisely target the deeper skin layers that need to be addressed.

3. Treatment: The HIFU device is gently moved across the skin, delivering the focused ultrasound energy in a pre-determined pattern. You may feel a slight warming sensation or mild discomfort, but the treatment is generally well-tolerated.

4. Recovery: There is little to no downtime after a HIFU treatment. You may experience some redness or tenderness in the treated area but this usually subsides within a few hours.

5. Results: The collagen-boosting effects of HIFU take time to develop, with the full results typically visible within 2-3 months. In HIFU like Ultracel A+, many patients report a visible lifting and tightening of the skin, as well as a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance.

The Benefits of HIFU

In addition to its non-invasive nature, Dr Geeta Mehra Fazalbhoy highlighted that HIFU offers several other benefits that make it an attractive anti-ageing solution:

Targets deep skin layers for long-lasting results

Stimulates natural collagen production for gradual improvement

Can be used on the face, neck, and body

Requires no incisions, anesthesia, or recovery time

Delivers consistent, reproducible results

Overall, HIFU provides a unique way to combat the visible signs of ageing without the risks and downtime associated with surgical procedures. By harnessing the power of focused ultrasound, this innovative technology allows you to achieve a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance from the inside out.
Returning to school can present new opportunities along with concerns and challenges. Back-to-school survival guide: Essential tips for families with autistic children (PTI Photo)

As families with autistic children prepare for the new school year, their concerns could include determining that necessary accommodations and supports are in place at school, helping children transition from a summer routine to a structured school day and finding ways to support social integration with their new classmates.

For parents of autistic children, addressing childrens potential anxiety or sensory triggers and having a plan to manage transitions are steps parents can take to promote a successful start to the school year.

For school communities, fostering an inclusive environment is key to ensuring all children, including those with autism, can thrive both academically and socially.

Autistic children at school

Autistic children represent a distinct group of learners and can face challenges in the school environment, which may not have optimal supports in place for neurodiverse learners.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is present in one in 50 (two per cent) of Canadian children and youth. While all children are unique, and people on the spectrum experience differences in their traits and levels of functioning, autistic children can have specific interests, engage in repetitive behaviours and be more sensitive to lights and sounds.

Autistic children can also face challenges with social interactions or understanding thoughts and feelings of others. While repetition can help children learn, for autistic children, routines and predictability are especially important.

Challenges receiving accommodations, services

School absenteeism is common in autistic children. While some research attributes this to health conditions in some individuals, some factors may be specific for autistic children who are statistically more likely to face early adversity: the more severely affected a child is by autism, the greater the likelihood they will be exposed to early life stressors.

Limited accommodations or services in the school environment may also influence childrens absenteeism. Accommodations could include adjustments to the physical environment, modified assignments or classroom supports. Research about adolescent autistic girls experiences has documented how low attendance can be associated with internalised anxiety and a desire to avoid school.

Benefits of collaboration, social supports

Research shows that parents who work in collaboration with educators to support autistic children can achieve many positive benefits. For example, early family involvement in interventions has been shown to significantly improve long-term academic outcomes, highlighting the lasting impact of active parental participation.

Building social supports for autistic children within their communities outside of school can also have positive impacts across many areas. For example, community organisations offer programming for autistic children and youth that can help them to build social skills, learn skills of daily living and participate in therapeutic recreation.

Programmes like these are associated with better social communication skills for autistic children.

Parent, parent-child, advocacy groups

Parent groups can also be effective in promoting positive outcomes for autistic children and their families.

Parents who participated in clinician-led groups that teach the principles of evidence-based practices such as acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy or mindfulness have reported experiencing less stress.

Alternatively, parent-child groups can teach parents and children in tandem about mental health issues such as anxiety, so parents and children can work together to implement interventions at home.

The skills taught in therapy are reinforced at home, where the child spends a large chunk of their day. To reach maximum potential, collaboration with the childs school team can also be beneficial.

Not-for-profit autism and autism-advocacy groups often provide resources that can also help parents navigate school systems and advocate for their child.

Better sleep

Parents can make changes within the home to reduce stress for children before the school year starts. One area of targeted intervention is sleep. Better sleep quality is associated with higher levels of resilience, meaning that people who sleep for longer periods of time without interruption are better able to cope with difficult circumstances.

Conversely, a lack of sleep is associated with lower cognitive performance, difficulties with emotional regulation and physical health.

Autistic children experience additional side-effects of reduced sleep, such as lowered social communication skills. Because of the change in routine, re-entering school can aggravate sleep challenges often faced by autistic children and their families.

To help combat this, parents can incorporate behavioural sleep interventions within their childs bedtime routine to promote healthy sleep.

In a recent study, bedtime fading and positive routines have been shown to improve sleep quality and sleep duration in autistic children.

Bedtime fading involves moving the childs bedtime to as close as possible to when they would naturally fall asleep, and then gradually moving the bedtime earlier over time.

By doing this, the body naturally associates being in bed with falling asleep quickly. Such routines before bedtime can include any calming, positive experiences which occur in the same order over approximately 30-40 minutes before bed. Establishing these routines before the start of school can ensure that children are consistently well-rested once school begins.

Parents support

Parents and caregivers play a key role in how their children experience and relate to the world around them. Because autistic children are at higher risk for experiencing anxiety and challenges at school, having a positive relationship with a parent or caregiver is especially important.

Research has found that a consistent and encouraging parenting style is a protective factor for autistic children and can offset the negative impacts of stressful life experiences.

When parents can remain calm and supportive while their child is experiencing big emotions, children learn these skills and they can better cope with challenges. Emotional regulation skills can help children to relate more positively when interacting with their peers and the academic demands in the classroom.

Schools fostering sense of belonging

Supporting autistic children at school doesnt only refer to their academic achievement. When school environments promote healthy peer relationships, this can also help children with autism have a sense of belonging at the school and promote well-being.

Play-based or function-based support strategies along with having visual supports and promoting self monitoring at school are promising avenues to promote positive social interactions for autistic children with peers.

These types of support strategies led by peers in the classroom or teachers can offer opportunities to promote social interactions at school.

Both parents and school communities can play important roles helping autistic children to thrive.
Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, GOC-in-C, Northern Command inaugurated "Gul-A-Seum" at Gulmarg. The "Gulmarg Army Museum" is an initiative to highlight the rich history and heritage of Kashmir along with the role of the Indian Army towards the security and development of Kashmir Valley. Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General M V Suchindra Kumar during the inauguration of the 'Gul-A-Seum', the Gulmarg Army Museum, at Gulmarg in Baramulla on Sunday. (Gourav/ANI Photo)

The Museum was conceptualised and constructed by the Dagger Division and its Himalayan Brigade. Other senior military and civil dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

The Army Museum showcases the valour, sacrifice and enduring spirit of the Indian Armed Forces towards nation-building. This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to showcasing the Army's pivotal role in various wartime efforts, its contribution to national development and the rich cultural tapestry of Jammu & Kashmir.

Col VN Thapar (Rtd) told ANI, "This museum is just not only a building or a tourist spot. It is a monument for those people who laid down their lives in different wars the country had fought."

He said Kashmir saw the wars the country fought with Pakistan and China." This museum bears testimony to the bravery of soldiers and tales of battles."

The museum would add another colourful feather to the beauty of Gulmarg and would provide an opportunity to the tourists visiting Gulmarg and help them enrich themselves with the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir.

Terming the Museum an example, Chaudhary Nawab Nazir, a local, said, "The details of the India-Pakistan wars have been embedded in the museum. It is a huge thing. It will provide knowledge about the entire history of Jammu and Kashmir."

The museum features an extensive collection of artefacts, documents and interactive displays through which visitors can explore the cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir, showcasing the region's unique traditions, art and historical milestones along with Army's engagement in Jammu and Kashmir with respect to its nation-building contribution.
There are many ways in which you could choose to approach Neha Dixits first book, The Many Lives of Syeda X: The story of an unknown Indian. First, it is obviously the story of Syeda, the X in her name marking her as an Everywoman migrant, one of 35,000 who stream into Delhi everyday looking for work. Author and journalist Neha Dixit has a quiet word with Mirchi the cat

Syeda is also Muslim, and while her preoccupation is survival, she lives in an India where religious identity has, post the 1990s, become increasingly important.

Or you could look at this book, based on 10 years of research and work, as the story of the invisible economy of home-based work, the second-largest sector that employs women, after agriculture. Many Lives peels back the precarity of the 82% of working women in the informal sector being paid ridiculous lows amounts of money 1 a piece for stuffing soft toys with fibrewhich will pay that little extra that enables the purchase of a bit of milk or some vegetable other than potatoes.

But whichever way you slice it, Many Lives is an important book that looks at the intersection of class, religion and gender with empathy and a keen eye for research and detail.

I spoke to author Neha Dixit.

I wanted to ask about the premise of your book, which is to visualize not just India's urban poor, but the life of your protagonist, Syeda X, a poor migrant Muslim woman. What made you want to tell her story?

After meeting a lot of working class women in Delhi in various industrial areas, I decided to write about Syeda because her life in the last 30 years in Delhi as a migrant working class woman is to me the story of what has happened in India in the last 30 years. It was not just urban poverty, internal displacement or migration, but that these displacements happened because of rising communalism and caste violence and how it had an impact on someone like Syeda, a weaver from Banaras who had to leave her skilled work because her house was burned down in the riots. She had to come to Delhi to do 50 odd jobs in 30 years.

To me the story was very important because it spoke to me about various people that build civilisations, build a national capital and build a country, and everything that the country depends on, and still are not acknowledged

Why X? Syeda is a very specific name. So why X?

X because it could also be many other women who we meet and whose labour is always invisibilized always short-changed, always unpaid. And we, as a society, are conditioned to ignore the work that goes in keeping this society and system functional, and in not acknowledging the people who do this work.

The Many Lives of Syeda X: The story of an unknown Indian.

The publication of this book--and this is obviously not something that you would have known in advancecoincides with a very unusual moment in terms of public anger over the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. In Kochi, you have the Justice Hema Committee report. So, there is a spotlight on the exploitation, and particularly the widespread sexual exploitation of women. Can you comment on this coincidence?

The very fact that we are back to these conversations is good. Weve been having these conversations in public every year. But the problem remains because there is the lack of consistent will to address sexual violence at every level. When it's someone like a home-based worker who's working in different workplaces or from home and dealing with many people, when it comes to sexual violence, there is actually no mechanism for her to address it without having to think of survival first, and bringing food on the table.

Whether it is Kolkata or the Malayalam film industry, it is only when women come out in public spaces and speak in the open that some kind of superficial action is taken to temporarily address it. But things are not done in a systemic manner. There are only band aids, which is why it keeps coming up without valuing and protecting women in public spaces, without stopping impunity to people who are accused. If you do not address the system, it will keep coming up.

If I'm not mistaken, your own career as a freelance journalist began with the 2012 gang rape in Delhi.

The 2012 rape movement was very helpful for a lot of us who were journalists at that point. Before that, at least in my experience, I realized that in newsrooms, each time you would talk about sexual violence, there was a lot of dismissiveness. After 2012, it became possible to write about sexual violence, even though most of the time newsroom coverage was very superficial because they only wanted to report about that event and not what happened before or after.

For me, some of the stories that I started doing because newsrooms were also open to stories on sexual violence stories were, for example, the Muzaffarnagar riots where women faced sexual violence and even went to court to fight it, but a few months later had to go back and work as farm workers on the same farms of the accused.

So for me, the story was not just sexual violence but the story of people as a whole, where sexual violence is one part because women who want to work in public spaces are dealing with sexual violence, and at the same time so many other problems like getting timely payments or getting fair wages. Then they have to deal with circumstances at home; with the perennial and absolute need to bring food to the table.

Home-based women doing piecemeal work

Home-based women doing piecemeal work actually prop up the economy through their labourmaking gajak or cutting the threads of jeans, or making raakhis. It was shocking to learn how poorly this labour is paid:  80 for preparing 144 brake wires for bicycles, for example. How difficult was it for you to research this?

It was not actually difficult to find out what jobs they were doing and what they were paid for it because India is the wholesale market for many things that are produced not only in the domestic markets but also in the international markets. The nature of this work is so seasonal, according to the calendar, according to the news cycleif elections are coming, for instance.

Following the story for the last 10 years was complicated because initially there were questions of trust. Why would anyone in a situation like Syeda where she's working 16 hours a day trust me to tell her story? It took time for the trust to build and for her to open up.

As a feminist writer how do you see your role in society?

My role is to say that there is a gender lens to anything that you are writing about. Whether its aviation, defence or finance, you cant just talk about one set of people. You have to talk to people from various genders. I see my role as normalizing that.

I see my role as saying that when you come up with the aviation budget, then that also applies to various genders, and it's not in some neutral space. Everything applies to different people of different genders in different ways, and that needs to be taken into account, whether it's a Smart City project, whether it's a Digital India project, whether it's anything that we see.

What next?

I will try my best to go back to reporting, which I had stopped in the last two or three years. Thats my priority to go back on the ground and start reporting anew.

[The Many Lives of Syeda X: The story of an unknown Indian by Neha Dixit, Juggernaut, Rs799]

The following article is an excerpt from this week's HT Mind the Gap. Subscribe here.
New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) India's 21 major listed real estate developers have together sold properties worth nearly 35,000 crore during the latest June quarter with Godrej Properties reporting highest sale bookings. India's 21 major listed real estate developers have together sold properties worth nearly  35,000 crore during the latest June quarter with Godrej Properties reporting highest sale bookings.- HT PHOTO BY PUNEET CHANDHOK 18/08/09 - AUG09 2K9 (Representational photo)

Except few, all major listed real estate developers have shown annual growth in sale bookings in the April-June quarter driven by strong consumer demand for residential properties, especially of luxury homes.

Also Read: Godrej Properties reports 520 crore net profit in Q1, properties worth 8,637 crore sold

According to the data compiled from regulatory filings, India's 21 major listed realty firms have reported combined sale bookings of 34,927.5 crore in the first quarter of 2024-25 fiscal.

Out of these combined sale bookings, bulk of pre-sales came from residential segment.

In terms of sale bookings, Godrej Properties emerged as the largest listed player in the June quarter with pre-sales of 8,637 crore.

DLF Ltd, the country's largest realty firm in terms of market capitalisation, reported more than three-fold jump in its sale bookings at 6,404 crore in the first quarter of this fiscal.

Also Read: DLF to launch real estate projects with 36,000 crore sales potential in Gurugram, Mumbai and Goa this year

Mumbai-based Macrotech Developers, which sells properties under 'Lodha' brand, clocked pre-sales of 4,030 crore.

Gurugram-based Signature Global, which recently got listed, achieved sale bookings of 3,120 crore in June quarter, more than three times from the year-ago period.

Bengaluru-based Prestige Estates Projects clocked sale bookings of 3,029.5 crore in June quarter, down from the corresponding period of the previous year.

Also Read: Prestige Estates plans to launch 43 real estate projects across segments in seven cities

Bengaluru-based firms Sobha Ltd and Brigade Enterprises sold properties worth 1,874 crore and 1,086 crore, respectively, during the April-June period of this fiscal.

Bengaluru-based Puravankara Ltd achieved sale bookings of 1,128 crore, almost flat compared to the year-ago period.

Mumbai-based Oberoi Realty, which is into luxury housing segment, sold properties worth 1,067 crore last fiscal.

Mumbai-based builders Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd and Keystone Realtors (Rustomjee) clocked sale bookings of 1,019 crore and 611 crore, respectively.

Pune-based Kolte-Patil sold properties worth 711 crore while Mumbai-based Sunteck Realty sold properties worth 502 crore.

Bengaluru-based Shriram Properties achieved sale bookings of 376 crore.

Delhi-based TARC Ltd and Ashiana Housing achieved sale bookings of 310 crore and 235 crore, respectively.

Ahmedabad-based Arvind Smartspaces Ltd sold properties worth 201 crore, while Mumbai-based Ajmera Realty & Infrastructure Ltd reported pre-sales of 306 crore.

Lucknow-based Eldeco Housing & Industries Ltd sold properties worth 59 crore while Mumbai-based Equinox India Developments Ltd (earlier Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd) achieved pre-sales of 82 crore.

Mumbai-based Suraj Estate Developers Ltd has reported a sale bookings of 140 crore in the first quarter of this fiscal year.

Sale bookings data of many listed players was not available.

Industry experts attribute this increase in sale bookings of major listed players to strong housing demand after the COVID pandemic.

Housing market is also witnessing a shift in consumer demand towards those realty companies and brands which have better track record of executing real estate projects.

Real estate developers, which are not listed on stock exchanges, generally do not report their quarterly and annual sale bookings.

Tata Realty & Infrastructure Ltd, Adani Realty, Piramal Realty, Hiranandani Group, Embassy Group and K Raheja Group are major players in unlisted space.

Post-COVID pandemic, Indian real estate market, especially housing segment, has bounced back sharply on pent up demand and growing desire to have home ownership.

Branded and reputed players, including listed and unlisted ones, have benefited most in this revival cycle as homebuyers do not want to take risk of getting stuck in real estate projects after making payments.

Thousands of buyers are still stuck in housing projects of builders like Unitech and Jaypee Infratech Ltd which defaulted in delivering projects.

Homebuyers of Amrapali Group are getting possession of their flats after intervention from the Supreme Court.

Suraksha Group has won a bid to acquire Jaypee Infratech Ltd (JIL) through insolvency process. The Group has infused capital and is awarding construction contracts to complete around 20,000 unfinished flats in Delhi-NCR.

Thousands of buyers of many NCR-based builders such as Unitech, Ansal API, Supertech Ajanara, The 3C Group, and Today Homes are stuck and fighting legal cases in real estate regulatory authorities at state level, tribunals and courts.
In line with the Budget 2024 announcements of the Karnataka government, property registration is set to get easier in the state starting next month. Starting September 2, buyers in Karnataka are free to choose a sub-registrar office of their choice within their districts for property registrations. Karnataka to implement anywhere registration of property system from September 2((Twitter/krishnabgowda))

State Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda had announced earlier this month that registrations can be done at any sub-registrar office within a district from September 2, 2024.

Currently, property buyers and sellers are compelled to visit the jurisdictional sub-registrars office for the purpose of registering their property. This often results in delays.

Also Read: Karnataka govt to roll out major reforms in land registration process. Full details

It is undoubtedly a well-intended move. I can now choose to register at an office location as per my convenience, said a 27-year-old architect from Mangaluru.

1 What is Anywhere registration?

The concept essentially means that of the 257-sub-registrar offices located across Karnataka, homeowners can now choose any sub-registrar office within their districts jurisdiction for property registration.

2. Is it applicable across the state?

The facility is now effective across the Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. Thus, the sub registrar offices at Udupi, Brahmavar, Kundapur, Shankaranarayana, Byndoor, and Karkala have jurisdiction to register documents from anywhere within Udupi district.

Also Read: Bengaluru's massive 250 meter sky deck gets Karnataka cabinet approval. Full details

Similarly, sub-registrar offices at Mangaluru, Mulki, Bantwal, Puttur, Belthangady, Vittal, Sullia, and Moodbidri, have jurisdiction to register documents from anywhere in the Dakshina Kannada district.

3. Why was there a need for it?

The move for statewide implementation comes after successful trials initiated in Belagavi and Tumakuru districts earlier this year on March 14. It has been in place in Bengaluru since 2011, when the system was originally introduced in sub-registrar offices within the jurisdiction of Gandhinagar, Basavanagudi, Jayanagar, Shivajinagar, and Rajajinagar district registration offices.

4. Decision to enhance transparency and avoid delays

Besides enhancing convenience, the move will save time, reduce malpractices and divide workload across the various sub-registrar offices more equitably, experts said.

However, while the decision looks like a notable measure, its success will depend on cooperation from officials and elimination of middlemen, a legal expert said.

5. Expected to reduce overcrowding

People may choose the nearest sub registrars office as per their convenience or an office where slots are immediately available. This also eliminates overcrowding in select offices.

About one-fifth of the 257 sub-registrar offices in the State reportedly see heavy rush on a regular basis, meanwhile others record far fewer transactions.

Also Read: Ramanagara renamed Bengaluru South: Will the name change fuel real estate growth in the district?

Property owners including senior citizens can save time and cost, plus transfers will happen faster, said Prabhakar KS, founder and CEO, Shree Tax Chambers.

He said that those engaging in multiple property transactions simultaneously will benefit further. However, a buyer must engage in additional due diligence as to whether the property is registered in its original jurisdictional office or somewhere else, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Voters in Zabukh village of Lachin district are exercising their right to vote at the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the "Election 2024 Independent Media Center.

Residents of Zabukh who have returned to their homeland after many years of occupation are casting their ballots at polling station No. 108 in Lachin electoral district No. 121.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Indian travel content creator Komal Maheswari was visiting Kazakhstan when she was scammed by a local taxi driver. She claimed that the taxi driver told her that the ride would cost 1,000 Tenge (approximately 170); however, he ended up charging her an exuberant 77,000 Tenge (approximately 13,000). The woman shared how the taxi driver in Kazakhstan tried to scam her.

In the clip, Maheshwari explains that when she reached the Kazakhstan airport at midnight, everything seemed to be close. She did not have a local SIM card and, hence, was not able to book a cab online. Then, as she was leaving, a taxi driver approached her to help her.

The first red flag she noticed with the driver was another person sitting in the car, who he said was supposedly a business partner. Then, she noticed a child lock as well. However, Maheshwari dismissed the two, thinking that it was the norm in the country. (Also Read: Ex-EY consultant, now travel blogger, falls prey to scam, loses 4 years of her hard work: 'No reply from Meta')

Watch the full video here:

In another part of the video, Maheshwari explained that the car driver demanded 77,000 Tenge when they reached their destination. When she refused to pay such a high amount, the driver suddenly got extremely aggressive, and they had no way to escape the situation. She said that they had to calm the driver down and ask him to listen to them. Finally, they negotiated with him and paid 30,000 Tenge (approximately 5,200).

The initial video was shared a few days ago. Since being posted, it has gained more than 19,000 likes. Many people took to the comments section of the post and shared their reactions. (Also Read: Woman posts video about cab driver trying to scam her with shocking requests, others say it's happened with them too)

Here's how people reacted to it:

An individual wrote, "These kinds of scams are so so common in Central Asia, South East Asia and even in the Levant. If this is your first time travelling anywhere outside India, then it's ok; consider this as a lesson. If you are an experienced traveller, then you need to do proper research before you leave for a country."

Another Instagram user, Pankaj, said, "Very sorry to learn about this experience."

"Happened to me also, but I gave only 1,000 Tenge where the normal rate is 5,000," commented a third.
Hyderabad has been witnessing massive rains for the last two days and for the next two days, moderate to heavy rains are likely to be continued. In Hyderabads Hassan Nagar area, a huge Burmese Python was spotted on Saturday evening after the rain. Massive python rescued in Hyderabad amid heavy rain, people compete to click pictures of snake. Watch

In a viral video shared by Habeeb Masood, a long python appeared in Hassan Nagar, and people in the area immediately alerted a professional snake rescuer. Shakeer Ali caught the snake and took it away from people.

Also Read - Burglars allegedly attack tourists in Karnataka's Kodagu, smash car widows with rods. VIDEO

The by-standers were curious to see the python, and many were found clicking the picture on their mobile phones. In an X post, Habeeb wrote, A large snake was rescued in the Hassan Nagar area by professional snake rescuer, Mir Shakeel Ali. The snake was found after the heavy rains that lashed Hyderabad on August 31.

Due to flash floods in many areas in Telangana, the reptiles were found in many streets. Many snake rescuers received calls across the state as these reptiles were found even in the houses of many residents.

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains hit various parts of Telangana, flooding low-lying areas and disrupting road connections between villages, the state government has directed district collectors to implement measures to prevent loss of life and property.

Also Read - Bengaluru police tighten security ahead of Gauri Ganesha festival, enforce strict guidelines: Report

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued Red, Orange, and Yellow alerts for all districts of Telangana on Sunday, September 1. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are currently stationed in Hyderabad and Vijayawada and can be deployed if an emergency arises. The state government has already alerted that control rooms be established in every district collector's office, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), and the state secretariat.
When preparing for civil service exams, aspirants rigorously study various subjects, update their knowledge of current events, and even sit through mock interviews to simulate the challenges they face in an actual setting. While many such mock interviews are challenging and leave aspirants in a sweat, a video of a Pakistani institute questioning a civil services candidate has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. The mock interview between the Pakistani civil services aspirant and the interviewer. (Instagram/@worldtimesinsta)

In the video, the interviewer can be heard asking about the aspirant's favourite actor and which body part of her he admires. Not only that, but he also asks him a question on Bollywood star Katrina Kaif.

The video begins to show the interviewer asking the young man who his favourite actor is, to which the he says it is Pakistani actor Dur-e-Fishan Saleem. He then asks the aspirant about the body part that he likes the most in Dur-e-Fishan Saleem. The candidate answers that he likes her eyes, but the interviewer seems dissatisfied and prompts him to name a body part below the neck. The candidate, trying to keep a poker face, appears hesitant but eventually answers that he likes her hands. (Also Read: Pakistani YouTuber scammed by Indian man who changed his channel name to Scumbag Begger')

Watch the video here:

However, this was not the end of his questions. He later inquires about the candidate's favourite Indian actor, to which the man says, Katrina Kaif. The interviewer then asks a hypothetical situation-based question related to Kaif. The hypothetical question is about India purportedly planning a nuclear attack on Pakistan, and Katrina Kaif, according to the hypothesis, has information on how to stop it Now, the man's task is to go to her and get the intelligence. However, the only way to do that is to be in a "relationship" with Katrina Kaif; what would he do?

The aspirant replies, "Sir, obviously, for the country's protection, I have to do such type of things."

Surprised, the interviewer says, You will have a relationship with Katrina Kaif?

These videos were shared earlier this month on Lahore-based coaching centre World Times Institute's social media. However, they have started gaining traction recently. Many people took to the comments section of the post and added their reactions to the interviewer's questions. (Also Read: What if Heeramandi was cast in Pakistan? Influencers dream cast with Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan goes viral)

Here's how people reacted to it:

Instagram user Dr Hassan Bilal Ahmed wrote, "Please don't upload such interviews, as our generation is too weak intellectually to absorb a few things."

Another Instagram user said, "This interview is a joke."

"Are they seriously preparing for a top government job?" posted user Ravi Gupta.
In Bangladesh, the situation has become increasingly difficult for minority communities, particularly Hindus, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5. Since then, at least 49 teachers from minority communities have been forced to resign from their positions, and some have even faced physical attacks, according to multiple media reports. New Delhi: Members of Hindu organisations protest over the violence against minorities in Bangladesh, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024.(PTI)

However, 19 of them were reinstated later, The Daily Star newspaper quoted Bangladesh Chhatra Oikya Parishad's coordinator Sajib Sarkar as saying.

Sarkar said the religious and ethnic minorities have also faced attacks, looting, assault on women, vandalism of temples, arson attacks on homes and businesses, and killings during this period.

Also Read | India refuses to be drawn out on possible demand for Sheikh Hasinas extradition

After Sheikh Hasina, the 76-year-old former Prime Minister, stepped down and fled to India due to massive student protests against a job quota system, the situation for minorities in Bangladesh worsened. The student protests quickly turned violent, targeting religious and ethnic minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.

On August 18, Around 50 students stormed the principal's office at Azimpur Government Girls' School and College and demanded that she and two other teachers resign.

"Before August 18, they never sought my resignation. That morning, they stormed my office and humiliated me," Barua told the Daily Star.

Also Read | Social reforms, Bangladesh on agenda as key RSS meet begins in Kerala's Palakkad

Shanjay Kumar Mukherjee, an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Administration and Governance Studies at Kazi Nazrul University, said he was forced to resign from his position, highlighting that they were very vulnerable, reported India Today.

Taslima Nasreen reacts to Bangladesh situation

Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen hit out at the current government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, for not doing enough to protect minorities.

In Bangladesh, teachers are forced to resign. Journos, ministers, officials of the former government are getting killed, harassed, imprisoned. Gen Z burned down industries of Ahmadi Muslims. Mazars and dargahs of Sufi Muslims are demolished by Islamic terrorists. Yunus says nothing against it, she posted on X.

Also Read | Border Guard Bangladesh tightens security along border with India

According to the data compiled by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad organisations, members of minority communities in the country faced at least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts since the fall of the Hasina-led government.

With inputs from agencies
Toronto: The pro-Khalistan radical groups in Canada took out yet more assassination floats on Saturday, this time paying homage to the suicide bomber responsible for the killing of then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995. The floats were taken out to the Indian Consulate in Vancouver (HT Photo/Sourced)

The floats, which were taken out to the Indian Consulate in Vancouver, depicted the assassination in a bombed car splattered with blood, with the slain CMs photographs.

Beanta Bombed to Death, the float read, while also paying homage to his killer Dilawar Singh Babbar, the suicide bomber. The killing took place 29 years earlier, on August 31, 1995.

Meanwhile, a similar rally was held in Toronto and led by Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who described campaigners for the so-called Khalistan Referendum as offspring of Dilawar Singh.

Also Read: Canada denounces float at Khalistan event depicting Indira Gandhis assassination

Gosal, one of the principal organisers of the referendum and an associate of Sikhs for Justice general counsel Gurpatwant Pannun, had, earlier in August, received a verbal duty to warn from Canadian law enforcement about a threat to his life. That warning had been delivered by both the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP. Gosal was also close to Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18 last year.

That suicide bombing in Chandigarh killed a total of 17 people. The terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa International or BKI, had claimed responsibility for the attack. BKI is in the list of Canadas proscribed terrorist entities.

On June 9, a parade in Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area or GTA, included a float that featured an effigy of Indira Gandhi as she was being fired upon by her bodyguards. It also featured posters stating her punishment had been delivered on October 31, 1984, the date of the assassination. The parade marked the 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, when the Indian Army stored the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar to flush out Khalistani extremists, including their leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

This float appeared just three days after a similar display during a protest in front of Indias Consulate in Vancouver. Reacting to that on Friday, Canadas Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc posted on X, The promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada.

Last year, on June 4, a similar float was part of a martyrdom day event in the GTA. Indira Gandhis assassination was followed by the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi and elsewhere in the country, which resulted in thousands being killed and businesses looted.
China and the Philippines have been caught in a blame game, accusing each other of causing a collision in the South China Sea between their two vessels on Saturday, reported news agency AFP. This frame grab shows a Chinese coast Guard ship colliding with Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Teresa Magbanua near the Sabina Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. (Photo by Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP)(AFP)

A spokesperson for the Chinese coast guard, Liu Dejun posted on social media, saying that the Philippine's ship deliberately collided with the Chinese coast guard ship "in an unprofessional and dangerous manner.

Also Read: India has special China problem, LAC standoff calls for investment scrutiny: Jaishankar

In contrast, Philippine officials in Manila said that their coast guard ship, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, had suffered damage after being rammed thrice by the Chinese coast guards' vessel.

Also Read: US reiterates need for direct talks between Dalai Lama and China

The Philippine ship, the Magbanua, has been anchored in Sabina Shoal, an exclusive economic zone of the country, since mid-April after suspicions that China might be eyeing control over the area.

China recently filed a diplomatic protest against the Philippines due to the Philippines vessel having a prolonged presence in the region.

Also Read: India, China agree to find early resolution on LAC at WMCC meet

China, which is asserting its claim on the entire South China Sea, along with its rapid military growth, considers the area near the Sabina Shoal to be crucial to international trade. This has led to them being at frequent loggerheads with the Philippines.

The matter is further complicated by the fact that the United States is bound by treaty to intervene and defend the Philippines, which could have longstanding consequences. China has other disputes in the region with Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.

China has rejected a ruling by a U.N.-backed arbitration panel that denied most of its historically based claims in the South China Sea.

Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine coast guard addressed the issue in a news briefing, stating that the Magbanua had dropped its anchor in the Sabina Shoal again and would not withdraw from there despite the harassment, bullying activities and escalatory action of the Chinese coast guard.

The Philippine coast guard also released a video which seems to support their contention that Magbanua was being attacked by a Chinese coast guard ship.

The US ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, posted a statement of support for the Philippines on X, saying, "We stand with the Philippines in upholding international law.

Clashes between China's coast guard, navy and other ships have become more frequent when Philippine vessels attempt to resupply sailors to ships in parts of the South China Sea disputed between both countries.

Sabina Shoal is near Second Thomas Shoal, another point of contention between the two countries where China has often interfered during the resupply of sailors in Philippine ships. Last month, the two nations reached an agreement on preventing confrontations in the area.

On Saturday, Japan also lodged a complaint via China's embassy against Chinese survey ships entering their territorial waters. Japan has been facing many concerns with China's rapid military growth and its cooperation with the Russian air force.

On Monday, Japan had protested a Chinese military aircraft invading their airspace for a short time, though the Chinese spokesperson said they had no such intention.
Voters in two former East German states go to the polls Sunday in elections expected to deal a blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government and deliver big gains for the far-right AfD. German far right set for wins in key polls after attack

The polls in Thuringia and Saxony come just over a week after three people were killed in a suspected Islamist attack, which has fuelled a bitter debate over immigration in Germany.

Opinion polls have the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany ahead in Thuringia and a close second in Saxony, while also predicting a strong showing for the upstart, far-left BSW.

The two parties have found a receptive audience in the eastern states for their criticism of the government in Berlin and of military aid to Ukraine.

An election victory for the AfD would be a landmark in Germany's post-war history and represent a rebuke for Scholz, ahead of national elections in 2025.

In both states, Scholz's Social Democrats are polling around six percent, while their coalition partners, the Greens and the liberal FDP, lag even further behind.

But even if the AfD does come out on top in the elections, it is unlikely to come to power because other parties have ruled out working with the far right to form a government.

Voting in both regional elections will start at 8:00 am local time , with polling stations closing at 6:00 pm.

The ballot-counting will start immediately after voting ends, with the first exit polls expected shortly after.

Created in 2013 as an anti-euro group before morphing into an anti-immigration party, the AfD has capitalised on the fractious three-way coalition in Berlin to rise in the polls.

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.

Saxony is the most populous of the former East German states and has been a conservative stronghold since reunification.

Thuringia meanwhile is more rural and the only state currently led by far-left Die Linke, a successor of East Germany's ruling communist party.

A third former East German state, Brandenburg, is also due to hold an election later in September, where polls have the AfD ahead 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 , told AFP.

The AfD has found stronger support in the east where more voters "identify with its nationalist and authoritarian positions" and many are dissatisfied with the mainstream parties, according to Kneuer.

The same currents have fed support for BSW, founded in January by the firebrand politician Sahra Wagenknecht after she quit Die Linke.

Like the AfD, Wagenknecht and her party have made hay with a dovish stance towards Russia and calls for a radical crackdown on immigration.

BSW scored an immediate success in June's European elections, hauling in some six percent of the German vote, and is polling a strong third in Saxony and Thuringia.

Other parties' refusal to work with the AfD leaves BSW as potentially the kingmaker in Thuringia and Saxony, despite serious policy disagreements with potential partners especially on Ukraine.

The run-up to polling day in Saxony and Thuringia has however been dominated by outcry over immigration stirred up by the deadly stabbing in the western city of Solingen.

The alleged attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian man with suspected links to the Islamic State group, was slated for deportation but evaded attempts by authorities to remove him.

The government has sought to respond to the alarm caused by the incident by announcing stricter knife controls and rules for migrants in Germany illegally.

The conservative CDU, which holds hopes of winning both elections, has said the initial measures do not go far enough and urged a halt to arrivals from Syria and Afghanistan.

sea/sr/rlp/rsc

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Israeli military identified the bodies of six hostages in a tunnel in the Gaza strip. They said that the captives had been killed by militants right before they were recovered by the troops. An image of protests from August 29, where parents of the hostages whose bodies were recovered, are demonstrating to get them back (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov, File)(AP)

The army identified the hostages as - Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23; Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33; all of whom were abducted from a music festival during Hamas' October 7 attack.

The sixth, Carmel Gat, 40, was abducted from the nearby farming community of Be'eri.

Also Read: Israel and Hamas fail to agree on ceasefire in Cairo; process to continue

On Sunday, rear admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli military said that they were cruelly murdered shortly before we were to rescue them.

Also Read: Biden closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon, White House says: At his direction, senior US officials have

Militant group Hamas did not respond to these accusations.

At least 40,691 Palestinians have been killed and 94,060 injured in Israel's military offensive in Gaza since Oct. 7, the Hamas-run health ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Also Read: Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin's family announces his death: Devastated

US president Joe Biden also commented on the matter: "Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages."

Vice president Kamala Harris echoed his sentiment and said, I strongly condemn Hamas continued brutality, and so must the entire world.

Although the Israeli military has levelled these claims against Hamas, and relations have been deteriorating after conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, Biden remains optimistic about a ceasefire.

"I think we're on the verge of having an agreement," he said, according to Reuters. "It's time this war ended."
The family of Israeli-American man Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who had been abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7, has announced that he has died. Goldberg-Polin was attending the Supernova music festival in Israel when Hamas launched its attack. His limb was blown off but he survived the initial attack, following which a video showed him being loaded into a truck. Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin's family announces his death (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)(AFP)

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time, Goldberg-Polins family shared on Facebook.

The IDF said that late Saturday, August 31, they discovered several bodies that could be those of Israeli hostages. Goldberg-Polins body was found in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, it has been reported.

When Hamas published propaganda video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Back in April, Hamas published a propaganda video of Goldberg-Polin in proof that he was alive. In the video, Goldberg-Polin, 23, identified himself as Israeli and said he had been a captive for nearly 200 days. He was seen with a buzzed haircut, with his left arm missing below the elbow.

In the video, Goldberg-Polin criticised the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also asked his family to stay strong for him, adding that he hoped he gave his parents some hope on the Jewish holiday of Passover.

At the time, the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum said Goldberg-Polins distressing video serves as an urgent call to take swift and decisive action to resolve this horrific humanitarian crisis and ensure the safe return of our loved ones, according to CNN.

In May, Goldberg-Polins mother, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, shared a heartbreaking message for him on Mothers Day. You are my baby. My ultimate goal as a parent is to help you become a confident, self-sufficient and independent person. But that means you wont need me, she said in part.
With rising concerns about the new strain of the mpox virus, Peshawar in Pakistan is becoming the epicentre of the outbreak, as the fifth case was reported on Sunday, according to Geo News. Mpox spreads from person to person mainly through close contact with someone who has the disease. (Pic for representation)

The most recent patient, a 47-year-old man, tested positive on August 29 after being isolated by Border Health Services staff. He had recently returned from the Gulf region.

"This is the fifth mpox case reported this year [in the country] and the fourth since WHO declared mpox a global health emergency," said Federal Director General of Health Shabana Saleem was quoted as saying on Sunday. "The virus's re-emergence in Peshawar raises serious concerns about its transmission and demands immediate action," she added.

Peshawar appears to be turning into an epicentre for mpox cases. This trend is alarming, and we are doubling our efforts to prevent further spread, she said.

Saleem also stressed the importance of vigilance, pointing out that all recent cases involved individuals who had travelled to the Gulf region.

The fourth case was identified in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, where authorities had previously confirmed three other virus infections.

What is MPox?

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has been a public health issue in parts of Africa for over 50 years but resurfaced as a global concern in 2022. On August 14, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a new health emergency due to the 'clade 1b' strain of the virus, which has led to over 18,000 suspected cases and 615 deaths in Congo this year, along with additional cases reported in other regions including Africa, Sweden, and Thailand.

The WHO has declared the ongoing mpox outbreaks in Africa a global emergency, aiming to prompt a strong global response to the disease, which has been spreading largely unnoticed for years in parts of the continent, including Nigeria. In May, scientists identified a new variant of the virus in Congo that may be spreading more easily.

Experts have noted that without a deeper understanding of how mpox is transmitted in Africa, it will be challenging to determine the most effective use of vaccines.

Here are the latest developments

- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has launched an emergency tender to procure mpox vaccines for crisis-affected countries, working alongside the Gavi vaccine alliance, Africa CDC, and the World Health Organization, according to a joint statement released on Saturday.

- Agreements could be made for up to 12 million doses by 2025 depending on manufacturers' production capacities. UNICEF plans to establish conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers under the tender.

- Nigeria is set to begin administering mpox vaccines starting October 8, following the completion of regulatory approvals, a spokesperson for the country's National Primary Health Care Development Agency told a local newspaper on Saturday.

- On Tuesday, Nigeria received its initial shipment of 10,000 doses of the mpox vaccine from the U.S. Agency for International Development. The country has confirmed 40 cases of mpox with no reported deaths so far.

- The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported over 18,000 suspected mpox cases with 629 deaths this year, while Burundi has confirmed more than 150 cases, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

- Outside of the Democratic Republic of Congo and nearby countries, Sweden and Thailand have confirmed cases of the clade 1b type of the mpox virus.

(With inputs from agencies)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The electoral process has commenced transparently, and we are always pleased to be in a brotherly country, Khalil Korkmaz, a Turkish international observer of the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, told Trend.

We take pride in participating in this election process, which stands as a significant example of democracy in Azerbaijan.

Election is a key factor in the development of democracy. During our observations at the polling station, we have seen that everything is being conducted transparently and in accordance with the rules, he emphasized.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Namibia, in the midst of a severe drought, plans to butcher elephants in the country in a bid to solve their hunger crisis that has affected around half their population - nearly 1.4 million people. Representative image: Namibia faces an extreme drought, causing it to plan to kill elephants to solve their hunger crisis REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi(REUTERS)

The African country's strategy involves killing 723 wild animals, including 83 elephants, as a necessary means which is in line with our constitutional mandate where our natural resources are used for the benefit of Namibian citizens, according to an official statement released by the country's ministry of environment, forestry and tourism, reported the New York Times.

Also Read: Kerala's captive elephant trade under investigation amid concerns of illegal procurement

Rose Mwebaza, the director of the United Nations Environment Programmes Africa Office, told the New York Times: Well-managed, sustainable harvesting of healthy wild animal populations can be a precious source of food for communities.

Southern Africa has been reeling from drought, with more than 30 million people across the region affected, as per the U.N. World Food Program in June.

According to Benjamin Suarato, a spokesperson for the U.S. Agency for International Development, drought is a common phenomenon in the region, especially frequent from 2018 to 2021.

However, the drought currently plaguing Southern Africa is far more widespread and devastating than ever before. There is no food for people and there is no food for animals, said Juliane Zeidler, the country director of the World Wildlife Fund in Namibia.

Also Read: BMC will enforce a two-day ban on animal slaughter and meat sale amid Paryushan Parv

Benjamin Suarato believes that one of the major causes of this year's severe drought is El Nino, a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with warmer, drier weather in parts of the world.

The return of this climate pattern has led to a "record-breaking drought with some parts of the region receiving less than half the annual rainfall, Mr Suarato said.

The drought in Namibia has dried out all their staple crops and killed their livestock, forcing them to look to wild animals as their next source of food. Apart from elephants, 300 zebras, 30 hippos, 50 impalas, 60 buffaloes, 100 blue wildebeest and 100 elands (a type of antelope) are also to be butchered.

While meat is one reason, the animals are also being killed to reduce dangerous encounters with humans, which can become more frequent as humans and animals both compete over water and food.
By Kirsty Needham Pacific leaders remove Taiwan from communique after China complaint

SYDNEY -The Pacific Islands Forum removed references to Taiwan from a group communique after complaints from China - a change Taipei condemned as a "rude intervention" but which a forum official said did not alter the leaders' decisions.

The communique released on Friday from the 18-nation summit included a section headed "Relations with Taiwan/Republic of China", stating "Leaders reaffirmed the 1992 Leaders decision on relations with Taiwan/Republic of China".

After an angry response from a Chinese envoy, the communique was removed from the forum's website that evening, and a new document was posted on Saturday morning with the references to Taiwan removed.

China says Taiwan is one of its provinces with no right to state-to-state relations, a position the democratically governed island strongly disputes.

Of the forum's members, three have diplomatic ties to Taiwan while 15 recognise China, a major infrastructure lender to Pacific Islands countries, where Beijing is seeking to increase its security presence.

After the Taiwan references were removed, Taiwan's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday: "Taiwan condemns China's rude and unreasonable intervention and irrational behaviour that undermines regional peace and stability and calls on all like-minded countries to pay close attention to China's actions."

The ministry said, however, that the revised communique did not undermine Taiwan's status at the forum nor preclude it from participating in the future.

A spokesperson for the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat said on Sunday the communique is a "consensus-based document", reflecting the agreed decisions and views of all members.

"The version as finalised does not change nor impact the decisions of the meeting, nor any standing decisions of the forum leaders," she said in a statement.

A development partner to the forum since 1993, Taiwan sent Tien Chung-kwang, its deputy foreign minister to Tonga, to meet its three Pacific allies, Palau, Tuvalu and Marshall Islands.

When the communique was initially released on Friday, China's special envoy to the Pacific Islands, Sian Bo, told reporters in Tonga the reference to Taiwan "must be a mistake", the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Nikkei reported.

Qian 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 spokesperson Lin Jian told at a regular press conference in Beijing on Friday.

Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the Pacific have reduced in recent years as China has increased offers of development funding. Nauru switched ties from Taiwan to Beijing in January, while Kiribati and Solomon Islands, which both now host Chinese police, switched in 2019.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Prince Harry has been reaching out to familiar faces to help him regain support amid his deteriorating reputation, a report has claimed. The Duke of Sussex is reportedly hoping that his former royal aides would spearhead his rehabilitation strategy. Prince Harry turning to old friends in UK for help in regaining support amid dwindling popularity (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)(AFP)

The report claimed that Harry is turning to allies closer to home as he is extremely dissatisfied with Hollywood publicists. His popularity has been dwindling, with YouGovs latest royal net favorability poll putting his rating at -30 per cent. Meghan Markle is even further behind on -40 per cent, GB News reported.

He is clearly reaching out

While Harry and Meghan are not seeking to permanently return to the UK, they might consider extending an olive branch to the royal family. Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates, a source told The Mail.

He is clearly reaching out thinking, I need to do something different because what I'm doing is clearly not working. In short, he is rethinking the way he operates, the insider added.

At least one of the advisers that Harry approached has been described as an old school figure known for loyalty. Harry could even choose to undertake very low-key royal duties, it is being claimed. A source said that one friend believes if Harry comes back to the UK with zero fuss, and does zero publicity and attends very mundane events, he could prove himself and win over the British public again.

Harry has reportedly reached out to many of his old friends in the UK. Some have dubbed his latest plan Operation Bring Harry In From The Cold.

Recently, both Prince William and Harry attended Lord Fellowes memorial service. However, despite being so close, they reportedly did not interact with each other, doing little to improve their strained relationship.
Another day, another snub? But Prince William was praised for his composure and commitment to always doing the right thing during Lord Robert Felloweson's funeral on Thursday, August 29. Prince Harry flew more than 5,000 miles to see his father after King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. But he did not see his estranged brother, William, during a visit that lasted scarcely 24 hours. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)(AP)

Both Prince William and his estranged brother, Prince Harry, were present, but they are always walking a few people apart. An onlooker told GBN America, [Harry's] 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 compartmentalizing things like that, he added.

ALSO READ| Prince Harry reportedly seeking a reunion with King Charles III while in UK for uncle's funeral

Prince William knows what Prince Harry had done still he

The insider further reflected on William's character, recalling, Don't forget it was his [William's] 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.

Lord Robert Fellowes, who served as the principal private secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth II from 1990 to 1999, played a huge role during one of the most challenging periods of her reign. He was married to Lady Jane Spencer, the elder sister of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. This led to a strained relationship between Fellowes and his royal sister-in-law during the infamous War of the Waleses, which dominated the headlines in the 1990s.

Several sources at the funeral described the royal brothers' presence as very discreet, with one attendee noting, William and Harry were both there, but we never saw them speak to each other, and they were keeping their distance.

ALSO READ| Prince Harry and Prince William didn't speak despite being just 5 yards apart

However, many claimed that the Duke of Sussex disliked how his uncle treated Princess Diana during her tumultuous years. So earlier it was speculated Prince Harry will not attend the funeral. The death will be a huge blow to the Spencer family. In normal times, it would be unimaginable that Harry would not be there to support [his aunt] Jane. Of course, he would want to be there, one source told Daily Beast.
Russian defence ministry said on Sunday that its air defences have intercepted and destroyed almost 158 Ukranian drones overnight, news agency AP reported. The attack from Ukraine is said to be one of the largest since the beginning of Ukraine war in February 2022. Ukrainian service personnel use searchlights as they search for drones in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine August 29, 2024. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich(REUTERS)

Among the 158 drones, two were intercepted over Russia's capital Moscow and nine over the surrounding regions. Fourty-six drones were neutralised over the Kursk region, where Ukraine had launched one of the largest attempted incursions into Russia since World War II.

Also read | 7 killed by Russian attacks as Moscow pushes ahead in Ukraine's east

34 drones were shot down over Bryansk, 28 over Voronezh and 14 over the Belgorod regions. Several more were downed over Kaluga, Lipetsk, Ryazan and a host of other Russian regions, the ministry said.

Damages include a coal-fired thermal power plant and an oil refinery in Moscow's Kapotnya. A local official in the Moscow region told AFP that three drones had tried to hit the Kashira coal-fired power station. "There were no victims nor damages," he said, adding that electricity was still reaching clients "correctly".

The oil refinery in south-east of Moscow is owned by state-owned Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of Russian gas giant Gazprom. The company declined to comment when contacted by news agency Reuters.

Ukraine also attempted to strike the Kashira power plant in Moscow, but Mikhail Shuvalov, head of the Kashira city district said there was no fire, damage or casualties as a result of the attack.

Regional governor of Moscow Aleksandr Bogomaz said "Our defenders are repelling an attempted massive UAV attack on the territory of the Bryansk region."

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov of Belgorod region said the glasses of three residential buildings were damaged and a utility building in a private facility was completely collapsed.

The drone barrage from Ukraine comes days after Russia targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure in one of the largest attacks with over 200 Russian drones and missiles. It also comes a month after Ukraine launched an offensive into Russia's Kursk region.

Recent strikes have brought the fight from Russia's borders to the heart of its capital city. Ukraine has stepped up aerial assaults on Russia's oil, targeting refineries and oil terminals to slow down Kremlins assault.

(With inputs from agencies)
TAIPEI, Taiwan  Taiwan investigators were expected to rule Sunday on the further detention of a former presidential candidate amid graft allegations that have sparked minor street protests by his supporters. Taiwan investigators to rule on further detention of former presidential candidate amid graft probe

Ko Wen-je, chairman of the Taiwan Peoples Party, was held overnight and has a hearing on Sunday. Supporters gathered outside the prosecutors office in Taipei, holding signs and chanting slogans demanding Kos release and alleging judicial oppression. Investigators refused Ko's request to return home out of concern he would collude with others involved in the case.

Ko, who trained as a doctor and also served as mayor of Taipei, and his TPP emerged as a third force in a sometimes rambunctious democracy dominated by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the remainder of the Nationalist Party that fled to Taiwan after the Communist Partys takeover of mainland China in 1949.

Ko and others were named in May in the scandal in which the developer of the downtown Core Pacific Center shopping center was given permission to massively expand the floor space available for lease during Ko's 2014-2022 term as mayor. Ko's home and TPP offices were raided before he was called in for questioning on Friday. The shopping center is still under construction and DPP politicians have called for a suspension of work or even demolition.

Ko finished third with about a quarter of the vote in this year's election, which was won by the DPP's William Lai Ching-te, whose party favors continued de-facto independence from China. The TPP won just under 3% of the seats in the legislature.

Ko did particularly well among young people despite having no clear political platform. He flirted briefly with both the DPP and Nationalists but was unable to come to terms on an alliance, leaving him with few political allies outside his own supporters.

Once a major problem, political corruption has declined as a top concern amid a strengthening of the power of independent investigators.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Toronto: The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the largest movie event in North America, wants to lean into the cinema industry in India and highlight it. A still from the film Boong, which will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this month (TIFF)

In an interview at TIFFs headquarters, the Lightbox, the festivals chief programming officer Anita Lee said, That is important to our programme. We do plan to lean into it further going ahead. The 11-day long festival begins on September 5 and runs through September 15.

In that context, she said TIFF has brought on board a programming advisor based in India, Meenakshi Shedde, who joined last year. It allows us to actually have somebody on the ground who is very connected with the industry there who is actually recommending films for us. The final decision on the films selected rests with Robyn Citizen, TIFFs director of programming.

Five films from India will be showcased at the 49th edition of the festival this year. This will include world premieres of Superboys of Malegaon, directed by Reema Kagti, and Boong, the first-ever Manipuri project at TIFF, directed by Lakshmipriya Devi.

Also, featured is All We Imagine As Light from director Payal Kapadia, which has already won international accolades, capturing the Grand Prix at the Cannes film festival in May. Also screening is the Hindi-language Santosh, directed by Sandhya Suri.

Kapadia is no stranger to TIFF, as her documentary feature A Night of Knowing Nothing also screened at the festival, in 2021, and won the Amplify Voices Award.

Superboys of Malegaon is the gala presentation at this years festival, which is for mainstream crowd pleasers. As Lee said, We understood that there is a real audience here for star driven Indian films.

Of course, among the principal attractions at the festival will be the high-quality digital restoration of the classic film 1951 Awara, directed by the legendary Raj Kapoor, who also stars in it. That special screening will be to mark his 100th birth anniversary.
The extent of man-made creations is imaginably vast but still limiting. Countering that belief, a NASA mission could now rain down the first human-made meteor shower  all thanks to space debris. A view from an abandoned military airbase shows the night sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower in the region of Kakheti, Georgia August 12, 2024. (REUTERS)

Two years ago, the US space agency's Double Asteroids Redirect Test (DART) spacecraft deliberately crashed into the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos (orbit asteroid Didymos) while testing the Earth's planetary defence capabilities. The September 2022 mission, initially designed to test whether humanity could deflect a potentially lethal asteroid away from our planet's path, ultimately also ended up reshaping the moonlet.

The entire shape of the asteroid has changed, from a relatively symmetrical object to a 'triaxial ellipsoid'  something more like an oblong watermelon, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL) Shantanu Naidu said in a statement.

If new reports come to fruition, that's not all the mission will have accomplished.

Also read | Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore return to earth row turns into a contentious ego tussle between NASA and Boeing

Space debris caused by the NASA mission could potentially result in a faint meteor shower on Earth

According to an early August Cornell University study, the crash's fragments could eventually land around Earth and Mars in 10 to 30 years. The resulting visual could turn out to be a man-made meteor shower that potentially keeps raining down for 100 years. Scientists also say that DART's collision with the Dimorphos produced over two million pounds of rocky debris.

Once the first particles reach Mars or Earth, they could continue to arrive intermittently and periodically for at least the next 100 years, which is the duration of our calculations, Eloy Pena Asensio, a researcher for the Deep-space Astrodynamics Research and Technology group at Italys Polytechnic University of Milan, told CNN.

Asensio added that the resulting material could produce visible meteors (commonly called shooting stars) as they penetrate the Martian atmosphere.

Also read | Is LeBron James' support for Caitlin Clark all pretence? Ex-ESPN analyst theorises Lakers star's ulterior motive

On the other hand, he reportedly reassured that the debris-turned-meteor shower would not pose a threat to the Earth's surface as the individual pieces would be significantly small, ranging from grain-type particles to a size similar to smartphones. The expert also inferred that if these particles initially detached from Dimorphos upon impact at the speed of 1,118 miles per hour, there was a great chance of some reaching Mars. Meanwhile, other faster-moving fragments travelling 1,118 miles per hour could reach Earth.

While the possibility of these fragments reaching our planet is deemed unlikely, study authors aren't entirely ruling it out yet. On the off chance the debris arrives here, the resulting meteor shower would be easily identifiable as it would not coincide with any known meteor showers.

These meteors would be slow-moving, with peak activity expected in May, and primarily visible from the southern hemisphere, seemingly originating from near the Indus constellation.
Elon Musk has expressed concerns that his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), could face legal and operational challenges in the United States if VP and Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris gains power in the upcoming presidential election. FILE - Tesla and SpaceX chief executive officer Elon Musk listens to a question as he speaks at the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition in Washington, March 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)(AP)

Musk made his apprehensions public on X, stating that 2024 has seen unprecedented attacks on free speech. He warned that similar challenges could arise in the U.S. if Harris, alongside her running mate Tim Walz, comes to power.

The attacks this year on free speech are unprecedented in the 21st century. It will happen in America too if Kamala/Walz gain power, he posted.

ALSO READ| Brazil judge orders shutdown of Elon Musk's X

Musk's concerns stem from recent events in Brazil, where X faced huge legal troubles. The platform encountered issues when Alexandre de Moraes, a Supreme Court judge in Brazil, ordered the suspension of X's operations in the country.

Musk refused to appoint a legal rep in Brazil for X

The Brazil SC judge ordered the immediate, complete and comprehensive suspension of the operation of 'X Brasil Internet LTDA' in the national territory.

This legal challenge came after Musk reportedly refused to appoint a legal representative in Brazil. The situation escalated when threats were made against X's staff, prompting the company to announce on August 17 that it would close its office in Brazil.

The dispute in Brazil is rooted in Musk's criticisms of de Moraes, when the Tesla boss called him an evil dictator cosplaying as a judge accused of violating the Brazilian Constitution by attempting to block accounts of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. De Moraes swiftly launched an investigation into allegations that Musk used X to spread disinformation and destabilize Brazils democratic institutions.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump impersonates super genius guy Elon Musk, makes netizens laugh as he quips We can have a good hookup

X said in their official statement, 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.
President Joe Biden has broken his silence after the family of Israeli-American man Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who had been abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7, announced his death. Goldberg-Polin was kidnapped while he was attending the Supernova music festival in Israel. Joe Biden releases scathing statement after Hersh Goldberg-Polin's death (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, Bring Hersh Home/Facebook)

Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes

Earlier today, in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas. We have now confirmed that one of the hostages killed by these vicious Hamas terrorists was an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

I am devastated and outraged. Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world, Biden added.

Biden wrote that he has gotten to know Goldberg-Polins parents, Jon and Rachel, and described them as courageous, wise, and steadfast. They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express, Biden wrote.

He added, I know all Americans tonight will have them in their prayers, just as Jill and I will. I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Goldberg-Polins family shared the news of his death on Facebook, saying they are devastated. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time, they wrote.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. High voter turnout is observed in the southern and other regions of Azerbaijan in connection with the snap parliamentary election, Trend reports.

The voting process also began in Lankaran city.

The Chairman of Polling Station No. 24 of Lankaran Constituency No. 77 Ilgar Pashayev noted that the necessary conditions for a democratic, transparent and fair conduct of voting have been created at the polling station.

According to him, the station is provided with the necessary technical and methodological means, electricity, communication network and fire safety.

Cabins have been installed so that voters can freely express their views, Pashayev added.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Vice-President Kamala Harris recently criticized former President Donald Trump over a controversy that erupted during a campaign event at Arlington National Cemetery, accusing him of disrespecting the sacred site for political purposes. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris (AP)

Harris expressed her disapproval of Trumps actions in an X post on Saturday, stating that he disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt.

Last Monday, during an event at Arlington National Cemetery, Trump was present to honour the 13 U.S. military service members who lost their lives during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago.

Reports from NPR earlier also suggested that two members of Trumps campaign staff verbally abused and pushed aside the cemetery worker when she tried to intervene.

ALSO READ| Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary calls out Kamala Harris for

According to the U.S. Army, a Trump campaign staffer abruptly pushed aside a cemetery employee who attempted to inform the team about the rules prohibiting filming at the site. And it was very unfortunate.

Trump Campaign disputes claims of disrespecting fallen soldiers

The Trump campaign, however, disputed this account, claiming they had obtained permission from the families of the fallen soldiers to film at the cemetery and they are prepared to release footage if necessary to refute defamatory claims.

If there is one thing on which we as Americans can all agree, it is that our veterans, military families, and service members should be honored, never disparaged, and treated with nothing less than our highest respect and gratitude, Harris storched Trump.

And it is my belief that someone who cannot meet this simple, sacred duty should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States of America.

Trump defended his actions during a campaign rally in Michigan on Thursday: I go there, they ask me to have a picture and they say I was campaigning. The one thing I get plenty of is publicity. I don't need that. I don't need the publicity.

ALSO READ| Melania Trump wants Kamala Harris to win the elections, claims fired Trump aide: She hates

Trumps running mate, JD Vance, also weighed in on the controversy, using it as an opportunity to attack the Biden administration for its handling of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. Vance directed his criticism at Harris, stating, Three years ago, 13 brave, innocent Americans died, and they died because Kamala Harris refused to do her job. Vance added that Harris can go to hell while sitting down with CBS News.
A Maryland man has accused his local Chick-fil-A of racism, alleging that his to-go order had the name Monkeys on it. Marquise Vanzego told TODAY that he went through the drive-thru in LaPlata on August 23, and ordered chicken strips, fries and an iced tea/lemonade drink. Maryland man Marquise Vanzego accuses Chick-fil-A of racism after receiving his order with offensive name on it (@dcmetrocarpentry/Instagram)

While calling out an order for Marquise, the employee allegedly said Monkeys. Your heart has that little sting in it, thats what it felt like, Marquise said. You start to think about all the other incidents that may have occurred that you heard about on the news with racial profiling.

When Marquise spoke with the on-duty manager, the person apologised and offered a refund for his order. In a video of the conversation shared to Instagram, Marquise told the manager, Im going to write a letter to corporate about this, this is very offensive.

There are consequences when you do things like that

Marquise claimed that he placed the order directly with a young white male who stood outside the store, taking orders. The store owner, John Flatley, told Marquise that the employee would not be terminated as they were under 18 years of age. Marquise was told that the employee had just written down the name they heard.

This Chick-fil-A is independently franchised and operated. The franchisee of this restaurant has apologized to the guest, Chick-fil-As corporate marketing department said in a statement. However, this experience does not meet our expectations and is unacceptable.

Marquise said he hoped the employee is going to become more socially aware after what happened. I believe that he should be held accountable for what hes done, Vanzego said.

I understand, hes a young man, hes 17, hes still learning. But he also needs to know that there are consequences when you do things like that, he added.
Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci claimed that Melania Trump is allegedly more enthusiastic about a Kamala Harris victory than he is. Donald Trump urges people to buy Melania's memoir if they are ready for the truth (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP)(AFP)

On the MediasTouch podcast, Scaramucci, who had a short-lived tenure in the Trump administration, suggested that while he is rooting for the Vice President to win the November elections, Melania's support may surpass his own. Why? Because she hates him.

Melania wants Kamala Harris to win, claims Scaramucci

Scaramuccis comments come amid Melania Trumps near-total absence from her husbands 2024 campaign. Aside from a few fundraisers and some brief statements, including one after Trumps assassination attempt, the former First Lady has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

Maybe Melania Trump. That could be the only person I think of. Because she hates (Trump), Scaramucci told host Ben Meiselas claiming she is far more keener than him to see Harris take over the White House.

Also read: Jennifer Lopez is unbothered and at peace amid Ben Affleck divorce filing; shares cryptic message

Scaramucci implied that Melania Trumps hatred for Donald Trump is so strong that he uses it as a standard to gauge others' feelings toward the former president. He jokingly said that even the podcast host and his wife are a little bit nicer to Trump than Melania is.

My wife hates Trump as much as Melania does, he said. Ive met one person who hates Trump more than Melania, the former Trump aide continued. Thats General Milley. Hes the only man Ive ever met who hates him more than Melania, he claimed.

Who is Anthony Scaramucci?

Known as "The Mooch," Anthony Scaramucci is an American financier who was in charge of communications at the White House for just 11 days, from July 21 to July 31, 2017. This short stint made him a big deal. According to the Daily Mail, Scaramucci's appointment led to Sean Spicers resignation the following day, reportedly due to Spicer's opposition to his hiring.

Just a few days into his job, Anthony Scaramucci got caught up in a big PR mess. This whole thing made President Trump decide to fire him on July 31, with John Kelly, the new Chief of Staff, pushing for it, and questioning Scaramuccis credibility.

Also read: Trumps controversial biopic showing him assaulting his first wife sets bombshell pre-election release date

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has consistently dismissed Scaramucci's claims about him and Melania, suggesting that his former aide is simply bitter and holds a grudge.

Where is Melania Trump?

The former First Lady, Melania Trump, is reportedly focused on finalizing her son Barron Trump's college plans, all while preparing for the release of her memoir, Melania, on October 1. Her office describes the memoir as "a powerful and inspiring story of a woman who has forged her own path, overcome challenges, and defined personal excellence.

Lately, Melania posted a really touching note about how much she loves New York, where Barron is supposed to kick off his college journey this fall. But, we don't know which college he's going to yet.
An early morning shooting left a man dead and two others injured just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Sunday. The horrifying incident reportedly took place near a Speedway gas station in Clairton. Multiple shots were fired in the State Street area, near a gas station in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, August 31, 2024. Scene shows a car flipped over in the aftermath.(CBS News)

Per CBS News' report, dispatch was intimated of a disturbance right before 4 am in the 400 block of State Street, said Allegheny County Police. The chaotic scene could have potentially resulted in a dire mass shooting as numerous people were engaged in street altercations. The local police called for assistance from multiple nearby agencies.

Around 4:10 am, multiple shots were fired in the crowd. In the aftermath, an injured man tried to escape and crashed his vehicle on State Street. He was pronounced dead. The car crash reportedly also left a vehicle flipped over.

Two other men were also injured in the process  one shot in the arm and the other in the leg. They are expected to survive.

A suspect in connection with the chaos that broke out in Clairton was eventually taken into custody. A medical examiner was also called to the scene.

This is a developing story.
Police said Saturday that a man will face misdemeanor charges after he stormed into the press area at Donald Trump's rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, before being surrounded by authorities and eventually subdued with a Taser as the former president spoke at the campaign stop. Police used Taser to subdue the man who tried to storm the stage at Trump rally(X)

The incident Friday came moments after Trump had criticized major media outlets for what he said was unfavorable coverage and had dismissed CNN as fawning for its interview Thursday with his Democratic rival Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz.

It was not immediately clear what motivated the man or whether he was a Trump supporter or critic.

The man made it over a barrier ringing the media area and began climbing the back side of a riser where television reporters and cameras were stationed, according to a video of the incident posted to social media by a reporter for CBS News. People near him tried to pull him off the riser and were quickly joined by police officers and sheriff's deputies.

The crowd cheered as a pack of police led the man away, prompting Trump to say, Is there anywhere thats more fun to be than a Trump rally?

ALSO READ| Donald Trump faces another security threat as a man storms stage in Pennsylvania rally

Police chief confirms arrest at Trump rally, charges to be filed next week

Johnstown's police chief, Richard M. Pritchard, confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday that the man was arrested, released and will be formally charged next week. Pritchard said the man, whose identity will be disclosed when charges are filed, will face misdemeanors in municipal court for alleged disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and disrupting a public assembly.

Pritchard, who was not directly involved in the arrest, declined to speculate on the mans motives.

Fierce criticism of the media is a standard part of Trumps rally speeches, and his supporters often react by turning toward the press section and booing; some use their middle finger to demonstrate their distaste for journalists.

Moments before the man ventured into the media's designated section, Trump had reprised his familiar assertion that the media is a collective enemy of the people. Video of the incident does not make clear what the man was yelling as he climbed barriers or as he was being subdued and arrested.

Trump's campaign tried to distance the former president from the man and his actions, suggesting he was a Trump opponent.

Witnesses, including some in the press corps, described a crazed individual shouting expletives at President Trump, said campaign senior adviser Danielle Alvarez. His aggression was focused on the president and towards the stage as he entered the press area.

Alvarez did not identify the witnesses she cited or expound on what the man may have shouted. Alvarez added that the campaign appreciates the response of local law enforcement officials and the U.S. Secret Service for acting quickly.

ALSO READ| Is Tim Walz's brother joining forces with Donald Trump? Queen of inside scoops weighs in

Shortly after the incident, police handcuffed another man in the crowd and led him out of the arena. It was not immediately clear whether that detention was related to the initial altercation.

The incident happened amid heightened scrutiny of security at Trump rallies after a gunman fired at him, grazing his ear, during an outdoor rally in July in nearby Butler, Pennsylvania. Security at political events has been noticeably tighter since the shooting.

A Secret Service spokesperson referred questions to local authorities.
The presidential race has significantly transformed since President Joe Biden's exit in July. Despite making gains on his original Democratic rival, Donald Trump is sliding back in the electoral contest against Kamala Harris. This combination of file pictures created on August 3, 2024 shows US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaking on March 26, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina; and former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaking in the first presidential debate with US President Joe Biden in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27, 2024. (AFP)

According to the national and state polls released ahead of the 2024 Labour Day weekend, present-day Vice President Harris has a narrow lead over Trump in the presidential battleground, with two months to go until D-day.

Kamala Harris doing significantly better in the battleground than Joe Biden before his exit from the race

As reported by NBC News, Harris is doing better than her Republican nemesis within the margins of error on almost every national survey.

The PewResearch describes a margin or error as how close we can reasonably expect a survey result to fall relative to the true population value.

Also read | Poll of polls: Harris vs Trump. Where is the presidential race headed?

Trump, on the other hand, is notably maintaining a near-constant 47%. The Wall Street Journal poll shows him at 47% nationally, as do the EPIC-MRA Michigan poll and the Bloomberg/Morning Consult surveys in Georgia and Michigan. Either way, the poll numbers have witnessed a reversal of fate since Biden dropped out of the race. However, it's hard to say if Kamala Harris' narrow edge over Trump will stay the same or start settling down over time.

Swing state polls

According to the Bloomberg/Morning Consult polls, Harris has overtaken Trump within the margin of error in Georgia (50%), Michigan (49%), Nevada (50%) and Pennsylvania (51%). In contrast, she's ahead of the Republican candidate outside the margin of error in Wisconsin (53%). On the contrary, they're tied in Arizona and North Carolina. This starkly contrasts the picture cast on the polls during Biden's re-election campaign, as he could barely tap Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina.

Also read | Trump sometimes has no idea what wife Melania and son Barron are saying: It annoys him

Before Harris took over the bidding ticket for this year's elections, Biden was still falling behind Trump even prior to the June 27 debate fiasco. Irrespective of how he trailed Trump by thin margins in the Great Lakes swing states and larger differences in the Sun Belt, Harris is evidently performing better and deemed a more trusted leader everywhere.

The Wall Street Journal, Quinnipiac and Suffolk/USA Today polls also show her in the lead with the respective percentages: 48%, 49%, and 48%. Meanwhile, Trump stands at 47%, 48% and 43% in these polls.
Former press spokesman for Queen Elizabeth II has claimed that if Princess Diana was alive Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would never have married. FILE - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at United Nations headquarters, July 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)(AP)

The Sussexes' Royal Wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, was a globally watched event. However, the Royal expert has speculated that this historic wedding might never have occurred if Princess Diana had been alive.

Dickie Arbiter, a seasoned commentator on the British Royal Family and former press spokesman for Queen Elizabeth II from 1988 to 2000, shared his thoughts on the matter during an appearance on Times Radio two months ago. Arbiter, who has long been a close observer of Royal affairs, expressed, If Diana had been alive, I'm going to stick my neck out here, and I doubt Harry would have married Meghan.

ALSO READ| Prince Harry and Meghan Markle accused of deception over announcement of son Archie's birth

Prince Diana was very careful about Harry and William

Diana was very careful about her boys, they were her boys. She protected them, and she would have protected them against anybody she felt wasn't the right person.

Arbiter's speculation centres around the idea that Diana, who passed away in 1997 in a ghastly car accident, would have had a strong influence on Harry's choice of a life partner. She would have put a question mark on Harry and Meghan's fast-growing relationship. A lot of Harrys problems, hes admitted it, come from the fact that hes not over that his mother was killed, she said.

He noted that Harry had a history of relationships with women who ultimately chose not to continue due to the intense public scrutiny that comes with being a Royal. According to Arbiter, these women did not want to be in the goldfish bowl.

ALSO READ| Prince William praised for doing the right thing with Prince Harry despite betrayal and snipes

Still, the Duke of Sussex was eager for life, seeing his brother happy with children, and he wanted the same.

My own personal opinion is that he rushed into the marriage, Arbiter concluded.
Prince Harry, who has been living in the United States since stepping back from his royal duties in 2020, is reportedly planning a return to the United Kingdom that would be longer than his usual visits. According to sources, the Duke of Sussex is exploring options to spend more time in Britain and has reached out to former aides for help. Britain's Prince Harry speaks at the "Responsible Digital Future" Forum at EAN University after being invited by Colombias Vice President Francia Marquez, in Bogota, Colombia, August 15, 2024. REUTERS/Nathalia Angarita(REUTERS)

However, there is no confirmation on whether the Sussexes are planning a complete return to London. Report further alleges that they have parted ways with their American PR adviser.

Prince Harry seeks old aides help

Following his recent tour of Columbia with his wife Meghan Markle, Prince Harry has reportedly been reaching out to individuals from his old Royal life. According to sources cited by the Daily Mail, the Duke of Sussex is seeking advice and counsel from his old friends and associates, rather than relying solely on Hollywood publicists. The UK newspaper also reported that Harry and Meghan have parted ways with their American PR adviser, Christine Weil Schirmer.

Also read: Melania Trump wants Kamala Harris to win the elections, claims fired Trump aide: She hates

According to a Mail source, [Harry] is clearly reaching out thinking, 'I need to do something different because what I'm doing is clearly not working'. In short, he is rethinking the way he operates.

Harry needs to win over the British public again

Now, that it is said that the Duke is open to all the options and suggestions some said he should have come up with a plan for how Harry might start to re-engage with people in UK circles again and likely carry low-key royal duties. The friends have reportedly even named this operation as 'Operation Bring Harry In From The Cold',

Another source suggested he should probably win over the British public, who no longer trust the couple after they moved to the U.S. If Harry comes back to the UK with zero fuss, does zero publicity, and attends very mundane events, he could prove himself and win over the British public again, they added.

Also read: Jennifer Lopez spotted with new ring, ditching Ben Afflecks wedding diamond, while he enjoys Chick-fil-A delivery

He would have to accept, though, that he might be reduced to ribbon cutting for a long period. But it would give him a purpose to work again.

Sussexes not seeking a permanent return

Insiders in their statement to the Mail, stressed that Harry and Meghan, who have spent the past four years living in self-imposed exile in California with their two children, are not seeking a permanent return to London. However, earlier reports indicated that they are indeed planning to stay longer than expected owing to the court case related to the Sussexes' security in the UK.

According to one source, Edward Lane Fox, Harry's former private secretary, was being considered as a key figure in his potential return to the United Kingdom. However, Mr. Lane Fox declined to comment on the matter, stating that he had no opinion on the subject.

Christine Schirmer parts ways with Archwell Foundation

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been losing a lot of staff lately. Christine Schirmer, who was a big help at their charity, Archewell, has just announced her departure. This follows a trend of staff members leaving the couple's organization since they relocated to the United States in 2020. The Sussexes are said to be struggling to keep their team, with at least 18 people walking out since they got married in 2018.

The plan for Prince Harry's coming back to the UK might include slowly getting back into royal stuff, potentially leading to a "rehabilitated" public image. Even though there are worries about how his relationship with his brother, Prince William, is going, there's a chance that hanging out in Britain for longer could help them talk better and maybe even fix their relationship. The king is said to be okay with spending more time with his son, and staying in the UK for a while could give them chances to make up as well.
An obituary of a Maine woman, penned by her daughter who claimed she terrorized people, has gone viral. While some believe the obituary was brutally honest, others slammed it as distasteful. Sarcastic obituary for Maine mom Florence Flo Harrelson who terrorized people goes viral, receives mixed reactions (Christina Novak/Facebook)

Florence Flo Harrelson, 65, died in February, but her obituary was published by the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel only this week because her daughter, Christina Novak, wrote it after hearing about her death just this month. Florence Flo Harrelson, 65, formerly of Chelsea, died on Feb. 22, 2024, without family by her side due to burnt bridges and a wake of destruction left in her path, Novak wrote in the picture-less obituary.

Florence did not want an obituary or anyone including family to know she died. Thats because even in death, she wanted those she terrorized to still be living in fear looking over their shoulders. So, this isnt so much an obituary but more of a public service announcement, she added.

Novak said that Harrelson was a former US Marine who served as a Maine prison guard, according to New York Post. She had cancer but she died from heart failure. Novak and her mother last spoke to each other 10 years ago.

Obituary receives mixed reactions

While a few people seemed to appreciate Novak for the truthfulness of the obituary, others thought it was not appropriate. Sounds very truthful to me. And well worded, one user commented on the obituary. Absolutely legend, whoever posted this. As someone who had a godawful abusive parent, I would have loved to see this kind of announcement in the paper after he finally kicked it, another said.

Very inappropriate and distasteful, one user wrote, while another said, Am I the only one who believes this "obit" is inappropriate?

One user posted another version of the obituary, noting that they did not know exactly what the true story is. The user wrote, We are deeply saddened to report the passing of a beloved member of our community, Flo Harrelson. Known for her warm smile and kind heart, Flo was a pillar of strength and support for many in Maine. While details surrounding her death are still unclear, the outpouring of love and condolences from those who knew her best is a testament to the impact she had on so many lives. Flos reluctance to have an obituary or death notice speaks volumes about the humble and selfless person she was. She never sought recognition or praise for her good deeds, always putting others before herself. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched and the memories she created with her loved ones.
Barron Trump, Donald Trump's only child with wife Melania, was largely kept out of the spotlight during his father's former years in the White House. Cut to 2024, the 18-year-old has become a rising sensation in his own right, taking the Internet by storm. The youngest Trump son ended the old tradition of maintaining a distance from the political limelight this July by making his campaign rally debut in Florida. Here, he particularly gained a lot of traction, and shortly after that, the world was talking about how many languages he converses in and whatnot. Former President Donald Trump, center right, stands with his wife Melania, second left, and their son Barron, center left, as the coffin carrying the remains of Amalija Knavs, the former first lady's mother, is carried into the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea for her funeral, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP)

The recent high school graduate reportedly speaks three languages  English, French and Slovenian. His mother, Melania Trump, also claims to be multilingual, and on some days, this puts up a wall between the mother-son duo and Donald Trump, who gets lost in translation.

What about wife Melania and son Barron annoys Donald Trump?

A source recently came forward, boldly stating that there are times when the former president feels like an outsider, as there's a unit within the family unit." Barron, having inherited his mother's native language, teams up with Melania, her mother, her father and they all speak Slovenian, Mary Jordan, the author of The Art of Her Deal book (on Melania's life), told CBS News.

Also read | Is LeBron James' support for Caitlin Clark all pretence? Ex-ESPN analyst theorises Lakers star's ulterior motive

Presumably, the Republican presidential candidate didn't try to gain entrance into the club of Slovenian-speaking family members by learning the language despite being married to Melania since 2005, that too years after dating for a while. The outcome irks him and puts him on the periphery in ways, just like it does the Secret Service  also has no idea what they're saying.

He has said it annoys him sometimes, cause he has no idea what theyre saying, the author continued.

Melania Trump is evidently proud of her son being trilingual but is on the same page as her husband about which language Barron should use in public. My opinion is that more languages you speak, better it is, but when you come to America, you speak English," the former First Lady told People.

The Slovenian-Barron discourse blew up around mid-August after a video of a four-year-old Barron speaking with a Slovenian accent resurfaced online, and the Internet couldn't get enough of it.

User @David_J_Levy shared the tweet on X/Twitter on August 14 (IST). It was captioned: "Here's footage of Barron speaking at the age of 4with a Slovenian accent, due to his lack of meaningful interaction with people other than his mother.

For his sake, I hope that his father largely remained a background character in his life."

Also read | Prince Harry and Prince William keeping their distance at uncle's funeral shows damage is done, expert claims

More about Barron Trump's grandparents and their role in his life

As for Melania Trump's background, her parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, raised her in Slovenia. The couple relocated to the US after their daughter's marriage to Trump and Barron's birth. According to a report in The New York Times, Viktor and Amalija split their time living in the White House during Trump's presidency and shared a close relationship with their only grandchild, Barron. Politico also reported that they were deeply involved in the young boy's life growing up.

[Amalija] has an excellent relationship with Melania and with Barron," a source close to the family informed People.

There have been times when Barron has been with his grandparents more than with Melania, and a lot more than with Donald, the insider added.

Melani's mother died in January 2024 at the age of 78. The former First Lady wrote in a statement on X: Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity. She was entirely devoted to her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law. We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honour and love her legacy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. A total of 62 polling stations are located in Agsu constituency No. 90, and today 51,967 eligible voters will make their choice in the parliamentary election, which is an important event in the life of the country, the chairperson of the District Election Commission Azad Dursunaliyev said, Trend reports via the "Election 2024" independent media center.

He noted that at all polling stations, the necessary conditions have been created to conduct voting following the instructions so that everyone could freely, democratically express their opinion and vote for the desired candidate. Mobile ballot boxes have been allocated for voters unable to come to the polling station. 358 people will use the right to vote for the first time.

The voters have been coming to the polling stations since 8:00, actively participating in the voting process. Everywhere, including at polling station No. 1 in Agsu town, there is great activity.

In his interview, Namig Safarov, a 58-year-old resident of Agsu town, expressed his agreement with the conditions created for free and transparent voting at the polling station, noting that a fully democratic electoral system has been created in the country.

The voting process at all polling stations is monitored by local and foreign observers; web cameras are installed at nine polling stations.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
 Flash

People check a destroyed house attacked by Israeli forces in the north of the West Bank city of Hebron, on Aug. 31, 2024. Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the north of the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday night, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Saturday. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)

Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the north of the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday night, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Saturday.

In a brief statement, the Ramallah-based ministry identified the victims as Muhammad Ihsan Yaqin Marqa and Zahdi Nidal Abu Afifa, without providing further details.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that the two men were killed near the Israeli settlements of Karmei Tzur and Gush Etzion, north of Hebron, adding that Israeli forces have raided their homes and conducted field investigations with their families.

Also on Saturday, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a press statement that "a burning car exploded at a gas station near the Gush Etzion Junction. The forces opened fire and killed the terrorist who got out of the car and tried to attack them."

In another incident, "terrorists tried to run over a security guard at the entrance to the town of Karmei Tzur and enter the town," Adraee said, adding that Israeli forces then killed one of the terrorists who opened fire.

Meanwhile, Hamas said in a press statement that these operations convey a message that "the resistance will extend as long as the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people continues."

Since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, the West Bank has witnessed an escalation of tension, with more than 660 Palestinians killed so far by Israeli fire across the Israeli-occupied territory, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. As of 10:00 a.m., voter turnout for Azerbaijan's early parliamentary elections has been announced, Trend reports.

The announcement was made during a briefing by Farid Orujev, head of the Information Center at the Central Election Commission's secretariat.

Orujev stated that voter turnout across the country stood at 9.92 percent.

He specified that the number of voters who have cast their ballots is 636,842.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.
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 SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A brand new gritty true-crime thriller, that saw Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult go to extreme lengths to uphold the films tension, received a near 10-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.

The new film, titled The Order, is from Australian director Justin Kurzel, whose previous credits include Snowtown, True History of the Kelly Gang and the 2015 version of Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender. It follows premieres of other films including long-awaited sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Pablo Larrains Maria Callas biopic starring Angelina Jolie.

Law, who can next be seen as a no-holds-barred Henry VIII in Firebrand, stars in the film as an FBI agent investigating numerous bank robberies and car heists in the Pacific Northwest.

The case puts him on the trail of a white supremacist domestic terrorist organisation led by a ruthless character played by Hoult.

Both Law and Hoult did not speak to each other at all on the films set in order to maintain a tense rivalry on-screen  and it seems like this decision paid off, with reviews praising the pairs respective performances.

Kurzel also revealed during a press conference that Law was instructed to tail Hoult for a day without him knowing this was happening. He succeeded.

Deadline reports Law as saying that the films relevance sadly speaks for itself, adding: It felt like a piece of work that needed to be made now.

Kurzel said: I think we live at a time now that was reflected in the film, where there is division, and theres a lot of conversation about the future and about ideologies. The film was about an ideology thats incredibly dangerous and how it can quickly take seed I think thats a timeless thing, not only in America, but in Australia too.

open image in gallery Jude Law in The Order ( Vertigo )

The film is based on Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardts non-fiction book The Silent Brotherhood: The Chilling Inside Story of Americas Violent, Anti-Government Militia Movement. Its being released in the US in December, with Prime Video overseeing the films international release.
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Sir Ian McKellen has said he is taking the rest of the year off from acting after he sustained wrist and neck injuries in a dramatic fall while performing onstage.

The two-time Oscar nominee, 85, lost his footing during a plays fight scene in June at the Noel Coward Theatre and has since been dealing with a chipped vertebrae and a fractured wrist.

In a new interview, the actor, best known for playing the wizard Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, said he had been left feeling physically weak from the fall.

He explained: Of course, its emotional. We all trip all our lives, its just when you get to my age you cant always get up again.

The Burnley-born actor suggested he is concerned that the fall could have been the result of him getting old.

Im just trying to convince myself it was an accident, he said.

McKellen said he was planning on taking the rest of the year off from working, but insisted it wasnt because he needed to in terms of his health.

Im usually working or preparing to work, Ive been doing a little bit of that, wondering what might be the best plan. Im going to take the rest of the year off. Not because I need to, just because I want to, he said.

McKellen was forced to pull out of his London show after sustaining injuries from fall ( Getty Images )

McKellen said in a statement that his exit was decided with the greatest reluctance due to doctors advice.

Despite his disappointment, McKellen went to watch his understudy act in the final performance of Player Kings, a version of the Henry IV part one and two plays, in Newcastle at the end of June.

On the day of the 101st and final performance of Player Kings  without me  I celebrated by removing Falstaffs hair, which has been growing for nine months, he said. I will be in the audience for the matinee in Newcastle

It has already been reported a new instalment of The Lord Of The Rings films is in the works with Andy Serkis directing and starring in the first instalment, called the The Hunt for Gollum.

McKellen seemed keen about the prospect of reprising his role as the wizard Gandalf, the character he played in the first three films and The Hobbit trilogy, all directed by New Zealand film-maker Peter Jackson.

Enthusiasm for The Lord of the Rings shows no sign of abating, he told Big Issue. I may even be going back to play Gandalf again.

He added: I cant tell you any more than that. Ive just been told there are going to be more films and Gandalf will be involved, and they hope that Ill be playing him.

When? I dont know. What the script is? Its not written yet. So, they better be quick.

Read the full interview with Sir Ian in this weeks Big Issue, out now.

With additional reporting from PA.
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Billy Connolly has made an admission about death amid his ongoing health struggles.

The Scottish comedian, who mocked exaggerated reports of his demise in his 2023 autobiography, was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2013.

Parkinsons is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Often, the disease can become more severe over time.

Despite experiencing growing physical challenges, the 81-year-old comedian and actor, nicknamed The Big Yin, has maintained a positive outlook about his heath, revealing last year that he doesnt feel close to death.

However, following his diagnosis, Connolly said he realised death is not the big thing everyone has made it out to be.

Speaking in a new interview, the retired stand-up comic said: It is nothing  it is just a sudden nothing.

Connolly recalled being told he had Parkinsons and prostate cancer on the same day, telling The Mirror: Yes, it was a funny week I had. On the Monday, I had hearing aids. On the Tuesday I got pills for heartburn, which I have to take all the time, and on the Wednesday, I got news that I had prostate cancer and Parkinsons.

The doctors told me on the phone, Look we have had the results and it is cancer. I said Oh, nobody has ever said that to be me before.

Connolly got the all-clear from prostate cancer after receiving treatment.

Speaking about how he dealt with the news, the comedian added: You just confront it and make decisions based on it. You just have to think Dont think you are being badly treated [by life] or you have the bad pick of the straws. You are one of millions. Just behave yourself and relax.

open image in gallery Billy Connolly said last year that reports of his demise have been greatley exaggerated ( Getty Images )

Five years after his diagnosis, Connolly retired from his stand-up career due to the increasing difficulties of the illness, and has previously offered insight into the realities of living with Parkinsons.

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Though he said he does not feel close to dying yet, he has spoken with his wife, psychologist Pamela Stephenson Connolly, about the message hed like on his gravestone when the time comes.

He wrote: I was thinking Id like: Jesus Christ, is that the time already? on mine, but my wife Pamela was shaky about it, so we settled on Youre standing on my balls! in tiny wee writing.

Connolly will discuss his life and career in a new series, titled In My Own Words, which is set to air on BBC One on Monday (2 September).

The specials synopsis reads: With unflinching honesty and brilliant humour, Sir Billy looks back on his triumphs and failings as an entertainer, husband and father.
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China accused a Philippines coast guard ship of deliberately colliding with a Chinese vessel on Saturday in the latest flareup of tensions over disputed waters and maritime features in the South China Sea.

In a statement posted on social media, Chinese coastguard spokesperson Liu Dejun said that the Philippine ship, with hull number 9701, collided with the Chinese ship, 5205, just after 12.06pm (04.06GMT) Saturday.

As the Philippine ship maneuvered, it deliberately collided with the Chinese coastguard ship in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, resulting in a collision, Mr Liu said, adding the standard claim that the Chinese ship was operating within regulations, without giving any details.

China is rapidly expanding its military and has become increasingly assertive in pursuing its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea which is crucial to international trade. The tensions have led to more frequent confrontations, primarily with the Philippines, whose security the US is treaty-bound to ensure. The longtime territorial disputes also involve other claimants including Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.

China has rejected a ruling by a UN-backed arbitration panel that negated almost all of Beijing's historically-based claims in the South China Sea.

On Tuesday, the head of US Indo-Pacific Command said the US military is open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the disputed waters amid the spike in hostilities. Adm. Samuel Paparos remarks provided a glimpse of the mindset of one of the highest American military commanders outside the US mainland on a prospective operation that would risk putting US Navy ships in direct collisions with those of China.

Chinese coast guard, navy and suspected militia ships regularly clash with Philippine vessels during attempts to resupply Filipino sailors stationed in parts of the South China Sea claimed by both countries. As these clashes grow increasingly hostile, resulting in injuries to Filipino sailors and damage to their ships, the Philippine government has faced questions about invoking the treaty alliance with Washington.

The latest incident came days after Chinese and Philippine coastguard ships collided near Sabina Shoal, a disputed atoll. At least two vessels were reported to be damaged in Mondays collision but there were no reports of injuries.

Sabina Shoal lies about 140km (85miles) west of the Philippine province of Palawan, in the internationally recognized exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

The atoll is near Second Thomas Shoal, another flashpoint where China has hampered the resupply of Philippine forces. Both countries reached an agreement last month to prevent further confrontations at the shoal.

Also Saturday, Japan lodged a formal protest via Chinas embassy against what it called an incursion by a Chinese survey ship into its territorial waters, the latest incident fueling unease among Japanese defense officials, already concerned about the growing military cooperation between the Chinese and Russian air forces.

On Monday, Tokyo also protested a Chinese military aircraft briefly entering Japans southwestern airspace. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday his country had no intention to violate any countrys airspace.
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Pacific leaders in Tonga for a summit removed references to Taiwan from a group communique after complaints from China.

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) saw Australia, New Zealand, and 16 Pacific island countries or territories attend the Tonga summit. While China is not a part of this group, it attends some events as a dialogue partner.

A joint communique released on Friday included a section titled Relations with Taiwan/Republic of China which stated that PIF leaders reaffirmed the 1992 Leaders decision on relations with Taiwan/Republic of China, a reference to when Taiwan became a PIF "development partner".

Chinas special envoy for the Pacific, Qian Bo, called for changes, with Nikkei Asia reporting a contentious exchange between a visibly angry Mr Qian and PIF secretary general, Baron Waqa.

Taiwan called Chinas intervention rude and unreasonable. China views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory.

Shortly after, Mr Qian spoke to journalists telling them this communique was a surprising mistake.

Taiwan is part of China. Taiwan is not a dialogue partner of PIF, so China has representation on behalf of the whole China, including Taiwan and the mainland, he said.

This is a surprising mistake made by someone, Im not sure, but it must be corrected," he said, when asked about communique.

What we learned is there is clear opposition by membership that the Taiwan issue should not be discussed at this point.

This should not be a final communique, there must be a correction on the text. We have already talked to the secretariat, to the [secretary-general] and some other delegations. ... We have received wide understanding and support.

The communique was then removed from the forums website and a new document posted on Saturday morning with all references to Taiwan removed.

A spokesperson for the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat said on Sunday that the communique is a consensus-based document, and reflected the agreed decisions and views of all members.

The version as finalised does not change nor impact the decisions of the meeting, nor any standing decisions of the forum leaders, she said in a statement.

The communique is a consensus-based document, reflecting the agreed decisions and views of all the Pacific Islands Forum.

After the Taiwan references were removed, Taiwans foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday: Taiwan condemns Chinas rude and unreasonable intervention and irrational behaviour that undermines regional peace and stability and calls on all like-minded countries to pay close attention to Chinas actions.

The ministry added that the revised communique did not undermine Taiwans status at the forum nor preclude it from participating in the future.

Of the forums 18 members, only three have diplomatic ties to Taiwan while 15 recognise China. With China increasing development funding in the Pacific Islands, Taiwan has lost a few allies over the years.

Nauru broke off ties with Taiwan in January this year, while Kiribati and Solomon Islands did so in 2019.
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The Japanese government on Friday scrapped its plans to provide single women in Tokyo with a financial incentive to move to rural areas after criticism that the move is discriminatory and lacks sensitivity.

The governments initial plan was aimed at addressing the shrinking female population in the countryside, which happened because young women who moved to Tokyo for work and education tended to stay there. This led to fewer single women in rural areas compared to single men, worsening depopulation challenges.

The government had planned to cover travel costs for matchmaking events and provide additional financial incentives for those who move, including payments of up to 600,000 yen (3,126).

Hanako Jimi, minister of state for regional revitalisation, said on Friday that she had ordered a review of the plan, and insisted that any reports made about the payments were not true.

We will carefully listen to the voices of people who are struggling due to income gaps between men and women, gender bias, and other reasons, and take measures, she said.

Did they think independent, motivated and educated women in the city would think, What? If I marry a local man and move to the countryside, Ill get 600,000 yen! Ill do it!?  Are they serious? one user said on X.

Another said: Do they still not get it? This is something people who see women as valuable only if they give birth would come up with.

It wasnt just citizens who had a problem with the plan. An adviser to the prime minister too called out the issue with the plan, saying it didnt address the root cause of the problem.

If we try to motivate people to move to regional areas by using marriage, and leave the root cause of the problem unattended, it wont be the right way to do it, said Wakako Yata, an adviser to prime minister Fumio Kishida.

According to the 2020 national census, the total number of single women aged 15 to 49 in 46 of Japans 47 prefectures, excluding Tokyo, was about 9.1 million. This is approximately 20 per cent less than the 11.1 million single men in the same age group, with the gap reaching around 30 per cent in some prefectures.

Japans shrinking birth rate has been a problem the government is trying desperately to tackle, even launching a dating app in June this year.

If there are many individuals interested in marriage but unable to find a partner, we want to provide support, a Tokyo official was quoted by The Asahi Shimbun as saying.

We hope that this app, with its association with the government, will provide a sense of security and encourage those who have been hesitant to use traditional apps to take the first step in their search for a partner.

Births fell for the eighth consecutive year to 758,631, a drop of 5.1 per cent in Japan, according to the government. In 2023, Japan recorded more than twice as many deaths as new babies.

About 90,000 babies were born in Tokyo in 2022  a 15.2 per cent drop from a decade earlier. Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike attributed the decline in births to a low marriage rate.

Japans population will likely decline by about 30 per cent to 87 million by 2070, with four out of every 10 people aged 65 or older, according to estimates by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.
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Anna Delvey is swapping prison for the dance floor as she is set to join the cast of season 33 of Dancing with the Stars.

Delvey was infamously jailed in 2019 after posing as a German heiress, conning businesses, banks, and friends out of more than $250,000.

According to Page Six, the 33-year-old con artist turned fashion publicist will now join the reality TV competitions cast for the next season.

This isnt Delveys first brush with TV stardom, with the hit Netflix drama Inventing Anna being based on her life, and a reality show of her own, Delveys Dinner Club, also said to be in the works.

In 2017, Delvey  whose real name is Anna Sorokin  was charged with two counts of attempted grand larceny in the first degree, three counts of grand larceny in the second degree, and one count of grand larceny in the third degree after she stole more than $200,000 from businesses, banks, and friends while posing as a fake heiress.

Two years later, she was convicted of one count of attempted grand larceny, three counts of grand larceny, and four counts of theft services and was sent to prison.

Delvey spent three years in prison before she was released on house arrest in 2022, for overstaying her visa.

open image in gallery Anna Delvey will reportedly join the cast of season 33 of Dancing with the Stars ( Getty Images )

Since the fraudster was born in Russia before she emigrated with her parents to Germany, the judge ordered her to stay in her New York City apartment for 24 hours each day while waiting to learn whether or not she would be deported to Germany.

Her house arrest terms have been recently relaxed, granting her the freedom to work and travel within a 70-mile radius of her home. The courts have also notably decided to lift her social media ban, which was enforced along with her house arrest.

I would like to thank the United States government court system and especially my lawyers John Sandweg and Catherine Hunstad for fighting for my First Amendment rights, Delvey told Page Six about the social media ban being lifted.

Im also grateful and thrilled to be able to control my own narrative once again on social media.

Now, Page Six reported she has been given permission to travel to LA, to take part in the reality show.

Delvey has also recently launched a fashion PR agency with veteran fashion flack Kelly Cutrone, named OutLaw Agency, in a hilarious nod to her stint in jail. She will also reportedly make her first Fashion Week appearance as a semi-free woman.
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Israel on Sunday said it had recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including a young Israeli-American man who became one of the most well-known captives held by Hamas as his parents met with world leaders and pressed for his release.

The military said all six had been killed shortly before they were to be rescued by Israeli forces. Their recovery sparked calls for mass protests against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who many families of hostages and much of the wider Israeli public blame for failing to bring them back alive in a deal with Hamas to end the 10-month-old war.

Negotiations over such a deal have dragged on for months.

The family of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin said he has been killed in the Gaza Strip. The family issued a statement early Sunday, hours after the Israeli army said it had located bodies in Gaza.

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh, it said. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin speaks during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, 21 Aug 2024, in Chicago ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Earlier today, in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas, President Joe Biden said in a statement issued by the White House. I am devastated and outraged.

He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world, Biden said. His parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable, he said.

They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express, the president said.

Biden vowed that Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement: I strongly condemn Hamass continued brutality, and so must the entire world. Harris, the Democratic candidate running to succeed Biden, said she and he would never waver in their commitment to free the Americans and all those held hostage in Gaza.

Rachel Goldberg, left, and Jon Polin center, parents of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Polin-Goldberg, along with other relatives of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group take part in a protest calling for their release in the Kibbutz Nirim, southern Israel, Thursday, 29 Aug 2024 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The Israeli army identified the others as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33; who were also taken from the music festival. The sixth, Carmel Gat, 40, was abducted from the nearby farming community of Beeri.

According to our initial estimation, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short time before we reached them," military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters in a briefing. Hamas and its armed wing did not immediately comment on the accusations.

A forum of hostage families called for a massive protest on Sunday, demanding a complete halt of the country to push for the implementation of a cease-fire and hostage release. The entire nation will stand alongside the hostages families to protest the cabinets ongoing neglect of the hostages, it said.

Goldberg-Polin was among the hostages seized by militants at a music festival in southern Israel on 7 October.

A video, published on Hamass Telegram channel, showed Goldberg-Polin wearing a red shirt and with his left hand missing. The 23-year-old was attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel when Hamas attacked and was injured by a grenade.

Jon Polin, left, and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, pictured on screen speak during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, 21 Aug 2024, in Chicago ( AP )

The Hamas-issued video in April showing Goldberg-Polin clearly speaking under duress sparked new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others freedom.

Witnesses said Goldberg-Polin lost part of an arm when the attackers tossed grenades into a temporary shelter where people had taken refuge, but he tied a tourniquet around it and walked out of the shelter before being bundled into the truck.

Goldberg-Polins parents became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage. They met with Mr Biden, Pope Francis, and others and addressed the UN. On 21 August they addressed a hushed hall at the Democratic National Convention, where the crowd chanted: Bring them home.

Jon Polin, right, and Rachel Goldberg, parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin walk off the stage after speaking during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, 21 Aug 2024, in Chicago ( AP )

Family and friends organized the Bring Hersh Home campaign on social media, hoping that he will still be able to take a planned backpack trip through southern Asia.

Netanyahu has said military pressure is needed to win their release as ceasefire efforts falter.

Israel said it believed 108 hostages were still held in Gaza and about one-third of them were dead. At least 40,691 Palestinians have been killed and 94,060 injured in Israels military offensive in the Gaza Strip since 7 Oct, the enclaves health ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The war was triggered when Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

In a separate development, gunmen shot and killed two people and wounded a third when they opened fire on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank, where Israel has been carrying out large-scale military raids in recent days. Israels Magen David Adom rescue service confirmed the casualties.

On Saturday, clashes broke out between Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters in the occupied West Bank as Israel pushed ahead with a military operation in the flashpoint city of Jenin. Hundreds of Israeli troops have been carrying out raids since Wednesday in one of their largest actions in the West Bank in months.

Biden, speaking to reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, said he was still optimistic about a ceasefire deal to stop the conflict.

I think were on the verge of having an agreement, he said. Its time this war ended.

Biden added that people are continuing to meet.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Two teenagers have been arrested over the murder of a 13-year-old boy stabbed to death in his own home.

West Midlands Police said the pair were detained on Sunday in connection with the fatal stabbing in Lovett Avenue in the market town of Oldbury on Thursday.

The teenagers are being questioned by murder detectives after promising concerned locals they will find out who is responsible for the killing.

Police officers at the scene in Lovett Avenue, Oldbury ( PA Wire )

The family of the 13-year-old boy who died are aware of the developments in our investigation. Our thoughts remain with them at this devastating time, the force said.

Chief Superintendent Kim Madill, the commander of the Sandwell Local Policing Area, said This is a truly sad and tragic incident where a young boy has lost his life.

First and foremost my thoughts and the thoughts of all involved investigating the death of this young boy remains firmly with the family and loved ones.

I know this will also have had a huge 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 to save his young life.

Police officers at the scene in Lovett Avenue, Oldbury after a 13-year-old boy was stabbed to death at a house, sparking a murder investigation ( PA Wire )

Im here to let the family and wider community know that we will work with you and support you as we seek to find out who is responsible for the death of this young boy.

We have a team of detectives investigating exactly what happened and were following active lines of enquiry to find the suspects.

What we know is that the incident took place inside his home and I would appeal to anyone who has any information to come forward.

West Midlands Crimestoppers chair, Mohammed Zafran said knife crime was an increasing problem with the area having the highest rate of knife offences in England and Wales

We need parents to lay the foundations and more community leaders to come out in the open and put it to the authorities to ensure we have more youth hubs which can stop these youths from loitering on the streets, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. As of 10:00 a.m., voter turnout in the vacated polling stations during today's early parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan has been announced, Trend reports.

Farid Orujev, head of the Information Center at the Central Election Commission's secretariat, provided the following figures at a briefing:

- Aghdam-Khojaly No.118  12.6%

- Aghdam No.119  13.63%

- Jabrayil-Gubadli No.120  9.85%

- Lachin No.121  13%

- Khankendi No.122  17.54%

- Kalbajar No.123  8.25%

- Shusha-Aghdam-Khojavand No.124  13.43%

- Zangilan-Gubadli No.125  11.4%.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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Dog attacks have continued to rise despite a ban on the XL bully breed, exclusive figures obtained by The Independent reveal. Campaign groups have slammed the knee-jerk policy while demanding an overhaul of legislation by the new Labour government.

Under a change to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 last year, on 1 February it became illegal to own an XL bully without a certificate of exemption.

The announcement by then prime minister Rishi Sunak was prompted by a series of attacks involving the breed, including the fatal mauling of a man by two dogs near Walsall in the West Midlands.

But the move faced opposition from animal welfare groups, such as the RSPCA and Dogs Trust, who said banning the XL bully would not stop attacks, while highlighting a lack of data behind the decision.

Now, data obtained by The Independent shows the number of recorded incidents of out-of-control dogs injuring people or guide dogs has risen by nine per cent since the ban came in.

In the five months since 1 February there were 6,392 attacks recorded by police in England and Wales, up from 5,888 in the same period in 2023. The data came from 27 police forces which responded to a freedom of information request.

Since the ban there have also been at least seven fatal dog attacks. They include the death of Esther Martin, who was attacked by two XL bullies in Essex. A 40-year-old man has been charged by police over the grandmothers death.

Esther Martin, who was fatally mauled by two XL bully dogs in Jaywick, Essex. A man has been charged by police over the incident on 3 February ( PA )

XL bully owner Sophie Coulthard said the figures proved breed-led legislation was not the solution to tackling the number of attacks. Last month, she was given the green light to bring forward a High Court challenge to the governments ban on the breed.

Speaking to The Independent, she said: The PM [Rishi Sunak] said it was important to keep the public safe, but this ban has not kept the public safe.

We said all along it was a knee-jerk reaction and that there was an opportunity for real reform in the UK and much better legislation, and this [the data] shows that.

Ms Coulthard said a surge in dog ownership during the pandemic  11 million in 2023 compared to 9.6 million in 2021, according to charity PDSA  led to irresponsible breeding, which in turn contributed to the rise in attacks.

She said that XL bully dogs had been disproportionately headlined for dog attacks, while other breeds didnt get the same exposure.

This was a quick win from a Conservative government which was in a position where they needed to win votes and put ticks in boxes while they were struggling, and as we can see now it has not brought the solution we all wanted, added Ms Coulthard. She wants a stricter licensing scheme for breeders, to enforce welfare and good ownership.

Sophie Coulthard and her XL bully dog. She says the government ban was a knee-jerk reaction and would not reduce dog attacks ( Sophie Coulthard )

Dogs Trust and the RSPCA are part of the Dog Control Coalition, which strongly opposed the ban on bullies.

The group also had a representative on a working party set up by Defra aimed at reducing dog bites and promoting responsible dog ownership. Despite finishing in July 2023, its findings arent yet published.

A spokesperson for Dogs Trust said: We do not believe that banning further types of dog is an effective or sustainable solution to protecting public safety.

Breed specific legislation fails to deliver what it was designed to do. It has not reduced hospital admissions from dog bites, it has not improved public safety and it has not reduced the number of dogs conforming to the breeds or types it legislates against.

The group, which wants Labour to urgently review legislation, also said a ban on breeds led to the unnecessary suffering and euthanasia of many dogs. Following the ban on XL bullies, Defra received 405 claims for compensation from owners and rescue centres for putting dogs down.

However, some 57,000 dogs have been registered with Defra, meaning many bully owners have kept their pets under the requirement they keep them muzzled and on a lead in public.

RSPCAs dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines told The Independent she was not surprised by the rise in attacks and urged the new Labour government to change its approach to protecting the public.

Supporters of the XL bully breed during a protest against banning the dogs in central London last year ( Getty )

This current approach is not working, as is evident by these figures, and needs a complete overhaul, not only to better protect public safety but also to ensure good dog welfare, she said.

We want to see the government commit to tackling the root causes of aggressive behaviour in dogs, which are complex but include improving and enforcing current breeding and dog control regulations, and to promote responsible dog ownership, in order to effectively protect public safety while also ensuring better dog welfare.

However, there are some who say the ban on bullies is working.

The Centre for Evidence-Based Regulation of Dangerous Dogs (CEBRDD) claims the breed was proportionately behind more attacks than any other breed in 2023.

A spokesperson told The Independent that the ban had been effective in stopping the sale of the dogs and preventing attacks in public.

He claimed that scientific research showed the dogs were almost three times more likely to kill than any other breed, adding that moves for responsible ownership and education, while important, were less effective without breed bans.

Highlighting the fatal dog attacks by XLs this year, the CEBRDD also said it could be down to an update in Crown Prosecution Service guidance with dog-on-dog attacks now considered under the offences recorded by police forces.

The ban on bullies gained cross-party support last year, including from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and then shadow environment secretary Steve Reed, who pledged to update the Dangerous Dogs Act and review the list of dangerous breeds if his party won the election.

Other breeds banned are American pit bull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogo Argentinos and fila Brasileiros.

A Defra spokesperson said: Ongoing attacks show we need to do more to protect the public from dangerous dogs.

We continue to work with the police, local authorities and animal welfare groups to encourage responsible dog ownership across all breeds. The ban on XL bullies is there to protect public safety, and we expect all XL bully owners to comply with the conditions.
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Just a few weeks ago, the UK saw unprecedented scenes of violence and destruction as far-right rioters took to towns and cities all over the country, spreading anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hate.

Police clashed with those causing the disorder, often as violence was aimed at officers themselves. Buildings and areas with migrants became hotspots, with hotels believed to be housing asylum seekers becoming targets for arson.

The riots made me feel unsafe and unwelcomed, says Augusta Itua, who is chair of trustees at Hackney Migrant Centre. I felt vulnerable and easily identifiable as a target because I wear my identity on my skin.

The 31-year-old child rights lawyer was born in Nigeria, moving first to Italy when she was eight to reunite with her mother and then later to the UK. She now works as a childrens rights lawyer, having undertaken his legal education in the UK.

Since arriving in the UK in 2012, I have worked, paid taxes, and studied, contributing tirelessly to advancing the rights of all children and young people, she said.

It was the tragic killing of three young girls in Southport that sparked the riots. Misinformation spread online galvanised far-right anger, as it was suggested that the suspect Axel Rudakubana, who was not initially named due to his age, was a Muslim and immigrant.

Violence first erupted in Southport on July 30, and then in dozens of locations around the country on the following weekend.

In the wake of the destruction, organisers continued to rally support from would-be rioters. Messages were shared on platforms like Telegram naming nearly 40 migrant centres as targets, seemingly picked at random. Some responded by saying that if they couldnt see an area near them on the list, they should just search for the centre nearest to them.

Riot police officers push back riots outside a hotel which is housing asylum seekers, August 4, 2024 in Rotherham ( Getty Images )

Migrant centres are places where refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants can go for advice and support. There are dozens across the country, mostly in towns and cities with larger migrant communities.

The threat of violence prompted worry for migrant centre staff and visitors across the country, fearful that the place which is at the heart of their community could be targeted with violence. Most closed for the day, with many barricading their doors and windows to prevent damage.

Fortunately, the far-right did not mobilise in most places. Instead, counter-protests were held in their place all over the country, with demonstrators greatly outnumbering the far-right in the few places they did show up.

The counter-protests were organised by Stand up to Racism, a British campaign group which organises protests and events to tackle racism in the country. These demonstrations took place in over 50 locations across all four nations of the UK, with the largest crowd  5,000 strong  gathering in Walthamstow.

Over 5,000 anti-racist protesters gather in Walthamstow on August 7, 2024 ( EPA )

I was humbled by the absence of disorder and the solidarity shown by the community, says Augusta, adding that it was instrumental in helping me regain a sense of safety and inner peace.

In the face of attempts to fragment the support and services available to migrants, some have emerged even stronger in their commitment to supporting migrants, she says.

Tal, who requested his real name not be used, is 22 and arrived in the UK from Syria as a refugee in 2022. He lives in supported accommodation in Birmingham provided by social enterprise ACH, who help refugees and vulnerable migrants integrate into their communities with branches also in Bristol, Wolverhampton and Coventry.

I was really scared, and my family back in Syria were afraid for me, he says, me and my friends had to stay inside the house, we couldnt leave.

When I first came here, I felt that they accepted me and in this country I was comfortable. But with the recent events, I knew that they dont want any more refugees in the country.

Many migrants and refugees in the UK share Tals feelings says Nevinder Ram, operations manager at Himlio, ACHs training subsidiary: Weve got many individuals who came to the UK for a reason: to escape something, he says.

Ive had individuals come to me and say: we left Syria because of the worries and concerns, and we really didnt expect to face this out here in the UK.

People board up restaurants ahead of feared far-right violence in Birmingham, August 7, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

The 55-year-old Birmingham local adds that many of the rioters were also motivated by the long-standing myth that migrants dont contribute to the UK. He mentions ACHs Rethinking Refugee campaign, which they launched to tackle misinformation about refugees and asylum seekers living in the UK.

They do contribute, he says. There is a mass shortage in key roles in the UK, such as in the NHS, which is dependent on people with the right skills and qualifications. Many of these are themselves migrants and refugees.

I think it becomes forgotten that many of our services here in the UK would not operate or be able to provide services to the general public [without migrants], he adds.

Mr Ram says he does not want ACH and the migrant community they support to be disheartened by the events or become insular. Instead, he believes it is time to take a stance.

We are not going to be affected by what is going on with the far-right movements. We are continuing as we always have with passion and pride, he adds.

This, if anything, gives us an opportunity to reignite the fire.

Over 1000 people had been arrested following the violence over the weekend and 600 charged as ministers promising swift and strict sentencing for offenders. Following the disorder, Sir Keir Starmer condemned the far-right thuggery displayed, as courts and police continue working to bring justice.

Keir Starmer delivers a speech addressing the far-right rioting, August 1, 2024 ( Getty Images )

Abass is a Nigerian immigrant who arrived in the UK at 16. He started volunteering with Hackney Migrant Centre after his immigration status prevented him from pursuing higher education. Three years later, he will be attending university to study law and politics, something he says he could not have done without the centres support.

Speaking about the far-right riots, Abass said: I was feeling concern for my own fear and anxiety because of the safety of myself and my loved ones. We were mostly isolated because we are scared of getting attacked,

It also fuelled my determination to succeed and become someone successful in life in order to become an advocate for change and also to become someone that the community could be proud of in future.

The 19-year-old East London local says he was supported by Hackney Migrant Centre, with staff calling him to provide emotional support. He adds that all the reassurance he was offered during the riots has made him and his family feel welcomed and supported by the community.

Due to the planned violence on Wednesday, August 7, Hackney Migrant Centre was forced to postpone its summer party over safety concerns. But just under a month later, visitors, volunteers and staff were able to join together again for the day of celebration.

Chief executive officer Becky Moore said: Hackney Migrant Centre has stood in solidarity with migrants for almost 17 years. We believe migrants belong in our communities.

Our community is shaken, but our joyful event was a poignant opportunity to celebrate our existence.

Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott MP attends the Hackney Migrant Centre Summer Parrty ( Hackney Migrant Centre / Tom Trevatt )

The Hackney Migrant Centre supports over 700 people to access justice and overcome barriers every year. However, tighter regulations and funding cuts mean the queue to access their services has become longer, explains Ms Moore. The centre has launched a Crowdfunder Appeal to raise the money needed to secure their future.

We must build on the momentum of the anti-fascist counter-demonstrations to be louder and bolder in our demand for meaningful, long-term change, says Ms Moore.

We must work together to keep our communities safe for everyone. We must seek the end of the hostile environment, starting with an end to harmful, divisive rhetoric which dehumanises and punishes migrants in our communities.
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Parents are already deciding against sending their children to private schools in the wake of Labour coming to power as they face fee rises from Sir Keir Starmers controversial VAT policy, school leaders and education experts have warned.

From January, the government will remove independent schools VAT exemption and business rates relief in a move Labour says will fund 6,500 new teachers for state schools.

Headteachers of smaller, specialist private schools say they have little room in already-squeezed budgets to make cuts, leaving few alternatives but to hike fees by 20 per cent  and parents are turning down places as a result.

Research shared withThe Independent by education consultants Anglo Schools International Services (ASIS) revealed that smaller independent schools already struggling financially had seen 27 per cent of parents offered places for the upcoming academic years for their children choose not to accept them by the end of July  compared with a usual figure of 10-15 per cent  with most blaming VAT shock.

Thousands of children face having their education disrupted, warns the CEO of the Independent Schools Council, Julie Robinson ( PA Archive )

Chair of ASIS David Boddy said: Parents are realising the VAT shock is not a problem to come, this is a problem now  and unless they make a move now, they could well miss out on a state school place. This is not a problem coming down the pipe for private schools, this is a problem hitting them now. The fear and concern of this are leading parents to make decisions as protection for their children and finances.

Christine Cuniffe, the principal of LVS Ascot in Berkshire, said independent schools like her own are already seeing a significant drop in pupil numbers from September. However, she warned, The true impact will be felt within 18 months and [by] then the damage is done, adding: The social divide will increase as this will not affect the rich.

As many as 20,000 to 40,000 pupils are set to drop out of private schools as a result of a 15 per cent effective VAT rate, which would be between a 3 to 7 per cent fall in attendance, according to estimates from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) in a report issued last year. The 15 per cent figure has been calculated after allowing for input deductions, likely VAT on boarding fees and exemptions for specialist provision, with schools pledging to only increase fees in line with the final rate.

The CEO of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), Julie Robinson, warned that thousands of children face having their education disrupted, with special educational needs schools among those facing increased pressure.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has come under fire over the governments controversial VAT policy ( PA Wire )

Currently, the average private day school charges between 3,000 and 5,500 per term, according to the ISCs 2023 Census, with over a third of pupils receiving fee assistance. The IFS has estimated that removing tax exemptions could have a net gain to the public finances of around 1.31.5 billion per year, allowing for about a 2 per cent increase in spending on state schools  but it concluded the policy is likely to have little impact when it comes to reducing inequalities by school attended.

Diarmid Mackenzie, the chair of governors at Sands School in Devon, who has been working with many other independent schools on this issue, said: If children withdraw, then schools would have to further increase fees or reduce staffing levels, as they still need to pay VAT  so theres a risk of schools going into a negative spiral, where the overall proposition of the school ceases to be viable.

Jamie Harle, the bursar of St Piran's School in Berkshire, warned this would put further strain on the state sector: The threat that has not been engaged with is that as schools start to lose pupils or even close, as they are now, the state sector will have to offer places but has not been prepared or resourced to do so. Referring to the proportion of pupils who attend state schools in the UK, he warned: Ironically, it is the 93 per cent that we should be concerned about.

Andy Harris, the headteacher at Emmanuel Christian School in Leicester, described his shock at the blanket policy, which is set to have a huge impact, with fees likely forced to rise from 4,080 to 4,896, and around 10 of the 54 pupils estimated to leave.

And Michelle Catteron, the headteacher of the Moon Hall School in Reigate, said the move has put parents at her school, which caters to children with special educational needs, in the most difficult and awful of situations, as they face paying 25,000 in fees plus 5,000 in VAT.

She said: What I worry about is not necessarily the families taking them out of school, its the impact on those parents. What other sacrifices are they going to have to make to send their child to Moon Hall?

The Independent has contacted the UK government for comment.
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Cabinet minister Lucy Powell has insisted that a Labour MP who rents out properties with black mould and ant infestations should not resign.

The Leader of the House defended Jas Athwal, who was leader of Redbridge Council before being elected as the MP for Ilford South at the last election.

Mr Athwal has described himself as furious after the appalling state of flats he rents out in east London was revealed which also included fire alarms hanging off the ceilings and a washing machine dumped next to a set of stairs.

Labour MP Jas Athwal has apologised over the state of his properties (Jonathan Brady/PA) ( PA Archive )

In one block of seven flats the MP owns almost half the tenants claimed they had to regularly clean their bathroom ceilings to remove mould.

Mr Athwal has the largest landlord portfolio of any MP in Parliament and has been forced to admit that his own properties do not have the correct licences under the scheme he had introduced as leader of Redbridge Council.

Ms Powell appeared on Sky News Sunday Morning with Sir Trevor Phillips this morning and defended the MP who is facing calls to quit less than two months after being elected into parliament.

Sir Trevor pointed out that not far from where Ms Powell was speaking to him in Salford a toddler Awaab Ishak died in Rochdale from respiratory conditions caused by mould.

He pointed out that deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who is in charge of housing and communities, had said that there is no excuse to let private landlords off the hook for poor conditions and asked what the party intended to do with Mr Athwal.

But Ms Powell defended the MP saying: As I understand it he himself is furious because he didnt know this is happening in his housing stock and he is taking immediate steps to put that right and that is absolutely as it should be.

Commons leader Lucy Powell (Tejas Sandhu/PA) ( PA Wire )

She said that the party would be bringign forward the Renters Reform Bill to tackle the scourge of bad landlords.

When Sir Trevor pressed her on the fact that if it was a Tory MP who had rented out properties in that condition she would have taken a different line, she responded: I take at face value what he said in the last few days, he has absolutely got to put that right and that is why he sacked the managing agent.

As council leader Mr Athwal had previously Tweeted an article about a local landlord being fined she said: Rogue landlords, we are coming for you.

But critics claimed that Athwals tenants were living under a culture of fear.

Tory London Assembly member said: 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: "Here we have a situation where somebody who is the leader of Redbridge Council, which introduced a licensing scheme, which he told everybody else to sign up to, and he didn't do it himself."
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Reform UKs ruthless pursuit of putting Nigel Farage into Downing Street by 2029 has seen them already move on from their contract with the people at the general election just two months ago, the partys new chairman has admitted.

Businessman Zia Yusuf was brought in by Mr Farage to reorganise Reform UK after what the new chair admits was a scrappy start-up election beset with scandals over candidates and serious questions over the partys policies.

In a wide ranging interview with The Independent he also said:

That Reform will allow members to ditch their own leader in a new constitution

The party has been inspired by French far-right leader Marine Le Pen doubling her vote in France

That people who work for the Conservative Party have been in talks with Reform about coming over

Zia Yusuf was brought in to reorganise Reform UK after an election beset with scandals and serious questions over policy ( Reform UK )

After Mr Farage declared himself leader of Reform again at the start of the election he publicly ditched one policy agreed by former leader (and now fellow MP) Richard Tice on air during an interview with the Today programme, but now it seems he plans to go further.

When the contract with the people (so-called because Mr Farage claimed manifestos were considered to be lies) was launched at Merthyr Tydfil it was lampooned for being Liz Truss economics on steroids.

The party promised 140bn in tax cuts including raising the threshold of income tax to 20,000, claiming it could find 156bn in spending cuts. But there were serious question marks over the mathematics.

At the time the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank said that Reforms plans were based on extremely optimist assumptions about growth and the sums do not add up, meaning the manifesto as a whole was problematic.

But speaking to The Independent, Mr Yusuf said that the contract with the people should now be considered more as the philosophy of what the party wants to achieve rather than policy details.

Addressing the sums in the election contract with the people, Mr Yusuf said: They don't add up on the basis that you implement everything in there on day one for arriving in Downing Street. That's fair. But that was never going to be the plan.

Some at the time saw the policies as a list to help win over Tories with no real expectation of winning; a claim that Mr Yusuf acknowledged was true.

The change means that Farage could be removed at a future point if Reform members want to move on ( PA )

He said: As ambitious as everybody is at Reform, there was no chance that we [were] going to be the party of government.

Mr Yusuf insisted that over the coming years the party will be putting the policy meat on the bone as well as expanding on how policies would be phased in so that we can demonstrate that we can be trusted to be great stewards and guardians of the British economy.

He added that he would be happy for other parties to steal Reform policies for the good of the country.

Reform policies though would remain focused on slashing immigration and cutting taxes.

The overhaul is part of a democratisation of the party which would give Reform members the chance to throw out their leader if things went badly.

At the moment Reform UK is a limited company with Mr Farage as the major shareholder. Mr Yusuf admitted that this was unsustainable, with the drawing up of a party constitution an early priority.

We're a serious political party. This isn't a pressure group, and Nigel has been on the record, as has Richard Tice, multiple times, saying, of course, after the general election, we look at the structure, and that was the right thing to do.

As we look forward, you know, our stated goal is to elect Nigel Farage into Downing Street in 2029. In order to do that clearly the party needs a constitution, and it needs a structure fit for purpose.

We have the huge advantage of the fact that Nigel has unanimous and universal support for some members right now that is unequivocal and clear. So what we're working [on] is drafting a constitution, of course, that will have mechanisms by which leaders can be removed and leaders can be selected.

He emphasised that this was to ensure the partys constitution was fit for the long-term future rather than just the next few months.

Yusufs target is to increase Reforms votes by 5 million to 9 million in 2029. That year will see significant targets, with the English council elections as well as devolved parliament elections in Wales and Scotland.

But he believes that the biggest problem the party has to overcome was the lack of a ground war. That meant we had no data like the other parties and also had no get-out-the-vote operation on the day of the election.

He noted that four of the five seats Reform won were the only places we had a ground campaign but it was very rudimentary.

To turn this around he has set up 120 pilot constituency branches already and hopes this will increase to 200 by the partys conference in September.

For that, Yusuf is looking to the German elections this weekend, where the far-right Alternative for Germany is predicted to make massive gains; and to the recent French election, which saw Marine Le Pen double her vote from 17 per cent to 34 per cent in two years.

He said: We are a very different party from them but we live in unprecedented times and we have five years not two to double our vote.

Mr Yusuf claims that Reform UKs appeal has already reached Conservative Party officials working at central office (CCHQ) as well as councillors who have defected.

A number of people from CCHQ, including senior people, have reached out, saying that they're thoroughly disillusioned with the Conservative Party, that the whole bureaucracy at CCHQ is, I mean, I'm using their words here, corrupted.

Theyre really tired of it and you know, they dont really see that changing, regardless of who becomes their leader. They dont see how that fundamental problem could possibly be resolved. So weve been engaged in conversations with them.
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Rishi Sunak is set to defy the record electoral humiliation he inflicted on his party and give a final keynote speech at his partys conference in October.

The former prime minister has been criticised for letting Labour get away with murder over the summer with an extended absence from the political scene, even though he is still leading the Conservatives while they try to find a new leader in a four-month process.

And questions were being asked over whether he would even attend the party conference in Birmingham this year.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak (Temilade Adelaja/PA) ( PA Wire )

The conferences main focus will be on the late stages of the leadership race, with the final four candidates taking part in a beauty contest with members.

Some Tory MPs had suggested that Mr Sunak may want to avoid the conference after leading the Tories to the worst general election defeat in their 346-year history after calling an early poll for 4 July instead of waiting until later this year.

One MP told The Independent: I am not sure what he [Sunak] would have to say or whether people would even want to hear it.

Others have suggested that Mr Sunak might be the last person members want to hear from after leaving his party with just 121 MPs.

But a senior party official working in central office (CCHQ) has confirmed that the former prime minister will give a speech at the conference, even though he has been absent from the political scene since parliament broke up for recess.

The official said: He [Sunak] will give a speech. We dont know which day yet or what he will say, but he will be speaking.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith ( AFP/Getty )

The revelation comes amid growing criticism of Mr Sunaks absence from the political scene over the summer.

Former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith warned on GB Newss Camilla Tominey Show that the party leadership is letting the Labour government get away with murder.

It comes amid concerns over Labours first two months in government with claims that they found a 22bn black hole in the public finances which in turn has led to winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners being cancelled.

There have also been allegations of cronyism, with Labour allies receiving civil service appointments and concerns over the way the far-right riots were handled.

Ms Tominey asked: Where is Rishi Sunak in all this? Hes the leader of the opposition. I appreciate he is in an interim role but serious decisions are being made as we speak  we cant just all pause. Where are the attack lines coming from?

Sir Iain said: You have people shadowing ministers and an opposition leader, so I would simply say to them, you have got a job to do right now and you cant just quit the stage and wait for the opposition leaders debate to take place and the votes.

I say to them, you have got a job to do. You cant just say, well I lost the last election. Yes you lost the last election, we lost big time, but that does not mean to say you can just walk away and cry in the corner somewhere.

With Nigel Farages Reform UK and the Lib Dems in the background, Sir Iain also warned that if the Tories do not get their act together, others could steal their clothes as the main opposition party.
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When working on a cold case, there is no guarantee that a murder will be solved  and even if it is, it often takes years or even decades.

In the case of Atlanta mother Melissa Wolfenbarger, it took 25 years  with the help of a podcast, and in a bizarre twist, her serial killer father.

The 21-year-old was last heard from by her family on Thanksgiving 1998. Her dismembered remains were found five months later, in close proximity to her husbands place of work.

It was 2003 before the remains were identified as Melissa  only after her father Carl Patton was arrested for a string of unrelated killings from the 1970s known as the Flint River murders.

His arrest is what finally identified her remains, Melissas mother Norma Patton told The Independent. If he had never been arrested, we might have never known.

Melissas death was not at the hands of her father, who had been cleared in her murder, but what happened to her and the identity of her killer has remained a mystery for decades.

The 21-year-old was last heard from by her family on Thanksgiving 1998. Her dismembered remains were found five months later, in close proximity to her husbands place of work ( Provided )

Her case only began to gain some traction in 2017 when Crime Scene Investigator Sheryl Mac McCollum got her hands on it when Melissas mother came to her for help.

You cant give up. You just keep going. Talk to anyone who will listen, because you dont know who that person might be to help, Norma said. Thats what Sheryl did for us. She opened the door and helped us walk through it.

Melissas case was the first one to be featured on McCollums podcast Zone 7, when it launched in February 2023.

In a stunning turn of events, over a year later in April 2024, a listener who heard the episode reached out to McCollum and shared a crucial bit of information.

I had a gut feeling, McCollum said, recalling the moment she received the tip.

She told The Independent that the person had witnessed behavior between the couple, but said she could not give further details.

Melissas case was the first one to be featured on Zone 7, McCollums podcast, that was launched in February 2023 ( Zone 7 )

McCollum sent the information to the lead detective and, after more than two decades of no answers, the case picked up steam and shot through the next few months at lightning speed.

Three months later in August 2024, Melissas husband Christopher Wolfenbarger was arrested and indicted by a grand jury for her murder.

I was just tickled pink. We waited so long for this, Norma told The Independent. Its been a long, hard road. But it finally happened.

What happened to Melissa Wolfenbarger?

Melissa was last heard from on Thanksgiving 1998 when she called her family to make plans for Christmas that year. But she never showed up.

There was no phone call, and she never showed up, Norma explained about her daughter missing the holidays. I immediately panicked. But she was an adult. Married with kids. Not much we could do.

But when my birthday came and went with no call, I knew something was very wrong, she added.

After Normas missed birthday in Februrary, they drove to Melissas house in Atlanta from their home in Locust Grove, Georgia.

But the Wolfenbarger family was gone. Neighbors told them they had moved away but their address was unknown.

The family reported Melissa missing and authorities tracked down her husband Christopher Wolfenbarger to question him.

The remains found in 1999 were not identified as Melissa until 2003 ( Atlanta Police Department )

He told police that Melissa had left on her own to pursue her dream of starting a new life in California, the Atlanta Police Department told Dateline in 2021.

On April 29, 1999, a severed human head was found in a black trash bag in close in proximity to Wolfenbargers place of work. At the time, officials misidentified those remains as belonging to another missing person, a man.

But then on June 3, 1999, more dismembered human remains were discovered in black trash bags near to where the first remains had been found. A torso was never found.

The remains were not identified until 2003  only after Melissas father Carl Patton was arrested in connection to an unrelated murder.

DNA testing led to Patton being convicted for the killings of Fred Wyatt, Liddie Matthews Evans, and Evanss boyfriend Joe Cleveland in Georgia, in the 1970s, known as the Flint River Murders. He pleaded guilty and was given a life sentence.

He was also a suspect in Melissas murder, but Tina said her father would have never hurt Melissa, according to 11Alive. Dad loved us, she said. He was devastated. Just like us. He broke down and cried.

But it was his arrest that led to answers for the family.

My mom was able to convince him to say something about my sister, Tina said, according to local outlet 11Alive. And somebody in Atlanta saw it in the paper the next day and said, Wait a minute, theres some remains over here in the morgue. And the address, the vicinities are kind of close to where this girl lived. So lets go get DNA.

Melissas father Carl Patton is serving life in prison for the Flint River murders. His arrest in 2003 led to the identification of Melissas remains ( Dodge State Prison )

DNA positively identified the remains as belonging to Melissa and cleared Patton of her murder.

But Melissas killer was still out there. And Norma continued to put all her time and effort into getting justice for her daughter.

In 2017, she met McCollum  and everything changed.

My daughter was beheaded and I need your help

McCollum remembers the exact moment she first saw Norma Patton.

It was at a formal dinner for a Wine and Crime event she was hosting.

McCollum, who is the founder and Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), often hosts the popular program that takes an in-depth look at unsolved cold cases.

While McCollum was on stage talking, she noticed a woman walking into the event wearing Bermuda shorts and a hat looking like she had literally walked in off the beach.

After the event, McCollum said the woman came up to her and said: My daughter was beheaded and I need your help.

Without any hesitation, McCollum agreed to hear her story.

And Norma certainly had one to tell. Armed with binders full of information, she was ready to talk.

But there was a twist.

She touched both binders, looked me in the eye and said, My husband is in prison for murder and I helped him.

Norma had testified against him, which played a substantial role in the case, testified Lt. Col Bruce Jordan of the Fayette County Sheriffs Department.

Crime Scene Investigator Sheryl Mac McCollum featured Melissas case on her podcast Zone 7 -- which later brought in a tip from a witness ( Provided )

It is my opinion she saved the taxpayers a lot of money, Jordan said, adding that he requested the "deal" that gave Norma immunity from any murder charges relating to the four killings, according to local outlets at the time.

After hearing Normas admission, McCollum was not alarmed.

Melissas case is separate from the sins of her father, she told her.

But McCollum said she needed to speak with Patton to do a complete victimology. In 2021, they started corresponding by writing letters.

What became clear to me was their loyalty, McCollum said. Their loyalty to Carl, their loyalty to each other and their loyalty to getting justice for Melissa.

In the letters, one man is clearly named as the suspected killer: Melissas husband  Christopher Wolfenbarger.

Through McCollums own investigation, her correspondence with Melissas family, and the letters, she had her own theories, but told The Independent that it was time to bring in the experts.

Because at the end of the day, who cares what I think, but if I have Nancy Grace, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dr Angie Arnold telling me its Wolfenbarger, McCollum said. And theyve done their own independent research, theyve looked at the case file by themselves. I will stake my reputation on it.

Carl Patton wrote to McCollum and in the letters, one man is clearly named as the suspected killer. Melissas husband  Christopher Wolfenbarger ( Provided )

At that point, a new district attorney was coming to the fore  Fani Willis. She launched a task force and McCollum was on it. One of the first cases on the agenda was Melissas.

The first thing McCollum did was take Assistant District Attorney Adriane Love to the area where Melissas head had been found and the close proximity of it to the front door of his business.

That is critical, she said. Youve got to show them, theyve gotta walk it.

But working the case took time.

Justice for Melissa

Melissas husband Wolfenbarger was arrested earlier this month, on Tuesday August 6.

A press conference was planned for the next day where his arrest would be announced to the public.

The original lead detective on Melissas case wanted to contact her father himself, but the inmate would not have phone privileges until Thursday.

McCollum told The Independent that Detective Calhoun did not want him finding out on the news.

Back in 2003, Det Calhoun made an effort to tell Patton himself that his daughters body had been identified.

Christopher Wolfenbarger, pictured in a booking photo, was arrested for the 1999 murder of his wife. The arresting officers found him hiding behind a dryer in his home ( Fulton County Sheriffs Office )

He drove to the prison to tell Carl in person  daddy to daddy, McCollum said.

So this time, the detective went out of his way to call the warden and have someone deliver the news to Patton.

He had been devastated when he found out she had been murdered, Norma said about her husband. But he was deliriously happy as soon as he found out Chris had been arrested.

At the press conference last month, Det Shephard, who took over the case several years ago, said Wolfenbarger had been a person of interest from the beginning, and that probable cause is how they were able to finally make the arrest.

Norma Patton (left) and Tina Patton (right) pictured at a press conference on Wednesday wearing shirts honoring Melissa Wolfenbarger ( Fox 5 Atlanta )

When asked what specifically linked Wolfenbarger to the murder, he said, I want to protect the integrity of the case going forward, so I cant disclose certain evidence, but we look at everything when it comes to a cold case.

Melissas sister told the media that day that their family always believed Wolfenbarger was responsible for her murder.

From day one, we knew it was Christopher, she told reporters. There was never, ever any doubt in our minds, who did this. My mom has said I dont know how many times, that when she first met him, there was just evil in his eyes, she continued.

Both Norma and Tina said they never heard from Wolfenbarger again after Melissas disappearance.

Mother of slain Atlanta woman speaks out after suspect is arrested cold case

Melissa had left her husband the summer before she disappeared, according to her sister, after saying her husband hit her and dragged her by the hair down a sidewalk.

But when [Wolfenbarger] went in front of the judge, he asked the judge to let him talk to her alone, and she went back to him, her sister said.

Norma told The Independent she hopes Melissas story will help other women in domestic violence situations.

Its always been a domestic violence issue from day one, Norma said. She had already left because of his abuse. I think she went back to him but at one point said, Im gonna call mom and Im going home. And maybe thats when he lost it.

Norma said she hopes Melissas story will help other women in domestic violence situations ( Atlanta Police presser screenshot )

You dont know what the final straw was  that caused him to do what he did to her, she said.

Hes the only one who has the real answers.

Wolfenbarger is currently being held in Fulton County Jail on murder charges.

Norma tearfully told the crowd that she will finally, after all these years, stop watching the news.

I dont have to watch the news anymore, because we got him, she said. Hes in jail and, Lord help me, he stays there.
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A suspect has been arrested after a group of Jewish students were attacked at the University of Pittsburgh by a man allegedly wielding a bottle.

The attack unfolded on Friday night at the universitys Cathedral of Learning, with two students suffering injuries and being treated at the scene.

Jarrett Buba, identified by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as the 52-year-old suspect, was arrested on the scene.

He is not a student at the university nor is he affiliated with the institution, NBC News reported.

While there is not believed to be any ongoing threat to the public stemming from this incident, we recognize that incidents like these are unsettling to our Pitt community, the university said in a statement.

To be clear: Neither acts of violence nor antisemitism will be tolerated.

Officials said they do not believe the attack is connected to an earlier violent incident reported at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, just across from the scene of the second attack.

In that incident, Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said a man was was shot in the leg at around 5.30pm on Friday. He was transported to the hospital in stable condition.

Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.

The university, which only began its fall semester earlier this week, is now offering support to the Jewish students impacted in the attack through the Hillel University Center and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
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George Clooney has hailed Joe Bidens decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race as the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington.

In an appearance at the 2024 Venice Film Festival on Sunday September 1  where he is promoting his new film Wolfs with co-star Brad Pitt  the actor was asked about the impact of the damning op-ed he wrote for The New York Times titled I Love Joe Biden, But We Need a New Nominee.

The essay is seen as one of the key turning points as momentum built to urge the president to step aside in favor of a younger candidate. Less than two weeks later, Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris  who was also quickly endorsed by Clooney.

The person who should be applauded is the president who did the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington, Clooney told journalists at the festival, People reported.

All of the machinations that got us there, none of thats going to be remembered, and it shouldnt be, he continued.

What should be remembered is the selfless act of someone who did the hardest thing to do. You know weve seen it all around the world, and for someone to say, I think theres a better way forward, he gets all the credit, and thats really the truth.

In late July, after the president made the decision to stand down, Clooney said in a statement to CNN: President Biden has shown what true leadership is. Hes saving democracy once again.

He added: Were all so excited to do whatever we can to support Vice President Harris in her historic quest.

George Clooney and Brad Pitt arrive at the Lido Beach for the Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2024 ( EPA )

The Hollywood stars July 10 op-ed sent shockwaves through the Biden camp, having come just three weeks after Clooney and Julia Roberts hosted a $28m celebrity fundraiser featuring Biden and former president Barack Obama.

In the op-ed, Clooney said he had witnessed first-hand a change in his friend.

The one battle he cannot win is the fight against time, Clooney wrote.

None of us can. Its devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe big f***ing deal Biden of 2010. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.

Clooney spoke of his love for Biden as a senator, vice president and president, praising the many battles the White House incumbent has won since taking office in January 2021.

But the star was also withering in his criticism of the Democratic party and Bidens inner circle of advisers, writing: Were all so terrified by the prospect of a second Trump term that weve opted to ignore every warning sign.

Is it fair to point these things out? It has to be. This is about age. Nothing more. But also nothing that can be reversed. We are not going to win in November with this president. On top of that, we wont win the House, and were going to lose the Senate, he wrote.

George Clooney poses during a photocall for the movie Wolfs. He has praised Bidens selfless act of dropping out of race ( REUTERS )

Clooney added that his opinion was shared by every senator and congress member and governor he had spoken to privately since the debate.

Clooney concluded the essay by expressing gratitude for the president: Joe Biden is a hero; he saved democracy in 2020. We need him to do it again in 2024.

His editorial was a major blow to Bidens campaign at a time when he was rapidly losing support from top Democrats, donors and allies.

Donald Trump hit out at Clooney over his editorial at the time, calling him a fake movie star who should get out of politics and go back to television.

When Biden ultimately announced he was stepping down from the race, Ana Navarro, co-host of ABCs The View criticized Clooney.

I hope those donors who said things about him come back with big checks now, she added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. As of 10:00 a.m., voter turnout in Azerbaijan's Khankendi stood at 17.5 percent, said Farid Orujev, head of the CEC secretariat's Information Center, Trend reports.

Orujev added that voter turnout across the country stood at 9.92 percent.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.
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Kamala Harriss campaign is entering September with the mindset of a campaign running from behind  even as polling shows that is not the case.

A memo sent out by the Harris campaign on Sunday morning claimed that the vice president was still the underdog in the race and projected razor-thin margins for the race in November.

Jen OMalley Dillon, Harriss campaign manager, said in the memo that the reason for this mentality was Donald Trump and his continued dominance over the Republican party  whose core base of supporters is as motivated as ever to support him in 2024.

And she previewed how the Harris campaign looks to make up the ground it supposedly needs to win key battleground states in November.

Polling actually shows that Harris has narrowed the gap to the low single digits in a wide array of battleground states, including some that were seen as clearly becoming out of reach for President Joe Biden, such as North Carolina and Georgia.

OMalley Dillon said that Harriss massive fundraising haul  $540m since launching her campaign on July 21  will be put into a massive battleground states ground operation.

Harriss historic sum will go directly to a relentless battleground operation, with more than 312 coordinated offices and 2,000 coordinated staff in the states  a reflection of a campaign with presences in every corner of every battleground state and with the communities critical to victory, she said.

Kamala Harris is now polling competitively with Donald Trump in most battleground states, according to the latest data ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

During a recent Weekend of Action, more than 10,000 volunteers made nearly 900,000 calls and knocked on 150,000 doors, contacting more than 1 million voters, said OMalley Dillon.

Its the kind of investment, if its used to boost participation numbers among Harriss core base of supporters, that could cleanly push this race over the edge in her favor. Trumps campaign has been unable to match Harris in fundraising numbers, bringing in a much lower $137m in July, and he continues to see his funds sapped by his ongoing legal defenses in several criminal and civil cases.

Harris and her running mate Tim Walz sat down for a CNN interview on Thursday after enduring pressure from both journalists and her Republican rival to do so. The discussion was mostly news-free and largely served to tamp down on criticism while maintaining the races current trajectory.

The head of Floridas chapter of the Democratic Party told The Independent earlier this summer that Republicans have been unable to field the kind of ground game effort which their Democratic rivals have gathered this year, potentially meaning that Harriss party is on course to make up gains in areas where the party has seen defeat in recent cycles.

There is no Republican operation here. They have no offices. They have no grassroots door knocking, Nikki Fried said in a late July interview with The Independent.

Its not just Democrats, she said. We are hearing anecdotal stories of past Republicans coming to our offices, phone-banking with us. Were hearing from Republicans saying: Maybe this is the final straw thats going to break the MAGA base and wipe them out for this election cycle, and finally return the Republican Party back to some sense of normality.
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Donald Trump loyalist Lindsey Graham went on the offense against Kamala Harris on Sunday calling her a wrecking ball for her stance on Israels war with Hamas, after it was announced that six hostages had been found dead in Gaza.

Graham appeared on ABCs This Week on Sunday and opened up a line of attack against Harriss foreign policy credentials  something that the Trump campaign has been trying to get off the ground this past week as it pushes back on criticism over a controversial visit to Arlington National Cemetery and a host of issues related to his running mate JD Vance.

I would say on foreign policy, she [Harris] has been a wrecking ball, Graham said on Sunday.

Contrasting her to JD Vance, Trumps running mate, he went on to argue: "JD has been unequivocally supporting Israel. She has been horrible. She is slow-walking weapons. She did not attend the [Benjamin Netanyahu] speech [in Congress], and that juiced up every terrorist in the region.

The South Carolina Republican also argued that increasing political and financial pressure on Tehrans government was necessary to put the squeeze on Hamas and force the militant group to lay down its arms.

If you want the hostages home, which we all do, you have to increase the cost to Iran. Iran is the great Satan. Hamas is the junior partner. Theyre barbaric, religious Nazis, Hamas, they could care less about the Palestinian people, he said.

As former Pres. Trump continues to launch personal insults against Vice Pres. Harris, Sen. Lindsey Graham says, "Shes been a wrecking ball on foreign policy."



Thats what I would talk about, not her IQ. Her job performance has been lousy. https://t.co/WgZGuE9Ysw pic.twitter.com/cjfKLoAVe5  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) September 1, 2024

I would urge the Biden administration and Israel to hold Iran accountable for the fate of [the] remaining hostages and put on the target list oil refineries in Iran if the hostages are not released.

Focus on the conflict in the Middle East is likely to intensify after the Israeli military confirmed that six hostages being held by Hamas, including one American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, had been found dead by IDF forces in tunnels under Rafah, a region in Gaza. White House officials said on Sunday that the president had been in touch with Goldberg-Polins family.

This comes after Republicans, led by the ex-president, have attacked the vice president and President Joe Biden this past week over the chaotic pullout from Kabul, during which 13 American service members died in a suicide bombing and countless Afghan civilians were injured or killed in the blast. Horrifiying pictures emerged of panicked Afghans attempting to cling to departing American military aircraft, and falling to their deaths.

Trump led those attacks on Monday with a visit to Arlington to attend a memorial service for the slain US troops.

That visit sparked days of negative headlines for the Trump campaign after an aide was accused of shoving an Arlington National Cemetery worker.

Senator Lindsey Graham criticized the vice president over her foreign policy credentials on Sunday as Donald Trump battles a furor over his Arlington visit ( The Independent )

The former president has responded by trying to attack the Biden-Harris administration over the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, landing some of those attacks this weekend with a series of video responses from Gold Star families.

Those attacks are part of a full-court press by the Trump campaign to recapture the races momentum ahead of the next major milestone: the first debate between Harris and Trump, set for nine days from Sunday. It will be the first time the two rivals have ever come face to face and comes as Harris is riding a surge in the poll numbers accompanied by a massive donation haul for her first month of campaigning.

Graham, who trends towards the neoconservative wing of the GOP, opposed the pullout from Afghanistan entirely  even as it was ordered initially by Trump. The former president, fuming over his loss to Joe Biden in November of 2020, initially sought to order all US troops out of the country immediately, but was rebuffed by top officials.

In 2021, Graham said that a full withdrawal from Afghanistan was dumber than dirt.
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The mask wars didnt end with Covid.

First, they were a public health imperative. Then they were banned in a conservative backlash. And now, in the wake of nationwide Israel-Palestine protests, lawmakers are trying to ban face coverings of all kinds, in a move many see as a strategy to yank the face masks off pro-Palestine voices and silence dissent.

Ohio warned its public universities that protesters could be charged with a felony under an obscure anti-mask law. Officials in Texas justified their police response to campus protests in part because students were wearing masks. Eight student protesters at the University of Florida were charged with misdemeanors, including wearing masks in public. And, in June, North Carolina passed a mask ban over the objection of its governor, adding extra penalties for crimes committed while wearing a mask and raising the punishment for activists who block traffic.

Backers of the efforts say the measures will increase public safety and protect minority communities from vigilante violence, but activists and legal experts tell The Independent the provisions could do the exact opposite: exposing protesters to potentially violent police interactions, threatening immunocompromised people, and silencing pro-Palestinian activism despite being ostensibly neutral.

Most recently, the University of California system, the nations largest, directed campuses to forbid students from wearing masks with the intent of intimidating any person or group or evading identification while breaking the law or school policy.

This approach troubles political science professor Graeme Blair of UCLA, which was home to a large Palestinian solidarity encampment that was attacked by a mob of masked counter-protesters and subject to a violent police sweep.

The University of California is the latest university system to ban student protestors from wearing masks, a policy that some say seeks to stomp out political dissent. ( AFP via Getty Images )

They just have one goal. The UC administration would like to stop speech on campus about Palestine, he said. Thats really cynical from a college administration.

Blair, a member of Faculty for Justice in Palestine at UCLA, said his students had plenty of good reasons to mask up over the semester. In addition to health conditions and the ongoing Covid pandemic, there was the threat activists would be doxxed for participating in the demonstrations.

Sites like Canary Mission, as well as a constellation of even more opaque social media influencers and right-wing groups, regularly post details about pro-Palestinian activists, who are often then threatened on- and offline.

Nassau County, which covers part of Long Island, was one of the first places in the country to ban face masks. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who passed the legislation this month, said the bill will help identify individuals who commit violent or hate crimes. It provides exemptions for those who wear masks for religious or medical reasons, although its uncler how that will function in practise.

At a news conference in August, Blakeman said the bill was introduced in response to people who wore masks and engaged in antisemitic acts and added that the bill is a broad public safety measure  weve seen people use masks to shoplift, to carjack, to rob banks, and this is activity that we want to stop.

After Nassau County implemented its mask ban, the New York Civil Liberties Union wrote in a statement that the legislation fails to safeguard rights and liberties. Well say it again: masks protect people who express political opinions that are controversial. Officials should be supporting New Yorkers right to voice their views, not fueling widespread doxxing and threatening arrests.

A string of concerning incidents has prompted officials to consider expanding mask bans well beyond Nassau County.

In Los Angeles, violence broke out between pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israeli demonstrators at a synagogue in June after it had hosted an Israel real estate event, leading mayor Karen Bass to consider a mask ban.

That same month, a man was charged with attempted coercion after demanding that Zionists leave a subway during a protest, prompting New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams to throw their support behind a face mask ban.

A highway patrol officer detains a supporter of a ceasefire and arms embargo, amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, during a protest blocking the 405 freeway's southbound lanes, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. August 13, 2024. ( REUTERS )

We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior. My team is working on a solution, but on a subway, people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes, Hochul said following the incident.

The proposals represented a sea change in New York, where masks were banned in public spaces for 175 years until legislators repealed the law during the pandemic due to health and civil rights concerns. Many subway riders still wear facemasks for health reasons.

New York State Senator James Skoufis introduced a bill in June banning face masks in public demonstrations across the state, following a similar law previously introduced in the Assembly. He wrote in a statement to The Independent that it is a mistake to characterize his bill as a mask ban because the law had been statute long before the pandemic: Everyone has a right to protest and express themselves freely, but no one has a right to assault or menace fellow New Yorkers while cowardly hiding behind a face covering.

During protests on campus this spring, UCLA professor Blair watched as counter-protesters hovered around the encampment with telephoto cameras, harassing activists to take off their face masks so they could be photographed and, presumably, have their personal information shared on the Internet. UC administrators observed the dynamic as well, the professor said, meaning theyd know the consequences of a mask rule.

I know that they know that the students who are at risk were those who were using their voices to stand in solidarity with Palestine, Blair told The Independent. Those are the people who had fireworks shot at them, who were bare maced and pepper sprayed.

A spokesperson for the UC presidents office told The Independent that, under the guidelines, masking for health reasons, or during authorized protests, will still be allowed, and campus police will determine in what contexts mask-wearing crosses the line.

Ensuring that masks are not used to intimidate or evade identification in situations involving violations of laws or policies helps enable free expression while maintaining the safety of all community members, the spokesperson said.

Beyond the civil rights concerns, some, like Xavier T. de Janon, director of mass defense at the National Lawyers Guild, worry that police would be the primary agents enforcing mask rules, further escalating already tense encounters between law enforcement and protesters.

These explanations of public safety, reducing violent offenses and all these things, dont match the reality on the ground of a protest and police behavior, he said. You can have all these laws, you can have a perfectly written mask ban, with all the exceptions, everything carefully detailed out so no one is harmed, but then the police can still use this law against anyone to criminalize them anyways.

Disability rights activists say mask bans may also endanger immunocompromised people, who are at greater risk of contracting infectious diseases. ( AFP via Getty Images )

The mask policies are particularly concerning for those who have disabilities or are immunocompromised.

We have opposed mask bans generally because they do have a negative impact on people with disabilities in particular, who are at greater risk of contracting infectious diseases including Covid-19, Michelle Uzeta, deputy legal director at the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, told The Independent. It is unfortunate that masks have become such a political talking point. It really shouldnt be.

Not only do the bans threaten peoples health, but they silence disabled peoples political voice, according to Kaitlin Costello, an associate professor of library and information science at Rutgers in New Jersey. She was alarmed by nearby Nassau Countys mask rules because of her health and her politics. She takes immunosuppressant medication after having a kidney transplant, and is at heightened risk from conditions like Covid.

Solidarity needs to go across groups, she said. The ability for disabled people to protest on any number of issues is a really important First Amendment right.

Mask laws have a long, strange political history in the US. Some of the earliest ones date back to the 1940s and 50s, when southern states sought to limit the activities of the Klu Klux Klan.

Since then, mask rules have sporadically been discussed or deployed against protesters, including those who demonstrated at Standing Rock, Occupy Wall Street, and in the Black Lives Matter movement. Many were temporarily repealed during the pandemic, only for some states to then explicitly ban mask-wearing in reaction to Covid mandates.

To de Janon, from the NLG, its hard to miss the timing of this current wave of mask bans, which came after a highly visible round of often left-leaning protests. He noted how increasingly bold demonstrations from white supremacists in masks in recent years hasnt triggered the same kind of mask crackdown as Israel-Palestine activism has.

The legislatures all these decades have not responded to them in this way, he said. It is because these protests are about Palestine.

And with the students returning to college campuses over the coming weeks for another semester, and the war in Gaza still raging, those protests are likely to continue.
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Anthony Scaramucci, a former aide to Donald Trump, has claimed he has only met one person who hates his ex-boss more than his wife Melania Trump.

Speaking in an interview with MeidasTouch on Saturday, Scaramucci suggested that the former presidents wife might be the only person who would like to see Vice President Kamala Harris win the presidential election more than he does, because she hates him.

I judge the hatred of Donald Trump by the Melania standard, the former aide said, providing the interviewer with examples, including My wife hates Trump as much as Melania.

Scaramucci said that retired General Mark Milley is the only person hes met that hates the former president more than the former first lady.

Ive met one person that actually hates Trump more than Melania, he said.

Thats General Milley. Hes the only guy Ive met so far that actually hates him more than Melania.

After the January 6 2021 Capitol riot, Trump made comments suggesting Milley, the nations top-ranking military officer at the time, should be killed.

Trump was referencing a call Milley held with Chinese officials to assure them the US was not under threat of attack during the riots. Several members of Trumps cabinet knew Milley was holding the talks.

Anthony Scaramucci, a former aide of president Donald Trump, has claimed he has only met one person that hates his ex-boss more than his wife Melania ( EPA )

This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH! Trump said in a Truth Social post about the general.

Milley later said he took adequate safety precautions following Trumps remarks.

He told CBS: I wish those comments had not been made, and Ill take appropriate measures to ensure my safety and the safety of my family.

On Saturday, Scaramucci called Trump a despicable guy for doing that.

Donald Trump with Melania Trump on stage after he accepted his party's nomination on the last day of the Republican National Convention on July 18 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

The fact that were even talking about an enemies list in a country like ours, which is the longest standing Republican representative democracy, 250 years, is just a disgusting thing, the former aide said.

Trumps former communications director went on to blame Republican leaders for enabling his former boss. Now we have to put up with this nonsense, he said.

The Independent reached out to Trumps campaign for comment.

Scaramucci spent 10 days as the White House communications director in 2017 and earned the nickname The Mooch during that time. Sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that Trump had fired his communications director after an obscene tirade.

His comments about Melania come following reports that she has struck a deal with her husband not to move back to the White House full time if he is re-elected in November.

An insider told Page Six earlier this year that she does not want a non-stop schedule of events in the White House, and makes the point she can be both a hands-on mother and First Lady at the same time.

This mirrors when Melania hung back in New York City for five months following Trumps election in the 2016 presidential race, reportedly to allow her son to finish the school year without interruption.

The insider added that she is still concerned about the scrutiny Barron may face while attending college if his father is president.
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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.
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Donald Trumps new proposal for the government or insurance companies to be mandated to pay for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment for Americans has already divided the Republican party  with two GOP senators giving opposing stances on the matter on Sunday.

The ex-president has been trying to navigate the post-Roe landscape since 2022, with limited success. As his presidential campaign has progressed throughout 2024, Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for appointing Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn federal protections on abortion  while he has simultaneously sought to distance himself from hardline opponents of abortion who are seeking to ban IVF and other fertility treatments, as well as the stricter end of GOP-led proposals to ban abortion at various points during the pregnancy.

Over the past week, the former president made his latest attempt.

Speaking to NBC News minutes before taking the stage in Potterville, Michigan, the ex-president made two announcements on the issue.

First, he put forward a plan to force insurance companies or the federal government to cover the costs of IVF for all Americans. Second, he came out against Floridas six-week abortion ban, which he said restricted abortion too early into the pregnancy.

Campaign aides would clarify over the next few days that this did not mean he would support a ballot measure up for debate this year in Florida that would enshrine abortion access into the state constitution.

Both statements triggered furious responses from within his own party. Anti-abortion groups and supporters of Floridas conservative governor Ron DeSantis ripped Trump for his supposed betrayal in statements to the press and on social media.

Republicans took different positions on Trumps proposal to force insurance companies to cover IVF treatments on Sunday with Tom Cotton (pictured) saying he was open to the plan ( The Independent )

And on Sunday, two Republican senators appearing in separate interviews across NBC and ABC took opposite positions on the pledge by Trump to fund IVF either through public or private means  suggesting that the plan will cause more internal divisions for the right as the general election nears.

On NBCs Meet the Press, Arkansas senator Tom Cotton  a Maga populist  said that he could see himself supporting the former presidents plan and added that he thought most Republicans would be open to doing so.

Its something Im open to, that most Republicans would be open to, he said, before adding that he would need to determine the fiscal impact of such a proposal first and consider whether the taxpayer can afford to pay for this, what impact it would have on premiums.

He went on to claim that to his knowledge, no Republicans in Congress opposed the legality of IVF (a factually untrue statement, whether he knows it or not) and claimed that no state governments made fertility care unaccessible  though it was briefly blocked in Alabama earlier this year after a push by conservatives to extend the rights of a human being to unborn fetuses through the courts. That same strategy is being pushed by supporters of Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for reshaping the federal government, which is tied to numerous former Trump administration officials.

In principle, supporting couples who are trying to use IVF or other fertility treatments  I dont think thats controversial at all, Cotton added.

Republican senator says he could support Trump's plan to force insurance to fund IVF

But the same morning that Cotton proclaimed Republicans would be open to Trumps proposal, Lindsey Graham appeared on ABCs This Week and immediately dismissed that idea.

Trump, he argued, was trying to show his support for the practice of providing IVF treatments to families seeking to have children. The furthest Graham seemed prepared to go was a hypothetical tax credit for families undergoing IVF but he was firmly opposed to forcing insurance companies to fund the procedure directly. He added that it may be an issue on which Republicans could find common ground with Democrats.

I wouldn't [support that] because there's no end to that, he said. I think a tax credit for children makes sense, means-tested.

Sen. Graham says Trump was trying to show his support for IVF treatments with his new remarks on public funding.



Weve been accusedthe party hasof being against birth control. Were not. Weve been accused of being against IVF treatments. Were not. https://t.co/J9GCShSZlt pic.twitter.com/rHCSN5fA1y  This Week (@ThisWeekABC) September 1, 2024

Weve been accused  the party has  of being against birth control. Were not. Weve been accused of being against IVF treatments. Were not, Graham added as his explanation for Trumps latest announcement.

First, though, hell have to find common ground with the rest of his party. Graham remains the lead Senate supporter of efforts to restrict abortion at the national level  an idea the Trump campaign has repeatedly insisted the former president opposes.

JD Vance, Trumps running mate and Grahams colleague in the Senate GOP caucus, echoed that opposition last week on Meet the Press.

Regardless of how GOP senators and members of Congress come out on the issue of funding for IVF over the next days or weeks, the Republican party will still have to contend with the push by the anti-abortion right to extend personhood rights to unborn fetuses through the court system. Many on the far right are looking at the conservative majority on the Supreme Court, which voted to overturn Roe v Wade in 2022, as the easiest vessel to achieve their goal of banning abortion and some fertility care nationwide without going through Congress.

Lindsey Graham shot down the idea ( The Independent )

The Harris campaign continues to pummel Trump over the twin issues of abortion and IVF as well. Vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz has talked about his own experiences seeking fertility treatments with his wife as Democrats have argued that Republicans are overreaching into Americans personal and private medical choices.

Donald Trumps own platform could effectively ban IVF and abortion nationwide, Sarafina Chitika, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, said on Thursday.

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.
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Germanys far-right Alternative for Germany party was on track to coming first in the state election in Thuringia on Sunday, an exit poll said, but it is unlikely to be able to form a government.

Known as AfD, Alternative for Germany could become the first far-right party to win a regional election in Germany since World War Two.

Alternative for Germany was on course for 33.5 per cent of the vote compared to 23.4 per cent in 2019, followed by the Conservatives CDU at 24.5 per cent, up from 21.7 per cent. Upstart populist party, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or BSW, came in third place on 14.5 per cent.

AfD top candidate Bjoern Hoecke gestures to supporters on the day of the Thuringia state election ( REUTERS )

With a year to go until Germanys national election, the results look punishing for Chancellor Olaf Scholzs governing coalition.

The far-rights top candidate in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, hailed the historic victory, which filled him with great, great, great pride and satisfaction.

He warned that creating a government without the AfD would not be good for the state.

Whoever wants stability in Thuringia has to integrate the AfD, he told German broadcaster ARD.

Mr Hocke has been previously convicted of knowingly using a Nazi slogan at political events, but he is appealing the ruling.

Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance co-chairwoman Sahra Wagenknecht reacts to the first projections at the party election reception ( Getty )

Alice Weidel, a national co-leader of AfD, described the results as a requiem for Mr Scholzs coalition.

Mr Scholz on Tuesday called the election results in Saxony and Thuringia worrying.

Our country cannot and must not get used to this. The AfD is damaging Germany. It is weakening the economy, dividing society and ruining our countrys reputation, he told Reuters.

Holocaust survivor Charlotte Knobloch told the BBC that the results had left the country in danger of becoming more unstable, colder and poorer, less safe and less worth living in.

It is a painful setback for the unpopular national government but the Social Democrats look to have cleared the 5 per cent threshold for staying in the parliaments of Thuringia and Saxony, which is also holding elections.

However, Mr Scholzs coalition partners, the Greens and the business-friendly Free Democrats looked less secure in both parliaments, in a development that could herald yet more conflict.

All parties, including the BSW, have pledged not to allow into coalition an AfD they regard as anti-democratic and extremist.

The CDUs national general secretary, Carsten Linnemann, said that voters in both states knew that we wouldnt form a coalition with AfD, and it will stay that way  we are very, very clear on this.

The far-right party secured its first mayoral and county government posts last year, and now says it wants to govern at state level, too.

AfD is at its strongest in the formerly communist east, and the domestic intelligence agency has the partys branches in both Saxony and Thuringia under official surveillance as proven right-wing extremist groups.

It came as Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf told The Independent he is looking to the German elections as a sign of new nationalist parties gaining popularity.

He said: We are a very different party from them but we live in an unprecedented time and we have five years not two to double our vote.

Mr Scholzs party stayed in the two state legislatures with single-digit support, but the environmentalist Greens lost their seats in Thuringia. The two parties were the junior coalition partners in both outgoing state governments.

The third party in the national government, the pro-business Free Democrats, also lost its seats in Thuringia. It already had no representation in Saxony.

The BSW won more votes than all three parties in Scholzs coalition, gathering 11.5-15.6% just eight months after its founding.

Ms Wagenknecht celebrated the party's success but reiterated its refusal to work with AfD and said she hopes to form "a good government" with the CDU.

A third state election follows on 22 September in another eastern state, Brandenburg, currently led by Mr Scholzs party. Germanys next national election is due in a little over a year.
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As the Ukrainian armoured vehicle rumbled across the border into Russias Kursk region, one of the crew turned around and grinned broadly. Another officer said: Ive crossed the border quite a few times since our operation in Russia started and it feels great each time. Perhaps we should have done this a long time ago.

The Independent accompanied the Ukrainian military over some of the hundreds of square miles of territory Kyiv has claimed during its surprise cross-border assault, which is now three weeks old. Every piece of land taken is another embarrassment for Vladimir Putin.

Our armoured personnel carrier (APC) crossed along the main road from the city of Sumy, capital of the eponymous Ukrainian region adjoining Kursk. It swayed and jolted as we careered along roads cratered by Russian artillery, rockets and glide bombs trying to hit the hundreds of Ukrainian military vehicles, moving in both directions.

The traffic included tanks, APCs, compact lightly armoured vehicles like Humvees, supply trucks, fuel tankers, pick-ups and SUVs painted olive green  many still bearing the British number plates they arrived with when donated by UK supporters. Some of the heavier vehicles, such as British Challenger tanks, American Stryker and Bradley armoured fighting vehicles, German Leopard tanks and Marder APCs, were being hauled into Russia on huge transporters.

The first buildings on the Russian side, previously used by passport and customs officials, had been turned into barracks for border guards and ill-trained conscripts who mostly fled or surrendered when the main Ukrainian forces launched their incursion on 6 August. Their flimsy walls of metal sheeting and tin roofing had been peeled back by shell blasts and peppered with machine gun bullet holes as Ukrainian forces quickly overran them.

The first town was Sudzha, a few miles from the Ukrainian border and an important road and rail hub for Moscow to supply its troops throughout the area. That includes the city of Belgorod to the southeast, key to Russian attempts to try and bludgeon Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city, into submission.

A statue of Vladimir Lenin in the Ukrainian-controlled Russian town of Sudzha ( AFP via Getty Images )

The railway station in Sudzha has an access point to monitor Russias huge railway traffic complex, and Ukrainians are gaining much important information there as Moscow, apparently, cannot disconnect the link. Ukraine, reportedly, can also use the access to interfere with movements along Russias huge railway network. Ukraine now also controls an important facility in Sudzha monitoring the flow of Russian gas to western Europe in a pipeline across Ukraine.

Many buildings in Sudzha bore the scars of battle, with some buildings completely wrecked. Soldiers said shells landed daily in the town and explosions sounded constantly, testimony to the continuing fierce battles as Ukrainian forces try to advance further.

A decapitated statue of Lenin stood in front of Sudzhas battered town hall and Oleksii Dmytrashkivskyi, an army photographer, was attaching to the plinth photographs he had taken of the destruction and atrocities committed by Russian soldiers who occupied the towns of Bucha and Irpin, near Kyiv, in the first days of the 2022 invasion.

He said his photographs had been exhibited at the US Congress and in 10 countries. Im putting them up in prominent places in the areas of Kursk we control so that ordinary Russians can see what their soldiers did in our country. Many of them claim they dont have information and dont know what happened. Some of them have complained about destruction here. Whats happened here is nothing to what they did, and are doing, in Ukraine and I want them to be able to see the images and understand what has been done in their name.

Dmytrashkivskyi added: I hope that they see the difference between how we are treating them and the murders, rapes and torture their soldiers committed in Ukraine.

In Sudzha, Oleksii Dmytrashkivskyi pinned up photographs he had taken of the destruction and atrocities committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine ( Askold Krushelnycky )

Most young Russians fled the areas as soon as Ukrainian forces poured across the border. But many of the older people have stayed, either because they did not have the means to leave, or have chosen not to. Most are fearful of the shelling and spend their days sheltering in basements. Others sit outside apartment blocks or waiting at distribution points for humanitarian aid distributed by the Ukrainians.

Olga, 80, who has lived in Sudzha most of her life, said she was alone as her husband and two sons had all died of illnesses over the years. Although an ethnic Russian, she spoke Ukrainian fluently because, she explained, she had spent much time across the border and had known many people there.

She said there had been no warning about the Ukrainian invasion. When it happened, local authorities urged people to leave but gave little practical help. Nobody offered to take me out of here when the Ukrainian soldiers came, and where was I to go anyway?

Like other Russian civilians who remained that The Independent and other journalists spoke with, Olga said she had been well-treated by the Ukrainians who were distributing food, water and medicines.

She said: The Ukrainians have behaved correctly and no civilians have been harmed as far as I know. We havent had electricity, gas or water since the first days of the fighting and we rely on the Ukrainians for everything.

But when asked what she thought about the atrocities committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, Olga answered in a way that seemed the standard response to Ukrainian soldiers or the media. We dont have information about what was going on in Ukraine so we dont know about what was being done. We are insignificant people and nobody cares what we think. None of us wanted the war, she said.

Olga (left), an 80-year-old resident of Sudzha, said she had little knowledge about the Russian invasion of Ukraine ( Askold Krushelnycky )

Olga claimed she had not voted for Vladimir Putin in Russias presidential elections because she thought people like her could not influence the outcome. Asked how she thought people there would greet her if she ever visited Ukraine again, her face clouded over and she began to say: I hope there will be forgiveness, peace And then trailed off as if worried she was saying something that might come back to haunt her.

The Ukrainian army took The Independent and other journalists to two other towns some 12 miles from Sudzha. Crossing a river on a pontoon bridge crowded with trucks and APCs carrying men and supplies, the sounds of explosions became louder in the direction where Ukrainian forces were still pushing forward, albeit at a much slower rate than in the initial stages of the incursion.

Beyond the bridge, soldiers could be seen constructing fortifications through the small windows of the APC  a sign that the Ukrainian military did not intend to withdraw soon, even if Kyiv officials say they do not want to keep the territory they have taken permanently.

In one of the towns, people sat on benches trying to catch shade under trees from a burning sun as they waited at a school building to receive food and water.

Oleg, 38, was one of the few younger people who had stayed behind. He said: I was told to leave by officials and friends who said the Ukrainians would mistreat me. But I stayed because I didnt want to leave my mother who is too old to travel and was very anxious. I thought it was my duty to keep an eye on her and other older people.

Nothing bad has happened to me and the Ukrainian soldiers have behaved politely and have even brought in doctors to look at some people who are sick.

A damaged local administration office in the Kursk region  with a plaque to a Russian soldier killed in Ukraine ( Askold Krushelnycky )

Pressed on what he thought about the war that Russia had launched against Ukraine, and well-documented atrocities committed by Russian soldiers, Oleg also pleaded ignorance. We dont have information about whats happened, he said. All of us wish this war would stop. We didnt want it. As with the other Russians, he may be fearful of what they say to the press being monitored by the Kremlin.

One of the main aims of Ukraines incursion into Kursk was to force the Russians to redeploy troops from eastern and southeastern Ukraine to change the difficult battlefield there for Kyiv. But there has been little sign of a mass redeployment, although Ukrainian officials have said thousands of Russian troops have been moved.

Ukrainian soldiers told The Independent they were happy about the operation. Ihor, 38, from Zhytomyr, the driver of an APC, said his unit had been fighting on the eastern front line since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022.

We didnt know anything was being planned but a few days before it happened our commander addressed all of us, Ihor said. The unit was going to Russia  our commander didnt say where  but told us that if anyone did not want to go they could declare themselves sick or give urgent family reasons to take leave.

He said he would not hold it against anyone if they didnt want to come but he wanted to be sure that everyone who was coming wanted to do so and would obey his orders without question because it was going to be a very tough mission.

Nobody declined to go and we are all proud to be part of this operation. Its lifted morale and we believe it will improve our chances of success in the war, he added.

A Ukrainian soldier walks past at a city hall in Sudzha ( AP )

Kyiv says that the Kursk operation has pushed the Russians back and decreased the number of attacks on Ukraines Sumy region which borders Kursk as it is more difficult for Russias weapons to get into range.

That is probably true for tube artillery such as Soviet-era 122mm and 152mm cannon with a range of around 18 miles. But while some of Sumy may now be out of range, there was little evidence of an overall decrease while The Independent was in the region for the previous 12 days.

Ukraines incursion into Kursk has been a massive humiliation for Putin as it has destroyed the idea that he is the only person capable of defending Russia. Every day Moscows forces fail to push the Ukrainians out of Kursk, Putins humiliation increases. His fury appears clear. This week, Ukraine suffered some of the largest missile attacks since the start of the full-blown war.

One undoubted success of the operation has been that Kyivs forces have captured a large number of Russian soldiers  they say more than 3,000 Russian prisoners of war (PoW) can be exchanged for many Ukrainians. At the weekend Ukraine traded 115 Russian PoWs for 115 Ukrainian captives.

For another APC driver, Stefko, 42, the merits of the Kursk attack are clear. He said that a year ago his 20-year-old son had been killed serving in Ukraines armed forces, adding: I had spoken to him just a few days before... I was already serving in the army and will carry on until I die or we win. We should have launched an operation like this long ago to bring the war to the [Russians]. I only wish my son would have seen it.
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The UK and Ukraine have signed one of the worlds first digital-only trade deals to benefit both countries with physical trade is disrupted by the Russian invasion.

Businesses in the allied countries are expected to be boosted when the UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) comes into force.

Ukraine was one of the largest exporters of IT services globally, with areas such as outsourcing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile applications in rapid development before the war.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the deal aims to modernise trading relationships and encourage greater digitalisation of the economy.

Jonathan Reynolds daid the deal represents the Governments unwavering support for Ukraine ( PA Wire )

Mr Reynolds said: Were modernising our trade relationship with Ukraine with one of the worlds first digital-only trade agreements.

Greater digitalisation of the economy is an important step in supporting Ukraines economy and their fight for independence. This Government will continue to lead the way in our unwavering support for Ukraine and its people.

The deal is part of the UKs plan to aid Ukraines post-conflict transition to a digital economy, with over half of our services exports to Ukraine already digitally delivered.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak (R) and Ukrainian first deputy prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko ( EPA )

Ukraines first deputy prime minister and minister of economy Yulia Svyrydenko said: The support of Ukraine from the United Kingdom is unprecedented. We have felt it from the very first days of the full-scale war. The digital trade agreement between our countries is another manifestation of solidarity and support.

Implementing this agreement will deepen Ukraines participation in global supply chains, foster the development of small and medium-sized businesses, maintain free access for Ukrainian IT companies to the UK digital markets, and provide crucial support to our economy during the war and in the post-war reconstruction period.

The deal comes as war in the country rages on. A Russian guided bomb attack killed two people and injured 10 more including children in a village in Ukraines Kharkiv region.

Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a missile strike on a private building in Cherkaska Lozova ( EPA )

Governor Oleh Synehubov said Russian forces hit the village of Cherkaska Lozova with guided bombs, damaging a residential building.

Two women died, he said. One was pulled from the rubble, the other died in an ambulance.He added that two children were among the injured.

Towns and villages in the northeastern Kharkiv region on the border with Russia have been frequently shelled and bombed by Moscows forces during the 30 months of the war.

A similar Russian attack on the city of Kharkiv, the regional centre, killed seven people on Friday, local authorities said.
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Donald Trump boasted of a very good relationship with both Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin on Friday as he hosted the Ukrainian leader for a meeting at his New York City skyscraper.

The former president also repeated a bizarre boast that he could, if re-elected in November, negotiate an end to the nearly three-year Russian war against Ukraine.

Trump, who was impeached in 2019 for using American defense assistance to pressure Zelensky to launch sham investigations into President Joe Biden and his son, was being briefed on Kyivs latest plan for victory against Putin.

We have a very good relationship, he told reporters as he stood with Zelensky. And I also have a very good relationship, as you know, with President Putin. And if we win, I think were going to get it resolved very quickly, he said.

Zelensky quickly interjected: I hope we have more good relations between us.

Zelensky said he and Trump share a common view that the war ... has to be stopped, and Putin cant win and Ukrainians have to prevail.

And I want to discuss with you the details of our plan, he added.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump meets with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky at Trump Tower, Friday 27 September in New York ( AP )

For his part, Trump said he and Zelensky have had a great relationship, citing Zelenskys decision to deny that Trump had exerted any pressure on him during the July 2019 phone call in which hed linked sending Javelin anti-tank missiles to Zelenskys announcement of investigations into the Bidens.

So we're going to sit down just discuss it, and if we have a win, I think long before January 20, before I would take the presidency ... I think that we can work out something that's good for both sides. It's time, he said.

Trump had previously cancelled plans to meet with the Ukrainian leader after Zelensky sparked GOP outrage by visiting the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in the battleground state of Pennsylvania over the weekend.

He reversed course late Thursday after Zelenskys meeting with Harris, during which the Democratic presidential nominee told Zelensky that her support for Kyivs defense is unwavering.

In what appeared to be a veiled swipe at Trump and his Republican allies, Harris admitted to Zelensky that there are some in the US who would instead force Ukraine to give up large parts of its sovereign territory, who would demand that Ukraine accept neutrality, and would require Ukraine to forgo security relationships with other nations.

These proposals are the same as those of Putin, and let us be clear: They are not proposals for peace. Instead, they are proposals for surrender, which is dangerous and unacceptable, she said.

Zelensky has been in the United States for the UN General Assembly, where on Wednesday he warned world leaders that Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to break the Ukrainian spirit by targeting his countrys energy infrastructure. He also cautioned against accepting purported peace deals that would be negotiated without Ukraine having a say.

Any parallel or alternative attempts to seek peace are, in fact, efforts to achieve an out instead of an end to the war, he said, adding later that he was skeptical of the true interest behind a recent push by China and Brazil to foster an end to the conflict.

When some propose alternatives, half-hearted settlement plans, so-called sets of principles, it not only ignores the interests and suffering of Ukrainians ... it not only ignores reality, but also gives Putin the political space to continue the war, he said.

Earlier in the week, Zelensky also toured a Pennsylvania plant where munitions destined for his armed forces are being made. That visit drew anger from Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who called for Zelensky to fire the Ukrainian ambassador to the US in response. Johnsons outrage was supposedly due to no Republicans being invited along to the tour of the plant, though White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed it as a political stunt by the GOP at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the occasion of the country's Independence Day, Trend reports.

"Dear Shavkat Miromonovich,

Dear Brother,

I am delighted, both personally and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and, through you, to the entire brotherly nation of Uzbekistan, along with my best wishes on the occasion of September 1st  Independence Day.

Under your decisive leadership and multifaceted efforts, Uzbekistan has made significant strides on the path of socio-economic development, achieving remarkable successes and accomplishments. This is a testament to your tireless work, the deep trust your people have in the state policies you lead, and their support for these policies. We take great joy in the achievements of your brotherly country, its economic progress, and its growing influence in both the region and the world, and we are proud of it.

The recent state visit I made to your beautiful country has given new momentum to the development of Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations. I greatly appreciate your determination to further deepen our bilateral cooperation, and I am confident that we will swiftly realize the plans we discussed.

It is a matter of pride to note that Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations, built on a strong foundation of friendship and brotherhood, are steadily advancing and being enriched with new dimensions. The expansion and deepening of our bilateral relations in all areas are based on strong political will, mutual trust, and confidence.

The important agreements reached through intensive mutual visits and high-level meetings, the new partnership directions outlined, and the numerous signed documents are clear evidence of the comprehensive development of our strategic partnership on an upward trajectory.

I am confident that we will successfully continue our joint efforts to further strengthen the friendship and brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, and to expand our cooperation.

On this festive day, I wish you good health, happiness, success in your noble and responsible endeavors, and continuous peace, prosperity, and well-being to the brotherly people of Uzbekistan," the letter reads.
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A nationwide strike has started in Israel with public anger over the governments failure to agree a Gaza ceasefire deal that would secure the release of hostages held by Hamas having erupted into mass protest.

Tensions spiked after the bodies of six hostages were recovered by soldiers on Saturday, causing national outrage.

The Israeli military said that the bodies were recovered from a tunnel beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where they were apparently killed not long only a day or two before troops reached them.

The bodies of Carmel Gat, 40, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Alexander Lobanov, 33, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25, have been returned to Israel, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said. All six were captured by Hamas during the 7 October attack inside Israel  in which around 1,200 people were killed and another 250 taken hostage  that ignited the Gaza war.

The discovery sparked calls for mass protests by families of the captives who said their loved ones could have been returned alive if a ceasefire deal had been agreed. More than one hundred people took to the streets across Israel on Sunday.

The call for a one-day strike on Monday was issued by Israel's biggest labour union, Histadrut, whose leader, Arnon Bar-David, said the country was getting "body bags instead of a deal". It is not clear yet how widely the stoppage will be observed, but it is a sign of the rising anger.

Israel said the six hostages were killed shortly before its forces reached them (The Hostages Families Forum/AP) ( AP )

Calling on prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take responsibility and explain what was holding up a truce, the Hostage Families Forum, said: The delay in signing the deal has led to their deaths and those of many other hostages.

In Tel Aviv, the relatives of hostages marched with coffins to symbolise the toll.

We really think that the government is making these decisions for its own conservation and not for the lives of the hostages, and we need to tell them, Stop! said Shlomit Hacohen, a Tel Aviv resident.

Three of the six hostages found dead  including Israeli-American Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi and Gat  were reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a ceasefire proposal discussed in July, and this only added to the sense of fury and frustration among the protesters.

Nothing is worse than knowing that they could have been saved, said Dana Loutaly. Sometimes it takes something so awful to shake people up and get them out into the streets.

Protesters feed a fire during an anti-government rally calling for the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza ( AFP via Getty Images )

US president Joe Biden spoke with Goldberg-Polins parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, who appeared at the Democratic National Convention last month, to offer condolences, a White House official said.

Prime minister Keir Starmer said he was completely shocked by the deaths.

The call for a one-day general strike was backed by Israels main manufacturers and entrepreneurs in the high-tech sector.

We must reach a deal [on the return of the surviving hostages]. A deal is more important than anything else, Histadrut leader Mr Bar-David told a press conference. We are getting body bags instead of a deal.

Demonstrators stand near six mock coffins ( EPA )

Mr Netanyahu, who faces growing calls to end nearly 11 months of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza with a deal that includes a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages, said Israel would not rest until it caught those responsible.

Whoever murders hostages  does not want a deal, he said.

The deaths of the six leaves 101 Israeli and foreign captives still in Gaza, but around a third of these are believed to be dead.

The war has created a major humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as fuelling tensions across the region and in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli officials said on Sunday that three Israeli police officers had been killed when their vehicle came under fire near the city of Hebron.

Hundreds of Israeli troops have been carrying out raids across the West Bank since Wednesday in one of their largest actions in the area in months, which Israel says is aimed at rooting out Hamas and other militant groups.
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A distraught cousin of one of the six hostages killed in Gaza issued a heartfelt plea to Benjamin Netanyahu to sign a truce deal and retrieve the remaining captives, as Israel was gripped by a nationwide strike and angry street protests.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis gathered across the country in a show of anger and grief after the hostages, including an American-Israeli citizen, were found dead. They had been shot by Hamas militants just before IDF soldiers were able to rescue them from a tunnel, Israels military said.

Gil Dickmann, whose cousin Carmel Gat, 40 was among the dead, told The Independent that three of them had been marked for release in the most recent draft deal to which they had hoped Israel would agree.

All six of them were alive, he said. All six of them were held together, all six of them were killed in captivity, and we could have saved all of them.

In an emotional plea, Mr Dickmann urged the world to keep trying everything to reach an agreement that would allow other hostages to be brought out.

I dont want any more families to feel this way, he said. I want them and us to do whatever we can to save the lives of the hostages. Maybe something will touch Netanyahu.

Israel said the six hostages were killed shortly before its forces reached them (The Hostages Families Forum/AP) ( AP )

Mr Dickmann has led dozens of marches calling for an exchange agreement and was even briefly arrested inside the US Capitol in July while protesting during Mr Netanayhus speech to Congress.

In a post on X, he captured the anguish of the families in a message to his cousin: Sorry we let them kill you. Sorry, Carmel. Sorry I didnt do enough. I promise you: in your memory, we will return them all.

His words echoed those of Jon Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh, 23, an American-Israeli citizen, was also among the six dead.

At Hershs funeral in Jerusalem on Monday, Jon said the family hoped this might be a turning point in drawn-out negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release.

Carmel Gat, whose distraught cousin posted on X: Sorry we let them kill you. Sorry I didnt do enough. ( Image: Carmel Gat, whose distraught cousin posted on X: Sorry we let them kill you. Sorry I didnt do enough. )

We failed you, we all failed you, Mr Goldberg-Polin said. Maybe your death is the stone, the fuel, that will bring home the 101 other hostages.

Hersh, a native of Berkeley, California, lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the Hamas attack on 7 October. He appeared alive in a video issued by Hamas in April and was also set to be freed.

Carmel, an occupational therapist from Tel Aviv, was abducted from Kibbutz Beeri in the attack. She had been visiting her mother, who was killed. Carmel had been included in a list of those due to be exchanged in the latest ceasefire.

Mr Dickmann said Carmel and Hersh were alive between 48 and 72 hours before their bodies were discovered.

We were trying everything to tell our government and to tell the governments of the world that a ceasefire is the most urgent thing, he said, his voice cracking. We were very, very close to getting them [home] in a deal, closer than we want to believe because its a tragedy.

Protests in Israel began on Monday ( AFP via Getty )

He blamed the Netanyahu governments decision to demand more conditions in the latest ceasefire deal  including a continued Israeli military presence along the so-called Philadelphi corridor between Egypt and Gaza.

I think many of the ministers dont understand that what they voted for is the execution of hostages, he said. Unfortunately, that was the end for Carmel and the others.

Israels beleaguered prime minister is facing his biggest political crisis since the start of 11-month war in Gaza, as a wave of grief and rage has gripped the country.

Mr Netanyahu is accused by many Israelis of prioritising his political survival by pandering to hawkish extreme-right members of his cabinet and so deliberately scuppering a deal.

His government has also come under searing criticism from abroad. President Biden on Monday accused him of not doing enough to secure a hostage release.

Jonathan Polin supported by family at the funeral of his son Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Monday ( via Reuters )

The president told reporters he had been close to presenting a final proposal for a deal this week. Were very close to that... hope springs eternal, he said.

Asked if he thought Mr Netanyahu was doing enough, Mr Biden replied: No.

But while Mr Netanyahu asked Israelis for forgiveness over the hostages, he doubled down on his conditions for a deal, including the so-called Philadelphi corridor.

The axis of evil needs the Philadelphi corridor, and for that reason we must control the Philadelphi corridor, he told a news conference in Jerusalem.

Im asking for your forgiveness that we didnt manage to bring them back alive, we were close but we did not achieve it, he said late on Monday. Hamas will pay a very heavy price for that.

He added: I will not surrender to this pressure our nation will not surrender to this pressure.

Foreign secretary David Lammy announced he was suspending around 30 of approximately 350 arms export licences to Israel amid concerns a clear risk exists that they could be used to breach international humanitarian law.

Mr Lammy said the government did not take this decision lightly and stressed it is not an arms embargo.

Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the suspension would include components for fighter aircraft, parts for unmanned aerial vehicles, naval systems, and targeting equipment.

Israel launched a crippling siege and its heaviest-ever bombardment on Gaza in retaliation for Hamass attacks on southern Israel during which militants killed over 1,000 people and took more than 250 hostage.

At least 20 of the captives taken alive have been murdered in captivity, according to the hostages families. More than 100 remain inside Gaza.

Since 7 October, Israels offensive has killed more than 40,700 people in Gaza, the vast majority women and children, Palestinian health officials say. The United Nations has reported the first outbreak of polio in 25 years and says the 26-mile strip is on the brink of famine.
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A campaign to inoculate children in Gaza against polio and prevent the spread of the virus began on Saturday as Palestinians in both the Hamas-governed coastal enclave and in the occupied West Bank reeled from Israel's ongoing campaigns in both regions.

Children in Gaza began receiving vaccines on Saturday, the Strips health ministry announced in a news conference, a day before the large-scale rollout and planned pause in fighting agreed to by Israel and the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

Associated Press reporters saw roughly ten infants receiving doses of vaccine in the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis on Saturday afternoon.

Hours earlier, Gaza's Health Ministry said hospitals received 89 dead on Saturday, including 26 who died in an overnight Israeli bombardment, and 205 wounded  one of the highest daily tallies in months.

Meanwhile, parts of the West Bank remained on edge Saturday as Israel's military continued its largescale military campaign, the deadliest since the Israel-Hamas war began, and two car bombings by Palestinian militants near Israeli settlements left three soldiers injured.

A bulldozer cleans up plastic and other waste materials at a street in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 27 Aug 2024 ( Copyright 2023, The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Two car bombs exploded early Saturday in Gush Etzion, a bloc of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Israel's military killed both Palestinian attackers after the bombs exploded in a compound in Karmei Zur and at a gas station, Israel's military said. Three Israeli soldiers sustained minor injuries.

Palestinian health officials said Israel was holding the bodies of the attackers, naming the men as Muhammad Marqa and Zoodhi Afifeh.

Hamas did not claim the men as its fighters but called the attack a heroic operation" and a new slap to the occupations security system in a statement early Saturday. The Palestinian militant group said earlier this month after a bombing attack in Tel Aviv that it would continue such attacks.

The bombings took place as Israel continued its largescale raid  which includes destruction of infrastructure, airstrikes and gunbattles  into urban refugee camps in the cities of Jenin and Tulkarem, in the north of the volatile West Bank. About 20 Palestinians have been killed since Israel's incursion started Tuesday, causing alarm among the international community that the war might widen beyond the Gaza Strip.

Internally displaced Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses as they return to Deir Al Balah town after the Israeli military pulled out troops from the east central Gaza Strip, 29 August 2024 ( EPA )

Israel has described the operation as a strategy to prevent attacks on Israeli civilians, which since the start of the war have increased in the West Bank, including near settlements that the international community largely considers illegal. In return, the Palestinian Health Ministry noted a surge in Palestinian deaths by Israeli forces, with 663 killed in the West Bank in the nearly 11 months since the war began.

In central Gaza, Israeli airstrikes hit a multi-story building housing displaced people in and around Nuseirat, a built-up refugee camp in central Gaza, further south in Khan Younis and northward in Gaza City, officials at hospitals in the three areas said on Saturday morning.

Among the dead were a physician and his family and a child whose right leg had been previously amputated, according to an initial list of casualties from the hospital and footage released on Saturday by civil defense officials who operated under Gaza's Hamas-run government.

Israel is expected to pause some of its operations in Gaza on Sunday to allow health workers to roll out their campaign to administer polio vaccines to some 650,000 Palestinian children, the UN WHO said earlier this week.

Officials said the pause would last at least nine hours and is a byproduct of an agreement with WHO, and unrelated to ongoing cease-fire negotiations between Israel, Hamas and regional mediators.

Internally displaced Palestinians move along a damaged street as they inspect the area after a ground military operation by Israeli forces, in Khan Younis camp, southern Gaza Strip, 30 August 2024 ( EPA )

The vaccination campaign comes after a case was discovered earlier this month for the first time in 25 years after doctors concluded a 10-month-old had been partially paralyzed by a mutated strain of the polio virus after not being vaccinated due to the fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Healthcare workers in Gaza have been warning of the potential for a polio outbreak for months, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened throughout the war which broke out after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and abducting around 250. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many were militants.

The US, Qatar and Egypt have spent months trying to mediate a cease-fire that would see the remaining hostages released. But the talks have repeatedly bogged down as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed total victory over Hamas and the militant group has demanded a lasting cease-fire and a full withdrawal from the territory.
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Israel on Sunday said it had recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including a young Israeli-American man who became one of the most well-known captives held by Hamas as his parents met with world leaders and pressed for his release.

The military said all six had been killed shortly before they were to be rescued by Israeli forces. Their recovery sparked calls for mass protests against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who many families of hostages and much of the wider Israeli public blame for failing to bring them back alive in a deal with Hamas to end the 10-month-old war.

Negotiations over such a deal have dragged on for months.

The family of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin said he has been killed in the Gaza Strip. The family issued a statement early Sunday, hours after the Israeli army said it had located bodies in Gaza.

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh, it said. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin speaks during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, 21 Aug 2024, in Chicago ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Earlier today, in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas, President Joe Biden said in a statement issued by the White House. I am devastated and outraged.

He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world, Biden said. His parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable, he said.

They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express, the president said.

Biden vowed that Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement: I strongly condemn Hamass continued brutality, and so must the entire world. Harris, the Democratic candidate running to succeed Biden, said she and he would never waver in their commitment to free the Americans and all those held hostage in Gaza.

Rachel Goldberg, left, and Jon Polin center, parents of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Polin-Goldberg, along with other relatives of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group take part in a protest calling for their release in the Kibbutz Nirim, southern Israel, Thursday, 29 Aug 2024 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The Israeli army identified the others as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33; who were also taken from the music festival. The sixth, Carmel Gat, 40, was abducted from the nearby farming community of Beeri.

According to our initial estimation, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short time before we reached them," military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters in a briefing. Hamas and its armed wing did not immediately comment on the accusations.

A forum of hostage families called for a massive protest on Sunday, demanding a complete halt of the country to push for the implementation of a cease-fire and hostage release. The entire nation will stand alongside the hostages families to protest the cabinets ongoing neglect of the hostages, it said.

Goldberg-Polin was among the hostages seized by militants at a music festival in southern Israel on 7 October.

A video, published on Hamass Telegram channel, showed Goldberg-Polin wearing a red shirt and with his left hand missing. The 23-year-old was attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel when Hamas attacked and was injured by a grenade.

Jon Polin, left, and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, pictured on screen speak during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, 21 Aug 2024, in Chicago ( AP )

The Hamas-issued video in April showing Goldberg-Polin clearly speaking under duress sparked new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others freedom.

Witnesses said Goldberg-Polin lost part of an arm when the attackers tossed grenades into a temporary shelter where people had taken refuge, but he tied a tourniquet around it and walked out of the shelter before being bundled into the truck.

Goldberg-Polins parents became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage. They met with Mr Biden, Pope Francis, and others and addressed the UN. On 21 August they addressed a hushed hall at the Democratic National Convention, where the crowd chanted: Bring them home.

Jon Polin, right, and Rachel Goldberg, parents of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin walk off the stage after speaking during the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, 21 Aug 2024, in Chicago ( AP )

Family and friends organized the Bring Hersh Home campaign on social media, hoping that he will still be able to take a planned backpack trip through southern Asia.

Netanyahu has said military pressure is needed to win their release as ceasefire efforts falter.

Israel said it believed 108 hostages were still held in Gaza and about one-third of them were dead. At least 40,691 Palestinians have been killed and 94,060 injured in Israels military offensive in the Gaza Strip since 7 Oct, the enclaves health ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The war was triggered when Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

In a separate development, gunmen shot and killed two people and wounded a third when they opened fire on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank, where Israel has been carrying out large-scale military raids in recent days. Israels Magen David Adom rescue service confirmed the casualties.

On Saturday, clashes broke out between Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters in the occupied West Bank as Israel pushed ahead with a military operation in the flashpoint city of Jenin. Hundreds of Israeli troops have been carrying out raids since Wednesday in one of their largest actions in the West Bank in months.

Biden, speaking to reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, said he was still optimistic about a ceasefire deal to stop the conflict.

I think were on the verge of having an agreement, he said. Its time this war ended.

Biden added that people are continuing to meet.

Additional reporting by agencies
An Ibiza gang linked to 22 raids at luxury villas - including Nick Grimshaws holiday rental - has been arrested by Spanish police.

Grimshaw, a TV and radio star, was on the island celebrating his 40th birthday when he was targeted by thieves.

Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Sunday 1 September shows the suspects raiding a luxury villa, as well as some of the stolen items.

They used some kind of gas that produced drowsiness so as not to wake up the residents who were sleeping at the time of the robberies, police wrote, sharing the video.
Richard Curran: Taxpayers got the worst deal in the second coming of the former empire of Sean Quinn

The US hedge funds who financed the 2014 buyout have made a packet

Sean Quinn and his former assets, the Slieve Russell Hotel, the Hilton in Prague (left) and the Kutuzoff Tower in Moscow (right)

Sun 1 Sep 2024 at 03:30

Fortune favours the brave. Investors in Mannok  the former Quinn cement operation  have proven it.
Peter Lantry of data-centre giant Equinix is already seeing investments go elsewhere

Irelands attitude towards the development of new data centres is arrogant, according to an industry leader  and is the reason why the country is losing investments from multinational companies that could be worth billions of euros.

Peter Lantry, managing director for Ireland of data-centre giant Equinix, says there is a view in the industry that new investment and development of data centres is being hindered by concerns over land use and the countrys creaking energy system.

Many companies are struggling to get planning permission for developments, while some with permission cannot get a connection to the national power grid.

What I see is a thriving economy hiding the fact that Ireland could be doing so much better

Last week Google, one of the States top employers  it has created thousands of jobs here  was refused planning permission for a new data centre in south Dublin over concerns about energy capacity.

Equinix has 260 data centres across the world. During 2023, it generated revenues of over $8.1bn and employed more than 13,000 staff.

In Ireland, Equinix has multiple data centres across the Dublin area. Lantry estimates the business has invested in the region of 500m here so far.

In an interview with the Sunday Independent, he warned that the struggles many in the industry have faced trying to build new data centres have led to Ireland no longer being considered for investment.

He said his company now sees business destined for here being moved to its facilities in other countries.

The interior of a data centre. Photo: Getty

As we speak, there is a generation of jobs and opportunities being actively lost in this country, he said. I call it the own goal going into the back of the net  because essentially that is what has happened. We are losing billions across data centres and technology.

Equinix still gets those companies, but just in other countries. Ireland is losing a lot.

Probed on the potential impact this would have on future foreign direct investment, Lantry said Irelands attractiveness was becoming problematic for companies in the industry.

We are always going to be super-attractive because of who we are as a country: our people, and our climate too. We are going to be wonderful, always, for companies to want to connect with but we have shut the door and pushed them away.

To be honest, I see it as kind of arrogant that we have done that  instead of being aware that these are our customers in this country.

As a country, you want to bring these customers in and look after them. Make them feel welcome. Weve been struggling to do that for a long time now.

Irelands arrogant view on data centre development is costing the country billions

Lantry said Equinix is hoping to invest 160m more in Ireland, and has plans to develop another data-centre hub in the Dublin suburb of Clondalkin. The facility has planning permission  but has not received a commercial or technical offer to supply permanent power to the site.

Asked if he thought some plans were at risk here, Lantry said a lot of eyeballs were moving away from Ireland.

Equinix, and other companies like Equinix, set themselves strategic plans for up to 15 years  and Ireland would have been on them. Ireland is no longer on them.

Until there is clarity on how to connect to the grid at all levels all of that investment is being redirected.

We would have built DB8 [the Clondalkin data centre] by now and would be getting that filled up, he added.

All of that opportunity is gone. You are losing years worth of investment.

Lantry claimed the strong performance of the Irish economy was obscuring the loss of investment from the sector.

The problem with that growth is that a thriving economy hides all sins. What I am seeing right now is a thriving economy hiding the fact that Ireland could be doing so much better.

We should be doing so much better, but were not  because we havent been able to think fast. We havent treated energy policy like an emergency  but if we were in a deep recession, there would be a completely different approach to this.

Infrastructure across the country has been creaking in recent years, with deficits in energy recently described as a reputational risk by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council.

A political debate about the strain data centres put on the electricity supply system has rumbled on for years, with the Government awaiting recommendations by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) on a connections policy for large energy users.

This industry moves fast  but the Commission for Regulation of Utilities is moving slowly'

Data centres now consume just over a fifth of all electricity in the country  more than all urban households combined.

Lantry claims the industry can help with the problem of power generation. He believes the sector creates demand for more renewable-energy developments, investing in and buying green electricity through power purchase agreements, which makes their construction viable.

He claims the taxpayer would otherwise be totally on the hook for the cost of helping Ireland reach its renewable energy targets.

On renewables, Lantry said Equinix was considering a substantial investment in trialling a hydrogen fuel cell at one of its Dublin data centres. The fuel cell could be used as a greener alternative back-up power source to support the grid when it is under pressure.

He said the data centre industry has been trying to promote its ability to invest in renewables with the Government and relevant state agencies. Asked how complex the relationship is with the State, he said it shouldnt be as hard as it is.

He feels the CRU has been consulting for too long on the energy issue.

This industry moves fast  and they are moving slowly, he said.

They are moving at the speed of a utility operator instead of at the speed of a country that wants its economy to boom. Thats the issue.

"A utility regulator does not have an economic remit. A utility regulator is now deciding the economic outcome of this country when it isnt their job to do it. Thats a big mistake.

The CRU said it had consulted on a review of the connection policy for large energy users.

"Given the importance of this future connection policy, and the implications for all customer groups, it is important that all aspects of the decision are appropriately considered  and we expect to make a decision in the coming period.

"In the interim, the existing connection policy continues to apply.

A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said data centres were important but have to exist within the boundaries of our climate legislation and targets, as well as our energy security.

He said data centres have the opportunity to play a meaningful role in the countrys energy transition.

The spokesman said the current preference of the Government is for data centres that can demonstrate access to additional renewable energy in Ireland.

He added that the capacity of Irelands grid meant not all demand for data centres development could be accommodated sustainably.

The spokesman said this was not a moratorium, but a significant reprofiling of where data centres can connect to the grid.
Donald Trump targets Irish pharma, as he promises multinationals that hell cut US corporate tax to 15pc

Back in 2020, when he was US president, Trump already singled out Ireland

Donald Trump was speaking on Fox News. Photo: Getty

Sean Pollock Sun 1 Sep 2024 at 03:30







Donald Trump has criticised US pharmaceutical companies that moved to Ireland for tax purposes, and the Republican presidential nominee is proposing to cut corporation tax rates in a bid to lure them back.
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.
Imprisoned cartel chief Liam Byrne sends tribute from UK jail as Liam Bop Roe laid to rest

Jailed gangland boss sends floral tribute to his trusted lieutenant as he is laid to rest in Dublin cemetery

Liam Byrne (left) and Liam Roe (right)

Patrick O'Connell Sun 1 Sep 2024 at 16:46

Devastated Kinahan gangster Liam Byrne organised a floral tribute from his cell in Belmarsh prison in honour of his first cousin and loyal lieutenant Liam Bop Roe.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Slovak President Peter Pellegrini on the occasion of the country's Constitution Day, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincere congratulations to you and your entire nation on the occasion of the national holiday of the Slovak Republic  Constitution Day.

Today, relations between Azerbaijan and Slovakia are experiencing dynamic growth. I express my confidence that our fruitful cooperation in the energy sector will continue successfully in other areas and directions as well. I believe that, through our joint efforts, we will achieve the development of Azerbaijan-Slovakia friendship and further deepen our mutually beneficial cooperation on both a bilateral and multilateral basis, in line with the interests of our peoples and by utilizing existing opportunities.

On this significant day, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Slovakia everlasting peace and prosperity," the letter reads.
Support at highest level since 2020Call for public spending, not tax cuts, in BudgetBuilding more houses is voters top priority

A return of the grand coalition of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail after the next general election, supported by Independent TDs, is the preferred choice of the majority of voters according to the latest Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks opinion poll.

When the Green Partys 4pc rating is taken into account, the three Coalition parties now hold 50pc of the national vote, a level of support for the Government not seen in an Ireland Thinks poll since July 2020.

Two-thirds of voters (66pc) back a second term for the Civil War parties (with Independents) over a Sinn Fein-led government excluding Fine Gael and Fianna Fail (34pc) .

Fine Gael (25pc) and Fianna Fail (21pc) have both seen their support increase by one point, while Sinn Feins popularity has dropped by the same amount to 18pc.

The state of the other parties is: Social Democrats 4pc (+1), Labour Party 4pc (no change), Aontu 3pc (-1), Solidarity-People Before Profit 2pc (no change) and Independents/Other 19pc (+1).

Meanwhile, with Budget 2025 a month away, a significant majority (57pc) want the Government to prioritise investment in public spending over tax cuts (40pc).

Sinn Fein receives 45,000 from mystery donor

The Government is in the middle of preparing an 8.3bn budget package that will include tax cuts worth 1.4bn.

The Sunday Independent has learned that a separate cost-of-living package worth more than 1bn is being prepared and could include a series of electricity credits along with one-off double payments of social welfare benefits, including child benefit and the state pension.

The majority of those polled (58pc) said they will not be bought off by giveaway

Our poll shows voters want the Government to focus on building more homes over tax cuts or welfare hikes. When asked what the States priority should be, 45pc of voters said introducing measures to get more houses built was most important, while only 22pc said income tax cuts, 14pc said state pension hikes and 9pc said social welfare increases.

While housing is clearly a key issue for voters, only 2pc said the renters tax credit should be a budget priority, while 3pc said tax breaks for landlords.

Cuts to the USC and increases to the entry points for tax bands are also expected in Budget 2025, along with significant changes to inheritance tax laws to let families keep more of the money left to them in wills.

Electricity tax credits are firmly back on the table after the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) recommended an increase in household charges for developing and managing the electricity grid.

There wasnt really the case for introducing more electricity credits when prices were falling, a government source said. But the CRUs announcement means we will have to look at introducing at least one 150 credit.

The majority of those polled (58pc) said they will not be bought off by giveaways and insisted that any measures announced on October 1 will not change how they intend voting in the next general election.

There is huge public support (66pc) for the introduction of the controversial Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), while fewer than one in four (19pc) oppose its introduction.

Forty-five per cent of people said they disagree with Finance Minister Jack Chambers decision to defer the tax due to concerns that farmers might be unfairly targeted by the measure, which is aimed at forcing people to develop land that has been zoned for housing.
Noirin OSullivan at the Disclosures Tribunal in Dublin Castle in 2018. Photo: Tony Gavin

Former garda commissioner Noirin OSullivan has been appointed to chair a high-profile journalism award at UCD business school.

The countrys first female garda commissioner, who stepped down in 2017 amid various garda scandals, had at times a turbulent relationship with the media in Ireland.

In 2018, she sought all information held on her by a number of major media organisations, citing EU data protection rules.

And in 2015 she defended appointing her husband, Detective Superintendent Jim McGowan, to lead a criminal investigation into contacts between a senior garda and journalists.

Her retirement in 2017 came as a surprise, despite mounting pressure amid a range of garda scandals

On August 21, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School appointed Ms OSullivan the chairperson of the Business Journalist Awards. Other judges include senior media figures such as author and broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald and former Sunday Business Post editor Emmet Oliver.

On its website, UCDs Graduate Business School describes the former garda commissioner as an experienced executive leader who recently served as UN assistant secretary general for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security in New York following her retirement from her 36-year garda career.

The panel of 13 judges are not receiving any monetary payment for their role, UCD said.

Ms OSullivan was accused of being privy to or involved in attempts to target or discredit garda whistleblowers Maurice McCabe and Nicky Keogh after they made protected disclosures.

However the publication of the fourth interim report of the Disclosures Tribunal in 2021 dismissed all of the allegations against the former garda commissioner.

She served as commissioner between 2014 and 2017. Her retirement came as a surprise, despite mounting pressure amid garda scandals  including falsified alcohol breath tests, wrongful motoring convictions, financial irregularities at the garda training college, and the ill-treatment of garda whistleblowers.

Announcing her retirement, Ms OSullivan said she was stepping down because the unending cycle of investigations and inquiries has made it difficult to implement the deep cultural and structural reform necessary to modernise An Garda Siochana.

Speaking last year on RTE radio, she admitted that she had not wanted to step down.

I think it would be impossible not to get under your skin. I suppose, at one point I saw the impact it was having on people around me, particularly my family and people close to me, she said. I felt that I had so much to do.

Did I want to retire? No, I felt we were on the right path... But cest la vie.
Dr Tony Holohan, former chief medical officer, criticised the decision to ease restrictions during the Christmas of 2020

A man whose father died of Covid-19 in a nursing home said the governments decision to ease pandemic restrictions in the run up to Christmas 2020 has many people visiting graveyards.

Kieran Brady said his father and thousands of others who died of Covid-19 are regarded as collateral damage from the pandemic.

Mr Brady said his father, James, ended up in a Wexford nursing home in the middle of the first months of the Covid-19 pandemic in August 2020 after he suffered a massive seizure at home.

After a week there, he was back in good form again, back to himself. We got to see him once a week through the windows by appointment. We tried to use phones on either side to talk to each other, said Mr Brady.

My father had dementia, but he wasnt too bad. He kept asking us when are you bringing me home? Why cant you get into me? Have you all forgotten about me? It was breaking all our hearts not to be able to give him a hug or hold his hand, he added.

When the government announced that they were easing restrictions to allow people to have a meaningful Christmas, Mr Brady thought the decision was mad.

My father got it [Covid-19] from a staff member and he was isolated while he waited for test results. He would stay in that third floor room alone for almost three weeks until he died on January 18, 2021.

Mr Brady said he has been denied his fathers medical records and has been fobbed off by politicians

He said he will never get over the guilt he feels for not fighting to get his father into a hospital.

Mr Brady, who has many questions about his fathers care, said he has been denied his fathers medical records and has been fobbed off by politicians.

Its like the thousands of people who died in all care settings just didnt matter, they are just collateral damage. The governments meaningful Christmas has left a lot of us visiting graveyards.

Kieran Brady is one of numerous bereaved families who lost loved ones to Covid-19 in hospitals and nursing homes who testified in a mock inquiry yesterday.

The online event, called the Peoples Covid Inquiry, was organised by the advocacy group, Care Champions.

Relatives recounted stories of losing loved ones in recorded videos posted online over the course of the day to further their calls for an independent Covid-19 inquiry that will include the pandemic experiences of people in residential care and their relatives and staff carers.

The government has committed to a Covid-19 inquiry but has yet to publish the terms of reference

The governments decision to reopen pubs and restaurants in the run up to Christmas 2020 was criticised by the former chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, who said it resulted in preventable deaths.

There were more than 1,500 Covid deaths in January 2021. It was the single worst month for deaths over the entire course of the pandemic, he wrote in his memoir.

I cannot say that all of the deaths in January 2021 could have been prevented. But I think we should have prevented a lot more of them.

Care Champions is calling for a full independent inquiry into the governments handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and wants families to be allowed to tell their stories in public.

The government has committed to a Covid-19 inquiry but has yet to publish the terms of reference.

However, a number of senior government figures favour an evaluation rather than the interrogatory approach taken in Britains Covid-19 inquiry, which saw politicians and officials, including former prime minister Boris Johnston, publicly challenged over their handling of the pandemic.

The Tanaiste, Micheal Martin, has said he would avoid the legal, adversarial, nature of the British inquiry.

The long overdue terms of reference of the planned Irish inquiry are expected to be published later this month.

Others who testified at the Peoples Covid Inquiry yesterday included Regina Nolan, whose father died after a fall in a nursing home during the pandemic

Ms Nolan, from Cork, said her father, Noel OSullivan (92) died as a direct result of a series of falls during a short stay at a nursing home.

On October 12, 2020, Noel was found lying face down on the floor of his bedroom. Despite his severe injuries he was not seen by a doctor for several hours, she said.

She claimed the nursing home also failed to contact Noels family immediately, despite specific instructions to do so.

Noel later passed away from the injuries sustained in the fall, she said.

She said a subsequent inquest revealed that the nursing home had failed to accurately report the extent of his injuries to medical professionals.

The coroner ruled that Noels death was as a result of traumatic brain injuries caused by the fall, she said, while he also suffered a fractured hip and wrist.

She is calling for a review of the regulation of nursing homes.

My father deserved better. The nursing homes failure to provide basic medical observation and safety standards resulted in his tragic and preventable death.

A mural depicting a frontline worker in Dublin during the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

Score cards show missed targets in older peoples care

Department of Health score cards have revealed missed targets in older peoples services in reducing the number of serious incidents in facilities.

The data is contained in divisional report cards used by department officials to monitor performance in key areas of the health service against targets.

It shows the number of serious incidents reported in older persons services increased from 23 last November to 25 the following month.

The report reveals that only 7pc of the most serious incidents were reviewed within 125 days. This is significantly below the target of 70pc, the report states.

There was also a small increase in the number of extreme and major safety incidents reported in the final three months of last year.

The divisional report cards were obtained by whistleblower Shane Corr  who has been suspended from his job in the Department of Health  under the Freedom of Information Act.

The number of home support hours provided to older people is significantly below target, with an estimated 21.5 million hours provided in 2023.

According to the Department of Healths assessment, this was 500,000 hours off the target set in the HSEs national service plan.

The score cards are held by the Department of Healths Performance Management Unit to assess and report on the delivery of the HSEs objectives under its National Service Plan, according to correspondence.

A new commission on care for older people launched a public consultation on services and supports last week. It runs until late next month.
Migrants employed at a Galway firm making woollen sheep for the tourist market

Moroccan participants working with The Wonky Woolins pictured with James McIntyre

The Wonky Woolins sheep made by international protection applicants and not-for-profit partners in Nepal and Morocco

Craft company founder Chloe Gardiner of The Wonky Woolins with Afghan economist Farahnaz Haidary

When Afghan economist Farahnaz Haidary was forced to leave her home and come to Ireland due to the Taliban takeover, she never dreamed she would be working with the founder of an Irish craft project to meet a big international order.

Haidary is one of over 50 international protection applicants who have been working with young Galway woman Chloe Gardiner to fulfil a commission for thousands of miniature woollen sheep.

Gardiner (21), who founded her business The Wonky Woolins six years ago with just 50 and operating from her living room, enlists help from not-for-profits to create woollen toys, including giraffes and dinosaurs.

She has supplied John Lewis in Oxford and the Arnotts Christmas Market last year and reports increased sales and interest in Germany, Britain and the US.

Recently, Dingle-based company MyIrelandBox spotted the appeal of the toys  particularly Irish woollen sheep  for their second and third generation Irish-American subscribers who buy monthly gift boxes of Irish crafts and products.

Its very hard to find Irish people with these skills now

It was a great order for Gardiner, but one which required several thousand woollen sheep to be handmade in a short time-frame.

So she put out an appeal to asylum-seekers who might have knitting and crochet skills.

Its very hard to find Irish people with these skills now and particularly in the sort of numbers I needed, said Gardiner.

Haidary, who lives in Fermoy, Co Cork, heard about Gardiners appeal through several multicultural groups she is involved with through University College Cork (UCC).

I have a bachelors degree in economics and previously worked with the Afghan government at the Supreme audit office as part of a leadership team, Haidary says.

Alongside my government role, I founded an NGO focused on supporting Afghan women and youth, particularly in education, rights and job opportunities and we provided classes in sewing, crochet and other handicrafts.

The Wonky Woolins sheep made by international protection applicants and not-for-profit partners in Nepal and Morocco

After the Taliban takeover three years ago she left Afghanistan.

Although the transition was difficult at first, I started studying English at UCC through one of their Sanctuary Scholarships, she says.

She joined the UCC Failte Refugees Society and established the Domhan Green Society, which supports migrants in Ireland.

Haidary met the young Galway woman through a crochet programme which Gardiner had organised and offered to help enlist skilled people.

Together we made 395 crochet sheep in two weeks, Haidary says. We had people from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia and South Africa all working for payment.

Gardiner says she now has around 50 people of various nationalities working with her, based not only in Ireland but also in Nepal and Morocco.

Irish ambassador to Morocco James McIntyre met participants in one of her workshops in Rabat.

I believe there are many talented migrants who just need a chance to prove themselves, Haidary says.

They just need opportunities and Chloe has offered us a very valuable one.
A man has been arrested after a taxi-driver was robbed at knifepoint in north Dublin this morning.

The suspect was detained a short time later during an operation involving members of the Armed Support Unit.

Gardai were earlier alerted to reports of a robbery in the Poppintree area of Ballymun at around 1.30am.

A taxi driver said that he had brought a passenger to the area before the man threatened him with a knife.

During the robbery a sum of cash was stolen but the driver, who is aged in his 40s, was not physically harmed.

Investigating gardai quickly identified a suspect.

In a follow-up operation a man in his 20s was arrested at a property in the Ballymun area.

The operation was carried out by local uniformed gardai, support by members of the Armed Support Unit.

A Garda spokesperson said: He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda Station in the Dublin Region.

Investigations are ongoing.

The suspect can be questioned for a period of up to 24 hours before he must either be charged or released from custody pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Motion calls for review of contents of PBP pamphlet, 'The Case for a Left Government'

People Before Profit members want to end the partys support for a Sinn Fein-led left-wing government, saying Mary Lou McDonalds party has shifted to the right on immigration.

A confidential draft agenda containing motions for the September 14 national council meeting of the PBP party, which has four TDs and one MLA, shows a motion form PBPs Cork branch calls for a review of The Case For A Left Government PBP pamphlet.

The motion said recently Sinn Feins move to the political right has accelerated at pace.

It says examples of this include Sinn Fein politicians travelling to Washington, DC, on St Patricks Day, despite calls for a boycott from supporters of Palestine, and Pearse Dohertys meetings with investors in London in April facilitated by Davy stockbrokers.

The motion is one of a number that takes issue with Sinn Feins new stricter immigration policy launched in July.

Sinn Fein is now a party with racist polices, designed to limit immigration, the motion says. Sinn Fein can no longer be regarded as a party of the left. Continuing to present Sinn Fein as a left-wing party will seriously damage our credibility with the electorate.

The Cork motion calls for PBPs national committee to review its stance on Sinn Fein within one month.

PBPs current policy is to seek a general election voting pact with Sinn Fein. It wrote to Mary Lou McDonald in July seeking a meeting to formalise this. PBPs steering committee is likely to oppose the Cork motion to formally categorise Sinn Fein as a non-left-wing party.

Many people who saw SF as a vehicle for change may look elsewhere including to PBP and the Soc Dems

However, a separate motion from PBPs steering committee also expresses concerns about Sinn Fein and says it has leaned into the sentiment against refugees. It says in the election Sinn Fein will assert the right of communities to oppose the placing of refugee accommodation in their area.

The steering committee motion says Sinn Feins general shift to the right means that many people who saw them as a vehicle for change may look elsewhere including to PBP but also the Soc Dems.

While Sinn Feins poor local election performance may cause it to run fewer candidates in the general election, the PBP steering committee analysis warns it faces a new challenge from far-right candidates who tend to poll well in areas where we did well in the locals.

So while some space has opened up for us by the shift of SF to the right we face the dual challenge of fighting for the loyalty of radical voters who will shift from SF while also fighting to hold on to our base in blue collar and poorer areas where the far right have gained a foothold, it says.

The PBP steering committee motion said this election will be fought on immigration and the Government promising ever harsher measures in response to the lies of the far right.

The steering committee motion argues that PBP must argue for a left-wing government as an alternative to the right-wing government which could emerge. It said PBP must try ensure housing remains a key focus by having a day of action before the election.

It says PBP must stand out as the best anti-racist and anti far-right party.

It also says PBP must stand out as the party with the most principled stand on Palestine.

In a separate motion relating to Israel from the steering committee, it says the attacks by the Palestine resistance on October 7 destabilised Israel's internal dynamics and ended its aspiration for normalisation across the Middle East. Since then, we have seen a sustained campaign by Israel to occupy Gaza and commit unimaginable crimes across historic Palestine with the aim of genocide.

The steering committee says PBP has two key tasks associated with its campaigning on Palestine. One is to build PBP and the other is to fight the far right.

We must always be trying to win people to broader socialist politics, build the demands of the movement and embody the need for Solidarity with Palestine in all our efforts, it said.

The steering committee also proposes that its priority candidates be where its four current TD constituencies where Paul Murphy, Richard Boyd Barrett, Gino Kelly and Brid Smith have seats along with Dublin North West and Dublin Central.

PBP was approached for comment.
Most people believe smartphones should be banned for children under 16, and this age group should not be allowed access social media either, according to our poll.

Last week Health Minister Stephen Donnelly declared a public health emergency over the damage that social media is wreaking on young people.

A new health taskforce chaired by former senator Jillian van Turnhout will examine the harms done to children by social media and report on any gaps in existing laws.

Last week the health minister told the Sunday Times: I think what we have to do is reset the conversation with social media companies and say: Right now your product is harming children  and therefore the first thing were going to do is to remove access for children.

Mr Donnellys call for a ban on social media for under-16s was supported by a statement from the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), the doctors union, last Tuesday. The IMO also supported a proposal from Education Minister Norma Foley to ban mobile phones from schools, and added that smartphones should be banned for all under-16s.

This weekends Sunday Independent/ Ireland Thinks poll shows that the majority of people support an outright ban on smartphones for under-16s.

The majority, 57pc, agreed with the IMO call to ban smartphones for under-16s. Just 29pc of those polled disagreed and 14pc were not sure.

Asked when children should get their first smartphone, only 1pc said it should be between the ages of six and 10. Another 21pc said between 11 and 13 was the right age, while 40pc said it should be between the ages of 14 and 16.

There were 35pc in favour of teenagers getting their first smartphone between the ages of 17 and 19, while 2pc said it should be when young people are over 20. Another 1pc did not know.

Asked if they agreed with the health ministers proposal to ban social media for under-16s, 61pc said they agreed. Just 27pc said they disagreed and 12 were not sure.
Passengers going to Dublin could change on to a Dart at Wicklow say the NTA. Photo: Getty

Members of the public are furious over a proposed plan to end direct rail services between Wexford and Dublin, with passengers expressing disbelief about the possibility of being asked to change on to a Dart service in Wicklow.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has been examining two studies which suggest passengers travelling to Dublin from Wexford could switch at Wicklow or Greystones to increase services on the line to the south-east.

However, there was strong opposition in correspondence sent to the NTA, with one person saying it would affect pensioners most of all.

As people get older, they are not as agile as younger people  and getting on and off a train to get on to another form of transport, in which it would probably not be possible to get a seat, is just not on, their email read.

Please do not disadvantage older people by making this change.

Another wrote of their disbelief at the plan, saying Rosslare was one of only two ports linking Ireland to the EU and the train service was one of the first experiences for many visitors.

If they want people to stop moving to the area they are going to succeed

A message said: It tells our tourists that we are like a third-world nation and cant even run a transport service on the island.

One person said they wanted their strong opposition noted and said that asking passengers to change on every journey was likely to make some people unwilling to use the train.

I believe these changes would significantly inconvenience commuters and undermine the efficiency and reliability of the current service, their email read.

Introducing mandatory transfers at Bray or Greystones would not only add considerable time to commuters journeys, but would also create unnecessary hassles and disruptions to their daily routines.

Another person said they might have to quit their job and find something else, as they were already getting up at 5:30am to travel to work in Dublin from Gorey.

I may be faced with standing on the entire second leg of the journey. This will push people back into their cars on the N11  which is already stressful and stretched to capacity, they said.

If they want people to stop moving to the area they are going to succeed with this concept.

Such a very foolish thing to even suggest

One person said the idea was disgraceful and that the NTA should instead be looking to upgrade the train line between Wexford and Dublin.

Such a very foolish thing to even suggest, they wrote.

Multiple emails in response to the proposal said commuters from Wexford were highly likely to just switch back to their cars if the changes were to go ahead.

I find the idea, for want of a better word, to subject or force passengers traveling from Rosslare to Dublin to change to a Dart so unfair, one email read.

Speaking to my fellow members in both of the groups I am involved with who also use the train, the feeling is the same  and all the members feel that they will return to driving to Dublin for comfort.

In responses to the emails, the NTA said the train line from Dublin to Wexford was highly constrained by single tracking in some areas, making increased services a major challenge.

The provision of a diesel train shuttle service between Rosslare and Wicklow would provide the potential for a much more frequent train service along the southern sections of the south-east line, wrote the NTA spokesperson.

With an hourly Dart running from Wicklow Station, the connecting shuttle service could be timetabled to conveniently connect to the Dart service, minimising time delays.
Minister for Education Norma Foley with then-Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris at Government Buildings in September 2020. Photo: Julien Behal

Simon Harris was furious over a series of delays to a school project in his own constituency. In emails, Mr Harris grew increasingly frustrated over what he said was poor communication, unexplained hold-ups, and the dire lack of secondary school places in Co Wicklow.

The saga began in March last year when Mr Harris, then Further and Higher Education Minister, wrote personally to Education Minister Norma Foley asking why a 1,000-student school in Greystones had been delayed.

An email from Mr Harris said: [The school] has been advised that its new build project has been placed on hold due to capital funding pressures. However, no date has been provided for how long this project will be left on hold.

Education Minister Norma Foley. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Taoiseach asked for a date when the project would be taken off hold and added: I would be most grateful if you could provide further information regarding the capital funding pressures in the [department].

In response, Ms Foley said the department was working in a very difficult and challenging environment in the construction sector and that negotiations on funding were ongoing.

By October, Mr Harriss office was struggling to get any new information

In May, Mr Harriss office forwarded an email from Greystones Community College to Ms Foley. In it, the school principal had asked Simon Harriss constituency office: Would you be able to do anything for us on securing an indicative timeline from [the department] for the building works for our permanent building?

I know [you] had offered to meet with our parent leadership team (which we are grateful for), but they have asked me to inquire if you could follow up to see if we can get some sort of timeframe.

By October, however, Mr Harriss office was struggling to get any new information. An email from his office explained how it had forwarded multiple questions to the department but no reply was ever received.

The email said: I would appreciate if you could assist in getting an update as we have had no luck on our end.

In November, Mr Harris asked for another update and a briefing note as he planned to visit the school. An internal Department of Education email said: Unfortunately it is not possible to provide a briefing note due to the short notice.

However, a short update was eventually prepared saying the project remained at tender stage. By February, Mr Harriss patience was wearing thin.

He wrote personally to the secretary general of the department, saying: The issue in Greystones is very clear. We do not have enough secondary school places for the primary school population.

There are a number of projects and proposals that would address this but the most important, bar none, is to commence the construction of Greystones Community College.

Over the ensuing months, regular updates were sent to local politicians

Another message to Ms Foley that month complained about the lack of information being provided to him on what was happening.

Mr Harris wrote: During [a] meeting, it was requested that the Build Unit [of the department] provide a regular, written update, to inform TDs as to ongoing work.

However, disappointingly these written updates have not yet begun. I would be grateful if the department would see to ensuring that written updates are provided reliably and consistently.

Thank you in advance for the time and effort I know you will give this matter, and I look forward to receiving positive news on this front shortly.

Over the ensuing months, regular updates were sent to local politicians.

In April, Harris became Taoiseach following the surprise resignation of Leo Varadkar. By June, it was full steam ahead for the school with Mr Harris writing to Ms Foley to congratulate her on the fantastic news which had been well received by his constituents.

Asked about the records, a Department of Education spokesman said it had, since 2020, invested close to 5bn in schools. He said the contractor for Greystones Community College was now on site with the duration of the building work expected to be around 65 weeks.
Victims anger after legal battle to identify cleric who abused him when he was four years old

A man who was raped by a priest 45 years ago when he was only four has finally been given the name of the abuser.

Nearly three years after gardai told Jonathan Randall they had identified the priest, who is now dead, he has been provided with a name  after taking legal action.

The Chief State Solicitors office has told Mr Randalls lawyer that the man identified as having raped him during a holiday in Bettystown, Co Meath, was Joseph Michael Steele.

The Belfast-born priest was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in 1996 for systematically abusing 10 children over the course of 14 years in the North.

Steele also pleaded guilty in 2012 to sexually abusing two other children, a girl and a boy, between 1967 and 1983 in the North. However, sentencing was adjourned in May 2012 after a psychiatrist raised concerns about his mental health.

He died on November 17 that year, aged 72, as a retired Catholic priest living in Terenure, Dublin 12, according to information released to Mr Randalls legal representative, solicitor and senior counsel Stuart Gilhooly, of HJ Ward LLP.

In 2019, Mr Randall went to gardai over the abuse he had suffered as a child, and detectives later identified Steele as the suspect.

Its a major failure of the State to treat a survivor in this way

Mr Randall took An Garda Siochana to court to try to learn his name after a request to the DPP was unsuccessful. Following a hearing as part of the legal action, the Chief State Solicitors office named Steele.

I shouldnt have had to go through what I did for three years to find out this mans identity, especially considering hes dead. It has given me some closure to finally have a name, Mr Randall said.

Its a major failure of the State to treat a survivor in this way. What kind of a precedence does it set for people coming forward in future? Im sure Im not the only person who was too young to be able recognise or identify what happened to me, and by whom, by evil men like him.

Mr Randall had suppressed the memory until 2018. In June 2019, he walked into a south Dublin garda station and gave a detailed statement. His complaint was transferred to Co Meath, and in October 2021 he was told gardai were confident they had identified his abuser.

They were unable to provide him with a name, but told him there was a lot of material about the suspect online as he was well known and his crimes had led to a political fallout and involved extradition requests.

This led Mr Randall to believe it was paedophile priest Brendan Smyth, who, like Steele, was extradited from the Republic to the North to face sex abuse charges.

Joseph Michael Steele was convicted of sexually abusing 12 children

Through his legal representative, Mr Randall demanded that the DPP release his abusers name. This was declined, leading to his legal action.

I shouldnt have had to wait for three years. My solicitor will now seek the full garda file, he said. Ive been failed twice, as a child and now as an adult. There needs to be reform of the system.

Mr Randall said his life was upended after he was led by another child to the priest, who raped him.

He has had to leave the workforce after struggling with his memories of the attack, has been diagnosed with PTSD and is on disability benefit.

Its the States fault that Ive been left too angry to work right now. I have a degree and I think I could be advantageous in the workplace, but not right now, he said.

Mr Randall confirmed he intends to take a legal action against the religious order Steele was attached too.

The boy told me that I would not like what was going to happen, but that it was my turn

In August 1979, the Randall family took a holiday cottage in Bettystown. Mr Randall was with his mother and baby sister, and his father was back and forth working in Dublin.

I was befriended by an older boy. He would take me out to play on the beach, he said. On the second or third day, he took me around outside the other cottages, pointed to one of them and told me that the man in there did things to little boys and that I would be scared if I ever went in there. After taking me out for a couple of days, he then led me to that cottage.

I remember him leading me through the door, telling me someone wanted to see me and had chosen me. The person waiting in that cottage was a middle-aged man looking dishevelled and I was already afraid from what the boy had warned me about him.

The man told me not to be noisy, that no one would hear because my father had gone away and my mother would not be able to hear me anyway. The boy told me that I would not like what was going to happen, but that it was my turn and that he had had to do this lots of times.

Four-year-old Jonathan was then held down and raped.

He managed to wipe the abuse from his memory, but he believes it has haunted and negatively affected the rest of his life.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The "For Civil Society" Election Observation Coalition is monitoring the voting process with over 500 observers deployed across 75 electoral districts, including the territories liberated from occupationZangilan, Fizuli, Lachin, Khankendi, Khojaly, and Shusha, Trend reports.

Nadir Ismailov, an observer from the coalition at polling station No. 46 in the Shusha-Aghdam-Khojavendi electoral district No. 124 in Shusha city, reported that the installation and sealing of ballot boxes were conducted in accordance with legal requirements before the polling station opened.

The voting booths meet both international and national standards, ensuring secret voting. The technical equipment is compliant with electoral legislation, he said.

Fariz Akberov, another observer from the coalition at polling station No. 105 in Lachin constituency No. 121, noted that the voting process is proceeding smoothly.

Portable ballot boxes are available for sick and elderly citizens. The process adheres to the Electoral Code with no unauthorized interference. Voter activity is high, he emphasized.

This year, over 5,500 observers from civil society and NGOs have been registered to monitor the parliamentary elections, a record number compared to previous elections. These observers represent 16 civil society organizations, marking a sevenfold increase from the 2015 parliament election and a fourfold increase from the 2020 parliamentary election.

Two electoral coalitions have been established for monitoring the election. The For Civil Society coalition was founded by Zaur Ibrahimli. Head of the Priority Socio-Economic Research Center; Ramil Iskendarli, Chairman of the Legal Analysis and Research Public Union; and Vugar Tofigli, Chairman of the "Propaganda of Municipalities' Activities" public association.

The My Voice Election Monitoring Coalition was established by prominent human rights activists: Novella Jafaroglu, chairwoman of the D. Aliyeva Society for the Protection of Azerbaijani Women's Rights public association; Saadet Bananyarli, chairwoman of the Azerbaijan National Branch of the International Society for Human Rights; and Saida Gojamanli, chairwoman of the Protection of Human Rights and Rule of Law Public Union.

Of the NGO representatives observing polling stations on election day, 20 percent are from these two coalitions.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Her father, Ray McAnally was a famous stage actor, and her mother was in Ballykissangel

The first time Niamh McAnally went abroad she was 12. Her parents  actors Ray McAnally and Ronnie Masterson  brought her to Spain for a holiday. I was like, Are you kidding me? she says now, laughing. I thought, You mean the sun shines in Spain in the winter? Right there and then, as soon as I was old enough to leave home, I was going to go and find somewhere warmer to live
Changes to security rules at Dublin Airport came into effect on Sunday, September 1.

Passengers must be prepared to remove all liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) from their hand luggage prior to screening, with all LAGs to be under 100mls, the airport said.

The changes come in response to a temporary restriction introduced by the European Commission, and apply to all airports in the EU. It is not known for how long they will remain in place.

It comes as the rollout of new C3 scanners in Dublin, Shannon and Ireland West airports has seen the removal of 100ml liquid limits in many cases, with passengers also allowed to keep laptops and liquids in their hand luggage.

With the C3 rollout at different stages in Dublin Airports Terminal 1 and 2, the changes differ slightly for each.

Terminal 1:

All liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in hand luggage must be under 100mls

All LAGs must fit inside one clear 1 litre bag

Only one bag is permitted per passenger

Passengers should be prepared to take large electronic items (laptops, tablets etc) out of their bags

Terminal 2:

All liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in hand luggage must be under 100mls

All LAGs should be put into clear bags, but there is no limit on the number of bags per passenger

Large electronic items (laptops, tablets etc) can stay in hand luggage

"In Terminal 2, all of the security lanes in operation are now fitted with new C3 scanners, so all passengers are assured of using a C3 scanner, said Dublin Airports managing director, Gary McLean.

However, in Terminal 1, due to the age of the building, the rollout is taking slightly longer, so it cannot be guaranteed whether a passenger will go through a lane with C3 scanners installed or the older technology."

Dublin Airport is on track to complete the rollout of its C3 scanners by October 2025, it has confirmed.

Ryanair's cheapest fares - try the 'fare finder' hiding in plain sight

The European Commission announced the temporary rule changes on July 31, describing them as a precautionary measure and stating that current C3 configurations need to be revised in order to improve their performance.

The Airports Council International Europe described the move as erasing the main benefit of the C3 scanners, and likely to cause airports significant operational strain.

Security is non-negotiable, it is one of the top priorities of European airports. Therefore, all airports will fully comply with the new restriction, said ACI director general Olivier Jankovec.

"However, airports that have been early adopters of this new technology are being heavily penalised, both operationally and financially.

"We hope that these temporary restrictions are only in place for a short period and that the EU will be able to lift them as soon as possible, Mr McLean added.

Passengers have also been warned to expect new procedures at Shannon Airport and Ireland West from September 1 (Cork Airport does not have C3 scanners, so its security procedures will not change).

At Shannon, passengers will need to keep liquids, gels, lotions and cosmetics carried in their hand luggage in containers of no more than 100ml, it says.

However, they but do not need to keep them in plastic bags or remove them from baggage.

At Ireland West in Knock, passengers must also observe the 100ml limit, store LAGs in clear plastic bags, and remove them from cabin baggage before going through security.

The guidelines do not affect electronics items  such as laptops and phones  at either airport.

Exceptions remain in place for essential items over 100ml such as baby products and medications, which must be placed in a clear transparent bag, separate to LAGs.

You can find Dublin Airports security advice here, Shannon Airports here, Cork Airports here, and Ireland Wests here.
Technology

Telegram is cited more by authorities investigating criminal activity than any other social media service. Photo: PA

Authorities say it could and should, operate basic content moderation. Above, Telegram founder and chief executive Pavel Durov. Photo: PA

It has finally happened: a social media owner has been arrested for others activities on his platform.

Half the world is appalled while half the world is cheering. Telegram boss Pavel Durov, now out on bail, is not allowed to leave France while the state investigates whether he is responsible for organised crime on his network, including the distribution of child abuse imagery.

For some its heavy-handed authoritarianism. For others, justice at last.

But those hoping that this is the first step in a new era where figures such as Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk might face similar treatment are jumping the gun.

Telegram is cited more by authorities investigating criminal activity than any other social media service. Photo: PA

Even among messaging and social media apps, Telegram is a notable outlier. It is cited more by authorities investigating criminal activity than any other social media service. Thats because of the services extreme policy of rarely moderating anything, including criminal activity.

And its even more specifically because of one key element: its not really encrypted in a way that allows Durov, or anyone else in Telegram, to say they cant access illegal content.

This is the pivotal issue in the whole affair.

Telegram is generally described as an encrypted service. But this is a bit misleading. Only the secret chat feature is actually encrypted in the way that we normally understand it, as end-to-end locked privacy that cant be detected or looked at by anyone, including Telegram.

The bulk of its features  including normal chats and group chats  are not end-to-end encrypted.

For some its heavy-handed authoritarianism. For others, justice at last

What this means is that Telegram could and, authorities say, should, operate basic content moderation such as specific scans for child abuse imagery.

But unlike other services (much of Meta, TikTok and Google), it simply refuses to do so.

As a rule of thumb, if a service is end-to-end encrypted, such as Signal or WhatsApp, authorities accept a but-we-technically-cant-see-anything defence as a valid holding excuse while they try to bring in new laws to dilute the right to encrypted services.

But Telegram has no such excuse.

It just refuses to comply, arguing that it shouldnt have to because conversations  even unencrypted ones that arent hidden  should be private regardless of whether theres clearly criminal activity on display.

It states all of this quite baldly in its own websites FAQ section.

Under the heading of theres illegal content on Telegram, how do I take it down?, it says: All Telegram chats and group chats are private among their participants. We do not process any requests related to them.

Pavel Durov talks about this in a detached way, describing it as a commitment to privacy and free speech. But it may be as much about keeping platform operation costs lower than rivals, which invest huge sums in content moderation technology and human moderators.

Durov says lack of moderation is commitment to free speech. But it may be as much about keeping costs lower

What seems likely is that this is why Telegram and its founder are now in at least one countrys legal crosshairs. Given its mostly non-end-to-end encrypted nature and the degree to which criminality reportedly happens there, it was only a matter of time before authorities decided to prosecute.

That said, it still feels like a seminal moment in the unending, tense battle between privacy and security.

It is unheard of in a liberal western democracy for a widely-used tech platform owner to be arrested, criminally, for activity others are engaging in on the platform.

And it begs an obvious question: will other social media network owners face similar liability?

An apparent leaning toward Russian interests doesnt help

Right now, I think the answer is no. Theres a clear difference between Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok  on one hand  and Telegram on the other. Even X, with its notable deterioration since Elon Musk bought it, isnt a fair comparison to Durovs platform.

Theres clearly a geopolitical element to all of this, too. Even though Telegram is used all over the world (with 950 million accounts), its especially popular in Russia and Ukraine.

And even though Durov more or less fled Russia a decade ago for Dubai after refusing a Putin-administration content demand, Moscow has nevertheless formally protested to France (which is prosecuting this and not the EU) about what it sees as strategic interference in a vital national communication utility.

This apparent leaning toward Russian interests doesnt help Telegrams public image.

Added to the lack of content moderation and the repeated connections to criminal activity, it may be a knockout differentiator to Meta, TikTok, Google and X.
Heres a good pub quiz question, with the additional merit of having a moral. In June 2009 there were two by-elections in Dublin: in Dublin South, RTE economics editor George Lee was elected for Fine Gael by 17,000 votes; in the other, the partys candidate was resoundingly defeated. Who was he?
David Quinn: Why do our leaders ignore the elephant in the room that is immigration?

More Irish people are leaving this country than returning because high immigration has helped to drive up the cost of renting and housing

Illustration by Getty

David Quinn Sun 1 Sep 2024 at 03:30

One piece of information to be gleaned from a new CSO report on population growth in Ireland stood out for me, namely that Ireland is now less attractive to the Irish themselves than it is to people from overseas.
As Simon Harris returned home last week from Paris, where he was meeting members of Team Ireland ahead of the Paralympic Games, he was offered a grim reminder of the task that faces him should he be re-elected Taoiseach in the coming election.

Figures published by the Department of Housing on Friday showed there were now record numbers of people in emergency accommodation  up to a disheartening new high of 14,429, including 4,401 children who are starting a new school year with no home to call their own.

The number of children affected is now almost as great as the entirety of people in emergency accommodation in the 2011 census  the same year that Fine Gael returned to government with Labour. The party has been in power in various coalitions ever since. Each successive taoiseach only seems to inherit a bigger headache.

The challenge is set to grow along with the population. The Taoiseach may have boasted at last weekends Beal na Blath commemoration that more social housing is being built than at any time since 1975, but the statistic masks the fact that the population has increased by nearly two million since then. It is expected to increase by a further million people by 2040.

The Housing Minister, Fianna Fails Darragh OBrien, has now written to all local authorities, urging them to assess which zoned lands might be suitable for residential development.

Hearing this, voters are bound to ask: Why now?

Cynics will no doubt conclude that the timing has all to do with the coming election.

Ministers have known the scale of the crisis for years, after all, and the Governments final proposals on how to bring together the public and private sectors to ensure supply keeps up with demand will not appear until October, by which time the country may be heading to the polls.

Families in despair at the prospect of escaping emergency accommodation do not have the luxury of waiting

Any opposition party which claims to have a magic wand to solve Irelands housing crisis once and for all isnt being honest with the Irish people either; but it was noteworthy that Mr OBrien declared in his letter to local authorities that it would be appropriate to start considering the most suitable locations for new housing.

The word start is curious. The process should not be beginning. It ought to be well under way.

The Taoiseach must be judged on what he manages to achieve going forward. The energy he has brought to Government since taking office may yet bear fruit. He insists that the target of 250,000 new homes over the next five years, as set out in the National Planning Framework, will be met, even if that figure is simply to keep up with present demand and doesnt take account of future pressures which are projected to arise.

His proposed new Department of Infrastructure, which is designed to co-ordinate the transport, water, waste and other needs of new communities as theyre built, is also welcome. Such joined-up thinking has often been absent.

The best time to begin this work was years ago, but the second best time is right now. Families in despair at the prospect of ever escaping the nightmare of emergency accommodation do not have the luxury of waiting. The Government has all the resources and expertise at its disposal to be making much more ambitious progress.
Last week, two siblings dominated the news when the announcement was made that Noel and Liam Gallagher will embark on a 17-date tour of the UK and Ireland in 2025 with their band Oasis. A 15-year feud would, therefore, appear to have come to an end or as their joint statement said The guns have fallen silent.
Donal Murphy, Niamh Murphy and Kathriona Sheehan McCarthy from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland's Kerry Centres. They are urging everyone to take part in this year's Memory walks.

Set to be the largest Memory Walk to date, Castleisland native Donal Murphy who is Operations Project Manager for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is urging the people of Kerry to register now at www.memorywalk.ie and walk in one of three Kerry Alzheimers Memory Walks on the 22nd September.

The three Kerry Memory Walks all start at 11am in Killarney National Park, Tralee Town Park and Kenmare Reenagross Park.

Speaking ahead of Alzheimers Memory Walk, Donal commented, "I am really looking forward to this year's Memory Walk. It is going to be a great day to get together and walk with and for loved ones who are living with dementia and to remember loved ones who are sadly no longer with us. It is a chance to share memories and create new ones together and is such a lovely event for everyone who attends. I would encourage everyone who can to register now at www.memorywalk.ie to join me on September 22 at Killarney National Park at 11am where the meeting point will be at the Cafe at the entrance opposite the church or please sign up for the Kenmare or Tralee Memory Walks.

Memory Walk honours, remembers, and celebrates the 64,000 people in Ireland living with dementia, along with their families and carers. It also cherishes the memory of those who are no longer with us. In 2023, 3,500 walkers participated in Memory Walk and raised over 120,000 which helped fund vital services for people with dementia, including Daycare, Daycare at Home, Family Carer Training, Social Clubs, Cafes, and a National Helpline.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is encouraging everyone to get behind this years Alzheimers Memory Walk, supported by Payzone, on Sunday, September 22 to help raise awareness and funds to help those living with dementia. Register online now at www.memorywalk.ie to make and share memories.
Students woke up bright and early to return to Enniscorthy Community College to pick up the small white envelopes containing their Leaving Cert results and the outcome of their hard work.

Principal Iain Wickham was met with the smiling faces of students as they ripped into and unfurled the paper.

"Overall everyone is very happy. I think a lot of people did better than they expected. And of course there were great results through the Leaving Cert Applied, he said.

The school hosts a number of different nationalities within their student body, and students who entered English speaking schools in secondary have done very well.

"We have a lot of various nationalities, many of who joined us later on. Some are Ukrainian, Russian, Portuguese. Of course, they had extra support in the school to acclimatise them and they are now heading off to university, he added.

However, because of the cost of third-level education coupled with the lack of affordable accommodation, some students have expressed their intention to take a gap year in between to work and save up finances. He also says that some of the students receiving their results today will be making use of their wide range of PLC programmes they offer on school premises.

"A large number will be continuing their studies with PLCs. I think it is a great resource to have, he said.

The staff have also observed an increase interest in electrical apprenticeships, with the career becoming more profitable in recent times.

"There is a big interest in electrical apprenticeships, people see that it has become quite a lucrative thing and they can still move on up the ladder, he said.

"But it is also an apprenticeship with a very high failure rate, so its not just once you get accepted  you have to keep working hard to get where you want to go, he added.
Brennans of Enniscorthy have been teasing customers with photos of their impressive restoration works on the property, but they have another surprise development up their sleeve as they start preparing to conquer the UK market with their own drink.

The owners of Brennans Pub and Brewery, Enniscorthy have secured partnerships with renowned breweries in England to promote their signature Irish Stout to bigger markets. T&R Theakston Brewery are the 16th largest brewer in the United Kingdom and are well established to take the Irish brand to new heights in the UK market.

Speaking on their partnership with the Enniscorthy business, a spokesperson from Theakston said: With a strong dark ale portfolio already, a traditional Irish stout from Brennans is the perfect addition to our existing range. We believe our combined experience is a match made in heaven!

Owner Peter Brennan says they have plans to add a small brewery to the venue to allow people to come and see a working brewery, offering something different in the heart of Enniscorthy, a town they have a deep connection with.

"We have a real connection with Enniscorthy with my mother being a native of the town and also owned the former pub the Boolavogue Inn in the early 70s, with myself growing up in Courtown Harbour, I was a regular visitor to Enniscorthy, visiting my grandfather, uncle and cousins, he said.

Despite being a small family team, the brand saw great success during lockdown due to a shortage of Guinness, and they have big plans on the horizon.

"This year we are embarking on the relaunch of Brennan's Irish stout in Ireland with stockists around Ireland with a new distributor partner and as well as creating employment opportunities, also creating a work experience programme giving young people the opportunity to gain experience in a working brand environment in marketing and brand development he added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament has been organized in the northern region in seven constituencies covering six districts, Trend reports.

According to the information, a total of 429 polling stations are being held in the districts covering Guba, Gusar, Khachmaz, Shabran, Siyazan, and Khizi districts. Voters choose from 53 registered candidates in seven constituencies.

A total of 345,248 eligible voters are registered in the northern region.

The oldest voter in the region is 104-year-old Meynas Maksudova, who lives in Agbash village of Shabran district.

The chairperson of the Electoral District Commission of Siyazan-Guba-Khizi constituency No. 55, Rashad Nuriev, stated that the election started at all polling stations at the prescribed time and following the rules.

Since the first minutes of voting, there has been voter activity. There are 72 polling stations in our district. More than 49,000 voters have the right to cast their ballots at these polling stations. The process is monitored by 953 observers at 72 polling stations. Since the beginning of voting, communication with all the polling stations has been established. Everything is going well, Rashad Nuriyev said.

In the northern region, voter activity is observed in Siyazan-Guba-Khizi constituency No. 55, Shabran-Khachmaz constituency No. 56, Khachmaz city constituency No. 57, Khachmaz rural constituency No. 58, Guba constituency No. 59, Guba-Gusar constituency No. 60, and Gusar constituency No. 61.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Ross family business Cleaned4You have been named the Republic of Ireland Dry Cleaning Service of the Year by Prestige Awards, based across the UK and Ireland.

Co-owner Pete Caulfield said: On request we submitted our application to the Prestige Awards outlining our current services and our goals for the future. The feedback from the judges was very positive and after an interview, assessment of our online presence and our customer reviews, we emerged top of the pile, this side of the pond!

Managing Director of the Prestige Awards competition, Andrew Walsh presented owners Deirdre and Pete Caulfield with their 2024 winning certificate and the whole staff enjoyed an in house celebration on Thursday evening in their Michael Street premises to mark the achievement.

Co-owner Deirdre Caulfield said: We are delighted to be recognised and grateful to our staff team for their consistent professional service levels.

Cleaned4You has changed its business model over the past two years, especially on the sustainability and environmental front. We have moved away from the use of solvents in the cleaning process and switched to green and biodegradable products. We have reduced our usage of single use plastics by 50pc too, in 24 months. We felt we had to play our part in climate action processes in the industry as a whole.

Manager Tina Ryan added: Our customers range from the public arriving at the counter with their garments for cleaning, to work wear

services for factories, linen processing for local hotels and tourism enterprises. We have recently introduced an online wedding wear

service whereby we will collect and deliver back cleaned wedding dresses or suits in any part of the country. The whole team prides

itself on delivering the best standard of service and its satisfying to get an international award for doing so.
Irish hit film Kneecap among films being shown

Hook Film Club has unveiled the start of its autumn 2024 film season with the showing, next Tuesday, September 3, at 8 p.m., of the 2023 critically acclaimed Japanese film Perfect Days in The Hall, Fethard on Sea.

Perfect Days tells the story of an apparently contented late middle-age man who looks to have mastered the art of living simply and well. Given 5 stars by the Irish Times film critic, Donald Clarke, it was given a similar rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which described the film as an absorbing slice-of-life drama, which adds a quietly soaring gem to director/co-writer Wim Wenders' estimable filmography. Perfect Days was selected as the Japanese entry for the international feature Oscar, securing a place among the final nominees.

Other screenings to put in your diary are: September 17, Kneecap, October 1 The Dead Don't Hurt, October 15 The Sparrow, October 29 Kidnapped, November 12 Bye Bye Tiberias, November 26 American Fiction and December 10 The Crime is Mine.

Admission for each screening is 10, but you can pay 50 for a season membership to see all eight films.
Crew members from the McDonalds Arklow restaurant recently undertook a litter clean-up at the St Peters Place playground as part of a campaign aimed at tackling litter in parks, on paths and along roadsides in towns and cities across Ireland.

The 100 Parks in 100 Days initiative will see McDonalds employees undertake 100 litter clean-ups in parks, beaches and nature areas across Ireland and will run until October.

Led by the 19 local franchisees across McDonalds estate of 96 restaurants in Ireland, the clean-up events will be supported by local councils, elected representatives, schools and volunteer groups.

Commenting on the clean-up, McDonalds Arklow franchisee Amir Afsar said: We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously at McDonalds and we very much share the disappointment of local communities at seeing litter discarded carelessly in parks, on paths and by the sides of roads.

This collaborative 100 Parks in 100 Days campaign between our restaurants and local communities reinforces our strong commitment to tackling litter issues across Ireland.

Across Ireland and the UK, McDonalds staff collect 27 tonnes of litter every year, on litter patrols that take place around every restaurant three times a day.

McDonalds crew members also cover a total of 5,000 miles each week picking up all waste, be it the brands own packaging or that of other restaurants and retailers.
Wicklows celebrity chef Catherine Fulvio is encouraging Transition Year students across Ireland to get brewing and baking in support of Bewleys Big Coffee Morning for Hospice.

She was joined at Ballyknocken House and Cookery School in Glenealy by TY students, Grace Christie of Gaelcholaiste na Mara, Arklow, and James Ryder, East Glendalough School, Wicklow town, as she threw her support behind the major Hospice fundraiser.

There is a lot of momentum in TY to understand about charities and giving back, said the mum-of-two. No matter what happens in life, most of us know someone who has been in a hospice; it brings great comfort to the family and a patient to have a Hospice to care for them.

She told how her mother Mary received Hospice care before her death in 1998.

We were very grateful to have them to help us and give us quality time with our mum. It took the pressure off a lot.

Now Catherine is offering an extra incentive for students to get involved and organise their own school fundraiser, after freeing up two spaces at her 13-week TY online cookery course, plus a cash prize of 250 for the winning school.

To be in with a chance of winning two places on the TY course and the cash prize for your class or school, TY classes need to register on www.hospicecoffeemorning.ie, or contact their local hospice.

Any TY class that returns the proceeds of their event before November 29 will be entered into the draw.

Wicklow gardai will host a hospice coffee morning on September 11 at the De La Salle Pastoral Centre in Wicklow town, running from 10.30am to 12.30pm. A raffle will also be taking place that includes prizes like afternoon tea for two at the Westbury Hotel in Dublin, vouchers, hampers, and overnight stays.

On the official coffee morning day, Thursday, September 26, Greystones and District Cancer Support will hold their fundraiser from 10am to 12 noon at their headquarters at La Touche Place in Greystones.
If New York style teaches us anything, its that fashion mistakes are key to growth, explains vlogger and influencer Tara Marzuki

NY has such a hustle culture. I got what I needed from that experience and I came home on my terms."

Anyone who returns home has wondered what lifes going to be like. They ask themselves: Ive gone away to expand, will I have to contract now that Im coming back? says vlogger and influencer Tara Marzuki. When you move away you have anonymity to be whoever you want. You can grow into yourself without judgement. New York was great for that. Theyre all about individuality in America.

This free-thinking allowed Marzuki to express herself without fear.

In Bushwick and Brooklyn, people take so many fashion risks using vintage and ugly elements. Its a very cool neighbourhood in terms of people pushing boundaries. You can wear the most outrageous outfit and its just another day in Bushwick.

For those of you wondering what ugly fashion is, think of Crocs shoes. What was once only acceptable for toddlers has now become a fashion staple. Crocs even collaborated with luxury brand Balenciaga. Theyre still objectively ugly, but theres a sense of humour and whimsy surrounding them.

NY has such a hustle culture. I got what I needed from that experience and I came home on my terms."

At the moment I have these knee-length cargo pants  very Avril Lavigne. Theyre like Marmite to people! I think a great outfit has to have something polarising or unexpected in it. Wear the ugly thing, be an enigma. Confuse people! she laughs.

Marzuki was part of the first wave of Irish vloggers and has tried many different styles. I hate my digital footprint! says Marzuki. I had such a desire to express myselfunfortunately that resulted in some bad fashion choices.

At her core, Tara Marzuki is a jeans and T girl

I once bleached my hair at home and wore a body suit that was three different colours of neon paired with flatforms. They were so impractical  and even broke while I was walking! But if it wasnt for younger Tara taking risks, I wouldnt be here today  so we persevere and build confidence.

Now that Marzuki has left the expressive streets of Bushwick, she is adapting her fashion and her lifestyle too. NY has such a hustle culture. I got what I needed from that experience and I came home on my terms. I feel good about it. Ive definitely changed my style since coming home. Im very influenced by my environment and love the Irish brand Somas Studio.

"Ive definitely changed my style since coming home," says Tara

Scandi brands like COS and ARKET were priced so high in New York, so Ive been taking advantage of the lower price here as well.

As we sit in Vice Coffee on Abbey Street, Marzuki is in a vintage trench coat, a pair of dark vintage Levis, a crisp clean white tee, and boots she refers to as her stompers.

I dont want to play a part when it comes to style  I want to be a melting pot of all the experiences Ive had.

See more at @tarmarz
North America

Donald Trump has spoken with Vladimir Putin up to seven times since leaving White House, claims new book
Photo courtesy: X video grab

Hyderabad/Vijayawada: Heavy rainfall continues to pound Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, leading to widespread disruptions including school and college closures, train service interruptions, and flooding in various districts, media reports said.

In response to the severe weather conditions, the Telangana government has ordered the closure of all schools and colleges statewide tomorrow, reported Indian Express.

Due to the forecast of heavy rains in Hyderabad District, all Primary and Secondary Schools, under all managements (Government, Aided, and Private), are hereby declared a holiday on Monday, 02-09-2024, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the children.



Collector  Collector Hyderabad (@Collector_HYD) September 1, 2024

Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari has instructed district Collectors to implement precautionary measures to prevent loss of life and property, following warnings from the Meteorological Department of ongoing heavy rains for the next two days.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has directed all government officials to stay alert to prevent any potential incidents caused by the severe weather. He also asked the authorities to relocate residents from low-lying areas to relief camps for their safety, the report said.

In light of the current situation, with the Musi River experiencing a significant flow at Chaderghat bridge due to the heavy rains, we urge all citizens to remain indoors for their safety.



Please stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel during this time.#GHMC #HyderabadRains pic.twitter.com/GK70P8ijxA  Commissioner GHMC (@CommissionrGHMC) September 1, 2024



Due to incessant heavy rainfall, a railway track between Kesamudram and Mahabubabad has been submerged, leading to the suspension of trains traveling from Vijayawada to Warangal, Warangal to Vijayawada, and Delhi to Vijayawada, according to the report.

The Chief Secretary has instructed the preparation of an advance plan for evacuating people from flood-affected areas and establishing relief camps. Measures should be taken to prevent tank contamination, including chlorination, to avoid the spread of diseases.

Stay safe, everyone! With a red alert in place across several districts in Telangana, including Hyderabad, heavy rains are expected to continue over the next 24 hours. As a precaution, schools and colleges will remain closed tomorrow due to the risks of flooding and waterlogging. pic.twitter.com/CF34j8o72i  Humans of Hyderabad (@HumansofHyd) September 1, 2024

The Met Centre in Hyderabad has issued a red warning, forecasting very heavy to extremely heavy rain in isolated areas of districts such as Adilabad, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Narayanpet, and others on Sunday, according to the report.

The Met Centre also predicted heavy to very heavy rain in several locations on Sunday, including Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Jagital, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Warangal, and other districts.

In Andhra Pradesh, heavy rains on Saturday resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, with five fatalities in Vijayawada due to landslides.

The Municipal Commissioner reported that landslides occurred in Mogalrajapuram, where large boulders fell on two houses as a result of the heavy rainfall.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the landslide victims.

Vijayawada and other areas in Andhra Pradesh have been experiencing continuous rainfall.

Over the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Vijayawada recorded 18 cm of rain, with additional rainfall throughout the day.

Other regions also reported significant rainfall: Machilipatnam received 18 cm, Gudivada 17 cm, Kaikaluru 15 cm, Narasapuram 14 cm, Amaravati 13 cm, and Mangalagiri 11 cm. Nandigama and Bhimavaram both recorded 11 cm of rainfall.

Several other locations across the state recorded rainfall ranging from 1 cm to 9 cm, according to the Meteorological Department.
Photo Courtesy: NIAID

Pakistan has confirmed its fourth case of mpox with the latest incident reported from Peshawar city.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Public Health Director Dr Irshad Ali Roghani told Dawn News: "The medical team at Peshawar Airport transferred the patient (fourth case) to the Police and Services Hospital (PSH) after they showed symptoms during the screening."

Earlier, three other cases were also reported in Peshawar.

They were all detected at the airport.

The rapid response team took samples from the patients wound in the hospital and sent it to the laboratory," Roghani said.

No local cases have been reported so far, he stated, adding that the provinces health department had created an integrated surveillance and response system for mpox.

What is mpox?

Formerly known as monkeypox, the viral disease can spread between people, mainly through close contact, and occasionally from the environment to people via objects and surfaces that have been touched by a person with mpox.

Originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970, mpox was neglected there, according to WHO.

It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself, said Dimie Ogoina, who chairs the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, which advises WHO on such matters.

Endemic in central and West Africa, the infectious disease later caused a global outbreak in 2022, leading to a WHO public health emergency in July as it became a multi-country outbreak.

Following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO has begun using a new preferred term mpox as a synonym for monkeypox.

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms of mpox include a rash lasting for two to four weeks, which may be started with or followed by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

The rash looks like blisters and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, genital and/or anal regions, mouth, throat or the eyes. The number of sores can range from one to several thousand.

People with mpox are considered infectious at least until all their blisters have crusted over, the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath, and all lesions on the eyes and in the body have healed. Typically this takes two to four weeks. Reports show that people can be re-infected after theyve had mpox.

People with severe mpox may require hospitalisation, supportive care and antiviral medicines to reduce the severity of lesions and shorten time to recovery.

How does mpox spread?

Human to human: Touching, sex and talking or breathing close to someone with mpox can generate infectious respiratory particles, but more research is needed on how the virus spreads during outbreaks in different settings and conditions, says WHO.

What scientists do know is that it is also possible for the virus to persist for some time on clothing, bedding, towels, objects, electronics and surfaces that have been touched by a person with mpox. Someone else who is in contact with these items may become infected without first washing their hands before touching their eyes, nose and mouth.

The virus can also spread during pregnancy to the fetus, during or after birth through skin-to-skin contact, or from a parent with mpox to an infant or child during close contact.

Although getting mpox from someone who is asymptomatic has been reported, there is still limited information on whether the virus can be transmitted from someone with the virus before they get symptoms or after their lesions have healed.

Humans to animals: Since many species of animals are known to be susceptible to the virus, there is the potential for spillback of the virus from humans to animals in different settings.

People who have confirmed or suspected mpox should avoid close physical contact with animals, including such pets as cats, dogs, hamsters and gerbils, as well as livestock and wildlife.

Animals to humans: Someone who comes into physical contact with an animal which carries the virus, such as some species of monkey - or a terrestrial rodent like a tree squirrel - may also develop mpox. Such exposure can occur through bites or scratches, or during activities such as hunting, skinning, trapping or preparing a meal. The virus can also be caught through eating contaminated meat which is not cooked thoroughly.

Can it be fatal?

Yes, for a small minority. Between 0.1 per cent and 10 per cent of people who have become infected with mpox, have died.

It is important to note that death rates in different settings may differ due to several factors, such as access to health care and underlying immunosuppression, including because of undiagnosed HIV or advanced HIV, according to the UN health agency.

In most cases, the symptoms of mpox go away on their own within a few weeks with supportive care, such as medication for pain or fever, but, in some people, the illness can be severe or lead to complications and eventual death.

Newborn babies, children, people who are pregnant and people with underlying immune deficiencies - such as from advanced HIV - may be at higher risk of more serious mpox disease and death.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Today, in connection with the extraordinary parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, convicts are voting in Baku Detention Center No. 1 of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice, Trend reports.

According to the information, voting is held at polling stations No. 38, 39, and 40 of election district No. 29 of Sabunchu district.

The elections are held under the instructions, and a special commission has been established.

Convicts and arrested persons vote freely and without hindrance in 26 polling stations covering 13 districts.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Photo courtesy: Videograb from X

Mumbai/IBNS: The INDIA bloc in Maharashtra which is represented by Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi is holding a massive protest rally in Mumbai on Sunday over the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji's 35-foot statue at Malvan in Sindhudurg.

Deploying heavy security cover, the Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra has questioned the relevance of the protest.

#WATCH | Maharashtra | MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) takes out a protest march in Mumbai over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue collapse incident. pic.twitter.com/IybFHEfA4C  ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

The ruling BJP has also planned a march to counter the Opposition's agitation.

A huge police contingent has gathered at the Gateway of India, which has also been shut for tourists, citing law and order, media reports said.

The rally will see the who's who of the INDIA bloc in Maharashtra including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar and state Congress president Nana Patole.

The leaders are expected to walk from Hutatma Chowk in the Fort area to the Gateway of India.

The Opposition bloc has called its protest rally "jode maro", which means "hit with footwear".

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has urged people to join the march, and has posted on X that it is coming to bow at Shivaji's feet to "awaken the pride of Maharashtra".

The Sharad Pawar faction of NCP has said there is no forgiveness for "corrupt Shivdrohis".

The state unit of the Congress has said the march is aimed at teaching a lesson to "Shivdrohis" for committing corruption and insulting Shivaji.

The Shivaji statue was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just 8 months back. The collapse of the statue has sparked a massive political row in Maharashtra.

The Indian Navy was in charge of the project in coordination with the state government.

Police have arrested the structural consultant for the project and its contractor under sections relating to attempt to murder, culpable homicide, and acts endangering the life and safety of others.

Facing sever backlash, Prime Minister Modi has apologised to the people for the statue's collapse. "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. I also apologise to the people hurt by the collapse," he has said.
Photo courtesy: File image/UNI

Kolkata: Jadavpur University (JU) is embroiled in a fresh controversy after a second-year engineering student lodged a complaint against some students of the class of 2024, accusing them of ragging him inside the Union room earlier in August, media reports said.

The new allegation comes a year after a first-year Bengali Honors student Swarnodip, who allegedly faced severe ragging, mysteriously fell to death from the balcony of his hostel room inside Jadavpur University and his naked body was discovered, triggering a statewide outrage.

According to a Times of India report, the complainant filed a written complaint with the UGC and university authorities. JU's anti-ragging squad is looking into the case and probing the allegations.

"The anti-ragging squad has taken up the case and an investigation has started," a JU official was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

"The incident took place on Aug 2 when an ex-student of the power engineering department called me inside the union room and started verbally abusing me. Soon, he was joined by six others from the printing, civil, pharmacy and electrical engineering departments.

They started threatening me, snatched my phone, forced me to unlock it and kept on checking my private messages and call logs. They charged me about the incident that took place on July 25 on the campus when some of our seniors and fellow batchmates confronted two of the pass-out students of being accused of previous incidents of ragging and violent activities because we want our university to be ragging-free," the student stated in his complaint, according to the report.

The victim stated that he was seized by the neck and forced to write a letter, adding that he was instigated by his seniors to confront them against ragging, according to the report.

Expressing disappointment over the university's failure to maintain a ragging-free environment, the student said he felt unsafe and afraid.

2023 ragging allegation

Last year, Swarnodip Kundu, 18, fell fatally from the hostel's second floor on the JU campus. He succumbed to multiple wounds at a nearby city hospital.

Kundu, a resident of Bogulia in Nadia district, was a first-year student in the Bengali Honours stream. He died after allegedly falling from the second-floor balcony of his hostel though mystery still shrouds over what happened that day.

Image courtesy: File image/IBNS

According to the FIR, the teenager fell off the balcony and died during treatment at KPC Medical College.

Hours after the incident, another fresher had come out with his claims of suffering, saying that ragging forced him to quit the prestigious institution.

A year has passed, but the JU authorities are yet to take action on the identified students who ragged Swarnodip, according to reports in a local English daily.

The father of the deceased has said the university has only issued a show-cause notice to the identified students.

He told The Telegraph, "JU show-caused the students implicated in the committee report, that, too, only after the education minister Bratya Basu in late July said he would speak to the JU authorities about the inaction.

"We dont know when JU will announce the punishment and we will get justice."

JU interim Vice-Chancellor Bhaskar Gupta said the university is waiting for the reply to the show-cause letters.

Kundus parents and friends had alleged that he had been a victim of ragging.

"The show cause should have been wrapped up much earlier... As the university is taking time to act, complaints of harassment of students keep emerging from the same hostel. A postgraduate first-year student had to quit the hostel recently," the father told the daily.
A school girl was molested in Mumbai amid ongoing protests in Kolkata over rape and murder of female doctorPhoto Courtesy: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

A schoolgirl was allegedly molested by an autorickshaw driver in Mumbai's Borivali area, police said on Sunday.

The incident reportedly occurred when the 15-year-old teen was on her way to school.

The victim's parents filed a complaint at MHB Colony Police Station after the girl informed them about the incident.

Police have formed a team who is searching for the rickshaw driver, reported India.com.

The incident came to light at a time when the nation and specially Kolkata is witnessing protests over the rape and murder of a PG trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in the east Indian city.

In the same state, another incident of violence against women came to light when a nurse, who was on her night shift duty at the Illambazar Health Center in Birbhum, was allegedly molested by a patient.

According to reports, the accused, who was brought to the health center for treatment, touched the nurse inappropriately while she was administering him saline.

The nurse alleged that the patient molested her while being attended to in the emergency department.

The accused was even accompanied by his family members at the time of the incident.

"The male patient misbehaved with me and touched me inappropriately in my private parts while I was just following the doctor's instructions. He also hurled verbal abuses at me," the nurse was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Cops arrested the accused after arriving at the scene.
Photo Courtesy: Manipur Police X page

At least two people, including a woman, and several others were injured after a gunfight broke out near Koutruk in Kangchup region in Imphal West district of Manipur on Sunday, media reports said.

According to Koutruk Village Gram Panchayat chairman, suspected armed militants started unprovoked firing around 2 pm when village volunteers were away from vulnerable areas, reported India Today.

The Manipur Polie said in a statement: "In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged Kuki militants have deployed numerous RPGs using high-tech drones. While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfares, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the civilians marks a significant escalation."

"The involvement of highly trained professionals, possibly with technical expertise and support, cannot be ruled out," police said.

Police said authorities are currently closely monitoring the situation.

Police identified one of the deceased person as 31-year-old Ngangbam Surbala.

Police said her daughter was injured in the incident.

"Also 02 (two) police personnel and 03 (three) civilians sustained injuries in the ongoing incident," police posted on X.

In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged Kuki militants have deployed numerous RPGs using high-tech drones. While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfares, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the  Manipur Police (@manipur_police) September 1, 2024

Police said 'combing operation' is currently ongoing.

The situation became tense along the borders of Meitei- and Kuki-Zomi-majority districts after months of calm.
Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Kolkata/IBNS: "I want justice in this case," says Riyanshi Adhikari, a Class 3 student who almost forced her mother to take her along in another grand rally- dubbed as 'Maha Michil'- to protest the shocking rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.

The mammoth rally, which wandered from College Square in north Kolkata to downtown Dharmatala, is one where common people, mostly women and young girls, walked shoulder to shoulder with celebrities, raising a one-point slogan- "We Want Justice"- even as the federal investigating agency CBI probes the gruesome crime that triggered a nationwide protest like the fatal New Delhi bus rape of a paramedic in 2012.

Ratna Adhikari Bose, Riyanshi's mother, couldn't hold back her worry for her daughter, who says the RG Kar case is the only issue being discussed from dining space to bedroom at her place.

"I took her along with me so that she could realise the kind of society we are currently living in," says Ratna and adds in the same breath, "As a mother, I am very worried. How will I be unworried about my daughter's future? I am not educating my daughter for her to be confined at home. So she will have to be strong from this moment on." "I have hit the streets hoping for better days in future," she added.

For the uninformed, Kolkata, its neighbouring districts have been witnessing relentless, unprecedented protests after a post-graduate medical student was raped and murdered at her workplace on the intervening night of August 8 and 9.

Though the police swiftly nabbed a civic volunteer- named Sanjoy Roy- with the rape and murder charges, junior doctors, who are on an indefinite strike, suspect the crime was committed by more than one and an attempt to tamper with evidence and cover up the incident to protect its perpetrators or conspirators is at play right from the beginning.

"I think this 'Maha Michil' has been able to send out a clear message. I hope the real culprits are found out and arrested. We have to free our state and society from these kinds of mafia-raj and rape culture," says an elderly lady, named Anuradha Mahapatra, who was walking in the rally with almost equal vigour as that of the minor, Riyanshi. "I feel there should be an end to the atrocities women are facing in our country. This situation needs to be changed," says the woman who came all the way from Garia, an eastern part of the city, to downtown Kolkata.

The Mamata Banerjee government, despite winning an overwhelming number of parliamentary seats in the General Elections just a couple of months ago, is now in a deep crisis as people's protests roil the state challenging the state administration, which was marred by political violence and rampant corruption cases for more than a decade now.

The administration's swift run for the last rites of the victim and demolition work near the crime scene have raised some uncomfortable questions for the state administration, which is helmed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds both the police and health portfolios. Clamour for her resignation also grew louder.

In a departure from its previous rallies, including the night vigil on August 14, justice was demanded also from the CBI which has been on the case for nearly three weeks now.

Priyanka Chatterjee- a middle-aged lady- pointed her fingers on the CBI too as she walked past the Bowbazar area this evening.

"We are waiting for the results by CBI on September 5 (the next hearing date) but what we are scared of is that the probe agency will claim there was only one rapist and murderer. But the system has raped and killed the girl. We want to know about the syndicate which was going on in that hospital against which our daughter had spoken. "Is it sex racket or drug racket or organ racket, what was going on? CBI must shed its light on that," says Priyanka pausing her sloganeering at the rally, which saw the presence of film personalities like Aparna Sen, Swastika Mukherjee, Srijit Mukherji among others.

(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
Fatman Scoop collapses on stage. Photo Courtesy: ShareAlike 3.0 Unported/Wikimedia Commons

American rapper Fatman Scoop died after collapsing during his performance at a concert in Connecticut on Friday, media reports said.

He was 53.

He was performing at the Town Center Park in the city of Hamden when the incident occurred.

Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett confirmed the death of the rapper who wrote on Facebook: "On behalf of the Town of Hamden, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Isaac Freeman, known as Fatman Scoop. He was a wonderful performer with a wide following as evidenced by the thousands of fans that came to see what would be his last performance at Hamden Town Center Park."

"I am grateful to the audience members and to our paramedics that attempted to offer life-saving assistance. For anyone who is having difficulty processing and mourning Isaacs loss particularly after witnessing the tragedy unfold at Town Center Park, we will be hosting grief counseling with our social worker," he said.

His booking agency MN2S spokesperson told BBC: "Scoop was a beloved figure in the music world, whose work was loved by countless fans across the globe."

In a Facebook post, the rapper's family said he was a 'radiant soul'.

"He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength and courage," the statement said.

Isaac Freeman III, who was better known for his stage name Fatman Scoop, was an American rapper, hype man, and radio personality.

Noted for his booming, raw vocal presence on various hip hop songs, he was best known for his guest performances on the 2005 singles "Lose Control" by Missy Elliott and "It's Like That" by Mariah Carey.
Photo Courtesy: Samantha Ruth Prabhu Instagram page

Hailing the Hema Committee report in Kerala which opened a can of worms in the Mollywood film industry's tracks on sexual abuse, southern actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu said a similar probe should be initiatied in the Telugu industry too.

She urged the Telangana film industry to release a similar report which would help in framing policies and ensure a safe working environment for women in the Telugu film industry.

"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," Samantha, who has worked in several hit movies in her career, wrote in a story on Instagram.

"We hereby urge the Telangana government, to publish the submitted sub committee report on sexual harassment, which can help frame government and industry policies, to establish a safe working environment for women in the TFI (Telugu Film Industry)," the actor wrote.

The Justice K Hema Committee report, which was released recently, unveiled detailed allegations of sexual abuse by male actors, directors and other crew members in Mollywood.

Several film actors have since then shared their experience of facing sexual abuse in the industry, leading to FIR registration against industry strongmen like Mukesh, Siddique, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu and director Ranjith.

Samantha made her acting debut in the Telugu romance film Ye Maaya Chesave (2010), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut  South.

She became the second actress to win both the Filmfare Award for Best Actress  Tamil and Best Actress  Telugu in the same year, for her performances in the 2012 films Neethaane En Ponvasantham and Eega, respectively.

Over the next few years, she played the leading lady in top-grossing androcentric films such as Dookudu (2011), Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2012), Attarintiki Daredi (2013), Kaththi (2014), Theri (2016), 24 (2016), Mersal (2017), and Rangasthalam (2018).

Her performance in A Aa (2016) won Samantha her fourth Filmfare Award, and she gained further praise for her performances in Mahanati (2018), Super Deluxe (2019), and Majili (2019), and the Amazon Prime Video thriller series The Family Man (2021).

The last of these earned her a Filmfare OTT Award. In 2023, she had two critical and commercial failures in Shaakuntalam and Kushi.[
Photo courtesy: x.com/POTUS

Washington: US President Joe Biden Sunday said Hamas will have to pay for its crimes after Israels military recovered the bodies of six hostages, including Israeli American Goldberg-Polin, from a Gaza strip tunnel, shortly after they were brutally killed, media reports said.

The bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino were found and recovered on Saturday.

The bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino were found and recovered yesterday.



They were all taken hostage on October 7 and were murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization while in captivity pic.twitter.com/9VWYHNX0Ks  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 1, 2024

"Goldberg-Polin had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world," Biden was quoted as saying by Reuters.

His parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, "have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable," he said, stated the report.

Goldberg-Polin, who was taken hostage at a music festival near Gaza, was seen in a video released by Hamas in late April.

Also read: Israel military recovers bodies of 6 hostages from Gaza Strip tunnel

"They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express," the president was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Biden vowed that "Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages."

Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement, "I strongly condemn Hamas continued brutality, and so must the entire world." Harris, the Democratic candidate running to succeed Biden, said she and he would never waver in their commitment to free the Americans and all those held hostage in Gaza.

Earlier, in Delawares Rehoboth Beach, Biden said he was "still optimistic" about a ceasefire deal to stop the prolonged conflict, Reuters reported.

"I think we're on the verge of having an agreement," he said. "It's time this war ended."

Biden added that "people are continuing to meet."

"We think we can close the deal, theyve all said they agree on the principles."

According to Reuters, Israels President Isaac Herzog said, "The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces.

"I embrace their families with all my heart, and apologize for failing to bring them home safely."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not release a statement immediately over the brutal killing of the hostages.

According to the report, Netanyahu is under pressure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that includes the release of remaining hostages.

Senior Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq said that Israel, in its refusal to sign a ceasefire deal, was responsible for the deaths.

According to Israel's Hagari, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi from the Bedouin community in southern Israel, was rescued days earlier, about a kilometre away.

The six recovered bodies were among the 250 hostages taken during Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

The assault resulted in around 1,200 deaths, according to Israeli reports.

Since then, the health ministry in Gaza has reported at least 40,691 Palestinians killed and 94,060 injured in Israel's military counter-attack.

Sunday's developments are likely to intensify protests by Israelis demanding a deal for the hostages' release.

The Hostage Families Forum has called on Netanyahu to take responsibility and clarify what is delaying an agreement.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

At least three Israeli cops were killed in a shooting incident at a checkpoint in the Palestinian city of Tarqumiyah in the West Bank, media reports said on Sunday.

The slain police officers were identified as Ch. Insp. Arik Ben Eliyahu, Command Sgt. Maj. Hadas Branch, and First Sgt. Roni Shakuri.

According to reports, a suspected Palestinian gunman opened fire at a police car close to the Idhna-Tarqumiyah junction and then fled the scene.

He was reportedly killed during an exchange of fire with security forces in Hebron city.

Ben Eliyahu and Branch were declared dead at the scene, while Shakuri died en route to a hospital, reported The Times of Israel.

The shooting took place at a time when Israeli forces were conducting deadly assault on Jenin for a fifth consecutive day

As the crisis in the West Bank continues to escalate alongside the ongoing war in Gaza, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier 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.
Photo Courtesy: IDF X page

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to 'settle accounts' with Hamas leaders after six bodies of hostages were recovered from a tunnel in the Gaza Strip.

Together with the entire nation, my wife and I share the terrible grief of the families. We all mourn together with them, he was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel.

I say to the Hamas terrorists who murdered our abductees and I say to their leaders  your lives are now forfeit, Netanyahu vowed.

The PM said: "We will not rest and we will not be silent. We will pursue you, we will catch up with you and we will settle accounts with you."

The Israeli Defense Forces on Saturday said bodies of six hostages were recovered from a tunnel in Gaza.

"They were all taken hostage on October 7 and were murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization while in captivity in Gaza," IDF said in a statement.

"The IDF and ISA send their heartfelt condolences to the families. Israeli security forces are operating with all means to bring home all the hostages as fast as possible," the Israeli Defense Forces said.

The bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino were found and recovered yesterday.



They were all taken hostage on October 7 and were murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization while in captivity pic.twitter.com/9VWYHNX0Ks  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 1, 2024

U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement he was devastated and outraged.

Biden, who monitored the situation of the hostages seized on Oct. 7, said the six included Israeli American Goldberg-Polin.

UN chief Antonio Guterres described the development in Gaza as 'tragic'.

I will never forget my meeting last October with the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and other hostage families. Today's tragic news is a devastating reminder of the need for the unconditional release of all hostages and an end to the nightmare of war in Gaza.  Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 1, 2024

Demanding immediate release of hostages and steps needed to end the war, Guterres said: " I will never forget my meeting last October with the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and other hostage families. Today's tragic news is a devastating reminder of the need for the unconditional release of all hostages and an end to the nightmare of war in Gaza."

Senior Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq said that Israel, in its refusal to sign a ceasefire deal, was responsible for the deaths.

According to Israel's Hagari, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi from the Bedouin community in southern Israel, was rescued days earlier, about a kilometre away.

The six recovered bodies were among the 250 hostages taken during Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

The assault resulted in around 1,200 deaths, according to Israeli reports.

Since then, the health ministry in Gaza has reported at least 40,691 Palestinians killed and 94,060 injured in Israel's military counter-attack.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Supporting Armenias militarization policy exacerbates tensions in the South Caucasus, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev told reporters, Trend reports.

According to Hajiev, a regulation has been agreed upon between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is creating a framework for the delimitation process. This process will continue on a bilateral basis under conditions of mutual understanding. The delimitation of borders is inherently a bilateral issue.

Given the peaceful and mutually understanding atmosphere between the two states, we believe there is no need for the European Union border mission from Armenia near the Azerbaijani border. The time has come to end this mission, he emphasized.

Regarding recent statements by the Armenian prime minister, Hajiyev noted that Pashinyans comments are contradictory and do not reflect reality.

Armenia is actively pursuing a policy of militarization, which is a fact. This policy is strongly supported by several Western countries, particularly France. Such support contributes to increasing tension in the South Caucasus region, he added.

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Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

University of Pittsburgh police have arrested a person who is suspected to have attacked a group of Jewish students with a bottle on Friday, the school said.

" This evening, Pitt Police arrested an individual in connection to an appalling incident near the Cathedral of Learning in which a group of Jewish students was attacked by an individual wielding a bottle," read the university website.

Two students were treated at the scene.

"The alleged perpetrator, who has no known Pitt affiliation, was immediately arrested by Pitt Police and is in custody," the statement said.

Upon learning about this incident, Pitt leadership contacted Hillel University Center to offer support to our students and also connected with our partners at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.

"We are grateful to our Pitt Police officers for their swift action, and our Student Affairs team for their ongoing student support," the university said in a statement.

"While there is not believed to be any ongoing threat to the public stemming from this incident, we recognize that incidents like these are unsettling to our Pitt community," the statement said.

"Neither acts of violence nor antisemitism will be tolerated. Local and federal partners are supporting Pitt Police in this ongoing investigation," the university said.
After a very long wait, Kill OTT release date for India is finally out! Buzz for the film which stars Tanya Maniktala, Raghav Juyal, and Lakshya, has been building over the past few months. Fans had been anticipating seeing the movie in cinemas and then on OTT. Since Kill OTT is now accessible to viewers in the USA, there was conjecture around the film's potential release date in India. Kill is currently available to rent in the USA for $24.99 on Amazon Prime Video. To people's delight in India, it is now confirmed that Kill will release on Hotstar on 6th September 2024.



The streaming platform had announced the date on its social media platforms recently. A clip was shared with the caption, "This ride is about to get bloody! We are coming, #Kill streaming on Sept 6."

Plot

Amrit falls in love with Tulika, who is getting engaged to somebody against her choice. Amrit chooses to board Tulika's train, which is headed for Delhi, in order to halt her upcoming wedding. In the midst of this, a group of robbers with knives takes over the train. They begin frightening the defenseless passengers on the train and try to injure Tulika.



Cast and crew

Apart from Lakshya, Raghav and Tanya, Kill stars Ashish Vidyarthi, Abhishek Chauhan, Adrija Sinha, Harsh Chhaya, Parth Tiwari and others.



The movie, which was written and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, has been backed by Achin Jain, Karan Johar, Guneet Monga, and Apoorva Mehta. The movie debuted in September 2023 at the Toronto International Film Festival before its theatrical distribution. Kill also made history at the event by being the People's Choice Award: Midnight Madness runner-up.

Also read: Upcoming movies on Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar, Sonyliv, Zee5 and other OTTs in India

Kill review

Kill received overwhelmingly excellent reviews upon its theatrical debut. The movie got people talking, and how. From critics applauding the intricate narrative to fans applauding the cast selection. Raghav Juyal was also given his due by the film. People began complimenting him for portraying such a serious part after he gained recognition for his dancing and humor. Many also dubbed him the "Villian of the Year"!



For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav, is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals, marking the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity who is revered as the remover of obstacles. The festival is particularly important for starting new ventures, intellectual pursuits, and business activities. Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 promises to be a grand occasion, with festivities spanning 10 days filled with devotion, rituals, and community celebrations.



Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Start and End Dates

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 is set to begin on Saturday, September 7th. The 10-day celebration will conclude on Tuesday, September 17th, with the grand event of Ganesh Visarjan. The Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 start and end dates are particularly significant for devotees, as they determine the days of worship and the timing of the rituals.

Here are the key dates for Ganesh Chaturthi 2024:

Start Date: Saturday, September 7th, 2024

Saturday, September 7th, 2024 Puja Tithi Begins: Friday, September 6th, 2024, at 03:01 PM

Friday, September 6th, 2024, at 03:01 PM Puja Tithi Ends: Saturday, September 7th, 2024, at 05:37 PM

Saturday, September 7th, 2024, at 05:37 PM Puja Muhurat: Saturday, September 7th, 2024, from 11:03 AM to 01:34 PM

Saturday, September 7th, 2024, from 11:03 AM to 01:34 PM End Date (Ganesh Visarjan): Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

Ganesh Visarjan 2024

Credit: Freepik | Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 image

Ganesh Visarjan marks the conclusion of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, where the idols of Lord Ganesha are immersed in water bodies, symbolising the cycle of creation and dissolution. This year, the Ganesh Visarjan will take place on September 17th, 2024. The idols are carried in grand processions from homes and pandals to rivers, lakes, or seas, accompanied by chants of "Ganapati Bappa Morya," bhajans, and dances. For those without access to large water bodies, symbolic immersions can be done at home using a small vessel or water barrel.



Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is observed with great enthusiasm and devotion across India and in Hindu communities around the world. Lord Ganesha, also known as Gajanana, Dhoomraketu, Ekdanta, Vakrtunda, and Siddhi Vinayaka, is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. During this period, elaborately decorated clay idols of Lord Ganesha were installed in homes, temples, and public pandals, where they were worshipped through various rituals and ceremonies.

Ganesh Chaturthi History

The History of Ganesh Chaturthi The roots of Ganesh Chaturthi can be traced back to the Maratha Empire, where it was popularised by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century to foster unity and nationalism among his people. However, it was during the British colonial period that the festival gained widespread popularity, thanks to freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak. He transformed Ganesh Chaturthi into a public event, using it as a platform to unite people and inspire them in the struggle for independence.

Ganesha Chaturthi story

Ganesha is the younger son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. There are several stories about his birth, but two are the most well-known.

According to the first story, Parvati created Ganesha from the dirt on her body to guard her while she bathed since Shiva was away. She asked him to watch over the bathroom door. When Shiva returned home, Ganesha, not knowing who he was, stopped him from entering. This angered Shiva, and after a confrontation, he cut off Ganesha's head. When Parvati found out, she was furious. To calm her, Shiva promised to bring Ganesha back to life. He sent the devas to find the head of a child facing north, but they could only find an elephant's head. Shiva attached the elephant's head to Ganesha's body, and that's how Ganesha was born.

In another popular story, the Devas asked Shiva and Parvati to create Ganesha so he could be a Vighnakarta (creator of obstacles) for demons and a Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles) for the Devas, helping them in their tasks.

Cultural Significance and Unity

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 is not just a religious festival but also a cultural celebration that brings together people from various backgrounds. It is a time when individuals from different castes, religions, and social classes come together to participate in the festivities, fostering a sense of unity and solidarity. The festivals rich history and cultural significance make it an essential part of Indian heritage.

Best Ganesh Chaturthi wishes and messages to share on WhatsApp

Wishing you a joyful Ganesh Chaturthi! May Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles and fill your life with peace and prosperity.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May the divine blessings of Lord Ganesha bring you endless happiness and success.

On this Ganesh Chaturthi, may Lord Ganesha bless you with wisdom, good fortune, and a life full of joy.

May Lord Ganesha shower you with his love and blessings on this auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Wishing you a wonderful Ganesh Chaturthi filled with love, laughter, and lots of modaks!

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2024! May Lord Ganesha guide you on the path of success and remove all obstacles from your life.

This Ganesh Chaturthi, may Lord Ganesha bless you with new beginnings and endless opportunities.

Wishing you and your family a blessed Ganesh Chaturthi! May the Lord bring you joy and prosperity.

On this holy occasion, may Lord Ganesha bless you with a healthy and happy life. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

Sending you warm wishes on Ganesh Chaturthi! May Lord Ganesha always be your guide and protector.

As Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 approaches, devotees across the world prepare to welcome Lord Ganesha into their homes and communities. The start and end dates of this 10-day festival are eagerly anticipated, as they set the stage for days filled with devotion, joy, and togetherness. Whether you observe Ganesh Chaturthi at home or participate in public celebrations, this festival is a time to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha for wisdom, prosperity, and success in all your endeavours.

(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events worldwide, please visit Indiatimes Events
Last night Iranian-German actress Elnaaz Nourouzi stepped out in a blush pink mini 'bouquet dress' for an event in Mumbai. While the diva posed for shutterbugs, we couldn't help but be reminded of a dress worn by fashion icon Uorfi Javed which too was inspired by a bouquet, albeit a paper one. While Bollywood divas are often seen out and about in similar dresses, the odds of coming across two dresses with strikingly similar inspirations behind them are rare. Nevertheless, let's check out the fashion face-off between Uorfi and Elnaaz and see whose look we like the best.

Elnaaz Norouzi's 'buoquet dress'

Elnaaz wore a blush pink off-the-shoulder dress which was adorned with bright yellow, pink, white and purple blooms on the neckline, giving it a bouquet-like look. The stunning dress was made up of wide vertical panels resembling paper and a white ribbon waist belt tied up in a bow, which gave the finishing touches to her bouquet aesthetic. She completed her look with white pumps which were also adorned with bows and kept her makeup and hairstyle minimal with straight side-parted locks.

Uorfi Javed's 'bouquet dress'

Uorfi who is known for her bizarre fashion dresses, styled a bubblegum pink coloured mini-dress which featured a 'bouquet' of paper-like cherry blossoms. Her choice of blooms gave a Japanese look to her attire which even the paps pointed out by calling her 'Japani Gudiya'. Her dress had a fitted bodice which distended to a structured-flared skirt. Styling her outfit with a bun featuring face-framing tendrils and a bright pink lip, and rounded off her look with sky-high clear platform heels.

Although the thought behind both these looks may have been strikingly similar, both Uorfi and Elnaaz's looks were quite different owing to their individualistic interpretation of the bouquet theme!

Elnaaz first rose to fame when she appeared in the famous Netflix series Sacred Games which also starred Nawazuddin Siddique, Saif Ali Khan, Kubra Sait and Radhika Apte in key roles. She later went on to star in several successful OTT shows including Made in Heaven and Ranneeti: Balakot and Beyond. The talented actress made her Hollywood debut with Gerard Butler in Kandahar. The beautiful diva will next be seen in the much-awaited action-thriller Hotel Tehran, shooting for which is yet to start.

Dreams do come true! So honoured & proud to share this with you all!



Between travels and busy schedules, I lost track of time! A little throwback to receiving the Mid-day Showbiz

Emerging Iconic Actress Award

Feeling eternally grateful!  pic.twitter.com/FktcQoOPI0  Elnaaz Norouzi (@_iamnaaz_) August 21, 2024

On the other hand, Uorfi Javed became famous for her unique fashion sense. A favourite of paparazzi, Uorfi is often spotted in the city parading one bizarre outfit after the other. Going viral on the internet for her fearless fashion shenanigans, Uorfi has now bagged a Prime Video show. Her series Follow Kar Lo Yaar, premiered on the platform on August 23 and revolves around her day-to-day life with her family. Take a look at her trailer.

Also Read: Natasha Poonawalla's latest photos remind us of Jennifer Lopez's Met Gala 2019 headpiece look

For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle.


A Redditor, who is a student at a Tier III engineering college in Hyderabad, recently shared a "Placement Agreement Form" for the 2026 graduating batch on the platform. The form contained guidelines such as fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 for students who fail to join the job offers they receive through campus placements. Additional charges were also outlined for training sessions. Shocked by the terms, the student questioned, "Is this how college placements happen everywhere in Tier 3 colleges?"

Check out the form below:

The form includes stringent guidelines such as: "Fine of Rs. 50,000 to the College (if salary is below Rs 5 lakh) and Rs 1,00,000 (if salary is above Rs 5 lakh)" if they "fail to join the job provided by the College through any medium."

Moreover, if a student undertakes an internship and then declines the full-time offer from the company, they are to pay a "fine in the amount equal to 50% of the earned amount/ salary during internship."

The form also mandates that students are responsible for converting their internships into full-time positions.

Additionally, coding batch students are mandated to pay Rs 1 lakh fine toward training cost.

Credit: Unsplash | Representational image

How did social media react?

The post quickly caught attention, with many expressing disbelief at the seemingly harsh conditions imposed on students.

Many said that this is illegal and asked the student to "lawyer up and take this to court."

However, one comment points out that there are actually two sides to the coin: "Whatever the college is doing feels incorrect & is actually incorrect, But all this is going to benefit average/above average students in the current batch or future batch."

They write that while exceptional students may receive multiple job offers and switch between them, this can negatively impact the college's reputation with companies, potentially leading to fewer opportunities for future students, especially in colleges with limited placement options.

What's your opinion on this?

For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education.
He was a spy like no other, existing underwater without a need for oxygen. Truly one of a kind, he defied human comparisonbecause he wasn't human at all. Now, as per news reports, the celebrated Russian spy whale, Hvaldimir, has just been found dead.

Local media said that Hvaldimir was discovered on Saturday by a father and son fishing near Risavika in southern Norway. Non-profit Marine Mind founder Strand later told Yahoo News that the situation had been "chaotic" after Hvaldimirs death, and he was working to ensure the whale was treated with the proper respect.

Marine Mind had been tracking Hvaldimir's movements daily.

Not an ordinary whale

Known as Hvaldimir, the Russian spy whale, this fascinating beluga made headlines in 2019 when he was found in Norwegian waters wearing a harness.

The harness, labelled "equipment of St. Petersburg," sparked widespread speculation that he might have been involved in a Russian spy mission.

Credit: Jorgen Ree Wiig/Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, via Reuters

The mystery grew as Russia never confirmed ownership, leaving people to wonder if Hvaldimir was a secret agent or simply a whale caught in a bizarre situation.



Spy or not, Hvaldimir was an unusually friendly whale - often choosing to stay in bustling waters close to humans, unlike typical Beluga whales, which usually travel in groups and live in remote Arctic regions. Yahoo News quotes Mr. Strand, who noted, "He was completely acclimatized to human culture," and suggested that Hvaldimir seemed to have "been in captivity for a lot of his life."

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


Mumbai Police have once again shown their heroic side in an extraordinary act of bravery. Recently, a Mumbai police officer, even while off duty, leaped into action to rescue a person who had fallen and almost ended up trapped under a moving train. Thanks to the officer's swift and courageous intervention, captured in a viral video, the individuals life was saved from what could have been a tragic outcome.



Watch the video here:

At Mumbai's Goregaon railway station, a dramatic rescue unfolded as a man attempting to board a moving train lost his footing and fell perilously close to being run over.

In a stunning display of bravery and quick reflexes, Mumbai police officer PC Balaso Dhage, who was off duty at the time, sprang into action.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the man by the arm and yanked him back to safety on the platform, just moments before the train could have claimed a tragic outcome.

Credit: yatrirailways.com

The heart-stopping rescue, captured on video and aptly captioned, "On Duty For Mumbaikars Always!" has rapidly gained attention, amassing over 780,000 views.



Social media users have lauded Dhage's quick thinking and courage, with one commenter noting, "Once a police. Always a police. On duty ho ya off duty. He or she knows their duty, that is to protect everyone."

Another praised, "Constable Dhage needs to be recognised and rewarded for his brave daring timely rescue action! Jai Ho Mumbai Police Force! Looking forward to more such real-life Singham and Dabangg Cops and gutsy rescue rapid actions!"

The viral video highlights the unwavering bravery of Mumbai's police, showing their readiness to act heroically even when off duty.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
In September 2024, the stock market will have nine non-trading days. These include the usual four Saturdays and five Sundays when both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will be closed. Unlike some previous years, there are no extra stock market holidays on weekdays this September.



No Weekday Holidays in September 2024

In September 2023, the stock market had an extra holiday on a weekday for Ganesh Chaturthi which was fall on Tuesday, September 19th. However, in 2024, Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Saturday, September 7th which is a weekend, which means there will be no additional holidays on weekdays that could impact the stock market. The BSE and NSE usually remain open almost every day of the year except for specific holidays.

Regular Trading Hours

Pre-Open Session:

Order Entry and Modification: 09:00 AM to 09:08 AM

Random Closure: This occurs during the last minute of the pre-open session.

Regular Trading Session:

Normal and Limited Physical Market: Opens at 09:15 AM and closes at 03:30 PM

Closing Session:

Time: 03:40 PM to 04:00 PM

Block Deal Session Timings

Morning Window: 08:45 AM to 09:00 AM

Afternoon Window: 02:05 PM to 02:20 PM

The pre-opening session allows investors to place, change, or cancel orders before the market officially opens. The post-closing session gives investors a chance to place orders at the closing price of the day.



BSE & NSE overview

In India, most stock trading takes place on two main stock exchanges: the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The NSE is the largest financial market in India and was ranked the 3rd biggest in the world for stock trading in 2022, according to the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE). This was an improvement from its 4th-place ranking the previous year.

Indias stock market operates through these two key exchanges. The BSE, established in 1875, is Asias oldest stock market, while the NSE, founded in 1992, is more recent.

The stock market in India is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). SEBI ensures that trading is fair, transparent, and protects investors. It also supervises other financial markets in India, such as mutual funds and commodity markets.

Upcoming Stock Market Holidays in 2024

Looking ahead, here are some key stock market holidays for the remaining months of 2024:

Gandhi Jayanti: The stock market will be closed on October 2, 2024, for Gandhi Jayanti.

The stock market will be closed on October 2, 2024, for Gandhi Jayanti. Diwali (Laxmi Pujan): On November 1, 2024, the market will hold a special trading session known as Muhurat trading to celebrate Diwali and Laxmi Pujan.

On November 1, 2024, the market will hold a special trading session known as Muhurat trading to celebrate Diwali and Laxmi Pujan. Gurunanak Jayanti: The market will be closed on November 15, 2024, to celebrate Gurunanak Jayanti.

The market will be closed on November 15, 2024, to celebrate Gurunanak Jayanti. Christmas: The stock market will be closed on December 25, 2024, for Christmas.

Recent Stock Market Performance

In the most recent trading session on Friday, the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty continued to rise for the ninth straight session. This ongoing rally was driven by strong global market trends and increased foreign investment. The BSE Sensex gained 231 points, closing at an all-time high of 82,366, after reaching an intra-day peak of 82,637 with a 502-point surge. Similarly, the NSE Nifty closed at a record high of 25,235, rising by 84 points, and reached an intra-day high of 25,268 with a 116-point gain.

All about Ganesh Chaturthi 2024

Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is known for his wisdom and as the remover of obstacles. During this ten-day festival, devotees bring home a small idol of Lord Ganesha and worship him for ten days, though some people may choose to do so for five or three days.

The festival is celebrated for various reasons in different parts of the world, but the most common reason is to honour the birth of Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi. This festival is celebrated enthusiastically in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the Chaturthi tithi of Shukla Paksha. This year, the festival will begin on Saturday, September 7, with Ganesh Visarjan taking place on Tuesday, September 17. The auspicious time for the Ganesh Chaturthi puja is from 11:03 am to 1:34 pm.

While September 2024 has no weekday stock market holidays, investors should be aware of the upcoming holidays later in the year to plan their trades accordingly. Being informed about stock market holidays in September 2024 will help you avoid missing any crucial trading opportunities.

Note: Details mentioned here are as per the information available.



For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here
A lone accident involving a Toyota Camry at Kere Itori on the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway has killed two children.

Mrs Florence Okpe, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Spokesperson in Ogun, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Abeokuta Sunday.

Okpe stated that the accident occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Saturday.

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She claimed that the accident was caused by speeding, and that the automobile with the registration number AGL 36 JA was overcrowded with passengers.

READ MORE: Osun Road Accident Claims Four Lives, Injures 20

The statement reads in part: Operatives from the FRSC Itori Unit Command carried out a rescue operation on Saturday, 31st August 2024, at Kere, Itori, following a crash that occurred at about 2300hrs. It was a single-vehicle crash involving a white Toyota Camry with registration number AGL36JA.

A total of 7 male adults, 1 male child, and 1 female child were involved in the crash. The male child and the female child were killed, while the others sustained various injuries. The injured victims were taken to General Hospital, Ifo, and the corpses were deposited at the morgue.

The suspected causes of the crash were excessive speed and overloading. The car was overloaded with passengers, Okpe said.

She reminded motorists to always follow traffic laws and regulations.

NAN
The Federal Government has disclosed plans to invest $800 million in the construction of sub-stations and distribution networks as part of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).

Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser, Media and Strategic Communication to the Minister of Power in Abuja disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, reports News Agency of Nigeria.

According to him, the Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, said this during a tour of the TBEA Southern Power Transmission and Distribution Industry in Beijing, China.

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He stated that the Minister was in Beijing for the China-Africa Cooperation Summit.

The investment, Adelabu said, would be divided into two lots: 400 million dollars for Lot 2, covering Benin, Port Harcourt, and Enugu Distribution Companies (DISCOs) franchise areas, and 400 million dollars for Lot 3, covering Abuja, Kaduna, Jos, and Kano DISCOs franchise areas.

The minister expressed concern over the rejection of power by Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs), which recently led to a reduction in generation capacity from a peak of 5,170 megawatts by 1,400 megawatts due to their inability to manage the supply.

He said that despite the setback, the government aimed to increase power generation to 6,000 megawatts by the end of the year.

Adelabu reaffirmed the governments commitment to collaborating with world-class organisations like TBEA to realise President Bola Tinubus vision for the power sector.

Especially in the areas of transmission and distribution of the entire power sector value chain as well as Nigerias renewable energy segment, he said.

READ ALSO: I Recieve Threats From Cabals, Cartels Over Power Sector Reforms  Adelabu

Adelabu said that Nigeria had in 1984 generated 2,000 megawatts, and it took over 35 years to add another 2,000 megawatts.

He said that under the current administration, power generation increased from 4,000 megawatts to 5,170 megawatts within a year.

The minister speaking on the problems in the power sector which had hindered industrial growth, said this was due partly to the fragility of the Transmission and distribution infrastructure which had become old and dilapidated.

This has led to a historical epileptic supply of Power to households, industry and businesses.

More than 59 per cent of industries in Nigeria are off the grid. They did not see the national grid as reliable and dependable. So a lot of them now operate their own captive, self-generated power,  he said.

Adelabu said that the present administration was determined to transform the power sector, adding that a lot of activities had started that were gradually bringing back confidence in the sector.

When this administration came on board in 2023, we met about 4 gigawatts (4,000 megawatts) of power but within a year, we were able to generate a milestone of 5,170 megawatts.

That is about 1, 000 megawatts of power within the first year. It may look small, but compared to the history of the country, this is commendable, Adelabu noted.

Our plan is by the end of the year, we aim to achieve 6,000 megawatts of power through a combination of hydroelectric power plants and our gas-fired power plant.

We are also targeting 30 gigawatts of power to be generated, transmitted and distributed by the year 2030 out of which 30 per cent will be renewable energy, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. All conditions have been established for international observers to monitor the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Head of IPA CIS observation mission Leonid Anfimov told reporters, Trend reports.

The Central Election Commission in Azerbaijan has provided all necessary conditions for international observers to carry out their mission, he said.

Regarding the observation criteria, Anfimov emphasized that the mission focuses on ensuring adherence to both domestic legislation and international norms regulating the election.

No significant violations or complaints from observers have been reported at any polling station, which indicates that the electoral process meets established standards. We paid special attention to the participation of different age groups, he added.

Anfimov also discussed interactions with elderly voters and young families.

Im interested in how informed people are in making their choices. Almost everyone we spoke with had already decided on a candidate, which reflects the maturity of the electoral process, he concluded.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
More than 10,000 persons have been displaced while farmlands and other properties worth millions of naira were destroyed by flood after a few weeks of heavy downpour in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The Emir of Gummi, Justice Hassan Lawal (retired) led this out on Saturday when the states Governor, Dauda Lawal, visited the affected local government.

Briefing the governor, the Emir provided a breakdown of the situation in the area.

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He said: Following our discussion with experts, a permanent solution seems possible. According to the assessment, 10,291 households were affected, but we understand that the governor will go around to see for himself.

On his part, the governor sympathised with the flood victims and, thereafter, announced an immediate relief package of N100,000 and the distribution of 10,000 bags of assorted grains, along with mosquito nets and blankets, to them

Lawal also pledged to address long-term flood management by constructing new drainage systems, repairing existing dams, and potentially building additional dams.

READ MORE: 89 Houses Destroyed, Seven Residents Missing In Niger Flood (Pictures)

He said: Today, I am in Gummi Local Government Area to offer my condolences and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the communities devastated by flooding caused by heavy rainfall last week.

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that I have donated 10,000 bags of food, including rice, maize, and millet, to be distributed among the flood victims. The trucks are already on their way to Gummi for distribution.

On behalf of the Zamfara State Government, I am also providing 100 million in support for the affected victims. Additionally, all affected victims will be allocated land away from the danger zone so that they can build new houses.
Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has hit out at Nigerians over their comments on social media, after Victor Osimhen failed to secure a move away from Napoli.

The Al-Wehda FC striker regretted that Osimhen did not get the needed support he ought to have gotten from the fans.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the Nigerian forward has been frozen out at the Serie A club following the collapse of transfer talks with Chelsea and Al-Ahli.

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Ighalo said that Osimhen made a mistake which any human can make, adding that Nigerians should take it easy with the CAFs current best players.

READ MORE: Take The Money And Go  Frank Edoho Urges Osimhen To Snub Chelsea For Saudi Mega-Deal

He said: No human being is perfect and we have all made mistakes in life.

But seeing comments about this young man from his own country people makes me really sad, without even knowing what happened.

I spoke to him and I can feel the pain in his voice, the way hes been treated, this young man play with heart and pains for his country.

Hmmm its well, he will definitely be back stronger, we learn everyday in life. Happy New Month to yall.


One of the parents of the Faudiya Islamic school in Geidam, Yobe State, Saleh Ali, where children were killed by suspected Boko Haram members, has voiced out.

Alli who described the killings as barbaric and heartless said he has handed to situation to God.

Gunmen, had attacked the school in the early hours of Friday, killing three students and injuring one.

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The hoodlums, according to the police, came on motorbikes with AK-47 rifles, entered into the school and shot dead three, while one of the students who got injured was taken to an undisclosed hospital where hes receiving treatment.

While mourning the loss of his child, Ali called on the authorities, especially the police and army, to take action and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Recounting, Ali said that the attack took place while the children were asleep in their rooms.

According to him, the gunmen forcibly brought them out and shot three of them dead on the spot, injuring one who is currently receiving treatment at Nguru Hospital.

Ali said, These children normally go to school every Thursday of the week and sleep in the school. The report of their killings was reported the next day, Friday, by people in their neighborhood.

We dont know the killers. When the police and Army visited us to condole with us over the sad incident, they did not tell us who the killers were. When we heard the sad news, we were seriously terrified.

READ ALSO: Four Farmers Feared Killed As Boko Haram Storm Borno Community

The school belongs to us (members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria or Shiites). The victims of the attack were Ahmad AbdulRahman, Mohammed Saleh and Abdullahi Adamu.

The fourth victim is Saleh Haruna who is now receiving treatment at a hospital. He was shot in the leg.

AbdulRahman, the father of late Ahmad, stated that they (parents) had entrusted the matter to Gods judgment, refusing to comment further on the attack.

He criticised the government for failing to protect the lives and property of its citizens, emphasising the urgent need for increased security measures to prevent further senseless killings.

They have left everything in the hands of God. The Almighty will surely judge over this attack on our children, he told Punch.

Kolo Mohammed, Headmaster of Faudiya Islamic School, lamented the unprecedented nature of the incident in their 30 years of operation, calling for divine justice and expressing shock at the senseless violence.

We have been operating the school since 30 years. Its unfortunate that a situation like this is happening to us.

We are not fighting anyone, we dont have enemies. We are peace loving people. Why should this happen to us. God Almighty will judge over this incident, insha Allah.

We are not going to do anything on this, the authorities; police and army, will know what to do on this matter. We have left everything in the hands of the Creator, he said.

Reacting, Dungus Abdulkarim, the spokesperson for the Yobe State Police Command, said, The suspected terrorists attacked the Islamic school on 10 motorcycles with AK-47 rifles and shot sporadically at 4:00am (on Thursday).

The school belongs to the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as the Shiite.

When we received a distress call, the police in Geidam rushed to the school and discovered that three students were killed with the injuring of one another.

The injured student was taken to the Geidam Specialists Hospital for treatment.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man for allegedly pushing his 47-year-old younger brother to death.

SP Benjamin Hudenyin, spokesman for the Command, on Saturday acknowledged the occurrence and stated that it was reported to the Iba Police Division on August 24, 2024.

According to the police image maker, the younger brother had travelled from Port Harcourt to see a friend in Lagos.

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Hundeyin claimed that during an altercation, the suspect pushed his younger brother and struck his head on a pavement.

READ MORE: Fuji Icon Obesere Expresses Gratitude After Surviving Life-Threatening Surgery

The victim became unconscious and was rushed to Igando General Hospital for treatment, but was later confirmed dead by doctor on duty.

The detectives visited the scene of incident and took photographs, the corpse removed and deposited at Mainland General Hospital Mortuary, Yaba for autopsy.

The case file and suspect to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department Panti-Yaba for investigation, he said.
Former Edo Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has slammed the First Lady of the State, Betsy Obaseki, for saying only the Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, has a wife among the candidates of the State election.

During the PDPs campaign flag-off at the Ubiaja Township Stadium in Esan South-East Local Government Area, Obaseki introduced Ighodalos wife, Ifeyinwa, to the crowd, emphasising the importance of having a woman in the Government House.

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She said, Let us vote for the best candidate in this coming election, and I want to introduce the wife. Incidentally, among all the candidates, only one has a wife, and its our own partys candidate, Asue Ighodalo. Only he has a wife. This is the wife, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Ighodalo.

Edo women, know that only one candidate has a wife. Better things come to women when theres a woman in the Government House. All women in Edo, regardless of party, should see the candidate who has a wife. They will take us higher.

READ ALSO: Obaseki Not A Politician, Wont Have Emerged Governor Without Me  Philip Shaibu

Oshiomhole, however, faulted the comment while speaking to newsmen as seen in a video on X.

He stated that the All Progressives Congress candidate, Monday Okpebholo, has children in whom he has invested their education, adding that their mother joined them at recent campaigns.

I was shocked yesterday when I heard the First Lady, Mrs Obaseki saying our candidate has no wife, because heres a woman who has no child, between him and Obaseki, they have no child, they are childless.

Theyre even not ready to adopt. I mean I dont blame anybody if you dont have a child. But people who have love for children, they go to motherless homes and adopt children. They have not adopted, they are both in their sixties. So youre married with, I dont know whether its a contract or whatever it is but they have no child.

Our candidate not only has children; he has invested in the education of those children. The first one that spoke is a lawyer, the second one is a medical doctor, and they addressed the crowd in Edo South, Edo Central, and Edo North; and their mother was there, he said.
Apex socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has declared September 29, 2024, as a day of prayer, reflection, and remembrance for the Igbo nation.

The declaration comes amid growing concerns over the persistent challenges facing the Southeast region, including insecurity, socio-political marginalization, and the erosion of cultural values.

In a statement released on Sunday, Ohanaezes Secratary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said that the 2024 celebration of Igbo Day, titled Ozoemela (Never Again) reminds Ndigbo of the need to work together for the development of the region.

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The statement reads: As the sacred narrative of our people unfolds, we, the esteemed leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, rise in unity and profound concern to address the grievous plight confronting the Igbo nation on this years commemoration of Igbo Day.

Our collective hearts are heavy with the unspeakable anguish wrought by decades of oppression, socio-political marginalization, and insecurity that have plagued our homeland since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914.

Our beloved Southeast has become a crucible of suffering, caught in the merciless grip of escalating insecurity and governance deficiencies, which have led to a lamentable deterioration of our cultural values and norms as outlined in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Constitution.

READ MORE: Ohanaeze Ndigbos President, Iwuanyanwu, Dies At 81

This ongoing marginalization has not only been an affront to our identity but has also resulted in a profound crisis for our citizens, particularly those residing in the Igbo-speaking states and minority communities in Benue, Kogi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States.

Furthermore, our business communities in the Northern and Western regions of Nigeria are facing unjust challenges that impede their livelihoods.
Verydarkman, an outspoken critic, has expressed his disapproval of Chidimma Adetshinas victory as Miss Universe Nigeria 2024.

Chidimma, a Nigerian-South African model, had previously faced xenophobic backlash in South Africa after making it to the top 16 in the Miss South Africa pageant, leading to her withdrawal.

She was then invited to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, representing Taraba State, and emerged victorious.

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Verydarkman noted that Chidimmas win was not based on merit, but rather on pity due to her previous experiences in South Africa.

He argued this had diminished the efforts of other contestants who had prepared all year.

READ MORE: Chidimma Adetshina Emerges As Miss Universe Nigeria 2024

He also questioned Chidimmas representation of Taraba State, despite not being from there and unable to speak the local language.

In a video posted on his Instagram page on Sunday, Verydarkman partly said, So as I predicted they don carry the Miss Universe give chidinma while they tried to be fair they later end up not being fair at all so because say the girl get small problem for South Africa they frustrate her you invited her come Nigeria make she come be Miss Universe una carry the title give the girl so how about the people that have been preparing for this thing for a long time? Because this one Im pretty sure you guys didnt give her by merit you people give her pity.

Watch him speak below
Some gunmen, suspected to be Bandits have kidnaped passengers on a highway in Zamfara State, on Saturday.

According to the witness who refused to ascertain the number of the abducted victims, told journalists that the gunmen hijacked the two vehicles before abducting the occupants.

READ MORE: Insecurity: FG Has No Political Will To End Banditry, Tinubu Isnt Well Informed  Zamfara Gov

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He said: Few hours ago, bandits blocked the Damri to Bakura road in Zamfara State, abducting all passengers from two fully loaded vehicles.

Its alarming that terrorists can put blockade on a road in broad daylight without any fear. The northwest region of Nigeria has become a web of terror.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Zamfara state has become epic center of terrorism, with highest numbers of kidnapping and loss of innocent lives.


Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has hinted a political future between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyewom Wike, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Lamido, Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will soon become a political orphan to President Tinubu.

Lamido made this remark while speaking on the internal crisis rocking the PDP and Wikes affiliation with the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration.

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He acknowledged that the ongoing PDP crisis resulted from its previous actions and because the partys founding fathers, failed to build on the stability that once existed when the party was in power.

The former Minister of Foreign Affairs noted this during a recent interaction with Tribune.

Speaking on the way forward for the PDP, having lost serially to the APC in the previous elections, he said: You are still talking about the mood of the moment. You didnt reflect on the past. You must look back and ask what is the source of the problem. If you see a raging fire, you must identify the source to be able to control the smoke. You are simply talking about the symptoms; you are not looking at the bigger picture.

When you say PDP, in 1998, when it was formed, the main focus was to restore unity in Nigeria, to restore peoples confidence, which was undermined by June 12 (1993 presidential election annulment) and a section of the country felt cheated and lost the sense of belonging. After the PDP came to power, the country was stabilised, as against the (previous) feeling of distrust. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo from the South West emerged as the president even though they never liked him in his region.

What is happening now is that we failed to build on that stability. Unfortunately, today, we are only reacting to the consequences of our own actions. Look at this government: all the governors the majority of the lawmakers, are PDP, only a few are from the Lagos axis but the majority of them are PDP. Even the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in Tinubus administration  George Akume  was in PDP. (President Bola) Tinubu (Vice President Kashim) Shettima and the SGF are former governors, former senators, and up to the Senate President. Isnt there a team with more experience solving Nigerias problems than this team?

Lamido further faulted the speculations and narratives that the PDP has already conceded the political space in the Party to the likes of former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

READ ALSO: Buhari Never Wanted Tinubu As President, Didnt Trust Osinbajo  Sule Lamido

If Tinubu is not tolerating him, who is Wike? Lamido queried.

He stated: Wike is our creation. We made him. Where was Wike in 1999? Somebody who was your own invention, whom you thought you could develop, groom as a future leader now tells you that he is his own person now; what do you do? To me, Wike is not a factor. If Tinubu does not tolerate him, who is Wike? So, Wike is there today because the environment is there for him to manipulate and exploit. Simple. We are putting political expediency over national interest. Wike is being hyped by Tinubu to destroy the PDP but destroying the PDP also means destroying Tinubu.

Asked to address the speculations by some Nigerians that Wike was planted to undermine the PDP, Lamido said: No, Wike wasnt planted. He is PDP. Are you saying Tinubu made him Special Adviser to (former Rivers State governor) Peter Odili or Chief of Staff to (former Governor Rotimi) Amaechi? Are you saying it was Tinubu who made him governor of Rivers State? No, Wike was never planted. He is PDP, but that is the Nigerian character we have been discussing.

But ultimately, he will become a political orphan to Tinubu and both of them are going to lose because the entire arrangement is unholy; it is immoral, it is un-Nigerian. This issue of betrayal and undermining your party isnt part of our culture. No matter how long he serves Tinubu, ultimately, both of them are going to lose because the country is losing. So, Wike was never planted. He was simply identified as a willing character who lacks the morality and good character, and honour not to disown his own party. He has mortgaged his own party.

Asked whether the PDP has conceded that Tinubu is unstoppable in 2027, Lamido said: No. You see, the domestic cat fed on small chickens, but one day, the mother of the chickens stood up to the cat. Tinubu is that cat. What I am saying is that even Pharaohs empire collapsed. So, no matter how daring you are, it wont end well.

Tinubu today is somebody who has a grip on Nigeria, who owes obeisance to nobody in Nigeria, who believes that God made him and he made himself, and he is now lording it over the Nigerian people, and nobody can challenge him. He was adept at studying the system and manipulating it. He exploited it, and he did it well. I wish he could use his sagacity and talent to help Nigerias development. It would have been wonderful. But he is using it negatively. He has everything but not for the development of Nigeria, and it is affecting you; it is affecting me.


Callistus Okafor, national factional Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), says Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra, and Governor Alex Otti of Abia, have no authority to convene a stakeholders meeting on behalf of the Party.

Otti had earlier announced a stakeholder meeting of the Partys National Executive Council (NEC), scheduled for September 4 at the government house in Umuahia, the State capital.

The announcement came after Julius Abure, LPs National Chairman, advised Otti to stick to governance and stop meddling in the Partys administration.

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Obi, who was the partys presidential candidate in 2023, and Datti Baba-Ahmed, his running mate, are expected to attend the meeting.

Abure, on Tuesday, presided over a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting and a communique was issued after.

In the communique, Abure said Otti called for an emergency NEC meeting to dissolve party executives at state, local, and ward levels, citing expired tenures as the reason.

Reacting, Okafor faulted Abure for holding the NWC meeting, describing it as illegal since his tenure expired on June 9, 2024.

Okafor said any meeting convened outside the consent judgement is null and void.

He said whatever Abure does at this point is just another attempt to manipulate his dwindling followership into a false belief that there is hope.

READ ALSO: Well Repay Tinubus Good Work For Us By Making Otti Last LP Gov In Abia, APC Must Win In 2027  Reps. Deputy Speaker, Kalu

The governor of Abia State Dr. Alex Otti and the Presidential Candidate of the party in the 2023 General Election Mr. Peter Obi have no constitutional power to call for a Stakeholders meeting without the approval of the Partys executive which is presided over by me.

This is a clear indication that both Dr. Alex Otti and Mr. Peter Obi want to hijack the machinery of the party for their personal gains especially Mr. Peter Obi who desperately wants to use the Party for merger. We will resist any person or group who wants to use the party for his or her selfish gain.

It is a well-known fact that the illegal tenure of Julius Abure ended on the 27th June, 2024.

It is criminal deception for Abure to fraudulently parade himself as the chairman of Labour Party when he knows that he no longer enjoys privileges under the law, he said.

Okafor said the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) rejection of the 2014 Nnewi convention shows it didnt meet party constitutional requirements and relevant legislation governing political parties in Nigeria.

The factional chair said this decision proves the conventions illegitimacy and its outcomes invalid.

He added that theyll reconcile aggrieved members, conduct inclusive congresses, and hold a national convention to achieve a united LP.

In 2018, Gabriel Kolawole, an Abuja federal high court judge, delivered a consent judgment that compelled all parties to convene an inclusive national convention.

The verdict followed a leadership tussle between the late Abdulkadir Salam, a former chairman of LP, and a group led by Salisu Mohammed, who had declared himself the national caretaker chair of the party.

Okafor, who has argued that he was a beneficiary of the judgment, was deputy chair (south) to Salam at the time.
 Flash

Amid the unprecedented flood in Bangladesh recently, many Chinese who live in the country took action to donate to the disaster areas, contributing more than 4 million taka in cash, and materials worth nearly 9 million taka as of Saturday.

New Hope Bangladesh donated 550 cases of milk, 550 cases of biscuits and 550 cases of drinking water, which amount to 12 lakh taka, to their clients to help them overcome the lost as soon as possible. Besides, they will donate three lakh cash to the flood-hit people.

Mohammad Ahmadullah, a fish farmer who suffered losses in the flood, told Xinhua that he has been doing business with the company for five years.

"I knew that their products' quality is good. Now I have found their kindness and quality in all aspects," he said.

"Bangladesh faces many natural disasters every year, but as long as we unite, we can overcome these challenges and help people live better lives," said He Quanshui, regional president for New Hope Bangladesh.

Overseas Chinese Association in Bangladesh (OCAIB) raised donation fund among overseas Chinese citizens in Bangladesh and delivered 4,000 family packs valued 68 lakh taka to villages in Kamalnagar, Sonaimuri Senbag, Fulgazi and Sadar thana on Friday.

"We need to support the communities in which we live and work, extending a hand of friendship and assistance during times of crisis," said Qiu Xiaobin, vice president of OCAIB.

"Chinese have stepped forward to donate relief supplies to the flood-hit people, demonstrating the deep friendship between the peoples of China and Bangladesh," Qiu said.

Recently, parts of Bangladesh have been severely affected by flooding, impacting millions of people. At least 59 have lost their lives.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The heads of the CIS and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights observation missions, Leonid Anfimov and Ditmir Bushati, held talks in Baku, the statement of the CIS Executive Committee said, Trend reports, referring to the "Election 2024" independent media center.

The sides discussed the issues of holding an extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament and the participation of international observers in it. In particular, the principles of formation of missions, the work of long-term observers, and approaches to preparation of final statements were discussed.

We are creating a Coordination Council to work on the statement on the results of observation of the preparation and conduct of the election campaign. It includes heads of delegations of the Commonwealth states and bodies. We plan to make public the results of our work during the final press conference to be held on September 2, the statement reads.

In turn, Ditmir Bushati informed Leonid Anfimov about the approaches of the OSCE observer mission to monitor the election campaign and its quantitative composition.

The parties agreed that such meetings and exchange of information during the election campaign are beneficial, the statement of the press service of the CIS Executive Committee reads.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Joe Raspa of Cherry Hill and Jeff Garrison of Pennsauken work at Western Extrusions, a company trying to revive manufacturing at its plant in South Jersey. Read more

After bankruptcy and a shutdown, a modest revival by new operators is underway in parts of the former 55-acre Aluminum Shapes complex in Pennsauken, where 3,000 workers once labored making vehicle and construction parts.

Shapes, founded in 1954 and earlier located in Northeast Philly, initially supplied windows and pools for fast-growing suburbs and then branched out. Its scaffolding was used to repair the Washington Monument and the Statue of Liberty. As U.S. building slowed in 2008, descendants of founder Ben Corson took the company into bankruptcy.

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Private-equity owners took over, cut staff, and tried to refocus on specialized, high-profit markets. Under Chinese owners, the company went bankrupt again and closed in 2021.

Over the past two years, Texas-based Western Extrusions and Canada-based Almag Aluminum have relit thousand-degree gas-powered furnaces. Workers heap piles of gleaming scrap into updated melting, ramming and pressing (extrusion) machines to make parts their engineers design for manufacturers. The companies recalled dozens of workers laid off by former owners in hopes of reviving sales and benefiting from a pro-manufacturing climate in Washington.

But the companies still face a long road to reach even their own modest goals.

To be sure, reviving U.S. industries to better compete with rival China and cut dependence on inexpensive imports is a goal professed by both Republicans and Democrats in this years national elections.

But the challenges facing the aluminum-plant operators in Pennsauken reflect those confronting manufacturers across the U.S.: Industrial investment capital is expensive; factory labor is scarce; and exporters backed by foreign governments offer imports at prices sometimes below production costs, or even below raw material costs  a practice known as dumping.

Despite more than a decade of crushing import tariffs designed to keep U.S. aluminum products competitive with foreign-subsidized rivals and Ukraine war restrictions on Russian aluminum imports, manufacturers complain that Chinese-owned and other foreign aluminum parts makers are still flooding the market. They have asked the U.S. government to expand tariffs.

In Pennsauken, Western employs around 75, less than half the number it had hoped to hire by now. Almag has hired around 25 and is also short of its growth projections.

Our focus is on the big stuff  military, third-rail and electrical manufacturers, trailer manufacturers, Bennett McEvoy, Western Extrusions owner, said in an interview.

A third of the market has gone to foreign suppliers, McEvoy added, citing industry data that show rising imports. The numbers will accelerate if we dont get some [government] relief. If we are successful, we can add 200 to 300 jobs over the next several years.

Joe Jackman, president of Almag, which makes complex shapes for office, medical, and lighting applications, among other users, said the market is overwhelmed with more than a dozen countries dumping aluminum parts in the U.S. at below-cost prices.

Thats why big extruders, backed by the United Steelworkers Union, which represents some aluminum workers (though not in Pennsauken), are asking once again for expanded tariffs  effectively a rise in taxes on imports from countries with a proven record of illegal dumping  and rigorous enforcement, so they can afford to make the long-term investments needed to revive plants like the ones at the former Aluminum Shapes.

Western Extrusions: A skeleton work crew

The new owners and managers in Pennsauken are a welcome change, according to veteran employees at the complex.

Now you can talk to the CEO, and they are promoting us from within, said Joe Raspa, who joined Shapes as a press operator under previous owners in 2013 and is now a foreman for Western Extrusions.

Its day and night, the difference, said Raspas coworker Ron Oxendine, a 25-year veteran. They have brought in equipment to get the product out. The new owners have ended the former chaos, he said.

But Western had hoped to hire more people by now to convert piles of gleaming aluminum scrap into bars and parts for use in building trailers, electrical equipment, and other heavy-duty uses.

Its a skeleton crew, said manager Max Gorman.

The former owners  most recently, companies tied to China-based aluminum billionaire Liu Zhongtian  left the casting house a mess, Gorman said. We cleaned it up, installed tracks, put up a skimmer and this hopper, automated loaders. And air-conditioning in the control booth. We hope we will get a lot of work back. We think we can employ 300 people.

McEvoy said: We really need business. A lot of what we do is transportation products  temporary structures for U.S. military field hospitals, casinos, airplane hangars, solar end electrical installations. But we are seeing a surge of imports from competitors, who Western and other extruders with U.S. operations say are unfairly subsidized by their governments.

McEvoy said a revived industry would be good for the U.S. in many ways.

Aluminum extrusion is a career you can build from the ground up. Im really confident we can go places and attract young people to make careers in metal work, he said. But we need more trade tariffs to be able to do it.

Who benefits?

Menno Eby, chairman of M.H. Eby in Ephrata, Pa., one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of trailers and a longtime Aluminum Shapes customer before the bankruptcy, said the industry doesnt like to import materials.

We like to buy everything U.S.-made, he said. We have hundreds of shapes that we need. The foreign manufacturers, I dont think will ever be able to give you the service you can get from your local mills.

Yet the interests of parts users like Ebys company dont precisely match those of U.S. producers seeking to reduce imports. Aluminum parts, Eby notes, are relatively easy to make, and there are still a lot of small extruders in the U.S.

His company found new North American suppliers after Aluminum Shapes closed. Now its purchasing agents are considering whether to buy from Western in the future. They do have some very big presses, Eby noted.

14 countries and tariffs

The Pennsauken plants role in illegal imports was the subject of a blockbuster federal case. In 2010, the U.S. Commerce Department found that Chinese companies were dumping large amounts of aluminum into the U.S. market at below-market prices. In 2011, the agency imposed tariffs, or import taxes, of 374% on Chinese aluminum extrusions.

But the Chinese found a way around that huge import tax. According to federal prosecutors, companies tied to that countrys leading extruder  Liu Zhongtians company, China Zhongwang  purchased the Pennsauken plants and others in California from U.S. private-equity owners in the early 2010s. They used them to warehouse more than 2 million improperly labeled pallets of Chinese aluminum and sell it in products labeled U.S.-made, thus avoiding tariffs.

In 2021 a federal court in California found a group of China Zhongwang-related companies guilty of conspiracy, fraud, and lying to U.S. Customs and ordered them to pay $1.8 billion in restitution.

Since then, McEvoy and other aluminum industry executives say there has been another surge in imports from new companies in more than a dozen countries, mostly in Asia, around the Mediterranean, and Latin America.

Last year a dozen extruders and the Steelworkers filed a complaint in hopes of curbing imports on steel imported from China and also India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, in East Asia; Italy, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates in the Europe-Middle East region; and Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico in Latin America.

Western is among the U.S. companies that complained. Almag, though based in Canada, supports the complaint, according to Jackman, its president.

The U.S. makers noted imports from all those nations had grown, and in several cases roughly doubled, from 2020 to 2022. Federal trade agencies investigated. In some cases they found national governments apparently subsidizing exports.

In others, signs suggested local companies, some with Chinese owners, had re-exported China-made aluminum to the U.S. without paying required tariffs, and dumped the metal in the U.S. at illegally low prices subsidized by governments.

Last November, the U.S. International Trade Commission found reasonable indication of material injury from those 14 countries that could justify expanded tariffs. In March, the Commerce Department issued a preliminary finding that exporters in four of the countries were getting improper subsidies from foreign governments. In May, it added preliminary findings that all 14 countries were exporting aluminum parts to the U.S. at less-than-fair value.

A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1 with a final decision by the International Trade Commission that could be a basis for boosting tariffs to follow.
The outside of the Kingdom Provisions slaughterhouse in Pipersville, Pa., on March 15. Read more

Officials in Bucks County and Plumstead Township are accusing Kingdom Provisions slaughterhouse of violating local farmland protections after repeated complaints against the embattled Pipersville business.

The lawsuits, filed in Bucks County Common Pleas Court in July, mark the first legal action against Kingdom Provisions since neighbors began complaining of foul odors wafting from the Durham Road property early last year. In March, neighbors complained again after heavy rains washed animal blood  which Kingdom Provisions says it sprayed across a back field to fertilize the soil  onto their lawns.

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Both lawsuits seek a court-ordered injunction that would shut down Kingdom Provisions until it could comply with the terms of two land easements placed on the rural property in 2022 under a previous owner.

Current owner Ephraim Stoltzfus refuted many of the allegations, saying his business rectifies issues as environmental and agricultural inspectors bring them to his attention, and that he was trying to keep up with overlapping and conflicting agency demands.

Plumstead Township filed a suit July 9 alleging that Kingdom Provisions composting operation  which caused unbearable odors to drift toward neighboring homes, according to the filing  was in violation of a township land easement.

The lawsuit cites violations handed down by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection last summer, including reports that document the slaughterhouses disposal of animal entrails, heads, and hides in uncovered bins outside, as well as an exposed cow carcass on an outdoor compost pile.

Plumsteads attorneys claim Kingdom Provisions had not submitted a suitable plan to manage those odors as of the filing, as well as one that would mitigate slaughterhouse waste that risked entering nearby Cabin Run Creek. The suit also alleged violation of a public nuisance code.

After more than a year of warnings and notices, Kingdom Provisions has failed to consistently address the complaints relating to its soil disturbances, unlawful composting, and field application of residual blood from its slaughtering operation, the Plumstead lawsuit said.

Meanwhile, Bucks Countys lawsuit  filed jointly with the nonprofit land trust Heritage Conservancy on July 28  alleged the countys own land easement does not allow for slaughterhouses like Kingdom Provisions.

The suit cites language from the easement that attorneys said doesnt allow for businesses that produce less than 50% of their product on site (Kingdom Provisions does not raise the animals it slaughters, but sources them from auctions or owners).

 READ MORE: Animal blood seeps onto neighbors property in latest dispute with Bucks County slaughterhouse

The suit also suggests that disposing of animal waste on the farmland was a violation of both the easement and state environmental protection guidelines.

Attorneys for Bucks County and Kingdom Provisions did not return requests for comment.

Jonathan Reiss, an attorney for Plumstead Township, said the goal of an injunction wasnt to permanently shut down Kingdom Provisions; he recognized that before Stoltzfus arrived, another slaughterhouse had occupied the plot.

As long as [Kingdom Provisions] comply with the terms of the conservation easement and township ordinances, the township understands they have the right to continue business, Reiss said.

In a rare interview, Stoltzfus described his efforts to address the turmoil.

In the March incident where animal blood seeped onto a neighboring homeowners lawn, for example, Stoltzfus said his staff remedied the problem by digging barriers in the soil between Kingdom Provisions and a neighbor at the recommendation of the Bucks County Conservation District.

But Plumstead Township alleged that Kingdom Provisions did not apply for a permit before digging the swales and berms; Stoltzfus said he only had a short amount of time to act to prevent another bloody overflow.

My hands have been tied, and its just ridiculous, Stoltzfus said of the allegation. How are you going to get a permit in the matter of a day?

Nick Lykon, the lands previous owner who sold the plot to Stoltzfus in December, said that while he agrees his former tenant created a public nuisance by attempting to compost the slaughterhouse waste, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture guidelines allow for composting when done properly.

Both Stoltzfus and Lykon said that Kingdom Provisions stopped composting at the request of Plumstead Township this summer, but that county and township officials were continuing with the lawsuits regardless.

Theyre farmers, theyre not lawyers, said Lykon. Nobodys going to give them a break.

Meanwhile, organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals would like Kingdom Provisions to face harsher penalties.

Colin Henstock, an associate director with PETA, said USDA inspectors issued two animal welfare violations to Kingdom Provisions in January and July, detailing what Henstock described as inhumane treatment of a steer and a sheep before slaughter.

Stoltzfus said one incident involved a third-party contractor, not a Kingdom Provisions staff member, and that the other was an accident that resulted in a procedure change. Both violations have since been resolved, according to the USDA, which has two permanent inspectors on site.

The Bucks County District Attorneys Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether it would open an investigation against the slaughterhouse  a move PETA requested earlier this year.
This file photo from 2020 pictures Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital. On Saturday, a patient got hold of a police officer's gun and fired shots inside the emergency room. Read more

Few details were available a day after a patient in police custody reportedly fired shots inside the emergency room of Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital Saturday afternoon during a frightening incident that caused no injuries.

Local police brought the patient to the Camden County hospital around noon Saturday for a medical evaluation, a Jefferson spokesperson told The Inquirer Sunday. According to a 6abc report, the patient then grabbed a Hi-Nella police officers gun and fired shots into the emergency room. No one was reported injured and the patient was subdued, Jefferson spokesperson Damien Woods said.

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No information was available on how many people were in the ER at the time. Woods would not confirm whether a shooting occurred, referring to the situation only as an incident and an event in a statement issued Sunday.

An incident occurred between a law enforcement officer and this in-custody patient. No patients or staff were harmed during this event and patient care remained uninterrupted, Woods said. The patient was seen by medical staff and was discharged back to police custody.

Police for Hi-Nella, a small borough in Camden County, could not be reached for comment. The case is under investigation by the Camden County Prosecutors Office, which did not respond to requests for comment Sunday.

Why the patient was originally in police custody was not known.

The shooting follows other violent situations at area hospitals that have led the regions health-care workers to advocate for safer workplace conditions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health-care workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than workers in other industries.

 READ MORE: Punched, kicked, threatened with rape: Einstein nurses raise alarm about dangerous work environment

In 2021, a fatal shooting of a certified nursing assistant by another at Jefferson University Hospital in Center City left the community questioning the safety protocols of the hospital, as some employees werent notified of the shooting until more than a half hour after police first reported the shooting.

From 2022 to 2023, more than 80 cases of assault involving hospital staff were recorded in Philadelphia. However, the reported cases are likely a fraction of the violence that occurs on the job.
Champions Park Playground, 910 Tustin St. in Northeast Philadelphia, is known as an exemplary model of playground accessibility and "universal design." Read more

To Thomasina Lee, it was clear that the mother and her child could not understand each other.

Lee, a North Philly resident, was at a local playground when she saw a boy crying and frustrated with his mother. Lee is an early childcare educator and recognized that the boy was nonverbal and neurodivergent. He was trying to communicate with his mother, but she couldnt understand what he wanted.

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You could see the tears well up in her eyes, Lee said.

The mother got frustrated and ended up leaving the playground with her son. Lee understood their struggle.

Ive been there before, she said.

Lees 10-year-old son, Taahir, is autistic. He uses a communication device to tell her what he wants and needs, and Lee said she wished that the mother and son at the playground had something similar. The experience inspired her, and she cofounded a nonprofit called Taahirs Village that donates communication boards to Philly playgrounds.

We need to create an inclusive environment for everyone, she said.

Parks and playgrounds in the Philadelphia region are continuing to prioritize accessibility with new designs that accommodate special needs, as well as retrofitted additions like communication boards. But while Philadelphia is making efforts to boost its accessibility, cost and space constraints mean it still lags behind the suburbs.

A universal right

According to Dan Hendey, senior education manager for the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, the designers of the first American playgrounds mostly did not consider that children with disabilities might want to use them.

Population wasnt always taken into account  but as our profession has grown, weve realized that theres sometimes just simple things we can to do increase accessibility, he said. That can include wider pathways that fit wheelchairs, parking lots for those who need to drive to the playground, communication boards, sensory play panels, or fencing that makes neurodivergent children feel contained and safe.

The Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society recently launched a park finder tool through its PA Good For You initiative, which people can use to locate parks with accessible features. It is available at goodforpa.com/park-finder.

I think everyone has a universal right to be served by our communities, and I believe many park services and park agencies are in that line of thinking, Hendey said. We strive to serve everyone in our community, plain and simple.

He and other parks professionals concerned with accessibility look at planning and renovations through the lens of universal design. That refers to a set of principles and a way of thinking that considers how something could be built so everyone can use it, not just for people with disabilities or without them. It encourages people of different backgrounds to come together, as opposed to being siloed based on what they can access.

Philadelphia has taken some steps in recent years to embrace these considerations. In 2016, City Council passed an Inclusive Parks and Playgrounds bill, which ensured that all parks and playgrounds in Philadelphia managed by the city that undergo renovations must have play areas for children with special needs. And since the city launched its $500 million Rebuild initiative, dozens of playgrounds, parks, and recreation centers have already or are scheduled to receive these upgrades.

Ideally wed have accessible features for everybody in every playground, and I think one day we will, but its going to take a lot of time. Gwendolyn Vilade

The Pennsylvania House nearly unanimously passed a bill in 2023 that would require the states Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to prioritize grant funding for projects that construct or upgrade playgrounds for the inclusion of children with special needs. The bill remains in the Pennsylvania Senate.

But Philadelphia is still far from having all of its playgrounds be truly accessible. The city manages over 200 playgrounds and tot lots, and Gwendolyn Vilade, director of inclusion with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, estimates that only half of them currently have some accessible features. She said that accessibility can also be an imprecise measure, since specific features wont be relevant for every childs disability.

Ideally wed have accessible features for everybody in every playground, and I think one day we will, but its going to take a lot of time, she said.

Vilade said that funding is always a challenge to building accessible playgrounds, whether the money comes from Rebuild, community groups, grants or elsewhere. But its not the only barrier. Vilade said that some Philly parks just dont have enough space to accommodate features like wide pathways or large ramped equipment.

Still, she remains optimistic about Phillys potential for improvements. Vilade is prioritizing the addition of communication boards to playgrounds, and said there is an array of new accommodating equipment and technology on the market that can be implemented.

Plus, several Philly parks are already recognized for their accessibility. Champions Park Playground at 910 Tustin St. in Northeast Philly is one that stands out to Vilade because of its wide wheelchair-friendly spacing, single-level equipment, accessible swings, parking lot, and other features.

Going beyond the minimum

Most of the regions models for accessible playgrounds, though, are in the suburbs, where cost and space are often less of an issue. Warminster Township in Bucks County recently reopened its largest playground after completing renovations that embrace universal design.

We knew we had this opportunity  to go beyond minimal accessibility, said Jessica Fox, director of Parks and Recreation for Warminster.

Fox said that their design goal was to create a sensory-rich environment with challenges for children of all abilities. The new Warminster Community Park playground has elements like musical instruments, sensory play panels, sign language and communication boards, and wide conveyor belts so children who use wheelchairs are able to grip and climb without their mobility devices. It has playground staples, too, but they were built in a way so everyone can use them.

The three biggest things that kids love to do are swing, spin, and slide, Fox said. So we made sure that our swings, our spinners, and our slides were all inclusive.

When Lee takes her son Taahir to visit different playgrounds, she notices the contrast in accessibility between the city and suburbs, even with relatively straightforward interventions like communication boards.

I see them further out, she said. Not in urban communities.

She is determined to close that gap, even though her resources are limited. The communication boards that Taahirs Village donates can cost about $2,500 each, and, lately, Lee and her cofounder have resorted to paying out of pocket for them as they seek more grant funding.

We might not have the equipment that these other playgrounds have, but we will have the communication boards to create an inclusive environment, she said.

They have them further out in different areas, [and] we should be able to have them too because our children need them.
Temple University police officers and security patrol the campus in April 2023. Read more

Scammers are impersonating Temple University police officers to swindle students parents out of money, the universitys police department has warned.

On Saturday, two separate Temple University parents received phone calls from a 215 area code with a caller identifying themselves as a Temple police officer. Their sons had been arrested, the caller informed the parents. The parents were told the two students could be released if they sent money via Apple Pay or CashApp.

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Both parents knew this was a scam, said Temple police. Neither sent money and confirmed their sons well-being.

While Temple University Polices Criminal Investigations Unit looks into this case, they could only share that scammers appear to be targeting student who play sports.

Unfortunately, we see these types of scams happening nationwide and targeting a variety of populations including grandparents, international students, and student-athletes, in addition to young adults, said Temple Police Chief Jennifer Griffin.

Last year, the Chester County Police Department warned residents of a similar scheme where scammers impersonated county court staffers. They told residents that they missed jury duty, a court meeting, or a conference and must send gift cards or transfer money to avoid arrest and other penalties. Scammers even told some they could lose their property.

How to detect and report Temple University police scams

Temple police officers and detectives never call a parent or guardian to request money to release their child, the department said.

If parents or students receive these calls, hang up and contact the local police department. Provide the callers phone number and any information the caller gave over the phone to the police.

File a report with Temple University Police Department by calling 215-204-1234. Stay up to date on all safety resources available to Temples community at safety.temple.edu.
(FOR USE AS DESIRED) A multiple exposure photograph of a Philadelphia Police Department cruiser parked on North Broad Street September 10, 2019. Read more

Philadelphia Police were searching Saturday for the driver of a stolen vehicle who led cops on a wild chase along Roosevelt Boulevard that left two plainclothes officers struggling to escape from their car before it burst into flames.

Two people were hurt in the chaos, police said: an officer treated for facial fractures and cuts, and a 35-year-old man who was hospitalized and reported in stable condition.

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The matter began shortly after 11 p.m. Friday, police said, when officers tried breaking up a large group of cars that gathered for a car meet-up near 8600 Bustleton Avenue in Rhawnhurst.

The driver of a 2020 gray Nissan Altima, reported stolen out of Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, fled the scene, speeding over a median on Roosevelt Boulevard, striking a Gold Chevy Malibu and a police car. No one inside those vehicles was hurt, police said.

The driver raced away and soon caused a crash at Ninth Street and West Erie Avenue that caused an unmarked police car to smash into a light pole and catch fire, police said. Both officers in the car were able to escape before the flames broke out, police said.

The driver did not stop, and remains at large, police said.

Police did not say what injuries the 35-year-old man had suffered in the chase, but said that the injured officer had been treated at Temple University Hospital and released.

Police are asking anyone with information to call their tipline at 215-686-TIPS.
Residents protest at the Souderton school board meeting Thursday as the board continues to face demands that Bill Formica resign after making a lewd social media post about Kamala Harris. Read more

I dont know what kind of receptions two embattled school officials thought they were going to get in their communities this week, but I know they got the ones they deserved.

On Thursday, Bill Formica, a Souderton Area school board member, was met by protesters calling for his resignation for the disgusting comments he made on social media about Vice President Kamala Harris.

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At the school board meeting, Formica offered a slightly updated version of the same weak apology he made previously: His words were impulsive (read: sexist) and unprofessional (read: misogynistic). But, he added, they were being twisted by my opposition.

Formica said he was no longer using social media, calling it a source of division and negativity.

He was, he insisted, committed to addressing the needs of our community  and based on the collective shrug his fellow board members have given his words, they seem cool with that.

Way to role model!

About an hour away in Camden, a school board meeting two days earlier descended into chaos as residents demanded the resignation of School Advisory Board President Wasim Muhammad.

In June, the district settled a $2 million civil lawsuit over allegations of an inappropriate relationship between Muhammad and a former student who accused him of sexually abusing her when he was her social studies teacher in 1994. While the jury rejected sexual assault and battery allegations against the Muslim minister, they found that he recklessly or intentionally committed extreme and outrageous conduct.

His attorney, Troy Archie, told reporters his client has no plans to resign.

Instead, the lawyer said, Muhammad wishes to serve the community.

Well, have a seat gentlemen, its time for a quick lesson on what serving your communities actually looks like.

Serving your communities means, above all, respecting all of the people in them. Serving your communities means ensuring nothing gets in the way of school business. Serving your communities means stepping down when your presence becomes a distraction from the work that needs to be done to educate children.

Youve both failed miserably.

The added irony here is that many schools and school boards have become an intense battleground over values and what parents (and activists) want children to be exposed to. Books that talk about slavery or racism, otherwise known as American history? Ban them! Performers in drag reading stories to school children? The horror!

And yet here we have school leaders who possess traits that in any other environment would disqualify them from the job  Formica, for making outrageous comments about Harris, and Muhammad for whistling past a sexual assault lawsuit that cost one of the poorest school districts in the state $800,000 in legal fees, of which Muhammad paid not one cent.

Without question, what Muhammad is accused of is far more serious than Formicas offense. But both men stand as avatars of how deep the wounds can run when public trust is violated. And it is obscene for either to insist they can be of service to communities that they not only betrayed, but whose twisted notion of public service goes against their very values.

Those values, by the way, are right there in black and white on each of the school districts respective websites. In Camden, the language is that the school will provide learning environments where all students are valued, and in Souderton, character supposedly counts.

Good character, for those who missed the lesson most of us got in grade school, means being honest and honorable and diligent and decent. It means being responsible and accountable.

Thats not a call to service these men are responding to when they insist on staying on. Thats the roaring sound of their own unchecked egos.

And were familiar with that kind of destructive ego in Philadelphia. Remember the abrupt closure of Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School after the founder said no one could educate her students the way she could? More than 900 students were left scrambling to find a new school.

Thursdays chaotic meeting in Souderton came after another one on Aug. 14, which was canceled within 15 minutes when order could not be maintained because of Formicas comments.

Tuesdays meeting in Camden was the second time since Muhammad resumed his board seat that the board was unable to conduct business.

And yet, both men sat unapologetically, saved by bylaws that so far mean only they can decide to step down. In Camden, a board member can be removed for only three reasons: three consecutive absences, a criminal conviction, or lack of district residency. Short of a high crime, Souderton protesters were told a board could only exclude a member for missing two successive meetings without an excuse.

More reason to applaud Camden Pastor Ojii Baba Mahdi, who said that the community is resolute that there will be no business as usual until we value our children as they should be valued.

So stay loud  keep up the pressure and make it absolutely clear that these men, and their lack of values, are not welcome in your schools.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The voting started at the polling stations of the Narimanov first electoral district No. 19, Trend reports.

According to the information, Narimanov first electoral district No. 19 includes 37 polling stations.

The total number of voters in the district is 48,631 people. Based on the updated voter lists, the oldest registered voter is 103 years old, and the number of young people who have received the right to vote for the first time is 597 people.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A beloved pet dog which went missing on an island off the coast of Donegal more than two weeks ago has been found alive and well - clinging onto a cliff edge.

Mali, a Bernese Mountain dog, ran off from its owners on Arranmore Island on August 16 after she was spooked by high winds.

Her German owners, who were on the island during a month-long visit to Ireland, put out an SOS for their beloved pet.

Locals and tourists alike set about trying to find Mali and combed the island in the hope that she would be found.

They even sent drones around the island hoping to find the dog while there were also searches of the mainland in case Mali had managed to swim across.

However, there were no sightings of the dog and hope was fading until Saturday night.

That's when a pleasure fishing boat in the area happened to spot the dog perched on the cliff, 200 feet above the sea below.

The captain of the boat which spotted Mali, John Paul Baskin of North West Charters, immediately contacted the Malin Head Coastguard Station.

A member of the public initially heard the radio call and made his way to the ledge where Mali was stuck.

It turned out that the unfortunate pet's lead had become snarled on a rock and she could not move.

'Pure luck'

Mr Baskin said it was pure luck that they spotted the dog after hearing her cries for help.

"It was a very good day and we decided to go around the island for a bit of fishing. Nobody would have been around there because of the poor weather recently.

"One of the lads, Michael Boyle, said he thought he heard a dog barking and I thought he was having us on because we all knew everyone was looking for Mali.

"He said he was serious and we turned off the engine and we could hear the barking clearly. It was hard to spot her because she is black and the cliffs are dark and it was only because of the small patch of white on her chest that we could see her.

"Everyone got so excited and I radioed Malin Head straight away and then headed around to the pier to see the dog."

Mali was in great shape, alert and full of life despite her ordeal.

Mr Baskin then arranged to head over to the mainland to meet up with the dog's owners who are still staying near in Kincasslagh.

Mali is owned by Sarah Recinos Ralda, her husband David and their four children.

The family were planning to return to Germany in the coming days at the end of the holiday and thought that they would be traveling home without their beloved pet.

Overwhelmed

There were scenes of unbridled joy as the family met Mali at Burtonport Harbour last night, the pet they thought they would never see again.

Mr Baskin added, "It was very emotional and I'm just so delighted for them. They must have thought they would never see her again when there was no sign of her for 15 days.

"I'm just so happy for them that we were in the right place at the right time."

Mali's owner Sara Recinos Ralda posted a brief message on social media thanking everyone for their efforts in finding her.

She said "Shes not dehydrated, pretty alert, has lost a little bit of weight and overall just acts veeerryyy hungry. We still cant believe it and are overwhelmed."
Two men were taken to hospital and one was arrested at the weekend during the course of two separate disturbances at the same property in Dublin city centre.

The incidents are understood to relate to a dispute over the occupancy of the building on Ormond Quay.
Six sewage samples in Gaza tested positive for poliovirus in late June, prompting World Health Organization director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to warn that it was just a matter of time before the disease reached thousands of Palestinian children.

As predicted, cases have started to emerge and, mercifully, internationally-backed polio pauses have commenced to allow the distribution of critically-needed vaccines.

Without one, the WHO and partner organisations warn that children in Gaza will continue to become paralysed and polio will spread to the broader region and beyond.

Displaced Palestinians walk past sewage flowing in the streets of Khan Younis. File picture: AP

Health officials have stressed that it is not a regional threat, but a global one, should it continue to spread.

In Ireland, polio vaccination figures for children aged under one year are way below 90% to 95%.

The HSE reports immunisation uptake rates in infants for the first quarter of 2024 at 86.4%  no improvement on the same figure for Q4 2023.

Some areas are worse than others. The vaccination rate in CHO7, which covers Dublin South City, Dublin South West, Dublin West, and Kildare/West Wicklow, is 82.3%. West Cork has 82% coverage, with Sligo/Leitrim at 81.4% and Dublin North 82.2%.

What does this mean? If poliovirus is found circulating in wastewater, as happened in London and New York in 2022, one in seven infants will be vulnerable to lifelong implications from a highly-contagious infection that is complicated by risk of death and lifelong disability.

Disease from the past?

The prevailing belief among most healthcare professionals is that polio is a disease from the past. Vaccines developed by Salk in 1955 (inactivated polio vaccine, IPV) and by Sabin in 1959 (oral polio vaccine, OPV) provide strong protection against polio disease. However, IPV does not provide gut mucosal immunity and so transmission of poliovirus from infected individuals vaccinated with IPV is still possible.

While OPV provides strong mucosal immunity, it carries a risk of the virus reverting to a more virulent form, leading to prolonged virus circulation and potential genetic reversion in areas with low polio vaccine coverage.

Since the introduction of vaccines, polio has become rare and its incidence has reduced by more than 99%.

However, poliovirus is still circulating and both wild-type and vaccine-derived polio cases occur every year.

Virus endemic

Despite progress, the virus remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with occasional outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) in other areas with low vaccination rates.

A report in The Lancet in June outlined that while major outbreaks of circulating VDPV type 1 (cVDPV1) and 2 (cVDPV2) are generally confined to sub-Saharan Africa in recent years, cases of VDPV are also seen in Europe.

Two unvaccinated children were paralysed in Israel in 2023. Environmental virus surveillance was reported in Israel, Ukraine, and Tajikistan. It was also reported in 2022 in New York and London  places known for having optimal sanitation and public health infrastructure.

Polio causes irreversible paralysis in less than one in 200 people infected, so cases of paralysis suggest that the virus is circulating more widely.

The WHO listed a new oral polio vaccine for emergency use in 2020. This vaccine contained weakened poliovirus.

Researchers used knowledge of the viruss genome to create mutations that keep the virus from mutating to the more virulent form that can infect the nervous system. This is a significant step forward in the ability to manage outbreaks of cVDPV2, the most prevalent form of the virus, currently seen in Palestine.

Abdul Rahman Abu al-Jidyen, who is suffering from polio, sleeps on his carrycot in Deir Al Balah, Gaza. Picture: Hassan Jedi/Anadolu/Getty

In Ireland, the arrival of more than 100,000 Ukrainians since 2022 further heightens the need for comprehensive vaccine coverage in the national population.

Before the Ukraine war, vaccination rates in Ukraine were among the lowest in Europe  20% of children were not vaccinated against measles and 13% were not vaccinated against polio. In 2021, an outbreak of vaccine-associated paralytic poliovirus was confirmed in more than 20 children, two of whom suffered acute flaccid paralysis. A mass-vaccination campaign in early 2022 was abruptly curtailed by the Russia-Ukraine war.

The reality of modern times is that competing health priorities, geopolitical barriers, civil conflicts, and the risk of future pandemics  compounded by cost-of-living crises  all challenge the ability of governments to prioritise the maintenance of uniform vaccine coverage for the global eradication of all circulating types of polioviruses.

It is not just refugees who have low vaccination rates. National vaccination rates in Ireland are way below the WHO-recommended 95% coverage required to prevent outbreaks of diseases in vulnerable unvaccinated populations.

Considering recent events in London, New York, Jerusalem, Ukraine, and now Gaza, vaccination against polio must be prioritised for refugees in congregated settings in Ireland, and all Irish children, to prevent the emergence of a highly transmissible infection with lifelong implications that is almost entirely preventable.

Dr Catherine Conlon is a public health doctor in Cork and former director of human health and nutrition, Safefood.
A controlled explosion on a film set in east London spread and the resulting blaze destroyed a van, London Fire Brigade has said.

Firefighters were called to an open-air yard in Dock Road, Silvertown, at 7.51pm on Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed sorrow over the deaths of six hostages, saying the killings prove Hamas does not want a ceasefire deal.

He said he was heartbroken to hear the news of the deaths of the hostages, who the Israeli military earlier said had been cruelly murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.

The Israel Defence Forces said the bodies of Carmel Gat, 40, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Alexander Lobanov,33, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25, were found and recovered on Saturday.

From top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat (The Hostages Families Forum via AP)

Mr Netanyahu accused Hamas of killing them in cold blood and said Israel would hold the group accountable. He also accused the group of scuttling ongoing ceasefire efforts.

Whoever murders hostages doesnt want a deal, he said.

The Israeli army said the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around half a mile from where another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, was rescued alive last week.

All six were abducted by Hamas on October 7, Ms Gat from the farming community of Beeri and the others from a nearby music festival.

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, pictured on screen, speak during the Democratic National Convention (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

Critics in Israel have accused Mr Netanyahu of dragging his feet in ceasefire talks  a charge he denies.

Israels Channel 12 reported he got into a shouting match last week with his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, who accused him of prioritising control over a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border  a major sticking point in the talks  over the lives of the hostages.

Hamas has offered to release the hostages in return for an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, blamed the hostages deaths on Israel and the United States, saying they would still be alive if Israel had accepted a ceasefire proposal that Hamas said it had agreed to back in July. He did not mention the hostages by name.

The family of Mr Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American hostage, confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday, hours after the Israeli army said it had located bodies in Gaza.

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh, it said.

The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.

The deaths of the hostages has sparked calls for further mass protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Israels mostly ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, said: The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces.

Defence minister Mr Gallant said: In the name of the state of Israel, I hold their families close to my heart and ask forgiveness.

US President Joe Biden said he was devastated and outraged by the news.

He added: It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Vice-President Kamala Harris also released a statement, saying her prayers are with the Goldberg-Polin family and condemning Hamas.

Mr Goldberg-Polin was among the hostages seized by militants at a music festival in southern Israel on October 7. He lost part of an arm in the attack.

His parents became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage, meeting with Mr Biden, and Pope Francis and addressing the United Nations.

On August 21, they addressed a hushed hall at the Democratic National Convention, where the crowd chanted: Bring them home.

A Hamas-issued video in April showing Mr Goldberg-Polin clearly speaking under duress sparked new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others freedom.

Before the news of the deaths, Israel said it believed 108 hostages were still held in Gaza and about one-third of them were dead.
Polands leaders stressed the need for a strong defence in the face of war in neighbouring Ukraine and redress as they led solemn ceremonies to mark the 85th anniversary of German Nazi forces invading and bombing Polish territory at the start of the Second World War.

Sirens wailed and a memorial bell tolled as President Andrzej Duda and deputy ambassador of Germany Robert Rohde attended an observance on Sunday in the town of Wielun, the first civilian target of German bombing in the small hours of September 1, 1939.

Some 1,200 people were killed in the attack which witnesses say began at 4.40am.

Mr Duda said: We can say that we have forgiven even though we remember, even though the pain is persisting and even though there are still tens of thousands of those who have been directly hurt by the Germans.

He also called on Berlin to make amends.

Meanwhile, at a monument on the Baltic Seas Westerplatte peninsula, where a military outpost was shelled by a German warship just minutes after Wielun was attacked, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz laid wreaths and attended a memorial roll call for fallen soldiers.

At the time, the outposts outnumbered troops fought for seven days before surrendering to the Germans, becoming a symbol of heroism and patriotism.

Donald Tusk spoke during a ceremony at Westerplatte (Wojciech Strozyk/AP)

Mr Tusk said war is present again in the region as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022, grinds on.

In a clear reference to Germany, he said it is not enough to speak about reconciliation or to bend your head in a sense of guilt, adding the best sign of lessons learned from the past is the readiness to organise the entire western world, Europe and Nato for the defence against aggression that we are witnessing today in the battlefields of Ukraine.

He added: Today we will not say Never again. Today we must say Never again alone.

Mr Tusk also said Poland is building the most modern army in Europe, one of the strongest in Europe to actively contribute to the unity and strength of the Nato defence alliance and the European continent and to defend our civilisation and never again expose our homeland to any risks.

German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock posted on social media site X, saying she wishes Poles and Germans become completely normal towards one another, adding that was the desire of former Polish foreign minister Wladyslaw Bartoszewski, who survived the German invasion.

She also said it is their responsibility, while bearing our past in mind, to constantly work to keep their friendship alive.

In more than five years of the war and brutal German occupation, Poland lost six million citizens  a sixth of its population  of which three million were Jewish. The country also suffered huge losses to its infrastructure, industry and agriculture.

Polands previous right-wing government demanded almost 1 trillion in damages from Germany. Mr Tusks current cabinet has toned the demand down to some form of compensation that could serve to strengthen the ties between the two neighbours.

Germany insists the matter is closed as it had paid damages to the Moscow-led East Bloc after the war. Warsaw says it did not get any share of it.

Addressing attendees at the Wielun observance, the Polish president said: Forgiveness and the admission of guilt is one thing, but compensation for the damage caused is another thing. And this issue has not been settled yet.
Israels largest trade union has called a general strike on Monday following the deaths of six hostages in the Gaza Strip.

The Histadrut, which represents some 800,000 workers in such areas as health care, transport and banking, said the strike would begin on Monday morning.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. A parliamentary election is held under the rules and law, an observer from the Italian Parliament, Naike Gruppioni, told Trend.

She made the remark at polling station No. 22 of electoral district 18 organized in secondary school No. 312.

I have been observing at the polling stations since the morning, and I am very satisfied with the result. The election commissions are working at a very high level, she emphasized.

According to her, the parliamentary election is active and controlled.

There are no violations, and the voting process is transparent. All citizens of the country are allowed to vote for candidates, Naike Gruppioni added.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Read this post in Malagasy   English 

( Globalvoices.org )  The ongoing suppression of Palestinian voices on social media platforms has sparked significant concerns about freedom of expression and the integrity of democratic debate. Organizations like SMEX and 7amleh have been at the forefront of documenting these digital rights violations, revealing the extent to which platforms like Meta (the owner of Facebook and Instagram) are complicit in silencing Palestinian content.

In October 2023, a collective of human rights and civil society organizations, including Oxfam, Access Now, and others, urged tech companies to immediately take strict measures to protect their users from harm in light of the escalating events in the region. The collective accused platforms like Meta of consistently over-moderating Arabic content, misinterpreting it as violent, even when it merely critiques Israeli policies. Meanwhile, Hebrew content that incites violence against Palestinians frequently escapes scrutiny, exposing a glaring double standard in content moderation practices.

In a July campaign, 7amleh stated, Meta and Facebook have not adequately protected Palestinians from hate speech in the last decade, which has manifested in millions of conversations inciting violence and genocidal rhetoric during the last nine months of the Israeli war on Gaza.

In 2021, Human Rights Watch accused Facebook of suppressing Palestinian voices calling for more transparency in how content is evaluated and deleted. In 2022, SMEX described how social media companies, under pressure from governments, disproportionately target Palestinian narratives and how Israeli authorities often request the removal of content they find unfavorable, and platforms tend to comply without transparency or due process.



Censoring Palestine, Digital, Dream / Dreamworld v3, 2024.

Broader implications

This issue extends beyond digital spaces, with real-world consequences. In February 2024, a coalition of human and digital rights organizations warned that Metas policies prevent Palestinians from sharing their experiences, and hinder efforts to combat real antisemitism. The petition titled Meta: We Need to Talk about Genocide, and signed by over 52,000 people reads:

The powerful voices of Palestinians and allies on social media have been a lifeline during the Israeli governments genocidal war on Gaza  and often the only way for Palestinians to tell their stories, document human rights abuses, and seek international solidarity during this time of utter horror. As Palestinians in Gaza face plausible genocide (according to the International Court of Justice) it is disturbing that Meta is choosing this moment to consider a policy that would further silence criticism of the Israeli military, Israeli government, and Zionism by shutting down conversations involving the term Zionist. Meta is proposing to treat Zionist as a proxy for Jew or Jewish  but this wont make any of us safer. Instead, it will undermine efforts to dismantle real antisemitism and all forms of racism and bigotry. Palestinians should be able to name the political ideology that impacts their survival without fearing reprisals. Anti-Zionist and non-Zionist Jews should be able to criticize the ideology that claims to represent them. And human rights defenders should be able to hold the Israeli military and government accountable  now, more than ever.

This censorship has broader implications for democratic debate. As social media platforms have become modern public squares, they are essential for the exchange of ideas and the shaping of public opinion. When these platforms selectively silence certain viewpoints, they distort the democratic process and hinder the free exchange of ideas. Critics argue that this censorship not only affects Palestinians but also has a chilling effect on discussions about human rights and social justice, as activists and journalists fear repercussions and begin self-censoring.

In the case of Palestine it is also part of a larger crackdown, especially in Europe and the US, on protest and Palestine solidarity, one that has been documented by human rights organizations.

The role of tech companies

The censorship of pro-Palestinian voices on social media is more than just a localized issue; it is part of a broader problem concerning the role of digital platforms in regulating speech and shaping public discourse. As these platforms continue to grow in influence, the need for transparency and accountability in their content moderation processes becomes increasingly urgent.

The tech sector, in general, has been complicit in discriminatory policies against Palestinians for years, a trend that has intensified since the onset of the war on Gaza. Microsoft, for example, has faced criticism for its decision to block Palestinian accounts, cutting them off from crucial online services. In July 2023, the BBC reported that Palestinians living abroad have accused Microsoft of closing their email accounts without warning  cutting them off from crucial online services.

In response, 7amlehs campaign highlighted the impact of these actions: By blocking its services, Microsoft is effectively cutting Palestinians off from social, professional, and financial opportunities during a time of immense suffering and devastation. Microsofts decision to restrict its services has further compounded digital rights violations, especially in the context of telecommunications blackouts in Gaza, which are often imposed by Israeli authorities.

The broader trend of censorship extends to other platforms as well including X (formerly Twitter) which has recently faced criticism for platforming far-right accounts and LinkedIn, typically seen as a platform for professional networking, which has been accused of censoring pro-Palestinian content, and restricting or removing accounts that advocate for Palestinian rights.

Indeed, one of the most troubling aspects of this censorship is the inconsistency in how social media platforms handle content moderation. While pro-Palestinian accounts are frequently targeted, far-right and racist content often remains visible and thrives on the same platforms.

Organizations like Access Now, 7amleh, and SMEX are leading the call for change, urging social media companies to adopt fair and transparent policies that do not disproportionately target marginalized communities, ensuring that digital spaces remain open and accessible.

The fight against censorship on social media is a fight for the future of democratic debate itself. Without a commitment to protecting free expression, the very foundations of democracy are at risk.
(The Conversation)  On August 27, Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, told the newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and his cabinet that talking to the enemy may be useful.

In a thinly veiled reference to Irans engagement with the international community  and specifically the United States  Khamenei said Iran should not pin its hopes on such engagement, but that is no reason not to hold talks with the enemy.

This is the kind of green light that Pezeshkian needs to engage again with the International Atomic Energy Agency and Western countries on Irans nuclear program, and to engage with international interlocutors over its heightened tensions with Israel.

This statement seems to signal a desire to walk back from the brink of an all-out war with Israel over the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil in July and revert back to the mutual deterrence that had defined their relationship for years.

This, however, may not be an option given how much the region has changed over the past year.

Crossing a threshold in April

In April of this year, Israel targeted Irans embassy complex in Damascus, killing members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

This led to a carefully choreographed Iranian response. Iran could not ignore the Israeli attack, which the authorities condemned as an assault on Iranian sovereign territory, but did not wish to go into war with Israel. As a result, Iran reportedly gave advance warning of its impending response, which allowed Israel and its allies to shoot down most of the 300-odd missiles and drone fired from Iran.

This response was nonetheless seen as a victory in Iran, as it demonstrated its technological capacity to reach Israel. It also marked a departure from Irans default position of talking tough, but not getting involved in direct confrontation.

Iran clearly crossed a threshold in April, but seems very uneasy about the consequences.

Then, on July 31, Haniyeh was assassinated while on a visit to Iran. Although Israel has neither confirmed or denied responsibility, it is widely believed to have been behind it.

This has put the Iranian leadership in a bind. There have been calls from hardliners for retaliation to restore Irans image as a country that can defend itself and avenge the killing of a close ally. Khamenei has also insisted Israel will be punished for its action, but the time would be of Irans choosing.

It is clear the Iranian leadership cannot afford to look weak and risk damaging their standing among their allies and proxies in the region, which include Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi rebels in Yemen and other Shia militant groups in Iraq and Syria. But there are also other considerations that weigh heavily on their mind.



Ayatollah Khamenei, Digital, Dream / Dreamworld v3, Clip2Comic, 2024.

A crisis of legitimacy

A direct response to Israel could open a Pandoras box. It would pave the way for further direct attacks by Israel, perhaps even targeted assassinations of Iranian leaders.

This is a real possibility. Israel has demonstrated its willingness to respond to any threat with force under the rubric of self-defence. It has also demonstrated its ability to carry out precision attacks in Iran, such as its retaliatory strike on a radar system in the city of Isfahan after Irans missile and drone attack in April.

Furthermore, such escalation presents the real risk of drawing the United States into the conflict.

The Iranian leadership has made an art of brinksmanship. Anti-Americanism is ingrained in the political discourse of the political elite and frames Iranian foreign policy. But Iran has so far avoided war with the United States, because that could risk everything.

The reason: Irans leaders are already nervous about their political future, and conflict with Israel and the US could seriously exacerbate the situation.

There is a major disconnect between large segments of society and the ruling regime at the moment. Two years ago, Iran was rocked by spontaneous anti-regime mass protests under the banner of Woman, Life, Freedom. They started in response to the death of Mahsa Amini in custody for not wearing her hijab properly, but soon morphed into an anti-establishment revolt that called for the fall of dictatorship and an end to the Islamic regime. The revolt was put down by force, arbitrary detentions and executions.

The death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May this year offered an opportunity for the ruling regime to seek a reconciliation with its reformist critics. Pezeshkian, a reformist parliamentarian, was vetted and approved to run in the election to replace Raisi with the intention of increasing voter turnout. Irans supreme leader has repeatedly pointed to the voter turnout rate as an indicator of the regimes legitimacy.

Yet, the participation rate in the first round of the election was just 39.9%  the lowest in a presidential election in Irans history  and only reached 49.8% in the final round. This points to the depth of public disillusionment with the political system. Many reformists boycotted the election and dismissed the exercise as a sham and smokescreen for the ruling regime.

Irans crisis of legitimacy is at its highest point, making it ripe for another explosion. War with Israel or the United States can ignite this tinder box.

A potential solution for Iran?

So the Iranian leadership faces a dilemma. It cannot walk back from its anti-Israel and anti-US rhetoric. Tehran has built its foreign policy and formed an extensive network, the so-called Axis of Resistance, based on it. It cannot betray this pillar of its identity.

But acting on it would risk the survival of the regime. So the leadership has been looking for an increasingly difficult-to-find balance.

Hezbollahs recent exchange of fire with Israel may have been the answer. By supporting Hezbollah, Iran can claim to have inflicted pain on Israel without striking itself.

This is aimed at restoring the status quo that existed before April. This strategy outsources the fighting to Hezbollah and Irans other proxies to protect the ruling regime from a direct confrontation and ward off an existential threat to the leaders rule.

But this may be wishful thinking. This strategy could give Israel the justification it needs to strike Iranian targets again. And this, in turn, could serve as the spark for the publics pent-up frustration aimed at the brutality of the ruling regime.

Shahram Akbarzadeh, Convenor of the Middle East Studies Forum (MESF), and Acting Director the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Saturday, August 31, 2024 - The formal bail application for a Limpopo farmer and his employees, accused of k!lling two women and disposing of their bodies in a pigsty, was stalled in the Mankweng magistrate's court on Friday, August 30.

The defence lawyers for Zachariah Olivier, 60, and Adriaan de Wet, 19, requested access to the police docket before proceeding.

Olivier, the owner of Onverwacht farm near Kotishing village in the Sebayeng policing area, along with De Wet and William Musoro, 45, were arrested after the decomposing bodies of Maria Makgato, 47, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, were discovered in a pigsty with bullet wounds.

The accused face multiple charges, including two counts of premeditated murder, attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and obstructing the course of justice. Musoro also faces an additional charge of contravening the Immigration Act.

During the proceedings, Olivier's lawyer, Advocate Jakobus Johannes Venter, expressed concern that his client had made a formal statement while in prison without his constitutional rights being observed or his attorney present. Venter argued that Olivier was not given the opportunity to contact his attorney and that he only became aware of the statement during a morning consultation before the court session.

We are not in a position to proceed today [Friday]. It is an opposed application, and I would like to be granted a proper opportunity, Venter told the court.

De Wet's lawyer, Jodi Meyer, also requested access to the docket before proceeding with the bail application. However, Prosecutor Advocate Joel Mamabolo argued that granting access to the docket could compromise the ongoing investigation, as police were still following up on allegations made in Olivier's statement.

Following a 30-minute adjournment, the court ordered the state to provide Olivier with access to the statement he made. Mamabolo indicated that the decision might be subject to appeal, stating, We will request the reasons from the court for us to proceed with the appeal.

De Wet was denied access to the docket, and the matter was remanded to September 10.






Saturday, August 31, 2024 - Weeks after she was forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant, Ms Chidinma Onwe Adetshina has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024.

The 23-year-old beat 24 other contestants to clinch the coveted crown at the pageant which took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos state today August 31.

Chidinma was invited for the pageantry following her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant which was triggered by significant backlash over questions regarding her nationality.





Chidimma, who was born to a Nigerian father, and a Mozambique mother and raised in Soweto, faced a torrent of abuse from some South Africans who claimed she was not qualified to contest in the pageant as her father is not South African.

South Africas Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, initiated an investigation into Ms Adetshinas citizenship following a request from the Miss South Africa organisers and outcry from South Africans. SA Home Affairs said after investigating Chidinma's roots, it discovered that the identity of an "innocent" South African mother "may have been stolen" by Adetshina's mother. This prompted Chidinma to withdraw from the competition.

Watch a video showing the moment she was crowned below






Saturday, August 31, 2024 - American rapper, Fatman Scoop, has died after he collapsed during a concert on Friday night in Connecticut.

His family confirmed his death in an Instagram post on Saturday, August 31. He was 53.

"It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic FatMan Scoop," a post on his Instagram page read. "Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life."

The rapper and hype man, whose real name is Isaac Freeman III, was performing at the Green and Gold Party summer concert in Hamden, about six miles from New Haven when he suffered a medical emergency on stage.

He was seen collapsing on stage as he walked behind a DJ booth. While those nearby tried to administer CPR to the performer, his hype men attempted to calm the crowd by playing more songs.

In a statement on Saturday, the town's mayor Lauren Garrett thanked people from the crowd and paramedics who attempted to perform life-saving measures.

"On behalf of the Town of Hamden, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Isaac Freeman, known as Fatman Scoop," she posted on Facebook. "He was a wonderful performer with a wide following as evidenced by the thousands of fans that came to see what would be his last performance at Hamden Town Center Park."

The mayor said grief counselling services would be available for community members.

Scoop, whose legal name is Isaac Freeman III, has been credited as an influential figure in New York Citys hip-hop scene in the 1990s.

He has featured on popular songs including Grammy award-winning Lose Control by Missy Elliott and Its Like That by Mariah Carey.

Scoop is also known for his sleeper hit Be Faithful, which was originally released in 1999 but garnered international success in 2003, topping the charts in Ireland and the UK.

In 2004, the rapper was featured in the UK TV series Chancers on Channel 4, which featured musicians mentoring aspiring UK artists looking to achieve success in the US.

Fatman Scoop was also a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother 16: UK vs USA, which was housed in the UK and aired in 2015. He was the third housemate to be evicted.






Saturday, August 31, 2024 - A man known as Matt Whittaker is planning for the funeral of his beloved lover, just after celebrating the delivery of their twin boys and barely one week after their engagement.

Earlier this month, first-time mother Rachael Galloway, 36, died after suffering complications just 30 minutes after giving birth to her sons Noah and Abel. Whittaker, 36, told his fiancee that 'life couldn't get any better' minutes before she underwent a C-section to give birth to their twin boys.

Galloway, who lived in Carnforth, Lancashire, UK was scheduled to deliver her children via C-section at Royal Lancaster Infirmary but died despite the efforts of healthcare personnel.





A devastated Whittaker recalled: 'She died bringing beauty into the world, bringing the boys into the world.

'She was the best thing that ever happened to me,' said Mr Whittaker.

'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"

Recalling the day of the operation, Whittaker said: 'Rach was a star. Though she was nervous, 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.

"It's a shame that was the last time she cast her eyes on them, but I hope she is still watching over them.

'It wasnt just her that died on that table that day, a piece of me did too and I will never get it back.





'But I won't let the legacy and the dreams she had for our boys die too. We have had to say goodbye to too much.'

He described Rachel Galloway as 'the best person I ever met' praising her intelligence, sense of humour, caring nature, and her beauty, both inside and out.

'She saw and brought out the best in people and I'm living proof that she could see what nobody else could,' he said.

'I have to make her proud and ensure our boys grow up to be the gentlemen she would have been proud of.'
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. As of 12:00 p.m., voter turnout at polling stations in the liberated territories for todays extraordinary parliamentary elections has been revealed, Trend reports.

Farid Orujev, head of the Information Center at the Central Election Commission, shared the current voter turnout in the liberated areas:

- Aghdam-Khojaly No.118  25.86%

- Aghdam No.119  26.33%

- Jabrayil-Gubadli No.120  27.28%

- Lachin No.121  23.85%

- Khankendi No.122  32.6%

- Kalbajar No.123  25.7%

- Shusha-Aghdam-Khojavand No.124  25.74%

- Zangilan-Gubadli No.125  28.22%

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.






Saturday, August 31, 2024 - A woman arrested for car theft claimed Kanye West told her to steal the car that had a child inside.

According to an affidavit, police were dispatched on Friday morning to North Main Street for reports that a woman was trying to get into random vehicles that were parked outside of businesses.

Officials with the Evansville Police Department say the suspect, later identified as Ricki Smith, of Louisville, Kentucky, tried getting into a womans vehicle when she was on her way into a store.

The victim saw the 28-year-old suspect get into her car. She then grabbed Smith by the hair and pulled her out of the vehicle, according to police.

The victim told police she was dropping her child off at daycare and needed to stop at the store first. Thats when Smith tried jumping into her car.

Smith told investigators she was travelling from Louisville to Evansville when her car broke down on Interstate 64, leading her to hitchhike the rest of the way.

When police asked why she tried to take the car, Smith alleged that Kanye West told her telegraphically to steal it.

Smith was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail.

Authorities later discovered that Smith wrecked her vehicle into the trees off I-64, which is why she abandoned her car.

According to jail records, Smith is charged with kidnapping and auto theft.




Sunday, September 1, 2024 - Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi is skeptical about whether President William Ruto is serious about addressing the issues highlighted by Gen Z during the anti-government protests.

This is after he questioned whether former Public Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria is fit for his current post after Ruto appointed him as his economic advisor.

In a statement, Ahmednasir blasted Ruto for appointing Kuria to join his council of economic advisors, yet he fired him on the grounds of incompetency.

As a result, he noted that Kuria was not the best fit to advise the Cabinet, yet he had failed in his own portfolio previously.

The lawyer said such dynamics indicated failures and blunders in Ruto's government, adding that the president should shoulder the blame should his regime fail.

"Kenya is a funny country. My good friend Moses Kuria was unceremoniously fired by President William Ruto weeks ago for a number of weighty grounds that were enumerated in a press release.

Ruto subsequently reconstituted his cabinet. Now we have the very man who was fired and found wanting and unfit to be a cabinet secretary all over the place, dishing advice to those whom President Ruto found competent and fit on how to run their respective ministries.

I swear this country is not serious! And the blame squarely falls on the shoulders of President Ruto," he said.

Ruto, while firing his Cabinet, said the decision was informed by Kenyans' evaluation of its performance.

He suggested the team had not lived up to the expectations of the public.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Sunday, September 1, 2024 - Bishop Ben Kiengei broke his silence after word got out that he was having a secret affair with the church matron Damaris Dama, a wealthy businessman who runs a successful mobile spare parts business.

Speaking on Sunday at his JCM church at Kamakis Bypass, Kiengei clarified that he has only one wife.

I want to make it clear that I have only one wife as dictated in the Bible," Kiengei said amid cheers from his congregants.

He went ahead and introduced his wife to the congregants and invited her to the pulpit to greet them.

Interestingly, Dama, who is alleged to be having a secret affair with Bishop Kiengei, did not attend the church service despite her holding a senior position at the church.

Dama, who is a single mother, has been making cryptic posts on social media believed to be directed to Kiengeis wife, Reverend Joy.

Below is a video of Kiengei setting the record straight on his marital status.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Sunday, September 1, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed his support for the broad-based government formed by President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, stating it will help unite the country.

Gachagua and Raila have in the past had a strained relationship that saw the two exchange words.

But on Saturday, Gachagua emphasized the differences were based on political competition and not on a personal level.

"Somebody may ask, why is Rigathi Gachagua who has before had issues with the leadership of Raila...

"As a truthful man, I had nothing against him; it's only that we were competing for the same position between him and my boss," Gachagua said amidst laughter from the crowd.

Gachagua also endorsed Raila Odinga's bid for African Union chairperson, stating that Odinga is qualified to replace Moussa Faki Mahamat in Addis Ababa.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, September 1, 2024 - Three individuals are cooling their heels at a Nairobi detention facility following their arrest by detectives after they scammed two foreign nationals over Ksh 340 Million in a fake gold scam deal.

The scam was started in June 2022 when Mr. Marco Colombo Conti, a business associate of Mr. Satbinder Singh, travelled to Kenya with the intention of buying 100kg of gold from Mr. Allain Mwadia Nvita. For a start, Mr Marco paid about 400,000 US dollars in duty and other charges through a law firm in the name of Squire AfriLaw Consult Limited.

In return for footing the charges on behalf of the seller, he was given 12kg of gold which the seller said he was free to carry out as hand luggage and sell to recover the funds he had paid and any other fees that would be required in the course of the transaction.

This however did not happen since when he was just about to leave, the seller informed him that he could not leave with the same 12kg of gold since it was part of the bigger consignment he was purchasing from him, making a total weight of 112kg. He then advised him that he could keep the same safely in a safe box at Mysafe Vaults at the Village Market in Gigiri, Nairobi which he accepted.

Convinced that the gold deal was still viable, he left Kenya and returned on 5th February 2024 in the company of Mr Satbinder Singh who was interested in buying the Gold in question.

On arrival, Satbinder was introduced to Allain Mwadia Nvita who was the gold seller, Lehman John Raymond, Daniel Ogot of Patvad Trading Co. Ltd, and Frank Kateti, a Tanzanian agent.

The team proceeded to discuss with the seller the possibility of buying the 112kg consignment whereby the seller, Allain Mwadia, convinced them that he was willing to provide 31kg of Gold to be carried by them out of the country and this would cover the money that Marco had paid in the year 2022 and also for the expenses that Satbinder would further incur in the process of shipping out the 112kg after the same was bought by Satbinder.

On the same day of 5th February 2024, Daniel Ogot invoiced Satbinder's company; Asianic Limited an amount of 162,240 Euros and 548,830 Euros respectively, and instructed that these amounts be paid into an escrow account held at Stanbic Bank in the name of Mosota Abunga & Associates Advocates, LLP.

On 7th February 2024, the same agent again Invoiced Asianic Limited a further 14,112 Euros being freight charges for the 112kg gold consignment. All these payments were made on 8th February 2024 after their private agent Frank Kateti advised that everything was okay and the 31kg of gold were deposited into Mysafe Vaults at Village market.

On 9th February 2024, the foreign nationals collected 31kg of gold from Mysafe Vaults at the Village Market and proceeded to the Clearing Agent (Daniel Ogot) office where the box was opened and the consignment divided into two and packed into blue metallic boxes that were sealed, signed and stamped.

As they left for the Airport, Daniel Ogot and Frank Kateti promised to bring with them the consignment and the necessary documents to the Airport but they failed to honor their part of the bargain. With no option left, the foreigners flew out and while in Italy, Daniel Ogot informed them that an error in declaring the weight of the consignment had led to confiscation by the Customs department and in addition, their license had also been suspended.

Further, Ogot explained that the Customs department had imposed on his company a fine equivalent to 20% of the value of the consignment amounting to 1,562,000 US dollars which if not paid, then the entire consignment was at the risk of being confiscated. Satbinder flew to Kenya and paid out 1,438,460 Euros through the escrow bank account in the names Mosota Abunga & Associates Advocates, LLP hoping to rescue the said gold but he knew not that he was still being defrauded.

He was then taken to Forodha house within JKIA where he met a lady namely Susan Oketch who he was informed was working with the customs department who not only confirmed to him that the fine was authentic but also supplied him with some of the ownership documentation.

Satbinder travelled back to the UK on 20th March 2024 and the scammers continued to take him in circles to the point of even sending him fake airway bills showing that the consignment would be delivered to him in Ireland. Later he became suspicious that the deal would not materialize which prompted him to write to Commissioner General KRA to establish the authenticity of the documents provided.

The matter was referred to the DCI and upon undertaking in-depth investigations, it was established that; all the documents provided to the complainant were forged, the persons who were presented as customs officials were not KRA employees, Patvad Trading Limited was not licensed by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs to trade in any minerals, the airline company confirmed that the airway bills did not originate from them and that cumulatively, the complainant had been defrauded a total of 2,168,258.91 Euros equivalent to Ksh 341,949,292.

The three suspects have been arraigned as file on investigations into the conduct of the advocate for breach of the terms of their letter of engagement for legal services and escrow account management has been forwarded to ODPP for perusal and advice.













The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Sunday, September 1, 2024 - A video has emerged showing ladies who perished in a fatal accident at Nithi Bridge while returning to Nairobi having fun at the colourful parental blessing ceremony in Meru.

They wined, dined, and danced together, not knowing that a tragedy would strike when they were returning to Nairobi on Saturday night.

In the video, the ladies are seen dancing to a popular Ohangla song while rocking matching outfits.

They had gone to visit one of their friends parents.

9 nine ladies died on the spot after the hired vehicle they were travelling in collided head-on with another vehicle.

Watch the video.

Last Dance: See how ladies involved in a fatal accident at Nithi Bridge had fun at the Parental Blessing Ceremony in Meru before the fatal accident. pic.twitter.com/NccWIt11or  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) September 1, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.








Sunday, September 1, 2024 - A fatal accident that occurred on Saturday night claimed the lives of 12 people after the vehicle they were travelling in collided head-on with another vehicle at Nithi Bridge.

Tharaka Nithi County Police Commander Zacchaeus Ng'eno confirmed that the 12 were passengers returning from a parental blessing ceremony in Meru inside a Toyota Hiace.

The driver was reportedly not well versed with the highway and was driving in the wrong lane when the crash occurred.

So far, we are confirming that we have collected 12 bodies from this scene and two others injured.

"This accident involved two motor vehicles, one was headed towards Nairobi and the other towards Meru, Ng'eno stated.

From the preliminary investigation, the motor vehicle from Meru direction was not a regular user of this road and I may assume that the did not stay in the lane as expected of him and was involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle headed in the opposite direction.

"We feel empathy for the lives that we have lost. The number of fatalities is 12, 10 adults and 2 children. 8 female and 2 male, he added.

Below are photos of the accident victims.





The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Sunday, September 1, 2024 - The Shakahola massacre, one of the most horrifying events in Kenyas recent history, could have been prevented.

This is according to the Commission on Administrative Justice, also known as the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a damning report, Ombudsman indicted six senior government officials in the deaths of 436 people at Shakahola.

The report exposed the negligence of six government officials, directly implicating them in the Shakahola massacre.

The report reveals that police and administrative officers failed to act on numerous warnings, leading to the tragic events.

Among those found culpable are Thuo Ngugi, the former Deputy County Commissioner for Malindi Sub-County, and Daniel Ntausi, the former Assistant County Commissioner for Langobaya Division.

The report also names Raymond Mcharo, the current Chief of Chakama Location, along with Senior Superintendent of Police Charles Kamau, the former Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer for Malindi, Chief Inspector Hassan Hamara, the former Officer Commanding Station for Langobaya Police Station, and Sergeant Joseph Yator, a DCI officer in Malindi Sub-County.

These individuals, according to the Ombudsman, failed to take necessary actions despite receiving numerous reports about the illegal activities of Paul Mackenzie, the self-proclaimed pastor behind the massacre.

The investigation highlighted that reports regarding Mackenzies suspicious activities were made to Langobaya Police Station, the Chiefs office in Chakama, and various security committees between 2021 and 2023.

Despite these warnings, the officials in question did nothing to prevent the tragedy.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, September 1, 2024 - Treasury and National Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has accused the Kikuyu community of betraying the Luo community since independence.

Mbadi, speaking in Dholuo, accused the Kikuyus of betrayal, claiming they have let down the Luos who have supported them since 1963.

The former ODM chairman said President William Ruto had placed the Kikuyus in their rightful position by forming a broad-based government with opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Mbadi also claimed that it was the Kikuyus who were behind the Gen Z protests that nearly toppled Ruto's regime in June and July.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former President Uhuru Kenyatta were linked to the protests, although there was no concrete evidence directly connecting them to the deadly demonstrations that claimed the lives of over 60 youths and left several injured.

Here is the video of Mbadi saying Kikuyus are betrayers infront of Ruto.

Mbadi in his natural habitat .

Amesema Kikuyus have screwed over Luos from independence. Yet Luos have always been unwaveringly loyal to them as seen in elections of 1963, 2002, 2007 after Raila compromised, 2017 when Raila made Uhuru's government stable. pic.twitter.com/SAnoPZAALb  Collo (@OnyangoCollin19) August 31, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Sunday, September 1, 2024 - Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah may have landed himself in serious trouble after disrespecting Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in front of President William Ruto.

Gachagua and Ichung'wah accompanied the president to Nyanza for a four-day working tour.

At every opportunity to speak, the Kikuyu lawmaker, who is also the Leader of the Majority in the National Assembly, directed his epithets at Gachagua, whom he accused of advancing tribal politics.

In Siaya and Kisumu, Ichung'wah confronted Gachagua as the latter watched, accusing the deputy president of trying to sow division and exclusion by allegedly blocking former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his allies from accessing State House, only to be caught off guard when Baba joined President William Ruto's government.

Reacting to the MP's recent displays of anger against Gachagua, lawyer Donald Kipkorir said he was out of order.

Kipkorir implied that it was unwise for Ichung'wah to challenge a senior leader without respect, adding that his continued attacks on the deputy president would accomplish nothing.

Kipkorir's sentiment was echoed by Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang'wah, who found it imprudent for the lawmaker to continue attacking the deputy president, especially when Nyanza leaders had warmly welcomed Gachagua.

The senator said the issue would be dealt with, perhaps politically, after the president concludes his tour of Nyanza.

Karungo petitioned Gachagua's detractors to rally behind the president in uniting the country and maintaining focus on the nation's development agenda at the expense of what he said was engaging in petty politics.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Today, a historic election is being held in Azerbaijan, the deputy of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Samil Ayrm told Trend.

According to him, Azerbaijan is organizing this election for the first time in 30 years after the liberation of the occupied territories.

Election is held in all regions where the tricolor flag is flying. We also wish this election to be successful, he noted.

Ayrim added that this election is very important for the future of Azerbaijan.

The Turkish MP emphasized that, as is known, the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia has not been signed.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Given that September is Women in Medicine month, my thoughts turn to celebrating women across the spectrum of medicine, from pioneers like Elizabeth Blackwell, MD, the first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S., to physicians today caring for patients day-in and day-out.

A story comes to mind from medical school of a female physician who made an impression on me.

On my surgery rotation in the mid-1980s as a third-year medical student, my attending was a female surgeon, the head of the department. Unbeknownst to me, this was exceedingly rare. I recall the group of us, students, residents, and a fellow, on rounds, following her into a large, sunny open ward containing multiple beds filled with patients. Suddenly a patient, seeing her, turned towards her and yelled out, Nurse! Can you ? I do not recall for sure if the patient asked for his urinal, help to get off his bedpan, or to have his water pitcher refilled. Regardless, in response, she marched wordlessly over to him and then sternly, loudly, and emphatically said, I am your doctor, not your nurse 

On that day in that moment, the team was stunned into silence. A nurse immediately and quietly appeared at the patients bedside. My attending stood alone with her words. And then we picked up where we left off and continued our rounds, as if nothing had happened.

Seared into my memory, this incident has remained with me. Without a doubt, this would not have occurred if my attending had been a male surgeon. Moreover, I had never seen a female physician so forcefully and directly confront bias. Upon reflection, it seems that possibly my attending spoke to the patient in the manner she did for multiple reasons: to send a message to the patient, to send a message to all the patients in the open ward (for certainly, they heard her), to send a message to the nurses (they heard her), and to send a message to all of us, young trainees, who were learning the ways of the wards. This scenario also conveyed the impression that this was not the first time my attending had experienced this. Perhaps this was not the first time this patient had referred to her as nurse? Or perhaps she frequently encountered this, in general? Maybe. And I also wondered about her relationship with her nurses at that time. Indeed, they were her nurses. Did she get along with them, did they respect her? And, of course, how did the patient feel? Embarrassed? Or was he oblivious?

What about the realities female physicians face today? Perhaps one of the most important and intractable issues is the gender pay gap. Estimates suggest that women physicians make approximately $2M less than male physicians over a forty-year career. The gap persists despite women being more likely to enter lower-paying specialties, such as pediatrics.

What about childcare? Many attribute at least part of the gender pay gap to women reducing their work hours more than men, especially early in their careers, to have a family. Medicine could borrow from the playbook of Susan Wojcicki, former YouTube CEO who recently passed away, who recognized paid maternity leave as good for business and a valuable retention tool. The rate of new moms leaving Google (which owns YouTube) fell by 50 percent after paid maternity leave was increased from 12 weeks to 18 weeks.

Rectifying the gender pay gap requires ongoing vigilance, transparency, and policy and work culture change. Recognizing and eliminating covert and overt biases is necessary.

Addressing the gender pay gap requires conviction. We must not let other peoples opinions of our worth, as represented by salary or responsibilities, define our worth. Such surrogate endpoints muddy our thinking, for our inherent worth is priceless. When we have conviction, anything is possible. When doors are closed, we find windows to move through. When we know who we are, we succeed. We are determined, and it does not matter how people think about us or what they think about us.

It takes time for biases to be recognized and eliminated and for culture to change. Change occurs one relationship, one interaction at a time, whether with patients, colleagues, or the CEO. It is up to each of us to be ready to effect change when the opportunity presents itself.

What resources are available for women medical students, residents, and physicians? There are many. This 2018 piece in the Annals Fresh Look blog contains valuable advice to advance the careers of women in medicine. ACP strongly promotes gender equity with the longstanding goal of recognizing the full potential of women in the internal medicine workforce. The Women in Medicine Summit taking place in Chicago this month is a rich opportunity supporting women physician empowerment.

So, today, do patients mistake female physicians for nurses? Yes, this still happens. The difference today is we do not have to respond the way my attending did 40 years ago. We know who we are. We are not coming of age; we have come of age. A female physician CEO leads the ACP. A woman is running for President of the United States. We do not have to ask to be at the table; we are at the table. And we keep our foot on the gas. We continue to press ahead, together with allies, to ensure physicians like my surgery attending never have to stand alone again.

Janet A. Jokela, MD, MPH, ACPs Treasurer 2022-2025, served as the Regional Dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Urbana, and currently serves as Professor and Senior Associate Dean of Engagement at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL.

The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States, boasting members in over 145 countries worldwide. ACPs membership encompasses 161,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who utilize scientific knowledge and clinical expertise for diagnosing, treating, and providing compassionate care to adults, spanning from those in good health to individuals with complex illnesses. Stay connected with ACP on X @ACPIMPhysicians, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram @acpimphysicians.
Hope from an older doctor to those patients ready to give up their car keys

When you are older, you are considered a threat to other drivers. Reflexes are dampened, muscle responses are sluggish, cataracts obscure vision, and inflexible eye lenses slow focus.

Cars are made to drive fast, and many whippersnappers navigate the streets as if they are at the Indianapolis 500. How many times have you been tailgated and honked at from behind when traveling at the posted speed limit?

And should there be an accident, due to your age, you will likely be blamed.

Yet, its unfair to place the blame solely on age. We all strive to maintain our independence as we age and want to continue living life as we did when we were young. This desire for independence is something we can all empathize with and understand.

Too often, one of the great difficulties in life is taking the car keys away from your parents or grandparents. Solution: Have the government do it!

Why not utilize modern technology to help us out? Airplane pilots are continually tested for their abilities using flight simulators. Lets create a driver simulator to test those who are older or might be at risk.

As a driver with a handicap permit issued by the DMV, I often wonder how they can be certain that I am still capable of driving a vehicle safely. The truth is, no one tests me for that. We need a fair and unbiased testing system that can provide reassurance and confidence to all drivers, regardless of age or ability.

Once grandpa reaches a certain age, or if someone like a doctor recognizes frailty that might result in an accident, the DMV can test a driver in a simulator for their driving ability.

Do these simulators exist now? Not that I am aware of. But if we had one, it could measure braking time, visual ability, and other variables necessary to drive safely and put them on a point scale. Not enough points means you are not safe to drive, and the government would ask for the car keys, taking the family off the hook.

Plus, this is a reality check for Grandpa. Since the government is telling him this, he might be more willing to give up the car keys. Okay, you fast-lane-technology-whippersnappers, lets develop a driver simulator!

But what does grandpa do now, other than sit at home and become depressed? Technology to the rescue again, with the autonomous self-driving car.

Yep, we see them all over California now, especially in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles. But the cost for one is over $70,000. Not too many seniors can afford that.

Can we be creative enough to develop a community autonomous car co-op that might allow, lets say, 20 seniors to share the cost of a car? Once again, we need to develop a program where a group of seniors can share gas, insurance, maintenance, and parking so we can sustain our independence.

Help!

If I had an autonomous self-driving car, the first thing I would do is get a young whippersnapper to program it to drive over the speed limit, tailgate, and honk at the driver in front of me. That would definitely keep me from being depressed!

Gene Uzawa Dorio is an internal medicine physician who blogs at SCV Physician Report.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The OSCE mission is actively monitoring polling stations across Azerbaijan, Ditmir Bushati, Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) told reporters, Trend reports.

"Our election observation mission arrived in Azerbaijan on July 30 at the invitation of the government. We are a team of international experts from various participating States, and our primary task is to monitor all aspects of the electoral process.

This approach allows us to form a comprehensive picture of how the election is being conducted in the country. We hope that our observations will be beneficial to the authorities, political parties, and the people of Azerbaijan," he 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 the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The turnout in the parliamentary election is really high at the moment, the representative of the American organization Oracle Advisory Group Vlada Galan told Trend.

The high turnout emphasizes the incredibly democratic election process here in Azerbaijan. This is a great victory for democracy. This is our seventh election in Azerbaijan for our team. We have been working here since 2013 conducting exit polls, she said.

According to her, today Oracle Advisory Group covers 875 polling stations and 20 data operators who collect information coming from the polling stations. The organization records that information and sends it to a data center in New York for processing.

We will conduct 63,000 interviews, and the results will start coming in tonight. We have already completed one reporting round, collecting 21,000 inquiries. We have the results, but we will wait until the next reporting round at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. before we announce the results this evening here at the data center, added Vlada Galan.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Acadia Realty Trust (NYSE:AKR  Free Report) had its target price lifted by Truist Financial from $18.00 to $23.00 in a report released on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. Truist Financial currently has a hold rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered Acadia Realty Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Acadia Realty Trust from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $18.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $19.40.

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Acadia Realty Trust Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:AKR opened at $22.51 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 1.08. Acadia Realty Trust has a 52-week low of $13.24 and a 52-week high of $22.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 281.38, a P/E/G ratio of 5.71 and a beta of 1.46. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $20.29 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.06.

Acadia Realty Trust (NYSE:AKR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.01 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.31 by ($0.30). The firm had revenue of $87.25 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $70.16 million. Acadia Realty Trust had a net margin of 0.20% and a return on equity of 0.03%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.36 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Acadia Realty Trust will post 1.28 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Acadia Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be issued a $0.19 dividend. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.38%. This is an increase from Acadia Realty Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. Acadia Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 950.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp grew its stake in shares of Acadia Realty Trust by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 90,041 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,614,000 after purchasing an additional 531 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Acadia Realty Trust by 32.7% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,322 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 572 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System increased its holdings in Acadia Realty Trust by 2.6% during the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 28,831 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $517,000 after buying an additional 724 shares during the last quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. raised its position in Acadia Realty Trust by 8.0% in the first quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 10,031 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $171,000 after acquiring an additional 740 shares during the period. Finally, Mutual of America Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Acadia Realty Trust by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 17,619 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $300,000 after acquiring an additional 932 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.65% of the companys stock.

About Acadia Realty Trust

(Get Free Report)

Acadia Realty Trust is an equity real estate investment trust focused on delivering long-term, profitable growth via its dual Core Portfolio and Fund operating platforms and its disciplined, location-driven investment strategy. Acadia Realty Trust is accomplishing this goal by building a best-in-class core real estate portfolio with meaningful concentrations of assets in the nation's most dynamic corridors; making profitable opportunistic and value-add investments through its series of discretionary, institutional funds; and maintaining a strong balance sheet.

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Scotiabank cut shares of Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report issued on Wednesday, MarketBeat reports. Scotiabank currently has C$112.00 price objective on the banks stock, down from their prior price objective of C$123.00.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on BMO. TD Securities cut shares of Bank of Montreal from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their target price for the company from C$130.00 to C$114.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$118.00 to C$106.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$141.00 to C$124.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 12th. National Bankshares reduced their target price on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$131.00 to C$127.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut shares of Bank of Montreal from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Bank of Montreal currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$121.00.

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Bank of Montreal Stock Performance

BMO stock opened at C$112.71 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of C$82.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.97, a P/E/G ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.16. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$116.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$122.45. Bank of Montreal has a 52 week low of C$102.67 and a 52 week high of C$133.95.

Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 29th. The bank reported C$2.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$2.74 by C($0.15). The business had revenue of C$7.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$8.06 billion. Bank of Montreal had a net margin of 21.21% and a return on equity of 8.19%. Sell-side analysts predict that Bank of Montreal will post 11.472973 EPS for the current year.

Bank of Montreal Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 30th will be given a dividend of $1.55 per share. This represents a $6.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.50%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 30th. Bank of Montreals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 71.35%.

About Bank of Montreal

(Get 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 company's 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.

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Cellcom Israel Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CELJF  Get Free Report)s stock price rose 5.7% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $4.27 and last traded at $4.27. Approximately 430 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 75% from the average daily volume of 1,704 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.04.

Cellcom Israel Stock Up 5.7 %

The firms 50-day moving average is $3.85 and its 200 day moving average is $3.94.

About Cellcom Israel

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Cellcom Israel Ltd. provides cellular communications services in Israel. It operates in two segments, Cellular and Fixed-line. The Cellular segment offers cellular communications, and cellular equipment and related services. The Fixed-line segment provides infrastructure and internet access, internet-based television, international telephony, landline telephony services, and transmission services for business customers and for telecommunication operators; and conferencing, cloud computing, and server hosting services, as well as IOT solutions.

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National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Free Report) had its price objective upped by CIBC from C$122.00 to C$134.00 in a report issued on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on NA. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$109.00 to C$117.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. TD Securities raised their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$123.00 to C$129.00 in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$113.00 to C$116.00 in a research note on Thursday. Scotiabank raised their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$120.00 to C$129.00 in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Cormark boosted their price target on National Bank of Canada from C$122.00 to C$128.00 in a report on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National Bank of Canada currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$121.33.

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National Bank of Canada Price Performance

National Bank of Canada has a 12 month low of C$84.27 and a 12 month high of C$127.22. The companys 50-day moving average is C$113.71 and its 200-day moving average is C$112.15. The company has a market capitalization of C$42.03 billion, a PE ratio of 12.02, a P/E/G ratio of 17.04 and a beta of 1.13.

National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 28th. The financial services provider reported C$2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$2.50 by C$0.18. The business had revenue of C$2.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$2.95 billion. National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 15.18% and a net margin of 34.50%. As a group, research analysts expect that National Bank of Canada will post 10.4784081 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Bank of Canada Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of . National Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is currently 42.84%.

Insider Transactions at National Bank of Canada

In other news, Director Yvon Charest acquired 325 shares of National Bank of Canada stock in a transaction on Monday, August 19th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$117.24 per share, for a total transaction of C$38,103.00. In other National Bank of Canada news, Director Yvon Charest bought 325 shares of National Bank of Canada stock in a transaction on Monday, August 19th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$117.24 per share, with a total value of C$38,103.00. Also, Senior Officer Lucie Blanchet sold 8,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$107.59, for a total value of C$946,792.00. 0.21% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About National Bank of Canada

(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.

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Picton Mahoney Asset Management reduced its stake in Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) by 11.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 256,557 shares of the companys stock after selling 32,860 shares during the period. Picton Mahoney Asset Managements holdings in Citigroup were worth $16,280,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kentucky Retirement Systems boosted its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 153,131 shares of the companys stock worth $7,877,000 after acquiring an additional 3,808 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 21.8% in the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 967,655 shares of the companys stock worth $49,776,000 after acquiring an additional 173,137 shares in the last quarter. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. boosted its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 355.9% in the 1st quarter. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. now owns 19,115 shares of the companys stock worth $1,209,000 after acquiring an additional 14,922 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 46.3% in the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 1,481,614 shares of the companys stock worth $76,213,000 after acquiring an additional 469,142 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 13.3% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 73,317 shares of the companys stock worth $4,653,000 after acquiring an additional 8,593 shares in the last quarter. 71.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

C has been the topic of several research reports. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Citigroup from $63.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, June 17th. Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $66.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Citigroup has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $68.06.

Citigroup Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of NYSE:C traded up $0.76 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $62.64. The company had a trading volume of 10,806,580 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,658,462. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $62.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.98. The stock has a market cap of $119.48 billion, a PE ratio of 17.55, a P/E/G ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.46. Citigroup Inc. has a 1-year low of $38.17 and a 1-year high of $67.81.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 12th. The company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.13. Citigroup had a return on equity of 6.26% and a net margin of 4.95%. The business had revenue of $20.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.07 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.37 earnings per share. Citigroups quarterly revenue was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Citigroup Inc. will post 5.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Citigroup Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 5th were issued a dividend of $0.56 per share. This represents a $2.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.58%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 5th. This is a boost from Citigroups previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. Citigroups payout ratio is currently 62.75%.

Citigroup Company Profile

(Free Report)

Citigroup Inc, a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The excellent conditions have been created for international observers at the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, the member of the Moldovan parliament, co-chairman of the Moldovan-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary friendship group, and member of the observation mission Vitalie Jacot told reporters, Trend reports.

It is necessary to note the excellent organization of conditions for international observers at the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan. All our requests are taken into account, and movement and accommodation are organized at the highest level. People in Azerbaijan are open and willing to meet us, which makes our work as comfortable and productive as possible, he 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 the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

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Essex Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in Pimco Total Return ETF (NYSEARCA:BOND  Free Report) by 69.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 23,195 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 9,507 shares during the period. Essex Financial Services Inc.s holdings in Pimco Total Return ETF were worth $2,113,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pimco Total Return ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pimco Total Return ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $49,000. Avion Wealth increased its holdings in shares of Pimco Total Return ETF by 28.1% in the 2nd quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 753 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $68,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont purchased a new position in shares of Pimco Total Return ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $71,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Pimco Total Return ETF by 75.1% in the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 842 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $75,000 after acquiring an additional 361 shares during the last quarter.

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Pimco Total Return ETF Price Performance

Shares of BOND traded down $0.24 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $93.73. The companys stock had a trading volume of 221,878 shares, compared to its average volume of 249,812. Pimco Total Return ETF has a 12-month low of $85.10 and a 12-month high of $94.38. The stock has a market cap of $4.31 billion, a PE ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.18. The companys 50 day moving average is $92.54 and its 200 day moving average is $91.35.

Pimco Total Return ETF Profile

The PIMCO Active Bond Exchange-Traded Fund (BOND) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Barclays U.S. Aggregate index. The fund is an actively managed portfolio that aims to maintain a consistent level of dividend income by investing in a broad array of fixed income sectors and utilizing income efficient implementation strategies.

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Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its position in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 132,701 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 3,944 shares during the quarter. Van ECK Associates Corps holdings in Accenture were worth $40,263,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Spire Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 105.1% in the 2nd quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 25,212 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $7,650,000 after acquiring an additional 12,917 shares during the last quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise increased its stake in Accenture by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 23,058 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $6,997,000 after buying an additional 224 shares during the period. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC increased its stake in Accenture by 9.1% in the 2nd quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 3,924 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,190,000 after buying an additional 326 shares during the period. Lafayette Investments Inc. increased its stake in Accenture by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Lafayette Investments Inc. now owns 13,267 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $4,025,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its stake in Accenture by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 216,602 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $65,719,000 after buying an additional 2,386 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.14% of the companys stock.

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Accenture Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of ACN stock traded up $1.74 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $341.95. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,004,144 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,810,327. The company has a 50 day moving average of $319.98 and a 200 day moving average of $325.52. The stock has a market cap of $214.30 billion, a PE ratio of 31.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.66 and a beta of 1.23. Accenture plc has a 12-month low of $278.69 and a 12-month high of $387.51.

Accenture Dividend Announcement

Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 20th. The information technology services provider reported $3.13 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.15 by ($0.02). Accenture had a net margin of 10.79% and a return on equity of 27.48%. The business had revenue of $16.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.55 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.19 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Accenture plc will post 11.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 11th were issued a dividend of $1.29 per share. This represents a $5.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.51%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 11th. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.25%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on ACN. Guggenheim reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $395.00 price target on shares of Accenture in a research note on Friday, May 24th. Mizuho cut their target price on shares of Accenture from $398.00 to $350.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 18th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Accenture from $390.00 to $350.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 17th. Susquehanna cut their target price on shares of Accenture from $360.00 to $350.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, June 21st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Accenture from $395.00 to $340.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned 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 $352.33.

Read Our Latest Analysis on ACN

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $329.82, for a total transaction of $1,649,100.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 8,989 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,964,751.98. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Accenture news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 8,145 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $331.05, for a total transaction of $2,696,402.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 22,849 shares in the company, valued at $7,564,161.45. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.82, for a total transaction of $1,649,100.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 8,989 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,964,751.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 21,421 shares of company stock valued at $6,912,635. Corporate insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

About Accenture

(Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 9,940,000 shares, an increase of 21.1% from the July 31st total of 8,210,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,320,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.3 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on WEC. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on shares of WEC Energy Group from $90.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on WEC Energy Group from $91.00 to $93.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. Bank of America increased their price objective on WEC Energy Group from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of WEC Energy Group from $98.00 to $103.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st. Finally, KeyCorp dropped their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $96.00 to $95.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, WEC Energy Group presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $89.77.

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WEC Energy Group Stock Performance

WEC Energy Group stock traded up $0.26 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $93.03. The company had a trading volume of 2,336,820 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,525,462. WEC Energy Group has a one year low of $75.13 and a one year high of $93.78. The firm has a market cap of $29.40 billion, a PE ratio of 20.31, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.41. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $84.87 and a 200 day moving average of $82.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.54.

WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.63 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $1.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.87 billion. WEC Energy Group had a return on equity of 12.26% and a net margin of 15.85%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.92 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that WEC Energy Group will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current year.

WEC Energy Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, September 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 14th will be paid a $0.835 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 14th. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.59%. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 72.93%.

Insider Buying and Selling at WEC Energy Group

In related news, VP William J. Guc sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.99, for a total transaction of $557,940.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 7,702 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $716,208.98. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, VP William J. Guc sold 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $92.99, for a total value of $557,940.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 7,702 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $716,208.98. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Ulice Payne, Jr. sold 750 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.45, for a total value of $66,337.50. Following the transaction, the director now owns 21,876 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,934,932.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 8,462 shares of company stock valued at $776,608. Company insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of WEC Energy Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of WEC. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in WEC Energy Group during the second quarter worth about $38,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of WEC Energy Group by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 1,355,909 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $106,385,000 after acquiring an additional 22,026 shares in the last quarter. New Century Financial Group LLC bought a new position in WEC Energy Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $231,000. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its stake in WEC Energy Group by 4.2% during the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 119,951 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $9,411,000 after purchasing an additional 4,835 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Truist Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group by 10.4% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 100,240 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $7,865,000 after purchasing an additional 9,480 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.20% of the companys stock.

About WEC Energy Group

(Get Free Report)

WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. It operates through Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, and Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure segments.

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Wipro (NYSE:WIT  Get Free Report) was upgraded by StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Friday.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on WIT. Nomura Securities upgraded Wipro to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Nomura initiated coverage on shares of Wipro in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. They issued a buy rating for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $5.60.

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Wipro Stock Performance

Wipro stock opened at $6.43 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $33.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.22 and a beta of 0.90. Wipro has a 12 month low of $4.48 and a 12 month high of $7.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 2.70 and a quick ratio of 2.70. The stocks 50-day moving average is $6.17 and its 200-day moving average is $5.86.

Wipro (NYSE:WIT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The information technology services provider reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.07. Wipro had a net margin of 12.57% and a return on equity of 15.01%. The firm had revenue of $2.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.65 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.06 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Wipro will post 0.27 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Wipro

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. QRG Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Wipro by 6.9% in the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 25,836 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $158,000 after buying an additional 1,665 shares during the last quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of Wipro by 13.6% during the second quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 14,091 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $86,000 after purchasing an additional 1,692 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Wipro by 47.2% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,797 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 1,858 shares during the period. CWM LLC increased its holdings in shares of Wipro by 12.7% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 17,286 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $96,000 after acquiring an additional 1,951 shares during the period. Finally, Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Wipro by 2.7% during the first quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 78,573 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $452,000 after buying an additional 2,101 shares during the last quarter. 2.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wipro Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Wipro Limited operates as an information technology (IT), consulting, and business process services company worldwide. It operates through three segments: IT Services, IT Products, and India State Run Enterprise Services (ISRE). The IT Services segment offers IT and IT-enabled services, including digital strategy advisory, customer-centric design, technology and IT consulting, custom application design, development, re-engineering and maintenance, systems integration, package implementation, cloud and infrastructure, business process, cloud, mobility and analytics, research and development, and hardware and software design services to enterprises.

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By Kwon Mee-yoo

"When I first read the script for 'Hadestown,' it felt like destiny. I realized Hermes was a character who had been waiting for me all along," Choi Jung-won, one of the most celebrated stage actors in Korea, who is now making history as the first female Hermes in the acclaimed musical, said during an interview with The Korea Times at Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul, Aug. 16.

Since her debut in 1989 as a member of the female ensemble in Guys and Dolls, Choi has been a prominent figure in Koreas modern musical theater. Over her more than three-decade career, she has become a household name, celebrated for her roles in major productions like Roxie and Velma in Chicago and Donna in Mamma Mia!. Recently, she made headlines for her groundbreaking portrayal of Hermes in Hadestown, marking her first venture into gender-bending roles.

Developing Hermes

Hadestown is a musical that weaves together the ancient Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice with Hades and Persephone with a modern flair with Hermes as a narrator and guide.

Choi takes on the responsibility of being Korea's first female Hermes with pride. The excitement was palpable when the news broke that Choi had been cast as Hermes in the second Korean production of "Hadestown. Even Rachel Chavkin, the original director of the show, warmly endorsed Choi's groundbreaking casting in a message.

However, when Choi first heard that Hadestown was returning to Korea, she initially prepared herself for the role of Persephone, even practicing songs and dance moves befitting the wine-soaked harvest goddess.

"I was ready for Persephone, however, when I received the audition material, it was for Hermes, Choi said. As I went through the script again, I saw that Hermes had all the lines and messages I wanted to convey."

She envisioned Hermes as an ageless figure transcending conventional gender norms, rather than a traditionally mighty god.

"This isnt about playing a male or female character," Choi said. "Its about embodying the spirit of Hermes. Its a role that allows me to bring all the experiences of my career into one powerful performance."

She focused on the visual details to convey Hermes' timeless nature in extensive discussions with the production team.

"I wanted it to look neither male nor female, but like a person who has lived a very long time," Choi explained. To achieve this, she suggested a silvery short cut which not only set her apart from her concurrent role as Velma in "Chicago" but also underscored Hermes' otherworldly qualities.

"The Hermes costume is the same silver suit with feathers as other actors, but I suggested the pants to be baggier," she said, explaining how she opted for an androgynous style that minimizes the emphasis on a curvy woman's body.

Initially, Choi struggled singing Hermes' songs, which required performing in a lower, traditionally male vocal range. "At first, I cried a little because the energy felt so different and it was hard for me to sing in that deep, masculine register."

A turning point came during rehearsals when co-star Kim Soo-ha, who plays Eurydice, praised Choi for how her singing seamlessly matched her speaking tone, making the transition between dialogue and song more fluid.

"It was like a blockage was cleared when I heard that," Choi said. "I had been concentrating on how to sing louder in such a low pitch, but once I changed my approach, the sound flowed more naturally, and the lyrics came across more clearly."

Humanistic approach

Now entering her late 50s, Choi said her approach to life and acting has taken on a more philosophical tone.

"I'm always thinking about why I perform, why I'm living, who I am," Choi said, reflecting on her motivations and the impact she wishes to have through her performances.

"When you're on stage, (an actor is) a doctor, a god, a teacher, a friend. And in 'Hadestown,' I play an actual deity, she said. For 35 years, Ive watched the world from the stage, much like Hermes watches over humanity  But stepping into this role, I feel as if Im living a new life with each performance."

Her interpretation takes a distinctly humanistic approach, based on the idea of Hermes as a guide who is approachable and relatable.

"I wanted my Hermes to be a friend to Orpheus, Eurydice and the audience, assisting them navigate their choices," Choi explained. "My goal was for Hermes to stand not above or below them, but alongside them as an equal."

Instead of reprimanding or giving orders, Choi Jung-won's Hermes offers gentle encouragement, saying, "It could happen, but lets strive to do better this time." This approach underscores the theme of perseverance, recognizing past mistakes while fostering hope for future success.

"Theyve already been wrong 10,020 times, but they might succeed on the 10,021st attempt," she said. "Without this process, there wouldnt be such a beautiful journey. Failure is more significant than success. Its the challenge thats beautiful. Even failure proves you tried. Thats the essence of Hadestown."

Pioneering spirit

Choi stands as a trailblazing figure in the Korean theater scene, particularly for female actors who face limitations as they age. At 55, not only does she continue to captivate audiences, but she also juggles two contrasting characters in two of Seoul's hottest shows now  Velma in "Chicago" and Hermes in "Hadestown"  thanks to Korea's unique alternating principal role system.

"It's so much fun," she said, enjoying the challenge of switching between the high-energy, dynamic Velma and the more restrained, philosophical Hermes. "As an actor, I love the idea of transformation. It's what makes this job so exciting."

Velma is a role that Choi has become synonymous with, having embodied it for 24 years, and now performing it with even greater skill and enjoyment than ever before.

"Im at my best right now and audiences even ask me to keep performing Velma until Im 70," Choi said, defying the outdated notion that female actors must retire after a certain age or after having children.

She remembered how many predicted her career would decline after she turned 40, yet she continued to excel in roles like Donna and Velma, feeling as though "the world revolved around me." Now, with her portrayal of Hermes, Choi has unlocked another exciting chapter in her career.

Choi is committed to paving the way for future generations of female actors.

"If it took me 10 years to play a gender-bending role, my junior female colleagues could achieve it in five years because I blazed a trail," she said.

The actor envisions herself performing well into her 80s, determined to show that age is but a number when it comes to following one's artistic passion

"Expect great things from me at 80," she said, confident in her ability to keep singing and dancing on stage. "I think I can do it. I can do very well.
By Lee Kyung-min

Korea is expected to face a 30 trillion won ($22 billion) tax shortfall this year, crippled by the carryover effects of steep declines in corporate tax revenues from 2023, according to financial authorities, Sunday.

This figure raises significant concerns about the fiscal deficit, because the government experienced a 56 trillion won shortfall in tax revenues last year.

However, the concern is somewhat mitigated by the ongoing rebound in the semiconductor industry. The full impact of strong corporate earnings on tax revenue will take a few quarters to materialize.

The fiscal authorities plan to use reserve funds from government-operated accounts, along with unused budgets and special accounts. Additionally, the central government will reduce allocations to municipalities and cut spending on education.

Read More Expansionary fiscal policy to continue

According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the government is revising the countrys budget plans to account for the shortfall exceeding 30 trillion won.

As of July, the government collected 208.8 trillion won in taxes, 8.8 trillion won less than a year ago.

Propelling the rapid shortfall is a 15.5 trillion won decrease in corporate taxes during the first seven months of this year.

Korea reported a 6 trillion won increase in value-added taxes, but this was insufficient to offset the nearly 16 trillion won shortfall.

It remains to be seen whether semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix will be able to meet their tax obligations adjusted for the August mid-term payment period.

The mid-term prepayment allows corporate taxpayers to pay either half of last year's tax or an estimate for the first half of this year.

Overall, the ministrys sourcing capabilities are limited.

Last year, a surplus of about 20 trillion won underpinned by the depreciation of the countrys currency allowed the government to use the Foreign Exchange Stabilization Fund to help offset the shortfall.

However, the fund is already allocated for the redemption of publicly managed funds.

The shortfall raises concerns about the countrys medium- to long-term fiscal soundness. Lower-than-expected revenues lead to higher-than-anticipated national debt.

The ministrys 2024-28 fiscal plan projects national debt to reach 1,277 trillion won by 2025, accounting for 48.3 percent of nominal GDP. This is 3.7 trillion won higher than the previous estimate of 1,273.3 trillion won.

The National Assembly Budget Office's Aug. 26 report recommended that the government promptly announce potential budget shortfalls and prepare timely fiscal response measures.
Korea's exports extended on-year gains to the 11th straight month in August, data showed Sunday, driven by the strong demand for semiconductors.

Outbound shipments rose 11.4 percent on-year to $57.9 billion last month, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Imports added 6 percent on-year to $54 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.83 billion. South Korea has been maintaining a trade surplus for 15 consecutive months.

By sector, exports of chips jumped 38.8 percent on-year in August to $11.9 billion, extending gains for 10 consecutive months. It also marked the highest volume for any August.

The ministry attributed the strong shipments of chips to the release of new smartphones, with major technology firms expanding investment in the artificial intelligence industry.

Outbound shipments of ships jumped 80 percent on-year to reach $2.8 billion, led by the stronger demand for liquefied natural gas carriers.

Exports of petroleum products gained 1.4 percent to $4.5 billion, marking six straight months of gains.

Exports of automobiles, on the other hand, fell 4.3 percent to $5.1 billion as production was partially disrupted due to renovations and wage negotiations.

Outbound shipments of steel products also decreased 1.7 percent on-year in August to $2.81 billion, amid the increased competition in the global market.

By destination, exports to China shot up 7.9 percent to $11.4 billion, driven by strong performance of semiconductors and mobile devices, including foldable smartphones equipped with AI features.

Exports to South Korea's top trading partner remained above $10 billion for six consecutive months.

Outbound shipments to the United States also jumped 11.1 percent to $10 billion, marking the highest volume for any August, with chips, computers, and secondary batteries leading the overall gains.

Exports to the European Union reached a record high by advancing 16.1 percent to $6.43 billion, on the back of biohealth products and mobile devices, the data also showed.

"With overall exports reaching the highest amount for any August and shipments to major trade partners maintaining growth, the country is on the path for record exports," Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun said in a statement.

Ahn added that geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East still pose a threat to South Korea's exports, noting that the government will continue to monitor related situations and offer necessary measures.

Outbound shipments decreased 7.4 percent on-year in 2023 amid the sluggish performance of chips coupled with global economic uncertainties. (Yonhap)
By Lee Hyo-jin

North Korea has been notably restrained in its response to a recent major joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States, marking a significant departure from its usual pattern of provocation, according to military experts, Sunday.

The annual South Korea-U.S. Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise, which concluded last Thursday after an 11-day run, showcased a marked increase in combined field training exercises (FTX). Plus, a civil defense drill led by the South Korean government included a new scenario simulating a North Korean nuclear attack for the first time.

Yet, in contrast to previous years, North Korea refrained from military provocations in response to the UFS as of Sunday. Typically, Pyongyang has reacted strongly to the annual summer military exercise, denouncing it as a war rehearsal and responding with major military actions.

Last year, North Korea launched several ballistic missiles during the UFS, claiming they were part of a tactical nuclear strike drill simulating scorched-earth attacks on major South Korean command centers.

There was speculation that North Korea might react similarly this year, particularly after it condemned the UFS as the "most provocative war drills in the region."

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw tests of suicide drones on Aug. 24, and attended the test-launch of a 240mm multiple rocket launcher with a new guidance system last Tuesday, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

However, Kim did not address the UFS or issue threats toward Seoul or Washington during these tests.

Experts attribute North Koreas unusual restraint in both verbal and military threats to the severe flooding that devastated the northwestern region in mid-July. The floods caused extensive damage to farmland and displaced around 15,000 people, prompting the regime to focus on disaster recovery efforts.

The regimes focus on flood recovery efforts, which has mobilized military personnel, may have shifted attention away from external issues. Preoccupied with domestic matters, a tit-for-tat response to our drills may have not been a top priority for the North's leadership, said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies.

Recent state media coverage has highlighted Kim Jong-uns visits to flood-affected areas to supervise rehabilitation efforts, as well as his concern for displaced children and the elderly who have been relocated to Pyongyang.

Additionally, the silence may reflect the Kim regime's reluctance to deal with South Korea.

North Korea has yet to respond to Seoul's recent proposal of a unification doctrine introduced by President Yoon Suk Yeol on Aug. 15 Liberation Day.

Yoon proposed setting up working-level consultations to initiate dialogue between the two Koreas. However, critics say a response from the North is unlikely, as another key aspect of the doctrine involves a vigorous campaign to highlight human rights abuses in North Korea  a topic that infuriates the Kim regime.

North Korea may be focusing more on the upcoming U.S. presidential election rather than the military exercises on the Korean Peninsula. With uncertainties surrounding the U.S. elections, Kim could be carefully considering when and how to engage in military provocations to influence the situation in his favor, Yang said.
The head of an association of community doctors on Saturday ended a hunger strike launched to protest the government's medical reforms after his health deteriorated.

Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), decided to end the strike he began Monday to urge the government and the National Assembly to resolve a monthslong impasse over medical school enrollment hikes.

"(Lim) suffered from a deterioration in his underlying conditions, including diabetes and high cholesterol, and reached a dangerous state due to mental deterioration from worsened symptoms of arrhythmia," the KMA said, noting he had endured above-40 degree temperatures at the site of his sit-in.

"Key figures from the medical community who had visited Lim to encourage him advised him to halt his hunger strike citing the dangerous situation," the association said.

Lim plans to continue to fight after recovering his health, the KMA said. (Yonhap)
This year's second case of lumpy skin disease (LSD) was confirmed on a cattle farm in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Saturday, the agriculture ministry said.

Four dairy cows were confirmed to have contracted the disease after authorities examined them upon receiving a report from the farm's owner, according to the ministry.

This year's first case was confirmed in cattle on a livestock farm in Anseong, some 65 kilometers south of Seoul, on Aug. 12.

To prevent further infections, the government has cordoned off the affected farm and implemented quarantine measures, the ministry said.

The infected cows will also be culled in accordance with relevant guidelines.

LSD is a highly infectious disease that causes skin lesions, fever and loss of appetite, often leading to a fall in milk production and even death. It affects cattle and buffalo via mosquitoes and other blood-feeding insects. (Yonhap)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The participation of voters of Yasamal, Nizami, and Nasimi districts of Baku city in the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan continues, Trend reports.

According to the information, the voting process at polling stations located in Yasamal, Nizami, and Nasimi districts started at 8:00.

The voters have been actively exercising their right to vote since the first hours of coming to the polling stations.

At present, high activity among voters is also observed.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
By Kim Hyun-bin

Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, the secretary general of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), completed a successful visit to Korea from Aug. 14 to 16. During his visit, Sarybay engaged in a series of high-level consultations aimed at enhancing multilateral diplomacy and strengthening CICA's role in fostering confidence and cooperation across Asia.

The visit began with a meeting with Baek Joo-hyeon, a former Korean ambassador to Kazakhstan and a candidate for the CICA Council of Eminent Persons. The two diplomats emphasized the need for robust multilateral diplomacy and discussed the potential for CICA to play a pivotal role in enhancing regional trust and cooperation.

In a subsequent meeting with Kang Young-shin, the director general for Northeast and Central Asian Affairs at Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sarybay focused on the ongoing transformation of CICA. Their discussions covered proposed statutory changes, reforms in budgetary and human resources, and the introduction of mandatory financial contributions. The secretary general praised Korea for its consistent financial support and recognized the country's coordinating efforts in priority areas such as energy security and information technology.

Sarybay also held talks with Choe Hyoung-chan, the newly appointed chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. The discussions centered on the transformation of CICA and its significance in bolstering Korea's global influence.

Further, during a meeting with Ambassador Chang Won-sam, president of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Sarybay explored ways for Korea to support CICA's confidence-building measures and the operationalization of the CICA Fund. They also agreed to explore potential synergy in international assistance projects, including possible collaborations between the CICA Secretariat and KazAID, KOICA's partner organization.
South Korea and Japan have been in last-minute arrangements for the agenda of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit, a senior official at the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol said Sunday.

"Final arrangements on the itinerary and agenda are being discussed," the senior presidential official told reporters, without providing further details.

Japan's Kyodo News earlier reported Kishida was considering holding summit talks with Yoon in South Korea in early September before stepping down from office, citing diplomatic sources.

Bilateral relations between Seoul and Tokyo have significantly warmed since South Korea decided in March last year to resolve the issue of compensating Korean forced labor victims during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula without asking for contributions from Japanese companies.

Yoon and Kishida have prioritized bolstering trilateral security cooperation between the Asian neighbors and their shared ally, the United States, amid growing security threats posed by North Korea. (Yonhap)
A sergeant who had just a month remaining until the end of his mandatory military service was found dead in isolation over punitive measures last year, military authorities said Sunday, raising questions over possible negligence.

The 21-year-old who was serving at a unit of the Defense Intelligence Agency was found dead at around 1:50 p.m. on Nov. 11 last year, according to the defense ministry. The soldier, whose identity was withheld, was covered with a blanket at the time of his death.

He had been living by himself in separate quarters located around 100 meters away from the barracks for 17 days when he died, as part of punitive measures taken in a separate incident that occurred within the military.

The sergeant reportedly confided to a fellow soldier on the difficulties of living alone and suggested that improvements should be made to the temporary shelter that he found too cold.

Following an autopsy that failed to identify the cause of the death, the military police concluded that the case did not involve foul play and did not transfer the case to the civilian police.

The military police requested disciplinary action against relevant officials, but no such action has taken place nearly 10 months after the soldier's death. The relevant unit said the process is under way.

Critics say the soldier may have survived if a regular roll call had taken place on the day of his death. Some point out that the maximum number of days of probation allowed under military personnel policy is 15 days.

Rep. Huh Young of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) called for an overall review of the case.

"It is hard to understand that the case remains unaccounted for, nearly 300 days after a conscript who had just a month left until being discharged died in negligence in an environment where his rights were not ensured," Huh said. (Yonhap)
By Jung Da-hyun

Calls are growing for a comprehensive overhaul of school sex education in Korea as deepfake exploitation materials spread rapidly among teenagers, according to school officials and experts, Sunday.

Current sex education in schools has failed to address emerging issues like deepfake crimes, leaving many minors unaware of the potential harm such crimes pose, they said. Deepfake exploitation materials involve manipulating photos and videos to create explicit content, often targeting specific individuals such as classmates, teachers or celebrities.

Read More Minors most vulnerable to deepfake sex crimes

Sex education in elementary, middle and high schools across the nation currently consists of 15 hours per year, in accordance with the Ministry of Educations guidelines.

This includes two hours each on sexual violence and domestic violence prevention education for elementary schools, while middle and high schools must provide an additional hour focused on prostitution prevention, totaling three hours.

However, the lack of standardized guidance from the education ministry, due to restrictions under the Local Education Autonomy Act, has led to inconsistencies.

Sex education is not just limited to school health teachers or external instructors. It can also be taught by general subject teachers, including instructors of Korean, English and physical education.

Therefore, the content and effectiveness of the education can vary widely depending on each teacher's understanding.

A recent survey by the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union also showed concerns, with 92.7 percent of teachers nationwide reporting difficulty preparing classes due to unclear objectives and content related to gender equality, sexual harassment and other issues.

Experts are calling for a more systematic approach to sex education in schools, emphasizing the need for curriculum updates that reflect current issues.

Shin Kyung-ah, a sociology professor at Hallym University and president of the Korean Association of Womens Studies, advocates for integrating sex and gender equality education into the regular school curriculum, suggesting it be taught more frequently, such as once a month.

"With students being exposed to digital devices at a young age, its crucial to begin this education early, ensuring they receive consistent instruction starting from the lower grades of elementary school," she said.

She also stressed the importance of collaboration between schools and families in addressing digital-based crimes.

"If parents participate in online education alongside their children, it can increase awareness in everyday life outside of school and enable more effective supervision," Shin added.

Heo Min-sook, a researcher at the National Assembly Research Service, also highlighted the need for comprehensive education, extending it to teachers as well.

"To ensure that teachers can deliver high-quality sex education, they must be systematically trained with sufficient knowledge and understanding, allowing them to educate their students effectively," she said.
The leaders of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) held their first official talks Sunday.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon and Lee Jae-myung, who was reelected as the chief of the DPK in August, met for a 90-minute meeting that began at the National Assembly at 2 p.m. Sunday.

In opening remarks delivered ahead of a closed-door session, Han called for carrying out political reform as well as scrapping a planned investment tax policy.

"Since Chairman Lee has also raised the need for limiting parliamentary immunity several times, now is the time to push for it when leaders of both parties agree on it," Han said.

Lee, meanwhile, said the rival parties should work together to resolve the ongoing health care crisis and also consider easing the investment tax policy for a certain period.

Han and Lee were initially scheduled to meet last Sunday but their talks were postponed after Lee tested positive for COVID-19.

It marked the first time that the two held official talks as chiefs of the ruling and main opposition parties, and the first such meeting between the rival parties since 2013.

They previously met briefly on Dec. 29 when Han took office as the party's interim leader and paid a courtesy visit to Lee, but no current agenda items were discussed at that time. (Yonhap)
By Lee Hyo-jin

Prosecutors are intensifying their investigation into bribery allegations involving former President Moon Jae-in, focusing on claims that his former son-in-law was appointed as a local airline executive in exchange for favors granted to the firm's founder, officials said Sunday.

As part of the intensified investigation, prosecutors raided the residence of Moon's only daughter, Moon Da-hye, to assess the extent of the financial support that the ex-president and his wife may have provided to their daughter's family during his presidency.

The raid took place on Friday, and the warrant reportedly named the former president as a suspect in the bribery investigation.

This marks the first time that Moon Da-hye has been directly involved in the ongoing probe, which centers on her former husband, surnamed Seo, who was appointed as an executive of Thai Eastar Jet in 2018 during Moon's presidency.

Seo, who divorced Moon Da-hye in 2021, has been questioned as a witness three times earlier this year.

The investigation focuses on suspicions that Seos appointment at the low-cost carrier, founded by former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik, was in exchange for favors granted to Lee. Seo was hired shortly after Lee became head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency in March 2018, during Moon's presidency. Given Seos lack of experience in the airline industry, his hiring raised considerable skepticism at the time.

The Jeonju District Prosecutors Office, which is in charge of the case, has been accelerating the investigation in recent weeks, summoning Moon's former aides for questioning.

On Saturday, Rep. Cho Kuk, who served as a senior presidential secretary for civil affairs under Moon and currently leads the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, was questioned for three hours. Cho denied the allegations, claiming that he does not know Lee or Seo.

Last Tuesday, prosecutors summoned Im Jong-seok, a former chief of staff for Moon, to inquire about his potential involvement in Seo's appointment. Im also denied the allegations.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized the extensive investigation, including the raid on Moon's daughter's home, labeling it as a "political vendetta" targeting the former administration.

It would be a major mistake for the Yoon Suk Yeol administration to believe that humiliating a former president and using investigations for political revenge will distract the public from its policy failures, said DPK spokesperson Rep. Hwang Jeong-ah during a briefing at the National Assembly on Sunday.
Han, Lee hold first official talks

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Ruling People Power Party (PPP) Chairman Han Dong-hoon and main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung failed to reach an agreement over contentious issues during their first official meeting, Sunday, amid expectations that it could signal a shift away from the prolonged political deadlock.

Although the two sides agreed to cooperate on several livelihood-related issues, the meeting ended without any resolution to their differences on thorny issues. Contentious topics they couldn't overcome included a bill for a special counsel investigation to look into allegations of government interference in the militarys investigation of the death of a Marine during a flood rescue operation last year and a cash handout initiative plan proposed by Lee.

"We discussed the special counsel probe bill on the Marine's death, but failed to reach an agreement," Rep. Jo Seoung-lae, spokesperson of the DPK, said during a press briefing after the meeting.

Lee had expressed hope that they would reach an agreement on a proposal originally suggested by Han during his own campaign for party leadership, in which a third party would be invited to plan the special investigation for the fallen Marine.

They, however, agreed to form a consultative body to discuss people's livelihood issues on which both parties share common ground, work together at the Assembly level to resolve the medical crisis stemming from the doctors' walkout and urge the government to ensure preparations for medical emergencies during the upcoming Chuseok holiday, bolster the semiconductor and AI industries, expand child care support including extending parental leave for dual-income couples, initiate an Assembly-level response to the issue of deepfake sexual exploitation crimes and reactivate a district party office system.

Han called for abolition of the financial investment income tax as the top priority for discussion, but Lee suggested a comprehensive review of measures and stock market structure before reaching a conclusion.

This marked the first one-on-one meeting between leaders of the rival parties since 2013 when Rep. Hwang Woo-yea, then chairman of the ruling Saenuri Party, and Rep. Kim Han-gil, Hwangs main opposition Democratic Party counterpart, sat down for formal talks. Han and Lee were initially scheduled to meet last Sunday, but their talks were postponed after Lee tested positive for COVID-19.

The meeting was arranged at Lees suggestion after he was reelected as chairman of the DPK. Two senior aides, including a policy committee chair and senior spokesperson, from each side were present at the meeting. The meeting, originally planned for 90 minutes, lasted 103 minutes.

Lets end this political tug-of-war where we are locked in a vicious cycle of the opposition railroading bills, the ruling party filibustering and the president vetoing them. Apart from discussing livelihood-related matters on how to reduce gaps in housing, assets and education, lets adopt a political reform so that lawmakers could renounce their no-arrest privilege, Han said in his opening remarks, which were open to the press, ahead of the meeting.

Lee criticized the governments failure to address economic difficulties and expressed regret over the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's unilateral approach in dealing with medical reforms. The rival parties had staged a war of nerves until Sunday over the government's medical reform initiative and its toll on the countrys health care system.

The governments medical reform initiative and the months-long stalemate over the medical school admissions hike are threatening the lives of many patients," Lee said. "Although I agree on the direction of the medical reforms to strengthen essential health services and regional medical capabilities, the social cost of the Yoon administrations unilateral push for the reform without meaningful dialogue is too high.

Lee also condemned the government for allegedly attempting to remove public installations depicting Dokdo. He referred to those attempting to distort history as anti-state forces, mocking Yoon's own frequent use of the term.

Recently, several installations introducing Korea's easternmost territory were removed from subway stations and the War Memorial of Korea. The government explained that they were removed temporarily for renewal, but the opposition alleges the move is intentionally aimed at erasing Dokdo from the public consciousness.

The presidential office welcomed the talks between Han and Lee, saying it hopes the meeting will serve as an opportunity to normalize the Assembly.

The first regular session of the Assembly, scheduled for Monday, should be the first step toward ending political strife and focusing on improving people's livelihoods as lawmakers promised, a senior presidential office official said.
President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the opening ceremony of the regular session of the National Assembly early this week, a presidential official said Sunday, citing the opposition party's unilateral actions to pass critical bills.

The National Assembly is set to begin its regular session on Monday and it is customary for the president to attend the opening event and deliver a speech.

"It is appropriate to first normalize the National Assembly, which has been misusing special counsel and impeachment procedures, before inviting the president," a presidential official told Yonhap News Agency.

"We can only suspect that the intention is to invite the president to then only stage a protest and humiliate him in public," the official said.

The opening ceremony for the 22nd Assembly, originally set for July 5, was boycotted by the ruling People Power Party (PPP) amid intense partisan strife over the opposition-led Assembly's unilateral legislative actions. The PPP had also requested that Yoon not attend the ceremony.

The ceremony had been put off indefinitely, until the rival parties agreed to hold the event in conjunction with the start of the 22nd Assembly's first regular session.

If Yoon does not attend, it will be the first time since 1987 that a president has skipped the opening ceremony. (Yonhap)
By Lee Jong-eun

President Yoon Suk Yeol, while commemorating the 79th anniversary of Korea's liberation on Aug. 15, announced what some analysts have described as his unification doctrine. Asserting that Korea's liberation is not complete until the entire Korean Peninsula is liberated to enjoy freedom and democracy, Yoon reaffirmed his commitment to achieving reunification, echoing a longstanding goal of the Republic of Korea. What distinguished President Yoon's speech this year, however, was how he proposed to achieve reunification.

A significant challenge for South Korea in achieving reunification has been its relationship with the ideologically opposed North Korean regime. Should South Korea treat the North as an unlawful regime that should be overthrown? Or should it consider North Korea a political partner in the pursuit of peaceful, democratic reunification? Successive South Korean administrations have experimented with both coercive and engagement strategies. Some have attempted coercive sanctions and pressures to force the North to either adopt political reforms or face regime collapse. Others have attempted cultural interactions and economic partnerships to incentivize the North.

Unfortunately for South Korea, neither coercive nor engagement strategies have achieved substantive progress in influencing the North's regime to become more amenable toward eventual reunification. Sanctions failed to bring about the collapse of the regime, while inter-Korean economic cooperation did not lead to full-scale market reforms or a halt in North Korea's nuclear development. In recent years, negotiations with the North have become more challenging as the regime tightened control over its populace and strengthened strategic partnerships with China and Russia.

Early this year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un publicly abandoned reunification as his regime's objective, explicitly denouncing South Korea as a foreign adversary. With past strategies to reform or pressure the regime largely unsuccessful, fatigue within South Korean society toward reunification efforts has increased, with growing pessimism on the likelihood of achieving reunification.

In his speech, Yoon proposed an alternative strategy for reunification. If the North cannot be reformed or replaced through external pressures alone, could domestic activism by its citizens drive political change? While Yoon's speech did include proposals for continued diplomatic dialogue with the regime, the core of his strategy centered on motivating North Korean citizens to play a pivotal role in achieving a "freedom-based unification."

Yoon pledged to bring international attention to the human rights conditions in North Korea and to advocate for international actions to defend the rights of North Korean citizens. Additionally, he committed to informing North Koreans about their deprivation of basic rights and freedoms. Citing the testimonies from defectors, Yoon claimed that expanding North Korean citizens' access to outside information through various channels, such as TV and radio broadcasts, would expose the regime's propaganda and encourage the citizens to advocate for their freedom. By welcoming North Korean defectors and inviting them to play a role in the pursuit of reunification, South Korea will persuade North Korean citizens that their freedom and livelihood will be protected under a unified Republic of Korea. Yoon asserted that by successfully shifting the political attitudes of its citizens, North Korea could see the emergence of "strong, friendly forces for a freedom-based unification."

For South Korean policymakers and the public, who have grown increasingly skeptical about negotiating with Kim Jong-un's regime, the appealing aspect of Yoon's proposed reunification strategy is the possibility of a regime change in North Korea. Proponents of Yoon's approach might draw parallels to German reunification, arguing that the dissemination of outside information could foster pro-democracy movements within North Korea, much like it did in East Germany. Although North Korea's censorship was more stringent than that of East Germany during the Cold War, the resourceful use of technological devices and the regime's limited interactions with Chinese and Russian societies could create opportunities for external organizations to penetrate the so-called Hermit Kingdom. Another appeal of promoting pro-democracy consciousness within North Korean society is that it increases the possibility that in the event of the fall of the Kim regime, the new North Korean regime will be more supportive of political reforms and partnership with South Korea.

Yoon's reunification doctrine, however, also carries risks and drawbacks. First, encouraging North Korean citizens to advocate for their political rights will likely be a long-term strategy. In the short term, such a strategy could escalate conflict with the North, which will likely perceive the informational targeting of its citizens as a security threat. The regime will also be on alert to suppress information networks, thereby increasing the safety risks of involved organizations and individuals. Second, even if North Korean society shifts toward greater advocacy for political freedom, it is unpredictable whether domestic uprising could lead to political change, much less a peaceful transition. In countries like Iran and Russia, civil activism from citizens was met with harsh repression. While these repressive measures might weaken the domestic legitimacy of Kim's regime, they also raise the ethical dilemma of whether the international community is jeopardizing the safety of North Korean citizens by encouraging their political resistance.

Does Yoon's unification doctrine offer a breakthrough in gridlocked inter-Korean relations or pose too high risks for regional security and the safety of North Korean citizens? Ironically, Yoon's National Liberation Day speech displayed more "audacity" than the "audacious initiative" his government introduced in its first year to restore talks with North Korea. Yet, whether such audacity will lead to an irreparable separation of the two Koreas or create a "scorching heat" that melts the "frozen kingdom of the North" is uncertain, posing a challenge for the Yoon government to reassure the South Korean public and the international community.

Lee Jong-eun is an assistant professor of political science at North Greenville University.
US battery tech startup searches for Korean partners

By Park Jae-hyuk

Senior executives from a battery technology startup in the U.S. state of Massachusetts visited Korea recently to introduce a possible solution to frequent fires caused by electric vehicles (EVs).

Naoki Ota, the president and CEO of 24M Technologies, told The Korea Times in a recent interview that his companys Impervio separator can enhance the safety of EVs and energy storage systems (ESS) by reducing the risk of fires and explosions, which he said result mainly from internal short circuits.

Currently, the most dangerous position for a cell is an internal short circuit  the plus and the minus connected inside the cell, he said.

An internal short circuit can happen by defect or error in the production process, or naturally.

Impervio impedes the growth of dendrites, according to 24M, although the separator cannot completely prevent the formation of the metal structures that can build up on the anode surface and potentially short the battery cell, which can lead to fires.

Richard Chleboski, the companys chief financial officer, explained that Impervio continuously monitors the cell and can detect a potential short before it occurs, enabling safe discharge and shutdown of the individual battery cell.

He showed the results of the companys internal comparison tests of baseline cells, which demonstrated safety advantages of cells with Impervio.

With the aim of fully demonstrating mass production of Impervio by the end of this year, 24M plans to introduce it to the market in 2025 or 2026, in collaboration with volume production partners and license partners for initial product launch.

Battery fires are not just a Korean issue. There was the fire in Incheon, but there have been fires throughout the world  the United States, China and Europe. Both EVs, which have gotten a lot of attention, but also ESS applications have suffered fires, Chleboski said.

As we build up a greater capability to make the material, we can work with more partners and we are hopeful to work with some Korean partners as well.

The company has multiple global partners, including Fujifilm and Kyocera in Japan, GPSC in Thailand, Axxiva in China, Lucas TVS in India and Volkswagen and Freyer in Europe.

However, the U.S. firm does not have any Korean partners, despite previous meetings between its executives and representatives of major Korean battery firms.

We are looking for many potential partnerships with EV companies like Hyundai and big three cell suppliers in Korea, Ota said.

If we could initiate more discussions or show more existence in Korea, it may help each other.

Chleboski said that 24M has had initial conversations with Korean strategic partners, although they have not matured into a joint development or a further collaboration so far.

We look forward to continuing those discussions, he said.

In addition, I would say that this wont be our only stop in Asia, so Naoki and I will both go to separate countries after this and have further discussions in those countries.

How to deal with EV-phobia

Ota said that 24M is open to talks with the Korean government, which has kept a close watch on battery safety after a series of recent fires. The company has had conversations with government institutions in China, Japan and Thailand.

During the interview, the 24M CEO expressed his opinions about the Korean governments regulations on the state of charge (SoC) of EVs parked at underground garages and loaded on ships.

He believed that banning EVs with over 90 percent SoC from underground garages can reduce the severity of fires.

However, he emphasized that such regulations cannot be the fundamental solution without the prevention of internal short circuits.

In response to a question about the impact of safety concerns over EVs on 24Ms business, Ota said that the situation can be a blessing in disguise for his company, which has served as an R&D center for cell manufacturers.

He believes that the decelerating global demand for EVs will prompt producers to stop using the existing products and search for new technology developed by 24M.

The automobile market cannot go back. They have to go to electrification, because it is easier to implement autonomous driving and other technologies in EVs, he said.

Who is Naoki Ota?

Ota joined 24M Technologies as the chief technology officer in 2012 and became the president and CEO in 2019.

As an expert in lithium-ion batteries, he was present at the birth of the technology in Japan 30 years ago.

He co-founded Quallion, the first lithium-ion manufacturer in the United States, serving the medical and aerospace industries.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. We are very pleased to participate in the extraordinary parliamentary election as international observers, marking the first time in history that the election is being held across the entire sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, Maxim Leskov, a CIS monitoring mission representative said, Trend reports via the "Election 2024 Independent Media Center.

"We are very happy to see people participating in the voting with joy and in a festive mood. We understand that not long ago, this territory experienced war, so it is very significant to see people engaging in such a democratic process.

We visited the beautiful city of Shusha, the cultural capital of the Islamic world. This morning, we observed the opening of the polling station, and I must say that many people have already exercised their right to vote," Leskov said.

He emphasized that all necessary conditions have been created for voting, and high voter turnout has been observed. The monitoring mission representative also expressed hope that their mission is not only crucial for ensuring the rule of law in the election but also for strengthening friendships.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
S-Oil, Korea's third-largest refiner by sales, said Sunday it has begun to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for Korean Air's regular route to Japan.

It is the first time for a local refiner to supply domestically produced SAF to local carriers on a regular route that departs from a domestic airport, the company said in a statement.

S-Oil signed an SAF supply deal with the national flag carrier for regular flights between Incheon International Airport and Haneda Airport once a week starting Aug. 30, it said.

"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 Chief Executive Anwar Al-Hejazi said in the statement.

For a stable supply of SAF to its customers, S-Oil is "positively" considering the production of an SAF-dedicated production facility in Ulsan, 305 kilometers southeast of Seoul, he said.

The company has a sole oil-refining facility in the port city.

In April, S-Oil obtained international certifications from the global certification body Control Union to domestically produce SAF for the first time among local refiners.

Saudi Arabia's state-controlled Aramco holds a 63.4 percent stake in S-Oil. (Yonhap)
Exports of hybrid cars by Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia jumped 35.2 percent on-year in the first seven months of this year, industry data showed Sunday.

Hyundai Motor and Kia exported a total of 222,818 hybrid vehicles between January and July, compared with 164,851 units for the same period last year, according to the data from the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association.

In particular, Hyundai Motor saw its exports of hybrid vehicles soar 58.3 percent on year to 141,032 units.

Last week, Hyundai Motor CEO Chang Jae-hoon told investors that the company plans to improve its self-developed hybrid systems to better meet the growing demand for hybrid vehicles.

Hyundai Motor plans to expand its hybrid system, which was previously offered primarily in compact and mid-sized vehicles, to a broader range of models, Chang said. (Yonhap)
By Park Jae-hyuk

Hyundai Engineering & Construction has begun signing contracts with buyers of apartment units of Hillstate Doan River Park, a residential complex under construction in Daejeon.

The buyers are also allowed to choose the units they prefer on a first-come, first-served basis.

The construction firm said that the apartment complex has attracted attention due to its affordable prices and proximity to various infrastructure.

According to Hyundai E&C, buyers of units in Hillstate Doan River Park can save on interest costs by signing contracts with just a 5 percent down payment of each units price. Typically, the down payment for a house in Korea is 10 percent of the price.

The price of each 84-square-meter unit in Hillstate Doan River Park is around 700 million won ($523,000), significantly lower than the 910 million won price of a comparable unit in the neighboring Daejeon IPark City, which sold in March.

Buyers of units in Hillstate Doan River Park are therefore expected to make substantial profits when they sell their properties in the future.

Hyundai E&C emphasized that Hillstate Doan River Park will be the largest apartment complex in the central region, consisting of 51 buildings with a total of 5,329 units.

Additionally, the complex is conveniently located near Guam Station and Yuseong Spa Station on Daejeon Metro Line 1, as well as Doan and Yuseong boulevards.

The apartment complex will include a daycare center.

Daejeon Bogyong Elementary School is 400 meters away from Hillstate Doan River Park.

Sport facilities will be built on a 760,000-square-meter plot of land near Hillstate Doan River Park.

The Daejeon National Industrial Complex, set to host companies in the nanotech, semiconductor, aerospace, and urban air mobility sectors, will also be situated near the new apartment complex.

Hillstate Doan River Park will become more valuable in the future, as its current price is affordable and the complex is located in an emerging residential hub of Doan New City, a Hyundai E&C official said.
By Lee Min-hyung

Bibigos "tteokbokki," or spicy rice cakes, is driving the global popularity of Korean street food, with exports more than doubling due to strong demand from European customers, CJ CheilJedang said, Sunday.

According to the company, sales of Bibigo-branded tteokbokki soared 2.5 times in the second quarter compared to the previous three months, driven by a significant increase in exports, particularly to a growing number of European countries.

Bibigo now exports its tteokbokki to 41 countries worldwide, up from 29 earlier this year.

The chewy rice cakes in spicy and sweet sauce have long been a favorite among Koreans, standing out as a quintessential street food in the countr.

Cast members of the popular television reality show Seojins were recently spotted enjoying Bibigos tteokbokki cups in Iceland. The snack is now available for sale in most European countries.

CJ CheilJedang has identified Koreas major street foods as a key growth engine and plans to launch a variety of Bibigo-branded Korean street foods to capture more international attention.

Tteokbokki is at the forefront, as evidenced by its steep sales growth. The company aims to expand its presence in mainstream retail channels across global markets and accelerate its growth.

Bibigos other Korean street food items are also receiving positive responses in international markets. Last year, Bibigo launched its frozen "gimbap," or seaweed rice rolls, in Japan and signed a retail contract with AEON, one of the countrys largest retailers, to increase its availability. Since then, sales of Bibigo frozen gimbap have surpassed 1.5 million packs.

Starting in May this year, Bibigo's frozen gimbap has also become available in Australia, following CJ CheilJedangs retail partnership with Woolworths. This marks the first time that traditional Korean gimbap is sold through a mainstream retail channel in Australia.

Bibigos K-street food series is receiving a positive reception from local customers abroad, with sales demonstrating robust growth, said an official at CJ CheilJedang.

We are going to launch diverse food items, so more global customers will be able to enjoy our K-street food products.
A campaign to inoculate children in Gaza against polio and prevent the spread of the virus has begun, the Health Ministry said Saturday, as Palestinians in the Hamas-governed enclave and the occupied West Bank reeled from Israel's military offensives.

Meanwhile, Israel's military late Saturday in a terse announcement said it had located a number of bodies during combat in Gaza. The army was trying to identify the bodies, including whether they were hostages, but said the process would take several hours. We ask to refrain from spreading rumors, it said. There were no further details.

A small number of children in Gaza received vaccine doses a day before the large-scale rollout and limited pauses in the fighting agreed to by Israel and the U.N. World Health Organization. Associated Press journalists saw about 10 children receiving doses at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis.

There must be a cease-fire so that the teams can reach everyone targeted by this campaign, said Dr. Yousef Abu Al-Rish, Gaza's deputy health minister, describing scenes of sewage running through crowded tent camps. Polio is spread through fecal matter.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in a statement said Israel will allow a humanitarian corridor only and areas will be established that will be safe for administering the vaccines for a few hours.

Israel said the vaccination program would continue through Sept. 9 and last eight hours a day. It will allow health workers to administer vaccines with the aim of reaching some 640,000 Palestinian children.

The vaccination campaign comes after the first polio case in 25 years in Gaza was discovered this month . Doctors concluded a 10-month-old had been partially paralyzed by a mutated strain of the virus after not being vaccinated due to fighting. Most people who contract the disease do not experience symptoms, and those who do usually recover in a week or so. But there is no cure.

I was terrified and waiting for the vaccination to arrive and for everyone to receive it, said Amal Shaheen, whose daughter received a dose Saturday.

Healthcare workers in Gaza have warned of the potential for a polio outbreak for months. The territory's humanitarian crisis has deepened during the war that broke out after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and abducting around 250. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians , according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many were militants.

The ministry said hospitals received 89 dead on Saturday, including 26 who died in an overnight Israeli bombardment, and 205 wounded  one of the highest daily tallies in months.

Meanwhile, parts of the West Bank remained on edge as Israel's military continued its large-scale military campaign , the deadliest since the Israel-Hamas war began.

Two car bombs exploded in Gush Etzion, a bloc of Israeli settlements. Israel's military killed both attackers after the explosions in a compound in Karmei Tzur and at a gas station, Israel's military said. The military later said a soldier died Saturday during operational activities in Jenin, without details, and another was severely injured.

Hamas did not claim the attackers as its fighters but called it a heroic operation." The militant group said earlier this month after a bombing in Tel Aviv it would continue such attacks.

Israel continued its large-scale raid  including destruction of infrastructure, airstrikes and gunbattles  into urban refugee camps in the cities of Jenin and Tulkarem, in the northern West Bank. Israel's incursion started Tuesday, causing alarm among the international community that the war might widen beyond Gaza.

The medical charity Doctors Without Borders in a statement said it was alarmed by the scale and intensity of Israel's incursion and asserted that Israeli forces have obstructed access to health facilities and blocked  and even targeted  ambulances.

Israel's military on Saturday said 23 militants had been killed since the incursion, including 14 in the Jenin area.

Some people fled Jenin. Holding a baby, Oroba al-Shalabi said Israeli gunfire had pelted her windows.

We began screaming that we had small children, but they (the Israeli soldiers) didnt respond at first. The more we screamed, the more they shot at the house, shattering the TV and the windows around us, she said.

The family cowered in their kitchen until soldiers entered, she said, separating women and children from the men and searching everyones phones before letting her flee.

Israel has described the West Bank operation as a strategy to prevent attacks on Israeli civilians, which have increased during the war in Gaza including near settlements that the international community largely considers illegal . The Palestinian Health Ministry noted a surge in Palestinian deaths by Israeli forces, with at least 663 in the West Bank since the war began.

In central Gaza, Israeli airstrikes hit a multi-story building housing displaced people in and around Nuseirat, a built-up refugee camp, in Khan Younis and in Gaza City, officials at area hospitals said. The Health Ministry announced a repeated attack on al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City. There were no immediate details, and the Israeli military didnt comment.

The United States, Qatar and Egypt have spent months trying to mediate a cease-fire that would see the remaining hostages released. But the talks have repeatedly bogged down as Netanyahu has vowed total victory over Hamas and the militant group has demanded a lasting cease-fire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.

Israelis gathered again Saturday night to rally against the government and urge a deal to bring remaining hostages home.

Why are they still in Gaza? the crowd chanted. (AP)
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Republican presidential rival Donald Trump on Saturday over a visit he made to soldiers' graves at Arlington National Cemetery that was later used in campaign video footage.

"It is a solemn place; a place where we come together to honor American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of this nation. It is not a place for politics," Harris wrote in an X post.

The vice president weighed in five days after Trump took part in a wreath-laying ceremony on Monday honoring the 13 servicemembers killed during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

He also visited Section 60 of the Virginia cemetery, which the military considers hallowed ground. Federal law and Pentagon policies do not allow political activities in that section, but Trump's campaign took videos and used them for advertisement purposes as he battles Democrat Harris in a close race for the White House.

Trump's visit drew criticism from some veterans and soldiers' relatives. The U.S. Army on Friday defended a cemetery employee who was pushed aside at Section 60, saying she acted professionally and was being unfairly attacked.

"Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt," Harris wrote.

During a speech in Pennsylvania on Friday, Trump said families of service members who died in Afghanistan had asked him to go to Arlington National Cemetery.

"I got there and we had a ceremony," Trump said. They then asked if he could come to the graves, Trump said, and then they sought a photo. "I said 'absolutely.' So I was taking pictures at the grave," he said.

On Saturday, Trump posted videos on his Truth Social account showing relatives of some of the 13 killed in the Afghanistan pullout defending his actions, many of them addressing Harris directly and disputing her stated support for military families.

"Vice President Harris, why will you not express your condolences yourself? Why have we never heard from you?" asks Christy Shamblin, mother-in-law of Sgt. Nicole Gee, who was among those who died in the 2021 withdrawal, in one video.

Trump vice presidential pick JD Vance and press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to Harris' post on Saturday with their own that referenced the Afghanistan pullout and accused Harris of being insensitive to the servicemembers who died there.

Trump used the third anniversary on Monday of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan to try to pin the chaotic pullout under President Joe Biden on his vice president.

Harris, 59, became the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 5 presidential election after Biden, 81, pulled out of the race in July.

The vice president's response to the Trump cemetery visit may give a clue to how she would handle the topic in their upcoming Sept. 10 debate.

Harris referred to Trump's history of insulting military veterans.

"This is nothing new from Donald Trump. This is a man who has called our fallen service members 'suckers' and 'losers' and disparaged Medal of Honor recipients," she wrote.

Trump once said the late Senator John McCain, a former Republican presidential candidate, was not a war hero even though he spent years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam after being shot down while a Navy pilot.

Trump referred to fallen World War One veterans as "suckers" and "losers," according to his former White House chief of staff, John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general. Trump continues to dispute that report.

It was unclear whether such incidents would sway the veterans vote. In an April report, the Pew Research Center found that military veterans favor the Republican Party. (Reuters)
Norway's Princess Martha Louise married her long-term partner, American spiritual guru Durek Verrett, on Saturday in a ceremony attended by the Norwegian king and other royalty but marked by what critics saw as commercialization of the event.

The wedding was the culmination of three days of festivities to honor Martha Louise, 52, fourth in line to the throne, and Verrett, 49, a self-styled shaman from California, after the couple first announced their relationship in 2019.

The couple were joined in the picturesque western town of Geiranger by royals from Sweden and Norway as well as friends, social media influencers and Norwegian celebrities.

Martha Louise, the daughter of King Harald and Queen Sonja, stepped down from official royal duties in 2022 to allow her to more freely pursue her own business ventures, and said both she and Verrett would refrain from using her title as princess in a commercial setting.

But the couple has faced criticism from the Palace and members of parliament for linking commercial activities to Martha Louise's royal status.

At a media event staged by a liquor company in June, the couple introduced a special pink gin for the wedding, with the label bearing the names of Martha Louise and Verrett on the back of the bottle, and a pink monogram invented for the occasion.

Norwegian health authorities ruled this week that the marketing of the drink was inappropriate.

Martha Louise's first marriage, to Norwegian author Ari Behn, with whom she had three children, ended in divorce in 2017.

Saturday's marriage ceremony, in a large outdoor tent, was open only to media sponsoring the event and was not broadcast on television, in contrast to the princess' first wedding in 2002 that was held at the country's largest cathedral.

Martha Louise stirred controversy in 2007 when she announced she was clairvoyant and had started a school to help people by teaching them how to talk to angels.

Verrett becomes part of the country's extended royal family, as designated by the Palace, but not of the core Royal House of Norway, which includes only the monarch and the next two in line to the throne as well as their spouses. He will therefore not become a prince. (Reuters)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The headquarters of Italian research company SWG S.p.A. is actively working on conducting an exit poll at the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, the coordinator of the headquarters, Lyaman Babayeva, told Trend.

Exit-poll involves polling of voters who have already voted and are leaving the polling station. For this purpose, two interviewers are stationed at the exit polling station, and according to a predetermined protocol (based on the number of voters at that polling station and the projected turnout), they select, for example, every fourth, fifth, or seventh voter. They invite that person to vote again.

The voter is given a questionnaire that contains the names of the candidates running for election in the district, as well as the voter's demographics, such as age and employment. The voter fills out the questionnaire on their own, without the interviewer's assistance, then folds it up and drops it into a transparent ballot box. The interviewers then thank him for his participation. Three times a day - at twelve, three, and six o'clock - the ballot box is opened and the collected questionnaires are extracted for analysis. The votes cast for each candidate are counted and summarized.

Here in the headquarters, as you can see, there are telephonists and computer operators. The telephonists contact the precincts and receive data from them, which is then entered into a computer program. This program collects and analyzes the entire database, and after seven o'clock in the evening, when we get the right to publish the results, they will be made public, she 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 the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. All necessary conditions have been provided for voters at the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, the chairperson of the election commission of the polling station No. 26 of the second Narimanov constituency No.20 Bakhtiyar Khatamov told Trend.

The total number of voters is 1,227. The turnout is stable, and the election is going on without violations. The voting process is going on in a calm atmosphere, and all necessary conditions for citizens are provided, he 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 the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Buying a used car can be a scary proposition.

To paraphrase what Forrest Gumps mom said about chocolates, you never know what youre gonna get.

One tool commonly used by buyers and sellers is a CARFAX report.

It provides lots of information, including about accidents, odometer readings and how many owners a vehicle has had.

CARFAX says it uses more than 151,000 sources, including every U.S. and Canadian provincial motor vehicle agency plus many police and fire departments, collision repair facilities, auto auctions, and more.

It boasts a database of more than 32 billion records.

Paul Zurka said he bought a certified pre-owned vehicle from a local dealership in part because of the CARFAX report.

The dealer provided a copy of the CARFAX dated April 18, 2024. which indicated that the car had been in a `minor accident in November 2022, Zurka said.

A minor accident is defined by the CARFAX website as: Generally, minor damage is cosmetic (including dents or scratches), may only require reconditioning, and typically does not compromise a vehicles operation and/or safety.

The Maplewood man wasnt worried about cosmetic issues, so he bought the blue 2021 Toyota 4Runner for $39,495.

But after having the car for a month, he wasnt crazy about it, he said. Zurka decided to find something else and use the 4Runner as a trade-in.

He chose a 2017 Toyota Sequoia at a different dealership, which ran a new CARFAX on his 4Runner.

I was quite surprised to see that the current report listed the accident as `moderate and that the airbags had been deployed, Zurka said. He said the dealer told him the vehicle could no longer be sold as certified pre-owned because of the airbag issue, so it wasnt worth as much.

The dealer offered $27,500, or $11,995 less than Zurka paid for the vehicle about a month earlier.

Zurka reluctantly accepted the offer, he said, because he didnt want to lose the Sequoia. He figured CARFAX would somehow make things right.

He said hes been back-and-forth with CARFAX since May 28 to find out how the report could change so significantly in just a months time  and nearly two years after the original accident.

I have been asking the same three questions over and over again: Who changed the April 18, 2024 report, when was it changed and why was it changed, he said. They have eluded the questions every time.

Finally, on June 26, Zurka received an email from a CARFAX resolution manager,

I have confirmed that this vehicles airbags were not reported as deployed, the manager said, explaining theyd ordered a police report and the CARFAX report was updated.

Zurka was shocked. He asked again for the source of the inaccurate information, and when and why the report was changed.

Their response was, This data provider is a reputable organization within the automotive industry and the information was extensively researched. The name of the data provider is confidential, he said he was told.

If the information was extensively researched, this never should have happened, Zurka argued, saying it was apparent the confidential data provider fed CARFAX some bad information.

I explained to the resolution manager that this is quite unethical and that a CARFAX (report) is basically a worthless, in fact very untrustworthy and dangerous document, Zurka said.

The CARFAX representative said they sympathized, however the CARFAX Vehicle History Report is a dynamic service that is updated regularly with information received from current and new data sources.

That was the final word, and now, hes out 12 grand.

I think the fair solution is that CARFAX or whoever made the incorrect change to CARFAX should reimburse me for my losses based on an obviously incorrect modification of the report, Zurka said, and he asked Bamboozled for help.

We explained the whole thing to CARFAX, hoping it would provide some answers.

Not so much.

A spokesman said CARFAX updates its data with about 6 million data records every single day.

The company called CARFAX reports a living document that gets updated on a daily basis, so each report states: This CARFAX Vehicle History Report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX and available as of [date and time report was run]. Other information about this vehicle, including problems, may not have been reported to CARFAX. Use this report as one important tool, along with a vehicle inspection and test drive, to make a better decision about your next used car.

The spokesman added that the company did research based on Zurkas inquiries and it updated the CARFAX report for that vehicle.

Unfortunately, it appears that (Zurka) inquired into the data after (he) had already sold the vehicle, the spokesman said.

Basically, Zurka was out of luck.

We dont know how a court would respond if Zurka filed a lawsuit and requested the data source of the bad airbag information. You know, the confidential data provider. And even if he was able to learn the data source, would he be able to successfully add them to a lawsuit?

Zurka said CARFAX should be more diligent with the data it receives.

I dont care, and why should I care, that the CARFAX organization gets 6 million data records every single day. Its not my problem, he said. If they cant manage the volume appropriately then they should hire more trustworthy people or they should not be in business.

If CARFAX was able to get away with doing this to me, Id bet that I wasnt the first and certainly wont be the last unless this is properly addressed and something was done about it. Shame on you, CARFAX, he said.

Its a tough lesson here, but drivers, take your CARFAX report with the knowledge that its a living document, something that may not be emphasized to you when youre shopping for a vehicle. And then, proceed with caution.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on X at @KPMueller.
The scientific community in Pennsylvania is abuzz with excitement.

Multiple new species of bees have been discovered in the Keystone State.

According to a Penn State press release, a group of community scientists  each of which was trained by Penn State experts  participating in a monitoring program led by the university found these new varieties of bees while documenting their regional patterns of biodiversity as well as how many there are.

The efficacy of the program was actually posted to the Annals of the Entomological Society of America, which explains how participants used methods of observation, specimen collection, and public natural history platforms such as iNaturalist in order to carry out their work.

Said work was supported by the state Agriculture Department, as well as the United States Department of Agricultures National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Act funds and a 2022 Specialty Crops Block Grant. A Science-To-Practice grant from the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, too, assisted this research.

The release highlights how the study of bees is necessary as populations decline nationwide, robbing many areas of a critically important pollinator.

Of the over 9,000 bees collected over a year period, not only did the volunteer scientists document over twice as much biodiversity than those of iNaturalist users, but also completely new types of bees such as the mining bee.

This study demonstrates the value of involving highly trained community scientists in collections-based research, stated Margarita Lopez-Uribe, the Lorenza Langstroth Early Career Associate Professor of Entomology and extension specialist of pollinator at Penn State.

It also revealed some of the limitations of photography-based monitoring, which is still a useful tool for scientists, but doesnt capture the full picture of biodiversity.
Phillipsburgs Kneedler Avenue is now Williams Way.

Town council announced the road inside the Phillipsburg Public Housing Authority complex will be renamed after another notable local instead of the former mayor.

An ordinance authorizing the renaming passed unanimously on Wednesday.

Richard Williams was a member of the 1969 graduating class of Phillipsburg High School and one of three graduates of color, the largest number at that time to have graduated Phillipsburg High School, the town explained. Williams also served in the U.S. Navy.

The avenues original namesake Frank Kneedler was disavowed earlier this year when historical fact resurfaced about the mayors intent to perpetuate segregation and encourage the displacement of Black residents of Phillipsburg in the 1920s.

A recently published book by local historian Wayne Sherrer is credited with bringing the context of Kneedlers tenure to light, councilmen said in February.

In the book, Sherrer cites a 1916 article published in the Easton Daily Express, now the Express-Times and lehighvalleylive.com, where the ex-mayor is quoted: We Dont Want a Lot of N****rs to Come Here and Create a Nuisance.

Kneedler was speaking in opposition to a decision by the Warren Pipe Foundry to board some of its Black employees who were in need of housing.

Sherrers book Phorgotten No More: Glimpses of the presence of African Americans in Phillipsburg, traces more than 200 years of Black American existence in Phillipsburg and surrounding towns. It is the most complete record of the presence of Black Americans in Warren County to date.

Continuing to honor a person whose values are not aligned with the citizens of Phillipsburg, its moral code and ethos, would make the council complicit in the perpetuation of a belief system that is antithetical to the towns values, the town stated in the ordinance approving the name change.

The towns governing body has the authority to provide for the naming and the changing of the names of streets and highways as well as the erection of signs.

Kneedler Avenue is located inside the Phillipsburg Housing Authority housing development, managed by the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development. The housing complex was established in 1946, records show; 30 years after Kneedlers comments were published in print.

Phillipsburg Housing Authority, or The Projects, The PJs or The Bricks as theyre popularly called among residents who live there, is one of the most densely populated and diverse neighborhoods in Phillipsburg. More than a dozen Black families currently live along the 13-row home street called Kneedler Avenue.

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on X (formerly known as Twitter.com), Facebook and Threads.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe to lehighvalleylive.com today.
Details have been confirmed for the Cannonball 2024 stop in Leitrim next weekend.

On Sunday September 8th the supercars will leave Galway at 11am and then fuel up at Circle K M6 Athlone at noon before taking lunch in Mohill Co Leitrim at Lough Rynn Castle Estate at 1pm.

The big dramatic final finish line for Cannonball 2024 is in Trim Co Meath at 5pm which will be a spectacular show.

Cannonball, the action-packed supercar spectacle, is set to roll on September 6-8th with proceeds in aid of The Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation.

Cannonball, fuelled by milesPLUS from Circle K, is the largest organised road trip in Europe featuring the finest cars on the planet from the awe-inspiring power of Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren to the grace and elegance of Porsche, Aston Martin, and Maserati.

Cannonball has already raised 1,638,432 for Irish charities to date and brings a unique and inimitable electric atmosphere to host towns all over the country making it a widely-anticipated free family event for spectators.

The event is an impressive spectacle with some of the best supercars in the world. It is bound to be a popular event when it makes its lunch pitstop in Leitrim.
After 64 years behind the bar at Fitzpatricks Pub in Mohill, Val Fitzpatrick poured his final pint last December. Since arriving in Mohill in 1960, Val has witnessed the town and the pub business transform dramatically.

When I arrived in this town, there were 25 bars, and every one of them was doing a bit of business, Val recalls. Mohill was a lively spot back then, with fairs held every montha cattle fair and a pig fair. The cattle were on the fair green, and the pigs out on the street, he says, painting a picture of a bustling town with horses and carts.

In those days, people came into town to drink, not to eat, Val continues. Today, its the oppositethey eat a lot when they come to town and drink very little.

Val remembers when Mohill was the place to be. Mohill was a popular town, bigger than Carrick-on-Shannon. Carrick was a dead town at that time, but Mohill was absolutely booming. A major blow to the town was the closure of Quinns hardware store. You could buy anything in Quinns, Val says. It was the biggest hardware store in the West of Ireland, and it brought a lot of people into the town.

Today, the public house business has been killed by bureaucracy, Val says bluntly. Back when I opened up in 1960, there was no VAT. It came in later as a turnover tax at 2.5%. Now its 23%. And the lettersletters every day from the taxman, the license man, bills piling on top of bills. The ESB bill in town now is enormous. I had only an ordinary pub here, not a big hotel or anything, and I was paying over a thousand euros every two months. And if you had a band, even two lads ripping out a fiddle, you need an IMRO license.

The smoking ban and COVID-19 also dealt blows to the pub trade. COVID was no help at all, he says. And the smoking ban, well, I know people never returned after that came in. But Id be in favour of the ban myselfI often couldnt see the door with the smoke.

Val also reflects on the impact of emigration. Many a bachelor stayed behind to look after his mother when everyone else had left or died, he explains. Those old bachelors used to come into town for a bottle of stout, maybe ten, twice a week. But as they died off, fewer and fewer people were coming into town.

The catchment area for Mohill stretched from places like Cornageeha, Dromad, and Drumlish down to Keshcarrigan. Publicans depended on them coming in, Val says. But over time, as more people started getting caught for drink driving, fewer risked the trip into town. They started going to small, isolated country pubs instead, he says. And those pubs are doing a roaring trade. When the guards set up a checkpoint, word spreads quickly, and everyone becomes cautious, Val explains. Its almost impossible to get caught if you take the old boreen back roads.

The rise of drinking at home, especially since COVID, is another change Val has noticed. The government talks about cutting down on drinking, but then they allow cheap drinks in supermarkets while its expensive in the pubs. So what happens? People drink at home. Youve got lads sitting in their armchairs with cans around their feet, and thats what the youngsters see, and they go the same way. Its not good.

Val is also concerned about the safety of his customers. A publican has a responsibility to take a mans keys if hes had too much, but you cant do that if hes drinking at home or in an apartment. They go out unsupervised, and thats where accidents happen.

If you were standing outside that supermarket at Christmas, youd see trolley after trolley of drinks being carted away. Back when I started, all that drink was bought in the pub. And you know, despite having fewer cars back then, there were a lot fewer accidents. People might argue there are more cars now, but the telegraph poles and ditches have always been there.

Vals final thoughts on the future of town pubs are tinged with melancholy. I never saw much trouble. I dont think theres any need to clamp down so harshly and keep people locked up at home in the house, with the cow lowing in the window over the ditch at them.

Despite the challenges, Val speaks with warmth about his years in the pub. I miss the craic, the laughing, the jokes with good customers and friends. There were great times and nice peopledecent people. I miss that.
Explosions take place on the deck of the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion on the Red Sea, in this handout picture released August 29, 2024. HOUTHI MILITARY MEDIA / VIA REUTERS

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said Saturday, August 31, they had attacked a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden, as a multinational naval force said two missiles exploded near a Liberia-flagged vessel. "The Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a military operation targeting the ship (GROTON) in the Gulf of Aden," Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said in a televised statement.

He said the ship had been hit and that it was the second time it had been attacked after a similar incident on August 3. The Yemeni rebels have waged a campaign against international shipping passing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden that they say is in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

Earlier on Saturday, the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC), run by a Western naval coalition, reported that the Groton had been targeted by two ballistic missiles when it was 130 nautical miles east of Aden.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, run by Britain's Royal Navy, said the captain reported that all crew was safe and the Groton was "proceeding to next port of call."

The Houthi attacks, targeting ships that they say are linked to Israel, have disrupted traffic in a maritime zone that is vital to global trade. Meanwhile, the US Central Command said Saturday that US forces destroyed a Houthi drone and an uncrewed surface vessel in rebel-controlled areas of Yemen over the past 24 hours.

"It was determined these systems presented a clear and imminent threat to US and coalition forces," CENTCOM said in a statement on X.

Read more Subscribers only Yemen: Western armies powerless to halt Houthi attacks
CAOMHNOIRI na Talun, a new TG4 series from IWR Media, will follow five farmers over the course of a year as they farm with nature.

Among these farmers is journalist and organic farmer Hannah Quinn-Mulligan from Croom who farms in partnership with her grandmother Catherine on their Limerick farm.

Hannah has been increasing habitats and trialling new farming practices to help nature. Here, beneath Tory Hill, the pair breed pedigree Hereford cattle, keep some Jerseys and now operate a micro-dairy of just four Friesian cows with a farm shop selling eggs, yoghurt and ice-cream.

Hannah has a long held interest in farming for nature. Over the years on the farm, she has maintained eight acres of wetlands as valuable habitat for birds and wildlife, put in new ponds, bird boxes for kestrel, swift and barn owl and planted a thousand oak trees. During filming, Hannah was in her first year of a National Parks and Wildlife Service farm plan scheme which encourages novel approaches to farming for the environment and one of these sees Hannah attempt to attract back otters to the farm by building an otter holt!

READ MORE: A record number of arts and crafts at Limerick Show this year

Like many farmers, Hannah also works off farm. Her other day job is as an award winning journalist and radio reporter. She writes for the Irish Times and has a weekly column in the Farming Independent. Hannah also founded the Women in Agriculture Stakeholder Group, a voluntary group that successfully campaigned for the first agricultural supports specifically for women in Ireland.

Over the course of a year, cameras follow five of these farmers as they create habitats like ponds, nettle patches or bee scrapes on their farms.

The intensification of farming and forestry directed by policy and payments over decades, is seen as one of the most significant contributors to these losses as land use changed, as wetlands and bogs were drained and reclaimed, as pesticide use and chemical fertiliser increased or as grass management changed such as the switch from hay meadows to silage. As more and more land was brought into production, there was less and less space for wildlife. Yet if biodiversity is to improve, if habitat loss can be reversed or even halted, it is across Irish farmland that change will happen. If its to happen, farmers are the ones who will turn this crisis around. And across the country theres a growing number of farmers who are forging that path and farming with nature.
YOLANDA Ndlovu from Limerick city has been selected as Local Champion for the region by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI).

NYCI, which represents organisations working with young people nationwide, has launched its Local Champions initiative for 2024, aiming to ensure increased investment in young people and youth work both locally and nationally.

Grace McManus, NYCI campaigns manager, explained: As part of the Local Champions initiative, a group of passionate young individuals has been selected as representatives from their communities to engage with their local politicians and champion the cause of youth work.

Yolanda Ndlovu said: Im really looking forward to meeting our local representatives and sharing some of the amazing experiences Ive had with Foroige. Theres so much important work happening in our area to support young people, and I want to ensure our local representatives carry that message to the national level, so that youth work in our area and beyond gets its fair share come budget time.

Among the representatives that the Local Champion in Limerick City will engage with are Deputy Brian Leddin, Deputy Willie O'Dea, Minister Kieran O'Donnell, and Deputy Maurice Quinlivan.

The Local Champions initiative will involve engaging with policymakers, sharing personal stories, and using social media to raise awareness and mobilise support.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Leaving Cert students receive results at three Limerick schools

Through these efforts, NYCI and the Local Champions aim to create a broader understanding of the significance of youth work and its positive impact on society.

These initiatives are part of NYCI's broader campaign ahead of Budget 2025 on 1st October 2024, to ensure that young people and youth work receive the necessary investment and support they deserve.

NYCI is calling for an additional 15 million investment in youth work in Budget 2025 to support services under increasing pressure and ensure equal access to youth work for all young people nationwide.

The Local Champions initiative is supported by the Community Foundation Ireland.

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland added: "Empowering Generations is central to our mission as a philanthropic hub for Ireland. To achieve that goal were delighted to be partners with NYCI. The Local Champions network aims to amplify the voices of young people and showcase the transformative power of youth work. It is bringing together an inspirational group of young people, and we look forward to seeing them connecting with their local representatives to share how youth work changes lives.

To learn more about the Local Champions Initiative and NYCI's efforts to advocate for increased investment in youth work, please visit youth.ie
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The holding of parliamentary election throughout Azerbaijan is an important milestone in the life of the country, the head of the Georgian parliamentary observation mission, Irakli Kadagishvili, told Trend.

We are already visiting the eighth polling station, observing the election. We can tell that the election is taking place in a calm, organized atmosphere. We have not seen any significant violations. The election is going their way. I hope that by the end of the day, all those wishing to vote will realize their opportunity. The election will be held throughout Azerbaijan, and this is a very important milestone in the life of the country, he stated.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi: Gentari, the renewable energy subsidiary of Malaysian state-run energy giant Petronas, will offer battery storage services to its commercial and industrial (C&I) customers in India and continue investments in green energy through partnerships, a top company official said.

"Depending upon the needs of the customers and what type of settlement or what sort of a supply they need, we would be open to evaluating those (storage) options. Let's say over the next 12 to 18 months if these requirements are fructifying based on bilateral contracts, then we would be looking at storage options," Navjit Gill, Gentari Renewables India country head, told Mint in an exclusive interview. He added that Gentari would continue to look at each project individually and evaluate the right type of energy storage solutions.

Gentari Renewables India is a local subisidiary of Gentari.

He also said that the company is open to partnerships with organizations in the renewable energy space, as India expands production and adoption of green energy. Gill said that the company, which has established itself in India through inorganic growth and acquisitions, is now ready to go ahead with greenfield projects of its own.

"We have a very mature organization in C&I. We are one of the market leaders with 1.8 gigawatt in C&I space. And we have all the attributes for developing this business organically in-house," Gill told Mint.

However, the company would continue to look at acquisition opportunities both in the C&I and utility spaces. Mint earlier reported that Gentari Sdn Bhd is planning a minority fund raise in its proposed commercial and industrial (C&I) projects in an equity deal valued at around $400 million.

Also Read: Solar, wind energy generation rises as discoms cut payment delays in FY24: Fitch Owing to an improvement in recovery of receivables from power distribution companies (discoms) in India, Gentari will "continue to evaluate the utility business, mainly at the central utilities," Gill said. "If there are certain opportunities for the utility bids, then we will certainly evaluate them and look forward on those," he added.

Gentari majorly caters to C&I customers in the renewable energy space, Gill said, adding that the company would evaluate bids coming from central government public service undertakings (CPSUs). "Going forward, we would evaluate the bids which are coming out in the CPSU space and could be looking at those too," Gill said.

Gentari has been scooping up assets. Earlier this year, it emerged as the winning bidder for the Indian solar projects of Finlands Fortum Oyj totalling 185MW. The deal is worth an enterprise value of around $200 million and an equity value of around $150 million. It has also announced its $1.5 billion investment in AM Green Ammonia Holdings, and an equal joint venture (JV) with ReNew Energy Global Plc to develop 5 GW capacity.

Also Read: Indias solar ambitions face supply chain hurdles, but investor confidence steady, say experts Speaking about India's position among global peers in the renewable energy domain, Gill said that it is one of the top renewable energy markets in the world, and attributed growth in the sector to regulatory policies as well as the financing opportunities available in the country.

"As far as the sector is concerned in the country, it is a pretty matured sector now, as far as the electron business (power generation business) is concerned, the renewable energy business is concerned," Gill said. The growth is due to "the government initiatives, the policy measures, the regulatory (norms), the availability of the ISTS (inter-state transmission system) network, as far as the grid is concerned, and even the structure of the financing institutions - it is a very evolved structure," Gill added. The ISTS network refers to inter-state transmission system, a network of transmission lines carrying electricity from one state to another.
New Delhi: Indias audit watchdog is set to plug a regulatory leak that had allowed business groups to get away with fund diversions by subsidiaries, by holding the lead auditors of conglomerates chiefly accountable for such lapses. However, experts are divided on the likely impact of the move on the profession.

At the root of the issue is a clause in Indias accounting rulesstandard of accounting 600, or SA600that allows a parent companys auditor to rely on the work of a subsidiarys auditor without being held responsible for it, subject to safeguards. But any lapses such as diversion of funds from the subsidiary to, say, the groups promoters could go unnoticed as a result.

Indias National Financial Reporting Authority is now set to issue a draft of revamped rules for the audit of business conglomerates to plug the loophole, two persons with direct knowledge of the matter said. The audit watchdog will issue its revised framework in a few days, they said, declining to be identified.

The proposed rules seek to make the lead auditors of a business grouptypically large audit firmsmore accountable for the consolidated financial statements of the conglomerate, more closely aligning with international standards.

But the proposal will include carveouts to ensure that smaller audit firmswhich are typically assigned to the subsidiariesdo not get edged out of the market.

The carveouts leave a part of the audit market comprising unlisted companies, public sector entities, state-run banks and their branches from the proposed SA600 changes, so a subsidiarys auditor will continue to be relied upon by the lead auditor.

This is because public sector companies are already subject to the additional oversight of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India while state-run lenders have the Reserve Bank of India looking over them.

Also read | Audit lapses expose loophole in rule but professionals divided on how to fix it

Ved Jain, former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, said NFRA should keep in mind the social and development aspects of the audit industry while revising the audit standard. The ICAI is the countrys accounting and auditing rulemaker.

There may be a regulatory case for harmonisation, but it will have an impact on the audit profession," Jain said. The upgradation and confidence of smaller audit firms depends on their opportunity to audit subsidiaries. If big audit firms cannot rely on the work of another audit professional, they may insist on auditing the subsidiaries as well and it could lead to the dominance of big audit firms."

Mohandas Pai, a chartered accountant, entrepreneur, and chairman of private equity company Aarin Capital, thinks otherwise.

The lead auditor should take full responsibility to ensure proper audit of all material subsidiaries and subsidiaries that account for more than 5% of a groups revenue or profit," he said. This is important to ensure the integrity and credibility of the financial statements of large companies."

But in the case of companies that have a large number of subsidiaries that do nominal business or are just investment vehicles, such units can be excluded from the lead auditors responsibility to avoid the audit becoming too cumbersome without benefits, said Pai, who has served on the board of the Securities and Exchange Board of India and on various regulatory and consultative committees.

No statutory obligation or liability

NFRA has slapped disciplinary orders on BSR & Associates LLP, the principal auditor of Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd, stating that it had not ensured compliance with SA600 in letter and spirit though a substantial portion of financial information of the consolidated financial statement was audited by the other auditors".

The audit authority has taken similar action against Dewan Housing Finance Ltd, where the principal auditor had no access to the audit working papers of the subsidiary.

The proposed revision in the audit standard of business groups is aimed at preventing lead auditors from washing their hands off such lapses on account of the subsidiaries being audited by other firms.

Under the international standard of accounting 600, or ISA600, the principal auditor takes full responsibility of a groups audit and has the right to review the working papers of a component auditor.

Also read | Will new audit rules curb corporate misconduct?

Indias Companies Act grants a lead auditor the right to examine the books of accounts and other records of the company, subject to the law and audit standards. But there is no statutory obligation or liability on the lead auditor to formally verify and confirm the truthfulness and fairness of accounts of subsidiary companies, the Company Law Review Committee noted in its March 2022 report while recommending amendments to the audit standard. The committee was led by Rajesh Verma, former secretary in the ministry of corporate affairs.

Queries emailed to NFRA, ICAI and the ministry of corporate affairs on Thursday seeking comments remained unanswered.

A big no to the US model

NFRA rejected suggestions for adopting the US model that in certain relatively uncommon" circumstances allows a lead auditor of a business group to divide responsibility with one or more audit firms, said one of the persons mentioned above.

The second person, who is also privy to the discussions among NFRA, RBI, Sebi, and ICAI, said that in recent years only in about 40 cases in the US had the auditor of a parent company shared responsibility with other auditors, and mostly in instances such as late-year acquisition of a company.

Besides, the lead auditor of a US business group has to audit at least 50% of its assets or revenues if he relies upon other auditors work for subsidiaries, as per the rules of the US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

Also read | NFRA set to widen auditor inspections

India has about 400,000 chartered accountants, the Big Fourfirms with links to Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwCand several small audit firms. If the audit authority decides to align SA600 with international rules, smaller firms will get impacted, said Jain, the former ICAI president.

I do appreciate the regulatory expectations. We can frame stricter criteria for appointing auditors for the subsidiaries, in terms of expertise and experience," said Jain. But saying that only the lead auditor will be responsible for the groups audit could mean that second level audit firms will never get the opportunity to audit subsidiaries."

Also read | Forensic auditors knock at startup doors as edgy investors look to fix issues early
(PTI) Lenders to debt-ridden Reliance Capital Ltd (RCAP) have alleged that IIHL is indulging in delaying tactics resulting in slowdown in the implementation of the resolution plan, but the Hinduja Group firm has refuted the allegations, saying it was following due process.

Mauritius-based IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) emerged as a successful bidder for acquisition of Reliance Capital.

"All allegations are completely false, baseless and are an attempt to malign and obstruct the resolution process," IIHL sources said.

Also Read | RCap to be rebranded under IndusInd after takeover, Hindujas tell NCLT

"All allegations are incorrect and untrue. There is absolutely no reason for IIHL to delay the implementation of the plan, more so, when IIHL has already deposited 2,750 crore with the CoC," the company sources said.

Contrary to allegations, it is in IIHL's interest to close the implementation at the earliest and take possession of the company so that the depletion of value that is happening on a daily basis can be immediately stopped and IIHL can focus on growth, they said.

The NCLT Mumbai on February 27, 2024, approved IIHL's 9,861-crore resolution plan for the debt-ridden financial firm.

According to sources, lenders claimed that IIHL's move to seek approval from the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) is an afterthought.

It was not even a part of conditions set out by the NCLT while approving the resolution plan on February 27, 2024.

According to sources, 90 days have passed since IIHL submitted the application with DIPP, but the approval is still pending.

As regards DIPP approval, IIHL sources said it was part of the same resolution plan which was put to vote and approved by 99.96 per cent of the Committee of Creditors (CoC).

DIPP approval is required as some of the shareholders of IIHL are residents of Hong Kong, a special administrative region controlled by China.

Also Read | Anil Dhirubhai Ventures moves NCLT in Reliance Capital case

According to Press Note 3, if an entity from a nation sharing a land border with India (namely China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Afghanistan), or if a citizen or permanent resident of any such country, is the beneficial owner of an investment in India, they are required to pursue investment through the government approval route.

As per the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), all approvals under any law for the time being in force, within such period as may be prescribed.

The plan further provides for a period of one year for obtaining approvals (except for CCI) and therefore, there is no question of condition precedent or subsequent, sources said.

Earlier on August 12, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and DIPP to expedite the approval process to implement RCAP's resolution plan by Hinduja Group-promoted IIHL.

Meanwhile, IIHL has committed for payment of entire consideration of 9,861 crore, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and resolution of outstanding GST component.

The next hearing by NCLT on the RCAP's resolution plan is scheduled on September 19, 2024.

IIHL sources further said CoC never in all the correspondence or meetings ever drew attention or made a statement of application to DIPP, whereas all other applications to the RBI, CCI, Sebi and other regulators were constantly monitored. They could have very well brought it up since they are equally a part of the approval process of the plan all throughout.

In November 2021, the RBI superseded the board of Reliance Capital on governance issues and payment defaults by the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group company.

The central bank had appointed Nageswara Rao Y as the administrator, who invited bids in February 2022 to take over the company.
Adani Power Ltd has approached the Supreme Court seeking a refund of 280 crore from the Himachal Pradesh government in connection with the high-stakes 969-megawatt Jangi Thopan Power Project in Kinnaur district.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Aravind Kumar is expected to hear Adani Powers plea on Monday.

The company is challenging a recent Himachal Pradesh High Court order that overturned a single-bench decision to refund the 280 crore premium related to the hydropower project.

On 18 July, the high court division bench, comprising Justices Vivek Singh Thakur and Bipin Chandra Negi, had set aside Adani Powers refund claim following a challenge filed by the Himachal Pradesh government. This provided relief to the financially strained state government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

How Adani Power got involved The dispute began in 2005 when Himachal Pradesh invited global bids for two hydropower projectsJangi Thopan and Thopan Powari, of 480 MW each. Brakel Corporation NV emerged as the highest bidder.

Reliance Infrastructure Ltd offered to match the Netherlands companys bid after Brakel failed to deposit the upfront premium, leading to a protracted legal battle.

The state government issued a show-cause notice to Brakel, prompting the companys subsidiary to deposit 173.43 crore. Reliance Infra opposed this payment, arguing that Brakel had missed the deadline.

It was later revealed that Brakel Kinnaur Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of Brakel Corp., had received 173.43 crore from the Adani Group to cover the upfront premium for the hydroelectric projects.

On 7 July, 2008 the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet issued another show-cause notice to Brakel for misrepresentation and sought forfeiture of the upfront money due to the loss incurred by the state. This led to the cancellation of the project allotment to Brakel and forfeiture of the upfront premium.

In a ministerial meeting on 4 September, 2015, the state law department advised that the state could not retain upfront premium money from two different parties for the same project, suggesting that a refund to Adani Power Ltd was necessary.

Adani Power, which was not initially part of the bidding process, sought to recover the upfront premium deposited with Brakel by filing a writ petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2019. The company sought a refund of 280.06 crore, plus interest, citing payments made on behalf of Brakel Corp. for the two hydro projects in Kinnaur.

Adani Power argued that the states failure to address Brakels misrepresentation and procedural violations justified their claim for compensation. It invoked Section 70 of the Contract Act, which deals with compensation for non-gratuitous acts, and Section 65, which pertains to restitution when agreements become void.

The High Courts single-bench order in April 2022 initially favoured Adani Power, directing the Himachal Pradesh government to refund the amount.

No lawful relationship The High Courts division bench ruled that since the amount in question was deposited after legal proceedings had commenced, any investment made during the legal proceedings was at the risk of the investor. Therefore, Brakel could not reclaim equity in its favour.

The division bench, while staying the earlier single-bench order, stated that Adani Powers financial arrangement with Brakel lacked the required approval from the state government.

It also noted that Brakels misrepresentation and procedural errors, combined with Adanis awareness of ongoing legal issues, invalidated their right to compensation. Adani Powers financial dealings with Brakel were conducted without the necessary legal and procedural approvals, it added.

The court also highlighted that Adani Power attempted to join the consortium in a non-transparent manner, rather than through the legally acceptable process. It concluded that no lawful relationship existed between Adani and the state, and since Adanis investment was made during ongoing litigation, it could not claim restitution or compensation from the state.
(Bloomberg) -- Optimism in the UK economy among company bosses plummeted in August because of worries about likely tax increases from the new Labour government.

The Institute of Directors said Sunday that its economic confidence index dropped to a reading of -12, down from a three-year high of 7 in July. The scores tally the percentage difference in respondents who say theyre pessimistic about the economy against those who say theyre optimistic.

The news-flow in recent weeks on employment rights and autumn tax rises has dented confidence in the environment for business in the UK, said Anna Leach, the lobbying groups chief economist. She urged the government to engage more with businesses on its plans to bolster workers rights, which company leaders have said may stifle growth.

The survey of 715 company leaders showed a sharp increase in concern over business and employment taxes.

The Labour Party, which came to power in a landslide July 4 election, is expected to increase taxes after accusing the previous Conservative administration of leaving it with a 22 billion ($28.9 billion) fiscal black hole.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has ruled out increases to the UKs main revenue drivers, such as income tax, National Insurance and VAT. Thats raised concerns shell use Octobers budget to raise levies such as the capital gains tax.

While in opposition, Labour proposed a radical expansion of workers rights but appears to have rowed back some of the plans.

The IoDs survey also revealed a steep decline in directors confidence in their own companies prospects, with the index at 23 in August compared with 36 in July.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Online payments aggregator Razorpay Software Pvt Ltd is focusing on its offline and international business ahead of its initial public offering, top executives told Mint .

"In India, offline is a much bigger market, and that is our big push," said co-founder and chief executive officer Harshil Mathur. In August 2022, Razorpay entered the offline segment through the acquisition of Ezetap.

The company expects offline payments, which make up about 15% of Razorpays revenue, grow to about 30% in the next three years.

Sound boxes, QR codes, tap-and-pay, POS machines are among services provided by payments companies in the offline mode. Razorpay launched several such products recently. These include DigiPOS, a new machine that will help customers skim through offers offline like it is possible on online platforms.

Razorpay is launching its own sound boxes. So far, it had co-branded POS machines and sound boxes in association with banks, with the latter's branding.

Read more: Why Infosys and HCLTech have the longest running CEOs

"Offline payments have not seen major disruption compared to online payments and lag behind by almost a decade," said Rahul Kothari, chief operating officer at Razorpay. The company plans to also target bigger merchants who use POS machines over just sound boxes to grow its brand presence.

Razorpay is expanding its presence across Southeast Asian countries, such as Singapore. We are in the process of applying for a licence. But we would be working with a partner to start providing our services (in the region)," he said.

Razorpay, which entered Malaysia in 2022, has seen its revenue in the region grow at 30% month on month, CEO Mathur said, adding that it translates to an annual growth of 400%".

According to Mathur, real-time payments are starting to emerge in markets like Malaysia, which Razorpay and other players are well positioned to capitalise on. (Such countries) ... are essentially trying to replicate what UPI did, we can replicate our success in those markets as well. We already have the products that work well for real-time payments, and we know which industries benefit from that," he added.

Kothari said the next geography to target for after Southeast Asia would be the Middle East. The company is in the process of building itself in the region.

From the overall strategy perspective, we would be kind of looking at licensing in multiple geographies," Kothari said, adding that it will help the company build out seamless processes to conduct cross-border transactions for import and export merchants, especially in India.

Razorpay has applied for a cross-border payments (PA-CB) licence with the Reserve Bank of India. So far, companies like Cashfree Payments, BillDesk, and Amazon Pay, among others, have received the licence from RBI.

Razorpay is planning to go public over the next two to three years.

Razorpay's journey so far

Founded in 2014 by Mathur and Shashank Kumar, the Bengaluru-based company last raised $375 million in 2021, led by Lone Pine Capital, Alkeon Capital, and TCV, with participation from existing investors including Tiger Global, Peak XV Partners, among others. So far, Razorpay has raised over $740 million in funding.

The company has also reserved around $150-200 million, which it will need to pay in taxes in the US, as it returns its corporate headquarters to India ahead of a potential listing here.

The company faced a setback when it was barred from onboarding new merchants on its platform by the RBI until December last year when it secured the payment aggregator licence from the regulator.

After a pause of about seven months after obtaining the licence, the company completed onboarding the backlog of merchants that had applied for its services. Kothari said the company onboarded as many as 1.5 lakh new merchants out of about 5 lakh that showed interest during the ban.

The companys revenue soared 54% to 2,279 crore in FY23 from 1,481 crore in FY22, while it reported a flat net profit of 7.3 crore. While Razorpay is yet to file its FY24 numbers, Kothari said the onboarding of new merchants is expected to show a positive impact on the revenue the fiscal.
New Delhi: V. Satish Kumar, director (marketing) of Indian Oil Corp. Ltd (IOCL), on Sunday took additional charge as chairman, after Shrikant Madhav Vaidya completed his tenure as chairman of the state-run oil company.

Kumar has been director (marketing) since October 2021. A company statement noted that he also held additional charge of director (finance) for a year from October 2022, a period characterized by geopolitical tensions due to the Ukraine war.

With a career spanning 35 years, Kumar has served in various regions across the country and held key positions. He has also gained extensive experience in engaging with multinational oil companies, serving as non-executive chairman of Indian Oil Petronas Pvt. Ltd, a joint venture between IndianOil and Petronas (Malaysia), and as non-executive chairman of Indian Oil Mauritius Ltd, a subsidiary of IndianOil.

Also Read: Why did stock exchanges fine Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum for the fifth successive quarter? A statement said the marketing division under his leadership has registered the best physical performance year-after-year over the last three years. "In his tenure, IndianOil embarked upon large scale modernization of its retail outlets with new retail visual identity and setting up of new bottling plants, terminals and large retail outlets with wayside amenities on highways," it said.

During this period, IndianOil emerged as leader in sales of high octane and energy efficient fuels, green combo lubricants, composite LPG cylinders and 25 Kg bitumen packs in the market for making products affordable and customer conveniences.

He has led marketing division in making aggressive forays and taken leadership positions in marketing alternate and clean energy solutions like e-mobility, biofuel blends.

Also Read: IOC, HPCL, BPCL consortium in talks with Equinor to secure LPG contract A mechanical engineer, Kumar is also has a postgraduate degree in management from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
New Delhi: Indias plan to further extend the India-Bangladesh Friendship pipeline (IBFP) carrying diesel to its neighbour has gone in the slow lane due to the current political crisis in Bangladesh.

Three people aware of the development said there had been a proposal to extend the 131-km pipeline beyond Parbatipur in Bangladesh, where the pipeline currently ends. However, the government has now pressed the pause button on this.

"Since the project has been operating well and has been largely successful, there was a consideration as to why not further extend it to cater to more places in the neighbouring country. Now, after the political situation somewhat destabilized, India would like to wait for the situation to stabilize for any further consideration and talks. No specific timeline can be given," said one of the the people cited above.

The cross-border pipeline inaugurated in March last year by prime minister Narendra Modi and his erstwhile Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina stretches from Siliguri in West Bengal to an oil depot in Parbatipur in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh.

Also Read: Bangladesh may request to extradite Sheikh Hasina from India: Creates embarrassing situation IBFP has the capacity to transport 1 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) of high-speed diesel (HSD) to the neighbouring country and currently supplies the product to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.

This is the first cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, built for an estimated 377 crore, of which the portion in Bangladesh accounts for 285 croreborne by India through grant assistance.

Another person said that along with diesel, India was also considering a proposal to send high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) and furnace oil to Bangladesh. HSFO is largely used in the maritime industry while furnace oil is used for heating homes, businesses and industrial units.

Apart from retail demand, the supply of petroleum products is crucial for industries as Bangladesh is heavily dependent on diesel to power its key textile industry.

Since 2015, the Numaligarh Refinery in Assam has been providing petroleum products to Bangladesh by rail. The pipeline is also key to Numaligarh Refinery Ltd's (NRL) expansion with Bangladesh being the most suitable market for the offtake.

Queries sent to the Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas and the ministry of external affairs remained unanswered till press time. The spokesperson of the external affairs ministry on Friday had said that development projects in Bangladesh have been impacted due to the law and order situation in the country.

Also Read: Neighbours cannot be changed at will: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief seeks improved ties with India Also on Friday, after its annual general meeting, NRL chairman Ranjit Rath said that there has been no impact of the current situation in Bangladesh on either the IBFP or the company's operations in the country.

Rather, we are scaling up operations in northern Bangladesh from our Siliguri terminal and northeastern Bangladesh from terminals developed near Silchar, he said. Rath is also also the chairman and managing director of state-run Oil India Ltd, the largest shareholder of NRL.

NRL plans to augment its capacity from 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA. In line with the expansion plans, the company is also executing more projects, including Paradip Numaligarh crude oil pipeline and crude oil import terminal at Paradip and setting up of a second generation bio-refinery at Numaligarh, Assam.

Key source of energy requirements India is a key source of energy requirements for Bangladesh. The Godda plant of Adani Power in Jharkhand supplies power exclusively to that country. Economic Times recently reported that Bangladesh owes over $1 billion to Indian companies for supplying power including around $800 million to Adani.

The anti-discrimination student movement which started in July over a controversial quota system, led to a crackdown by government forces and clashes leading to over 1,000 deaths and 400 people including students going blind, according to the Bangladesh government. Hasina fled Bangladesh on 5 August.
The family of George Glezmann, feeling like it is running out of options, has informed the White House it would negotiate directly with the Taliban to try to secure the American hostages release from Afghanistan.

We are in the process of finalizing a meeting in Doha with the [Taliban] to try to recover George," wrote George Taylor, a Glezmann family representative, in an email last week to senior U.S. officials including national security adviser Jake Sullivan and top hostage negotiator Roger Carstens.

Taylor accused the administration of putting little emphasis on Glezmanns case, leaving him to languish in a cell as his health deteriorates. He implored the government to exhibit the necessary courage and leadership that it takes to facilitate the release of George."

Glezmann, a Delta Air Lines mechanic, was touring Afghanistan when the Taliban seized him in December 2022. The State Department 10 months later designated him as wrongfully detained, giving the administration vast authorities to secure his release. But Glezmanns family insists they dont get enough information or cooperation from the Biden administration, driving them to contact Glezmanns captors in hopes of pushing negotiations forward.

Officials from Carstenss office at the State Department and the National Security Council previously warned Taylor, a Delta general manager for corporate security, that taking the meeting would complicate efforts to free Glezmann, he recounted, as U.S. officials imminently planned to meet with Taliban members.

A State Department spokesman wouldnt comment on private conversations with the Glezmann family or representatives, or its engagement with the Taliban.

A spokesman for the Taliban didnt respond to requests for comment, but the group has long said it would trade Americans for Afghan prisoners held by the U.S. in Guantanamo Baya politically risky deal that becomes more fraught as the U.S. presidential election nears.

The episode highlights simmering tensions between the families of hostages and the government that works for them, particularly in the final months of the Biden administration. It is inherently a frustrating experience, as families want up-to-date information while administrations keep many of their actions private to keep negotiations on track. Much of the diplomatic entreaties are classified, U.S. officials note, complicating the governments messaging.

But there is also a growing sense among some families that there is a tiered system in place, with celebrity hostages getting nearly all the medias and presidents attention. The Biden administration has long denied this charge.

Still, Aleksandra Glezmann fears her husbands case is stuck in the perceived lower tier of importance. We are not wealthy or famous people," she wrote in July in a letter to President Biden. I beseech you to intervene personally in Georges matter and do everything in your power to bring him home."

She has no confirmation that Biden has read it, even after repeated queries to White House aides if the two-page document was placed on his desk. The National Security Council repeatedly declined to comment on the letter or if Biden is aware of its contents.

In a phone call, Taylor confirmed the trip to meet with the Taliban is on hold until after U.S. officials next meet with Afghanistans rulers. But if he and the Glezmann family see no imminent progress, Taylor said he would get on a flight to the Qatari capital and meet with a Taliban representative.

Taylor complained that he, Aleksandra and the familys attorney consistently fail to receive details about what the administration is doing for Glezmann. The former federal law enforcement agent alleges that when U.S. officials dont want to answer his queries, they hit us with the old classified card. I have found that in most cases that is used to hide failures or incompetence."

The family of Ryan Corbett, arrested by the Taliban in 2022 and held in the same cell as Glezmann, has also repeatedly come forward to plead their case and demand more attention from senior administration leaders. So has the family of Mahmoud Habibi, an American citizen who disappeared in 2022 after the U.S. killing of al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul. The FBI believes Habibi was taken by Afghan military or security forces.

The Taliban have claimed that Corbett and Glezmann violated the law but havent commented publicly on Habibi. The U.S. government has said that Glezmann and Corbett have been designated wrongfully detained, a status that opens up additional government resources that can be used to negotiate their release.

That same label hasnt been affixed to Habibi due to a lack of clarity on his situation, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said earlier in August. But the administration insists it is working on his case similarly to the others.

The Biden-Harris Administration is actively working to secure the release of George and all Americans wrongfully detained and held hostage around the world," said National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett.

Still, their families say that they have to compete for attention from an administration that has been focused on higher-profile cases.

On Aug. 1, the U.S. and Russia conducted the largest prisoner swap between East and West since the Cold War. Russia released 16 people, including Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter detained for more than a year and convicted on a false charge of espionage. The others included former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, as well as another journalist and activists who have opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine. Russia received eight people, including a convicted murderer.

Aleksandra Glezmann is scheduled to meet with Sullivan on Sept. 11, though she is hoping for an earlier discussion over fears her husbands health is rapidly deteriorating. George has what she describes as a benign tumor on his left side, is losing vision in his left eye and is suffering under detention from breathing difficulties.

For those health complications alone, Aleksandra pleaded in her letter to Biden, now is the time to bring George Glezmann home."
New Delhi: The top drug regulator is planning to direct all drug makers to upload formulation details along with the brand names on its Sugam portal to check the problem of drugs having similar brand names.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)'s plan involves asking State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) to check the database before granting approval for a brand name.

Confusion in the names of the drugs is a common cause of medication and sale errors among patients and pharmacists.

The agenda was discussed in length and after the detailed deliberation at the DCGI's (Drugs Controller General of India) expert committee held earlier this month.

Also Read | Drugs licence approval only if you show good manufacturing practices: DCGI

The data base of all the products with brand names in Sugam Portal may be made accessible to the general public, so that when application for endorsement of brand name is submitted to SLA, they can search the existing brand names from this data base of CDSCO along with the trade mark registry, literature and reference books on details of Drug Formulation in India and Internet, such or similar brand names or trade name is not already in existence with respect to any drug in the country and the proposed brand names or trade names shall not lead to any confusion or deception in the market," said the minutes reviewed by Mint.

Existing similar brand names

In case of existing similar brand names available in the market, the first manufacturer which submitted an application for it under the Drugs Rule, 1945 shall be allowed to continue marketing. The brand names of other manufacturers shall be withdrawn by the state licensing authority, it said.

The regulator is also planning to make this database open to the public. The problem has assumed alarming proportions, with confusion in the names of drugs being a common cause of medication error among patients and pharmacists.

What led to the development?

This move comes after the order of the Delhi High Court in 2022 on an issue related to a medication error where two different drugs got approval under same brand name.

For instance, a drug used for female health got permission for acidity control in some states.

This created a major medication error on which the High Court directed the top drug regulator to constitute a Central Drug database which should be accessible to all the state drug controllers. Only after verifying the brand name, the state authorities should give permission for drugs, it said.

The Drugs Rule, 1945 states that in case an applicant intends to market a drug under a brand name or trade name, the applicant shall furnish an undertaking to the licensing authority a similar brand name or trade name does not already exist.

Also Read | Govt frames draft rules for compounding of offences under Drugs & Cosmetics Act

Mint earlier reported about health ministry plan to create a central online registry of drugs to ensure that different drugs are not marketed under the same name, or names that sound similar.

Queries sent to the health ministry remained unanswered till press time.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The election to the Azerbaijani Parliament passes in conditions of good, healthy competition, representative of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly (IPA), senator of the Belarusian Parliament Dmitry Zhuk said, Trend reports.

As an observer, I was pleasantly surprised by the large number of candidates - there are more than 900 people for 125 seats in the Azerbaijani Parliament. This is a very good competition. Equal conditions were created for all candidates, which is very important in terms of international norms and election fairness. I hope that the parliament in Azerbaijan will be formed and will be capable, he said.

According to Zhuk, the election is very organized, and all polling stations have everything necessary for people to calmly vote and make their choice.

The fact that the election was extraordinary and it took a couple of months to prepare them has in no way affected the political tension in the country; people took it calmly. Today the voting process is also going on calmly; without excesses, there is no pressure on anyone, Zhuk emphasized.

Touching upon the process of preparation for the election, he noted that during the meetings on August 30-31 in the Constitutional Court, in the CEC, the observers were informed in great detail about the preparatory stage of the election to the Azerbaijani Parliament, which was important to hear.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The allotment of the ECOS Mobility initial public offerings (IPO) is expected to be finalised on Monday, September 2. According to the 'T+3' listing rule, the ECOS Mobility IPO is expected to be listed on 4th September 2024, which falls on a Wednesday next week.

Investors who had applied for the ECOS Mobility IPO are encouraged to check the allotment status online on the BSE website or through the Link Intime India Private Limited website.

ECOS Mobility IPO subscription status After a three-day bidding process that concluded last Friday, the subscription status for ECOS Mobility's IPO indicates that the mainboard issue was oversubscribed by 64.26 times. The retail portion was subscribed 19.79 times, the NII segment saw 71.23 times subscription, and the QIB portion of the book build issue was subscribed 136.85 times.

Here's step-by-step guide on how to check ECOS Mobility IPO allotment status - BSE Open the BSE website on any smart device (https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx). 2. Enter the application number or PAN number to verify the allotment status.

3. Select Ecos Mobility and Hospitality IPO.

4. Enter your PAN details and click "Search" to check the status.

Link Intime Open the Link Intime website  linkintime.co.in. Select Ecos Mobility IPO in company's name section. Enter your PAN details or application no. or DP/Client ID or Account No/IFSC. Then click on Submit to check status.

Also Read | ECOS Mobility IPO subscribed over 64x on last day of bidding; Latest GMP here

ECOS Mobility IPO GMP today Following the conclusion of the ECOS Mobility IPO subscription period, the grey market has become highly optimistic about the mainboard IPO. According to stock market analysts, ECOS (India) Mobility & Hospitality Limited shares are trading at a premium of 152 in today's grey market. This reflects an increase of 1 from Fridays grey market premium of 153.
The market valuation of eight out of the top ten most valuable companies in India saw a significant increase last week, adding a total of 1,53,019.32 crore. Bharti Airtel, along with IT giants Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), emerged as the biggest beneficiaries, reflecting a strong rally in the equity markets, on August 30, as per PTI.

The BSE benchmark index made notable gains, rising by 1,279.56 points or 1.57% over the course of the week.

On Friday, the BSE Sensex extended its winning streak to nine consecutive sessions, closing 231.16 points or 0.28% higher at an all-time high of 82,365.77. Earlier in the day, it reached a record intra-day peak of 82,637.03, gaining 502.42 points or 0.61%.

Also Read | Resourceful Automobile shares list flat at 117 apiece on BSE SME

Among the top performers, Bharti Airtels market valuation soared by 47,194.86 crore, bringing its total to 9,04,587.12 crore. Infosys saw its valuation increase by 33,611.37 crore, reaching 8,06,880.50 crore.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) also experienced substantial growth, with its valuation rising by 31,784.9 crore to 16,46,899.17 crore. ICICI Banks market cap surged by 18,734.3 crore, bringing its total to 8,66,374.41 crore.

Also Read | Airtel Xstream users to get Apple TV+, Apple Music subscription

Reliance Industries continued to dominate as the most valuable firm, with its market cap climbing by 13,396.42 crore to 20,43,107.10 crore. HDFC Bank also posted gains, with its valuation increasing by 5,600.24 crore to 12,44,206.43 crore.

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) saw its market value rise by 2,340.25 crore, reaching 6,73,390.88 crore. The State Bank of India also saw a modest increase of 356.98 crore, bringing its total valuation to 7,27,935.97 crore.

Who were the losers? In contrast, Hindustan Unilever and ITC experienced declines in their market valuations. Hindustan Unilevers market cap dropped by 8,411.54 crore to 6,52,739.95 crore, while ITCs valuation decreased by 4,776.48 crore to 6,27,587.76 crore.
In the centennial year of Franz Kafkas death, a binaural performance installation attempts to take you closer to the authors seminal text Gaurav Nijjer Singh, a Delhi-based theatre maker and general manager at Kaivalya Plays, a performing arts and production company, spent several years working a day job at a data company. Hed spend the evenings doing theatre. That led him to bring the two worlds closer. The latest in Nijjers experiments is a performative installation, I/JOSEF, based on Franz Kafkas Der Prozess/The Trial.

It occupies the precarious space between performance and contemporary art by producing a binaural audio experience for the audience. Nijjer explains that binaural technology uses silent disco headphones for a three-dimensional sound. The sound travels in your mind. Youll hear someone next to you, someone behind you, and another person whisper in your ear, he explains. By experimenting with such formats, he hopes to bring the younger generation into the theatre.

Written in German between 1914-15, The Trial tells the story of the unexplained and unexpected arrest of Joseph K, a bank clerk. There have been many adaptations of the text since it was first published in 1924. It was written in German but the English translation got more popular. We took that translation and adapted it. We then translated the adaptation back into German, Nijjer says, adding that the performance will be available in both languages.

Though set in an unnamed time and place, the adapted text uses small references set in India for context. One such is that of a radio recording that talks about activist Umar Khalids arrest. Nijjer has made other changes, including turning the narrative to the first person. So, it feels like whats happening to Josef is happening to you, he says. Weve also attempted to re-gender the script. All the characters who wield power in the original are male and the smaller characters are female. Weve turned that upside down. The lawyer (a primary character) in our production is a female voice.

Technology is in sharp focus in the format. Imagine a dark room. You enter the space and are handed a set of headphones. You sit down while your eyes adjust to the darkness and a series of voices at varying distances call for your attention. There is a whisper, theres background noise, and there is the incessant ticking of a clock. Projections come alive in the dark room. As you listen, you can move around, and explore the artwork while the audio performance progresses. You can also switch between languages (English and German) in real time.

Nijjer, who has spent time working with the noted German theatre group Rimini Protokoll, researching digital and hybrid performances, is also fascinated with Artificial Intelligence and believes it makes for a great creative collaborator. The images are AI-generated, and Nijjer has also used AI to edit them for the installation. This is not the first time that Nijjer has experimented with technology. He used the IVR format for his one-on-one interactive 2021 play, Lifeline 9999. You would receive an IVR call from a number and experience the hour-long performance over the phone, he explains.

The performance is part of a series of events by Goethe Institut/ Max Mueller Bhavan to mark the centenary of the writers death. Following its premiere in New Delhi, the production will travel to other cities. The format can be adapted to various venues. Its going from a room at Goethe to a black box theatre, to perhaps a classroom after that, says Nijjer, adding that an online version may soon be available.

At Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi on 6, 7 and 12 September.
Located about 123km from Srinagar, and at an elevation of around 2,400m above sea level, Gurez is a picturesque valley close to the Line of Control. Surrounded by thick forest cover, mountains and expansive grazing lands with the Kishanganga river through it, the heavily militarised border area remains cut off for over six months from October due to heavy snowfall.

Gurez Valley was once part of the famous silk route. The people here identify as Dards, speak the Shina language and have ancestral connections with Astore and Chilas in Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan. Until 2020, one needed a border permit to enter Gurez Valley from Bandipora district in Kashmir. Following the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan in February 2021, hundreds of tourists have been arriving here every summer, changing the unique character of the valley.

For a place with an estimated population of over 50,000, around 100,000 tourists have visited Gurez Valley so far this year, according to official data. This is up from a mere 3,000 in 2021-22 and 50,000 in 2023. Until a few years ago, locals largely lived off the land with agriculture and livestock rearing being the main sources of livelihood. While Gurezs residentslong cut off from the rest of the country by both politics and geographywelcome tourists for the economic opportunities they bring, they have also seen its impact on their culture and environment.

Forests to campsites

Bashir Ahmed, a farmer, sits on a rock outside his home in Badwan village, as he watches tourists arriving in cabs and SUVs at the nearby campsite. The 54-year-old remembers exploring the forests of Gurez Valley as a young man and drinking water from the Kishangangas many streams. The campsite is where my familys ancestral home once stood. We used to play by the Kishanganga river and get fresh water every morning. Now its polluted, and we cant drink straight from it anymore," he says.

Ahmed points to the litterbottles, food wrappers, alcohol cans and other wastefloating in the river or stuck along its banks. These water bodies, the small tributaries and streams passing through our villages have been polluted as more tourists visit every year and leave all sorts of waste behind."

Waste disposal systems are yet to be put in place by the local authorities. At the Badwan camp site, where more than hundred tents were pitched for tourists this summer, this writer saw just one truck gathering waste from various locations. It was to be transported to the lone dump site in the village. Locals say there is a need to have a proper waste disposal mechanism, especially at the camp sites.

"We had never even seen alcohol bottles earlier but they are everywhere, including the river front and in the streams," says a resident who runs a tea stall near the Habba Khatoon spring. Our children also see these things and it affects them negatively."

View Full Image Bashir Ahmed sitting outside his home.

This summer there were 50-80 camping tents in Badwanthe number can go up depending on the tourist rush. In peak season, most of the villagers turn their land into camping sites. Some even set up camps in their backyards, where they once used to cultivate vegetables and other crops.

There are other visible signs of increased commercialisation, especially in the main tehsil headquarters of Dawar. Every second home has been converted into a hotel or a homestay, with no zoning for commercial and residential areas. New hotels are under construction, which is rapidly changing the distinctive character of the villages, known for their traditional wood houses.

The massive unplanned tourism has wreaked havoc on Gurezs ecology and environment. People who lived close to nature are gradually detaching their ties from the environment," says Bandipora-based sociologist Suheel Rasool Mir, author of Cultural Encyclopedia of the Dard Tribe: Journey through Gurez and Ladakh (2024). The inhabitants of Dawar are transforming their ancestral, cultivable land into hotels, cafes and restaurants without taking sustainability into consideration."

A little further from the villages, is the 330 MW Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project, which was started in 2018. Ironically, electricity supply to the valley is patchy and unreliable. Dawar was electrified last year, but almost 90% of the Gurez Valley relies on small diesel generator sets for electricity. Factor in the tourists who demand 24-hour power, and imagine the diesel-fuelled air pollution.

The untouched beauty" and pristine peace" that travellers seek when they make plans to visit offbeat destinations" such as Gurez is under threat. Both the state and Central governments should be more mindful about the protection and the conservation of this rare Shina-speaking tribe but unfortunately they have failed to develop a socioecological model of tourism. If this is not done, Gurez will lose both its unique ethnicity and ecology," Rasool Mir cautions.

Erosion of language

Rasool Mir says the three sub-regions of Gurez Valley speak different languages. Kashmiri is spoken in Bagtore, Dawar is bilingual with both Kashmiri and Shina in use, and Tulail residents speak Shina.

The difference comes from the fact that Bagtore is closer to Bandipora, has more access to the Kashmiri heartland, and the people of Bagtore are migrants from Kashmir who came and settled in Gurez. The people of Dawar are fluent in both Kashmiri and Shina due to trade links with Kashmir and also due to intermarriages," explains Rasool Mir.

The people of Tulail primarily speak Shina but have also chosen Urdu as a secondary language, which was not the case earlier," he points out, adding that the reason for this is the usage of Urdu in schools for teaching purposes. Teachers from Kashmir who are posted in Tulail cannot speak the Shina and in order to communicate, students from an early age are exposed to and made to learn the Urdu language," he says.

According to Rasool Mir, the socio-linguistic identity of the Dard tribe is getting eroded as Shina speakers try to imitate the dominant tourism trend. They feel that their language is unproductive, so they are adopting the productive linguistic elements, that is, Kashmiri, Urdu and English. The present young generation in Gurez hardly speaks in Shina language with each other," he says, they are more influenced by Kashmiri culture and language."

Echoing similar sentiments is Abbas Beigh, who works in a restaurant in Dawar. He feels that in the next few years, very few Gurezi people will be left here who speak Shina".

Tourism has also created new habits and patterns of migration. Beigh says more than half of Gurezs residents leave the valley at the start of winter to live in nearby districts like Bandipora and Baramulla. People are increasingly converting their homes into homestays. They return during the summer months due to the tourist rush," he adds.

Rasool Mir says that many residents who had migrated to other parts of Kashmir are also returning to Gurez as investors, building hotels, resorts and infrastructure.

Muhammad Azad, a government school teacher from Achura area, points out to another problem. Many young people see opportunities to earn a quick buck during the tourism season, which is good, but the downside is that they are no longer interested in pursuing higher studies," he says. Without a strong educational foundation, their opportunities will be limited in the long run."

Dawar resident Farid Ahmed Lone wants tourist numbers to be controlled, maybe with permits. If the same concretisation and commercialisation continues, after a few years, instead of the greenery and beautiful environment Gurez is known for, it will be all concrete," he says. Even tourists would not like to come here just to see concrete structures."

Majid Maqbool is an independent journalist based in Srinagar.
There are lots of embarrassing ways to lose money, but it is particularly galling to lose when you correctly identify the theme that will dominate the market and manage to buy into it at a good moment.

Pity the investors in the three artificial-intelligence-themed exchange-traded funds that managed to lose money this year. Every other AI-flavored ETF I can find has trailed both the S&P 500 and MSCI World. That is before the AI theme itself was seriously questioned last week, when investor doubts about the price of leading AI stocks Nvidia and Super Micro Computer became obvious.

The AI fund disaster should be a cautionary tale for buyers of thematic ETFs, which now cover virtually anything you can think of, including Californian carbon permits (down 15% this year), Chinese cloud computing (down 21%) and pet care (up 10%). Put simply: You probably wont get what you want, youll likely buy at the wrong time and it will be hard to hold for the long term.

Ironically enough, Nvidias success has made it harder for some of the AI funds to beat the wider market. Part of the point of using a fund is to diversify, so many funds weight their holdings equally or cap the maximum size of any one stock. With Nvidia making up more than 6% of the S&P 500, that led some AI funds to have less exposure to the biggest AI stock than you would get in a broad index fund.

This problem hit the three losers of the year. First Trusts $457 million AI-and-robotics fund has only 0.8% in Nvidia, a bit over half what it holds in cybersecurity firm BlackBerry.

WisdomTrees $213 million AI-and-innovation fund holds the same amount of each stock, giving it only 3% in Nvidia.

BlackRocks $610 million iShares Future AI & Tech fund was also equal weighted until three weeks ago, when it altered its purpose from being a robotics-and-AI fund, changed ticker and switched to a market-value-based index that gives it a larger exposure to Nvidia.

The result has been a 20-percentage-point gap between the best and worst AI ETFs this year. There is a more than 60-point gap since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022 lit a rocket under AI stocksalthough the ETFs are at least all up since then.

The market has penalized being equal weighted recently, instead rewarding big holdings in the largest stocks.

Jay Jacobs, U.S. head of thematic and active ETFs at BlackRock, says it is best to be market-value weighted when a theme has winner-takes-all characteristics, which he says generative AI has. When the firms AI fund included robotics it was spread across a lot more stocks that didnt compete with each other, so equal weighted made more sense.

For investors, it isnt so simple. Global X takes the opposite approach with its two $2 billion-plus AI funds, AIQ and BOTZ. BOTZ only buys stocks that focus on AI and robotics, but takes larger positions. AIQ spreads its bets on AI and tech more widely, and its 3% cap on its biggest holdings each time it rebalances means it has far less in Nvidia than BOTZ, with a cap of 8%. AIQ still managed to beat BOTZ this year, though.

So far, so confusing. The basic lesson: Picking among funds within a theme is hard, and depends on luck as well as close reading of the funds documents. A more advanced lesson is that it is hard to pick a theme in the first place, or to stick with it. The three problems:

1. Defining the theme is hard. Nvidia features in the anti-woke YALL ETF, which pitches itself as for God-fearing, flag-waving conservatives." The chip maker is also held by vegan, gender-diverse and climate-action ETFs. Its shares are clearly driven by the prospects for AI, but it is still big in computer-game and bitcoin ETFs, where its chips were originally used.

2. Timing the theme is even harder. Get in too early, and there arent any companies to buy. Get in when the funds are being launched, and the chances are the theme is already widely known and overpriced, as there are typically large numbers of launches during bubbles and late-stage bull markets.

They are trendy by design," says Kenneth Lamont, a senior researcher at Morningstar. They play to our worst instincts, because were narrative-driven creatures."

A recent example was the race to launch clean-energy and early-stage-tech ETFs during the bubble of late 2020 and early 2021. Performance since then has been miserable as prices corrected, with many of the ETFs halving or worse.

Dire timing is common across themes: According to a paper last year by Prof. Itzhak Ben-David of Ohio State University and three fellow academics, what they call specialized" ETFs lose 6% a year on average over their first five years due to poor launch timing.

3. Long-term investing is pitched by fund managers as the goal for thematic investing, to hang on until the theme bears fruit. But even investors who really want to commit to a theme for the long run often find it hard, as so many funds are wound up, merged or change strategy when they go out of fashion.

The boom in internet funds of the late 1990s vanished after the dot-com bubble burst, with few surviving to see the internet theme blossom a decade later, while six of the 50 metaverse" funds launched after Facebook switched to Meta Platforms in 2021 have already shut, according to Lamont.

The oldest thematic fund, the DWS Science and Technology mutual fund, started as the Television Fund in 1948 before adding electronics, and has gone through at least four other names. I only have data back to 1973, but it has lagged far behind the wider market since then, despite golden ages for television, electronics, science and now tech. (Yes, it has a lot of Nvidia.)

So what to do? At a very minimum, dont buy based on the name of a fund. Look at the holdings, look at the index it follows and how it is structured, and consider whether it does what it says. Then think about just how expensive the idea has already become. Watch for the theme coming into fashion and getting overpriced, as that is a good time to sell (or to launch a fund).

But mostly, look at the fees: They will be many times higher than a broad market index fund, and the dismal history of poor timing suggests that for most people they arent worth paying.
About 4.2 million of WazirXs 16 million users were struck by a massive hack of the cryptocurrency exchange on 18 July that wiped off 40-50% of their crypto balances. Most of those affected users were Indians. But in the month and half since the $230-million hack there has not been any legal or regulatory action in India against the exchange or its owners.

India has taken the route of taxing cryptocurrency without actually regulating it or creating any safeguards for consumers. It has also laid bare the complex holding structures and interlinkages of crypto exchanges in India.

WazirX has offered a $23 million bounty to help it recover the digital assets stolen from one of its wallets. But it has approached the High Court of Singapore, where its parent company Zetai Pte is located, seeking a moratorium on all legal claims against it while it comes up with a restructuring plan.

CoinSwitch, another Indian crypto exchange, has approached Singapore courts to recover its own cyrpto balances that were held in WazirX. Most other victims of the WazirX hack wouldnt have that luxury.

I had invested approximately 1.4 lakh in WazirX around 3-4 years ago, which grew to 2 lakh over time I think about half my money will come backwhether in 1 year or 10 years I dont know," said Ravi Handa, a Jaipur-based investor.

WazirX declined to comment for this report.

Criminal litigation an option for users

WazirX, which held about $570 million in customer balances before the hackers struck, cancelled trades done after 18 July and stopped withdrawals. It thereafter allowed withdrawal of two-thirds of the cash balances held with the exchange in a phased manner. It decided to retain the remaining one-third of the balances to meet legal requirements.

This amount may relate to past seizures by enforcement agencies of cryptocurrency held in trust in WazirX or to regulatory action against the exchange itself. In 2022, the Enforcement Directorate had served a notice under the Foreign Exchange Management Act to WazirX for allowing outward remittance of 2,790 crore to unknown wallets.

Nitin Sethi, who has been using WazirX for more than six years, shared his concerns about the platforms governance and security issues. It is strange that you hold so much money in one single wallet which got hacked," he said, adding that WazirXs centralised approach instead of maintaining multiple wallets to distribute risk has put millions of users funds at risk.

WazirX has stated that its safeguards require 5-6 signatories, including a custodian, for its wallets.

Also read | The $230 million WazirX hack: How safe are your cryptocurrencies

View Full Image (Mint Graphics)

WazirXs Singapore headquarters has also left many users feeling abandoned by both the platform and local regulatory bodies such as Indias Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which is yet to issue any clear statements or actions in response to the hacking.

Indian customers have the option to pursue criminal litigation against WazirX in India, which could potentially assist in the recovery of funds and holding the responsible parties accountable. Criminal proceedings can be more effective in compelling action and securing restitution, especially in cases involving such kind of potential fraud or misconduct," said Sumit Agrawal, founder, Regstreet Law Advisors, and a former officer with the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

However, investors must also consider the evolving nature of law and regulation in Indias cryptocurrency sector. Without a comprehensive and established regulatory framework, investors are currently operating at their own risk," he added.

Sans regulations, the buck stops with the users

Nikhil Kumar, a co-founder of a startup based in Bengaluru, shared his frustrations on not being able to sell his cryptocurrency holdings in WazirX due to the platforms decision to halt trading following the 18 July attack.

I need some money to withdraw from the profits as I also do not know how the markets would change because anyway it is a volatile market," he explained.

Kumar had invested incryptocurrenciesin 2021 with the intention of using the savings as part of his long-term investment strategy. He finds himself stuck now unable to liquidate his crypto assets when he needs them most. It would have been really helpful if I could use some part of my savings there, because I had invested my money so that it would be of some use to me in the future."

Kumar added that unlike banks and financial institutions that take responsibility when something goes wrong, WazirX has left its users to bear the brunt of their losses. WazirX should take some responsibility and not let the users suffer."

Also read | Why recovering $230 mn of stolen cryptos will be daunting task for WazirX even with a rich bounty

Ajeet Khurana, founder of Reflexical Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based advisory for startups in the Web3 space, said WazirXs decision to use customer funds for legal expenses is unprecedented".

There needs to be a lot more disclosure about how much money is being held in which entityIndian or Singaporean. While the moratorium application in Singapore has revealed a lot of information, there should be similar transparency about the Indian entity too," said Khurana. WazirX should consider making significant reparations to make up for the customers loss from its own treasury, and from the sale of its equity and other assets."

For the long term, though, Agrawal of Regstreet Law Advisors said Sebi and the Reserve Bank of India need to jointly step in and regulate the cryptocurrency market to prevent such incidents.

Until such regulations are in place, the risks associated with digital assets will remain high, making it imperative for investors to be cautious and well-informed."
(Bloomberg) -- Kamala Harris is counting on union support to help power her to victory in November. Labor leaders are lining up to oblige, even if she hasnt spelled out just how shed follow a president hailed as the most worker-friendly in generations.

Some union leaders say theyre confident shell champion their issues at least as strongly as did Joe Biden. Others who are reserving judgment still say shell be a more reliable ally for unions than Donald Trump. And for all Democrats, Harris offers a better chance of beating the former president than Biden.

Until I see some of the people that will be put in the administration, I cant tell you, said Marc Perrone, president of the United Food & Commercial Workers, when asked if shed be any more or less pro-labor than Biden.

But, he added, I am comfortable at this time with her at least being more pro-worker than Trump ever thought about being. Perrone cited Trumps recent comments celebrating the idea of Elon Musk getting rid of workers who go on strike.

Labor voters will be essential to winning key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. About a fifth of the electorate there are union voters, according to the AFL-CIO.

Activists are counting on the trust that unions enjoy with their members to turn out voters who might otherwise might not go to the polls, or lean toward Trump for cultural or economic reasons.

Harris is wasting no time making her case.

When unions are strong, America is strong, she told the American Federation of Teachers in one of her first major speeches after entering the race, pledging to sign a long-stalled sweeping labor reform bill into law if elected. This weekend includes a stop in Detroit to speak to the United Auto Workers before a Labor Day event with Biden and union members in Pittsburgh.

Trump has made inroads with the rank and file, especially in Midwest swing states, with his populist appeals. Teamsters President Sean OBrien accepted an invitation to speak at the Republican convention. Trump picked a running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, whose ties to Appalachia could help strengthen the appeal to working-class voters.

OBrien said the Teamsters are holding off on endorsing a candidate at least until the unions leaders have a chance to sit down and talk with Harris.

Were waiting on Vice President Harris to commit to come meet with us, OBrien said Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation.

For her part, Harris chose a running mate with strong union support in Tim Walz, picking the Minnesota governor over another prospect, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, who some in labor had opposed.

Some union activists worry that Harris ties to corporate leaders may temper her pro-labor commitments. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, told donors on Aug. 26 that she totally gets it when it comes to the needs of business, saying she wants a forward-looking economy that helps everyone. And some business executives have said they expect her to reach out to corporate America.

Her campaign makes clear labor will get plenty of attention, too. Kamala Harris promises to continue the pro-worker agenda of the Biden-Harris administration, her campaign manager said in an August memo.

Indeed, some union leaders say theyre optimistic that shell expand on the current administrations record, including by doing more to bolster the availability and quality of child care and elder care jobs.

She has been a staunch champion of workers her entire career, said April Verrett, the president of the Service Employees International Union. I just know that she will really lean into building the care economy.

Still, Harris lacks the longstanding relationships with unions that Biden built over decades.

Joe Biden has a 50-year history with the labor movement, said Seth Harris, who served as deputy director of the Biden-Harris National Economic Council. But I think shes shown the same level of commitment, the same level of dedication. Shes developing the same understanding of workers.

Harris allies argue shes got a strong record of backing unions and just has to amplify that message.

Its very much deeply ingrained, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in an interview. She first met Harris in California during the 2010 gubernatorial campaign of Jerry Brown.

We were all over the state, on airplanes together, and I had a chance to really connect with her, Shuler said. The policies, of course, are still in formulation, but we know the values, and the values are that she sees workers as central.

Harris supported state legislation in California in 2019  when she was seeking the Democratic presidential nomination  that would have limited the ability of gig companies to classify workers as contractors. She took that position even though Tony West, the chief counsel at Uber, who became a public face of business opposition to the law, is married to her sister, Maya.

Union officials see positions like that, as well as Harris appearances at autoworkers and fast-food chain picket lines, as evidence that she shares Bidens allegiance to the union cause.

As a senator, Harris introduced the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. As vice president, she headed the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, which issued recommendations on how agencies throughout the government could make it easier to unionize.

To underscore her commitment, labor advocates urge Harris to call out more companies for price-gouging, to spend more time campaigning with union members, and to emphasize her support for Biden appointees like trade representative Katherine Tai and Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan.

Harris hasnt made any public commitments on those officials yet, and Khan in particular has drawn the ire of some wealthy Democratic donors for her tough antitrust stands.

Harris definitely sees herself as pro-labor and is likely to continue the pro-labor Biden-Harris record, said former AFL-CIO spokesperson Jeff Hauser, who now runs the progressive watchdog group Revolving Door Project. I think there will be questions about how much she can and will try to extend it, and if there will be any minor retrenchment.

In Pittsburgh, Harris steps into another contentious issue for unions: the proposed $14.1 billion sale of United States Steel Corp to Nippon Steel Corp. of Japan. The United Steelworkers union strongly opposes the takeover. Biden has said the company would remain US-owned, guaranteed, but has stopped short of killing the deal. Trump has said hed block it. Harris hasnt said where she stands.

Of course, any nostalgia unions may have for Bidens candidacy is tempered by the reality that his drop in the polls before he left the race threatened to torpedo Democrats hopes for stopping Trump, as well as holding seats in Congress.

Harris surging fortunes have energized her allies in other races, raising hopes Democrats may be in a stronger position to enact pro-worker policies after the election.

In membership polling by UFCW, Harris did about 6 points better than Biden against Trump, and 20% more members said they planned to vote with her as the nominee, said Perrone, the unions president. While our members liked Bidens policies, I think they thought that his age had actually taken its toll.

(Updates with Teamsters presidents comments in 10th paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
A report by Justice Hema Committee, formed by the Kerala government after a 2017 assault case of an actress, has taken the country by storm. The report disclosed instances of sexual harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.

Several actors and actresses have issued strong statements on the report. However, on Sunday, Rajinikanth denied being aware of it.

At the Chennai airport, Rajinikanth was asked about the report by reporters. To it he said, "What? I am not aware of it, sorry."

After the report was released on August 19, several female actors have made sexual harassment allegations against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry. However, 63 pages of the initial 295-page report have been redacted before its release under the RTI Act.

The report was based on testimonies from 51 industry professionals. It revealed shocking details about the exploitation of women, including the existence of casting couches and poor working conditions.

B Unnikrishnan, general secretary of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala, has said that the names of the perpetrators must be made public.

On Saturday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) sought the complete release of the report.

"In response to these concerns, the NCW has taken steps to seek the complete Hema Committee Report, as it appears that only parts of it are currently available in the public domain," the release by NCW said.

"The Commission is committed to furthering its efforts in addressing these matters with the appropriate authorities to ensure that the rights of women are upheld and that a safe, equitable working environment is fostered within the industry."

Also Read | Me Too roils Malayalam film industry: Jayasurya faces second sexual assault case

BJP National President JP Nadda has also recently said that Kerala Chief Minister should "come out and tell what really happened".
A 19-year-old daughter of an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was found dead in her hostel room in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow on Saturday night.

The deceased was identified as Anika Rastogi, a law student at Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow.

She was pursuing BA LLB third year.

Anikas body was found lying on the floor of her hostel room. She was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state where doctors declared her brought dead.

In a statement, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital said that Anika Rastogi died at around 10 pm due to cardiac arrest.

It is a very sad news that Anika Rastogi died last night at around 10 pm due to cardiac arrest. Anika was a third year student of BA LLB (Hons). The entire RML family is mourning her untimely demise. The university stands with her family of Anika Rastogi in this hour of grief. Our condolences and prayers are with her family, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital said.

According to the Lucknow Police, clothes on Anika's body were intact and there were no visible injuries on her body.

Further action will be taken on the basis of the post-mortem report, said the police.

At present, the police have not received any formal complaint from the family.

She was the daughter of Sanjay Rastogi, a 1998 batch IPS officer of Maharastra cadre. Currently, he is serving as Inspector General at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Delhi.

According to initial reports, Anika went to her hostel room on Saturday night and did not responded to any phone calls or knocks afterward.

Concerned by Anikas silence, her friends broke open the door of her room and found that she was lying unconscious on the floor.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has hinted that the Delhi government's Winter Action Plan will likely include measures such as artificial rain, a work-from-home policy, restrictions on vehicle use in high pollution areas, and campaigns to make residents more aware of the winter pollution in the capital. The plan will be discussed further on September 5, stated reports.

According to a report by The Hindu, Gopal Rai mentioned that the government has sought input from various officials and environmental experts to address the air quality issues during Diwali, when the air is calm, and pollution is tapped.

Also Read | IAS officer Dharmendra appointed as Delhis new chief secretary

Last year, IIT-Kanpur submitted a proposal that artificial rain or a cloud seeding experiment could be done in Delhi. They said that financial management and security permissions were needed. Last year, there was very little time so permissions could not come through, he said.

Gopal Rai has requested a meeting with central agencies and IIT Kanpur experts to discuss the proposal for artificial rain.

Work from home policy to combat severe air levels Gopal Rai added that for this year, the Delhi government is likely to promote working from home for both private and government offices, before winter sets in.

Addressing a press conference, Gopal Rai said though the Delhi government has taken several steps to address the problem, pollution levels in and around the national capital spike in November.

"An emergency situation arises in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The Kejriwal government is working to reduce the pollution levels. Ever since our government came to power, the pollution levels have declined," he said.

In terms of air quality, an index reading between 51 and 100 is deemed satisfactory, 201 to 300 is poor, while 301 to 400 is very poor, and 401 to 450 is severe. Currently, Delhi's air quality has been moderate to satisfactory, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board. But usually drops to very poor to even severe during winters.

Additional suggestions of the winter plan include staggered office hours to minimize traffic during peak pollution times, and promotion of electric vehicles in high pollution zones.

BJP, Congress oppose Winter Action Plan Meanwhile, the BJP junked the Delhi governments artificial rain plan as ineffective, and suggested it should instead take up the issue of stubble burning with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-ruled Punjab to combat the problem.

The Congress also rejected the idea and sought Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxenas intervention to find a permanent solution to the problem.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Earlier in brotherly Azerbaijan, we observed the presidential election and parliamentary election being held in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation for the first time in 30 years and this election as well as its results are also important for Turkiye, the head of the observation mission from the Turkish Parliament and head of the Friendship Group with Azerbaijan of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Samil Ayrim told reporters, Trend reports.

He noted that transparent choice is observed in the electoral process, and the and the activity of women and youth is pleasing.

86 million citizens of Turkiye led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will always be close to Azerbaijan. The upcoming five years are very important for Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan's efforts for peace and stability in the South Caucasus, the determination of the country's foreign policy, and the constant maintenance of peace in the region also depend on the results of their choice, and the process is very important. Whoever wins this election, the main thing is the progress and development of Azerbaijan," Ayrim emphasized.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Election Commission of India announced on Saturday that the date of voting for the Haryana Assembly Election was changed from October 1 to October 5. The poll body also changed the date for counting votes in Jammu and Kashmir, and Haryana to October 8 from October 4 earlier. The results of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election and Haryana Assembly Election will now be announced on October 8.

Also Read | Haryana polls postponed to October 5, counting of votes on October 8

Why did EC change the voting and counting dates in Haryana?

1. Asoj Amavasya festival: The decision was taken to honour both the voting rights and the traditions of the Bishnoi community, which has upheld a centuries-old practice of participating in the Asoj Amavasya festival celebration in remembrance of Guru Jambheshwar, the Election Commission said, as per news agency ANI.

The Election Commission of India said that this year, the Asoj Amavasya festival will take place on October 2 and thousands of Bishnoi families residing in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar would be travelling to Rajasthan on poll day, denying them their voting rights.

In a press release on Saturday, the Election Commission said, ...representations have been received from National Political Parties, State Political Party and All India Bishnoi Mahasabha regarding mass movement of people of Bishnoi community of Haryana to Rajasthan to participate in centuries-old Asoj Amavasya festival celebration.

Also Read | Haryana polls: CM Nayab Saini to contest election from Ladwa in Kurukshetra

"It may deny voting rights to large number of people and may lead to reduce voters participation in general election to legislative assembly of Haryana," the Election Commission said.

2. Resolves concerns of a six-day holiday: In its statement, the Election Commission also mentioned that the revised polling date would also resolve any concerns of a six-day holiday by taking a one-day leave on September 30, 2024, news agency ANI reported.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini welcomes the Election Commission's decision and informed, Our State President Mohanlal Kaushik wrote to the EC regarding a problem that there are consecutive holidays on September 29, 30 and October 1, 2.

We expressed concern that this might affect the voting percentage. People might go on holidays or vacations. Other parties also expressed concern over this... I want to thank the Election Commission they considered this...," Saini said on Saturday.

Revised schedule for Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Assembly Elections:
West Bengal police has arrested a laboratory technician for allegedly molesting a minor girl aged 12 years at a state-run hospital in Howrah district.

The incident took place on Saturday evening at Howrah District Headquaters Hospital, where the girl was admitted last week, said the Police.

Also Read | Kolkata doctor rape case: Shreya Ghoshal postpones Kolkata show in protest

A family member of the minor girl has claimed that she came out of the laboratory in tears, as the accused had touched her inappropriately.

The technician also allegedly threatened the girl with dire consequences if she tell anyone about the abuse.

The police are investigating the matter further.

Meanwhile, members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the CPI(M), on Sunday held demonstration at the hospital, demanding the resignation of the hospital superintendent.

Nurse molested by patient in Birbhum In another similar case, a nurse at a government hospital in Birbhum district was allegedly molested and verbally abused by a male patient.

A man who came in with high fever late on Saturday night tried to outrage the modesty of an on-duty nurse at Illambazar block hospital. The hospital authorities immediately informed police who arrested him and sent him to Bolpur sub-divisional hospital for treatment, Birbhum Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Himadri Ari said.

The patient started abusing me as soon as he arrived, the nurse said, adding, I ignored and started treating him, but suddenly he touched me inappropriately while I was administering saline.

Doctors and health staff of the hospital held a protest rally on Sunday demanding round-the-clock security for medics.

Another nurse of the hospital said, Despite the R G Kar incident, not much has changed regarding our security.
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was arrested by the police for allegedly molesting a minor girl in Almora district of Uttarakhand.

Devendra Pincha, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Almora, said on Sunday that Bhagwat Singh Bora, accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl, was arrested on Saturday night.

Also Read | SP leader Nawab Yadav arrested for attempting to rape minor; BJP slams party

The alleged incident took place on August 24 in the Salt revenue area, and an information regarding this was received on August 30, said the SSP.

The police have registered a case against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 74 (assault or criminal force on a woman to outrage her modesty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

After recording the girl's statement, she was sent for medical examination.

Also Read | IMA again demands central law on violence against doctors, hospitals

Meanwhile, taking cognisance of the incident, Bora, who was the block unit chief of the saffron partys Salt region, has been expelled with immediate effect on the instructions of BJPs state president Mahendra Bhatt.

The Congress held statewide protests attacking the BJP for its record on crimes against women.

Attacking the ruling BJP over the issue, state Congress president Karan Mahara alleged that the BJP government has given license to its leaders in the matter of atrocities against women.

In a statement, the Bharatiya Janata Partys state president termed the incident as very unfortunate and said that the accused has been expelled from the party.

He also said that the Pushkar Dhami government in the state is implementing a policy of zero tolerance towards crime.
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Amid the ongoing row between a New York-based short seller and the Indian market regulator, a completely different controversy is brewing. It involves the countrys second-most-valuable bank, and its plan to swallow up its securities affiliate.

Some shareholders of the brokerage firm, upset over the terms of the buyout, want to know how the Securities and Exchange Board of India allowed the delisting of ICICI Securities Ltd., waiving the regulators own rules for compensating minority investors. A company-law tribunal in Mumbai quashed their challenge on Aug. 21 and allowed the deal to proceed. But that isnt the end of the matter. There is a separate class-action suit before another tribunal in New Delhi. This dispute is also being heard by a higher court in Mumbai, the countrys commercial capital.

The Indian regulator is battling bigger trouble elsewhere. In an Aug. 10 note, Hindenburg Research drew attention to SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buchs past personal investments, and her ownership of a consulting outfit, to question the watchdogs objectivity in probing the Adani Group, the target of the short sellers original January 2023 report. The infrastructure conglomerate, which suffered a $150 billion drop in its market value in the aftermath of the publication, has strenuously denied the short sellers claims of stock-price manipulation. The groups shares have recouped most of their losses. Buch described the allegation of potential conflict as character assassination and said that she made all the appropriate disclosures and recusals.

Separately, the SEBI is also facing criticism from some aggrieved shareholders for its role in the merger between ICICI Bank Ltd. and ICICI Securities, a subsidiary in which the lender owns almost 75%. In June last year, it announced a plan to acquire the rest of the brokerage by offering 67 shares of ICICI for every 100 of ICICI Securities.

When it comes to buying out shares of a listed company and getting it delisted from stock exchanges, the regulators guidelines spell out a bidding process to discover the fair price. There is an exemption  also specified in the 2021 rules  when the target is the subsidiary of the acquirer and they are in the same line of business. In such cases, shareholders of both the companies are told the swap ratio and asked to vote.

Now, a bank and a securities firm are obviously not in the same line of business. So ICICI asked the SEBI for an exemption. In June last year, the bank got the approval. And on that basis, it went ahead and conducted a vote.

Although the ballot in March passed with 72% shareholders voting in favor, it came under a cloud because the brokerage had shared the personal data of its minority investors with the bank. ICICI employees had then contacted them. The bank said that the purpose of its outreach was to explain the transaction and maximize participation in e-voting. But the regulator said that sharing the data was not appropriate; it noted that the bank had a clear conflict of interest because it had a stake in the outcome.

The SEBI issued an administrative warning to both the acquirer and the target.

But that June admonition didnt satisfy everyone. More than 100 public, non-institutional investors of ICICI Securities have come together in what is still a novelty for the Indian securities market: a class-action suit. Bengaluru-based fund manager Manu Rishi Guptha and other aggrieved shareholders claim that a skewed swap ratio has cost their class of investors more than $200 million. In a raging bull market, the bank is helping itself to the brokers 116 billion rupee ($1.4 billion) pile of cash and short-term investments on the cheap, Guptha says.

However, ICICI Securities and ICICI Bank have said that the terms of the merger were determined by independent valuation experts, and the pricing was found to be fair by multiple proxy advisory firms.

The bigger question, however, is for the SEBI to answer: Why was ICICI spared the effort of price discovery, and on whose authority did the regulator allow it to skirt the bidding process that its own rules spell out? I asked the SEBI, though it didnt reply to my email. The decision maker cant be Buch, the chair. As a former chief executive of ICICI Securities who started her career at the bank, she recuses herself from any proceedings involving the group. Still, the embattled institution needs to explain the logic of the waiver.

Recently, the Bombay High Court directed the SEBI to share its June 2023 approval letter with the advocate of Aruna Modi, a shareholder of the brokerage who has contested the exemption. Nobody else is to see its contents until the court says so.

This letter, however, will serve a public purpose. It will be of crucial importance in bringing certainty to similar transactions in the future. Can any large company obtain a regulatory waiver to swallow up its listed subsidiary? When minority investors participate in the price discovery, the process works just fine. During Covid-19, the Indian tycoon Anil Agarwal offered a floor price of about 87 rupees to delist the commodities giant Vedanta Ltd.; some investors asked for as much as 320 rupees. The plan flopped. Vedanta shares traded last week at 468 rupees.

The delisting of ICICI Securities has become a speculators delight. Both the scenarios  of the merger going through or getting nixed  are inviting large trades, leading to a spike in delivery volumes. The stock has become extremely volatile.

Facing an unprecedented attack on its credibility, the last thing that the SEBI would want is to give the impression that while all M&A is equal, some transactions are more equal than others. So while Buch must continue to stay away from ICICI-ICICI Securities because of her past association with the parties, she still has to ensure that her colleagues on the board give a convincing answer to why the SEBI relaxed its rules to bless the merger. If disclosures and transparency are good things for market participants, they cant be bad for the regulator.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Andy Mukherjee is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies and financial services in Asia. Previously, he worked for Reuters, the Straits Times and Bloomberg News.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion
A nurse at the Ilambazar health center in West Bengals Birbhum alleged that she was molested by a patient while on duty. The incident came to light amid the uproar over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

According to NDTV, the nurse alleged that she was molested while she was attending to a patient in the emergency department. Meanwhile, India Today reported that the incident happened when the nurse was administering a saline drip to the man who was brought to the health center on a stretcher due to high fever.

The report quoted the nurse as saying, The male patient misbehaved with me and touched me inappropriately in my private parts while I was just following the doctor's instructions. He also hurled verbal abuses at me," the nurse said, describing her ordeal.

The nurse reportedly said that such incidents occur due to a lack of security. Otherwise, how can a patient dare to do such a thing to someone on duty in the presence of his family members who do nothing to stop him," she added.

Also Read | Sanjoy Roy demands egg chowmein in jail, upset over standard prison meal

Meanwhile, Dr Masidul Hasan, who was on duty at the health center on the night of the incident, shared more details with India Today. He said that around 8.30 pm, a patient named Abbas Uddin arrived from Chotochak village with a fever.

He started misbehaving as soon as he arrived. After some clinical examinations, we advised that he be given injections and IV fluids. When the nurse went to administer the saline, the patient behaved violently and molested her by touching her inappropriately, Hasan was quoted as saying.

He added, We requested the patient's family to cooperate, but the patient continued to misbehave. We have reported the incident to the police and the authorities. If no action is taken, we will consider a cease work".
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday took a swipe after Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologised over the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg, and termed it as smacked of arrogance.

Thackeray made the remark while addressing the crowd during jode maro (hit with footwear) protests against the Mayahuti government of Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP.

The protest march was taken out from the iconic Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India in south Mumbai.

Also Read | Indian Navy forms joint committee to probe damage to Chhatrapati Shivaji statue

On Friday, addressing an event in Palghar, PM Modi said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king but a deity.

"Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity," said Modi with regard to the statue collapse.

To mock Modi's guarantees, Thackeray also cited the statue collapse, leakages in the Ram Temple and the new Parliament complex, reported PTI.

Also Read | Cracks within Maharashtra NDA? NCP to protest over Shivaji statue collapse

Sharad Pawar termed the collapse of statue an example of corruption, and an insult to all Shiv premis (followers of the warrior king).

Kolhapur Congress MP Shahu Chhatrapati, a descendant of the emperor, said the latter's dignity must be maintained at all cost.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also staged protests across Maharashtra against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for allegedly politicising the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue.

"Despite his apology, the MVA is politicising the issue for vote bank politics. The MVA is trying to spread anarchy in the state ahead of the assembly polls," said Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Bawankule.

What Thackeray said?  Did you notice the arrogance in the (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's) apology? It smacked of arrogance. One deputy chief minister was smiling. The mistake (collapse) cannot be forgiven.

 We have all gathered here to demand BJP get out of India. For what was the PM apologising? For the statue he inaugurated eight months ago? For the corruption involved?
Heavy rainfall in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana wreaked havoc with thousands of people being evacuated amid severe waterlogging, on Sunday.

The unprecedented rainfall affected normal life in Andhra as 17,000 rain-affected people were evacuated across the state.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu visited the flood-affected areas and took stock of the situation.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also held an emergency review with ministers, and others.

Amit Shah speaks to CMs Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Chief Ministers and took stock of the flood situation in both states. He also assured all possible Central assistance to these states.

Trains cancelled Rains and waterlogging over the tracks at several locations on South Central Railway (SCR) network forced the cancellation of 99 trains. While four trains were partially cancelled while 54 trains were diverted, PTI quoted an SCR official as saying.

Woman dead in Telangana In separate rain-related incidents, a woman died and three others were feared washed away in Mahabubabad and Khammam districts in Telangana.

Villages submerged in Telangana 110 villages in Khamman have reportedly submerged under floodwaters. Around 119 people are stranded on hillocks and buildings, awaiting rescue, said Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

Taking to X, the minister said, Informed Honble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji about the severe situation in Telangana's Khammam & that 110 villages in the district have been submerged, 9 people are stranded on Prakash Nagar hillock, 68 people on Azmeera Thanda hillock in Palair constituency, and 42 others are trapped on buildings.

NDRF mobilised Reports said nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been dispatched to Telangana to assist in the rescue operations. These include teams from Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Assam.

Also Read | Gujarat rains wreak havoc: Road from Vadodara to Statue of Unity collapses

Situation in Andhra Pradesh: Vijayawada, witnessed severe flooding, particularly in the Rama Krishna Puram area, where houses and cars were submerged, reported Hindustan Times.

"Due to the heavy rain, Vijayawada and Guntur cities have been completely marooned. Vijayawada-Guntur national highway at Kaza and Vijayawada-Hyderabad national highway at Jaggaiahpeta were totally marooned," PTI quoted CM Naidu as saying.

The CM highlighted that 17,000 rain-affected people were evacuated to 107 relief camps while over 1.1 lakh hectares of agricultural fields and 7,360 hectares of horticultural fields were damaged.

Naidu said arrangements for food were being made at the rehabilitation centres for the people. Relief measures also include the distribution of 25 kg rice, 1 kg dal, 1 kg sugar, 1 kg onions and 1 kg oil, he added.

What we know so far: 1) The Telangana government declared a holiday for all primary and secondary schools in Hyderabad on September 2.

"Due to the forecast of heavy rains in Hyderabad District, all primary and secondary schools, under all managements (government, aided, and Private), are hereby declared a holiday on Monday, 02-09-2024, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the children," the District Collector said in a post on X.

2) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red warnings for parts of Telangana and predicted very heavy rainfall.

3) Telangana's Khammam district is worst affected, with 110 villages submerged under floodwaters.

4) Railway tracks in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were washed away, causing the South Central Railway (SCR) network to cancel 99 trains and divert over 54.

5) The CMs of both states directed the ministers, MPs, MLAs and MLCs to stay in their respective areas and take up relief operations.

6) We will also use boats to evacuate those in need of medical assistance. Helpline numbers will be provided to the public, and I will oversee the entire operation. We will organise more boats and bring in additional NDRF teams, said Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu.
From new credit card regulations and GST filing restrictions to important exams and political protests, the first day of the month brings a diverse range of developments.

New Credit Card rules effective September 1 As September begins, important changes in credit card regulations are set to take effect. Starting today, September 1, several banks will implement new rules that will impact reward points, payment deadlines, and minimum balance requirements. Consumers are advised to stay informed about these updates, particularly concerning revisions to Aadhaar linking, fixed deposit schemes, and other critical credit card terms.

Maharashtra opposition to protest over Shivaji Statue collapse The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has organized a protest march today, September 1, in response to the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg. Key leaders including Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, and Nana Patole will lead the march from Hutatma Chowk to the Shivaji statue near the Gateway of India in Mumbai, starting at 11 AM.

UAE Visa Amnesty: Indian mission in Dubai launches helpline numbers With the UAE government's two-month amnesty program starting today, September 1, the Consulate General of India in Dubai has announced several helpline numbers to assist Indian nationals who have overstayed their visas. This initiative is aimed at helping Indian expatriates regularize their stay in the country.

Also Read | Talent is scarce. Yet many countries spurn it

Malaysia Increases Visa Fees for Foreign Workers Starting September 1 Beginning today, September 1, 2024, Malaysia has increased visa filing fees for expatriates, foreign workers, and their dependents. The new fees will apply to Employment Passes, Professional Visit Passes, and Long Term Social Visit Passes. For example, the Employment Pass fee has been raised to MYR 2,000 from MYR 800.
Weeks after the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, a new case of sexual harassment involving a minor has surfaced in the same state.

According to Indian Express, a nine-year-old girl was sexually abused in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

Additionally, a local Trinamool Congress leader allegedly urged the victim's family to "settle the matter."

The accused is a resident of our village. I could not imagine that he could do such a thing. My daughter, who is nine years old, was coming to my shop from home. At that time he assaulted her. I demand exemplary punishment for him, the girls father said, as reported by Indian Express.

When the alleged sexual assault in the Rajbari area of Rohanda panchayat was reported on Saturday night, locals began protesting outside the accused's home. The public outrage was fueled by the involvement of a TMC leader, who is the husband of a panchayat member, and his alleged interference in the case, the report said.

As reported by PTI, Parliamentary Affairs minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said that a two-day special session of the West Bengal assembly was convened by the government on September 2 to table and pass a Bill which would provide for capital punishment to convicted rapists.

The Bill would be tabled for discussion and passage on Tuesday, the second day of the special session, Speaker Biman Banerjee said.

The move came a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that an amendment to existing laws will be passed in the state assembly next week to ensure capital punishment for convicted rapists.

Earlier, while speaking at the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad's foundation day rally, the chief minister said she would sit on dharna outside Raj Bhavan here if the Governor delays in giving his nod to the amended Bill or forwards it to the President for ratification.

The CM said women will be at the forefront of the proposed dharna, accompanied by their brothers.

Meanwhile, several rallies and protests took place all over India to demand justice for the trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital last month.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his government was strengthening laws to ensure stringent punishment for those perpetrating crimes against women.

Terming crime against women as an unpardonable sin, the Prime Minister said that whoever is guilty should not be spared.
Cinema lovers and enthusiasts can gear up for another month full of enticing new releases on online streaming platforms. Ranging from adrenaline-pumping action-thriller movies to heartwarming comedy and romance dramas, the world of online streaming has in store a treat for the eyes to keep you glued to your screens.

The long list of diverse content with an array of genres including new originals will hit the screens on OTT platforms in September such as JioCinema, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sony LIV and Disney+Hotstar Give below is a compiled list of OTT releases in September.

Also Read | OTT platforms mainstream documentaries among urban audiences

Emily In Paris S4 Part 2 (Netflix) Release Date: September 12

The story revolves around the protagonist Emily who navigates through both personal and professional challenges as she takes a trip to Rome. Part 2 of the Netflix show offers exciting blend of romance in the City of Light.

Thalavan (Sony LIV) Release Date: September 10

The crime-thriller Malayalam movie is set against the backdrop of a tumultuous political landscape. The story revolves around a probe at a local police station and depicts courage and resilience.

Call Me Bae (Amazon Prime Video) Release Date: September 6

Ananya Panday's romantic comedy series depicts the protagonist, who is a billionaire fashionista, navigating through life challenges after being disowned by her family. Collin D'Cunha directorial drama series explores the quirks and complexities of modern relationships.

Sector 36 (Netflix) Release Date: September 13

The fictional story delves into the dark secrets of a clandestine organisation. Inspired by true events, the storyline of the gripping thriller revolves around basti (slum) children who go missing from Sector 36, As investigation proceeds and dark secrets unfold, a determined police officer is on the track to trace serial killer.

Rebel Ridge (Netflix) Release Date: September 13

Jeremy Saulnier directorial action-packed drama shows an ex-Marine confronting the harsh terrain of Rebel Ridge. He finds himself entangled in a web of small-town corruption as his efforts to post bail for his cousin lead to a violent confrontation with the local police chief.

Also Read | Divergent OTT release windows cause tensions between filmmakers and cinemas

Some other releases are given below:

Tanaav S2 (Sony LIV) Release Date: September 6

The Perfect Couple (Netflix) Release Date: September 5

Officer Black Belt (Netflix) Release Date: September 13

Agatha All Along (Disney+Hotstar) Release Date: September 18

Twilight Of The Gods (Netflix) Release Date: September 19

Fall Guy (JioCinema) Release Date: September 3
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The voting process in the city of Shusha is transparent and voter activity is observed, the chairperson of the polling station No. 46 in Shusha-Aghdam-Khojavend constituency said, Trend reports.

She emphasized that the electoral process was transparent and voter activity was observed.

The right to vote is enjoyed by the residents of Shusha city, who after 32 years returned to their native lands, and citizens participating in the reconstruction works carried out here. The necessary conditions for local and foreign observers have also been created at the polling station, she added.

To note, voters in Shusha City vote at polling stations No. 46 and No. 47.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi: Despite the neutral condition of El NinoSouthern Oscillation (ENSO) bringing torrential rains across the country, eight states, including the major rice-growing regions of Bihar and Punjab, remain rain deficient.

Additionally, the national capital recorded 26 rainy days in August, an all-time high since 2011.

Punjab, one of Indias top basmati rice growers, received 24% deficit rain at 275.6 mm in three months of the four-month (June-September) monsoon season and Bihar that grows non-basmati rice varieties remained 25% rain-deficit as it recorded 580.5 mm precipitation during the same period.

With 5% above normal and 9% and 4% lower than normal rain in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Kerala, rains the other major non-basmati producers, were in the normal category at 966.2 mm, 723.9 mm, 1008.1 mm and 1559.5 mm, respectively.

Also Read | Mint Primer: Ever seen the rain? The price of a truant monsoon IMD has five categories for rainfalllarge excess, excess, normal, deficient and large deficient.

In the four-month monsoon season (June-September), the country has so far received 7% above normal precipitation at 742.1 mm.

Rice is one of the most important foodgrain crops in eastern India, accounting for about 49% of gross cropped area and 62% of the area under foodgrain crops. Punjab, plays a significant role with a contribution of over 10.5% of the countrys rice production. Between June and August, east and northeast India received 13% lower than normal precipitation at 948.9 mm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Also Read: Artificial rain, work from home: Delhi govts likely plan to tackle pollution; review meet on Sept 5 Despite inadequate rain in these regions, farmers cultivated the staple crop across 39.4 million hectares, 4.3% more than the corresponding period last year, according to latest data issued by the union agriculture ministry on 23 August. This is because of excess rain in other key regions like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Market players said that sowing of non-basmati paddy or rice varieties is at least 10-12% more this Kharif season while cultivation of basmati varieties, especially Pusa 1121 and 1509, is seen to have gone down.

Though rain remains patchy in few leading rice growing statesBihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Punjaboverall sowing in the country is higher than the previous year. The official data of sowing break-up is yet to be out, but sowing of basmati rice, especially Pusa 1121, in Punjab and MP (Madhya Pradesh) is estimated to have gone down around 15% and 20%, respectively as farmers diverted their crop areas to some extent to non-basmati varieties, said Parth Agarwal, director of Raviraj Rice Industry, adding this is due to not only insufficient rain but also poor market conditions amid higher MEP (minimum export price) making sales difficult for Indian basmati exporters.

Limited exports of basmati 1509 and Pusa 1121 varieties have boosted local stocks, even before fresh harvest hits the market in September, worrying the farm community. Between November and August, basmati prices dropped by at least 20% due to excess stocks in hand of millers and higher freight rates globally weighing on international demand. Additionally, Pakistan, Indias rival in the global basmati market, is selling at around $700 per tonne, putting Indian exports at a disadvantage.

Last October, the government lowered the MEP for basmati rice shipments to $950 per tonne from $1,200, fixed on 25 August last year to restrict illegal shipment of white non-basmati rice whose shipment was banned in July last year.

According to the latest agriculture ministry estimates, this year is likely to see rice production at 136.7 million tonnes compared to last year's 135 million tonnes.

Records set As far as rain in Delhi is concerned, it received precipitation throughout last month, except for the 3, 22, 26 and 31 August. For the first time since 2011, the met department has been keeping detailed rainfall records, the city recorded rainy days for 18 straight days in August. During last month, Delhi received 390.3 mm rainfall.

The previous record was 11 days, witnessed in September 2021, August 2012, and August 2013. Other significant streaks include nine-day spells in July 2016, August 2020, and September 2018, and eight-day spells in July 2013 and July 2015.

The country received 5th highest rainfall since 2001 at 287.1 mm, 15.3% surplus rain in August, with northwest India recording 23rd highest rainfall since 1901 and 2nd highest since 2001 at 253.9 mm, 30.1% above normal precipitation. This could be attributed to several favourable weather conditions keeping the Southwest monsoon which entered the country two days prior to the scheduled date on 30 May via the Kerala coast active for most days last month. August witnessed a total of six low-pressure systems, including one that intensified into a rare cyclone Asna in the Arabian Sea on 30 August. Despite this, August was Indias warmest since 1901 as the all-India average monthly minimum temperature rose to an all-time record of 24.29C against the normal of 23.68C, IMD said on Saturday during its monthly weather forecast for September.

September is seen continuing to receive above normal rain (>109% of the LPA or long period average), it said warning that the above normal monsoon rainfall in most parts of the country, including Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and parts of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, may cause floods and landslides. However, rain in north Bihar, northeast UP, most parts of northeast India, extreme northwest India and many parts of south peninsular India are likely to be below normal.

The LPA of rainfall over the country in September based on data of 1971-2020 is about 167.9 mm.

La Nina phenomenon has, however, not yet formed. It is expected by Sept-end, but it won't have any effect on the current monsoon season as the summer monsoon may, by that time, be in its withdrawal phase, IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said on Saturday.
The UAE governments two-month amnesty program starts today on September 1. This program will be a chance for Indian nationals who have stayed beyond the permissible limit in Dubai and Northern Emirates to either leave the country or regularise their residency status.

The Consulate General of India (CGI) has issued an advisory stating the rules and regulations to avail the amnesty program.

Following are the rules of the UAE visa amnesty program: 1.Applicants who want to return to India can apply for emergency certificate and those who wish to regularize their residency status can apply for a short validity passport.

2. The applicants who want an emergency certificate can request for it at the Consulate on Gratis basis, which is free of charge. Facilitation counters will be set up at Consulate General of India, Dubai and Awir Immigration Centre, Dubai. The Facilitation Counters in the Consulate will start from 02 September 2024 from 8am to 6pm, the CGI statement said.

Also Read | Canada overhauls its visa policies: All you need to know

3.The emergency certificates can be collected by applicants from the Consulate General of India, Dubai from 2pm to 4pm on the next day after submitting the application.

4. To apply for short validity passports, applicants can walk into anyBLS centers in Dubai and Northern Emirates. No prior appointment is required. The details of BLS Centres is can be accessed athttps://www.cgidubai.gov.in/page/passport-services/

Also Read | UK student visa application: 5 most frequently asked questions

5. BLS Centers in Dubai and Northern Emirates will function on all Sundays from 9am to 5pm during the amnesty period in order to service the requirement of applicants who want to avail the UAE amnesty scheme.

Also Read | Germany work visa: Processing time cut from 9 months to 2 weeks for Indians

Additionally the statement said, for any information on the procedures for issue of travel documents, applicants may contact mobile no. 050-9433111 between 8am to 6pm. They can also contact PBSK helpline at 800-46342(24/7) and reach out to contact points in Indian Community Association for guidance, it added.
Months after the helicopter crash of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and seven other people, Iranian state TV quoted an official investigation's findings on 31 August, saying that the crash was caused by challenging climatic and atmospheric conditions.

The state TV said that mentioned the final report of the Supreme Board of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, which said the the main cause of the helicopter crash was the complex climatic conditions of the region in spring.

Apart from this, the final report also cited the sudden appearance of a thick mass of dense fog rising upwards as the helicopter collided with the mountain.

According to the report, there were no signs of sabotage in parts and systems.

Alongside seven others including his foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Raisi died in the crash in a remote mountainous area in northwestern Iran, added AP.

Raisi's helicopter crash: On 19 May, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, died in a helicopter crash in the Dizmar forest in East Azarbaijan Province, according to state media. No one on board the helicopter survived.

According to the state's TV, the incident happened near Jolfa, a city on the border with Azerbaijan, a nation 600 kilometers (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran. State TV said the rescuers' operations were hampered by the area's poor weather.

Following this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the demise of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

He took to X and wrote, "Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening the India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow."
Israels largest labor group is poised for a nationwide strike on Monday, the strongest push yet to force the government into a Gaza cease-fire and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis demonstrated in cities around the nation on Sunday  in what appeared to be the largest protests since the Oct. 7 attacks  after the bodies of six hostages were found in a tunnel in the Gaza Strip. Each was shot repeatedly, not long before being discovered, medical examiners said.

Both the protests and the planned strike reflect deep anger at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who critics say is prolonging the war rather than prioritizing the safe return of the roughly 100 remaining hostages in Gaza. The military conflict has already spread to the West Bank and to neighboring Lebanon, threatening to engulf the region in a wider war.

Netanyahu has been driven primarily by a desire to retain power with a narrow, very radical messianic coalition in the Israeli government, said Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, a 36-year-old Israeli-American.

Hes preferred that, at least to date, over the well-being of all the hostages, Dekel-Chen said Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation.

Despite the pressure, there was no sign Netanyahu was prepared to shift course. Those who murder hostages do not want a deal, he said in a statement.

A Security Cabinet meeting ended Sunday evening without action on a proposal from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to drop Netanyahus insistence that Israeli troops remain in the Philadelphi corridor between Gaza and Egypt  a key sticking point in talks with Hamas, two officials told Bloomberg.

Gallant had warned in a cabinet meeting on Friday that not dropping the demand would amount to the execution of hostages.

Netanyahu has defended his conditions as necessary to ensure that Hamas doesnt use a truce to rearm, regroup and weather the Israeli campaign to destroy it. Should Hamas endure, government officials have warned, that would spell more hostage-taking in the future.

US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that he believed were on the verge of having an agreement, though the last active talks broke up inconclusively in Cairo last weekend. He also promised, in a statement, to keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Histadrut, the labor group representing the majority of Israels trade unionists, on Sunday declared a nationwide strike beginning Monday morning. The action will include Ben-Gurion International, Israels main airport.

It is no longer possible to stand idly by, Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David said in a televised statement. This thing  of Jews being murdered in the tunnels of Gaza  is unconscionable and it has to stop. A deal must be reached, and a deal is more important than anything else.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange will remain open, though some major banks were expected to be closed. Government ministries, local municipalities, the postal service and universities also were set to be shut down.

Israels finance minister said he asked for a Supreme Court injunction against the strike and warned civil servants they wouldnt be paid for time off taken to participate.

The slain hostages included a maimed Israeli-US citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23. His parents became among the most high-profile advocates for the hostages, meeting with Biden and other world leaders, and speaking at the US Democratic National Convention to a standing ovation. Biden spoke with his parents, Rachel and Jon, on Sunday, a White House official said.

For 11 months, the Israeli government led by Netanyahu failed to do what a government is expected to do  bring its sons & daughters home, the Hostage Families Forum posted on X. If it werent for his thwarting, excuses & spin, the hostages whose deaths were announced this morning would probably be alive.

Another of the slain hostages was Carmel Gat, 40, an occupational therapist. She was abducted on Oct. 7 from her parents home in Kibbutz Beeri, a collective farming community. Her mother was killed in the attack. Some hostages released earlier said shed helped them enormously in captivity, teaching them yoga and meditation.

The others were Eden Yerushalmi, 24, who was studying to be a Pilates instructor; Alexander Lobanov, 33, a married father of two whod been working at a music festival that was attacked by Hamas gunmen; Almog Sarusi, 27, who was at the festival with his girlfriend, who was wounded; and Ori Danino, 25, the oldest of five siblings, who was planning to begin studies in electrical engineering.

Hamas said the hostages were killed by Israeli bombs.

About 250 people were abducted on Oct. 7 when Hamas  considered a terrorist organization by the US and European Union  stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people. More than 100 hostages were freed during a cease-fire late last year, and about 100 more remain in captivity, including 35 declared dead in absentia by Israel.

More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to the enclaves health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
US President Joe Biden said late on Saturday that Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including that of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Goldberg-Polin, who was captured at a music festival in southern Israel on October 7, had appeared in a video released by Hamas in late April.

"He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world," Biden was quoted by Reuters as saying. Biden, who met Goldberg-Polins parents, said Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin "have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable.

"They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express," the US president said.

Also Read | Israeli troops, Palestinian militants clash in West Bank after incidents near settlements

Meanwhile, the family of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin announced the young man's death early Sunday, ABC news reported. It added the family issued its statement early Sunday, hours after the Israeli army said it had located bodies in Gaza.

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh, the statement reportedly read. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.

The report said Goldberg-Polin, the native of Berkeley, California, had lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. In April, a video released by Hamas showed his left hand missing, and clearly speaking under duress.

The Israeli military said in a statement early on Sunday that the bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino had been brought to Israel.

At least 40,691 Palestinians have been killed and 94,060 injured in Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, the enclave's health ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The war was triggered when Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Norway: A beluga whale named Hvaldimir, which captured global attention in 2019, has been found dead, according to a report. The whale, which was 14-foot-long, and 2,700-pound in weight, gained fame after being spotted with a harness that appeared to be intended for a camera. This prompted netizens to nickname the whale as Hvaldimir, the spy whale.

According to a report by The New York Times, Hvaldimir got his name from what can be called a combination of the Norwegian word for whale, "hval," and the Russian name Vladimir. The spy whale's harness had the label "equipment" from St. Petersburg, sparking widespread speculation that the beluga whale might have been part of a Russian reconnaissance mission.

The mystery was compounded by the lack of an official claim from Russia, leaving many to question whether the whale was a spy or simply an unfortunate creature caught in an unusual situation.

Hvaldimir was unusually comfortable around humans Typically, belugas, which are found in the remote Arctic waters, tend to move in groups. On the contrary, Hvaldimir seemed unusually at ease with humans, suggesting he had likely been in captivity for a significant portion of his life, stated the report. Sebastian Strand, the founder of Marine Mind, a non-profit organization that took care of Hvaldimir, expressed his grief over the news.

"It's heartbreaking. He's touched thousands of people's hearts just here in Norway," said Strand, as quoted by The New York Times.

Last year, Norway had requested its citizens to avoid any type of contact with Hvaldimir who was seen in a fjord close to Oslo, the Norwegian capital, and the largest city in the country.
Typhoon Shanshan weakened to a tropical storm after hitting Japans southwestern island of Kyushu, with the government continuing to warn that landslides could be triggered by heavy rain as the weather system beats its way slowly across the country in the coming days.

Shanshan was located near Nagasu, in Kumamoto Prefecture, about midnight local time, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Some areas of Kyushu saw record-breaking rain of over 800 millimeters in the 72 hours to 3 p.m. Thursday, the agency said. Flooding rain will be the hallmark of Shanshan as it is forecast to slow down and possibly stall in the coming days, said Jason Nicholls, a senior meteorologist with commercial-forecaster AccuWeather Inc.

Three people have been reported dead, and one person was missing due to the typhoon, Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference.

The big issue, given its slow movement, is the tremendous amount of rain it is going to put down over southwest Japan, Nicholls said. The storm will likely be pushed out by Monday, but until then downpours will continue.

A weather bureau official on Wednesday described Shanshan as a rare typhoon in terms of its strength.

Power plants in Kyushu and Kansai region have been impacted by the storm, with several units planning to operate at a lower output. More than 190,000 buildings across the seven prefectures in Kyushu were without power, according to Kyushu Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Co.

Kyushu is also home to producers of semiconductor chips. Renesas Electronics Corp. suspended operations at its two plants in Kumamoto, but plans to restart them on Friday. The company said its facilities in Oita and Ehime prefectures have also been affected. Tokyo Electron Ltd. said it will halt its Kumamoto plant on Thursday and Friday. Murata Manufacturing Co. said it would suspend operations at some plants.

Carmakers Impacted

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to keep all its factories in the country closed through Friday, according to a spokesperson. Daihatsu Motor Co. will halt operations at several plants, local broadcaster TBS reported. Nissan Motor Co. is halting two plants in Kyushu from Thursday morning until Friday morning. Honda Motor Co. suspended a plant for Thursday and Friday and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said it would halt operations at its plant in Okayama prefecture on Friday.

Mazda Motor Corp. said that it will halt its plants in Hiroshima and Yamaguchi prefectures from Thursday evening to Friday evening. Yamaha Motor Co. said it will suspend its facilities in Kumamoto prefecture from Thursday to Friday.

Listen on Zero: Climate Change Is Loading the Weather Dice Against Us

Transportation has been disrupted by the storm. Japan Airlines Co. said it canceled 280 flights for Friday while All Nippon Airways Co. canceled over 600 flights between Wednesday and Saturday. Kyushu Railway Co. said it will suspend or adjust schedules for some bullet train services in the region between Thursday and Friday.

Central Japan Railway Co. said the Tokaido bullet train  which connects Tokyo to western part of the country  wont run between Mishima and Nagoya on Friday. Services may be impacted into the weekend depending on the path of the typhoon, the operator said.

Nicholls said there is a chance another storm will develop next week near the Philippines, but it is too early to say if it will move toward Japan or China.

With assistance from Tsuyoshi Inajima, Yuki Furukawa, Supriya Singh and Brian K. Sullivan.
Precipitated by climate change and widespread practices, Indias water crisis is rapidly reaching a flashpoint. Water is essential for life, and history teaches us that civilizations have had to adapt or face dire consequences when water grew scarce. Lack of water has led to mass migrations of people and even wars over resources.

Over the past 25 years, Indias drought-prone regions have increased by more than 50%, with increasing drought frequency on account of climate change. In the last 10 years, every third Indian district has experienced more than four droughts.

This situation poses a significant threat to a nation where nearly half the population relies on agriculture, with most farming being rain-fed. This reliance on rain means that farmers are vulnerable to changes in weather patterns, which can threaten food security, economic stability and the livelihoods of millions.

Finding solutions to the water crisis is crucial for rural development and food security. One important point of intervention is to improve water storage and focus on replenishing groundwater.

The proposal to catch the rainwhere it falls, when it falls has resulted in projects like the Amrit Sarovar initiative, which aims to build or revive 75 ponds per district, totalling 50,000 water bodies across the country. In tandem, it encourages communities to get involved in managing their water resources.

Historically, civilizations have always settled near water sources. In rural India, farmers traditionally depended on local water bodies for both agricultural and personal use. These bodies would fill during the monsoon months and provide water throughout the year.

Many of these were percolation tanks, which helped recharge the groundwater table, acting like a bank does for our savings, to be used when we need to draw upon them in times of need. However, many of these sources have been affected by silt build-up and over-extraction of water, leading to a decline in groundwater levels.

Silt build-up occurs when fertile topsoil washes away into nearby water bodies during heavy rains, reducing both soil quality and the amount of water these bodies can hold. This has worsened water scarcity in many parts of India.

Rejuvenating silted water bodies can be a cost-effective solution. The first-ever Water Body Census by the ministry of jal shakti found over 2.3 million rural water bodies in India.

By focusing on larger water bodies owned by the government or communities in drought-stricken areas, we could revive over 200,000 water bodies.

This could potentially provide water security to over 300 million citizens at a very low cost, funded through existing government schemes. Restoring these water bodies can have a wide-reaching impact, giving entire communities a reliable water source.

The community-centric model: A successful example of community involvement is an initiative by Niti Aayog under its Aspirational District Programme in six states.

The government funded the excavation of silt in water bodies, while farmers covered the cost of transporting it to their fields. A foundation dedicated to water security supported the process, including building an open technology platform to monitor progress, funding local NGOs to create community demand for the silt.

Farmers found such an arrangement beneficial, as silt enhances soil fertility and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Using natural silt instead of artificial fertilizers can lead to healthier soil and better crop yields in the long-term.

In regions where silt is not fertile (Sirohi district of Rajasthan, for example), it was used for other community projects like levelling roads or building playgrounds. This model exemplifies the power of collaboration between government, local communities and civil society to solve critical issues.

Chhatarpur, located in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, offers a compelling case study of this approach. This district has long struggled with erratic rainfall and low water retention capacity of the soil, severely affecting agricultural output.

Its terrain and extensive deforestation exacerbate drought conditions, resulting in high soil runoff and reduced groundwater recharge. In 2022, Niti Aayog began reviving water bodies in Chhatarpur, creating additional storage for 1.5 million litres of water across 164 water bodieswhich helped 182 villages and around 270,000 people.

Farmers in Chhatarpur have noticed major improvements in their water levels and crop yields, thanks to these efforts. For instance, Pramod Chaurasia, who used 90 loads of silt from a cleaned pond on his one-acre farm, saw his income double with better harvests of tomatoes and chilies.

The government spends about 5 lakh to clean a water body, which greatly increases water storage and helps replenish groundwater. Farmers benefit from better crop yields and the reduced need for fertilizers that using silt assures them.

Many similar success stories across India show how community-driven water body rejuvenation can change lives.

According to a Deloitte study, the Niti Aayog initiative, which started in 2022, rejuvenated 351 water bodies, impacting over 2.2 million people in 379 villages across three states, at a cost of 9.3 crores. This created 3.13 billion litres of new water storage.

Other initiatives, like Gal Mukt Dharan in Maharashtra and Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan in Gujarat, also demonstrate success. These projects show that even small steps can lead to significant improvements in water availability.

Expanding these community-focused projects could significantly improve water availability for rural areas. It is estimated that spending around 1,500 crore each year for five years could help cover 260,000 villages in water-stressed regions, easing the water crisis for 300 million people and boosting the income of 5 million farmers.

Rejuvenating silted water bodies is an affordable and effective way to tackle this urgent problem. Indias political will is moving in the right direction, as demonstrated by the commitment to sustainable water management practices.

It is Prime Minister Narendra Modis phrase, Catch the rain where it falls, when it falls, that underpins this vision and emphasises the importance of collective action in addressing the water crisis. Its vital for everyone, across sectors and demographics, to work together to create a sustainable and thriving rural India.

These are the authors personal views.
Bollywood actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament, Kangana Ranaut has revealed which woman politician she would like to play next on screen after her role of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in her upcoming movie, 'Emergency.'

The Mandi MP has been promoting Emergency, a biographical political thriller on the former Prime Minister, who imposed a 21-month emergency period from 1975 to 1977.

Never wanted to play Indira Gandhi "All these women have blessed me. I alwys thought who has made a film on Rani Laxmibai. But she wanted me to make a film on her (Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi). Even Jayalalithaa (former Tamil Nadu CM) wanted me to work in her biopic (Thalaivii). I think even Indira Gandhi wanted me to play her role on screen.I never wanted to play Indira Gandhi, but I felt like something forced me to do it)," Ranaut said during the Aap Ki Adalat show.

Kangana's movie Emergency has trigerred controversy as it faced backlash from several Sikh groups and has not got a green signal from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has sought a ban on the film, saying it could "incite communal tensions" and "spread misinformation," particularly regarding the Sikh community.

The movie is scheduled to release on September 6.

Would Love to Play Mayawati Kanagana Ranaut was given to chose between West Bengal Chief Minsiter Mamata Banerjee and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati during a TV interview. And she was quick to respond that she would rather play Mayawati, the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief and four-time chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

"Nothing is impossible for an actor but I feel that Mayawati, as a leader, I would love to play her" she said.

Kangana is known for her political statements. Last month, her party BJP distanced itself from her remarks about the farmers' agitation and asked her to refrain from making such statements in the future. She had suggested that the farmers' protests could have led to a Bangladesh-like situation if strong measures had not been taken by the government.

Political Rows Kangana, who won the Lok Sabha elections 2024 as a BJP candidate from Mandi in her home state of Himachal Pradesh, has been making political statements even before her Emergency movie.

A vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi even before the 2024 general elections, Kangana had sparked a row with her thoughts on the freedom of India.

At a TV channel summit, in November 2021, she had said that the freedom India got in 1947 was a 'bheek' or 'alms'. She, in fact, said the citizens of India got real freedom in 2014, when Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister for the first time.
The conflict between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has intensified due to the Assam government's decision to eliminate the customary two-hour adjournment of assembly sessions for Jumma prayers.

Notably, the practice was introduced by the Muslim League government during colonial rule.

The former Bihar Deputy CM also attacked CM Himanta on Friday also, and called him Chinese version of Yogi in a veiled reference to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Assam Chief Minister (Himanta Biswa Sarma) wants cheap popularity and wants to remain in the news...(UP CM) Yogi Adityanath is using bulldozers, and he (Assam CM) is stopping namaz, the country belongs to everyone, there should be peace, but these people are only spreading hatred, Tejashwi Yadav told ANI.

"The Chief Minister of Assam deliberately keeps doing acts to harass Muslims, in an attempt to gain cheap popularity and become the Chinese version of Yogi. The people of BJP have made Muslim brothers a soft target to spread hatred, attract the attention of Modi-Shah and polarize the society," Yadav stated.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, a member of the BJP, entered the fray by criticizing Yadav, accusing the RJD leader of calling the Assam Chief Minister "a Chinese" merely due to his northeastern background.

It appears that the INDI Alliance is made up of a bunch of ignorant racists who have no information about the history and geography of our country. First, it was Sam Pitroda. Now, it's Tejashwi Yadav who is being racist towards the people of the northeast, Singh said.

We are as much Indian as the rest of the country and we don't need to prove this. However, this racism of the INDI Alliance towards the North East must be stopped once and for all, he wrote on X.

Singh slammed the INDI alliance and said, "It appears that the INDI Alliance is made up of a bunch of ignorant racists who have no information about the history & geography of our country."

First, it was Sam Pitroda. Now, it's Tejashwi Yadav who is being racist towards the people of North east, he noted.

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the state assembly's move to abolish the two-hour break for Jumma prayers, noting that no other state assembly in India observes a similar pause.

"The decision to end the Jumma break in Assam was also supported by the Congress. There is no such break in Bihar or any other state assembly in the country. I am surprised that people outside Assam are opposing it without thinking," CM Himanta said in a post on X.

Assam Speaker Biswajit Daimary on Friday explained that the decision to end the two-hour break was made because it had become challenging to conduct discussions on Fridays due to time constraints. Previously, the Assembly session on Fridays was adjourned at 11 am to allow Muslim members to attend Namaaz. Under the new rule, the Assembly will now continue its proceedings without any religiously motivated adjournments.

The amended rule stipulates that the Assam Assembly will begin its sessions at 9:30 am every day, including Fridays.

The amendment was introduced to eliminate what was seen as a colonial-era practice that aimed to divide society along religious lines.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. This is the second time I am running in the election as an observer, and before that, I was an observer in the presidential election, the chairperson of Turkiye's Supreme Election Council (SEC), Ahmet Yener, who observed the voting at polling station No. 15 of Nasimi-Sabail constituency No. 23 said, Trend reports, referring to the Election 2024 independent media center.

He noted that there was transparency in the electoral process.

Today is a great day. The parliamentary election is being held in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation for the first time in 30 years. I was pleased that the process was conducted following the rules and that our Azerbaijani brothers demonstrated great interest in the election. Good conditions have been created here for the comfortable voting of people. May the election be successful for Azerbaijan and the Turkic world, he added.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
New Delhi: The fourth national conference of chief secretaries, scheduled for November, will prioritize employment, entrepreneurship, skilling creating an enabling ecosystem for services in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, two persons directly involved in the process said.

The apex meeting of the countrys top federal bureaucracy assumes importance against the backdrop of slowing growth and increasing employment concerns.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be the first such conference of his third term. It will help chalk out a playbook for leveraging the potential of Indias young population and driving economic growth in underserved areas.

The date and location of the high-stakes meeting have not yet been decided.

Agenda of the meet The high-level meeting will also deliberate upon expanding the services sector, and addressing infrastructure deficiencies such as unreliable power supply, inefficient transportation, and poor internet connectivity, among others, in tier-2 and tier-3 cities to push growth in these areas, the first among the two persons mentioned above said.

The meeting will also seek to find solutions for issues such as limited access to affordable funding and market opportunities, this person said.

The first conference of chief secretaries was held in June 2022 in Dharamshala, the second in January 2023 in Delhi, and the third was also held in Delhi in December 2023.

These conferences serve as a platform for open dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas, ensuring that the Centre and states work together effectively to address key national issues and implement policies that benefit the entire country.

Also Read: PM Modi promised high growth in return of promise high quality from industry leaders | 10 points "The theme of the fourth such conference is focused on "promoting entrepreneurship, employment, and skilling  leveraging the demographic dividend," the second person said.

In the Union Budget 2024-25, the government has prioritized employment and skilling as a key focus area. The plan aims to provide skill development training and create employment opportunities for 41 million people over the next five years, with an allocated outlay of 2 trillion.

The governments focus on skilling, entrepreneurship, and employment is evident in its efforts to tap into the service sector in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. These often-overlooked cities have a substantial population that stands to benefit from skill development programmes tied to employment and entrepreneurial initiatives, said Suchita Dutta, executive director, Indian Staffing Federation (ISF), a workforce advocacy firm.

This focus on the service segment in tier-2 and tier-3 cities has the potential to bridge the urban-rural divide and bring about inclusive growth in the country. It also aligns with the government's goal of making India a skilled and self-reliant nation, Dutta said.

With special emphasis on easy access to welfare schemes and quality in service delivery, there will be discussions on agriculture, health, education, electricity, cybersecurity, emerging challenges, and perspectives on AI, among others. the second person cited above said.

Also Read: India inching towards Viksit Bharat goal with expansion of Vande Bharat trains: Modi Political experts view this as an opportunity for states to push their demands, especially since the BJP lacks a majority, ensuring the meeting won't be dominated by a single party.

The fourth high-level meeting will take place amid changed political dynamics. Unlike the previous three meetings, where states mainly played a listening role, this time they are expected to have a more active say in the discussions, said Arvind Mohan, a political commentator.

Queries emailed to spokespersons of the Prime Ministers Office, ministries of commerce and MeitY remained unanswered till press time.

The key focus will be on harnessing the untapped potential of the service sector, which offers significant export opportunities compared to merchandise trade.

This is important because while the labour force in developed countries is expected to shrink by 4%, Indias workforce is projected to grow by 32%, offering a significant opportunity to expand the service sector, according to a concept note submitted by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).

As per the MeitY report, the service sector currently employs about 30% of the workforce and contributes 55% to India's GDP. This sector adds a minimum of 4 million new jobs each year. In the fiscal year 2024, the service sector contributed nearly 40% to the countrys total exports, with most of this contributionabout 73%coming from the exports of computer services and business services.

According to the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Statistical Review, India ranks fifth in services exports, following the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, and China.

Currently, India accounts for 6% of global exports of digitally driven services. The growth and employment generated in the services sector are primarily concentrated in tier-1 cities, with Bengaluru, Mumbai/Pune, Delhi NCR, and Hyderabad housing 75% of the 4.5 million IT employees.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be hard to keep up with all the news that's happened over the week. To solve this problem, we have compiled a list of the top stories that made waves in the world of technology. In this week's tech round-up, Apple officially confirmed the dates for its September launch event, the OnePlus 13 could be here sooner than expected, Google Meet gets an AI-powered note-taker and more.

Top tech news of the week:

1) iPhone 16 launch date confirmed:

Earlier this week, Apple finally confirmed the launch date for its flagship iPhone 16 series, setting the event for September 9 this year, one day earlier than the September 10 date predicted by many reports. Apart from the four iPhone 16 variants, Apple is likely to launch AirPods 4 in two new versions, Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch Series 10 and iPad Mini 7.

2) OnePlus 13 could be here sooner than expected:

A new leak by tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo revealed that OnePlus has advanced the timeline for its OnePlus 13 press conference to end of October or November. If the rumor does hold to be true, it would mean that OnePlus 13 will be here way before its predecessor. For reference, OnePlus usually holds out its hardware launches till January but with Qualcomm likely to announce Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset in October, the Chinese smartphone maker may be looking to take advantage of that.

3) Google Meet gets an AI powered notes taker:

Google Meet is getting a Gemini AI-powered feature called take notes for me to take notes right from the video call. The new update was first announced by the tech giant in September last and is now rolling out select Google Workspace users from today.

Take notes for me is an AI powered feature that automatically captures meeting notes and provides an easy way to share it with the other participants in the meeting. The recorded notes are saved automatically to the meeting owner's Google Drive and shared with all the people on the calendar invite within the organization. Additionally, latecomers can utilize the 'summary so far' feature to acquaint themselves with the meeting's progress without interrupting the ongoing discussion.

4) Meta AI could get a new voice chat mode on WhatsApp:

Reportedly, Meta AI on WhatsApp could soon get a voice chat mode, allowing to users to better communicate with the chatbot and personalize their interactions. The feature was first spotted by WABetainfo on WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.18.18 update found on Google Play Store and could soon make its way to the stable version of the app.

The new voice chat mode will allow users to have real-time conversations with Meta AI using voice commands. The new feature is expected to result in faster, more natural and more efficient conversations with Meta AI, as speaking is faster than typing. Meta AI will reportedly be able to answer the user's queries in a selected voice, which can be changed according to the user's preferences.

Additionally, WhatsApp is said to be testing a shortcut to quickly invoke Meta AI's voice chat mode by simply pressing the floating action button within the chat list.

5) Vivo T3 Pro launched in India:

Vivo T3 Pro 5G features a 6.77-inch Full HD+ 3D curved AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC and paired with the Adreno 720 GPU for handling graphics-intensive tasks. Up to 8GB LPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB UFS 2.2 storage are supported.

For optics, there is a dual camera setup to the back with a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary shooter with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens with EIS. There is also a 16MP shooter on the front for taking selfies and video calls.

The Vivo T3 Pro 5G comes with a 5,500mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging. It runs on the FunTouch OS 14 based on the Android 14 operating system, and Vivo has promised 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security patches with this phone.

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3.6 Crore Indians visited in a single day choosing us as India's undisputed platform for General Election Results. Explore the latest updates here!
Arctic Sea ice loss

NASA scientists went to northern Greenland to study how clouds and atmospheric particles may be contributing to the ongoing loss of multiyear sea ice.

Credit : NASA
David M. Morse, of Moscow, age 44, beloved husband, dad, son, brother and friend, died Aug. 24, 2024, following a 14-month battle with brain cancer.

Growing up, Davids parents had careers with international nonprofit organizations took the family to Burkina-Faso, Chad, then Cambodia before they returned home to Moscow where David finished high school. He then attended the University of Idaho and majored in International Studies. As an undergraduate student, he met and married his first wife, Mandy Puckett, who unexpectedly passed away from a pulmonary embolism after nine months of marriage in 2002.

David then attended the University of Idaho College of Law. While he was a law student, he married Lisa Bausch and they welcomed their son Elijah before he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2008.

After law school, David founded Idaho Rising, an organization focused on engaging young people in the democratic process. He worked closely with Bill Parks and became a specialist in corporate tax policies, particularly interested in policies that helped small businesses. He was working as Tax Policy Director for the Coalition for a Prosperous America at the time of his diagnosis.
This editorial was published in The Columbian of Vancouver, Wash.



Washington consumers and workers have a vested interest in what is happening this week in Portland.

A federal district court judge is considering arguments relating to a proposed merger of Albertsons and Kroger, two of the nations largest supermarket chains. Albertsons owns Safeway, and Kroger owns Fred Meyer and QFC. Between them, the companies operate 330 stores in Washington, including 21 in Clark County.

While there are plenty of Walmart and WinCo and Costco outlets, along with higher-end stores such as Chucks Produce and Trader Joes and Whole Foods, most neighborhood grocery outlets fall under the Albertsons or Kroger brand  even if the name on the front of the store says otherwise.

That highlights the importance of the legal hearing, which began Monday and is expected to take three weeks. Representatives for Albertsons and Kroger say the planned merger, which was announced in 2022, will help them compete against discount-store rivals. Meanwhile, antitrust regulators from the Federal Trade Commission say the merger would eliminate competition and raise grocery prices.

The federal court will decide whether to grant an FTC request for a preliminary injunction and delay the merger while regulators conduct an in-house case before an administrative law judge.
TWIN FALLS  An electric company executive and a pilot have been charged after they reportedly harassed wildlife with a helicopter, illegally sold hunting tags and much more.

According to court filings, Karl Studer, 43, was charged with three felonies: one count of unlawful possession of wildlife, and two counts of felony unlawful killing or wasting wildlife. He was also charged with 17 misdemeanors and several violations of Idaho hunting regulations.

Police reports say Studer owns 3 String Cattle Company Ranch and is the president of electric at Quantra.

Kevin Sielaff, 48, was charged with eight misdemeanors for molesting game animals or birds with a motorized vehicle or unmanned aircraft, hunting to spot or communicate the location of wildlife from an aircraft, and interference with hunting, fishing and predator control. Sielaff flies for Alpine Aviation LLC, according to court documents.

In a probable cause affidavit, a senior conservation officer with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game says Sielaff and Studer hunt(ed), scouted for wildlife with the helicopter and during numerous scouting trips molested wildlife with said helicopter.
Washington officials have signed off on a suite of emergency rules meant to stem the spread of chronic wasting disease, including mandatory testing in three hunting districts and transport restrictions for dead animals.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the rules Friday morning, a little more than three weeks after the state confirmed its first case of the always-fatal disease in a white-tail deer in north Spokane.

The new rules require CWD testing for any deer or elk killed by hunters or salvaged in game management units 124, 127 and 130, a broad area surrounding the spot where the CWD positive deer was found. They also prohibit the use of bait for hunting in those units.

They also prohibit moving dead animal parts from most of Eastern Washington to other parts of the state, with the exception of deboned meat.

Increased testing is meant to help the agency better understand the outbreak and the transport and bait rules are designed to limit its spread.

The rules are the agencys first major step toward dealing with the condition, which affects deer, elk and moose. Though they are temporary, the agency said in a news release that it plans to propose permanent rules for approval by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Agency officials wrote in the release that its important to prevent a widespread outbreak of CWD in Washington to protect wildlfie populations.

CWD has been found in 35 states and five Canadian provinces. Shortly after Washington announced its first case in early August, Idaho announced that the disease had been found for the first time in the Bonners Ferry area.

The disease is caused when microscopic proteins called prions become deformed. Infected animals shed the prions through bodily fluids, and theyre easily picked up by other animals through direct contact.

Once in a healthy animal, the misfolded prions cause other prions to malfunction, and the disease progresses and ultimately attacks an animals nervous system. Symptoms dont normally show until the late stages of the disease, but infected animals can become emaciated and show erratic behavior.

The disease is not known to affect humans, although health officials advise against eating meat from infected animals. It is known to have major impacts on wildlife populations when left unchecked.

Theres no cure, so all wildlife officials can do is try to determine the scope of an outbreak and take steps to limit its spread.

The department announced that it had detected the disease on Aug. 1. The deer had been found dead in the Fairwood area of north Spokane in February.
Oasis fans hoping to attend the bands concerts hit out at Ticketmaster as prices were raised hours after tickets went on sale, describing the process as sickening and scandalous.

Users on X, formerly Twitter, reported the price for tickets nearly doubled from around 148 to 355 on Ticketmaster after they waited for hours to secure their place at the Oasis Live 25 shows.

An explanation by the website about the in-demand standing ticket price says: The event organiser has priced these tickets according to their market value.

Tickets do not include VIP packages. Availability and pricing are subject to change.

When asked about this issue by the PA news agency, Ticketmaster said it does not set prices, and shared a link to its website where it says costs can be fixed or market-based.

Darragh Moriarty, from Dublin, said ticket prices had risen to 415 euro when he got to the front of the queue, but his friends had bought them for 180 euro.

The 30-year-old health charity worker said he had hoped a group of six would be able to go, but among his group only four people were able to get tickets.

He compared his WhatsApp group with his friends to the Hunger Games as they decided who would get the tickets.

He said: We had a raffle between six of us, thankfully my name came out of the hat.

None of us paid that price (415 euro/349).

The hope is most people dont buy them at that rate and they go back down.

Its stomach-churning to see preying on peoples desperation and getting absolutely gouged like that.

Mr Moriarty logged on to Ticketmaster at 7.30am and it was about 9.15am when he reached the front of the queue and saw the ticket prices.

He added: It seems incredibly disingenuous, its just incredible.

Theres justifiably a lot of anger at Ticketmaster.

Meanwhile, on ticket resale websites, prices ranged, but the lowest seen on Saturday afternoon was 537 while the highest was 14,104.

A handful of standing tickets were on sale for the London shows on Viagogo on Saturday, ranging from 773 to 1,512. Seated tickets for London ranged from 655 to 5,971.

Standing tickets for the Cardiff concerts were on Viagogo ranging from 537 to 1,095, and seated tickets ranged from 596 to 5,906.

For Manchester, more than 400 standard tickets for Heaton Park were up for sale, starting at 608 and going up to 11,806.

For the Edinburgh concerts, the few available standing tickets ranged from 687 to 1,199. Seated tickets ranged from 714 to 4,977.

On StubHub, standing tickets for the London concerts ranged from 904 to 4,519, while seated tickets started at 843 and went up to 14,104.

For Cardiff, StubHub customers could get standing tickets from 959 to 4,519 and seated tickets from 549 to 6,029.

Tickets for Manchester ranged from 723 to 6,025.

And for Edinburgh standing tickets ranged between 775 and 4,519, while seated tickets were advertised from 843 to 2,283.

There did not seem to be any listing for the bands Dublin dates on either ticket-reselling website. The Irish government introduced a law banning ticket touting in 2021.

Original 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.

Cardiffs Principality Stadium shows, Edinburghs Murrayfield Stadium and Irelands Croke Park were all first listed at similar prices, while Manchesters Heaton Park tickets start from 148.50, with only standing available alongside a number of hospitality and luxury packages.

Oasis told fans on Saturday to only buy tickets from the official websites amid reselling websites listing inflated prices for the Manchester rockers gigs.

The band said on X: Please note, Oasis Live 25 tickets can only be resold at face value via @Ticketmaster and @Twickets!

Tickets appearing on other secondary ticketing sites are either counterfeit or will be cancelled by the promoters.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The voter turnout at the parliamentary election demonstrates the population's support for the Azerbaijani state and its leader, Georgian MP Zaur Dargali told Trend.

We have been monitoring approximately 10 polling stations since this morning. The election is being organized at a very high level. By around 13:00 (GMT+4), the turnout had reached 35-40 percent of the population, indicating strong voter participation.

This marks our second time participating as observers in Azerbaijani election. The high level of electoral activity shows that citizens value their state and its future. Such engagement is crucial for strengthening the country.

I would like to highlight that for the first time since the restoration of territorial integrity, the parliamentary election is being held in Azerbaijan. This is a significant and positive development for restoring peace in our region, he added.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A controversial pricing system that saw the cost of Oasis tickets surge during the sales window has prompted calls for a consumer watchdog probe.

Many fans who waited in huge online queues for tickets to the bands two gigs at Dublins Croke Park were left shocked when they found that prices for standing tickets had rocketed by the time they finally got the opportunity to make a purchase.

Some were quoted at 415.50 euro each.

Irish MEP Regina Doherty called for an investigation into the pricing structure for the sell-out gigs in August next year.

The Fine Gael representative for the Dublin constituency urged Irelands Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to examine the process.

When ticket prices were advertised earlier this week, standing tickets in Croke Park were 86.50 euro plus booking fees, but when many people eventually got through the online queue this morning, they were faced with the exact same ticket at a price of 415.50 euro, she said.

Thats not transparent advertising and certainly not fair to consumers.

The EUs Digital Services Act has sections included specifically to ensure large platforms that control aspects of the digital economy dont just make up their own rules that are unfair for consumers.

She said the in-demand pricing structure needed to be examined.

Every ticket for these gigs was always going to be in demand so slapping an extra label and 300 euro on some standing tickets is just extortionate, she added.

The Ticketmaster website said the prices of platinum and in-demand tickets were set according to their market value and were subject to change.

When asked about this issue by the PA news agency, Ticketmaster made clear it does not set the prices.

It is understood that the prices are set by the promoters, not the artists.

The promoter of the Irish gigs, MCD, has been approached for comment.

While thousands got the chance to buy prized tickets to the Croke Park concerts, many thousands more never made it that far and missed out completely.

The sales window opened at 8am on Saturday  an hour earlier than for the UK gigs  and within minutes the online queue for both nights was in excess of 500,000 people.

Many of those experienced frustrating technical issues, including being ejected from the lengthy queues, being logged out of their accounts and being presented with error messages as the Ticketmaster website seemingly struggled to cope with the exceptionally high demand.

A number of residents around Croke Park were also left disappointed. A set number of tickets was set aside for people living close to the landmark stadium in north Dublin, with householders asked to submit a form asking for a code to purchase them.

However, the number of applications exceeded demand, with those residents who were unsuccessful being informed by email on Saturday.
Two men have been taken to hospital and one was arrested during the course of two separate disturbances at the same property in Dublin city centre.

The incidents are understood to relate to a dispute over the occupancy of the building on Ormond Quay.

The first disturbance happened around 10.30pm on Friday night. It is understood two groups of men were involved in clashes.

Uniformed gardai and Garda Public Order Unit members were deployed to manage the situation.

The Garda said the incident was brought under control after the arrival of gardai and a number of men were subsequently stopped and searched.

One man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of public order offences and was subsequently released without charge.

A number of items of were seized by gardai following the disturbance.

Gardai then responded to reports of a further disturbance at the property shortly before 1pm on Saturday.

Following that incident, two men were taken from the scene to the Mater Hospital to be treated for injuries. It is understood neither sustained life-threatening injuries.

Gardai at Store Street station are investigating the circumstances of both incidents.
At 5 a.m., unionized workers at four Boston hotels with Unite Here Local 26 began picketing as part of a strike on Sunday.

Nearly 900 members went on strike at Hilton Park Plaza, Hilton Logan Airport, Hilton-Hampton Inn Boston Seaport and Fairmont Copley Plaza, according to the unions social media accounts and WCVB.

The union announced last week that more than 4,000 workers would go on strike across 35 hotels in Boston on Sept. 1 if a contract proposed in April was not signed after months of unsuccessful negotiations.

Workers on strike include room attendant, housepersons, front desk agents, bellpersons and doorpersons, restaurant servers, cooks, dishwashers, bartenders and banquet workers, WCVB reported.

Workers 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 previous requests for comment.

Alfredo Armado, 50, told MassLive last week that hes worked for the Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel for 26 years, but his wages have not grown significantly in the past decade.

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.

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.
UMass Memorial Health could convert the emergency room at the shuttered Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer into an urgent care facility, according to the Healey administration.

The Steward-owned facility was one of two that closed its doors permanently on Saturday, even as the bankrupt, Dallas-based health care provider reaches, or closes in, on sales deals for its other Bay State facilities.

"UMass Memorial Health is considering alternative possibilities, such as converting the hospitals emergency room into an urgent care facility, the Healey administration said in a statement released Friday.

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, the administration said.

Carney Hospital, also owned by Steward, closed on Saturday. Together, the two closings will put some 1,200 people out of work.

There currently are no similar plans for Carney Hospital.

Healeys office said the states "Executive Office of Health and Human Services is engaged in ongoing discussions with UMass Memorial Health and other providers in the region with the goal of reimagining future care on the Nashoba Valley Medical Center campus.

On Friday, Steward announced that it had signed purchase agreements for Boston Medical Center to buy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton and St. Elizabeths Medical Center in Brighton, State House News Service reported.

The filing of the agreement for the two hospitals comes a day after the bankrupt company filed agreements to sell four other facilities in Massachusetts, the wire service reported.

The entire suite of deals -- the two hospitals going to BMC; St. Annes Hospital in Fall River and Morton Hospital in Taunton being sold to Lifespan; and the Holy Family Hospital facilities in Methuen and Haverhill being sold to Lawrence General Hospital -- are expected to be presented for U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval Wednesday.

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, she continued.

On Saturday, state Rep. Margaret Scarsdale, D-1st Middlesex, whose district includes the hospital, said there are multiple qualified parties in conversation with the state about restarting medical services at the [Nashoba Valley].

Saturday was not the end of our fight to save Nashoba Valley Medical Center, Scarsdale continued. While our community hospital is slated to close, we have I encourage any operator that is interested to submit a bid or reach out to my office.

Policymakers recognize the need for essential health care in this region, and we are working as expeditiously as possible to support a new operator and reopen Nashoba Valley Medical Center, Scarsdale continued, adding that this work will remain ongoing beyond Saturday.

A hospital closing 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.

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 continued. We stand with these communities as we all move through this transition.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The chairperson of Azerbaijan's Central Election Commission (CEC), Mazahir Panahov, met with a delegation headed by the chairperson of the Central Election Commission of Belarus, Igor Karpenko, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan to observe the extraordinary parliamentary election, Trend reports.

According to the information, the chairperson of the Azerbaijani CEC informed the guest about the course of the election. He noted that 598 international and more than 112,000 local observers are monitoring the election, and web cameras have been installed at 1,000 polling stations covering the entire geography of the country for direct and continuous observation of the voting process without any registration.

Mazahir Panahov stated that 6.4 million citizens will be able to vote in the extraordinary parliamentary election. According to him, 990 candidates are running for the mandate of Azerbaijani Parliament deputy, and all opportunities have been created for their free election campaign following the requirements of the legislation. He noted that 305 of them are representatives of 25 political parties. Panahov stated that the media freely operate in the country and follow the election process unhindered.

The chairperson of the Central Electoral Commission stressed that three organizations had applied to the CEC with a request to conduct an exit poll during the election.

Noting that 6,478 polling stations have been set up in the country, Panahov informed that 6,343 of them are permanent and 135 are temporary. According to him, extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament is held for the first time in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, and comprehensive conditions have been created for the participants of the election.

Chairperson of the Belarusian CEC, Karpenko, expressed gratitude for the warm meeting. He emphasized that he was glad to participate in the observation of the extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament, adding that he would actively follow the election process. Karpenko said that the election is held with great enthusiasm and that people come to the polling stations in the morning realizing their constitutional rights. The guest brought to attention that no offenses or negative situations were observed at the polling stations he visited.

The meeting also included an exchange of views and discussions on various issues.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Boston police have arrested a suspect they say stabbed a man in Dorchester Saturday morning and then broke into a residents basement while trying to flee from officers.

Roxbury resident Kelvin Ortiz, 30, has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering in the daytime to commit a felony and trespassing, Boston police said in a press release.

Officers responded to the area of Columbia Road and Stoughton Street in Dorchester for a report of a person stabbed around 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 31, police said. At the scene, they found a man with a stab wound.

Paramedics took the man to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Before leaving the scene, the man was able to point towards a fleeing suspect who was near the intersection of Columbia Road and Dudley Street.

Officers began to chase after the suspect  who was later identified as Ortiz  and notified nearby officers that he was now on a bicycle, police said. They canvassed the area and soon found Ortiz on Gene Street as he was getting off the bicycle.

Ortiz jumped a fence, but officers were soon flagged down on Humphreys Street where they were told he had broken into a residents basement, police said. Ortiz tried to flee the basement, but officers arrested him on Wendover Street.

Ortiz is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.
A suspect authorities believe was involved in a fatal multi-car crash in Plymouth Friday evening that involved street racing has turned himself in, according to the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office.

The unnamed man, who was driving a Dodge Charger when the crash happened, turned himself in to authorities on Saturday, the district attorneys office said. Is it unclear what charges he is facing in connection with the crash, which took the life of an as-yet unidentified woman in her late 20s.

The Dodge driver is the second person to be charged in the crash, which happened around 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 30 on Route 3 south, Massachusetts State Police said previously. Plymouth resident Anthony Bradley, 30, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee in which the woman who died was a passenger, and is facing charges including motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, negligent operation, a breakdown lane violation and speeding.

Police believe Bradley was racing another car at the time of the crash, state police said. Witnesses told police he was traveling at a high rate of speed in the breakdown lane when he hit a Mini Cooper he was trying to pass.

The Jeep rolled over, struck a vehicle while crossing the highway and then came to a rest near the median, police said. The Dodge Challenger received front-end damage in the crash, and its driver fled the scene afterwards.

The woman who died was ejected from the Jeep during the crash, state police said. She was flown to a Boston hospital for treatment, but died at the hospital.

Bradley was also seriously injured in the crash and flown to a Boston hospital for treatment, state police said. He is expected to be arraigned in Plymouth District Court when medically able.

Authorities are still investigating the crash.
Good Sunday, morning all.

Life, as the great John Lennon once sang, is what happens when youre busy making other plans.

Ditto for the Massachusetts Legislature.

While you were busy wringing the last bits of joy out of your summer last week, a handful of state lawmakers quietly convened on Beacon Hill and did some not-insignificant stuff.

There was, for instance, a vote by the state House to advance a bill that would allow postcard-cute Marthas Vineyard to slap a transfer tax on $1 million-plus real estate transactions on the island.

You might recall that a similar tax proposal was one of the most hotly debated parts of Gov. Maura Healeys signature housing bond bill.

It would have given all 351 of the states cities and towns the option to impose a transfer tax on big-dollar real estate transactions as a way to pay for affordable housing.

The language was dropped from the $5.1 billion bill that Healey finally signed into law last month.

Meanwhile ...

In a move that wont make anyone any money, but will make a big difference to a lot of people across Massachusetts, the majority-Democrat state Senate approved its version of a bill changing the name of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to the MassAbility Commission.

Backers say the move is intended to reflect the fact that people who live with disabilities dont need rehabilitation.

But they do need support and services so they can live independently.

This legislation is not just a name change but a mission enhancement, Sen. Nick Collins, D-1st Suffolk, the Senate chair of the Legislatures Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, said in a Thursday statement.

By defining the commonwealths response now with [an] emphasis on the abilities of our citizens, we are taking the MassAbility Commission in a new proactive, positive direction to better serve the communitys needs, Collins continued.

The bill also removes offensive terminology in state law that references our friends and neighbors who live with disabilities, lawmakers said.

Every person has the right to live an independent and meaningful life regardless of ability, with the same access to work, housing and services that every resident deserves, Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk said.

By removing archaic laws, we are taking an important step towards making our laws reflective of the equitable commonwealth we continue to strive for, the Ashland Democrat said.

Renaming the agency reflects our commitment towards helping individuals with disabilities gain greater autonomy and independence, Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chairperson Michael Rodriques, D-1st Bristol/Plymouth, added.

But the bill isnt over the goal line yet.

The state House earlier passed its version of the bill, which means, you guessed it: Lawmakers will have to reconcile the two chambers respective differences on the proposal before lawmakers can send the final version to Healey for a signature.

In-person voting for the Massachusetts Primary Election will be held Tuesday. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Turn out for what?

This Tuesday, Sept. 3, is primary election day across the commonwealth. And with just about zero competitive races on the ballot, Bay State voters just arent here for it.

Thats according to Secretary of State William L. Galvin, whos predicting around 15% turnout for the intra-party contests.

If theres a silver lining, thats still better than the 8.8% turnout in 2016 and 12.4% in 2012, the states top elections official said last week, according to State House News Service.

Butttt ... its still way off the 36.6% of voters who showed up for the 2020 primaries, where U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., faced an internal challenge.

There was also a competitive primary for former U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy IIIs House seat, in that pandemic year, the wire service reported. All of that boosted interest in mail-in balloting.

This year, none of the states nine Democratic U.S. lawmakers face an internal challenge, nor does U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., whos on the November ballot.

There are only a handful of interesting legislative primaries. And theres also the 3-way GOP Senate primary, whose winner will face Warren this fall.

So, given all that, voter interest so far is remarkable in light of the fact that there are really few [competitive] contests, Galvin said.

Maybe it would help if they got Lil Jon to crash a couple of polling stations?

Model Chrissy Teigen

On the calendar

If you happen to find yourself in West Hollywood this Thursday and you have some money to burn, model/actor Chrissy Teigen will headline a star-studded fundraiser for the advocacy group One Fair Wage.

Other confirmed attendees at the event include Sarah Paulson, Keegan-Michael Key, June Diane Raphael, Ike Barinholtz, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Matt Bomer, the organization said in an email.

Now the Massachusetts connection:

The advocacy group has been active in efforts to boost the tipped wage for restaurant and service-sector workers nationwide.

That includes the Bay State, where voters will have their say on a November ballot question asking them whether they want to increase the minimum wage for tipped workers.

A yes vote on the ballot question would gradually raise the states tipped minimum wage until 2029 to meet the states minimum wage ($15/hr) while continuing to allow tipping, according to Ballotpedia.

A no vote would defeat the question.

Having worked in restaurants myself, I understand the challenges that come with relying on tips. No one should have to endure harassment or stress about covering basic needs because of a system that doesnt value their work, Teigen said in a statement.

All of this is to say that while these fall ballot questions might seem parochial, theres some seriously big money invested in the outcomes  and its largely out of sight of the voters.

The Massachusetts primary election will be held on Tuesday. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

Turned up to 11

While there will be a politics column on Tuesday, primary day, it wont be like the Sunday grab-bag that youre reading at the moment. So Im getting this one out of the way right now because its an Election Day tradition for your correspondent.

From Nashville power-pop legends, and genuinely nice guys, The Shazam, its Super Tuesday.

Its absolutely worth turning up to 11.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz walk with Savannah Mayor Van Johnson at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Ga., as they arrive for campaign events, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)AP

Your Sunday long read

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, gave their much-ballyhooed first national interview to CNN last week.

Writing for The Atlantic, Tom Nichols observes that the reactions to the interview were, well, pretty much what you would have expected.

Democrats think it was a home run. Republicans are sour and churlish, Nichols wrote.

In reality, the interview was a solid and competent outing, which is all it needed to be, Nichols continued.

Harris, who is sometimes prone to wordy circumlocutions, looked assured and handled reasonably well some of the stickier questions, such as why she changed her position on fracking, Nichols observed.

The vice president had a strong answer when she was asked how shed thought about her future when Joe Biden called her: Her first thought was about the president, not about herself, which is exactly the right thing to say, no matter what thoughts may have gone through her head at that moment, Nichols noted, adding that she did less well on other topics.

You can read the rest of the piece here. Caveat emptor: There is a paywall.

Thats all for this week. Have a peaceful long weekend. Well see you all back here on Tuesday.
DETROIT  Rookie reliever Chase Shugart is on his way to Detroit to join the Red Sox as a September call-up, according to a source.

He will be added to Bostons active roster Sunday when the calendar turns to September. MLB rosters expand from 26 players to 28 players during September.
LUDLOW  More than 100,000 people will have celebrated Portuguese food, culture and religion by the time the Our Lady of Fatima Festa ends on Monday.

The Festa continues today with two outdoor Masses on Sunday, with one in Portuguese at 11 a.m. and one in English at 6:30 p.m., to be celebrated by the Most Rev. Robert Chrzaszcz, auxiliary bishop from Krakow, Poland.
UNICEF announced that it has issued an emergency tender for the procurement of mpox vaccines. Vaccines can play a critical role in containing the mpox outbreak which was declared a public health emergency by both the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The UNICEF tender is issued to help secure mpox vaccines for the hardest hit countries in collaboration with Africa CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, the Pan American Health Organization and other partners. This collaboration to increase access and timely allocation also includes working together to facilitate donations of vaccines from existing stockpiles in high-income countries with the aim of containing the ongoing transmission of mpox.

Under the emergency tender, UNICEF will set up conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers. This will enable UNICEF to purchase and ship vaccines without delay once countries and partners have secured financing, confirmed demand and readiness, and the regulatory requirements for accepting the vaccines are in place. WHO is currently reviewing the information submitted by manufacturers on 23 August and is expected to complete its review for Emergency Use Listing by mid-September.

More than 18,000 suspected cases of mpox, including 629 deaths, have been reported this year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which is at the epicentre of the crisis. Four out of five deaths have been in children.

Addressing the current mpox vaccine shortage and delivering vaccines to communities who need them now is of paramount importance. There is also a pressing need for a universal and transparent allocation mechanism to ensure equitable access to mpox vaccines, said Director of UNICEF Supply Division Leila Pakkala.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, said :

As we confront the ongoing Mpox outbreak, the timely procurement and distribution of vaccines is crucial to protecting the most vulnerable populations, particularly in the hardest-hit regions. This emergency tender is a critical step forward in our collective effort to control the spread of this disease. Africa CDC is committed to ensuring that vaccines are allocated swiftly and equitably across the continent, in partnership with UNICEF, Gavi, WHO, and other key stakeholders. Our unified response is essential to curbing the impact of this public health emergency and safeguarding the health and well-being of our communities.

With several partners working on securing access to supply, todays announcement represents an important step in this emergency, enabling UNICEF to purchase and deliver vaccines after Gavi and other partners make funding available and sign purchase or donation agreements with manufacturers for the most immediate dose needs, said Dr Derrick Sim, interim Chief Vaccine Programmes and Markets Officer at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Securing access to supply and financing, delivering doses, and in parallel ensuring countries are ready to administer them, are all vital actions that need to be conducted rapidly but thoroughly, and in a coordinated manner. We welcome this tender as another positive step our Alliance and Africa CDC are taking in this response.

A swift, coordinated, and equitable response is critical to controlling the current mpox emergency and preventing future ones, said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO incident manager for the global mpox response and acting Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention.

All of us must act decisively now or risk allowing mpox to spread further and become an even greater global threat. In an interconnected world, the fight against mpox  as with other infectious diseases and health threats  cannot be waged alone., WHO is glad to partner with UNICEF, Gavi, Africa CDC, other partners and affected countries to get life-saving tools to people in need.

The emergency tender is designed to secure immediate access to available mpox vaccines as well as to expand production. Depending on demand, production capacity of manufacturers and funding, agreements for up to 12 million doses through 2025 can be put in place.

Vaccines are one of several tools used to interrupt transmission and to protect children and communities against mpox. Africa CDC, Gavi, UNICEF, WHO, and partners are also prioritizing infection prevention and control, and risk communication and community engagement. As part of this, UNICEF is deploying personal protection equipment, diagnostic tests, medical treatment kits, hygiene supplies and tents to countries at the forefront of the crisis. These supplies support a host of medical countermeasures such as treatment, case isolation and surveillance.

UNICEF is the worlds largest single vaccine buyer, procuring more than 2 billion doses of vaccines annually for routine child immunization and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries.
A MAYO Credit Union has launched a five-year community education fund totalling 50,000 to support local students at third level education.

The Directors and staff of Erris Credit Union based in Belmullet recently launched its five-year Community Educational Fund. Attending the launch, Chairperson of Erris Credit Union, Paddy Joe Deane said the Irish language phrase, 'Mol an oige is tiocfaidh si', is the Boards motivation for establishing the Community Educational Fund.

Over the next five years, Erris Credit Union is very happy to be able to support 50 local Erris students, of all ages, who are on their educational journey, he said.

This year, 10,000 is available to support ten lucky winning third level student credit union members with their educational expenses.

The selection process for 2024 will be via a random draw held during Erris Credit Unions Annual General Meeting in January 2025.

Each of the five parishes in Erris, in the credit unions geographic common bond area, will have two lucky winners, each winning 1,000.

To be in with a chance to win 1,000, simply become a member of Erris Credit Union; be enrolled and attending a recognised education or training course at a third level institution or an approved apprenticeship, with a minimum course Level 5 or greater on the National Framework of Qualifications; and apply and submit proof of third level student registration.

Application forms and the applicable terms and conditions are available in the credit union in Belmullet or download or apply directly at www.erriscreditunion.ie.
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What is Lumpy Skin Disease

  Trusted Source

Lumpy skin disease - EFSA - European Union



Go to source Trusted Source



Lumpy #skindisease (#LSD) is a #viral disease affecting cattle, causing skin nodules, #fever, and reduced milk production. It spreads through biting insects and can severely impact livestock #health and agriculture. Stay informed and protect your herds!

Lumpy skin disease - EFSA - European Union - (https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/lumpy-skin-disease)

The Agriculture Ministry reported that South Korea confirmed its second case of lumpy skin disease (LSD) this year on a cattle farm in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.LSD () is a highly infectious disease that causes skin lesions, fever and loss of appetite , often leading to a fall in milk production and even death. It affects cattle and buffalo via mosquitoes and other blood-feeding insects.Four dairy cows were confirmed to have contracted the disease after authorities examined them upon receiving a report from the farm's owner, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the ministry.South Korea's first case of this year was confirmed in cattle on a livestock farm in Anseong, some 65 km south of Seoul, on August 12. To prevent further infections, the government has cordoned off the affected farm and implemented quarantine measures, the ministry said.The infected cows will also be culled in accordance with relevant guidelines.Source-IANS
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The voting process of convicts is underway in Baku pretrial detention center No. 1 of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice in connection with the extraordinary parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

According to the information, the voting is held at polling stations No. 38, 39, and 40 of polling district No. 29 of Sabunchu district of Baku city.

Chairperson of polling station No. 41 Eldar Mahmudov noted that 545 convicts were registered at the polling station, and 205 people voted.

Meanwhile, Ombudsperson Sabina Aliyeva told reporters that employees of the Ombudsman's Office carry out monitoring and observation in penitentiary institutions.

She stated that the employees of the Ombudsman's Office on their own initiative are observing the extraordinary parliamentary election held in Azerbaijan.

Our employees carry out monitoring and observation both in Baku city and regions, as well as in liberated territories, military units, and penitentiary institutions. Currently, we are observing the provision of suffrage for convicts in the penitentiary institution. The public will be widely informed about the results of the observation, she added.

To note, convicted and arrested persons in penitentiary institutions vote freely and without hindrance in 26 polling stations covering 13 districts.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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Lung Cancer Symptoms



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Patients with #COPD or #asthma face significant delays in #lungcancer diagnosis. Those with multiple conditions wait even longer. Early detection is key. #lungdisease

Diabetes and Arthritis Don't Significantly Impact Lung Cancer

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Lung Cancer Symptoms - (https://medlineplus.gov/lungcancer.html)

Individuals with pre-existing lung conditions like COPD and asthma may face diagnostic delays for lung cancer ).The study, led by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), examined hospital and general practitioner data from 11,870 patients in England who were diagnosed with lung cancer between 1990 and 2019.A study by Dr. Imogen Roger from the BSMS found that patients with "alternative explanations" for lung cancer symptoms experienced significant delays in diagnosis.The study also discovered that once age, sex, and smoking history were taken into account, diseases like diabetes or arthritis that put "competing demands" on a general practitioner's time did not significantly affect the time to lung cancer diagnosis.The factor that was found to cause the largest delay in the identification of lung cancer was COPD; patients with the condition were diagnosed 59 days later than those without it. Updated clinical recommendations are especially important for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the study emphasises.According to the research, COPD may conceal early signs of lung cancer, delaying identification and treatment. The study team notes how critical it is to increase healthcare workers' awareness in order to shorten diagnostic turnaround times and enhance patient outcomes. This research underscores the need for heightened vigilance in patients with chronic respiratory conditions.It is important to understand that lung cancer symptoms can be mislabeled as COPD in order to expedite detection and treatment. The research aims to enhance early identification and treatment of lung cancer in individuals with COPD by revising clinical standards and raising awareness, which will ultimately result in better health outcomes. The conclusions highlight the importance of quick thinking and attentive monitoring, with significant ramifications for both patients and healthcare providers.Source-IANS
  Trusted Source

Clinical Considerations for Mpox in Children and Adolescents in the U.S.



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Vulnerable Children Face Increased Risks from Mpox



A new #mpox variant (clade Ib) is raising concerns! It's potentially more contagious and affecting thousands of children in Africa. Early detection and prevention are crucial. #monkeypox

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Clinical Considerations for Mpox in Children and Adolescents in the U.S. - (https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/clinicians/pediatric.html)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged nations to ramp up their vigilance against Monkeypox (Mpox). In response, UNICEF has emphasized the urgent need to prioritize children's needs in the ongoing outbreak ().According to the global humanitarian body, children who are malnourished or affected by other illnesses are also vulnerable to complications from mpox. The virus can spread through contact with lesions on the skin or infectious bodily fluids; contact with contaminated materials such as clothing, linen or sharps injuries in healthcare settings; contact with respiratory droplets, from an infected person's mouth or throat contact with infected animals; pregnant women can pass the virus on to their unborn baby.According to Unicef, children can be exposed at home or in the community through close contact with people who are symptomatic with mpox including parents, caregivers, or other family members. Mpox causes symptoms that are similar to smallpox, though less severe, like skin rash, fever , sore throat, headache , body aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, children under 15 represent more than half of the cases. Across the most impacted countries, wide-spread malnutrition , crowded living conditions, the presence of other infectious diseases, and limited access to healthcare make the spread of mpox a perilous situation for children.Unicef said it is working with Africa CDC and WHO, as well as other partners such as USAID and FCDO, to support national governments.Our response is comprehensive, focusing on children, pregnant women and underserved communities, prioritizing the interruption of disease transmission and addressing the secondary impacts on children and communities, such as child protection and school closures, it stressed.The WHO has also said it is working to accelerate access to and delivery of Mpox vaccines Source-IANS
Welcome to your Daily Horoscope for September 1, 2024!

Today marks the start of a new day and new month. Will it herald a new era for you or will you have to work harder to get through tough times? Lets see what your horoscope has to say about it. Aries Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024

shutterstock If you are wondering how long you have to bear the sufferings of this rough time in your life, then there is good news for you. You can heave a sigh of relief as everything seems to be turning in your favour. Financially, you will be secure. Avoid intake of junk food or stomach related issues might follow. Your Lucky color is Pink. Your Lucky number is 24. Taurus Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024

shutterstock You are likely to act as a mentor to someone. This person will envy you for your skills, talents and confidence. Try to impart knowledge by giving your best. Health wise, your cards look promising while finance could become a problem for you today. Your Lucky color is Green. Your Lucky number is 21. Gemini Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024

shutterstock You are likely to enter into an agreement with a person, either through business, marriage or any other partnership. Be careful with the money matters today and avoid trading online. A trade off between personal and professional commitments may arise, so make wise decisions. Your health and wealth cards don't look promising, so take care. Your Lucky color is Maroon. Your Lucky number is 30. Cancer Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024

shutterstock This is the day to be really cautious if you are planning something new in your professional field. Consider each aspect keenly and do not trade off the orchard for an apple. An outing or get together with near and dear ones are on the menu. Health conditions can be seen improving. Your Lucky color is Grey. Your Lucky number is 7. Leo Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024

shutterstock You may feel that the world around you is cruel because each and every person you meet and trust takes advantage of your innocence. It's time for you to realise that straight trees are to be cut first, so bring an element of wisdom in you. Inflow of money can be anticipated. Health will be fine. Your Lucky color is Red. Your Lucky number is 27. Virgo Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024

shutterstock You will find yourself abiding by a rigorous health regime. This new fitness regime will help you in combating laziness and drowsiness, helping you accomplish your goals much easily. Couples will share a good chemistry with each other. Financially, a new project will help you mint money. Your Lucky color is Pink. Your Lucky number is 15. Libra Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024

shutterstock There are high probabilities that encountering your fear will give you goosebumps. Remember, that courage and strength is in your blood and you cannot let these small things break your confidence levels. Real estate deals ought to be in your favour today. Health seems to be gaining strength. Your Lucky color is Silver. Your Lucky number is 4. Scorpio Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024

shutterstock For a long time, students have been thinking about taking up something new or learning something to boost their career. But there were so many obstacles coming in their way. Your stars have changed and are encouraging you to take a step ahead in this field. The end results will surely be fruitful. Outflow of money can be predicted while health seems to be stable. Your Lucky color is White. Your Lucky number is 11. Sagittarius Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024

shutterstock You might finally get the chance to interact with someone youve been wanting to meet but didnt have the courage to approach. This rendezvous will surely bear some rewarding outcomes in future. Your love life can be seen gaining strength. A promotion or an offer for a new position is on the menu. Financially, you will feel safe and secure and even health conditions will be fine. Your Lucky color is Purple. Your Lucky number is 8. Capricorn Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024

shutterstock It's a day when you will find yourself in the midst of natural beauty. Give yourself to the world around you and let your inner soul experience the joy of tranquillity and peace in life. Your health cards look promising. Financial conditions will be in your favour today. Your Lucky color is Black. Your Lucky number is 17. Aquarius Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024

shutterstock Some past fears are likely to re-enter your life. These are likely to give you goosebumps. Stay strong and get rid of what is bothering you. You might be invited to a social get together. Enjoy your day and practice meditation to ensure mental stability. Your lucky colour is . Your lucky number is 2. Your Lucky color is Brown. Your Lucky number is 2. Pisces Horoscope Today - September 01, 2024
September 1: Chicago has officially announced the activation of Wicks. Infielder Nick Madrigal was placed on the 60-day injured list due to a left pinkie fracture in a corresponding move. Madrigal was optioned to the minors back in June and suffered the fracture during his first game back at Triple-A. Hes been on the minor league IL ever since but has now been transferred to the big league IL in order to clear his spot on the 40-man roster.

August 31: The Cubs are set to activate left-hander Jordan Wicks from the 60-day IL tomorrow, manager Craig Counsell told reporters (including Megan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune) earlier this evening. Wicks is scheduled to take the ball for tomorrows start against the Nationals in D.C. in a move that will push back the next start of right-hander Jameson Taillon. An active roster move wont be necessary to make room for Wicks due to tomorrows scheduled roster expansion, but Chicago will still need to clear a spot on their 40-man roster in order to activate Wicks.

The leftys return to the majors is something of a birthday present for him, as hell turn 25 tomorrow. The youngster was the Cubs first-round pick back in 2021 and made his big league debut late last season. Since then, hes pitched to roughly league average results with solid peripherals. His 4.31 ERA is almost exactly league average (99 ERA+), but his 3.98 FIP paints a somewhat rosier picture. Wicks was off to a strong start in 28 innings of work this year with a 25% strikeout rate against a 7.8% walk rate that left him with an impressive 3.10 FIP and 3.80 SIERA, but the southpaw has struggled to stay healthy this year.

After an elbow scare that proved to be insignificant cost him the month of May, Wicks has now missed two and a half months due to an oblique strain he suffered in mid June. Now that hes healthy again, the youngster figures to slot back into the clubs rotation on a regular basis down the stretch. While the Cubs still sit on the periphery of the playoff race with a 70-66 record that leaves them four games back of a Wild Card spot, with playoff odds of just 5.4% per Fangraphs it seems likely that the focus for Wicks down the stretch will be establishing himself as a healthy and effective rotation option for the Cubs headed into next season.

Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga are poised to return next season as a strong top-of-the-rotation duo, while Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad figure to continue holding down the middle of the clubs rotation after solid seasons of their own. Franchise icon and 11-year MLB veteran Kyle Hendricks appears all but certain not to return in 2025, however, as the pending free agent has struggled to a ghastly 6.75 ERA in 102 2/3 innings of work this year. That leaves regular starts available in the clubs rotation next year that a number of young arms could look to capitalize on, including Wicks, right-hander Ben Brown, and top pitching prospect Cade Horton.

In the short term, however, the Cubs will have to decide how they want to set up their rotation for the stretch run this September. With Wicks back and Steele, Imanaga, Taillon, Assad, and Hendricks all healthy, they club could opt for a six man rotation or once again demote Hendricks to the bullpen. While the former would offer the club the opportunity to manage Imanagas innings as he continues his transition from NPB play to the majors, the latter is the route they took when they faced a rotation crunch back in May, when Hendricks was sporting a brutal 10.57 ERA through seven starts.

The soft-tossing rightys 5.62 ERA in 12 starts since returning to the rotation has been an improvement over that aforementioned eye-popping figure, its still well below average, and given that reality it would hardly be a surprise if the Cubs moved him back to the multi-inning relief role that saw him post a solid 3.08 ERA and 4.18 FIP in 14 1/3 innings earlier this year. Thats particularly true given the fact that Imanaga has thrown just 146 2/3 innings so far this year, a figure thats a good bit lower than the 170 frames that represents his career high during his time in Japan.
The Dodgers have selected the contract of right-hander Brent Honeywell, according to a team announcement. Honeywell will take the active roster spot of right-hander Joe Kelly, who the club has placed on the 15-day Injured List due to right shoulder inflammation. A corresponding 40-man roster move was not needed to accommodate Honeywell, who will take the spot vacated by veteran outfielder Jason Heyward last week. The Dodgers have also officially announced the placement of veteran lefty Clayton Kershaw on the IL that was reported earlier this evening.

Honeywell, 29, returns to the big league Dodgers for a second stint after being designated for assignment by the club just two weeks ago. Once a consensus top-15 prospect in the sport with the Rays, Honeywell has faced a number of injury-related struggles throughout his career that caused him to miss three full seasons of action from 2018 to 2020 before being limited to just 103 1/3 innings of work across the 2021 and 22 seasons.

Those long layoffs cost him several key years of development and robbed him of his ability to start, but he re-emerged as a big league reliever with the Padres last season. He posted decent middle relief numbers in San Diego before being squeezed off the roster and ending up with the White Sox, with whom he was shelled for seven runs in 5 2/3 innings down the stretch. That disastrous end to 2023 cost Honeywell his roster spot in Chicago, but he managed to find a minor league deal with the Pirates over the winter and made his way to the majors in July.

In 23 2/3 innings of work with the Pirates and Dodgers this season, Honeywell has posted strong results despite lackluster peripherals. His 2.28 ERA is nothing short of excellent, but the fact that hes managing to prevent runs to that degree despite a microscopic 13.8% strikeout rate appears likely to be unsustainable, particularly if his whopping 89.6% strand rate regresses to a more typical figure. Even so, Honeywell figures to be as solid a bet as any to eat innings in a beleaguered Dodgers bullpen that was forced to use seven relievers after Kershaw departed in the second inning of last nights game due to injury.

Honeywell will be taking the roster spot of one of those seven relievers, as Kelly is headed to the IL with a bout of shoulder inflammation. The 38-year-old hurler has been struggling mightily for the past month as hes posted a 7.71 ERA with a paltry 18.2% strikeout rate and a hefty 13.6% walk rate. Last nights outing was particularly difficult for the veteran as he surrendered two runs on three hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings of work while striking out just one and hitting two batters.

Kellys brutal results over the past month have caused his season numbers to go from solid to well below average, as he entered August with a 3.93 ERA and a sterling 2.41 FIP. Those numbers now sit at 5.20 and 4.83, respectively. Its unclear how long Kelly is expected to be out of action, but with just a month left in the regular season its possible the right-hander wont be healthy enough to return before then. Kelly could hypothetically return at some point in the postseason even if he isnt able to make it back before the end of the regular season, though given his deep struggles of late its unclear how strongly he would factor into L.A.s postseason plans even if healthy.
Amidst an already busy day of Orioles transactions, the Os announced two more moves, as infielder Jean Segura has been released from his minor league contract and left-hander Nick Vespi was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

Segura signed his minors deal in August, and hit only .137/.250/.196 over 60 plate appearances in 14 games with Norfolk. This marked Seguras first game action of any kind since his last game as a member of the Marlins on July 31, 2023. The Marlins traded Segura to the Guardians the next day as part of the deadline deal that brought Josh Bell to the Miami, and since Segura was only included in the trade as salary offset, Cleveland immediately released the veteran infielder.

MASNsports.coms Roch Kubatko (via X) notes that Segura asked to be released and the Orioles granted the request, which could be interpreted in a few ways. It could be that Segura wanted to pursue other opportunities if Baltimore wasnt going to add him to the MLB roster, or it might be a hint that Segura might be considering retirement. Because Segura didnt play any winter ball and there wasnt any indication that he was seeking out another playing contract in the year since the Guardians released him, his deal with the Os could be viewed as one final attempt at reviving his playing career.

The two-year, $17MM free agent contract Segura signed with the Marlins in the 2022-23 offseason expires at the end of this season, which could also provide something of a clean break for the official end of his playing career. It remains to be seen if Segura is indeed thinking about calling it a career, but if so, his rough results with Miami in 2023 shouldnt obscure an otherwise very solid 12-season run in the majors that included a pair of All-Star nods.

Baltimore designated Vespi for assignment last week, and hell now head to Triple-A after he cleared waivers and was removed from the Orioles 40-man roster. This was the first time Vespi has been outrighted, and he doesnt have enough MLB service time to reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency.

Vespi will instead head to Norfolk, which is a familiar path for a pitcher who has often been shuttled back and forth between the majors and minors since he made his big league debut in 2022. Vespi has looked pretty solid with a 3.88 ERA in his 53 1/3 career innings in the Show, but his lack of strikeout ability has made him somewhat of a back-of-the-bullpen arm in the Orioles eyes. Vespi has already been promoted and optioned to Triple-A the maximum five times this season.
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - Two months after a Florida-based private equity firm purchased the Mackinac Island Ferry Company, its former CEO has filed a lawsuit against the new owners, alleging he was wrongfully fired and has been defamed in recent weeks.

The lawsuit is seeking a jury trial and damages based on allegations of wrongful termination, breach of contract and defamation.

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court by an attorney representing Jerry Fetty, the former executive of Mackinac Island Ferry Company (MIFC), formerly known as Star Line. It is one of two ferry services that run passenger boats to and from Mackinac Island and the mainland.

Fettys lawsuit names Hoffmann Marine, MIFC, and Hoffmann employees Jenny Gezella and Chris Shepler among its defendants.

In response, Hoffmann Marine called it a baseless lawsuit and issued a statement saying Fetty was fired for cause.

The lawsuit is the latest chapter in what has been some big changes for the islands ferry companies in the last few years.

Hoffmann Marine, an arm of The Hoffmann Family of Companies private-equity firm, first purchased the family-run Sheplers ferry service in 2022. Company leader Chris Shepler stayed on to run the day-to-day operations.

Then in late June of this year, Hoffmann also purchased the Mackinac Island Ferry Company (MIFC), saying they planned to run the two ferry services as separate operations. Fetty, who had been CEO since 2013, initially remained with MIFC.

But that changed within weeks. On July 18, Hoffmann Marine President Jenny Gezella said Fetty was no longer with the company. She said MIFC wished Fetty the best and thanked him for his years of service. Hoffmann put Chris Shepler in charge of the day-to-day operations of both ferry company fleets.

An aerial image of Mackinac Island Ferry Company vessel heads toward the harbor of Mackinac Island, Mich. on Friday, May 17, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Less than a month later, major mechanical issues had sidelined all the MIFC fast ferries, leading to trip delays and schedule changes, Hoffmann employees said. By mid-August, MIFC reps had asked the Mackinac Island City Council to allow them to pause their passenger service so they could work on the more than $4 million in needed repairs to the MIFC boats.

The City Council - which oversees the ferry contracts with the island - approved the request. It means that in an unprecedented move, Sheplers is now the sole ferry service taking residents and visitors to and from Mackinac for the rest of the fall season. In response, Sheplers has extended its summer schedule with fast-turnaround ferry rides into fall.

In a meeting with City Council, Chris Shepler blamed past Band-Aid fixes of MIFC boats for the lengthy list of now-needed repairs. He noted that MIFC ferries are inspected annually by the U.S. Coast Guard and that damage noted by the new owners were likely things that happened in the last four months and can be chalked up to a lack of regular maintenance.

In Fettys lawsuit, he takes issue with several things that happened since his exit. He alleges he was wrongfully terminated from his executive position. The lawsuit says his contract with MIFC called for him to be given 30 days notice if he was fired without cause, which did not happen with his abrupt departure.

At no time prior to this announcement did Hoffmann advise Mr. Fetty of any other significant injurious actions, willful and deliberate malfeasance, or gross negligence, or any other significant deficiencies of duties, before terminating his employment just weeks after their purchase of MIFC, the lawsuit states.

Fettys lawsuit also alleges that since his firing, Hoffmanns employees have defamed him publicly. The suit alleges Hoffmann Marine has laid the blame for the MIFCs fleet condition on Fetty and has been seemingly surprised by the repairs needed, despite the fact that the fleet and the companys records were opened to Hoffmann for inspection before the June sale.

For whatever reason, whether to deny Mr. Fetty his severance, to tarnish his reputation, to ingratiate itself as a blameless corporate benefactor to the Mackinac Island and surrounding community, Defendants have determined to defame Mr. Fetty in various media, the lawsuit states. The suit referred to news stories - incuding an MLive article - in which Chris Shepler or Jenny Gezella had spoken about the condition of the MIFC assets.

Both Sheplers and Gezellas statements indicate surprise, and implicate Mr. Fetty for having neglected and concealed repair issues, when the reality is that Hoffmann had full access to the MIFC fleet, docks, and bilgewater operations before purchase for unfettered inspections as part of its due diligence, and was fully aware of the condition of the fleet and docks before moving forward with the sale, the lawsuit states.

A Mackinac Island Ferry Company vessel heads toward the harbor of Mackinac Island, Mich. on Friday, May 17, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

In the lawsuit, Fetty said hed spent more than $1 million on MIFC fleet and infrastructure repairs in the year leading up to the companys sale.

However, on information and belief, after Mr. Fetty was terminated, Hoffmann deferred all planned maintenance and repair so as to deliberately ensure that the fleet would not pass muster with the Coast Guard, and shut down MIFC operations, so that the Defendants could run solely with Sheplers fleet, and falsely implicate Mr. Fetty for the repair issues, the lawsuit alleges.

Having (Chris) Shepler run both Sheplers and MIFC severs the last shred of competition between the ferry companies and secures the monopoly that Hoffmann has become ...  the lawsuit alleges.

In response, Jonathan Kok at Warner, Norcross + Judd LLP issued a statement to MLive from Hoffmann Marine today.

Mr. Fetty was terminated for cause and we are disappointed in his decision to prolong the event with a baseless lawsuit, the statement read. More importantly, we look forward to restoring Mackinac Island Ferry Company vessels and operations to provide the first-class service that our loyal customers deserve.

Fettys suit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages. It also asks for a jury trial to hear the case.

Fettys attorney, Nicholas Roumel, is an Ann-Arbor based employment attorney. He said the lawsuit was filed on Friday.

I look forward to helping Mr. Fetty vindicate his rights and clear his name, Roumel said.
All West Michigan beaches are in for a windy day on Sunday, which will also create dangerous swimming conditions.

A north wind gusting to 25 mph is expected during the day, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists in Grand Rapids. This could kick up high waves at beaches all along the West Michigan Lakeshore area.

Dangerous swimming conditions are expected Sunday with 4-8 foot waves on Lake Michigan, the NWS said. All Lake Michigan beaches will be impacted. North sides of north piers will be the most dangerous (examples include Stearns Park in Ludington, Mears State Park in Pentwater, Holland State Park, North Beach in South Haven). Stay dry when waves are high!

North winds at West Michigan beaches could reach 30 mph. Image provided by the National Weather Service.NWS

Today has all the ingredients to be hazardous for small craft and swimmers on Lake Michigan, NWS meteorologists said in this mornings forecast notes.

Winds from the north-northwest around 20-25 mph much of the day will build waves to 4 to 8 feet and create strong currents that can push swimmers into deeper water.

Conditions are expected to improve along the beaches on Monday as high pressure builds. The winds also are expected to lessen.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Staffing firm Express Employment Professionals is hosting a three-day, virtual job fair Sept. 3-5 for what it says are more than 100 job openings in the maintenance and skilled trades fields.

Job seekers looking to participate can schedule a phone interview online with a recruiter from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the three-day event, according to a news release. The recruiter will seek to connect qualified candidates with an open position.
FUZULI, Azerbaijan, September 1. A total of 4 polling stations are functioning in Fuzuli city in connection with the extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament, and the residents of Fuzuli headed to the polling stations with enthusiasm in the morning, Trend reports.

According to the data of the District Election Commission of Fuzuli electoral district No. 84, a total of 78 polling stations are located in this district; four polling stations are located in the town of Fuzuli, which was liberated from occupation.

A total of 54,246 voters are registered in the constituency, of whom 583 are eligible to vote for the first time. Four polling stations No. 75, 76, 77, and 78 are functioning in Fuzuli city liberated from occupation.

The necessary conditions for democratic, transparent, and fair conduct of election have been created at all polling stations. The points are provided with necessary technical and methodical means, electricity, a communication network, and fire safety. The polling booths have been installed so that voters can freely express their position. The polling stations have designated places for the secretary and members, as well as observers who will observe the election.

Eight candidates were registered in the district. A total of 1,253 observers were registered to observe the election.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A mix of upscale eateries and small-town dives made up Ottawa Countys top 10 list of on-premise liquor sales in 2023.

At the top of the list was Tip a Few Tavern, at 10 Franklin Ave. in Grand Haven, with more than $231,803 in liquor sales, according to data from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

A favorite of Grand Haven since 1979, Tip a Few touts its small-town vibes and world-famous wet burritos.

Coming in second was 84 East in Holland with $176,568 in sales. The nearly 30-year-old bar and grill boasts an extensive scotch and bourbon menu, barrel-aged specialty cocktails and lunch, brunch and dinner menus featuring ingredients from local farmers and growers.

RELATED: The 10 Kent County bars with the highest liquor sales in 2023

Hollands five-star dive bar, Itty Bitty Bar & Grill, placed third with $141,835 in sales. Located at 1136 Ottawa Beach Road, the bar hosts regular live music shows and features and eclectic menu ranging from standard bar fare like burgers and wings to rotating specials like wagyu steak and or pan-seared halibut.

Liquor sales only include spirits, not sales from beer or wine. These figures also only show how much money bars spent to purchase liquor from the state, not necessarily how much customers bought. Businesses also markup prices further, and those gains wouldnt be represented in the data.

The top 10 bars and restaurants with the most on-premise liquor sales are:

Tip A Few, Grand Haven: $231,803 Hops at 84 East, Holland: $176,568 Itty Bitty Bar & Grill, Holland: $141,835 The Kirby House, Grand Haven: $122,438 Boat Operator, LLC (Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant), Holland: $120,633 Railhouse Grille, Holland: $112,987 Poquito/Obstacle No. 1(tie), Holland: $111,249 Turks Tavern, Nunica: $97,501 Spring Lake Country Club, Spring Lake: $92,517 Stans Bar, Spring Lake: $88,585

On-premise liquor sales for all Ottawa County bars and restaurants in 2023 are in the table below:

(Cant see the table above? Click here.)

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The voting process continues in Absheron district in connection with the extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament of the seventh convocation, and 167,856 citizens who have the right to vote are registered in the voter's list of the district, Trend reports.

According to information, voters vote at 129 polling stations, which are provided with necessary conditions.

The process of voting in the electoral districts operating in the district - Absheron first electoral district No. 48, Absheron second electoral district No. 49, Absheron third electoral district No. 50, and Sumgayit-Absheron-Garadagh district No. 47 - is monitored by numerous observers.

At polling station No. 9 of Absheron second constituency No. 49, voter Gulshan Khudatova noted that the parliamentary election was held for the first time in the whole territory of Azerbaijan, and she is proud of it. She voted for her candidate.

I believe that the deputies elected by us to the parliament will justify the trust of voters. At the polling station there are all conditions for free expression of their will, she added.

To note, 13 candidates are competing for four mandates in the Azerbaijani parliamentary election in the Absheron district.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, September 1. The extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament in Aghali village of Zangilan district is also being observed by local observers, Trend reports.

According to the information, local observers, including representatives of non-governmental organizations, visited polling station No. 33 located in Aghali village in Zangilan-Gubadli constituency No. 125.

The representative of NGO Organization of Student Youth of Azerbaijan Jala Guliyeva noted that voters participate in voting with great enthusiasm.

No violations were recorded during our observations. Voters exercise the right to vote, coming to the polling stations with great enthusiasm, pleasure, and a sense of pride that the victory in the Second Karabakh War has given them.

This is a historic event, with a parliamentary election being held in Azerbaijan for the first time. We first started our observations in Lachin district and then arrived at the polling station in Aghali village. All conditions have been created for the democratic and transparent use of residents' right to vote at polling stations, she 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 the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
AJ Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 17.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 494 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 108 shares during the quarter. AJ Advisors LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $218,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Westend Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. VitalStone Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 300.0% during the 4th quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 60 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 3,464 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $447.84, for a total transaction of $1,551,317.76. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 13,736 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,151,530.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Mastercard news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 3,464 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $447.84, for a total value of $1,551,317.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 13,736 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,151,530.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 90,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $468.80, for a total value of $42,192,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 91,649,308 shares of the companys stock, valued at $42,965,195,590.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 1,516,959 shares of company stock valued at $686,890,426 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Mastercard Trading Up 0.5 %

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

Shares of Mastercard stock traded up $2.54 during trading on Friday, reaching $483.34. 2,982,115 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,451,809. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $359.77 and a twelve month high of $490.00. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $452.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $458.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $449.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.09.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 9th were paid a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 9th. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.55%. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.99%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently commented on MA shares. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Mastercard from $500.00 to $526.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Bank of America downgraded Mastercard from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the stock from $505.00 to $480.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Mastercard from $500.00 to $570.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Citigroup raised their target price on Mastercard from $528.00 to $538.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Argus upgraded Mastercard to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have given a buy rating and four have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Mastercard currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $512.09.

View Our Latest Stock Report on MA

About Mastercard

(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.

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Ascent Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 1.0% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 3,113 shares of the medical research companys stock after buying an additional 30 shares during the quarter. Ascent Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $1,721,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 318.2% in the second quarter. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC now owns 46 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Northwest Financial Advisors bought a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1,275.0% in the 4th quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 55 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. New Millennium Group LLC bought a new position in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Stephens Consulting LLC raised its position in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 116.0% in the 2nd quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 54 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.23% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Thermo Fisher Scientific

In other news, VP Lisa P. Britt sold 3,624 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $613.02, for a total transaction of $2,221,584.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 13,699 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,397,760.98. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, VP Lisa P. Britt sold 3,624 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $613.02, for a total transaction of $2,221,584.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 13,699 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,397,760.98. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $617.21, for a total transaction of $6,172,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 123,816 shares of the companys stock, valued at $76,420,473.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 33,084 shares of company stock worth $19,767,092 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently weighed in on TMO shares. Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $650.00 to $660.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $615.00 to $600.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $648.00 to $658.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $620.00 to $632.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $650.00 target price (up previously from $600.00) on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a report on Monday, June 3rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Thermo Fisher Scientific has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $630.41.

Read Our Latest Analysis on TMO

Thermo Fisher Scientific Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of TMO traded up $3.39 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $615.07. The stock had a trading volume of 1,058,979 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,507,778. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $578.71 and a 200 day moving average of $575.77. The company has a market cap of $234.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.45, a P/E/G ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52 week low of $415.60 and a 52 week high of $622.30.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The medical research company reported $5.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.13 by $0.24. The firm had revenue of $10.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.50 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 18.22% and a net margin of 14.69%. The companys revenue was down 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $5.15 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement

The company 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 $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.01%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Profile

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Asset Planning Corporation decreased its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,934 shares of the companys stock after selling 245 shares during the period. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF comprises approximately 3.2% of Asset Planning Corporations investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Asset Planning Corporations holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $4,342,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in IVV. Burkett Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the second quarter valued at about $36,000. Thompson Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the first quarter worth about $37,000. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 321.1% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 80 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $44,000.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Trading Up 0.9 %

NYSEARCA IVV traded up $5.30 during trading on Friday, reaching $566.75. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,016,147 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,002,234. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 12 month low of $411.02 and a 12 month high of $568.24. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $551.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $531.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $489.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.23 and a beta of 0.99.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Profile

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC lessened its holdings in Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Free Report) by 7.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,256 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 103 shares during the period. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLCs holdings in Deere & Company were worth $469,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in DE. True Wealth Design LLC increased its holdings in Deere & Company by 1,180.0% in the 4th quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 64 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Pineridge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Deere & Company by 725.0% in the 1st quarter. Pineridge Advisors LLC now owns 66 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Private Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new position in Deere & Company during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Livelsberger Financial Advisory purchased a new stake in shares of Deere & Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Spartan Planning & Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Deere & Company during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 68.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Oppenheimer cut their price objective on shares of Deere & Company from $465.00 to $448.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $443.00 price target (up previously from $439.00) on shares of Deere & Company in a report on Friday, August 16th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Deere & Company from $395.00 to $370.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on Deere & Company in a research report on Friday, August 9th. They set a market perform rating and a $400.00 price target on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $375.00 to $360.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $414.11.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Cory J. Reed sold 13,370 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $377.63, for a total value of $5,048,913.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 41,642 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,725,268.46. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.26% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Deere & Company Stock Up 1.0 %

NYSE:DE traded up $3.92 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $385.74. 1,413,160 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,528,736. The company has a current ratio of 2.01, a quick ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81. Deere & Company has a fifty-two week low of $340.20 and a fifty-two week high of $423.35. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $367.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of $379.81. The company has a market capitalization of $106.30 billion, a PE ratio of 11.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.93.

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 15th. The industrial products company reported $6.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.63 by $0.66. Deere & Company had a net margin of 16.15% and a return on equity of 42.26%. The company had revenue of $11.39 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.94 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $10.20 EPS. Deere & Companys revenue for the quarter was down 20.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Deere & Company will post 25.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Deere & Company Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.52%. Deere & Companys payout ratio is currently 17.70%.

Deere & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Deere & Company engages in the manufacture and distribution of various equipment worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Production and Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Production and Precision Agriculture segment provides large and medium tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters and loaders, harvesting front-end equipment, pull-behind scrapers, and tillage and seeding equipment, as well as application equipment, including sprayers and nutrient management, and soil preparation machinery for grain growers.

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Banque Cantonale Vaudoise reduced its stake in Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) by 17.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 37,470 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 7,829 shares during the quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoises holdings in Duke Energy were worth $3,756,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in DUK. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new stake in Duke Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Private Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in Duke Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its holdings in Duke Energy by 69.6% during the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 290 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in Duke Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. 65.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Duke Energy

In other Duke Energy news, EVP Louis E. Renjel sold 540 shares of Duke Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.64, for a total value of $61,365.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 19,884 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,259,617.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Duke Energy from $110.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. KeyCorp raised their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $114.00 to $117.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $102.00 to $113.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $114.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $99.00 to $114.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Duke Energy currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $113.92.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Duke Energy

Duke Energy Stock Performance

DUK stock traded up $0.96 during trading on Friday, hitting $113.95. The company had a trading volume of 3,022,442 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,948,703. The firm has a market cap of $87.94 billion, a PE ratio of 28.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.45. Duke Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $83.06 and a 1-year high of $116.67. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $107.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $101.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $7.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.84 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.25% and a net margin of 10.78%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.91 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.97 earnings per share for the current year.

Duke Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Investors of record on Friday, August 16th will be given a $1.045 dividend. This represents a $4.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.67%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 16th. This is a boost from Duke Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.03. Duke Energys payout ratio is 105.03%.

Duke Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest.

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Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC raised its stake in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 5.7% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 2,584 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the period. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $325,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in EOG Resources by 0.3% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 54,275,932 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $6,938,635,000 after buying an additional 146,674 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors raised its position in shares of EOG Resources by 1.3% in the first quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 28,889,715 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $3,693,261,000 after acquiring an additional 373,365 shares during the period. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 5.4% during the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 26,782,454 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $3,423,869,000 after acquiring an additional 1,361,538 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors increased its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 11,564,463 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,478,401,000 after purchasing an additional 766,056 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main raised its holdings in EOG Resources by 26.3% in the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 4,948,119 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $598,475,000 after purchasing an additional 1,029,727 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.91% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Mizuho boosted their price objective on EOG Resources from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, May 13th. StockNews.com raised shares of EOG Resources from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. KeyCorp assumed coverage on shares of EOG Resources in a report on Thursday, June 27th. They set an overweight rating and a $157.00 target price for the company. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $124.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 24th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $139.00 to $125.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $144.00.

Insider Transactions at EOG Resources

In other news, Director Charles R. Crisp sold 6,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.60, for a total transaction of $816,400.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 60,892 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,648,035.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, Director Charles R. Crisp sold 6,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.60, for a total value of $816,400.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 60,892 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,648,035.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 4,000 shares of the firms 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 sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 35,058 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,434,135.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over 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 corporate insiders.

EOG Resources Trading Down 0.9 %

EOG stock traded down $1.16 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $128.82. 2,820,225 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,136,932. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.18, a PEG ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.30. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 12-month low of $108.94 and a 12-month high of $139.67. The company has a quick ratio of 2.05, a current ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $126.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $125.62.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The energy exploration company reported $3.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.07 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 30.33% and a return on equity of 25.65%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.49 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 12.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 17th will be given a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 17th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.83%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio is presently 28.75%.

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.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament, as well as in all territories liberated from occupation, have been successfully organized in Aghdara district, the chairperson of polling station No. 49 in Sugovushan village of Tartar-Aghdara-Goranboy constituency No. 97 Tural Azizov said, Trend reports via the "Election 2024" Independent Media Center.

He stated that the polling station provided the necessary facilities for transparent and democratic conduct of election.

Residents of Talish village and persons working in the territory vote at the polling station. Voters come to the polling station and fulfill their civic duty. The electoral process is monitored by seven local observers.

Two polling stations of the Tartar-Aghdara-Goranboy constituency are located in the territories liberated from occupation. Polling station No. 49 is organized in the building of Sugovushan village secondary school of Aghdara district, and polling station No. 50 - in the building of Aghdara City House of Culture.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

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Fortis Group Advisors LLC cut its holdings in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 38.7% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 6,073 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 3,835 shares during the period. Fortis Group Advisors LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $3,093,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Macroview Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 671.4% during the 2nd quarter. Macroview Investment Management LLC now owns 54 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in UnitedHealth Group by 757.1% in the first quarter. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 60 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Bbjs Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Signature Resources Capital Management LLC boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 40.0% during the second quarter. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC now owns 63 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the period. 87.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at UnitedHealth Group

In other UnitedHealth Group news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $579.03, for a total transaction of $868,545.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,785 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,507,748.55. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 2,851 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $569.88, for a total value of $1,624,727.88. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 29,501 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,812,029.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,500 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $579.03, for a total transaction of $868,545.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,785 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,507,748.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of UNH stock traded down $1.37 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $590.20. 2,944,705 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,101,315. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12-month low of $436.38 and a 12-month high of $593.26. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $548.35 and its 200-day simple moving average is $512.45. The company has a market capitalization of $545.00 billion, a PE ratio of 36.08, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.59.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 16th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.66 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $98.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $98.73 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 3.66% and a return on equity of 26.55%. The companys revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $6.14 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.69 earnings per share for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 24th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a dividend of $2.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $8.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.42%. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is 51.34%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on UNH. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $555.00 to $615.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded UnitedHealth Group from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $481.00 to $647.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $600.00 to $640.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $595.00 to $615.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $591.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Monday, August 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, UnitedHealth Group presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $614.17.

Get Our Latest Analysis on UNH

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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Ingalls & Snyder LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT  Free Report) by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 22,209 shares of the medical technology companys stock after selling 1,253 shares during the quarter. Ingalls & Snyder LLCs holdings in Medtronic were worth $1,748,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital Research Global Investors increased its holdings in Medtronic by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 30,884,412 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $2,691,577,000 after purchasing an additional 2,044,109 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in shares of Medtronic by 3.5% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 21,817,063 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $1,901,357,000 after buying an additional 727,931 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Medtronic in the 4th quarter valued at $1,229,726,000. Sanders Capital LLC lifted its stake in Medtronic by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 12,634,161 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $1,040,802,000 after acquiring an additional 346,641 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Medtronic by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 11,089,400 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $893,352,000 after acquiring an additional 101,111 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.06% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have issued reports on MDT. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Medtronic from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Medtronic in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They set a sell rating and a $83.00 target price on the stock. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Medtronic from $82.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Medtronic from $105.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 21st. Finally, Citigroup decreased their target price on Medtronic from $90.00 to $85.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $92.92.

Medtronic Stock Performance

Shares of Medtronic stock traded up $0.39 on Friday, hitting $88.58. The stock had a trading volume of 7,940,126 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,288,698. The stock has a market cap of $113.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.21, a P/E/G ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a current ratio of 2.03, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Medtronic plc has a 52-week low of $68.84 and a 52-week high of $90.13. The companys 50 day moving average price is $81.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $82.44.

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 20th. The medical technology company reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $7.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.90 billion. Medtronic had a return on equity of 13.47% and a net margin of 11.36%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.20 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Medtronic plc will post 5.44 EPS for the current year.

Medtronic Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be paid a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.16%. Medtronics dividend payout ratio is presently 101.82%.

Insider Activity

In other Medtronic news, CEO Geoffrey Martha sold 19,113 shares of Medtronic stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.77, for a total value of $1,601,096.01. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 143,348 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,008,261.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

Medtronic Company Profile

(Free Report)

Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software.

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Spectrum Investment Advisors Inc. decreased its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 9.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,512 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 257 shares during the period. Abbott Laboratories makes up 0.2% of Spectrum Investment Advisors Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest position. Spectrum Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $261,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 165,301,921 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $18,788,216,000 after buying an additional 8,834,840 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 86,588,614 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $9,530,825,000 after purchasing an additional 7,527,778 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 9.1% in the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 70,177,564 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $7,976,382,000 after purchasing an additional 5,882,780 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 32,236,101 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,548,228,000 after acquiring an additional 1,027,390 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter valued at $2,115,836,000. 75.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of Abbott Laboratories stock traded up $0.51 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $113.27. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,320,139 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,906,677. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $106.97 and a 200-day moving average price of $108.76. Abbott Laboratories has a one year low of $89.67 and a one year high of $121.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The stock has a market cap of $197.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.72.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $10.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.37 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.65% and a return on equity of 20.18%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.08 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Monday, July 15th were paid a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 15th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.94%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 68.54%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on ABT shares. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $121.00 price objective for the company. Evercore ISI cut their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Edward Jones cut shares of Abbott Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $121.80.

Read Our Latest 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.

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Shares of Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:IRT  Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $18.17.

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. JMP Securities upped their price target on Independence Realty Trust from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. BTIG Research boosted their price objective on shares of Independence Realty Trust from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th.

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Independence Realty Trust Stock Up 1.7 %

Independence Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

Shares of IRT stock opened at $20.78 on Tuesday. Independence Realty Trust has a 52-week low of $11.61 and a 52-week high of $20.80. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $19.19 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.68 billion, a PE ratio of -692.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.14.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 28th were given a $0.16 dividend. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.08%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 28th. Independence Realty Trusts payout ratio is -2,133.33%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Independence Realty Trust

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Independence Realty Trust during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Independence Realty Trust in the first quarter valued at $31,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Independence Realty Trust in the first quarter valued at $40,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Independence Realty Trust by 146.6% in the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,833 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 1,684 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EdgeRock Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Independence Realty Trust in the 4th quarter worth about $60,000. 88.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Independence Realty Trust

(Get Free Report

Independence Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: IRT) is a real estate investment trust that owns and operates multifamily communities, across non-gateway U.S. markets including Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Oklahoma City, OK, Nashville, TN, Houston, TX, and Tampa, FL.

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Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) had its price objective cut by Desjardins from C$125.00 to C$120.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have a hold rating on the banks stock. Desjardins also issued estimates for Bank of Montreals Q4 2024 earnings at $2.51 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $10.30 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $11.30 EPS.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Cormark reduced their price objective on Bank of Montreal from C$133.00 to C$129.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on Bank of Montreal from C$129.00 to C$123.00 in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Barclays dropped their target price on Bank of Montreal from C$140.00 to C$132.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Canaccord Genuity Group dropped their target price on Bank of Montreal from C$135.00 to C$130.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, CIBC dropped their target price on Bank of Montreal from C$120.00 to C$116.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$121.00.

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Bank of Montreal Stock Performance

Bank of Montreal stock opened at C$112.71 on Wednesday. Bank of Montreal has a fifty-two week low of C$102.67 and a fifty-two week high of C$133.95. The company has a market capitalization of C$82.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.97, a PEG ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.16. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$116.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$122.45.

Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 29th. The bank reported C$2.59 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$2.74 by C($0.15). The firm had revenue of C$7.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$8.06 billion. Bank of Montreal had a net margin of 21.21% and a return on equity of 8.19%. As a group, analysts forecast that Bank of Montreal will post 11.472973 earnings per share for the current year.

Bank of Montreal Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 30th will be given a $1.55 dividend. This represents a $6.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 30th. Bank of Montreals dividend payout ratio is currently 71.35%.

Bank of Montreal Company Profile

(Get 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 company's 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.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) issued its earnings results on Thursday. The bank reported $1.93 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.74 by $0.19, Briefing.com reports. The company had revenue of $6.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.28 billion. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a return on equity of 13.63% and a net margin of 10.66%. The businesss revenue was up 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Trading Up 1.6 %

Shares of CM stock opened at $58.44 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a current ratio of 1.06. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 1 year low of $34.35 and a 1 year high of $59.10. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $50.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of $49.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.11 billion, a PE ratio of 12.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.06.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be given a dividend of $0.652 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $2.61 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.46%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CM has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday. UBS Group initiated coverage on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. They set a neutral rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Bank of America upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Desjardins upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $68.33.

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About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

(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.

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Canadian Utilities Limited (OTCMKTS:CDUAF  Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,754,700 shares, a decrease of 23.0% from the July 31st total of 2,277,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 6,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 278.5 days.

Canadian Utilities Stock Performance

Shares of Canadian Utilities stock traded up $0.28 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $25.24. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,091 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,566. Canadian Utilities has a 1-year low of $20.65 and a 1-year high of $27.78. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $23.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $22.73.

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About Canadian Utilities

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Canadian Utilities Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electricity, natural gas, renewables, pipelines, liquids, and retail energy businesses in Canada, Australia, and internationally. It operates through ATCO Energy Systems, ATCO EnPower, and Corporate & Other segments. The ATCO Energy Systems segment provides regulated electricity transmission and distribution services in northern and central east Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan; and integrated natural gas transmission and distribution services in Alberta, the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan, and Western Australia.

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Shares of CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has issued a hold recommendation and four have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $8.70.

A number of research firms recently commented on CX. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of CEMEX in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. They set a buy rating and a $9.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada assumed coverage on CEMEX in a report on Tuesday, May 14th. They issued an underperform rating and a $9.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com raised CEMEX from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an overweight rating and issued a $8.00 target price on shares of CEMEX in a report on Wednesday, August 21st. Finally, Barclays raised CEMEX from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $9.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CEMEX

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

CEMEX Stock Up 1.3 %

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CWM LLC boosted its holdings in shares of CEMEX by 75.0% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,514 shares of the construction companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,506 shares during the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in CEMEX in the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in CEMEX in the 2nd quarter valued at about $81,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of CEMEX by 3,180.2% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 10,923 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $85,000 after acquiring an additional 10,590 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prudent Man Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of CEMEX during the 4th quarter worth about $86,000. 82.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

CX opened at $6.13 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.65. CEMEX has a 12 month low of $5.66 and a 12 month high of $9.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.79 and a beta of 1.47. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.37 and a 200-day simple moving average of $7.35.

CEMEX (NYSE:CX  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The construction company reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $4.49 billion during the quarter. CEMEX had a return on equity of 1.66% and a net margin of 1.05%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that CEMEX will post 0.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CEMEX Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 17th were given a $0.349 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 17th. CEMEXs dividend payout ratio is currently 14.29%.

CEMEX Company Profile

(Get Free Report

CEMEX, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, distributes, and sells cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, urbanization solutions, and other construction materials and services worldwide. The company offers gray ordinary portland, white portland, oil-well, and blended cement products; mortar; and standard ready-mix, architectural and decorative, rapid-setting, fiber-reinforced, fluid-fill, roller-compacted, self-consolidating, pervious, and antibacterial, and other concrete products.

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CIBC reiterated their neutral rating on shares of Advantage Energy (TSE:AAV  Free Report) (NYSE:AAV) in a research report released on Thursday, Stock Target Advisor reports. CIBC currently has a C$12.00 price target on the stock.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on AAV. National Bankshares lifted their target price on shares of Advantage Energy from C$12.50 to C$13.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 19th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of Advantage Energy from C$19.00 to C$20.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 19th. TD Securities reissued a buy rating and set a C$14.00 price target on shares of Advantage Energy in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Cormark set a C$15.00 price target on shares of Advantage Energy and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Advantage Energy from C$11.00 to C$12.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 19th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Advantage Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$13.68.

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Advantage Energy Price Performance

AAV stock opened at C$9.72 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$9.82 and a 200-day moving average of C$10.19. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.86. Advantage Energy has a 12 month low of C$8.02 and a 12 month high of C$11.73. The firm has a market capitalization of C$1.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -3.58 and a beta of 1.51.

Advantage Energy (TSE:AAV  Get Free Report) (NYSE:AAV) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported C($0.07) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C($0.03) by C($0.04). Advantage Energy had a net margin of 16.05% and a return on equity of 5.02%. The firm had revenue of C$100.66 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$108.50 million. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Advantage Energy will post 0.5254332 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Advantage Energy

In related news, Director Stephen Balog acquired 5,000 shares of Advantage Energy stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 18th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of C$10.16 per share, with a total value of C$50,800.00. In other Advantage Energy news, Senior Officer Donald Craig Blackwood bought 5,435 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$9.20 per share, for a total transaction of C$50,002.00. Also, Director Stephen Balog bought 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 18th. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$10.16 per share, for a total transaction of C$50,800.00. In the last ninety days, insiders have purchased 62,435 shares of company stock valued at $613,671. 1.52% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Advantage Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Advantage Energy Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploitation, development, and production natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) in the Province of Alberta, Canada. Its assets are located approximately 4 to 80 km northwest of the city of Grande Prairie, Alberta.

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Confluence Wealth Services Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) by 47.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,381 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 4,947 shares during the period. Confluence Wealth Services Inc.s holdings in Duke Energy were worth $1,542,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Graypoint LLC raised its position in shares of Duke Energy by 11.8% during the second quarter. Graypoint LLC now owns 4,809 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $482,000 after purchasing an additional 506 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its position in shares of Duke Energy by 7.8% during the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 209,487 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $20,997,000 after purchasing an additional 15,161 shares during the period. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Duke Energy by 9.9% during the second quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 3,428 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $344,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares during the period. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC raised its position in shares of Duke Energy by 20.0% during the second quarter. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC now owns 14,713 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,475,000 after purchasing an additional 2,450 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its position in shares of Duke Energy by 1.8% during the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 558,943 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $56,023,000 after purchasing an additional 10,003 shares during the period. 65.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Duke Energy

In other news, EVP Louis E. Renjel sold 540 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.64, for a total transaction of $61,365.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 19,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,259,617.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on DUK shares. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Duke Energy from $110.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Barclays upped their price target on Duke Energy from $99.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Duke Energy from $99.00 to $114.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $135.00 price target on shares of Duke Energy in a research report on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Duke Energy from $111.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $113.92.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Duke Energy

Duke Energy Stock Up 0.8 %

DUK stock traded up $0.96 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $113.95. The stock had a trading volume of 3,022,442 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,948,703. The stock has a market capitalization of $87.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.63, a PEG ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a fifty day moving average of $107.96 and a 200 day moving average of $101.26. Duke Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $83.06 and a 1-year high of $116.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54.

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $7.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.84 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.25% and a net margin of 10.78%. The firms revenue was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.91 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Duke Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th will be paid a dividend of $1.045 per share. This represents a $4.18 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.67%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 16th. This is an increase from Duke Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.03. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio is 105.03%.

Duke Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The chairperson of polling station No. 14 of Khankendi City Electoral District No. 122, Imran Mirzayev, stated that the election is going on in full transparency, Trend reports via the "Election 2024" independent media center.

According to the information, the chairperson of the polling station, Imran Mirzayev, emphasized that at present voters are taking an active part in the election process.

The majority of citizens working in Khankendi and those traveling to our city on various business take part in the voting. High conditions have been created at the polling station for local and foreign observers monitoring the election process, and no violations have been recorded until this hour, he 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 the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

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Confluence Wealth Services Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 49,145 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,400 shares during the period. Confluence Wealth Services Inc.s holdings in Altria Group were worth $2,239,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 13,279,658 shares of the companys stock worth $535,701,000 after purchasing an additional 242,442 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 120.6% during the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 8,762,047 shares of the companys stock worth $382,201,000 after buying an additional 4,789,788 shares during the last quarter. LSV Asset Management lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 15.2% during the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 4,681,943 shares of the companys stock worth $188,870,000 after buying an additional 617,900 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 3,754,522 shares of the companys stock worth $163,772,000 after buying an additional 54,096 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Pension Service lifted its position in shares of Altria Group by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. National Pension Service now owns 3,225,346 shares of the companys stock worth $130,110,000 after buying an additional 64,062 shares during the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MO traded up $0.41 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $53.77. 8,010,061 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,355,649. The stock has a market capitalization of $92.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.25, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.66. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $49.35 and its 200 day moving average price is $45.50. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $39.06 and a 12 month high of $53.82.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.35 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $6.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.39 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 232.55% and a net margin of 42.25%. Altria Groups revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.31 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.11 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a $1.02 dividend. This is a positive change from Altria Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.98. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 85.36%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently weighed in on MO. Argus upgraded Altria Group to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 31st. Bank of America upped their price objective on Altria Group from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Barclays upped their price objective on Altria Group from $37.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. StockNews.com raised Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Altria Group from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $47.08.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MO

Altria Group Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.

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Sabal Trust CO lowered its stake in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Free Report) by 86.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,027 shares of the energy producers stock after selling 12,434 shares during the quarter. Sabal Trust COs holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $232,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Sachetta LLC acquired a new stake in ConocoPhillips in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Cooksen Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. raised its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 96.0% during the 4th quarter. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 247 shares of the energy producers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 121 shares during the period. Stephens Consulting LLC raised its holdings in ConocoPhillips by 69.3% during the 2nd quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 254 shares of the energy producers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the period. Finally, Richardson Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in ConocoPhillips during the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.36% of the companys stock.

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ConocoPhillips Stock Performance

Shares of COP traded down $0.58 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $113.79. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,559,473 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,656,144. ConocoPhillips has a one year low of $102.27 and a one year high of $135.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $133.08 billion, a PE ratio of 12.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.24. The stocks 50-day moving average is $111.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $116.99.

ConocoPhillips Cuts Dividend

ConocoPhillips ( NYSE:COP Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The energy producer reported $1.98 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.96 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $14.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.96 billion. ConocoPhillips had a return on equity of 20.81% and a net margin of 18.18%. ConocoPhillipss quarterly revenue was up 9.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.84 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that ConocoPhillips will post 8.64 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, August 12th will be given a $0.58 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 12th. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.04%. ConocoPhillipss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 26.27%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Timothy A. Leach sold 55,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.11, for a total value of $6,000,105.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 455,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at $49,288,321.99. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.34% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on COP shares. UBS Group upped their target price on ConocoPhillips from $151.00 to $153.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. StockNews.com downgraded ConocoPhillips from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on ConocoPhillips from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, May 15th. Wolfe Research started coverage on ConocoPhillips in a report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $145.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their target price on ConocoPhillips from $147.00 to $132.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $143.65.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on COP

ConocoPhillips Company Profile

(Free Report)

ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States, Canada, China, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; global LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects.

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Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Monday, July 29th, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of 0.17 per share on Tuesday, September 17th. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.19%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. This is a boost from Cortevas previous quarterly dividend of $0.16.

Corteva has raised its dividend payment by an average of 6.0% annually over the last three years. Corteva has a dividend payout ratio of 20.4% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Corteva to earn $3.39 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.68 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 20.1%.

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Corteva Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of CTVA stock opened at $57.30 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $53.58 and its two-hundred day moving average is $54.57. Corteva has a twelve month low of $43.22 and a twelve month high of $58.76. The company has a market capitalization of $39.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 72.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a current ratio of 1.72, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Corteva ( NYSE:CTVA Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $1.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.74 by $0.09. Corteva had a return on equity of 7.30% and a net margin of 5.31%. The company had revenue of $6.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.60 EPS. The companys revenue was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Corteva will post 2.72 EPS for the current year.

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Corteva from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Argus downgraded Corteva from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and issued a $65.00 price target on shares of Corteva in a research note on Wednesday, June 12th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Corteva from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, May 6th. Finally, KeyCorp decreased their price target on Corteva from $66.00 to $62.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $61.67.

View Our Latest Report on CTVA

Corteva Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Corteva, Inc operates in the agriculture business. It operates through two segments, Seed and Crop Protection. The Seed segment develops and supplies advanced germplasm and traits that produce optimum yield for farms. It offers trait technologies that enhance resistance to weather, disease, insects, and herbicides used to control weeds, as well as food and nutritional characteristics.

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Shares of Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI  Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the five analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $15.90.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on GFI. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Gold Fields from $17.50 to $16.70 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 3rd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Gold Fields from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Gold Fields from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and increased their target price for the stock from $13.50 to $14.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. Finally, Scotiabank dropped their target price on shares of Gold Fields from $18.00 to $17.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 26th.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Gold Fields

Gold Fields Trading Down 2.3 %

Gold Fields Cuts Dividend

Shares of Gold Fields stock opened at $13.74 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.77 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $15.79 and a 200 day simple moving average of $15.67. Gold Fields has a 12-month low of $10.31 and a 12-month high of $18.97.

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.1692 per share. This represents a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. Gold Fieldss dividend payout ratio is currently 13.30%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Gold Fields

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in Gold Fields by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 47,241,502 shares of the companys stock worth $750,667,000 after acquiring an additional 2,934,943 shares during the last quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Gold Fields in the 1st quarter valued at about $85,326,000. RWC Asset Management LLP boosted its stake in shares of Gold Fields by 10.0% in the 2nd quarter. RWC Asset Management LLP now owns 3,588,984 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,476,000 after purchasing an additional 324,885 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of Gold Fields by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,377,766 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,842,000 after purchasing an additional 70,646 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Schroder Investment Management Group boosted its stake in shares of Gold Fields by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 3,240,748 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,861,000 after purchasing an additional 139,205 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 26.02% of the companys stock.

Gold Fields Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Gold Fields Limited operates as a gold producer with reserves and resources in Chile, South Africa, Ghana, Canada, Australia, and Peru. It also explores for copper and silver deposits. The company was founded in 1887 and is based in Sandton, South Africa.

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Citigroup upgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (NYSE:PAC  Free Report) to a strong-buy rating in a research report report published on Wednesday morning, Zacks.com reports.

Separately, Bank of America raised Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. One research 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $205.00.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on PAC

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Price Performance

Shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico stock opened at $177.68 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.86, a PEG ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 1.46. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico has a 1-year low of $107.25 and a 1-year high of $197.31. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.56. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $160.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $164.17.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (NYSE:PAC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, July 22nd. The transportation company reported $2.55 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.01 by ($0.46). Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico had a net margin of 29.26% and a return on equity of 47.50%. The business had revenue of $421.54 million for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico will post 9.81 earnings per share for the current year.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 22nd were given a $3.8657 dividend. This represents a yield of 4.7%. This is a positive change from Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacificos previous semi-annual dividend of $2.09. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 22nd. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacificos dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.75%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. UMB Bank n.a. acquired a new stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 112.3% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 276 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 163.0% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 284 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico during the first quarter worth about $119,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico during the second quarter worth about $242,000. 11.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico

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Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, holds concessions to develop, operate, and manage airports in Mexico and Jamaica. The company operates twelve international airports in Guadalajara and Tijuana areas, Mexico; and two international airports in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

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Bimini Capital Management (OTCMKTS:BMNM  Get Free Report) and Iron Mountain (NYSE:IRM  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability and earnings.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Bimini Capital Management and Iron Mountain, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bimini Capital Management 0 0 0 0 N/A Iron Mountain 1 0 5 0 2.67

Iron Mountain has a consensus target price of $99.83, suggesting a potential downside of 11.85%. Given Iron Mountains higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Iron Mountain is more favorable than Bimini Capital Management.

Volatility and Risk

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Bimini Capital Management has a beta of 0.96, indicating that its share price is 4% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Iron Mountain has a beta of 0.98, indicating that its share price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500.

80.1% of Iron Mountain shares are held by institutional investors. 42.7% of Bimini Capital Management shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.1% of Iron Mountain shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Bimini Capital Management pays an annual dividend of $0.13 per share and has a dividend yield of 13.7%. Iron Mountain pays an annual dividend of $2.86 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Bimini Capital Management pays out -27.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Iron Mountain pays out 433.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Bimini Capital Management is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Profitability

This table compares Bimini Capital Management and Iron Mountains net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bimini Capital Management -45.47% -54.34% -4.32% Iron Mountain 3.94% 595.44% 3.06%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Bimini Capital Management and Iron Mountains gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bimini Capital Management $13.60 million 0.70 -$3.98 million ($0.47) -2.02 Iron Mountain $5.82 billion 5.71 $184.23 million $0.66 171.61

Iron Mountain has higher revenue and earnings than Bimini Capital Management. Bimini Capital Management is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Iron Mountain, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Iron Mountain beats Bimini Capital Management on 12 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Bimini Capital Management

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Bimini Capital Management, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty finance company in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Asset Management and Investment Portfolio. The Asset Management segment includes investment advisory services by Bimini Advisors to Orchid Island Capital, Inc. and Royal Palm Capital, LLC. The Investment Portfolio segment engages in investment activities conducted by Royal Palm Capital, LLC. It invests in residential mortgage-backed securities. The company was formerly known as Opteum Inc. and changed its name to Bimini Capital Management, Inc. in September 2007. Bimini Capital Management, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is based in Vero Beach, Florida.

About Iron Mountain

(Get Free Report)

Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM) is a global leader in information management services. Founded in 1951 and trusted by more than 240,000 customers worldwide, Iron Mountain serves to protect and elevate the power of our customers' work. Through a range of offerings including digital transformation, data centers, secure records storage, information management, asset lifecycle management, secure destruction and art storage and logistics, Iron Mountain helps businesses bring light to their dark data, enabling customers to unlock value and intelligence from their stored digital and physical assets at speed and with security, while helping them meet their environmental goals.

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IFG Advisory LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LQD  Free Report) by 5.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 82,246 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 4,500 shares during the period. IFG Advisory LLCs holdings in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF were worth $8,810,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. NYL Investors LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. NYL Investors LLC now owns 9,329,454 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,032,397,000 after buying an additional 253,373 shares in the last quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 232.7% during the 4th quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 8,710 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $964,000 after purchasing an additional 6,092 shares during the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. boosted its stake in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 15.0% during the first quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 10,629 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,158,000 after buying an additional 1,384 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 4.4% in the 4th quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 233,236 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $25,810,000 after acquiring an additional 9,829 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tidemark LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $137,000. Institutional investors own 89.30% of the companys stock.

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iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Price Performance

LQD stock opened at $111.21 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $109.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $107.96. iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF has a fifty-two week low of $98.24 and a fifty-two week high of $112.40.

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Profile

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Investment Grade Index (the Index), which is a rules-based index consisting of liquid, the United States dollar-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds for sale in the United States.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LQD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LQD  Free Report).

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Indonesia Energy Co. Limited (NYSE:INDO  Get Free Report)s stock price fell 1.8% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $3.16 and last traded at $3.27. 489,962 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 73% from the average session volume of 1,803,748 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.33.

Indonesia Energy Stock Down 1.8 %

The company has a fifty day moving average of $2.87 and a two-hundred day moving average of $3.00.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Indonesia Energy

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Indonesia Energy stock. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in Indonesia Energy Co. Limited (NYSE:INDO  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 14,399 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $31,000. Virtu Financial LLC owned 0.14% of Indonesia Energy at the end of the most recent reporting period. 0.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Indonesia Energy

Indonesia Energy Corporation Limited operates as an oil and gas exploration and production company in Indonesia. The company holds interests in the Kruh Block, a producing block covering an area of 258 square kilometers with net crude oil proved reserves of 2.06 million barrels located to the northwest of Pendopo, Pali, South Sumatra; and the Citarum Block, an exploration block covering an area of 3,924.67 square kilometers located onshore in West Java.

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Intact Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 1,790 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $532,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its stake in Molina Healthcare by 516.4% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 10,238 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,206,000 after purchasing an additional 8,577 shares in the last quarter. BlackBarn Capital Partners LP acquired a new position in shares of Molina Healthcare during the 4th quarter worth $15,139,000. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S raised its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 69.5% during the 1st quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 11,809 shares of the companys stock worth $4,851,000 after buying an additional 4,840 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Molina Healthcare by 76.4% in the 4th quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 27,301 shares of the companys stock worth $9,864,000 after buying an additional 11,820 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in Molina Healthcare by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,208 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,159,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. 98.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Molina Healthcare

In related 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 value of $339,210.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 18,025 shares in the company, valued at $6,114,260.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CAO Maurice Hebert sold 393 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $346.52, for a total transaction of $136,182.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 9,473 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,282,583.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Steven J. Orlando sold 1,000 shares of the firms 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 in the company, valued at approximately $6,114,260.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on MOH. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on shares of Molina Healthcare from $354.00 to $353.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Molina Healthcare from $420.00 to $395.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Stephens reissued an equal weight rating and set a $320.00 price target on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Molina Healthcare from $315.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price objective on Molina Healthcare from $440.00 to $400.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $378.00.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Molina Healthcare

Molina Healthcare Stock Down 0.2 %

MOH opened at $349.79 on Friday. Molina Healthcare, Inc. has a 12 month low of $282.96 and a 12 month high of $423.92. The business has a 50-day moving average of $320.79 and a two-hundred day moving average of $348.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.58.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported $5.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.73 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $9.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $5.65 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Molina Healthcare, Inc. will post 23.5 earnings per share 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.

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Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. (OTCMKTS:IITSF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 72,988,500 shares, an increase of 30.4% from the July 31st total of 55,953,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 6,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 10,733.6 days.

Intesa Sanpaolo Trading Up 0.7 %

OTCMKTS IITSF opened at $4.13 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $3.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $3.70. Intesa Sanpaolo has a 1 year low of $2.46 and a 1 year high of $4.18.

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Intesa Sanpaolo Company Profile

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Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. provides various financial products and services primarily in Italy. It operates through six segments Banca dei Territori, IMI Corporate & Investment Banking, International Subsidiary Banks, Asset Management, Private Banking, and Insurance. The company offers lending and deposit products; corporate, investment banking, and public finance services; industrial credit, factoring, and leasing services; asset management solutions; life and non-life insurance products; and bancassurance and pension fund, and fiduciary services.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. All legal rules are being observed at a high level during the extraordinary parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Anar Dubanbayeva, a member of the Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan said, Trend reports via the "Election 2024 Independent Media Center.

Since we arrived in Azerbaijan, we have observed five polling stations. We have seen a high level of organization at each location. Voters are casting their ballots freely for their chosen candidates. Overall, we have noted excellent organization throughout the election, she 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 the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

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Parex Resources (TSE:PXT  Free Report) had its price target cut by Jefferies Financial Group from C$23.80 to C$19.50 in a research note released on Thursday morning, BayStreet.CA reports.

PXT has been the topic of several other research reports. Cormark cut their target price on Parex Resources from C$33.00 to C$30.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Parex Resources from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and cut their price objective for the company from C$23.00 to C$17.00 in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Scotiabank decreased their target price on shares of Parex Resources from C$27.00 to C$23.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of C$25.27.

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Parex Resources Trading Up 2.7 %

Shares of TSE:PXT opened at C$13.53 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.90. The companys 50-day moving average price is C$19.48 and its 200 day moving average price is C$21.32. The company has a market cap of C$1.37 billion, a PE ratio of 3.28, a P/E/G ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 1.47. Parex Resources has a fifty-two week low of C$11.33 and a fifty-two week high of C$28.23.

Parex Resources (TSE:PXT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported C$0.05 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$499.23 million for the quarter. Parex Resources had a net margin of 26.15% and a return on equity of 17.02%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Parex Resources will post 4.0255814 earnings per share for the current year.

Parex Resources Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a $0.385 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 9th. This represents a $1.54 annualized dividend and a yield of 11.38%. Parex Resourcess dividend payout ratio is presently 37.38%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director G.R. (Bob) Mac Dougall purchased 7,674 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of C$13.05 per share, for a total transaction of C$100,115.00. Insiders own 1.56% of the companys stock.

About Parex Resources

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Parex Resources Inc engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of oil and natural gas in Colombia. The company's principal land holdings and exploration blocks are in Colombia Llanos and Magdalena Basin. It has 55% working interest in Block LLA-34; 100% working interest in Cabrestero Block; and 50% working interest in Capachos Block and Block VIM-1.

Further Reading

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National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Free Report) had its price objective raised by Jefferies Financial Group from C$119.00 to C$126.00 in a research note released on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other brokerages have also weighed in on NA. TD Securities increased their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$123.00 to C$129.00 in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on National Bank of Canada from C$113.00 to C$116.00 in a research note on Thursday. Cormark boosted their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$121.00 to C$122.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. UBS Group set a C$123.00 price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, Desjardins lifted their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$116.00 to C$118.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$121.33.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on National Bank of Canada

National Bank of Canada Price Performance

National Bank of Canada has a 12 month low of C$84.27 and a 12 month high of C$127.22. The company has a market cap of C$42.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.02, a PEG ratio of 17.04 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of C$113.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$112.15.

National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 28th. The financial services provider reported C$2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$2.50 by C$0.18. The business had revenue of C$2.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$2.95 billion. National Bank of Canada had a net margin of 34.50% and a return on equity of 15.18%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that National Bank of Canada will post 10.4784081 EPS for the current year.

National Bank of Canada Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of . The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 27th. National Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 42.84%.

Insider Activity at National Bank of Canada

In other news, Director Yvon Charest purchased 325 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 19th. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$117.24 per share, with a total value of C$38,103.00. In other news, Director Yvon Charest acquired 325 shares of National Bank of Canada stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 19th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$117.24 per share, for a total transaction of C$38,103.00. Also, Senior Officer Lucie Blanchet sold 8,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$107.59, for a total value of C$946,792.00. 0.21% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About National Bank of Canada

(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.

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National Bank of Greece S.A. (OTCMKTS:NBGIF  Get Free Report)s stock price was down 0.7% on Friday . The company traded as low as $8.65 and last traded at $8.69. Approximately 1,809 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 67% from the average daily volume of 5,487 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.75.

National Bank of Greece Price Performance

The businesss 50-day moving average is $8.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.32.

National Bank of Greece Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

National Bank of Greece SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services primarily in Greece, Cyprus, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It operates through Retail Banking, Corporate & Investment Banking, Trouble Assets Unit & Specialized Asset Solutions, Global Markets and Asset Management, Insurance, International Banking Operations, and Other segments.

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Nilsine Partners LLC cut its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 19.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,774 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 441 shares during the quarter. Nilsine Partners LLCs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $420,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the second quarter valued at about $735,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in Illinois Tool Works by 92.5% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,398 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $793,000 after purchasing an additional 1,633 shares during the period. Confluence Wealth Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 39.3% in the 2nd quarter. Confluence Wealth Services Inc. now owns 4,067 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $964,000 after purchasing an additional 1,147 shares in the last quarter. Graypoint LLC lifted its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Graypoint LLC now owns 3,017 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $715,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the period. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.9% during the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 49,864 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $11,816,000 after purchasing an additional 1,859 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.77% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Illinois Tool Works

In other Illinois Tool Works news, Director David Byron Smith, Jr. purchased 775 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 13th. The shares were bought at an average price of $238.82 per share, for a total transaction of $185,085.50. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 121,506 shares in the company, valued at $29,018,062.92. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance

Shares of Illinois Tool Works stock traded up $2.74 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $253.18. The company had a trading volume of 822,593 shares, compared to its average volume of 765,347. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $242.38 and a 200 day simple moving average of $249.09. The stock has a market cap of $75.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.97, a PEG ratio of 4.03 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12-month low of $217.50 and a 12-month high of $271.15.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The industrial products company reported $2.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $4.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.08 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.15% and a return on equity of 99.74%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.41 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be issued a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. This is a positive change from Illinois Tool Workss previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.37%. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is currently 59.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $251.00 to $246.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $268.00 to $260.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $267.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $217.00 to $215.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $250.22.

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About Illinois Tool Works

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United States and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products.

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Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NAC  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 35,400 shares, a growth of 20.0% from the July 31st total of 29,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 432,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of NAC. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund by 3.8% in the second quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 27,600 shares of the companys stock worth $318,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund by 9.2% in the 2nd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 15,208 shares of the companys stock worth $175,000 after buying an additional 1,281 shares during the last quarter. Ignite Planners LLC boosted its stake in Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund by 0.6% in the second quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 213,998 shares of the companys stock worth $2,487,000 after buying an additional 1,340 shares in the last quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. grew its position in Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund by 12.0% during the first quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 16,065 shares of the companys stock valued at $177,000 after acquiring an additional 1,727 shares during the last quarter. Finally, RHS Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund by 6.5% during the second quarter. RHS Financial LLC now owns 29,147 shares of the companys stock worth $336,000 after acquiring an additional 1,777 shares in the last quarter.

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Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund Stock Performance

NAC traded up $0.09 during trading on Friday, reaching $11.79. 385,775 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 367,169. Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund has a 12-month low of $9.32 and a 12-month high of $11.86. The companys 50-day moving average is $11.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $11.24.

Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund Cuts Dividend

About Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a $0.073 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.43%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th.

(Get Free Report)

Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund 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 California, United States. The fund invests in undervalued municipal securities and other related investments that are exempt from regular federal and California income taxes.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Prudential (NYSE:PUK  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Wednesday morning.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on PUK. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered Prudential from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. BNP Paribas upgraded Prudential from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th.

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Prudential Stock Performance

Prudential Cuts Dividend

Prudential stock opened at $17.27 on Wednesday. Prudential has a one year low of $15.96 and a one year high of $26.18. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $17.81 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $18.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.03 and a current ratio of 0.04.

The company also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.1368 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Prudential

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Prudential by 43.6% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 8,254 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $151,000 after acquiring an additional 2,507 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning boosted its holdings in shares of Prudential by 96.8% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 70,751 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,296,000 after acquiring an additional 34,799 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Prudential during the 2nd quarter valued at $364,000. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Prudential by 13.5% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,076,579 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $19,723,000 after acquiring an additional 128,124 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in shares of Prudential by 15.0% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 795,969 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $15,418,000 after acquiring an additional 103,625 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.90% of the companys stock.

About Prudential

(Get Free Report)

Prudential plc, through its subsidiaries, provides life and health insurance, and asset management solutions to individuals in Asia and Africa. The company was founded in 1848 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong.

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Sage Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund acquired 12,536 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $58,000.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its holdings in Banco Santander by 9.2% during the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 121,593 shares of the banks stock valued at $563,000 after buying an additional 10,252 shares in the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC bought a new position in shares of Banco Santander in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Adero Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Banco Santander by 5.1% in the 2nd quarter. Adero Partners LLC now owns 61,494 shares of the banks stock worth $285,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in Banco Santander by 6.3% during the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 271,452 shares of the banks stock worth $1,257,000 after purchasing an additional 16,132 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Advocates Investment Management bought a new position in shares of Banco Santander in the second quarter valued at approximately $77,000. 9.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Banco Santander Price Performance

Shares of Banco Santander stock traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $4.98. The company had a trading volume of 1,768,036 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,521,142. The stock has a market cap of $78.81 billion, a PE ratio of 6.92, a P/E/G ratio of 0.40 and a beta of 1.16. Banco Santander, S.A. has a 1-year low of $3.52 and a 1-year high of $5.27. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $4.74 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $4.73.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Banco Santander ( NYSE:SAN Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The bank reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.22. Banco Santander had a net margin of 15.35% and a return on equity of 11.42%. The company had revenue of $16.87 billion for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Banco Santander, S.A. will post 0.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Separately, StockNews.com cut shares of Banco Santander from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, June 22nd.

View Our Latest Research Report on SAN

Banco Santander Profile

(Free Report)

Banco Santander, SA provides various financial services worldwide. The company operates through Retail Banking, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking, Wealth Management & Insurance, and PagoNxt segments. It offers demand and time deposits, mutual funds, and current and savings accounts; mortgages, consumer finance, loans, and various financing solutions; and project finance, debt capital markets, global transaction banking, and corporate finance services.

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Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 8,140,000 shares, a drop of 11.4% from the July 31st total of 9,190,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,270,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.5 days. Currently, 6.2% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on LEG. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Leggett & Platt from $14.00 to $12.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. StockNews.com raised shares of Leggett & Platt from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Leggett & Platt from $11.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $12.67.

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Leggett & Platt Stock Performance

LEG stock traded down $0.05 on Friday, reaching $12.64. 1,054,532 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,513,123. Leggett & Platt has a 12 month low of $10.11 and a 12 month high of $28.53. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $12.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $14.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.70 billion, a PE ratio of -10.90 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.55, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

Leggett & Platt (NYSE:LEG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.29. Leggett & Platt had a negative net margin of 18.05% and a positive return on equity of 12.65%. The business had revenue of $1.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.13 billion. On average, research analysts anticipate that Leggett & Platt will post 1.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Leggett & Platt Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. Leggett & Platts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -17.24%.

Insider Activity at Leggett & Platt

In related news, CFO Benjamin Michael Burns bought 3,850 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 6th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $12.20 per share, with a total value of $46,970.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer now owns 81,362 shares in the company, valued at $992,616.40. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Leggett & Platt news, Director Srikanth Padmanabhan acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of $12.06 per share, with a total value of $120,600.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 38,623 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $465,793.38. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Benjamin Michael Burns acquired 3,850 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 6th. The stock was acquired 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 in the company, valued at $992,616.40. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have bought a total of 15,835 shares of company stock worth $192,383 in the last ninety days. 1.57% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Leggett & Platt

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in Leggett & Platt by 12.4% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,373,959 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,127,000 after buying an additional 262,145 shares during the period. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Leggett & Platt by 72.7% in the 4th quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 33,078 shares of the companys stock valued at $866,000 after buying an additional 13,923 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Leggett & Platt by 8.6% in the 4th quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 19,610 shares of the companys stock valued at $513,000 after purchasing an additional 1,551 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Leggett & Platt by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,996,067 shares of the companys stock valued at $340,107,000 after purchasing an additional 49,086 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Leggett & Platt in the 4th quarter valued at $26,814,000. 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.

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Summit Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB  Free Report) by 58.1% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 14,012 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 5,147 shares during the quarter. Summit Financial LLCs holdings in Chubb were worth $3,587,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in CB. Beacon Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Chubb by 76.4% during the 2nd quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 97 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Chubb in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chubb in the first quarter worth $29,000. Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Chubb in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Chubb by 82.2% during the first quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 133 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the period. 83.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Chubb Trading Up 0.8 %

NYSE CB traded up $2.20 on Friday, reaching $284.18. The company had a trading volume of 2,343,571 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,301,265. The stock has a market cap of $114.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.61, a PEG ratio of 5.59 and a beta of 0.66. The stocks 50 day moving average is $266.31 and its 200-day moving average is $259.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Chubb Limited has a 52 week low of $198.67 and a 52 week high of $284.49.

Chubb Announces Dividend

Chubb ( NYSE:CB Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The financial services provider reported $5.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.04 by $0.34. The firm had revenue of $13.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.04 billion. Chubb had a net margin of 18.14% and a return on equity of 15.77%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.92 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Chubb Limited will post 21.2 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 4th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.91 per share. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. Chubbs payout ratio is presently 16.16%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Bank of America raised their target price on Chubb from $257.00 to $264.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. JMP Securities lifted their target price on shares of Chubb from $280.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Chubb from $266.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Chubb from $285.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Chubb from $260.00 to $259.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Chubb currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $270.79.

View Our Latest Report on Chubb

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Juan Luis Ortega sold 3,921 shares of Chubb stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $273.06, for a total transaction of $1,070,668.26. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 44,632 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,187,213.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Chubb news, EVP Peter C. Enns sold 8,200 shares of Chubb stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $266.06, for a total value of $2,181,692.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 45,853 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,199,649.18. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Juan Luis Ortega sold 3,921 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $273.06, for a total value of $1,070,668.26. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 44,632 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,187,213.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 14,521 shares of company stock worth $3,878,712. Corporate insiders own 0.86% of the companys stock.

Chubb Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chubb Limited provides insurance and reinsurance products worldwide. The company's North America Commercial P&C Insurance segment offers commercial property, casualty, workers' compensation, package policies, risk management, financial lines, marine, construction, environmental, medical risk, cyber risk, surety, and casualty; and group accident and health insurance to large, middle market, and small commercial businesses.

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V2 Financial group LLC decreased its holdings in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 17,352 shares of the aircraft producers stock after selling 80 shares during the period. Boeing makes up about 2.2% of V2 Financial group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. V2 Financial group LLCs holdings in Boeing were worth $3,218,000 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 BA. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Boeing by 2.5% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 49,724,770 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $9,596,383,000 after purchasing an additional 1,222,816 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors raised its holdings in shares of Boeing by 35.5% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 16,880,647 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $4,400,109,000 after buying an additional 4,425,964 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in Boeing by 23.7% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 9,823,006 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $2,560,466,000 after acquiring an additional 1,884,850 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings in Boeing by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 5,003,262 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $1,304,150,000 after acquiring an additional 52,081 shares during the period. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC grew its position in Boeing by 14.1% in the first quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 4,203,435 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $811,221,000 after acquiring an additional 518,952 shares in the last quarter. 64.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on BA shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and issued a $225.00 target price on shares of Boeing in a research note on Tuesday, June 25th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Boeing from $250.00 to $240.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, June 7th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Boeing from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Susquehanna reissued a positive rating and issued a $230.00 price target on shares of Boeing in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on Boeing from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, June 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $215.18.

Boeing Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BA opened at $173.74 on Friday. The Boeing Company has a 1-year low of $159.70 and a 1-year high of $267.54. The companys fifty day moving average is $178.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $182.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $107.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -48.94 and a beta of 1.56.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The aircraft producer reported ($2.90) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.00) by ($1.90). The company had revenue of $16.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.82) EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 14.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that The Boeing Company will post -4.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Boeing Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments.

Further Reading

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Today is a real holiday in Azerbaijan, and I have already managed to communicate with representatives of parties, the legal community, students, and military men, and all of them waited for this day as a day of sincere expression of people's will, realizing the responsibility that falls on every citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the election to the Azerbaijani Parliament, the Deputy Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Sergei Khomenko said, Trend reports.

In the context of this level of responsibility, everyone said that true patriots of Azerbaijan should be represented in the parliament. It is quite symbolic that we are now on the territory that is now recovering from military actions. We can see the progress that is being made on the Karabakh land. We are now in the building of a beautiful school, and the school is the place where the future of the republic is formed. Being in such a building, the citizens will always remember that the state cares about them, and the deputies of the parliament are the true conductors of the will of the people. We are witnessing a promising level of organization.

All polling stations we visited are equipped under the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan, and public order is ensured. All the way from Baku to Fuzuli, we observed the festive mood of peoplethe kind of order that should be present on election day in any state," Khomenko emphasized.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Wealth Alliance Advisory Group LLC lowered its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) by 34.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 6,534 shares of the natural resource companys stock after selling 3,500 shares during the quarter. Wealth Alliance Advisory Group LLCs holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $318,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of FCX. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 16.5% during the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 31,112 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $1,324,000 after acquiring an additional 4,397 shares during the period. Choreo LLC purchased a new position in Freeport-McMoRan during the 4th quarter valued at $210,000. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC boosted its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 48,818 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $2,078,000 after acquiring an additional 1,982 shares during the period. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 855.7% during the 4th quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 6,164 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $257,000 after acquiring an additional 5,519 shares during the period. Finally, Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 12.4% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,873 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $463,000 after buying an additional 1,199 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.77% of the companys stock.

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Freeport-McMoRan Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of FCX stock opened at $44.28 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $45.92 and its 200-day simple moving average is $46.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 2.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.61 billion, a PE ratio of 39.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.92. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $32.83 and a fifty-two week high of $55.24.

Freeport-McMoRan Announces Dividend

Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The natural resource company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $6.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 7.60% and a net margin of 7.83%. The companys revenue was up 15.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.35 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 15th were issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 15th. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is presently 26.55%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

FCX has been the subject of several research reports. UBS Group upped their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, May 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, June 10th. Raymond James decreased their price objective on Freeport-McMoRan from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. BNP Paribas upgraded Freeport-McMoRan to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Freeport-McMoRan has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $53.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on FCX

Freeport-McMoRan Profile

(Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

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WP Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 33,765 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 502 shares during the period. WP Advisors LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $1,538,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 154.4% in the 1st quarter. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 575 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Pineridge Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Westend Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $29,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MO has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Altria Group from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. StockNews.com raised shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 28th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Altria Group from $37.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Argus raised shares of Altria Group to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 31st. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Altria Group from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.08.

Altria Group Stock Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE MO traded up $0.41 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $53.77. 8,010,061 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,355,649. The firm has a market cap of $92.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.25, a PEG ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.66. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $39.06 and a twelve month high of $53.82. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $49.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $45.50.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.35 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $6.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.39 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 232.55% and a net margin of 42.25%. Altria Groups revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.31 EPS. Research analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.59%. This is a boost from Altria Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.98. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 85.36%.

About Altria Group

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company offers cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; large cigars and pipe tobacco under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; oral nicotine pouches under the on! brand; and e-vapor products under the NJOY ACE brand.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The delegation led by Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan  Director General Agil Gurbanov attended the graduation ceremonies held in the Land Forces, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy of the Republic of Turkiye, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Parliament.

The President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a speech and congratulated the graduates at the ceremonies.

Director General presented diplomas to Azerbaijani young officers, excelled in education.

Within the visit to the fraternal country, the Director General held a range of meetings and exchanged views on cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in military, military-technical, and military-educational fields.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The transparency of the election demonstrates how the government strengthens democracy in the country, the observer from Gambia, Lamin Sanneh said, Trend reports.

According to him, the extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament is well organized, and all conditions are in place for voters to freely express their will.

Sanneh noted that he had a positive gut feeling about the monitoring process.

Voters freely cast their ballots at voting locations. I was amazed by the process organization. The highest level of process organization and all relevant circumstances are crucial. Citizens choose their parliamentarians today, he emphasized.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A whopping 51,141 voters will be throwing their hats in the ring for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is as old as the hills, at a ripe age of 134 years, while the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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September 01, 2024 / 17:44 IST

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud addressing the 2-day National Conference of District Judiciary, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, said, "The Committee on Reducing Arrears of Cases has skilfully laid out an action plan for reducing case pendency through case management. The three stages of the action plan include first, the preparatory stage of forming district-level case management committees to identify target cases, undated cases and reconstruction of records. The second stage, which is ongoing, aims to resolve cases which have been pending before the courts for 10 to 20 years, 20 to 30 years and more than 30 years. Third, from January to June 2025, the judiciary shall execute the third phase of clearing the backlogs of cases pending for over a decade in courts. This effort requires an intricate coordination of various applications and data management systems to plan and track our strategies. Some of the other strategies for dealing with the backlog include pre-litigation dispute resolution. The Supreme Court of India recently concluded its first-ever National Lok Adalat, at which almost 1,000 cases were disposed of amicably within a course of 5 working days."
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov met with a delegation headed by the chairperson of the Bulgarian Central Election Commission Kamelia Neykova, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan to observe the Azerbaijani Parliament election, Trend reports.

As per the information, Panahov expressed satisfaction with the observation mission of the Bulgarian Central Election Commission monitoring the parliamentary election.

Informing the guest about the electoral process, the CEC chairperson noted that 598 international and more than 112,000 local observers are monitoring the elections, and web cameras have been installed in 1,000 polling stations covering the whole geography of the country for direct and continuous observation of the voting process without any registration.

The Chairperson of the CEC stated that 6.4 million citizens will be able to vote in the extraordinary parliamentary election. He emphasized that a total of 990 candidates are running for the mandate of the Azerbaijani Parliament, and all opportunities have been created for their free election campaign following the requirements of the legislation. Out of them, 305 candidates are representatives of 25 political parties. Panahov noted that the candidates are representatives of 25 political parties.

He pointed out that three organizations have applied to the CEC with a request to conduct an exit poll during the election.

Stressing that 6,478 polling stations have been set up in the country, Panahov informed that 6,343 of them are permanent and 135 are temporary. According to him, an extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament is held for the first time in all sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, and comprehensive conditions have been created for the participants of the election.

The chairperson of the CEC stated that 54 polling stations have been created for more than 42,000 voters who have the right to vote in the liberated territories to realize their constitutional rights.

Expressing satisfaction with the participation in the observation of the extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament, the head of the Bulgarian CEC Neykova emphasized that she would actively monitor the process.

She noted that the election process is going successfully. Recalling that they had visited several polling stations since morning, Neykova noted that she had observed a high turnout of voters.

The meeting also included an exchange of views and discussions on various issues related to the election.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The head of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) observer mission, SCO Deputy Secretary-General Nuran Niyazaliyev has visited polling stations to observe the voting process at the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Niyazaliyev got up to speed with the ins and outs of the parliamentary election process and held talks with chairpersons of polling stations.

An extraordinary parliamentary election has started in Azerbaijan.

The voting started at 08:00 and will end in the evening at 19:00.

According to the Calendar Plan of the main actions and measures for preparation and holding of extraordinary parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the election campaign of candidates started 23 days before the voting day and was suspended 24 hours before the voting.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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Vice President Kamala Harris in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. Aug. 20, 2024 and former President Donald Trump in Bedminster, New Jersey, Aug. 15, 2024 are seen in a combination of file photographs.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The parliamentary election in Azerbaijan has been organized transparently, a member of the TURKPA (Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States) observer group monitoring the extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament in Shamakhi, Filiz Klc said, Trend reports.

Observing the election at polling station No.7 of Shamakhi constituency No.88, Filiz Klc noted that the election was held in democratic conditions.

We represent TURKPA here. We observed the opening of the polling stations in Baku in the morning, where the process was carried out under the rules. Then we visited Gobustan together with the delegation and arrived in Shamakhi.

We are currently observing the election in Shamakhi. We saw that voters and polling station staff were satisfied with the voting process and its progress. The election was organized transparently. I wish this election to be successful for the Azerbaijani people and the state, for the Turkic world, she noted.

An extraordinary parliamentary election has started in Azerbaijan.

The voting started at 08:00 and will end in the evening at 19:00.

According to the Calendar Plan of the main actions and measures for preparation and holding of extraordinary parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the election campaign of candidates started 23 days before the voting day and was suspended 24 hours before the voting.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The news of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 10 people, including a young Zimbabwean family, has left the two neighbouring countries, Zimbabwe and South Africa in shock and mourning.

The accident occurred on Tuesday night at the Three Mile Circle in Makhado in South Africas Limpopo province, involving an Mzansi Express bus travelling from Bulawayo to Johannesburg.

Among the victims were Lorenzo Palu (36), his wife Forgive Palu (31), and their three-year-old son, Lwandile. The young family had travelled to Bulawayo to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary, a milestone that should have been followed by many more years of marital bliss and raising their son together.

The hope for a long and meaningful life together is now a shattered dream that will never be fulfilled, and their loved ones are left with heart-breaking unanswered questions and grief that will forever remain etched in their hearts.

Lorenzo was a well-known product and User Experience (UX) designer, while his wife Forgive was a pre-school teacher who had begun to spread her wings in the world of entrepreneurship by establishing a company called, Sweet Soul Cakes.

The couple had recently returned to South Africa after their anniversary celebrations, only to be tragically caught in the accident.

Its hard to put into words the pain were all feeling. Lorenzo was more than just a talented designer; he was a mentor, a friend, and a pillar of strength for many. His passing is unimaginable. We cant express how deeply hurt we are. Its too much to take in ngoba ngabantwabethu, said Forgives mother, Sifikile Tshuma.

Colleagues and family members remember Lorenzo as a visionary who always sought to uplift others through his work and faith. He was respected not only for his professional achievements but also for his deep commitment to the gospel ministry.

Renowned for his innovative designs and creativity, he participated in the virtual UX South Africa hybrid conference in 2022, where he showcased his passion for enhancing user experiences through technology.

The Palu familys tragic accident has left a void that will be hard to fill. Tshuma still ponders over and over again if the decision to travel on Tuesday instead of Monday could have been avoided, as the couples travel itinerary was abruptly changed.

Lorenzos brother, Amigo Bondiya, said the loss is unfathomable.

We are at a loss for words to lose such a young family and under such tragic circumstances. This is really hard to accept, he said.

Lorenzo believed in the power of community and the importance of lifting each other up. We will honour his memory by continuing to support one another during this incredibly painful time.

In the wake of the tragic bus accident, Mzansi Express released a statement addressing the incident and providing details on the events that unfolded.

At about 23:50 hours last night (27 August 2024), our bus Registration Number HT73PGGP travelling from Bulawayo bound for Johannesburg was involved in an accident at the Three Mile Circle (Roundabout) in Makhado, South Africa.

There were 67 passengers on board as well as the bus crew. Following this accident, some passengers tragically lost their lives and several others suffered various degrees of injuries. South African Emergency services attended to the scene and transported the injured to Makhado and Elim Hospitals for treatment.

We are currently cooperating with law enforcement agents as they attend to the matter. Next of kin members will be notified when all passengers individual identifications have been finalised, said the bus company.

We kindly ask for your patience as law enforcement and health service providers work on treating and identifying all passengers, both injured and deceased. The management of Mzansi Express would like to take the opportunity to reassure Zimbabweans that we too are feeling the nations shock and pain at this tragic hour.

A more detailed statement will be released in due course as we continue working with the authorities in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

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The Department of Justice and eight states on August 23 sued the private equity-owned company that allegedly operated as the middle man in a national property management cartel that has sent rent through the roof. The civil lawsuit accuses RealPage of acting as helping to orchestrate an illegal price-fixing scheme to reduce competition among landlords so they can boost prices.

Notably, the behemoth real estate management companies using RealPages collusion software were not charged  yet. RealPage and the rental management companies, many of which are private equity-owned, are also facing dozens of class action lawsuits from tenants. The DOJ also opened a criminal investigation into RealPage, and the large apartment owners and managers that use the companys pricing software, to determine if the firm is facilitating price fixing, sources told Politico in July.

Should they be charged with even more? Thats because in some of the cities where Realpage-using Landlords dominate the market, were seeing the number of homeless and deaths of unhoused people increase rapidly. Correlation is not causation but

Homeless numbers and deaths are up dramatically in areas where Wall Street landlords are particularly active and have turned to collusion software.

That drives up rents and creates artificial scarcity.

Among the biggest reasons cited for homelessness is the lack of affordable housing.

To really get a feel for the effect of the RealPage and property management company cartel, its best to look at individual metro markets. Thats because in cities like Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Nashville, Dallas, Atlanta, etc. the market can be dominated by large (oftentimes private equity-owned) companies, and if all of them are colluding using RealPage, the effect can be enormous.

Lets focus here on Los Angeles. While the story is the same across many markets, LA also happens to be the epicenter of US homelessness crisis.

Los Angeles County is the 6th largest multifamily market with 448,848 completed units. Strategic Actions for a Just Economy, an LA organization that focuses on tenant rights and economic justice,

in their 2021 report, Beyond Wall Street Landlords: How Private Equity in the Rental Market Harms Tenants, found that more than two thirds of all LA Rentals are now owned by speculative investment vehicles.

Corporate landlords named in the RealPage lawsuits include Essex Property Trust, Equity Residential, and AvalonBay Communities  the three biggest players in LA real estate management.

Combined they control 35,020 multifamily units, or 7.8 percent of LA Countys 448,848 units.

According to lawsuits against RealPage and large property management companies, there are another 17 companies that use RealPages rent-setting tool in LA, and together, they account for just more than 52 percent of all rental apartment buildings in the LA market. [1]

A separate lawsuit against Santa Barbara-based Yardi, a company similar to RealPage, accuses it of using its RENTmaximizer (now Revenue IQ) product to do exactly what RealPage is accused of doing.

When you throw Yardi into the mix, that means that 79 percent of all multifamily rental units in LA County are being listed using collusion software.

Widespread adoption of this collusion software has helped LA rent prices go through the roof in recent years. It is up 41 percent compared to 2016  the year when RealPage hit critical mass.

These same mega landlords also shelled out millions to successfully stop California rent control ballot measures in California in 2018 (Proposition 10) and in 2020 (Proposition 21) with Essex Property Trust spending $26.2 million, Equity Residential paying $17.9 million, and AvalonBay Communities giving $17 million.

Homelessness and Deaths of Unhoused Skyrocket at Same Time RealPage Achieves Critical Mass

US homelessness was already a national disgrace, but the numbers in recent years as speculative investment took over housing and began using collusion software have become even more devastating.

A report from the University of California, San Francisco released last year  the largest representative study of homelessness in the state in thirty years  found that economic factors were the main driver of homelessness, including low wages, a sudden unaffordable expense, and the rising cost of housing.

A recent UCLA survey shows that 4 in 10 renters in LA County worry about becoming homeless. The lawsuits against RealPage and Yardi show why.

Its not just that those companies have helped drive up rent. As Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes says in his states lawsuit against RealPage, its algorithm often advises landlords to deliberately keep units vacant, restricting the housing supply. The lawsuits against RealPage and statements by the companys founder indicate that RealPage played a role in undersupply by advising property companies to leave more units vacant in order to create an artificial scarcity of rentals. They found this helped their bottom line because they could charge more for rented units, and they could do this because property managers know that their competitors are also using RealPages system and will not undercut them.

The 2021 report by Strategic Actions for a Just Economy also shows that the same mega landlords using collusion software are the main culprits behind more frequent use of the Ellis Act to mass evict tenants.

Indeed, according to one of the lawsuits, the CEO of Camden Property Trust, Ric Campo, bragged about using RealPage and pushing people out of leases they could no longer afford.

Covid-19 protections for renters were allowed to expire last year on April 1, and evictions have come roaring back since, rising well above pre-pandemic levels. Despite all the whining about tenants living rent-free, data shows that the majority of evictions are for a median amount owed of $2,678.84, which is only a little more than the average price of a months rent in LA. Unsurprisingly, the countys homeless population quickly grew by 10 percent after pandemic protections expired.

If someone doesnt have either financial means or a strong support system, an eviction can often mean becoming homeless. While most believe it will only be temporary, it often is not. And the numbers in recent years as speculative investment took over housing and began using collusion software are absolutely devastating.

LA residents continue to fall into homelessness faster than people on the streets are moved into housing. The county now has more than 75,500 unhoused people  a 61 percent jump since 2016. This happens to coincide with the takeoff of collusion software from the likes of RealPage and Yardi.

Also since 2016, national homelessness began to reverse its downward trend in a big way. From PBS:

Homelessness in general has been back on the rise since 2016, according to HUD data. Between 2007 and 2016, the number of people reported in point-in-time counts as experiencing homelessness dropped from around 647,000 to just under 550,000. Since then, homelessness slowly but steadily increased year over year, until 2023 saw a sharp jump from around 582,000 to more than 653,000.

The number of Americans dying on the streets has also skyrocketed in that time.

A study last year from The Guardian and the University of Washington found that across 73 US cities and counties there were at least 18,000 deaths of people experiencing homelessness over the 2016 to 2020 time period with the number increasing 77 percent over that five-year period. (The federal government makes no effort to count the number of homeless deaths, and many believe the number to be much higher.)

In LA, the increases have been particularly devastating. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health the mortality rate among people experiencing homelessness increased 56 percent from 2019 to 2021. It has since plateaued and at an alarmingly high rate. In 2023, 2,033 people died, a staggering 291% increase from the 519 cases recorded in 2014.

The data is almost surely an undercount as the medical examiner only has jurisdiction over deaths considered violent, sudden or unusual, or where the deceased has not recently seen a doctor.

Overdoses played a major role in the deaths studied, accounting for a third of the deaths.

Brett Feldman, the director of USC street medicine and who also treats unhoused patients said, Nobody wants to be addicted to fentanyl. Theyre usually trying to escape their reality and the suffering on the street, and many started using drugs to deaden the pain of homelessness.

Homeless people are dying at increased rates of other things that might be avoided if they had a home or regular access to preventative medical care, such as heat and cold exposure, traffic injuries, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Even minor infections can become life-threatening as homeless individuals rarely seek treatment due to concerns over costs and the fact theyre preoccupied with where theyll sleep and what theyll eat.

One of the biggest reasons more homeless people are dying is simply the increase in the number of homeless. And thats especially true of older Americans.

The number of Californians 55 and older who sought homelessness services soared 84 percent between 2017 and 2021, according to the states Homeless Data Integration System. Thats compared to a 43 percent increase across all age groups.

A February study published in the health policy research journal Health Affairs which found the death rate more than tripled between 2011 and 2020, concluded that the most effective form of mortality prevention is preventing the occurrence of homelessness in the first place.

And yet the government is a bystander to the carnage:

This scale of preventable death represents a form of mortal systemic exclusion in which governments have failed to meet the most basic needs of people experiencing homelessness.

Homelessness is usually the result of a confluence of factors, but given that RealPage, Yardi, and real estate management behemoths play such an outsize role in rental prices, vacancy/supply, and evictions, its hard to believe they didnt directly cause individuals to become homeless, some of whom died on the streets when if they had been housed they likely would have lived.

Well see what the DOJ comes up with in its criminal case being built against Realpage and company, it sure would be nice if the charges go beyond antitrust violations.

Im certainly no lawyer (maybe some in the readership can chime in), but if RealPage and company are guilty of price-fixing and cartel behavior that led to unaffordability, increased evictions, and an artificial scarcity, would it be too much of a stretch to charge them with something like involuntary manslaughter for the preventable deaths of homeless individuals who lost shelter due to the RealPage et al criminal price-fixing conspiracy?

Representative of American Neoliberalism

Of course, putting RealPage and private equity-owned real estate managers on trial for such crimes would also be an indictment of todays economic system and government in America.

Because really the story of RealPage and speculative investment taking over shelter is a story that is representative of the wider economy  such as in other basic necessity industries like the healthcare and food industries. You could transpose the following crude chart I drew up to other industries and the story largely remains the same.

And of course the government has an opportunity to intervene at each stage but has failed to do anything so far. Instead governments are looking to throw homeless people into jail.

As Kamala said in her big economic speech, its an an opportunity economy  one where everyone can compete.

When I read that quote that everyone can compete it made me think of a scene that comes at the end of the 2012 film Killing Them Softly (based on the 1974 novel Cogans Trade by George V. Higgins). As an Obama speech that includes lines like out of the many we are one plays in the background on a bar TV, the hitman Cogan provides the real trickle-down social values of the American upper class:

And its, of course, bipartisan. Speculative investment by the big financial players went into overdrive during Obamas foreclosure regime, and government has for decades largely withdrawn from any effort other than minor band-aids to prevent rapacious practices like the one practiced by RealPage and company. Trump picked up where Obama left off. When RealPage acquired its largest competitor in 2017 some DOJ staff reportedly raised concerns about the merger but were overridden by political appointees of former President Donald Trump.

The Biden administration surprisingly did go in the other direction with appointments at the DOJ Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission, which are actually using their powers on behalf of the American people. Well have to see what comes out of the DOJs work on this case and if their and the FTCs welcome efforts are allowed to continue under the next administration.

For now academia, the media, and finance are still eager to work with RealPages founder and invest in Thoma Bravo, which acquired RealPage in 2021, according to the Private Equity Stakeholder Project.

Despite the lawsuits against RealPage, more than 30 US public employee pension funds have invested a total of almost $4 billion in Bravos Fund XIV, the fund that acquired RealPage. These pension funds include the California Public Employees Retirement System, New York State Common Retirement Fund, and the Washington State Investment Board. The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) has been a large investor in Thoma Bravo, making six separate commitments into the company totaling $425 million. These commitments included a $125 million commitment to Bravos Fund XIV, (the fund which acquired RealPage in 2021). The University of Texas at Austin is also collaborating with Steve Winn, the founder of RealPage, to develop $200 million sustainable research facilities. Winn claims that Texas has a fragile ecosystem that we need to protect, and states that preserving the land and the water for future generations of Texans is important. However, The Real Deal notes that the facilities would be adjacent to Winns Mirasol Springs, a 1,400 acre development that has been the subject of concerns about ecological harm. The collaboration appears to be an opportunity for some positive press for the billionaire.

All that wealth and power is built on the broken backs of working people, many of whom were simply discarded when they could no longer keep up.

As Matthew Fowle with the University of Pennsylvania Housing Initiative and co-author of the February study showing the skyrocketing death rate of homeless Americans put it:

Its unlike any other mortality trend that we really see in demography. Its comparable to something like a natural disaster or war.

Thats probably because its a class war, and theres no shortage of war criminals.

Notes

[1] They include AIR, AMC, Avenue5, Bell, Bozzuto, Brookfield, Camden, CONAM, FPI Management, Greystar, Pinnacle, Related, Sares Regis, Simpson, Trammell Crow, UDR, Windsor, and Winn.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament is held in three polling stations in Khojaly district: polling station No.71 of Aghdam-Khojaly electoral district No.118 in Tazabina village of Khojaly district, polling station No. 72 in Askaran settlement, and polling station  73 in Khojaly city, Trend reports.

The residents, who returned to Khojaly in May this year, are voting in their native land for the first time in 32 years.

According to information, the chairperson of the election commission Jeyhun Abdulov noted that all conditions have been created at polling station  73 for transparent and democratic holding of the election.

The voters rise and shine, flock to the polling station bright and early, and eagerly check off their civic duty.

The Khojaly residents, who cast their ballots, expressed a sense of pride that they exercised their democratic right on their home turf.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Arrest of Telegram founder reveals the real totalitarians are Western countries, not Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron is facing massive backlash on totalitarianism and suppression of free speech , especially from the tech industry, after French authorities arrested Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov over the weekend over allegations that his platform is being used for illicit activity including drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse images.

Several prominent tech entrepreneurs and public figures, including X's CEO Elon Musk, have criticized the move as selective persecution against a known advocate of free speech.

"The arrest of Telegram's president on French territory took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. This is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to decide." Macron claimed, condemning what he called "false information" surrounding the case.

Durov, a Russian-born French-Emirati citizen, was taken into custody at Paris-Le Bourget Airport in France on Saturday after arriving from Azerbaijan. He was released from police custody on Wednesday and transferred to court for questioning ahead of a possible indictment, prosecutors told CNN. The billionaire exited the anti-fraud office outside Paris in what appeared to be a police vehicle on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, Telegram said it abides by EU laws and its content moderation is "within industry standards and constantly improving." The company added that Durov "has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe."

"It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for the abuse of that platform," a separate post from the platform said. "Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We're awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all."

The judicial investigation was opened against a person unnamed, on charges of: "Complicity - web-mastering an online platform to enable an illegal transaction in an organized group, possessing pornographic images of minors, acquiring, transporting, possessing, offering or selling narcotic substances, offering, selling or making available, without legitimate reason, equipment, tools, programs or data designed for or adapted to get access to and to damage the operation of an automated data processing system; and criminal association to commit a crime or an offense punishable by five or more years of imprisonment," among others.

On X, Macron expressed France's deep commitment to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and the spirit of entrepreneurship. "In a state governed by the rule of law, freedoms are upheld within a legal framework, both on social media and in real life, to protect citizens and respect their fundamental rights," he added.

I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov. France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so. In a state governed by the rule of law,  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 26, 2024

Trending Politics owner Collin Rugg retweeted Macron's post, commenting that people no longer believe the French leader's lies. (Related: Macron dissolves French parliament after Le Pen THRASHES his party at National Rally for European elections.)

"France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship." No one believes this.  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 26, 2024

Russia also criticized Paris for its detention of Durov. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, "It seems to me that all this has once again demonstrated the true attitude of the French leadership, which has blatantly trampled on international norms in the field of ??protecting freedom of speech and expression, for only one reason  because if they protect certain standards, they must not only comply with them, they must protect and implement them."

Telegram was launched in 2013 by Durov and his brother, Nikolai. Now, it has more than 950 million users, making it one of the most widely used messaging platforms in the world. Conversations on the app are encrypted, meaning that law enforcement agencies and Telegram itself have little oversight over what users post.

Russia challenges France with strong evidence against Durov

Russian President Vladimir Putin's press secretary warned Macron that he better have a good case against Durov.

"The accusations are very serious indeed and they require an equally serious basis of evidence," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said at his press briefing according to news agency Interfax. "Otherwise, this is a direct attempt to restrict freedom of communication and, one could even say, to directly intimidate the head of a large company."

"In other words, it would be exactly the politics that Mr. Macron denied yesterday in this story," he added.

Peskov added that Russia hopes "Durov will have all the necessary opportunities for his legal defense. Of course, given his Russian citizenship, we are ready to provide all the necessary assistance and support. But the situation is complicated by the fact that he is also a French citizen."

He also denied reports that the Kremlin ordered officials to delete their Telegram chat history after Durov's arrest and said they're not meant to use messenger apps for official business in the first place.

"Purging communications is utter stupidity. Officials should not use messengers for official purposes. No messenger is reliable in terms of information security  not even Telegram. [...] Therefore, of course, no one is asking anyone to clean anything," Peskov said.

Go to SpeechPolice.news to read more stories related to how government measures suppress free speech.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

Edition.CNN.com

Politico.eu
Lowes alters DEI policies amid rising public backlash

Lowes Companies, Inc., a leading home improvement retailer, has recently decided to scale back some of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives . This move aligns the company with other large corporations that are rethinking policies designed to enhance ethnic and racial diversity

According to an internal memo obtained by Reuters on Aug. 21, Lowe's will stop participating in surveys conducted by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a group that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights rights. Additionally, the company plans to consolidate its various employee resource groups, which were previously organized to support diverse employee communities, under one single, unified organization.

The memo also states that Lowes will no longer sponsor or take part in community events, such as fairs, festivals, or parades that are not directly related to its business activities. Further changes to DEI policies may be made over time, as suggested by the document, which was confirmed by a company spokesperson.

Despite these adjustments, Lowes maintains that its dedication to its employees remains unchanged  emphasizing this commitment in the memo.

In recent years, companies like JPMorgan Chase have encountered growing criticism from conservative groups over diversity initiatives  especially following the nationwide protests in response to the police killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans in 2020. These events brought significant attention to gender and racial inequalities in corporate leadership.

Since 2021, some companies have faced shareholder challenges claiming that their DEI programs amount to unlawful discrimination and violate the responsibilities of directors to their investors.

Opposition to diversity policies has gained momentum. Particularly after the Supreme Courts decision in June 2023 that eliminated affirmative action in college admissions.

Around this time, Lowes began reevaluating and reducing its DEI efforts  joining other companies that have adjusted their approaches following the Supreme Courts ruling.

Lowe's CEO blasted for woke comment

Robby Starbuck, a conservative political commentator known for challenging corporate policies, may have influenced Lowes decision to change its DEI programs. Starbuck posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he had contacted a Lowe's executive threatening to "expose" and publicly criticize the companys hiring policies and practices and support for LGBTQ+ employee groups and Pride events.

However, Lowe's spokesperson Steve Salazar said the company's decision to alter its DEI policies had been in the works long before Starbuck's involvement. According to Salazar, these changes were discussed internally at a meeting on Aug. 21  well before Starbuck contacted them.

In addition to responding to Starbucks assertions, Lowe's had to address another issue circulating on social media about a woke comment made by its CEO Marvin Ellison. He allegedly told conservative shoppers who disagreed with the company's values to take their business to Home Depot. Lowe's promptly clarified this situation on X. "Lowes CEO did not make this comment. Everyone is welcome at Lowe's," the company posted.

Since taking over as CEO in 2018, Ellison has made efforts to diversify Lowe's leadership and be outspoken about racial justice issues  particularly following the 2020 protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd.

The pushback against DEI policies is not unique to Lowe's. Across the corporate landscape, there have been calls for boycotts and legal challenges. In recent months, several companies, including whiskey maker Jack Daniels, farm equipment maker John Deere, motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson and Tractor Supply, have also rolled back diversity measures after facing similar pressures. Even Jack Daniels parent company, Brown-Forman, acknowledged recent adjustments to its diversity strategy to better align with the current social environment. (Related: Harley-Davidson promises no more DEI, diversity spending goals and other woke madness after Robby Starbuck investigates.)

Watch the following video and learn what "Kevin McGary from Every Black Lives Matters (everyBLM) tells Mike Adams - WOKE DEI policies are destroying America."

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Jack Daniel's axes woke training ahead of next Robby Starbuck expose about corporate DEI indoctrination.

Anti-white DEI industry in full collapse as woke America runs out of steam.

DEI is collapsing across corporate America.

American medical system adopting woke DEI protocols that put patients at risk.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

Reuters.com 1

Reuters.com 2

APNews.com 1

X.com 1

X.com 2

APNews.com 2

APNews.com 3

Brighteon.com
North Carolina REJECTS RFK Jr.s request to be taken off the states ballot

The state of North Carolina has declined a request by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) to be taken off the state's 2024 ballot

The independent presidential candidate and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy suspended his campaign on Aug. 23 during a press conference in Phoenix. He later joined former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, during the latter's campaign rally in the city. RFK Jr. then endorsed Trump and exhorted his supporters to do the same.

In line with his withdrawal, RFK Jr. said he plans to remove his name from the ballot in states where it could potentially hurt Trump, while stating his intention to remain on the ballot in states where his presence would harm Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris.

"In about 10 battleground states where my presence would be a spoiler, I'm going to remove my name," he said. "And I've already started that process and urge voters not for me."

Officials in the Tar Heel State turned down his request, however. The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) voted on Aug. 29 to keep RFK Jr. on the ballot, citing logistical and financial challenges. Despite this, votes cast for the now-withdrawn independent candidate won't be counted. (Related: RFK Jr. secures a spot on the North Carolina presidential election ballot with 10,000 signature surplus.)

WBTV 3 reported that the NCSBE made the decision due to the timing of his withdrawal, which coincided with the start of ballot printing across the state. Approximately 1.73 million ballots had already been printed in over 60 counties by the time the board voted on RFK Jr.'s request.

NCSBE Executive Director Karen Brinson also explained that reprinting and redistributing ballots without his name would require at least 13 days and incur additional costs. Thus, the board ruled it was impractical to make the changes given the tight timeline and financial considerations.

RFK Jr.'s name also stays on the ballot in Michigan

Michigan likewise rejected RFK Jr.'s request to have his name struck off the state ballot.

"RFK Jr.'s campaign reached out to the Michigan Bureau of Elections (MBE)  in an attempt to withdraw his name," said Cheri Hardmon, a spokeswoman for the bureau. She subsequently told Michigan Public Radio that the campaign was informed that the Aug. 6 deadline to remove his name from the ballot had passed.

According to WKAR 23, RFK Jr. is on the state ballot as the nominee of the Natural Law Party of Michigan (NLPM) which helped its nominating convention in April. The MBE spokeswoman said it could have held a new nominating convention any time until the state's August primary.

"The [NLPM] held their convention to select electors for RFK Jr. They cannot meet at this point to select new electors since it's past the primary," she explained. The NLPM and RFK Jr.'s campaign did not respond to requests for comment sent by WKAR 23.

Head over to RFKJr.news for similar stories.

Watch Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disclosing that he would be actively campaigning for former President Donald Trump during an appearance on "Fox News Sunday."

This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

BREAKING: RFK Jr. withdraws from ballots in 10 swing states, endorses Trump, promises to tag-team the dismantling of the Big Pharma / Big Food / Big Ag DISEASE industry that preys upon children.

RFK Jr. suspends presidential campaign in favor of Trump, will still remain on most ballots: "I encourage you to vote for me" if you're not in a battleground state."

RFK Jr. suspends presidential campaign, will join forces with Trump to 'save millions of children.'

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspends campaign, endorses Donald Trump.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

WBTV.com

Breitbart.com

WKAR.org

Brighteon.com
Pope Francis says rejecting migrant hordes is a grave sin

The Roman Catholic "vicar of Christ" Pope Francis is rattling off again about the need for Europe to welcome with open arms all of the illegal migrants flooding the continent right now.

While speaking to his regular papal audience this week, Pope Francis declared that it is "a grave sin" for anyone  except the Vatican, of course  to refuse illegal migrants.

Referring to the Mediterranean Sea as Mare Nostrum, a classic name for the body of water used by the ancient Romans, Pope Francis argued that it should be "a place of communication between peoples and civilizations," but that it has instead "become a cemetery."

The thousands of migrant deaths that have been reported in recent weeks throughout the region were fully avoidable, according to Pope France, if only native Europeans would have rolled out the red carpet for all of them.

Those "who systematically work, using all means, to push back migrants" are enemies of God, Pope Francis continued.

"And this, when done with conscience and responsibility, is a grave sin," he added, proceeding to quote scripture where it says: "You shall not wrong or oppress a foreigner."

"God is there with [the migrants] and suffers with them," Pope Francis declared, claiming that all these hordes of migrants are only seeking a path to salvation.

(Related: Remember during the Wuhan coronavirus [COVID-19] "pandemic" when Pope Francis called for a globalist New World Order inhabited by fully vaccinated slaves?)

Erase all Western borders, says Pope Francis

As he often does, Pope Francis further condemned the idea of national borders, specifically throughout the West where the globalists are sending all the illegal migrants.

Even though Vatican City where Pope Francis and his religion live is one of the most fortified parcels of land in the entire world, being surrounded by a massive multi-foot-deep wall, he believes that everyone else should tear down their walls to let in the migrants.

Not only do all national borders throughout the West need to be eliminated, according to Pope Francis, but Western nations need to devote themselves to "expanding safe and regular pathways for migrants" in any way possible because this is simply a "global governance of migration based on justice, fraternity, and solidarity."

Despite being the most dangerous passageway for migrants to illegally enter Europe from places like North Africa and the Middle East, the Mediterranean Sea continues to be the most obvious and really only way for migrants to get there, even if their overcrowded, makeshift boats often sink before arrival.

When the illegal migration pandemic for Europe really started gaining steam around 2015, the Mediterranean became a major passageway for millions of illegal migrants. In 2023 alone, more than 290,000 migrants and refugees traveled through the Mediterranean Sea to get to Europe, this representing a 55 percent spike from 2022. Last year, around 3,100 migrants died while trying to cross the Mediterranean.

"How about they sell the Vatican and all other estates and riches owned by the Roman Catholic Church instead?" suggested a commenter about how Pope Francis and his Catholic buddies need to start practicing what they preach instead of always telling others to do as we say, not as we do.

"Send that money to all the poor countries ... no more migrants ... or, put every single migrant within Vatican walls and let those pedos feed them."

Another warned that the Catholic Church has a legacy of working with the CIA to rig elections and install puppets. So, how about they clean up their own house before telling others that they should accept untold millions of often violent savages who swarm European cities and towns spreading violence and terror?

Does Pope Francis really speak for Christ or is he a blasphemous impostor? Find out more at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheHill.com

NaturalNews.com
United Kingdom only has 83 JAILS OPEN after arresting protesters who oppose the INVASION of their own country

According to the National Pulse, the overall prison population in facilities under His Majesty's Prison Service (HMPS) surged to a record 88,945 on Aug. 27. This reflected an occupancy rate of 99.9 percent, putting HMPS on the verge of collapse. According to sources, officials at the British Ministry of Justice (MoJ) are optimistic about managing the prison space without the need for additional emergency measures despite the overcrowding.

Downing Street detained more than 1,000 anti-mass migration protesters, who took to the streets in the aftermath of the Southport stabbing attack. These demonstrations were sparked by the stabbing spree of Rwandan migrant Axel Rudakubana that killed three young girls.

The overcrowding in HMPS facilities was further worsened by events like the multicultural Notting Hill Carnival in the British capital. At least eight stabbings were reported and more than 300 were arrested over the holiday weekend.

The Pulse mentioned that MoJ officials have already implemented the Operation Early Dawn (OED) scheme to ease overcrowding. Under OED, defendants are held in police detention facilities until HMPS spaces become available. Another scheme called Operation Brinker would initiate a "one-in, one-out system" where a suspect currently in custody would be freed and a new one would take their place.

British Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also introduced an early release scheme dubbed SDS40. The scheme's first tranche would see about 2,00 prisoners  all serving sentences of less than five years  being let out on Sept. 10. A second tranche of up to 1,700  this time consisting of prisoners jailed for more than five years  will be freed on Oct. 22.

From Oct. 22 onward, eligible prisoners who served 40 percent of their sentence will be automatically released. This was made possible by a change to the law, which will allow for their release after serving 40 percent of their sentences instead of the current 50 percent.

According to the Telegraph, the early release scheme will free up an estimated 5,500 prison spaces over its 18-month duration. But the Pulse noted that some violent criminals could be let out early, including a teenager convicted of manslaughter for the killing of a 14-year-old in 2022 who will have served just six months in prison.

Violent criminals out, thought criminals in

British police have been accused of two-tier policing, according to the Pulse. "Muslim mobs were allowed to rampage and attack white people in Birmingham, with police saying the 'community' was deemed capable of policing itself," it reported.

In contrast, "protesters have received years in prison for as little as shouting at police." Those who merely posted about the protests on social media also suffered the same fate, even though they did not show up in person.

Briton Wayne O'Rourke served as an example of the latter. The 35-year-old was sentenced to three years in prison for allegedly "stirring up racial hatred" and sharing "misinformation" about Rudakubana. (Related: "Keyboard warrior" in the U.K. slapped with 3-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE for urging online followers to support anti-migration protests.)

O'Rourke reportedly gave his 90,000 social media followers advice on how to remain anonymous during these protests. Several of his posts urged residents of Southport and the city of Sunderland to take to the streets and protest.

"You were not caught up in what others were doing, you were instigating it," said Circuit Judge Catalina Sjolin Knight of the Lincoln Crown Court told O'Rourke during sentencing. "The flames [were] fanned by keyboard warriors like you."

Head over to Enslaved.news for similar stories.

Watch the video about a British man being jailed for "inciting violence" on social media posts.

This video is from the TKWK T.V channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

U.K. to free VIOLENT CRIMINALS to make jail space for thought crime offenders.

New leftist British PM plans to use emergency powers to RELEASE 40,000 PRISONERS.

U.K. authorities have arrested more anti-mass migration protesters than human traffickers.

Met Police (UK) threaten TERRORISM charges against "keyboard warriors" who comment on immigration protests.

Violent criminals getting released from U.K. prisons to make room for peaceful protesters who oppose illegal immigration.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

Telegraph.co.uk

Breitbart.com

Brighteon.com
Ukrainian military shoots down its own F-16 fighter jet provided by U.S. earlier this year

Ukraine's Patriot anti-aircraft missile system took down one of Ukraine's own F-16 fighter jets this week in what the media is calling a "friendly fire incident."

It has not even been a full year since Ukraine's Western backers sent the F-16 as a gift and Kiev has already destroyed the plane, which was being flown at the time by Ukrainian pilot Alexey "Moonfish" Mes.

Reports indicate that the fiasco, which occurred on August 26, resulted from a lack of coordination between Ukraine's different military units.

Ukrainian lawmaker Maryana Bezuglaya criticized the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for lying about the incident, calling it simply "a crash" rather than a major mistake by Kiev's inept and corrupt military-industrial complex.

"According to my information, the F-16 of the Ukrainian pilot Alexey 'Moonfish' Mes was shot down by the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system due to a lack of coordination between the [military] units," Bezuglaya wrote on X.

"The culture of lies in the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as in other higher military headquarters, leads to the fact that the system of managing military decisions does not improve on the basis of truthful, consistently collected analytics, but deteriorates and even collapses, as is happening in the other directions."

Bezuglaya also revealed that none of Ukraine's military generals were punished over the incident, which resulted in a total loss of both the aircraft, which is very expensive, and its pilot.

According to U.S. Defense Officials; during Mondays Large-Scale Russian Missile Attack against Ukraine, a F-16 with the Ukrainian Air Force crashed in the West of the Country, resulting in the Death of its Pilot, known by his Callsign Moonfish but by others as Oleksiy Mes. pic.twitter.com/vUcvWslIQx  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) August 29, 2024

(Related: Did you know that radioactive materials for building dirty bombs are being shipped to Ukraine by NATO and the West on a regular basis?)

Losing an F-16 in Ukraine's own airspace "a significant first"

The Wall Street Journal had initially reported that a donated F-16 fighter jet had been "lost," this according to an unidentified U.S. official who spoke with the paper.

According to the official, the jet was not shot down but merely crashed, likely due to a pilot "error." This later proved to be false after the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces admitted that the pilot was killed in an aerial flight that occurred during combat in Ukraine's airspace, described as "a significant first" by the media.

"The pilot, Oleksiy Mes, died while helping to repel a massive Russian missile attack on Monday, the officials said," the WSJ reported. "Initial reports indicate the jet wasn't shot down by enemy fire, U.S. officials said."

The Russian attack that resulted in Ukraine shooting down its own F-16 is one of the largest since the war began in February 2022. It targeted 15 out of Ukraine's 24 oblasts, taken out vital energy infrastructure all across the country.

It appears as though the Ukrainian Air Force tried to pull the wool over the eyes of the Pentagon upon being questioned about the incident. Kiev officials were reluctant to tell the truth, probably due to embarrassment over the expensive loss.

Ukraine barely even started using its donated F-16s, which cost more than $30 million each, when something so cringeworthy like this happens. It is especially cringeworthy when considering that the Zelensky regime touted the F-16 program as being a "game-changer."

Many outside experts are now in agreement that it is far too late for Ukraine to stop Russia, even with advanced aerial systems like Patriot. Russia's military is simply too powerful and far more superior, which means it is only a matter of time until Ukraine loses and there is no longer any way to deny it to the public.

Will the forever war between Russia and Ukraine ever reach a conclusion? Find out more at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
UN and WHO coordinate massive POLIO vaccine experiment on 640,000 displaced Palestinian children

The United Nations, (UN) European Union, (EU) and World Health Organization (WHO) are calling for a ceasefire in Gaza  but they arent interested in ending the war and providing basic needs for Palestinians. Instead, these global entities are looking to exploit the 640,000 displaced, malnourished children  using them as experimental rats in a massive POLIO vaccine experiment. This polio vaccine experiment is designed to shed vaccine-derived polio strains , which are currently the most common form of polio circulating the globe. Worse, the mass vaccination program will cause provocation polio  crippling a certain percentage of the children and leaving their immune systems vulnerable to other infections.

As the Palestinian communities collapse  with sewage, rubble and blood backing up into their drinking water  the only thing global governments can think up is a plan to round the children up and inoculate them! Forget that they are in survival mode, starving, injured and living in filth without access to nutrition or medical care.

Even with healthcare facilities obliterated, the WHO is more interested in shooting kids up with vaccines

Israelis military actions have had a devastating effect on Gazas healthcare infrastructure. Restrictions imposed by the Israeli military have severely crippled the territorys healthcare system. Currently, only about a third of Gazas hospitals are operational, and 40 percent of primary healthcare facilities are functioning at minimal capacity. This has left many residents without access to essential medical services, exacerbating the already dire conditions.

But not even these needs are the focal point. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called for an immediate 3-day humanitarian ceasefire to get the children re-vaccinated. He demands access to Gaza "independent of wider negotiations."

In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, Israel has agreed to a temporary pause in the war to allow for the delivery of polio vaccines to Gaza. The vaccine shipment, which consists of 1.25 million doses, is intended to cover over half of Gazas population, including approximately 640,000 children.

Israel, which has previously blocked food and medical aid to Gaza, will allow WHO and UNICEF to file into the streets and inoculate tens of thousands of children. This action is justified, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, because a 10-month-old infant in Deir al-Balah tested positive for the type 2 polio virus. It was the first polio case in Gaza since the mid-1990s. Global health authorities are taking this as an opportunity to move over a million vaccine units and re-vaccinate a population that is desperate and vulnerable for any global response.

Child exploitation and population control, veiled as a humanitarian act

The vaccination campaign is being carried out in cooperation with various organizations, including UNICEF, WHO, and UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees). Sam Rose, a senior official from the agency, acknowledged that the operation is expected to be highly challenging due to the ongoing conflict and the difficult conditions faced by both the health workers and the local population.

The current focus on vaccination does not address the broader humanitarian crisis facing Gaza. The conflict has created an environment of extreme deprivation, with significant impacts on food security, sanitation and overall health. Many children in Gaza are suffering from malnutrition and compromised immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections and disease.

Studies have shown that certain types of polio vaccines can lead to complications, including vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP), particularly in environments with poor sanitation and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.

Once this vaccine mission is complete in Gaza, Israel is expected to go back to bombing the region, as damaged immune systems, nervous systems and vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis takes its toll. The vaccine campaign is a global act of virtue signaling that uses the Palestinian children as props. The vaccine campaign is really just child exploitation, a cold and calculated endeavor that ignores what the Palestinian children truly need, and it represents a veiled attempt at further population control.

Doctors In Gaza Scream Out Against Israels Mass Slaughter Of Children

Sources include:

Zerohedge.com

Nature.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

Pubmed.gov

Brighteon.com
Zuckerberg admits Biden admin pressured Meta to CENSOR content

Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg has admitted that the Biden administration pressured his company to censor content

This admission came in the form of an Aug. 26 letter to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee (HJC). In the letter, the Facebook founder disclosed that Meta faced pressure from the White House to suppress content related to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the so-called "laptop from hell" owned by presidential son, Hunter Biden.

Zuckerberg's letter detailed how senior Biden administration officials persistently urged Meta to suppress content that didn't align with the administration's narrative on various issues, including COVID-19. This censorship extended to posts that were satirical or humorous, with Biden administration officials expressing "a lot of frustration with our teams when we didn't agree."

"I believe that government pressure was wrong, and I regret that we were not more outspoken about it. I feel strongly that we should not compromise our content standards due to pressure from any administration in either direction, and we're ready to push back if something like this happens again," Zuckerberg wrote.

"I also think we made some choices that, with the benefit of hindsight and new information, we wouldn't make today. Ultimately, it was our decision whether or not to take content down, and we own our decisions  including COVID-19-related changes we made to our enforcement in the wake of this pressure."

YourNews commented that "the letter's disclosure of the [Biden] administration's pressure campaign underscores ongoing concerns about the relationship between government entities and tech giants, particularly regarding the boundaries of content moderation and free speech."

"Zuckerberg's admissions come as part of Meta's ongoing cooperation with the HJC's investigation into content moderation practices. The company has provided thousands of documents and facilitated numerous interviews with employees as part of the probe. [But] the impact of these revelations on future regulatory actions and public trust in social media platforms remains to be seen."

Zuckerberg regrets suppressing Hunter Biden laptop story

Aside from the pandemic-related censorship, Zuckerberg also told the HJC chairman that the Biden White House pressured Meta to suppress the Hunter Biden laptop story. First reported by the New York Post months before the 2020 presidential election, it exposed the corrupt activities of the Biden family  including that of Hunter and incumbent President Joe Biden, the family patriarch. In particular, the story featured the Biden crime family's dealings with Ukrainian energy firm Burisma.

According to Zuckerberg, the Federal Bureau of Investigation flagged it as potential Russian disinformation at the time. This prompted Meta to reduce its visibility on the platform. (Related: Hunter Biden evidence wrongly labeled disinformation by FBI: Whistleblower.)

"We sent that story to fact-checkers for review and temporarily demoted it while waiting for a reply," he admitted. "It's since been made clear that the reporting was not Russian disinformation and, in retrospect, we shouldn't have demoted the story."

"We've changed our policies and processes to make sure this doesn't happen again. For instance, we no longer temporarily demote things in the U.S. while waiting for fact-checkers."

Zuckerberg also addressed the financial contributions he made through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, (CZI), which he founded with his wife Priscilla Chan, during the 2020 election cycle. "The idea here was to make sure local election jurisdictions around the country had the resources they needed to help people vote safely during a global pandemic," he wrote.

While Zuckerberg maintained that the CZI contributions were intended to support electoral infrastructure in a nonpartisan manner, he acknowledged that people are aware the funds disproportionately benefited Democratic strongholds. The Meta CEO stressed that his goal was neutrality and reiterated that he won't be making similar contributions in future election cycles.

"The revelations in Zuckerberg's letter have sparked renewed debate over the role of government in influencing speech on social media platforms," YourNews wrote. "Critics argue that the administration's actions represent a violation of free speech principles, particularly when it comes to the suppression of legitimate information and satire."

Visit MetaTyranny.com for similar stories.

Watch this Fox News report about Mark Zuckerberg's admissions regarding censorship pressure as outlined in his letter to Rep. Jim Jordan.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Federal appeals judge: Facebook's CENSORSHIP of RFK Jr. and Children's Health Defense directly benefited government.

Meta Platforms: MASS CENSORSHIP of Trump photo after failed assassination attempt was an "error."

Zuckerberg's Meta releases new censorship unit for upcoming elections.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

X.com

Brighteon.com
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, September 1. The voting process at the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan has strictly observed all the basic principles of the electoral law, the Deputy Chairperson of the Council of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, Sergei Khomenko, told Trend.

Today is a festive day in Azerbaijan. People go to polling stations with an elevated mood and believe that today's choice of the Azerbaijani people will accompany the development of this state. We have visited polling stations in Fuzuli and Khankendi. Next, we will visit polling stations in Shusha. All basic principles of freedom of expression of the will of citizens are strictly observed in the voting process. It is very pleasant to look at such an organization of elections in Azerbaijan. 900 candidates for 125 seats in the Parliament of Azerbaijan. The people have a lot to choose from, he said.

Khomenko noted that the heads of the Belarusian and Azerbaijani parliaments, Natalia Kochanova and Sahiba Gafarova, are on friendly terms.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Krystle D'Souza reveals the reason behind her 'explosive anger'

A

ctress Krystle D'Souza recently took to social media to address a question from a curious fan.

In an 'ask me anything' session on her Instagram Stories, a user inquired about her anger issues.

Krystle's response was both humorous and relatable. In the video, her rumoured boyfriend Rithvik Dhanjani can also be seen, adding a sweet touch to the lighthearted moment.

In her remark, Krystle revealed that she only experiences 'explosive anger' during game nights.

She backed up her claim with a hilarious video showcasing her fiery personality during a game night with friends. The video captured Krystle's competitive spirit, leaving her fans in stitches.

Krystle's lighthearted response highlighted her ability to not take herself too seriously. By sharing a personal moment, she connected with her audience and showed that even celebrities have fun and playful moments.

The video also gave a glimpse into Krystle's personality, showcasing her passion and dedication to winning.

The actress' response was a refreshing change from the usual serious answers often seen in Q&A sessions. Krystle's willingness to poke fun at herself and share a personal moment made her even more endearing to her fans. The post quickly went viral, with fans and friends alike appreciating her honesty and sense of humour.

Krystle's 'ask me anything' session was a great way to engage with her audience and showcase her personality. By sharing a funny moment, she humanised herself and proved that even celebrities have fun and relatable moments. The post left fans eagerly waiting for more insights into her life and personality.

 Krystle D'Souza reveals the reason behind her 'explosive anger'

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King wraps up 'Monopoly Moves Listening Party Tour' in Mumbai with a bang

S

inger-songwriter King, who is known for 'Tu Maan Meri Jaan', 'Tu Aake Dekhle' and others, has wrapped up his 'Monopoly Moves Listening Party Tour' with a grand finale in Mumbai at Phoenix Marketcity Dublin Square, Mumbai. He was joined by MC STAN, Yashraj, Abhijay Sharma, MC Heam.

The tour started in Delhi where artistes like Badshah, MC Beam, Seedhe Maut, Ikka and many others joined him on stage. The collaboration brought the Rap community together, in support of King and his innovative listening party tour.

King took the stage and crooned the tracks from his latest album 'Monopoly Moves'. The crowd sang along to favourites like 'F*** What They Say', 'Pyaar Humara', 'Still The Same' and 'Delulu Dance'.

Talking about the last leg of the tour, King said, "From kicking off the 'Monopoly Moves Listening Party Tour' at my homeground Delhi to wrapping it up with a bang in the city of dreams in Mumbai, it's been an epic ride! We've rocked Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and many more cities along the way, and we can't wait to hit the road again. See you out soon".

Recently, King released his new track 'Pyaar Humara', and said that the track is about embracing the full spectrum of love. 'Pyaar Humara' is the only love track from King's album 'MM'. The song blends afrobeat and R&B. For the track, King collaborated with music producer Bharg. In the track, King's vocals take centre-stage, pouring out his heart about the unforgiving nature of love and the challenges of maintaining fidelity.

He also released 'Bumpa' in collaboration with Jason Derulo. The track has an international sound, and said that it's the responsibility of Indian artistes to take Indian culture and art across the world.

 King wraps up 'Monopoly Moves Listening Party Tour' in Mumbai with a bang

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'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' gets embroiled in controversy over changing the religion of hijackers

T

he recently released crime thriller drama television mini-series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' has caused an uproar on the Internet owing to its narrative and concealing of facts.

The series, directed by Anubhav Sinha, is based on the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814.

Six terrorists -- Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny, Ahmad Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terrorist outfit, held the flight hostage over their demands of the release of Pakistani terrorists held in prison in India -- Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Masood Azhar and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.

However, the streaming series is getting slammed on social media over the alleged whitewashing of the Pakistani intelligence agency, ISI, for humanising the cruel terrorists and over its misleading content. Several users also alleged that the religion of the hijackers was deliberately changed by the makers.

One Internet user wrote on X, "Kandahar flight hijackers' original names: Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar, Sunny Ahmed, Zahoor Mistry and Shakir. Anubhav Sinha hijacker web series 'IC 814' depicted as Bhola, Shankar. This is how whitewashing is done cinematically."

Another wrote, "The hijackers of IC814 were lethal, cruel -- to even attempt to show some of them as human in the Netflix series is unfair."

A third wrote, "I noticed that too and was extremely surprised. Not a cool thing to do. I wonder how the @NetflixIndia team can be so reckless to let this happen."

However, as per the Ministry of External Affairs report dated January 2000, Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar, were the names by which the hijackers invariably addressed one another.

Journalist-writer-lyricist Neelesh Misra, who wrote the book '173 Hours in Captivity: The Hijacking of IC814', also took to his X, and wrote, "Shankar, Bhola, Burger, Doctor and the Chief, the brother of then-jailed Masood Azhar himself. All the hijackers assumed false names. That is how they referred to each other and how the passengers referred to them throughout the hijacking. Regards, the author of the first book on the IC-814 hijacking."

The hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 and the subsequent hostage crisis lasted for seven days and ended after India agreed to release the three terrorists, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Masood Azhar, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.

 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' gets embroiled in controversy over changing the religion of hijackers

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Madhavan asks Dia Mirza 'why are you not ageing'; here's what his 'RHTDM' co-star replied

A

ctor R Madhavan has recently asked his 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' (RHTDM) co-star Dia Mirza why she is not ageing, and the latter has a heartwarming response to it.

The film which was originally released on October 19, 2001, has now re-released in the theatres after 23 years.

Expressing gratitude to their fans for the love and support throughout all these years, Dia and Madhavan conducted a live session on Instagram, recently.

During the session, we can hear Madhavan saying to Dia: "Fans are asking why is Dia not ageing?"

To this Dia replied, "Because Maddy (Madhavan) is not ageing."

Madhavan laughed and further said: "My soul is grey right now", to which Dia replied, "I have coloured my hair."

Dia captioned the video as: "We just wanted to say a BIG thank you.. #RHTDM for all the love you have shown us over the last 23 years and the love you are giving the film in theatres right now".

The romantic drama film written and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, also starred Saif Ali Khan in the lead role. The film is a remake of the director's own Tamil film 'Minnale'.

Meanwhile, Madhavan has been a part of movies like-- 'Mumbai Meri Jaan', 'Dil Vil Pyar Vyar', 'Rang De Basanti', 'Guru', '3 Idiots', 'Tanu Weds Manu', 'Tanu Weds Manu: Returns'.

He made his directorial debut in 2022 with biographical drama 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect', written, produced, and directed by Madhavan. The film is based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, played by Madhavan, a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

He was then seen in 'Dhokha: Round D Corner', and 'Shaitaan'.

The 54-year-old actor next has 'Amriki Pandit', 'Adhirshtasaali', 'De De Pyaar De 2', 'Shankara', and 'Dhurandhar'.

On the other hand, Dia is currently seen in the web series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack'. The crime thriller drama revolves around the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in 1999. It is directed by Anubhav Sinha and written by Adrian Levy and Trishant Srivastava.

It stars Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, and Arvind Swamy. The series is streaming on Netflix.

 Madhavan asks Dia Mirza 'why are you not ageing'; here's what his 'RHTDM' co-star replied

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Azerbaijani citizens know well whom they are going to vote for, Uzbek MP Tolibjon Madumarov, who arrived in Azerbaijan as part of a group of international observers from the CIS IPA, told Trend.

He drove home the point that the electoral process at polling stations is above board.

We talked to voters - they know the candidates, they know who they are going to vote for. Citizens are well informed and understand the importance of the election, the MP added.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
TN Chief Minister signs Rs 400 crore contract with Ohmium in San Francisco

T

amil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who is on a 17-day trip to the United States to garner investment, has signed a Rs 400 crore contract with Ohmium in San Francisco, which will generate 500 jobs.

In a social media post on X, Stalin said, "Another successful day in San Francisco! We've secured a Rs 400 crore investment from Ohmium in Chengalpattu district, creating 500 jobs. This marks a significant step in nurturing the ecosystem for green energy production and fuelling a sustainable future!"

Stalin has also visited the headquarters of Google, Apple and Microsoft and has entered into MoUs with these tech giants for investments in Tamil Nadu.

The Chief Minister has also signed several MoUs with major companies in San Francisco.

A statement from the Chief Minister's Office said that the CM 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, Chengalpattu with an investment cost of Rs 450 crore. This project will generate 100 jobs.

Stalin also signed a MoU with the PayPal group for an Advanced Development Centre focussed on Artificial Intelligence which will be set up in Chennai and will provide 1000 jobs.

Another MoU was signed with Yield Engineering Systems for a product development & manufacturing facility for semiconductor equipment to be set up at Sulur, 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, Chennai which is expected to generate 1500 jobs at an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore.

The statement said that an agreement is also signed with Applied Materials for an Advanced AI-enabled Technology Development Centre for Semiconductor manufacturing & equipment to be set up at Tharamani, Chennai, which is expected to generate 500 jobs.

Stalin also signed an agreement with Infinx for a Technology and Global Delivery Centre to be set up at ELCOT in Vadapalanji, Madurai district at a cost of Rs 50 crore, which will generate 700 jobs.

The Chief Minister also signed an MoU with Ohmium for a manufacturing facility of components for electro-user manufacturing and hydrogen solutions systems which is to be set up at Chengalpattu at a cost of Rs 400 crore. The project is expected to generate 500 jobs.

He has also entered into an agreement with GeakMinds for an IT&Analytics Services Centre to be set up in Chennai for generating 500 jobs.

Chief Minister Stalin is accompanied by his wife Durga Stalin, Tamil Nadu industries minister T.R.B. Raaja and a horde of senior officials, during his trip to the United States.

The Chief Minister 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 be back in Chennai.

The Chief Minister is travelling to the United States eight months after the Tamil Nadu government signed MoUs worth over Rs 6 lakh crore during the third edition of the Global Investors Meet.

 TN Chief Minister signs Rs 400 crore contract with Ohmium in San Francisco

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Encourage US companies to invest in TN: M K Stalin appeals Tamil diaspora

C

hief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday asked the Tamil diaspora - living in America - to encourage U.S.

companies to invest in Tamil Nadu. "You Tamilians must remain united. You should not allow any differences to erupt between yourselves. Unity in Diversity concept has been the reason for India's development. I request you all to continue to stay united and to live together as children of a mother without differences. You must also encourage the U.S. companies to invest in your home state back in India," said the Chief Minister while addressing a 'Meet and Greet' at the Indian Consulate General in San Francisco.

He added that he was happy and proud to meet the Tamil diaspora in the U.S., adding that the growth of Tamil people in the U.S. is a matter of pride for India.

"Some of you might have come here by choice while circumstances might have forced some of you. However, you have reached this position only due to your work, intelligence, talent, confidence and persistence," the Chief Minister said, who is 17-day trip to the U.S. to garner investments for Tamil Nadu.

He said that quality education, excellence in education, skills, self-confidence and persistence have been the five traits that have helped them (Tamil diaspora) to achieve heights in life.

The Chief Minister also called upon the diaspora to encourage others and help them in their development.

The Chief Minister has also met several corporates during his visit to San Francisco. He also visited the headquarters of Google, Apple and Microsoft and signed many MoUs with the tech giants.

Tamil Nadu's focus is to embrace cutting-edge technologies and foster an ecosystem conducive to R&D and high-tech manufacturing.

Since assuming office in May 2021, M.K. Stalin has visited the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Japan and Spain to get investment for Tamil Nadu.

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.

 Encourage US companies to invest in TN: M K Stalin appeals Tamil diaspora

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Dharmendra Pradhan's comment on renaming of Ravenshaw University sparks war of words

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nion Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's remark regarding changing the name of Ravenshaw University at Cuttack has led to a war of words between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress and Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

The university established around 156 years ago in 1868 was named after Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, the then commissioner of the Odisha division.

"The people of Odisha as well as intellectuals should ponder upon the fact that, whether we need an institute named after Ravenshaw Saheb during whose tenure the 'Na' Anka Durbhikshya (devastating famine in 1866) occurred in Odisha. What did the administrative officials do during the famine in Odisha? Is the person who was helpful in tormenting Odia people a matter of pride for us?" said Pradhan earlier on Saturday.

He, however, said that it was his personal opinion and a debate should be held over the issue.

Launching a scathing attack on Union Minister Pradhan over the issue, BJD leader Lenin Mohanty said Ravenshaw University is a pride for each and every Odia.

He said that Union Minister Pradhan should have read a little bit of history before linking 'Na Anka Durbhikhsya' (1866 Famine) to the university.

The BJP also targeted the BJD, saying that the latter was earlier advocating for non-Odia administrative officers while now it was raising its voice in support of a 'murderer' British officer.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Smruti Ranjan Lenka accused Union Minister Pradhan of engaging in cheap politics and said that the BJP government was trying to evade its actual duty and responsibility by highlighting irrelevant issues instead of paying attention to the increase in the qualitative value of the education system.

Notably, Ravenshaw University boasts a rich academic legacy with illustrious alums including former Chief Ministers Harekrushna Mahatab, Nandini Satpathy, Biju Patnaik, noted historian Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, former Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India, Ranganath Mishra, etc.

Ravenshaw University was established in 1868 as a collegiate school and later converted to a full-fledged degree College in 1876 due to the efforts of Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, the then commissioner of the Odisha division.

During Ravenshaw's tenure as the commissioner, the state witnessed a devastating famine in 1866, locally known as 'Na Anka Durbhikhsya'. More than one-third of Odisha's population was wiped out due to the dreadful famine of 1865-66.

 Dharmendra Pradhan's comment on renaming of Ravenshaw University sparks war of words

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Why Paul Mescal didn't want to watch 'Gladiator' before making sequel

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rish actor Paul Mescal made it a point to not watch 'Gladiator' before beginning work on the sequel.

Although he saw Sir Ridley Scott's epic when it hit cinemas in 2000, the 28-year-old actor refused to revisit the movie until work on the movie wrapped, reports 'Female First UK'.

However, once he did watch the film, Mescal admitted he felt the "pressure" of whether 'Gladiator II' would live up to the first flick, which saw Russell Crowe win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as enslaved General Maximus Decimus Meridius.

He told 'Empire' magazine, "Over New Year's, we watched it with a group of my best friends down in Cork, and that's when I was like, 'Oh s***. The pressure'."

As per 'Female First UK', despite feeling nervous, the 'All of Us Strangers' star is quietly confident the sequel will impress audiences when it hits theatres on November 15.

He said: "Whatever anxiety I had about living up to the first one, I now feel totally at ease. In fact, I'm confident. "I'm excited for people to see it rather than hoping we're going to get away with it - that would be the worst-case scenario."

The actor plays the gladiator Lucius - the grandson of Rome's former emperor Marcus Aurelius and son of Lucilla in the film.

He said the movie is an emotionally taxing take on the classic "hero's journey".

He said: "I think the root of this is a hero's journey and somebody who's reticent and doesn't know his place in the world. There's a latent emotionality in the film, but the scale of performance (it required) couldn't be what I'm used to - which is kind of more internal and inviting an audience in."

Mescal stars with Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn in 'Gladiator II' and the Irish actor heaped praise on Ridley Scott for teaching him invaluable lessons about filmmaking.

 Why Paul Mescal didn't want to watch 'Gladiator' before making sequel

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Chandrababu Naidu visits flood-affected Vijayawada in a boat

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ndhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Sunday visited some flood-hit areas in Vijayawada and assured the affected families that the government would render them all possible assistance.

Ignoring the advice of his security officials, the Chief Minister went around the flooded areas in a boat to have a first-hand assessment of the situation.

He directed the authorities to shift the affected families to safe places.

Naidu visited Ajith Singh Nagar which was flooded after the Budameru canal breached.

He wanted officials to take steps to ensure that there was no loss of life.

He said that he had never seen such a calamity in Vijayawada city.

Ajith Singh Nagar and surrounding areas turned into virtual lakes as water from Budameru entered houses.

Authorities shifted the people from flooded areas to safe places and relief camps. Senior citizens say that they have not seen such floods during the last 50 years.

Later, the Chief Minister cancelled his visit to Hyderabad and decided to stay in the NTR District Collector's office in Vijayawada to oversee the rescue and relief works.

He said he would stay here till normalcy returned to Vijayawada.

Officials were to make arrangements to turn the Collector's office into a camp office for the Chief Minister.

If necessary, Naidu will have a night halt in the bus to monitor the ongoing relief operations.

Home Minister V. Anita and Vijayawada MP Kesineni Chinni were accompanying the Chief Minister in the Collector's office.

The Vijayawada MP made arrangements to supply 6,000 food packets to people in the affected areas.

Heavy rains under the impact of depression in the Bay of Bengal and active monsoon during the last two days left a trail of destruction in Vijayawada, Guntur, and some other towns.

Though the depression crossed the coast early in the early hours of Sunday, rains continued to lash several parts of the state.

Authorities have declared a holiday for educational institutions on Monday in view of the forecast of more rains.

Earlier, the Chief Minister told TDP activists across the state to extend all possible assistance to all the flood-hit victims.

Through a teleconference with the party leaders and activists in the state, Chief Minister Naidu said since the unexpected floods hit the state on a large scale, loss of lives could be brought down with the preventive measures.

Recalling that even while in Opposition, the TDP extended possible help to the people spending their own funds, the Chief Minister said that whenever the TDP is in power all measures have been taken to see to it that the people would not face any inconvenience.

Asking the party activists to actively take part in the relief measures, CM Naidu said that all those who are on the Krishna River basin should stand by the people.

"If the government's assistance is necessary, inform the authorities concerned immediately," he added.

 Chandrababu Naidu visits flood-affected Vijayawada in a boat

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Nine killed in Telangana floods, choppers to Khammam for rescue

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wo helicopters from the Indian Navy were being flown to Khammam town of Telangana to rescue people trapped in floods as the overflowing Munneru river has inundated residential areas while heavy rains have so far claimed nine lives in the state.

Two helicopters from Visakhapatnam were being flown to Khammam to rescue the people, some of whom had taken shelter on rooftops.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who is monitoring the situation in Khammam, spoke to senior officials of the Indian Navy and requested them to send helicopters for the rescue operations.

Irrigation Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, who is from Khammam district, spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and sought help for rescue.

An unprecedented flood in Munneru, a tributary of the Krishna River, inundated about 15 colonies in Khammam town including Rajiv Gruhakalapa, Venkateshwar Nagar, Moti Nagar and Bokkalagadda. With their houses submerged, a few inmates climbed onto the rooftops to save themselves and were waiting to be rescued by authorities.

The river, which flows through the town, saw unprecedented flooding with huge inflows due to heavy rains in the catchment area. Two persons who were trapped in floods in Paleru vagu were washed away.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy turned emotional at a news conference when he was informed a couple washed away in his Assembly constituency Paleru. He said they made all efforts to save Yaqoob and his wife Saeeda, brick kiln workers, and their son Shareef who had taken shelter on top of a house. He said the family was washed away as the walls of the house collapsed but the rescue workers managed to save Shareef.

The minister said nine people were killed in rain-related incidents till 1 p.m. He said in view of the forecast of heavy rains till Monday, district Collectors and police officials have been asked to remain alert to prevent loss of life and property. With the met office issuing red alert for 11 districts and orange alert for other districts, authorities have declared a holiday for educational institutions.

Srinivas Reddy said people need not panic as the government was taking all steps to tackle the situation. He reviewed the situation with Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari and Director General of Police Jitender.

The Revenue Minister said Mahabubabad, Mulugu, Suryapet, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam districts were affected by rains and floods. In view of the forecast of more rains, the government has cancelled the leave of all officials and directed them to report to duties immediately.

 Nine killed in Telangana floods, choppers to Khammam for rescue

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President to attend golden jubilee of woman SHG, centenary of Legislative Council in Maharashtra

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resident Droupadi Murmu will be on a three-day visit to Maharashtra from Monday, during which she will participate in several political, social, and educational events across the state.

On the first day of her visit, the President will attend the golden jubilee celebration of the Shri Warana Women Co-operative Group at Warananagar in Kolhapur on September 2.

On September 3, she will attend and address the 21st convocation of Symbiosis International (Deemed University) at Pune. On the same day, she will reach Mumbai for the centenary year function of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.

President Murmu will, on Wednesday, inaugurate the Buddha Vihar at Udgir in Latur district.

She will also address a gathering of beneficiaries of 'Shasan Aplya Dari' and 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna' of the Maharashtra government at Udgir.

Under the ambitious Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in mid-August, eligible women beneficiaries from the age group of 21 to 65 years will get Rs 1,500 per month. Shinde has promised that the MahaYuti government will increase, in phases, the monthly financial aid to Rs 2,500 and later Rs 3,000 from the present Rs 1,500 after being voted to power in the upcoming Assembly election.

The 'Shasan Aplya Dari' initiative, launched in Maharashtra's Satara in May 2023 and then spread across the state, aims to provide benefits of government schemes and documents at one place.

 President to attend golden jubilee of woman SHG, centenary of Legislative Council in Maharashtra

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The candidates running for the new convocation of the Azerbaijani parliament include many young people, as exemplified by the 35th polling station of the 18th Narimanov-Nizami-Binagadi district of Baku, Asmar Bakhishova, the chairperson of the election commission at this polling station, told Trend.

She noted that the young candidates have been accompanied today by 'support groups'.

According to her, totally nine candidates are running in this district, eight of whom are from the younger generation, aged 40-45, working in newly developing companies.

"Our polling station has 1,274 voters, and about 25 percent voted in the first half of the day. By evening, voter turnout may increase as people cope with the heat. I believe that citizens with the right to vote in the election understand that their participation is crucial for forming the legislative branch of power. MPs are elected by the people and represent their interests, and there is an awareness of this," Bakhishova added.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

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At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, governments and health care centers across the country faced a difficult but important question: Should health care workers be required to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine?

It was an economic quandary as much as an ethical one. Vaccine mandates could cause reductions in staff, either from workers missing time due to recovery from the vaccine or from opting to seek employment elsewhere. Additionally, health care workers are highly educated on the value of vaccines and had seen firsthand the perils of COVID-19, reasons to think them capable of making the best decisions for themselves and their patients.

Now, a new study from researchers at Tulane University has found that state-level COVID-19 vaccination mandates successfully increased vaccine rates among health care workers, a finding that, while perhaps unsurprising, provides evidence that the policy can boost vaccination rates even among a highly vaccinated, highly educated population.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, examined vaccination rates among more than 30,000 health care workers in 45 states, 16 of which issued COVID vaccination mandates. Researchers found a 3-4% increase in vaccinations among the group, an improvement on an already lofty baseline vaccination rate of 86%. The study only found increases in vaccination rates in states that required vaccinations and provided no option to opt-out.

It's great from a government perspective to see this policy increase vaccination rates in an already very highly vaccinated population. These results also show that how we craft these regulations matters. States that provided an option to take a regular COVID test in lieu of getting vaccinated didn't see the same impacts as the strict mandate states." Charles Stoecker, corresponding author, health economist with Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

The findings provide valuable insight on the role vaccine mandates can play in the event of a future pandemic and why such mandates may be justified.

"The federal government has shown that it will defer to the states on this issue, and states have rolled back their mandates, but now we know we have this toolkit," Stoecker said. "In the event of a new pandemic, this shows we're leaving some vaccination coverage on the table if we let even highly educated health care workers decide for themselves."

The vaccination increases were primarily seen in health care workers between the ages of 25-49 years. The 16 states which passed and upheld vaccine mandates without opt-outs were California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Washington, DC.

Stoecker said the next step would be to examine how these mandates affected disease transmission, which could help quantify the economic impact such policies have.

"The ultimate goal would be to be able to assign economic benefits to the vaccinations that happened because of the mandates," Stoecker said.
A low-dose triple single-pill combination-based protocol achieved better blood pressure (BP) control than a standard-care protocol in Black African Nigerian adults with uncontrolled hypertension, according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2024.

"The burden of cardiovascular diseases in sub-Saharan Africa is rapidly increasing. Although high BP is a primary driver, only a very small fraction of people with hypertension are treated and in those who are treated, there is considerable therapeutic inertia, meaning they rarely achieve target BP levels. We hypothesised that the use of GMRx2, a low-dose triple single-pill combination, may overcome some of the barriers to uncontrolled hypertension. In the VERONICA-Nigeria trial, we found that GMRx2 achieved better BP control than standard care, with good tolerability in Black African adults," explained study presenter, Prof Dike Ojji from the University of Abuja, Nigeria.

The open-label VERONICA-Nigeria trial was conducted at three hospital-based family medicine clinics in Nigeria. Participants were Black African adults with uncontrolled hypertension (office systolic BP 140-179 mmHg and/or diastolic BP 90-109 mmHg) who were untreated (treatment naive or currently untreated) or receiving BP-lowering monotherapy and considered to need initiation or intensification of BP-lowering therapy. Exclusion criteria included secondary hypertension, established cardiovascular disease and uncontrolled diabetes.

Participants randomised to the triple-pill group received once-daily GMRx2, which contains telmisartan, amlodipine and indapamide at one of three doses: one-quarter of standard doses (10 mg, 1.25 mg and 0.625 mg, respectively), one-half of standard doses (20 mg, 2.5 mg and 1.25 mg) or standard doses (40 mg, 5 mg and 2.5 mg). Doses were up titrated at clinic visits sequentially, aiming to quickly achieve sustained BP control (less than 135/85 mmHg). Adding telmisartan 40 mg plus amlodipine 5 mg and specialist referral were further options if the target was not met.

Participants randomised to the standard-care group were treated based on the Nigeria hypertension treatment protocol for primary care involving the following steps at monthly intervals to achieve target BP (less than 140/90 mmHg): amlodipine 5 mg, then amlodipine 5 mg and losartan 50 mg, then amlodipine 10 mg and losartan 100 mg, then amlodipine 10 mg, losartan 100 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, and finally referral to a specialist if target BP was still not achieved.

The primary effectiveness outcome was the change in home mean systolic BP from baseline at 6 months. The primary safety outcome was the percentage of participants who discontinued the trial treatment due to an adverse event over the 6-month trial period.

In total, 300 patients were randomised (1:1) to the GMR2x triple pill or to standard care. The mean age was 52 years and 54% were female. At baseline, mean home BP was 151/97 mmHg and mean clinic BP was 156/97 mmHg. In total, 62% of participants were untreated and 38% were taking one BP-lowering drug at baseline.

At 6 months, mean home systolic BP had reduced by 31 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI] 28 to 33 mmHg) in the triple-pill group and reduced by 26 mmHg (95% CI 22 to 28 mmHg) in the standard-care group. The adjusted difference between the groups was significant in favour of the triple pill (5.8 mmHg; 95% CI 3.6 to 8.0; p<0.001).

Clinic BP control (<140/90 mmHg) was better in the triple-pill group (82%) than in the standard-care group (72%; relative risk 1.1; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.3). Similarly, home BP control (<130/80 mmHg) was better in the triple-pill group (62%) than in the standard-care group (28%; relative risk 2.2; 95% CI 1.6 to 2.9).

No participants discontinued trial treatment due to adverse events. Serious adverse events occurred in 1% in each group.
There was no apparent benefit to continuing oral anticoagulants compared with interruption in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2024.

The optimal strategy for periprocedural anticoagulation management is not well studied in patients undergoing TAVI, who are often relatively elderly and have other health conditions. Whether oral anticoagulants (OACs) should be interrupted in patients with a long-term indication, such as those with atrial fibrillation (AF), was uncertain. Observational evidence suggests that continuation may decrease the risk of thromboembolic events, such as stroke, and does not increase the risk of bleeding. The randomized POPular PAUSE TAVI trial investigated continuing vs. interrupting OACs and in fact, we found the opposite: no sign of a reduction in thromboembolic events and more bleeding in the continued OAC group." Dr. Dirk Jan van Ginkel, coordinating investigator from the St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, Netherlands

POPular PAUSE TAVI was an open-label, investigator-initiated, non-inferiority trial in patients on OAC with planned TAVI. Patients at high risk for thromboembolism for whom interruption of OACs was not an option were excluded (i.e. those with a mechanical heart valve prosthesis, intracardiac thrombus, venous thromboembolism within 3 months before TAVI, or transient ischaemic attack [TIA] or stroke in patients with AF within 6 months before TAVI). Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to continue OAC or to stop OAC at least 48 hours before TAVI. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular mortality, stroke of any cause, myocardial infarction, major vascular complications and major bleeding within 30 days after TAVI. Secondary endpoints included thromboembolic events (such as stroke, TIA, myocardial infarction or systemic embolism) and bleeding complications.

In total, 858 patients were randomized from 22 European sites. The mean age was 81 years and 34.5% were women. The mean CHA2DS2-VASC score was 4.5, indicating moderate-to-high risk of stroke. Over 80% were taking direct oral anticoagulants (81.9%), with the rest taking vitamin K antagonists (18.1%).

The primary composite endpoint occurred in 16.5% of patients in the continued OAC group and 14.8% in the interrupted OAC group (risk difference 1.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1 to 6.6; p=0.18 for non-inferiority). The non-inferiority margin (4% for the absolute between-group difference) was not met and therefore the investigators were not able to state that continuation was non-inferior to interruption.

Any bleeding occurred in 31.1% of patients in the continued group and 21.3% in the interrupted group (risk difference 9.8; 95% CI 3.9 to 15.6). There was no difference in thromboembolic events with continued vs. interrupted OACs (8.8% vs. 8.2%; risk difference 0.6; 95% CI 3.1 to 4.4).

"We now have evidence from a randomized trial that continuing OAC provides no apparent benefit in terms of thromboembolic events. Given the higher incidence of bleeding, our data support interrupting OAC in patients undergoing TAVI," concluded Professor Jur ten Berg, principal investigator of the study.
The top car maker Kia has been receiving an overwhelming response from Indian customers, all thanks to tech-loading models. Recently, the company has recorded impressive sales figures, where it has managed to record On-Year growth of 17.19 percent.

While confirming the news over an official release, the company revealed that it has retailed more than 22,520 last month in the country. This number has grown by more than 3300 units compared to the same month last year.

Top Performers

The company says the updated Sonet has been named as one of the top-selling products in the entire lineup. It has contributed massively to the overall sales, retailing over 10,073 units, followed by the updated Seltos with 6,536 units, while MPV Carens remain as top dominating model with sales of 5,881 units.

EV Segment

When it comes to the electric segment, EV6 has been standing tall in the dominating market. It has recorded a decent sales of 33 units. As far as the global numbers are concerned, made-in-India products continue to derive strong demand, with export numbers of 2,604 units in August 2024.

Heres What Top Official Says

Speaking about the achievement, the companys senior VP and National Head of Sales & Marketing, Hardeep Singh Brar said, Our continuously strong sales performance reflects the trust and confidence our customers place in the Kia brand. This success is a testament to the companys strategic optimization of the products, making our vehicles most compelling and value-for-money.

In addition, he said, Kia India is committed to offering vehicles that resonate well with our customers evolving needs, preferences and aspirations and to ensure that we are also, continuously expanding our footholds in the country.
7th Pay Commission DA Hike: After the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), central government employees are going to receive another bonanza this month  an increase in dearness allowance. According to people familiar with the matter, the central government is expected to announce a 3-4 per cent DA hike in the third week of September 2024.

The government is expected to roll out a DA hike of 3-4 per cent in the third week of September. The 3 per cent hike is confirmed, but it can be 4 per cent also, a source said.

In the previous DA hike in March 2024, the central government had raised dearness allowance by 4 per cent to 50 per cent of the basic pay. The government also increased dearness relief (DR) by 4 per cent.

Dearness allowance (DA) is given to central government employees, while dearness relief (DR) is given to pensioners. DA and DR are hiked twice a year, with effect from January and July.

Will Central Govt Employees Also Get COVID-19 DA Arrears?

According to a statement by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in the monsoon session of Parliament recently, the government is unlikely to release the 18-month arrears for DA and dearness relief (DR) that were halted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To a question Whether the government is actively considering to release an 18-month dearness allowance/ relief of central government employees/ pensioners which were withheld during COVID outbreak, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary replied, No.

The decision to freeze three installments of DA/ DR to central government employees/ pensioners due from January 1, 2020, July 1, 2020, and January 1, 2021, was taken in the context of COVID-19, which caused economic disruption, to ease pressure on government finances.

Will DA Beyond 50% Merge With Basic Pay?

According to experts, the dearness allowance will not be merged with the basic pay in case of DA crossing 50 per cent. It will continue as it is until the 8th Pay Commission is formed. Instead of the merger, there are provisions of increasing allowances, including HRA, in case of DA crossing 50 per cent, which has already happened.

In the 4th Pay Commission, the DA had reached as high as 170 per cent.

When Will 8th Commission Be Formed?

On the 8th Pay Commission, various central government employee unions have has made demands. However, there is no proposal with the government to form the 8th Pay Commission as of now.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on July 30, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said, Two representations have been received for constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission in June 2024. No such proposal is under consideration of the government, at present.

The 7th Pay Commission was constituted in February 2014. Its recommendations were implemented from January 1, 2016. Usually, the pay commission is constituted by the Central Government every 10 years to revise the remuneration of government employees.

How Does Govt Calculate DA Hike?

The DA and DR hike is decided based on the percentage increase in 12 monthly average of the All-India CPI-IW. Though the central government revises the allowances on January 1 and July 1 every year, the decision is generally announced in March and September/October.

In 2006, the central government had revised the formula to calculate the DA and DR for central government employees and pensioners.

Dearness Allowance Percentage = ((Average of All-India Consumer Price Index (Base Year 2001=100) for the past 12 months -115.76)/115.76)x100.

For Central public sector employees: Dearness Allowance Percentage = ((Average of All-India Consumer Price Index (Base Year 2001=100) for the past 3 months -126.33)/126.33)x100.
Working in a government organisation and contributing to nation-building is a dream for many in India. However, securing a government job is no easy feat, as it involves navigating various challenges, including finding a position that aligns with your skills and qualifications. If youre aspiring to become a government employee, heres a rundown of the top government vacancies you can apply for this week:

UBI APPRENTICE POSTS

If you are looking for a job in the banking sector, then this job opportunity is for you. The Union Bank of India (UBI) is inviting online applications from qualified applicants for the recruitment of apprentices. Under this recruitment drive, the bank will fill a total of 500 vacant seats. Candidates who wish to apply for the above-mentioned vacancies are advised to complete the online registration process before September 17. Moreover, the training programme of the selected candidates will last for a year. The trainee will get on-the-job training encompassing a variety of banking procedures, goods and practicesread more

BMC EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT POSTS

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a notification for the recruitment of an Executive Assistant. As per the notification, there are 1,846 positions for candidates who have completed their Class 10. To be eligible for the executive assistant post, candidates must possess basic computer skills and have a graduate degree with at least 45 per cent marks. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can visit the official website of the BMC at www.mcgm.gov.in and apply till September 9. Selected candidates can expect a competitive salary ranging between Rs 25,500 and Rs 81,100 per monthread more

SC JUNIOR COURT ATTENDANT POSTS

The Supreme Court of India is accepting online applications for the post of Junior Court Attendant. Aspirants who meet the eligibility criteria can submit their forms by going to the official website, sci.gov.in, until September 19. According to the official notice, the Supreme Court of India aims to fill up a total of 80 Junior Court Attendant (Cooking Knowing) posts under this recruitment drive. Candidates who get selected can expect a salary in Level 3 of the Pay Matrix with Basic Pay of Rs 21,700 plus usual allowances, and the approximate gross salary according to the existing rate of allowances, including HRA, is Rs 46,210 per monthread more

AIIMS FACULTY POSTS

The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), is offering an amazing opportunity for medical professionals. The institute has announced its recruitment drive for the posts of faculty (Group A). It is to be noted that the application process has already started, and the deadline to apply is October 5. Qualified candidates can apply for these posts through the official website, aiimsrbl.edu.in. The maximum age limit of the applicants should not be more than 58 years as of the last date to be eligible. Moreover, the candidates will be selected on the basis of an interview for the vacant postsread more

IRDAI ASSISTANT MANAGER POSTS

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has released a total of 49 vacancies for the post of Assistant Manager. To apply for these posts, visit the IRDA website at irdai.gov.in and fill out the application form. Candidate must be a graduate with 60 per cent marks to be eligible. Other than this, one should have cleared seven papers of AIA in 2019. Candidates will have to go through a two-tiered selection process, a written examination and an interview. Upon selection, candidates will get a starting salary of Rs 44,500, which will reach Rs 1,46,000 after adding various allowances for these posts in the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)read more
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Citizens of Azerbaijan are actively voting in the nation's parliamentary election, Chairman of the Committee on Ensuring Constitutional Principles, Human and Civil Rights and Freedoms and the Rule of Law of the Majlisi Milli of the Majlisi Oli (upper chamber of the bicameral national parliament) of Tajikistan Dilshod Rahmon said, Trend reports.

We are guided by the principles of respect for state sovereignty, impartiality, and provision of effective assistance, enshrined in the Convention on Standards for Democratic Elections, Electoral Rights and Freedoms in the CIS Countries, Rahmon noted.

The MP further pointed out that there were no egregious infractions at the voting locations.

Members of the Tajik parliament have been keeping an eye on Azerbaijan's parliamentary election in Baku.

According to the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, the group also included Deputy Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli Committee on Economics and Finance Aziz Giyozoda and the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Parliament of Tajikistan to the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Abduhalil Gafurzoda.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

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During the start of the academic calendar, the holiday calendar is also prepared across school boards. The academic and holiday calendars of all the states are different. September will see the closure of schools due to Onam and Ganesh Chaturthi. In some states, schools are closed on both Onam and Ganesh Chaturthi.

Onam will be observed on September 5, Teej will be celebrated on September 6, and Ganesh Chaturthi on September 7. However, in some states including Maharashtra, schools remain closed for 7-10 days on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Thus, students will get a long holiday. Also known as Vinayaka Chaturhi, it is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and is observed for around 9 to 11 days.

Furthermore, many schools remain closed on both Saturday and Sunday. If your school or college is closed on both Saturday and Sunday, then you will get nine days of holiday in September. There are four Saturdays and five Sundays in this month. Some schools also remain closed on the third or last Saturday of the month. September 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 are Sundays whereas September 7, 14, 21, and 28 are Saturdays.

Know how many holidays will be available in September 2024 and when schools and colleges will remain closed.

Date Festival Day September 5, 2024 Onam Thursday September 6, 2024 Hartalika Teej Friday September 7, 2024 Ganesh Chaturthi Saturday September 15, 2024 Thiruvonam Sunday September 16, 2024 Eid-e-Milad Monday

Meanwhile, schools in Telangana will remain closed today, September 1 due to heavy rains. The Meteorological Department has warned that it will rain heavily for the next two days. Schools in Hyderabad will remain closed on Monday. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered to give holidays to the schools in the districts that are experiencing heavy rains. He also responded to the criticism of not giving holidays to private schools in many places. Private educational institutions have also been directed to keep schools closed due to torrential rains.
A 19-year-old female student was found dead at Lucknows Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Law University on Sunday. Her body was recovered from her hostel room.

The woman was identified as Anika Rastogi, pursuing a Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB) at the university.

She was rushed to a hospital, where the doctors, as per an NDTV report, said she died of a cardiac arrest.

However, her postmortem report was awaited.

Sources informed CNN-News18 that Anika was not responding to phone calls from her friends, nor did she open the door of her room.

Later, the door of her room was broke open, and she was found lying on the floor in an unconscious state.

A probe is underway in the case.

Anika was a third-year LLB student and was the daughter of senior IPS officer, Santosh Rastogi, currently serving as the Inspector General at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and enquired about the situation in these states in the wake of heavy rains and floods. He further assured of all possible assistance from the Centre to overcome this challenge.

Torrential rains battered Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for the second consecutive day, resulting in at least 10 more fatalities, flooding and waterlogging in several areas, and disruptions to road and rail traffic on Sunday.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Sunday regarding the situation following heavy rains in the state and assured that the Centre would extend necessary help.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu spoke to the Central Home Secretary on Sunday after having a conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue of bringing power boats to the state urgently for relief measures in the flood-affected areas.

The Home Secretary informed that 6 NDRF teams, with 25 members each are being sent to the state immediately from other states. Each of the teams will be having four power boats. All these teams are expected to reach Vijayawada before Monday morning.

Heavy rains continued to lash many parts of Telangana as well, including Hyderabad. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday held an emergency review with ministers, officials and elected members to address the ongoing situation.

Key Points On Flood Situation in Andhra, Telangana

Torrential rains in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for the second consecutive day resulted in at least 10 more fatalities on Sunday.

Among the most affected in Telangana is the Khammam district where nearly 110 villages submerged under floodwaters.

Waterlogging was reported on railway tracks at several locations under the South Central Railway. While 99 trains were cancelled, four were partially cancelled and 54 were diverted.

In a weather warning, the Met Centre in Hyderabad said on Sunday that very heavy to extremely heavy rain is very likely to occur at isolated places in Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet, Jogulamba Gadwal, Mahbubabad, Jangaon districts of Telangana from 8.30 am of Sunday till 8.30 am of September 2. It also issued a red warning for this forecast.

Rivers in both states were in spate and thousands of people were evacuated by national and state disaster response forces from flooded areas to relief camps.

Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said despite several precautionary measures, nine persons lost their lives in various parts of the state in separate rain-related incidents.

Telangana chief minister appealed to people not to venture out of their homes unless in an emergency. Citizens living in low lying areas are advised to be more vigilant and inform the authorities over the phone in case of an emergency or any assistance required, the release said.

In Andhra Pradesh, unprecedented rainfall in the past two days paralysed normal life in several places, especially in Vijayawada and its vicinity while 17,000 affected people were evacuated across the state.

Alerting people living in low-lying areas, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority managing director R Kurmandh said the first level warning has been issued at Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada as the Krishna river is in spate, following heavy inflow.

Andhra CM Naidu said arrangements for food were being made at the rehabilitation centres for the people. Relief measures also include the distribution of 25 kg rice, 1 kg dal, 1 kg sugar, 1 kg onions and 1 kg oil, he added. In the special case of weavers and fishermen who would lose out on their livelihood for an extended period due to the deluge, the CM said a double portion of rice would be distributed to them.

Naidu said that 17,000 rain-affected people were evacuated to 107 relief camps while over 1.1 lakh hectares of agricultural fields and 7,360 hectares of horticultural fields were damaged.

Due to heavy rains, water is flowing on NH 65 at Chillakallu and Nandigama in Andhra Pradesh and the Paleru River is overflowing on the road at Nayakinigudem on the way from Suryapet to Khammam in Telangana, officials said.

A woman died and three others were feared washed away in separate rain-related incidents in Mahabubabad and Khammam districts of Telangana on Sunday.

Telangana chief minister held teleconference with top officials and the Chief Secretary, DGP and the officials of State Municipal Administration, Energy, Panchayati Raj, HYDRAA, Irrigation departments were asked to be alert in the next 24 hours.

A portion of gravel under the railway track near Kesamudram in Mahabubabad district was washed away due to floodwaters, stranding passengers on a train at Kesamudram railway station.

Meanwhile, a control room was opened at state Secretariat in Telanganas Hyderabad to monitor heavy rains in the state, an official release said.

(with PTI inputs)
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday unveiled the new flag and insignia of the Supreme Court to commemorate the 75th year of its establishment.

Addressing the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary organised by the apex court, President Murmu said the Supreme Court has made an invaluable contribution as a vigilant sentinel of the judicial system of the worlds largest democracy.

Indian jurisprudence has a very respectable place because of the Supreme Court, the President added.

She appreciated that on the completion of 75 years of its establishment, the Supreme Court had organised many programmes which have increased peoples trust and attachment towards our judicial system.

President Murmu reiterated that people consider every judge in the country as God and every judge and judicial officer of the country has the moral responsibility to respect dharma, truth, and justice.

The district-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens. Therefore, providing justice to the people through the district courts with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost is the basis of the success of our judiciary, she said.

The President highlighted that in recent years there have been significant improvements in the availability of infrastructure, facilities, training and human resources of the judiciary at the district level but a lot remains to be done in all these areas.

She said that pendency and backlog of cases is a big challenge before the judiciary and cases remain pending for as long as over 32 years.

President Murmu emphasised that programmes such as special Lok Adalat week should be organised more frequently to tackle the pendency of cases.

She suggested making arrangements to provide justice in the local language and local conditions to achieve the ideal of taking justice to everyones doorstep.

The judiciary, government, and police administration should work together to find solutions to issues related to evidence and witnesses, she added.

Concluding her address, President Murmu expressed her confidence that by implementing the new criminal justice laws, our judiciary will usher in a new era of justice.
A couple has been arrested in connection with the death of a woman, whose headless body was found on the banks of a river in Pune city earlier this week, police said on Sunday.

The police on Saturday arrested Ashfaq Khan and his wife Hamida for allegedly killing his 48-year-old sister in a dispute over ownership of a room in a slum, an official said.

The police found the body of a woman, who had been decapitated with her hands and legs severed, on the banks of the Mutha River in the Kharadi area on August 26.

Following a probe, the woman was identified as Sakina Khan (48), the official said.

Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjankumar Sharma said, The Pune city police recovered a womans torso from the banks of the Mutha River. There were no clothes on the body, and the accused had dismembered it to destroy evidence before throwing it in the river. Investigations revealed that the victim, Sakina, had a dispute with her brother over the ownership of a room in a slum in the Shivaji Nagar area, he said.

Sakina had been reported missing, and her brother Ashfaq and sister-in-law Hamida were detained in connection with her disappearance, the official said.

The duo allegedly strangled the victim, decapitated her and dismembered the body to destroy the evidence, he said.

The couple has been arrested under sections 103 (murder) and 238 (causing the disappearance of evidence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the official said.
Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders, including NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Congress state unit chief Nana Patole, on Sunday (September 1) held a march from the iconic Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India in Mumbai to protest against the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district.

Sharad Pawar and NCP (SP) Mumbai head Varsha Gaikwad began the protest march by laying wreaths at Hutatma Chowk, a memorial to those martyred in the Samyukta Maharashtra agitation. Baramati MP Supriya Sule was also present.

The statue of the 17th century Maratha warrior king at Rajkot fort in Malvan tehsil, fell on August 26. It was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023, on the occasion of Navy Day. The protest march was to give voice to the anger of the people of Maharashtra over the statue collapsing only eight months after it was unveiled, said NCP (SP) leader Rajesh Tope and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Prabhu.

The march, which began sometime after 11 am and came to an end around noon, also included Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, Kolhapur Congress MP Shahu Chhatrapati and MLA Anil Deshmukh. A bust of the legendary warrior king was placed at Hutatma Chowk, while those taking part in the protest march carried placards denouncing the statue collapse and shouted slogans against the Eknath Shinde-led government.

Pawar walked some distance as part of the protest march before getting into his vehicle.

The Mumbai Police earlier increased security in response to the protest march, as security personnel were stationed throughout the city to maintain order.

Uddhav Thackeray criticised the BJP-led Mahayuti government for the statues collapse at Rajkot Fort last month, stating that: Two days ago, people saw how the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fell and the kinds of statements being made. Raj Bhavan is on the seashore, yet even the Governors hat never flew off. They say the statue fell due to strong windshow is this possible?

On August 30, Youth Congress leaders and other party workers were detained while protesting the prime ministers visit to Mumbai, demanding a public apology from him over the collapse of the statue. Modi said he bowed his head and apologised to the people of Maharashtra hurt by the collapse.

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 different. For us, nothing is bigger than our deity, he said.

Chetan Patil, the structural consultant for the statue, was arrested in Kolhapur. An FIR was filed under sections 109, 110, 125, 318, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that the state government is taking swift action to reconstruct the statue. Two committees have been formed, including one to probe the collapse in Malvan. An official statement from the Indian Navy stated that a joint technical committee, led by the its officials as well as including representatives from the state government and technical experts, is being established to investigate the damage to the statue. The investigation will consider severe weather conditions that may have contributed to the incident.

(With PTI inputs)
In two new cases of sexual assault in West Bengal, a hospital staff member in Howrah was arrested for molesting a 14-year-old girl in a CT scan room, while another man was detained in Birbhum district for groping an on-duty nurse at a government-run hospital.

The incident, involving the teenage girl, occurred when she visited Howrah Sadar Hospital for a CT scan. The girl alleged that the technician molested her, prompting her to flee the hospital in distress. In the Birbhum case, an on-duty nurse at a government health center in Ilambazar was groped by a man. The hospital authorities immediately contacted the police, who arrested the accused on the spot.

In the Howrah case, Narayan Chattopadhyay, Superintendent of Howrah Government Hospital said, An FIR has been registered at Howrah Police Station and the accused has been arrested. We have asked for an explanation from the private partner who did the CT scan of the victim. We will send it to the higher authority and take action accordingly. The person who has been arrested was an employee of the private-public partner.

In West Bengal, the first day of September, 2024 starts with four reported cases of sexual assault:1. Nurse molested in llambazar Swasthya Kendra in Birbhum. A man named Sheikh Abbasuddin forcefully groped her private parts, while she was on night duty. Mamata Banerjee, instead pic.twitter.com/7SB6bkxdtl  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 1, 2024

Unsafe State for women

These back-to-back sexual violence cases follow a brutal rape-murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkatas RG Kar Hospital. In the wake of the new cases of sexual violence in Bengal, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying that she has done nothing to enforce the stringent rules in rapes and POCSO cases.

Thanks to Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal is the most unsafe State for women. She has done nothing to enforce the stringent rules and establish Fast Track Courts to punishing accused in rapes and POCSO cases. She is an unmitigated disaster as a Chief Minister and must resign, he added. Taking to X, Bengal BJP leader Agnimitra Paul also rebuked the state government.

In a shocking incident at Howrah Hospital, staff members were caught red-handed attempting to commit a heinous act with a minor girl patient in the CT scan room. This appalling incident reflects the dire state of womens safety in hospitals across West Bengal. When even hospitals pic.twitter.com/bYNV7jOLle Agnimitra Paul BJP (@paulagnimitra1) September 1, 2024

Bengal Police Responds

Responding to allegations made by the BJP, the West Bengal Police said it believes in zero tolerance towards offences against women and warned of stern legal action against those spreading misinformation.

Misinformation is being spread about a few incidents in the districts. Facts are:1. One patient has been accused of bad touch to a nurse in Ilambazar BPHC and has been arrested..(1/3)  West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) September 1, 2024

Facts are: 1. One patient has been accused of bad touch to a nurse in Ilambazar BPHC and has been arrested. 2. An allegation of sexual assault of a girl by her cousin has been received in Krishnangar PD. Raids are on to arrest the accused.

3. The sole accused has been promptly arrested in an incident of sexual assault in Madhyamgram. The arrestee is not a Panchayat member. 4. A lab technician has been arrested on a complaint of sexual molestation of a girl in Howrah District Hospital, the police said.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday raised the concern over the lack of support to women survivors of targeted crimes against them, and delay in court decisions in heinous crimes like rape.

While addressing the valedictory session at the National Conference of the District Judiciary, organised to mark 75 years of the Supreme Court, the President said that the delay in such cases forces the common man to think that the judicial process lacks sensitivity.

It is a sad aspect of our social life that even after committing a crime, the criminals roam around fearlessly. Those who are victims of their crimes live in fear as if their own thoughts have committed many crimes. The situation of women victims is even worse because even the people of society do not support them, she said.

         ,   , -                    ,  -  ,          President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 1, 2024

Her remarks came amid the ongoing protests and nationwide outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital that took place on August 9.

Murmu further lamented that the poor people from villages are afraid to go to court. For them, going away from the village to the court even once becomes a cause of great mental and financial pressure, she said.

They become a participant in the justice process of the court only under great compulsion. Often they tolerate injustice silently because they feel that fighting for justice can make their lives more miserable. In such a situation, many people cannot even imagine the pain that poor people experience due to the culture of adjournment. Every possible measure should be taken to change this situation, she said.

Addressing the longstanding pendency and backlog of cases as a big challenge for the judiciary, Murmu said that programmes like special Lok Adalat week should be organised frequently to clear the backlog.

President Murmu stated that judiciary require coordinated efforts from all stakeholders to address the challenges. For instance, issues related to evidence and witnesses should be addressed collaboratively by the judiciary, government, and police administration, she said.

The President said the Constitution provides for the devolving of power and responsibilities of the Legislative and Executive bodies to local level through panchayats and municipalities, and urged those present if we could think of a justice system at the local level equivalent to these.

Murmu said that justice delivery in local language and conditions can help country achieve the ideal of justice for all.

Meanwhile, she expressed happiness over the increase in the number of women judicial officers.

The event was attended by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal. Murmu also released a flag and insignia of the Supreme Court during the programme.

The Supreme Court organised the two-day National Conference of the District Judiciary on August 31 and September 1. The judges of the Supreme Court, Chief Justices of high courts, Secretary General of the Supreme Court, along with the Registrar Generals of high courts participated in the conference.
Two women were killed in a wall collapse in Kothapalli at Telanganas Narayanpet district, as heavy rains continued to lash many parts of the state. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy held an emergency review with ministers, officials and elected members on Sunday (September 1), directing them to take immediate relief measures in flood-affected areas.

#WATCH | Telangana: Waterlogging witnessed in Warangal city following heavy rain in the region. pic.twitter.com/Y2qRYBKjLC ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

Waterlogging and tree fall incidents were reported from state capital Hyderabad due to incessant rains overnight. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for the city and has forecast heavy rain till late into the evening.

#WATCH | Telangana: The water flow of Hussain Sagar Lake increases after heavy rainfall in Hyderabad. pic.twitter.com/GmPxR5X7Fa ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

However, as a precautionary measure to ensure childrens safety, the administration ordered all schools to be closed in Hyderabad district due to a forecast of heavy rains on Monday (September 2).

According to the South Central Railway, six trains were cancelled and nine were diverted due to heavy rains and waterlogging on the tracks at several locations.

#WATCH | Mahabubabad, Telangana | A railway track between Kesamudram and Mahabubabad was inundated due to continuous heavy rainfall.All trains from Vijayawada to Warangal, Warangal to Vijayawada, and Delhi to Vijayawada have been put on hold because of this. (Source: Krishna, pic.twitter.com/PK9c9ORMfl  ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

Here is all you need to know:

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy held an emergency review meeting and directed control rooms to be set up in districts, including worst-affected areas like Suryapet, Khammam, Mahbubabad and Warangal. He instructed the authorities to take immediate relief measures in flood-hit areas

He spoke to ministers Bhatti Vikramarka, N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Tummala Nageshwar Rao, Damodara Raja Narasimha and Jupalli Krishna Rao over the phone and inquired about the relief operations in the submerged areas

The chief minister appealed to people not to venture out of their homes unless in an emergency. Those living in low-lying areas were advised to be more vigilant and inform the authorities in case of an emergency or assistance required

He directed ministers, MPs, MLAs and MLCs to stay in their areas and take up relief operations. A control room was opened at the state secretariat to monitor heavy rains in the state

The weather department said moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers accompanied with gusty winds up to 40 to 50 kmph are very likely for Hyderabad. It also predicted low to moderate flash flood risk over Ranga Reddy, Hyderabad, Medchal, Vikarabad and Sangareddy districts

An orange alert is in place for Hyderabad with a forecast of heavy rain till evening. While no casualties were reported in this district, waterlogging and multiple tree fall incidents were reported with stagnant points being cleared. The flow of water in the Hussain Sagar Lake has also increased after heavy rainfall

Due to the forecast of heavy rains in Hyderabad district, all primary and secondary schools, under all managements (government, aided and private), will be closed on Monday (September 2) as a precautionary measure to ensure the childrens safety

A portion of gravel under the railway track near Kesamudram in Mahabubabad district was washed away due to floodwaters, stranding passengers on a train at Kesamudram railway station. Due to this, all trains from Vijayawada to Warangal, Warangal to Vijayawada, and Delhi to Vijayawada were put on hold

Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu visited flood-affected areas and relief shelters in his constituency in Khammam district in the early hours. He also directed officials to make necessary arrangements for flood victims

Heavy rains also affected neighbouring Andhra Pradesh as well, where aerial footage captured heavily inundated areas in Vijayawada like Nandamuri Nagar, Ajith Singh Nagar, Raja Rajeswararao Pet. Several houses and cars were seen submerged in the Rama Krishna Puram area. Police and NDRF teams are rescuing affected people and relocating them to rehabilitation centres. The Pulichintala project dam is also overflowing at present.

#WATCH | Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh: Following heavy rain in the region, Pulichintala project dam overflows pic.twitter.com/ePeFED760s ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Several houses and cars inundate in the Rama Krishna Puram area of Vijayawada.Police and NDRF teams are rescuing the affected people and relocating them to rehabilitation centres. pic.twitter.com/Uc9bRz6qPB  ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

What is the IMD forecast?

The MeT has warned of very heavy to extremely heavy rain is very likely to occur at isolated places in Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet, Jogulamba Gadwal, Mahbubabad, Jangaon districts of Telangana till 8.30 am on September 2. It issued a red warning for this forecast.

It said heavy to very heavy rain is very likely to occur at few places in Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Jagital, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Vikarabad, Sangareddy districts.

What is the government response?

Moderate to heavy rains lashed many parts of the state on Saturday (August 31), leading to inundation of low-lying areas and disruption of road links between villages in some places.

#WATCH | Khammam, Telangana | Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, visited flood-affected areas and relief shelters in his constituency, specifically in Vagavedu Village Madhira Mandal, Khammam district, during the early hours. He also directed officials pic.twitter.com/GGgDW5gSDW ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

Revanth Reddy held a teleconference with top officials and the chief secretary, DGP and officials of state municipal administration, energy, panchayati raj, HYDRAA, irrigation departments were asked to be alert in the next 24 hours. He ordered district collectors, SPs, revenue, irrigation and municipal officials to conduct field visits in the flood-hit habitations.

Specific instructions have been issued to all officials of the important departments to cancel their leaves and join relief and rescue operations immediately in the rain ravaged districts. The officials of the emergency wings have also been asked to send updates on heavy rains at the field level to the CMO office from time to time.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday termed the violence committed against a health warrior at Kolkatas RG Kar Hospital on August 9 as barbarity expressed in extremity.

Addressing students and faculty members at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh, the vice president said such barbaric incidents put the entire civilisation to shame and shreds what Bharat stands for.

Lamenting the use of the term symptomatic malaise by some stray voices, Dhankhar said such statements aggravate our excruciating pain and add salt to our injured conscience.

When humanity has been shamed, there are some stray voices, voices that cause concern. They only aggravate our excruciating pain. To put it mildly, they are adding salt to our injured conscience and what do they say it is a symptomatic malaise, a frequent incident.

When it comes from someone who is a Member of Parliament, a senior advocate, then the culpability is of an extreme degree. There can be no alibi for such kind of demonising thoughts. I call upon such misguided souls to revisit their thoughts and publicly tender apology. This is not an occasion where you should be looking through political prism. This political prism is a dangerous one, it kills your objectivity, he added.

Recognising his accountability to the medical fraternity and the countrys women by virtue of his constitutional post, Dhankhar said, I am before you. As a matter of fact holding a constitutional position, I have to show my accountability, I have to justify the position I hold as vice president and chairman Rajya Sabha.  Our heart is injured, our conscience is crying and our soul is seeking accountability, he added.

Referring to the work of medical professionals as Nishkam Seva as pronounced by Lord Krishna without any expectation just doing their duty, the VP condemned acts of violence against the doctors in any form.

Expressing his concern for the safety of doctors at workplace, he emphasised upon the need to bring out a mechanism where health warriors are protected.

A doctor can help only to a limit. A doctor cannot convert himself to god. He is next to god, so when somebody dies, out of emotive feelings and uncontrolled feelings, doctors are not given the treatment they deserve security of the doctors, nurses, compounders, health warriors must be impregnably protected, he added.

Criticising the selective silence of NGOs, Dhankhar said, Certain NGOs on road for drop of a hat are in silence mode. We have to question them. Their silence is much worse than the culpable act of perpetrators of this heinous crime on August 9, 2024. Those who seek to play politics and earn brownie points, are not responding to the call of their conscience.

Underlining the responsibility of society to prevent such incidents and develop a mechanism where women feel safe, the vice president said, Whoever has done it will be held accountable, but the society is also to be held accountable. The society cannot escape its responsibility. I dont want to make it a matter of the government or a matter of political parties. It is a matter of the society

It has shaken the very foundation of our existence. It has questioned what India stands for and stood for thousands of years.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The voter turnout in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan as of 15:00 in the course of voting in connection with the extraordinary parliamentary election taking place today has been revealed, Trend reports.

Director of the Information Center of the Secretariat of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan Farid Orujev stated at a briefing today that the activity of voters in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan at this hour is as follows:

Aghdam-Khojaly electoral district  118 - 34.27 percent

Aghdam electoral district 119 - 34.12 percent

Jabrayil-Gubadli electoral district 120 - 40.3 percent

Lachin constituency 121 - 33.78 percent

Khankendi constituency 122 - 42.75 percent

Kalbajar constituency - 32.03 percent

Shusha-Aghdam-Khojavand constituency 124 - 36.39 percent

Zangilan-Gubadli constituency  125 - 39.73 percent.

The number of voters who cast their ballots amounted to 1,893,555 people.

An extraordinary parliamentary election has started in Azerbaijan.

The voting started at 08:00 and will end in the evening at 19:00.

According to the Calendar Plan of the main actions and measures on preparation and holding of extraordinary parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the election campaign of candidates started 23 days before the voting day and was suspended 24 hours before the voting.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh has now undergone 15 days of questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation, including lie-detection and voice analysis tests, in the alleged rape-murder of a trainee doctor at the premier medical institution.

But, sources told CNN-News18 that he is trying to deflect blame on why the hospital authorities misled the woman doctors parents on the night of the incident, as well as allowing the crime scene to remain unattended for at least 40 minutes.

Having analysed Ghoshs answers over a fortnight, the question still remains as to why he  the principal at that time  was not immediately informed about the death and why there was a delay of 30 minutes in doing so after the body was discovered. In the interim, hospital officials purportedly informed the parents and floated the death by suicide theory.

According to the sources, the CBI has repeatedly questioned Ghosh and even conducted a polygraph to figure out if there are inconsistencies in his answers during the interrogation. The agency is also investigating why his aides were present inside the seminar hall when he has claimed that he initially did not have any information about the medics death, they said.

Here is what Ghosh has told the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the last 15 days:
Indian Accent New Delhi celebrates its 15th anniversary by taking diners on a nostalgic culinary journey with a special flashback to its 2009 menu. The celebration is led by Executive Chef Shantanu Mehrotra, who has been with Indian Accent since its inception, and Chef Rijul Gulati from Indian Accent Mumbai. The menu features iconic dishes that have defined the restaurants innovative approach to Indian cuisine, including whole meal and semolina puchkas, paneer tikka chaat, panko-crusted bharwan mirch, tandoori Scottish salmon, and the playful Indian Accent sorbet served in a mini pressure cooker.

From its beginnings in 2009, Indian Accent has become a trailblazer in modern Indian cuisine, blending traditional flavors with contemporary techniques. Over the years, the restaurant has garnered international acclaim, putting Indias culinary prowess on the global map. The anniversary menu reflects this journey, offering a taste of the creativity and passion that have defined Indian Accents evolution. Whether its the vegetarian masala morels or the non-vegetarian garlic and khada masala roast chicken, each dish is a testament to the restaurants commitment to excellence and innovation in Indian cuisine. As Indian Accent marks 15 glorious years, it continues to celebrate its legacy of pushing the boundaries of what Indian food can be, all while honoring the flavors and traditions that have inspired its success.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Chef Shantanu Mehrotra, Executive Chef, Indian Accent, New Delhi, as the restaurant celebrates its 15th anniversary by revisiting its iconic 2009 menu.

What motivated you to bring back the 2009 menu for Indian Accents 15-year anniversary celebration?

The inspiration behind revisiting our inaugural menu was to evoke a sense of nostalgia. When we launched Indian Accent, our menu was a bold statement of what modern Indian cuisine could bea blend of tradition and innovation. These dishes laid the foundation for our journey, challenging conventions and setting new standards in Indian dining. By bringing back these original creations, we are honoring the creative spirit and culinary vision that has defined Indian Accent since its inception. Its a way for us to reflect on our roots while celebrating how far weve come. We want our guests to experience the same excitement and curiosity they felt when they first dined with us and to appreciate the evolution of our cuisine as it continues to push boundaries.

What makes Indian Accents menu unique compared to other Indian restaurants?

Our menu is distinguished by the thoughtful and innovative approach that underpins every dish. At Indian Accent, we seek to redefine traditional Indian cuisine by moving beyond the conventional notions of heavy oils and overpowering spices. Instead, we focus on a delicate balance where spices are used to enhance, rather than overshadow, the primary ingredients. This allows the true essence of the flavors to shine through, creating a more refined and sophisticated dining experience. Additionally, we integrate global techniques and influences into our dishes, further elevating the presentation and taste.

What are some of the highlight dishes from the 2009 menu being reintroduced?

Some of the standout dishes making a comeback from our 2009 menu include the Chicken Tikka Chaat & Khakra Mille Feuille with Shimla Mirch Mayo; Bharwan Mirch & Goat Cheese Mousse with Chilli Aam Papad Chutney; Rice Crusted John Dory Moilee, Local Greens & Pinenut Poriyal; Smoked Duck Shammi & Crispy Seviyan with Barberry Chutney; and the Masala Morels with Water Chestnut, Asparagus, and Paper Roast Dosai. Each of these dishes carries the essence of our early days, representing the creativity and innovation that defined our beginnings.

How do you think the culinary landscape in India has changed in the past 15 years, and how has Indian Accent contributed to this evolution?

When Indian Accent was launched in 2009, our goal was to break the monotony associated with Indian food, especially in the fine dining segment. We aimed to present Indian cuisine in a more refined, plated manner with global influences. Our approach also involved reintroducing traditional ingredients in a new light. International travelers, who were often wary of street food, found comfort in experiencing dishes like puchkas in the environment of a fine dining restaurant, where every element was freshly prepared and plated in an innovative way. By doing so, Indian Accent not only elevated the perception of Indian cuisine on the global stage but also set a new standard for how it could be experienced. Over the past 15 years, weve seen the culinary landscape in India evolve to embrace this blend of tradition and modernity, and were proud to have been at the forefront of this transformation.

What emotions or memories do you associate with the 2009 menu, and how do you hope guests will feel when experiencing it now?

Working on the 2009 menu brings back a deep sense of nostalgia. As we recreate these dishes, its not just about the flavors but also about the memories and emotions tied to them. The plating remains largely true to its original presentation, reflecting the journey weve taken to refine these dishes while preserving their essence. Regular patrons who have been with us since the beginning often find themselves reminiscing about their past experiences, recalling where they sat and what they enjoyed. Its a sentimental journey for both them and us.

In what ways does the 2009 menu reflect the culinary trends of that time, and how does it compare to contemporary trends?

Back in 2009, the perception of Indian cuisine was quite rigid, with certain expectations about what a meal should includelike biryani or butter chicken. At Indian Accent, we challenged these norms. For instance, people were initially surprised to see our paneer presented in a pinwheel style rather than the usual block smothered in spices. We explained that this unique presentation allowed the marinades flavors to permeate every bite, offering a much richer and more layered taste experience. This approach was a significant departure from the trends of that time, and it paved the way for the more innovative and diverse culinary trends we see today.
Hair extensions and wigs, once considered exclusive accessories for special occasions, have seamlessly integrated into everyday beauty regimes. These products offer unmatched versatility, allowing individuals to express their unique style with grace and ease. Whether aiming for red-carpet glamour or a more understated daily look, the modern hair extension or wig delivers with a commitment to quality.

Mani Tyagi, co-founder, Gemeria Hair, highlights the transformative power of these products, noting their ability to let people exhibit their individuality. They take one from that celebrity, red-carpet glamour to the simple, mundane look with so much ease and convenience, all without compromising on quality, explains Tyagi. He emphasizes that the appeal of hair extensions and wigs lies in their ability to allow personal style to shine through, offering more than just a boost in volume, color, or length. These products empower wearers to confidently face any occasion, whether a graduation, wedding, or casual outing with friends.

At the heart of this growing trend is a promise of quality and authenticity. The best hair extensions and wigs are crafted from ethically sourced materials, ensuring a natural look that stands the test of time. Tyagi stresses that as more people become aware of this trend, they will not only appreciate the aesthetic benefits but also embrace the confidence that comes with looking and feeling their best.

Parul Gulati, founder, Nish Hair, offers a personal perspective on the everyday appeal of hair extensions. As an actor, I use hair extensions not just for shoots or events but in my daily life. They give me versatility, confidence, and convenience without the commitment of permanent changes, shares Gulati. Gulati likens hair extensions to makeup for your hairan enhancement that lets you express yourself with ease.

Gulati also notes that the majority of Nish Hairs customers are not purchasing for glamorous events but rather for their daily lives. Most of our customers arent buying for glamorous events. Theyre real people, dealing with hair thinning or loss, seeking volume and coverage, she says. While special occasions like weddings or festivals might prompt a purchase, the true value lies in everyday wear, helping individuals feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. Thats what I aim to sellconfidence, helping people feel their best every day, whether its with extra volume, length, coverage, or a boost in how they see themselves.

The rising trend of hair extensions and wigs has extended far beyond the glitz of red carpets. Its now an integral part of daily life, offering individuals a way to enhance their natural beauty while embracing their unique style. With quality and authenticity at its core, this trend promises to continue growing, helping more people look good and feel confident, no matter the occasion.
Netflixs new series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack brought back memories of the harrowing events that played out in the last week of December 1999. For the unversed, an Indian aircraft bound to New Delhi from Kathmandu was hijacked. The passengers were under hijackers custody for a whole week and the pilot was asked to fly around several destinations. The man in the pilots seat was Captain Devi Sharan. The role, in the series, was played by Vijay Varma.

While the series gives us a glimpse of how events played out, director Anubhav Sinha revealed he had a conversation with the pilot during the making of the series and they revisited several incidents of the hijacking. This includes the pilot force-landing the aircraft on a highway in Lahore.

In a video shared by Netflix, Anubhav recalled Devi Sharan talking about taking off the aircraft from Amritsar and within 10 minutes, he realised the aircraft was running out of fuel. It was just a 10-minute flight, but the plane didnt have the fuel to gain altitude, Anubhav revealed, adding that he was not getting permission to land the flight.

I asked him, What were you thinking when you decided to land on the highway? And he said, I was prepared to land on a highway so that at least a few people survive, but I also felt that this threat might convince Lahore authorities to grant us permission to land at the airport, Anubhav shared.

The director added that the pilot has a mark due to the gun that was placed around his neck throughout the hijack. He still has a mark on his neck from where the hijackers had put the gun on him. It kept rubbing against his skin for so long that it left a mark, and the mark is still there, the filmmaker shared.

In an interview with Sucharita Tyagi on her YouTube channel revealed that Devi Sharan resumed work four days after the hijack ended. He started flying 4 days of this incident. He said he didnt want fear to get the better of him. When you meet somebody who goes through life with that much determinationit shows the character and I just played that, he said.
Amid calls from some social media users to boycott the series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack for allegedly hiding the true identities of the terrorists involved in the 1999 incident, casting director Mukesh Chhabra clarified on Sunday that the terrorists used nicknames, and thorough research was done for the show. The series, directed by Anubhav Sinha, focuses on the 1999 hijacking of an Indian plane, which began streaming on Netflix on August 29. Trolls on social media, using hashtags like #BoycottNetflix and #BoycottBollywood, claimed that the names of the hijackers were changed to Shankar and Bhola to allegedly protect their identities.

I am reading so many tweets about the names of the hijackers. We did the proper research. They used to call each other by those names, nicknames or fake names, whatever you want to call them, Mukesh wrote on X. And thank you, everyone, for loving the ensemble cast. A big thank you to my team, and especially to Anubhav Sinha for trusting us and giving me the freedom to explore. #IC814 #Netflix, he added.

Earlier, writer Neelesh Misra, who wrote the book that inspired Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, reacted to the backlash over the changed names of the terrorists in the series. All the hijackers assumed false names. That is how they referred to each other and how the passengers referred to them throughout the hijacking  Regards, the author of the first book on the IC-814 hijacking, he shared on X.

The Kandahar flight hijack refers to a dramatic incident that took place in December 1999, when Indian Airlines Flight 814 was hijacked by a group of militants. The aircraft, en route from Kathmandu to Delhi, was diverted to Kandahar in Afghanistan after being taken over by the hijackers. The standoff lasted for several days, during which intense negotiations and complex diplomatic maneuvers unfolded.
Captain Devi Sharan, the pilot of IC 814, became a symbol of extraordinary bravery during the harrowing 1999 Indian Airlines hijacking. This incident, which has been vividly brought to life by Vijay Varma in the Netflix series, has once again shone a spotlight on the real-life hero behind the gripping story.

The IC 814 Hijacking of 1999

On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines Flight 814, en route from Kathmandu to Delhi, was hijacked by five masked men with links to Al Qaeda. This terrifying ordeal lasted for eight days, making it one of the longest hijacking dramas in aviation history. Onboard were 188 passengers and crew, including honeymooners, businessmen, and holidaymakers. At the helm of the plane was 37-year-old Captain Devi Sharan, alongside first officer Rajinder Kumar and flight engineer Anil Kumar Jaggia.

The Heroic Role of Captain Devi Sharan

Captain Devi Sharan, who had planned to go on a family vacation after completing his flight on Christmas Eve, found himself thrust into a situation that would test his courage and resolve to the fullest. Despite the immense pressure and the lives of so many hanging in the balance, Captain Sharan maintained a calm demeanor throughout the ordeal. His quick thinking and decisive actions played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the passengers.

One of the most tense moments occurred when the Lahore Air Traffic Control initially refused permission for the aircraft to land. Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind, Captain Sharan feigned an imminent crash landing to pressure the ATC into allowing the plane to land safely. This quick-witted decision likely averted a potential disaster.

Recognition And Legacy

For his bravery and composure under extreme duress, Captain Devi Sharan was celebrated as a hero upon his return to India. The government, the public, and his family welcomed him back with open arms, recognizing the immense responsibility he had borne and the lives he had helped save.

Flight Into Fear and the Netflix Series

Captain Sharans harrowing experience during the hijacking was documented in his book Flight Into Fear, co-authored with Srinjoy Chowdhary. This book served as a significant inspiration for Anubhav Sinhas Netflix series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. In the series, Vijay Varma portrays Captain Sharan, bringing to the screen the tension, fear, and ultimately, the resilience that marked those fateful days.

Vijay Varma, reflecting on his role, shared a profound encounter with the real Captain Sharan. He recounted how the Captains calm smile and simplicity left a deep impression on him, especially when Sharan casually revealed the scar on his neck from the hijackers guna constant reminder of the ordeal he endured. Varma expressed deep admiration for the Captain, calling him a real-life hero and highlighting the immense honor it was to depict him on screen.

A Tale of Bravery And Honor

Captain Devi Sharans story is one of resilience, critical thinking, and unwavering duty. His actions during the IC 814 hijacking are a testament to the courage and dedication of those who, in the face of unimaginable challenges, rise to protect the lives of others. Today, his story continues to inspire, reminding us all of the quiet strength that true heroes possess.
At a special screening of a rare Cinemascope print of Sholay preserved by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), legendary writer Javed Akhtar received an overwhelming reception, remarking, Thank you for giving us such a warm reception. Its very kind of you. This doesnt usually happen to writers, you know, The event, held on Saturday at Mumbais Regal Cinema, saw fans lining up in droves, eager to rewatch the iconic film that Akhtar co-wrote with Salim Khan, who was also in attendance.

According to FHFs Instagram, the screening drew a packed house of 1,100 moviegoers. The foundation shared a video capturing the long line of cinephiles waiting outside the cinema, highlighting the enthusiasm for this special celluloid projection of Sholay. The post read, Epic response for FHFs Sholay screening today with cinephiles queuing up from 2:30 pm to catch this very rare screening of Sholay being projected on celluloid!! There will always be a special place for film.

The event also featured Javed Akhtars daughter, Zoya Akhtar, who addressed the audience, while producer Siddharth Roy Kapur was seen greeting the legendary writers. Demonstrating his signature wit, Javed Akhtar quipped to his co-writer, Salim Saab, badi lambi line hai, iska matlab apni film hit hai (Theres a long queue, which means our film is a hit). He also expressed his deep appreciation to Film Heritage Foundations Shivendra Singh for preserving and restoring Sholay and other cinematic classics.

Reflecting on the films creation, Akhtar revealed, When we began writing, we had no idea Sholay would become such a blockbuster. Initially, it wasnt intended to be a multi-starrer, but as the screenplay evolved, we realized the potential to include many stars, which perhaps is what made it so special.

Directed by Ramesh Sippy, Sholay remains a cornerstone of Bollywood cinema. Though initially met with skepticism, with many labeling it a flop, the film quickly gained traction, becoming one of the most iconic movies in Hindi film history. The film featured an ensemble cast including Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, and Jaya Bachchan, with Amitabh Bachchan famously reassured by Salim-Javed not to worry about the films slow starta reassurance that proved prophetic as Sholay went on to achieve legendary status.
Malayalam actor Jayasurya has finally reacted to the sexual harassment claims levied against him. The actor, who celebrated his birthday on Sunday, has denied the allegations made against him and added that he will fight the claims legally. Jayasurya also said that he is currently in the US with his family and will return to Kerala as soon as his work wraps. He took potshots at the claims and sarcastically thanked those who made his birthday a painful one.

In a post shared on Facebook, Jayasurya wrote, To all of you who have wished me on my birthday today, to all of you who are extending your support and standing by me, thank you. Due to my personal commitments, my family and I have been in American for the past month and during this time, two false allegations on the grounds of sexual harassment were made against me. Quite naturally, it has shattered me, my family and everyone who has held me close."

He added, I have decided to move forward with this legally. My legal team will be looking after the rest of the proceedings regarding this case. False allegations are easy to make for anyone who lacks conscience. I only hope one realises that facing a false accusation of harassment is just as painful as the harassment itself. A lie always travels faster than the truth but I believe truth will prevail."

He concluded the post by saying, I will be back as soon as I finish my work here. All the legal proceedings to prove my innocence will continue. I have complete faith in our judicial system. Thank you to those who contributed to making this birthday the most painful one. Let those who have not sinned throw stones, but only at those who have sinned."

Jayasurya has been named in two sexual harassment cases. An FIR was reportedly registered under Section 354 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to intent to outrage a womans modesty. He have also been charged with sexual and verbal assault.
Jr NTR and Rishab Shetty offered prayers at the Kolluru Shri Mookambika Devi Temple in Udipi on Sunday. In photos and videos gone viral, the actors were seen at the temple with their respective families. For the special puja, Jr NTR and Rishab were seen twinning in vestis. The RRR star and the Kantara actor were seen holding the puja thaali in their hands.

In a video shared on X, Jr NTR and Rishab arrived at the temple together on Sunday afternoon. While they were surrounded by the media and fans, their attention remained on the puja. The stars offered their special prayers and left the temple without interacting with fans. Watch the videos below:

Jr NTR landed in Mangalore with his family on Saturday. He was joined by his wife, Lakshmi Pranathi, and mother Shalini Nandamuri. In a video surfaced from the airport, Rishab Shetty personally received Jr NTR and his family. The Kannada star welcomed the RRR actor with a warm hug and fell on her feet to welcome her. Later, the stars were joined by Prashant Neel, the director of KGF and Salaar.

The Devara star shared photos from the visit and wrote, My mothers forever dream of bringing me to her hometown Kundapura and seeking darshan at Udupi Sri Krishna Matha has finally come true! To make it happen just before her birthday on September 2nd is the best gift I could give her.

Thanks to @VKiragandur sir and my dearest friend Prashanth Neel for joining me and making this possible. A special thanks to my dear friend @rishabshettyofficial, whose presence and support made this moment incredibly special, Jr NTR added.
Katrina Kaif is as famous in Pakistan as she is in India, it turns out! In a bizarre video going viral on the internet, a mock test for the Pakistan Civil Services exam takes an unexpected turn. The aspirant is presented with a rather unusual hypothetical scenario: India is planning a nuclear attack on Pakistan, and the only person privy to this sensitive information is none other than Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif.

The aspirant is asked if he would enter into a relationship with Katrina if she demanded it in exchange for spilling the top-secret details. Without missing a beat, the aspirant confidently says that, for the sake of national security, hed be willing to take one for the team and do what needs to be done. Sir, obviously, for the countrys protection, I have to do such type of things, he says.

Pakistan civil services mock interview goes viral. A question was asked about Katrina Kaif pic.twitter.com/pddyzWwc9Y  The NewsWale (@TheNewswale) September 1, 2024

The interviewer then flips the script, taking the scenario to Afghanistan, where the aspirant is now offered a similar deal by a man named Gul Khan. When asked what he would do in this situation, the aspirant hesitantly asks, What kind of relationship? This question seems to be the final straw for the interviewer, who accuses the aspirant of hypocrisy and asks him to leave. The interviewer hinted that the aspirants willingness to sacrifice for his country has its limits when the offer comes from someone other than Katrina Kaif.

The comments on the bizarre video has now been turned off.

On the work front, Katrina Kaif has been enjoying some downtime and making the most of her time with husband Vicky Kaushal and friends. She was earlier seen in Salman Khans Tiger 3. She reprised her role as Zoya in the third instalment of the franchise. She was last seen in Merry Christmas alongside Vijay Sethupathi. Now, she will be seen in Farhan Akhtars Jee Le Zara with Priyanka Chopra and Alia Bhatt.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The top voter turnout for Azerbaijan's parliamentary election as of 15:00 (GMT +4) has been observed in Khankendi constituency No. 122, Trend reports.

Currently, 42.7 percent of voters (2,834 people) have voted from this constituency.

Meanwhile, the least voter turnout is observed in Mingachevir electoral district No. 54 (12.8 percent - 6,447 people).

The parliamentary election has begun in Azerbaijan.

The voting started at 08:00 and will end in the evening at 19:00.

According to the Calendar Plan of main actions and activities for the preparation and conduct of snap parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, the candidates pre-election campaign began 23 days before voting day and was suspended 24 hours before the start of voting.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday waded into the ongoing controversy over the new Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack for allegedly hiding the real identities of the terrorists involved in the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight, saying that it is Lefts agenda to whitewash the crimes of Pakistani terrorists through the cinema.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said that the filmmaker of the series legitimised the criminal intent of the terrorists by furthering their non-Muslim names.

The hijackers of IC-814 were dreaded terrorists, who acquired aliases to hide their Muslim identities. Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, legitimised their criminal intent, by furthering their non-Muslim names. Result? Decades later, people will think Hindus hijacked IC-814, he said in a post on X.

The hijackers of IC-814 were dreaded terrorists, who acquired aliases to hide their Muslim identities. Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, legitimised their criminal intent, by furthering their non-Muslim names.Result? Decades later, people will think Hindus hijacked IC-814. Lefts  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 1, 2024

The BJP leader further said that such films and series weaken the countrys security apparatus and shift the blame away from a particular community which is responsible for all the bloodshed.

Lefts agenda to whitewash the crimes of Pakistani terrorists, all Muslims, served. This is the power of cinema, which the Communists have been using aggressively, since the 70s. Perhaps even earlier. This will not just weaken / put in question Indias security apparatus in the long run, but also shift the blame away from the religious cohort, that is responsible for all the bloodshed, he added.

Whats the controversy?

IC-814 The Kandahar Hijack, which features Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Arvind Swamy and Dia Mirza has been well-received by critics. However, a section of social media users has demanded for the boycott of the series for allegedly hiding the real identities of the terrorists involved in the 1999 incident.

In the series, the terrorists have been named Bhola, Shankar, Doctor, Burger and Chief. The series seemingly hinted that the terrorists had codenames. However, the hijackers were Muslims from Pakistan. This has irked many, who have called it whitewashing.

What MEA said?

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the hijackers were Ibrahim Athar, Bahawalpur; Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Gulshan Iqbal, Karachi; Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Defence Area, Karachi; Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, Akhtar Colony, Karachi; Shakir, Sukkur city.

According to the MEA website, to the passengers, these hijackers came to be known respectively as (1) Chief, (2) Doctor, (3) Burger, (4) Bhola and (5) Shankar, the names by which the hijackers invariably addressed one another

What happened in 1999?

On December 24, 1999, the Indian Airlines Flight 814, commonly known as IC 814, en route from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi was hijacked and flown to several locations before landing in Taliban-controlled Kandahar, Afghanistan. The motive was to secure the release of Pakistani terrorists held in prison in India  Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Masood Azhar and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. The hostage crisis, which lasted for seven days, ended after India agreed to release the three terrorists.
Amid a number of cinema artistes coming forward to narrate their tales of horror while working in the film industry, where they are asked to compromise or be ready for adjustments to secure a role, senior actor Sajitha Madathil shares her experience.

While many feel that the Hema Commission report, as well as the special investigation team probing the matter, has empowered those who have faced sexual and mental harassment at work, Sajitha says it is also a time to wake up and bring about systemic change. Change that would lead to better leadership and give women more responsible roles, even in associations.

This churn that we see must not be viewed entirely negatively. See it as an opportunity that will help people become more gender-sensitive in the industry. This will lead to more leadership roles for women in associations and panels in the film industry. It will also allow women to feel safe, and issues will be dealt with more sensitively, Sajitha says.

She also questioned the reasons behind the resignations seen in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).

Is it because they cannot face the situation, or have they taken moral responsibility for what has happened to so many women actors, leading them to resign en masse? Or was it the fear that they would be forced to resign? she asked.

Sajitha believes the fact that the Kerala government set up the Hema Committee, as well as the SIT, is a good sign, but it should also lead to a logical end that ensures justice for the women who have come forward to record their statements.

Sajitha says she too has faced harassment in her workplace. She recalls an incident where an associate of a director from the Tamil film industry called her regarding a film role. He spoke to her in detail about the role and, after a few minutes on the call, asked, Would you be ready for adjustments if need be? I am sure you understand what I mean by that, Sajitha told News18, explaining how shocked she was when she heard that.

The Malayalam actress, who has held senior positions such as deputy director of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy as well as professor of acting at the KR Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, had entered the world of cinema in her forties, she recalls, and this incident took place at the peak of her career.

I was shocked when he said that. I did not expect anybody to approach me in that manner. The way he said it was loaded with meaning. It was as if I wouldnt get the role if I didnt agree to adjustments, she said.

After the incident, Sajitha decided to address the issue head-on. She posted about the role that the associate had mentioned on her social media page.

I mentioned the role and asked my friends if they would be interested in it. I also said that there was a minor glitch  there might be a demand to make adjustments if they wanted the role. I even posted the mans mobile phone number, she said. The person who made the calls was flooded with messages pulling him up for his statements.

Soon enough, I got a call from him apologising, Sajitha recalled. He asked me to remove the post, but I stood my ground.

Sajitha, who has been actively working towards getting women fixed payment with proper contracts, healthy working conditions, and safe spaces for artistes, as well as proper documentation for remuneration so that junior artistes are paid fairly, is hopeful for change. As part of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), she also says that she hopes the Kerala government calls the WCC for further dialogue on their endeavours.

Many of the junior artistes dont get their full pay as much of it goes in commission taken by the agent. Many of the contracts are verbal, Sajitha said.

Calling the present status of the Kerala cinema industry a long, hard fight, she sees hope at the end of the tunnel, one that will herald a new beginning for Malayalam cinema and the artistes working in it.

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.
Rajinikanth has reacted to the Hema Committee report, which highlights issues like sexual harassment, lack of basic facilities, gender bias, and pay disparities in the Malayalam film industry. The findings and subsequent allegations of sexual assault has left the Malayalam industry in shock. Megastar Rajinikanth was recently asked to comment on it.

Rajinikanth was seen at Chennai airport on Sunday, where reporters swarmed his car to ask about his upcoming film Coolie and other topics. While he happily discussed most things, he seemed totally unaware of the Hema Committee report that has sent ripples across the Malayalam film industry and the whole nation.

In a Polimer News video, when asked about setting up a committee to look into exploitation in the Tamil film industry, Rajinikanth looked confused and asked for the question to be repeated. After hearing Hema Committee, Malayalam, he smiled and said, I dont knowI dont know anything about that. Sorry.

Meanwhile, Mohanlal, actor and former president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), recently resigned from his position amid growing sexual assault allegations in the Malayalam film industry. His resignation, along with that of the entire 17-member executive committee, came after the release of the Hema Committee report, which revealed rampant sexual exploitation in the industry.

Reflecting on his role, he added, I was AMMA president for the last two terms. The entire Malayalam cinema is answerable to the Hema Committee report. What we are seeing is that all questions are directed only at AMMA. AMMA cannot give answers to all the questions. Everybody should be asked these questions. This is a very hard-working industry. A lot of people are involved in this, but not everyone is to be blamed in this. The responsible ones will be punished.

Mammootty, too, broke his silence about the Hema Committee Report and the sexual harassment cases in the Kerala Film Industry. Taking to Facebook, the Malayalam superstar welcomed the report and extended his support to the changes that need to be brought about to make the industry a better place to work in.
Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra has dropped out of the seminar in Kochi after accusing film director Ranjith of sexual harassment. She announced her decision on Sunday, saying the recent stress and intense media attention made her need a break. On Instagram, she talked about the emotional strain shes been under.

In an Instagram post, Sreelekha wrote that its been a harrowing month. She wrote, August has always made me feel its august presence..my birth month and the month of my moms passing , my brothers birth month, and the month nd day of my very dear friends passing. The 15th of August being our Independence Day and the day I moved out of my shashur bari to start (wasnt even sure how) afresh. This August too began with the #rgkarrapemurdercase infuriating all of us across territories, then the #jhargramelephantkilling to something I never felt would come out in the open after 15 odd years about the #malayalamfilmindustry incident and how I became an integral part of the entire #metoo movement .I had been hounded by press media across country narrating the said incident over n over n over again which took a heavy toll on me as it did back here when I took names of #bengalifilmindustry whos who ..REMEMBER?

Sreelekha Mitra apologised for missing the seminar, explaining that she needed time for herself. She also wrote that she took a break and went to the mountains for some peace  which was her birthday treat for herself. Yes I took a break from everything and travelled to the mountains whose quiet would calm my soul .This was my birthday treat to myself and done giving any justification to anyone for my said act. Sorry I couldnt travel to Kerala for the seminar which had been cancelled becos of me . I needed a breather as I have my right to live My Life according to My Choice and have never ever bowed down to the misogynistic society and film industry by n large. .Again sorry Mr Joshy Joseph for declining your offer. Hopefully will come back in better times. I HAVE DONE MY BIT NOW LET ME BE, she added.

Previously, the actor had filed a complaint with the Kochi City Police against Ranjith, the day after Ranjith resigned as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy.

Disclaimer: In accordance with 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 with sensitivity.
Sunny Deol and his brother Bobby Deol recently celebrated a special occasiontheir mother, Prakash Kaurs birthday. Sunny marked the day by sharing a heartwarming picture on Instagram, featuring him and his mother smiling warmly at the camera. Alongside the picture, he wrote a simple yet touching message: Happy birthday mama.

Bobby Deol also took to social media to express his love and best wishes. He posted an endearing selfie with Prakash Kaur, captioned, Happy birthday to my everything. Maa I love you, capturing the deep bond they share.

Prakash Kaur has been a central figure in the Deol family. She married legendary actor Dharmendra in 1953, long before he became a Bollywood icon. Together, they have four children: Sunny, Bobby, and daughters Vijeta and Ajeita. Later in his career, Dharmendra married Hema Malini, with whom he has two daughters, Esha and Ahana.

On the professional front, Sunny Deol has been busy with several exciting projects. He recently completed shooting for the much-anticipated film Lahore 1947, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. The film features a stellar cast, including Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, and Ali Fazal. Sunny will also share the screen with his son, Karan Deol, in this project.

In addition, Sunny is set to reprise his iconic role in Border 2., the sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border. Directed by Anurag Singh, who previously worked on the hit film Kesari, Border 2 promises to be another thrilling war drama.

Meanwhile, Bobby Deol is venturing into new territory with his role in the Tamil film Kanguva. This marks his debut in Tamil cinema, where he plays the antagonist Udhiran, pitted against the lead character played by Suriya. This new challenge showcases Bobbys versatility and eagerness to explore different facets of his acting career. Additionally, Bobby Deol impressed the audience with his negative role in Sandeep Reddy Vangas Animal, also starring Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, Triptii Dimri among others.
Palakkad, the almost secluded and calm corner in Kerala, is currently hosting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanghs three-day Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak, a ritual steeped in discipline and absolute regimentation.

The Baithak, which began on Saturday saw 320 Swayamsevak (volunteers) attendees, from septuagenarians to fresh, young joinees. Among the seniors were national presidents of organisations, veteran office-bearers and those holding crucial positions in the government, who were seen leaving behind the clout attached to their position as they submitted their phones to stay inside the venue for 72 hours.

The Baithak sees discussions, deliberation on issues and later directions by the organisations chief Mohan Bhagwat for the course of action.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE BAITHAK?

They eat together, stay together, pray together, and focus as one. This is not merely a meeting, but is also symbolic of the organisational rules which resemble a world of regimentation that sets the RSS apart from any political party.

The rules are strict, routines precise for the organisation, which people still struggle to understand.

During the Samanvay Baithak, the usual RSS routine of physical activities and shakhas remains temporarily suspended. The day begins with prayers to ground the participants before they assemble in the auditorium for the meeting. The works include cooking, cleaning and serving  all done by RSS volunteers and no work is outsourced.

His representation, scheduled on Sunday, was expected to address the challenges and strategies moving forward, perhaps set the tone for the discussions to follow. Apart from Nadda, the BJP has sent senior leaders, including partys organisational secretary B L Santosh, to the Baithak.

However, unlike other key figures, who would remain engaged throughout and stay at the venue, Naddas participation is said to be notably brief. Nadda is scheduled to address organisational matters on the second day, and spend only half of the second day at the meeting before heading to Delhi after attending a party unit programme in Palakkad.
A team of scientists has discovered thousands of ancient zombie viruses, some up to 41,000 years old, in the Himalayas. The team, consisting of 60 researchers from China and the US, collected ice cores from the Guliya Glacier on the north-western Tibetan Plateau. These ice samples revealed more than 1,700 previously unknown viral genomes.

The glacier, over 6,000 meters above sea level, has preserved these viruses through different eras. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, revealed the viruses come from nine different ancient periods. Using a specialised machine, scientists drilled a 10cm wide core more than 300 meters into the ice, unlocking a vast amount of historical information.

Matthew Sullivan, a virologist from the University of Ohio, explained that recovering the ice core was just one part of the challenge. According to ABC News, he shared that glacial ice is very clean and clear, so special precautions were necessary to prevent modern viruses from polluting the ancient samples. Sullivan mentioned that, although glacial meltwater seems pure, the team had to use extremely clean methods for handling and analysing the samples.

These time horizons span three major cold-to-warm cycles, providing a unique opportunity to observe how viral communities have changed in response to different climatic conditions. By studying these ancient viruses, we gain valuable insights into viral response to past climate changes, which could enhance our understanding of viral adaptation in the context of ongoing global climate change, ZhiPing Zhong, first author of the new study and paleoclimatologist at Ohio State University added.

Erin Harvey, another virologist who wasnt part of the study, suggested that as temperatures rise, these ancient viruses might impact the microbial communities around them. According to her, If a virus evolves to infect and kill a certain bacterial species that can push the abundance of that microbial species down. Or maybe the virus could evolve to help that microbial species, and then the population would expand.

Researchers shared that these zombie viruses could possibly infect humans and might spread across the world if released. They believe that further research is needed to understand how these ancient viruses have impacted their environments over the years and stop them from spreading in future.

However, Erin Harvey doesnt think the ancient viruses will cause any issues if they are melted. She believes that we should be more concerned about new viruses evolving rather than worrying about old ones reappearing.
A Florida woman has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of her boyfriends young daughter.

On June 17, emergency responders found 9-year-old Jamaria Sessions unresponsive at their home in Montverde, Florida. According to Fox News, she was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival, with her body showing signs of severe abuse, including cuts, burns, bruises, and bite marks.

Tyshael Elise Martin, 34, initially claimed she discovered Jamaria unresponsive while preparing for a family trip to California. However, police became suspicious after reviewing security footage from the home, which revealed Martin allegedly directing her Rottweiler to attack the child.

The video shows Martin encouraging the dog to maul Jamaria while she physically assaulted the girl, kicking and dragging her across the floor, according to Fox News. At one point, she is heard saying, Im fixin to kill her.

Investigators found that Jamaria had a history of abuse, including being subjected to physical punishments and beatings. The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide caused by multiple blunt force injuries and thermal injury to her foot, indicating she had been burned with boiling water.

Martin was taken into custody on August 28 and is currently being held without bond in the Lake County Jail. The case has shocked the local community, with police describing it as one of the worst cases of child abuse they have encountered.
If a British media report is to be believed, Prince Harry is seeking guidance from trusted former aides as he considers a potential return to the UK from his self-imposed exile in the United States.

The Duke of Sussex has grown dissatisfied with the advice he has received from American-based image consultants and is turning to people from his past as a working royal, the Daily Mail newspaper reported.

This outreach marks the initial phase of the rehabilitation strategy, which would involve Harry spending more time in the UK to mend his ties with his father, King Charles III, and possibly initiate a partial return to royal duties, the report said. However, it is stressed that neither Harry nor Meghan Markle is planning a permanent return to royal responsibilities.

The couple, who have lived in California for the past four years with their two children, are reportedly focused on repairing their reputation and reconnecting with the British public. Recent changes in Harrys public relations strategy, including the departure of several staff members, reflect his desire to adjust his public image. According to Daily Mail, Harry is distancing himself from Hollywood publicists and seeking advice from longtime friends and associates.

He is clearly reaching out thinking, a source was quoted as saying by the UK newspaper. While reconciliation with his brother, Prince William, is not seen as a realistic goal, there are indications that King Charles may be open to healing the rift with his youngest son. Reports suggest that the King has consulted with faith leaders as he explores the concept of forgiveness. One trusted adviser from Harrys past has reportedly devised a strategy for him to gradually reintegrate into UK circles.

The friend believes that if Harry returns to the UK quietly and participates in mundane events without seeking publicity, he could regain the trust of the British public. However, this would only happen if certain family members are willing to accept it. In addition to seeking advice from former aides, Harry has been sending conciliatory messages to old friends in the UK. Some friends have informally dubbed this bid as Operation Bring Harry In From The Cold.
The beluga whale that captured global attention in 2019 when he was found wearing a harness labelled Equipment St. Petersburg, has been found dead off the coast of Norway.

The 14-foot-long, 2,700-pound whale named Hvaldimir was found by a father and son fishing in the bay of Risavika, near Stavanger, on August 31, according to The New York Times.

How Hvaldimir Died

Sebastian Strand, founder of the nonprofit Marine Mind, which worked to protect Hvaldimir, expressed his heartbreak over the whales death, saying he had touched thousands of peoples hearts in Norway. The cause of Hvaldimirs death is still under probe, but officials have confirmed that he was in good health before his passing.

The whale, whose name is a blend of the Norwegian word for whale, hval, and the Russian name Vladimir, quickly became a subject of fascination after he was first spotted near Hammerfest in northern Norway in April 2019. Beluga whales typically travel in groups and inhabit remote Arctic regions.

Was Hvaldimir A Spy?

The intrigue surrounding Hvaldimir deepened due to the harness marked as equipment from St. Petersburg, which led to speculation that he may have been part of a Russian reconnaissance mission. However, Russia has never claimed ownership of the whale. If Hvaldimir was a spy, he was an unusually friendly one.

He exhibited signs of domestication and was comfortable around humans, often found in busier waters than typical for belugas. This behaviour raised concerns among scientists and activists about his safety. He was completely acclimatised to human culture, Strand noted, suggesting that Hvaldimir had likely spent a lot of time in captivity.

In the past few years, Hvaldimir traveled along the Scandinavian coastline, even appearing off the coast of Sweden. Last year, he was seen venturing into increasingly industrial and dangerous waters. Strand reported that Hvaldimir seemed to be in good health until his unexpected death.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. I believe that the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan will be held successfully, the Kazakh MP Mukash Iskandirov, who is a member of the TURKPA observer group, said, Trend reports.

First we took part in the opening of polling stations in Baku. Then we arrived in Gobustan, and now we are observing the elections in Shamakhi.

First and foremost, I congratulate all Azerbaijani people. I believe that this election will be successful. I hope that the election will benefit Azerbaijani people. I wish success to all candidates, he added.

An extraordinary parliamentary election has started in Azerbaijan.

The voting started at 08:00 and will end in the evening at 19:00.

According to the Calendar Plan of the main actions and measures for preparation and holding of extraordinary parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the election campaign of candidates started 23 days before the voting day and was suspended 24 hours before the voting.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Indian community in Kyiv last month, one of the men greeted him saying, Ukraine aapka intezaar kar raha tha (Ukraine was waiting for you). Modi quickly replied, Ab main aa gaya hoon (I am here now).

This conversation shows PM Modi and Indias seriousness to put an end to the Ukraine-Russia war.

After coming to office for the third time, Modi went on two bilateral visits, one to Russia and Austria and the other to Poland and Ukraine.

MODIS MOVES TO HELP PRAVASI BHARATIYAS

India, which projects itself as a voice of global South, has a duty to not just raise the issue of countries from Global South seriously impacted due to the war, but also to achieve a solution to end the crisis. A huge population of Indian origin lives in Europe and the US.

This population wanted PM Modi to speak to both sides. By visiting Ukraine, PM Modi not only satisfied countries from Global South, but also won hearts of millions of Pravasi Bharatiyas staying abroad.

The Indian diaspora is the most respected group in Europe and the US are often subjected to a changed viewpoint as they belong to a country which purchases oil from Russia. This is mostly the case in Ukraine where Indians are respected, but during conversations and meetings people often hold Indians accountable. Modis visit to Ukraine has given ammunition to all these Pravasi Bharatiyas.

THE BALANCE

India also wants to come out of the western tag  self Interest over human tragedy. PM Modi has silenced all his critics once and for all by visiting Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the war, India had opted for neutrality and early resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. Modi told Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that India was not neutral, but on the side of peace.

Modi not just visited Kyiv as formality but also extended an invite to Zelenskyy to visit India.

After concluding his visit, Modi also called US President Joe Biden and briefed him about his visit to Ukraine and also dialed Russian President Vladimir Putin to exchange his thoughts over the ongoing conflict.

Indias constant efforts to sit on the global high table and resolve issues of global significance top the agenda of PM Modi in 3.0. Interestingly, this comes at a time when India is batting for UNSC reforms, trying to position itself as a worthy member in the future who prioritises human interest over self-interest and can deal with complexities of the world with empathy and great understanding.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised on Sunday to settle the score with Hamas after the military had recovered the bodies of six hostages from a Gaza tunnel.

His rebuke came after the Israeli military identified the bodies of six hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin discovered underground in the southern Gaza Strip. Their remains were recovered Saturday from an underground tunnel in the Rafah area in the Gaza Strip and returned to Israel where they were formally identified.

A cruel enemy

Those who kill hostages do not want an agreement for a Gaza truce, Netanyahu said in a statement, telling Hamas leaders that we will hunt you down, we will catch you and we will settle the score. Netanyahu also accused Hamas of carrying out a shooting attack earlier on Sunday near the city of Hebron in the West Bank.

We are fighting on all fronts against a cruel enemy who wants to murder us all. Just this morning, he murdered three policemen in Hebron, he said, referring to Hamas. The fact that Hamas continues to commit atrocities such as those it committed on October 7 obliges us to do everything we can to ensure that it can no longer do so.

The bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino were found and recovered yesterday.They were all taken hostage on October 7 and were murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization while in captivity pic.twitter.com/9VWYHNX0Ks  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 1, 2024

This statement came shortly after US President Joe Biden said Saturday that the body of an Israeli-American hostage was among six recovered in Gaza during combat. Earlier today, in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas, Biden said in a statement. We have now confirmed that one of the hostages was an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

Netanyahu abandoned the hostages

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) earlier said they had found several bodies in Gaza and were in the process of identifying them. They had asked the public to refrain from spreading rumours about the identities of the bodies.

After the IDF broke the news, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a statement calling on the public to prepare to hold sweeping protests tomorrow. Netanyahu (Prime Minister) abandoned the hostages. Starting tomorrow, the country will tremble. We call on the public to prepare. The country will grind to a halt. The abandonment is over.

#BREAKING: Per @IDF: The IDF located a number of bodies during combat in the Gaza Strip.At this time, the troops are still operating in the area and are carrying out a process to extract and identify the bodies that will last several hours. We ask to refrain from spreading  Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) August 31, 2024

This report came as clashes broke out between Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters in the West Bank on Saturday as Israel pushed ahead with a military operation in the flashpoint city of Jenin. Hundreds of Israeli troops have been carrying out raids since Wednesday in one of their largest actions in the West Bank in months.

Its time this war ended

Biden, speaking to reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, earlier said he was still optimistic, about a ceasefire deal to stop the conflict. I think were on the verge of having an agreement, he said. Its time this war ended. Biden added that people are continuing to meet. We think we can close the deal, theyve all said they agree on the principles.

At least 40,691 Palestinians have been killed and 94,060 injured in Israels military offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, the enclaves health ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The war was triggered when Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

(With agency inputs)
A serving Pakistani lieutenant colonel and his three relatives who were abducted earlier this week by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Dera Ismail Khan have been released, sources told CNN-News18 on Sunday.

Safe and unconditional release of Lt Col Khalid Ameer and three of his other relatives have been secured due to the role played by tribal elders and local notables, the army said in a statement.

According to the sources, the local tribal leaders and elders played a crucial role in the process of releasing the official and his relatives.

The tribal leaders, locals, and even Afghan Taliban leaders negotiated on their behalf to release the lieutenant colonel.

Lieutenant Colonel Khalid, two of his brothers, and a nephew were kidnapped by armed men in the Kulachi tehsil while attending a family funeral, security sources told Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Radio Mashaal.

The TTP had released a video of lieutenant colonel and Asif where they were requesting that the demands of the TTP be met to ensure their safety and secure their release.

They had also asked not to make a hue and cry about the issue on social media and defame the TTP.

The TTP had claimed responsibility for the abduction in a message to Radio Mashaal, adding that those taken were safe.

The incident came after the Pakistani government had launched an operation against militants that it said are infiltrating from neighbouring Afghanistan.
Russia said Sunday that it had thwarted a massive Ukrainian drone attack by downing 158 drones across 15 regions, including two over the capital Moscow.

A coal-fired power plant near the city was reported hit, as was an oil refinery within the city boundaries.

Russias defence ministry said most of the drones  122  were downed over the regions of Kursk, Bryansk, Voronezh and Belgorod which border Ukraine.

Our defenders are repelling an attempted massive UAV attack on the territory of the Bryansk region, regional governor Aleksandr Bogomaz said.

The barrage comes just days after Ukraines energy infrastructure was targeted by over 200 Russian drones and missiles in one of the biggest such attacks.

It is also nearly a month since Ukraine went on the offensive in Russias Kursk region, even as Russian troops continue their steady advance in eastern Ukraine.

Both sides have targeted energy infrastructure since Russia began its campaign in Ukraine in February 2022.

A local official in the Moscow region said three drones had tried to hit the Kashira coal-fired power station.

There were no victims nor damages, he said, adding that electricity was still reaching clients correctly.

Russian news agencies also reported a fire at the Moscow oil refinery in Kapotnya, though mayor Sergei Sobyanin said there was no damage or casualties.

In the Belgorod region, governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said: The glass of three residential buildings in Belgorod is damaged. In one private residence, a utility building was completely destroyed.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian drones struck two fuel depots, setting them ablaze in southwest Russias Rostov region and the northern Kirov region.
The search for an Indian woman in Malaysia abruptly ended on Saturday after the authorities found the search conditions to be extremely challenging, nine days after she fell into a sinkhole.

G. Vijaya Lakshmi, 48, fell into the sinkhole in the Malaysian capital on August 23 that formed on Jalan Masjid and has remained missing since. Minister in the Prime Ministers Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the decision was reached after a detailed evaluation of expert and technical advice on the operation that was now in its ninth day, The Malay Mail reported on Saturday.

After nine days of search and rescue (SAR) and consideration from the Cabinet as well as experts including the police, the search team, geologists and more, weve decided to halt the search efforts today, she told reporters at the location of the sinkhole. Dr Zaliha said that while an obstruction was detected during the search, it could not be positively identified.

At this point, we also have to consider the safety of the SAR personnel involved as conditions for the SAR were extremely challenging, she was quoted as saying by the Malay Mail. She also said the appearance of a second sinkhole in the area also caused concern of possibly increased risk to the search personnel.

Apart from that, we need to resume normal activities here and ensure the safety of the people using these streets. The minister also said efforts to locate the woman would still continue despite the termination of the SAR operation but would enter a new stage and come under different agencies.

Dr Zaliha said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would be responsible for utility mapping, land structure analysis, and engaging with vendors to help them resume their activities, the report said. DBKL will handle the recovery and reconstruction in the affected areas, which will include cordoning off the entrance from Mydin to ensure public safety, she explained.

Dr Zaliha said she has also spoken to the Indian ambassador to Malaysia, whom she said expressed thanks for the efforts expended so far to find his compatriot. She also said the envoy understood the rationale behind discontinuing the active search.

She also confirmed that the victims family had been informed of the decision and their visas had already been extended for another week to accommodate them during this difficult time. The search and rescue operation was activated the same day involving members from various security forces and local authorities using various techniques including the use of tracker dog units and the jetting method.
Bangladeshs interim government is facing backlash after reports emerged that dozens of teachers from minority communities were forced to resign from their positions in education institutions in the aftermath of political chaos in the country that ended with Sheikh Hasinas ouster last month.

At least 49 teachers from minority communities were forced to resign across the country amid a student-led uprising on August 5, according to the Daily Star newspaper. Prof. Shukla Rani Halder, a former English teacher at Government Brajmohan College, Barisal, was among those compelled to resign.

Wholesale purge of teachers

Within less than a month by setting the never seen before predicament of a wholesale purge of teachers from #minority communities in #education institutions, the mob leaders has marked the institutionalisation of intolerance among students, a shot in the arm for toxic narratives, Hasinas Awami League said in a post on X on Saturday.

Within less than a month by setting the never seen before predicament of wholesale purge of teachers from #minority communities in #education institutions, the mob leaders has marked the institutionalisation of intolerance among students, a shot in the arm for toxic narratives. pic.twitter.com/d5r4HCZOpF Awami League (@albd1971) August 31, 2024

Yunus Says Nothing Against It

After Hasinas ouster, religious and ethnic minorities have faced attacks, looting, vandalism of temples, attacks on homes and businesses, and other targeted killings. Award-winning Bangladesh author Taslima Nasreen, who has been vocal about violence against minorities, stated that officials from the former government are being harassed, imprisoned and killed.

In Bangladesh, teachers are forced to resign. Journos, ministers, and officials of the former govt are getting killed, harassed, imprisoned. GenZ burned down the industries of Ahmadi Muslims. Mazars & dargahs of Sufi Muslims are demolished by Islamic terrorists. Yunus says nothing against it, Nasreen said in a post on X.

I know nobody in the central government, so it is difficult for me to get the information why my residence permit is not renewed yet. More than a month ago my residence permit was expired. taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) September 1, 2024

On Friday, the United Nations Human Rights Office said it will dispatch a fact-finding mission to Bangladesh to probe human rights violations during recent deadly violence in the country. Last months anti-government protests, which began as a student-led movement against public sector job quotas, escalated into the deadliest violence since the countrys independence in 1971.

The unrest left more than 1,000 people dead and prompted Hasina to resign and flee to India. An interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus replaced Hasinas administration, helping quell the violence as security forces also cracked down on protests.
A report by the public advocacy group Public Citizen reveals a remarkable stat about political fundraising in 2024: Nearly half of all the money donated by corporations has come from cryptocurrency companies. That $119 million, mostly from the companies Coinbase and Ripple, has a unique quality: It is funneled to candidates of both parties, as long as they are pro-crypto. Most of the money goes to a super PAC called Fairshake, which then distributes it to candidates of its choice. Fairshake, for example, recently promised to funnel $25 million to 18 House candidates, nine from each party. This kind of funding is a result of the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court case allowing corporations to spend as much as they'd like to influence elections, provided the money go to Super PACs, not directly to candidates.
A 23-year-old rookie receiver with the San Francisco 49ers is in serious but stable condition after being shot in the chest during a robbery attempt on Saturday, reports SFGate. Police say Ricky Pearsall was shot during an altercation with a would-be robber around 3:30pm near the San Francisco commercial hub of Union Square. A 17-year-old suspect is in custody. The unidentified teen also was shot, and his condition was not immediately disclosed, reports the AP. "A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued and gunfire from the suspect's gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject," said San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott. Only one shot was fired, he said.
On the eighth day of a search for a woman who vanished into a 26-foot-deep sinkhole on a busy road in Malaysia's capital, authorities decreed conditions had become "too risky" to keep sending divers to look for her. About 110 rescuers have been working around the clock in a sewer network in Kuala Lumpur to find Vijaya Lakshmi Gali, 48, the BBC reports. Except for a pair of slippers, they've come up empty. Divers who went down in full scuba gear had to battle zero visibility and heavy rain. A firefighter and a sewer worker who went in Friday found it "impossible, extremely difficult, to break the solidified [debris] which are like concrete blocks," the director of the Fire and Rescue Department said.

Local media reported the rescue effort has become a search and recovery operation, per CNN. Gali was visiting from India and reportedly was on her way to a temple with her family when the ground beneath her collapsed. The woman's family was to return to India by now, but the government has extended the visas for a month. The health of the crews is one reason for the change in mission. "You don't want to know what's in there," one firefighter said. "It's full of human waste and other garbage. We decontaminate immediately after each dive."

Kuala Lumpur residents have expressed anger and fear about the sinkhole, asking what caused it, per the BBC. Mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif issued a public assurance that the city is safe and that a task force will inspect sewage pipes and assess the safety of nearby buildings, per the Guardian. National Day celebrations were called off out of respect for the family. An official from the Minerals and Geosciences Department suggested the sinkhole could have been caused by a combination of human activities and climate change. (More Malaysia stories.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The chairperson of the Central Election Commission Mazahir Panahov met with CEC members from Latvia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Serbia, the Philippines, and Georgia, who are on a visit to Azerbaijan to observe the Azerbaijani Parliamentary election, Trend reports.

Briefing the interlocutors on the electoral process, CEC Chairperson Panahov said: The election is being monitored by 598 international and more than 112,000 local observers, webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations across the country for direct and unhindered observation of the election process without any registration.

The chairperson of the CEC stated that 6.4 million citizens will be able to vote in the extraordinary parliamentary election. 6 million 421 thousand 960 citizens will be able to vote in the extraordinary parliamentary election. A total of 990 candidates are running for seats in the Azerbaijani Parliament, and all opportunities have been created for their free campaigning under the requirements of the legislation. He noted that 305 candidates are representatives of 25 political parties.

Noting that the media operate freely in the country and follow the electoral process without hindrance, Mazahir Panahov stressed that three organizations have applied to the CEC with a request to conduct an exit poll in the election.

He added that 54 polling stations have been set up in the liberated territories to realize the constitutional rights of more than 42 thousand eligible voters. A total of 6,478 polling stations have been set up in the country, of which 6,343 are permanent and 135 are temporary.

''Extraordinary elections to the Azerbaijani Parliament are held for the first time in the entire sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, and comprehensive conditions have been created for the participants of the elections,'' the CEC's head said.

Expressing gratitude for the sincere meeting, the guests expressed their satisfaction with their participation in the observation of the extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament, emphasizing that they actively monitor the processes. They stated that the electoral process was conducted transparently under the requirements of the legislation and noted the high activity of voters at the polling stations.

The meeting also included the exchange of views and discussions on various election-related issues.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Illegal border crossings from Mexico into the US may see a slight uptick in August, ending a five-month decline streak, according to US Customs and Border Protection officials. With about 54,000 arrests reported through Thursday and projections suggesting 58,000 by the month's end, numbers are still near four-year lows. The decline from last year's peak of 250,000 arrests is attributed to increased Mexican enforcement and Biden's temporary asylum suspension in June. Arrests stood at 56,408 in July.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas highlighted the ongoing reduction in border encounters since September 2020. He called on Congress to revisit failed legislation aimed at suspending asylum processing when certain thresholds were hit, easing immigration court congestion, and increasing Border Patrol staff. Republicans, including presidential nominee Donald Trump, have deemed the bill insufficient.

San Diego led in arrests among the Border Patrol's nine sectors in August, followed by El Paso and Tucson. The airport-based entry program for nationalities from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, paused briefly due to fraud concerns, saw more than 520,000 entries through July. Deportation flights to Colombia and Ecuador contributed to reduced arrests of their nationals, with Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras remaining the top three nationalities for border arrests. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
Hersh Goldberg-Polin's parents wore pieces of tape displaying the number of days he had been held hostage by Hamas320 when they spoke to the Democratic National Convention less than two weeks ago. The number is frozen now, after the Israeli American 23-year-old was found slain in a Gaza tunnel. Their relentless, global campaign for his release came to represent the agony of the more than 100 hostages who are still being held in Gaza and their families, CNN reports, as well as a brutal reminder that they could be running out of time.

Goldberg-Polin, who was born in California, was supposed to have been released with Eden Yerushalmi and Carmel Gat, after Israel and Hamas agreed to a humanitarian framework in early July, Israeli officials said. "Our prime minister delayed it," one official said. Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin kept pressuring for the release of their son, who was seized by Hamas at the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7he was "wild about music," his mother said. "In an inflamed Middle East we know the one thing that can most immediately release pressure and bring calm to the entire region. A deal that brings this diverse group of 109 hostages home and ends the suffering of the innocent civilians in Gaza," Jon Polin said at the convention.

"He has been obsessed with geography and travel since he was a little boy," Rachel Goldberg-Polin said of her son. "His bedroom overflows with atlases, globes, maps and National Geographic magazines." But his seizure turned his parents into world travelers, per the New York Times. Rachel Goldberg-Polin said she and her husband had "brand-new 24/7 jobs: All we do is try to help save Hersh." Saying in a statement that he was outraged by the killings of the hostages, President Biden said he'd gotten to know the couple during the ordeal. "I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express," Biden said.

story continues below

The fate of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and the other hostages became bound to US policy in the Israel-Hamas war, per CNN. "It's way too late for the six who have been killed, but it's time to reach an agreement," the Israeli official said. Rachel Goldberg-Polin at one point told People about her son. "He's a really kind person and very, very respectful," she said. "I realized in this last week that I've never heard Hersh yell ever. He's a very even-keeled person, and I really, really hope he's a survivor." (More Israel-Hamas war stories.)
Demonstrations erupted across Israel on Sunday, with hundreds of thousands of protesters blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not winning the return of the hostages held by Hamas and angrily demanding he strike a deal now. As the protests after the announcement that six hostages' bodies had been found in a Gaza tunnel spread, the country's largest labor union said it would begin an open-ended strike on Monday. The protests appeared to be the largest since the war began 11 months ago, per the AP. Developments involved:

The killings : Israel's health ministry said Sunday that a forensic examination showed the hostages had been shot to death at close range between Thursday and Friday, per the New York Times. The military blamed Hamas. Hamas blamed Israel's bombings. "If President Biden is concerned about their lives, he must stop supporting this enemy with money and weapons," a statement from the militant group said.

: Israel's health ministry said Sunday that a forensic examination showed the hostages had been shot to death at close range between Thursday and Friday, per the New York Times. The military blamed Hamas. Hamas blamed Israel's bombings. "If President Biden is concerned about their lives, he must stop supporting this enemy with money and weapons," a statement from the militant group said. The protests : "Nothing is worse than knowing that they could have been saved," said Dana Loutaly, one of the protesters. "Sometimes it takes something so awful to shake people up and get them out into the streets." A group of people pouring into Tel Aviv streets chanted, "Alive, alive, we want them alive" to drums, per the Washington Post. Two elderly women said they've been at the protests every week. "But today is different," they said. The crowds' expressions mixed grief and anger.

: "Nothing is worse than knowing that they could have been saved," said Dana Loutaly, one of the protesters. "Sometimes it takes something so awful to shake people up and get them out into the streets." A group of people pouring into Tel Aviv streets chanted, "Alive, alive, we want them alive" to drums, per the Washington Post. Two elderly women said they've been at the protests every week. "But today is different," they said. The crowds' expressions mixed grief and anger. The families: "For 11 months, the government of Israel led by Netanyahu failed to do what is expected of a governmentto bring its sons and daughters home," a group representing the families of hostages said in a statement. "Netanyahu: Enough of the excuses. Enough of the spin. Enough of the abandonment." The prime minister's office said he met with one of the families and asked for "forgiveness for not succeeding in bringing" their son home.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Voter turnout in the extraordinary parliamentary election being held today as of 5:00 p.m. in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan has been made public, Trend reports.

Director of the Information Center of the Secretariat of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan Farid Orujev stated at a briefing today that the activity of voters in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan at 5:00 p.m. looks as follows:

Aghdam- Khojaly electoral district No. 118 - 38.76 percent

Aghdam electoral district No.119 - 38 percent

Jabrayil-Gubadli constituency No.120 - 46.89 percent

Lachin constituency No.121 - 39.93 percent

Khankendi constituency No.122 - 49.48 percent

Kalbajar constituency - 36.28 percent

Shusha- Aghdam-Khojavand constituency No.124 - 44.36 percent

Zangilan-Gubadli constituency No.125 - 43.7 percent.

The number of voters who voted amounted to 2,172,087 people.

An extraordinary parliamentary election has started in Azerbaijan.

The voting started at 08:00 and will end in the evening at 19:00.

According to the Calendar Plan of the main actions and measures for preparation and holding of extraordinary parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the election campaign of candidates started 23 days before the voting day and was suspended 24 hours before the voting.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Kingdom of Bahrain today announced the introduction of a Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT) for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) as outlined in Decree Law 11 for the year 2024. The new framework for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) is fully aligned with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines, and will be effective 1 January 2025, underscoring Bahrains commitment to promoting global economic fairness and transparency.

This strategic move builds on Bahrains proactive engagement with the OECD, dating back to 2018 when it joined the Inclusive Framework and endorsed the groundbreaking two-pillar reform. To date, over 140 jurisdictions have signed up for this international tax reform. As part of this two-pillar reform, the OECD established a Global Minimum Corporate Tax to ensure large Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) pay a minimum tax of 15% on profits in each country where they operate.

With the introduction of the DMTT, the Kingdom of Bahrain demonstrates its international commitment to global cooperation and its dedication to fostering a fair and level playing field in international taxation. Implementing this initiative aims to ensure that MNEs pay the minimum 15% tax on the profits generated in the Kingdom.

This Decree Law will apply exclusively to large MNEs operating in the Kingdom, with global revenues surpassing the Pillar Two threshold of EUR 750 million. Eligible businesses are urged to register with the National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) before the deadline specified in the relevant legislation

For additional inquiries, the NBR call centre can be reached on 80008001, available 24 hours, 7 days a week, or by email through mne@nbr.gov.bh. Further information and the latest updates can also be found on the NBRs website at www.nbr.gov.bh.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The voters are actively participating in the extraordinary elections to the Azerbaijani Parliament at a polling station located in Alibayli village of Zangilan district, Trend reports via Election 2024, Independent Media Center.

One of the polling stations operating in the Zangilan-Gubadli constituency No. 125 in the Zangilan-Gubadli district liberated from occupation is polling station No. 61 in the territory of Alibeyli village.

Similarly to other polling stations, the necessary conditions have been created here for the voters to freely and democratically exercise their right to vote. The activity of voters is observed during the whole day. The voting process is going successfully.

In other polling stations of Zangilan-Gubadli constituency No. 125 - polling station No. 33 in Aghali village, polling station No. 62 in Aghband village, polling station No. 64 in the center of Zangilan city, polling station No. 63 in Khanlik village of Gubadli district - voters participate in voting with a high level of enthusiasm.

An extraordinary parliamentary election has started in Azerbaijan.

The voting started at 08:00 and will end in the evening at 19:00.

According to the Calendar Plan of the main actions and measures for preparation and holding of extraordinary parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the election campaign of candidates started 23 days before the voting day and was suspended 24 hours before the voting.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The process of voting at polling station No. 28 continues in the Yasamal district of Baku city, Trend reports.

According to the information, the voters take an active part in voting at polling station No. 28 from Yasamal's first electoral district No. 15.

At the moment, more than 400 people have participated in the voting. No violations have been detected in the voting process.

An extraordinary parliamentary election has started in Azerbaijan.

The voting started at 08:00 and will end in the evening at 19:00.

According to the Calendar Plan of the main actions and measures for preparation and holding of extraordinary parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the election campaign of candidates started 23 days before the voting day and was suspended 24 hours before the voting.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Five years after the Medical Aid in Dying law took effect in New Jersey, giving terminally ill residents access to prescription drugs to end their lives, 287 people have used it to die, including 101 last year, according to the state Health Department.

The vast majority of people who used the law in 2023 were terminal cancer patients, according to the latest annual report. Cancer has been the leading cause of terminal illness among these patients since the law took effect in August 2019, according to prior years reports.

About 80% of the 101 patients were 65 and older, 57% were female and 53% had graduated from a four-year college or held other advanced degrees, the report said.
As the 2024 campaign season begins in earnest, some Republicans are still trying to thread the needle on the abortion issue, in hopes that it will dampen the political powder keg that has cost the GOP elections all over the US since Roe v. Wade was overturned two years ago.

On the one hand, these candidates assert themselves as pro-choice, because they say they oppose the idea of government imposing rules on a womans rights and body sovereignty.

Yet on the other hand, the same candidates cheer the Supreme Courts ruling in the 2022 Dobbs decision, which tore away the constitutional right to bodily autonomy and privacy by giving the states the authority to restrict or outlaw abortions.

This does not compute. You cannot call yourself pro-choice  as weve heard from Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw and Rep. Tom Kean -- yet support the state-imposed restrictions that directly resulted from Dobbs, because it is a glaring moral contradiction that any voter can recognize as bait-and-switch hypocrisy.

At minimum, knowing that the fallout from Dobbs was that dozens of states would make it difficult if not impossible for a person to get an abortion -- which would have an incredibly negative impact on thousands of women -- casts doubt on a persons true commitment to choice and abortion access, says Prof. Kimberly Mutcherson, the co-Dean of Rutgers Law School.

She concedes that some constitutional wonks might agree with Justice Sam Alitos gas-lit Dobbs opinion that some states could use the political process to get better abortion laws  which we have seen happen in some states. But this assumes a fair political process.

Indeed, there is no fair political process in states dominated by pro-life Republican Legislatures  such as Louisiana, Arkansas, Maine, and many others  where ballot initiatives to uphold abortion rights were torpedoed. There is no fair political process in Texas, where only 11% of its 30 million people support a total ban on all abortions with no exceptions  yet had a law rammed down their throats by a GOP government whose only achievement in womens health is to register one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

For Bashaw, thats satisfactory, because its not happening in the state where the Republican businessman is asking for votes in his race against Rep. Andy Kim. As he explained recently on NJ Spotlight News, The federal government was the worst place to try to adjudicate (abortion), and Im glad it was returned to the states.

It does not bother him that 21 of those states ban abortion rights because of the Dobbs ruling -- with 10 having no exception for rape, six having no exception for a mothers health, and 13 having no exception for fatal fetal anomalies.

I understood it as more of a constitutional decision, where they were saying we shouldnt be legislating from the bench. They remanded it to the States, and the states are working it out, Bashaw explains.

Im a freedom person. Im a gay man, I dont want people telling me what to do in my home. I dont think that women should be told what to do over their health issues. They need to make their own choice with their own conscience and their family and loved ones. And thats my view.

That is merely a fantasy in many states.

What Bashaw is saying is, that because the Legislatures are democratically elected, everything they do must automatically be more democratic. And that is most definitely not the case, says Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for NJ Politics at Rider.

I believe Bashaw when he says he considers himself to be pro-choice. But he wont be able to be an effective advocate for choice -- his party wont let him espouse as much in his campaign, much less in the Senate. So if this is an issue that matters to you as a voter, you need to think carefully about Bashaws ability to effectively advocate for moving the nation past a deeply unpopular decision that he professes to support.

Kean, running for reelection in the 7th District, is even more intellectually bankrupt. He describes himself as pro-choice with exceptions, but in Congress, he voted against the Womens Health Protection Act last year. In one of his final votes as a state senator, he voted against the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, which affirmed the right to an abortion in New Jersey six months before Dobbs.

That same year, he pledged on his campaign website that he would be a fierce defender of the sanctity of life, before scrubbing the page. His credibility as a pro-choice Republican has been a political punch line ever since.

And dictating all this flimflammery is the partys champion, Donald Trump, who says it is a beautiful thing to watch states enact their own laws in destroying womens reproductive rights.

Do states-rights devotees such as Bashaw and Kean consider it a beautiful thing to force a 12-year-old rape victim in Mississippi to give birth because of her states ban? A beautiful thing for a 10-year-old to leave Ohio because that state does not allow minors to terminate a pregnancy resulting from rape? A beautiful thing to force a Texas woman whose fetus had a fatal condition to flee her state because her exception to that states ban was denied?

What else should be left up to retrograde lawmakers under the rubric of state rights? Freedom of religion? Voting rights?

Jodi Hicks, the president of Planned Parenthood California, put it best: You either believe in freedoms and rights or you dont, she told Politico. And freedoms and rights should not stop at your ZIP code.

Bashaw and Kean probably understand that and choose to feign ignorance. They may soon learn that the electorate has been galvanized in the post-Dobbs landscape, and that voters have lost their tolerance for conditional morality and the candidates who exercise it.

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Star-ledger editorial: "Make no mistake: Abortion is on the N.J. ballot this year....For now, women still have a choice in #NewJersey. But the most important one they make could be on Nov. 7. " https://t.co/0CZpIJJ9JK  Julie O'Connor (@julieoconnorNJ) October 24, 2023

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The voters in Karabakh voted in the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan with great enthusiasm, the member of the British House of Lords, Qurban Hussain, who observed the voting process in the snap elections to Azerbaijani Parliament said, Trend reports.

I am very pleased that the Azerbaijani ambassador to the UK invited me to come and observe the election in your country. I have been to the nation's Shusha and Fuzuli and have seen how the voting takes place. Your system is not very different from what we see in the UK. So, the people in Karabakh were very excited to have the opportunity to vote. There was a lot of enthusiasm. They came steadily to the polling stations, he said during a media briefing.

The voting that kicked off at 08:00 concluded at 19:00.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations were set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters were able to cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

Exit polls are conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes were used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Like in the presidential election, we saw an enormous amount of support for President Ilham Aliyev and his policies, said Oracle Advisory Group (US) representative George Birnbaum, Trend reports.

"In the pre-election survey, the President's efforts to keep Azerbaijan safe from terrorism and outside influences, along with territorial victories in Karabakh that restored the country's territorial integrity, were highly motivating factors for the people of Azerbaijan," he said.

The voting that kicked off at 08:00 concluded at 19:00.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations were set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters were able to cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

Exit polls are conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes were used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.
A man was arrested for operating while intoxicated after crashing into a parked sport utility vehicle and then a house in LaPorte County.

LaPorte County Sheriff's Deputy Alexander Nolan saw a car driving on J Street near 5th Street with only one working headlight at 12:26 a.m. Saturday.

"While Deputy Nolan was traveling behind the vehicle, it began changing lanes without signaling and proceeded to move back into the westbound lane of State Road 2," LaPorte County Sheriff's Office spokesman Derek Allen said. "A traffic stop was initiated in the 2200 west block of SR 2. As Deputy Nolan approached the vehicle, its brake lights illuminated, and the vehicle began to rapidly accelerate away traveling west on SR 2."

He started to chase the vehicle, which fled east on 18th Street, south on Indiana 39, and east onto County Road 400 South. The driver eventually lost control and crashed into an SUV and then a house.

"At the intersection of U.S. 35 and CR 400 South, the fleeing vehicle failed to negotiate the T-intersection and traveled east across all lanes of US 35," Allen said. "The vehicle continued traveling east onto private property located in the 3900 south block of U.S. 35. The fleeing vehicle collided with a parked sport utility vehicle and the front of a residence before coming to rest."

The driver was identified as Alex B. Dekock, who had difficulty following commands, fell to the ground and refused medical treatment at the scene, police said. He was arrested on charges of resisting law enforcement, operating while intoxicated and reckless driving.

A woman in the house suffered an injury after the vehicle crashed into it. Both the SUV and house suffered major damage.

Dekock was taken to Northwest Health Hospital LaPorte and then the LaPorte County Jail, where he was released on bail.
MERRILLVILLE  Merrillville Professional Firefighters Local 5489 received its charter of incorporation during Tuesdays Town Council meeting, just a few days before Labor Day.

Merrillville Firefighter Scott Molchan, president of Local 5489, said the department is excited to join both the International Association of Firefighters and the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana.

This decision reflects the commitment to enhancing the safety and well-being of not only our firefighters, but to ensuring we provide the greatest level of service to our community here in Merrillville, Molchan said. Our membership in this union strengthens our voice and allows us to better advocate for the resources that are needed to protect the residents of Merrillville.

Merrillville firefighters were joined by firefighters from Schererville and Gary as Molchan announced the incorporation of the union.

Your presence means a great deal to us as we take this significant step forward, he said.

Jon Parkhouse, 1st District vice president of the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana, agreed as he presented Molchan with the charter for Local 5489.

Thats what this is ... its a brotherhood, a sisterhood, where we come together, we have each others backs, Parkhouse said.

He said Northwest Indiana is a hotbed for trades and unions, and all of the area professional firefighter unions are all looking for the same thing  a safe work environment, a decent salary, and a reasonable retirement.

Parkhouse explained how the Local 5489 came to be.

He said the IAFF offers a variety of programs for departments of all sizes, and a Merrillville firefighter was interested in the department participating in the IAFFs mental health initiative.

Merrillville firefighters werent yet affiliates of the IAFF (a requirement to participate in the program), but officials decided to let them take part in the important initiative and offer training. That led to additional conversations about incorporating as a union.

They knew the time was now to come together, Parkhouse said.

Although the Local 5489 is a new entity, the members have been busy.

They already started work on a geographical information systems study, which could help to improve response and reduce risks.

Theyve already hit the ground running, Parkhouse said.

GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week
The superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District was fired on Friday after an investigation had found that he had acted inappropriately toward two female employees, district officials said.

Lamont Jackson, who had overseen Californias second-largest school district since 2021, engaged in unwelcome, sex-based behavior with two former district management employees, an outside investigation commissioned by the district found. The termination took effect immediately, and the deputy superintendent, Fabiola Bagula, stepped in to lead the district, which has about 115,000 students.

Dr. Jackson, 54, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Dr. Jackson, who worked for San Diego Unified for more than three decades, became interim superintendent in 2021 after the districts former head, Cindy Marten, was appointed as U.S. deputy secretary of education by President Biden.

The following year, the school board unanimously voted to award Dr. Jackson a four-year contract in the role. In a statement at the time, the board said that Dr. Jackson, a San Diego native, had brought the experience and leadership skills to the district that our students, staff and community deserve. The San Diego Union-Tribune also reported that year that principals praised him for how much he cares about his students and staff members.
The culture war often doesnt have a physical frontline; its fought in op-ed columns, through social-media memes and inside peoples heads.

Public schools are an exception. There, the state infantry of teachers, enlisted to handle potentially explosive ideas, face wave after wave of challenging students, backed by air support from helicopter parents.

English Teacher, which begins Monday on FX, is a deft, brutal trench comedy of this battle. Brian Jordan Alvarez, the creator and viral-video comic, stars as Evan Marquez, a high school teacher in suburban Austin, Texas, struggling to get through each day with his ideals intact and his shirts unstained.

His students are wily shape-shifters, a tech-enabled alien species whose ways and attitudes keep their handlers off-balance. The kids this year, I feel like theyre less woke, Evan tells his best friend, the history teacher Gwen Sanders (Stephanie Koenig), who concurs. One student, she said, told her she needed to teach both sides of the Spanish Inquisition.
Israelis protested after six hostages were found dead in Gaza

Six hostages were found dead in southern Gaza over the weekend, prompting a furious reaction among Israelis who blamed the countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for failing to secure a deal that would have released those remaining in captivity.

The Israeli military said that an initial assessment showed that the hostages had been killed by Hamas a short time before their bodies were found. Hamas, without evidence, blamed Israels military. The hostages ranged in age from 23 to 40, and most had been captured at a dance music festival in southern Israel. One was an dual Israeli American citizen. Heres what we know about them.

Four of the six hostages whose bodies were recovered were included on a list of those who Israel was demanding be released in the first phase of a three-phase agreement, according to an official Israeli document. More than 60 living hostages remain in Gaza, according to the Israeli authorities.

Yesterday evening, protests were being organized and held across the country. Israels largest labor union declared that a complete strike would begin today, a dramatic reflection of the anger that has been growing among advocates of the hostages and Netanyahus political opposition.
I have good news and I have bad news. Actually, I have crazy news and I have bad news. Actually, all the news I have is bad, but some of it is also crazy. Before you become totally freaked out, all the news Im describing here is about pennies; its nothing life and death. But you do need to buckle up.

If you are reading this and live in America, or used to live in America, or maybe just went to America one time many years ago, then you are almost certainly performing unpaid labor for the U.S. government and have been for years. How? By storing some of the billions of pennies the U.S. Mint makes every year that virtually no one uses.

Why are we still making tons (many thousands of tons) of pennies if no one uses them? Thats a sensible question with a psychotic answer: We have to keep making all these pennies  over $45 million worth last year  because no one uses them. In fact, it could be very bad if we did.

When you insert a quarter into a soda machine, that quarter eventually finds its way back to a bank, from which it can be redistributed to a stores cash register and handed out as change  maybe even to you, who can put it into a soda machine again and start the whole process over. Thats beautiful. (Please be mindful of your soft drink consumption.)
Acadia Healthcare is one of Americas largest chains of psychiatric hospitals. Since the pandemic exacerbated a national mental health crisis, the companys revenue has soared. Its stock price has more than doubled.

But a New York Times investigation found that some of that success was built on a disturbing practice: Acadia has lured patients into its facilities and held them against their will, even when detaining them was not medically necessary.

In at least 12 of the 19 states where Acadia operates psychiatric hospitals, dozens of patients, employees and police officers have alerted the authorities that the company was detaining people in ways that violated the law, according to records reviewed by The Times. In some cases, judges have intervened to force Acadia to release patients.

Some patients arrived at emergency rooms seeking routine mental health care, only to find themselves sent to Acadia facilities and locked in.
Among the issues the union says it is fighting for are higher wages and an end to pandemic-era service and staffing cuts. During the height of the pandemic, the leisure and hospitality industry, including hotels, laid off millions of workers as it struggled under travel restrictions and a pullback in consumer spending on services. Employment in the sector has since rebounded as travel has surged back, though some hotels have continued to keep in place adjustments they made in recent years to services, such as daily housekeeping.

We wont accept a new normal where hotel companies profit by cutting their offerings to guests and abandoning their commitments to workers, Gwen Mills, international president of UNITE HERE, said in a statement, adding that many workers were not earning enough to support their families.

Michael DAngelo, Hyatts head of labor relations for the Americas, said in a statement on Sunday that the company was disappointed that UNITE HERE has chosen to strike while Hyatt remains willing to negotiate. He said the company had contingency plans in place to mitigate the impact of the strike.

A Hilton spokesperson said that Hilton was committed to negotiating in good faith to reach fair and reasonable agreements and that its hotels have contingency plans in place to ensure operations continue to run as smoothly as possible for customers.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The situation during the parliamentary poll in Azerbaijan was calm and secure, a Moldovan MP Vitaly Zhakot, who observed the voting process in the snap election to the country's parliament, told reporters, Trend reports.

"This is my second experience in the country. I previously observed the early presidential election in Azerbaijan in February," he said.

According to him, polling station chairpersons were always available to answer inquiries and provide information. The election was also attended by willing voters.

"I tried to thoroughly study the election process, to understand what challenges voters and the commission face. After all, Azerbaijan is an important strategic partner for Moldova, and all the democratic processes happening here are very important to us," he pointed out.

Voting in parliamentary election in Azerbaijan has concluded at 19:00 (GMT +4).

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations were set up. There were 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A New Hampshire man was sentenced to more than two years in prison for his role in the harassment and intimidation of New Hampshire Public Radio journalists whose homes were vandalized after the radio station published a story that was critical of a local businessman.

The man, Tucker Cockerline, 33, of Salem, N.H., was sentenced on Aug. 27 in federal court in Boston to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release, the U.S. attorneys office for Massachusetts said on Thursday.

Mr. Cockerline was part of a group of men who spray-painted vulgar and threatening language on the homes of a reporter, her parents and her editor, prosecutors said. The men also threw rocks and bricks through the windows of some of the homes.

Three other men  Eric Labarge, Michael Waselchuck and Keenan Saniatan  have been indicted in connection to the harassment.
Most pennies produced by the U.S. Mint are given out as change but never spent; this creates an incessant demand for new pennies to replace them, so that cash transactions that necessitate pennies (i.e., any concluding with a sum whose final digit is 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 or 9) can be settled. Because these replacement pennies will themselves not be spent, they will need to be replaced with new pennies that will also not be spent, and so will have to be replaced with new pennies that will not be spent, which will have to be replaced by new pennies (that will not be spent, and so will have to be replaced). In other words, we keep minting pennies because no one uses the pennies we mint.

A conservative estimate holds that there are 240 billion pennies lying around the United States  about 724 ($7.24) for every man, woman and child there residing, and enough to hand two pennies to every bewildered human born since the dawn of man. (To distribute them all, in fact, wed have to double back to the beginning and give our first six billion ancestors a third American penny.) These are but a fraction of the several hundreds of billions of pennies issued since 1793, most of which have suffered a mysterious fate sometimes described in government records, with a hint of supernaturality generally undesirable in bookkeeping, as disappearance. As far as anyone knows, the American cent is the most produced coin in the history of civilization, its portrait of Lincoln the most reproduced piece of art on Earth. Although pennies are almost never used for their ostensible purpose (to make purchases), right now one out of every two circulating coins minted in the United States has a face value of 1 cent. A majority of the ones that have not yet disappeared are, according to a 2022 report, sitting in consumers coin jars in their homes.
Midway through a Venice news conference for the crime caper Wolfs, one reporter told George Clooney that she would ask the question on everyones minds.

That I look so good up close? Clooney quipped.

Though the 63-year-old was certainly sporting a nice tan, the big question wasnt about his movie-star looks or even about Wolfs, which premiered Sunday evening at the Venice Film Festival. Instead, Clooney was asked about the effect of a July 10 guest essay he wrote for The New York Times Opinion section that called on President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to step down as the Democratic nominee.

At the time, it was considered one of the most high-profile examples of Hollywoods big-donor class losing confidence in President Biden after his debate against Donald J. Trump in June.

Some journalists in the Venice press room applauded Clooney at the mention of his influential essay, but the star demurred. The person who should be applauded is the president, who did the most selfless thing that anybodys done since George Washington, Clooney said about President Biden, who endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee for the Democratic Party in late July. All the machinations that got us there, none of thats going to be remembered and it shouldnt be. What should be remembered is the selfless act.
Rolling into the Labor Day weekend, Donald Trump was able to relax a little on Friday night with a ballroom of smitten women in downtown Washington.

He began the week with a controversy over Arlington National Cemetery and ended the week with what smelled like a flip-flop on Floridas abortion referendum. Mr. Trump needs votes from women, and the Arlington and abortion story lines arent exactly winners in that regard. So it was interesting to watch him working to firm up a part of his base, at the third annual convention of Moms for Liberty, a conservative group devoted to parental rights. He took a stab at addressing the Arlington mess, telling his cleaned-up version of events and whining about how persecuted he is. But mostly, he tried to offer what he thinks women want  Trump unfiltered. Which is, in his head, the ultimate winning strategy.

No doubt, everyone was in a partying mood. Everywhere you looked, there were women rocking Trump T-shirts and cocktail dresses, cowboy boots and stilettos, ponytails and MAGA hats. But Mr. Trumps appearance raised the same question as his recent string of North Carolina rallies: If hes spending time in safe spaces and once-safe states, when will he start trying to win over on-the-fence women and others who may decide the election?

Forgoing his usual rallies, the former president had agreed to a special fireside chat with Moms for Liberty. To signal how cozy and Oprah-esque this was going to be, a vase of red roses sat on a small table beside his large white armchair and the one occupied by Tiffany Justice, a co-founder of the group.
Follow the latest updates on the Harris and Trump campaigns.

In November 1999, Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican and former prisoner of war in Vietnam who was widely considered a military hero, said that his newly launched presidential campaign had made a very bad mistake.

Mr. McCain, who at the time was trailing far behind George W. Bush in the race for their partys nomination, had produced a campaign ad highlighting his career as a Navy pilot and his reverence for his fellow service members. At one moment, the ad showed Mr. McCain walking solemnly through Arlington National Cemetery.

The Army soon said that Mr. McCains campaign had never requested permission to film in the cemetery. Even if it had, an Army spokesman said at the time, the request would have been denied because partisan activity is banned at Army installations. A campaign spokesman said that the clip had come from one of the senators periodic visits to the graves of his father and his grandfather.

It was an incident in campaign politics that closely mirrored, before it sharply diverged from, another that took place last week. An Army spokesman said on Thursday that former President Donald J. Trumps campaign had similarly not been given permission to film in a restricted area of Arlington National Cemetery during Mr. Trumps visit on Monday  and that it could not have received such permission because it would violate federal law.
The partisan dispute over Arlington National Cemetery escalated on Sunday when the campaign of former President Donald J. Trump published statements from family members of slain U.S. troops attacking Vice President Kamala Harris after she criticized Mr. Trump for politicizing the cemetery.

It was the latest effort by the Trump campaign to defend itself after a physical altercation between a Trump aide and a cemetery official that was triggered by the campaign defying a ban on political campaigning at the cemetery in Virginia during Mr. Trumps visit last week. Most of the family members who were with Mr. Trump for that visit signed onto the statement promoted by the Trump campaign.

The Army said in a statement on Thursday that an official at Arlington National Cemetery was physically pushed by a Trump campaign aide after she tried to stop the campaign from filming in a heavily restricted area of the cemetery. Trump campaign officials then insulted the cemetery worker, insisting that there was no physical altercation and that they were prepared to release footage to prove it, but the campaign has not done so.

In her first public comments on the situation, Ms. Harris said in a statement on Saturday that Mr. Trump had desecrated the cemetery  considered to be among the most sacred of American institutions. Ms. Harris said that the Arlington cemetery was a solemn place that should be free of politics, describing the campaigns filming in Section 60  largely reserved for service members killed in recent wars overseas  as a political stunt.
China and the Philippines traded new accusations of deliberately ramming into each others coast guard vessels near a disputed atoll in the South China Sea where the two countries are engaged in an escalating standoff.

The confrontation near the atoll, Sabina Shoal, on Saturday came after multiple others in the area between the two countries in the past two weeks. It also comes days after the Biden administrations national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, held talks with senior Chinese leaders in Beijing and raised Americas defense treaty with the Philippines.

The U.S. State Department said this weekend that it stood with its ally and condemned China for deliberately colliding with a Philippine Coast Guard vessel.

This is the latest in a series of dangerous and escalatory actions by the P.R.C., a State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said in the statement, referring to the Peoples Republic of China. The P.R.C.s unlawful claims of territorial sovereignty over ocean areas where no land territory exists, and its increasingly aggressive actions to enforce them, threaten the freedoms of navigation and overflight of all nations.
Exhausted doctors resting in crowded on-call rooms with no locks, two to a single bed. Frustrated relatives of patients angrily challenging a physicians diagnosis. Too few security guards to keep the peace.

These are everyday realities in Indian government hospitals. Young doctors describe multiday shifts and harrowing working conditions in rooms and wards often lacking in safety and hygiene, where learning is frequently interrupted by the crushing load of urgent cases.

Their plight has come to light in recent weeks after the rape and murder in Kolkata of a 31-year-old junior doctor who had been resting after a grueling 36-hour shift. Last month, the police arrested a man, considered a prime suspect in the killing, after he was caught on CCTV walking into the hospital late at night.

The case has prompted nationwide protests, with doctors, students and human rights activists demanding justice for the victim, as well as better protection and safer workplaces for doctors and women. Many doctors also went on strike.
Dragons and Sharks on a Beach Near You: The Story of the Great Lego Spill

Nearly five million Lego pieces plunged into the sea in 1997. The pieces are still showing up  on Englands coast, in Ireland, Belgium, France and possibly at the beach near you.
The far-right Alternative for Germany was on course on Sunday to become the strongest party in a state election for the first time, in Thuringia, and it was running a close second to mainstream conservatives in a second state, Saxony, according to projections based on early results.

A new party rooted in the extreme left, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or BSW, was running third in both states. But neither party was expected to be able to run either states government after coalition negotiations that could take weeks.

The elections in the two states in the former East Germany were being closely watched in Berlin as a measure of the rising strength of extremist parties, left and right, as well as of the weakening position of the centrist parties that make up the current federal coalition. It was the first time since the Nazi era that a far-right party had won a state election.

The returns were seen as a worrying indicator of the health and future of German democracy, and they were likely to intensify a quandary over whether and how mainstream parties can isolate extremists and keep them from entering government.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Italys leading research company SWG S.p.A has released the results of the exit poll for Azerbaijans parliamentary elections, Trend reports.

The results were presented by the head of the research department of the company Rado Fonda.

The full results are available at the link.

The voting that kicked off at 08:00 concluded at 19:00.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations were set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters were able to cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

Exit polls are conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes were used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.
Ten p.m. arrives in Cairos Sayyida Zeinab neighborhood with the same dogged tenacity as it does anywhere else, but down the fluorescent shopping streets and in the sidewalk cafes, few people used to glance at the clock. It might have been near bedtime in other countries, but Cairo was practically still waking up.

That was summer in the past, season of sweat, and the city adapted its schedule. Days were for cooling inside, or at least avoiding the suns blitzkrieg. Nighttime offered mercy. Though the concrete sidewalks still belched up the days accumulated heat, the neighborhood came alive only after isha, the last of the five daily Muslim prayers. The day went on long into early morning.

Not this summer. With an energy shortage prompting the government to mandate earlier closing times, 10 p.m. now brings a dimming to Sayyida Zeinab: metal shutters are down or rolling toward the ground, turning the loudly colored, exuberantly lit storefronts to gray.

Years into an economic crunch that has left the government scrambling for dollars and made life a misery for all but the richest, Egypt is short on natural gas and funds to buy more, necessitating daily countrywide blackouts until a few weeks ago.
The Israeli military said on Sunday that six bodies found in Gaza were hostages who had been brutally murdered by Hamas, setting off a wave of nationwide grief mixed with anger.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the militarys chief spokesman, said the bodies had been recovered a day earlier from a tunnel underneath the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza, close to where a seventh hostage, Farhan al-Qadi, was found alive last week.

They were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short time before we reached them, Admiral Hagari said.

Israels health ministry said later on Sunday that a forensic examination showed the hostages had been shot at close range sometime between Thursday and Friday morning.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was shocked to the depths of his soul by what he called the coldblooded murder of the hostages.

The heart of the entire nation is torn, he said in a statement.

In an initial statement, Hamas did not directly address the accusations, but said responsibility for the deaths lay with Israel, which it blamed for the lack of an agreement to stop the fighting in Gaza. Hamas later claimed in a separate statement, without providing evidence, that the hostages were killed by the Israeli militarys bullets.
Protesters flooded the streets of Israeli cities on Sunday in mass demonstrations demanding that the government immediately accept a deal for the release of hostages held in Gaza. The furious protests, some of the largest the country has seen over months of failed negotiations, came after the Israeli military announced that six of the hostages had recently been killed in Gaza.

In Tel Aviv, protest organizers put the number of people in the hundreds of thousands. Hostage families and a crowd of supporters carried six prop coffins in a march through the city. They swarmed in front of the Israeli military headquarters and clashed with the police on a major highway.

In Jerusalem, the Israeli police fired skunk water, a noxious crowd control weapon, and forcefully removed a crowd of hundreds who rallied at the citys main entrance. In smaller cities too, including Rehovot, in central Israel, people blocked traffic and chanted, We want them back living, not in coffins!
Gunmen killed three Israeli police officers on Sunday morning as they drove through the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the latest episode in the spiral of violence in the territory that includes attacks by Palestinian and Israeli extremists, as well as ongoing raids by the Israeli military in Palestinian cities.

The officers were shot and killed as they drove along a highway in the southern part of the West Bank, close to a major checkpoint where traffic is screened before entering Israel, according to statements from the Israeli police and Magen David Adom, the emergency medical service.

One of the officers was the father of a police officer who was killed during Hamass Oct. 7 raid on southern Israel that started the war in Gaza, according to the police.

The episode followed two attacks on Friday night by Palestinian militants, one of whom attempted to detonate a car bomb at a busy intersection in the southern West Bank, according to the Israeli military. In the second attack, a Palestinian drove into a nearby Israeli settlement, prompting a car chase and a shootout that caused an explosion in the Palestinians car, the military said.

The Israeli military raided three major cities in the northern West Bank last week, killing at least 22 people, according to the Palestinian health authorities. The military said the operation was aimed at quelling armed Palestinian groups, but critics warned that the death and destruction caused by the raids risked encouraging the same violence that they aimed to reduce.

Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967 after capturing it from Jordan during the Arab-Israeli war that year. Israel has since built hundreds of settlements in the territory, which are considered illegal by most of the world. Hundreds of thousands of Jewish Israelis now live under military protection in the West Bank, interspersed among roughly three million Palestinians who generally want the territory to form the backbone of a future Palestinian state.
Irelands President has called for an end to the killing in Gaza as he expressed sympathies with the families of six murdered Israeli hostages.

Michael D Higgins was commenting following the discovery of the bodies of the six hostages in Rafah, in southern Gaza, on Saturday.

The Israeli authorities said they were killed shortly before its forces reached the tunnel in which they were found.

The hostages have been named as Carmel Gat, 40, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Alexander Lobanov, 33, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25.

In a statement, Mr Higgins said: As images appear in the media of the six hostages whose bodies have been recovered in Gaza, ones heart can only go out to their families who now have to carry what must be an unbearable grief in addition to the agony which they have faced since their abduction 11 months ago.

All of this killing must stop. Piling the dead upon the dead is a hopeless strategy when what is needed is an engagement with current and long-neglected issues that will enable life to be made possible for all in the region.

As the international community looks on, they must insist that it is time for all remaining hostages to be released by Hamas, for an immediate ceasefire, for a serious exchange of prisoners to take place, and for all necessary aid to be provided to those who need it.

The Taoiseach described the murders as an outrage.

Simon Harris reiterated his call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire

The news from Israel on the deaths of six hostages is heartbreaking and an outrage, he said.

These innocent people were abducted and held by Hamas for nearly 11 months. Reports they were murdered in recent days are sickening.

This is the latest outrage and atrocity in a year of bloody inhumanity. This violence and death cannot continue and every life that can be saved must be saved.

We need an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Ireland calls on Hamas and the (Israeli) Netanyahu government to make this a reality.

All remaining hostages should be returned to their families and aid needs to flow freely to Gaza before the humanitarian catastrophe deepens.

Irelands solidarity and sympathy are today with the families and the communities of the six innocent hostages confirmed dead.

May their memories be a blessing.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin called for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic news from Israel of the killing of six Israeli hostages held by Hamas in captivity, he said.

My thoughts and solidarity, and those of the Irish people, are with the families of the six people who have been so brutally murdered, and with their communities and the Israeli people as a whole as they confront this terrible news.

The taking and holding of hostages is reprehensible and unconscionable in any and all circumstances.

Ireland has repeatedly condemned Hamas and others who have taken and continue to hold hostages for nearly 11 months. The suffering endured by these innocent captives and their families is difficult to imagine.

We have called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. I repeat this call again today.

The past 11 months have brought unspeakable death and suffering to the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

Too many families continue to face violence, death and destruction. It is past time for the killing and suffering on all sides to end.

We urgently need to see a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages. Only this can bring an end to the violence and death, and enable the urgent and massive supply of aid to Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is truly catastrophic.

Even in this dark moment, I urge all involved to redouble their efforts to reach such a deal.
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

The report shows that in Offaly 46 pubs have closed since 2005. Between 2019 to 2023, 10 pubs closed their doors in Offaly (7.8% decline in pubs during this period).

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%).

This latest analysis comes on top of recently published data by the Restaurants Association of Ireland which found that 283 food-led businesses such as restaurants, cafes and gastropubs closed in the last six months of 2023, with a further 212 such businesses shuttered so far this year.

A recent survey of almost 600 pubs and restaurants, conducted as part of todays report found that almost one in four had seen their business costs increase by 20-30% in the last two years. An additional 15% found that their business costs had increased by over 40% in the last two years.

In addition to this, the survey found that if government support, such as a cut in the excise rate was provided, it would allow the industry to sustain and grow. 23% of business owners would refurbish their business, 18% said they would hire more staff and 13% said they would invest in new offerings or services such as food or accommodation. These figures demonstrate the untapped potential of the industry.

Commenting, 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.
Midland Drama Schools are celebrating yet again on another Overall Award of Excellence

Midland Drama Schools are celebrating yet again on another Overall Award of Excellence

Singing student Dayna Quinlan has won the Overall National Award of Excellence in her singing grade exam - ''Recital Performance in Musical Theatre Voice''.

This accolade is awarded by Leinster School of Music Griffith College, Dublin.

This award is highly sought after annually by students and is very competitive as nominees and winners are selected by rigorous rounds of adjudication by Leinster School of Music and Griffith College adjudicators.

Winners are then selected from all the exam students who participate in music , drama and singing throughout Ireland, which makes the selection process even a higher standard to compete in .

Midland Drama School Director and teacher, Lorraine Wynne commented: I'm over 30 years now teaching in Midland Drama Schools and excitement never changes when I receive news of this achievement."

"How proud we are and thrilled for Dayna to have won this award. She has been nominated many times and short listed and now has won it. She is very hard working and exceptionally talented young girl with a very bright future ahead."

Dayna has been attending singing lessons with Lorraine in Midland Drama Schools since the early age of nine along with drama classes. Since then Dayna has successfully completed all her grades in singing receiving medals and distinctions year after year, playing the lead role in many of Midland Drama Schools productions.

Dayna is from Shinrone and is 17 years old.

Dayna was the winner of the Offalys next superstar competition in 2022 with OffayLive.ie. As part of her prize, she won a recording in Penny Lane Recording Studio with Peter Kelly. With such a busy schedule, this recording is only due to be finished in the coming weeks. Dayna is very grateful to Peter for his time, knowledge and ability on bringing this song to life.

This year she landed herself the lead role in Roscrea Musical Society's production of Grease, making her the first secondary school student to land a lead role with the society. she was also Musical Director for Roscrea Musical Society's Panto last Christmas and will return to the role again this Christmas for their upcoming Panto 'Prince Charming - When Fairy Tales Collide'

At 13 Dayna penned her first original song and since then she has gone on to write a few more. With one song due to be officially released very soon.

Dayna has joined and been joined by some local artists at various gigs over the years such as Jack Keeshan, Eddie Simmons, Colin Williams and Passing Through to name a few, as well as playing her own gigs with an array of cover styles from Pop, country, musical theatre, and her own originals. She has to ability to silence a room in seconds and leave people in awe of her voice and with such a diverse set list, there is something for everyone.

Dayna will be invited to a special awards ceremony in Griffith College in October to receive her award of excellence.

More details at https://www.facebook.com/daynaqmusic
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The parliamentary election in Azerbaijan has seen high voter turnout, Ukrainian MP Volodymyr Kreidenko told reporters, Trend reports.

"For me, this isn't the first election in Azerbaijan. I participated as an observer in the presidential election. This election is very similar to that one. It was conducted freely, without any pressure on the people. Voters were able to choose who they wanted," he said.

According to him, the delegation visited 10 polling stations in Baku, observing reporters, party representatives, and voters.

"For us, the most important thing is that the elections are conducted in accordance with international law and through a democratic process. We don't have the right to evaluate the candidates, but the people can choose their future members of parliament," he added.

Voting in the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan has concluded at 19:00 (GMT +4).

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations were set up. There were 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The parliamentary election in Azerbaijan has been held under objective conditions, Director of the Russian Center for Political Research Sergey Markov, observer for the election, told reporters, Trend reports via the Election-2024 Independent Media Center.

This is an important historical event. My job is not to make predictions about the election results, but I believe that the new parliament will justify the trust, he added.

Voting in the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan has concluded at 19:00 (GMT +4).

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations were set up. There were 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The parliamentary poll in Azerbaijan has complied with the law, Cristian-Augustin Niculescu-Tigirlas, the head of the observer mission from the Romanian Senate, told reporters, Trend reports.

"The polling stations adhered to the established schedule for opening, and the election commissions were formed in full compliance with the law. Before the voting began, the ballot boxes were empty and sealed. Members of the election commissions attended the stations.

We observed the presence of media representatives, who had unrestricted access to continuously record the voting process. Voter identification was ensured by checking ID cards, and specially equipped booths were used to maintain the secrecy of the vote.

No violations on campaign materials inside or outside the polling stations were detected. Additionally, no unauthorized individuals were present at the polling stations," he noted.

Voting in the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan has concluded at 19:00 (GMT +4).

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations were set up. There were 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The parliamentary election in Azerbaijan has seen a high organization level, Russian MP, observer for the election, Alexey Chepa told Trend.

We visited 12 polling stations in Baku. We also noticed a festive mood at the polling stations; people were happy to come to the polls, he noted.

According to him, Azerbaijan has entered its new historical phase after the historic victory in Karabakh and after the election of the President of Azerbaijan.

I was very pleased to see a lot of young people as observers at all the polling stations, the MP said.

Voting in the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan has concluded at 19:00 (GMT +4).

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations were set up. There were 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel


Moorman photo of JFK assassination.

(Image by Wikipedia (commons.wikimedia.org), Author: Mary Ann Moorman (Mary Krahmer)) Details Source DMCA



When Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. dropped out of the US presidential race and endorsed the Republican nominee, former president Donald Trump, on August 23, his first reward was a promise: If elected, Axios reports, Trump say he will "establish an independent presidential commission on assassination attempts" and "task the commission with releasing all of the remaining documents pertaining to the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy."

I'm skeptical, and I'm not alone.

The Future of Freedom Foundation's Jacob G. Hornberger -- author of several informative books on the assassination -- notes that Trump made the same promise in 2016, then reneged on that promise.

Hornberger also asserts -- with good reason, in my opinion -- that even if "smoking gun" documentation contradicting the "Lee Harvey Oswald as lone assassin" narrative ever existed, "there is no chance whatsoever that the CIA would have turned over such a record to the Assassination Records Review Board or the National Archives instead of simply destroying it. "

A third argument against the likelihood that we'll get more information:

Weasel-word "tasking" a government agency, commission, or board with this or that deliverable is the go-to method by which a politician accomplishes nothing while claiming he kept a promise.

Trump himself is a great example: One of his promises in 2016 was to cut regulation by requiring federal agencies to eliminate two regulations for each new one they created.

But when Trump issued his vaunted executive order to that effect, it wasn't really to that effect. It merely required the agencies to "identify" two regulations "for" repeal, not actually repeal them.

Results?

As of three days before Trump's inauguration, according to QuantGov's Regulation Tracker, the Federal Register included 1,079,651 regulations. The number of federal regulations then increased, not dropping below the original number again for nearly two years, then began increasing again, totaling 1,089,742 on the day Trump left office.

So:

Trump's already proven he can't be trusted to keep promises relating to records concerning the assassination of JFK.

Even if Trump claimed he was "keeping" that promise, his way of "keeping" it would most likely involve fobbing off responsibility on a commission with enough wiggle room in its mandate to avoid real disclosure.

And even if the commission released every last relevant document in the government's possession, it's a safe bet that any documents contradicting the "lone gunman" narrative in any substantive or provable way were shredded, then burned, then buried at sea decades ago.

The official story, as promulgated by the Warren Commission in 1964, hasn't aged well. As of last year, per Gallup, 65% of Americans believe the assassination was carried out by conspirators, not by Oswald alone.

They're probably right -- but unfortunately, we'll probably never know exactly what happened in Dallas that day.
Feminist world-building: Creative energies, collective journeys

SHOBHA SHUKLA - CNS

... So goes the theme of the 4th Asia Pacific Feminist Forum (APFF) which will be held in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand next month. This theme is a pointer towards channelising the energies of people of all genders who work to defend human rights and promote gender equality to collectively resist the patriarchal, militarised and greed-driven world we are living in, and envisioning a feminist world order.

What is a feminist world order?

A feminist system means having a different kind of development model that is based on sharing and caring. As opposed to the current patriarchal systems which use power and violence against most other people in order for a few to gain power, feminism uses care and solidarity to share and redistribute power. A feminist system is one that is socially just and ecologically sustainable for everyone - everywhere, and it is rooted in development justice.

For Abia Akram, founder and CEO of the National Forum of Women with Disabilities in Pakistan, "a feminist world is a place where women and all diverse genders can feel their strength and be engaged meaningfully at grassroots level to bring about systematic changes, where we can see the engagement of the feminist approach through transformative laws, and legal practices that are shaped according to human rights perspective."

Sharing her personal experience, Eni Lestari, a migrant rights activist and the Chairperson of International Migrants Alliance says, "I have been involved with women migration and feminist movements for more than two decades now. I have seen how neoliberal globalisation has intensified structural exploitation, and how every new crisis brings more poverty, displacement and unemployment. I moved out of my country Indonesia as a migrant because of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. At that time, me and my colleagues had thought that this displacement would be a passing phenomenon. But sadly, since then more and more people have been forced to displace as migration has become part of the economic development project for many capitalist countries. Today, the number of migrants has reached nearly 300 million- which is equal to the whole population of my country."

"In a feminist world there would be such an economic and political environment in every country where everyone will be treated fairly with equality and where no one will have to migrate or get displaced just to survive. A feminist world is a world where women will lead, facilitate and ensure that everyone in society is treated with justice and equality," added Eni Lestari.

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The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned"

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,

Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born? (WB Yeats, "the Second Coming")

by Rena Grasso

Gaza and the Fate of Humanity

Over 40,402 Palestinians have been murdered. Lancet, a London-based peer reviewed medical journal, estimates that 148,000 is a more likely number. Fifty percent of the Palestinian population in Gaza are under 18 years old. Two-thirds of the 40K people are women and children. More than 2000 children under 2 years old have been murdered by Israel who claims no Palestinians are civilians.

Numbers however don't reveal Israel's sadism and savagery: its June 8th attack on Nuseirat killed 270 Palestinians. Amongst them are members of sixteen-year-old Moman's family. IDF soldiers broke down the door of his home where 14 family members were sheltering against the onslaught. The soldiers enter screaming at the family to divulge weapons. They place black hoods over his grandfather and father's heads and push them onto the floor. They force Yemen, his 12-year-old brother, to strip naked, beat him, and burn cigarettes into his neck. When the family can't produce weapons, they shoot Momen, his aunt, and Yemen. They laugh at and taunt his mother as she pleads for their lives. Momen lost his kidney, part of his liver, his spine was injured so he will never walk. Yemen died on the way to a hospital. (Al-Jazeera)

At dawn, July 1, IDF soldiers storm the house of Muhannad al-Jamal, firing randomly and throwing 5 bombs. Shrapnel pierces Muhannad and his sister's limbs, but his mother, 65-year-old Safiya Hassan Musa al-Jamal, has a large piece of shrapnel deep into her chest. During the 3 hours of relentless bombing, his mother falls unconscious. Finally, the soldiers take Muhannad and his mother onto a tank; Muhannad thinks for medical care. Instead, they throw him and his mother off the tank and back over them. His mother is crushed under its wheels. He manages to escape, but wounded and traumatized by the atrocities.

On July15, during the attack on Shuyaiya neighborhood of Gaza City, Sara Bahar's family, with only bread to eat, was trapped for a week. At 2 am, IDF soldiers bulldozed the door of their dwelling. They set attack dogs on Sara's disabled brother, Muhammad. The soldiers laugh as he screams. His mother pleads for a doctor. The IDF brings in a presumed doctor who takes Muhammad into a back room. The screaming stops. The "doctor" emerges with a smile "as if delivering a message". The soldiers stay for hours eating and drinking before the starving family. They demand women's phones and laugh and mock the pictures. Before they leave, they beat and kick Sara; the men are taken into a room for interrogation, beaten, taken out in detention. The women are evicted from their home. Four days later Muhammad's body is found decomposing in the rubble of their house.

Humans alone are capable of such evil, and history is rife with its manifestations. Six thousand years of Patriarchal "civilization" have delivered class exploitation, slavery, organized warfare, periodic genocides, mass rapes and massacres.

Technology has amplified the scale of death and destruction. World War I ushered in modern high-tech warfare. It stunned the West with its horrors, and influenced Freud to posit Thanatos, humans' death instinct. The League of Nations was born from the atrocities of World War I. But it failed. Two decades later, World War II erupted and the world witnessed an exponential surge in destructiveness and carnage. Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Nazi Holocaust of Jews are iconic testaments to human evil. But equally heinous are the terror bombing campaigns.

In February 1945, the US and the UK orchestrated the "Hiroshima of Germany". For "the sake of increasing terror" (Churchill), their air forces dropped 3600 tons of bombs and incendiary devices on densely populated Dresden, - the "Florence of the Elbe", a city of great artistic and historical importance. Four relentless waves of bombings leveled Dresden; they killed between 25,000 - 35,000, mostly women, children and the elderly.

In March,1945, US generals decided to obliterate Tokyo. The aerial bombing rained 1600 tons of high explosive bombs packed with napalm. The largely wooden city ignited; temperatures reached 1800 degrees; glass melted; people boiled to death in waters where they sought refuge. The death toll was 110,000; the smell of burning human flesh rose into the atmosphere sickening the men in the bombers.

Again, the repugnant evils of war rang alarm bells. They spawned the United Nation and the Geneva Convention against Genocide. We recognized the need to restrain our propensity for irrationality armed with annihilating powers. We established rational principles and institutions to guide and enforce our collective will to life over death.

Israel and the US have destroyed these bulwarks against human evil. They have erased red lines. Viciousness, cruelty, desecration of life, Israel's pathological consciousness and behavior, are sanctioned. The United States has blessed and enabled Israel's depravity. The blood-dimmed tide has been released.

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Jack Smith's Brief Lacks

A Sense of Urgency

By Joel D. Joseph, author of Black Mondays:

Worst Decisions of the Supreme Court

Special Prosecutor Jack Smith appealed Judge Aileen Cannon's absurd dismissal of all charges against Donald Trump for illegally retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Smith's appellate brief filed in the Eleventh Circuit slammed Judge Cannon's dismissal but failed to express any sense of urgency. Further, the brief did not request that Judge Cannon be removed from the case. This is extraordinary since the Eleventh Circuit has already twice reversed Judge Cannon's earlier rulings concerning Donald Trump.

The dismissal erroneously claims that Jack Smith was not appointed according to the constitution because he was not confirmed by the Senate. Judge Cannon's ruling was clearly erroneous because the Appointments Clause of the Constitution provides that officers of the United States shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. U.S. Const. art. II, 2, cl. 2. But the same clause provides that Congress "may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments." Congress has passed legislation expressly providing that the Attorney General "may appoint officials . . . to detect and prosecute crimes against the United States." Id. 533(1). Congress passed this legislation after it passed the Ethics in Government Act in 1978 in the wake of the Watergate scandal.

No other court has ever ruled that special counsels need to be confirmed by the Senate.

Judge Cannon, appointed to the federal bench by Donald Trump, obviously is biased in this case. Nearly every law professor and legal expert who has read her opinion believes that it is clearly erroneous and will be overturned.

In an earlier case, a three-judge panel of the Eleventh US Circuit Court of Appeals reversed U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon's order appointing a so-called "special master" to sort through thousands of documents found at Trump's home to determine what should be off limits to investigators. The court said that the judge should not have intervened in the first place. "The law is clear," Judge William Pryor wrote for the unanimous panel. "We cannot write a rule that allows any subject of a search warrant to block government investigations after the execution of the warrant. Nor can we write a rule that allows only former presidents to do so. Either approach would be a radical reordering of our caselaw limiting the federal courts' involvement in criminal investigations. And both would violate bedrock separation-of-powers limitations."

But time is of the essence. There is still time for a trial before the election. The classified documents case is a simple case that can be tried in two weeks. Jack Smith should have filed a motion for summary reversal short-circuiting months of delay inherent in an ordinary appeal. But he failed to do this. He also failed to ask the court for an expedited hearing. And most blatantly, failed to seek the removal of Judge Cannon from the case.

Smith's brief is an excellent brief if you are a law clerk with no interest in getting justice done quickly. It explains meticulously why Judge Cannon has no authority to dismiss the case.

"Justice delayed is justice denied" is attributed to William Gladstone in 1868, but the concept is reflected in the old Testament and the Magna Carta. Martin Luther King used the expression in his 1963 letter from Birmingham jail.

"The most interesting thing about Jack Smith's brief to the 11th Circuit is perhaps what's not in it: a request for Judge Aileen Cannon's removal from the case," said Lisa Rubin, a legal analyst with MSNBC.

Special Prosecutor Smith can still ask the court to expedite the appeal. He should do this immediately.
By: Robert Weiner and Tomas Alves

Amidst a tense day on May 1, 1992, Rodney King uttered his famous plea for Angelenos saying, "Can't we all get along?"

Mayor Bass, an organizer at the time, drew inspiration from the moment to organize Angeleno communities to fight for criminal justice reform with a specific emphasis on police accountability. But, Mayor Bass must not allow King's legacy to ring hollow, especially in her position as the most powerful person in the second-largest city in America.

In the 1990s, Mayor Bass, then a physician assistant, had hoped that her grassroots organization, Community Coalition in South Los Angeles, would invigorate enough voters to mobilize the cause of criminal justice reform in Los Angeles. In an appearance at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., which we hosted on July 16, 2020, Bass said she hoped that, "everything was going to change now because it was on video."

Carrying a formidable legislative record in Congress and being one of the fiercest House Members on the issue of criminal justice reform, Mayor Bass has not shown the same forceful pursuit in her time as Mayor. Her monumental decision to veto a July ballot measure that would allow progress on police accountability such as a provision allowing the LAPD chief to fire officers accused of misconduct, is misguided.

Four years ago, when Mayor Bass was known as Congresswoman Bass and Chair of the CBC, she championed multiple pieces of legislation on criminal justice reform that rode the wave of the Black Lives Matter movement and focused specifically on police accountability. As sponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 she showed persistence and legislative acumen to get the bill through the House.

Despite that success, Bass faced roadblocks in the Senate and seemed to back away from the continued effort needed. She needed more comprehensive negotiations with the McConnell-designated Senate leader on the issue, Tim Scott (R-SC), and possibly compromise on police immunity -- maybe allow study grants in states-- in order to receive bans of no chokeholds, no knees-on-necks, no-knock intrusions, no rough rides, the required use of body cameras, vetting of prior records, and the like.

At her appearance to the National Press Club in Washington, then-Congresswoman Bass corrected then-Vice President, Lisa Matthews, when asked about the negotiations on the George Floyd bill with Senator Tim Scott saying, "There are no formal negotiations going on." Later Bass also mentioned that her colleagues, Senator Cory Booker and then-Senator Kamala Harris, "have the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in the Senate," effectively abdicating herself from any further legislative advocacy. As a result, Senate negotiations for the bill collapsed in September 2021. House Assistant Leader Jim Clyburn, the highest ranking Black House member, told MSNBC, "Don't blame us... We passed the bill. Ask the Senate."

Instead of playing hot potato with Senators Scott, Booker, and Harris, the CBC chair could have tried to persuade Senator Scott to listen to the collective position of the influential CBC or manufacture a compromise with Scott given that she only acknowledged Scott's counterproposal as, "a sincere effort, absolutely."
Image says it all (from National Geographic)





Without a doubt, many people have reason to be angry with the country's political system and how hard it is to make it work. Some have totally given up on it. Our political system has failed to provide equal justice, housing, and education, while employment opportunities and voting rights are far from equable. The failures are many, and the improvements come slow, but most of the blame lies with the 60 vote filibuster rule and gerrymandering. Both are powerful weapons that the Republicans have used to prevent numerous Democrat bills from being passed. Lies, slander, and fear-mongering are others.

It is easy to forget many of the accomplishments when injustices and racism are still seen every day. At the end of this article will be a link to 50 accomplishments by the Obama administration and dozens by President Biden, which almost all Republicans fought tirelessly against, even though many of the issues were clearly beneficial for most Americans with many specifically crafted to benefit people of color.

This article was prepared to outline factual responses to many of the most common issues that are frequently misrepresented and often outright demonized. Civil conversations with family members and friends should be attempted, as hopefully election results will be based on facts and not on lies, slanders, and innuendo.

Clay Cane's new book The Grift, possibly the most important political book for this election cycle, is a must-read by all. It is a thoroughly researched and documented history of the political scene starting with Abraham Lincoln to the present day. He minces no words and name names in documenting how Black Republicans are used by the white power brokers to provide cover for their explicit bigotry.

He gives many examples of Black people being welcomed as long as they "know their place." The cost to them is to merely deny or significantly downplay the existence of racism in the country and blame any alleged inequality on the Black victims themselves. The better they do that, the higher they may go. He states that is one of the greatest threats to the liberation of Black and Brown people. If in doubt, when was the last time you heard a Black Republican attack Trump or even criticize congress for refusing to pass voter rights legislation or supporting anything that would help decrease inequalities?

Cane also has tough words for many Democrats too, in the likes of JFK, LBJ, and Joe Biden. He acknowledges that the political landscape is far from perfect but pleads with his readers to understand that only one party tolerates members who promote white supremacy and who has no intention of ever giving up their majority power and domination over the people of color. And only one party, the Democrats, fights for health care, voting rights, civil rights, equal justice, labor unions, increased minimum wage, paid family leave requirements, and among many other things, an environment with cleaner water and air, while the other party fights to block almost any attempt to bring meaningful and needed changes. Gerrymandering and the 60 vote filibuster makes many things extremely hard, and often impossible to pass.



(Image by Amazon) Details DMCA



Available at Amazon, Audible, and most Bookstores





The following list of reasons to say NO to Trump are all extremely easy to fact-check and confirm. While the Black community is certainly not homogenous, it is the author's opinion, like that of Clay Cane's, that Trump poses a major danger to everyone, but especially to people of color.

Trump's history of racism can clearly be seen by the following actions:

1. Trump aggressively supported the police who killed George Floyd by pressing his knee on Mr. Floyd's neck for over nine minutes, and the many other young and innocent Black males. He said the police were completely justified, just as he condemned the "Central Park Five" over three decades earlier, who served 13 years in prison until DNA proved their innocence. He still refuses to apologize.



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Trump says that this was proper





2. He banned the government training on Critical Race Theory and mocked that there was such a thing as "white privilege." He supported the concept that if there was any discrimination, it was the white people who were now the victims and who are on the verge of "losing their country, unless they fight like hell." Affirmative action became reverse discrimination.

3. Black-owned businesses that applied were significantly less likely to receive loans from the Paycheck Protection Plan that was created during the Covid shutdown. A National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) study indicated that only 20% of Black-owned businesses that applied for PPP loans received funding, compared to 60% of white-owned businesses.

4. The Trump administration rescinded several things that were put in place under former President Barack Obama, such as encouraging colleges and universities to use race in admissions processes to promote campus diversity. Pell Grants were also greatly reduced but were expanded again after Biden became President.

5. There are 30,573 documented false and misleading claims he told the public during his four years as president. That is over 20 a day! These can all be found at no one can possibly trust Trump. This is one of many reasons why only five of the 44 cabinet members Trump appointed are now endorsing him. All of Obama's appointments did when he ran for reelection, as did all of Biden's. Thus, is it even possible to ever believe a word he says?

6. He slandered President Obama hundreds of times by accusing him of not being an American. He is now doing the same thing to Kamala Harris.

7. He attacked the groups who were advocating for the removal of confederate monuments and blocked the military from changing the names of military bases that were named after confederate officers. He called for ten-year mandatory prison terms for anyone who defaced any of those monuments. Yet, he promises full pardons to those who invaded and defaced the Capitol Building on January 6th.

8. We hear all the time that the southern border is broken. While it certainly is, we recently witnessed that Trump demanded that his congressional followers block a consequential and bipartisan compromise reached that would improve the problem significantly. The reason he gave is that it would provide a victory to Biden and remove a major platform issue from his campaign. That conclusively proves that he could not care less about the problems at the border, but only wants to use it to create fear in order to gain more votes.

9. He referred to several countries in Africa as "shithole countries." He also mentioned the predominately Black country of Haiti.

10. He fought to undermine voting rights, which heavily affects minorities. He supported the states that enacted dozens of laws that will result in fewer individuals being able to vote. Just two examples are the Texas law that restricted only one drop off box per county and Florida making it illegal to provide any assistance such as water to voters standing in line.

11. He attacked on numerous occasions, the Black Lives Matter protesters and even asked advisors "if the police can at least shoot them in the legs." He called these protesters terrorists, while those attacking the Capitol Building on January 6th, were "true patriots" and would be given presidential pardons if re-elected.



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Trump has proven over and over again that he really hates people who support this type of free speech.





12. He fought very hard to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare, which would have taken away health care coverage from over 20 million individuals while removing protection from the 100 million citizens with preexisting issues. When congress refused, he mandated that the enrollment period be shortened and stopped the advertisements that the Democrats had in place to inform the public of the deadlines for new enrollments. Almost every single Republican member of congress supported Trump's attempts, despite the fact that great suffering and early death for many would be the obvious result. That resulted in a decrease of 2.3 million people with health insurance.

13. He advocated that states not expand their Medicaid program, even though the Federal Government would pay almost all the cost. Medicaid, of course, affects the poorest children and families. What could possibly motivate anyone to prevent millions of the poorest of the poor to obtain health care? Almost all the Republicans also fought Biden's attempt to lower prescription drug cost. Thankfully, Biden won. We must never go backwards again.

14. Under his leadership, his administration worked to undo many of the existing Civil Rights protections. Reverse racism became their standard cry.

15. He proudly dined with and appointed many white-supremacists and known racists to high positions in his administration. His Cabinet was the least diverse of any in modern history. Trump even refused to disavow the KKK without any pushback from his MAGA supporters. He has a few well known Black supporters backing him, but can you think of even one person of color in his administration that supports the policies of most Black people? Do they not fit Clay Cane's definition of Grifters?



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The culture of Jim Crow laws are alive and fighting like hell. A VOTE FOR TRUMP IS A VOTE FOR THE KKK!





16. Trump attempted to steal millions of votes cast by Black people and have them thrown out by his fraudulent plot to overturn the 2020 election. Even after dozens of lawsuits filed on his behalf were denied, many by the judges he had appointed, he continued with his insurrection plot to remain in the White House. He knew that prison was very likely unless he maintained the power to prevent it. He accused Black voters in cities like Philadelphia and Detroit of cheating, and Black election workers in Atlanta of destroying some of his votes. All 100% lies and slander.

17. He demanded and obtained massive tax cuts for the very rich, while doing a reverse Robin Hood by cutting important and necessary safety nets. While the tax cuts are projected to add 3.5 trillion dollars to the national deficit, he, along with almost every Republican member of congress, fights very hard to prevent the IRS from even auditing the tax returns of the very rich.

18. His attacks on women and on their rights are atrocious. His conviction of sexual assault, that the Judge said constituted rape, and his bragging about other sexual assaults is only half the story.

19. His latest thing now is to tell our NATO allies that unless they "pay," he will not only tell Russia that they can do anything they want to those countries, but that he would also encourage them to do so. While this is shocking, it can be no real surprise considering how he attacked Muslim Gold Star parents, ridiculed John McCain for being captured in Vietnam, although he himself obtained a military deferment by having his doctor claim that he had a bone spur on his foot. He later said that Putin was a genius for invading Ukraine and that soldiers who died in battle were "suckers and losers." Has he ever watched a WW 1 or WW 2 documentary?



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Trump said he would encourage Russia to do this unless he determined that NATO was paying enough money.





20. President Biden announced a full, unconditional pardon for prior federal and D.C. convictions of possession of marijuana. The President's pardon lifts barriers to housing, employment, and educational opportunities for thousands of people with those prior offenses. Presidents do not have the authority to extend the pardons to state convictions.

21. Biden's Student Debt Relief program has already helped millions of people, with the Republicans of course fighting very hard to stop it. After all, they had already given the super-rich almost a trillion dollars in tax cuts and many of these students were victims of fraud.

There are many sincere and devoted religious people of color, who while appalled with the above issues, still find it difficult to vote for the Democrats due to personal religious beliefs. Those mainly deal with abortion and the gay community. For those who have great difficulty accepting either of these two issues, let us take a closer look at just what they involve, and maybe it may not need to be all or nothing.

Abortions:

It is fair to be against abortions. But it is not fair to use God or the Bible as the reason for that opinion. See the link below, "Many passages in the Bible that are not Pro-Life."

A major misunderstanding of the "pro-choice movement" exists. While it is more complicated than either side often presents, the fact is, it has been the Democrats that fight for child day care, child health care, school breakfasts and lunches for children, better schools for children, regulations that help prevent children from getting sick or injured. Yet we see the so called "pro-life" Republicans usually fighting against the very things that protect children.

So the bottom line is when one votes strictly to outlaw abortions, unfortunately, they are also voting against many things that are truly pro-life that the Republicans fight hard to prevent.

Sincere "pro-lifers" should join the "pro-choice" folks in at least helping to limit abortions by supporting the availability of contraceptives, sex education, and easier adoption options, while supporting the expansion of "safety-nets" for those already born.

A study conducted by Washington University School of Medicine found that women who have access to birth control, abortion rates decrease by over 60% compared to the national average. Here is a link to that study.

LGBTQ+

One does not have to like or agree with homosexuality. Different perspectives are fine and fair. While Leviticus 18:22 does seem to refer to gay men, the Bible, in the very same book of Leviticus, also condemns having tattoos, wearing clothes that are made with mixed fabric (cotton, linens, polyester, etc.,) adultery, eating pork, cursing your parents, planting more than one kind of seed in a field, and the trimming of sideburns and beards (see Leviticus chapters 19-20). It makes no judgment as to any of them being worse than the others.

Elsewhere, it calls the following things, abominations: a lying tongue, justifying the wicked, cheating, adultery, slander, injustice, love of money, oppression of others (particularly of the poor and vulnerable), violence, a proud heart, and a sower of discord to name just a few. The Republicans have, shamefully, turned this one single item out of many in the same passages into a political hate tactic.

Can you imagine the Bible quoting Republicans trying to outlaw adultery, lying, gluttony, or having love for money? Or worse yet, think of the backlash if they tried passing a law that would require all humans to be treated with love, respect, and compassion.

Obama's Top 50 Accomplishments, Revisited | Washington Monthly

Biden's accomplishments in just his first two years

Twelve Moral Reasons why True Christians should say NO to Trump

M any passages in the Bible that are not Pro-Life

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: How Republicans use the Bible to Unscrupulously Exploit their Members

Does the Bible Really Teach Family Values?
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. The deputy chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, Sergei Khomenko, and the deputy chairman of the Standing Committee of the Republican Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on Legislation and State Building, Alexei Vasilyev, observed the process of the extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament in Karabakh, Trend reports.

The observers from the Republic of Belarus arrived in Khankendi after keeping an eye on the voting process in the nation's Fuzuli.

They familiarized themselves with the election process at polling stations No. 14, established in the former central administrative building in Khankendi town, and No.15 in the settlement of Karkijahan.

Afterward, the Belarusian observers traveled to Shusha City.

An extraordinary parliamentary election has started in Azerbaijan.

The voting started at 08:00 and will end in the evening at 19:00.

According to the Calendar Plan of the main actions and measures for preparation and holding of extraordinary parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the election campaign of candidates started 23 days before the voting day and was suspended 24 hours before the voting.

On June 28, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and scheduling the extraordinary election for September 1.

Azerbaijan has 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on the election day. There are 6,478 polling stations, comprising 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations are set up. There are 10 electoral districts for internally displaced persons (IDPs), with 574 IDP polling stations serving 397,862 voters. More than 42,000 voters will cast their ballots in the liberated areas.

A total of 51,141 voters will participate for the first time in the extraordinary parliamentary election. The oldest female voter is 134 years old, and the oldest male voter is 109 years old.

Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations. Three international organizations are registered to carry out these polls: the Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, together with Oracle Advisory Group (US), and the "Tereggi" Public Association for Social Research, in collaboration with the Italian SWG S.p.A. research company.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There are 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, including 227 from OSCE/ODIHR and 61 from OSCE PA.

Among the 990 registered candidates, 305 represent 25 political parties, while 371 are party members but were not nominated by their parties. In total, 676 candidates are affiliated with political parties.

Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to allow direct and continuous observation of the voting process without requiring registration.

Portable ballot boxes will be used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Philippines on Sunday accused China of "aggressive and dangerous maneuvers" to block the resupply mission. China's coast guard, meanwhile, said it had taken "control measures" against a vessel that had "illegally" entered the waters and repeatedly approached Chinese ships in a dangerous manner.

In the incident near the Sabina Shoal, the Philippine South China Sea task force said Chinese vessels rammed and used water cannons against a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries ship transporting food, fuel and medical supplies for Filipino fishermen.

The Philippines has accused China of "firing flares" as close as 50 feet away from one of its patrol aircraft, in the latest military confrontation between the two countries in the South China Sea.

According to a statement from Manila's National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, a Chinese fighter jet "engaged in irresponsible and dangerous maneuvers" on Monday, as a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources plane made a "maritime domain awareness flight" near Scarborough Shoal.

The disputed shoal is known as Huangyan Island in China, while the West Philippine Sea is Manila's name for its exclusive economic zone in South China Sea waters.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, the scene of increasingly tense encounters with the Philippines over reefs, islands and other features claimed by both countries.

The tensions have raised concerns about accidents that could trigger a potential military conflict, which could bring in the United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will hold discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first visit to China next week. They are expected to cover topics ranging from Taiwan to bilateral military dialogue and tensions in the South China Sea.

In another incident near Scarborough Shoal, Manila said two Chinese military aircraft made a "dangerous maneuver" and dropped flares in the path of a Philippine Air Force plane that was patrolling the atoll on August 8.

To resolve its crisis with China, particularly in the South China Sea, the Philippines needs to adopt a multifaceted approach that balances diplomacy, legal action, economic strategy, defense, and international cooperation.

Diplomatically, the Philippines can engage China in direct talks to seek peaceful solutions and explore confidence-building measures such as joint resource exploration. Additionally, working through multilateral forums like ASEAN can help rally regional support and present a united front in negotiations with China. International arbitration, similar to the approach taken in 2016 with the Permanent Court of Arbitration, remains a viable option for resolving disputes under international law.

Legally, the Philippines should continue to assert its rights based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Strengthening alliances with countries that support international law, such as the United States and Japan, would further bolster the Philippines' position in this ongoing dispute.

Economically, the Philippines should use economic diplomacy to leverage trade relations with China, ensuring that any pressure applied does not unduly harm the Philippine economy. By diversifying its trade and investment partners, the Philippines should also reduce economic dependence on China, thereby gaining more leverage in negotiations.

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Author Bruce Lerro, Co-Founder and Co-Organizer for Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism

Orientation

One purpose of this article is to get you to think of creativity in a whole new way. Our notion of creative today is baked with the assumptions of a Romantic theory of art. These have their good points but they also limit us. In this article I want to argue that the most powerful forms of creativity are collective, not individual. One problem is that with the evolution of society into social classes the collective creativity of workers and peasants is buried in their alienated social-historical unconscious. Making this collective creativity conscious is inseparable from making a social revolution.

I proceed first by discussing individual creativity. I begin by describing the ways in which the artist is different from other workers. Then I connect this to the values and limitations of the romanticization of art. Then I discuss what an artistic person is like. In the second part of my article I discuss the field of history. First, I talk about how all the arts were once integrated into magical activity in egalitarian hunting and gathering and horticultural societies.

There is the long shadow of alienation of collective creativity in caste and class societies. But then I show how even within capitalist societies there are instances during natural disasters, social movements and ultimately revolutionary times when workers express their collective creativity consciously in the construction of workers' councils.

The Artist as a Visionary

The life of an artist provokes many, if not most, people. Whether dismissed as a good-for-nothing slacker, a vehicle through which the Muses may speak or just an eccentric personality, an artist in the 21st century West is not boring. One reason is that artistic activity flies in the face of that old sop, "you can't mix business with pleasure". In its highest moments, considered as a process (rather than a product), artistic activity approaches a synthesis of work and play as well as work and pleasure.

For most of my twenties I worked in various blue-collar jobs, unloading and loading trucks and driving a forklift in a warehouse. Wage-labor, especially the unskilled kind, is so mechanical and deadening it became associated with suffering. It was something I hated to do, a drudge to be gotten over with, a scourge to be wistfully contrasted to "the good life". After years of this kind of work, it is difficult not to generalize from this particular job to work in general. Among workers not only is work avoided like the plague, as Marx says, but activity itself can come under suspicion. By activity I mean purposeful, non-frivolous deeds which require concentration and the exertion of will. When activity is done under alienated conditions, it is experienced as a dissipation. Rather than experiencing the outpouring of energy as producing more energy, the expenditure of energy is felt to be a loss.

One the other hand, if the hatred of work because synonymous with activity, then the good-life appears to be consuming sprees of mass media, sporting events and concerts, sensual, sexual pleasure, substance abuse and rest. In the United States, even active play like table games, video games, dancing or travel far from home competes with TV, or internet surfing. Rather than an interlude, a moment of respite and fertilization for the more gratifying work to come, leisure becomes an end-in-itself. Bourgeois utopias are written about a time when leisure will be all there is.

However, we all need a rest from rest. Justifiably, there is a sense of uneasiness when idleness is posed as a way of life, and the discomfort is not limited to puritanical preachers. Many of us can sense this House of Death, jingling with the trappings of divine honors, as Nietzsche said, when we refuse to retire from jobs, even miserable ones, because we "wouldn't know what to do with ourselves." I wonder how many people unconsciously kill themselves before or soon after retirement, when we start to get a full dose of "leisure for leisure's sake". Contrary to superficial notions of pleasure, rest can be disturbing just as activity can be alienating.

The road in between the cycle of hard, mechanical work and passive consumption lies the road of the artist. And she is not alone. Skilled workers, middle class professionals such as teachers, along with upper-middle class professionals such as doctors and architects, know better and use what is called "best practices". For these folks share with the artist a certain joy in the activity of working. Clearly there is a joy in making objects, pictures, music, in dancing and acting for anyone who does it as leisure. But engaging these activities as a way of life creates a sensitively that escapes others. It is not just the end result that sets the artist afire, in either joy or exasperation. It is the process of production over and over againwhich invites a sensitivity that we know as the creative process. If, as Nietzsche says, maternity is the love of what is growing within one, then the artist knows well the joys of expectant motherhood. Once impregnated with an idea, she gleefully muses on how it will come to be: who is the audience?; what is the theme?; which materials will I use?; What technical obstacles will challenge me?

The careful ascertainment of how we shall do so, and the art of guiding it with consequent authority - this sense of authority, is for the master builder, the treasure of treasures - renews in the modern alchemist something like the old dream of the secret of life (Creative Process, Brewster Ghiselin, pg. 150).

In this self-contained magical workshop, in this valley of fertility, the artist pushes and pulls, she hems and haws, and when the oils dry, when the clay is fired, when the curtain falls a baby begins to make its way through the world.

Every artist is at heart a magician. Just as the shaman ventures into the forest or the desert on his vision-quest, so the artist heads for her secluded place of work, fitfully muttering "good riddance" to daily distractions. Alone at last, she surrounds herself with her talismans - a hat with a feather, a ring of beads. Like the Greek chorus, they whisper to her of previous glorious ventures, revelation. "Yes" they tell me, "this time you too can make magic on paper".

Magical considerations of timing motivate the artist's habits. Just as a magician studies the stars and arranges her correspondences, so too the artist becomes attuned to when and how she does her best work. What are the optimum conditions? What stage of the creative process is most appropriate based on her mood that day? What non-artistic activities are most likely to stimulate further creativity? The artist becomes sensitive to knowing when persistence pays off and when it doesn't. In short, the artistic creative process is a secularization of a magical ritual:

In the minor occurrences of everyday life which passed unnoticed"the person disposed towards the creative life repeatedly finds clues, fragile portents which he seizes as the basis of some future identity at odds with the social pressures prevailing about. He lives like Schubert's wanderer, in search of the land which speaks his language. (Dialectical Economics, L. Marcus, pg. 100)

Artists can be understood as the link between the old world and the one which may be born:

How can an individual within capitalist society base his identity on a non-capitalist set of identity and world-outlook? In the study of creative personalities. (Dialectical Economics, pg. 98)

Limitations of Romantic Theories of Art

The following bullets below are the beliefs and assumptions of Romantic theories of art. Let us take them one by one. The first two beliefs can be taken together. Like other animals, the human species has to adapt to its environment. Creativity is rooted in the capacity to solve problems that its environment presents. Since all human beings problem-solve, all human beings have some degree of creativity. The Romantic artist not only fails to see the creativity necessary for people to live in everyday life, he also images that the very involvement in the arts bestows upon him the mantle of creativity. By merely crossing the sacred portals of the arts each novice becomes initiated into the mysteries of creativity. It's as if artists could never be accused of being mechanical or uncreative just because they are artists. But on the contrary, there can be instances of everyday problem solving that involve more creativity than an artistic product.

We can also combine tenets three and four. Romantic artists have a distrust of groups. Rooted in the individualist reaction to the mindless repetition of factory work of the industrial revolution, romantic artists think of groups only as a force for conformity or obedience to the authorities. The Romantic takes the alienation between the individual and society as given. He ignores the fact that extraordinary social circumstances, such as natural disasters and revolutions, can bring out the most of an individual's creativity.

When the Romantic artist discounts planning and structure, he accepts that creativity is fundamentally unreasonable or irrational activity. On one side are the emotions, intuition and spontaneity and antithetical to that are reason, organization and constraints. It is hard to imagine how a Romantic artist who made their living from art could hold these beliefs. To sell a work to the public requires rationality, organization and deadlines. Only individuals who are supported by others or dabble in the arts as a form of therapy can imagine art as antithetical to organization, planning and setting priorities.

What is the place of shock in the arts? Surely one of the callings of the artist is to move a society beyond the comfortable, the taken-for-granted and the obvious. In the early part of the 20th century, Cubists, Dadaists and Surrealists did this as a reaction to the Renaissance and Baroque conventions. Before a society is crumbling this is a very important calling. However once social cracks appear and spread, too much shock from the arts is counter-revolutionary. The Romantic artist imagines that shocking people might propel masses of people into social action. This may be true. But too much shock can result in anesthetizing, not moving people. Past a certain point artists should be creating constructive visions of the future not tripping over themselves about how to outrage a public already frightened by social conditions.

The values and beliefs of Romantic theories of art include:

All creativity is artistic . All other activities are less creative.

. All other activities are less creative. There are creative individuals and then there are the rest of us.

Maximum creativity is achieved in isolation (groups hold creativity back).

Creative activity has nothing to do with everyday life. It is an escape from that life.

Creativity and planning are mutually exclusive.

(Disciplined, intellectual and structured activity holds creativity back)

What is creative is what is shocking and incomprehensible

What is creative is what makes us feel better. Art as therapy (Feedback from an audience matters little to the creative process).

What is creative is what appears to be absolutely new.

Art expresses more creativity than craft. Art is non-utilitarian (the more people use the art, the more debased it becomes). Art is about ornaments and decorations.

Art is in the eye of the beholder. Objective judgments about what is creative are impossible. Judgment of creativity is purely subjective.

Art is secular and has little do with sacred beliefs, mythology or rituals.

Art is all about the process and the product doesn't matter.

Being an artist means you are eccentric, an outcast, unrealistic and a dreamer.

Art is the opposite of necessity. It is subjective and voluntary.

Art is fictional. It is an escape from reality.

Romantic artists turn art into therapy. However, while there are certainly therapeutic elements to the arts, the purpose of art is to move the public from more than it is to massage and prop up the emotional states of the artist. Romantics fancy themselves as undiscovered geniuses who are too sensitive to subject themselves to the barbaric tastes of the public. But without criticism from the world the artist loses a vital feedback loop that helps him to stay in touch with the socio-historic reality.

Is there anything that comes into the world that is absolutely new? Romantic artists imagine creativity in the Christian sense of God making the world out of nothing. In reality, the most creative work is always built upon the work of others in society, in the cross-currents between societies as well as the influence of those who have went before. There is no such thing as a genius creating something out of nothing.

Crafts are about making things for everyday use such as baskets, hats, pots, and beads. Crafts are embedded in everyday life and can be used by others in the spirit of carrying on a tradition of their kin and the ancestors. The separation of art from crafts in the modern period came about as part of the class divisions within society. Artists were hired by the Church to support its spiritual ideology and among the upper classes to immortalize themselves. During the Romantic period, artists began to rebel against these influences and began to make statements about societies that were somewhat independent of the upper classes. Unlike craft, art in this sense was more abstract, self-reflective, intended for fewer people and involved innovation as part of an ideology of change. To say that art is more creative than craft says that creativity has less to do with everyday life, large groups of people and that which has continuity across time and space. It is a hard case to make. At its worst, the Romantic artist can be accused of being elitist.

The notion that art is merely a matter of subjective taste is a relatively recent phenomenon. Western art became increasingly psychological in the 20th century and with that, the inner experience of the artist became a subject of consideration. This change in part was a reaction to the objective standards of the academic painting. Cross-cultural research on aesthetics together with evolutionary psychology has shown, however that there is a set of objective standards that all cultures point to when making aesthetic judgments about beauty. Among them include bodies of water, places to hide, and available food.

The Romantic movement was not opposed to spirituality, but to organized religion. While many Romantics wanted to bring back myths and rituals, still for many of the Romantics spirituality was an individual experience so that art in the eyes of Romantics is separated from collective myths, rituals and religious practices. This stance ignores the fact that for most of human history, art was in the service of preparation and delivery of magical rituals and the making of costumes for acting out mythological stories.

While Romantic artists rightfully drew attention to and reflects on the creative process rather than just the product, there is a point at which process becomes everything and the product becomes incidental. Again, artists who make their living as artists must pay attention to the product and reactions of the public in order to continue to paint. It is only those who are supported by others or using art for therapeutic purposes who can afford to ignore the product.

"I will live on the fringes of society rather than compromise my art". This imagine of an artist as being an outcast, an eccentric, unrealistic or a dreamer has not been typical of how artists have been seen throughout history. More times than not the artist was producing objects that supported the existing order. Many artists who lived during the Renaissance were well-off, conventional, realistic and by most standards, creative. Suffering based on feeling misunderstood is atypical in the history of art.

What does it mean to say that art is the opposite of necessity? By necessity I mean that there is some external crisis or constraint that the artist must respond to. In other words, making art is not a voluntary experience. This is offensive to the Romantic because art is imagined to be coming from within, a free choice uninhibited by external circumstances. But why can't art begin in reaction to something that must be done for social or historical reasons? Art, like problem solving is often most creative when forced by circumstances out of their control. Conversely, without the force of external events artist can fall asleep, falling back on the usual subject matter, materials and treatment or means of creativity. They can become obsessed by personal problems and lose their perspective.

Lastly, the belief that art is fictional is based on the assumption that reality is unchangeable, and the best you can do is escape it into an imaginary world or a future world. On the contrary, revolutionary art can change social and historical reality by being used in the service of a social movement.

The Artist's Life as a Work of Art

Though Gertrude Stein and Henry Miller were both significant artists in the traditional sense, each understood that artistic products and artistic processes are just moments of living life. How creative is the artist beyond the activity of making art? Certainly, it is possible to be creative as an artist and uncreative in how life is lived. Both Stein and Miller understood that creativity should be extended beyond art. The artistic products and processes are like streams, which, if followed long enough can converge into the river of how an individual lives their lives. Stein points out the shortsightedness of exclusively identifying creativity with being an artist:

"They become writers. They cease to be creative men and they find that they are novelists, or critics or poets or biographers. When a man says "I am a novelist" he is simply a literary shoemaker (The Creative Process, Ghiselin, pg. 162) - a very important thing - and I know because I have seen it kill so many writers - is not to make up your mind that you are any one thing"When one has discovered and evolved a new form, it is not the form, but the fact that you are the form that is important (Ghiselin, 167) 'This book will make literary history' and I told him, 'it will make some part of literary history, perhaps, but only if you can go on making a new part every day and grow with the history you are making, until you become part of it yourself'.

Henry Miller continues the same line of argument:

"I don't consider myself a writer in the ordinary sense of the word. I am a man telling the story of his life" I become more and more indifferent to my fate as a writer and more and more certain of my destiny as a man"My life itself becomes a work of art"Now I can easily not write as write, there is no longer any therapeutic aspect to it. (Ghiselin, 178-180)"

These are modern artists aware of their own psychology. However, there were artists before them like Leonardo or Goethe who clearly as artists, lived extraordinary lives and their lives were works of art.

Coming Attractions: Conscious and Unconscious Creativity in History

Up to now I have argued that a) Romantic notions of art keep the artist imprisoned in their subjective life and alienated from society and history; b) the vocation of an artist can still be understood as a link between the old world and the world being born; c) even the artist's life at its best has its limits. An individual's entire life can be understood as a giant canvas which may include art, but is more than art. Are there more inclusive levels in which creativity can be expressed than an individual's life? In Part II I discuss the history of human societies as going through three phases:
As we find ourselves back in Chicago, the city evokes a spectrum of political memories-- from the high of Obama's post-election speech in Grant Park to the tumultuous 1968 Democratic Convention marked by a notorious police riot. Today, as the Democrats converge once again in this storied city, the echoes of 1968 are impossible to ignore, especially with the Democratic National Convention on the horizon and the current geopolitical tensions mirroring past controversies.

Echoes of 1968:

Several parallels between today's political climate and that of 1968 stand out:

" Both years followed the decision of a sitting president not to seek re-election-- LBJ in March of 1968 and Joe Biden in July 2024.

" Each saw the Vice President step in as the Democratic Party's official candidate.

" Both administrations were noted for significant domestic advancements yet were marred by unpopular foreign entanglements-- Vietnam for LBJ and Gaza for Biden, both resulting in substantial civilian casualties and domestic and international backlash.

" In both instances, these foreign policies sparked massive protests outside the convention, challenging the Vice Presidents associated with these policies to distance themselves without alienating the administration's base.

The Crucial Questions:

Today's pressing questions center around Vice President Kamala Harris's ability to navigate the complex legacy of Biden's foreign policy decisions. Can President Biden afford to deviate from his established policies to boost Democratic chances in the upcoming election? This dilemma mirrors LBJ's rigid stance in 1968, which ultimately constrained Humphrey until it was too late to effectively distance himself from LBJ's Vietnam policies, contributing to Nixon's victory under a "law and order" platform and prolonging the war.

Complex Political and Economic Interests:

The stakes are complicated by significant economic and political interests:

" The military-industrial complex stands to profit immensely from ongoing conflicts like Gaza, similar to past wars.

" Energy companies are capitalizing on supplying oil and gas to Europe amidst disruptions from traditional suppliers.

" Political influence from groups like AIPAC, aligned with Israel and Netanyahu, continues to shape U.S. foreign policy debates, making any deviation from current Gaza policies a high-risk maneuver politically.

Electoral Alternatives:

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It is not a secret that the US financial support for Ukraine is enormous. It seems that the main task of it is to give impetus to the development of American defense industry.

The reality is that the money approved by Congress for Ukraine's defense is not being directly transferred to Ukraine. Instead, it's being utilized in the U.S. to develop new weapons or to replace those already provided to Kyiv from American stockpiles.

An analysis revealed that nearly 90 percent of the $68 billion of military and related aid approved by Congress since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine has been allocated to Americans.

Similar to the effects of foreign military assistance, US support to Ukraine is not just generating employment opportunities in the United States but is also revitalizing the severely weakened defense industrial sector. Thus, U.S. lawmaker J.D. Vance (R) said that "the condition of the American defense industrial base is a national scandal. Repairing it is among the most urgent priorities." Thus, the authorities have found the decision.

For instance, since 2005, the United States hasn't manufactured a single new Stinger antiaircraft missile. However, the Pentagon agreed to a $624.6 million deal to produce Stinger missiles in Tucson, intended to replace approximately 1,400 missiles sent to Ukraine. Had it not been for US efforts to supply Ukraine, the production of Stinger missiles might have stalled.

So, the US support for Ukraine is not just compelling the Pentagon to quickly enhance American weapon production capabilities; it's also updating the U.S. military.

By transferring weapons and gear to Ukraine, the Armed Forces would receive more modern weapons in return. The existing budget wouldn't be able to afford this needed modernization of equipment on its own.

The United States is also offering rewards to NATO partners to contribute their outdated U.S.-manufactured and Soviet-era military equipment to Ukraine by allowing the purchase of newer, state-of-the-art U.S.-developed systems to take their place. For instance, Poland has contributed 250 older Soviet and German armored vehicles to Ukraine and agreed to a $4.75 billion contract in April 2022 for the acquisition of 250 M1A2A Abrams replacement tanks, which will be manufactured at the Lima, Ohio, facility. In its turn Poland has finalized a $1.4 billion agreement for more tanks. Additionally, Poland has donated its Soviet-built Mi-24 attack helicopters to Ukraine and then agreed to a $12 billion contract for the acquisition of 96 Apache helicopters, which will be manufactured in Mesa, Ariz.

The push to supply and equip Ukraine has also significantly increased the demand for U.S.-built F-35 fighter jets.

Providing military assistance to Ukraine is rejuvenating the manufacturing sectors in various parts of the United States, generating quality employment opportunities domestically and rebuilding America's ability to manufacture armaments for the national security. It should be said that almost every single state in the U.S. contributes to this effort.

The US authorities believe that supporting Ukraine is the correct action for the security of the United States and it is also the correct action for American employees.

Some experts may dispute the conclusion that the main beneficiary of the financial support is not Ukraine, but the US itself. Let's look at the facts that show that financial support for Ukraine is much less than funds for military support.

So, it is in the United States' vital interests to arm Ukraine.
"we were shocked with the baseless questions that arose regarding this separation of church and state."



-- - Lashon Academy's Josh Stock



(Image by Los Angeles County Office of Education) Details DMCA



The Los Angeles County Office of Education is one of the five county Boards of Education that is not elected. Unlike the boards of 53 other counties, the LACOE Board is appointed by the County Board of Supervisors and is not accountable to their constituents.

Without having to answer for their actions, the LACOE Board has built the county into a haven for rogue charter schools. In the most infamous example, LACOE overruled the elected LAUSD Board and its staff to renew North Valley Military Institute (NVMI)'s charter. Without providing the oversight required by law, LACOE allowed this school to operate for years despite allegations of fiscal mismanagement, operational deficiencies, bullying, and the sexual assault of its students.

Another charter school in LACOE's stable is the Lashon Academy. Also rejected for renewal by the LAUSD Board, the county allowed it to operate despite blurred lines between the separation of church and state by celebrating Jewish holidays, providing students with trips to Israel, and sponsoring religious events. An inappropriate, if not illegal, large budget reserve has consistently been questioned by LACOE staff without any follow-up action by the Board.



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On August 13, 2024, the LACOE Board considered a request for this charter school to expand to another campus where it would rent space at a synagogue where it used to operate a private religious school. I sent the following email to the board in anticipation of their vote:

On August 13, 2024, you will consider the Material Revision requested by the Lashon Academy to expand to a third campus along with an updated version of its charter. These requests should be rejected for the following reasons:

Neither LACOE staff, the LAUSD, nor the charter school has conducted a Community Impact Assessment.

AB 1505, the law that made critical updates to California's charter school law, mentions "community" on nine separate occasions, including:

Despite this emphasis on ensuring charter schools will help and not harm the communities where they operate, the Superintendent has recommended approval of the proposed changes without conducting a thorough analysis of how these changes will affect neighboring schools. Instead, two generalized comments are presented without any data to back them up:

A review of the educational language offerings at local schools reveals that none of the nearby local district schools currently include Modern Hebrew language instruction in their curriculum. There is no additional enrollment or grade levels in the petition and therefore, no additional fiscal impact to the district.

The first statement presents a situation that could negatively affect neighboring schools since an unmet demand for these language classes could result in students transferring from their existing school to the relocated charter school. This could be especially true if parents are paying for private instruction so their students can learn Hebrew.

The second statement pretends that the 710 square miles that the LAUSD covers is one community. While shuffling students around will not have a fiscal impact on the entire district, it can affect individual schools. This impact may be magnified by the fact that the socioeconomic breakdown is dramatically different in the Van Nuys area where the school currently operates and the Valley Village neighborhood where it wants to expand.

The charter specifies its service area as Van Nuys and the proposed campus is not located in this community.

Even with the proposed changes, Lashon's charter makes it clear that it is serving the Van Nuys area:

"Lashon Academy is a high"performing public school option for families and their children in Van Nuys" (page 9)

"Lashon Academy is proud to serve a diverse student population in the Van Nuys neighborhood." (page 32)

"Outreach efforts use the language of the community in Van Nuys" (page 154)

In all, "Van Nuys" is mentioned 25 times in the charter. "Valley Village" is mentioned in just three instances. On page 35, the "Education Level of Adult Population: Van Nuys Average" is presented but similar information is not presented for Valley Village.

Adding a third campus for a charter school that has paid $325,953 in overallocation fees is a reckless use of taxpayer money.

Overallocation fees are assessed when a charter school requests more space under PROP-39 than they are entitled to. In the 2022-23 school year, Lashon Academy projected that it would need space for 565.15 students but only enrolled 505.54 resulting in a penalty of $85,240.65.

According to the Superintendent, the addition of a new campus will not result in "additional enrollment or grade levels." Moving the estimated 40 families to the new campus will mean that these students will not be using space that has already been reserved on LAUSD campuses and taxpayers will pay additional overallocation fees. This is confirmed by the school's spokesperson who stated during last month's LACOE hearing that if the Material Revision is not approved the students will remain on the Fulton campus.

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Vote Cat Uden for Hollywood Mayor My name is Cat Uden. I am running for Mayor of Hollywood to improve our quality of life and protect and establish our city for the ...

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The late comedian Flip Wilson brought down the house during his '70s nighttime television show when he appeared as "Geraldine". The alter ego's winning line was, "What you see is what you get."

But what if what you see is not always what you get? What if the truth, as best as we can determine it, is more complex, complicated, nuanced? As citizens and voters, are we allowed to ask questions based on the public record even as we work to assess the deeper meaning of that public record? And is it reasonable to expect public officials - elected representatives - to respect our questions?

I've decided to introduce a serious topic this way because I hope it turns down the rhetoric and gets past assumptions that Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy apparently makes. You see, on Aug. 17, I stood outside of an early primary voting location at the Hollywood Library, which is adjacent to City Hall. As my shift was getting closer to its conclusion, Josh appeared. He came towards me, and I extended my hand to shake his. But he rejected my overture.

Instead, a heated conversation ensued, started by the two-term Hollywood mayor who is running for a third and final term in the Nov. 5 General Election. (I voted for Josh in 2016; this year, though, I back his toughest challenger, Catherine "Cat" Uden.)

In a nutshell, with lots of people nearby distributing campaign literature, my mayor essentially said I'm a shitty person. "You're not right. You're not right," was the way Mayor Levy began his attack. He then launched a claim that is all too typical these days. Politicians who don't get their way, or who maybe feel entitled to gentle press coverage, blame the messenger.

Josh was loud and clear on this point, as people listened and perhaps even watched. He accused me of working on an article that was an unfair assault on the Levy family and him.

Of course, I stood my ground verbally. I made my case in response, and afterwards, even spoke with a Broward County Commissioner who witnessed the dispute.

At one point, Josh told me to get away from him, even though he had approached me. So we continued our loud discussion.

However, out of nowhere the mayor jabbed me in the chest several times with one of his fingers.

Finally, though, Josh gave himself a timeout. And after minutes of possible reflection, he returned to speak civilly with me. He even told me that he hadn't read all of the email that I had sent him days earlier.

As readers, I'm sure you can sense that I'm shifting from a more lighthearted approach, mixed with background and context, to the serious topic at hand.

So, ready? Set. Here goes:

According to the City of Hollywood website, about 50% of the city is not connected to our sewer system. You can also learn online that Hollywood leaders have approved two septic-to-sewer projects. The first one covers a small part of Hollywood Hills, including Mayor Levy's home. The second more extensive effort starts this fall.

That project involves Washington Park and its industrial area. Again, based on public information, the Levy family last November announced that it had purchased almost $10 million of property in this industrial park. In other words, the Levy family is batting two for two even as many city residents continue to wait for sewer-hookup projects in their neighborhoods.

Get it? This is what you see from the public record. But is that all? Is it what you get?

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California Governor Gavin Newsom threw yet another monkey wrench into the seemingly never-ending debate within the California legislature and just about everywhere else on slavery reparations. Gavin tossed a bunch of amendments into a bill the legislature -that is the Democratic controlled legislature- was on the verge of passing. In response to criticism, Newsom said his concern was over cost. In other words, the state doesn't have the money to foot the cost of more reparation's initiatives.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Department of Civil Rights moved forward on the issue. Its Reparations Advisory Commission issued a lengthy preliminary report on the formation of a city backed reparations program.

The problem with the latest flurry of activity at the state and local level on reparations is that the issue of reparations is still stuck at the talk, study, debate, and even puzzlement stage. That poses this always thorny question on reparations. That is just how serious are Democrats about actual payments, resource providing, and tangible support programs to African Americans for the past and present effect of slavery and Jim Crow segregation's horrors?

Reparations for decades was mostly viewed as a fringe issue touted by a motley mix of Black separatists, zealots, and crackpots and that respected mainstream civil rights leaders shunned. That changed with the Biden administration in 2020. Top Democrats all professed support for the study of the feasibility of reparations payments.

Some fleshed out their plans for reparations. They included tax credits, more funding for education, child and health care, and housing funding provisions for Blacks. The California legislature backed reparations commission detailed a sweeping plan to shell out tens of millions in reparations support payments and programs. However, as has been the repeated case on the reparations issue, not a cent has been paid out in any form. The issue is still as always under study, discussion, and always the promise of yet another report.

There's a reason for the inertia. Every poll that has been taken on reparations for slavery has repeatedly shown that most whites oppose it. They don't want corporations, and definitely not the government, to pay up.

Reparations advocates have grabbed at every argument in the book to try and dent the wall of public resistance. They offer assurances that Black millionaires, corporate presidents, superstar athletes and entertainers won't get a dime of reparations money, that it will go to programs to aid the black poor and that it won't guilt-trip all whites. They point out that Japanese Americans and Holocaust survivors have gotten reparations.

These arguments still fall on deaf ears from the general public. The reparations movement can't shake the public tag that it is a movement exclusively of, by and for Blacks. Polls that show that the majority of Blacks back reparations simply deepen the suspicion that it's still nothing but a cash grab by blacks for blacks for the past horror of slavery that whites who oppose reparations vehemently insist was decades ago and something they had nothing to do with.

Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders, for instance, is typical of the ambivalence. He worried that reparations could be a potential mine field for Democrats. He said he didn't back reparations. But then he pivoted and jumped on the feasibility study bandwagon. This was a tepid compromise and sounded like a face-saving ploy banking that the issue would quickly fade into obscurity.

In 2020, one Democratic presidential contender, Beto O'Brien, was roughly and very publicly called out on the issue at one of his campaign stops. He, like Sanders, initially frowned on the idea. However, under verbal assault by a questioner, he relented and said it was an idea that had some merit.

The GOP has repeatedly loaded up its arsenal of hit attacks on the Democrats in the dozen or so states that it targets as the states that determine who sits in the White House. They paint the Democrats as far out loons, who want to press all kinds of wild socialist tinged ideas in health care, climate control, green energy, education, and so on.

They always add reparations support to the supposed screwball list of measures that a Democrats would press on the nation if Harris was elected. The question then is if Democrats stay on record to make reparations a legitimate public policy talking point how much of a political risk is there? This means avoiding at all costs the appearance that reparations seem like a frivolous issue that is politically divisive and racially polarizing.

The reparations movement does not possess the inherent racial egalitarianism of the civil rights movement. It is ensnared by its racial isolationism. The focus is solely to compensate the descendants of Black slaves and whipsaw whites for modern-day racism. Yet. Democrats still can make a compelling argument that it is in the interest of government and business to pump more funds into specific projects, such as AIDS/HIV education and prevention, remedial education, job skills and training, drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation, computer access and literacy training. Such projects would boost the Black poor, not gut public revenues and, most important, not finger all whites as culpable for slavery.

Newsom, California legislative Democrats, and the L.A. City Reparations Commission have talked insistently for years about making reparations a reality. The question as always is when will the talk end and the action on payments and programs begin?

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His forthcoming book -- "President" Trump's America (Middle Passage Press). Host of The Earl Ofari Hutchinson Show on blogtalkradio.com and Facebook Livestream. He publishes thehutchinsonreport.net
A driver allegedly under the influence of intoxicants slammed into two parked police SUVs in North Portland early Sunday, injuring the two officers inside the cars, police said.

Police arrested 47-year-old driver Charlotte L. West on suspicion of DUII, reckless driving, reckless endangerment and two counts of assault, court records show.

The police SUVs were parked on North Greeley Avenue just south of Dekum Street when West is accused of striking them around 12:19 a.m. Their lights were not on, police said, and they were about to drive away after responding to a call in the area. Online maps show Greeley Avenue south of Dekum Street is a no-parking zone.

One officer experienced a concussion and the other injured a shoulder, police said.

Portland Police Bureau SUVs were struck on North Greeley Avenue just south of Dekum Street.Portland Police Bureau

West was not injured, police said. She was booked at the Multnomah County Detention Center and released. Reached by phone, she did not offer an immediate comment.

 Beth Slovic is a deputy editor on the public safety and breaking news team. Reach her at 503-221-8551 or bslovic@oregonian.com.

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Grieving and angry Israelis surged into the streets Sunday night after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza, chanting Now! Now! as they demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a cease-fire with Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.

Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, also pressured the government by calling a general strike for Monday  the first since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that started the war. The strike aims to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care and the countrys main airport.

Tens of thousands of Israelis were expected to protest. Many blame Netanyahu for failing to reach a cease-fire during nearly 11 months of war. Negotiations have dragged on for months. Israels army has acknowledged the difficulty of rescuing dozens of remaining hostages and said a deal is the only way to bring a large-scale return.

Im crying the cry of humanity, said one protester who gave his name as Amos as thousands, some of them weeping, gathered outside Netanyahus office in Jerusalem.

The military said all six hostages were killed shortly before Israeli forces arrived. Netanyahu blamed the Hamas militant group for the stalled negotiations, saying whoever murders hostages doesnt want a deal.

Militants seized Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and four other hostages at a music festival in southern Israel. From Berkeley, California, Goldberg-Polin lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. In April, a Hamas-issued video showed him alive, sparking new protests in Israel.

The army identified the other dead hostages as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33; also taken from the festival. The sixth, Carmel Gat, 40, was abducted from the nearby farming community of Beeri.

The army said the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around half a mile from where another hostage was rescued alive last week.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesperson, said Israeli forces found the bodies several dozen yards underground as ongoing combat was underway, but that there was no firefight in the tunnel itself. He said there was no doubt Hamas had killed them.

Hamas has offered to release the hostages in return for an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, said the hostages would still be alive if Israel had accepted a U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal that Hamas said it had agreed to in July.

Funerals began for the hostages, with more outrage. Sarusis body was wrapped in an Israeli flag. You were abandoned on and on, daily, hour after hour, 331 days, his mother, Nira, said. You and so many beautiful and pure souls. Enough. No more.

Hostages families urge a complete halt of the country

Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed.

Critics have accused him of putting his personal interests over those of the hostages. The wars end likely will lead to an investigation into his governments failures in the Oct. 7 attacks, the governments collapse and early elections.

I think this is an earthquake. This isnt just one more step in the war, said Nomi Bar-Yaacov, associate fellow in the International Security Program at Chatham House, shortly before Sundays protests began.

Israels Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu got into a shouting match at a security Cabinet meeting Thursday with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who accused him of prioritizing control of a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border  a major sticking point in the talks  over the lives of the hostages.

An Israeli official confirmed the report and said three of the hostages  Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi and Gat  had been slated to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed in July. The official was not authorized to brief media about the negotiations and spoke on condition of anonymity.

In the name of the state of Israel, I hold their families close to my heart and ask forgiveness, Gallant said Sunday.

A forum of hostage families has demanded a complete halt of the country to push for a cease-fire and hostage release. Were it not for the delays, sabotage and excuses, those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive, it said in a statement.

Even a mass outpouring of anger would not immediately threaten Netanyahu or his far right government. He still controls a majority in parliament. But he has caved in to public pressure before. Mass protests led him to cancel the dismissal of his defense minister last year, and a general strike last year helped lead to a delay in his controversial judicial overhaul.

A familys high-profile campaign

Goldberg-Polins parents, U.S.-born immigrants to Israel, became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage. They met with U.S. President Joe Biden and Pope Francis and on Aug. 21, they addressed the Democratic National Convention  after sustained applause and chants of bring him home.

His mother, Rachel, who bowed her head during the ovation and touched her chest, said Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive.

Biden on Sunday said he was devastated and outraged. The White House said he spoke with Goldberg-Polins parents and offered condolences.

Some 250 hostages were taken on Oct. 7. Israel now believes 101 remain in captivity, including 35 who are thought to be dead. More than 100 were freed during a cease-fire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Eight have been rescued by Israeli forces. Israeli troops mistakenly killed three Israelis who escaped captivity in December.

Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, when they stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7. Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not say how many were militants. It has displaced the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times, and plunged the besieged territory into a humanitarian catastrophe.

 By JOSEF FEDERMAN Associated Press

Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo, Danica Kirka in London and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.
Maritza S. Oropeza Kritz

Kritz is an outdoor conservation educator with the Portland chapter of Latino Outdoors. She lives in Portland.

The January night the Portland Mercado burned down, it felt like a piece of our soul had been taken. As black smoke billowed in the sky above the Mercado  the Southeast Portland hub of Latino-owned small businesses - my heart and those of many in the Latino community clenched in tense agony dreading what we would find when the smoke cleared.

The flames from the fire eight months ago consumed not just the building, but also singed the memories and countless stories shared within those walls. Seeing the charred remains of what once existed felt like a deep, personal loss. Although some of the food carts at the Mercado reopened soon after, the main building with its popular bar, store and commissary kitchen welcoming food entrepreneurs, has remained closed. While the Mercado fire has faded from headlines, the loss to our community persists.

The Portland Mercado was more than just a spot on Southeast Foster Road; it was the beating heart of our community. Since its opening in 2015, the Mercado has been a place of refuge and celebration for people of color in Portland. It was where members of the Latino community could come for a taste of home, a connection to the culture that raised us and for the comfort of our community. The place stories were shared, where laughter mingled with the smell of tamales and the sounds of mariachis filled the air. The Mercado was a sanctuary, where our languages were spoken freely, and where our traditions were kept alive.

Weve lost so much more than a physical structure. In the Barrio, a bar owned by my good friend Chris Shimamoto, we found a space where we could be ourselves without fear or judgment. Chris understood the importance of community, of having a place where people of color could gather, share stories and celebrate their heritage. Every year, the Latino community would gather there for Dia De Los Muertos. It was a time when the streets came alive with marigolds, sugar skulls and the laughter of children. It was a way to hold onto our heritage and to feel the presence of our ancestors.

The fire has left Chris struggling with not only the financial hit to his business, but also the emotional grief of losing the everyday connection to a community he loved. The commissary kitchen that people relied on to run their small business also remains shuttered, impacting those who depended on it. In a city not known for its diversity, the Mercado provided a place where people with roots from all over the Americas could share a piece of their homelands. Weve all lost an anchor.

Hacienda Community Development Corporation, which owns the Portland Mercado, is working on plans to rebuild. But theres a lot of uncertainty  about what insurance pays for, how else to cover the costs and if construction will displace the food trucks. People have started a Go Fund Me account for Chris, and Hacienda will be launching a capital campaign. But the effort to rebuild and support this unique place goes beyond financial need. Portlanders as a whole need to demonstrate a community-wide commitment to this unique place and not let the Mercado and people like Chris fade into the background.

The Mercado is a symbol of what we can achieve when we come together. It is a testament to our ability to create something beautiful and lasting, even in the face of adversity. The flames may have taken the building down, but its up to this community to ensure that the spirit of the Mercado remains.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 1. Transactions totaling approximately $1.26 million were concluded at Turkmenistan's State Commodity and Raw Material Exchange on August 26 and 28, Trend reports.

On August 26, transactions amounted to $210,394. Entrepreneurs from Kyrgyzstan purchased light industry products and ready-to-wear items from Turkmen companies, totaling $34,158. Additionally, representatives from Turkiye acquired textile waste and regenerated fiber worth $176,235 from Turkmen producers.

On August 28, transactions reached $1.05 million. Afghanistan bought liquefied natural gas from Turkmenistan's Turkmengaz, amounting to $935,000. The domestic market saw Turkmenistan's Turkmennebit selling polypropylene worth $114,168.

No transactions were recorded on August 27.

The State Commodity and Raw Material Exchange of Turkmenistan, established on July 29, 1994, remains a key body for regulating export-import operations of goods.
Ive fallen a bit behind, so its high time to catch up:

These two pieces appeared on Friday on the Interpreter Foundations completely comatose website:

Restoring Melchizedek Priesthood, written by John S. Thompson

Abstract: Church historical sources make four differing claims as to when, how, and by whom Melchizedek priesthood was restored. These seemingly conflicting sources have led to many theories about what happened, including the idea that Joseph Smith changed his narrative and rewrote history as his ideas of priesthood evolved. A closer look at the sources, more carefully defining the terminology, and being more aware of ancient patterns provide a better solution for understanding the purpose and relationship of these four narratives and thus the nature of the Melchizedek priesthood Joseph Smith restored.

Interpreting Interpreter: Portions of Priesthood, written by Kyler Rasmussen

This post is a summary of the article Restoring Melchizedek Priesthood by John S. Thompson in Volume 62 of Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. All of the Interpreting Interpreter articles may be seen at https://interpreterfoundation.org/category/summaries/. An introduction to the Interpreting Interpreter series is available at https://interpreterfoundation.org/interpreting-interpreter-on-abstracting-thought/. The Takeaway: Thompson argues that the apparent contradictions in the modern restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood reflect a consistent order in which portions of priesthood authority are granted to accomplish specific purposes, with the authority of apostles (to establish new church units), elders (to confirm the churches by giving the gift of the Holy Ghost), and high priests (to govern Gods kingdom) culminating in a fullness of priesthood power as outlined in the ordinances of the temple.

And this item appeared on Wednesday, if Im not mistaken. on the website of the completely moribund Interpreter Foundation: Hugh Nibley Observed: The BYU Folklore of Hugh W. Nibley, written by Jane D. Brady

It is not surprising that the hero which the BYU community has chosen to revere through its stories is Professor Hugh W. Nibley, a man who has excelled in both scholarly and religious pursuits. Nibleys genius and devotion have combined with his eccentricity and absentmindedness to create a man of legends. Part of our book chapter reprint series, this article originally appeared in Hugh Nibley Observed, edited by Jeffrey M. Bradshaw, Shirley S. Ricks, and Stephen T. Whitlock. For more information, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/hugh-nibley-observed/.

Yesterday, in the afternoon, we saw the well-acted two-person play The Mountaintop, written by Katori Hall. The play is set entirely in Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on the last night of the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Weve got some difficult days ahead, he had told an overflowing crowd in Memphis, Tennessee, on 3 April 1968, where the citys mostly-Black sanitation workers were striking. But it really doesnt matter with me now, because Ive been to the mountaintop . . . Ive seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. Less than twenty-four hours after that speech, he was assassinated by James Earl Ray. He was only thirty-nine years old.

For the evening play, we saw a performance of Shakespeares The Winters Tale. Its far from being my favorite among his plays, but, with a few weaknesses in casting and occasional problems with voice projection, it was a very solid production.

Were just back from this evenings performance  the last that well be seeing here this season  of Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew. It was a good production of a deeply, deeply sexist play. Im rather surprised, although Im also pleased, that its still scheduled and performed, and that it wasnt ringed with protesters.

Caitlin Wise, who played the role of Kate (aka the Shrew), was very good, as was John DiAntonio, who played Petruchio. He is also the new artistic director for the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Im told that he and Caitlin Wise are married. So it was good to meet them for the first time.

Our favorite play of the Festival, though, without doubt  we were sadly unable to fit the Festivals seventh play, The 39 Steps, into our schedule this year  was Shakespeares Much Ado about Nothing, which we saw earlier Saturday afternoon It was extremely well done and is, simply, just an all-around good play. Melinda Parrett and Walter Kmiec were outstanding as, respectively, Beatrice and Benedick. We had a very, very good time, and I recommend it to you.

One of the good things about coming to Cedar City each year for the Shakespeare Festival is meeting up with old friends. Last night, we had dinner with members of the family who first gave me the idea of attending such a festival. Their eldest son is a friend of mine from before our missions. (By the way, he actually attended my wedding in the Salt Lake Temple.) Before my marriage, they invited me to attend the Ashland Shakespeare Festival in Oregon with them. I loved it. Happily, I married a theater major, so it wasnt difficult to convince her that regularly attending the Festival here in Cedar City would be a good idea.

He was there with members of his family for dinner last night, and then just the three of us had dinner together tonight. And  dare I say this? I really dont like to expose innocent friends to the sneers and assaults of my obsessive, anonymous online detractors  his mother, who will celebrate her ninety-seventh birthday later this year, regularly plays Broadway tunes on the piano in the lobby of the Randall Jones Theater before afternoon performances there. She doesnt have the music in front of her when she plays; she does it from memory. And what most astonishes me is that she can carry on effortless conversation while she does it. She served at least two, possibly three, international missions with her late husband, a physician, and she herself earned a doctorate in psychology. If Superwoman actually exists, my wife and I know where she lives.

And its been fun to meet with others here, as well. During the intermission of Much Ado about Nothing, the father of a former student introduced himself to me. She has gone on to earn her own doctorate, teach at the college level, and have several children. And tonight, when my wife and I stopped off at a Maverik store for something to drink back at our motel, one of this blogs readers came up and introduced himself. He was very generous, and I enjoyed meeting him.

Posted from Cedar City, Utah
Two weeks ago, Chicagos Cardinal Cupich gave the opening prayer at the Democratic National Convention. It was in one respect, quite fitting, since it was held in Chicago, but at the same time, it merits asking whether his decision was wholly appropriate, or, rather, whether the contents of the prayer was appropriate.

And, no, Im not upset that Cupich didnt make any mention of Jesus. Instead, well  on the one hand, party conventions are a part of our democratic system, and whether any particular part of a partys platform is in keeping with Catholic teaching, the overall objective of our system is to enable the will of the people to be heard, even that system is imperfect. And it is certainly fitting for a religious leader to pray, or, more precisely, to lead others in prayer that their deliberations and actions might be oriented towards doing Gods will. But that religious leader should not by any means be taking sides or affirming specific candidates or partisan positions, let alone ones which are divisive or go against that religions principles. And quite honestly, a larger pet peeve of mine is the non-prayer  statements of exhortation or assertation of doctrine which are not, in fact, addressed to God, but to the hearers. It just bugs me, and you know youve heard this sort of thing: Lord, we know that Climate Change is real and it is incumbent on all of us to reduce our fossil fuel consumption. We know that solar and wind power are the best forms of renewable energy and that nuclear energy is too risky. Grrr. I find it sooo annoying when we get a sermon rather than a prayer.

With that in mind, heres the text, which is found at the Archdiocese website.

We praise you, O God of all creation. Quicken in us a resolve to protect your handiwork. You are the source of every blessing that graces our lives and our nation.

Eh, this is fine, I guess, albeit somewhat disjointed, to include a reference to creation/environmentalism alongside a generic reference to blessings.

We pray that you help us to truly understand and answer the sacred call of citizenship. We are a nation composed of every people and culture, united not by ties of blood, but by the profound aspirations of life, freedom, justice, and unbound hope. These aspirations are why our forebears saw America as a beacon of hope. And, with your steady guidance, Lord, may we remain so today.

This is starting to veer into non-prayer statement territory.

In every generation, we are called to renew these aspirations, to re-weave the fabric of America. We do so when we live out the virtues that dwell in our hearts, but also when we confront our failures to root out ongoing injustices in our national life, especially those created by moral blindness and fear of the other. We pray for peace, especially for people suffering the senselessness of war. But as we pray, we must also act, for building up the common good takes work. It takes love.

This is getting into sermonizing. As we pray, we must also act is a statement directed at the audience, not at the object of the prayer, that is, God.

And so we pray: May our nation become more fully a builder of peace in our wounded world with the courage to imagine and pursue a loving future together. And may we as individual Americans become more fully the instruments of Gods peace.

This is fine, I guess, though I have the feeling Cupich is trying to be vague about things. Is he referring the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and elsewhere, and praying that the United States would build peace abroad? What is a loving future? I suppose that just strikes me as an odd turn of phrase, meant to reference his prior rhetoric that building up the common good takes love  which is perhaps meant to reference love your neighbor as yourself but in the bigger picture of ending injustices, I think the idea of love isnt really the right path. Too often the desire to be loving generates bad public policy: we increase government spending because its the loving thing to do and cutting the deficit doesnt make the cut because theres no love there, just fiscal responsibility.

Guide us, Lord, in taking up our responsibility to forge this new chapter of our nations history. Let it be rooted in the recognition that for us, as for every generation, unity triumphing over division is what advances human dignity and liberty.

This is where it really starts to grate on me. Why is the 2024 Democratic National Convention a new chapter of our nations history? Its a party convention, and these occur every four years. For this to be a new chapter and for it to reflect unity triumphing over division is to endorse the Democrats rhetoric on these points, that Kamala Harris, despite being the current Vice President, represents a change from the Biden-Harris administration, which is a misstep Cupich shouldnt have made.

Let it be propelled by the women and men elected to serve in public life, who know that service is the mark of true leadership.

This isnt partisan but just a bland statement of fact that doesnt belong in a prayer.

And let this new chapter of our nations history be filled with overwhelming hope, a hope that refuses to narrow our national vision, but rather, as Pope Francis has said, to dream dreams and see visions of what by your grace our world can become.

Ugh. This is another reference to the candidates theme and an implicit endorsement, that this is a new chapter and is filled with overwhelming hope, and is made worse by a random reference to Pope Francis, for no value other than a sort of name-checking. Im not opposed to a religious leader leading a prayer with reference to that religions deity, but to avoid Jesuss name but toss in Pope Francis? This goes back to Cupichs statements in the past that he is all about following Pope Franciss teachings rather than the teachings of the Catholic church.

We ask all of this, trusting in your ever provident care for us. AMEN

And thats that.

Are all Cupichs public prayers this lousy? I dont know, though it wouldnt surprise me. Its not the end of the world. Hes not expressly endorsing a candidate, nor is he hosting any particular candidate at the cathedral. And perhaps its bad prayer-writing rather than intentionally aligning himself with the candidates and convention-goers. But its still annoying.
In the wake of the recent drought that has hit about eight regions in the country with the likelihood of affecting food security, the Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has written to the Finance committee of parliament to requesting a withdrawal of Ghc 500 million from the contingency Fund.



According to the letter signed by the Finance minister, Dr. Amin Adam, the approval of the Ghc 500 million will help in mitigating the imminent food insecurity due to the dry weather that has hit eight regions in Ghana.



Excerpts of the letter read, The Ministry is in receipt of letter no. SC504/505/03 dated 19th August, 2024 from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), requesting funding to implement a National Emergency Response Programme to address an impending food security crisis.



In the letter under reference, MoFA indicates that as a result of protracted poor rainfall in eight (8) regions of the country  namely, Northern, Upper East, North East, Savannah, Upper West, Bono, Bono East and Oti, crop production have been significantly disrupted resulting in:



Food shortage:



Loss of Farmer Investment income:



Decline in GDP, and



Increase in security threats and extremism.



Read full letter below:



The Ministry is in receipt of letter no. SC504/505/03 dated 19th August, 2024 from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), requesting funding to implement a National Emergency Response Programme to address an impending food security crisis.



In the letter under reference, MoFA indicates that as a result of protracted poor rainfall in eight (8) regions of the country  namely, Northern, Upper East, North East, Savannah, Upper West, Bono, Bono East and Oti, crop production have been significantly disrupted resulting in:



Food shortage:



Loss of Farmer Investment income:



Decline in GDP, and



Increase in security threats and extremism.



In view of the above, MoFA is requesting for funding estimated at GH8.36 billion, to implement a number of measures to avert a full-blown food security crisis including: Mopping up stock from farmers;



Urgent importation of Grains; and Cash Transfers as well as Input Support to affected farmers.



Mr. Chairman, considering that we are eight (8) months into the implementation of the 2024 Budget and the proposed interventions are unplanned expenditure occasioned by a force majeure, Government can not fund the request of GH8.36 billion solely from a reallocation of existing budget lines in the 2024 Budget.



In light of the foregoing, we write to request approval from the Finance Committee for the withdrawal of GH 500 million from the Contingency Fund, in accordance with Article 177 subsection 1 of the 1992 Constitution, Section 36 subsection 1 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) as well as Section 227 subsection 1 of the Standing Orders of Parliament of Ghana.



To complement this withdrawal, Government is mobilizing support from Development Partners as well as realigning approved fiscal operations in the 2024 Budget.



Mr. Chairman, given the assessed impact of the impending food security crisis in five (5) Northern Regions and Three (3) Transtional Zones affecting over 900.00 farmers and hiegthening the risk of extremism, your urgent approval would enable Government implement the critical measures required to address the situation.





Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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The National Democratic Congress Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama has pledged to embark on a massive industrial revolution if he is elected President in the upcoming December elections.



As a part of his campaign to some constituencies in the Greater Accra region, John Mahama visited the Amasaman constituency where he assured constituents and supports of the NDC that the 24-hpur economy mantra which the NDC propagates, will encapsulate an industrialization drive which will in turn, create job opportunities for the youth.



During his campaign, Mahama visited several constituencies, including Amasaman, Domeabra-Obom, Trobu, and Anyaa-Sowutuom, to promote the partys key policy proposals which was received with thunderous shouts and enthusiasm.



In Amasaman, former President John Mahama pledged to designate the Amasaman-Suhum stretch as an industrial zone, encouraging investors to establish factories and operate under the 24-hour economy policy along the stretch.



Everyone goes to Tema to put up a factory. Well arrange this place when we come into power. Whoever would want to put a factory would come and put it here. Well designate the Amasaman-Suhum stretch as an industrial zone, and theyll operate under the 24-hour economy policy, Mahama said.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) and its partners have organised the second edition of the Agricultural Innovation for Africa (AIA) Conference to highlight the empowerment of the next generation of agripreneurs, youth start-ups and agri-MSMEs.



The two-day conference under the theme, Empowering Youth Startups and Agri-MSMEs in Africa: Addressing Climate Change, Innovative Financing, Market Efficiency, and Gender Mainstreaming for Sustainable Food Systems was held from August 28-29,2024 at the auditorium of the University of Professional Studies.



The conference and exhibition event brought together diverse players in the agricultural sector to rethink the future of agricultural innovation, youth employment, and food security in Africa.



Delivering the keynote address, Country Director for AGRA, Dr. Betty Annan, acknowledged the role of youth start-ups in building transformative food system on the continent, and the need for efficient stakeholder action, collaboration and engagement to ensure youth initiatives within the sector contribute to effectively addressing key challenges related to climate change, access to market and gender empowerment.



To realize the full potential of youth startups in agriculture, there is the need to create an enabling environment that supports their growth and success. To scale their solutions, the requisite investment, mentorship, and policies that prioritize youth-led enterprises are critical, she added.



On his part, Executive Director for KIC, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse highlighted the need for while harnessing local knowledge, technology, and sustainability by supporting youth-startups and agri-MSMEs. "In todays rapidly evolving agricultural landscape, the key to sustainable growth lies in our ability to collaborate across sectors, integrate local knowledge, and leverage innovative technologies, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse said.



He added, " Youth and Agri-MSMEs continue to remain at the forefront of innovation and change in agriculture. By supporting these young innovators through conferences such as these, we are strategically positioning ourselves to champion the course of navigating the daunting challenges of food systems.



The two-day Conference also included an exhibition and youth career fair held in collaboration with Jobberman to address the disconnect between Ghanas youth and the burgeoning opportunities in agriculture. There was also the Deal Room Experience, which provided over 30 startups and Agri-MSMEs, including KIC Businesses, the opportunity to pitch their businesses to potential investors to scale up and grow. A workshop was also organized on some of the existing technology tools for implementation of traceability within agricultural value chains.



Bringing together over 500 participants both in person and online, AIA 2024 was supported by Kosmos Energy, AGRA, International Trade Centre, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, IDH, Callighana, Frontline Marketing, Leverage Microfinance Company Limited, Absa Bank, First National Bank, Access Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, African Regent Hotel, Promasidor, and Mazeera Restaurant. Media Partners were Happy FM and YFM.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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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









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Newly updated vaccines against Covid-19 will be in pharmacies soon, just as the US is experiencing a surge of infections.



But is it a good idea to get in line for a new shot pronto, or should you wait a few weeks to get optimal protection against a possible winter wave?



Experts say it depends on your health, whether youve recently had Covid-19, which vaccine you plan to get and when its convenient for you.



Its not a straight answer, quite frankly, said Dr. Carlos del Rio, a distinguished professor of medicine at Emory University and expert on infectious disease.



Were in the midst of a huge wave. Many people, including yours truly, have recently had Covid, he said.



For that reason, hes going to hold off on getting the updated shot.



If you had it in the last three months, I would wait. Theres no need to get a vaccine, because you have, in a way. Youve been vaccinated by the by the current strain, he said.



On the other hand, if you havent recently had Covid, and especially if youre 65 or older, I would get it as soon as possible, Del Rio said. The same is true for people with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk for serious outcomes of a Covid infection.



Just who are the people at the highest risk of hospitalization or death? Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the US Food and Drug Administrations vaccine advisory committee, says people who are getting really sick with Covid mostly fall into four groups.



One is people who are immune-compromised; two, people who are who have medical conditions that put them at high risk, like obesity, diabetes and chronic liver, lung or heart disease. I think three are pregnant people, and four are what I now reluctantly describe as the elderly, whom Offit categorizes as people over 75.



Offit and other experts say that otherwise younger and healthier adults are fine to bide their time. In fact, it may be smart to do that, since the boost to frontline immunity that the vaccine provides fades within a few months. Waiting until the fall ensures that youll be better protected during respiratory virus season, which tends to peak in December and January.



If you havent been recently infected, the new boosters matter a lot, said Dr. Megan Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health. The current variants of Covid differ substantially from last winters variants, and this years boosters are matched to the new variants.



She agrees that older adults and people with underlying health conditions who havent recently been infected should get in line for their shots now, but shes going to delay hers a bit.



I am planning to wait until the same time as I get my flu shot, sometime in October, she said.



Ranney noted that the updated mRNA shots from Pfizer and Moderna will probably be available first, with Novavaxs vaccine coming in a few weeks.



If you are nervous about mRNA for some reason  although these vaccines are very safe  the Novavax booster, which is protein-based, will soon be available, too, she said.



Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at the University of California at San Francisco, is also waiting a few weeks.



Im definitely not going to run out and get a shot. Im more worried about winter than the summer, he said.



But a golden rule of vaccination is know thyself, he said. If youre somebody who is likely to get distracted and busy and forget to get a shot, any time that works for you is the best time.



This is a general principle: If its convenient for people and they may not get a shot later in the year, any shot is better than no shot, Chin-Hong said. I think for me, I kind of like to get everything in at the same time. So I get flu and Covid at the same time. It kind of minimizes trips.



Ideally, people wouldnt have to try to figure out the best timing for a single shot when there are multiple waves of Covid each year, said Dr. Peter Hotez, an infectious disease expert and director of vaccine development at Texas Childrens Hospital.



The reality is that weve had waves of Covid every summer for the last few years, and so I think we have to kind of do a reset or rethink about how were doing Covid vaccine delivery, Hotez said.



Given the fact that the mRNA vaccines are not very durable  not as durable as wed like  we should be doing twice-a-year vaccination, he said. And then the question is, do the companies have the bandwidth to make more than one vaccine every year?  And so thats going to be the next set of questions.

Source: CNN









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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X, formerly Twitter, has been banned in Brazil after failing to meet a deadline set by a Supreme Court judge to name a new legal representative in the country.



Alexandre de Moraes ordered the "immediate and complete suspension" of the social media platform until it complies with all court orders and pays existing fines.



The row began in April, with the judge ordering the suspension of dozens of X accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation.



Reacting to the decision, X owner Elon Musk said: "Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes."



The social media network is said to be used by at least a 10th of the nation's 200 million inhabitants.



By Saturday morning some users had reported access to the platform was no longer possible.



It closed its office in Brazil earlier this month, saying its representative had been threatened with arrest if she did not comply with orders it described as "censorship" - as well as illegal under Brazilian law.



Justice Moraes had ordered that X accounts accused of spreading disinformation - many supporters of the former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro - must be blocked while they are under investigation.



He said the company's legal representatives would be held liable if any accounts were reactivated.



X has been threatened with fines for refusing to comply with this order, with the company and Mr Musk joining critics in Brazil in accusing the judge as being left-wing.



It is the latest in a series of rows involving the tech billionaire - who has clashed with the EU over the regulation of X and earlier this month became embroiled in a war of words with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.



The head of Brazil's telecommunications agency, which has been tasked with suspending the platform, said he is "proceeding with the compliance" to do so, according to Reuters news agency.



Justice Moraes has given companies such as Apple and Google a five-day deadline to remove X from its application stores and block its use on iOS and Android systems.



He added that people or businesses using means such as VPNs (virtual private network) to access the platform could be fined R$50,000 (6,700).



According to the judge's order, a ban will be in effect until X names a new legal representative in the country and pays fines for violating Brazilian law.



In a previous post from one of its official accounts, X had said it would not comply with the demands.



"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," the post said.



"The fundamental issue at stake here is that Judge de Moraes demands we break Brazils own laws. We simply wont do that."

Source: BBC









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President Nana Akufo-Addo on Thursday inspected the ongoing Ofankor-Nsawam road construction project, promising commuters that the main carriageway will be opened to traffic by the end of September 2024.



The Presidents visit comes as a welcome relief to commuters who have endured years of traffic congestion and delays on the critical route.



The project, which began in 2020, has faced numerous challenges, including funding constraints and design modifications.



However, with the Presidents intervention, the project is now back on track.



According to Ing. Kwabena Bempong, Chief Resident Engineer for the Project, the construction team is working assiduously to complete sections of the project and open to traffic to reduce the current negative impact on the traveling public by the end of September.



President Akufo-Addo, accompanied by the Minister for Roads and Highway, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Minister for Finance, Mohammed Amin Adam, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work being done and urged the contractor, MEL to ensure value for money in delivering the project.



The Ofankor-Nsawam road is a critical transportation artery, linking Accra to the Eastern Region.



Its rehabilitation is expected to boost economic activity, reduce travel times, and improve road safety.

Source: Daily Guide









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TECNO, a leader in innovative technology, has announced a giant leap in foldable smartphones with the introduction of the PHANTOM ULTIMATE 2  an ultra-thin tri-fold concept device that that reimagines the large-screen experience in a pocket-sized device.



In its folded form, PHANTOM ULTIMATE 2 is the thinnest among existing triple-folding models, measuring just 11mm in thickness.



Unfolded, it reveals a giant 10 screen with TDDI technology for the first time in a foldable device. The new concept offers a glimpse into a more immersive, convenient and exciting future foldable smartphone experience.



Building on previous designs, it addresses key pain points like hinge durability, camera performance, and software optimization, marking a significant leap forward in foldable innovation and offering Ghanaian consumers a glimpse into the future of mobile experiences.



Ultra-thin Tri-Fold Design



PHANTOM ULTIMATE 2s innovative tri-fold screen transforms the device from a standard candy bar smartphone into an incredible tablet-like large-screen device. Crucially, the tri-fold design does not mean a major compromise on thickness, measuring 11mm when folded, thanks to an innovative and thinner hinge that enables existing bi-fold models to achieve a thickness of less than 9mm. The device features the smartphone industrys thinnest battery cover measuring just 0.25mm thanks to super compressed Titan Advanced Fiber material. Compared to the industrys current thinnest 0.45mm thickness, this advanced material brings sufficient strength while allowing a thinner form.



The streamline camera design also contributes to thinness and lightness without sacrificing image quality, while its position to one side of the device makes it easier to find the center of gravity when holding.



Huge Immersive and Less Creased Screen with Super Durability and Thinner Hinges



When unfolded, the PHANTOM ULTIMATE 2 delivers an unparalleled viewing experience with its expansive 10-inch 3K LTPO screen, boasting 392 PPI for crystal-clear visuals. The devices OLED Touch and Display Driver Integration (TDDI) technology, combined with its state-of-the-art hinges, ensures a flat, crease-minimized display for immersive viewing. These hinges are designed with an incredible 2100MPa strength, supporting over 300,000 folds, offering exceptional durability and a smooth folding experience.



Versatility at Its Finest with Optimized UI and Advanced Foldable Scenarios



The PHANTOM ULTIMATE 2 isnt just about hardware  it also features a suite of software optimizations tailored to its tri-fold design. The devices UI dynamically adapts to various scenarios, offering innovative functionalities such as screen hovering for laptop-style usage and tent mode for dual screen face-to-face communication across language barriers using real-time AI translation. For everyday browsing, the foldable screen supports multi-window mode to improve efficiency, letting users stay in their game or movie while responding to messages or searching the internet. And for more inventive imagine, users can explore creative unfolded angles enabled by the tri-fold design.



The PHANTOM ULTIMATE 2 is designed to enhance productivity and creativity, making it an ideal companion for Ghanaian professionals and students alike.

PHANTOM ULTIMATE 2s advanced software and UI specifically optimized for the tri-fold design further enhance the utility of its cutting-edge hardware. For example, the device supports dynamic wallpapers and adaptive icons that adjust with folding and unfolding, while the UI layout is adapted for diverse use cases such as large-screen viewing and tent mode, as well as having the potential for exciting third-party app adaption.



TECNOs Commitment to Foldable Innovation



TECNOs PHANTOM sub-brand continues to push the boundaries of whats possible in smartphone design. The PHANTOM ULTIMATE 2 builds on the success of previous concepts like the PHANTOM Ultimate rolling screen, demonstrating TECNOs dedication to delivering the most advanced technologies to its users. This latest innovation not only offers a glimpse into the future of foldable smartphones but also sets the stage for TECNOs upcoming second-generation foldable devices, the PHANTOM V Fold2 5G and PHANTOM V Flip2 5G, which are set to launch soon.



The PHANTOM ULTIMATE 2 represents a bold step forward in TECNOs mission to provide cutting-edge technology that meets the evolving needs of its users. As Ghana continues to embrace the digital age, TECNOs latest innovation ensures that Ghanaians can experience the best that technology has to offer, right in the palm of their hands.



For more information, visit TECNO Ghanas website or follow TECNO Mobile Ghana https://www.instagram.com/tecnomobilegh/ on social media.





About TECNO



As a global innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 markets, TECNO has been committed to revolutionizing the digital experience in global emerging markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies. TECNO offers a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, HiOS operating systems and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of Stop At Nothing, TECNO is committed to unlocking the best and newest technologies for forward-looking individuals, inspiring them to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information, please visit TECNOs official site: www.tecno-mobile.com.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 1. Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv will be closed from 08:00 local time on September 2 amid a general strike in Israel, Channel 12 of Israeli TV said, Trend reports.

According to the information, the airport will be closed for takeoffs and landings.

Earlier, the head of the Israeli Histadrut trade union confederation, Arnon Bar-David, announced a one-day general strike on September 2, demanding that the country's authorities immediately release the hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has settled on the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre for the House's recall on September 3, 2024, following the renovation of the main chamber.



This is according to Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution.



The main chamber of the House is being refurbished at  2.26 million to modernise activities and produce seamless parliamentary work.



The Majority caucus recently requested for a recall of the House to deal with pertinent government businesses which constitutionally mandates the Speaker to heed to the call.



The seats and equipment in the chamber have all been removed to allow for an upgrade of the conference system.



And in doing so, the old cables which have been in existence since 2014 are being changed.



"The average lifespan of such cables is between 10 and 15 years," the Acting Director of ICT in Parliament, Lesley Addico, said when he took the Speaker around yesterday to inspect the progress of work.



Works, changes



The underlying cables are all being changed to introduce a biometric feature that will allow MPs to register their attendance electronically.



The new system, which is said to be the first within the sub-region, would enable Pl electronic voting using the biometric system.



The "tabletop" old system is to give way to a new one fitted inside the table with a 15-inch screen like a laptop.



It comes with a microphone and a touch screen to allow MPs to have access to votes and proceedings, order papers, committee reports and all parliamentary documents.



Under the new system, the Table Office and other officers of Parliament would be allowed to upload all reports onto it.



As part of the new features, broadcasting quality cameras are to be installed with cables to the control room into the video production system where journalists could receive their feeds.



Project



The project is being undertaken by African Bagg Limited, an indigenous Ghanaian firm.



The company is expected to get the place ready before the end of October for the third meeting to commence.

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.

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The Coalition of Concerned Persons with Disabilities (CCPWDs) is demanding an immediate apology from the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for making some remarks that seem offensive to stammerers.



John Dramni Mahama during a campaign rally implied that his main opponent in the December 7 presidential election, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia known for his fluency, stammered during a media interaction, suggesting stammering is linked to dishonesty.



The CCPWDs, however, did not take his remarks lightly in a statement sighted by Peacefmonline.com.



The disability group said the comment was insulting, adding that, stammering, a speech disorder affecting millions, has no connection to a persons honesty or competence.



The coalition called on Mahama to publicly apologize and clarify that stammering does not equate to dishonesty, stressing the importance of respecting the dignity of all individuals, including those with disabilities.

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Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com









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Deputy General Secretary of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cautioned the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to be mindful of their irresponsible description of their flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.



Mustapha Gbande told NEAT FM's morning show, 'Ghana Montie' that if the trend does not cease, his party will be forced to crush the NPP government with more menacing counterattacks before December 7 elections.



They [NPP] shouldn't push us. We can crush their government in the next month, Mustapha Gbande cautioned.



He further warned that, If we come out with the things we have, the government will crush, the nation will rise against this government. They should be calm.



Mustapha Gbande's comment follows an indirect tag on former President John Dramani Mahama as a drunkard by Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea.



Background



Atta Akyea during a mini-rally launched a veiled scathing attack, insinuating that somebody is a drunkard, unlike Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.



To him, the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is 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.



Retract & Apologize



However, even though no name was associated with the drunkard comment, the NDC through it's General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, issued a statement demanding an apology and retraction from the NPP lawmaker for referring to their flagbearer and the former president as an alcoholic.



NPP Youth Wing



This compelled the NPP youth wing to rally their support behind the former Minister of Works and Housing after rubbishing the apology demand from the NDC.



He who seeks equity must come with clean hands, a portion of their statement read.





Listen to the interview below







Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com









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The Ghana Professional Tailors and Dressmakers Association has officially declared support for the presidential candidate of the governing NPP, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia ahead of the 2024 general elections.



Speaking at the annual conference of the association on Friday, August 30, 2024, at Wenchi in the Bono Region, Kofi Poku, the associations National President, said their decision is made after carefully considering the NPPs track record and policies for their sector.



The NPP has done a lot for professional tailors, dressmakers and, indeed, for all artisans in the country. It was the NPP that professionalized our sector and association through the necessary legal and regulatory reforms. This has made it possible for our certificates to be recognized globally. The party also invested a lot in our sector and more importantly, implemented Free TVET. That is why as an association, we have resolved, in our collective interest, to support Dr. Bawumia and the NPP in the December polls.



The conference was graced by Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the NPP, the Special Guest of Honour for the occasion.



In his keynote address, Dr. Opoku Prempeh, a former Minister of Education credited for spearheading the successful implementation of Free SHS and Free TVET, reaffirmed the NPPs unwavering commitment to enhancing technical and vocational training.



For us in the NPP, we understand and place value on technical skills required in various industries, that is practical and hands-on training. This was the reason why during my tenure as Education Minister, we spearheaded the passage of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023) and the Pre-tertiary Education Act 2020 (Act 1049) which, among other things, mandates the Commission for TVET (CoTVET) to regulate, administer and promote TVET across the country, he said.



The NPP Running Mate, Dr. Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, also assured the professional artisans that the next NPP government under Bawumia Presidency will build on the gains made and significantly expand the coverage of the Ghana Skills Development Fund towards apprenticeship training for job creation.



He added they will continue to collaborate with the association to review and implement the needed curricular that will make them more competitive globally.



NAPO was accompanied by Kennedy Ohene Agyapong (MP, Assin Central), Chairman Smith Buttey (NPP National Vice Chairman), Dr. Ayew Afriyie (MP, Effiduase Asokore), Joseph Quarm (former MP, Manso Nkwanta), Collins Owusu Amankwa (former MP, Manhyia North), Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah (CEO, CoTVET and parliamentary candidate for Offinsu North), Henry Nana Boakye (National Organizer, NPP) among others.



The Running Mate and his team continued their constituency-focused campaign tours to Wenchi, Kintampo South and Techiman North constituencies where they held meetings and community engagements with Chiefs, religious leaders and other key stakeholders.



Dr. Opoku Prempeh recounted the laudable achievements of the NPP and rallied support for Dr. Bawumia and the parliamentary candidates of the party, namely, Kojo Frimpong for Wenchi, Alexander Gyan for Kintampo South and Martin Oti Gyarko for Techiman North.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh has taken a swipe at the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its weird decision to promote a 24 24-hour Night Clubs should they win the December 7 polls.



Without mincing words, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), nicknamed as Napo, condemned the NDC policy, which he strongly argued, would not benefit the country and its people.



According to Napo, the NDC's plans to promote a 24-hour nightclub is a strong indication that they (NDC) lack ideas and also don't have the interest and well-being of the people, especially the energetic youth, at heart.



Instead of 24-hour nightclubs, he said Dr Mahamadu Bawumia and the NPP, who have the country at heart, would rather empower the people, notably the youth, with valuable skills, which would enhance their future.



"The NPP and our Presidential Candidate, Dr Bawumia. has the interest and welfare of the citizens at heart, so we will empower them with valuable skills and not a 24-hour night club, which is of no benefit", he noted.



Napo, who spoke during the 2nd annual conference of Ghana Unity Professional Tailors and Dressmakers Association on Friday, stated that the NDCs 24-hour nightclub promise shows the NDC's gross incompetence.



The programme was under the theme 'Peaceful Elections 2024, the desire of fashion designers'. It was held on the campus of Wenchi Farms Institute in the Bono Region.



The NPP, Napo clearly explained, believes in skills development so it would continue to prioritize Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) when Dr. Bawumia, God willing, becomes president on January 7, 2025.



He believed that skills development could help reduce unemployment as more people would become gainfully employed, financially sound, and well-positioned to fend for themselves and contribute to the development of the economy.



Napo also said the NPP is the only government that usually introduces policies that benefit businesses and artisans so he reiterated his call on the electorates to renew the mandate of the NPP when they exercise their franchise on December 7.



The NPP running mate sternly cautioned the electorates against the temptation of voting for the incompetent NDC, whom he accused of always introducing policies that tend to collapse businesses in the country and deepening hardship.



He reminded Ghanaians, especially artisans and business owners that the NDC plunged the country into total darkness also known as Dumsor in the local parlance, when they were in government, which collapsed businesses so they should reject the NDC and ex-President Mahama.



According to Napo, it took the timely intervention of the NPP government before the Dumsor menace was effectively dealt with, which saved the work of artisans.



He therefore warned that the NDC and John Mahama are still incompetent, so they will return the country to Dumsor if they mistakenly get access to power again, reiterating his appeal for Ghanaians to retain the NPP in power.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Mrs Alma Naa Jama Opoku Prempeh, wife of the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, kickstarted her political campaign activity at the Odododiodoo Constituency, where she visited her maternal family home to seek their support.



Accompanied by prominent figures including the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, as well as regional and constituency executives of the NPP, Mrs. Opoku Prempeh asked for the blessings of her family elders to begin her campaign in earnest.



The visit was a momentous occasion marked by a blend of traditional rites, heartfelt exchanges with her family and resounding chants of endorsement from party supporters in the constituency who had gathered to witness the event.



During the visit, the head of Alma's maternal family, Nii Agyir Banor, invoked the blessings of the ancestors, calling on them to guide and protect Mrs Opoku Prempeh as she embarks on this crucial campaign. He emphasised the importance of unity, urging all family members to rally behind her and offer their unwavering support.



Nii Banor also expressed pride in her accomplishments and dedication. He lauded her exceptional qualities, emphasising her loyalty, compassion, and leadership traits that have undoubtedly contributed to her role as a supportive partner to Dr. Opoku Prempeh.



He urged her to continue working closely with her husband, who is a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics and public service. He encouraged her to remain steadfast and loyal, reminding her that their collective effort would not only contribute to the NPP's success in the upcoming elections but also bring honour to the family.



The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, said in an interview after the ceremony that the Ga-Adangbe community is excited to have one of their own in a position to become the second lady of Ghana.



"She is one of our own, and we are proud to have her here. I pray and seek the support of everyone for her success, and especially for the success of the Bawumia-Napo ticket."



This visit, which took place amidst the rising political momentum ahead of the December elections, is also part of a broader strategy to galvanize support for the NPP in the Odododiodoo Constituency.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Former Minister for Finance, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has urged the public to disregard the fake document in circulation.



According to him, the document is propaganda by some elements who want to cause disaffection and mislead the public.



This fabricated document is part of a deliberate campaign of misinformation and propaganda by certain opposition elements who seek to undermine the truth and mislead the public.



I strongly condemn these actions, which are aimed at creating confusion and sowing discord, the former Minister for Finance indicated in a statement.



He continued: I urge the public and media to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any information before accepting it as fact. I remain committed to transparency, integrity, and the principles of honest communication.



Below is the full statement from the former Minister for Finance



OFFICIAL STATEMENT



We have become aware of a letter circulating in public forums and social media, purporting to be an official communication from Dr. Kwabena Duffuor. We want to make it unequivocally clear that this letter is *entirely fake* and does not represent my views, opinions, or intentions.



This fabricated document is part of a deliberate campaign of misinformation and propaganda by certain opposition elements who seek to undermine the truth and mislead the public. I strongly condemn these actions, which are aimed at creating confusion and sowing discord.



I urge the public and media to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any information before accepting it as fact. I remain committed to transparency, integrity, and the principles of honest communication.



If you have any doubts about the veracity of any communication claiming to come from me, please refer directly to my official channels or contact my office for confirmation.



I appreciate your continued support and vigilance in these matters.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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By Brian Slodysko and Dan Merica, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Italo Medelius was leading a volunteer drive to put Cornel West on North Carolinas presidential ballot last spring when he received an unexpected call from a man named Paul who said he wanted to help.

Though Medelius, co-chairman of Wests Justice for All Party, welcomed the assistance, the offer would complicate his life, provoking threats and drawing him into a state election board investigation of the motivations, backgrounds and suspect tactics of his new allies.

His is not an isolated case.

Across the country, a network of Republican political operatives, lawyers and their allies is trying to shape Novembers election in ways that favor former President Donald Trump. Their goal is to prop up third-party candidates such as West who offer liberal voters an alternative that could siphon away support from Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.

It is not clear who is paying for the effort, but it could be impactful in states that were decided by miniscule margins in the 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden.

This is money Wests campaign does not have, and he has encouraged the effort. Last month the academic told The Associated Press that American politics is highly gangster-like activity and he just wanted to get on that ballot.

Trump has offered praise for West, calling him one of my favorite candidates. Another is Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Trump favors both for the same reason. I like her very much. You know why? She takes 100% from them. He takes 100%.

Democrats are exploring ways to lift Randall Terry, an anti-abortion presidential candidate for the Constitution Party, believing he could draw voters from Trump.

But the GOP effort appears to be more far-reaching. After years of Trump accusing Democrats of rigging elections, it is his allies who are now mounting a sprawling and at times deceptive campaign to tilt the vote in his favor.

The fact that either of the two major parties would attempt financially and otherwise to support a third-party spoiler candidate as part of its effort to win is an unfortunate byproduct of current election laws that facilitate spoilers, said Edward B. Foley, a law professor who leads Ohio State Universitys election law program. This phenomenon is equally problematic whichever of the two major party engages in it.

One key figure in the push is Paul Hamrick, the man on the other end of the call with Medelius in North Carolina.

Hamrick serves as counsel for the Virginia-based nonprofit People Over Party, which has pushed to get West on the ballot in Arizona, Maine, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as North Carolina, records show.

In an interview, Hamrick declined to say who else besides him was orchestrating the effort and he would not divulge who was funding it. He vigorously disputed any suggestion that he was a Republican, but acknowledged that he was not a Democrat, either.

His history is complex.

FILE - Paul Hamrick gestures while talking with reporters after the jury in the federal corruption trial against him, as well as former Gov. Don Siegelman, former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy and Mack Roberts reported it was deadlocked on a verdict, June 22, 2006, in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Rob Carr, File)AP

Hamrick was chief of staff to former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, a one-term Democrat who was booted from office in 2003 and later was convicted and sentenced to prison on federal bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud charges. Hamrick was charged alongside his former boss in two separate cases. One was dismissed and he was acquitted in the other.

Though he insists he is not a Republican, Hamrick voted in Alabamas Republican primary in 2002, 2006 and 2010, according to state voting records maintained by the political data firm L2. He was tapped briefly in 2011 to work for the Alabama state Senates Republican majority. And since 2015, according to federal campaign finance disclosures, he has contributed only to GOP causes, including $2,500 to the Alabama Republican Party and $3,300 to Georgia Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican who has trafficked in conspiracy theories.

Hamrick denied that he voted in any Republican primaries, suggesting that the voting data was inaccurate.

For years, he was a consultant for Matrix LLC, an Alabama firm known for its hardball approach.

Matrix LLC was part of an effort in Florida to run ghost candidates against elected officials who had raised the ire of executives for Florida Power & Light, the states largest utility.

Daniella Levine Cava, the current mayor of Miami-Dade County, was a target. As a county commissioner, Levine Cava had fought with FPL. When she ran for reelection in 2018, Matrix covertly financed a third-party candidate they hoped would siphon enough votes to tip her seat to a Republican challenger, The Miami Herald reported in 2022.

Hamrick was deeply involved. A company he created paid the spoiler candidate a $60,000 salary and rented a $2,300-a-month home for him, according to the newspaper and business filings made in Alabama. Hamrick said the candidate worked for him to help recruit business. Hamrick denied having anything to do with the mans campaign.

Either way, it did not work. Levine Cava was reelected before winning the mayors seat in 2020.

Now Hamrick is playing a prominent role to place Wests name on the ballot in competetive states. Hamrick surfaced in Arizona two weeks ago after a woman told the AP that a document was fraudulently submitted in her name to Arizonas secretary of state in which she purportedly agreed to serve as an elector for West. She said her signature was forged and she never agreed to be an elector.

Former Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein waits to speak at a board of elections meeting at City Hall, in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. Stein wants Pennsylvania to block Philadelphia from using new touchscreen machines it's buying ahead of 2020's elections and is threatening court action if it doesn't do so promptly. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)AP

After the AP published her account, Hamrick said he spoke to the womans husband, trying to rectify the situation and gave some information. Hamrick declined to say what information was shared. He also tried to persuade another elector who backed out to recommit to West, according to interviews and voicemails.

The next day, with the deadline to qualify for the Arizona ballot just hours away, Brett Johnson, a prominent Republican lawyer, and Amanda Reeve, a former GOP state lawmaker, made house visits to each as they tried to persuade both to sign new paperwork to serve as West electors.

Johnson and Reeve work for Snell & Wilmer, which has done $257,000 worth of business for the Republican National Committee over the past two years, campaign finance disclosures show.

Hamrick declined to comment on the role of Johnson and Reeve. They did not respond to requests for comment.

West did not qualify for the Arizona ballot.

Other Republican-aligned law firms also have been involved in the national push, opposing Democrat-backed challenges to Wests placement on the ballot:

In Georgia, Bryan Tyson, a partner at the Election Law Group, represented the state Republican Party as it tried to keep West on the ballot. The firm has collected $60,000 in payments from the RNC since April, campaign finance records show. Tyson did not respond to a request for comment. On Thursday, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger overruled an administrative law judge and placed West, Stein and Party for Socialism and Liberation nominee Claudia De la Cruz on the ballot. Tyson did not respond to a message seeking comment.

In North Carolina, Phil Strach, a member of the Republican National Lawyers Association, successfully challenged in court a North Carolina State Board of Elections decision to bar West from the ballot. Strach did not respond to a message left for him.

In Michigan, John Bursch, a senior lawyer for the Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative legal group that helped overturn Roe v. Wade, successfully fended off a challenge to Wests placement on the ballot. Burschs firm, Bursch Law PLLC, was paid $25,000 by Trumps campaign in November 2020 for RECOUNT: LEGAL CONSULTING, according to campaign finance disclosures. Bursch did not respond to a request for comment.

In Pennsylvania, a lawyer with long-standing ties to Republican candidates and causes, unsuccessfully argued in August for West to stay on the ballot. The attorney, Matt Haverstick, declined to say in an interview who hired him or why. People Over Party, the group Hamrick is affiliated with, had tried to get West on the ballot.

None of these actions was funded by Wests campaign, though he and his Justice for All party have coordinated at times with Hamricks People Over Party, according to legal filings, a news release and social media posts.

In North Carolina, People Over Party, worked with Blitz Canvassing and Campaign & Petition Management  two firms that routinely work for the GOP  to gather signatures for West. Hamrick later responded in writing on behalf of workers for the two companies after the state election board opened its inquiry.

Jefferson Thomas, a longtime Republican operative from Colorado, submitted petition signatures that his firm, The Synapse Group, gathered on behalf of Stein in New Hampshire, records show. He did not respond to requests for comment.

In Wisconsin, Blair Group Consulting oversaw Wests petition signature drive to qualify for the ballot, as previously reported by USA Today. David Blair, the firms president, was a the national director of Youth for Trump during the 2016 campaign and was a spokesman in the Trump administration. Blair declined to comment.

Mark Jacoby, whose signature gathering firm Let the Voters Decide often works for Republicans, was involved in the failed Arizona push to get West on the ballot. The California operative has was convicted in 2009 of voter registration fraud, court records show. Jacoby did not respond to a message left at a phone number listed to him.

Medelius, the North Carolina co-chairman of Wests Justice for All Party, said the partisan battles over third-party candidates amounted to a gang war.

If they want to use us for cannon fodder, theres not much I can do about it, he said.

Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix, Farnoush Amiri in Chicago and Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.
Fatman Scoop has died after collapsing on stage Friday during a show.

The 53-year-old was performing in Hamden, Connecticut when the incident took place.

It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic Fatman Scoop, a message from his family on his Instagram page read on Saturday. Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.

Fatman Scoop was not just a world class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle and a friend, the post continued. He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage.

The post said the rapper was known to the world as the undisputed voice of the club.

His music made us dance and embrace life with positivity, it read. His joy was infectious and the generosity he extended to all will be deeply missed but never forgotten. As we mourn the loss of Fatman Scoop, we also celebrate his remarkable life and the countless lives he touched.

Fatman Scoops legacy is of love and brightness, the post closed. It will reside in our hearts and memories forever.

CNN said Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett also posted about the rappers death, offering her heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Isaac Freeman, known as Fatman Scoop.

He was a wonderful performer with a wide following as evidenced by the thousands of fans that came to see what would be his last performance at Hampden Town Center Park, she wrote. I am grateful to the audience members and to our paramedics that attempted to offer life-saving assistance.

A New York native, Scoop began performing in 1992, and really started to gain steam with his 1999 single, Be Faithful.

CNN said he was known for performing with the likes of Lil Jon, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Pitbull a Skrillex.
Some Republicans believe that God is working through former President Trump to make America great again. On the other hand some religious foks believe that God is working through Trump to punish America! Either way that backs up the belief that God works in mysterious ways!

iI hope that God works through someone to strengthen the bonds that bind us togther as Americans no matter where we or our ancestors came from. In case there is confusion on this matter real Americans are all those born or naturalized under the current laws of the United States. That includes the people who landed at Plymouth Rock and James Town and the people who came later from places like South Vietnam and Cuba.

Our first order of business should be to strengthen the bonds that unite us as citizens not to overrule the majority of Americans and not to create a class of real Americans. The majority of the founding fathers who wrote the Constitutions agreed on one thing for sure: it must be a document that all 13 independent states could agree upon.
American star Angelina Jolie, who was born and spent her entire life in Los Angeles, complained about Hollywood and the changes that have taken place in her hometown. She now has to filter all the information that comes out of her mouth to keep certain topics private, whereas before, according to the actress, people did not want to interfere with her personal life.

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After all six of Angelina Jolie's children come of age, the actress plans to move to Cambodia. It is known that in 2005 she became a citizen of this country, the birthplace of her adopted son Maddox. The star spoke about her desire to leave the United States in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

"I grew up in this city [Los Angeles]. I'm here because I have to be here because of a divorce, but as soon as they [the kids] turn 18, I can leave. When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, security. Now I have a house where I raise my children, but sometimes this place can be... The humanity I've found around the world is not the same as the humanity I grew up with here. After Los Angeles, I will be spending a lot of time in Cambodia. I will visit my family members wherever they are, in whatever part of the world," the actress said.

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Jolie also added that Hollywood used to be different and more comfortable for her. Now, she has to think carefully about the topics of her personal life that can be discussed and those that cannot. That's why, when asked by The Hollywood Reporter about the status of her divorce from actor Brad Pitt, the star briefly answered "no" because she doesn't want to make this information public.

"[Before in Hollywood] you could have this messy private space and the work spoke for itself. Now the audience's attitude is different. I'm trying to adapt to what I share," she said.

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Angelina Jolie said that due to raising children, she had to take a several-year pause in her acting career, but now she is ready to return to it and teach her offspring the craft. The star started taking them with her to film sets, working with them on joint films, etc.

"They are getting a little older, more independent. They need me less and can go away for different periods of time. And they are old enough to join me at work. This is a new season in our lives. I'm very happy that they are becoming more and more independent every day," Jolie said.

In particular, she noted that she was forced to become an actress since childhood by the difficult financial situation in her family: "I became an actress early on to help my mom pay the bills. There were times when I loved being an artist, and there were times when I was very, very far from feeling comfortable in this business. I hope I can build a new relationship with it [Hollywood]."

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Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that the network was frightened by Angelina Jolie's arms when she appeared at the Venice Film Festival in Italy. Society paid attention to her veins.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The preamble of the Constitution declares that our government is supposed to promote the general Welfare. Yet conservatives claim progressive programs are un-American.

How does it promote the general welfare when:
Another champion has been crowned here at PokerStars European Poker Tour Barcelona, after Brazilian Diego Beirigo emerged triumphant in the 550 PokerStars Estrellas Cup.

Beirigo takes home the trophy and first-place prize of 155,840, after defeating Jacob Witt heads-up, Beirigo finishing the battle by making a magnificent river hero call with fourth pair.

The victory marks Beirigo's second six-figure score after his runner-up finish in the 2019 Brazilian Series of Poker Millions Main Event. It pushes his recorded career winnings toward the $400,000 mark. Witt, meanwhile, can console himself with a score that dwarfs his previous recorded lifetime cashes of less than $9,000.

Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize (EUR) 1 Diego Beirigo Brazil 155,840 2 Jacob Witt Denmark 97,170 3 Mohamed Aissaoui France 69,410 4 Carlos Egea Spain 53,390 5 Samy Khaled France 41,070 6 Joao Sydenstricker Brazil 31,590 7 Ahmed Ibrahimi Netherlands 24,300 8 Jorge Pereira Portugal 18,700 9 Piotr Druzba Poland 14,390

Final Day Recap

From the 2,175 entrants, 326 players returned for Day 2, all of whom were guaranteed a minimum cash of 840.

The knockouts came thick and fast at the start of the day, with the field being whittled down to 143 players by the time of the first break. Notable names such as Tero Laurila, Paul Runcan, and Ankit Ahuja fell by the wayside at this stage, while PokerStars Ambassador Kenny Hallaert, and Day 1 chip leader Edgar Ishida also departed shortly after that.

Nils Veipans took the chip lead around this time after scoring a double knockout with aces. By the time of the second break, the field had been further reduced to 69 players, and Carlos Egea and Joao Sydenstricker, both of whom would make the final table, were towards the top of the leaderboard.

Marcin Puczylowski, Marian Fridrich, and Jack Oliver also all departed before the final three tables.

The pace of the knockouts slowed considerably at this point, and it would be almost three hours before the final table was set when Veipans lost a flip against Egea.

Final Table Action

With all players guaranteed a 14,390 payday, Egea came into the final table with a slight lead over Sydenstricker and Beirigo, while Mohamed Aissaoui, Ahmed Ibrahimi and Samy Khaled were all playing fewer than 11 big blinds. Witt was right in the middle of the pack.

Piotr Druzba was the first player to depart the final table, when he moved his short-stack into the middle with jack-high but ran into Beirigo's pocket tens.

Knockouts subsequently came in a flurry as Jorge Pereira exited in eighth after his king-high couldn't overtake Aissaoui's ace-high post flop, while Ibrahimi ran big slick into rockets to depart in seventh.

Sydenstricker ran ace-queen into Egea's ace-king to be left with crumbs, and he left the stage in sixth when Witt left him drawing dead after the flop.

Joao Sydenstricker

Beirigo proceeded to claim the scalp of Khaled in fifth when his ace-high held versus his opponents king-high, before he also knocked out Egea in fourth in a button versus big blind three-bet jam spot.

Carlos Egea

Beirigo then claimed a third knockout when he got lucky to hit a runner-runner flush to dispose of Aissaoui in third.

Beirigo came into heads-up play with a significant advantage over Witt. However, the Dane fought back valiantly, doubling up and, at one stage, briefly taking the lead, before Beirigo made the aforementioned hero call against Witt's busted draws to end the battle and give him the title.

That concludes PokerNews coverage of this event, but check out our coverage of other tournaments from EPT Barcelona, and around the world.
BEAUFORT  As the center section of the 65-year-old Woods Memorial Bridge starts freeing itself from both ends of the approach decks, the sensation is unnerving.

Four metal wedges supporting the weight of the bridge's center are extracted, and the section settles with a thump onto a large center bearing that will, a minute or two later, begin spinning 90 degrees counterclockwise, opening the waterway beneath to marine traffic  typically to sailboats with taller masts navigating this section of the Beaufort River.

The industrial-gray swing bridge only drops a couple of inches when the wedges are removed, said Kevin Turner, district bridge engineer with the S.C. Department of Transportation. If feels farther. Like the first time experiencing an earthquake, the movement shatters the illusion of permanence and immovability typically associated with modern engineering marvels that are bridges. Your brain scrambles for a minute, trying to reconcile the obviously perceived movement with the deeply held notion that bridges don't suddenly drop from under your feet.

Maybe its anachronistic to refer to movable bridges  such as swing or drawbridges  as modern. They belong to another time. Of the approximately 8,400 bridges in the Palmetto State, only seven are movable bridges. State DOT officials said they do not know how many there once were along the South Carolina coast. Many have been replaced, including the original bridges to Hilton Head and Edisto islands, as well as ones connecting Johns Island to James Island and the Charleston County mainland.

There are four movable bridges still operating in Charleston County, and Horry County is home to two. When the swing bridge crossing the Harbor River was replaced in 2021, the Woods was left as the only remaining movable bridge in Beaufort County.

"Some of the more modern bridge designs are more utilitarian because we're trying to make the best use of taxpayer fund. Having said that, some of these movable bridges, like our historic buildings in Beaufort or Charleston, deserve to be maintained and kept in a good condition as long as possible. They're a part of our history," said Robert Perry, state DOT deputy secretary of engineering.
Imports of cheap second-hand cars from the United States to Ukraine are reviving. Such cars are very popular again - demand has increased. Experts have named the most popular American used cars.

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Traditionally, our motorists prefer inexpensive cars. Used models from the US are much more affordable. According to Ukravtoprom, the demand for such cars has increased by 75% compared to 2023.

In July 2024, Ukrainians imported 4.1 thousand used cars from the United States. This number is reflected in 21% of the total used car market. 44% are equipped with gasoline engines (without electric motors, i.e. hybrids separately - 7%). Only 6% of diesel cars were imported. And the number of electric cars is 37%.

The most popular used cars from the USA in Ukraine:

Tesla Model 3 - 418 pcs; Tesla Model Y - 401 units; Ford Escape - 280 units; Volkswagen Passat - 248 pcs; Jeep Cherokee - 245 units.

Tesla is traditionally responsible for the popularity of American electric vehicles. Its models have become the most popular both in their segment and in the absolute statistics of American imports.

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Labor Day weekend is the time I share my annual book recommendations as well as shamelessly plug my own four books. So if you read only one book this year, read all four of mine.

But after that, please read The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta (Harper Books, 2024).

The title may sound a bit like a political argument, but it recounts the heartfelt struggle by a journalist who suddenly loses his beloved pastor dad. Hes honored to preach his fathers funeral, but hes soon lambasted by family friends for his journalistic coverage of the political machinery that has crept into the church.

The situation sends Alberta on a journey to understand the tension between his professional responsibilities as a journalist and his deeply personal, conservative, Christian faith.

The books main strength is Albertas storytelling. Each chapter employs biblical insight and shares stories of everyday pastors who struggle to understand their role in contemporary politics.

Spoiler alert: Alberta deeply believes that God calls his followers to obey Jesus, not politicians. His conclusions are so biblically based that I read the last chapter aloud as my sermon a few months back.

Also mentioned in some of my past sermons is the book An Immense World by Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist Ed Yong.

The book challenged my human-centric perspective, the tendency to limit my views to only what I personally can make out with my own eyes.

Yong bases his book on the Umwelt Concept, a theory that differentiates how creatures perceive their environs in ways that are often unimaginable to humans.

For example, bats use echolocation to navigate in complete darkness, while certain fish can detect electric fields in the water. These abilities demonstrate the vast diversity of sensory experiences across the animal kingdom.
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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 1, 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
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 1, 2024 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Globus Medical, Inc. ("Globus" or the "Company") (NYSE:GMED). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Globus and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.[Click here for information about joining the class action]On August 13, 2024, in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Globus disclosed 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." Following disclosure of the FDA's warning letter, Globus's stock price fell $5.73 per share, or 7.84%, to close at $67.32 per share on August 13, 2024.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE:Pomerantz LLP
Celebrating two decades in the industry, Dbanj released The Entertainer: DSequel, a masterful continuation of his illustrious career that pays homage to his roots while propelling his legacy into the future.

The album serves as a follow-up to his 2008 release, Entertainer.

The album is a retrospective exploration of Dbanjs 20-year musical journey. Its core themes are nostalgia and growth, achieved by seamlessly blending traditional Afrobeats with modern sounds. Symbolic references to his early work, like Tongolo, bridge the gap between his past successes and current projects. This reflects Dbanjs evolution from a vibrant newcomer to a seasoned musician, embracing his legacy while adapting to the changing music landscape.

The musician released an exciting teaser in his pre-album announcement that built fan anticipation. Dbanj, shown in captivity, told his captors that he had never abandoned his legacy and was moments after depicted to be rescued by his longtime music partner, Don Jazzy.

On 16 August, Dbanj unveiled The Entertainer: DSequel, a musical journey featuring a diverse lineup of 13 tracks. From high-energy Afrobeats to soulful ballads, the album spans various genres, bridging African rhythms with global influences and resonating with a diverse audience.

Collaboration

One of the albums most striking features is its impressive roster of collaborators, each bringing their unique flavour to the project. This diverse collaboration adds depth and variety to the album, making it a compelling listen for any music enthusiast.

Awilo Longomba on Kala infuses traditional Congolese rhythms, adding a layer of authenticity and depth.

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Rapper Phyno was featured on the track Yours Truly. Serious, Ft Egypt 80. Wyclef Jean and Youssou NDour on Worthy create a powerful fusion of African folk and contemporary beats, celebrating cultural heritage.

Akon on the Koko Remix brings a nostalgic nod to early Afrobeats global exportation, completing a full-circle moment for Dbanj.

Track analysis

The World Famous track opens with his signature harmonica, allowing Dbanj to declare his global presence. The track blends upbeat Afrobeats, setting an energetic tone for the album.

Healer feat. Peruzzi is a mid-tempo track that combines soothing melodies with Peruzzis lyrical prowess, exploring themes of love and restoration.

Kala, feat. Awilo Longomba is a vibrant collaboration that infuses traditional African rhythms, creating a dancefloor-ready anthem that pays homage to African musical heritage.

Yours Truly, featuring Phyno, is a lyrical masterpiece in which Dbanj and Phyno reflect on their journeys. The song blends Afrobeats with hip-hop elements for a compelling narrative.

In the street pop track Koko, Dbanj revisits roots, celebrating his enduring influence in the music industry with memorable hooks.

The Afropop track Serious feat. Chuchu Lee is a pure rendition of Busta Rhymes Dangerous, showcasing Dbanjs versatility and ability to reinterpret global hits through an African lens.

Since 04 is simply a nostalgic ode to the early career he enjoyed. The track highlights his growth and the milestones achieved since his debut.

In the Melody track, Dbanj creates a soulful ballad reminiscent of Igwe, blending heartfelt lyrics with smooth instrumentation.

Worthy, featuring Youssou NDour and Chechi Sarai, is one of DBanjs treasured and nostalgic tracks. In his listening party, the artiste stated Youssou NDours legacy inspires him. The track is a fusion of African folk and contemporary beats, celebrating cultural heritage and the interconnectedness of global music.

With Peaky Blinders feat. DJ Maphorisa DBanj delivers a drill-infused track that marries gritty beats with melodic flows, reflecting his adaptability to modern music trends.

I Am Legend feat. Wyclef Jean and XX is a powerful collaboration that pays tribute to late Nigerian music sage Sound Sultan, blending Afrobeats with soulful melodies.

Production analysis

The production of The Entertainer: DSequel is exemplary. Dbanj, in collaboration with top-tier producers like Don Jazzy and Olamide, ensures that each track is sonically rich and polished.

The Koko master had attributed the albums success to the star-studded artistes featured. The albums production seamlessly integrates traditional African instruments with modern electronic elements, creating a nostalgic and innovative soundscape. Attention to detail is evident in the layering of transitions, which collectively enhance the listening experience.

Koko is produced by Olamide, Kala ft Logomba is directed by Mr Eff. Yours Truly is produced by JaySynths, Peaky Blinders and Serious by Seanz Beats.

Eskeez produced Worthy, Melody, World Famous, and Koko remix, while XX NG produced I am Legend.

Since 04 was produced by Vsitx, Healer ft Peruzzi was produced by Victor Roc Ibeh.

Themes

The albums themes revolve around legacy, self-discovery, and cultural pride. Dbanj delves into his journey, reflecting on his accomplishments and the lessons learned over two decades.

Themes of love, resilience, and empowerment are interspersed throughout, providing a balanced narrative that resonates with a broad audience.

The album is also themed around celebrating African heritage, emphasising unity and the global impact of Afrobeats.

Permissive flaws

While The Entertainer: DSequel is a commendable achievement, it has flaws.

Some tracks, particularly the bonus tracks, feel slightly overcrowded with features, which can dilute Dbanjs presence. A few songs could benefit from more dynamic variations in tempo to maintain the listeners engagement in the album.

Despite retaining his entertaining league for years, one would have expected that DBanj could get current big names in the music game on the album.

Verdict

The Entertainer: DSequel is proof of Dbanjs enduring artistry and pivotal role in shaping Afrobeats. The album masterfully balances nostalgia with innovation, offering longtime fans and new listeners a rich and engaging musical experience.

READ ALSO: Famous Nigerian music video director laments failed kidney transplant

With collaborations, impeccable production, and heartfelt themes, Dbanj successfully extends his legacy while paving the way for the future of African music. Despite minor imperfections, the album is a worthy sequel that solidifies Dbanjs super status.

Entertainer DSequel is more than just an album; its a remarkable celebration of two decades of journey. This album is a must-listen for anyone passionate about Afrobeats and the vibrant stories it tells.

DBanjs Entertainer DSequel is rated 6/10.

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Nigerians have stormed the TikTok page of a Jesus-like character, requesting help with economic and personal difficulties. Some mischievous users also inquire about Judgment Day and when it would happen.

The TikTok user behind the account Love Everyone resembles English actor Robert Powell, who portrayed Jesus in the iconic 1977 epic British-Italian television drama series Jesus of Nazareth.

The TikTok account, created in August, has little information about the owner, but PREMIUM TIMES checks revealed that he is based in France and features French music in most of his videos.

The page shows Mr Love Everyone walking through deserted bushes with a stick, what Nigerians would describe as wilderness, similar to Jesus portrayal in Christian literature.

Although the TikToker is light-skinned, other commenters argue with the famous saying that Jesus was not white but rather a brown-skinned Middle Eastern Jew.

Nigerians dominate the comment section, but he doesnt seem to respond to them. The France-based TikToker rarely speaks in his videos, except for a few inspirational posts where he briefly mentions God.

He has over 20,000 followers and has garnered over 200,000 likes in less than two months.

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Nigerians plea

Nigerians, who are deeply religious, could be seen in the comments referring to TikToker as a rescuer of their situation.

Many are pleading humorously for deliverance from the economic hardships under President Bola Tinubus administration.

Since President Tinubus 2023 inauguration and the subsequent removal of fuel subsidies, Nigeria has faced significant price increases and a higher cost of living. The recent August #EndBadGovernance movement further highlighted issues with governance and Nigerians lament of the escalating living cost.

On the now-famous TikTok page, Nigerian humorously plead for intervention, commenting, Our Father, who art in TikTok, Tinubu is showing us no mercy. The worst part is that my fellow Nigerians are all in the comments. Baba Jesus, do wonder, Tinubu has suffered us.

Lord Jesus, please pray for our country, Nigeria. Jesus, please blow the trumpet; Tinubu is making life hard for us, and My Jesus, Tinubu is causing us so much suffering.

Ironic saviour

Interestingly, the comments on his videos reveal that some viewers arent just surprised by his resemblance to Jesusthey are also making requests and addressing him as though he were the Messiah.

Among the many comments, some stand out for their earnestness with phrases like Messiah Messiah, My soul tells me you are Jesus, This is Jesus for real, I cant wait to be with you, my Lord and Saviour, and Remember me in your kingdom.

Other comments express a desire to be saved and join heaven, such as I need to make heaven; God take me; I am tired of this life and make me rapture-ready, and Thank you for loving us and coming back to teach us; bless you all; glory to you, King of Kings, Jesus.

The newspapers review of his page reveals that some of his videos feature him preaching about God.

However, some comments caution that this is not the real Jesus, aligning with biblical warnings that in the last days, many will come claiming to be the Messiah and will lead people astray.

Jesus role

Since Jesus had an imprint on religious walk and faith, film producers have attempted to establish a similar role in movies.

American actor Jim Caviezel became prominent for his portrayal of Jesus in 2004 The Passion of Christ,

The images of Robert Powell have been displayed in places of worship after his iconic Jesus of Nazareth role. However, he has often clarified that he is not Jesus and requested that people stop worshipping and idolising his likeness.

Despite the caution, Powell and Caviezel made a lasting impression due to their long hair and full beard fit, characteristics aligning with the historical Christ descriptions.

Caviezel and Powell are not the only actors to have played Jesus; Brian Deacon also played the role of Jesus in the 1979 Jesus Film. Jonathan Roumies portrayal in The Chosen series (2017) also gained attention for its visual similarity. Many Christians have long adopted their likeness as Christs representation.

While the TikToker Love Everyone and many others may closely resemble traditional depictions of Jesus, the genuine return of Christ is still a matter of faith and expectation.

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At least 7,568 people were abducted in the last year and N1 billion was paid as ransom during the period, according to a report by SBM Intelligence, a market intelligence, security analysis and strategic consulting firm.

The report said the victims were kidnapped in 1,130 incidents between July 2023 and June 2024.

During the period under review, the firm said, N10 billion (N10,995,090,000) was demanded as ransom but the kidnappers only received N1,048,110,000 (N1 billion)

Nigerias security crisis has become increasingly complex, with armed groups and non-state actors exploiting the states weakened influence, SMB Intelligence stated. This includes Boko Harams resurgence in the North-east, armed gangs in the North-central and North-west, secessionist violence in the South-east, and gang-related issues in the South-west. Amid these diverse security threats, widespread kidnap for ransom has emerged as a common thread.

Kidnapping has become more lethal, the firm noted, adding that 1,056 people were killed in 1,130 reported kidnap incidents.

On average, someone is killed each time there is an attempted kidnap.

The report stated that women were more targeted than men in all the abductions that were recorded. It further blamed the abductions spree on the countrys economic challenges.

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As the countrys economic challenges deepen and more individuals fall below the poverty line, more people have taken to kidnapping for ransom for survival, the report stated. To prevent this crime from becoming an entrenched norm, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive and coordinated effort to disrupt the financial flows that sustain these criminal activities. Only then can Nigeria hope to address the growing threat of kidnapping and restore a sense of security to its citizens.

Kidnap-for-ransom patterns in Nigerian states

Kidnap-for-ransom is a nationwide menace, plaguing many states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Zamfara was the most affected state, followed by Kaduna and Katsina, the report stated.

Of the 1,130 reported kidnapping cases, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina have the highest numbers of incidents and victims. Zamfara recorded 132 incidents with 1,639 victims, Kaduna had 113 incidents with 1,113 victims, and Katsina reported 119 incidents with 887 victims, the firm stated in the report.

The three states also had the highest number of civilian deaths.

In the report, SBM Intelligence also spotlighted cases of mass abduction. It noted that more than 3,000 were kidnapped in 135 incidents.

From January to June, we found that 135 incidents of mass abductionskidnap incidents with at least five victims per incidenthave been reported, with 3,277 people kidnapped and 125 people killed.

Zamfara leads the pack with more incidents (24) but with slightly less number of abducted persons (680) than its closest competitors Kaduna (21; 629) and Katsina (23; 545). Borno would have been trending less than it did if not for the earlier mentioned Gamboru incident, where 319 internally displaced women and girls were abducted. This abduction bumped the number of persons kidnapped in mass abductions in the state to 348 from the four incidents reported.

Across a regional lens, mass abductions are almost purely a northern preoccupation, as the chart below shows. Given the norths geographic size, it is easier to move large numbers of people and hold them in perpetuity in vast forests and land areas than in the south, where the population density is higher, it noted.

No ransom payment  Tinubu

In March, President Bola Tinubu said the federal government will not pay ransom to kidnappers.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this following some kidnapping incidents across the country.

Mr President has also directed that no ransom will be paid by government to any of these criminal elements. I think its important that this be put out there, PREMIUM TIMES reported the minister as saying.

In an article he authored and published in Newsweek magazine in April, the president again said his government would put an end to the payment of ransom to kidnappers in the country, vowing, they will receive not a dime.

He, however, said to address the kidnap-for-ransom market, poverty, inequality, and paucity of opportunities must be addressed.

But compressing the kidnap for ransom market only addresses the pull factors. If we are to avoid funneling the same people into other crimes that cause normal Nigerians to feel insecure, we must address the push factors: poverty, inequality, and a paucity of opportunity. Criminal gangs can find easy recruits among those without either a job, or the prospect of one, President Tinubu said.

Despite the presidents claim, however, many Nigerians pay ransom to rescue their kidnapped relatives and many also believe the government still pays ransom to rescue some kidnapped victims.

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Nigerian Para-athlete Eniola Bolaji has achieved a historic milestone at the ongoing Paralympic Games in France, becoming the first African to reach the semifinals of the Para-Badminton event.

Bolaji on Sunday secured a spot in the last four with a straight-set victory over Indias Mandeep Kaur in the womens Singles SL3 quarterfinals, winning 2-0 (21-8, 21-9).

This remarkable feat comes after she and compatriot Chigozie Nnanna became the first African athletes to win a match at the Paralympics.

The Nigerian badminton star will face Chinese opponent Xiao Zuxian in the semifinals today (Sunday) at 4:30 p.m.

Bolaji must win this match to guarantee a medal, which would propel her to the final to compete for gold or silver.

A semifinal loss would lead to a bronze medal match.

Bolaji expressed her determination to bring home the gold, writing on her social media page: I became the 1st African Para-athlete to make the semifinals of the Para-Badminton event at the #Paralympics 2024. The story isnt complete without the gold medal, thats our destination.. Nigeria to the world.. Alhamdulillah.

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With her sights set on the ultimate prize, Bolaji is poised to make history once again and bring glory to Nigeria after the disappointment at the Paris Olympic Games concluded weeks ago.

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The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), has disowned an online publication on recruitment into the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

A statement by the Secretary to the board, Mr Jaafaru Ahmed, said that the information did not emanate from the board.

The board wishes to inform the general public that the purported online publications (on recruitment into the immigration service) did not emanate from the board and as such, should be disregarded.

It also wishes to warn the members of the public to be wary of the activities of fake recruitment syndicates and racketeers, it said.

The board, however, said that the recruitment into the Federal Fire Service (FFS)), was currently ongoing and that shortlisted candidates would be dully notified of the next stage of the exercise.

This, the board added, would be done by telephone messages and emails applicants provided during the process of registration.

READ ALSO: Immigration officer killed over communal land dispute in Niger State

The Nigeria Immigration Service had in 2003 hired fresh personnel into its officer and inspectorate cadres. That recruitment exercise has since been concluded.

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(NAN)

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Popular tourist destinations in Europe are so overcrowded that sometimes you can't see the beauty in the crowds. However, there are still hidden gems on the continent, where stunning beauty has not yet managed to attract thousands of people.

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Aimee Bell, a blogger and travel expert, showed such a city on her TikTok. She traveled to the Italian city of Matera, founded in 251 BC, and filmed the spectacular view from the balcony of her rented apartment.

Matera is the center of the province of the same name in the Basilicata region. It is located 370 km east of Rome. It is now home to 60,000 people. In 1993, the old part of the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

All because of an ancient monastery and houses carved right into the rocks. Now the area where they are located is called Sassi. Thanks to this architecture, Matera successfully merges with the stunning mountainous landscape.

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By the way, archaeologists find evidence that people lived here long before the city was founded. The tradition of building homes in the local caves dates back to the Stone Age, when the first homo sapiens appeared in the area.

The beauty of the city, by the way, was appreciated by the Bond authors. It was here that some of the most stunning scenes of the latest installment of the series starring Daniel Craig, the action thriller No Time to Die, were filmed.

However, some tourists complain that there are few interesting places in Matera besides these old rock houses. Fans of this city say that such beauty is worth seeing with their own eyes anyway.

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A member of the House of Representatives, Daniel Asama, has called for a deliberate policy to move youth away from cybercrimes into legitimate technological sectors.

Mr Asama, who represents the Jos/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State, made the call on Saturday at the closing ceremony of a summer programme organised by Teen Ambassador Foundation in collaboration with Net Access Communication Ltd in Abuja.

Speaking on the involvement of young people in cybercrime, the legislator said the government must put in place initiatives to ensure that young people can leverage technology for development instead of vice.

All the Yahoo boys that you hear about, all the scams that you hear aboutits technology. If we can only redirect that technology and put it in the right place, then we are good.

So all this technology and the crime we are seeing online, the internet scams and everything. We only need to get these guys when they are young. Like we are doing here in Teen Ambassador. Get them young.

Inculcate this discipline. Let them learn the technology, but learn to apply it to the right places, he said.

While encouraging the participants at the training, Mr Asama said he could have gone into cybercrime because of his background but that he chose to get involved in software development to help people.

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I have a background in computer science. I understand that I could have chosen to be a scammer, hacking peoples accounts or hacking ATMs to try to get money, or I could develop software that will help and develop people. So today, the kids have an opportunity to learn how to develop their country.

According to the World Cybercrime Index, Nigeria ranked 5th in cybercrime activities, coming behind Russia, which ranked number one, and Ukraine, China, and the United States, which occupied the second, third, and fourth positions, respectively.

Financial-related cybercrime, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo, has been described as a pandemic by many. Between 2023 and 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured 3,175 convictions and recovered N156,276,691,242.30.

Parents must start teaching children IT early  Lawmaker

Speaking on the role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, Mr Asama said parents must introduce their children to technology at an early age.

He warned that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind, adding that there is a huge gap in the implementation of information technology in the country.

ALSO READ: Tinubu decries blanket stereotyping of Nigerians over cybercrimes

I have to introduce my kids to STEM. I have to introduce them to technology that has to do with programming, computing, and every other thing. I dont care what my child is going to learn. If you want to be a doctor or a lawyer, I will still have to give you a background, a deep, very solid background in computer sciences, before you can reach any other profession.

Because I dont want my child to have a profession that, one day, will be shortchanged. And I will tell you, for Nigeria as a whole, technology is the hope for the world. Silicon Valley today is made up of younger people from the ages of 16 to about 40, he said.

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The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos State, has inaugurated its new executives while calling for unity in the body of Christ.

Joseph Imariabe-Ojo, inauguration chairman, PFN Lagos State, before the inauguration, dissolved the out-gone exco made up of chairpersons of the 21 state provincial councils and others.

He restated the PFNs mandate of evangelism, humanitarian works and unity of purpose, urging the new executive to focus on them for their four-year tenure.

He said that as an umbrella organisation of the pentecostal churches in Nigeria, the infusion of a fresh breath of unity by the executives would attract the Holy Spirit to use PFN to do greater exploits.

Speaking during the administration of the oath of office on the new executives, Mr Imariabe-Ojo said the body had been praying for a new dawn.

According to him, with the inauguration of the new executives, the era of the new dawn had come.

Under God, you are to uphold the unity of the body of Christ under your supervision.

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Under God, you are to uphold the standards of faith.

Under God and oath, you must function to unite all Pentecostal assembly and other body of Christ in the state and in Nigeria, he said.

Mr Imariabe-Ojo said the new executives should function in a manner that would make PFN relevant in society and cooperate with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The National President of PFN, Francis Wale-Oke, who blessed the executives, said their jobs was a call to service.

He urged them as stewards of the church, to discard the posture of I for We, to achieve desired goals.

Mr Wale-Oke tasked the team to infuse innovations into the association to positively influence the Church and Nigerian society to remain relevant.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of others, the Chairman of the new executives, Yemi David, said they would work hard to make the PFNs impact felt in Lagos by carrying out community projects that would change lives in the society.

READ ALSO: Nigerian army speaks on alleged invasion of churches by soldiers

He said its inauguration, a year before the PFN 40th anniversary, was inspirational with great expectations from them.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new executives were formally inaugurated at the Covenant Nation Church, National Theatre, Lagos.

Delegates at the occasion were drawn from the national body and the state zones.

(NAN)

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that the federal governments healthcare reforms have attracted over $4.8 billion in potential investments.

Speaking at the commissioning of Sahad Hospitals in Abuja, Mr Shettima outlined a comprehensive strategy to address longstanding challenges and propel Nigerias healthcare system into the future.

He emphasised the need for unity in the health sector, stating, Our health sector calls upon us all to unite. The promise of this day is one we cannot overlook.

Mr Shettima highlighted the governments commitment to revitalising the healthcare system, with reforms anchored on a robust roadmap designed to tackle persistent issues.

He acknowledged challenges in the healthcare sector, including surging medicine costs, long hospital waiting times, and a shortage of health workers.

He emphasised the importance of private sector involvement in improving access to quality healthcare.

Mr Shettima praised the Chairman/Founder of Sahad Group of Companies, Ibrahim Mijinyawa, for his contributions to healthcare and his commitment to touching lives through his business.

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The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, described the hospital as a new chapter in Nigerian healthcare.

He added that the establishment of the hospital was a vision that exemplified what could be achieved when public-spirited individuals invest in their fellow citizens health.

The Vice Chairman of Sahad Hospital, Shamsuddeen Aliyu, described the hospital as a state-of-the-art facility that showcases its commitment to providing quality healthcare.

According to him, the hospital represents more than just a physical structure; it embodies the vision for a healthier future where everyone has access to comprehensive and compassionate care.

He explained that Sahad Hospital has a 200-bed capacity with seven operating theatres, 13 dialysis machines, as well as 10-bed ICU units.

(NAN)

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Oyo State ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) received about N3.6 billion from international and federal agencies to support their activities last year, the states 2023 Audited Financial Report has disclosed.

The report, released on 19 July by the Office of State Auditor-General, listed the donor agencies as the World Bank, UNICEF, TETFUND and others.

The World Bank, UNICEF and TETFund gave the grants to support different programmes of the Oyo State government.

The beneficiary MDAs include the Agency for Youth Development, Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Lanlate College of Education, Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, The Polytechnic, Ibadan; and Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency.

PREMIUM TIMES report analysis showed that the Agency for Youth Development received N575.4 million from the World Bank to carry out a programme under the Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW) NIGERIA-CARES.

The World Bank also released 396 million during the year to the states Community and Social Development Agency for community and vulnerable groups and basic services delivery.

Also, the state Health Insurance Agency got N107.8 million from the federal government under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund programme.

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The state Primary Health Care Board received N1,03 billion from the United Nations for Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) as the global agencys support for various programmes.

Also, UNICEF granted the state Ministry of Health N76 million to support its Annual Operational Plan, Oxygen Management and Oxygen Technical Working Committee (BHCPF), and 68.7 million to the states Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for different programmes.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) released N339.7 million to the Polytechnic, Ibadan, and N502 million to Lanlate College of Education.

The Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency received 500 million in grants, but the report did not mention the organisation that gave the grants.

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Governor Sheriff Oborevworis administration has received N626.8 billion as revenue within the first half of the 2024 fiscal year, according to Delta State Budget Performance Report.

The figure is the aggregate revenue the state government received as its share from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), other receipts, and the opening balance during the first and second quarters of 2024.

The Budget Performance Report (BPR) is produced quarterly by the Office of the Accountant General of the Delta State and published on the state website.

The report has not yet been audited, however.

In the first quarter of the year, spanning January to March, the report indicated that the Delta State Government began the 2024 fiscal year with an opening balance of N103 billion. Also, within the same period, Mr Oborevworis administration received N155.8 billion as FAAC revenue and N35.8 billion as IGR, giving a recurrent revenue of N294.6 billion.

In Q2, the state FACC revenue jumped by almost 100 per cent, from N155.8 billion in Q1 to N300.8 billion in Q2, indicating a 93 per cent increase. However, the state IGR dipped from N35.8 billion in Q1 to N31.2 billion in Q2, decreasing by 13 per cent.

Total recurrent revenue, including the FAAC revenue and the states IGR in Q2, is N332.1 billion.

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Revenue analysis against 2024 budget

Delta States budget for the 2024 fiscal year is N724.9 billion. Of this figure, N316.6 billion is for recurrent expenditures, while N408.4 billion is for capital expenditures.

According to the BPR, the state government estimated N674.6 billion in recurrent revenuerevenues from FAAC and IGR. N564.3 billion was estimated as FAAC revenue, while N110 billion was estimated as independent revenue, otherwise called IGR.

However, in Q1, the state received FAAC revenue amounting to N155.8 billion, representing 27.6 per cent of the budgets performance. The IGR receipts for the period were N35.8 billion, representing 32.5 per cent of the budgets performance. Aggregating both figures gives the recurrent revenue for Q1 as N191.6, representing 28.4 per cent of the budgets estimate.

In Q2, the state government received N300.8 billion, indicating 93 per cent increase when compared with Q1 FAAC revenue which was N155.8 billion. On the other hand, it received N31.2 billion as IGR in Q2, indicating a 13 per cent decrease when compared with that of Q1 revenue, which was N35.8 billion.

Summary of budget performance year-to-date

Year-to-date means the combined revenues received by the state government in Q1 and Q2, from January to June, the first half of the year.

As earlier stated, the state government received N155.8 billion as FACC revenue in Q1 and N300.8 billion under the same subhead in Q2.

Aggregating the FAAC revenue in Q1 and Q2 shows that Governor Oborevworis administration has received a total of N456.6 billion within the first half of the year, representing 80.9 per cent as against the 2024 estimate of N564.3 billion.

Analysing the FAAC revenue received in six months (80.9 %) against the estimate shows that the state government may have an excess of FAAC revenue if the trend continues in the last two halves of the year and may have to present a supplementary budget to spend it.

On the other hand, the year-to-date IGR of the state shows that the state government received N35.8 billion in Q1 and N31.2 billion in Q2.

Aggregating the states IGR revenue in Q1 and Q2 indicates that Delta State received a total of N67 billion as independent revenue in the first half of the year, January to June, representing 60.8 per cent as against the 2024 estimate of N110 billion.

Again, the figure shows that the state is on track to meeting its IGR target for the 2024 fiscal year if the trend continues, although the figures dipped by 13 per cent from Q1 (N35.8 billion) to Q2 (N31.2 billion).

However, the report shows that the state government has yet to receive any other receipts  aids/grants and capital developments, which it budgeted N38 billion and N2 billion for, respectively.

The report shows that Governor Oborevworis administration has received a total revenue of N626.8 billion, representing 86.5 per cent as against its 2024 budget of N724.9 billion. This indicates that the state government requires N98 billion, representing 13.5 per cent in revenue, to achieve its 2024 budget, which indicates that it may have to make provisions for a supplementary budget.

Receiving 86.5 per cent of the yearly estimated revenue within the first half of the year indicates a sound revenue profile for the state. The state government attributed this to the relative peace in the Niger Delta, which has guaranteed a steady inflow of oil and gas revenue.

The relative peace presently enjoyed in the Niger Delta and the contracting of the pipeline security surveillance to private security companies have continued to play a major role in the steady flow and production of crude oil in the State.

The present government plans of returning the past glory of the city of Warri and its environs have continued to rekindle both economic and commercial activities in the area, thereby boosting the overall IGR base of the state, the report said.

Expenditures year-to-date

Meanwhile, of the N626.8 billion revenue received within the years first half, the state government has made a total expenditure of N280 billion year-to-date, representing 38.7 per cent as against the budget. It has N444 billion to spend in line with the 2024 budget.

The overall recurrent expenditure had 46.8% Q2 year-to-date performance as against the approved budget for year 2024. Overhead expenditure had 31.2% budget performance and this is as a result of increase in security activities especially the Okuama/military encounter during the first quarter of the year, while other recurrent expenditure (excluding 2201), which includes social benefits, social contribution, and grants (including Local Government share of IGR) had 56.7% performance rate for the second quarter year-to-date, 2024; other overhead which include public debt charges and principal loan repayment performed at 98.4% social benefit performed at 51.4% and social Contribution performed at 60.8% respectively.

Personnel cost has a performance rate of 37.5%.

Capital expenditure budget performance for the second quarter, year to date, stood at 32.4% of the annual capital budget. This shows below average performance of capital expenditure activities for second quarter 2024.

However, the outstanding Contractual debts inherited by this new administration are being verified as at this quarter, the report said.

According to the BPR, Delta State Government ended the first half of the year with a closing balance of N346 billion.

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Amnesty International, a human rights organisation, has trained 150 human rights volunteers in Nigeria to build their capacity to mobilise for human rights advocacy within their communities.

The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, made this known at the training tagged: In Conversation with Amnesty International Nigeria, on Saturday in Abuja.

The training with the theme: Mobilising for Impact; Building a Unified Force for Human Rights Advocacy, was designed to strengthen and empower a network of dedicated volunteers.

Mr Sanusi said the gathering brought together volunteers to engage, discuss, learn and debate on the future of human rights in Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria is still experiencing some human rights challenges and all hands must be on deck to address them.

I implore you to engage each other, discuss, debate and brainstorm on how we can build a movement across all the 36 states and the FCT.

This is so that whenever the need arises, we can use our number to seek change, do solidarity and show that we are not just a few people in one part of Nigeria, he said.

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Barbara Magaji, the organisations programme manager, described Amnesty International as a global movement of over 10 million people in over 155 countries, working to promote the rights of people.

We work to ensure that human rights are protected and that the Universal Declaration and other human rights instruments that have been signed by different countries are adhered to.

Today, we are engaging volunteers and supporters in Nigeria to ensure the work they do reaches the voiceless in communities looking at their rights being violated, whether by individuals, state actors or non-state actors.

It also includes issues around freedom of expression, assembly, pushing for the rights of people, pushing to ensure that people are able to freely express themselves, she said.

Mr Magaji said that the organisation also ensured that people were not arrested and detained unduly, stressing that they have constitutional rights to only be detained within a time frame of 24 to 48 hours.

She added that the organisation was working toward ensuring that vulnerable people like children and women continued to enjoy their rights as citizens or as people who reside within Nigeria.

The Activism and Growth Assistant for the group, Anne Chukwunwike, said Amnesty International, engaged the volunteers, especially in campaigns at the grassroots.

The expectation from this event is that we create a more vibrant community.

We also want to launch a national platform, where everyone who is interested in joining the platform is able to keep abreast, she said.

Ms Chukwunwike said the programme would also afford them the opportunity to identify the key initiatives or projects that they would want to do at the state level.

She said they would also want to key it into what Amnesty International was doing at the national level.

One of the participants, Benjamin Wellington, said he learnt a lot about human rights, adding that it would help him to carry out advocacies on human rights.

Defending human rights is just something that we cannot shy away from.

We have to give it our best and this engagement has built my capacity to do more, he said

(NAN)

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The altercation between the police and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is expected to continue as the police have again summoned the NLC leadership.

The police, through the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Department (NPF-FID), summoned the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and the General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, over allegations of criminal intimidation and related offences.

In a letter dated 28 August, Commissioner of Police Ibitoye Alajide requested that Mr Ajaero and Mr Ugboaja attend an interview on 5 September at the NPF-FID office in Abuja, located opposite the Force Headquarters.

The letter stated that their appearance is required as part of an investigation into claims of criminal intimidation, conduct likely to breach public peace, and malicious damage to property.

The letter stated: You are requested to come along with Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police at SPOs Room 212, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters Area 11, Garki, Abuja on Thursday, 5th September 2024 at 11 a.m.

Previous Summon

On 29 August, Mr Ajaero complied with a separate summon from the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) concerning allegations of criminal conspiracy and terrorism financing.

During the interview, the police only asked Mr Ajaero questions about the owner of a bookshop inside the NLC building.

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PREMIUM TIMES reported how the police on 7 August raided the bookshop, located on the second floor of the NLC building.

After his interrogation, Mr Ajaero addressed supporters at the Pascal Bafyau Labour House headquarters in Abuja.

He reiterated his commitment to advocating for workers rights and the implementation of a new minimum wage.

For this level of solidarity, I want to thank every one of you, Mr Ajaero said. Tell every Nigerian worker that we are committed to your welfare. We have faced challenges before, and we will not be deterred.

Reflecting on his past experiences, Mr Ajaero recalled his detention alongside human rights lawyer Femi Falana during the Sani Abacha regime in 1998, asserting that current obstacles would not deter his mission.

Originally scheduled to appear before the IRT on 20 August, Mr Ajaeros legal team successfully negotiated a postponement to 29 August.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Ajaero left the Labour House around 9 a.m. and returned at approximately 11:30 a.m., accompanied by his legal team, including Maxwell Opara.

Mr Opara noted that the interrogation focused on the owner of the bookshop, who had been described as a foreigner by the police.

Just to correct the impression, what we heard is quite different from what was contained in the invitation letter, Mr Opara said.

Now that they have learned their lessons and corrected themselves, we have accepted it in that manner. That doesnt mean we are going to relent.

The raid

The 7 August raid at the NLC headquarters involved armed security operatives breaking into the bookshop on the buildings second floor. The NLC condemned the raid and said it was unprofessional and targeted at the labour union.

On 9 August, the police confirmed the raid but clarified that the NLC was not the primary target. Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated that the operation was part of an investigation into the owner of the bookshop.

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President Bola Tinubu has ordered his minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, and the military chiefs to relocate to Sokoto State as part of efforts to rid the state and the entire north-west of rampant terrorism, an official has announced.

The north-west is arguably Nigerias most terrorised region with four of the regions seven states among the top five states with the highest number of kidnap incidents between July 2023 and June 2024.

Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna recorded the highest numbers, with Sokoto coming fifth behind Abuja in fourth, according to the report by SBM Intelligence, a market intelligence, security analysis and strategic consulting firm.

PREMIUM TIMES has reported several cases of attacks and mass abductions in the North-west states. The situation has deteriorated with many local communities now virtually controlled by armed terrorists who demand taxes from locals.

In a Sunday statement, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, said the federal government has now directed Mr Matawalle, and the military chiefs to move to Sokoto State.

The directive is part of an intensified effort to rid the North-west of the menace of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism, the News Agency of Nigeria quotes Mr Ogubike as saying.

It is unclear how effective this strategy would be as ex-President Muhammadu Buhari also ordered his military chiefs to relocate to Borno at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. Although the military achieved some battlefield successes against the terrorists, the Boko Haram insurgency is still on and the terrorists have spread their tentacles to other northern states such as Niger and Kogi.

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In his statement, Mr Ogubike said the federal government expressed sadness over the activities of terrorists and bandits in the North-west states, explaining that the strategic move underscored the unwavering commitment of the government to restoring peace and security in the region.

The spokesperson quoted Mr Matawalle as saying that while in the North-west, they would supervise operations and ensure that notorious terrorist Bello Turji and his gang were flushed out.

These criminal bandits have been circulating videos of a Nigerian military armoured vehicle that was stuck in a water-logged area.

And late in the night, the officers were asked to withdraw to avoid being ambushed by bandits. Later in the night, the bandits went to the water-logged area, recording video of the armoured vehicle that was stuck and celebrating it.

This incident happened in Kwashabawa, Zurmi Local Government Area in Zamfara.

This is not acceptable as President Bola Tinubu has been giving great support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The federal government is deeply concerned about the persistent threat posed by banditry and terrorism in the North West particularly.

And so we are ready to deploy all necessary assets to ensure that these criminal elements are flushed out and peace is restored to our communities, Mr Matawalle said.

He added that there was an urgent need to move against the terrorists to enable people to move freely.

The time is up for these bandits and terrorists as increased and consistent operations will weaken all their bases.

I believe my presence in the North-west will ginger our armed forces, the minister was quoted as saying.

Mr Matawalle further assured the people of Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi states and the entire North-west region that the security forces would leave no stone unturned in flushing out the bandits.

I will be on ground in the North-west with the CDS and other military chiefs, leading our brave men and women in uniform.

I also call on residents of these states to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security forces as the federal government has resolved to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians.

The security and well-being of the people remain the governments top priority, he added.

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas over the failure to end the apparently unlawful practice by the National Assembly of fixing its allowances and running costs, and the failure to account for the monthly running costs paid to members.

Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas are sued for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.

According to reports, former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently alleged that the lawmakers fix their own salaries and allowances, contrary to the recommendation of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to end the apparently unlawful practice of the National Assembly fixing its remuneration and allowances termed as running cost.

SERAP is seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to disclose the exact amount of the monthly running costs being paid to and received by the lawmakers, and the spending details of any such running costs.

SERAP is also seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to end the alleged practice of paying remuneration and allowances termed as running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers.

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: The provisions of paragraph N, section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] clearly make it unlawful for the National Assembly to fix its salaries, allowances and running costs.

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SERAP is also arguing that, the alleged practice of paying running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers is a fundamental breach of Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations, which provides that public money shall not be paid into a private bank account.

According to SERAP, Public function means activities in the public interest, not against it. The reports that lawmakers are fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs amount to private self-interest or self-dealing. It is also detrimental to the public interest.

SERAP said, The constitutional oath of office of lawmakers requires them to ensure transparency and accountability in the exact amounts of salaries, allowances and running costs they receive.

SERAP is also arguing that, The allegations that lawmakers are fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs are entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the constitutional oath of office and the object and purpose of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Andrew Nwankwo, and Blessing Ogwuche, read in part: Directing and compelling the lawmakers to account for and return any misused or mismanaged running costs they collected would build trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.

SERAP is seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to refer the allegations on the misuse of the running costs received by members to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution where there is relevant admissible evidence.

The countrys international legal obligations especially under the UN Convention against Corruption impose a legal commitment on public officials including lawmakers to discharge a public duty truthfully and faithfully.

The convention specifically in paragraph 1 of article 8 requires members to promote integrity, honesty and responsibility in the management of public resources.

Nigerians have a right to scrutinize how their lawmakers spend their tax money and the commonwealth. Nigerians also have a right to honest and faithful performance by their public officials including lawmakers.

Ending the reported practice by lawmakers of fixing their salaries, allowances and running costs would improve public confidence in the integrity and honesty of the National Assembly.

Constitutional oath of office requires public officials including lawmakers to abstain from all improper acts, such as fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs, that are inconsistent with the public trust.

It is a travesty and a fundamental breach of their fiduciary duties for members of the National Assembly to fix their own salaries, allowances and running costs.

Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations provides: Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private bank account.

In the Seventh Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution, lawmakers commit to strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution, [and to] perform their functions honestly, faithfully, to act always in the interest of the well-being and prosperity of Nigeria.

Lawmakers also commit to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Nigeria; and abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.

SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.

According to our information, members of the National Assembly are currently fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs. The running costs are reportedly paid directly into the personal accounts of members.

READ ALSO: SERAP sues CBN over failure to account for missing N100 billion dirty notes

Senator Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, recently disclosed in an interview with BBC Hausa that each Nigerian senator earns at least N21 million monthly in running costs, salaries, and allowances.

Mr Sumaila reportedly said, My monthly salary is less than N1 million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000. Given the increase effected in the Senate, each senator gets N21 million every month as running cost.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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The Nigerian government has clarified that its planned electricity subsidy for tertiary educational institutions may only apply to 37 federal universities and seven teaching hospitals affiliated with some of them.

The government also said the private businesses inside the selected institutions will not benefit from the subsidy.

The proposed subsidy is in response to the groans by universities and teaching hospitals that the amount they are being charged by electricity distribution companies is unsustainable.

The proposed 50 per cent subsidy was first mentioned by the Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, who announced it on Thursday at the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna State.

He also shared the information on his X handle.

In alignment with President @officialABAT, GCFRs mission to provide comprehensive and effective healthcare to Nigerians, the Federal Government will be offering a 50% subsidy on energy costs for all federal facilities. We hope this subsidy will support our facilities in delivering round-the-clock healthcare and enhance their service delivery.

However, he did not provide further details of the subsidy. When asked to clarify Mr Alausas statement, his spokesperson, Mojiyin Adebajo, said, No comment for now. A further announcement with clarification will be shared later.

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However, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Power, Bolaji Tunji, provided the details in response to PREMIUM TIMES enquiry.

What the honourable minister of power said was there would be a subsidy and could be as much as that or lower, Mr Tunji said. So if the honourable minister of health said so, then further clarification must be sought.

The power ministry spokesperson said the initiative will be part of the federal governments Energizing Education Programme (EEP) and will only cover the essential services of the institutions.

You know that within some of these institutions, there are some commercial entities and privately run businesses that are charging customers for services rendered, so the government would not extend the subsidy to these entities, Mr Tunji said.

He said the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has requested accurate data from the institutions that would enjoy the subsidy.

Beneficiaries

Although Mr Alausa said the subsidy would apply to all federal facilities, Mr Tunji explained that EEP is currently structured to support 37 federal universities and seven teaching hospitals; an indication that the policy has not been fully synchronised between the relevant ministries and agencies.

The EEP is an initiative of the federal government of Nigeria being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency, an agency of the Ministry of Power, which seeks to provide off-grid, dedicated and independent power plants, as well as rehabilitation of existing distribution infrastructure, to supply clean and reliable power to 37 federal universities and seven affiliated university teaching hospitals, he said.

In addition, it will provide street lighting for illumination and safety, as well as a world-class renewables training centre at each of the EEP beneficiary institutions, and conduct STEM internships for selected female students.

We await implementation, Hospital, College say

In July, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (CMUL) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) cried out over the outrageous electricity bill charged by Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) after the hike in electricity tariff for Band A customers. Other teaching hospitals across the country raised similar concerns.

The healthcare institutions told PREMIUM TIMES that they were presented with a bill of about N280 million for May instead of the less than N100 million they used to pay.

Following the health ministrys announcement, this newspaper contacted the two institutions again. They commended the initiative but said the implementation had not started.

The Provost of CMUL, David Oke, and Chief Medical Director (CMD) of LUTH, Wasiu Adeyemo, told PREMIUM TIMES that the initiative, when implemented, would be a huge relief for their institutions.

Mr Oke noted that if we have to continue paying what we paid in the last three months, it would be impossible to continue running the college because we dont generate revenue, unlike other institutions.

The professors said as public institutions, they await the implementation of the policy, as they can no longer afford the current electricity charges.

The point is that the government has listened to our cries, especially the reason we have public hospitals is to serve the public. More than 90 per cent of Nigerians cant afford to go to private facilities. So there is nothing you can do without electricity.

Electricity subsidy will be a huge relief. We commend President Bola Tinuby, the Ministry of Health and Power, Mr Adeyemo said.

They have also promised us that hospitals will need renewable energy. Some hospitals will benefit this year and others next year.

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The Russian occupation army continues to terrorize the border settlements of Sumy region with regular shelling. The day before, the invaders launched a missile attack that killed a civilian.

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Four more residents were injured. This was reported by the Sumy Regional Military Administration.

Russia attacked the Verkhniosyrovatska community. As a result of the shelling, one civilian was killed and four others were injured.

A total of 18 attacks on the border areas and settlements of Sumy region were recorded since the night of September 1 and during the morning. About fifty explosions occurred in Velykopysarivska, Bilopilska, Verkhniosyrovatska, Krasnopilska, Yunakivska, Esmanska, Seredyno-Budska, Hlukhivska and Novoslobidska communities.

Russian occupants dropped two guided bombs on the Velykopysarivska community. They also shelled the territory of the Krasnopilska community with artillery, dropped three guided bombs on the Bilopilska community and fired from mortars 15 times.

In the Hlukhivska community, the Russians used 4 guided bombs, dropping one each on the Yunakivska and Novoslobidska communities.

ADVERTISIMENT

The Russian occupants terrorized the Esmanska community with mortars. A total of 7 explosions were recorded. The enemy attacked the Seredyna-Budska community with FPV drones twice.

As a reminder, io the evening of August 31, the occupiers attacked the Sumy-Kharkiv highway near the village of Verkhnia Syrovatka, Sumy district. The missile attack damaged a convoy of grain trucks.

As reported, on August 31, the Russian Armed Forces shelled the village of Novoosynove, Kupiansk district, Kharkiv region. Three civilians were injured in the shelling of the village.

Earlier, it was reported that on the night of September 1, the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces destroyed eight out of 11 Russian Shahed-131/136 kamikaze drones over different regions. The enemy also attacked the country with a ballistic missile.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
A group of detained #EndBadGovernance demonstrators has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to lift its order permitting the police to remand them for two months earlier this month.

The judge, Emeka Nwite, issued the remand order on 22 August based on an application by the police requesting time to investigate the 75 detainees, including at least 28 minors, for alleged terrorism-related offences.

The police levelled weighty allegations of terrorism, treason, treasonable felonies, arson, and other terrorism-related offences against the protesters to obtain the detention order against them.

On 26 August, through a battery of Nigerias foremost human rights lawyers led by Femi Falana, the detainees filed an application before the court urging the same judge to either reverse his remand order or grant them bail on liberal terms.

They argued that the police obtained the ex-parte order for their detention by suppressing and misrepresenting material facts.

The lawyers acting on behalf of the detained Nigerians said the ex-parte application filed by the police did not disclose any fact linking their clients to any terrorist activity.

Nigerians poured onto the streets in major cities around the country between 1 and 10 August to protest economic hardship and bad governance.

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The protesters blame the hardship on Mr Tinubus economic policies, underpinned by his announcement of removing petrol subsidies and floating the naira.

The #EndBadGovernance protests sought the reversal of the fuel price hike, the restoration of affordable electricity tariffs, and the 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.

The Nigerian government, through the police and other security forces, has launched a clamp-down on many persons linked to the protests. While the government has blocked the bank accounts of some, it has arrested and detained others.

How 75 detainees were arrested

The filing submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja by Mr Falana and his team provides an insight into how the 75 detainees were arrested.

An affidavit filed in support of the suit noted that Opaluwa Eleojo, a human rights activist and trade unionist with the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), whose name topped the list of the detainees, was arrested at Mararaba, Nasarawa State, on 4 August without a warrant of arrest or prior invitation by the police.

The affidavit said another of the detainees, Adaramoye Michael, was arrested on 5 August at his home at about 2 a.m. in a Gestapo manner. It added that the police arrested him without an arrest warrant or a prior invitation.

Similarly, the court filing said Mosiu Abolaji Sodiq was arrested at about 2 a.m. on 5 August at his residence in Abuja.

Love Angel Innocent, who is the fifth on the detainees list, was arrested around 2 a.m. on 8 August at her residence, the affidavit added.

The filing said, Most of the other respondents/applicants were arrested in the course of the peaceful protest called to demand an end to bad governance and mal-administration in the country, which includes but is not limited to the looting of public funds, profligacy ways of life of public officers, social injustices which have led to massive hunger and starvation in the country e.t.c.

It added that this was despite the organisers writing a letter dated 26 July to the Inspector General of Police and the heads of the other security agencies in the country intimating them of the peaceful protest scheduled for 1 to 10 August. According to the filing, the organisers also wrote a similar letter dated 16 July to the Minister of the FCT.

That the essence of the said letter was for the Inspector General of Police to provide adequate security for the peaceful protesters in order to prevent a breakdown of law and order, the court document added.

Detention order, illegal

Before the police obtained the detention order on 22 August, they had kept most of the detainees in custody for more than two weeks since their arrest between 4 and 5 August.

The Nigerian constitution provides that no person can be held for more than 48 hours before presenting the person before a court of law.

Therefore, the detainees lawyers said the detention of their clients for an initial period beyond 48 hours before the court granted the ex parte order on 22 August was illegal under section 35 of the constitution.

They also maintained that the order ex-parte anchored on section 66 (1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2022, was obtained by the police to legalise an illegal detention by the complainant/respondent.

In issuing the order, the judge acted without jurisdiction when his lordship made an order, committing the defendants to a correctional centre pursuant to Section 299 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the detainees lawyer also argued.

Referencing section 293 (1) ACJA 2015, the lawyers argued that only a magistrate court can remand a person suspected of terrorism and other serious crimes.

They noted in the court filing that the detainees were already in police custody as of the hearing of the ex-parte motion seeking their detention yet refused to present them before the court.

They added that the police went beyond their limits by bringing the issue of terrorism into a case that was purely about the hunger protests.

For the lawyers, the polices ex-parte motion was an abuse of the court process and should have been rejected by the judge.

The detainees application is expected to be served on the police.

The police will respond to the application before the judge sets a hearing date.

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A former Nigerian beauty queen, Oluwadamilola Aderinoye, who is wanted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has turned herself in to the agency.

Ms Aderinoye, fondly known also as Queen Christmas, surrendered herself eight months after she was declared wanted by the NDLEA.

Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson for the agency, announced Mr Aderimoyes surrender in a press statement released on Sundays morning.

Mr Babafemi said she went into hiding in January 2024 when the operatives of the NDLEA raided her home at the Oral Estate, Lekki, Lagos State, following a credible intelligence that she dealt in drug abuse.

He said an earlier search of her home led to the recovery of some items including 606 grammes of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, an electronic weighing scale, large quantities of drugs packing plastics and a black RAV 4 SUV marked Lagos KSF 872 GQ were recovered from her apartment.

She was declared wanted by the agency in January after she escaped from her Lekki, Lagos residence when NDLEA operatives raided her apartment at the Oral Estate, Lekki, on Wednesday, January 24, following credible intelligence that she deals in illicit substances.

The suspect, who claimed she had been hiding in Akure, Ondo State, since January when she escaped arrest in Lekki, Lagos, however, surrendered to the agency on Wednesday, 28 August, parts of the statement read.

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Declaration

In January 2024, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the NDLEA declared Ms Aderinoye, who doubles as Miss Commonwealth Nigeria Culture 2015/2016, wanted for allegedly dealing in illicit drugs.

She is the founder of the Queen Christmas Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.

READ ALSO:NDLEA arrests wanted Lagos drug lord

While destroying over 30 tons of illicit drugs and substances worth an estimated street value of N2.58 billion last year in Abuja, the NDLEAs chief executive, Buba Marwa said 14.3 million Nigerians abuse drugs.

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Without Jesus, we can do nothing.

Stop trying to be good because: There is none good but One, that is God. You are a man. You cannot be God.

I was at a midnight prayer meeting and the Lord took me briefly out of the meeting by engaging me in a conversation. He said to me:

Femi, the first lesson I taught you is that something can be nothing. I told you on Airport Road: Nothing will happen to you here. But something happened after I said that: you were shot. I insisted the something of a bullet in your leg was nothing. I then made nothing out of that something by healing your leg.

You must understand that I make nothing out of something. I also make something out of nothing. What men call something is really nothing. Without Me, you can do nothing. People think they have done something when what they have done is nothing. A man cannot do something. I AM the only one who does something.

Catching Something

Peter fished all night and claimed he caught nothing. He said to Jesus: We toiled all night and caught nothing. (Luke 5:5).

Do you believe Peter?

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I do not. You cannot toil all night on the sea and catch nothing. You will catch something but can regard what you catch as nothing.

Why was Peters something nothing? Because without Jesus, we can do nothing. (John 15:5). But then, Jesus, the Person who makes something out of nothing tells Peter to try again. He tells him to fish in the same place but now even at the wrong time. (It is better to fish at night).

But now there is a fundamental difference. He would fish at the word of Jesus. He must now believe he would catch fish because of the word of Jesus. That belief would not be in doing the right thing. That belief would be in Jesus Christ. That belief would be in doing what the Lord asked him to do.

When Peter did this, he caught so many fish his net broke.

Faith in Jesus

How should you express your faith in Jesus? Just do whatever He tells you to do. Do not do whatever He says you should not do. As Mary, Jesus mother, says: Whatever He says to you, do it. (John 2:5).

If He tells you to put water in a jar when it is wine you want. Just do it. If He tells you to fish where you know there is no fish. Just do it. Solomon counsels: Dont lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5).

And so Peter did the wrong thing by faith. Peter fished the wrong way by faith and caught so many fish his net broke. He caught so many fish, his boat was sinking.

God says: I have put a Rock in the path of the Jews, and many will stumble over him (Jesus). Those who believe in him will never be disappointed. (Romans 9:33).

Whoever believes in Jesus will not be disgraced. Whoever believes in Jesus will never have cause to be sorry. Whoever believes in Jesus will never have any regrets. The reason is quite simple, Jesus is the Truth.

If you believe in Jesus, your belief, that is your faith, will always lead you to the right way. That is what the Bible means when it says that the righteousness of God is by faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:22). The right thing to do is always what expresses faith in Jesus Christ.

How do I know the right thing to do in any situation? The right thing is always what expresses faith in Jesus Christ.

Wrong Question

A man who had something but feared it amounted to nothing came to Jesus. The man had something: because he was rich. But Jesus told some rich men:

You say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing  and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked  I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. (Revelation 3:17-18).

This rich man who came to Jesus needed something. He knew his something was nothing because he did not have eternal life. So, he came to Jesus and asked: Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? (Matthew 19:16).

This man had done some things in his life that made him rich. Now he wanted to know what good things he should do to have eternal life.

But there was nothing he could do. He does not seem to know that there is nothing any man can do to inherit eternal life.

This rich man was so incapable of doing anything right that he could not even ask the right question. He should have just asked: How can I inherit eternal life?

We can do nothing to inherit eternal life. We did nothing even to have temporal life.

The word of faith says we are not required to climb up to heaven to inherit eternal life. Neither are we required to dive down into the abyss to achieve it. The word is in our mouths and our hearts. (Romans 10:5-8).

Eternal life is not an Olympic Games for which we can win a medal after exerting ourselves. This rich man with nothing should have asked what or who he must believe to inherit eternal life. So, to expose his ignorance, Jesus told him to obey the commandments He knew the man could not obey because, without Jesus, we can do nothing.

This man foolishly told Jesus he had kept all the commandments without Jesus from his youth. So, Jesus instructed him to obey the first commandment (love the Lord with all your heart) and the second commandment (love your neighbour as yourself).

He said to him: Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. (Luke 18:22).

And this man could not do this because he had great possessions. He could not obey because he had a lot of something that was really nothing.

Incapable Man

The Bible says: There is none righteous, no, not one. (Romans 3:10). What does this mean? It means there is nothing a man can do that can be something in the eyes of God. Without Jesus, we can do nothing.

As far as God is concerned, nothing a man does is something. Everything a man does is nothing. How can that be? God says:

My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Therefore, says Jesus: What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 15:15).

With God, man always does the wrong things: For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin. (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

When a man does something, it always turns out to be nothing in the eternal scheme. Even when a man does what he considers to be right, it always turns out to be wrong in the eyes of God.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 16:25).

Big Mistake

Today, the Christian is seen mistakenly as someone who must not do bad things. No! No! No! We cannot stop doing bad things. Without Jesus, we can do nothing. It is not in the doing. It is in the believing.

They say in the churches: If you are a Christian, thou shalt not steal. If you are a Christian, thou shalt not fight. If you are a Christian, thou shalt not curse. If you are a Christian, thou shalt not drink. If you are a Christian, thou shalt not smoke pot.

In short, a Christian is still that person imprisoned by a lot of dos and donts. We are back again under the Old Testament regime of Thou shall and thou shall not.

But Paul points out that: Those laws are good when used as God intended. But they were not made for us, whom God has saved; they are for sinners who hate God, have rebellious hearts, curse and swear, attack their fathers and mothers, and murder. Yes, these laws are made to identify as sinners all who are immoral and impure: homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, and all others who do things that contradict the glorious Good News of our blessed God. (1 Timothy 1:8-10).

The believer is not under the law but under grace: Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of Gods grace. (Romans 6:14).

The believer sins UNINTENTIONALLY but his sins are no longer counted against him. The believer still cannot help himself. As believers. we still sin because:

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10).

Imputed Righteousness

God has ascribed to us something we do not yet have; righteousness. Righteousness has not yet been given to us, but it has been credited to us. We have not earned the money but Jesus has put it in our account.

What believers have is right standing with God despite our sins because of what Jesus has done. That is why, writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David says: Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him. (Psalm 32:3).

We are not righteous but God does not count our sins against us because of what Jesus has done on our behalf. CONTINUED.

Faribisala@yahoo.com; www.femiaribisala.com

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In reality, however, the principal problem that ails Nigerias judicial system is that the guardrails and incentives for ethical judicial service have been destroyed by a concert of senior judicial figures, senior lawyers and senior politicians. Reversing this needs a new coalition for public good in the judiciary. Without a re-engineering of the incentive structure, every effort at institutional re-design is bound to collapse. That begins with attention to appointment, preferment, accountability and discipline. Restoring consequences for judicial malfeasance will be key.

Seven years after his emergence as Nigerias military Head of State, in the third quarter of 1974, General Yakubu Gowon placed a telephone call to the then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Taslim Elias. The subject matter of the call, according to Atanda Fatayi Williams, then a Justice of the Supreme Court (and future CJN) himself, with whom the Chief Justice discussed the matter, was a complaint by the Head of State about the manner in which the courts in the country were being used for the indiscriminate swearing of affidavits in which allegations of corruption were made against public functionaries.

General Gowons agonistes had their origins in events in his home state, Benue-Plateau (as it was then known). First, he had been forced to let go of a trusted minister from his state, Joseph Tarka, after one Godwin Daboh Adzuana deposed to an affidavit with quite damaging allegations of corruption against the minister. Gowons call to the CJN followed in the wake of another affidavit sworn to this time by Aper Aku (who later became the first elected governor of Benue State in 1979), accusing the then military governor of Benue-Plateau State and Gowons relation, Joseph Gomwalk, of what Fatayi Williams later described as corruption on a vast scale.

Rather than address the allegations of corruption, the General sought the help of his Chief Justice to shut down the disclosures. In the then incumbent, Gowon found a Chief Justice who was willing to go beyond the call of the law to fulfill the importuning of his Chief of State. Following consultations with his peers at the Supreme Court, CJN Elias convened a meeting of the Advisory Judicial Committee (AJC), as the apex mechanism for judicial governance was then called. Led by the CJN, the membership of the AJC included the Attorney-General of the Federation, all the Chief Justices (as they were then called) and Grand Khadis of the States, as well as the President of the Federal Revenue Court.

This high judicial conclave decided unanimously that except in connection with proceedings already pending, the courts would no longer allow affidavits to be sworn in court by aggrieved citizens. Public reaction was immediate and understandably visceral to a decision which was unconcealed in its design to instrumentalise the judiciary in order to hide inconvenient facts on behalf of the regime in power. To make matters worse, the AJC could not cite any legal authority or basis for its decision. The members were collectively the highest judicial figures in the country and their word represented the law, or so they thought. It was abuse of judicial power on a colossal scale. Judicial authority was shot and it is arguable that it never recovered.

When a new military regime overthrew General Gowon in July 1975, its narrative and rationale harked back to the corruption allegations and the desperation of the regime to procure a cover-up with the ex-cathedra assistance of the judiciary high command. An early casualty of the new regime was Chief Justice Elias, whom it forced to abdicate. It also took the hacksaw to judicial tenure, retiring senior judges compulsorily.

On the back of this chastening diagnosis, many senior lawyers have stepped in with a rich and telling bouquet of recommendations for the new CJN, running the gamut from the platitudinous to the patronising, and everything in between. Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), desires reforms that are both transformational and radical.

Then, as now, the judiciary in Nigeria has been the author of its own defenestration. The real scandal then was that the decision to foreclose disclosure of inconvenient facts in affidavits occurred without dissent among the AJC. It showed the regimental and cloistered tendencies of the herd at their finest, even one comprising people claiming to be learned.

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The best that can be said of the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, is that he well and truly defanged the judiciary. When he was not in Port Harcourt cavorting with Nyesom Wike and his Group of Five Governors so-called, he was in Abuja dreaming us schemes to jump his next available family member or political satrap into a judicial sinecure. The unanimity of sentiment at his departure went beyond shame-faced relief.

Monday Phillips Ekpe writes delicately that the judiciary that Olukayode Ariwoola left behind made a habit of rubbishing its own touted image with embarrassing and rampant unpredictability of judgments. Onikekpo Braithwaite complains less delicately of a judiciary overcome by mounting allegations of corruption, as well as the menace of conflicting judgments. The Board of Editors of the Punch newspaper sadly acknowledge the reality of a judiciary characterised by pervasive corruption and of courts which have become houses of rot and victims of state capture. At 75 per cent, the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission have the lowest public trust among Nigerians.

On the back of this chastening diagnosis, many senior lawyers have stepped in with a rich and telling bouquet of recommendations for the new CJN, running the gamut from the platitudinous to the patronising, and everything in between. Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), desires reforms that are both transformational and radical. As part of that menu, one of his later successors, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), wants attention to delays in the dispensation of justice and the uncertainty of the judgments of our courts.

These references to uncertainty in or conflicting judgments are coinages deployed by lawyers to avoid saying that some judgments are corrupt on their face. That, sadly, is the state of the courts that the new Chief Justice inherits. Indeed, a panel of the Court of Appeal has recently been constrained to describe as scandalous, a High Court shielding former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, from criminal proceedings.

A Chief Justice who seeks to accomplish any of these will encounter challenges. One who desires to accomplish all may even struggle to survive in office. Such could be the extent of the political pushback. But that is why the task of reforming Nigerias judicial system is now clearly well beyond the technocratic or professional incest of lawyers and judges. It is now political, and only a Chief Justice willing to enlist citizens in that urgent task can scratch the surface.

But that is only a tip of the proverbial iceberg. In this state of transition in the highest judicial office in the land, three words of caution are useful.

First, a CJN in search of a legacy needs clear priorities. Many of the suggestions to the new Chief Justice focus on institutional or administrative re-design. In reality, however, the principal problem that ails Nigerias judicial system is that the guardrails and incentives for ethical judicial service have been destroyed by a concert of senior judicial figures, senior lawyers and senior politicians. Reversing this needs a new coalition for public good in the judiciary. Without a re-engineering of the incentive structure, every effort at institutional re-design is bound to collapse. That begins with attention to appointment, preferment, accountability and discipline. Restoring consequences for judicial malfeasance will be key.

Second, a reverse engineering of the political capture of the Nigerian judicial system is essential. Evidence of this political capture is seen daily in the implausible decisions and improbable orders that issue in most cases of partisan political salience; in the speed with which such cases are assigned priority, to the exclusion of the regular judicial docket; and in the improbable consistency in the line-up of judicial actors involved in these judicial concatenations. If politicians find themselves regularly before courts that are no longer beholden to their blandishments, they may be forced to rethink their approach to politics.

Third, a CJN who desires a constructive legacy must know whom to avoid. With some exceptions  such as the aforementioned Olisa Agbakoba and Augustine Alegeh  many senior lawyers who are now crawling out of the woodworks were nowhere to be seen or heard from when the immediate past CJN was busy wreaking havoc. If anything, some of them could be described with some justification as having been part of his enablers. Much of what emanates from these kinds of sources at this time could be at best self-serving. A CJN who desires to succeed needs to seriously avoid occupational intimacy with these kind.

A Chief Justice who seeks to accomplish any of these will encounter challenges. One who desires to accomplish all may even struggle to survive in office. Such could be the extent of the political pushback. But that is why the task of reforming Nigerias judicial system is now clearly well beyond the technocratic or professional incest of lawyers and judges. It is now political, and only a Chief Justice willing to enlist citizens in that urgent task can scratch the surface.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu.

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A video has emerged of a jubilant terrorism kingpin, Bello Turji, and his armed bandits celebrating victory over the Nigerian military after burning down two Mines Resistant Armour Personnel (MRAP) vehicles stuck in the mud.

Soldiers abandoned the vehicles during an operation in the troubled Zamfara State in the countrys North-west region.

In the video, Mr Turji and his lieutenants are celebrating with victory slogans.

Bello Turji has seized two trucks. Nigerian Army Bello Turji is coming for you, Insha Allah, if you dont allow peace to reign. We are telling you and your clerics that we are with Allah, Mr Turji says as he moves towards the stuck vehicles.

Other terrorists can be heard calling for the burning of the vehicles after removing the essential parts, including ammunition boxes, from the vehicles.

But there were no arms or ammunition in two of the boxes the terrorists displayed while shouting Allahu Akbar.

The hundreds of mostly youth bandits are dressed in combat regalia and are chanting Allahu Akbar and proclaiming victory over the army

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On Thursday, soldiers from the Nigerian Army1 Brigade in Gusau, stationed at Zurmi, carried out an offensive against terrorists in a forest in the Kwashabawa area of the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara.

However, when our reporter contacted him on Sunday, the brigade spokesperson, YA Ibrahim, did not respond to calls to provide details of the incidents.

A security source with knowledge of the operation told PREMIUM TIMES that the failed offensive was targeted at a gathering of terrorist kingpins in a meeting.

The army got an intelligence report that bandits in large numbers, including several camps comprised of Bello Turji, Sani Black, Na Dutsen Kura, Dan Dogo, Nasanda, and Dankarami, were attending a meeting.

In the process, one of the trucks got stuck, and another also got stuck while trying to remove it, the source said, asking not to be named for their personal security reason.

The army called for reinforcement by the Air Force, but the Air Force failed to respond, citing weather conditions. So, the soldiers retreated from the scene and abandoned the vehicles because they could not move ahead in the dangerous areas unprepared, the security source added.

The source said the trucks were stuck in the mud for over two days before the bandits arrived in the area and set fire to them.

It is a well-coordinated operation that comprises a major and two captains. Had the operation been successful, insecurity in Zamfara would have been reduced to the barest minimum.

Those soldiers attached to Zurmi are trying. So they planned to attack and strike them (bandits), but the air force failed them. The Air Force are behaving as if they come from a different country.

What happened in Kwashabawa clearly showed that there is no synergy between the land Army and the Air Force, and everyone living in Zurmi can confirm this.

Two days later, in the afternoon, we saw two fighter jets hovering over the town, and in less than 10 minutes, they disappeared, the source lamented.

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BEIJING, Sept. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 30th, CMG Voice of the South China Sea released the first documentary on the ecological survey of Xianbin Jiao, titled "If Xianbin Jiao Could Speak".

The poster of First Documentary on Ecological Survey of Xianbin Jiao Released If Xianbin Jiao Could Speak

From May to July 2024, a team of Chinese scientists conducted a professional marine ecological survey of Xianbin Jiao of the Nansha Qundao. The survey revealed that the coral reef ecosystem of Xianbin Jiao is generally healthy, with some localized damage. The six cays currently present are all naturally formed, with three expose above sea level at high tide. Claims that "China dumped coral debris at Xianbin Jiao and caused massive coral bleaching and death," are without any scientific or factual basis. The survey also found that frequent human activities in and around Xianbin Jiao pose significant threats to the health of the coral reef ecosystem in the area.

The Chinese-English bilingual documentary, If Xianbin Jiao Could Speak, features interviews with scientists and researchers involved in the remote sensing and on-site investigations of the project. Through firsthand footage and rigorous data comparisons, the documentary scientifically unravels the mystery of the broken corals at Xianbin Jiao, effectively refuting false accusations. It also calls on the Philippines to take concrete steps to restore the reef to its original tranquility and beauty.

In addition, audiences will experience the beauty of Xianbin Jiao for the first time through stunning aerial, underwater, and reef-top footage. The documentary offers an immersive glimpse into the natural and harmonious existence of rare species such as long-snouted spinner dolphins, green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, and black-naped terns.

Official website link: https://vscs.cri.cn/20240831/ced5d693-50d9-f15f-1346-be87faa2ad97.html

SOURCE CCTV4
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Lucknow, Sep 1 : The Uttar Pradesh Police Constable Recruitment Examination concluded on Saturday amid strict security measures, marking the end of a rigorous examination process that began on August 23.

Apart from manpower, authorities also took the help of advanced technology to keep cheaters and solver gangs at bay.

Police and Intelligence agencies kept a close watch on social media and remained alert to ensure the integrity of the exam, especially in light of past allegations of paper leaks.

More than 32 lakh candidates appeared in the exam, conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) over five days in two shifts.

More than 2,300 magistrates and 1,97,859 policemen were deployed to ensure that the candidates did not face any inconvenience.

CCTV cameras equipped with artificial intelligence were installed in 16,440 rooms across 1,174 examination centres. Besides 1,97,859 policemen, 25 companies of PAC and eight companies of CAPF were also deployed at the centres.

Proper arrangements were made for checking, frisking and supervision of the candidates at the examination centre to make the examination transparent and to give entry to the right candidates. Candidates were given entry inside the centres only after physical frisking, frisking by HHMD, biometric fingerprint and facial recognition.

On the successful completion of the recruitment exam, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the candidates, district administrations, state police and the UPPRPB.

In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said: "Hearty congratulations to all the candidates for the fair, transparent and peaceful completion of the written examination-2023 conducted for the selection of more than 60,200 posts of constable civil police."

"May all the energetic and disciplined youth taking part in the exam get the desired results and may everyone have a bright future; infinite good wishes for this!" he said.

"Heartfelt thanks to all the people who helped in conducting the world's largest civil police recruitment examination successfully and safely, to the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board and the district administration of all the districts," he added.

Chief Minister Adityanath said more than 15,000 women will be recruited in the selection process of over 60,000 police constables. "The examination was conducted in a fair and smooth manner; this will further enrich the model of security and good governance in Uttar Pradesh," he added.

-- IANS

vkt/sha
Gaza, Sep 1 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has announced that it has killed Muhammad Katrouy, the commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's (PIJ) Central Camps Brigade, in an airstrike in central Gaza.

The IDF said in a statement on Saturday that Katrouy was killed on Thursday in a joint operation with the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, Xinhua news agency reported.

The IDF claimed that Katrouy had coordinated rocket attacks from central Gaza towards Israel and planned various attacks against Israeli forces. He held several posts within the PIJ, including deputy brigade commander and intelligence officer, the statement added.

The PIJ has yet to comment on Israel's statement.

Israel has launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, after Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people.

Gaza-based health authorities reported on Saturday that the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks has reached 40,691.
Tel Aviv, Sep 1 : The Hostages and Missing Families Forum of Israel has announced major protests across the country on Sunday following the IDF's claims that it found some corpses that may be the remains of hostages.

The forum in a statement on Saturday late night said, "We vow to bring the country to a grinding halt."

The statement also said that Prime Minister Netanyahu had abandoned the hostages.

The prominent activist group representing many relatives of hostages held in Gaza called on the public to stage major protests against the government on Sunday.

The forum has been fuelling accusations that the leadership has left the hostages to die in captivity by failing to secure a deal to return them.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a statement called on the public not to spread unnecessary rumours. The statement said, "At this stage, the forces are still operating in the area and carrying out a process to extract and identify the bodies, which will last several hours."

Leader of Opposition, Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu of focusing on insignificant issues as "our sons and daughters are being abandoned and are dying in captivity."

In a statement, he said, "It's not the Philadelphi Corridor nor the polio vaccination (in Gaza) that interests him, it's just the coalition government and continuing the partnership with Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir."

The Israel security cabinet had supported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demand to not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor in any deal.

It may be recalled that the Hamas militants had swarmed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, brutally killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 people as hostages. A total of 110 hostages are still in the captivity of Hamas and Israel has officially announced that 39 of these hostages are dead.
Russian vacationers, who usually claim that domestic resorts are much better than foreign ones, complain again and again about the conditions of their popular tourist destinations. This time, a recreation center in Altai was the subject of a complaint.

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A woman who decided to spend her summer vacation not near the sea but in a mountainous area is frankly disappointed with the "terrible" house she and her family were accommodated in. She left a negative review about the ruined vacation and rude staff on one of the forums.

According to the Russian woman, three weeks before the long-awaited trip, they booked a six-bed house, which included a terrace, barbecue, electricity, kettle and refrigerator. Driving by neighboring recreation centers, she expected to see a modern and comfortable place, but it turned out differently.

"When we were paying for the house, the girl asked us not to be scared, that 'it looks so scary'. We approached and were shocked: it looked burnt and old from the outside. It was black and nondescript, probably one of the first houses on the base, and it hadn't been repaired for a long time," the tourist shared her impressions.

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Hopes for a good vacation were finally dashed when the Russians entered the temporary accommodation. The conditions were appalling: "Broken and torn out floors, ceiling tiles torn or bitten by someone in many places, old Soviet sofas and beds, and sticky tapes with dead flies that had not been changed for years."

The staff of the recreation center also made an unpleasant impression on the vacationers. According to the Russian woman, when they complained to the staff about the lack of adequate living conditions, they were told that they were "being too picky." She added that the staff openly stated that if we insisted, we could get our money back and "roll out of here" in search of other bases.

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"Of course, we tried to compensate for the negative impressions with nature and emotions, but such a long-awaited vacation for two families was ruined," the camper summarized.

The Russian woman emphasized that the cost of staying at a recreation center in Altai per day was 6 thousand rubles (2,709 hryvnias).

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Yerevan, September 01 : Armenia has proposed a new peace treaty to Azerbaijan, building on the points agreed upon in their ongoing negotiations, said Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have engaged in war over the Nagorno-Karabakh territorial dispute. Although a ceasefire was reached in 1994, peace negotiations have continued with sporadic clashes persisting since then, Xinhua news agency reported.

During a press conference on Saturday, Pashinyan said that the proposed treaty comprises 17 articles, of which 13, including the preamble, have been fully agreed upon.

Pashinyan also proposed a direct meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, where delimitation commissions have been operating, to further advance bilateral negotiations.

He emphasised Armenia's commitment to the ceasefire agreement with Azerbaijan but expressed concern over inconsistent statements by "some partners" in Russia, which he believes have hampered regional connectivity efforts.

He reiterated Armenia's willingness to establish a link between Nakhchivan and Azerbaijan while insisting that territorial integrity and sovereignty are non-negotiable.
New Delhi: The steady spread of radicalisation in the Muslim world, the deepening Sunni-Shia conflict in the Middle East and the growing impact of the historical religious divides on the current geopolitics, are the ongoing trends that should cause concern to the democratic world.

The attack on July 16 at Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman -- a moderate Islamic country with friendly ties with the US, by a asuicidea team of ISIS which along with Al Qaeda represents the leading forces of Islamic radicals, confirms that radicalisation was pushing ahead in this region.

The attackers targeted a Shia congregation worshipping on Ashura eve at Imam Ali Mosque -- the event marked the first terrorist offensive in the Gulf in recent times -- thereby demonstrating also the extreme hostility harboured by Sunni extremists against Shiites for historical reasons.

The fundamentalist Shiism is anti-US because of its ideological opposition to a capitalist economy and it is no surprise that Iran under the Ayatollahas rule is getting politically aligned with Russia and China in the Cold War kind of divide that was evidently reappearing between the US on the one hand and the axis of these two countries, on the other.

What is being witnessed here is the fact that the divisions of afaitha involving a fundamentalist Iran, a Salafi Saudi Arabia, a Zionist Israel and the Wahhabi forces of ISIS and Al Qaeda were influencing the political agenda of international relations.

The awar on terrora launched by the US in the wake of 9/11 -- first in Afghanistan and then in Iraq -- led to a consolidation of Islamic radical forces in these two theatres. While the Taliban-Al Qaeda axis managed to dig in heels in the Afghanistan-Pak belt, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) arose in 2004 as an affiliate of Al Qaeda in the Iraq-Syria region.

Osama bin Laden founder leader of Al Qaeda was killed at Abbottabad in Pakistan in May 2011 in a midnight operation of US Navy SEALS and subsequently, Abu Omar Al-Baghdadi who had formed ISIS, was also killed in a raid by American troops in North Western Syria in October 2019.

The US policy of demolishing the leadership of Islamic radical outfits has not prevented the latter from advancing their indoctrination drive for Jehad and striking roots in new territories.

The historical memory of the 19th century Wahhabi revolt against the Western colonisers has kept the radical forces going after the US-led West -- regarding the latter as their first enemy -- and also targeting a country like Saudi Arabia considered to be the closest ally of the US in the Arab world.

The Saudis run a puritanical Salafi state but the Wahhabis while endorsing the arevivalista call of return to the golden period of Islam of the first four Caliphs, stand in total opposition to the US politically.

In Pakistan, the Tehrike Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks the establishment because of its leanings towards the US whereas in the Iraq-Syria region, ISIS directly confronts the American presence. Both TTP and ISIS have also targeted Shiites because the more extremist a Sunni outfit was, the greater its hostility towards Shiism for historical reasons. That radical Sunni-Shia antagonism is going to be a prime source of violent friction in the Muslim world in the coming times is indicated by the reports that Iran had decided to erect a 300-km boundary wall separating the country from Afghanistan- IRGC being made responsible for it showed that the project was of military importance.

What is impacting the current geopolitical scene is the series of attacks carried out by ISIS in Syria, Iran and Russia in recent times. In a lethal offensive ISIS-K, a branch of ISIS- attacked a Moscow concert hall on March 22, 2024, killing 130 people and injuring hundreds more. The event was attributed to many reasons. Russian intervention in Syria in 2015 in support of the Assad regime was crucial for the survival of the latter against the onslaught of ISIS on the one hand and the Western-supported Islamic militants trying to oust him, on the other. Russia has continued to firmly back Bashar Al Assad -- a Shia -- which makes the former a target of ISIS -- the radical force seeking to destroy the Syrian regime.

Also, since Russia has, from the times of the Chechen wars, maintained a repressive approach towards its large Muslim population in the region, this added to the antipathy of ISIS towards Moscow. Further, both Russia and Iran are now politically on the same side of the fence -- facing US sanctions -- and this paved the way for a gradual strengthening of the Iran-Russia-China axis.

Significantly, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad visited Moscow and met Vladimir Putin on July 24 -- they discussed the situation in the Middle East and the prospects of enhancing economic and trade relations between the two countries. Interestingly, on the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress and appealed for help to keep up the fight against Hamas.

Meanwhile, the NATO summit at Washington held on July 10 adopted a new action plan for enhancing engagement in the Middle East and North Africa -- which is predominantly Muslim -- by establishing NATOas first liaison office in Amman, Jordon, to undertake among other things, preparations for creating the framework of emergency planning and crisis management. Both the US and Russia are thus making moves to strengthen their hold in the region in line with the trend of a new Cold War appearing on the horizon. India has to handle this situation in a way that best serves its interests.

The Israel-Hamas confrontation precipitated by the terrorist attack of Hamas on Israel on October 7 last year, is showing no signs of moderation with the US being firmly aligned with Israel and China working to unite all Palestinian groups. China convened a meeting of these groups including the bitter rivals Hamas and Fatah, in Beijing on July 23 and got them to sign a anational unitya agreement.

It may be mentioned that Israelas Parliament, the Knesset, had on July 18 voted overwhelmingly to reject the establishment of a Palestinian State on the ground that it posed an aexistential dangera for Israel. Israel has caused extensive destruction and loss of civilian lives in Gaza and there is pressure on Israel to halt its military operations to allow for the release of hostages on both sides but there is no progress in this direction. India has made a large contribution towards UN-sponsored assistance for the distressed Palestinians and joined the call for a ceasefire in Gaza -- Israelas continued military action in pursuit of Hamas has led to protest demonstrations in favour of Palestinians in the US, Europe and elsewhere.

Iranas support for Hamas has hardened the earlier hostility between Iran and Israel, the two biggest powers in the Middle East -- the geopolitical divide between them was getting aggravated by the religious contradiction between Zionism and fundamentalist Islam.

The targeted killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas in Tehran in an Israeli operation on July 31 -- he had gone there to attend the swearing-in of the new Iranian President following the death of his predecessor in a helicopter crash, has aggravated tensions in the Middle East with Iran pledging revenge against Israel by way of a planned attack of Lebanon-based Hezbollah, its known proxy, at a time of Iranas choosing.

In the midst of uncertainties in our neighbourhood, India has to strategise for dealing with South Asia and the Middle East in a manner that helps it to retain its image as an advocate of global peace, constructively use bilateral and multilateral relationships to this countryas best advantage and build its own strengths and capabilities to emerge as a world power in a multipolar setting.

In the face of deepening political and sectarian divides in the Middle East, India has done well to maintain strong relationships with Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran -- the three major players in that region. India is maintaining deep bonds with both Russia and the US in spite of the Ukraine-Russia armed conflict and Prime Minister Narendra Modias visit to Ukraine following his meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, has strengthened Indiaas credentials as a potential peacemaker.

India would not like to push Russia in the lap of China and the Joe Biden Administration seemingly realised this -- particularly after watching the moderating role of India at a forum like BRICS dominated by Russia and China and its part in Quad that was led by the US.

In South Asia, the Sino-Pak axis has assumed a higher profile -- it was in action behind the recent developments in Bangladesh where the US also seemed to be tilting in favour of Pakistan against Bangladesh -- and its adverse effect on India has to be carefully countered. Jamaat-e-Islami which is an agent of Pak ISI wants to establish a fundamentalist Islamic state in Bangladesh in concert with the BNP of Begum Khalida Zia and India has to guard against any fallout of this communal militancy in the neighbourhood, on our own soil.

(The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal)
Patna, Sep 1 : The police in Bihar's Bhojpur district busted a gun factory in a village and arrested seven individuals involved in its operations, said officials on Sunday.

According to Bhojpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Pramod Kumar Yadav, the factory had been in operation for a long period.

"We received a tip-off about the existence of the gun factory, which was being run out of a house belonging to a man named Virendra Kumar Srivastava in Chanda village, under the jurisdiction of the Naya Bhojpur police station," Yadav said.

In response, a special team was formed under the leadership of SDPO Dumraon, Afaq Akhtar Ansari, to investigate the matter.

"The team conducted a raid on the premises, resulting in the arrest of the seven accused. However, some of the individuals managed to escape by taking advantage of the darkness. The efforts are currently underway to apprehend those who fled the scene," Yadav said.

During the raid, Bhojpur police recovered one pistol, 35 tiger plates, 36 corks rod, 33 barrels, 20 butts, three drill machines, one lathe machine, one grinder and three mobile phones.

The individuals arrested have been identified as Virendra Kumar Srivastava, who is considered the kingpin behind the mini gun factory's operations, along with Pintu Shah, Mohammad Azad, Mohammad Monu, Mohammad Abdul, Mohammad Raju, and Mohammad Iqbal.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Pramod Kumar Yadav, while Virendra and Pintu are natives of Bhojpur and Sitamarhi districts respectively, the other accused hail from the Munger district and were workers in the factory. These individuals were skilled in manufacturing country-made pistols and "kattas" (a type of homemade firearm).

SP Yadav further stated that an FIR has been registered under the Arms Act and various sections of the BNS Act at the Naya Bhojpur police station, and the investigation into the case is ongoing.

The police were investigating the links of the accused who were being supplied the guns.
Dhaka, Sep 1 : In the weeks following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, at least 49 teachers from minority communities were forced to resign, according to local media reports.

The Bangladesh Chhatra Oikya Parishad, the student wing of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, disclosed this information during a press conference held at the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday, as reported by The Daily Star.

Sajib Sarkar, the coordinator of the organisation, stated that since the fall of the Hasina-led government, religious and ethnic minorities have been subjected to a wave of violence.

This has included attacks, looting, assaults on women, the vandalism of temples, arson attacks on homes and businesses, and even killings, he said.

Sarkar further revealed that minority teachers across the country have faced physical assaults, leading to the forced resignation of at least 49 teachers by August 30. However, 19 of those teachers have since been reinstated, he added.

Sheikh Hasina's government was forced to step down last month after violent student-led anti-quota protests resulted in the deaths of over 400 people.

Last month, while Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of the interim government in Bangladesh, after taking the oath, said that he would "uphold, support and protect the constitution and will perform duties sincerely", there was a massive outbreak of violence in the country after Hasina left Dhaka with goons creating huge unrest and targetting Hindus, their homes and places of worship.

The Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajot (BJHM), a grand national alliance of 23 religious organisations in the country, said that Hindu families have faced violence and vandalism at as many as 278 locations across 48 districts of the nation since August 5.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reiterated India's support for Bangladesh's stability and development. He said, "In the coming days, we will always wish well for Bangladesh's 'Vikas Yatra' (journey of development) because we are the well-wishers of humankind."
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 1 : Rejecting the sexual abuse allegations against him, popular Malayalam actor Jayasurya on Sunday said that he would take legal action on the issue.

In a statement released to the media from the US, the actor said that the allegations have shattered him and his family.

The actor in the statement said, "Due to my commitments, I have been in the US for the past month and during this time, two false allegations on the grounds of sexual harassment were made against me. Quite naturally it has shattered me, my family and everyone who has held me close."

He also said that false allegations are easy to make for anyone who lacks a conscience.

Jayasurya said, "I only hope one realises that facing a false accusation of harassment is just as painful as the harassment itself."

The actor added that a lie always spreads faster than the truth but that truth would always prevail.

The actor said that he would be back in Kerala as soon as his commitments in the US were over and that his legal team would take up the matter to prove his innocence.

He also said that he had complete faith in the judicial system.

After the report of the Hema committee that studied the sexual allegations against women in the Malayalam movie industry came out, many women actors have alleged sexual assault by actors and directors of Malayalam cinema.

FIRs were registered against Malayalam actor and CPI(M) legislator Mukesh, Siddik, Maniyanpilla Raju, Edavela Babu and Jayasurya.

The Police have registered two FIRs against director Ranjith, one on a complaint by a popular Bengali woman actor that the director made sexual advances towards her and another FIR on a complaint by a young man that he was subjected to unnatural sex by Ranjith in a five-star hotel at Bengaluru.

Police registered an FIR against popular Malayalam director and ad filmmaker VK Prakash also.

In a startling revelation, south Indian actor and BJP leader Raadhika Sarathkumar has charged that hidden cameras were installed in caravans on the movies sets where women actors change their clothes.

Speaking to a Malayalam news channel, Raadhika said that these recordings were watched on movie sets by men, including actors and technicians in groups.
Vijayawada, Sep 1 : Heavy rain wreaked havoc in Vijayawada and Guntur towns of Andhra Pradesh with several residential areas remaining flooded on Sunday and throwing normal life out of gear.

Rain has been lashing several parts of the state under the impact of depression in the Bay of Bengal, which crossed the coast at Kalingapatnam in the early hours of Sunday

Ten people have been killed in various rain-related incidents since Saturday. Five people were killed and four injured in the landslide at Moghalrajpuram in Vijayawada.

Low-lying areas in Krishna and Guntur districts were inundated due to heavy rain and overflowing tanks and lakes.

Though rain receded on Sunday, several residential colonies remained submerged. Residents said they spent sleepless nights. They lost all their belongings and many complained that they were without food and water as no help came from authorities.

Several roads in Vijayawada, Amaravati, Mangalagiri, Guntur, Eluru and other places remained underwater, paralysing vehicular traffic and normal life.

Vijayawada received the highest rainfall in two decades. Three to four feet of water on roads brought the city to a complete halt.

According to the Andhra Pradesh State Development Planning Society, Mangalagiri in the Guntur district received 278.5 mm of rainfall on Saturday.

Minister for Municipal Administration P. Narayana, Vijayawada MP Kesneni Chinni and local MLA Gadde Rammohan Rao on Sunday visited Moghalrajpuram where rescue work was continuing.

Narayana said the government has paid Rs 5 lakh compensation each to the families of the deceased.

Meanwhile, depression in the Bay of Bengal crossed Kalingapatnam in the early hours of Sunday.

It lay centred at 90 km from Visakhapatnam and 120 km from Kalingapatnam and Malkangiri. The depression is likely to weaken into a low-pressure area

The Meteorological (MeT) Office has forecast moderate to heavy rain at isolated places in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitharamaraju, Kakinada and Nandyal districts.

Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Bapatla, Palnadu, and Kurnool districts are also likely to receive moderate to heavy rain.

The MeT officials have forecast light to moderate rain at a few places in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, East Godavari and West Godavari districts.
Tel Aviv, Sep 1 : The Israeli Defense Forces have located and recovered the bodies of six hostages, including two women, from a tunnel in the Rafah area in the Gaza Strip.

The deceased were identified as Hersh Goldberg, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alex Lubnov and Ori Danino, Israel Foreign Ministry said in a post on social media platform X.

The IDF also rescued Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alex Lubnov and Ori Danino.

US President Joe Biden said, "Earlier today, in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas. We have now confirmed that one of the hostages... was an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

"Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on 7 October," the US President said.

On Thursday, Goldberg-Polin's mother Rachel had shouted into a microphone while rallying near the Gaza border, "Hersh! It's Mom.. I love you, stay strong, survive."

On April 24, Hamas released a proof-of-life video in which Goldberg-Polin said the captives were living "in hell".

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum of Israel announced major protests across the country on Sunday after the bodies of hostages were recovered.

The forum representing many relatives of hostages held in Gaza called on the public to stage major protests against the government on Sunday.

The forum has been fuelling accusations that the leadership has left the hostages to die in captivity by failing to secure a deal to return them.

Leader of Opposition Yair Lapid accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of focusing on insignificant issues as "our sons and daughters are being abandoned and are dying in captivity".

The Hamas militants had swarmed into Israel on October 7, 2023, brutally killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 people as hostages.

A total of 110 hostages are still in the captivity of Hamas and Israel has officially announced that 39 of these hostages are dead.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 1 : Controversial CPI(M) backed Independent legislator P.V. Anvar has equated Kerala's Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), in charge of Law and Order, M.R. Ajith Kumar to a notorious criminal who has 'modelled himself like fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim'.

Anvar also said that the political secretary to the Chief Minister, P. Sasi, who is in charge of the police, was not doing his job as specified by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The MLA said that Sasi was a failure.

In a press conference at Malappuram on Sunday, the second-term MLA, who has been a controversial figure, charged that the ADGP has colluded in several illegal and shady dealings.

The Nilambur MLA also said that Ajith Kumaras wife was also involved in his dealings, but added that he won't say much about her being a woman.

Anvar also said that he had several phone recordings of police officers and added that there were major revelations that he would bring out later.

On Saturday, Anvar leaked a recorded telephonic conversation between him and Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police, Sujith Das.

The SP was heard saying that the ADGP had taken Rs 2 crore as a bribe from a person and that Ajith Kumar had kept his confidants as Thrissur and Palakkad SPs and was using them for monetary benefits.

State police chief Sheikh Darwesh Sahib had directed Sujith Das to go on leave for three days after the phone conversation was leaked.

Former Home Minister of Kerala and senior Congress leader Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan while speaking to media persons said that even a ruling party MLA has lost trust in police.

Radhakrishnan also charged that Anvaras allegations were directed at the Chief Minister as he was also the Home Minister of the state.

Anvar has been a controversial figure and was a former Congress leader who switched his allegiance to the CPI(M) and became an independent MLA backed by the party in the 2016 Assembly elections from Nilambur Assembly seat. He repeated the win from the same seat in the 2021 Assembly elections.

On Friday, the MLA held a sit-in protest in front of the Malappuram District Police Chief's (DPC) office demanding, among other things, a crime branch inquiry under the court's observation into the disappearance of tree logs in 2021 from the official's house premises. He also alleged that the incumbent DPC S. Sasidharan was unwilling to take action on the complaints filed by a Kollam native and himself over the theft.
New Delhi, Sep 1 : BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva, along with MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and several party workers, staged a protest on Sunday against the AAP government's failure to provide essential services to people, and vowed to reimburse the inflated electricity bills once the party came to power.

The protest was staged at the Indira Kalyan Vihar camp. During the protest, Sachdeva assured residents that they would address their grievances related to electricity bills and water supply if the BJP formed the next government in Delhi. "Elections are just three months away. Save your electricity bills, and the day the BJP government is formed in Delhi, you will get your money back and also free clean drinking water," he said.

The protest in which slum dwellers participated, highlighted various issues, including what the BJP claims are illegal electricity charges, poor sanitation, and inadequate water supply.

The Delhi BJP chief criticised the AAP government, alleging, "If ten people live in a slum, with just one fan and one light working, and they receive an electricity bill for four thousand rupees while being forced to drink dirty water, where will the people of Delhi go?"

He further accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of failing to meet the basic needs of the city's residents, including providing drinkable water and reliable electricity and alleged that additional taxes are being secretly added to electricity bills, burdening the people of Delhi with more charges than their actual electricity consumption.

Sachdeva also highlighted issues the people living in Seva Basti were facing. He claimed that many residents do not receive old age pensions and their ration cards have not been issued in the last eight years. He pointed to reports from a medical camp organised by the BJP, which indicated that over half of the illnesses in the area were due to unclean water.

MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri also remarked during the protest saying, "Thousands of people from Indira Kalyan Vihar are here to express their concerns over electricity bills."

He also mentioned that he had served as an MP for the area for 10 years and highlighted several development projects he had initiated such as the Okhla Vihar Phase 1 and 2 roads and the Sarita Vihar underpass.

Bidhuri complained that development in these areas had stalled for the last 14-15 years under the current administration.
Yangon, Sep 1 : Myanmar will conduct a comprehensive population and housing census to obtain accurate population statistics that will contribute to the current and future development of the country, Chairman of Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said on Sunday.

In a speech commemorating the 2024 population and household census, Min Aung Hlaing urged the public to provide accurate answers to all census questions, reports Xinhua news agency.

The data obtained from collecting population and housing censuses are essential for the management and administration areas, he said.

The upcoming nationwide population and housing census, which is conducted once every ten years, is scheduled from October 1 to 15.

According to the latest update from the country's Department of Population on Sunday, Myanmar's population is currently estimated to be over 56.68 million.
JERUSALEM/GAZA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Israel announced on Sunday that its forces have recovered the bodies of six hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing that the bodies were discovered on Saturday in an underground tunnel in the Rafah area, southern Gaza.

Hagari said that according to an initial assessment, they were estimated to be brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists 48-72 hours before the Israeli troops reached them.

The IDF identified the deceased as Carmel Gat, 40; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23; Alexander Lobanov, 32; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Ori Danino, 25.

All six were taken hostage during Hamas' surprise attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which left around 1,200 people dead and approximately 250 others captured.

The Israeli Ha'aretz daily reported that officials familiar with the autopsies of the six hostages said they were all shot in the head. The report said they were not emaciated or starving and would have likely survived if not killed by gunshots. No signs of physical abuse were found on their bodies, it added.

Meanwhile, Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas' political bureau, confirmed in a press statement that the bodies were found by the Israeli army in a tunnel in Rafah but noted that the hostages "were killed by Israeli shelling."

Al-Rishq urged U.S. President Joe Biden to "stop financial and weapons support for Israel and pressure it to end the war immediately" if Biden cares about the lives of the prisoners.

Al-Rishq noted that "Hamas was more concerned about the prisoners' lives than Biden, and that is why it agreed to his proposal in particular and the UN Security Council resolution, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected them."

The Hamas official accused the Biden administration of "surrendering to Netanyahu's conditions aimed at obstructing efforts to reach an agreement."

The return of the hostages' bodies has intensified public outcry against Netanyahu, whom many Israelis blame for failing to secure the hostages' release through a ceasefire deal.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a volunteer-based organization comprised of hostage families, accused the prime minister of abandoning the hostages, urging him to publicly accept responsibility for what it described as a failure to negotiate their safe return.

The organization claimed that the recovery of the bodies was "a direct result of Netanyahu's sabotage of deals," specifically referencing his insistence on maintaining Israeli forces along the Gaza-Egypt border, an area dubbed the "Philadelphi Corridor," despite opposition by both Egypt and Hamas.

Israeli protesters took to the streets nationwide, blocking roads in several cities, including Tel Aviv, Ra'anana and Rehovot. The police said they were dispersing the demonstrators.

However, Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the hostages' deaths. "Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal," he said in a recorded video statement, adding that the Palestinian group refuses to engage in "real negotiations." 
Research into Peru's controversial "alien mummies" continues. New fingerprint analysis shows that they are not "human".

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The three-fingered mummies discovered in Peru last year have "direct" fingerprints that do not match human ones. This was stated by a lawyer who checked one of the controversial samples, DailyMail reports.

Former Colorado prosecutor Joshua McDowell and three independent forensic experts from the United States examined one of the tiny mummified bodies, which was named Maria. They were shocked to find that the fingerprints on the alien-like corpses were perfectly straight lines.

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"These were not traditional human fingerprint patterns. I am a former prosecutor. I am a criminal defense lawyer. I've seen a lot of fingerprints. And these were not classic fingerprints," Joshua McDowell emphasized.

Maria's body is covered in diatomaceous earth, a type of white powder made from the sediment of fossilized algae found in bodies of water. "However, on the exposed fingers, the epidermal protrusions I saw were mostly straight lines," the lawyer said.

Maria does not look like some of the other smaller specimens. Fingerprint analysis shows that some of the mummies are either not dolls or were made of other strange material.

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Although no official determination has been made on the nature of the humanoid bodies, McDowell said he will still be looking into this controversial case.

As a reminder, the so-called "alien mummies" were discovered in 2023 by controversial Mexican journalist and UFO enthusiast Jose Jaime Maussan, who presented his findings to the Mexican Congress.

Maussan has been adamant that the samples are extraterrestrial, despite the dismissal of scientists and government officials who claim it is nothing more than a "hoax." He also stated that he wants "actual, very clear DNA studies done in laboratories of high sophistication" before jumping to conclusions.

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New Delhi, Sep 1 : Union Minister Giriraj Singh targeted the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday over his upcoming three-day trip to the US from September 8 and stated that the Congress leader is a "foreigner" at heart, which is why he prefers going on foreign trips.

Addressing reporters in Bihar's Begusarai, Giriraj Singh remarked, "Rahul Gandhi is a foreigner, and that is why he likes to go on foreign trips. He does not like to stay in India. He creates a ruckus in the country and then embarks on his foreign trip."

This will be Rahul Gandhi's first visit abroad as the LoP in the Lower House of Parliament. His itinerary includes stops in Dallas, Texas on September 8, and Washington, DC, on September 9 and 10.

Sam Pitroda, chief of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC), mentioned that the Indian diaspora, including NRI residents, technocrats, business leaders, students, the media, and even political leaders, are eager to welcome the Congress MP and look forward to interacting with him.

Pitroda also said that he was 'bombarded' with questions about Rahul Gandhi's US visit from various quarters, and his video message was apparently to inform them about the Congress leader's short but highly anticipated trip to the US.

In response to this, Giriraj Singh mockingly suggested, "There would be no problem if his name is changed to 'foreigner'."

Regarding the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, the Union Minister slammed Rahul Gandhi, National Conference (NC) Vice President Farooq Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti for their dynastic politics. He also highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to conduct these elections, which are now being organised.

He added, "A democratic announcement of elections has been made in J&K. Till now, the dynastic politics played by the Congress party, Farooq Abdullah, or the Muftis, have exploited the poor in Kashmir. On the other hand, PM Modi established democracy by conducting Panchayat elections, and now Assembly elections are being held."
Kolkata, Sep 1 : Four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a medical practitioner in private life, on Sunday, issued a statement tendering an apology for her recent derogatory comments that she made about female doctors while participating in a recent panel discussion on the R.G Kar rape-murder case.

Participating in that panel discussion organised by a vernacular television channel, she claimed there was a trend during her days as a medical student where female students secured qualifying marks by "sitting on the lap" of teaching doctors.

She also said the students who often protested against that were granted lesser marks. She also said that she had never imagined that the "trend of getting qualifying marks by sitting on the lap of medical- teachers would ultimately take such a nasty shape whether even the thesis papers of the protesting students are kept on hold".

Her "sitting on the lap" comments attracted massive criticism from the medical fraternity with different doctors' associations even demanding her suspension from the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

Finally, on Sunday morning she issued a statement on her social media world apologising for her comments and said that she was sorry if her words had hurt anyone's sentiment.

"I retract my statement. My intention has been and will always be to champion the cause of well-being and rights of women," she said in her statement posted on her Meta account.

Incidentally, Ghosh Dastidar is an alumnus of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital.

Earlier, also Ghosh Dastidar had faced criticism for making loose comments on sensitive issues like rape. After the 2012 gang-rape of a Christian woman in Kolkata, she made a similar remark where even before the investigation she dismissed the complaint and described the event as a "misunderstanding between a woman and her client".

Her comments were an indirect reference to the event happening after the victim came out of a nightclub.

The victim, who died later in 2015, strongly objected to that statement then. She raised two pertinent questions on whether going to a nightclub on her own was a crime and whether the MP meant that anyone has the liberty to rape a sex worker.
New Delhi, Sep 1 : The Union government is committed to provide social security benefits for gig and platform workers, said Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, on Sunday.

Chairing a review meeting in the national capital, Mandaviya highlighted that the government is actively exploring various avenues to ensure these workers are covered under social security schemes.

"Our government is fully committed to the well-being of gig and platform workers, who form a crucial part of our workforce," the Minister said.

He informed that the government is "working on a comprehensive strategy to provide them with the social security" benefits.

The social security measures will be implemented by registering workers on the eShram Portal by the aggregators -- companies that employ gig and platform workers.

The Minister emphasised that aggregators "will be asked to take the lead" in registering their workers on the portal.

"An online window will be made available for aggregators to ensure a smooth and efficient registration process," Mandaviya said.

For the first time, gig and platform workers in India will be defined by the Code on Social Security.

"This is a significant step towards acknowledging and formalising the roles of gig and platform workers within our economy," he noted.

Mandaviya also reiterated the government's commitment to inclusive growth and the empowerment of all sections of the workforce, including gig and platform workers.

"We are determined to ensure that every worker in India, irrespective of their employment status, is granted the right to social security," Mandaviya affirmed.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment is working closely with all stakeholders to develop a robust framework that aligns with the evolving nature of work and provides adequate protection to gig and platform workers.
Guwahati, Sep 1 : Heavy rains on Sunday morning lashed Guwahati, causing severe waterlogging in different parts of the city, officials said.

Areas such as Chandmari, Beltola, Hatigaon, Six Mile, Noonmati, Kahilipara, etc. experienced flash flood woes as waterlogging disrupted the traffic movement in these localities.

People have failed to move out of their houses for the necessary work.

Waterlogging is a major issue in Guwahati. A few days ago, the city reeled under flash floods with citizens blaming the state government for causing distress in their daily lives.

However, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that the city experienced flash floods due to large-scale deforestation by a private university and other educational institutions in the Jorabat Hills on the outskirts of Guwahati.

He claimed that the private varsity -- University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) -- owned by a Bengali-origin Muslim from Assam's Karimganj district has been waging "flood-jihad" in Guwahati.

According to CM Sarma, the university set up in 2008 did large-scale deforestation over the last few years in the Jorabat Hills and water from the hills descended to Guwahati causing severe waterlogging in the city.

The Chief Minister also blamed the construction of a recent medical college on the varsity campus and said that deforestation had increased manifold in the hills due to the new construction.

Chief Minister Sarma even suggested that students from Assam should stop studying at the university and the building works will automatically stop there.

He also said that Guwahati teachers should stop going to the USTM.

"The varsity authority did not take help from an architect while developing new buildings. If they had done so, trees in the hills could have been saved. They (USTM) have cut the hills in a very ruthless way by bulldozers," he added.

The USTM authority, however, denied allegations levelled by the Assam CM and the university spokesperson said, "USTM campus area is a small part of the Baridua area till Jorabat in Ri-Bhoi district which has largely developed on both sides of the G.S. Road. USTM campus contributes maybe a miniscule portion of the total water that flows down the Kiling Road through the various drains to the G.S. Road (Guwahati-Shillong Road) on both sides of the road."

"The campus infrastructure expansions have all requisite permissions from the Meghalaya government and the building of the medical college is being guided by Delhi- and Mumbai-based consultants and has also been reviewed by IIT experts," the spokesperson added.

USTM has nearly 6,000 students and the university received an "A" grade in the NAAC accreditation in 2021.
Hyderabad, Sep 1 : Movement of traffic came to a halt on Hyderabad-Vijayawada highway as flood water submerged the highway near Suryapet in Telangana.

Water from overflowing tanks inundated part of National Highway 65, bringing vehicular traffic to a halt.

Authorities were diverting the vehicles heading to Vijayawada from Hyderabad via Narketpally, Addanki, and Khammam.

NH-65 is a key road link connecting Hyderabad to Vijayawada in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. It passes through the united Nalgonda district.

Heavy rains have been lashing Nalgonda and Suryapet districts since Saturday, inundating low-lying areas and cutting off road links to some villages.

Water from overflowing tanks and lakes entered residential areas in Huzurnagar and Kodad constituencies. Rainwater also entered houses in Miryalguda in Nalgonda district.

Heavy rains wreaked havoc on Kodad. Two persons were washed away in flood water. One of them was found dead in a car which was washed away in a stream. He was identified as Ravi.

A person riding a bike was washed away along with the vehicle on Saturday night. His body was found on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Venkateshwarlu, a teacher.

Meanwhile, vehicular traffic also came to a halt from Uppal to Medipally in Medchal Malkajgiri district on the outskirts of Hyderabad as the highway was submerged by rainwater.

In another incident, the compound wall of Gandhi Bhavan, the state headquarters of Congress party in Nampally area of Hyderabad, collapsed due to heavy rains. A few cars parked close to the wall were damaged. No one was injured in the incident.

Heavy rains have been lashing several parts of Telangana since Saturday. The met office has issued a red alert for 11 districts. Extremely heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in these districts over the next 24 hours, the met office said on Sunday.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy reviewed the situation at an emergency meeting. He appealed to people to remain indoors.
Ramallah, Sep 1 : A 65-year-old Palestinian prisoner from Gaza has died in a prison in central Israel, according to a joint statement released by the Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners Club.

According to the statement, Nasr Ziyada, a father of seven children, passed away at Ramla Prison on August 16, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ziyada was arrested on December 29, 2023, along with his son Jihad, who is currently being held at Negev Prison in southern Israel.

The statement said Ziyada and his son experienced prolonged "maltreatment" during field interrogations at their home in the Tuffah neighbourhood of Gaza City before their arrest.

Ziyada's death raises the number of prisoners who have died in Israeli prisons since October 7, 2023, to 24, the statement added.

The statement placed full responsibility for Ziyada's death on Israeli authorities and called on the international human rights community to hold Israel accountable for its "crimes" against Palestinian detainees.

The Israeli authorities have yet to respond to Ziyada's death.

Prisoners in Ramla Prison confirmed that Ziyara had been transferred to the detention facility just a week before his death, adding that he was suffering from burns in the lower part of his body and was unable to walk.

According to the prisoner's family, Ziyara suffered from diabetes and heart problems that were exacerbated because of Israeli medical negligence and difficult detention conditions. He was not suffering from any burns to his body at the time of his arrest.

Israel keeps Palestinian inmates under deplorable conditions without proper hygienic standards. Palestinian inmates have also been subject to systematic torture, harassment, and repression.

Palestinian detainees have continuously resorted to open-ended hunger strikes in an attempt to express outrage at their illegal detention.

Human rights organisations said Israel continues to violate all rights and freedoms granted to prisoners by the Fourth Geneva Convention and international laws.

According to the Palestine Detainees Studies Centre, around 60 per cent of the Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails suffer from chronic diseases, several of whom died in detention or after being released due to the severity of their cases.
Mumbai, Sep 1 : The recently released crime thriller drama television mini-series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' has caused an uproar on the Internet owing to its narrative and concealing of facts.

The series, directed by Anubhav Sinha, is based on the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814.

Six terrorists -- Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny, Ahmad Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terrorist outfit, held the flight hostage over their demands of the release of Pakistani terrorists held in prison in India -- Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Masood Azhar and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.

However, the streaming series is getting slammed on social media over the alleged whitewashing of the Pakistani intelligence agency, ISI, for humanising the cruel terrorists and over its misleading content. Several users also alleged that the religion of the hijackers was deliberately changed by the makers.

One Internet user wrote on X, "Kandahar flight hijackers' original names: Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar, Sunny Ahmed, Zahoor Mistry and Shakir. Anubhav Sinha hijacker web series 'IC 814' depicted as Bhola, Shankar. This is how whitewashing is done cinematically."

Another wrote, "The hijackers of IC814 were lethal, cruel -- to even attempt to show some of them as human in the Netflix series is unfair."

A third wrote, "I noticed that too and was extremely surprised. Not a cool thing to do. I wonder how the @NetflixIndia team can be so reckless to let this happen."

However, as per the Ministry of External Affairs report dated January 2000, Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar, were the names by which the hijackers invariably addressed one another.

Journalist-writer-lyricist Neelesh Misra, who wrote the book '173 Hours in Captivity: The Hijacking of IC814', also took to his X, and wrote, "Shankar, Bhola, Burger, Doctor and the Chief, the brother of then-jailed Masood Azhar himself. All the hijackers assumed false names. That is how they referred to each other and how the passengers referred to them throughout the hijacking. Regards, the author of the first book on the IC-814 hijacking."

The hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 and the subsequent hostage crisis lasted for seven days and ended after India agreed to release the three terrorists, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Masood Azhar, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.
Mumbai, Sep 1 : Actor R Madhavan has recently asked his 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' (RHTDM) co-star Dia Mirza why she is not ageing, and the latter has a heartwarming response to it.

The film which was originally released on October 19, 2001, has now re-released in the theatres after 23 years.

Expressing gratitude to their fans for the love and support throughout all these years, Dia and Madhavan conducted a live session on Instagram, recently.

During the session, we can hear Madhavan saying to Dia: "Fans are asking why is Dia not ageing?"

To this Dia replied, "Because Maddy (Madhavan) is not ageing."

Madhavan laughed and further said: "My soul is grey right now", to which Dia replied, "I have coloured my hair."

Dia captioned the video as: "We just wanted to say a BIG thank you.. #RHTDM for all the love you have shown us over the last 23 years and the love you are giving the film in theatres right now".

The romantic drama film written and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, also starred Saif Ali Khan in the lead role. The film is a remake of the director's own Tamil film 'Minnale'.

Meanwhile, Madhavan has been a part of movies like-- 'Mumbai Meri Jaan', 'Dil Vil Pyar Vyar', 'Rang De Basanti', 'Guru', '3 Idiots', 'Tanu Weds Manu', 'Tanu Weds Manu: Returns'.

He made his directorial debut in 2022 with biographical drama 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect', written, produced, and directed by Madhavan. The film is based on the life of Nambi Narayanan, played by Madhavan, a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

He was then seen in 'Dhokha: Round D Corner', and 'Shaitaan'.

The 54-year-old actor next has 'Amriki Pandit', 'Adhirshtasaali', 'De De Pyaar De 2', 'Shankara', and 'Dhurandhar'.

On the other hand, Dia is currently seen in the web series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack'. The crime thriller drama revolves around the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in 1999. It is directed by Anubhav Sinha and written by Adrian Levy and Trishant Srivastava.

It stars Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, and Arvind Swamy. The series is streaming on Netflix.
New Delhi, Sep 1 : Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai called out the BJP on Sunday, accusing the party of 'hypocrisy' after two accused in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) student rape case were granted bail and reportedly welcomed with garlands.

Rai condemned the release, stating, "A young girl was raped seven months ago by three members of the BJP IT cell. Despite the BJP's efforts to protect the accused, they were eventually arrested due to pressure from BHU students, the general public, and Congress. Now, because of a weak prosecution system, two of the accused have been granted bail."

The incident in question occurred on November 2, 2023, when a 20-year-old BHU student was allegedly attacked by three men while out with a friend. The victim was reportedly abducted, stripped, and sexually assaulted by the three accused on the IIT-BHU campus in Varanasi.

Following their arrest in January 2024, the Allahabad High Court granted bail to two of the accused after seven months in jail. However, the bail application for the third accused, Saksha Patel, was denied, with a review of his case set for September 14, 2024.

According to reports, the two accused were welcomed with garlands upon their release, sparking outrage.

The Congress State President expressed his dismay, saying, "It is disheartening that such incidents are occurring in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While he speaks of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,' rapists are being celebrated."

He further criticised the BJP's response to the case, calling it "hypocritical."

"On one hand, the government claims to seek justice, but on the other, under its watch, a weak judicial system allows two of the accused to be granted bail, and BJP workers celebrate them as if they were welcoming the Prime Minister himself," Rai said.

He also noted the lack of strict action against the accused, pointing out, "Neither their homes were bulldozed, nor was any strict action taken against them."
New Delhi, Sep 1 : BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam has criticised the Aam Aadmi Party's 'Your MLA At Your Doorstep' campaign, saying that it is another "drama," and accused the party of neglecting the welfare of the people in Delhi.

New Delhi, Sep 1 (IANS) BJP National General Secretary Dushyant Gautam has criticised the Aam Aadmi Party's 'Your MLA At Your Doorstep' campaign, saying that it is another "drama," and accused the party of neglecting the welfare of the people in Delhi.

He said: "The Chief Minister of Delhi is in jail, and no work is being done for the public. Healthcare services are in poor condition, and the state of schools is worsening."

He also pointed out the poor condition of roads, lack of drinking water, and sewage issues in the city where sewage water is entering inside houses of people.

"It is time to get rid of the AAP government. The people of Delhi will give a strong reply to the Aam Aadmi Party this time. This campaign is just another drama as always. Arvind Kejriwal has failed Delhi, and more than half of AAP's leaders are either corrupt or in jail," he added.

Reacting to the ongoing protest in Delhi by BJP at Indira Kalyan Vihar camp against AAP related to inaccurate electric bills, unclean drinking water, Dushyant Gautam stated that BJP has always stood for the people. "They are protesting to highlight how people are suffering under the current regime, with no access to basic amenities that they are entitled to. People are not receiving ration cards, and due to the Aam Aadmi Party government, people of Delhi are facing various difficulties," he added.

Dushyant Gautam also welcomed the decision to change the date of Haryana Assembly elections from October 1 to October 5. He expressed appreciation for the Election Commission's decision, noting that the new date could lead to a higher voter turnout and more active electoral participation.
You can often see Roman sculptures without heads in museums or private exhibitions. A professor explained that there are several reasons for this.

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According to the scientist, ancient statues often lose their heads because the neck is a weak point that is subject to destruction. But it is also a well-known fact that Roman sculptors sometimes deliberately created their statues with heads that are removed, LiveScience writes.

At exhibitions, it is difficult to see a painting that is missing half of the canvas or a tapestry that is partially unraveled. But ancient Roman statues are often exhibited broken, without certain details, such as broken noses, lost limbs, or missing heads.

Why Roman statues are headless

Rachel Kousser, a professor of classics and art history at Brooklyn College and the City University of New York, said that the first and most common reason why so many statues are headless is that the neck is a weak point. So when a sculpture falls down after years of display, being carted around the world or passed from owner to owner, the neck is usually the first place to break.

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However, according to the professor, the smashed heads are not always an accident, as sometimes Romans deliberately created their own statues without head. In a process called "damnatio memoriae," the Roman Senate could vote to condemn the memory of a particularly hated emperor after his death. After that, the ruler's name was erased from the archives, his property was confiscated, and his portraits and statues were destroyed. According to Rachel, one example of this was the infamous Emperor Nero as so many of his portraits have come down to us damaged.

It is also known that Roman sculptors sometimes deliberately created their statues with heads that could be removed when the monument was transported. According to Kenneth Lapatin, curator of antiquities at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, this design not only facilitated the safe transportation of the finished product but also allowed the use of different materials for the body and head of the artwork and even different sculptors working on the same statue.

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According to experts, such statues are highly recognizable because the bodies have a hole where the sculptor could insert the neck, and the head has a smoothly carved edge where the neck ends, rather than a sharp one from destruction.

Kenneth also said that in rare cases, the heads of statues are deliberately cut off nowadays. After all, Roman sculptures are very expensive on the antiquities market. Therefore, dishonest art dealers decapitate statues themselves to make more money because two artifacts are worth more than one.

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The Statue of a Draped Woman from the Getty Museum is an example of such barbarism. In 1972, the museum acquired a headless sculpture. However, archival photographs showed that the monument was complete during the 1930s. Later, the museum's senior curator noticed that an antiquities dealer was selling a head that looked suspiciously like the one that had once been on a statue in his collection. It became clear that someone had separated the two parts in the twentieth century.

Despite the fact that the sloppy cutting off of the head by vandals complicated the reconstruction, experts were able to do it.

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New Delhi, Sep 1 : Why is the outlawed Jamaat-e-Islami keen on fighting elections in J&K? An outfit declared a threat to the nation's security has suddenly become a hot topic in the valley, with several leaders in Kashmir vehemently arguing for and on it.

Even as the ban is on, the outfit has put up its members and activists as Independent candidates and, in several constituencies, has even declared its support to certain parties.

Top valley leaders, including Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah, Sajad Lone, Farooq Abdullah, and Altaf Bukhari, are advocating for revoking the ban on Jamaat and allowing its members to participate in the elections. National Conference chief and MP Farooq Abdullah stated that Jamaat should participate in elections, adding that it was a good sign if the outfit is contesting. Jamaat and its supporters have been repeatedly urging the Centre to lift the ban and allow it to contest polls.

The outfit was banned in February 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The ban was reimposed in February this year.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in his post on social media platform X said the organisation was found continuing its activities against the nation's security, integrity and sovereignty and that anyone threatening the nation's security would face ruthless measures.

So, an outfit which is declared anti-India has a sudden change of heart! An outfit that played a devious role during the terror-ridden decades in the union territory, leading to the deaths of thousands and the uprooting of lakhs of Hindus, has overnight turned into a peace-loving protagonist? This is something which cannot be taken at face value. Someone has rightly said never take anything at face value, dare to question and seek truth.

Jamaat's truth is ugly. It calls itself a cadre-based socio-religious-political organisation, but it has a set agenda of total Islamisation. It is widely believed to be the ideological fountainhead of Hizbul Mujahideen, one of the largest terrorist groups in Kashmir which along with the other banned group, the JKLF, unleashed a reign of terror on the Kashmiri Hindus and all those perceived to be pro-India in the 1990s. Its cadres have acted as the eyes and ears of the Pakistani establishment, helping to carry out terrorist and separatist activities.

Jamaat also helped raise finances for various terrorist groups, with its cadres often emerging as their support system. All these decades it has been camouflaging itself since it runs schools, orphanages, colleges and madrasas, and holds regular religious gatherings.

Vitriolic Syed Ali Shah Geelani was one of its patriarchs who openly advocated for J&K's amalgamation with Pakistan. He openly used to express his hatred against India, especially after 1987, when it was alleged that the Assembly elections were rigged and Jamaat candidates were said to have lost even though they had won elections. This is said to be the reason for the cause of terrorism to have struck roots in the valley.

But, does losing an election push one to go anti-country and target minorities, the Hindus in particular? While the election loss theory is often cited to justify the separatist uprising, the designs were weaved much earlier. And, this was revealed in 1986, after the locks of Babri Masjid were opened and Kashmiri Pandits were attacked in South Kashmir's Anantnag district. Jamaat played a crucial role in engineering the anti-Kashmiri Pandit violence. Several temples were desecrated, and Hindu properties were attacked. It was a common view in those days that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had allegedly pushed the Jamaat cadres.

The 1986 Anantnag violence was said to be a dress rehearsal for the 1990 purge of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley. And after 1988, full-blown terror violence had taken over. Hindus were targeted and hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits were brutally killed. Finally, lakhs of Hindus were forced to flee their homes.

Jamaat's core agenda was Islamic radicalisation and it successfully achieved it with the expulsion of the original inhabitants of the valley, Kashmiri Pandits.

Jamaat was also instrumental in organising the widespread unrest and violence during the 2008 Amarnath row when the Congress government in the erstwhile state decided to transfer 100 acres of forestland to the Amarnath Shrine Board. It, similarly, was successful in organising several violent agitations, mass stone pelting and attacks on the security forces.

After the Centre's crackdown on its activities, including the seizure of its assets, it has been choking on funds, which it used for secessionist activities. The NIA, which has been conducting raids and investigations against the outfit, stated some time ago that Jamaat collected funds purportedly for welfare activities but were instead used for carrying out secessionist activities.

Having lost much in the Centre's crackdown, the outfit is now desperate to sustain its losing cadre and salvage its sagging morale. And for this, elections are a good means to rise, the outfit leaders believe. The victory of Engineer Rashid in the Lok Sabha elections has perhaps shown them the way.

(Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b&ians.in)
Yangon, Sep 1 : A rare occurrence of twin elephants, a male and a female, was recorded in southern Myanmar's Bago region.

On August 26, a 21-year-old elephant named Pearl Sandar gave birth to the twins at the Wingabaw elephant camp.

The first calf, a female, was born, followed by a male calf about four minutes later, Myo Min Aung, a veterinarian at the camp told Xinhua news agency on Sunday.

The twin elephants were initially unable to drink milk from their mother for the first two days, so they were fed with milk bottles. By the third day, the twins started consuming their mother's milk, which is more nutritious and beneficial for them, he said, Xinhua news agency reported.

The birth of twin elephants is a rare event in Myanmar, the 12th recorded case since 1960, he added.

At present, there are nine elephants in the Wingabaw Elephant Camp, including the new twins, and the staff is committed to providing special care for them due to the rarity of this event, he said.
Guwahati, Sep 1 : Trinamool Congress faced a major setback in Assam as its state President Ripun Bora announced his resignation from the party, expressing dissatisfaction with its functioning and for ignoring the state leadership.

There are speculations that Bora may rejoin the Congress, which he left over two years ago after losing in a Rajya Sabha election.

In a resignation letter addressed to Trinamool Congress General Abhishek Banerjee, Bora said: "Trinamool Congress has great potential in Assam, but several recurring issues have hindered our progress, including the perception of the Trinamool as a regional party of West Bengal. To counter this perception, we made several suggestions, such as the need for an Assamese leader at the national level, declaring the residence of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika at Tollygunge as a heritage site, and converting the Madhupur Satra at Cooch Behar (the place from where Assam's greatest social reformer Mahapurush Sankar Dev started the Vaishnavite movement) into a cultural hub."

However, he claimed that he has not been able to meet either Abhishek Banerjee and West Bengal Chief Minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee in the last one and half years to discuss the Trinamool's prospects in Assam.

aDespite my repeated attempts over the past year and a half to secure an appointment with you and our chief Mamata Didi to address these concerns, I have been unsuccessful," he wrote in the letter.

Bora stated that the people of Assam are not ready to accept a regional party from another state unless it gives immense effort in gaining the confidence of voters. aIn light of these challenges and the lack of an adequate resolution, I feel compelled to make a difficult decision and have decided myself to dissociate myself from the Trinamool Congress," he added.

Bora also stressed that he joined the Trinamool two and half years ago anticipating that it may become a viable alternative to the BJP in the state. However, he said that he has now lost hope in Banerjeeas party for taking on BJP in the state.
Mumbai, Sep 1 : After the massive support of Dharavi residents for an ongoing state government survey for the $3 billion redevelopment project, several NGOs working in the world's largest slum have also pledged their support.

Mumbai, Sep 1 (IANS) After the massive support of Dharavi residents for an ongoing state government survey for the $3 billion redevelopment project, several NGOs working in the worldas largest slum have also pledged their support.

At least eight NGOs and citizen welfare associations met Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) CEO S.V.R. Srinivas, and extended their support to the state-government-led survey currently being conducted in the area.

The NGOs also wrote to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA), overseeing the redevelopment project being executed by the Adani Group, extending their support for the survey.

In their letters, NGOs like Global Giving Foundation and All India Police Jan Seva Sangathna asked questions like the period of free maintenance for flats to rehabilitate the Dharavi citizens. The Enlighten Foundation said in its letter that the residents and the commercial premises owners are not against the project or the survey and the survey is "opposed only by a handful of people who are against redevelopment and have vested interests".

The aim of the survey is to collect data from lakhs of residents to help the state government determine their eligibility criteria to aid rehabilitation under the proposed redevelopment project.

The survey, which began on March 18, has completed over 11,000 tenements via door-to-door visits. The Thevar Samajam, which represents the largest Tamil community in Dharavi, said: "We reiterate our support to you and DRP and would like to state that we are a part of the project, redevelopment and would like to be part of the history."

The survey is being spearheaded by the DRP/SRA of the state government along with the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Ltd (DRPPL), a joint venture between the Government of Maharashtra and the Adani Group.

Dharavias geographical area is just over 2.39 square km in size. According to the Adani Group, the redevelopment project in Dharavi will not only provide dignity of living to its over one million residents but, at the same time, will build an unmatched ecosystem of sustainable living and innovation in the heart of Mumbai. The government launched the redevelopment of Asia's largest slum to help improve the standard of living of its residents. Under the redevelopment project, the tenement holders will be provided a house of 350 square feet, which is 17 per cent more than any other SRA scheme in Mumbai.
New Delhi: The Tibetan issue in contemporary history originates from the occupation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China in 1951. The escape of the XIV Dalai Lama in 1959, alongside his followers, marked the beginning of what is referred to as the Tibetan diaspora.

Currently, approximately 150,000 Tibetans in exile are dispersed globally, yearning for a return to their homeland, liberated from Chinese control. Despite their status as exiles, the Tibetan diaspora operates under a democratic framework known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), headquartered in Dharamshala, India.

Since relocating there, the XIV Dalai Lama, who served as both the political and spiritual leader of the Tibetan community until his retirement in 2011, has been instrumental in fostering the democratic process through the CTA.

Notably, the 2nd of September commemorates the 64th anniversary of the establishment of this democratic system, referred to in Tibetan as Mangsto Duchen.

The democratisation of the Tibetan administration was catalysed by the XIV Dalai Lama's pivotal visit to Bodh Gaya, India, in 1960, where he outlined a detailed plan for a popularly elected Tibetan parliament. This marked the beginning of an active democratisation process that culminated in the promulgation of the 1963 Tibetan-Government-in-Exile (TGiE) Constitution by the XIV Dalai Lama.

The Constitution transformed the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) into a legislative body. The current phase of the Central Tibetan Administration's (CTA) democratic system emerged in the 1990s, following the Dalai Lama's 1991 Charter for Tibetan Exiles.

The Charter declared the TGiE as "an entity having its basis in a fundamental legal document and which was in keeping with the modern democratic system." It established three pillars of CTA democracy: the popularly and democratically elected TPiE as the legislative body, the Kashag (Cabinet) as the executive body, and the Tibetan Supreme Judiciary Commission as the judicial body.

The CTA's polity, encompassing both exiled Tibetans and the future Tibet, is governed by principles of peace, non-violence, freedom, co-existence, social welfare, democracy, and self-government.

The process of democratisation within the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) experienced significant developments in 2001 when Kalon Tripa, the head of the CTAas Cabinet, was elected directly by the Tibetan community for the first time.

Following the approval of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), the Kalon Tripa has the authority to appoint his Cabinet. The TPiE convenes biannually and consists of 45 representatives from various regions: ten from each of the traditional provinces of Tibeta"Dhotoe, Dhomey, and U-Tsang; two from each of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism; two from North America and Europe; and one each from Australia and Asia (excluding India, Bhutan, and Nepal).

Subsequent to the XIV Dalai Lamaas political retirement in 2011, the Kalon Tripa was renamed Sikyong, taking on the role of the political leader, akin to a President. The Kashag (Cabinet) also transitioned to a system of direct popular elections every five years.

Under the leadership of the Sikyong, the CTA operates through seven key departments: Religion & Culture, Education, Health, Home, Security, Finance, and Information and International Relations. In addition to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, the CTA includes three autonomous bodies: an independent Election Commission, a Public Service Commission, and the Office of the Auditor General. With branches established in every Tibetan settlement globally, the CTA currently functions as a dynamic democracy for the exiled Tibetan population.

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has been instrumental in advocating for the Tibetan cause on the global stage through its persistent efforts for liberation. Central to its strategy for addressing the Tibetan issue is the XIV Dalai Lamaas Memorandum of Genuine Autonomy (2008), which proposes a middle-way approach aimed at establishing "meaningful autonomy."

This framework seeks to restore and safeguard Tibetas territorial, religious, and cultural rights while remaining within the jurisdiction of China. The democratic principles of the CTA have significantly enhanced not only global awareness but also active engagement from the international community in seeking a resolution to the Tibetan situation.

However, the CTA faces numerous challenges. Despite receiving international support and solidarity, it lacks official recognition from any nation. China's refusal to acknowledge the CTA exacerbates the situation, as it has not engaged in dialogue with the XIV Dalai Lama or any representatives of the CTA since 2010.

Furthermore, China, which asserts "historical claims over Tibet," attempts to undermine the CTA by fostering sectarianism within the Tibetan community. The Dolgyal (Shugen) propitiation, labelled by the XIV Dalai Lama as a afierce spirit,a is perceived as a political instrument used by the Chinese government to create divisions among the exiled Tibetan population and to tarnish the XIV Dalai Lamaas reputation through disinformation campaigns.

In addition to external challenges, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) faces significant internal issues regarding its political future following the XIV Dalai Lama's tenure.

The ongoing debate and divisions among exiled Tibetans a" concerning independence versus autonomy under Chinese governance a" persist, despite the CTA's official stance favouring the latter. A crucial aspect of the democratisation process is to bridge these differences through peaceful dialogue, aiming for a sustainable outcome of genuine self-governance in the future. Efforts to foster unity were evident in the 2021 elections, which resulted in Penpa Tsering being elected as the new Sikyong of the CTA.

During this election, Tibetan NGOs and regional associations were prohibited from endorsing candidates to reduce partisanship based on regional and religious affiliations. This led to a notable sense of solidarity among all Tibetans, which was prominently displayed in the recent electoral process.

Tibetans historically lack a tradition of participatory democracy, making the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) a relatively new democratic framework for the Tibetan community. This system is still developing while simultaneously seeking to address the Tibetan issue.

On Tibetas Democracy Day, the CTA merits recognition as a distinctive example of a democratic entity advocating for liberation on the global stage.
Jerusalem, Sep 1 : Three Israeli police officers, a female and two males, were killed after Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an Israeli checkpoint in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to Israeli authorities.

The Israeli army said in a statement that the gunmen arrived with a car near the Tarqumiyah checkpoint in the southern West Bank. They fired at a police vehicle before abandoning their car and fleeing the scene, Xinhua news agency reported.

One of the officers killed was Roni Shakuri, 61, from the southern town of Sderot near the Gaza border, police said.

His daughter, Mor, who was also a police officer, was killed in a battle with Hamas militants when they tried to take over the Sderot police station during the October 7 attack.

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service confirmed that three police officers were killed by the gunshots.

Israeli forces have launched a search for the attackers.

The incident occurred amid the ongoing large-scale raids carried out by the Israeli military in the northern West Bank. The military said that the raids were launched in an attempt to arrest wanted persons and prevent future attacks against Israel.

Tensions have escalated in the West Bank since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.

Hamas praised the attack as a "natural response" to the war in Gaza and called for more.
Sanaa, Sep 1 : The US Central Command said in a statement early Sunday that its forces had destroyed a drone and an unmanned boat in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

"In the past 24 hours, US Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and one uncrewed surface vessel (USV) in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen," it said in a statement on social media platform X.

"It was determined these systems presented a clear and imminent threat to US and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region," it added.

USCENTCOM rarely discloses the exact targeted places in the Houthi-controlled areas, Xinhua news agency reported.

However, residents said on social media platforms that they heard two explosions on Saturday in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

The USCENTCOM statement came a few hours after the Houthi group claimed responsibility for the Friday attack that targeted a vessel named GROTON in the Gulf of Aden.

Since November 2023, the Houthi group has been launching anti-ship missiles and drone attacks targeting what the group said were "Israeli-linked" ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to show solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Dozens of cargo ships have since been damaged.

In response, the US-British naval coalition stationed in the waters has since January conducted regular air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets in northern Yemen to deter the group.

USCENTCOM has been involved in the defence against the Iranian attack in early April to the killing of Hurras al-Din senior leader Abu-Abd al-Rahman al-Makki in the last week of August.

The Iranian-backed terrorist organisation detonated a drone in Tel Aviv, which killed one person in July.

In response, an Israeli operation destroyed the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah.

Since the beginning of the war, air defence systems have destroyed hundreds of these drones of different varieties.
Chennai, Sep 1 : Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday asked the Tamil diaspora - living in America - to encourage U.S. companies to invest in Tamil Nadu.

"You Tamilians must remain united. You should not allow any differences to erupt between yourselves. Unity in Diversity concept has been the reason for India's development. I request you all to continue to stay united and to live together as children of a mother without differences. You must also encourage the U.S. companies to invest in your home state back in India," said the Chief Minister while addressing a 'Meet and Greet' at the Indian Consulate General in San Francisco.

He added that he was happy and proud to meet the Tamil diaspora in the U.S., adding that the growth of Tamil people in the U.S. is a matter of pride for India.

"Some of you might have come here by choice while circumstances might have forced some of you. However, you have reached this position only due to your work, intelligence, talent, confidence and persistence," the Chief Minister said, who is 17-day trip to the U.S. to garner investments for Tamil Nadu.

He said that quality education, excellence in education, skills, self-confidence and persistence have been the five traits that have helped them (Tamil diaspora) to achieve heights in life.

The Chief Minister also called upon the diaspora to encourage others and help them in their development.

The Chief Minister has also met several corporates during his visit to San Francisco. He also visited the headquarters of Google, Apple and Microsoft and signed many MoUs with the tech giants.

Tamil Nadu's focus is to embrace cutting-edge technologies and foster an ecosystem conducive to R&D and high-tech manufacturing.

Since assuming office in May 2021, M.K. Stalin has visited the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Japan and Spain to get investment for Tamil Nadu.

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.
Los Angeles, Sep 1 : Irish actor Paul Mescal made it a point to not watch 'Gladiator' before beginning work on the sequel.

Although he saw Sir Ridley Scott's epic when it hit cinemas in 2000, the 28-year-old actor refused to revisit the movie until work on the movie wrapped, reports 'Female First UK'.

However, once he did watch the film, Mescal admitted he felt the "pressure" of whether 'Gladiator II' would live up to the first flick, which saw Russell Crowe win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as enslaved General Maximus Decimus Meridius.

He told 'Empire' magazine, "Over New Year's, we watched it with a group of my best friends down in Cork, and that's when I was like, 'Oh s***. The pressure'."

As per 'Female First UK', despite feeling nervous, the 'All of Us Strangers' star is quietly confident the sequel will impress audiences when it hits theatres on November 15.

He said: "Whatever anxiety I had about living up to the first one, I now feel totally at ease. In fact, I'm confident. "I'm excited for people to see it rather than hoping we're going to get away with it  that would be the worst-case scenario."

The actor plays the gladiator Lucius - the grandson of Rome's former emperor Marcus Aurelius and son of Lucilla in the film.

He said the movie is an emotionally taxing take on the classic "hero's journey".

He said: "I think the root of this is a hero's journey and somebody who's reticent and doesn't know his place in the world. There's a latent emotionality in the film, but the scale of performance (it required) couldn't be what I'm used to  which is kind of more internal and inviting an audience in."

Mescal stars with Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn in 'Gladiator II' and the Irish actor heaped praise on Ridley Scott for teaching him invaluable lessons about filmmaking.
New Delhi, Sep 1 : The horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata "is barbarity expressed in extremity, shaming humanity", and not an "occasion to vie with each other", Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar said on Sunday.

In his address at AIIMS Rishikesh, the Vice President lauded the healthcare community, and expressed a deep concern over the rising violence against the healthcare workers.

He also lashed out at "stray voices" that only "aggravate our excruciating pain".

"They are adding a bucket full of salt to our injured conscience," he said.

Dhankhar also slammed Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Kapil Sibal for calling the shameful incident a "symptomatic malaise" and suggesting that such incidents are commonplace.

"When it comes from someone who is a member of parliament or a senior advocate, then the culpability is of extreme degree. There can be no alibi for such demonising thoughts," the Vice President said.

"I call upon such misguided souls to revisit their thoughts and publicly tender an apology."

The Vice President also called out "certain NGOs" over their silence on this issue. He said their "silence is much worse than the culpable act of the perpetrators of this heinous crime".

"This is not an occasion to vie with each other, to earn brownie points or score political mileage, this is non-partisan," he said, while calling for a "concerted effort".

Vice President Dhankar's comments reflect outrage by the medical fraternity over the incident in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) on Saturday asked the Union government to implement the Healthcare Central Protection Act in the wake of 'repeated' physical and sexual assaults on medical professionals, particularly female doctors while on duty. During their protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, FAIMA President Dr Rohan Krishna said that although the act was in force during the Covid-19 crisis, it was not tabled in the Parliament and could not be implemented.
On the evening of Saturday, August 31, people began to spread information about the alleged death of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov online. It should be noted that this has not yet been officially confirmed or denied.

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A hint of Lavrov's death was seen in a post by Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Serhiy Kyslytsia, on X. "Some say he has already kicked the bucket, and yet ironically I wish he was alive to see him in the dock," the diplomat wrote.

Kyslytsia used the idiom "kick the bucket," which is equivalent to the word die.

"For some Russian war criminals to die in their bed in an elite suburban Landshaft community may seem to be the easiest way out. Even if they omit the dock, they will go directly to hell to burn there for eternity bypassing purgatory," the Permanent Representative added.

However, Kyslytsia cannot be considered the primary source of the rumors about Lavrov's death, as similar posts appeared on several pages online earlier.

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We would also like to add that on the afternoon of August 31, Russian propaganda outlets spread Lavrov's statement that Russia would not negotiate with Ukraine over the territories in the Kursk region. He said this in an interview with RT.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
New Delhi, Sep 1 : Robots have long been demonised in science fiction and the public imagination, by the very public that created them.

Nevertheless, doctors themselves now say that robots are capable of giving a healing touch, especially in the orthopaedic sector, where they can perform joint replacement.

Out of the several stages the surgeon performs, the robot completes two crucial ones in robotic-assisted joint replacement, the precise cutting of the bone, as well as the implant's size and positioning.

The lifespan of the knee replacement is determined by these two steps. These procedures are nearly always exact when performed by a skilled surgeon, but mistakes can happen occasionally.

The robot, therefore, gets rid of this mistake. Although this requires further study.

"To date, so far, all research on robotically assisted operations has demonstrated improved implant alignment and placement outcomes. It remains to be seen if this translates into improved clinical results and longevity. Studies that span one to three years have produced positive findings. Whether this translates to better clinical outcomes and longevity is yet to be proved. Short-term studies (1-3 years) have shown good results," Anant Kumar Tiwari, Professor and Head, Joint Replacement Centre, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, told IANS.

Robotic technology has brought precision and better results to joint replacement surgery, revolutionising the procedure.

A 3D model of the patient's joint is produced using sophisticated imaging and computer algorithms, enabling customised surgical planning.

This accuracy lowers the possibility of human error, enhances joint function, and lessens pain following surgery.

Because robotic technologies enable real-time alterations, every surgery may be tailored to meet the specific demands of the patient.

Robotic systems will continue to improve joint replacement care as long as breakthroughs in technology are made.

"Robotic technology has revolutionised joint replacement surgery by providing precision and improved outcomes. Advanced imaging and computer algorithms create a 3D model of the patient's joint, allowing personalised surgical planning. This precision reduces human error, improves joint function, and reduces post-operative pain. Robotic systems also allow real-time adjustments, ensuring each surgery is tailored to the patient's unique needs. As advancements continue, robotic systems will continue to elevate joint replacement care," Atul Mishra, Senior Director -- Orthopaedics, Fortis Hospital, Noida, told IANS.

Overall, this is the age of technology where anything can happen but it is good as long as anything involves things like these.
Mumbai, Sep 1 : Director Ali Abbas Zafar, who is known for 'Sultan', 'Tiger' Zinda Hai', 'Jogi', and others, is back to the fold as he has returned to India's premier studio Yash Raj Films.

Mumbai, Sep 1 (IANS) Director Ali Abbas Zafar, who is known for aSultana, aTigera Zinda Haia, aJogia, and others, is back to the fold as he has returned to Indiaas premier studio Yash Raj Films.

This also raises speculations if Ali has made a return to the studio in order to take over the reins for the 2nd part of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer blockbuster aPathaana.

aPathaana was made on a budget of Rs 270 crores, and collected Rs 1050 crores worldwide making it one of the biggest profitable ventures of YRF.

The possibility of Ali directing aPathaan 2a is high after the director of aPathaana, Siddharth Anand left aWar 2a for Ayan Mukerji, and delivered aFightera as his home production.

Ali has directed some of YRF's biggest successes, including aSultana and aTiger Zinda Haia. aPathaana rejuvenated the spy thriller genre in Bollywood, further bolstering the success of YRF's aSpy Universea which includes films like aEk Tha Tigera and aWara.

Unsurprisingly, anticipation for a sequel is through the roof, with fans eager to learn who will helm the next instalment.

While there's no official confirmation of Ali directing aPathaan 2a as of yet, the signs point to something big in the works between Zafar and YRF. If he does helm the sequel, it could be a winning combination of storytelling prowess and action-packed sequences that fans of the franchise are waiting for.

Meanwhile, there have been new additions to the fabled spy universe of YRF, the latest being the Alia Bhatt and Sharvari-starrer aAlphaa which marks the 1st female-led film in the spy universe. It is directed by Shiv Rawail, who is known for the streaming series aThe Railway Mena which was also produced by YRF.

Created by producer Aditya Chopra, the YRF spy includes blockbusters like aEk Tha Tigera, aTiger Zinda Haia, aWara, aPathaana and aTiger 3a.
Imphal, Sep 1 : A woman was killed and four others, including a police officer and minor daughter of the slain woman, were injured when suspected militants fired in Manipur's valley areas on Sunday, police said.

Imphal, Sep 1 (IANS) A woman was killed and four others, including a police officer and minor daughter of the slain woman, were injured when suspected militants fired in Manipuras valley areas on Sunday, police said.

A police official said that the heavily armed militants fired indiscriminately from a hilltop and also threw bombs at the low-lying valley areas of Koutruk and neighbouring Kadangband under Imphal West district killing the 31-year-old woman and injuring four others, including her eight-year-old daughter and a police officer.

All the injured sustained bullet injuries.

The official said that the abrupt attack by the suspected militants caused widespread tension, and panic leading to the fleeing of many villagers, including women, children, and elderly persons, to take shelter in safer places.

The body of the slain Meitei community woman, identified as Ngangbam Surbala Devi, has been taken to the government-run Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for an autopsy.

The womanas daughter and police officer N. Robert (30) have also been shifted to RIMS while two others have been admitted to another hospital.

The slain woman and the other injured people were at their homes when the heavy firing and bombings started all of a sudden.

Many houses were also damaged in the firing along with bomb attacks.

A huge contingent of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel along with state forces have rushed to the area and launched a combing operation to nab the militants.

Sundayas incident is the second killing in the past one month.

A former MLAas wife Charubala Haokip (59) was killed in a blast at Ekou Mullam in Manipuras tribal-dominated Kangpokpi district on August 11.

According to police the explosion seriously injured Charubala Haokip (59) wife of a former MLA Yamthong Haokip (64) and she was immediately taken to the Community Health Center at Saikul, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The blast happened when the victim was burning waste in her residential complex.

Haokip (MLA from 2017-2022) was also in his house when the explosion took place but he was not injured in the blast.

Charubala belongs to the Meitei community while Yamthong is from the Kuki-Zo community.
New Delhi, Sep 1 : President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday unveiled the new flag and insignia of the Supreme Court to commemorate the 75th year of its establishment.

Addressing the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary organised by the apex court, President Murmu said the Supreme Court has made an invaluable contribution as a vigilant sentinel of the judicial system of the world's largest democracy.

Indian jurisprudence has a very respectable place because of the Supreme Court, the President added.

She appreciated that on the completion of 75 years of its establishment, the Supreme Court had organised many programmes which have increased people's trust and attachment towards our judicial system.

President Murmu reiterated that people consider every judge in the country as God and every judge and judicial officer of the country has the moral responsibility to respect dharma, truth, and justice.

"The district-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens. Therefore, providing justice to the people through the district courts with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost is the basis of the success of our judiciary," she said.

The President highlighted that in recent years there have been significant improvements in the availability of infrastructure, facilities, training and human resources of the judiciary at the district level but a "lot remains to be done in all these areas".

She said that pendency and backlog of cases is a big challenge before the judiciary and cases remain pending for as long as over 32 years.

President Murmu emphasised that programmes such as special Lok Adalat week should be organised more frequently to tackle the pendency of cases.

She suggested making arrangements to provide justice in the local language and local conditions to achieve the ideal of taking justice to everyone's doorstep.

"The judiciary, government, and police administration should work together to find solutions to issues related to evidence and witnesses," she added.

Concluding her address, President Murmu expressed her confidence that by implementing the new criminal justice laws, our judiciary will usher in a new era of justice.
Chennai, Sep 1 : The BJP on Sunday alleged that the Tamil Nadu government is unnecessarily blaming the Union government to cover up its incompetence.

"The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has allocated funds four times more than that was allocated during the UPA 1 and UPA 2 governments. The DMK government unnecessarily blames the Union government to cover up its incompetence, inefficiency and corruption," BJP Interim Coordination Committee Chairman H. Raja told media persons.

He said that during the UPA government from 2004 to 2014, Tamil Nadu was allocated Rs 2.3 lakh crore. However, since 2014, the NDA government has allocated Rs 10.66 lakh crore to the state for various projects.

He also alleged that the Tamil Nadu government is not allocating funds for infrastructure development, adding, that all the schemes in Tamil Nadu are being implemented with funds from the Union government.

He also alleged that even the rice and pulses distributed in the state are being provided from the funds allocated by the Union government.

He also demanded a white paper from Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin regarding the percentage of funds allocated for capital expenditure in the last budget.

The former MLA also said that the target of the Tamil Nadu BJP was to enrol 200 members in each booth.

He said that steps will be taken to induct one crore members into the Tamil Nadu unit, adding, that the membership drive will commence from September 2 to until October 15.

"The BJP will also conduct protest marches against the functioning of the Tamil Nadu government," he said.

On the Chief Minister's visit to the U.S., he said that M.K. Stalin needs to explain what is the outcome of his Dubai visit and how much investment was brought to the state.

H. Raja was appointed as the BJP's Interim Coordination Committee Chairman after the party state chief K. Annamalai went to London for higher studies.

--IANS

aal/dan
Vijayawada, Sep 1 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Sunday visited some flood-hit areas in Vijayawada and assured the affected families that the government would render them all possible assistance.

Ignoring the advice of his security officials, the Chief Minister went around the flooded areas in a boat to have a first-hand assessment of the situation.

He directed the authorities to shift the affected families to safe places.

Naidu visited Ajith Singh Nagar which was flooded after the Budameru canal breached.

He wanted officials to take steps to ensure that there was no loss of life.

He said that he had never seen such a calamity in Vijayawada city.

Ajith Singh Nagar and surrounding areas turned into virtual lakes as water from Budameru entered houses.

Authorities shifted the people from flooded areas to safe places and relief camps. Senior citizens say that they have not seen such floods during the last 50 years.

Later, the Chief Minister cancelled his visit to Hyderabad and decided to stay in the NTR District Collector's office in Vijayawada to oversee the rescue and relief works.

He said he would stay here till normalcy returned to Vijayawada.

Officials were to make arrangements to turn the Collector's office into a camp office for the Chief Minister.

If necessary, Naidu will have a night halt in the bus to monitor the ongoing relief operations.

Home Minister V. Anita and Vijayawada MP Kesineni Chinni were accompanying the Chief Minister in the Collector's office.

The Vijayawada MP made arrangements to supply 6,000 food packets to people in the affected areas.

Heavy rains under the impact of depression in the Bay of Bengal and active monsoon during the last two days left a trail of destruction in Vijayawada, Guntur, and some other towns.

Though the depression crossed the coast early in the early hours of Sunday, rains continued to lash several parts of the state.

Authorities have declared a holiday for educational institutions on Monday in view of the forecast of more rains.

Earlier, the Chief Minister told TDP activists across the state to extend all possible assistance to all the flood-hit victims.

Through a teleconference with the party leaders and activists in the state, Chief Minister Naidu said since the unexpected floods hit the state on a large scale, loss of lives could be brought down with the preventive measures.

Recalling that even while in Opposition, the TDP extended possible help to the people spending their own funds, the Chief Minister said that whenever the TDP is in power all measures have been taken to see to it that the people would not face any inconvenience.

Asking the party activists to actively take part in the relief measures, CM Naidu said that all those who are on the Krishna River basin should stand by the people.

"If the government's assistance is necessary, inform the authorities concerned immediately," he added.
Chennai, Sep 1 : The BJP on Sunday alleged that the Tamil Nadu government is unnecessarily blaming the Union government to cover up its incompetence.

"The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has allocated funds four times more than that was allocated during the UPA 1 and UPA 2 governments. The DMK government unnecessarily blames the Union government to cover up its incompetence, inefficiency and corruption," BJP Interim Coordination Committee Chairman H. Raja said.

He said that during the UPA government from 2004 to 2014, Tamil Nadu was allocated Rs 2.3 lakh crore. However, since 2014, the NDA government has allocated Rs 10.66 lakh crore to the state for various projects.

He also alleged that the Tamil Nadu government is not allocating funds for infrastructure development, adding, that all the schemes in Tamil Nadu are being implemented with funds from the Union government.

He also alleged that even the rice and pulses distributed in the state are being provided from the funds allocated by the Union government.

He also demanded a white paper from Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin regarding the percentage of funds allocated for capital expenditure in the last budget.

The former MLA also said that the target of the Tamil Nadu BJP was to enrol 200 members in each booth.

He said that steps will be taken to induct one crore members into the Tamil Nadu unit, adding, that the membership drive will commence from September 2 to until October 15.

"The BJP will also conduct protest marches against the functioning of the Tamil Nadu government," he said.

On the Chief Minister's visit to the U.S., he said that M.K. Stalin needs to explain what is the outcome of his Dubai visit and how much investment was brought to the state.

H. Raja was appointed as the BJP's Interim Coordination Committee Chairman after the party state chief K. Annamalai went to London for higher studies.
Hyderabad, Sep 1 : Two helicopters from the Indian Navy were being flown to Khammam town of Telangana to rescue people trapped in floods as the overflowing Munneru river has inundated residential areas while heavy rains have so far claimed nine lives in the state.

Two helicopters from Visakhapatnam were being flown to Khammam to rescue the people, some of whom had taken shelter on rooftops.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who is monitoring the situation in Khammam, spoke to senior officials of the Indian Navy and requested them to send helicopters for the rescue operations.

Irrigation Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, who is from Khammam district, spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and sought help for rescue.

An unprecedented flood in Munneru, a tributary of the Krishna River, inundated about 15 colonies in Khammam town including Rajiv Gruhakalapa, Venkateshwar Nagar, Moti Nagar and Bokkalagadda. With their houses submerged, a few inmates climbed onto the rooftops to save themselves and were waiting to be rescued by authorities.

The river, which flows through the town, saw unprecedented flooding with huge inflows due to heavy rains in the catchment area. Two persons who were trapped in floods in Paleru vagu were washed away.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy turned emotional at a news conference when he was informed a couple washed away in his Assembly constituency Paleru. He said they made all efforts to save Yaqoob and his wife Saeeda, brick kiln workers, and their son Shareef who had taken shelter on top of a house. He said the family was washed away as the walls of the house collapsed but the rescue workers managed to save Shareef.

The minister said nine people were killed in rain-related incidents till 1 p.m. He said in view of the forecast of heavy rains till Monday, district Collectors and police officials have been asked to remain alert to prevent loss of life and property. With the met office issuing red alert for 11 districts and orange alert for other districts, authorities have declared a holiday for educational institutions.

Srinivas Reddy said people need not panic as the government was taking all steps to tackle the situation. He reviewed the situation with Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari and Director General of Police Jitender.

The Revenue Minister said Mahabubabad, Mulugu, Suryapet, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam districts were affected by rains and floods. In view of the forecast of more rains, the government has cancelled the leave of all officials and directed them to report to duties immediately.
Agartala, Sep 1 : The Border Security Force (BSF) has arrested seven more Bangladesh nationals, including five women and a child, along with two Indian touts in Tripura's Gomati district on Sunday, officials said.

A BSF Spokesman said that on specific information, a joint mobile checkpost with the sister agency laid a trap in the Bhatiabari Border Outpost under the Gomati district and arrested the Bangladeshi intruders.

He added that the apprehended nationals were from different parts of Bangladesh, including Khulna, Feni, Dhaka, Munshiganj, and Norai districts.

"Questioning of the illegal intruders is in progress. The Indian touts helped the Bangladeshi nationals to infiltrate Indian territory illegally."

The BSF has stepped up domination and vigil along the border in Tripura to prevent infiltration and trans-border crimes, a Paramilitary Force statement said.

With Sunday's detention, the BSF and the Government Railway Police (GRP) have arrested 14 Bangladeshi nationals and two Rohingyas for illegally entering Tripura during the past 48 hours.

Over the last three months, more than 320 Bangladeshi nationals and 34 Rohingyas have been held by the BSF, GRP, and Tripura Police from the Agartala railway station and other places in the state for illegally entering the Indian territory.

After the trouble and violence began in the neighbouring country in June this year, security along the India-Bangladesh frontiers was further tightened and a close vigil has been maintained.

The BSF Spokesman said that during the past two months, the force has foiled several infiltration bids in different bordering areas of the northeastern states.

Given ongoing unrest and political crisis in Bangladesh, the BSF has stepped up its vigilance along the India-Bangladesh border with northeastern states and maintained close coordination with Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at various levels, he added.

To heighten the security along the border, the BSF has also introduced a multi-pronged strategy to prevent trans-border crime and illegal infiltration, with state-of-the-art hand-held thermal imagers and drones have been inducted.

BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary; Additional Director General, BSF, Eastern Command, Ravi Gandhi; and Inspector Generals of BSF's four frontiers in the northeastern region are regularly visiting the border areas and closely reviewing the preparedness of the troopers.

Gandhi is also heading a committee constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the current situation on the India-Bangladesh border, which spans 1,880 km with Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Mizoram (318 km) and Assam (263 km).
Jaipur, Sep 1 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to the prosperity of 140 crore Indians.

"PM Modi is committed to the happiness, prosperity and welfare of 140 crore countrymen. I received his valuable guidance and blessings today and also received his valuable guidance for various schemes related to the overall development, progress and public welfare of Rajasthan," the Chief Minister said after meeting PM Modi in New Delhi.

He said that under his (PM Modi) successful leadership, the Rajasthan government is committed to achieve the ambitious goal of 'Developed India, Developed Rajasthan'.

"This ambitious goal imbibes the basic mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas'," the Chief Minister said.

An official of the Chief Minister's Office told IANS that both the leaders also had a discussion on the forthcoming bypolls to be held on six seats in Rajasthan.

"A discussion was also held about the developmental issues in Rajasthan and on the 'Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit' - which will be held in Jaipur from December 9-11," sources said.

On August 30, the Chief Minister was on a two-day trip to Mumbai where he addressed the first roadshow of the event.

The event was held to invite investors to the state where 4.5 lakh crore worth MoUs were signed with the investors and industrialists.
On the night of September 1, Ukraine attacked Russia with drones: the attack in Russia has already been called the "largest" in the entire war. Explosions were heard in 15 Russian regions at night, and the Russian Defense Ministry announced the "downing" of 158 aircraft-type drones.

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However, despite the bravura statements of the Russian side, some drones did reach their targets, including a metallurgical plant, three cement plants, and a military unit of the airborne troops. This was reported by the Russian publication Vazhnye Istori.

As a result of the night attack, the so-called Russian defense ministry announced the "destruction and interception" of 158 Ukrainian drones over 15 regions of Russia.

Although the Russian Ministry of Defense traditionally does not mention the drones that reached their targets, Vazhnye Istoryi determined where the "cotton" was at night by analyzing a NASA fire map.

"At night, satellites recorded temperature anomalies on the territory of the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant (NLMK), a military unit of the 106th Airborne Division in Tula, and three cement plants in the Kaluga and Moscow regions. They could have been targeted by drones, but there are no photos or videos to confirm this," the publication said.

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For example, journalists counted more than ten fires on NLMK's territory, although the Russian Defense Ministry reported only four drones shot down over the Lipetsk region.

Also, the governor of the region, Igor Artamonov, boasted about the destruction of the UAV over the "industrial zone of Lipetsk" at night.

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This is not the first time NLMK has been attacked by drones. It was previously attacked on June 30 this year.

And in the center of another Russian regional center, Tula, temperature anomalies were recorded on the territory of a unit of the 106th Airborne Division.

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"Around 3:40 a hundred meters from the military facility, 'sheds were on fire,' Tula channel wrote. Emergency incident". Three unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down over the region at night, the Defense Ministry said," the publication notes.

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Vazhlye Istoryy also reported on alleged fires at cement plants in Voskresensk and Kolomna, Moscow Region, as well as at the Ferzykovsky cement plant near Kaluga.

"All of these enterprises belong to the Holsim company, which owns four cement plants in Russia. In 2022, Holsim, the Russian subsidiary of a Swiss group of companies, was the target of a raider attack," Important Stories reminds us.

But the damage caused by Russia as a result of the night attack by the Defense Forces is not limited to this.

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In the Kapotnya district of Moscow, drones attacked a refinery. According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, the UAVs hit a "technical room," and the fire was allegedly localized by 11 a.m.

And videos have been posted online showing strikes on the Konakovo power plant in the Tver region, where a fire broke out, which, according to local governor Igor Rudeny, has already been extinguished.

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The Kashirskaya power plant in the Moscow region was also attacked. According to the head of the district, Mikhail Shuvalov, there was no fire there because of the attack.

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As a reminder, on the morning of September 1 , the Russian Federation complained about the attack of almost 150 drones on Moscow and the regions. Last night, it was loud in 15 Russian regions, including Moscow.

In particular, the Kashirskaya and Konakovo SDPPs in Russia were hit , fires broke out at both of them, and a refinery in Moscow was also hit.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
New Delhi, Sep 1 : President Droupadi Murmu will be on a three-day visit to Maharashtra from Monday, during which she will participate in several political, social, and educational events across the state.

On the first day of her visit, the President will attend the golden jubilee celebration of the Shri Warana Women Co-operative Group at Warananagar in Kolhapur on September 2.

On September 3, she will attend and address the 21st convocation of Symbiosis International (Deemed University) at Pune. On the same day, she will reach Mumbai for the centenary year function of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.

President Murmu will, on Wednesday, inaugurate the Buddha Vihar at Udgir in Latur district.

She will also address a gathering of beneficiaries of aShasan Aplya Daria and aMukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojnaa of the Maharashtra government at Udgir.

Under the ambitious Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in mid-August, eligible women beneficiaries from the age group of 21 to 65 years will get Rs 1,500 per month. Shinde has promised that the MahaYuti government will increase, in phases, the monthly financial aid to Rs 2,500 and later Rs 3,000 from the present Rs 1,500 after being voted to power in the upcoming Assembly election.

The 'Shasan Aplya Dari' initiative, launched in Maharashtra's Satara in May 2023 and then spread across the state, aims to provide benefits of government schemes and documents at one place.
Chandigarh, Sep 1 : The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) on Sunday announced seven candidates as it released its first list of nominees for the October 5 Assembly election in Haryana.

Arjun Singh Chautala, son of sitting legislator Abhay Chautala and grandson of former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, will contest from the Rania Assembly constituency, while the partyas state chief Rampal Majra has been fielded from Kalayat.

The INLD has fielded slain party state chief Nafe Singh Rathias wife Sheela Rathi from Bahadurgarh. Two-time legislator Rathi was shot dead along with a party worker by assailants in Jhajjar's Bahadurgarh town in February.

After a feud within the INLD, five-time Chief Minister Chautalaas grandson Dushyant Chautala split the party vertically in 2018 and formed the JJP. In Haryana, both regional outfits -- the INLD and its fledging JJP -- bank heavily on their traditional Jat vote, comprising 28 per cent of the stateas population. This time, they face a tough contest from the Congress, led by prominent Jat leader and two-time Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

However, the BJP is banking on non-Jat votes. The INLD is banking more on its patriarch O.P. Chautala, who was released from Tihar Jail on July 2, 2021, after serving nine-and-a-half years of a 10-year prison sentence. It has an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

As per the alliance, the INLD will contest 53 seats, while the BSP will contest 37 seats.

In the current Assembly, the BSP has no legislator and the INLD has a lone MLA in Abhay Chautala. The BSP has already announced four candidates. The party has fielded Darshan Lal Khera from Jagadhari seat of Yamunanagar, Gopal Singh Rana from Assandh of Karnal and Thakur Atar Lal from Ateli of Mahendragarh. From Naraingarh, the home constituency of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the BSP has fielded Harbilas Singh, who switched over from the JJP.

JJPas Dushyant Chautala has announced that candidates for most of the seats would be announced after the meeting on September 2. He said the alliance between JJP and Chandra Shekhar Azadas Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) would take Haryana on the path of progress and both parties will fight for the poor, farmers and labourers together. Eyeing to woo the Dalit voters who constitute 21 per cent of the state's population, the JJP and the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) last week formed a pre-poll alliance for the 90 Assembly seats in Haryana. Out of the 90 seats, JJP will contest 70 seats while the Azad Samaj Party will field candidates in the remaining 20 seats.
Varanasi, Sep 1 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday came down heavily on those "who under false pretences, seek to mislead the nation and undermine its social fabric".

Varanasi, Sep 1 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday came down heavily on those "who under false pretences, seek to mislead the nation and undermine its social fabric".

Calling for unity in overcoming challenges to the country's unity and integrity, the Chief Minister accused some politicians of disrespecting revered figures dedicated to social justice while now using them for votes.

He further stated that the Congress and Samajwadi Party, who had governed the country for years, always prioritised politics over the nation.

The Chief Minister made these remarks while speaking at an event organised by the BJP Yuva Morcha in Varanasi. He addressed the party workers while attending the event as chief guest and urged them to work diligently to increase the party's membership. He stated that no caste, class, religion, or language is greater than the nation.

He also emphasised that every BJP worker should adhere to discipline and work with dedication for the organisation. He stated that no caste, class, religion, or language is greater than the nation. He called for unity in overcoming challenges to the country's unity and integrity.

He slammed both the Congress and Samajwadi Party, saying that they had governed the country for years, but always prioritised politics over the nation. The difference, he said, is that while these parties did politics at the cost of the country, the BJP does politics for the country.

The Chief Minister was on a visit to Varanasi on Sunday. Earlier, after paying his respects and offering prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Chief Minister visited Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, where he had a look at ancient manuscripts.

Aman Sonkar, the district president of the BJP Yuva Morcha, announced the launch of a national membership drive by the BJP. A workshop was organised in Varanasi to discuss how the organisation will function moving forward and strategies to achieve the goal of 180 million members. Attendees assured the Chief Minister that a large number of new members would be enrolled this time.
New Delhi, Sep 1 : Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday targeted the central government over recent incidents in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, and Dhule, Maharashtra.

He took to social media to share photos and accused the BJP government of failing to address ongoing attacks on minorities, particularly Muslims, while the government remains a passive observer.

Gandhi stated, "No matter how much the BJP tries, we will win this historic battle to unite India against hatred."

Rahul Gandhi on Sunday posted on social media platform X: "Those who use hatred as a political weapon are spreading fear across the country. These hate-filled elements, hiding behind crowds, are openly challenging the rule of law and spreading violence. The BJP government has given them a free hand, which is why they have the audacity to act with impunity. Attacks on minorities, particularly Muslims, continue unabated, while the government remains a passive observer."

He added: "Strict and severe action must be taken against such anarchic elements to uphold the rule of law. Any attack on India's communal unity and the rights of its citizens is an attack on the Constitution, which we will not tolerate. No matter what the BJP tries, we will win this historic battle to unite India against hatred."

In Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, a group of cow vigilantes assaulted two migrant workers from West Bengal on suspicion of consuming beef, resulting in one death and serious injuries to the other.

The police have arrested five members of the cow vigilante group and detained two minors in connection with the incident.

In Maharashtra, passengers on a train in Dhule assaulted an elderly man on suspicion of carrying beef. Ashraf Ali Syed was travelling to his daughteras home in Malegaon when the incident occurred, and a video of the attack has gone viral on social media.
New Delhi, Sep 1 : People with lung problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, may experience delays in receiving a lung cancer diagnosis, according to a recent study.

The study, led by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), examined hospital and general practitioner data from 11,870 patients in England who were diagnosed with lung cancer between 1990 and 2019.

A study by Dr Imogen Roger from the BSMS found that patients with "alternative explanations" for lung cancer symptoms experienced significant delays in diagnosis. Patients with one condition, like COPD or asthma, were diagnosed 31 days later, while those with two or more conditions experienced an even longer delay, 74 days on average in that case.

The study also discovered that once age, sex, and smoking history were taken into account, diseases like diabetes or arthritis that put "competing demands" on a general practitioner's time did not significantly affect the time to lung cancer diagnosis.

The factor that was found to cause the largest delay in the identification of lung cancer was COPD; patients with the condition were diagnosed 59 days later than those without it.

Updated clinical recommendations are especially important for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the study emphasises. According to the research, COPD may conceal early signs of lung cancer, delaying identification and treatment. The study team notes how critical it is to increase healthcare workers' awareness in order to shorten diagnostic turnaround times and enhance patient outcomes.

This research underscores the need for heightened vigilance in patients with chronic respiratory conditions. It is important to understand that lung cancer symptoms can be mislabeled as COPD in order to expedite detection and treatment.

The research aims to enhance early identification and treatment of lung cancer in individuals with COPD by revising clinical standards and raising awareness, which will ultimately result in better health outcomes. The conclusions highlight the importance of quick thinking and attentive monitoring, with significant ramifications for both patients and healthcare providers.
Imphal, Sep 1 : Two people including a woman were killed and nine others - including a police officer and minor daughter of the slain woman - were injured when suspected militants fired in Manipur's valley areas on Sunday, police said.

Soon after the militant attack - using drones, bombs and many sophisticated weapons - the Manipur government decided to take stern action against the perpetrators.

Manipur Director General of Police Rajiv Singh in an urgent message to the Superintendent of Police of all 16 districts directed to remain on maximum alert and vigilant in all areas including the fringe areas.

"All forces deployed in their areas must also be alerted. There must be proper coordination between the forces deployed in order to prevent any untoward incident. Joint combing operations must be conducted," said the order, which also asked the senior police officials to monitor the situation closely.

A police official said that the heavily armed militants fired indiscriminately from a hilltop and also threw bombs at the low-lying valley areas of Koutruk and neighbouring Kadangband under Imphal West district killing the 31-year-old woman and a villager besides injuring nine others, including the woman's eight-year-old daughter and a police officer.

All the injured sustained bullet injuries.

The official said that the abrupt attack by the suspected militants caused widespread tension, and panic leading to the fleeing of many villagers, including women, children, and elderly persons, to take shelter in safer places.

The body of the slain Meitei community woman, identified as Ngangbam Surbala Devi, and the villager have been taken to the government-run Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for autopsy.

The woman's daughter, police officer N. Robert (30) and other injured persons have also been shifted to RIMS and other hospitals.

The slain woman and the other injured people were at their homes when the heavy firing and bombings started all of a sudden.

Many houses were also damaged in the firing along with bomb attacks.

A huge contingent of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel along with state forces have rushed to the area and launched a combing operation to nab the militants.

The Manipur Home Department soon after the extremists' attack in a statement said that the state government has learnt about the unfortunate incident of attack on unarmed Koutruk villagers using drones, bombs and many sophisticated weapons on Sunday.

It said that the Kuki militants caused the death of two persons and injured many.

"Such acts of terrorising upon the unarmed villagers is viewed very seriously by the government when the state government is putting all possible efforts towards bringing normalcy and peace in the state."

Noting that such an act of creating havoc among the unarmed villagers reportedly by Kuki militants is seen as an attempt to derail the efforts taken by the state government to establish peace in the state, the Home Department statement said, adding, that such acts are condemned very strongly.

The state government has already taken immediate action to control the situation and to punish those who were involved in Sunday's attack at Koutruk village in Imphal West district, the statement said.

Sunday's incident is the second killing in the past one month.

A former MLA's wife Charubala Haokip (59) was killed in a blast at Ekou Mullam in Manipur's tribal-dominated Kangpokpi district on August 11.

According to police the explosion seriously injured Charubala Haokip (59) wife of a former MLA Yamthong Haokip (64) and she was immediately taken to the Community Health Center at Saikul, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The blast happened when the victim was burning waste in her residential complex.

Haokip (MLA from 2017-2022) was also in his house when the explosion took place but he was not injured in the blast.

Charubala belongs to the Meitei community while Yamthong is from the Kuki-Zo community.
Chandauli, Sep 1 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that Baba Keenaram used his powers for the welfare of the state and not for his personal gains, asserting, that no saint, mahatma or yogi can ever be power-hungry rather he inspires the society to follow in his footsteps.

"Baba Keenaram had presented the same ideals to everyone through divine meditation 425 years ago. The country became a slave because foreign invaders succeeded in dividing the country and society. At the same time, all the achievements and sadhana (meditation) of saints and sanyasis lie in the national interest, social interest and human welfare," the Chief Minister said while speaking at the 425th incarnation ceremony organised at the birthplace of Aghoracharya Baba Keenaram.

He paid tribute to Baba Keenaram, expressing that although his program was initially scheduled for Sonbhadra, he felt privileged to be present at Baba Keenaram's birthplace due to divine grace.

He spoke of Baba Keenaram as a divine figure from birth, born into an aristocratic family, who attained spiritual enlightenment through intense practice and meditation.

"Despite his elevated status and spiritual accomplishments, Baba Keenaram used his powers not for personal gain, but for the welfare of the nation and its people," the Chief Minister said.

He emphasised that Baba Keenaram played a crucial role in uniting Dalits, tribals, and various other sections of society, fostering a spirit of equality and non-discrimination - a feat possible only by a saint, Aghoracharya, or Yogi.

Reflecting on Baba Keenaram's life, the Chief Minister highlighted that despite his aristocratic lineage, Baba Keenaram initiated numerous programs aimed at improving the lives of the tribal communities and local residents. He also stood up against the Mughal rulers, particularly Shah Jahan, asserting his strength and independence from political power.

"These actions demonstrate that a true saint or yogi can never be a slave to authority. Baba Keenaram's legacy includes numerous miracles and the establishment of Kriin Kund in Kashi, where he integrated various spiritual practices from across India. The purity and power of his spirit remain evident to this day," he added.

He also mentioned that when a medical college was being planned in Chandauli, party MPs and MLAs suggested naming it after Baba Keenaram. He agreed, recognising the college as a fitting tribute to Baba's legacy, one that would contribute to the health and well-being of the people.

He stated that any achievements were made possible only through Baba's inspiration and expressed his joy at visiting a place that welcomes people from all sections of society.

The social reform initiatives started by Baba Keenaram continue to this day through the Aghor Peeth, including efforts such as promoting widow remarriage, women's education, caring for leprosy patients, and supporting the poor and oppressed.

The Chief Minister also urged that all actions should be in service of the nation, with the spirit of "nation first" guiding their work.

The event was graced by Aghoracharya Baba Siddharth Gautam Ram, former Union Minister and former MP of Chandauli Mahendra Nath Pandey, Rajya Sabha MP Darshna Singh, Sadhna Singh, MLA Sushil Singh, Kailash Kharwar, Ramesh Jaiswal, Surya Mani Tripathi, District Panchayat President Bhimanand Sharma, BJP District President Kashinath Singh, along with devotees associated with Baba Keenaram's Aghorpeeth.
Kolkata, Sep 1 : A youth, who was allegedly drunk, was arrested on late Sunday evening for misbehaving with women protesters at a site in central Kolkata where a sit-in demonstration to condemn the ghastly rape and murder of a junior woman doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata earlier this month, is underway.

Those assembled at the protest site included representatives from the medical fraternity including junior doctors and medical students, members of the civil society and some representatives from the Bengali silver screen world like Swastika Mukhopadhyay, Sohini Sarkar, and Usashi Chakraborty, among others.

The protesters first led a march to Esplanade and then began the sit-in-demonstration which is supposed to continue till 4 a.m. on Monday.

Eye-witnesses said that suddenly that youth in a drunken state, came near the dais of the sit-in demonstration and started misbehaving with the women demonstration using abusive words. However, he was promptly nabbed by the volunteers and handed over to the Kolkata Police. The accused youth was first taken to a nearby police kiosk and from there he was taken to a nearby police station.

However, what has surprised everyone is the silence of the city police in revealing the identity of the youth or disclosing the police station where he was taken.

Usashi Chakraborty told media persons that when a drunken person could barge into a protest site and misbehave with the women demonstrators, it is easily understandable how safe the city is now for women.

"Some of those who were passing by the demonstration's dais were too excited and they were about to assault the drunken youth. However, we persuaded them not to take the law into their hands. We isolated him and handed him over to the cops," said a volunteer who had taken a lead role in nabbing the accused youth.
Gaza, Sep 2 : Israeli forces bombed various locations across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing at least 10 people, according to Palestinian medical sources.

An airstrike hit Safad School, located in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighbourhood, which was being used as a shelter for displaced residents. The strike killed at least six Palestinians and injured dozens more, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Palestinian medical sources who require anonymity.

The Palestinian Civil Defense reported that the school had been evacuated after Israeli warnings of further bombardment.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that the school was a Hamas command and control centre.

In another attack, an Israeli drone strike hit a civilian vehicle in Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza, killing four and injuring several others, according to Palestinian medical sources. The IDF has not commented on this incident.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 40,738, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday.
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The Russian military command has redeployed some units near Kursk that were intended to strengthen the priority offensive in the Pokrovsk sector. At the moment, this is a redeployment of limited forces, but it suggests that the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operation is increasingly putting operational pressure on the aggressor.

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Under its influence, the enemy is forced to adjust plans for its offensive operations in all sectors across the entire theater of operations. This conclusion was made by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The analysts followed the statements of Russian sources, as well as complaints from social media users, who reported on August 14 and 17 that at least a company of the Russian 15th Motorized Rifle Brigade (2nd Combined Arms Army, Central Military District) had already been redeployed from the Pokrovsk direction to the Kursk region. This was also reported by some Russian and Ukrainian open-source communities.

According to ISW, elements of the Russian 15th Motorized Rifle Brigade were involved in offensive operations in the Donetsk region, which is currently the Kremlin's top priority. In particular, in mid- and late August, they were still observed operating east of Pokrovsk.

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OSINT Evocation.info stated on August 19 that Russia had also redeployed elements of the 1st "Slavic" motorized rifle brigade (1st Army Corps of the "DPR") from Donetsk region to Kursk. These occupants in late July and August 2024, according to some reports, operated on the frontline in the direction of Toretsk and Pokrovsk.

"However, we have not observed any signs that these redeployed elements have previously participated in frontline combat in the Russian-assessed priority Toretsk and Pokrovsk areas," ISW noted.

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According to experts, the Russian military command is still extremely reluctant to withdraw combat-ready units from the frontline areas in these areas. Although the redeployed units were most likely reserve units that it intended to use to strengthen its grouping in these areas of the front and prevent the threat of a premature end to the operation, which is so desirable for the Kremlin.

"The redeployment of limited elements of the 15th and 1st motorized rifle brigades will not affect the combat situation in the Pokrovske or Toretske directions, as these are small forces. It remains unclear whether the Russian military command has already deployed additional reserves intended for its offensives on Pokrovsk and Toretsk to repel the Ukrainian invasion of the Kursk region," ISW emphasized.

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At the same time, they noted that so far, the Russian army command has avoided redeploying any forces planned for the offensives on Toretsk and Pokrovsk to defensive operations in the Kursk region. Until now, it has mainly moved forces to Kursk from lower-priority areas, such as from the north of Kharkiv region, the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, and from the west of Zaporizhzhia region. Accordingly, the operational pressure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region had an impact on the aggressor's actions.

"The decision of the Russian military command to deploy limited elements to the Kursk region instead of sending them to the operation to capture Pokrovsk or Toretsk suggests that it was unable to completely isolate its priority offensive operations in the Donetsk region from the human needs caused by the Ukrainian invasion of Kursk," the analysts concluded.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, as of mid-August, Russia had already withdrawn incomplete personnel of several brigades from the Ukrainian front - a total of 5,000 occupants. However, according to experts, to push the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of the Kursk region, the Kremlin needs about 20,000 trained soldiers.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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Rajasthan education minister Madan Dilawar on Sunday said all school textbooks glorifying Mughal emperor Akbar and referring to him as great "will be burnt".

IMAGE: Rajasthan education minister Madan Dilawar (centre). Photograph: ANI Photo

The minister's statement came during his visit to Udaipur, where he was addressing a gathering during an event in the Vivekanand Auditorium of Mohanlal Sukhadia University.

He said comparing Akbar with Maharana Pratap is an insult to the Rajput warrior king and the pride of Rajasthan.

He referred to Maharana Pratap as people's protector, who never accepted to bow down, while Akbar got many people killed for his own gains.

So, calling Akbar "great" is an act of foolishness, he added.

Dilawar said there was no bigger enemy to the Mewar region and Rajasthan than those who praised Akbar in their school textbooks and called him "great".

The minister said, "We have seen the books of all classes. We have not found it (mention of Akbar as great) in the books yet. If it is there, then all the books will be burnt."

Maharana Pratap was a legendary Rajput warrior king of Mewar, renowned for his unwavering bravery and resistance against the Mughal Empire, especially in the Battle of Haldighati fought in 1576.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday said several parts of Vijayawada city have been flooded due to unprecedented rainfall, swollen rivulets and flood water inflows, disrupting normal life of over 2.7 lakh people.

IMAGE: A flooded housing colony after heavy rains, in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, September 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI on X

The Chief Minister said Budameru, a rivulet on the outskirts of the city suffered breaches and overflowed at many places, inundating the ground floors of thousands of residential buildings in Ajit Singh Nagar, Krishnalanka, Bhupesh Nagar, Ibrahimpatnam and others.

"Due to Budameru breaches, floodwaters are coming into Vijayawada. As a result, all of this place has been submerged. It is very sad," Naidu said, addressing a press conference at NTR district collectorate, and added that floodwaters are expected to rise in the coming hours.

According to the CM, heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of neighbouring Telangana are also entering into Budameru to add to the woes.

Stating that there is no other option but to resolutely face this exigency, Naidu said the unexpected torrential rain in Guntur and Vijayawada, estimated to be 35 cm (rainfall), and floodwater inflows from Nagarjunasagar, Srisailam, Pulichintala and other projects worsened the situation.

Highlighting that 16 wards were affected in Ajit Singh Nagar, Naidu said over 2.76 lakh people live in these areas, fearing that large damage could occur.

Naidu said 9.7 lakh cusecs of flood water was discharged by 9 pm from Prakasam Barrage on Sunday, recalling that flooding of this magnitude last happened in 1998. The CM said the discharge could rise further.

Back in 1998, he said 9.24 lakhs cusecs of flood water was released from Prakasam Barrage, a rise of 50,000 cusecs now.

Meanwhile, director general of police Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao said Vijayawada is in the grip of floods and some areas were badly inundated.

"Main problem now is that some areas in Vijayawada city itself are badly inundated. Quite a few residents are stranded. Water has come to a very high level, especially in Ajit Singh Nagar, Jakkampudi Colony and others," Rao told PTI.

The DGP said a similar situation prevails in Krishnalanka area and food is being distributed to the affected people.

Though officials are striving to evacuate as many people as possible, the top police officer said it is becoming difficult as there is a paucity of boats.

"Boats are not sufficient. We are getting more boats and also some helicopters tomorrow (Monday) morning. We are getting NDRF teams," he said.

Naidu spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and updated him over the deluge and requested for the dispatch of power boats to the southern state for rescue operations.

Further, he asked for six NDRF teams for Andhra Pradesh from other states while the Union home ministry informed Naidu that boats and NDRF teams would reach Vijayawada before Monday morning.

According to an official press release, home secretary Govind Mohan assured Naidu that 40 power boats and six helicopters would be sent to the southern state on Monday.

Meanwhile, Subbaraju, a resident from Ajit Singh Nagar police station area said water level has reached up to 10 ft and all ground floors and cellars were submerged.

"We haven't had power since 8 am today. Prakash Nagar, Payakapuram, Rajarajeshwari Peta, Singh Nagar Dabba Kottula centre, Nandamuri Nagar and Pipula Road are all submerged," Subbaraju told PTI.

Observing that residents are fearing further rise in water level, he said people are avoiding venturing outside while the floodwaters are infested with snakes.

Moreover, he said residents on the ground floor were seeking refuge in the upper floors of buildings while mobile phones of several people stopped working due to power-related issues.

An Ajit Singh Nagar resident complained that authorities issued no warning over the floods while another said she saw food packets being distributed.

Further, vehicle movement and traffic situation at Kanchikacherla near Vijayawada is in haywire due to the rain and flood-induced disruption.
'I have been a spokesperson of the party for the last 41 years and now I think some other party member should take up my post,' Tyagi tells Rediff.com.

IMAGE: Janata Dal-United leader K C Tyagi. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo

Janata Dal-United leader K C Tyagi surprised everyone on Sunday morning when he announced his decision to quit as chief spokesperson of the party.

Tyagi is the closest confidant of Bihar Chief minister Nitish Kumar and has always stood by him during ups and downs in his political career.

In January 2024, when Nitish Kumar revamped the party, he appointed Tyagi as political advisor and spokesperson, elevating him from the earlier post of special adviser-cum-chief spokesperson.

When Rediff.com contacted K C Tyagi, he said, "I have some personal duties to do therefore I decided to quit."

Tyagi's stepping down from the party post comes at a time when reports indicate that all is not well between Janata Da-United chief Nitish Kumar and Rajiv Ranjan, popularly known as Lalan Singh, Union minister in the National Democratic Alliance government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Lalan Singh's recently developed proximity to Bharatiya Janata Party leaders was causing concern within the JD-U as many in Patna fear that there could be some kind of 'Khela Hobe' -- the political manouevres undertaken by the by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kolkata to unsettle Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee -- in Patna as well.

Tyagi brushed off such rumours stating, "I have been a spokesperson of the party for the last 41 years and now I think some other party member should take up my post."

In December 2023, Nitish Kumar had taken over as JD-U chief after showing the door to Lalan Singh.

The BJP-led government of Prime Minister Modi is short of 33 seats in the Lok Sabha for a simple majority on its own.

It has got the support of 12 JD-U MPs, 16 Telugu Desam Party MPs and five MPs of Chirag Paswan-led Lok Jan Shakti Party-Ram Vilas which adds to 272 seats.

Besides, with smaller parties and Independent MPs extending support to the Modi government, the total adds up to 293 MPs in the Lok Sabha.

Asked if his resignation at such a time sends a wrong message to party cadres since he was the face of the party, Tyagi said, "There is an age to do everything. I have finished my responsibilities as a party worker and therefore I am resigning. New people should get chance. 41 years is a long time to continue. I joined in 1984."
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's suggestion to rename the 156-year-old Ravenshaw University in Cuttack has sparked a political row with Opposition Biju Janata Dal and Congress demanding an apology from him.

IMAGE: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan arrives to attend the BJP central election committee meeting for the Haryana Assembly elections, at the party headquarters in New Delhi, August 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Pradhan while attending a programme in Cuttack on Saturday had suggested that the name Ravenshaw University be changed.

"There is a need for a name change. What did Ravenshaw, after whom the university is named, do during the famine," the minister had asked, adding that it was his personal opinion and open to debate.

BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty at a press conference here came down heavily on Pradhan and said that the Union Education minister lacks knowledge of the history of the state and the contribution of Ravenshaw to higher education in Odisha.

"It is a very unfortunate statement given by Pradhan under the cover of Odisha 'Asmita' (pride). He should have read a little history before doing so," Mohanty said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party immediately reacted and asked the opposition party not to make it a political issue.

"The remark on Ravenshaw was the Union minister's personal opinion. He is free to give his opinion on issues," said deputy chief minister KV Singhdeo and Odisha's higher education minister Suryabanshi Suraj.

BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal said: "The BJD has the habit of arguing in support of non-Odia officers. Now, they have crossed all limits and are fighting for a British officer. The Union minister has taken a democratic approach by seeking a debate on the issue. The BJD during its 24-year rule did not even hand over an inch of land in the name of Ravenshaw university while claiming its love for the institute.

Congress MLA from Barabati-Cuttack Sofia Firdous said that Ravenshaw is an emotion and instead of being bothered about trivial things like renaming it, steps should be taken to develop it into a world-class university.

Congress in a statement said that the BJP should change its mindset and refrain from its act of changing the name and colour of institutions.

The prestigious institution in Cuttack city was named after Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, a British bureaucrat. He was instrumental in establishing the institute in 1868, just a couple of years after the Great Odisha Famine (Na Anka Durbhikshya).

The institute became a full-fledged university in 2006 and currently comprises nine schools and 33 departments, and has nearly 8,000 students. It is the only public university in the state to have got NAAC A++ grade.

Stating that he was against renaming Raveshaw university, former MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said he was ready for a debate over the matter. "Changing the name of Ravenshaw university does not change the character or increase the quality of education. The Union Education Minister should take steps to improve the quality of education," Patnaik said.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said delay in court decisions in heinous crimes, like rape, forces the common man to think that the judicial process lacks sensitivity, even as she called for a change in 'culture of adjournments' in the judiciary.

IMAGE: President Droupadi Murmu addresses the valedictory session of the 2-day National Conference of District Judiciary organised by the Supreme Court of India, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, September 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

She said longstanding pendency and backlog of cases is a big challenge before the judiciary.

"When court decisions in a heinous crime like rape come after a generation has passed, the common man feels that the judicial process lacks sensitivity," Murmu said addressing the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary.

The President said programmes such as special Lok Adalat week should be organised more frequently to clear the backlog.

"All stakeholders have to find a solution by giving priority to this problem," she said.

Murmu lamented that "in some cases, people with resources continue to roam around fearlessly and freely even after committing crimes."

Those who suffer from their crimes live in fear as if they have committed some crime, she said.

She also pointed out that the poor from villages are afraid to go to court.

"They become a participant in the justice process of the court only under great compulsion. Often they tolerate injustice silently because they feel that fighting for justice can make their lives more miserable," she said at the event held by the Supreme Court at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

For them, going away from the village to the court even once becomes a cause of great mental and financial pressure, she said.

"In such a situation, many people cannot even imagine the pain that poor people experience due to the culture of adjournment. Every possible measure should be taken to change this situation," she said.

The President said that many are aware about "White Coat Hypertension" due to which people's blood pressure increases in a hospital environment.

Similarly, she said, the stress of an ordinary person increases in the courtroom settings, a phenomenon known as "Black Coat Syndrome".

This nervousness renders ordinary people often unable to tell even those things in their favour which they already know and would like to say, she said.

Murmu said every judge and judicial officer of the country has the moral responsibility to respect dharma, truth, and justice.

"At the district level, this moral responsibility is the lighthouse of the judiciary. The district-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens.

"Therefore, providing justice to the people through the district courts with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost is the basis of the success of our judiciary," the President said.

Murmu said there are many challenges before the judiciary which require coordinated efforts for their resolution.

For example, the judiciary, government and police administration should work together to find solutions to issues related to evidence and witnesses, she said.

The President said the feeling of faith and reverence towards justice has been a part of the country's tradition, which even entails treating judges as gods.

Murmu said that in the past few years there have been significant improvements in the availability of infrastructure, facilities, training and human resources of the judiciary at the district level.

"But a lot remains to be done in all these areas," she said.

The President said the Constitution provides for the devolving of power and responsibilities of the Legislative and Executive bodies to local level through panchayats and municipalities, and urged those present "if we could think of a justice system at the local level equivalent to these."

Murmu said that justice delivery in local language and conditions can help country achieve the ideal of justice for all.

She also suggested efforts be made to look after health and education of children of women in prisons.

She said it "should also be our priority" to help juvenile delinquents improve their thinking and mental health, and provide them with useful life skills and free legal aid.

Murmu said since its establishment, the Supreme Court of India has made an invaluable contribution as a vigilant sentinel of the judicial system of the world's largest democracy.

Indian jurisprudence has a very respectable place because of the Supreme Court, she said at the conference organised to mark 75 years of establishment of the top court.

Murmu also expressed happiness over the increase in the number of women judicial officers.

She unveiled the flag and insignia of the Supreme Court during the event attended by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal.
On Saturday evening, August 31, Russian occupants attacked the Sumy-Kharkiv highway near the village of Verkhnya Syrovatka, Sumy district. The missile attack damaged a convoy of grain trucks.

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In addition, the shelling killed a 23-year-old driver and injured 5 other people, including the drivers. The Sumy Regional Military Administration, the National Police of Ukraine, and the Sumy Prosecutor's Office reported on the consequences of the shelling.

"On the evening of August 31, 2024, the enemy launched a missile attack on the territory of one of the communities of the Sumy district," the statement said.

The attack damaged grain trucks. These vehicles were intended for harvesting and transportation of crops. One truck caught fire and about 20 were damaged.

It is noted that one person was killed and five others were injured as a result of the attack. Medical services are providing the victims with the necessary assistance. Emergency services continue to assess the extent of the damage and the consequences of the attack.

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The Sumy Regional Prosecutor's Office is conducting a pre-trial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Russian Federation troops also attacked Cherkaska Lozova near Kharkiv on Saturday afternoon, August 31. At least two people were killed and eight were wounded (as of 16:30).

The enemy shelled both Cherkaska Lozova and Kharkiv itself. Preliminary, enemy aircraft dropped guided bombs.

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As reported, on the morning of August 31, the Russian Armed Forces shelled the village of Novoosynove, Kupiansk district, Kharkiv region. Three civilians were injured.

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (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.

IMAGE: Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore (at centre) pose with Expedition 71 Flight Engineers (far left) Mike Barratt and Tracy C Dyson (far right), both NASA astronauts, in their spacesuits aboard the International Space Station's Quest airlock, June 24, 2024. Photograph: Kind courtesy NASA

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 Sunita 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 United States Space Force, Hague completed a developmental rotation at the Defence 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.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 64F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low around 40F. Winds light and variable.
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.
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
The Netherlands has decided to provide Ukraine with 28 amphibious armored personnel carriers. The vehicles in question are BvS-10 Viking. Although Ukrainians have already seen these APCs on the battlefield, no official announcement of their delivery to Ukraine has been made until now.

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The decision to provide BvS-10 Vikings now was announced by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans. He noted that "Ukraine desperately needs help in the fight against the Russian aggressor."

"The Netherlands is already handing over 28 Viking vehicles. The Dutch Marine Corps has previously trained Ukrainian military to operate these vehicles," Ruben Brekelmans said.

Separately, the Dutch Minister of Defense noted that "Ukraine has the right to self-defense" and, in this context, "has the right to strike deep into Russia."

"They can hit military targets in Russia if it is necessary for self-defense. The Netherlands has not set any restrictions in terms of miles or kilometers that Ukraine can use our weapons. The only condition is that it must be in self-defense. And this is what is key for the Netherlands," he emphasized.

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The BvS-10 (abbreviation for Bandvagn Skyddad, "protected tracked vehicle") is a Swedish-British fully-amphibious armoured all-terrain vehicle consisting of two tracked vehicle units manufactured by BAE Systems Haglunds. The Armed Forces of Ukraine began using Bandvagn and BvS-10 in April 2023, although no official reports of these vehicles being delivered to Ukraine have been made.

It is possible that the delivery of these amphibious vehicles was hidden in the "other miscellaneous ammunition, vehicles and equipment" line of the military aid list.

The BvS-10 Viking was created to replace its predecessor, the Bv-206S. This amphibious vehicle can perform a wide variety of tasks. For this purpose, several variants of modular armor have been created, and it is possible to mount various weapons systems and equip the vehicle with weapons of mass destruction protection.

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Initially, the BvS-10 Viking was designed specifically for the British Marines in three modifications. In addition to being a troop transport vehicle, it is also a mobile command post (with an advanced digital platform) and even a mobile repair and restoration plant for any equipment (the rear cabin contains a crane, a fully equipped portable workshop, an air compressor, and a 9-ton winch).

All three modifications are fully equipped for navigation, they are able to sail in various currents when fully loaded with passengers and cargo.

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The armored personnel carrier is equipped with a 5.9-liter Cummins engine. A new steering system has been developed for the vehicle, which provides a significant increase in speed and improved comfort on and off-road.

The BvS-10 Viking was first seen in combat in Afghanistan in 2006.

Experts believe that the ability of these vehicles to move at high speed over difficult terrain is invaluable. Another advantage of the BvS-10 Viking is that they are too light to activate most anti-tank mines.

As reported, Ukraine has handed over to the United States a list of targets in Russia that it wants to hit with American ATACMS missiles. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that he hoped that the arguments of the Ukrainian side had been heard.

In total, there are at least 250 military and paramilitary targets in Russia that can be hit by ATACMS missiles. However, the United States limits the use of these missiles to strike targets in Russia, allowing only HIMARS.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has waged an over 20-year insurgency against the Pakistani state, carrying out mostly small-scale attacks against government forces.

But that changed last week when the separatist militant group claimed responsibility for major coordinated attacks across the vast and impoverished southwestern province of Balochistan, killing over 70 people.



The bombings and shootings on August 25-26 were the deadliest in years in Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran and is home to Pakistans Baluch ethnic minority.



Experts say the attacks highlight the growing strength of the BLA, which has boosted its recruitment and gained access to modern weapons. The U.S.-designated terrorist group has also adopted more lethal tactics like suicide bombings in recent years.



These attacks were unprecedented and mark a new escalation in the tensions in Balochistan, said Kiyya Baloch, a Pakistani journalist and commentator who tracks militancy in the region. It shows the BLAs determination to showcase its growing strength.



Demonstrating Dominance



In an operation that began late on August 25, BLA fighters bombed a railway bridge linking the province to the rest of Pakistan, attacked police and military posts, and targeted buses and trucks on a major highway.



In the deadliest attack, BLA fighters stopped a bus and shot dead 23 of its passengers, many of whom were from Punjab, Pakistan's most populous and prosperous province.



The coordinated attacks coincided with the anniversary of the death of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti, who was killed by Pakistan's security forces in 2006.

Aziz Baloch, an independent security expert in Balochistan, said the BLA is keen to demonstrate that it can demoralize the [Pakistani] Army and establish itself as the dominant militant group in the province.



Balochistan has been the scene of a low-level insurgency and a brutal army crackdown for decades.



The BLA and other separatist Baluch groups seek independence from Pakistan, which they blame for exploiting the vast natural resources in Balochistan and committing grave human rights abuses in the region.



The BLA is considered the largest armed group operating in Balochistan. Experts believe the BLA has several thousand members.



Researchers have documented a sharp increase in the number of attacks carried out by Baluch groups so far this year.



Better Guns, Deadlier Tactics



Experts say the BLA has become a more organized and increasingly potent fighting force.



Pakistani militant groups, including the BLA, are believed to have obtained American weapons and military equipment. When U.S. and international forces pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021, they left behind billions of dollars worth of military gear and weapons that were then seized by the Taliban after it captured power.



Its acquisition of modern weapons has enhanced BLAs combat capabilities, said Baloch, the journalist and commentator.



Baloch added that the BLA, a secular group, has also adopted more lethal tactics used by Islamist militant groups like the Afghan Taliban and the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, also known as the Pakistani Taliban.



They include the use of suicide bombings, improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, and so-called complex attacks involving multiple attackers and vehicle-borne IEDs.



The Majeed Brigade, the BLAs suicide squad, is believed to have carried out most of the groups complex attacks.



In 2022, a 31-year-old mother became the first woman to carry out a suicide bombing for the BLA. The move was considered a paradigm shift by some observers.



Exploiting Local Anger



Experts say local factors have also strengthened the BLA.



Baloch, the security expert in Balochistan, said the BLA has been successful in recruiting Baluch youth. Around 65 percent of Balochistans population of 15 million are under the age of 30.

They have a lot of manpower and have been attracting female [recruits], too, he said.



Baloch, the journalist and commentator, said poverty, high unemployment, alleged abuses by the authorities, and political suppression have made Balochistan a fertile ground for the BLA to attract and recruit more youth.



Many BLA leaders and fighters are former trained professionals and university students.



Observers say Pakistan has resorted to brute force to crush successive Baluch insurgencies and ignored the long-standing grievances of the Baluch ethnic minority.



The BLA is a manifestation of the states failure to manage and govern Balochistan, said Baloch, the security expert.



Abdul Malik Baloch, a politician and former chief minister of Balochistan, said many Baluch are becoming increasingly disillusioned with what they call Islamabads political meddling in the province.



Baloch said rigged elections in Balochistan aimed at empowering pro-Islamabad figures have disenchanted those who believe in peaceful politics.



Political activists tell me that democracy here is a fraud, he said. They feel we are wasting their time.



Abdul Malik Baloch, who leads the secular National Party, was among several prominent Baluch leaders who lost their seats in parliamentary elections in February. The lawmaker remains a member of the provincial assembly.



Opposition figures accused Pakistans powerful military, which has an oversized role in the domestic and foreign affairs of the country, of rigging the vote.



Disappointment is pushing people into the arms of the insurgency, said Baloch, the former chief minister.
Just two weeks before the start of the new school year, Ilsur Khadiullin, the education and science minister of Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, warned that the region faces a serious shortage of teachers.

"Much attention is paid in Tatarstan to the training of teachers and the development of professional skills," Khadiullin told an August 13 meeting of educators in Layesh. "Nevertheless, for the coming academic year, there is a shortage of more than 2,000 teachers."



The ministry's website put the figure at "almost 2,300."



The announcement came as no surprise to many educators in the region, who say low salaries and other unfavorable conditions are making teaching an increasingly unattractive profession.



"It is a well-known fact that salaries are low," said one former teacher,* who left her school in the Tatar capital, Kazan, two years ago. "Young people can earn much more at other jobs. You can get 70,000-80,000 rubles ($765-875) a month as a courier."



"If you get extra work at your school, you can get 30,000 ($325) or 40,000 ($440) -- maximum 50,000 ($550)," she added. "But for this you have to work both day and night. There is no time to breathe."



The woman said she loved her job as a teacher, but the overcrowded classrooms, onerous administrative duties, and low wages forced her to leave.



There are about 32,000 teachers in Tatarstan, according to government statistics. The average basic salary is reportedly 53,000 rubles ($580) a month. According to job advertisements studied by RFE/RL, actual starting salaries are even lower. About a third of teachers teach additional classes or take on other work at school to boost their take-home pay.



Participants in online chat groups for teachers and other educators in Tatarstan also highlight the problems of low pay and overwork.



"This problem can be solved very easily," one teacher wrote on the VK social media site. "First, teaching should be the focus of the job. Free teachers from the huge amount of unnecessary paperwork. Second, the salary should be at least 100,000 rubles ($1,000).

The average age of a teacher in Tatarstan is about 48, according to republican government figures. Some 21 percent are under the age of 35.



Khadiullin said at the August meeting in Layesh that roughly 4,000 people graduate from the republic's pedagogical universities and institutes each year, "but not all are employed by schools."



"Staffing shortages remain a problem that has not been solved yet," he conceded.



School budgets have been further stretched since the 2021 introduction of the Navigators of Childhood project, under which each school director must hire an "adviser" in charge of "vospitaniye," a Russian term that denotes the process of raising and educating children with proper behavior for integration into adult society. The program has been seen as part of the state's efforts to prevent youths from drifting into dissenting circles.

Schools have been pressing staff members to try to recruit acquaintances to fill the shortfall. In addition, announcements regularly appear on education-themed social-media chats. Ads seeking teachers have even appeared on Avito, a Russian classifieds site. Recently a rural Tatarstan school placed a notice there seeking a history and social-studies teacher for 35,000 rubles ($380) a month.

One school in Kazan has been placing primitive flyers seeking teachers in the entranceways to residential buildings.



In 2017, thousands of teachers in the republic were terminated when mandatory Tatar-language classes were dramatically reduced following complaints from ethnic-Russian residents of the region. President Vladimir Putin said at the time that it was "impermissible to force someone to learn a language that is not [their] mother tongue, as well as to reduce the hours of Russian-language [instruction] in Russia's ethnic republics."

In response to a recent online advertisement seeking Tatar-language teachers, one educator commented in a private chat on August 19: "First they fired them, and now they are trying to hire them back."



Teacher shortages are a chronic problem across Russia, as well as in many other countries. Early in the 2023 school year, Russian Education Minister Tatyana Golikova said the nation faced a shortage of "nearly 11,000" educators.

Written by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service



*EDITOR'S NOTE: Because the Russian government has designated RFE/RL an "undesirable organization," RFE/RL conceals the identities of its sources in Russia to protect them from prosecution.
Dozens were wounded after Russia struck the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv with ballistic missiles on September 1, local officials say. RFE/RL filmed firefighters trying to quench flames from leaking gas after a missile had hit the city's central gas pipeline. It was the third consecutive day of intensified Russian air attacks on Ukraine's second-biggest city.
Most European countries that have provided Ukraine with weapons do not prohibit the use of these weapons to strike inside Russia. However, this issue has not yet been resolved solely because of the position of the United States.

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All Western weapons have components provided by the United States, so Washington has the last word on strikes against Russia. This was stated by Roman Bezsmertny, an expert on international politics, in a commentary to OBOZ.UA.

According to him, some European countries do not prohibit the use of weapons provided by them to strike Russian territory. However, the source of this position is the United States.

"If, for example, we accept a certain type of weapon, then in order to reach an agreement, it is necessary that all those involved in the collection of this weapon give their consent on NATO procedural issues. If Storm Shadow is France and the United Kingdom. If it is SCALP, it is Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, but we must keep in mind that all these weapons have components provided by the United States," said Bezsmertny.

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He also added that if the US position is to restrict or authorize certain weapons, then most Western countries will take exactly the same position. Therefore, the issue is not resolved in Washington today. At the same time, if you look at the agreements on the supply of Western arms, there is no ban anywhere.

"The ban is verbal in nature. Moreover, as we remember the history, in some cases, in some sectors, it was allowed, in particular, in the Kharkiv sector, an agreement was reached that the Ukrainian armed forces could strike at the enemy's territory," Bezsmertny explained.

As a reminder, Finnish President Alexander Stub called for the lifting of all restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons against Russia. These restrictions are absurd, as Russia is waging an illegal war of aggression, violating all international norms.

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As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the EU foreign ministers discussed the possible lifting of restrictions on Ukraine' s use of weapons deep into Russian territory at a meeting in Brussels. However, they failed to agree on this. As a result, each country will decide for itself whether it will allow Ukraine to use its weapons inside Russia.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
David Raleigh

Two men are being treated for serious injuries at Cork University Hospital after they fell through the roof of a shed while carrying out work on a farm in Co Limerick on Saturday.

The men sustained head and other injuries during the workplace accident, around lunchtime, at a farm at Ardagh, in west county Limerick.

The two men, named locally as Jimmy Duggan (61), and David Woulfe (50s), were airlifted from the farm by two air ambulances, to Cork University Hospital.

A Garda spokeswoman said that Gardai and emergency services attended a workplace incident on a premises in Ardagh, Co. Limerick and that, the Health and Safety Authority has been notified.

The Garda spokeswoman said the men's injuries were believed to be serious at this time.

Two units from Newcastle West Fire and Rescue Service were also dispatched to the scene to assist ambulance personnel.

Former mayor of Limerick, Fianna Fail councillor Michael Collins, who knows both men, said: Its a big, big shock to the local community and everyone hopes they will be well and that they will be okay in the days ahead; all we can do is wish them well.

They are two very well-known community people, they are both very, very involved in the GAA, and the community, they are very well known and very respected.

Mr Woulfe is the current chairperson of the St Kierans GAA Club, Ardagh, and Mr Duggan is also closely associated with the club. A spokesperson for St Kierans club said its volunteer network are rallying around both men and their families.

Prayers were being said locally that both men would recover from their injuries.

The Health and Safety Authority were contacted for comment but did not immediately respond.
A poll that has found large support for a second term of Fine Gael/Fianna Fail coalition government, the plummeting value of office buildings, and frustrated Irish fans missing out on Oasis tickets are among the stories that feature on Sunday's front pages.

A Sunday Independent poll has found two thirds of people are in favour of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail continuing in government, while Sinn Fein's support has slumped again.

Banks are ready to 'go to war' with office owners, the Business Post reports.

Tomorrows front page. Pick up a copy in stores or subscribe at https://t.co/u5ystSGUtr:



 Banks ready to go to war with office owners as values plummet



 Former Ryanair executive set to join HSE board in bid to drive productivity pic.twitter.com/ci6Iw1ms78  Business Post (@businessposthq) August 31, 2024

The Irish Sun leads with Irish fans missing out on Oasis tickets.

The Sunday World leads with a story on the funeral of a member of the Kinahan crime gang.

The Sunday Life leads with a story on a teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student.

Political issues dominate the front pages of Sundays UK newspapers.

Teachers unions have urged the government to scrap testing pupils on times table and strip back grammar exams, The Sunday Telegraph reports.

 'Stop testing children on timetables, unions tell ministers'#TomorrowsPapersToday



Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/CK8LLo5PAx  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 31, 2024

The Sunday Times leads on pledges from the UK education secretary Bridget Phillipson to crack down on school absences, promising more fines for parents who let their children stay home without good reason.

SUNDAY TIMES: Parents wreck pupils futures by letting them stay at home #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/4bpEsP9RB6  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 31, 2024

The Sunday Express focuses on warnings from pub landlords that Labours outdoor smoking crackdown could lead to violence outside venues.

New research finds most people believe they need to spend money on private healthcare because of long NHS queues, according to The Observer.

OBSERVER: NHS queues mean most people expect to go private #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/z0duYIGZ2z  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 31, 2024

A special investigation from The Independent explores alleged systemic failures to stop a known abuser from murdering two women in 16 months.

INDEPENDENT: Why was a known abuser left free to murder two women? #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/HSuyERw0Yk  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 31, 2024

The Mail on Sunday says Prince Harry has sought advice from former aides on returning from royal exile.

MAIL ON SUNDAY: Harry asks former aides to help plot his return from exile #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/6GxftsQKOf  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 31, 2024

The Sunday Mirror says Netflix is planning a documentary about convicted killer Lucy Letby, featuring experts who doubt the verdict.

Former Eastenders star Daniella Westbrook says she was targeted by serial predator Jimmy Savile, according to the Star on Sunday.

STAR: TV Danni: I was victim of sick Savile #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/RaaB3OBChr  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 31, 2024

The Trump campaign has turned to YouTubers to help them court younger voters, The New York Times reports.
Boyle Musical Society is looking for young people aged from 7 to 18 to play the parts of the Von Trapp children in its forthcoming production of 'The Sound of Music.

The show will be staged from November 20th to 23rd.

The group will be holding auditions for these parts at 7 p.m. on this Wednesday, September 4th in Abbey College, Boyle and will be specifically looking for girls aged from 7 to 18 and boys aged between 10 and 15 to play the parts of the children.

The auditions will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.. If your child is interested in auditioning download and completing the registration form. Follow the link on the Boyle Musical Society Facebook page.

Each person will be required to sing the song Do-Re-Mi from the show and a link to this can be found with the registration form.

Latecomers or anybody not registered will not be admitted to the auditions.
September 1, 2024

Click here for a roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 01.09.2024, 13:55

VISIT The president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, urged the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to choose to stay on their path towards EU integration in this autumns referendum. While on an official visit to Chisinau, Iohannis said Romanias strategic commitment to supporting the democratic development of Moldova would remain unwavering in the long run, and called on all international partners to provide consistent support to Moldovas EU accession efforts. In turn, the president of Moldova, Maia Sandu thanked Romania for its support in the initiation of EU accession negotiations, in fighting the COVID pandemic and in mitigating the electricity shortages caused by the Russian bombings in Ukraine. She said Romania played a vital part in consolidating her countrys energy independence. The two officials signed a Joint Declaration on bilateral cooperation to consolidate the resilience of the Republic of Moldova. The Romanian presidents visit to Chisinau took place as Romania and Moldova celebrated the Romanian Language Day on August 31.

PARLIAMENT The Parliament of Romania resumes its sessions tomorrow, after the summer recess. Its agenda includes a bill raising the pension tax threshold from EUR 400 at present to EUR 600. The ruling coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party decided a few days ago that the new bill should be rushed through Parliament, so that it may take effect on October 1, explained the culture minister Raluca Turcan, a former labour minister. As of this month, the reviewed pension benefits are being paid to beneficiaries. Of the 4.7 million pensioners in Romania, 3.8 million will receive higher benefits, and the remaining 900,000 will be paid the same amounts as they have so far. Although decisions were issued under which certain pensioners benefits were cut down, this is only valid on paper, with the Labour Ministry and National Pensions Agency to send notifications in this respect to all the beneficiaries in this situation.

TOURISM The Romanian minister of economy, entrepreneurship and tourism, Radu Oprea, believes the national tourism industry has extremely high potential, but warns that success cannot be achieved without a well-thought plan. While in the resort of Neptun, on the Romanian Black Sea coast, he said a true public-private partnership is needed, and added that a tourism development strategy is currently reviewed by relevant ministries. Oprea voiced his dissatisfaction with the local authorities in the seaside area, which ruined the resort concept by approving the construction of apartment buildings next to hotels. Such urbanisation, the official said, threatens to destroy the charm of seaside resorts and implicitly their financial success.

FLOODS The heavy rainfalls in the past few days caused damage in the south-east of Romania. The most affected region is the Black Sea coast, where precipitations reached 200 litres per square metre, the equivalent of 6 months worth of rain. A heavy rainfall alert is still in place in the region. Agigea, Tuzla, Venus, Saturn, Mangalia and Vama Veche are among the most affected resorts. In certain parts of the town of Mangalia, waters reached car windows, while in Vama Veche the floods tore the beach in two, overturned vehicles and destroyed outdoor restaurants. A total of 17 hotels and guest houses were flooded. Fire fighters with the Dobrogea Emergency Inspectorate received 800 calls for help, and rescued 61 people in 24 hours.

INSURANCE Four out of 5 households in Romania are vulnerable to natural disasters, fire or explosion, according to data released by the National Insurers Union. Only 17% of the homes in Romania are protected by an optional insurance policy. Only 3 regions are above the national averageBucharest-Ilfov, 29%, the west of the country, with 20%, and the centre of the country, 18%.

SCHOOLS The number of schools in Romania to use electronic class registers in the school year beginning on September 9 is 63% higher than last year. According to the education ministry, nearly 1,900 schools will use electronic registration, 733 more than in 2023. As many as 167 of them are in Bucharest. Under the law, they use private software or platforms, and cannot request students or their families to pay for these services. All electronic registers will have authentication options for teachers, students and parents. (AMP)
September 1, 2024 UPDATE

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Radio Romania International, 01.09.2024, 20:00

DIPLOMACY Diplomacy plays a crucial role in ensuring peace and a framework favourable for the development of the country, president Klaus Iohannis said on the Romanian Diplomacy Day, celebrated on September 1. In an international context marked by conflicts, crises and challenges to the rule-based international order by certain actors, Romania benefits from security and stability, and contributes to ensuring Europes security, thanks to a coherent and courageous foreign policy, guided by well defined and well applied principles and values, the president emphasised. In turn, PM Marcel Ciolacu said the role of Romanias diplomacy is to make a contribution to the regional and global stability and security, as well as to protect and promote national interests and the interests of Romanian citizens. The foreign ministry will remain an institution that safeguards the interests of Romania, as a democratic, free and responsible EU member country and a trustworthy NATO Ally, the foreign minister Luminita Odobescu said in her message on this occasion.

PENSIONS The ministry for labour and social solidarity has completed the revision of public pension benefits in time, and over 82% of pensioners will receive increased benefits as of September, according to a message posted by the institution on its Facebook account. More than 3.8 million people have had their pensions raised by an average 26.65%. The ministry reiterated that although decisions were issued under which certain pensioners benefits were cut down, this is only valid on paper and the higher amount will continue to be paid. Meanwhile, the Parliament of Romania resumes its sessions on Monday, and its agenda includes a bill raising the pension tax threshold from EUR 400 at present to EUR 600. The ruling coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party decided to rush the new bill through Parliament, so that it may take effect on October 1.

FLOODS Rivers in Dobrogea (south-east) are under a code yellow alert for flash floods, Romanian weather experts warned on Sunday. The two counties in the region, Constanta and Tulcea, were under code yellow and orange alerts for heavy rainfalls and strong wind on Sunday as well. The heavy rainfalls in the past few days caused damage in the south-east of Romania. The most affected region was the Black Sea coast, where precipitations reached 200 litres per square metre, the equivalent of 6 months worth of rain. Agigea, Tuzla, Venus, Saturn, Mangalia and Vama Veche were among the most affected resorts.

INSURANCE Four out of 5 households in Romania are vulnerable to natural disasters, fire or explosion, according to data released by the National Insurers Union. Only 17% of the homes in Romania are protected by an optional insurance policy. Only 3 regions are above the national averageBucharest-Ilfov, 29%, the west of the country, with 20%, and the centre of the country, 18%.

SCHOOLS The number of schools in Romania to use electronic class registers in the school year beginning on September 9 is 63% higher than last year. According to the education ministry, nearly 1,900 schools will use electronic registration, 733 more than in 2023. As many as 167 of them are in Bucharest. Under the law, they use private software or platforms, and cannot request students or their families to pay for these services. All electronic registers will have authentication options for teachers, students and parents.

STRIKE The families of the Israeli hostages in Gaza have called for an all-out strike, to push the government into reaching an agreement with the Hamas Palestinian terrorist group concerning the release of all hostages. Civil service personnel around the country responded by declaring a half-day strike as of Monday. The call for a strike was made after the Israeli army found the bodies of 6 Israeli hostages in a tunnel in Rafah, in the south of Gaza Strip. Israels PM Benjamin Netanyahu said the hostage killing proved that Hamas was not interested in a deal, the BBC reports. (AMP)
President of Poland Andrzej Duda said that the aggressor country Russia is obliged to compensate Ukraine for the damage caused during the war. Our country should not rebuild at its own expense, as Poland did for 40 years.

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The Polish leader expressed this conviction on the anniversary of the beginning of World War II during events in the city of Wielun, which the Luftwaffe began bombing from the air first in 1941. He reminded that Poland suffered huge material and human losses that were not compensated, Ukrinform reports.

In total, the country's material losses as a result of German aggression exceed $1.5 trillion. More than 70% of this amount is compensation for human losses, as the country lost 5 million people during the war.

Duda noted that Germany has repeatedly apologized for the damage it caused to Poland, and Poles have forgiven in the Christian dimension, but Berlin has not compensated for material damage.

"We would not want Ukraine to have to rebuild at its own expense, as Poland did for 40 years. Ukraine will need support, but above all, it will demand compensation and reimbursement for the damage caused, which is the absolute duty of the aggressor, that is, Russia," the Polish president emphasized.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Duda said that Poland has provided Ukraine with military aid worth about 12 billion zlotys (about 3 billion US dollars). The total value of the aid - military, humanitarian, and other - is 100 billion zlotys (about 25 billion US dollars).

- Polish President Andrzej Duda also called on the Russian occupiers to leave the territory of Ukraine. At the same time, he emphasized that he would call Volodymyr Zelensky and ask him not to shoot at the retreating troops.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Domestic vs. Export: Hyundais August 2024 Balancing Act

Hyundai Motor India Limited is reporting sales figures for August 2024 that show a mixed performance. Total sales reached 63,175 units, with 49,525 units sold domestically and 13,650 units exported. These numbers reflect Hyundais current market strategy, focusing heavily on the domestic segment, which continues to represent a significant portion of overall sales.

August 2024 sales for Hyundai saw a year-over-year decline when compared to August 2023. Total sales in August 2023 were 71,435 units, marking a decrease of 8,260 units, or -11.56 percent. Domestic sales decreased by 4,305 units, equating to an -8.00 percent change. Export sales saw a sharper decline, dropping by 3,955 units, which represents a -22.47 percent decrease. This trend indicates some challenges in maintaining export volumes.

2024 So Far: Hyundais Sales Strategy Shows Resilience

Year-to-date sales for 2024, from January to August, paint a slightly more positive picture. Total sales reached 5,13,510 units, with domestic sales accounting for 4,08,310 units and exports at 1,05,200 units. Compared to the same period in 2023, these figures show a year-over-year growth of 2.06 percent. Domestic sales grew by 1.94 percent, while export sales saw a 2.51 percent increase. Numbers show that despite the August dip, overall performance for the year remains steady.

SUVs (*Redefined to include a wide range of vehicles across segments) continue to be a major contributor to Hyundais domestic sales, with a contribution rate of 66.8 percent. Key models such as the Creta, Venue and Exter have played a significant role in maintaining this market share. Popularity of SUVs in India remains strong, which aligns with Hyundais strategy to capitalise on this segment.

Hyundai Sees Modest Domestic Sales Uptick from July to August 2024

Month-over-month, domestic sales showed a modest improvement from July 2024 to August 2024. In July 2024, domestic sales were recorded at 49,013 units, while August 2024 saw an increase to 49,525 units, representing 1.04 percent rise. This growth, although minor, indicates a steady demand in the domestic market, even amidst broader fluctuations.

Hyundai is preparing to launch new models, including the Hyundai ALCAZAR, a 6 and 7-seater SUV. 2024 festive season is expected to bolster demand, and Hyundai aims to leverage this timing for a strong market response. The new Alcazar could provide a fresh boost to Hyundais overall sales strategy, particularly in the competitive and bigger SUV segment.

Driving Trends: Hyundais Strategic Focus on SUVs

A year-over-year analysis indicates challenges for Hyundai in the export market, where a significant drop in sales has been observed. External factors such as global economic conditions, currency fluctuations, production adjustments, and market-specific issues might have contributed to this decline. Hyundais focus on domestic sales seems to be a response to these external pressures, ensuring stable performance in its primary market.

The automotive market in India has seen fluctuating demand, and Hyundais strategy reflects an adaptation to these changes. By focusing on popular segments like SUVs and preparing for new model launches, Hyundai aims to solidify its market position. This strategy is crucial for maintaining growth amidst a competitive and evolving market landscape.

2024 Hyundai Alcazar Launch: Aiming for a Broader Market Share

As Hyundai moves forward, attention will likely be placed on diversifying its vehicle lineup to capture a broader audience. Hyundai Alcazar launch and its anticipated market reception could be pivotal in shaping Hyundais sales trajectory for the latter part of 2024 and beyond.

Hyundais market performance, particularly in 2024, demonstrates a balance between capitalising on strong domestic demand and navigating challenges in the export segment. With careful planning and strategic launches, Hyundai is adept to sustain its growth and adapt to the market demand in India.

Tarun Garg, Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer, HMIL said, SUVs, led by models like CRETA, VENUE and EXTER remain a key growth driver for HMIL in 2024 with 66.8% contribution to domestic sales. We are soon going to launch the bold new 6 and 7-seater SUV, Hyundai ALCAZAR and we are confident of strong festive season response to this new launch.
The authorities of the aggressor country, the Russian Federation, do not allow their citizens to leave the combat zone in the Kursk region, in particular, the city of Sudzha , which is controlled by Ukraine. The Russians themselves do not understand why the Russian army is destroying their own settlements with the use of bombs, striking at places where there are no military personnel.

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This was stated by Vadym Mysnyk, spokesperson for the Siversk operational and tactical group of troops, during a telethon on September 1. "We communicate a lot with the locals. We even show them photo exhibitions of destroyed Ukrainian cities, show films about the crimes committed by the Russians at the beginning of the war. They have different opinions," said the military.

According to him, for the most part, Russians do not understand the scale of the crimes committed by the aggressor country.

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"They say that they want peace, that they are out of politics, that everything should stop or they should be given a corridor to leave the war zone, which Russia does not give. And they don't understand why the enemy is hitting the places where there are no military, their towns and villages with both bombs and drones," said Misnyk.

He added that Russians recently destroyed Sudzha's Ice Arena with bombs, and two days ago a boarding school, "a fairly modern building, and there are many such examples."

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At the same time, the Ukrainian military is trying to create conditions for normal living conditions on the territory under its control. However, most residents of Suzha spend the night in basements, as the shelling has intensified in recent days.

The humanitarian situation is difficult, as Russia is shelling its own cities and villages, not taking into account the local population, said Misnyk.

The spokesman emphasized: "Ukraine is complying with international humanitarian law and is providing civilians with food, medicine and medical care. The supply of technical and drinking water has also been organized .

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As reported by OBOZ.UA, Sudzha is undergoing fierce attacks by Russian forces and serious destruction. The army is using scorched earth tactics not only in Ukraine, but also in its own Kursk region, where the occupiers are unsuccessfully trying to drive the Ukrainian Armed Forces out.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA correspondents visited Sudzha. It is a small district center with a population of 7 thousand people. The border with Ukraine is about 10 km away.

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Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Country musician Rory Feek is under legal scrutiny regarding his youngest daughter, Indiana, according to reports.

Feeks eldest daughter, Heidi, posted to her Instagram story telling her followers that she and her sister, Hopie, are pursuing legal action against their father regarding their youngest sister, according to PennLive.com , a SILive.com sister site. We no longer believe Indiana is safe under our fathers care, the statement read, according to Taste of Country.com.

Feek made headlines back in July with a wedding announcement eight years after his first wife, Joey, died of cancer. Both Heidi and Hopie did not attend.

Indiana, now 10, has Down syndrome and it has been reported that she was left with an unfamiliar family while Feek and his new wife, Rebecca, went on their honeymoon.

In Heidis story, she explained that the family is part of an organization known for its troubling history of child abuse, and that Feek has restricted (their) communication and visits with Indiana.

Greycliff, Montana, is a branch of Homestead Heritage, which the site describes as a farming-based, Christian community that has a lengthy track record of sexual and domestic abuse allegations.

PennLive.com reported that Heidi followed up the Instagram post with another post describing the environment she and Hopie were placed in while growing up.

Rory often left Hopie and I with people who took advantage of us  Hopie far worse than me, but she isnt ready to tell that story yet, she wrote. Recently Indie was left in the care of a group with a well-documented history of physical and sexual abuse of children. Indiana, who has special needs, deserves to be in a safe and stable environment where her well-being is the top priority.
NEW YORK -- Michael Imperioli -- best known for his his Emmy Award-winning role as Christopher Moltisanti in the hit mob series The Sopranos -- wants you to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

So much so, the 58-year-old Manhattanite, put up four recent posts on his Instagram account featuring a photo of a young Harris sporting a short 80s hairstyle.

The most recent of the three posts, which received 9,009 likes by the time of this storys publication, posted Saturday said: I saw her band open for Echo and the Bunnymen at Danceteria in 84. Anyone remember the name of the band? Was anyone else reading this there? Would love to hear other peoples stories. SAVE DEMOCRACY. VOTE KAMALA. Links in bio to REGISTER TO VOTE and DONATE to the CAMPAIGN. @kamalahq, said Imperioli, also known for a more recent role on the hit HBO series White Lotus.

A post preceding that one, which received 6,863 likes by the time of this storys publication, said: Our next president was in a really cool band in Manchester back in the day. So SAVE DEMOCRACY and VOTE KAMALA. Links in bio TO REGISTER TO VOTE and DONATE to the CAMPAIGN. @kamalahq.

Apparently, fans helped jog his memory about the band and its name.

In an Instagram post by Imperioli on Sunday, he said: Big love to ALL who follow here. so.thanks for all the responses! the name of her band was CEILING UNLIMITED (its an aeronautical term and can be heard at the end of the film Casablanca), they were [signed] briefly to EARWAX CANDY records, a small label out of Long Beach, CA that i believe shared some DNA with SST records. Their final show was a 1991 double bill with GALAXY 500 at the old KNITTING FACTORY on Houston St. in NYC. Tom G (of Black Angus) reminded me that they closed with a 20 minute cover of VENUS IN FURS. My friend Eszter B sat in on accordion. It was absolutely glorious.oh yeahSAVE DEMOCRACY. VOTE FOR KAMALA. Links in Bio to REGISTER to VOTE and to DONATE to the campaign. Much love to all who read this. @kamalahq

While Harris has said publicly she was a musician and played various instruments in her youth, information about the band and her involvement couldnt immediately be found via an Internet search.

@kamalaharris From one band kid to another: Our country is counting on your leadership.  original sound - Kamala Harris

The first of his posts with the same photo supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, had this caption: I would vote for her based on this photo alone. Some fans criticized the actor for the statement, reported the NY Post.

Michael Imperioli poses for a Red Carpet portrait at the 75th Emmy Awards on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images)Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

The Photo

The photo of the young Harris which has been used on campaign merch, was actually taken during her time as a student at Howard University, Washington D.C., in the 1980s, according to Yahoo News.

So, this is a photograph when I was joining my sorority during a particularly active week in front of Rankin Chapel, thats where we are here. Where we would go every Sunday for services, Harris said in a YouTube video. One of my names was C-Cubed, for cool, calm, and collected.

St. George Theater Performance

And Imperioli is no stranger to Staten Island.

In fact, Staten Islanders cant get enough of The Sopranos, so when the St. George Theatre featured Sopranos stars Steve Schirripa and Vincent Pastore along with Imperioli in Conversation With the Sopranos in 2022, it was a sold out show.

Imperioli also joined The Wanderers (Mark Stein and Tom Wrobleski) that year to talk about the upcoming live show and to share memories of The Sopranos, including his friendship with the late James Gandolfini, who played mob boss Tony Soprano on the show.

MICHAEL IMPERIOLI OF "THE SOPRANOS" JOINS THE WANDERERS MICHAEL IMPERIOLI TALKS "SOPRANOS" AHEAD OF ST. GEORGE THEATRE SHOW Posted by Staten Island Advance on Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Imperioli also talked about his work on Goodfellas with director Martin Scorcese and actors Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.

In addition, Imperioli told The Wanders a wild tale about how his Sopranos Emmy award ending up in the trash after a long night of partying.

Sopranos stars Michael Imperioli (left) and Steve Schirripa (right) pose with SILive.com's Shane DiMaio after the "In Conversation with the Sopranos" show at the St. George Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

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Mayor Eric Adams wants to build more housing in New York City.

The way hes going about it could be a nightmare for motorists in the five boroughs.

Which would be nothing new. Drivers have been demonized and their concerns marginalized in this city for the last decade, from Vision Zero to congestion pricing.

But what Adams is proposing could ignite parking wars in every neighborhood.

Under Adams plan, housing would again be permitted above existing storefronts.

And the mayor would allow low-rise buildings to be built near rail hubs, including along the Staten Island Railway.

The plan would allow people to build tiny houses in their backyards. Homeowners would be able to create living spaces in their garages.

Currently illegal mother-daughter dwellings would be legalized, likely leading a new proliferation of that kind of development.

It could lead to a lot more people coming to live in New York City as well as shifts in population within and between the boroughs.

What the City of Yes building plan does away with is the requirement that developers include on-site parking with their projects.

Is Adams kidding? It shows how truly out of touch the mayor is with places like Staten Island.

Parking is already at a premium in many Staten Island neighborhoods, never mind in the more built-up, crowded and urban communities of the other four boroughs.

Staten Island is a place where people put orange traffic cones in front of their homes in order to preserve parking spaces. Where people use garbage cans to hold spots. Where they paint yellow lines on curbs in order to discourage others from parking in certain areas.

Its a borough where parking in front of your home, or at least no more than a car length or two away from your front door, is considered close to a God-given right.

All of that could go by the wayside if these City of Yes building provisions are approved.

There could be a burst of development in this borough the likes of which havent been seen since the opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge 40 years ago.

And as the old saying goes, if you build it, they will come. And when people come, they will bring their cars, two, sometimes three or more per household.

Sure, a renter who gets an apartment within walking distance of the SIR might be able to take the train and then the ferry to work. Thats areal selling point.

But that doesnt mean you dont need a car on Staten Island. How will you shop for groceries? Take the kids to activities or the pediatrician? How will you get to the Staten Island Mall or to New Jersey shopping areas?

It simple: You need a car if youre going to live on StatenIsland. Public transportation, Uber/Lyft and a 10-speed bike will only get you so far.

Those street parking spaces are going to become ever more precious in the face of what could be a building boom without mandated on-site parking.

So get your traffic cones and garbage cans ready. Or get used to the fact that getting a spot anywhere on your block might become the new definition of success.

Sure, Staten Island needs more housing for folks starting out in life and for older people who want to downsize. Some of the City of Yes proposals could work out here, including building above storefronts and near rail hubs.

But builders simply must be mandated to provide on-site parking spaces with their projects.

Anything else would be a disaster.
A robbery attempt went wrong after a 50-year-old supermarket worker was shot in Brooklyn, according to the New York Daily News.

Police responded to an emergency call on the afternoon of August 23, from the Royal Supermarket on 8th Ave. near 15th Street in Park Slope, the report said.

According to the report, shortly after 3 p.m., police said the alleged thief walked into the store while waving a gun and demanded money.

The 50-year-old store clerk was shot in the upper left thigh after confronting the alleged gunman in a scuffle ensued, the Daily News detailed.

The suspect fled the scene empty-handed and police are continuing to investigate the incident, according to the outlet.

An area resident who frequents the store told the Advance/SILive.com she was shocked, about the incident happening in her neighborhood.

Im really shocked, said the Brooklynite. And the fact that this happened in broad daylight just makes it so much scarier. Ive always felt so safe in my neighborhood, and on my street, so Im just really in shock over it.

Its the last thing Id think would have happened here. Im in that store a fair amount, and the people who work there are the nicest, said the resident. I hope the worker is okay, and Im so thankful no one else was hurt. You hate to think how this could have been so much worse than it already is, the resident added.
NEW YORK -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today issued a statement on the six hostages killed in Gaza, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

Im devastated and horrified by the murder of six hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. My heart is with their families and loved ones today, she said.

Hersh was just 23 years old, described by his mother as a happy-go-lucky, laid back, good humored, respectful and curious person with a bright future ahead of him. My heart breaks for his parents, Rachel and Jon, who worked tirelessly to bring Hersh and all the hostages home, she added.

Pictured is Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was reportedly killed by Hammas after being taken hostage by the militant group.(The Hostages Families Forum via AP)

Hamas militants seized Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and four other hostages at a music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The native of Berkeley, California, lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. In April, a Hamas-issued video showed him alive, sparking new protests in Israel.

Israels army identified the other dead hostages as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33; also taken from the festival. The sixth, Carmel Gat, 40, was abducted from the nearby farming community of Beeri.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today issued a statement on the six hostages killed in Gaza, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.N. Scott Trimble | syracuse.com

The army said the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around a kilometer (half a mile) from where another hostage was rescued alive last week.

Hamas leaders must be held accountable for their crimes. And we will keep working until we bring the remaining hostages home, said Gillibrand.

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, one of the largest Jewish organizations in the U.S., released the following statement:

Throughout this horrific ordeal, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, the parents of the murdered American-Israeli hostage, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, have carried themselves with unimaginable dignity and grace and have relentlessly stirred our hearts and stoked our conscience. In the presence of monstrous actions and inexcusable silence, theirs was a calm, firm, and consistent voice of humanity, of loving parents who would do anything for their son  or for ours. Since October 7, they brought us together and have called upon all of us, Jews and non-Jews, world leaders and regular citizens, to see the horror being inflicted upon the hostages and to address it unambiguously and effectively. We did not live up to their example. We join in their profound grief over Hershs death.

A forum of hostage families has demanded a complete halt of the country to push for a cease-fire and hostage release.

Some 250 hostages were taken on Oct. 7. Israel now believes 101 remain in captivity, including 35 who are thought to be dead. More than 100 were freed during a cease-fire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Eight have been rescued by Israeli forces. Israeli troops mistakenly killed three Israelis who escaped captivity in December.

Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, when they stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7. Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not say how many were militants. It has displaced the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times, and plunged the besieged territory into a humanitarian catastrophe.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Filmmaker Dontae Hawkins has just been awarded Staten Island Arts prestigious Department of Cultural Affairs Premier Grant, setting the stage for an inspiring new project.

With this grant, Hawkins aims to transform the lives of underserved youth, providing them with the resources and skillsets to craft compelling digital stories and amplify their voices.

My initial vision was to offer a place and some education for the community to come and express their filmmaking and cinematic ideas, he said. This idea transformed into something ongoing, perpetually providing a place for people to come and express their ideas -- whether through learning editing, lighting, writing, etc. -- all aspects of filmmaking.

Hawkins was awarded $3,000 from Staten Island Arts for his project, Digital Narrative: Empowering Voices, to execute his vision.

Deeply immersed in the creative world of film, he earned his BFA from Long Island University in 2013. He has directed and written several films, including Focus: A Dontae Hawkins Film and Broken Mirror: A Dontae Hawkins Film.

After writing and producing his own films, he ventured into acting, appearing as Terrence in Donald Glovers new TV series Mr. & Mrs. Smith. As the eldest son of Wu-Tang founding member Lamont U-God Hawkins, Dontae also appears in two episodes of Wu-Tang: An American Saga, where he contributed as a Production Assistant.

He is a member of SAG-AFTRA, the largest labor union representing performers, broadcasters and recording artists.

Storytelling is very important. Its a way for me to express myself and be heard and also let people get to know me, so its always been very important to me since I was a young kid, he shared.

As a child, he fondly remembers how his grandmother would take him to the movies, making it their special tradition. Since then, he was enamored with that world -- learning camera work and writing.

I wish I didnt have to figure out so much by myself, he said. Having a place to go if you do have interest in these things, having a place to go to talk to other people that have the experience and the knowledge... I think its very beneficial. Also, something to do if you dont have much to do in the neighborhood and a place to just learn and be safe and to create.

The feeling of safety was not always around for Hawkins. At just 2-years-old, he became a victim of gun violence in Stapleton. It was in 1994, during a time when New York City was plagued by rampant gun violence and daily shootings of children in the city, as reported by LA Times.

Children are growing up in a war zone, the 1994 article emphasized.

A stray bullet from a gunfight in Stapleton tore through Hawkins midsection, damaging his left kidney. Doctors were concerned he might be paralyzed, but just three months later, he walked out of the hospital.

Because I feel like people die every day, and for a child to survive such an extreme accident like that is a miracle, Hawkins told the Advance/SILive.com in 2011.

He shared that the experience fuels his determination to keep moving forward. Digital Narrative: Empowering Voices is an ongoing initiative, with one piece of content created so far. Hawkins hopes that as more people get involved, additional works will be produced.

Currently, Hub17NYC on 73 Wave St. serves as the programs base of operations, with mentorship provided by Hawkins and other professionals he has collaborated with, each bringing their own areas of expertise.

Those interested in participating in the initiative and learning about filmmaking can contact Hawkins at dontae.hawkins@gmail.com or send him a direct message on Instagram.

I want people who didnt feel they have a voice to have a voice and for us to learn more about the individual stories in our community, Hawkins said.
Editors note: This story is part of an ongoing journalistic initiative to examine the political thinking of Staten Islands Gen Z population ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Gen Z is made up of those born between 1997 and 2012 and is presently the youngest generation with the power to vote in the United States. If you or someone you know would like to participate in Election 2024: Gen Z may hold the key, please e-mail jdelaney@siadvance.com.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  With election season right around the corner, voters of all ages and backgrounds are finding themselves in what feels like a political whirlwind.

The issues on the table are dire and impact nearly every person in the country. Vocal fighters for the future, Gen Z is often seen on the frontlines of political hot topics. They flooded streets with signs and chants for movements like Black Lives Matter, Pride, and the ceasefire effort for the Israel-Hamas war  just to name a few.

On the internet, they spread news like wildfire, determine pop culture trends, and organize by the thousands. After all, Gen Z is the first generation raised in the age of social media.

Many in this generation recognize the value of voting -- especially for president. We spoke to Staten Island Gen Zers about the importance of casting their vote in the presidential and local elections.

You can make change in a way, through local politics because they have more proximity and you can experiment a little bit with more direct democracy initiatives, where people can vote directly on certain things, 23-year-old Michael Levi from Great Kills said.

Over the years, Levi has been involved in voter registration efforts on Staten Island. He is an advocate for environmental law and has helped with educational efforts regarding the Israeli-Palestine war. As civic engagement has been a key proponent of his own life, Levi believes that young people should remain tuned into local politics.

Andrea Wang, a 16-year-old League of Women Voters (LWV) intern from Manhattan, described her observations of young voters. As a part of her internship, Wang has engaged in educating young people on the importance of voting.

Wangs junior-year history course inspired her to become more politically active. Even though she cant vote yet, Wang wants to encourage other young people to become civically involved, cast their ballots and pay attention to local elections.

I think that most high schoolers, they know the big stuff. I guess also in New York, most high schoolers will be Democrat or more left-leaning, Wang said. So theyll probably know Donald Trump got shot at and that Kamala Harris is running now. They probably dont really know much about local elections or anything like that.

Local Races

Local Races this year include Republican Nicole Malliotakis, Staten Islands current congresswoman, who will be running against Democratic candidate Andrea Morse.

Democratic Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn) is running for re-election to represent District 23 for another term. Her opponent is Republican candidate Marko Kepi.

Before voting, Id have to look into each candidate because I dont know many of their stances, Jason Chiu, an 18-year-old from Richmond Valley, said regarding local politicians. I do think its important to vote.

However, not everyone shares Chius optimism. Nicholas Santo, a 19-year-old from Arden Heights, doesnt have a strong desire to vote in the upcoming local election, especially regarding the congressional seat.

Local politics on Staten Island dont really count for me because theyre all Republican. So its hard to kind of get that voice of an opinion in local Staten Island stuff. But I do try to keep up with our local politics, Santo continued, So local, I try to educate myself, but I know my voice isnt heard in local elections because theres a majority of Republican voters on the South Shore.

Election 2024: Gen Z may hold the key. (Getty Images) (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/LM Otero) (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)(Getty Images) (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/LM Otero) (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Other Gen Z voters, including 24-year-old Michael Roces, a Princes Bay resident who studied political science at St. Johns University, echo Santos stance.

I guess my biggest concern is at the national level, Roces said, adding that, at least on Staten Island, local political involvement feels unnecessary, in his view because theres a lack of candidates that reflect his values.

Does Gen Z feel like their vote counts?

Despite a heavily polarized political environment fostered mainly by social media, young people just want to see their generation getting fairly represented.

Im someone, I think, who very strongly encourages a lot of people to vote, even if its not for the party or the candidate that I want, Santo said, noting he will be voting in both local and national elections.

I dont think people have to vote if they dont want to. I think that protesting against the vote is also taking a political stance, and I could imagine that well probably see some people doing that, Roces said.

For Santo and Levi, casting a ballot is representative of historical suffrage. Voting isnt something either individual wants to take for granted  they both hope to see other Gen Zers taking advantage of their freedom.

I think overall voting is important because particularly, it is not something that historically has been sort of given. It is something that people, and specifically the working class, had to fight for, Levi said.

Despite a heavily polarized political environment fostered mainly by social media, young people just want to see their generation getting fairly represented.Getty Images

Civic Engagement

Many Gen Z voters believe they are perhaps more civically engaged than previous generations.

I think something specific to the young people is that they go to a lot of protests and marches and rallies, which is part of civic engagement. And I think that we can sort of use that to our advantage. You can just go out to a gathering one day and help support this cause, and then help others see the change you want to be made, Wang said.

We should transform political parties in a way that they dont pacify people, they dont simply just encourage them to go to vote. They encourage people to be politically aware. They encourage people to mobilize, encourage people to organize, added Levi.

Aidan Rivera, a 28-year-old from West Brighton, said he loves fostering community through educating and activating people.

Whether its voting or other causes, I like to find people who care about similar issues, bond over shared frustration over the way things are and a hope for a better future, and strategize how to make a difference. Most of my recent efforts have been organizing and attending direct actions, like rallies and protests, he said.

Gen Z is probably the demographic that is appealed to the least in America yet it is probably the largest and most diverse generation. If all of Gen Z realized how much power their vote held, unprecedented progress could be made toward the changes we want, Rivera said.

How to Vote

Policy aside, the logistics of voting can be confusing for many Gen Z voters, especially those who will be voting for the first time this election.

In fact, registering to vote can come across as a daunting process. However, organizations like the League of Women Voters make efforts to help everyone cast their ballots.

We dont represent or advocate for parties or specific parties or candidates. We have always, for over 105 years, worked to encourage New Yorkers to be civically engaged and so forth, and we create and provide opportunities for people to do that on a volunteer basis and to otherwise activate other people, Debra Bradhiem, vice president of LWV, said.

The LWV frequents tabling and voter registration events to encourage young people to vote and become more civically involved overall. For example, on Constitution Day, LWV members will be tabling across the city, including in the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George, sharing copies of the Constitution.

I think that as someone who cant vote quite yet, I want to do my best in order to encourage other people to learn more about our democracy and what they can do, Wang said. I mean, were really just all about getting the vote out, getting the word out.

Young voters can simply register to vote online. Some individuals can also register through other means, such as academic institutions. For example, Chiu explained that as part of his freshman college orientation, he was able to register to vote.

College students, or anyone who plans to be away on November 5, can file for an absentee or early ballot.

Register to vote at: https://vote.nyc/page/register-vote

What if Im Away During the Election? https://vote.nyc/RequestBallot

Why is Voting Important? https://www.silive.com/news/2024/07/election-2024-gen-z-may-hold-the-key-heres-why.html
Russia continues to wipe Zudzha off the face of the earth. Despite its relative remoteness from the front, the city is suffering serious destruction.

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The Russians are actively using guided bombs, artillery, and kamikaze drones to shell the city. The consequences of these attacks have been shown on the Telegram channel of Ukrainian Ground Forces.

On August 30, a Russian UAV hit a local kindergarten, and enemy aircraft struck homes in the private sector.

Out of more than 5,000 residents who lived in Sudzha a few days ago, only about 200 civilians are left. Most of them are elderly people. Local residents express dissatisfaction and say they have not received any warning from the authorities and feel abandoned.

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The Ukrainian military is actively helping the civilians left behind. Recently, the newly established Ukrainian military commandant's office restored water supply in the city to provide drinking water to the population. Previously, this problem was solved with the help of water trucks and trucks with large tanks.

In addition, medical assistance in Sudza is also provided by the Ukrainian military. Staging posts, evacuation vehicles and other medical stations are working to provide treatment for the wounded and sick.

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As reported earlier, on the eve of the HQ meeting, the head of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that the Ukrainian military had advanced by another two kilometers in the Kursk region over the day.

DeepState noted that the Russian Federation regained control of Korenevo, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces entered on August 7. To the south of the village, the Defense Forces have taken under control the village of Krasnooktyabrskoye on the banks of the Seim River.

According to Russian media, the Ukrainian Armed Forces recently destroyed another convoy of Russian troops in Kursk region, as well as a pontoon crossing in the village of Zvannoye.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Touted as one of the wealthiest people in the world, Elon Musk endorsed former President Donald Trump to win the 2024 presidential election.

It was meant to help the former president in his bid to reclaim the presidency. But could it have backfired?

NBC News David Ingram reported that it may have.

Since the endorsement on July 13, Vice President Kamala Harris campaign has attacked Musk for his anti-worker position. Harris campaign has touted the Musk/Trump duo as self-obsessed rich guys. And the Harris campaign has even reposted audio from Musks social media platform X in which the two men jest about firing striking workers.

...more than a month after Musk officially put his weight behind Trump, a series of Democratic attacks have suggested that the endorsement has exposed a vulnerability, wrote Ingram.

Harris allies have backed up this sentiment.

Every time that Elon Musk tries to do something to help Donald Trump, I think it fires up the Democratic base to work against him, said Pete Giangreco, a Democratic strategist based in Chicago, to NBC.

If youve got a billionaire helping out someone who says hes a billionaire, but really isnt, what does that really get you? he added.

Touted as one of the wealthiest people in the world, Elon Musk endorsed former President Donald Trump to win the 2024 presidential election.

Ingram reported that Musk did not respond to NBCs request for comment on the Democrats attacks or the impact on the Trump campaign of his endorsement.

However, following the endorsement, Trump and Musk had a very public disagreement about how much money Musk would donate to the Trump campaign.

I love Elon Musk ... we have to make life good for us smart people. And hes as smart as you get, Trump said at a Bitcoin Conference in Nashville last month, reported CNBC. He gives me $45 million a month! Cmon. Not $45 million. He gives me $45 million a month.

He continued, I mean other guys, they give you $2 and you got to take them to lunch, you got to wine em and dine em.

However, Musk later refuted this. Whats been reported in the media is simply not true, Musk told podcaster Jordan Peterson. Im not donating $45 million a month to Trump.
Leading voices in Australian tech say the federal governments proposed cap on international students is driving uncertainty in the burgeoning industry, and could have a lasting impact on its global growth.

Richard White, chief executive of WiseTech, the largest ASX 200-listed tech stock, and Airwallex chief executive Jack Zhang, a former international student who co-founded the now-multibillion-dollar fintech company in Melbourne in 2015, both told this masthead they are worried by the effect of caps on the sectors ability to grow and attract global talent.

WiseTech chief Richard White says changes to caps risk using an elephant to crush an ant. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Education Minister Jason Clare last week revealed more detail on the policy announced in this years budget, saying the federal government would limit the number of new foreign students in Australia next year to 270,000  a 16 per cent cut, or 53,000 fewer compared with 2023  as it sought to reduce net migration to 235,000 amid a national housing shortage.

He rejected claims the cap would hurt Australias $48 billion higher education sector, but concerns have been raised about the effect on the homegrown tech sector, which the government last year valued at $167 billion, up 80 per cent in five years.
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 Who doesnt love a great needle drop? Adding the right song to a scene can take a show to a new level, change the way we think about a character, or simply provide a celebratory thrill. Im thinking Games Without Frontiers by Peter Gabriel in The Americans, or Sias Breathe Me at the close of Six Feet Under. You likely have your own favourites, too. You know who else loves a great needle drop? Lawyers. The music rights on television shows are a complicated, expensive business. Now theres a worrying trend  as older shows are restored for the streaming era, renegotiating the rights to the original songs they used is proving to be a roadblock. And when the deals are finally done, theyre often for North America only. Thats why high-profile reissues such as the 1980s classic Moonlighting and the groundbreaking 1990s police procedural Homicide: Life on the Streets are returning to American platforms with much fanfare, but not a peep here. Were an afterthought  and not a positive one. Lawyers, television executives, please sort this out. Include us! But were getting a strong selection of new shows and exclusive movies in September. Youre covered whether youre after a historic true-crime drama (Netflixs Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story), a fantastical black comedy (Agatha All Along on Disney+), or two very famous movie stars (Apple TV+s Wolfs). Our inbox is always open, so please drop us an email and let us know your current show of choice or the best use of a song on a television show. Thankfully, there are no rights issues when it comes to sharing recommendations.

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Netflix Nicholas Chavez, Chloe Sevigny, Javier Bardem and Cooper Koch as the Menendez family in Monsters. Credit: Netflix My top Netflix recommendation is Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (September 19). Congratulations to all you Dahmer charmers out there. The 2022 serial killer series was such a massive success that Netflix retrospectively made the show an anthology, tasking creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan with finding more true-crime nightmares. The new titular subjects are the brothers who as young men brutally murdered their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989 in Los Angeles, leading to several high-profile trials. The relatively unknown Nicholas Chavez and Cooper Koch play the siblings, with the star power provided by Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) and Chloe Sevigny (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans) as the slain couple. Dont expect a carbon copy of Dahmer. That story featured numerous grisly crimes, while this will revolve around just one and the conflicting narratives. Also on Netflix: If Nicole Kidman is in her portraying-showstopping-women-with-wild-twists phase of her career, Im all for it. With The Undoing and Nine Perfect Strangers already to her name, Kidman now headlines The Perfect Couple (September 5). She plays Greer Garrison Winbury, a famous American author and blue blood matriarch, who along with her husband, Tag (Liev Schreiber) is reluctantly hosting the wedding of her son, Benji (Billy Howle), to an outsider from their entitled world, Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson). That means barbed compliments and social savagery, but the story really picks up when a dead body washes up on the family compounds beach. The creator is Jenna Lamia, whose mums-do-crime black comedy Good Girls remains an underrated Netflix series. Now this is some top-tier casting. Purchased by Netflix after receiving a stellar reception at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, His Three Daughters (September 20) stars Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll), Carrie Coon (The Leftovers), and Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision) as estranged sisters forced to reunite when their ailing father requires care. Thats a trio of actors with real potential and after the success of The Lovers and most recently French Exit, American independent filmmaker Azazel Jacobs is extremely well-positioned to make the most of their talents. August highlights: There was a new season of Emily in Paris, which led to a debate over the merits of the Parisian romantic-comedy, plus the big binge opportunities with the arrival of Lost and Mad Men  we found the 10 best episodes of the latter.

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Apple TV+ Brad Pitt and George Clooney costar in Wolfs. Credit: Apple TV+ My top Apple TV+ recommendation is Wolfs (September 27). Its a bet that we hope pays off: if you put George Clooney and Brad Pitt back together on the screen, youll get a repeat of the charming, pithy dynamic the duo shared in Oceans 11, 12, and 13. Written and directed by Jon Watts, who has vast Hollywood credit after directing all three of Tom Hollands Spider-Man movies, Wolfs has the pair playing rival criminal fixers who are each urgently summoned to illicitly clean up a crisis. Double-booked and highly dubious, Clooneys Jack and Pitts Nick have to work together, all the time both wondering if the other has been hired to clean them up. Expect an idiosyncratic action-comedy. Also on Apple TV+: The Mexican drama Midnight Family (September 25) has a fascinating concept. Each night in Mexico City, the Tamayo family runs their family business  a private ambulance that races to patients, hoping to both get them to hospital and negotiate payment along the way. If that sounds like dystopian fiction, think again. The show is based on an award-winning 2019 documentary of the same name, which revealed the struggles and underlying contradictions of this life-and-death-and-commerce business. Apple has had some prominent successes with foreign-language series such as Pachinko, and this privatised paramedics tale could well be another one. August highlights: Vince Vaughn was in his element in the Florida black comedy Bad Monkey, Time Bandits was a winning family adventure and 1980s remake, crime docuseries Cowboy Cartel went deep on a Texas narcos case, and Matt Damon and Casey Affleck got the Boston band back together for the action-comedy The Instigators.

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Binge Colin Farrell is unrecognisable in The Penguin. Credit: HBO/Binge My top Binge recommendation is The Penguin (September 20). Look, I have faith in Colin Farrell. Few Hollywood leading men this century have better leveraged their star power to support interesting projects. If the Irish actor wants to put the prosthetic make-up back on and once more play disfigured Gotham crime boss Oswald Cobb (last seen in the 2022 superhero saga The Batman), then its worth at least considering. That said, series spin-offs from blockbuster movies can be a dodgy prospect. Often theyre green-lit before the story has been nutted out. This one is set in the weeks after The Batmans finale  so presumably Robert Pattinsons Dark Knight is on vacation  with Gothams underworld up for grabs. Cristin Milioti (Made for Love) plays Cobbs new rival, the psychotic daughter of the citys freshly deceased don. Hopefully, this limited series can stand on its own two feet. Also on Binge: Like several comic superstars before him, Kevin Hart wants to show audiences his versatility. The 2021 Netflix drama True Story with Wesley Snipes didnt click, but the prolific Hart is taking another shot with Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (September 5). A blaxploitation crime thriller set in Atlanta, the limited series unfolds with Muhammad Alis 1970s comeback fight as the backdrop. When African-American celebrities pour into the city, local hustler Gordon Chicken Man Williams (Hart) throws an after-party. When armed robbers crash the event, suspicion turns on the host, who has to flee for his life. The all-star supporting cast includes Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), Don Cheadle (House of Lies), and Empire heavyweights Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. August highlights: Animal rights saga Chimp Crazy was everything you wanted in a wild American documentary plus a lot more, a Hollywood icon was heard anew in Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes, and the new season of HBOs Industry did not back down.

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Stan* Norman Reedus returns in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - The Book of Carol. Credit: Emmanuel Guimier/AMC My top Stan recommendation is The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon  The Book of Carol (September 30). A title with a colon and a dash suggests a bulging plot, and thats likely the case with the second season of this The Walking Dead spin-off. Making its debut to a positive response a year ago, the show was centred on Norman Reedus gruff fan favourite, whod fought his way through every season of the original shows zombie apocalypse. Daryl Dixons motorbike and crossbow vibe got a Gallic update, with the character washing ashore in France and dealing with that countrys undead dystopia. It was a welcome change. The new season keeps him in France, but adds another core Walking Dead character in Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride). The two zombie slayers developed a close bond over many seasons, and now their search for each other is going to pay off. One concern: will this wealth of history preclude new viewers? Also on Stan: A puzzle-box horror series that has largely gone under the radar, From (September 22) ticks plenty of boxes for fans of the genre: everyday people trapped in a tiny American town, shape-shifting monsters who come seeking blood every night, mysterious talismans, ominous figures, spooky tunnels, bit players being torn to shreds. I dont think its entirely coincidental that the towns self-appointed sheriff, who tries to teach newcomers the ropes, is played by Lost veteran Harold Perrineau. There are definitely some similarities between the shows. This is the debut of the third season, and rest assured that there are still many more questions than answers. August highlights: There was a gripping, contemporary Australian policing drama in Critical Incident, documentary The TikTok Effect examined the online apps worrying impact, while Boarders was a sharp British satire set at a storied boarding school.

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A proposed offshore wind zone intended to serve large energy users on the west coast has been slashed by almost half to win local support and save migratory whales.

Declared by the federal government on Monday, the final area near the Bunbury region south of Perth covers 4000 square kilometres and has been pushed further out from the shoreline.

Aerial view of Bunker Bay, looking west to Cape Naturaliste. Credit: Tourism WA.

The zone will be at least 30 kilometres from shore at its closest point, and exclude more than 60 per cent of the recreational fishing areas requested for exclusion  including Naturaliste Reef.

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The Bunbury offshore wind industry has the potential to support 11.4 gigawatts of electricity, or enough to power all homes and manufacturing industries in the states south-west, according to Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

Bowen said developing the zone would create almost 7000 jobs during construction and about 3500 ongoing jobs.

With an estimated 50GW of new generation required by 2042, Western Australia needs new sources of electricity to power homes and industry, he said.

Recreational fishers will be able to travel and fish within the zone, similar to in the United Kingdom and Denmark.

Read the full story here.
Irregular periods. Anxiety and depression. Difficulty falling pregnant. These are some of the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a complex hormonal condition that affects about one in 10 Australian women.

But theres another common side effect thats less talked about: hirsutism, in which excess coarse and pigmented hair grows on the face, chest, stomach, thighs, back and other places it might not usually be expected.

Dr Anju Joham is fighting the perception that excess hair growth in PCOS patients is merely a cosmetic issue. Credit: Simon Schulter

I have some patients who have to shave their face every day because of their hair growth, and it has a significant impact on quality of life, said Dr Anju Joham, a senior research fellow at the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation.

Thats the extreme  but it wouldnt be unusual to have a patient who needs to remove hair every few days.
Eastern suburbs property developer Michael Teplitsky has been ordered by the NSW Supreme Court to repay $11.15 million  plus seven years interest  which was cleaned by since-jailed blackmailers through his companies.

Teplitskys office in Double Bay was one of 30 properties raided by the Australian Federal Police in May 2017 concerning a joint ATO investigation into the Plutus Payroll fraud in which the perpetrators cheated the Commonwealth out of more than $100 million in taxes.

Property developer Michael Teplitsky has been ordered to repay $11.15 million, plus interest. Credit: Brook Mitchell

Earlier this year, the 15th person was jailed over the scheme, which was masterminded by Adam Cranston, the son of the then deputy tax commissioner, and Jason Onley, both of whom were sentenced for a maximum of 15 years.

Last week, Justice Scott Nixon found in favour of the liquidators of Plutus Payroll, who had sued Teplitsky and his companies for the return of the $11.15m, saying they had known the funds were obtained through improper means or had wilfully shut their eyes to the obvious.
The Melbourne Racing Club has introduced a safe word  pineapple  for board members to use in meetings if they feel threatened or ill at ease amid accusations of bullying and toxic behaviour.

The MRC, which runs Caulfield, Sandown and Mornington racecourses, was once considered the jewel of Victorian racing because of its progressive nature and ongoing profits driven by 14 gaming venues throughout Melbourne.

But the clubs board is being torn apart over controversies  the potential sale of Sandown Racecourse, a $250 million plan to replace the glass-fronted Rupert Clarke grandstand and a $160 million Caulfield upgrade that included an unpopular mounting yard and a new inner track that is rarely used.

The Melbourne Racing Club board has been torn apart over a range of issues in recent times. Credit: Getty Images

Two sources speaking on condition of anonymity said board meetings became so acrimonious earlier this year that the club called in a mediator.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has visited Western Australias South West region on Sunday as his Labor government released an attack ad claiming the states $36.5 billion share of GST would be under threat if the Coalition wins the next election.

Under a 2018 deal, when the Coalition was in government, WA was guaranteed a 70-in-the-dollar minimum in annual GST redistribution.

The ad features quotes from high-profile Liberals including former PM Scott Morrison, former deputy leader Julie Bishop and former minister Ken Wyatt, who all appear to claim Dutton opposed the deal at the time.

However, after becoming Opposition Leader in 2022, Dutton voiced support for WAs current share arrangement.
You talk about government entities being held to account, Miller said. Id like to know: whos holding Sydney Water to account? The room broke into applause. A few weeks later Savills director Stephanie Ballango told another industry event she had waited 12 months to get a feasibility letter from Sydney Water to confirm capacity in a precinct that had long been earmarked for housing. Loading Even Premier Chris Minns has referenced Sydney Water among other agencies, corporations and private partners from whom the government wants faster answers. Planning Minister Paul Scully is now chairing a subcommittee of cabinet to just drive through these problems, Minns said in May. We know were on the hook for this. Occupying a table at the back at many of these industry lunches and summits are representatives of Sydney Water itself. They hear their organisation being portrayed as a villain in the housing crisis, and believe they are being scapegoated.

For them the problem arises when governments and developers seek to diverge from long-term land use plans, especially in undeveloped greenfield areas where connecting new pipes is expensive and time-consuming. Frustrations probably too strong a word, Plowman said. Its not a unique problem, co-ordinated land use planning  its the same with electricity and gas and every other service. You really do need to work together. This is especially evident in the Greater Macarthur Growth Area (GMAC), which stretches from Glenfield in outer suburban Sydney to Bargo, on the way to Bowral. It includes the south-west growth areas around Macarthur and Menangle, and rezoned land in Wilton, Appin and Gilead. Mass housing requires water infrastructure. Credit: Wolter Peeters By 2056 the region is expected to contain up to an additional 82,000 homes and 69,000 jobs  though this could be higher, given the government is still pushing through rezonings. The servicing area is about 40km long and 35km wide, crossing Campbelltown, Wollondilly and Camden council areas, with limited existing infrastructure.

Sydney Water wont confirm the total cost of the GMAC project but its major projects pipeline shows its at least $3.5 billion from 2024 to 2027. For Plowman these figures demonstrated Sydney Waters commitment to servicing growth. But for Jackson its evidence theyre playing catch-up. These kinds of organisations should plan for steady growth, year by year. It shouldnt be, Oh, crap, weve left it to the last minute, she said. In their defence, they were brought in late. Large swaths of land in those greenfield areas were rezoned for thousands and thousands of homes, and no one asked Sydney Water until the very end. It turns out the answer was no. They werent given enough notice but now its time to get with the program. Still, Jacksons sympathy is limited. You would have to be living under a rock to not know there was massive growth planned for south-west Sydney. They really dropped the ball on recognising this was obviously a high-growth area, and that capital investment to support that needed to be part of the pipeline. It just wasnt. They were too slow. At Wilton, 77 kilometres south-west of Sydneys CBD, households are having their wastewater trucked out because theres no sewerage, a situation Jackson described as unbelievable.

Further north in Catherine Field, near Leppington, another stoush is imperilling development. Miller from Colliers, who asked the industry luncheon about holding Sydney Water to account, wants to advance a land rezoning on behalf of a client for about 3000 lots. He said they have concurrence from all the required state government agencies except Sydney Water, which determined theres no water and sewer capacity. Miller used to run Sydney Waters urban growth program and he doesnt buy the excuse. Theres always water and sewer capacity, he said. We acknowledged the whole precinct cant be serviced at the one time. Sydney Water has just been pretty bloody-minded about it. There is a lack of acknowledgement that there are other ways of servicing areas that arent consistent with their thinking. Sydney Waters head of system planning and land acquisition Kate Miles said the time frame for servicing Catherine Field is based on the growth plans of the Planning Department and Camden Council. I understand there are developers there who would like things to move faster. But were not the planning authority of that area. Miller scoffed at that response. I dont think they understand that we are in a housing crisis and they are part of that cause.

Loading This cuts to the heart of the problem. Long-term land use planning is an unwieldy beast, involving the state government, councils and potentially the Commonwealth. Getting everyone on the same page at the same time can prove impossible. Miller admitted that he is trying to bring forward the Catherine Field rezoning but thinks Sydney Waters position, that rezoning shouldnt occur before the water service begins in 2030, is unreasonable. If we dont do anything, council wont do anything and the department wont do anything, Miller said. Were in a market-led economy. Were doing everything per planning guidelines. We just need Sydney Water to come on board. For Sydney Water this is a classic case of having to cop the blame when the goalposts are shifted. Plowman, the general manager, said governments, policies and developer demands change regularly, as does system capacity.

We give advice to developers around capacity of the system at a point in time and we make it quite clear that its a point-in-time piece of advice, he said. People disappear for a couple of years after weve given that preliminary advice  they come back in and things have changed. Housing targets have changed, infill development has changed. He said if theres one thing Sydney Water could do better its having a more dynamic discussion with industry about whats happening. Delivering this big-ticket infrastructure at exactly the right time is one of Sydney Waters greatest challenges, and a thankless task. If we deliver it too early, our existing customer base ends up paying for it, Plowman said. If you get it right, no one wants to talk about getting it right. The criticism comes as Sydney Water faces scrutiny over its failure to adequately test for cancer-linked forever chemicals in drinking water, and the shock closure of a Blue Mountains dam after elevated levels were detected. Authorities belatedly tested water supplies for of per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) following pressure from a Herald investigation in June.
Nail Aykan is sick of politicians getting photo opportunities at a Turkish restaurant or speaking to one kebab shop owner and thinking they can rely on Muslim people for their votes.

Its just your campaign propaganda. Its window dressing. We want substance.

Nail Aykan started Muslim Voices of Calwell. Credit: Justin McManus

Its why Aykan organised the Muslim Voices of Calwell group to engage with candidates in the electorate in Melbournes northern suburbs.

And its why he will argue the merits of a hung parliament at the campaign launch of another group  Muslim Votes Matter  at Broadmeadows Town Hall on Sunday.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is going to visit Mongolia, which has signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. With this visit, he wants to humiliate the ICC, because he knows that he will most likely not be arrested in this country despite the issued warrant.

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With his trip, Putin may set a precedent, because he will visit Mongolia and return to Moscow, after which everyone will talk about it. This opinion was expressed by a well-known Ukrainian journalist and publicist Vitaliy Portnykov on the air of Espreso TV.

"Everyone will be talking about it. Mongolia invited Putin and nothing happened. This is the story. This is a precedent, and after this, other countries that have signed the Rome Statute and ratified it may be able to safely invite Putin and not only him. This is just an incredible story," he said.

Portnykov noted that the Russian president is always trying to provoke a confrontation between democracy and dictatorships. Mongolia is a democratic country, he reminded.

"This is a country that has repeatedly changed its government and had uprisings. However, its government supports Russia and China. It turns out that it is possible to be a conditional democratic country and cooperate with dictatorships. This is how the world is divided and a war of worlds is created. Putin is one of the active players who provokes this war," the journalist added.

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Earlier, it was reported that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin intends to pay an official visit to Mongolia on September 3 on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the victory of Soviet and Mongolian troops over the Japanese army near the Khalkhin Gol River.

The visit will take place without the threat of arrest despite a warrant from the International Criminal Court, the media reported. Official Ulaanbaatar assured Moscow that it would not detain the so-called president of the Russian Federation.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called on Mongolia to fulfill its obligations under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and arrest Russian dictator Vladimir Putin when he arrives in the country for a visit.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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It was last year that Traveller received a miffed letter from a reader about a guide of things to do in Townsville in which we referred to it as an underrated town.

Townsville is not a town, the reader pointed out, but one of Australias largest cities. Indeed, its true  Townsville might be a town by name, but its much bigger than that, coming hot on the heels of Geelong and Hobart in the list of Australias biggest, with nearly 200,000 residents.

Dont call it a town  Townsville. Credit: iStock

Of course, the citys name isnt based on its size, now or in the past. Its actually named after Robert Towns, a controversial British settler and businessman who helped establish the city through his finances (he only actually visited once). It quickly became a key port for the goldfields inland, and less than a decade after it first became a settlement in 1865, the new town had grown to 2000 residents.

By the turn of the century, the gold boom was at its peak, and Townsville was reaping the benefits. Those benefits are still apparent today.
Theres usually at least one restaurant (casual, open-air style), along with the aforementioned superette, so you can cook your own meals in your mobile home, or eat out, or do a mix of both. The kids are happy and, between the pool, scheduled activities and new friends, busy, so my husband and I end up feeling more rested and like weve actually had a holiday. Its a win-win all around. It is a sector that is booming, too  campsite stays have risen 7.5 per cent in France since 2019. And were spoilt for choice: France has 7406 campsites, the most of any European country. While its not obligatory, many choose to be classified on a one- to five-star rating similar to hotels: criteria for three-star campsites includes a childrens play area and drinks for sale, while four- and five-star properties are required to have a restaurant and bar as well as a fitness area. Anything five-star must have somewhere to swim, likely a pool or a lake. Bonus points, but not stars, for a spa or a gym. Esterel Caravaning: anything five-star must have somewhere to swim, likely a pool or a lake. Some people are so die-hard in their loyalty to one particular campsite that they have been booking the same plot during the same month with friends or family every year for decades. We, on the other hand, have no such affiliation. Over the years, the four of us have tested out an array of locations, particularly along the Mediterranean coast near our home in Nice. We do have a definite favourite: Kon Tiki in Saint-Tropez. A cluster of Polynesian-style Tiki huts on one of the Mediterraneans most beautiful beaches, the moment you park up, you feel instantly transported to tropical shores. Theres rum punch as a welcome drink and each bungalow opens out onto a sandy communal area shaded by tall palm trees, where my daughters build sand castles before breakfast.

Kon Tiki definitely falls at the luxury end of the market, and Ill admit that in summer the prices veer towards eye-watering: a two-bedroom hut for seven nights in July, for instance, will set you back over 3700 ($6100), compared with 1000 ($1600) for the same stay in April. Thats because it occupies a slice of prime European holiday real estate and counts beach bars such as Brigitte Bardots favourite hangout, Club 55, as neighbours. Weve never been during summer; instead, we often find a good deal, usually about 120 ($200) a night over the weekend out of season in late September. Its still warm enough to swim but you also dont have to turn up at 7am to score a patch of sand on the beach for the day. As a general rule, the camping season runs from April to October. In July and August, when most of Europe is on holiday, a minimum booking of a week is standard. But outside the high season, a minimum stay of two nights usually applies. Opening onto the hiking trails of the majestic ochre-red rocks of the Massif de lEsterel, a mountain range that carves a craggy course from Saint Raphael to Cannes on the Cote dAzur, Esterel Caravaning is one that we also like for short two-night stays, often travelling with groups of friends. The bungalows are set among eucalypts that remind me of home in Sydney, and weve never faced sun-lounger wars around any of the five swimming pools. Theres a posh restaurant we have yet to try because we cant go past the takeaway pizzas made fresh on-site for a third of the price. Try to find something not so small it lacks facilities, but not so large you have to walk 20 minutes across the property to get to the pool.

The other thing that Esterel Caravaning has going for it is size: its not so small it lacks facilities, but its not so large that you have to walk 20 minutes across the property to get to the pool. Thats what we found when we stayed at Les Prairies de La Mer, a 20-hectare campsite on the beach in Port Grimaud which is owned by the same people as nearby Kon Tiki. While we couldnt fault the feet-in-the-sand setting, the traffic inside the campsite became a bit of a drag: because of its size, people chose to drive around it over walking. What the property excelled at, however, were evening shows, particularly the Elvis tribute band, a lively night market and the gentle ponies that my youngest daughter still asks to go and see, four years after we stayed. Larger campsites, like Prairies de La Mer, often have plots that are sublet to third-party operators. We booked our stay there through Eurocamp, which angles towards British and Irish holidaymakers and offers early-bird booking deals among other promotions for its campsites across Europe. Loading There is something about the small, family-run campings with a charm that some of the bigger, flashier campsites lack. At Domaine Sainte Madeleine in Sospel, a small village close to the Italian border in the alpine hinterland of the Cote dAzur, the wooden chalets on a terraced hillside are simple yet endearing.

We chat with families from the north of the country around the swimming pool, collect our bakery-fresh croissants every morning from reception and eat meals under the olive trees outside our chalet-style wooden cabin. We are less than an hour from the beaches of Nice, but feel completely immersed in nature. One last thing Ive learnt since embracing the French camping holiday is to look out for the added extras: some campsites charge for bed linen and towels, although you can bring your own, and for the hire of barbecues and baby equipment. The expectation is also that you will leave your mobile home in the same condition as you found it, or pay a cleaning fee. The details Fly

Emirates fly daily between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and Paris and Nice with a connection in Dubai. See emirates.com More

See campingfrance.com/uk
Other interesting items that have been taken include a large piece of carpet from under a bed, the toilet flushing mechanism (more than once), and a stuffed peacock. Light bulbs and batteries are not worth chasing but bathrobes and towels that find their way into a suitcase are. The same goes for items that disappear from public areas. Even mid-range hotels have about as many CCTV cameras as a casino. They probably also have your credit card, and the pain they can inflict is endless. Loading A 2018 Novotel survey reported a gender difference. Women are more likely to pilfer toiletries and decorative items such as cushions, bed throws and candles. For men its more likely glassware, borrowed phone chargers that dont get returned, internet cables and mini bar items. The richer the clientele, the smaller the problem. Former co-owner and operator of The Lyall Hotel and Spa in Melbournes South Yarra, Rowina Thomas made her hotel the preferred in-town address for visiting celebrities and A-list sporting stars looking for discreet accommodation in a central location.

Luckily, The Lyall attracts a well-heeled clientele who provide their credit card details at the time of booking, says Thomas. The odd items such as clothes brushes and slippers went missing, and the branded items. Our white umbrellas I still find in restaurants and boutiques around South Yarra. The most popular was our Lyall Spa velour bathrobes which are now collectors items as the spa no longer exists. Even the little tag inviting guests to purchase one wasnt a deterrent, but we hope those guests have fond memories of The Lyall every time they don their bathrobe at home. We did have one theft, or so we thought, when one of a pair of golden dragon figures went missing from our library. Im a believer in Feng Shui and these dragons were a symbol of protection and prosperity for the hotel and our guests. I was distraught but three days later it mysteriously reappeared. The housekeeping trolley The housekeeping trolley is freebies on wheels for some guests, packed with mini-size bathroom products that are just right for the gym, fresh towels and linen, biscuits or even chocolates if its time for the turn-down service in a ritzy hotel. Its theft pure and simple, and downright disrespectful to the housekeeper, who might be called to account for items that go missing. Taking items from the housekeeping trolley is a no-no. Credit: iStock

Jodie Bell, former Novotel St Kilda Rooms Division Manager, had a hunch something was amiss when she assisted a couple on check-out, heavily laden with luggage and boxes after just a one-night stay. After lugging the goods to the front of the hotel Jodie was surprised to find a car packed full of more bounty. A quick check of the guests room showed all was in order but later that afternoon Bell was attending to other guests when a phone call came from Moorabbin Police Station. Having pulled over the same two guests for a driving infringement, it turned out theyd raided the housekeeping storerooms and trolleys. The loot included towels, linen, hundreds of tea and coffee sachets, stationery and a portable heater. Loading Pillage at the breakfast buffet The buffet breakfast might cost $35 or more if its not included in your room charge. Its difficult to get your moneys worth so why not help yourself to a takeaway, some guests reason? Some are on a mission, shovelling bakery items or fruit onto their plate and surreptitiously loading it into zip-lock bags or even Tupperware containers back at their table. Many hotels are sympathetic to guests who need to grab breakfast and eat on the run, even providing bags in some cases, but those who eat as much as they can and smuggle more face consequences if theyre caught. Quite a few hotels insist that nothing leaves the breakfast room.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticised dangerous actions in the contested South China Sea after the Chinese Coast Guard rammed a Philippines vessel, sparking counterclaims from China that the smaller nation was at fault.

It follows a backflip by the Pacific Islands Forum, a bloc of 18 countries including Australia, to remove a reference to Taiwan from an official communique after Chinese complaints, showing the superpowers growing influence in the region.

This video grab shows a Chinese coast guard ship, left, colliding with a Philippine coast guard vessel near the Sabina Shoal. Credit: AFP

Saturdays ramming incident was the fifth confrontation between China and the Philippines in a month as China asserts its claim over most of the crucial trade route, including sections claimed by nations including Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Philippines Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela displayed footage of a Chinese ship that directly and intentionally rammed the Philippine vessel without provocation, and revealed damage to the 97-metre Philippines ship. Nobody was injured in the incident.
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 Meat general, sovok, the Butcher of Bakhmut ... Many unpleasant things were said about Oleksandr Syrsky when he succeeded Valery Zaluzhny as commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces in February. He was too conservative, too controlling, too willing to spend his mens lives  above all, some Ukrainian soldiers grumbled, too Soviet. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (centre) and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky (right) look at a map while visiting Sumy, Ukraine, in mid-August. Credit: AP Now, the 59-year-olds daring invasion of Russias Kursk region has shifted that view  up to a point. Instead of berating him for being stubborn, unimaginative, and sacrificing lives for pointless tactical gains, he is being praised for planning and executing one of the biggest, most audacious, and, so far, most successful surprises of the war. But this bold, meticulously organised and extremely risky gambit has drawn both admiration and unease.

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Mariana Bezuhla, a Ukrainian member of parliament, this week called Colonel General Syrsky the Ukrainian Zhukov  a reference to the general Georgy Zhukov, who led the Red Army to victory over the Nazis. The compliment was deliberately ambivalent: Syrsky brings the war to some new level of manoeuvres of the Second World War, where the bets are on the loss or acquisition of entire regions, but what is the price and what are the prospects? she wrote on X. I am sure that even he does not have clear answers. Its a game of all-or-nothing. The surprises are not over. Success in Kursk is not free. Ukraine is losing some of its best men in combat there. In Donbas, the Russians have accelerated their advance and are knocking on the door of Pokrovsk. The coming weeks will tell whether Kursk is a tide-turning masterstroke or a final, terrible blunder. The outcome may decide the war. It will certainly decide how history remembers Oleksandr Syrsky. Kursk has already shifted some views of him. One veteran soldier said: Among the infantry, he is known as a very conservative, straight tactics guy. I had the same opinion of him as I did before Kursk.

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Valery Zaluzhnyi (right), the former commander-in-chief of Ukraines Armed Forces, hugs his successor, Oleksandr Syrsky, in Kyiv in February. Credit: AP Im positively surprised how he managed to keep preparations and first strikes out of the news and Telegram channels. His decision to keep the plans secret from western allies, but also much of the Ukrainian military and government, appears to have been vindicated. Syrsky, like all officers of his generation, is a product of the Soviet military. Born in 1965 in Vladimir, east of Moscow, he moved to Ukraine as a teenager and studied at Moscows Higher Military Command School before starting a military career. On independence, his unit was absorbed into the Ukrainian military. He was a commander during the Donbas war of 2014, when Russia launched its first invasion, and has been fighting Russians ever since. By the time of the full-scale invasion of 2022, he was head of the ground forces  effectively second-in-command to General Valery Zaluzhny, the big, grinning, bear-like commander-in-chief beloved of the Ukrainian rank and file.

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Under Zaluzhny, he ran both the successful defence of Kyiv in 2022 and the shock blitzkrieg that recaptured Kharkiv region that autumn, two of Ukraines greatest victories of the war so far. So when Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, fell out with Zaluzhny and fired him in February, Syrsky was the logical replacement. But the costly 10-month defence of Bakhmut, which finally fell to Russia in May last year, was also his. The high casualties of that battle and his insistence on trying to retake it with a counteroffensive last summer drew bitter criticism. The ruins of a school in Bakhmut, which was devastated in the war. Credit: Kate Geraghty Infantrymen felt he was too willing to sacrifice their lives. Strategists felt he was pulling too many valuable resources, including some of Ukraines best assault units, away from the main counter-offensive in Zaporizhzhia. Anecdotes abound of battalion and even company commanders being refused permission to retreat from impossibly exposed positions and taking heavy casualties because of orders from Syrsky.

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Micromanagement, disregard for the lives of his own men, a tendency to issue impossible orders, and reluctance to trust officers on the ground. Above all, a refusal to say no to political masters demanding unrealistic goals. Loading For his bitterest critics, those are the traits of a sovok (an insulting term for an old-fashioned Soviet-minded person) or worse, Russian, general. His defenders, however, say those grumbles are wildly unfair. Syrsky is viewed by those who have worked with him  all the sources for this story insisted on anonymity  as a good manager, methodical in his reasoning and deliberate in his decisions. He has a reputation for hanging around at the front and for being a hands-on general with direct experience of organising and fighting battles. No one, his defenders say, has a better understanding of what it takes to make the Russians fail  and if they dont fail, then to minimise the damage they can do.

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A beluga whale suspected of being a Russian-trained spy has been found dead in Norwegian waters.

Sebastian Strand, who worked to protect the 4.2-metre-long whale, known as Hvaldimir, said he found the dead mammal floating near Risavika in south-western Norway on Saturday.

Hvaldimir, the friendly beluga spy whale, being fed. Credit: AP

Its heartbreaking, Strand, who runs Marine Mind, a non-profit organisation, told the New York Times. Hes touched thousands of peoples hearts just here in Norway.

Strand said his team will now send Hvaldimir to a facility where his body can be preserved in order to determine a cause of death, which was not immediately clear.
The Pacific Islands Forum, an organisation of largely Polynesian and Melanesian island nations whose membership also includes Australia and New Zealand, has managed to do what China has been unable to achieve: wipe away Taiwan.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga. Credit: X

Following complaints from Chinas envoy, the forum removed references to Taiwan from a communique issued after the regions annual leaders meeting in Tonga. The 18-nation bloc includes three members with diplomatic ties to Taiwan: Palau, Tuvalu and Marshall Islands. Australia and the 14 others adhere to a one-China policy.

A communique released on Friday and posted on the forum website included a section headed Relations with Taiwan/Republic of China, stating Leaders reaffirmed the 1992 Leaders decision on relations with Taiwan/Republic of China. But Chinas special envoy to the Pacific Islands, Qian Bo, reacted angrily to the mention of Taiwan, saying the reference must be a mistake. The post vanished that evening to be replaced by a new communique on Saturday.

Taiwan has been, and remains, a development partner to the forum since 1993, but diplomatic friends have been dwindling after China ramped up offers of development funding to Pacific island nations. Nauru switched ties to Beijing in January. Kiribati and Solomon Islands, which both now host Chinese police, switched in 2019. The Solomons had been gunning for Taiwan at the forum.
AI chatbots must learn to say 'help!' says Microsoft exec



San Francisco, Sept 1 (AFP) Sep 01, 2024



Generative AI tools will save companies lots of time and money, promises Vik Singh, a Microsoft vice president, even if the models must learn to admit when they just don't know what to do.

"Just to be really frank, the thing that's really missing today is that a model doesn't raise its hands and say 'Hey, I'm not sure, I need help,'" Singh told AFP in an interview.

Since last year, Microsoft, Google and their competitors have been rapidly deploying generative AI applications like ChatGPT, which produce all kinds of content on demand and give users the illusion of omniscience.

But despite progress, they still "hallucinate," or invent answers.

This is an important problem for the Copilot executive to solve: Singh's corporate customers can't afford for their AI systems to go off the rails, even occasionally.

Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, this week said he saw many of his customers increasingly frustrated with the meanderings of Microsoft's Copilot.

Singh insisted that "really smart people" were trying to find ways for a chatbot to admit "when it doesn't know the right answer and to ask for help."



- 'Real savings' -



A more humble model would be no less useful, in Singh's opinion. Even if the model has to turn to a human in 50 percent of cases, that still saves "tons of money."

At one Microsoft client, "every time a new request comes in, they spend $8 to have a customer service rep answer it, so there are real savings to be had, and it's also a better experience for the customer because they get a faster response."

Singh arrived at Microsoft in January and this summer took over as head of the teams developing "Copilot," Microsoft's AI assistant that specializes in sales, accounting and online services.

These applications have the gargantuan task of bringing in revenue and justifying the massive investments in generative AI.

At the height of the AI frenzy, start-ups driving the technology were promising systems so advanced that they would "uplift humanity," in the words of Sam Altman, head of OpenAI, which is mainly funded by Microsoft.

But for the time being, the new technology is mainly used to boost productivity, and hopefully profits.

According to Microsoft, Copilot can do research for salespeople, freeing up time to call customers. Lumen, a telecom company, "saves around $50 million a year" doing this, said Singh.

Singh's teams are working on integrating Copilot directly into the tech giant's software and making it more autonomous.

"Let's say I'm a sales rep and I have a customer call," suggested the executive. Two weeks later, the model can "nudge the rep to go follow up, or better, just go and automatically send the email on the rep's behalf because it's been approved to do so."



- 'First inning' -



In other words, before finding a solution to global warming, AI is expected to rid humanity of boring, repetitive chores.

"We're in the first inning," Singh said. "A lot of these things are productivity based, but they obviously have huge benefits."

Will all these productivity gains translate into job losses?

Leaders of large firms, such as K Krithivasan, boss of Indian IT giant TCS, have declared that generative AI will all but wipe out call centers.

But Singh, like many Silicon Valley executives, is counting on technology to make humans more creative and even create new jobs.

He pointed to his experience at Yahoo in 2008, when a dozen editors chose the articles for the home page.

"We came up with the idea of using AI to optimize this process, and some people asked 'Oh my God, what's going to happen to the employees?'" said Singh.

The automated system made it possible to renew content more quickly, thereby increasing the number of clicks on links but also the need for new articles.

"In the end," said the executive, "we had to recruit more editors."

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On Saturday, August 31, a beluga whale named Hvaldimir, who was called a "spy" whale from Russia, was found dead off the coast of Norway. He died unexpectedly, as he was in good condition the day before.

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This was reported by the Norwegian broadcaster NRK. The whale was lifted out of the water with a crane in the harbor of Risavik in the municipality of Sola.

Marine biologist from Marine Mind Sebastian Strand says that the cause of Hvaldimir's death is currently unknown. No major external injuries were found on the body.

"It looks like there are mostly external injuries from birds and so on. We are doing everything we can to ensure that the carcass is properly cared for so that we can do an autopsy and find answers," Strand said.

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He worked with Hvaldimir for three years and was deeply affected by the whale's sudden death.

"I am devastated and cried a lot. We've been afraid of this for years," said Regina Crosby Haug of One Whale.

She had been working for a long time to get Hvaldimir moved north. Initially, they were not allowed to transport him to Svalbard, but in July the Fisheries Directorate approved the transportation of the whale to Varangerfjord in Finnmark. However, several researchers, including Sebastian Strand, were critical of this decision.

One Whale documented Khvaldimir's movements for several years and conducted annual veterinary checks. "He was a healthy young whale with no signs of illness. I really hope that this is not due to human activity," Haug said.

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What is known about Hvaldimir and where did he come from

In 2019, local fishermen in Norway discovered a beluga whale with a video camera attached to it with straps. Norwegian experts suggested that this beluga whale had been trained by Russian naval specialists to be used as a special forces.

On the belt buckle of the marine animal was written in Latin Equipment St. Petersburg.

There was also a version that Khvaldimir was a therapeutic whale and escaped from the Russians on his own.

He got his name from a combination of the Norwegian word hval (whale) and the name of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. In 2022, after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the whale was called Hvaldi to avoid associations with the Kremlin leader.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the Ukrainian National Antarctic Research Center filmed humpback whales spyhopping in the ocean. This is the name given to the behavior of these marine mammals when they raise their heads and eyes above the water surface to assess the situation.

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Harris: Trump 'disrespected sacred ground' at US military cemetery



Washington, Aug 31 (AFP) Aug 31, 2024



Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said Saturday that her Republican rival Donald Trump "disrespected sacred ground" at a US military cemetery during a contentious pre-election visit.

Trump's presence at the hallowed Arlington National Cemetery -- intended to provide a campaign boost ahead of the November 5 vote -- has instead mushroomed into a public dispute consuming the candidates and the military.

"Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt," Harris said of Monday's incident at the cemetery near Washington, where Trump defied the rules and posed for photos with relatives of US service members killed in Afghanistan.

In one image, he is standing with family members of a fallen Marine, posing among headstones while grinning broadly and giving a thumbs-up.

"If there is one thing on which we as Americans can all agree, it is that our veterans, military families, and service members should be honored, never disparaged, and treated with nothing less than our highest respect and gratitude," Harris wrote on X.



- 'Abruptly pushed aside' -



On Thursday, the US Army issued a rare statement confirming that a cemetery staff member had been "abruptly pushed aside" after asking Trump's team to stop filming in a burial section for those killed in recent wars, where photography for political purposes is banned.

Trump's campaign team has gone on the offensive by describing the employee as a "despicable individual" and claiming she was suffering a mental health episode.

But the military said the staff member had "acted with professionalism" and it condemned the incident as "unfortunate."

Trump has made criticism of the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the US retreat from Afghanistan a keynote of his campaign, arguing that he would have managed it better.

He visited the cemetery with families of some of the 13 service members killed in a 2021 bombing in Kabul during the last, chaotic hours of the US withdrawal.

Trump's relationship with the military has long spawned controversy.

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.

Harris's blunt response Saturday over the cemetery incident appeared to underline her determination to take the fight directly to Trump in what is shaping up to be a bruising presidential election.

Trump has repeatedly mocked Harris's name, intelligence, appearance and racial identity, while the Harris campaign has replied that the former president is "weird," an aspiring dictator, and "out of his mind."

Harris earlier faced withering criticism over the cemetery incident from Trump's running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, who has launched a series of fierce attacks against the vice president.

Apparently responding to a mistaken report that Harris had already reacted to the cemetery visit, Vance accused her of feigning outrage and said, "She can go to hell."

"Don't focus on Donald Trump showing up to grieve with some people who lost their children. Focus on your own job. Don't do this fake outrage thing," he later told the Washington Post.

At that point Harris had not publicly mentioned the cemetery visit.
Israel says identifies six hostage bodies found in Gaza tunnel



Jerusalem, Sept 1 (AFP) Sep 01, 2024



The Israeli military said Sunday that it had found the bodies of six hostages in a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip, including a US-Israeli and a Russian-Israeli.

Their remains were recovered Saturday "from an underground tunnel in the Rafah area" and returned to Israel where they were formally identified, the military said.

It said the dead hostages were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino, who were all seized by Palestinian militants during Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the ongoing war.

Gat was taken from the southern Israeli kibbutz community of Beeri, while the remaining five, ages 23 to 32, were abducted from a music festival near the Gaza border.

They were among 251 people taken hostage during the October 7 attack, 97 of whom remain captive in Gaza including 33 the Israeli army says are dead.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the six hostages whose remains had been retrieved were alive when taken captive.

"They were held hostage by Hamas and murdered in cold blood," Gallant said in a statement.

Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said "they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them".

"The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces," President Isaac Herzog said in a statement.

"The blood of our brothers cries out to us. Our sisters and brothers are still there enduring hell... We have the sacred and urgent mission to bring them home."

Campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum also insisted that the only way to bring the remaining hostages to Israel was a negotiated deal.

"A deal for the return of the hostages has been on the table for over two months," it said in a statement.

"Were it not for the delays, sabotage, and excuses those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive."

The six dead hostages include four men and two women, and two with dual citizenship, Russian-Israeli Lobanov and Goldberg-Polin, who is also a US national and was seen alive in a video released by his captors in April.

Months long talks for a ceasefire and to secure the release of hostages have so far failed to have a positive outcome, with both Israel and Hamas blaming each other for the delays.

The October 7 Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Israel's offensive has so far killed at least 40,691 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children.

burs-ami-jd/hkb
Two-day curfew for Iraq's first census in decades



Baghdad, Sept 1 (AFP) Sep 01, 2024



Iraq will impose a two-day curfew in November for the country's first census in 27 years, the authorities announced on Sunday.

The "curfew will be imposed in all provinces of Iraq on November 20 and 21 to conduct a population census", Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani said in a statement.

Ravaged by decades of conflict and violence, Iraq has postponed a census several times, most notably in 2010 because of tensions between communities over disputed territories.

The last general census was held in 1997 in 15 Iraqi provinces -- excluding the three northern provinces that made up the autonomous Kurdistan Region.

Iraq has regained some semblance of stability in recent years, despite sporadic violence and political turmoil.

Current estimates put today's population at around 43 million.

The authorities have partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the upcoming census.

The initiative "plays a crucial role in equipping Iraq with accurate demographic information, facilitating effective policymaking, and promoting inclusive growth," the agency has said.

In the past, Iraq held a census every 10 years. A count could not be organised in 2007, when the country was embroiled in sectarian violence.
Gaza officials say 11 killed in Israeli strike on school



Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories, Sept 1 (AFP) Sep 01, 2024



Gaza health officials said an Israeli air strike targeting a group of policemen in a school sheltering displaced Palestinians killed at least 11 people on Sunday, while the military said it had struck a Hamas command centre.

"Eleven people, including a woman and girl, were killed when an Israeli air strike struck the Safad school in Gaza City sheltering displaced people," civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP, adding several people were also wounded.

The school had a Hamas police outpost, another Gaza health official said on condition of anonymity.

The Israeli military said its air force had struck a Hamas command centre in the Safad school.

"The IAF struck Hamas terrorists who were operating within a command and control centre embedded inside the area that previously served as the Safad school in Gaza City," the military said in a statement.

The war between Israel and Hamas erupted after Palestinian militants attacked Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Since then, the Israeli military has been relentlessly bombing the Gaza Strip from the air, sea and ground, which has so far killed at least 40,738 people, according to the territory's health ministry.

According to the UN, the majority of the dead are women and children.
One person bought rice. Another bought a bottle of olive oil. Maybe someone picked up some biscuits. Nothing transcendental, nor particularly artistic. Just the usual stuff in a grocery store. However, while he helped his parents run their business, little Asghar Farhadi watched the customers and would daydream about their shopping carts, their looks or their characters.

I imagined what life would be like in their homes. For me, it meant getting to know society. And that experience may have been what pushed me towards cinema, the Oscar-winning Iranian director and screenwriter recalls.

Its often said that God works in mysterious ways. So does the art of filmmaking.

It was difficult to foresee that the young boy would end up as a movie director. But, even more so, that one day he would film a movie, Everybody Knows (2018), almost 4,000 miles away from his native city of Khomeyni Shahr, in a language he didnt speak.

Isabel Coixets destiny also seemed quite distant from life in Tokyo. Specifically, she had to travel almost 9,000 miles from Sant Adria de Besos, in Spains Catalonia region, to narrate Map of the Sounds of Tokyo (2009) in the Japanese capital. Similarly, an ocean  and many worlds  separated the working-class Italian port city of Livorno from the historic U.S. Route 1 highway, where Paolo Virzi filmed The Leisure Seeker (2017).

Pedro Almodovar, the iconic Spanish filmmaker, also made a massive leap from the small town of Calzada de Calatrava to the bustling New York City, where he filmed The Room Next Door (2024). His first English-language feature film will debut on September 2 at the Venice Film Festival and will hit theaters on October 18. The movie will show how the most famous director in Spanish cinema has solved a challenge that more and more creators and performers face on a hyper-globalized planet: filming in another language, while portraying a foreign country.

Julianne Moore (right) and Tilda Swinton with director Pedro Almodovar, during the filming of 'The Room Next Door' (2024). Iglesias Mas EL DESEO (EFE)

The challenge is intriguing, attracting many talented people. It can also provide wider marketing opportunities, as has been experienced by the English-language films of Luca Guadagnino, or those by directors specializing in horror and fantasy, such as the Frenchmen Alexandre Aja and Jean-Francois Richet, or the Spaniards Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza. In recent years, various filmmakers have sought to expand their stories into other territories, such as Juan Antonio Bayona and Alejandro Amenabar. At the same time, of course, such a transition can cause a certain amount of vertigo.

But I like that, it forces you to leave your comfort zone and do your best, says Spanish actress Aida Folch, whose English can be heard in theaters today thanks to the film Haunted Heart (2024), directed by Fernando Trueba. Clint Eastwood also successfully managed this risk in Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), recounting the clash between his country and Japan during World War II, from the Japanese perspective and language. Still, when he asked Paul Haggis to write the film, the screenwriter felt that he needed the collaboration of the Japanese-American author Iris Yamashita. The film ultimately received four Oscar nominations, including for Best Screenplay. But more importantly, the biggest recognition came from how successful the film was in Japanese cinemas.

This phenomenon fits into an era where everyone travels, tourism is on the rise and international couples multiply. Of course, critical magnifying glasses are also amplified: the natives of any country cant wait to find fault with the foreign gaze. For instance, perhaps the least-celebrated film by the Japanese Hirokazu Koreeda in the last decade is The Truth (2019), shot in France in the local language, which he didnt speak. To talk with Catherine Deneuve or Juliette Binoche on the set, he required an interpreter.

Juliette Binoche, left, Hirokazu Kore-eda and Catherine Deneuve, at the presentation of 'The Truth' at the Venice Film Festival, in 2019. VINCENZO PINTO (AFP)

Virzi, the acclaimed narrator of the Italian soul, was showered with some of the harshest criticism of his career for the film that he set in the U.S. He was accused of offering a superficial vision of the country. Similarly, Woody Allen was reproached for doing this in Paris, Rome and Barcelona. To which he always replied that at no point in time did he intend to shoot a sociological treatise  he just wanted to make a film, from his perspective as a visitor.

Language is important, but its not the first or the only element to relate [to something]. There are other elements within you [that are required] to understand others and for them to understand you. In the eyes, the body, the hands, perhaps you can capture something that you wouldnt even guess from what someone is saying, Farhadi reflects. Sometimes, language can even be confusing: I was watching Tokyo Story (1953) with Japanese students. And a student asked me: If what hes saying at this moment isnt so emotional, why does it impact [the viewer] so much?

Even so, its said that Dutchman Paul Verhoeven, a regular in American cinema, learned French before directing Isabelle Huppert in Elle (2016). And Almodovar himself abandoned the adaptation of Lucia Berlins Manual for Cleaning Women (2015), telling Deadline: I came to the decision that Im not ready to tackle such a monumental project in English.

Director Isabel Coixet gives instructions to actress Emily Mortimer during the filming of the movie 'The Bookshop', in 2017.

Farhadi spent almost two years in Spain before shooting his feature film in the municipality of Torrelaguna, about 45 minutes from Madrid. He has also traveled frequently throughout Spain. And, for Everybody Knows (2018), he auditioned practically all the actors in the country and learned all the dialogue phonetically, as Alvaro Longoria, the producer of the film, recounted. Far from generating skepticism, the Iranian genius approach to Spain attracted the biggest stars of local cinema, resulting in a cast that included Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Barbara Lennie, Inma Cuesta and Eduard Fernandez.

Asghar [Farhadi] spoke in English with the actors with whom he could communicate in that language but when he wanted to be more precise, he did so in Farsi. He really liked to comment on things about life, about Spain. Hes restless, he reads a lot and we talked about the script, but more about life in general. What Ive learned from good directors, like Asghar, is that theyre very specific, Fernandez shares with EL PAIS. With his talent, his own knowledge and the prominence of his actors, the filmmaker felt confident enough to venture into Spanish: he launched himself into filming a wedding, flamenco dancing, or townspeople gossiping.

Spanish director Isabel Coixet has never lacked guts, either. She switched to English for her second film, Things I Never Told You (1996). Shes had actors such as Ben Kingsley, Sarah Polley, Juliette Binoche and Gabriel Byrne under her command. And, in her films, Portuguese, German, Japanese and even Inuktikut have been spoken.

Coixet answers the phone from France, where shes preparing her next series (in French). She tells EL PAIS that, once again, shes counting on a foreign catch: Tim Robbins. Afterwards, shell head to Rome, to adapt a novel by the late Michela Murgia for the screen and, of course, shell do it in the original Italian.

Ive shot films in the languages that made sense, she notes. Its always emerged in a natural way: the world is wide and foreign. I try to shed all my habits. [For example], if you order a potato omelette in Tokyo, youre asking for trouble, she laughs, alluding to the need to embrace new settings. In any case, the mechanisms for making a film are, in some way, the same in Japan, Canada, Venezuela, Chad, or Uzbekistan. Theres a filming structure, no matter what language you speak, Coixet adds.

However, in the field of acting, something does change, requiring more work. In some way, theres a barrier of understanding. I felt more emotionally distant. I was less precise in terms of intonations. The good thing is that it makes you more attentive [and] present. Its more difficult to achieve authenticity. Thats why I do exhaustive prior work before arriving on the set, says Aida Folch. The actress defines her English as intermediate. And thats why, before the film, she rehearsed the script thoroughly with her tutor, Nieves Lazaro. So much so that, according to her confession, Trueba even feared that she had gone too far and her sentences would end up too mechanical.

Coixet, on the other hand, plans to ask an Italian friend for more informal lessons: to speak to her only in that language and refresh her memory before the next shoot. The filmmaker, while laughing, also recommends another method: Ive had boyfriends from several countries and that helps!

From right to left, Argentine actor Ricardo Darin, Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, Iranian director Asghar Farhadi and actor Javier Bardem attend the premiere of the film 'Everybody Knows,' at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2018. CLEMENS BILAN (EFE)

To play a role in another language, you have to understand it well enough to know the accents, the musicality, the intention of the word... and that takes time, a lot of time, Eduard Fernandez emphasizes. Especially for a leading role, as Penelope Cruz knows so well. Her efforts in Italian for the film Dont Move (2004) saw her obtain the David di Donatello Award for Best Actress. Since then, the international star has returned to the same language in To Rome with Love (2012), Limmensita (2022), or Ferrari (2023). However, in this later film, directed by Michael Mann, she spoke in English with an Italian accent, resulting in criticism.

She speaks with a Spanish accent trying to be [Emilia] Romagnola, like an exorcist with several voices inside her, lamented the professional polemicist Luca Barbareschi. Cruz was similarly criticized for her performance in the film Loving Pablo (2017), the portrait of the Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar filmed by Fernando Leon de Aranoa, with Cruz and Bardem operating in both English and Spanish.

Surely, in the history of cinema, many more films and languages have been discussed. After all, according to Ethnologue, there are 7,164 living languages. But for Folch, one more could be added: I believe that theres a kind of universal language in art. Ive felt it when, for example, I worked on a German film and I understood the director perfectly. There was something there an innate communication in knowing what youre doing.

Farhadi has a similar view: There are people who, just by looking at their eyes, you can read many stories. Even ones that theyve never told. Thats what attracts me the most. Its about looking at the eyes, be it on the outskirts of Tokyo, in a grocery store in Iran, or in the Spanish town of Torrelaguna.

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It is good, but it is on hold. This is how Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador responded this week to a reporters question about the state of bilateral relations with the United States, after Ambassador Ken Salazar openly questioned the presidents judicial reform. Pausing means that we are going to take our time, added Lopez Obrador, who also took aim at the Canadian representative, Ambassador Graeme C. Clark, who was collaterally affected by the controversy.

When Spain refused to apologize for the historical abuses committed in the Americas, Lopez Obrador paused contacts in February 2022, and he did the same with Peru in December of that year, after exploding against the government of Dina Boluarte. Although the Mexican executives claims are focused on Salazar, the latest pause has put ice on Mexicos relations with both its two main trading partners, the U.S. and Canada, amid an exchange of statements, accusations of interference and a political context influenced by the upcoming election in the U.S..

More than a formal complaint and less than a definitive break, diplomatic pauses have become a recurring tool for Lopez Obrador, used at the presidents discretion in his daily La Mananera address to highlight Mexicos differences with other countries. The concept has been at the center of controversy because it has no precedent or basis in Mexicos foreign policy, nor is it common in the diplomatic praxis of any country. Diplomatic pauses only exist in Lopez Obradors head, says Arturo Sarukhan, a former Mexican ambassador to the United States.

Jorge Schiavon, an academic at the Iberoamerican University, explains that there is already a wide range of options to air the differences between two countries, ranging from diplomatic estrangements and the recall of ambassadors to consultations to the breaking off of relations, in its most extreme version. Each action reflects the degree of the offense and sets the tone for the other country to respond in the same terms, in accordance with International Law. The pauses have no legal validity, what is sought is to send a political message, says the specialist. The problem is that since the pauses completely deviate from diplomatic logic, they open up a whole range of possibilities of how those involved can react and add fuel to the shaken trust between both countries.

Normally, he sets them in motion when he doesnt have a very clear idea of how things are going to go or a very defined plan of what to do, says Leonardo Curzio, an academic at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. The analyst feels that the pauses help the president fulfill three purposes. The first is that they allow him to cool off without freezing the relationship with the other country. The second is to gain time for his next strategic move or to avoid immediately entering into thorny issues on the diplomatic front. Finally, they help him to cede the initiative, to invite the other country to respond and to define how far he wants to take the disagreement, either to reconsider his position or to escalate tensions.

Spain, for example, left political relations on hold after the 2022 break. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs last official visit was a month after the start of Lopez Obradors presidency, and contacts between the two governments have remained cold for years. Deputy PM Yolanda Diaz was not received by the Mexican president in January of this year, although she did meet with president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, and announced that she would attend the latters inauguration. There are embassies in operation and stable trade exchanges, despite the chilly relations between the two heads of government.

The case of Peru was completely different. After the pause unilaterally decreed by the Mexican executive, the Andean country did issue a formal response: it declared both Lopez Obrador and the Mexican ambassador personae non gratae. Since then, Mexico has only maintained one charge daffaires in Lima, and relations are down to the bare minimum due to the differences with Boluarte, the snubs in the Pacific Alliance and the imposition of visas on Peruvian citizens this year. In other cases, there were no half-measures, such as the clean break with Ecuador after the illegal raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito. Pia Taracena, a researcher at the Iberoamerican University, believes that the pauses are messages for domestic consumption that unnecessarily complicate Mexicos external scenario and in that sense, they are not so new. It is very typical of revolutionary nationalism, it does this to win applause from its followers, but nothing is gained in the diplomatic field, says Taracena.

The tensions in relations with the United States and Canada, however, entail greater risks for Mexico. The president clarified in La Mananera on Wednesday that the latest pause applies only to Ambassadors Salazar and Clark. Relations with the governments continue, said Lopez Obrador, although a day earlier he had launched multiple criticisms of the U.S. State Department. This pause is more surprising than the others, says Schiavon.

The lack of clarity about the implications of the pause and to whom it was directed caused the governments of the United States and Canada to acknowledge receipt. Brian A. Nichols, assistant secretary for the Western Hemisphere of the State Department, backed Salazar and made it clear that the ambassadors concerns about the risks to Mexican democracy by weakening the judiciary are those of the entire U.S. diplomatic apparatus, and are reflected by the nervousness of investors in that country.

There could be a significant escalation of tensions, Schiavon warned. I would not be surprised if there were another pause, but this time in investments coming from Canada and the United States, he anticipated. Following the positioning of the Joe Biden Administration through Nichols, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said in a statement that certain constitutional and legal reforms currently proposed by the Mexican government  in particular, the judicial reform and the proposed elimination of independent regulatory agencies  risk undermining the rule of law and the guarantees of protection for business operations in Mexico. The agency also said the reforms put at risk Mexicos obligations under other international treaties to provide all with the right to a competent, independent, and impartial judicial system, thus undermining the confidence of the countrys main source of foreign direct investment.

Democratic and Republican senators, despite being locked in an electoral battle, also joined together to reject the proposal. It is a direct and unavoidable message, which was initially formulated by the ambassador in a very friendly manner, but which came directly from Antony Blinkens office with Bidens blessing, says Curzio. The advantage that Lopez Obrador gives himself with the pause is to say I already told you that I was on pause and I will return to the subject at the time that suits me.

Sarukhan sees, instead, an attempt by Washington to de-escalate the war of words because Biden needs Mexicos cooperation on the immigration front, one of the thorniest issues of the presidential campaign and of his own presidency. The real problem is that the president creates a climate that makes the bilateral relationship gallop backwards to decades prior to the Free Trade Agreement, he says. For Taracena, another variable to consider is whether Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will take up the issue in the campaign. The Democrats strategy has been patience, dialogue and diplomacy. It is clear that this is not Trumps strategy, he points out.

Another element that has made the atmosphere more rarefied is that Lopez Obrador did not announce any pause during Trumps presidency. Not after his xenophobic and anti-immigrant speeches, nor after launching threats to raise tariffs and bury the Free Trade Agreement, nor after the most recent attacks of his campaign. Schiavon points out that, in addition to the closeness between both presidents, Trump proposed a quid pro quo: not to get involved in Mexicos affairs, if it met his expectations in containing migratory flows.

Trumps game is much more ruthless than that of Biden or Salazar, in which Mexico clearly yielded, Curzio agrees. Despite the threats, Lopez Obrador seemed to be more comfortable without open criticism like that launched by the Democrats. He was also much more cautious during the first half of his term in the management of foreign policy: the differences with Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Spain, the United States and Canada are all the product of the last two years. Sarukhan warns, however, that the Democrats patience is finite. The big question is how much longer the president is willing to stretch the rubber band with a farce like the pause, he says.

The last point of controversy is the moment at which the cooling of relations with the United States and Canada is taking place: just as Sheinbaum is getting ready for her inauguration. The president is limiting the path and the wiggle room of the president-elect in the design of her agenda and her bilateral relationship with the United States, says Sarukhan. Curzios interpretation, on the other hand, is limited to domestic politics: the long chain of confrontations between Lopez Obradors executive and the judiciary, and the plan he has for succession. The president is clearly setting the tone and the time of this symphony, he says.

It has made things quite complicated, adds Taracena, who sees Sheinbaum already attempting to cushion the turbulence of the last few weeks, such as with her request that the judicial reform not be fast-tracked by Congress. Schiavon, finally, sees an opportunity in the pause: the incoming president will be able to decide to reactivate the relationship after assuming the presidency, most likely with the appointment of another ambassador. In short, patience: the matter will be resolved almost automatically through the electoral and political channels of both countries. The course of the next few days will determine whether the bilateral relationship will come out of the refrigerator or be brought to the freezing point.

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KYODO NEWS - Sep 1, 2024 - 22:00 | All, World, Japan

The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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China's top diplomat shows willingness to lease pandas to Japan zoo

BEIJING - China's top diplomat Wang Yi showed willingness to lease giant pandas to a Japanese zoo when he met last week with a cross-party parliamentary delegation from Japan in Beijing, sources familiar with bilateral relations said Sunday.

Wang told the group advocating friendly ties with China, headed by Toshihiro Nikai, a heavyweight in Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, at a dinner last Wednesday that he will be "responsible" for sending pandas to Japan. He also expressed his wish to visit Japan at an early date, the sources said.

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Japan, U.S. show support for Philippines amid China maritime clashes

MANILA/WASHINGTON - Japan and the United States expressed support for the Philippines after the Southeast Asian country on Saturday accused China of causing a collision between coast guard vessels operated by the respective nations.

Manila and Beijing on Saturday traded blame after their ships came into contact near the disputed Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard said its ship sustained damage.

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Typhoon Shanshan weakens to tropical storm as central Japan soaks

TOKYO - Typhoon Shanshan weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after being nearly stationary off the Pacific coast of central Japan, but heavy rains still caused rail service and other disruptions in the region.

Tokaido Shinkansen bullet trains, which had been partially suspended, restarted operations between Tokyo and the western city of Osaka by reducing the number of trains at around 6 p.m., according to operator JR Central.

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Paralympics: Swimmer Kimura wins 50m free for Japan's 2nd gold

PARIS - Japanese swimming ace Keiichi Kimura won his country's second gold medal at the Paris Paralympics on Saturday, in the men's S11 50-meter freestyle.

In the category for swimmers with very limited or no eyesight, the 33-year-old touched the wall in 25.98 seconds, 0.13 ahead of China's Hua Dongdong and Brazil's Wendell Belarmino Pereira, who posted identical times to share second place at Paris La Defense Arena.

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Utsunomiya tram's rejuvenation achievements a model for other cities

UTSUNOMIYA, Japan - The economic and societal benefits brought by a new tram system operating in the north of Tokyo have made it a model that other cities in Japan and around the world are studying with an eye on emulating its successes.

Some 4.75 million passengers had used the renewable energy-powered tram system in Tochigi Prefecture when it marked its first anniversary on Aug. 25, exceeding the initial estimate by approximately 20 percent, according to the operator Utsunomiya Light Rail Co.

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Philippines says China rammed coast guard ship in South China Sea shoal

MANILA - A Philippine Coast Guard ship anchored in Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea since April was rammed by a China Coast Guard vessel on Saturday, officials said, as tensions between the two countries over their maritime disputes have recently shifted to the area.

Teresa Magbanua, one of the two largest vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard, which Beijing wants Manila to remove from Sabina Shoal, sustained damage after it was "intentionally" hit multiple times while operating in the vicinity, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

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Baseball: Ohtani hits 44th home run as Dodgers outslug D-backs

PHOENIX, Arizona - Shohei Ohtani hit his National League-leading 44th homer and drove in two runs in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 8-6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Tommy Edman broke a 6-6 tie with a two-run single in the top of the ninth inning as the Dodgers extended their NL West lead to six games by taking the first two of a four-game set against the second-place D-backs at Chase Field.

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Paralympics: Palestine athletes want to be "free to fly": Aldeeb

PARIS - Fadi Aldeeb, Palestine's only representative at the Paris Paralympics said Saturday that athletes from his native Gaza long to be "free to fly," a desire to pursue their dreams, even as they face the constant threat of Israeli bombardments.

Aldeeb said Gazans are "living in a box" with nowhere to escape, and that prospective athletes are among those who never realize their full potential due to unending risk from airstrikes, gunfire, and other forms of deadly force, coupled with inadequate access to equipment and sporting facilities.

Video: Japan's Naoya Inoue meets press ahead of his Sept. 3 boxing match with Ireland's TJ Doheny
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ST. LOUIS  Five people were injured in a shooting in the Downtown West neighborhood early Sunday morning.

A 35-year-old woman was shot in the leg, and four others were injured, possibly by bullet fragments, the St. Louis police said.

A 22-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were taken to the hospital by ambulance. They are listed in stable condition, as is the 35-year-old woman.

A 33-year-old man and a 27-year-old man refused to be taken to the hospital after they were treated at the scene.

The incident happened around 2:30 a.m. in the 1900 block of Washington Avenue. An off-duty police officer was working security nearby and responded to the gunshots.
WASHINGTON  Lawyers for Donald Trump intend to urge a judge to dismiss the federal election subversion case against the former president after a Supreme Court opinion that narrowed the scope of the landmark prosecution, according to a court filing.

The defense team, in a joint filing late Friday with prosecutors that lays out dueling proposals for the next steps, foreshadowed a series of anticipated challenges that would draw out until deep into next year the criminal case charging the Republican presidential nominee with plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Those include arguments that a new and more limited indictment issued by prosecutors this past week still contains allegations for which Trump, as a former president, is entitled to immunity, such as his conversations with his then-vice president, Mike Pence.

Defense lawyers also intend as a threshold matter to seek the dismissal of the case on the same grounds that a federal judge in Florida cited last month in tossing out a separate prosecution charging Trump with illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

The judge in that case, Aileen Cannon, held that special counsel Jack Smith, whose team brought the case, was unlawfully appointed and that his office was improperly funded.

The election subversion case filing in federal court in Washington offers competing visions for how the case should proceed and comes before a status conference set for this coming week  the first court appearance in the case in months.

The Supreme Court opinion made it all but certain that no trial can be held before the election, and it falls to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which of the acts in the indictment can be included in the case and which must be stripped out.

The timetable proposed by the Trump team envisions the case remaining snarled in pretrial arguments up until potentially fall 2025, or well after this Novembers presidential election.

Smiths team did not propose specific dates but said it would be prepared to file an opening legal brief on the central issue of Trumps immunity promptly at any time the Court deems appropriate.

The filing is an acknowledgment of the radically altered legal landscape since Smith filed the indictment in June 2023 and the challenges prosecutors encountered in trying to hold Trump accountable this year.

Though prosecutors initially accused Trump of wide-ranging schemes to cling to power and to block the peaceful transfer of power, they must now contend with the aftermath of a Supreme Court opinion that said former presidents enjoy absolute immunity for exercising core constitutional powers and are presumptively immune for other official acts they take as president.

Smiths team responded to the ruling with a new indictment this past week that removed allegations related to Trumps dealings with the Justice Department, an area of conduct for which the court said Trump was immune from prosecution, and made other changes.

But Trumps lawyers, according to Fridays filing, dont think prosecutors went far enough and say they strongly maintain that many classes of conduct alleged in the Superseding Indictment are immune  including, but not limited to, Tweets and public statements about the federal 2020 Presidential election, communications with state officials about the federal election, and allegations relating to alternate slates of electors.

They said they particularly objected to the continued inclusion of allegations about Trumps badgering of Pence to get him to refuse to certify the counting of electoral votes. The Supreme Court said Trump was at least presumptively immune from prosecution for that conduct, Trumps lawyers note.

If the Court determines, as it should, that the Special Counsel cannot rebut the presumption that these acts are immune, binding law requires that the entire indictment be dismissed because the grand jury considered immunized evidence, Trumps lawyers wrote Friday.

Citing the immunity ruling, Trumps lawyers also separately moved Friday to halt proceedings in his New York hush money criminal case and indefinitely postpone his sentencing, currently scheduled for Sept. 18, while he attempts to have a federal court intervene and potentially overturn his felony conviction.

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 has denied her claim and said he did nothing wrong.

Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation or a fine.

Photos: Former President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign
As a medical student training in St. Louis, Im alarmed by the stark shortage of pediatricians and pediatric specialists available to care for Missouris children. This isnt a distant issue; its a crisis unfolding in our own backyard.

With fewer medical students choosing pediatrics, and an aging workforce retiring faster than we can replace them, I cant help but ask: Who will be there to care for Missouris children when they need us most?

Missouri is expected to face a shortfall of over 3,000 doctors by 2030, and pediatrics will be among the hardest-hit specialties.

Around 20% of children in Missouri require care from a pediatric specialist  doctors who have completed extra training in specific areas of medicine for children, such as pediatric neurologists and pediatric cardiologists.

However, due to the scarcity of these specialized doctors, families must scramble for appointments, endure long wait times, and travel significant distances, particularly in rural areas. According to a report by the American Association of Pediatrics, a child in Missouri with juvenile arthritis needs to travel an average of 51 miles to see a pediatric rheumatologist.

This shortage is personal for me. As a 14-year-old, I developed severe chronic headaches and a pain disorder known as Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome. After 10 anxious months of tests and scans, a pediatric neurologist finally diagnosed me with Celiac Disease, which was causing the pain. My family and I spent another two years in various pediatric specialists offices, getting the treatments I so desperately needed.

My doctors were incredible throughout this ordeal, but the process was deeply frustrating. I had to wait months for appointments, feeling helpless during the interim, only to be rushed through the actual consultations as my doctors hurried to see their next patients. I spent the better part of my early teenage years in chronic pain, which might have been alleviated sooner if more pediatric specialists had been available.

This issue is not just a challenge for current practitioners; its a looming crisis for the next generation of doctors, like myself.

Medical students are often advised to follow their passions when choosing a specialty. But the reality is that many of us are also influenced by the practicalities of compensation and job security.

If we choose to enter pediatrics, we must do so with the understanding that we may face significant challenges in terms of workload, financial compensation, and the emotional toll of working in a field that is under-resourced. Pediatricians are among the lowest-paid physicians in the nation, and despite their additional training, pediatric specialists earn less than their counterparts who treat adults in the same specialties.

The increasing demand for pediatric services exacerbates this shortage. As the U.S. population grows, so does the number of children needing care. Advances in medicine have also increased the survival rates of premature babies and children with chronic conditions, leading to a higher demand for pediatricians.

As a medical student, this trend is both inspiring and daunting  knowing that we have the tools to save and improve the lives of children, but also recognizing that there may not be enough of us to provide the necessary care.

Addressing the pediatrician shortage requires a multi-faceted approach.

First, we must incentivize medical students to enter pediatrics by expanding student loan-forgiveness programs, providing scholarships, and implementing competitive salaries that reflect the important work pediatricians do.

Congress must also expand residency programs in pediatrics, particularly in rural and underserved areas, to ensure that new doctors are trained where they are most needed.

I urge community members to contact their lawmakers and express their concern about the growing pediatrician shortage in Missouri and the nation, advocating for more residency programs and for compensation plans that bring pediatricians salaries in line with those of adult specialties.

By offering stronger incentives for medical students to pursue pediatrics and investing in the training of future pediatricians and specialists, we can begin to address the root cause of the shortage.

As a medical student training to become a pediatric specialist, I am both hopeful and anxious about the future of pediatrics. While challenges abound, with the right support, incentives, and policies, we can ensure that every child has access to the high-quality care they deserve.

My generation of doctors is ready to take on this challenge, but we cannot do it alone. We need the support of policymakers, educators, parents, and the entire healthcare community to create a sustainable future for pediatrics.
The myriad crises currently rocking St. Louis public schools  the lack of transportation to get kids to class, the districts sudden plunge into a multimillion-dollar budget deficit, the suspension of the superintendent over questionable hiring and contracting  intersect in one place: an elected school board that was apparently asleep at the switch and is now refusing to talk about any of it.

That the school district is in this multi-layered mess just five years after the state relinquished its oversight and returned power to the seven-member elected board doesnt exactly inspire confidence in that decision. But returning city schools to the control of a distant and often hostile seat of state government is less than an ideal option.

Heres an alternative thats worth talking about: putting the school system under the control of the mayors office, as has been done in some other cities around the country in recent decades to bring accountability to troubled districts.

Stay with us here. Were not suggesting this is something that should happen next week  or necessarily at all. But the demonstrative poor management of the district since the locally elected board re-took power in 2019 makes it an option that should at least be explored.

The complete collapse of the districts student-transportation system just before the current school year began Aug. 19 was in part because of workforce issues beyond the school boards control. But those same issues affect other districts that have managed to deal with them. Why has the board so spectacularly failed on that front?

The current situation  students being ferried to school on buses, taxis, ride services and carpooling parents sometimes driving more kids than is safe  is, as one official told the Post-Dispatchs Blythe Bernhard, a tragedy waiting to happen.

The school board owes the public an explanation for why it wasnt ready for this. Instead, the board has stonewalled the media and even gagged contractors who work with the district. At this point, we cant speak, one vendor told Bernhard. If I could, I would. Were under very, very strict guidelines to not speak on any dealings with SLPS. Everything is working itself out.

Theres precious little indication of that.

Even as the transportation mess has unfolded, the board suspended the superintendent it hired in 2022, Keisha Scarlett, as it investigates her pattern of steering jobs and contracts  many of which appear on their face to be make-work excuses to spend public money  to friends and colleagues from her past positions.

The board was right to suspend Scarlett over her apparent cronyism. Which makes its decision to appoint Scarletts deputy, friend and closest insider-hire, Millicent Borishade, as acting superintendent a truly baffling one. At last report, the board was considering hiring a $185-an-hour consultant to assist Borishade in running the office.

With that kind of fiscal decision-making at play, its no wonder the district has managed to go from having a $17 million surplus in its general operating budget a year ago to a projected $35 million deficit now. Yes, much of that is attributable to the transportation crisis. But, again, how did the board get caught so off-guard by the situation?

Mayoral control of school districts is a trend that started in some cities in the 1990s, as urban schools struggled with poor performance under elected boards. Today, about a dozen major cities use various models of that approach, including New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago.

The models differ, but generally it gives the mayor the authority to put school district leaders in place, either directly or through a board or panel appointed by the mayor.

Some districts have seen improved fiscal and academic performance under such a structure, though critics say it creates its own problems, including the perceived loss of direct public control over schools. Chicago is in the process of returning to a traditional elected school board model largely for that reason.

On the other hand, school board elections draw notoriously few voters and little public interest. How many people reading this editorial can name even a single member of the current board? And the fact that there are multiple board members makes it easy for individual members to keep their heads down and avoid taking responsibility for board failures.

In contrast, the mayor is, by definition, the most visible public official in any city. Critics of Mayor Tishaura Jones may chafe at the idea of giving her control over still more of the public process, but that misses the point. Putting the mayor  any mayor  in charge of schools leaves no ambiguity about where the buck stops when the snafus start.

St. Louis students deserve a functioning school system. That wont happen as long as its run by a board that has shown itself to be incompetent but is unlikely to be punished at the polls for it. Mayoral control of the public school system is an option St. Louis should be talking about.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 1, 2024 - 12:36 | All, Japan

The economic and societal benefits brought by a new tram system operating in the north of Tokyo have made it a model that other cities in Japan and around the world are studying with an eye on emulating its successes.

Some 4.75 million passengers had used the renewable energy-powered tram system in Tochigi Prefecture when it marked its first anniversary on Aug. 25, exceeding the initial estimate by approximately 20 percent, according to the operator Utsunomiya Light Rail Co.

The tram project was established by Utsunomiya city and the nearby town of Haga and runs between the east side of JR Utsunomiya Station and Haga, covering the 14.6-kilometer route in 42 minutes.

Although the population of the prefectural capital Utsunomiya is decreasing, the tram dubbed "Lightline" and operated by a public-private venture has promoted the development of housing with at least 16 high-rise buildings, including condominiums, having been built along the line, an Utsunomiya city official said.

Powered by electricity generated in the burning of household biomass waste and from excess energy produced by household solar installations, the trams were built by Niigata Prefecture-based company Niigata Transys Co. and designed to allow easy access for the elderly and passengers with a stroller or in a wheelchair.

With many municipalities in Japan looking for similar projects to bring new life to their areas, the tram has brought much domestic attention, but it has also generated interest overseas.

In early July, a group of bureaucrats and rail firm employees from outside Japan, including some Asian and African nations, visited Utsunomiya to learn about the tram system.

Sagita Devi, one of the group members and an official from an Indonesian company operating a Jakarta railway, said she was impressed with the barrier-free accessibility and well-designed stations.

The 35-year-old who is head of planning and development for areas surrounding train stations in Jakarta said she could see the light rail line "has played a significant role in the revitalization of Utsunomiya's urban areas, stimulating economic growth and encouraging development along its route."

According to the city, more than 300 groups of visitors -- officials from municipal governments and railway operators across Japan and from 35 countries -- have inspected the tram system. They have "strong interests in not only the tram itself but its contribution to the regional development," a city official said.

The city said it hopes to extend the tramway by five kilometers from the west side of Utsunomiya Station by 2035.

Utsunomiya Mayor Eiichi Sato told reporters, "The tram has drastically changed the east side of the city. With the extension to the west side, it would be more bustling."

Related coverage:

Fans flock to Hokkaido station featured in film as line section closes

Japan promoting pedal power to give abandoned railways new prospects

FEATURE: Man fills void in rural Japan city by opening movie theater
Regarding the letter to the editor, "It's time for a democracy that honors one person, one vote" (Aug. 25), which suggests working around the Electoral College with the National Popular Vote project:

Civics classes need to be reinstated. Our country is not the "United People of America"; it's the United States. States have rights, and different laws and ways of governing. That's why every state gets two senators: to represent the state equally in the Senate.

The National Popular Vote project would let California, New York and Chicagoland decide our presidential elections. Flyover states wouldn't matter, because they don't have enough population.

The writer expressed concern about the existence of "swing states." Not long ago, Ohio was a critical swing state; it no longer is. Things change. The system works.

Steve Lenox

Manchester
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Trace Drugolenski, 347th Operations Support Squadron commanders enlisted executive, front left, and Airman 1st Class Orlando Martinez, 23rd Operations Support Squadron targeting analyst, front right, pose for a photo after receiving Air and Space Commendation medals from Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, center, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Aug. 23, 2024. (Leonid Soubbotine/U.S. Air Force)

Two airmen received Air and Space Commendation medals at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., on Aug. 23 for their heroic efforts which led to saving a drowning mans life at Panama Beach, Fla., in March, according to base news release.

Airman 1st Class Trace Drugolenski, 347th Operations Support Squadron commanders enlisted executive, and Airman 1st Class Orlando Martinez, 23rd Operations Support Squadron targeting analyst, were on leave enjoying the white sand beach and turquoise waters until a lone man catching waves on a jet ski flew off the watercraft  after a couple of minutes, there was no sight of the man in the water.

Drugolenski and Martinez ran down the beach and jumped in the choppy ocean waves to attempt an impromptu search and rescue.

We just acted, and there was no thought whatsoever, Martinez said. Drugolenski was swimming in front of me, hopped on the jet ski and was able to jump-start it. While searching for the man, we looked back onto the beach because theres a whole crowd watching, and they were pointing in the same direction. We saw the guy floating face down with the life preserver on him.

With the assistance of another person who was able to swim out to lend a hand, the airmen were able to get the man out of the water, onto the craft and back to shore where first responders arrived to provide higher-level medical care.

I flipped him over, and hes all black, blue and purple, Martinez said. Im trying to check for consciousness, trying to get a reaction, letting him know my name and getting no response. We keep trying to get him aboard and keep failing, nearly flipping the jet ski two or three times.

The man slipped into a coma for two months  but because to the fast response of the Airmen and first responders on the beach that day, he was able to make a full recovery.

I dont know if I would have done that before I was in the military; whether I wouldve been the guy who had to think about what Ive done for a week or be a guy on the beach, who has to think about it his whole life, Drugolenski said. Id rather be the guy who took the risk.
Coast Guard Cutter Campbell (WMEC 909) crew members conduct bow-hoisting operations with a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-65 Dolphin helicopter air crew, July 10, 2024, while underway in the Windward Passage. (Eric Desirey/U.S. Coast Guard)

The Coast Guard Cutter Campbell returned to homeport in Newport, R.I., last week after 73 days at sea on patrol in the Windward Passage.

Campbell deployed in support of Homeland Security Task Force-Southeast and Operation Vigilant Sentry. During patrol, Campbells crew conducted maritime safety and security missions while working to detect, deter and intercept unsafe and illegal maritime migration ventures bound for the United States.

I am continuously impressed by the professionalism and work ethic demonstrated by the many other U.S. Coast Guard crews on cutters and aircraft that are constantly operating in the Windward Passage, Cmdr. Jonathan Harris, commanding officer of Campbell, said Wednesday in a service news release. Teamwork is one of our greatest strengths on Campbell, and that was a key factor in preventing unsafe migrant ventures on board overcrowded vessels in these waters.

Campbells crew cared for and repatriated 11 Haitian migrants, and with other Coast Guard assets in the Windward Passage supported the interdiction and deterrence of 643 migrants.

Campbell is a 270-foot, Famous-class medium endurance cutter. The cutters primary missions are counter-narcotics operations, migrant interdiction, living marine resources protection, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Tom Verbrugge, right, his nephew Livio, and girlfriend Valentine Simon take part in the Tanks in Town parade in Mons, Belgium, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

MONS, Belgium  Some 200 World War II military vehicles rolled through the streets of this southwestern Belgian city on Sunday, marking 80 years since U.S. soldiers helped free it from Nazi occupation.

The annual Tanks in Town event honored the Americans and Belgian resistance fighters who liberated the city on Sept. 3, 1944, while emphasizing the value of standing together against aggression, a reminder that felt particularly relevant to some attendees amid Russias ongoing war in Ukraine.

Vintage tanks, jeeps and armored cars proceeded through villages and locations around Mons for several hours in the morning, retracing the route taken by the Armys 3rd Armored Division as it advanced from the French border into Mons eight decades ago.

Upon entering the city, the procession took over the historic central square, the Grand Place, where commemoration activities continued.

Soldiers with the U.S. Armys 1st Cavalry Division traveled from Poland to participate in the commemoration, driving two modern-day Bradley Fighting Vehicles in the procession.

What our predecessors did here 80 years ago, the sacrifices they made, is tremendous, said Capt. Clayton Vermeesch of 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment. To be here and to feel that gratitude from the local population all these years later is humbling.

World War II military vehicles take over the Grand Place in Mons, Belgium, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, to mark the citys liberation 80 years ago. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Spectators watch vintage military vehicles parade through Mons, Belgium, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. The annual Tanks in Town event it held to honor the U.S. soldiers who liberated the city during World War II. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Reenactors drive World War II-era military vehicles through Mons, Belgium, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, to commemorate the U.S. service members who liberated the city in 1944. The Tanks in Town event is held every year. Organizers say its the only event of its kind in the world. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Reenactors participate in the Tanks in Town event in Mons, Belgium, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the citys liberation during World War II. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, NATOs supreme allied commander and leader of U.S. European Command, rides in an M5 Stuart nicknamed Fish and Chips during the Tanks in Town celebration in Mons, Belgium, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. Fish and Chips was the first tank to enter Mons when U.S. forces liberated the city in September 1944. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

The first U.S. troops, other than an earlier reconnaissance mission, entered Belgium on Sept. 2, 1944, at Cendron in Hainaut province. The following day, they liberated Mons, about 40 miles north.

It was part of a broader strategy by the Allies to push German fighters out of Belgium and drive them deeper into Europe.

Within 10 days, American, British, Canadian and other Allied troops had liberated most of Belgium. But in December, Hitler launched his last major offensive on the Western Front, which came to be known as the Battle of the Bulge. About three months later, Allied troops had fully liberated Belgium.

Some 19,000 U.S. troops were killed during the Battle of the Bulge alone, which was responsible for most American combat deaths during the liberation.

Mons resident Tom Verbrugge, 27, one of the scores of reenactors who participated in this years Tanks in Town, said hes been taking part since he was a child.

This event is a lot of fun, but its also an important way to keep remembering the sacrifices that were made, said Verbrugge, who drove a vintage vehicle with his 6-year-old nephew in the passenger seat, both dressed in military garb.

Spc. Andrew Evatt, left, Spc. Tyrese Cooley and Spc. Michael Lineberry pose for photos outside their Bradley Fighting Vehicle ahead of the Tanks in Town parade in Mons, Belgium, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. The soldiers, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, traveled from Poland to participate in the event. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Tanks in Town has taken on additional meaning, as NATO countries reaffirm their commitment to collective defense, said Corentin Rousman, a curator at the Mons Memorial Museum.

This event, and the commemoration that we do, allows people to say, yes, we are in a free country now, but will that be the case in the future?  Rousman said.

The efforts of the Allies in Belgium 80 years ago paved the way for the establishment of NATO in 1949. Today, the blocs command headquarters, known as Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, or SHAPE, is located just outside Mons.

U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Michael M. Adler speaks during a ceremony in Mons Grand Place on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, to commemorate 80 years since U.S. forces liberated the city. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, NATOs supreme allied commander and leader of U.S. European Command, on Sunday laid a wreath at a memorial to the 1st Infantry Division. U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Michael M. Adler spoke at the Grand Place, underscoring the U.S. and NATOs commitment to Ukraine.

Tanks in Towns role of keeping the memory of Belgiums liberation alive is particularly important as the numbers of those who directly remember it dwindle, said Gil Dupuis of the Royal Mons Auto Moto Club, which organizes the event.

With record vehicle participation this year and new activities, such as a 1940s-themed ball, which the SHAPE band performed at on Saturday, the event shows no signs of waning.

In 20 years from now, 50 years from now, until my death, we will be remembering the Americans who came here and celebrating the liberation, Dupuis said.
Ukrainian pilots and others look on as F-16 fighter jets fly past during a ceremony held to mark Ukrainian Air Forces Day at an undisclosed location on Aug. 4, 2024. (Sergei Supinsky, AFP, Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Allies must give Ukraine what it needs to repel Russias invasion and not restrict the use of donated arms, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.

Ukraine should be allowed to use Western weapons including F-16 fighter jets to hit targets inside Russia as long as it follows international law, she told a security conference in Prague on Saturday.

Talking about red lines when it comes to donations is a big mistake, the premier said. Ukraine has to win this war, and they are facing an extremely aggressive Russia. The only way to win is to give Ukraine what they need.

Denmark is one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine and among the staunchest Russia hawks within NATO as allies keep debating restrictions on the use of their arm supplies inside Russia. The Nordic country of 6 million people has provided $7.3 billion worth of military aid and helped to train Ukrainian pilots and soldiers. Most recently, it donated 19 of its F-16s.

Frederiksen declined to comment on the use of F-16s in specific operations, but said the Danish government puts no restrictions on their deployment, provided Ukraine complies with international law. She also called on Europe to ramp up defense spending and take full responsibility for the continents security.

The prime minister signaled that Beijing was in part responsible for the war because of its support for Russia. Western nations are making a big mistake by remaining dependent on China, according to 46-year-old Frederiksen.

Russia would not be able to do this, they would not be able to kill Europeans in Ukraine almost every day, if it wasnt because of China, she said. We have to realize that and we have to understand how dangerous this situation is.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Visit bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage by Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during a campaign rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  The U.S. Defense Department said it will provide additional military support capabilities to the Secret Service to guard the major presidential and vice presidential candidates through the November election in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved a request from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, for increased support at various locations across the United States, Sabrina Singh, a Defense Department spokeswoman, told reporters Thursday. Such support would be provided by National Guard units.

Although Singh didnt elaborate on why the help being provided through U.S. Northern Command was needed, the Secret Service has been under scrutiny for security failures that allowed the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July. Trump was slightly injured and a spectator in the crowd was killed before snipers shot and killed the attacker.

Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, said in a statement that since the assassination attempt the service has bolstered our protective operations in order to ensure the highest levels of safety and security. As part of this effort, the Department of Defense is providing the U.S. Secret Service with additional assistance including logistics, transportation, and communications, through the 2024 campaign season.

Northern Command said in a statement that the Defense Department is providing enhanced support for the protection of the 2024 Presidential and Vice-Presidential campaign candidates. It compared that to past support for National Special Security Events, such as political conventions, but with additional capabilities provided to further bolster candidate security.

Singh said the added military support is likely to continue for the president-elect and vice president-elect through their inauguration in January.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Visit bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 1, 2024 - 19:25 | All, Japan

Typhoon Shanshan weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after being nearly stationary off the Pacific coast of central Japan, but heavy rains still caused rail service and other disruptions in the region.

Tokaido Shinkansen bullet trains, which had been partially suspended, restarted operations between Tokyo and the western city of Osaka by reducing the number of trains at around 6 p.m., according to operator JR Central.

At least seven people have been confirmed dead as a result of weather brought by the typhoon, which crawled eastward after making landfall on the country's southwestern main island of Kyushu on Thursday.

More than 120 people have been injured, with over 1,000 homes damaged due to gusts of wind and flooding.

The deaths were caused by a landslide, a house collapse and other incidents that occurred as the typhoon swept through southwestern and western regions of the country, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency and local governments.

Due to humid air brought by the typhoon, many parts of the country experienced record amounts of rain.

With more rainfall expected to hit the Pacific coast areas of eastern Japan, the agency warned residents to be wary of landslides and overflowing rivers.

Related coverage:

Japan rail disruption spreads as typhoon crawls eastward

Typhoon weakens but train, flight disruption continues in Japan

3 dead, over 80 hurt as typhoon makes landfall in southwest Japan
Navy veteran Arthur Grabiner is shown with his son, Douglas Grabiner, at the New York City Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11, 2023. Douglas Grabiner holds an oversized photo of his father in his Navy uniform. Arthur Grabiner, 98, participates in the parade annually with members of the USS Intrepid Former Crewmembers Association Inc. (USS Intrepid Former Crewmembers Association Inc.)

WASHINGTON  As an 18-year-old Navy yeoman 2nd class, Arthur Grabiner served during World War II aboard the USS Laurens, an attack transport ship that island-hopped and took part in amphibious assaults in the Pacific, including the battles of Okinawa and the Philippines.

He watched as a Japanese kamikaze suicide plane plunged into another ship and stood at attention during a mass burial at sea of fellow service members killed in the attack. At age 98, Grabiner is determined to devote this final chapter of his life to sharing memories of his wartime service.

Its a duty I owe this generation, he said. My hope for the future is that young people can learn something from my talks.

On Monday  the 79th anniversary of Japans surrender  Grabiner will greet visitors at the Intrepid, a former World War II aircraft carrier transformed into a floating maritime museum permanently anchored in the Hudson River in New York City.

One of a fast-dwindling number of World War II veterans, Grabiner said he sees himself as having an important role in the commemoration. Less than 1% of the more than 16 million Americans who served in that war  or about 100,000  were still alive at the beginning of this year, according to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

At 98 years young, Dad is determined to remain active, vital and engaged while continuing to live his life purposefully. He will not allow age to define or limit him, said his son Douglas Grabiner, who assists his father in public appearances at high school ROTC programs, military college commencements and special events at museums such as the Intrepid.

Arthur Grabiner joined the Navy when he was 18, serving aboard the USS Laurens in the Pacific theater during World War II. (Arthur Grabiner)

In June, Grabiner was invited to graduation ceremonies of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island, east of New York City.

When Dad is out speaking in public, he acts like a gung-ho sailor back in the thick of things and eager to mix it up, Douglas Grabiner said.

Grabiners story followed a template of millions of young Americans of the Greatest Generation, who came from modest origins but were thrust into extraordinary events at a young age.

The son of Polish immigrant parents, Grabiner (pronounced Gruh-bee-ner) said hed rarely ventured more than 20 square blocks from his home in a working-class neighborhood of the Bronx before entering the Navy in 1944.

Assigned to the USS Laurens, which was commissioned in September 1944, Grabiner pulled overnight shifts as a watchman and assisted the gunners by relaying commands from officers on the bridge.

His ship operated out of New Guinea and New Caledonia transporting troops and supplies before landing soldiers on the main Philippine island of Luzon in January 1945.

Three months later, one of its sister ships, the USS Tyrrell, was attacked by Japanese aircraft off Okinawa. The aircraft failed to strike the ship but crashed alongside it and exploded, showering the deck with debris.

Grabiner participated in a burial at sea for fellow sailors the same day as the attack, describing it as the largest funeral that he ever attended.

Remains were placed in weighted canvas bags draped with the American flag in a mass funeral, he said. As a bugler played taps, the flag was removed, and the bag dropped into the ocean.

Standing at attention and saluting while on the top deck of our respective ships, thousands of Navy sailors, myself included, watched as our brothers were buried at sea, Grabiner said.

Arthur Grabiner, a former Navy yeoman 2nd class, served from 1944-1946. Grabiner, now 98, will bring his collection of World War II photos, documents and other artifacts to the Intrepid Museum in New York City on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the Japanese surrender. (Arthur Grabiner)

He and his shipmates were training for an invasion of Japan when they learned of the Aug. 6 atomic bombings of Hiroshima, which along with a second bombing of Nagasaki led to the Japanese surrender, ending World War II.

The message told of a great bomb dropped on Japan that inflicted extraordinary damage. No mention was made of an atomic bomb, Grabiner said.

The ships captain then received another radio message directing him to terminate the exercise and set sail for Pearl Harbor

Dad believes his life was very likely spared by President (Harry) Trumans order to drop the atomic bombs over Japan, Douglas Grabiner said.

Grabiner returned to his family home in the Bronx after receiving an honorable discharge in May 1946. He went to college under the GI Bill, becoming a certified public accountant. He became a principal at a Manhattan public accounting firm, practicing for 50 years.

But Grabiner said his experiences from military duty have stayed with him and helped to shape his values.

My service as a teenager in the U.S. Navy helped me appreciate that when we, as Americans, come together, we can accomplish anything. Not for self but for country, he said. I am proud to have played my part and grateful to those who do so today.
Judith Evans will stand trial later this year on sexual offences she is accused of committing against a male student.

Judith Evans will stand trial later this year on sexual offences she is accused of committing against a male student.

The 33-year-old, of Elmwood Grove in Newtownabbey, appeared at Belfast Crown Court last Wednesday to deny 11 sex abuse charges.

It is alleged that Evans, who has been suspended from Belfast Boys Model School, communicated with a pupil for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification between March 1 and May 17 this year.

When asked how she pleaded, she replied: Not guilty.

She was then charged with two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming over the same time period, pleading not guilty to both charges.

Evans also denied two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of intentionally engaging in sexual touching involving penetration with a child, and one count of causing a child to look an at image of a person engaging in sexual activity for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.

The teacher was then further charged with two counts of possessing an indecent image of the pupil, to which she entered not-guilty pleas.

Additionally, she pleaded not guilty to a charge of perverting the course of justice between June 13 and 27 this year  namely, making a false allegation of sexual assault against the boy.

No further details about the alleged offences emerged during the arraignment, but Evans barrister Laura Ivers KC told Judge Patricia Smyth that the defence was seeking forensic and psychiatric reports ahead of the trial.

Evans solicitor Adrian Harvey told a previous court hearing that his client claims she was a victim in the encounters with the pupil.

At this prior hearing, he said his client is also a complainant in relation to these proceedings, and confirmed Evans had been suspended from the Belfast Boys Model School, a boys only secondary school in north Belfast.

Judge Patricia Smyth set the trial date as November 4 after all the charges were put to the defendant.

Following the hearing, Evans attempted to prevent being identified as the defendant on Friday afternoon.

Her lawyers claimed that she should not be identified because she herself had made a criminal complaint, because there were concerns over her mental health, because it might risk identification of the schoolboy, and because naming her risked prejudicing the administration of justice.

Fergal McGoldrick, solicitor for Mediahuis, owners of the Belfast Telegraph and the Sunday World, objected, arguing there was no legal basis to prevent Evans identification given the charges she faces and the open justice principle.

Judge Patricia Smyth declined to make any order preventing Evans from being named, citing the importance of open justice.

However, she gave Evans legal representatives a deadline of 6pm on Saturday to provide evidence from a psychiatrist and any further argument.

The defendant confirmed no further argument would be made on Saturday evening.
A child rapist is back behind bars for breaching an order put in place to protect the public from him.

John Patrick Smyth, who is considered one of Irelands most dangerous paedophiles, is now awaiting sentencing after failing to inform police of his whereabouts.

The 37-year-old predator pleaded guilty to the offence at Belfast Crown Court last Tuesday and was remanded in custody.

Smyth had been living in a flat at Clarke Court in Antrim town, where neighbours had no idea about his catalogue of sex convictions from 2012.

These include raping and gross indecency with a child, aggravated assault, possession of offensive weapons and making threats to kill.

This is the fifth time that Smyth has flaunted a court order designed to protect the public from him.

His previous breaches include communicating with minors, going missing from approved hostel accommodation and bingeing on drugs.

Sources described Smyth as being virtually unmanageable.

They also revealed that, prior to moving to Antrim, he had been sleeping rough in a tent at a Co Down forest.

Smyth is virtually unmanageable. Hes an absolute nightmare client for those who have to supervise him, a source said.

He got the flat in Antrim after it was discovered he was sleeping rough in a forest.

Of course, his new neighbours had absolutely no idea there was a child rapist living next door.

There were also concerns about the location. Its right next to the Antrim Forum, which is really popular with kids and young families.

Because Smyth is considered dangerous, he has to inform the police of any change in address.

He didnt bother and thats why he found himself back in Maghaberry.

Smyths devious nature is well documented, two years ago it was revealed how he tricked a Belfast furniture removals company into giving him a job.

The company had no idea he was a notorious paedophile and sacked him on the spot when its bosses found out as the work entailed him going into family homes.

The manager said afterwards: Our Belfast branch had no knowledge of any previous or pending convictions.

Smyth was freed early from prison in 2016 but has spent the eight years since in and out of jail for breaching court orders.

He was eventually granted his full licence in 2021. However, he remains subject to strict supervision requirements.

Originally from the Lenadoon area of west Belfast, Smyth has used the alias John Coleman in the past and deployed it to blag a job at an unsuspecting business in the Sandy Row area of the city. He was sacked when shocked bosses discovered his true identity.

In 2015, Smyth sparked a police manhunt when he went missing from Magilligan Prison. He had been allowed out on day release as he neared the end of his sentence for child rape.

The sex predator was eventually arrested after 72 hours on the run.
Croatian Josip Stroks father began legal action action after disagreement with mans mother

Josip Strok suffered severe head injuries in an attack in Clondalkin last March

A legal battle over the remains of a man who died after an assault has ended with a judge ruling he should be cremated and his ashes split.

Josip Strok (31), a Croatian who lived in central Dublin, suffered severe head injuries at Grange View Way, Clondalkin, Co Dublin, last March 30.

He was taken to hospital and died from his injuries on April 3.

His friend David Druzinec (28) was allegedly attacked during the same incident.

David Druzinec

On Tuesday, a judge ruled that Mr Stroks remains, which have been in the custody of the Dublin District Coroner since his death, should be cremated in Ireland and his ashes split between his parents.

A dispute arose between the mother and father, who have been separated for more than a decade, when a next-of-kin was sought for the release of Mr Stroks remains following a post-mortem examination.

Mr Stroks father, Nedjelkjo Strok, wanted his sons remains repatriated to Croatia for a Catholic burial.

However, Mr Stroks mother, Julia Strok Underwood, who lives in the UK, argued that her sons wishes were to be cremated and that he did not want a religious ceremony.

Nedjelkjo Strok initiated legal proceedings, resulting in this weeks High Court hearing.

The order also states that the costs of the funeral services and cremation are to be shared equally between the parents.

The case came before Ms Justice Siobhan Stack in the High Court on Tuesday, where the judge ordered that Mr Stroks mother could take custody of his remains. The remains must then be cremated in Ireland followed by a 50-50 split of the ashes.

Both Mr Stroks parents were in court for the ruling.

The order also permitted the father and mother to arrange and hold separate funeral services in Ireland as each deems appropriate. After cremation and equal division of the ashes, each parent can store or dispose of their share as each party wishes.

The order also states that the costs of the funeral services and cremation are to be shared equally between the parents.

Mr Strok was from the Krapina region in northern Croatia and had been living and working in Ireland in recent years.

His childhood friend, Mr Druzinec, was left with multiple fractures and facial wounds following the assault on Easter Saturday.

Despite his injuries, Mr Druzinec tried to help gardai with their investigation the day after the attack.

In June, Mark Lee (43), who is of no fixed abode and unemployed, was remanded in custody charged with the murder of Mr Strok.

He is the third person charged in connection with the death of Mr Strok.

Anthony Delappe (left) and Conor Rafferty

In April, Connor Rafferty (19) of Castlegrange Close, Clondalkin, and Anthony Delappe (18) of Melrose Avenue, also Clondalkin, were both charged at Ballyfermot garda station with the murder of Mr Strok and assault causing harm to Mr Druzinec on March 30.

In April, more than 100 people attended a vigil on Grange View Road, close to where Mr Strok was found. Details of his funeral services and cremation are being finalised.
His solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client had been doing well but had 'reconnected with other parties' and was on a downward spiral and in a quagmire of drugs.

A hapless burglar broke into a medical surgery searching for drugs - more than six years after it had closed its doors.

Chad Mitchell appeared at Letterkenny District Court in Co Donegal charged with burglary at Scally Place at Mount Southwell in Letterkenny on July 22 last.

Mitchell, aged 27, was caught on CCTV scouring the premises of the former Scally Medical Practice.

Garda Sergeant Sean McDaid told the court that the owner of the building arrived at the premises on July 24 to collect post.

He noticed damage had been caused to a door, a picture frame and internal doors before noticing a CCTV hard drive and wiring had been ripped out but was later found on the floor.

A copper cylinder and gas boiler had also been taken off the wall.

The CCTV was downloaded by gardai and Mitchell was identified in the footage before he was arrested and then charged.

The court was told that Mitchell, with an address at Westend Accommodation, West End, Bundoran, has 11 previous convictions including some for robbery and burglary.

He had been in custody since August 1 when he was arrested.

His solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client had been doing well but had 'reconnected with other parties' and was on a downward spiral and in a quagmire of drugs.

He said that his client was high when breaking into the premises.

Mr Gallagher added the fact that Mitchell was looking for drugs in a premises which had closed at least six years previously spoke for itself.

"He is at the court's mercy. He was caught on camera and there is no defence to the matter.

"He has got assistance but it is a constant battle for him and he has to accept that," added the solicitor.

Judge Ciaran Liddy imposed a sentence of six months in prison but then suspended the sentence for six months.
Theres a lot of younger kids getting dragged into this... both sides are hell-bent on revenge

Devon Hennessy had a bulletproof BMW seized from him after a botched attempt on his life

A bungling arsonist almost set himself alight in an attack linked to a West Dublin feud.

CCTV capturing the arson attack, which occurred in Blanchardstown six days after the attempted hit on Devon Hennessy, reveals how the perps petrol bomb exploded within seconds of him setting it alight.

It was carried out by associates of the Hennessy crew in response to the attempt on Devons life.

Gardai also believe those caught up in the feud are upping their personal protection as tit- for-tat attacks continue.

Feud target Devon Hennessy had a bullet-proof BMW seized from him as part of the investigation into a botched daylight attempt on his life on August 2.

Sources say its suspected this vehicle had formerly been used by associates of the Dundon crime faction in Limerick.

The bungling arsonist is seen in video footage lighting what appears to be a petrol bomb, which explodes as he fires it back into the vehicle

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And our sources also say officers in west Dublin have played a blinder in stopping the simmering dispute developing into all-out warfare in the wake of the murder of Devons father Jason Hennessy at Brownes steakhouse on Christmas Eve.

But they warn resources are being stretched thinly as the toll of policing the dispute mounts.

Exclusive footage of an arson attack on a property in Blanchardstown, days after the botched hit on Devon, shows how inexperienced youths are being drawn into the deadly dispute with the thug almost setting himself alight.

The footage shows the attacker reversing a jeep through the propertys metal gates.

He then gets out of the drivers door of the vehicle and lights a petrol bomb that appears to explode as he fires it back inside the vehicle.

He can then be seen fleeing on foot from the scene as the vehicle catches alight, in the apparent hope the blaze will spread to the house.

Jason Hennessy

There are a lot of younger kids getting dragged into this, a source told the Sunday World.

There is a lot of tension in west Dublin because theres a recognition both sides are hell-bent on getting revenge.

The attempted hit on Devon Hennessy has only added to those tensions.

Equally, sources say, associates of gunman Tristan Sherry, who was beaten and stabbed to death after he gunned down Jason Hennessy Snr, are determined to avenge his death.

Further evidence of the feuds deadly potential came late last week when more than 40 bullets were found during a planned search of waste ground in west Dublin where associates of the Hennessy gang is suspected of hiding drugs and ammunition.

Devon Hennessy had a bulletproof BMW seized from him after a botched attempt on his life

A sawn-off shotgun and around 200,000 worth of drugs were found at the same location by members of the Finglas Drugs Unit in an earlier search in May.

An 18-year-old was sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court in connection with the May seizure earlier this week.

Diarmuid OBrien had been refused bail earlier after being charged with unlawful possession of a side-by-side double-barrelled shotgun on May 7 at Tolka Valley Park, contrary to the Firearms Act.

The youth has connected charges for possessing cocaine, cannabis and heroin worth almost 70,000 for sale or supply at the same location.

He was 17 at the outset of the criminal proceedings but has since reached adulthood.

A State solicitor told Judge Shalom Binchy that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that Mr OBrien be sent for trial to the Special Criminal Court.

Jason Hennessy's funeral

The DPP had furnished a certificate under section 46.2 of the Offences Against the State Act that, in this case, the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice.

Judge Binchy told the accused that he must notify the prosecution if he intended to use an alibi.

She also ordered the gardai to hand over interview videos to the defence.

Solicitor Andrew Molony said his client sought bail, but the application faced objections from investigating garda Daniel Sweeney.

The officer contended that refusing bail was necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offence, and the teen was connected to an ongoing feud in Blanchardstown.

Tristan Sherry was beaten to death after he gunned down Jason Hennessy last December

He agreed with Mr Molony that the youth had not been holding the gun when caught but said he was digging it out of the ground.

Judge Binchy refused bail and granted a return-for-trial order, sending him forward, in custody, to the Special Criminal Court.

The teen, who did not address the court and has yet to indicate a plea, was granted legal for the trial, to be represented at his trial by solicitor Simon Fleming, a barrister and a senior counsel.

The Corduff feud began in earnest in 2019 when a gang from the area split into two factions, who began fighting over the local drugs trade.
Jailed gangland boss sends floral tribute to his trusted lieutenant as he is laid to rest in Dublin cemetery

Floral tributes to Liam Roe, who has died of cancer

Devastated Kinahan gangster Liam Byrne organised a floral tribute from his cell in Belmarsh prison in honour of his first cousin and loyal lieutenant Liam Bop Roe.

The floral picture tribute, showing Roe, Byrne, Byrnes son Lee and his pal Nathan Biggie Little, was given pride of place on his grave  after the 46-year-old was buried in Bohernabreena Cemetery in Dublin on Friday.

A card placed on the top corner of the tribute read simply: Love you forever and always, Liam, Nathan and Lee.

Cartel chief Byrne is currently on remand along with his brother-in-law Thomas Bomber Kavanagh awaiting trial over a conspiracy to have a cache of guns discovered by police in exchange for a reduced sentence for Kavanagh for drug smuggling.

Liam Roe with Lee Byrne

In his dads absence, Liams son Lee, who has no involvement in crime and who along with pal Nathan Little was extremely close to Roe, attended the cartel criminals funeral in Drimnagh on Friday.

Our exclusive pictures show Lee leaving the church after the coffin had already been brought out.

Lee paid tribute to his cousin in a series of posts  posting a picture of himself and Roe together and another of Roe on a motorbike writing: Goodnight, I love you Uncle B.O.P.

The 46-year-old, long regarded by Gardai as a key figure in the Kinahan Cartel, died on Tuesday after a short battle with cancer.

Roes blood links to Thompson, the Byrnes and Bomber Kavanagh, helped in his rise to be one of the Cartels trusted lieutenants.

He became a major target for Gardai following the Regency Hotel shooting in February 2016 in which his cousin David Byrne was killed, as they cracked down on the Hutch and Kinahan organised crime groups.

Nathan Little (back right, in glasses) and Sadie Byrne (left) at the funeral

Roe is pre-deceased by his mother Ann, and survived by his father Seamus, partner Niamh, stepchildren Mia and Ashton, and a wider circle of family and friends.

His funeral heard how Roe planned to marry his partner if he recovered from his illness.

Items brought to the altar as symbols of Roes life included a Liverpool jersey, a dumbbell, his dog lead, and a photograph of him with his mother.

Sadie Byrne pays her respects.

A friend, James OLeary, who knew Roe for 25 years, told mourners that he first met him when Roe was 15, but it was a few years later when he was working as a doorman in a city nightclub that he remembered him pulling up in a blue Subaru Impreza asking alright James. Any parties?

He was a bigger, and a lot browner man than I remembered previously, but there was no mistaking those baby blue eyes, he said, remarking on Roes trademark tan.

Mr OLeary said Roe was diagnosed with cancer in May, and that four weeks ago he spent a few hours with him and he was discussing the big plans he had for when he would be cured.

Liam Roe with Liam Byrne after the Regency Hotel shooting

The biggest plan he had was that he was going to put a ring on the love of his lifes finger. He was going to marry Niamh. But unfortunately, and heartbreakingly, this was not to be, and Liam was taken from us, Mr OLeary said.

He now sits beside his mam, cousin David, loved ones and friends, watching down from above. He will never walk alone.

After Requiem Mass, Roes remains were brought to Behernabreena Cemetery for burial.

Among the floral tributes placed on his grave, another showed him holidaying with a group that included Sean McGovern and Anthony McEnroe.

McGovern is currently living in exile in Dubai, despite him being named by the Irish and American authorities as a significant figure at the apex of the Kinahan cartel.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed McGovern should stand trial in Dublin for his alleged role in the Kinahan-Hutch feud murder of Noel Kirwan (62) in Clondalkin, Co Dublin, in 2016, and other charges.

Friends and family gather to say goodbye

Various arms of the Irish State  the Garda, Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs and its diplomats  have made efforts to secure Mr McGoverns extradition. But he is still believed to be living openly in Dubai.

Anthony McEnroe, the other Cartel associate in the floral picture tribute, was described in court as being a trusted member of the Cartel.

Roe was involved in organised crime for most of his adult life.

He was a target of the Criminal Assets Bureau in its fight to seize some 1.4m worth of assets from the Byrne crime organisation.

He was Liam Byrnes constant companion before Byrne fled the country and was jailed in the UK where he faces firearms charges.

Roe previously claimed in a CAB case that he was unemployed, relying on his fathers financial support.

But he was once stopped at Dublin Airport with 60,000 in his check-in bag. When challenged, he produced a bank account which showed a balance of 294,000.
The woman, who lives in Sligo and who has asked to remain anonymous, said she thinks it is unfair that prison bosses have barred her

Graham Dwyers new acquaintance on why she befriended the convicted murderer

A woman who has been barred from visiting convicted murderer Graham Dwyer in prison has said she intends to try to re-establish a pen pal relationship with the killer.

The woman, who lives in Sligo and who has asked to remain anonymous, said she thinks it is unfair that prison bosses have stopped her from visiting Dwyer.

She has received a phone call from Portlaoise Prison explaining why her visits to the killer have been suspended, as well as a letter.

I was essentially told that the issue is that they do not accept that I am his friend, she said.

Murderer or no murderer, hes serving his time. The man should have some rights

How they define a friend is the issue. But he has decided to classify me as his friend after we began writing to one another. He accepted and placed me on his visitor list on the basis that I am his friend.

We are not doing anyone any harm. I just think its very unfair. He is being penalised because they dont accept his classification that we are friends. Murderer or no murderer, hes serving his time. The man should have some rights, she said.

The woman said she is in no way romantically involved with Dwyer but wanted to meet him after reading a book about his murder of childcare worker Elaine OHara in 2012.

She wrote to him and they exchanged a number of letters this summer, before he put her on his visitor list at the midlands jail.

She visited him once and they discussed BDSM (the sexual practice of bondage, discipline and sadomasochism), which his murder trial heard he was involved in.

The womans second scheduled visit with Dwyer was then cancelled by the prison authorities.

The woman said she is not interested in BDSM, but it is potentially linked to a problem in her private life so she wanted to discuss it with Dwyer.

When we met, he explained the BDSM world to me. It wasnt frightening. It seems that it can be a personal choice

I was quite happy to communicate with him. His letters were not offensive or upsetting in any way, he was very polite. When we met, he explained the BDSM world to me. It wasnt frightening. It seems that it can be a personal choice, she added.

The prison said they will review whether I can visit him again in the future. Im not sure if there is anything they can do to stop me from writing to him. I will ring the prison in due course and ask if I can write to him again, she said.

When contacted, the Irish Prison Service said it could not comment on individual prisoner cases. However, a source pointed out that prison governors have broad powers to exclude people from visiting inmates.

Prison bosses are satisfied that this woman had only a very recent history with the murderer and it was deemed, therefore, that she essentially had no real connection to him that would place her in the friend category.

It was also deemed that it was not a healthy thing, for her or him, for the visits to continue, said the source.

Dwyer is serving a life sentence for the 2012 murder of Ms OHara.

On July 31, Dwyer lost his last-ditch appeal against his murder conviction in the Supreme Court.

The decision came after more than a decade of anguish for the OHara family, who have endured appeal after appeal by the killer.

In a statement following the Supreme Court decision, Ms OHaras family said: We are relieved that the Supreme Court has upheld the verdict of the Court of Appeal, adding that they hope Elaine can now, at last, rest in peace.
Documentary captures life on the beat for gardai

Gda Louise Fleming says you tend to see the same people involved in crimes

Frontline gardai believe petty crime is now a serious and growing problem in Ireland.

Thats the stark finding in new RTE documentary, On The Beat, in which fly-on-the-wall cameras follow officers in three towns as they face a multitude of problems such as assaults, thefts, shoplifting, drink and drug driving, and drug dealing.

Definitely the younger crowd coming through now, they have less respect for Guards and authority. They dont care that youre a Guard. Theres no fear of being arrested or charged or brought before the courts as much as you would see in the older generation, says Garda Louise Fleming, of Longford Garda station.

Garda Irma Costello is based in Waterford, where she helps handle 999 calls in the Eastern Control Centre, which takes in 10 counties.

I came here just before Covid. [Then} it would just be the weekend, Thursday, Friday, Saturday would be quite mad. There is no let-up, Monday and Tuesday now it doesnt matter. Calls have increased dramatically since I came in here.

Gda Louise Fleming

A lot of it seems to be drink and drug related and its not young people. Its people I would say 30 to 60. 

As well as Longford and Waterford the third town covered in the programme is Dundalk.

Garda Neechal Ramah is based in the Louth town and has faced racial abuse because of his Asian descent.

In one incident hes asked by a clearly inebriated man, what country are you from?.

When the man is later arrested and brought to the station he goes on a rant, among which he storms we have a gay Pakistani prime minister and youse are taking over this country.

Garda Ramah takes it in his stride.

I dont take it seriously. I just kind of leave it behind me and move on. At the end of the day I have a job to do, he says. Its over three years now that Ive been a Guard. Its always something Ive wanted to do, to make difference in peoples lives, thats what pushed me to apply.

He says Guards face a difficult task.

Gda Neecahl Ramah on patrol

The attitude of the public to the Gardai hasnt been great. But what they need to know is we still have mental health problem, emotions, we still have a family, a home. So, exactly like somebody else, we are still a human being at the end of the day, but when we go to respond to a call, we try to put everything behind us...,and help others.

The public need to know just because we have a uniform on us doesnt make us less human.

 Garda Clodagh Hayes and Garda Sean Whyte of Waterford station explain how they got into the Guards.

 For a job like this I feel you have to have a certain personality... I dont think I could see myself doing anything different, says Garda Hayes.

Garda Whyte reveals he had previous jobs in a factory and in security.

Me and Clodagh, get on very well. It makes a big difference when youre spending 12 hours in the car with that person.

Garda Hayes adds: If the s**t is going to hit the fan, you are going to have to trust the person you are with. We know each other inside out at this stage, so we are well able to have the craic, which is the main thing.

Drugs are an ongoing problem, with suspects stopped on the street for searches under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

One of the main issues at night time would be drug dealing, and drug driving, says Garda Louise Fleming, of Longford station. A lot of the time its the same faces over and over again, committing the same crimes and dealing with the same incidents.

Garda Keith OBrien, also of Longford, adds the drugs problem causes ongoing issues with people.

They go from high to low, low to high literally in a matter of seconds. And theyre just very unpredictable.

Det Garda Ashley McEvoy is part of the close-knit drugs unit in Dundalk, and regularly carries out house raids.

In one raid covered in the programme the unit finds a man who has a bundle of cash, cannabis, a sheet of tablets worth e400, and digital scales for weighing the drugs.

We are definitely disrupting criminals. I think thats a good thing. Theres a lot of people making a lot of money out of other peoples misery.
-- Instead of "protecting human rights," the unilateral sanctions have severely undermined the rights of Uygurs, particularly young Uygur women.

-- Unilateral sanctions must not be used as a foreign policy tool and means of economic coercion, said an independent UN expert, referring to the U.S. sanctions.

-- The U.S. sanctions had nothing to do with the alleged human rights concerns. The purpose, he said, is to crush Xinjiang's economy, cause mass unemployment and undermine social stability, said an expert who grew up in Xinjiang.

by Xinhua writers Wu Baoshu, Pan Ying, Gao Han

URUMQI, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- In a Cantonese cuisine restaurant in a newly-developed area in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China, Uygur cashier Parida Abdukeyum was busy handling diners' payments and answering phone calls during dinner time, speaking in Mandarin to Han customers and in Uygur to her Uygur co-workers.

The 23-year-old girl comes from Akto, one of the last counties in Xinjiang that were lifted out of absolute poverty in late 2020. She studied in a vocational college in Urumqi and found the job after graduation.

"I like living and working here in Urumqi," said Parida. "In my hometown, life would be marrying someone in the early twenties and then taking care of children at home."

"That is the life of some of my childhood friends. They are married. They stay at home without a job, taking care of their children," she said. "They kind of envy me because I am in a big city, free to live a life that I like."

Parida is one of the tens of thousands of young Uygur women in Xinjiang who have been pursuing a life of their own wish as socioeconomic progress has brought changes to the Uygur community where people believed women should stay at home instead of pursuing their own career.

Female employees operate at a workshop of Xinjiang Middle Hoshine Silicon Industry in the suburb of Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Han)





"I WANT TO RETURN TO WORK"

To encourage young Uygurs to find a job and create opportunities for them to seek a better life, Xinjiang local governments have been engaged in helping them to be employed in companies either in their hometown or in cities inside and outside Xinjiang.

However, the program was labeled as "forced labor" by the United States, which has in the past two years imposed sanctions on dozens of Chinese companies on the allegations.

Instead of "protecting human rights," the unilateral sanctions have severely undermined the rights of Uygurs, particularly young Uygur women.

Aminam Tulladin, a 26-year-old girl in Shache, the most populous county in Xinjiang, is among those who lost their income due to the U.S. sanctions.

In 2017, with the help of her vocational high school, Aminam went to work as an intern in a textile company in the eastern Chinese coastal city of Qingdao.

"The first time I got a salary, I was extremely happy as it was earned by my own hand," said Aminam. "During the internship, sometimes I sent part of my salary back to my family, but most of it was spent for myself on items that girls like, such as clothes and cosmetics."

What made Aminam even happier was that the company she worked with later set up a plant in her hometown. In March 2018, Aminam became a formal employee of the company, working in its Shache plant.

A skilled worker, Aminam became a section chief in 2019. "At that time, I can keep some of my salary for myself and give the rest to my family, especially for supporting my younger brother's schooling."

Just as Aminam and the other several hundred Uygur women were embracing their new life, the company was sanctioned by the U.S. administration for hiring these Uygur women.

Its plant which once created nearly 1,000 jobs for locals in Shache now hires less than 100 workers.

"We didn't want our employees to bear the cost. We tried our best, but it was much too tough. We used to have a number of European and American customers, but they had since stopped dealing with us for fear of the U.S. sanctions," said the manager of the Shache plant.

Aminam lost her job and soon after that she got married and had a child. The whole family is supported by her husband, who works as a chef.

"When I was working, I didn't have to ask for money. For the money I earn by myself, I could spend it as I like. Now of course my husband gives me money, but I don't feel good," said Aminam. "I want to earn money by myself. I don't want to ask for it. I want to return to work."

Tuersun Aibai, an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Xinjiang University, who previously worked in a village in southern Xinjiang, noted that going for work can help Uygur women have relatively stable wage income, enhance their family status and empower them to live a life of their own wish.

"For a family, the complementarity of economic income between husband and wife is conducive to their enjoyment of equal family status," the Uygur scholar said. "Meanwhile, working is beneficial for Uygur women to understand modern production technology, lifestyle and concepts, and could promote their awareness of their right to make choice, and enhance their ability to pursue a better life."

The textile company Aminam once worked with is not the only one plagued with the U.S. sanctions.

Zheng Liang, director of the Institute for Communication and Borderland Governance at Jinan University, who grew up in Urumqi, has studied some cases.

Zheng told Xinhua that a company, whose name he asked not to be disclosed, in the southern province of Guangdong, one of China's economic powerhouses, had to dismiss several hundred Uygur workers due to economic losses inflicted by the U.S. sanctions.

"Those Uygur workers, most of them women, were so upset when they were told the company could no longer hire them. They had been paid a good salary, much higher than what they could get in their hometowns. They wanted to stay," Zheng said.





ECONOMIC COERCION

Unilateral sanctions must not be used as a foreign policy tool and means of economic coercion, said an independent UN expert, referring to the U.S. sanctions.

"During my visit I received numerous reports on the unilateral sanctions' adverse impact and the consequent socioeconomic implications affecting peoples' lives," the UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Alena Douhan, said in May following her 12-day official visit to China.

She said the decline in business activities and the significant loss of global markets caused by the unilateral sanctions led to job losses, with consequent disruptions in social protection schemes, by disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable, particularly in labour-intensive sectors, including women.

"Xinjiang is particularly affected, with key economic sectors and cross-border and international supply chains being disrupted for fear of primary or secondary sanctions for alleged commercial or production ties with this region," said Douhan, who visited cities in Xinjiang as well as Beijing and Shenzhen, a metropolis in Guangdong.

"I wish to reiterate the illegality of extraterritorial application of unilateral sanctions," said the expert. "The unilateral sanctions against China do not conform with a broad number of international legal norms and are introduced to apply pressure on the state."

The Special Rapporteur will present her country visit report to the UN Human Rights Council in September.

Female employees enjoy TV series during break time at their dormitory room of Xinjiang Middle Hoshine Silicon Industry in the suburb of Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Han)

Tuersun Aibai said the sanctions were part of the U.S. strategy of "using Xinjiang to contain China" and have seriously infringed upon the rights of enterprises and Uygur workers, "having created forced unemployment."

"It should be noted that women often find themselves in a disadvantaged position in the job market. The sanctions imposed by the U.S. have caused more challenges for Uygur women, resulting in a decrease in economic income, family status and education level, which is a blatant violation of human rights," said Tuersun.

Zheng Liang noted the U.S. sanctions had nothing to do with the alleged human rights concerns. The purpose, he said, is to crush Xinjiang's economy, cause mass unemployment and undermine social stability. Zheng urged sanctioned Chinese companies to take legal actions to defend rights of themselves as well as their Uygur employees.





"WE WON'T LAY OFF ANY ETHNIC EMPLOYEES"

Hoshine Silicon Industry, a leading Chinese company in silica-based products, which was sanctioned by the United States in mid-2021, has been fighting through legal means.

In February, Hoshine filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security in the U.S. Court of International Trade, requesting the revocation of the Withhold Release Order that has detained its shipments.

Hoshine's independent subsidiary in Xinjiang has four production bases, with more than 11,000 ethnic minority employees, nearly 60 percent of its local staff.

At Xinjiang Middle Hoshine Silicon Industry's base in a Urumqi suburb, several ethnic minority employees told Xinhua that they got their jobs through online applications or campus job fairs, slamming the "forced labor" allegations as totally ridiculous.

"My major in the university was polymer material and engineering. I applied for this job on the internet last year because my major matches the position and the company offered good pay," said test engineer Gulpari Abdursul, a 28-year-old Uygur woman. "Nobody was forced to work here. We are very angry about those rumors."

Adilijiang Alimu, a Uygur graduate from an engineering college in eastern China, who is now in charge of the green plants at the base, said he first learned about the company due to its giant production base in his hometown, Turpan. "I knew it was a big company. So when I saw its recruitment announcement on the internet, I was interested and I applied."

"Finding a job in Xinjiang, or more broadly in China, is a two-way selection process. We are in a law-based society, how could anyone be forced to work?" said Adilijiang.

Yeernaer Adierjian, a 22-year-old salesman of the Kazak ethnic group from Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, said he got the job through a campus career fair. He became emotional when talking about the "forced labor" accusations.

"As a native of Xinjiang and an employee of a company sanctioned by the United States, I do have a say," Yeernaer said. "We know too well their purpose. Even if they won't be able to split Xinjiang from China, they will do whatever they can to make Xinjiang unstable and unable to develop as part of their efforts to contain our country. I challenge those who invented the false allegations and those who spread them to come to Xinjiang and to my company to have a look."

An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 29, 2024 shows a view of Xinjiang Middle Hoshine Silicon Industry's base in the suburb of Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Gao Han)

Asked if the company would consider laying off its Uygur employees in exchange for the revocation of U.S. sanctions, Dai Tian, general manager of the Urumqi base at Xinjiang Middle Hoshine, said: "No. Absolutely not. We won't lay off any ethic employees. They have been making contributions to the development of our company, how could we abandon them?"

"We even invested more in Xinjiang after the sanctions," Dai said, adding that Hoshine has been adjusting its production structure and tackling technical challenges in response to the sanctions.

"We see safeguarding the great unity of our nation as our social responsibility. 'Forced labor' was merely an excuse to suppress the development of Chinese high-tech companies and to disrupt China's social stability and unity. So we should be even more united, and focus on developing and strengthening ourselves," Dai said. 
I was standing next to Nairac when the bomb exploded and the shooting started

A survivor of the Miami Showband massacre says hes 200 per cent certain missing British army officer Robert Nairac carried out the atrocity.

Legendary showband player Des McAlea says he stood feet away from Captain Nairac moments before the band was gunned down.

Belfast-born Des spoke as a specially trained search team tried to locate the remains of the British army officer nearly 50 years after he was abducted from a south Armagh pub, shot dead and secretly buried by the IRA.

The search  organised by the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains  began on Monday.

It is concentrated on an area of farmland near the ancient Hill of Faughart in north Co Louth, a short distance from the border.

Des Lee holds a picture of Fran OToole, the lead singer of the Miami Showband

Lead investigator Jon Hill has said he is hopeful the search could be successful.

But in an exclusive interview with the Sunday World, 78-year-old Miami Showband sax player Des McAlea insists he looked undercover officer Robert Nairac in the eye, seconds before his mates were slaughtered on a remote country road.

Im now 200 per cent certain I was standing next to Captain Robert Nairac when the bomb exploded and the shooting started, he said this week.

A van ferrying the Miami musicians back across the border was stopped at a bogus British army checkpoint at Buskhill Road near Newry, on July 31 1975, following a sell-out show in Banbridge.

Known as Irelands answer to The Beatles, the boys were ordered to stand in line while their details were checked.

Posing as genuine UDR soldiers  which they were  UVF terrorists Wesley Sommerville (34) and Harris Boyle (24) began searching the van. As they secretly placed a home-made bomb between the amplifiers and guitars, it exploded prematurely, blowing both of them to bits.

But the blast also acted as a signal for slaughter when the sham soldiers  who included serial killer Robert Robin The Jackal Jackson  suddenly opened fire on the band members.

The Miami Showband, from left, Tony Geraghty, Fran OToole, Ray Millar, Des Lee, Brian McCoy and Stephen Travers. Tony, Fran and Brian were killed.

As he ran for his life, Miami keyboard player and frontman Fran OToole (29) was pursued into a field and shot 22 times in the face by Wesley Sommervilles brother John.

Fellow musicians Tony Geraghty (23) and Brian McCoy (33) were shot dead when the fake soldiers suddenly opened fire on them with automatic rifles.

Bass player Stephen Travers was also shot repeatedly and left for dead. He was lucky to survive.

Mr McAlea insisted this week that Captain Nairac  still celebrated as a British army war hero  led the gang. He said: When we were in the line-up, I asked if I could go to the van to retrieve my saxophone. I didnt know it at the time, but that saved my life.

But as the hunt for Nairacs remains intensified on the Co Louth border, the veteran showbiz star also told the Sunday World: Im now more convinced than ever before that Captain Nairac was present when the Miami Showband van was stopped at a bogus British army checkpoint.

I believe he was standing next to me when I asked permission to return to the vehicle to retrieve my saxophone and they said yes.

That was the moment my life was saved. Because when I returned to the line-up where the other lads were, I didnt go to the same spot. But Im telling you today without fear of contradiction  Im now 200 per cent certain  Captain Robert Nairac was standing right next to me at the murder scene when my close friends Fran OToole, Tony Geraghy and Brian McCoy were slaughtered.

He added: One of them shot Fran 22 times in the face.

Mr McAlea  who had been blasted into a ditch  scrambled his way back to the main Belfast to Newry road where he managed to flag down a lorry, but the driver refused to help.

Seconds later, another car stopped and a married couple kindly drove Des to Newry RUC Station, where he raised the alarm.

Looking back nearly 50 years, Des is now convinced Nairac had acted as an overseer to the shocking events.

I now know Nairac planned the Miami massacre down to the last detail, he said.

Excavators at the scene of the dig for Robert Nairac

Des also believes the Grenadier Guards officer  who was also a liaison officer to the SAS  may even have made good his escape from the murder scene by scrambling into an army helicopter located nearby.

Last night he reflected on the events of 50 years ago, when he lost his best friends. He said: When I heard on the news they were excavating to find Nairacs body it immediately hit me, for obvious reasons.

Ive always been one who believed bygones should be bygones. And I know Captain Nairac has a family and friends, so I hope his remains are found and also I hope he has a Christian burial. But at the same time, I cannot forgive Nairac for what he did to me and my friends.

And I told the RUC from day one that one of the soldiers had a very posh English accent and Im convinced more than ever it was Robert Nairac.

But the authorities always denied there was anyone there with an English accent and the reason for that is very simple. The British did not want to admit there was a high-profile army officer present, because that would have been dreadful for the image. In the eyes of the rest of the world, it would have reflected very badly on them.
Mali, a Bernese Mountain dog, ran off from its owners on Arranmore Island on August 16

A beloved pet dog which went missing on an island off the coast of Donegal more than two weeks ago has been found alive and well - clinging onto a cliff edge.

Mali, a Bernese Mountain dog, ran off from its owners on Arranmore Island on August 16 last after she was spooked by high winds.

Her German owners, who were on the island during a month-long visit to Ireland, put out an SOS for their beloved pet.

Locals and tourists alike set about trying to find Mali and combed the island in the hope that she would be found.

They even sent drones around the island hoping to find the dog while there were also searches of the mainland in case Mali had managed to swim across.

However, there were no sightings of the dog and hope was fading until last night.

That's when a pleasure fishing boat in the area happened to spot the dog perched on the cliff, 200 feet above the sea below yesterday (SAT).

The captain of the boat which spotted Mali, John Paul Baskin of North West Charters, immediately contacted the Malin Head Coastguard Station.

A member of the public initially heard the radio call and made his way to the ledge where Mali was stuck.

It turned out that the unfortunate pet's lead had become snarled on a rock and what was quite a wide ledge and she could not move and was probably in the same location for the past fifteen days.

John Paul Baskin told how it was pure luck that they spotted the dog after hearing her cries for help.

"It was a very good day and we decided to go around the island for a bit of fishing. Nobody would have been around there because of the poor weather recently.

"One of the lads, Michael Boyle, said he thought he heard a dog barking and I thought he was having us on because we all knew everyone was looking for Mali.

"He said he was serious and we turned off the engine and we could hear the barking clearly. It was hard to spot her because she is black and the cliffs are dark and it was only because of the small patch of white on her chest that we could see her.

"Everyone got so excited and I radioed Malin Head straight away and then headed around to the pier to see the dog."

Mali was in great shape, alert and full of life despite her ordeal.

John Paul, who was also accompanied by Padraig Lawlor, then arranged to head over to the mainland to meet up with the dog's owners who are still staying near in Kincasslagh.

Mali is owned by Sarah Recinos Ralda, her husband David and their four children.

The family were planning to return to Germany in the coming days at the end of the holiday and thought deep-down that they would be traveling home without their beloved pet.

There were scenes of unbridled joy as the family met Mali at Burtonport Harbour last night, the pet they thought they would never see again.

John Paul added: "It was very emotional and I'm just so delighted for them. They must have thought they would never see her again when there was no sign of her for fifteen days.

"I'm just so happy for them that we were in the right place at the right time."

Mali's owner Sara Recinos Ralda posted a brief message on social media thanking everyone for their efforts in finding her.

She said "Shes not dehydrated, pretty alert, has lost a little bit of weight and overall just acts very hungry. We still cant believe it and are overwhelmed."
James (16) and Patrick (15) now have their own grunge band, 93 South, with pal Jesse Bargar, and they perform around Boston where theyve grown up.

HE was the child who charmed the nation when he joined his grandfather Brendan Grace on the Late Late Show at the age of three.

Now James Gillespie and his brother Patrick  sons of comic legend Graces daughter Melanie  are following in his showbiz footsteps.

James (16) and Patrick (15) now have their own grunge band, 93 South, with pal Jesse Bargar, and they perform around Boston where theyve grown up.

James is the drummer in the band and is self-taught, and its great to see him getting that creative outlet, Melanie tells the Sunday World.

At the age of 12, James penned a poignant tribute to his Ga Ga, Brendan, who died five years ago after a short battle with cancer.

Called A Better Place, it contains the lines: Its been several months and Im feeling OK, Id feel even better if you would just stay and tell us the stories and there I would lay, I wish you would stay.

Patrick and James today

Melanie laughs: Now that hes a cool 16-year-old he would prefer to keep that song under lock and key. I love my Granda, but dont be letting people hear it, he says.

At the time it was an emotional outlet for him after Dad died as it was written from the heart. The fact that he was so young and he was able to articulate how he was feeling brought to light the question, do we really know how kids grieve?

They do it so quietly, but if you have that ability to put it into a poem or a song and you read it or you hear it you realise they are suffering.

Melanie reveals that Patrick has been bitten by the showbiz bug and wants to make a career out of it.

Patrick is doing musical theatre and hes big into songwriting and recording. Hes got 15 songs hes written at the moment. Hes fully immersed, theres nothing else he wants to do.

He just played the character Mary Sunshine in the musical Chicago, and his physical comedy was spot on. I could see my dad up there 100 per cent. Mary Sunshine is a drag role and my dad did the pantos back in the day where hed be dressed up as the Fairy Godmother, so it has come full circle.

Brendan Grace with James then three on the Late Late Show

If my dad was here watching that hed be shocked because Patrick has got a very similar comic ability and comic timing, which is innate. Sometimes it can be obvious when you see a performer attempting comedic timing, but Patrick has it.

Melanie tells how her mother, Brendans widow Eileen Grace, loves watching her two grandchildren performing in Boston.

Its lovely for my mam to keep that connection to showbusiness alive for her and we bring her over for all the shows, she says.

She also reveals that her fathers old friends, Finbar Furey and Francie Conway, are also set to mentor her son Patrick re his songwriting and performing.

Frank (her husband) is going to Ireland next week and taking Patrick with him to meet up with Finbar Furey and Francie Conway to get a little bit of tutoring from them, she says. Talk about two legends in showbiz!
A Hawkes Bay man is facing drink-driving charges after blowing nearly six times the legal breath alcohol limit before midday on Thursday, August 29, says Bay of Plenty Road Policing Manager Inspector Logan Marsh.

Police were alerted to a vehicle allegedly travelling slightly over the speed limit and weaving within its lane.

"Though the standard of driving behaviour wasnt anything that rang immediate alarm bells, Police signalled for the vehicle to stop," says Inspector Marsh.

"The driver obliged and engaged in conversation with our staff member, mentioning that he had travelled into Taupo from outside the region that morning."

Inspector Marsh says after checking the mans details in the system, it became apparent he was on a zero-alcohol licence.

According to the breathalyser, however, the man was anything but sober.

"This shows the importance of breath-testing every driver, regardless of the time, whether they appear intoxicated, or the reason weve stopped them," says Inspector Marsh.

"These people are sharing the roads with our family, friends and colleagues.

"This is just one example of the intoxicated drivers being caught across the district, with our staff seeing some ridiculous levels."

Police are reminding drivers - if youre drinking, dont drive.

As a result of the traffic stop, a 33-year-old man is due to appear in the Taupo District Court on Wednesday, September 11 facing a charge of driving contrary to a zero alcohol licence and excess breath.
A new date has been set for the Treaty of Waitangi discussion in Tauranga.

Due to the tangihanga for the late Kingi Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII, the date for a discussion of The Treaty of Waitangi is postponed in Tauranga until 7pm Wednesday, September 18, says Dr Alistair Reece.

A prominent Bay of Plenty theologian and historian, Dr Reese was previously set to lead the discussion and a book launch at Taurangas Holy Trinity on Wednesday, September 4.

Because of the events surrounding the tangihanga after Kingi Tuheitias sudden death, it has been necessary to postpone the event, says Dr Reese.

He Tatau Pounamu, The Treaty of Waitangi, a Covenant of Reconciliation is a public discussion about Te Tiriti at a time when the agreement by which tangata whenua and tangata tiriti is being called into question, says Dr Reese.

We are at a decisive moment as a nation.

How can we renew and deepen our understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi? What does it mean to say that the Treaty is a sacred compact, a covenant? And what has been the role of the Church in relation to the Treaty? What might this require now?

Dr Reese says he will help the audience to understand how the Treaty is he tatau pounamu  a covenant pathway of reconciliation.

He has already held the discussions in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch throughout May, with a Hamilton discussion also postponed.

I will consider the history and context of this foundational document, including the role of the Church in its shape and interpretation. We will weigh how best to respond, how best to honour the Treaty now, says Dr Reese.

He has also written a book on the topic, titled He Tatau Pounamu.

There has been much written and discussed on Te Tiriti/the Treaty of Waitangi, but I would recommend readers to read Alistair Reeses book which expands on his thinking on Te Tiriti as Covenant and his expression of this at Waitangi Dawn Service 6 February, 2024, says prominent historian Claudia Orange.

The event is being held in partnership by Karuwha Trust and the Venn Foundation.

Karuwha Trust is a charity that engages people in a conversation about identity and history through journeys to significant sites and stories.

The Venn Foundation is a New Zealand Christian organisation encouraging people to think deeply about Christian values to help shape Aotearoa.

The Tauranga event is at Holy Trinity, Devonport Rd in Tauranga on Wednesday September 18, from 7pm to 9pm.

Register here: https://www.venn.org.nz/events-courses/he-tatau-pounamu-tauranga/
Police are warning people to be on alert for the latest round of email scams referencing Police and other justice agencies.

"The email claims authorities have done a search of the email recipients computer and located explicit illegal material," says Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Dalziel.

The recipient is directed to reply within 72 hours, or a warrant will be issued for their arrest.

"This email is a scam and anyone who receives it should not reply under any circumstances," says Detective Senior Sergeant Dalziel.

"Although some versions of the email do not specifically reference money, other similar scams involve the recipient being issued a fine when they respond."

Detective Senior Sergeant Dalziel says while the nature and specific details of scams often varies, its important to note that Police and other government agencies will never contact you out of the blue and ask for your password, credit card or bank details.

Police have received several reports of this scam and enquires are underway.

Anyone who received this email can either forward the spam email to the Department of Internal Affairs directly at complaint@spam.govt.nz(link sends e-mail) or use their online reporting portal https://www.reportspam.co.nz

Police recommend taking a cautious approach to unsolicited emails.

"Trust your gut instinct - if it doesnt feel right, it probably isnt," says Detective Senior Sergeant Dalziel.

Information on other scams currently operating can be found on the Consumer Protection NZ website: www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/general-help/scamwatch

Consumer Protection NZ, along with Netsafe, also provides helpful advice about keeping safe online.

Anyone who has received this email can report it to police online via https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105.

Please reference file number 240830/5842.
The gates of Turangawaewae Marae have been opened to everyone on the third day of Kingi Tuheitia's tangi.

Thousands paid their respects on Saturday to Kingi Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII, who died early on Friday at the age of 69.

Over the past two days, the people of Tainui have had the chance to mourn their King - now iwi from across the motu will be arriving from this morning to pay tribute. An 8am powhiri (welcoming on to the marae) began at Turangawaewae.

More than 500 people from across New Zealand are expected at Turangawaewae today, including Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and members of the Ratana church.

Iwi including Te Arawa, Ngati Kauwhata and Ngati Hine will be in attendance.

Also arriving today is the ariki of Ngati Tuwharetoa - Tumu Te Heuheu - and his iwi.

Tuwharetoa have been close allies of the kingitanga since its formation.

Waikato Police have advised motorists there will be daily road closures around Turangawaewae Marae until Thursday, when Kingi Tuheitia will be laid to rest.

Follow RNZ's live coverage of the tangi with their liveblog below:

Te Manu Korihi/RNZ
After a successful trip to Vanuatu, during which a school classroom was built in just four days, Volunteer Build is gearing up to do it again - this time, its a home in Mexico.

Papamoa woman Diana Judge, founder of Volunteer Build, says this trip of volunteers will build a house for a family in Tijuana.

This will be our 29th home built with 353 volunteers since 2008 in the southern colonias of Tijuana for families currently living in shacks made of plastic, old plywood and dirt floors, says Diana.

A photo Diana took on their 2019 trip of the living situation of the family before building them a home. Photo: supplied.

Life-changing

As well as helping families with shelter, its a key aim of ours to assist Kiwis to understand the plight of the poor and how they can help and make a huge difference hands-on.

This Volunteer Build trip, Diana says volunteers can even take their children (aged 8-plus) with them.

For families who bring their kids on a Mexico build  we often describe the trip as a values realignment exercise, and both parents and volunteers still testify as to how life-changing these trips have been for them.

Andrea Mendoza and Carkis Chavez with their children Daniela and Andrek. Photo: supplied.

Diana says eligible Mexican families must first have legal title to the land they want to build on. For example, they must have paid a deposit and have a loan to pay off - but cant afford to actually build a home.

Land cost used to be US$2000 when we first started building but its a lot higher now. It takes one day to put up the home, which is made out of ply, constructed on a pre-poured concrete slab with shingle tile roof.

Building materials cost $15,000, which is funded by a $1000 per person building donation, and the finished house includes two bedrooms plus [a] sleeping loft, living area and outside latrine.

Fit-out

The crew spend two days finishing up  gibbing, plastering, sanding, painting the interior then fitting it out with basic furniture and whatever else the family may need that fits within the $2000 budget.

Three Mount Maunganui residents are already signed up for this Mexico trip.

This year were building for two 79-year-old grandparents who are looking after their two grandchildren.

Diana says their 16-year-old grandchild Andrek has a disability and spends his time in a wheelchair.

We are looking forward to building a new accessible home for Andrea, Carlos, Daniela and Andrek.

The classroom full of students in Vanuatu on Volunteer Builds 2024 trip. Photo: supplied.

The volunteers leave for Mexico on September 28 - the first Saturday of the school holidays - and return on October 9.

Diana says on past builds, volunteers have prepared basic meals for homeless people and delivered care packages to local prisons, and sometimes head off for R&R and other volunteering efforts nearby.

Volunteer Build has room for a few more volunteers on the Mexico trip. Visit: www.volunteerbuild.com/mexico.

To donate to the projects fit-out, visit: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-us-buy-beds-blankets-sheets-and-pillows.
A year since the launch of the Natural Hazards Portal, new research from the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tu Ake shows the Portal is helping people understand their risks and take actions to make their homes safer.

The new report from NielsonIQ found that 53 per cent of people took steps to improve their resilience after visiting the Portal.

The most common actions were reviewing or purchasing home insurance (30 per cent) and securing tall or heavy furniture to walls (28 per cent).

Other steps included preparing emergency kits and moving beds and cots away from windows.

This research is a great way to celebrate the Portals first birthday, says NHCs Head of Risk Reduction, Sarah-Jayne McCurrach, who led the development of the Portal.

We know that more New Zealanders are considering natural hazards when buying a home, and this report suggests they are turning that interest into action when they become homeowners.

Since its launch, the Portal has connected over 57,000 people with information about how past natural hazards have impacted their potential new homes, or current properties.

The Portal is an important resource to help people make decisions about where to live or how to strengthen their homes against the hazards they may face. The growing traffic we see on the Portal aligns with New Zealanders growing appetite for risk information.

90 per cent of Kiwi homebuyers consider natural hazards when buying a new home. In the last two years since May 2022, the proportion of people who have taken steps to make their homes safer has increased by 10 per cent, to 60 per cent.

The Portal gives users quick and easy access to information about settled NHC insurance claims on individual properties across New Zealand. If a claim has been settled on a property, the Portals Claims Map shows users information about the event that caused the damage, when it happened, and how they can prepare for future events.

Wellington house hunter, Raj P, has been using the Portal to help inform his purchase.

When I see a property for sale that Im interested in, I always check first whether the house and surrounding properties have had any NHC claims," says Raj.

"Some people might find it scary, but its better to know the reality.

"Its a great tool to get a quick and accurate understanding of what may have happened to the property in the past and to know what questions to ask to understand if the damage has been fixed.

Sarah-Jane stresses that past claims arent necessarily a bad thing.

For example, strengthening work may have been done to restore the property to a stronger state than before the event.

Likewise, a property without a claim doesnt mean it has never been damaged by an event, only that an NHC insurance claim hasnt been settled.

NHC is now turning its attention to making the Portal even more useful for New Zealanders by adding new features.

We want to be able to show people what their homes and neighbourhoods may look like in the next 10, 20 and even 50 years, and connect them with information on what to do about their risks," says Sarah-Jane.

One of the next features NHC hopes to add on the Portal is local and regional hazard maps  such as tsunami, earthquake and liquefaction  on top of the existing Claims Map, allowing people to explore the impacts of past hazards as well as potential future hazards on properties.

The future Portal will make even greater use of the existing research, data and modelling that the NHC and others invest in to help New Zealanders make informed decisions about their natural hazard risks.

Much of this information already exists and we want to provide this in a way that is useful for New Zealanders. By collaborating across agencies to bring this information into the Portal, we can go further in helping people understand the potential risks when buying a new home.

Were building a future where everyone has access to information about their natural hazard risks at their fingertips, so they can make informed and risk-based decisions about where they chose to live.

About the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tu Ake

The Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tu Ake exists to help New Zealanders prepare for and recover from the impact of natural hazards. One of the ways we do this is by providing natural hazards insurance for homes and residential land.

Homeowners have access to our scheme if they have an insurance policy with fire cover. The premium paid to insurers includes a Natural Hazards Insurance Levy, which is the amount homeowners pay for this cover.

You can find out more about Natural Hazards Cover/NHCover

You can also read more about the annual investment in research and resilience through regular updates here
Juan Soto Sunday, 1 September 2024, 10:11 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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The German supermarket chain Lidl has joined the dating game after videos of people looking for love in Mercadona went viral. The company has launched its own campaign to encourage customers to do the same in its supermarkets.

Lidl has sent a message to all its customers in Spain with a rather enlightening title: 'la hora del amor' (the hour of love). In this mass mailing, the company invites their customers who are looking for love to come between 6 and 7pm "with a watermelon in your trolley" as a sign that they are looking for a partner.

"The sign that identifies that someone is looking for a partner is that they carry a watermelon in the bottom of their trolley and bump it against yours", the company explained. This is similar technique to the Mercadona viral trend, only there the fruit of choice is a pineapple, which should be placed in the trolley upside down. The 'hour of love' at Mercadona is from 7 to 8pm, allowing a second opportunity for anyone who doesn't get lucky in Lidl.

Zoom Message sent to all customers.

Not only that, but those who go to one of the German chain's supermarkets during these hours (whether they are lucky in love or not) will enjoy special deals and, in addition, a ten percent reduction in the price of the watermelon.

This promotional campaign comes after the videos that have been circulating for weeks on social media encouraging people to go to Mercadona to look for a partner.
ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- China-Africa cooperation has stood the test of time in changing global circumstances and kept advancing, said an Ethiopian expert ahead of next week's 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.

In an interview with Xinhua on Tuesday, Balew Demissie, a researcher at the Ethiopian Policy Studies Institute and an associate professor with Addis Ababa University, said the China-Africa friendship has withstood various historical shifts and challenges.

"Their shared history has fostered a consistent and unwavering win-win cooperation between the two sides amid ever-changing global situations," Demissie said, adding that the persistence of their relationship suggests a continued commitment to their partnership.

"The China-Africa relationship over the past decade has been a dynamic one, marked by China's significant investment in infrastructure, particularly in transportation and renewable energy sectors in Africa, which has boosted economic growth, created jobs, improved connectivity, and facilitated trade," he said.

Demissie said China-Africa relations have been characterized by friendly bilateral, multilateral and all-round relations, covering a range of cooperation in economic development, trade, culture, education, health, politics, governance, security, diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges.

The bilateral trade has grown exponentially, making China Africa's largest trading partner for years, opening new markets and opportunities for emerging nations in Africa, he said.

The scholar describes China-Africa cooperation as "persistent," which began in earlier times and was solidified by their common struggle against colonialism.

He said the China-Africa brotherly relationship emanated from shared history, mutual respect, and growing cooperation.

"China's consistent respect for Africa's sovereignty and independence, engaging with African countries as equals, has been widely appreciated," Demissie said.

Moreover, as developing countries facing similar challenges and opportunities, they have fostered a spirit of collaboration and mutual support through South-South cooperation, he added.

Demissie was impressed by the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway among the many infrastructure projects that were the outcome of China-Ethiopia cooperation.

"The Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway is a vital artery connecting Ethiopia to the port of Djibouti, standing as a testament to China's commitment to infrastructure development in Africa. This major project has significantly improved transportation links, facilitating trade and boosting economic activity in both countries," he told Xinhua.

He believes Africa's modernization journey can be greatly assisted by China through increased investment in vital infrastructure projects in Africa, shared expertise in Africa's manufacturing sector, technology transfer in areas such as agriculture and renewable energy, capacity building in education and health care, among others.

Furthermore, China and Africa have strengthened their political ties, and collaborated on issues like climate change, peace and security, multilateralism and international governance, he said.

The fraternal relationship between China and Africa is also exemplified by initiatives such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Belt and Road Initiative, and numerous cultural exchange programs, Demissie said. 
Kenneth C. Crowe II

Times Union, Albany, N.Y.

Troy, N.Y.  A 19-year-old Sand Lake man will spend the next seven years in prison for dragging a state trooper for 200 yards with his ATV on March 1, leaving the trooper in need of two surgeries to fix his injuries.

Rensselaer County Court Judge Jennifer Sober sentenced Joseph Dominy on Friday to a 7-year prison term and 3 years of post-release supervision under the terms of a plea deal in which he plead guilty to second-degree assault. He pleaded guilty to the charge in May.

Sober told Dominy to use his imprisonment to reflect upon your conduct and that his decisions had a profound impact on Trooper Joseph Motzer.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf said Motzer has been unable to work for the last six months, has had two rounds of surgery on a ankle that was severely injured in the incident, and is doing physical therapy.

Hauf said that the video from Motzers body-worn camera was instrumental in prosecuting the case against Dominy. The camera recorded all of the incident, including Motzer being dragged by Dominys ATV as he tried to escape from the trooper, Hauf said.

Dominy declined to make a statement during his sentencing at the Rensselaer County Court. His relatives attended the sentencing but quickly left the courtroom as Dominy was handcuffed and taken away. Defense Attorney Joseph Ahearn escorted the family.

Troop G Bureau of Criminal Investigation Capt. Rober McConnell thanked the district attorneys office for prosecuting the case. McConnell and other members of Troop G attended the sentencing to show their support for Motzer, who was not present and declined to file a victims impact statement with the court.

The incident that led Dominy to prison and Motzer into surgery occurred March 1 near Johnny Cake Lane in Sand Lake. Motzer attempted to stop Dominy on his ATV, which the trooper believed Dominy was driving while impaired, authorities said.

Dominy speeded away from the trooper who was caught by the ATV and dragged an initial 100 yards before the vehicle stopped, Hauf said. The ATV then was driven off again with the trooper dragged another 100 yards before he was able to free himself, Hauf said. Dominy drove off.

He was arrested at his home and the ATV was found hidden at another location, Hauf said.

___

(c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Buffalo, N.Y.  A politically active western New York businessman has admitted to a multimillion-dollar pandemic loan fraud that, prosecutors have said, went partly to his campaign coffers for an unsuccessful bid for county office.

Court records show Hormoz Mansouri, who sought the Democratic nomination for Erie County comptroller in 2021, pleaded guilty Friday to federal bank fraud and fraud conspiracy charges.

I acted with willful intent to violate the law, Mansouri told the court, according to The Buffalo News. The 70-year-old remains free on $250,000 bond until his sentencing, set for February. Sentencing guidelines in his case indicate a prison term between 33 and 41 months, according to the newspaper.

Mansouri had been set to go to trial next month.

Trained as an engineer, Mansouri established several businesses in the Buffalo, New York, area. He has had ties to local and state politics for decades.

He was involved in billionaire Tom Golisanos ultimately successful bids to buy the NHLs Buffalo Sabres in the early 2000s. The Sabres dealings helped acquaint Mansouri with the political sphere, as Golisano was a founding member of the New York Independence Party and was its candidate for governor in 1994, 1998 and 2002. Golisano sold the Sabres in 2011.

Mansouri, of the Buffalo suburb of Amherst, became a prominent political donor  mainly to Democrats, but also to Republicans, according to The Buffalo News.

According to his indictment, Mansouri reaped about $3 million in all from the pandemic loan fraud scheme, and $200,000 of it went to his county comptroller campaign account. The specific charges to which he pleaded guilty werent those that concerned the alleged payment to the campaign fund and to various other bank accounts and expenses, including the purchase of a Lexus.

Mansouri admitted in court that he inflated his businesses payroll costs and employee numbers on federal pandemic relief loans applications, The Buffalo News reported. The loan initiatives, the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, were launched to help U.S. businesses weather the COVID-19-related lockdowns and upheaval that began in spring 2020.

Mansouris lawyer, Herbert Greenman, said after Fridays court session that his client was a kind and generous man who became rattled by what the pandemic might to do his business, according to the newspaper.

He did something that he never felt conceivable, the attorney said. Sadly, he feels that he let his family, friends and his country down. For that, he will be forever sorry.
Former President Donald Trumps visit to Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the Kabul Airport bombing that killed 13 servicemembers caused controversy. The Army said the Trump campaign was warned about not taking photographs in Section 60 before their arrival and an altercation with a cemetery official, the Associated Press reported.

Editorial cartoonists universally condemned Trumps actions, starting with the lead cartoon from right-leaning Steve Breen depicting him standing at a grave for Decorum. Mike Luckovich, Jack Ohman, David Horsey, Bill Bramhall and Nick Anderson piled on with references to Trump calling fallen soldiers losers in private comments, erecting a campaign stage on top of graves and being called a loser by the occupants of the Tomb of the Unknowns.

In other politics news, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump. Another bizarre story surfaced telling of RFK Jr. sawing the head off a dead whale and taking it home. Bill Bramhall, Michael Ramirez and Ohman comment on the weirdness, while Breen and Walt Handelsman refer to the Kennedy family legacy.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris sat for her first media interview Thursday with CNNs Dana Bash. Dana Summers notes that she and President Joe Biden were in charge during a period of rising prices and record border crossings. Bramhall characterizes her flip-flopping as somersaults to get back to the center, and the Constitution as her main policy.

Editorial cartoonists also commented on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott taking credit for infrastructure spending that Texas Republicans in Congress voted against; Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg admitting Facebook bowed to pressure to censor misinformation about Covid; and the plight of NASA astronauts who cant return on Boeings troubled Starliner craft.

Cartoons were drawn by Jack Ohman, Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Mike Luckovich, Steve Breen and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate.
By Muri Assuncao | New York Daily News (TNS)

A former youth pastor in upstate New York was sentenced Thursday to seven years in prison for child pornography.

Nathan L. Rogers, 40, of East Aurora, pleaded guilty last year to attempted receipt of child porn, for which he could have faced up to 20 years behind bars.

Rogers used at least two iPhones to surreptitiously record nude images of a 12-year-old girl in July 2019 for his own sexual gratification, prosecutors said.

The incident unfolded during Kingdom Bound, a large Christian music festival at a water park in Darien Lake, which the young victim was attending with her youth group from Life Church Buffalo in West Seneca.

On July 31, the last day of the festival, the girl was heading toward her tent to change out of her bathing suit when Rogers, then a part-time student pastor, invited her to change in his camper, saying it would be more comfortable than changing in a hot tent, according to an affidavit.

The girl said yes and removed her clothes as the iPhones recorded her.

After she finished changing, she noticed the two hidden phones, which had been recording her for about 13 minutes.

She deleted the videos and then called her mother, who notified authorities.

Rogers was arrested and initially convicted after pleading guilty to state charges of second-degree unlawful surveillance. He was sentenced in December 2020 to six months behind bars and five years of probation.

However, after FBI agents discovered pictures and video files depicting child pornography on his cellphone, federal prosecutors opened a case against Rogers.

On Sept. 11, 2023, Rogers pleaded guilty to attempted receipt of child pornography.

-----

 2024 New York Daily News

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Were you one of the many fans sprayed by champagne at Flo Ridas concert at the New York State Fair on Thursday night? Are you under the age of 21? Staying sober?

If so, dont worry. It was non-alcoholic wine.
Jornais e portais de noticias do mundo inteiro repercutiram na ultima sexta-feira (30/8) a decisao do ministro Alexandre de Moraes, do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), em suspender a rede social X no Brasil. A determinacao ocorreu apos essa rede social, empresa do bilionario Elon Musk, nao atender a solicitacao do relator de indicar um representante legal no Brasil.

Siga o nosso canal no WhatsApp e receba em primeira mao noticias relevantes para o seu dia





O New York Times se manifestou e argumentou que o imbroglio e "o maior teste ate agora para os esforcos do bilionario em transformar o local em uma praca digital onde quase tudo e possivel". A proibicao do uso de VPN por usuarios brasileiros que tentem acessar o Twitter, violacao que pode acarretar em multa de R$ 50 mil segundo decisao de Moraes, foi caracterizada pelo jornal como "uma atitude bastante incomum", disse em materia publicada em seu portal.

O jornal americano tambem publicou uma nota no Instagram explicando o que esta acontecendo no Brasil. Para combater a enxurrada de desinformacao on-line durante a eleicao presidencial de 2022, o Brasil concedeu a um ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal poderes amplos para ordenar que as redes sociais removessem conteudos que ele considerasse uma ameaca a democracia, disse em nota.

Desde entao, esse ministro, Alexandre de Moraes, tem conduzido uma campanha agressiva para limpar a internet do pais, forcando as redes sociais a retirar milhares de publicacoes. Tem sido uma das acoes mais abrangentes  e, em certos aspectos, mais eficazes  para reprimir a desinformacao online. Quando sua atuacao ajudou a sufocar os esforcos da extrema-direita para reverter o resultado da eleicao no Brasil, academicos e comentaristas se perguntaram se o pais havia encontrado uma possivel solucao para um dos problemas mais dificeis da democracia moderna, afirmou a nota.

No dia 17 de agosto, Elon Musk optou por fechar o escritorio do X no Brasil, apos determinacao do ministro Alexandre de Moraes para suspender perfis de investigados em inqueritos no STF, sob pena de multa em caso de descumprimento. Musk, que passou a ser alvo de investigacao no Supremo, tem se recusado a acatar as decisoes de Moraes, alegando que elas configuram censura.

Leia a nota na integra:

Para combater a enxurrada de desinformacao on-line durante a eleicao presidencial de 2022, o Brasil concedeu a um ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal poderes amplos para ordenar que as redes sociais removessem conteudos que ele considerasse uma ameaca a democracia.

Desde entao, esse ministro, Alexandre de Moraes, tem conduzido uma campanha agressiva para limpar a internet do pais, forcando as redes sociais a retirar milhares de publicacoes. Tem sido uma das acoes mais abrangentes  e, em certos aspectos, mais eficazes  para reprimir a desinformacao online.

Quando sua atuacao ajudou a sufocar os esforcos da extrema-direita para reverter o resultado da eleicao no Brasil, academicos e comentaristas se perguntaram se o pais havia encontrado uma possivel solucao para um dos problemas mais dificeis da democracia moderna.

Na sexta-feira, em sua medida mais ousada ate agora, o ministro Moraes bloqueou a rede social X no Brasil, porque seu proprietario, Elon Musk, havia ignorado suas ordens judiciais para remover contas. Isso fez com que ate muitos dos defensores do ministro Moraes ficassem preocupados que o experimento tivesse ido longe demais.
A man stays at his house which has been submerged by the floodwater in Noakhali, Bangladesh, Aug. 31, 2024. Devastating floods of weeks this month in Bangladesh have killed at least 59 people, according to the National Disaster Response Coordination Center (NDRCC) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. (Xinhua)

DHAKA, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Devastating floods of weeks this month in Bangladesh have killed at least 59 people, according to the National Disaster Response Coordination Center (NDRCC) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

The center said in its latest update on Saturday that 59 people, including 41 men, six women and 12 children, died in the ongoing floods till Saturday. Most of the serious flooding has been in the country's southeastern Greater Noakhali region so far.

Also, most of the deaths were in the southeastern Noakhali, Cumilla and Feni districts although the flood situation in parts of the northeastern Sylhet region has been deteriorating fast with the rivers inundating vast tracts of land and upending the lives of millions.

More than 5 million people have been affected by the floodwaters that hit 11 of the country's 64 districts and caused colossal damage to life, property and standing crops.

Flood situations in several southeastern districts are now reportedly improving as flood water started to recede from the affected areas. There are still 696,995 people in the districts who are stranded by the floodwaters, according to reports.

Bangladeshi interim government's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus urged all concerned to continue their efforts in rescuing stranded people, providing emergency healthcare and extending cooperation for the victims.

The authorities have sent teams of disaster response forces to carry out rescue operations, distribute relief materials and supervise centers where the flood-affected people have taken shelter. 

A woman checks her sheep in the floodwater in Noakhali, Bangladesh, Aug. 31, 2024. Devastating floods of weeks this month in Bangladesh have killed at least 59 people, according to the National Disaster Response Coordination Center (NDRCC) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. (Xinhua)

A woman stays at her house which has been submerged by the floodwater in Noakhali, Bangladesh, Aug. 31, 2024. Devastating floods of weeks this month in Bangladesh have killed at least 59 people, according to the National Disaster Response Coordination Center (NDRCC) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. (Xinhua)

A woman dries clothes in the floodwater in Noakhali, Bangladesh, Aug. 31, 2024. Devastating floods of weeks this month in Bangladesh have killed at least 59 people, according to the National Disaster Response Coordination Center (NDRCC) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. (Xinhua)

A woman washes dishes in Noakhali, Bangladesh, Aug. 31, 2024. Devastating floods of weeks this month in Bangladesh have killed at least 59 people, according to the National Disaster Response Coordination Center (NDRCC) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. (Xinhua)

A child takes a shower in the floodwater in Noakhali, Bangladesh, Aug. 31, 2024. Devastating floods of weeks this month in Bangladesh have killed at least 59 people, according to the National Disaster Response Coordination Center (NDRCC) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. (Xinhua)

A woman stays at her house which has been submerged by the floodwater in Noakhali, Bangladesh, Aug. 31, 2024. Devastating floods of weeks this month in Bangladesh have killed at least 59 people, according to the National Disaster Response Coordination Center (NDRCC) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. (Xinhua)

An elder wades through floodwater in Noakhali, Bangladesh, Aug. 31, 2024. Devastating floods of weeks this month in Bangladesh have killed at least 59 people, according to the National Disaster Response Coordination Center (NDRCC) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. (Xinhua)
scorpi0N BHPian



Join Date: Apr 2024 Location: Mumbai Posts: 28 Thanked: 400 Times

Re: 14-Years with the Ford Figo: A Reflection V. Our Decision

I had just started college back then. We were planning to upgrade from our 12 years old Maruti 800 for some time. Somehow Figo got my fathers attention. Considering our budget and the requirements of a small family, the final options which were shortlisted were Figo and Polo.





Both the cars were well rounded packages which suited our requirements, offered good VFM and presented the prestige of owning a premium brand. Figo prevailed just because of better service network in our area and as a new Ford dealership had opened at a walking distance from our home. Knowing that a small car calls for a different and larger distribution channel than bigger cars, Ford had ramped up its dealership network from 135 in 2009 to 167 in the beginning of 2010. The plan, at that time, was to take it up to 200 by the end of 2010.



We chose the petrol variant, and the (ex-showroom) price was 4.5 L. Diesel was not under consideration, on account of general concern that diesel engines require much more maintenance. The date of purchase was 13 April, 2010, and the colour was Black...Panther Black!





VI. Driving the Car

It has been over 14 years and close to 70k KMs with usage being mostly in city and occasional weekend long drives. Broadly, the car has shone in driving dynamics, and its pure joy to drive!



The Figos hydraulic power steering isnt heavy, rather I would say its quite stable. It provides a very direct and precise steering feel. The 1.2L Petrol engine, mated to 5-speed manual transmission, may feel slightly underpowered but has good mechanical feel. The linear throttle response is very satisfying, and also makes the car very quick after slowing at a speed breaker. The gear shifts are smooth and precise. The clutch again, is neither soft nor heavy. The Figo was designed with a focus on minimizing drag. The aerodynamic design, robust build quality, structural rigidity and low CoG provide for a very... a really very planted ride, at high speed and on curves! The grip on the road is amazingly good. Although the wind noise inside the cabin, which could have been controlled better, gives a sense of high speed once the car goes above 60 KMPH. The suspension system, independent MacPherson strut setup at the front and a semi-independent twist-beam axle at the rear, provides a good balance between comfort and handling. The braking system consists of ventilated discs at the front and drum brakes at the rear, complimented with ABS and EBD, and is competent. Initial response to brake pedal is mild which builds up quickly as pedal is further pressed. Its compact size coupled with excellent handling makes it a great city car, which can be manoeuvred through traffic or parked in tight spots with relative ease. Overall, I would say this car offers a reasonably spirited driving experience, and is fun to drive.



However, time has taken its toll. For instance, the gear shifts are no more very smooth, and the clutch has become slightly hard. The suspensions have also given way and the ride has become a bit stiff. Recently, I have tended to develop back pain if I drive the car continuously for few days, and the car also lacks lumber support. Guess, will have to get the suspensions replaced. Nevertheless, the underlying driving feel remains intact!



VII. Space and Build Quality

The fit and finish of the car is very good, and makes it look classy and premium. The seating space in front and rear is excellent! The incline on the rear seats is perfect and the knee room is also fine, and it can seat three mid-sized adults without a lot of effort. My parents who are now using Seltos feel rear seating in Figo is more spacious and comfortable. The boot space is a decent 284L.



The car has solid build quality. Let me illustrate with an unwarranted and unfortunate incident. 12 years ago, I was at my friends with my Figo. While reversing, a beginner in driving as I was back then, I didnt check the rear view mirrors properly and hit his Swift in the front left fender area and the car stopped with a thud. I got out to assess the damage. There was a big dent on the Swift. Something slightly more than that in the following image.





My friends, who was a real car enthusiast and also owned a Fiat (Punto, if I recall correctly) and a Verna apart from the Swift, remark surprised me. He said "Dont worry about it! But, just look at your car. Thats Fords build quality!. On seeing Figo, even I was surprised and relieved, there was no dent. Nothing at all to suggest that I had hit something! Only a minor paint damage. The part (the tailgate) has remained as it is for the last 12 years in my car.



VIII. This and That: The Features

Not much to talk about here. Just the bare bones - AC and a basic infotainment unit!



The AC in the car is really good. Its a real chiller when needed, or a heater. However, put the fan on 2 or above with full cooling and it takes a toll on car performance.



The car houses a basic infotainment unit with support for CD, radio, bluetooth and 3.5 mm jack. It also advertises support for USB 2.0, and as I could not find the slot I felt maybe they forgot to put the slot while putting the USB sticker, and accepted it. Very recently, got to know that USB support was sold as an accessory :-| Nevertheless, bluetooth connectivity works well. But, long duration calls are not recommended as the mic seems to be weak. The overall audio quality is, however, really very good!



One of the quirks of a Ford car is that wiper controls are on the right side, while indicator controls are on left. And one has to get used to it. I had just started college back then. We were planning to upgrade from our 12 years old Maruti 800 for some time. Somehow Figo got my fathers attention. Considering our budget and the requirements of a small family, the final options which were shortlisted were Figo and Polo.Both the cars were well rounded packages which suited our requirements, offered good VFM and presented the prestige of owning a premium brand. Figo prevailed just because of better service network in our area and as a new Ford dealership had opened at a walking distance from our home. Knowing that a small car calls for a different and larger distribution channel than bigger cars, Ford had ramped up its dealership network from 135 in 2009 to 167 in the beginning of 2010. The plan, at that time, was to take it up to 200 by the end of 2010.We chose the petrol variant, and the (ex-showroom) price was 4.5 L. Diesel was not under consideration, on account of general concern that diesel engines require much more maintenance. The date of purchase was 13 April, 2010, and the colour was Black...Panther Black!It has been over 14 years and close to 70k KMs with usage being mostly in city and occasional weekend long drives. Broadly, the car has shone in driving dynamics, and its pure joy to drive!The Figos hydraulic power steering isnt heavy, rather I would say its quite stable. It provides a very direct and precise steering feel. The 1.2L Petrol engine, mated to 5-speed manual transmission, may feel slightly underpowered but has good mechanical feel. The linear throttle response is very satisfying, and also makes the car very quick after slowing at a speed breaker. The gear shifts are smooth and precise. The clutch again, is neither soft nor heavy. The Figo was designed with a focus on minimizing drag. The aerodynamic design, robust build quality, structural rigidity and low CoG provide for aplanted ride, at high speed and on curves! The grip on the road is amazingly good. Although the wind noise inside the cabin, which could have been controlled better, gives a sense of high speed once the car goes above 60 KMPH. The suspension system, independent MacPherson strut setup at the front and a semi-independent twist-beam axle at the rear, provides a good balance between comfort and handling. The braking system consists of ventilated discs at the front and drum brakes at the rear, complimented with ABS and EBD, and is competent. Initial response to brake pedal is mild which builds up quickly as pedal is further pressed. Its compact size coupled with excellent handling makes it a great city car, which can be manoeuvred through traffic or parked in tight spots with relative ease. Overall, I would say this car offers a reasonably spirited driving experience, and is fun to drive.However, time has taken its toll. For instance, the gear shifts are no more very smooth, and the clutch has become slightly hard. The suspensions have also given way and the ride has become a bit stiff. Recently, I have tended to develop back pain if I drive the car continuously for few days, and the car also lacks lumber support. Guess, will have to get the suspensions replaced. Nevertheless, the underlying driving feel remains intact!The fit and finish of the car is very good, and makes it look classy and premium. The seating space in front and rear is excellent! The incline on the rear seats is perfect and the knee room is also fine, and it can seat three mid-sized adults without a lot of effort. My parents who are now using Seltos feel rear seating in Figo is more spacious and comfortable. The boot space is a decent 284L.The car has solid build quality. Let me illustrate with an unwarranted and unfortunate incident. 12 years ago, I was at my friends with my Figo. While reversing, a beginner in driving as I was back then, I didnt check the rear view mirrors properly and hit his Swift in the front left fender area and the car stopped with a thud. I got out to assess the damage. There was a big dent on the Swift. Something slightly more than that in the following image.My friends, who was a real car enthusiast and also owned a Fiat (Punto, if I recall correctly) and a Verna apart from the Swift, remark surprised me. He said. On seeing Figo, even I was surprised and relieved, there was no dent. Nothing at all to suggest that I had hit something! Only a minor paint damage. The part (the tailgate) has remained as it is for the last 12 years in my car.Not much to talk about here. Just the bare bones - AC and a basic infotainment unit!The AC in the car is really good. Its a real chiller when needed, or a heater. However, put the fan on 2 or above with full cooling and it takes a toll on car performance.The car houses a basic infotainment unit with support for CD, radio, bluetooth and 3.5 mm jack. It also advertises support for USB 2.0, and as I could not find the slot I felt maybe they forgot to put the slot while putting the USB sticker, and accepted it. Very recently, got to know that USB support was sold as an accessory :-| Nevertheless, bluetooth connectivity works well. But, long duration calls are not recommended as the mic seems to be weak. The overall audio quality is, however, really very good!One of the quirks of a Ford car is that wiper controls are on the right side, while indicator controls are on left. And one has to get used to it. Last edited by scorpi0N : 31st August 2024 at 12:22 .
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Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore / TVM Posts: 17,395 Thanked: 74,771 Times

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Re: Honda NX500 launched at 5.9 lakhs Quote: shyamg28 Originally Posted by



I have read, re-read and re-shared this post very often in the recent past. One of the absolute best posts on "value for money" - https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu_sSDqN...ljaXdiNXo1dQ== I have read, re-read and re-shared this post very often in the recent past.



Any discussion on the 'value for money' of the NX500 is a moot point- whether you absolutely love it or don't see the point of it, one cannot deny the simplest of fact that it is a CBU.



The price tag you are paying is only just about half for the bike, the rest goes for the development of the nation.



That said - going along the lines of Shumi's post - asking people to compromise just because of that price tag doesn't make sense either. IMHO - Himalayan 450 is 85-90% of what the NX500 is and even better in some areas like offroad ability. But for people willing not to compromise on the extra 10-15% (reliability and twin cylinder refinement) - the NX500 is currently the only choice in this A2 entry level ADV market.



Quote: asininite Originally Posted by My point is, for that extra 3 lakhs, what do you gain from the NX500? But at what point do we stop to think 'What will the extra 3 lakhs fetch me that some other cheaper bike won't?'



...



I don't really see how this NX500 can make anyone go 'wow that's a bike I must get'. For a diehard Honda fan sure, but for anyone else it just ... falls apart.



There are primarily two category of buyers - the ones who value the product more and the ones who value the product as a tool that could add to their experiences more. From your arguments, you (and I) often seem to gravitate towards the former category and want the bike itself to be an instrument of fun - something which can throw a smile on your face everytime you take it out, be it for a commute or for covering 500kms in day. The NX500 is not for that person, period! It can feel quite boring - especially in comparison with the machines similar money could buy!



The latter category considers the bike as a tool on their adventures - One that should be able to complete a long trip in absolute reliability and with excellent efficiency and refinement, one that should offer a premium experience but not be intimidating enough to become the center of that experience. A Himalayan would certainly fit the bill here - but there is no denying that the Honda brings a peace of mind that is a lot more worth than the additional 10-15% of product capability that the bike initially suggests on paper. It is a fill it-shut it-forget it experience which neither a KTM or RE can offer. The whole package does come together well for this category of buyers - so there are people who are willing to pay the premium and wait the extra months for this experience.



That said - the NX500 is best enjoyed as part of a larger garage. All three owners I know have larger machines which they use for the fun element - one friend has a ZX10R and Ninja 1000 (wait, does that ring a bell?), another has a Ninja 1000 and the third bought a Street Triple RS after getting bored of the 500X for anything but tours. But for those tours - they would swear by the Honda.



A used Versys 650 or VStrom 650 for the price is a LOT of extra machine - unless the buyers are ready for it. Both these are much heavier and are more demanding from the rider, becoming a part of the experience than just being a tool. That makes it more rewarding as well - hence for people who value the product more - these are like almost 50% more capabilities for 20% more price, even when new. So this category of people is not going to agree to the POV of the others, ever! The segment is going to explode soon though - with the entry of the (old, but reliable) Kawasaki Versys X 300, Aprilia Toureg 457, Tiger 400 and the RE Himalayan 650 - many different machines that are going to question the relevance of this CBU even more!



Quote: sandeepmohan Originally Posted by Can you elaborate on this? What sort of advanced suspension do these bikes have that make it better than the NX? From the spec sheet, its nothing special. Thanks Shyam for sharing this - had missed this!Any discussion on the 'value for money' of the NX500 is a moot point- whether you absolutely love it or don't see the point of it, one cannot deny the simplest of fact that it is a CBU.The price tag you are paying is only just about half for the bike, the rest goes for the development of the nation.That said - going along the lines of Shumi's post - asking people to compromise just because of that price tag doesn't make sense either. IMHO - Himalayan 450 is 85-90% of what the NX500 is and even better in some areas like offroad ability. But for people willing not to compromise on the extra 10-15% (reliability and twin cylinder refinement) - the NX500 is currently the only choice in this A2 entry level ADV market.Having ridden the 500X quite a bit, I would say fair point. I personally do see and agree with your POV. But I also do know atleast three CB500X owners and would like to remind you that another POV also exists.There are primarily two category of buyers - the ones who value the product more and the ones who value the product as a tool that could add to their experiences more. From your arguments, you (and I) often seem to gravitate towards the former category and want the bike itself to be an instrument of fun - something which can throw a smile on your face everytime you take it out, be it for a commute or for covering 500kms in day. The NX500 is not for that person, period! It can feel quite boring - especially in comparison with the machines similar money could buy!The latter category considers the bike as a tool on their adventures - One that should be able to complete a long trip in absolute reliability and with excellent efficiency and refinement, one that should offer a premium experience but not be intimidating enough to become the center of that experience. A Himalayan would certainly fit the bill here - but there is no denying that the Honda brings a peace of mind that is a lot more worth than the additional 10-15% of product capability that the bike initially suggests on paper. It is a fill it-shut it-forget it experience which neither a KTM or RE can offer. The whole package does come together well for this category of buyers - so there are people who are willing to pay the premium and wait the extra months for this experience.That said - the NX500 is best enjoyed as part of a larger garage. All three owners I know have larger machines which they use for the fun element - one friend has a ZX10R and Ninja 1000 (wait, does that ring a bell?), another has a Ninja 1000 and the third bought a Street Triple RS after getting bored of the 500X for anything but tours. But for those tours - they would swear by the Honda.A used Versys 650 or VStrom 650 for the price is a LOT of extra machine - unless the buyers are ready for it. Both these are much heavier and are more demanding from the rider, becoming a part of the experience than just being a tool. That makes it more rewarding as well - hence for people who value the product more - these are like almost 50% more capabilities for 20% more price, even when new. So this category of people is not going to agree to the POV of the others, ever! The segment is going to explode soon though - with the entry of the (old, but reliable) Kawasaki Versys X 300, Aprilia Toureg 457, Tiger 400 and the RE Himalayan 650 - many different machines that are going to question the relevance of this CBU even more!Ride the two back to back (I have) and the Himalayan 450 has a much better chassis-suspension tune (till the chassis breaks, may be?). The CB500X/NX500 is on the more softer side and while it feels plush during a city TD or highway touring - it doesn't bring a smile in the corners or on some of our patched-up highspeed highways. On the other hands - Himalayan is a bike that could probably survive a trackday with a better set of tyres thrown in, while being able to tackle bad roads and offroads as well. (Don't believe me? Watch the Motorinc Guerilla 450 review where they discuss on the Himalayan 450 chassis and suspension setup - despite the 21 inch front wheel!) Last edited by CrAzY dRiVeR : 30th August 2024 at 07:51 .
libranof1987 Team-BHP Support

Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: All over! Posts: 7,881 Thanked: 19,640 Times





On the international range, Eurogrip offers the Protorq Extreme, Roadhound tyres under the Sport category, Climber XC / XC-R / MX Junior for Off-road, Trailhound SCR and STR for Trail roads, and a variety of Bee-series products for Scooters.



For India, the Protorq Extreme, Roadhound, Beamer YS+, Beamer HS+, Duratrail EB+ and Terrabite DB+ form the range. Through the course of the day, we were to test the Protorq Extreme, Roundhound, Beamer HS+ and Terrabite DB+.



Mr. Sivaramakrishnan and Renato then walked us through the tyre development and manufacturing process at Eurogrip.







One area of focus has been the tyre's contact patch. Through they use Variable Radius Profile technology, Eurogrip claims that the tyre's cap contour with variable degrees of steepness enables an optimal contact patch shape and size according to the motorcycle position. Sidewall geometry is taken into account so that the plyline conformation is optimized to sustain load and forces.



On certain rear tyres such as the Roadhound, Eurogrip has introduced the Quadrazone multi-compound technology, which essentially entails the use of four compounds in the making of the tyre.







- Central cap compound focusses on increasing mileage and stability by enhancing resistance to consumption and wearing

- Shoulders cap compound with fillers to provide high grip while leaning

- Lateral wings to provide heating control and improve the sturdiness for the tyre

- Base, a middle-layer compound in between the tread and inner structure to enhance the overall stability



We were told that the this technology ensures that minimal heat is transferred from the sidewall onto the tread of the tyre, enabling better performance.



The Protorq Extreme range have a radial carcass with ply cords angled at ~90 degrees with the circumference of the tyre. One / two layers of these cords are used in conjunction with a 0" steel belt laid perpendicular to the cords to stabilize the structure.



We then moved to the testing of these tyres.



Eurogrip has independent testers based in India, Japan and Europe who carry out performance and durability testing on the tyre range. Testing is carried out separately in Japan and Europe given the distinct nature of requirements in these markets. The products are benchmarked against the best in the competition such as Pirelli, Michelin and so on.



With this, it was time to hear from the two expert riders on the parameters that they evaluate the tyres on.







The experts told us that they essentially test the tyre on three main functional aspects:



1) Handing: Factors that matter are lightness (fast flip flop with a robust front), neutrality (linear cambering speed from straight to maximum angle), precision (bike riding exactly on the line that the rider intends), easiness (effortless and easy lane change) and ability in keeping the trajectory in-turn and during acceleration (front that allows the rider to hit the apex, with a rear that doesn't slip while accelerating).



2) Grip: Comes into play during braking (maximum grip and smooth interaction with ABS), leaning (maximum lateral thrust of the tyre), acceleration (maximum acceleration and smooth interaction with the electronics of the bike), grip loss controllability (smooth loss of grip, in the eventuality of one, which can be predicted and controlled), overall grip.



3) Stability: Performance during wave, wobble on straight, snaking in the lean.







The session ended with a discussion on how feedback from the expert riders makes its way to the R&D team and further development and refinement of the tyre technology takes place. With the introduction on the range of Eurogrip Tyres done, the discussion progressed toward the technicalities and technology behind the tyres that we were about to test.On the international range, Eurogrip offers the Protorq Extreme, Roadhound tyres under the Sport category, Climber XC / XC-R / MX Junior for Off-road, Trailhound SCR and STR for Trail roads, and a variety of Bee-series products for Scooters.For India, the Protorq Extreme, Roadhound, Beamer YS+, Beamer HS+, Duratrail EB+ and Terrabite DB+ form the range. Through the course of the day, we were to test the Protorq Extreme, Roundhound, Beamer HS+ and Terrabite DB+.Mr. Sivaramakrishnan and Renato then walked us through the tyre development and manufacturing process at Eurogrip.One area of focus has been the tyre's contact patch. Through they use Variable Radius Profile technology, Eurogrip claims that the tyre's cap contour with variable degrees of steepness enables an optimal contact patch shape and size according to the motorcycle position. Sidewall geometry is taken into account so that the plyline conformation is optimized to sustain load and forces.On certain rear tyres such as the Roadhound, Eurogrip has introduced the Quadrazone multi-compound technology, which essentially entails the use of four compounds in the making of the tyre.- Central cap compound focusses on increasing mileage and stability by enhancing resistance to consumption and wearing- Shoulders cap compound with fillers to provide high grip while leaning- Lateral wings to provide heating control and improve the sturdiness for the tyre- Base, a middle-layer compound in between the tread and inner structure to enhance the overall stabilityWe were told that the this technology ensures that minimal heat is transferred from the sidewall onto the tread of the tyre, enabling better performance.The Protorq Extreme range have a radial carcass with ply cords angled at ~90 degrees with the circumference of the tyre. One / two layers of these cords are used in conjunction with a 0" steel belt laid perpendicular to the cords to stabilize the structure.We then moved to the testing of these tyres.Eurogrip has independent testers based in India, Japan and Europe who carry out performance and durability testing on the tyre range. Testing is carried out separately in Japan and Europe given the distinct nature of requirements in these markets. The products are benchmarked against the best in the competition such as Pirelli, Michelin and so on.With this, it was time to hear from the two expert riders on the parameters that they evaluate the tyres on.The experts told us that they essentially test the tyre on three main functional aspects:1) Handing: Factors that matter are lightness (fast flip flop with a robust front), neutrality (linear cambering speed from straight to maximum angle), precision (bike riding exactly on the line that the rider intends), easiness (effortless and easy lane change) and ability in keeping the trajectory in-turn and during acceleration (front that allows the rider to hit the apex, with a rear that doesn't slip while accelerating).2) Grip: Comes into play during braking (maximum grip and smooth interaction with ABS), leaning (maximum lateral thrust of the tyre), acceleration (maximum acceleration and smooth interaction with the electronics of the bike), grip loss controllability (smooth loss of grip, in the eventuality of one, which can be predicted and controlled), overall grip.3) Stability: Performance during wave, wobble on straight, snaking in the lean.The session ended with a discussion on how feedback from the expert riders makes its way to the R&D team and further development and refinement of the tyre technology takes place. Last edited by libranof1987 : 31st August 2024 at 21:06 .
shan_ned BHPian

Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bangalore Posts: 326 Thanked: 774 Times

re: MY2024 Honda Elevate VX Silver MT Ownership Review About the 1.5 Naturally Aspirated i-vtec Engine





Specs :

Power: 121 ps/119 bhp rated at 6600 rpm

Torque: 145 Nm rated at 4300 rpm

Inline 4 cylinder  DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder



The engines name is L15ZD. Some articles refer to it as L15ZF. This engine design has evolved over a period, and it is in a well matured state now. Many say that it is an outdated engine design. I see it as half cup full. As the design evolved over multiple iterations, the engine is mechanically solid and reliable. Even if this is an outdated design in a negative sense, this engine stood the test of time. Though the engine is famous for its high revving nature (7200 rpm) due to the i-vtec technology, the engine is on par with any other modern 1.5L based NA petrol engines in terms of overall refinement, smoothness, and other parameters. And I think Honda will continue to use this engine for many more years.



On a side note, Honda did not help itself for better sales by not bringing in the 1.5 Diesel engine in Elevate.





NVH factor  Noise-Vibration-Harshness



Many reviews point out these problems:

1) Engine noise/refinement

2) Tyre/External/wind noise

Some of the comments are highly exaggerated and some are true. So, I will address each of the points one by one.



Engine noise/refinement:

- In some of the review comments, there is no clarity on distinguishing engine noise and refinement. To set the record straight, I can say that the engine refinement is top notch. The engine is butter smooth and no vibrations felt even on the gear lever.

- While the engine is super refined, engine noise is heard inside the cabin when it revs beyond 3000 rpm. Having said that, there is no way we can term it as excess or loud to make you feel concerned. The max rev limit I touched was 4000 RPM and it neither bothered me nor gave any feeling of harshness/strained. Certainly, the engine noise is slightly more at higher rpms when compared to my Suzuki Swift, but it is no way bad as it has been projected. You will never feel uncomfortable even if you are cruising at or above 4000 RPM. The engine note, at max, can be termed as sporty in higher revs.

- NOTE: I personally dont prefer revving the engine even if it can hit 7000 to 7200 rpm.





Tyre/External/wind noise:

- First, I would like to address the tyre noise. It was high for the first thousand kms. On clocking more kms, the tyre noise reduced gradually to a point where it was no more of a concern. I do find a few owners complaining about the tyre noise even after clocking a good number of kms. Either I got very much used to the noise in a way that made me feel not so concerned or the review comments are playing tricks on the mind of a few in making them feel bad about the tyre noise . My suggestion to new owners is to drive the car for a couple of thousand kms and see whether the tyre rubber noise has reduced.



- The wind and other external noise do creep in. Again, it is not to the level where you will feel concerned. I had done close to 500 kms in a single day on the highways and never felt uncomfortable. And for half part of that journey, I didnt switch on the audio system as well for masking the noise. Certainly, the NVH level of Honda Elevate is not great, but it is also not bad as suggested by a few comments. I can say this with 100% certainty after driving on the highways close to 2800 kms. I even checked with my family members to know whether they were feeling uncomfortable due to the noise creeping in. They did not even feel that there was an issue.



- As NVH level is not bad, I will not think of going with any aftermarket solutions in sound damping. I am happy with the current setup.





Overall build quality



Though the overall build quality is good, I do feel it is not keeping up to the reputation of brand Honda. Here are a few things which made me feel so:



1) The door edges dont have sufficient rubber beading. Please refer to this link for more details.

https://www.team-bhp.com/news/feedba...ld-swift-owner



2) The front glove box compartment looks fragile.



3) At certain places, the exterior panels flex a bit. I dont know if this is for some engineering reasons to create crumple zones. Here comes an interesting piece of information which I have observed. My neighbor has TATA Nexon. On checking closely at its exterior panels, they look stronger compared to Honda Elevate. I am not offending Honda fans here because I am just stating what I have seen . The flip side is that the gap between the panels is not consistent in TATA Nexon.



4) The driver side window glass panel is not well damped. If it is partially open, it has a very mild rattle when going over potholes. This does not happen when the window is either fully closed or fully open. Certainly, I didnt expect this from Honda. Though this is not a big issue to be worried about, Honda should ensure these minor things dont pop up.



In short, I would say that Honda Elevates build quality is neither exceptional nor bad.





Ride Quality and overall comfort



I would say that Honda Elevate really shines in this category. The suspension tuning is on the mark. I guess it has a longer suspension travel compared to the competing brands. As a co-passenger, I have travelled in cars like Creta, Nexon, Vento, etc., In comparison, Honda Elevate suspension is more supple. It glides over road undulations and bridge expansion steel joints. Even though Elevate is a taller car, I never felt any hints of body roll.



Adding to the exceptional ride quality, the steering response is even more brilliant. One must drive the car and see how excellent the steering is. It is super light at slow speeds and gives the right level of feedback once the speed increases. For me, the very first test drive of Honda Elevate made me fall in love with its ride quality. Going by various other reviews, they point out how stable the car is at high speeds. Thanks to Honda engineers for making an excellent suspension setup in Honda Elevate.



With excellent ride quality, the overall comfort for the passengers is very good. The rear seat has very good knee room. Thanks to the longer wheelbase. Reviews do mention that the shoulder room will be an issue if three passengers sit on the rear seat. As far as the front seats are concerned, taller drivers of 6 feet and above may have an issue with reduced knee room. I am 5-9 tall and I dont have any issues with the knee room. The seats do provide good comfort for longer distance journeys.



The AC performance is good. Never felt lacking in keeping the cabin cool even during hot summer. I dont prefer switching on the automatic climate control. During summer, I used to keep the temperature set around 23 to 24 degrees Celsius and slightly higher during other seasons. I haven't tried the Max Cool feature.





Engine Performance, Transmission and Fuel Efficiency



Though I am not the right person to comment on the outright performance of any engine, let me share my own thoughts based on my style of riding.



- The first thing that needs to be mentioned is the transmission. I opted for manual transmission for the simple reason that I do feel more connected with the car when the gear change is in my control. Also, the usage is restricted for highway driving only. There is no doubt that CVT is the way to go for city driving. I drove both CVT and manual transmission as part of my test drives. I was amazed at the level of comfort offered by CVT. Then, my heart is always with manual transmission. The gear shifts are very precise and smooth. This smooth gear shifting adds a very good vibe to my overall driving experience. The clutch travel is slightly longer for my liking. Prospective owners looking for manual transmission should be aware of this longer clutch travel if their usage is for city driving.



- The overall gear ratios are shorter. So, the car offers better tractability. The car doesnt lug even if you are in wrong gear for a given speed. In other words, with shorter gear ratios, there will be more torque available at the wheels. The other side is that the engine will be at slightly higher rpms for a given speed. For example, Honda City will be revving at 2700 rpm while cruising at 100 kmph in the 6th gear. For the same speed and the same gear, Honda Elevate will be revving at 2900 rpm. In lower gears, Elevates gear ratios are even shorter compared to the gear ratios of City. While the fuel efficiency in City will be slightly higher, Elevate will have slightly better in-gear acceleration.



- Coming to the engine performance, I am very happy with what the engine offers. For my style of driving, it is more than sufficient to keep the revs between 2000 and 3000 rpm while shifting the gears. Below 2000 rpm, the engine feels anemic in 6th gear. The car will be coasting around 60 to 70 kmph in 6th gear if the engine rpm is below 2000 rpm. The 6th gear offers good grunt only when the engine rpm is kept above 2300 or 2500 rpm. In lower gears, the engine has enough grunt even at lower rpm ranges (< 2000 rpm). It is just that the 6th gear requires the engine rpm close to or above 2500 rpm for providing the required grunt. I havent revved the engine beyond 4000 rpm and my typical range for cruising in 6th gear is around 2500 to 2700 rpm. As said before, I will never encourage anyone driving cars for high speed or mad acceleration. The lives of other road users (including ours) are much more precious than our highly regressive thought of seeing cars as toys to have fun on the public roads. I was surprised to see a few going mad about the limited top speed of Elevate. The top speed of Elevate is electronically restricted to 160 kmph. Honda engineers must have worked out on restricting the top speed from the perspective of vehicle stability and safety. Of course, even 160 kmph is highly dangerous for our unpredictable roads. Doing such crazy speeds is an act of either committing suicide or taking the lives of other road users. Period!!!



- Fuel efficiency: I do get an average FE of around 17.5 to 18.5 kmpl (measured by tank-to-tank refill approach). The indicated FE on the information display has error of showing an extra 0.8 kmpl. For example, if the indicated FE is 19 kmpl, then the actual FE is 18.2 kmpl. To be on the conservative side, we can safely assume that the actual FE is less than the indicated FE by 1 kmpl. If I am on the highways for a longer duration, the indicated FE shows 21 kmpl. The moment I enter the city, the indicated FE drops from 21 kmpl to 19 or 18 kmpl. For pure city driving, I am guessing the FE will be anywhere around 11 kmpl. For CVT, the gear ratio is taller at cruising speeds. So, CVT will have a better FE than the manual transmission on the highways.





Additional points







The biggest advantage of going with NA pertrol engine is that we can simply stick with the normal fuel (91 RON). We just need to ensure that we get fuel from a well trusted fuel station. I use Shell Normal petrol. Going for premium or higher RON fuel is not required.









33 psi is the recommended tyre pressure for all the tyres.

When I took the delivery from the showroom, the tyre pressure was set at 40 psi for all tye tyres and I got to know about it only after reaching home. If you are buying the car, please ensure that the car tyre pressure is set at 33 psi on the day of delivery.





Though I am happy and satisfied with the overall list of features, I do hate one particular feature - The sunroof. It is a useless feature, in my opinion. Thank god that Honda didn't go for panoramic sunroof. It may compromise the structural integrity of the shell. Also, it makes the cabin hot and there-by making the AC to work hard to maintain the temperature. The other useless feature is the display of G force display. Too many features is a receipe for problems in long run. In that sense, I am glad that Honda has put the required features only. I do accept that the majority of car buyers will not agree with me.



How easy is Honda Elevate to drive ?.

It is very driver friendly due to its tall boy design. As a driver, I can see the full bonnet hood. It becomes much easier to judge and drive. It is completely opposite in Swift when it comes to the bonnet hood visibility. On Swift, I take extra effort when taking tight turns. It is not the case with Elevate. Also, Swift and other cars do have the front lower portion, right after the bonnet hood, projecting out for aerodynamics. In case of Honda Elevate, the projection is almost NIL. So, making tight turns in a cramped car parking area is not an issue. Some beginners may find the full view of the bonnet hood a bit initimidating. It is not the case in reality. As said before, it is extremely easy even for new drivers to get adapted. Having said that, a 360 degree camera feature could have been provided to boost the confidence of the drivers. Again, absence of it is not a deal breaker.



Another important point which I like to highlight is the drivers view obstruction by A or B pillars. In Swift, I have tough time while taking the right turn on merging with the road. The B pillar obstructs my view when I try to look over my left shoulder for any oncoming vehicles. And the problem becomes worse if there is a co-passenger. In Honda Elevate, I never felt this problem. The placement of pillars do not hamper the drivers view.



Features which I am actively using:

1) The infotainment system for map navigation and music listening - Nothing much to boast about the video quality or the audio quality. They are sufficiently good. We must not forget that Car audio systems are not high fidelity systems .



A couple of times, I had andriod airplay disconnection issue. Need to patch the infotainment system firmware with the latest bits during the 2nd service. I am aware that even the latest firmware version is not a complete solution for solving airplay disconnect issue.



2) Honda connect feature: Frankly speaking, I did not bother to get the feature enabled even when the sales advisor reminded me a couple of times. I will get it enabled when I visit the dealer during the 2nd service.





The car remains idle in the garage during the week days because it is used for Highways only. So, I have the Bosch C7 charger which I connect to the car once in 3 or 4 days.





As I have two cars and one motorcycle, I purchased Karcher K5 power control pressure washer.



Though my car is safely parked inside the garage, I am very nervous about rats getting inside. A few years back, Honda cars were the favourite cars for the rats to get in and chew the wires. The reason was that Honda moved to bio-degradable soya based insulation wires. More than Honda fan boys, rats do have more liking for the Honda cars . I am not sure whether Honda moved away from those soya based insulation wires. So, I am actively exploring ways to have a second level of defence from the rats.



For car aesthetics, I am going to follow my good friend (n_aditya) who gave me a good advice almost a decade back - Use NXT car shampoo and Collinite 845. I am not going with PPF or ceramic coating. Power: 121 ps/119 bhp rated at 6600 rpmTorque: 145 Nm rated at 4300 rpmInline 4 cylinder  DOHC with 4 valves per cylinderThe engines name is L15ZD. Some articles refer to it as L15ZF. This engine design has evolved over a period, and it is in a well matured state now. Many say that it is an outdated engine design. I see it as half cup full. As the design evolved over multiple iterations, the engine is mechanically solid and reliable. Even if this is an outdated design in a negative sense, this engine stood the test of time. Though the engine is famous for its high revving nature (7200 rpm) due to the i-vtec technology, the engine is on par with any other modern 1.5L based NA petrol engines in terms of overall refinement, smoothness, and other parameters. And I think Honda will continue to use this engine for many more years.On a side note, Honda did not help itself for better sales by not bringing in the 1.5 Diesel engine in Elevate.Many reviews point out these problems:1) Engine noise/refinement2) Tyre/External/wind noiseSome of the comments are highly exaggerated and some are true. So, I will address each of the points one by one.- In some of the review comments, there is no clarity on distinguishing engine noise and refinement. To set the record straight, I can say that the engine refinement is top notch. The engine is butter smooth and no vibrations felt even on the gear lever.- While the engine is super refined, engine noise is heard inside the cabin when it revs beyond 3000 rpm. Having said that, there is no way we can term it as excess or loud to make you feel concerned. The max rev limit I touched was 4000 RPM and it neither bothered me nor gave any feeling of harshness/strained. Certainly, the engine noise is slightly more at higher rpms when compared to my Suzuki Swift, but it is no way bad as it has been projected. You will never feel uncomfortable even if you are cruising at or above 4000 RPM. The engine note, at max, can be termed as sporty in higher revs.- NOTE: I personally dont prefer revving the engine even if it can hit 7000 to 7200 rpm.- First, I would like to address the tyre noise. It was high for the first thousand kms. On clocking more kms, the tyre noise reduced gradually to a point where it was no more of a concern. I do find a few owners complaining about the tyre noise even after clocking a good number of kms. Either I got very much used to the noise in a way that made me feel not so concernedthe review comments are playing tricks on the mind of a few in making them feel bad about the tyre noise. My suggestion to new owners is to drive the car for a couple of thousand kms and see whether the tyre rubber noise has reduced.- The wind and other external noise do creep in. Again, it is not to the level where you will feel concerned. I had done close to 500 kms in a single day on the highways and never felt uncomfortable. And for half part of that journey, I didnt switch on the audio system as well for masking the noise. Certainly, the NVH level of Honda Elevate is not great, but it is also not bad as suggested by a few comments. I can say this with 100% certainty after driving on the highways close to 2800 kms. I even checked with my family members to know whether they were feeling uncomfortable due to the noise creeping in. They did not even feel that there was an issue.- As NVH level is not bad, I will not think of going with any aftermarket solutions in sound damping. I am happy with the current setup.Though the overall build quality is good, I do feel it is not keeping up to the reputation of brand Honda. Here are a few things which made me feel so:1) The door edges dont have sufficient rubber beading. Please refer to this link for more details.2) The front glove box compartment looks fragile.3) At certain places, the exterior panels flex a bit. I dont know if this is for some engineering reasons to create crumple zones. Here comes an interesting piece of information which I have observed. My neighbor has TATA Nexon. On checking closely at its exterior panels, they look stronger compared to Honda Elevate. I am not offending Honda fans here because I am just stating what I have seen. The flip side is that the gap between the panels is not consistent in TATA Nexon.4) The driver side window glass panel is not well damped. If it is partially open, it has a very mild rattle when going over potholes. This does not happen when the window is either fully closed or fully open. Certainly, I didnt expect this from Honda. Though this is not a big issue to be worried about, Honda should ensure these minor things dont pop up.In short, I would say that Honda Elevates build quality is neither exceptional nor bad.I would say that Honda Elevate really shines in this category. The suspension tuning is on the mark. I guess it has a longer suspension travel compared to the competing brands. As a co-passenger, I have travelled in cars like Creta, Nexon, Vento, etc., In comparison, Honda Elevate suspension is more supple. It glides over road undulations and bridge expansion steel joints. Even though Elevate is a taller car, I never felt any hints of body roll.Adding to the exceptional ride quality, the steering response is even more brilliant. One must drive the car and see how excellent the steering is. It is super light at slow speeds and gives the right level of feedback once the speed increases. For me, the very first test drive of Honda Elevate made me fall in love with its ride quality. Going by various other reviews, they point out how stable the car is at high speeds. Thanks to Honda engineers for making an excellent suspension setup in Honda Elevate.With excellent ride quality, the overall comfort for the passengers is very good. The rear seat has very good knee room. Thanks to the longer wheelbase. Reviews do mention that the shoulder room will be an issue if three passengers sit on the rear seat. As far as the front seats are concerned, taller drivers of 6 feet and above may have an issue with reduced knee room. I am 5-9 tall and I dont have any issues with the knee room. The seats do provide good comfort for longer distance journeys.The AC performance is good. Never felt lacking in keeping the cabin cool even during hot summer. I dont prefer switching on the automatic climate control. During summer, I used to keep the temperature set around 23 to 24 degrees Celsius and slightly higher during other seasons. I haven't tried thefeature.Though I am not the right person to comment on the outright performance of any engine, let me share my own thoughts based on my style of riding.- The first thing that needs to be mentioned is the transmission. I opted for manual transmission for the simple reason that I do feel more connected with the car when the gear change is in my control. Also, the usage is restricted for highway driving only. There is no doubt that CVT is the way to go for city driving. I drove both CVT and manual transmission as part of my test drives. I was amazed at the level of comfort offered by CVT. Then, my heart is always with manual transmission. The gear shifts are very precise and smooth. This smooth gear shifting adds a very good vibe to my overall driving experience. The clutch travel is slightly longer for my liking. Prospective owners looking for manual transmission should be aware of this longer clutch travel if their usage is for city driving.- The overall gear ratios are shorter. So, the car offers better tractability. The car doesnt lug even if you are in wrong gear for a given speed. In other words, with shorter gear ratios, there will be more torque available at the wheels. The other side is that the engine will be at slightly higher rpms for a given speed. For example, Honda City will be revving at 2700 rpm while cruising at 100 kmph in the 6th gear. For the same speed and the same gear, Honda Elevate will be revving at 2900 rpm. In lower gears, Elevates gear ratios are even shorter compared to the gear ratios of City. While the fuel efficiency in City will be slightly higher, Elevate will have slightly better in-gear acceleration.- Coming to the engine performance, I am very happy with what the engine offers. For my style of driving, it is more than sufficient to keep the revs between 2000 and 3000 rpm while shifting the gears. Below 2000 rpm, the engine feels anemic in 6th gear. The car will be coasting around 60 to 70 kmph in 6th gear if the engine rpm is below 2000 rpm. The 6th gear offers good grunt only when the engine rpm is kept above 2300 or 2500 rpm. In lower gears, the engine has enough grunt even at lower rpm ranges (< 2000 rpm). It is just that the 6th gear requires the engine rpm close to or above 2500 rpm for providing the required grunt. I havent revved the engine beyond 4000 rpm and my typical range for cruising in 6th gear is around 2500 to 2700 rpm. As said before, I will never encourage anyone driving cars for high speed or mad acceleration. The lives of other road users (including ours) are much more precious than our highly regressive thought of seeing cars as toys to have fun on the public roads. I was surprised to see a few going mad about the limited top speed of Elevate. The top speed of Elevate is electronically restricted to 160 kmph. Honda engineers must have worked out on restricting the top speed from the perspective of vehicle stability and safety. Of course, even 160 kmph is highly dangerous for our unpredictable roads. Doing such crazy speeds is an act of either committing suicide or taking the lives of other road users. Period!!!- Fuel efficiency: I do get an average FE of around 17.5 to 18.5 kmpl (measured by tank-to-tank refill approach). The indicated FE on the information display has error of showing an extra 0.8 kmpl. For example, if the indicated FE is 19 kmpl, then the actual FE is 18.2 kmpl. To be on the conservative side, we can safely assume that the actual FE is less than the indicated FE by 1 kmpl. If I am on the highways for a longer duration, the indicated FE shows 21 kmpl. The moment I enter the city, the indicated FE drops from 21 kmpl to 19 or 18 kmpl. For pure city driving, I am guessing the FE will be anywhere around 11 kmpl. For CVT, the gear ratio is taller at cruising speeds. So, CVT will have a better FE than the manual transmission on the highways.The biggest advantage of going with NA pertrol engine is that we can simply stick with the normal fuel (91 RON). We just need to ensure that we get fuel from a well trusted fuel station. I use Shell Normal petrol. Going for premium or higher RON fuel is not required.33 psi is the recommended tyre pressure for all the tyres.When I took the delivery from the showroom, the tyre pressure was set at 40 psi for all tye tyres and I got to know about it only after reaching home. If you are buying the car, please ensure that the car tyre pressure is set at 33 psi on the day of delivery.Though I am happy and satisfied with the overall list of features, I do hate one particular feature -. It is a useless feature, in my opinion. Thank god that Honda didn't go for panoramic sunroof. It may compromise the structural integrity of the shell. Also, it makes the cabin hot and there-by making the AC to work hard to maintain the temperature. The other useless feature is the display of G force display. Too many features is a receipe for problems in long run. In that sense, I am glad that Honda has put the required features only. I do accept that the majority of car buyers will not agree with me.It is very driver friendly due to its tall boy design. As a driver, I can see the full bonnet hood. It becomes much easier to judge and drive. It is completely opposite in Swift when it comes to the bonnet hood visibility. On Swift, I take extra effort when taking tight turns. It is not the case with Elevate. Also, Swift and other cars do have the front lower portion, right after the bonnet hood, projecting out for aerodynamics. In case of Honda Elevate, the projection is almost NIL. So, making tight turns in a cramped car parking area is not an issue. Some beginners may find the full view of the bonnet hood a bit initimidating. It is not the case in reality. As said before, it is extremely easy even for new drivers to get adapted. Having said that, a 360 degree camera feature could have been provided to boost the confidence of the drivers. Again, absence of it is not a deal breaker.Another important point which I like to highlight is the drivers view obstruction by A or B pillars. In Swift, I have tough time while taking the right turn on merging with the road. The B pillar obstructs my view when I try to look over my left shoulder for any oncoming vehicles. And the problem becomes worse if there is a co-passenger. In Honda Elevate, I never felt this problem. The placement of pillars do not hamper the drivers view.1) The infotainment system for map navigation and music listening - Nothing much to boast about the video quality or the audio quality. They are sufficiently good. We must not forget that Car audio systems are not high fidelity systemsA couple of times, I had andriod airplay disconnection issue. Need to patch the infotainment system firmware with the latest bits during the 2nd service. I am aware that even the latest firmware version is not a complete solution for solving airplay disconnect issue.2) Honda connect feature: Frankly speaking, I did not bother to get the feature enabled even when the sales advisor reminded me a couple of times. I will get it enabled when I visit the dealer during the 2nd service.The car remains idle in the garage during the week days because it is used for Highways only. So, I have the Bosch C7 charger which I connect to the car once in 3 or 4 days.As I have two cars and one motorcycle, I purchased Karcher K5 power control pressure washer.Though my car is safely parked inside the garage, I am very nervous about rats getting inside. A few years back, Honda cars were the favourite cars for the rats to get in and chew the wires. The reason was that Honda moved to bio-degradable soya based insulation wires. More than Honda fan boys, rats do have more liking for the Honda cars. I am not sure whether Honda moved away from those soya based insulation wires. So, I am actively exploring ways to have a second level of defence from the rats.For car aesthetics, I am going to follow my good friend (n_aditya) who gave me a good advice almost a decade back - Use NXT car shampoo and Collinite 845. I am not going with PPF or ceramic coating. Last edited by shan_ned : 31st August 2024 at 13:25 .
In brief: Fujitsu had announced last year it would stop selling computers in the European market by spring 2024, however it has not given up on premium PCs in other sectors. The Japanese tech giant is returning from its post-pandemic woes with an aggressive lineup of 16 new products across the business notebook, desktop, tablet, and workstation categories.

Fujitsu recently announced a slew of new PCs. The products include nine Lifebook notebook models, three Esprimo desktops, two Stylistic tablets, and two high-end Celsius workstations. All models are preinstalled with Windows 11 and have the latest processors, memory, and graphics from Intel and Nvidia.

Fujitsu brags on its new Copilot key, even though it has recently popped up on various other laptop and keyboard brands. The flagship Lifebook U9414/R ultrabook powered by Intel's Core Ultra mobile processor has a dedicated Neural Processing Unit alongside the CPU and GPU. This model comes with three display options  13.3-inch, 14-inch, and 15.6-inch.

Most of its other notebooks and desktops sport Intel's latest 14th generation Core chips with up to 8 performance and 12 efficiency cores. The memory supports DDR5-5600 RAM. For those who need workstation-class graphics power, the Celsius lineup also offers options for Nvidia's RTX 2000 and 4000 Ada GPUs.

Fujitsu's computers pull no punches in power but have no entry-level options. Notebook pricing starts at a hefty 342,500 ($2,370), desktops kick off at 311,000 ($2,150), tablets are 297,300 ($2,060), and workstations command 363,700 ($2,520). These prices are all at minimum configurations.

It's worth noting that Fujitsu had warned of a 15-percent price bump on its corporate PCs and custom options last month, citing soaring component costs and logistics expenses. So these Celsius workstation price tags may already reflect the pricier reality.

This aggressive lineup shows that Fujitsu is still serious about PC even though it exited the European market earlier this year after sluggish post-pandemic sales. Preliminary data from IDC suggests Fujitsu missed the top five ranking for global PC shipments in the first half of 2024 after the market rebounded following eight straight quarters of decline. Perhaps sensing an opportunity, Fujitsu felt the time was right to double down again on business systems.

The entire range should be available in the coming months, with first shipments pegged for late September through direct, partner, and online channels.
In context: South Korea has a troubling history with digital sex crimes, notably the infamous nth-room scandal of 2019, where men used a Telegram chatroom to blackmail young women into performing sexual acts. Now, the country is facing a new wave of deepfake sex crimes. President Yoon Suk Yeol and his cabinet have put forth a plan to combat this emerging digital epidemic.

South Korea is facing a surge in digital sex crimes, particularly involving deepfake pornography targeting women and minors. What's more troubling, teenagers are often the ones perpetrating these crimes. South Korea's President, Yoon Suk Yeol, has urged authorities to "thoroughly investigate and address these digital sex crimes to eradicate them."

During a cabinet meeting, President Yoon elaborated that deepfake videos targeting individuals are circulating widely on social media. A large influx of Telegram chat groups has been reported across the country's schools and universities. In these groups, perpetrators upload photos of people they know  such as teachers or classmates  which are then transformed into inappropriate, sexually explicit deepfake images. The Korean Teachers' Union estimates that more than 200 schools have been affected by this activity.

President Yoon has outlined a comprehensive plan to address the rise in digital sex crimes. Here are some key components of his plan:

Educational initiatives aimed at educating young men about the severity and consequences of digital sex crimes, with the goal of curbing such behaviors early on.

Legislative measures to strengthen laws and regulations to better address digital sex crimes, including imposing harsher penalties for offenders and providing better support systems for victims.

Collaboration with tech companies to improve monitoring and removal of harmful content.

This goes to demonstrate that the South Korean government is taking the battle against digital sex crimes seriously. Teenagers found guilty of such crimes could face significant consequences, including several years in prison, juvenile detention, fines of up to 30 million won (approximately $24,610), and mandatory rehabilitation programs. For instance, the leader of the nth-room group, Cho Ju-bin, was sentenced to 42 years in prison.

Telegram has recently made headlines after its founder, Pavel Durov, was detained by French authorities. The detention is part of ongoing investigations into criminal activities facilitated by the Telegram messaging app, including child pornography and sexual abuse.

Durov's arrest is linked to broader EU regulations, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires platforms like Telegram to comply with transparency and moderation standards, including proactive measures to police harmful and illegal content.

Some critics argue that the South Korean government is not moving fast enough and should declare a "national emergency" to address this issue more aggressively. Only time will tell if President Yoon and his administration can effectively combat this growing wave of digital crimes.
A new kind of solar power: NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System recently hitched a ride to space on Rocket Lab's Electron launch vehicle. The spacecraft survived the trip and successfully deployed its solar sail and supporting booms. The futuristic sail will carry the craft in orbit around our planet using only photons from the sun for acceleration.

The Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) team received data indicating official confirmation of the sail's deployment on Thursday at 5:33 UTC (1:33 p.m. EDT). The deployment is the first step in its mission to demonstrate the operation of a composite boom solar sail in low-Earth orbit.

Ships have navigated the seas of our planet using wind-powered sails as a primary means of propulsion for thousands of years. Much like these sailing ships, the ACS3's primary means of propulsion is based on external pressure applied to its attached sail. However, instead of wind, the sail uses the pressure of the sun's rays to generate the propulsion. The mechanics involve photons bouncing off the reflective sail, pushing the spacecraft in the desired direction based on the sail's orientation.

Just in time for a Labor Day "sail", @NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) has successfully deployed!



Solar sail propulsion systems like ACS3 can make future low-cost deep space missions possible.



Learn more about the ACS3 mission to fly using the power of the... pic.twitter.com/mahG9pJxnz  NASA Langley Research Center (@NASA_Langley) August 29, 2024

Unlike traditional spacecraft limited by available fuel and engine capacity, the solar sail is only limited by the durability of its materials and corresponding control systems. The ACS3 is a twelve-unit (12U) CubeSat built by NanoAvionics that measures just 9x9x13 inches (23x23x34 centimeters).

The microwave-sized spacecraft uses flexible polymer and carbon fiber composite booms to deploy the spacecraft's sail. Once unfurled, the sail measures approximately 860 square feet (80 square meters), a footprint equal to that of a small apartment.

Observing and analyzing the booms' performance is particularly important for NASA engineers. In the past, sail booms were either heavy metallic materials or lightweight composites with an undesirably bulky design. The ACS3's new smaller composite booms are more durable and less prone to bending. Furthermore, they can roll up to minimize the room required to store them while providing the necessary rigidity to support the sails.

"Seven meters of the deployable booms can roll up into a shape that fits in your hand," said Alan Rhodes, the mission's lead systems engineer at NASA's Ames Research Center.

The spacecraft will orbit the planet approximately 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) above the Earth and should be visible to skywatchers on clear nights due to the high reflectivity of the sail's materials. NASA will use flight data obtained during the ACS3's tests to design future composite solar sail systems for space weather early-warning satellites, surveillance, and solar observation missions.
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In context: Traffic accidents are an unfortunate reality on America's roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates a staggering 41,000 fatalities occurred in 2023. Autonomous car makers have promised a future where self-driving vehicles virtually eliminate traffic-related deaths, but things are never that straightforward.

InsideEV spoke to experts who insist that the solution to improving road safety already exists in advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and blind spot monitoring. Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) supports the assertion. Its recent study shows that crashes under these scenarios have declined in vehicles equipped with driver assistance technology.

The report cites automatic emergency braking (AEB) as an example. This system first uses radar and cameras to scan the road ahead. It then checks whether the driver reacts to potential hazards. If not, AEB automatically brakes, preventing a collision. The study concluded that AEB lowered rear-end crashes by a significant 50 percent.

Senior Researcher David Kidd explained that allowing more autonomy, such as that offered by Tesla's Autopilot and GM's Super Cruise, can have the opposite effect. These systems lull drivers into a sense of false security, leading them to become dangerously distracted and complacent over time.

While Tesla touts its miles-per-accident stats to highlight Autopilot's safety, high-profile fatal accidents involving self-driving cars have continued to occur, triggering federal probes. In one extreme incident, a Cruise driverless taxi ran over and stopped on a pedestrian hit by another vehicle. This accident prompted the California DMV to suspend GM Cruise's permit.

"We're not seeing any change in terms of safety," Kidd claims. "[The] only benefits or any potential benefits are convenience and comfort."

Meanwhile, Euro NCAP Technical Director Richard Schram says manufacturers selling self-driving tech in their cars hide the truth regarding their vehicle's capabilities.

However, completely dismissing automation may not be a wise move either. Most of the technology is relatively new. Like any other system, it requires clocking many more miles before coming to a logical conclusion on its safety impact.

Complicating matters is that the data at hand is confusing and contradictory. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) acknowledges distracted driving risks, it hasn't definitively linked Level 2 systems to increased crashes.

Similarly, a recent Nature study suggests self-driving cars generally have lower accident rates than humans, except in certain conditions like dawn/dusk or when making turns. However, an separate analysis of NHTSA data found that crashes involving Level 2-equipped vehicles are rising. So, there doesn't seem to be any consensus on the safety of AVs.

Despite the debate around self-driving safety, the NHTSA is moving to make systems like AEB, which have a solid record of reducing accidents, mandatory for all non-commercial vehicles by 2029.
CHONGQING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 100 representatives of journalist organizations and media outlets from 50 countries and regions gathered in China's southwestern Chongqing Municipality on Saturday for the 2024 Belt and Road Journalists Forum.

He Ping, chairman of the All-China Journalists' Association, a co-host of the forum, said during a keynote speech that news media should align with the trends of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefits.

He called for joint efforts to construct new narrative frameworks and modes of expression that "transcend ideology, social systems and levels of development."

Representatives at the forum agreed that professionals in the media industry should continue to tell the stories of the Belt and Road cooperation as well as the joint development of China and the world.

They emphasized that journalists from all nations should unite to promote mutual understanding, enhance communication and cooperation, and reduce misunderstandings and biases through objective, fair and truthful reporting, thereby contributing to global peace, stability and prosperity.

Mo Gaoyi, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the State Council Information Office, attended the forum and delivered a speech. 
Facepalm: When a startup rises from the ashes of a failed tech venture, you'd hope the new founders learned some lessons. However, a fresh lawsuit against Osom Products, the company formed by ex-Essential employees after that company flopped, alleges that its CEO went on a personal spending spree using company money.

Osom's former chief privacy officer, Mary Stone Ross, is taking legal action against the company and current CEO Jason Keats. The lawsuit alleges that Keats used company funds to buy himself two Lamborghinis. Other allegations in the filing include using corporate funds to pay his mortgage, booking countless first-class travel tickets, funding an expensive racing hobby, and paying his racing partner's salary.

Ross also claims that a previous head of finance may have resigned over the affair, after which Keats replaced him with someone more sympathetic to his personal "financial needs." She has asked the court to compel Osom to provide internal records.

However, it doesn't end there. The lawsuit claims that Hewlett-Packard was exploring an acquisition of the company for a certain sum but pulled out of the deal when a price couldn't be met. The filing states that Keats has depleted Osom's resources and needs more capital to keep the company afloat.

An Osom spokesperson told Android Authority that the allegations in the lawsuit are "outlandish" and denied any wrongdoing by the company or Keats.

Osom launched to much hype and optimism only a few years ago. The founders were former Essential employees looking to build on that company's principles after the company went under.

Osom teased its first product, the OV1 phone, in early 2022 as a privacy-centric handset costing around $1,000. A few months later, the OV1 was rebranded as the "Saga" thanks to a partnership with crypto platform Solana. The company described the Saga as a "Web3 smartphone" with software developed using Solana Mobile Stack (SMS)  an open-source toolkit for enabling native Android Web3 apps on the Solana platform. The partnership had Osom handling the hardware while Solana took care of the software.

Osom also produced a privacy-centered data cable featuring a Type-C plug with a switch that would disconnect any data-carrying wires. There were talks of a Saga Two phone, but that device never materialized.
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Eureka! As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of our planet's atmosphere, a new finding provides valuable insights into Earth's ionosphere. Scientists have measured an electric field that has remained elusive for the last six decades. The discovery provides us with a new tool for assessing other planets.

An international team of researchers has successfully measured Earth's ambipolar electric field in a groundbreaking scientific achievement. This discovery, made by NASA's Endurance mission, has far-reaching implications for our understanding of Earth's atmosphere and the potential habitability of other planets.

Scientists have long hypothesized that the ambipolar electric field is crucial in atmospheric escape above Earth's poles. Recent measurements have finally confirmed and quantified the theory. This invisible force, as fundamental to our planet as gravity and magnetism, significantly impacts the shape and behavior of our ionosphere.

For years, scientists have observed a mysterious phenomenon known as the "polar wind," a stream of particles flowing from Earth's atmosphere into space. While some atmospheric escape was expected due to intense solar radiation, the polar wind presented a puzzling scenario  cold air particles traveling at supersonic speeds without any apparent heat source.

"Something had to be drawing these particles out of the atmosphere," explained Dr. Glyn Collinson, principal investigator of the Endurance mission at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

This observation led to the hypothesis of an incredibly weak electric field, detectable only over vast distances. The challenge of measuring this elusive phenomenon pushed the boundaries of existing technology. In 2016, Collinson and his team embarked on a mission to develop a new instrument capable of detecting Earth's ambipolar field.

The Endurance mission, named after Ernest Shackleton's famous Antarctic expedition, set its sights on Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago near the North Pole. This remote location houses the world's northernmost rocket range, providing the ideal launch site for the team's specialized instruments.

On May 11, 2022, Endurance soared to an altitude of 477.23 miles, collecting crucial data during its 19-minute flight. The results were astounding. The rocket measured an electric potential change of merely 0.55 volts across a 322-mile altitude range.

"A half a volt is almost nothing  it's only about as strong as a watch battery," Collinson remarked. "But that's just the right amount to explain the polar wind."

This seemingly insignificant voltage has profound implications. For hydrogen ions, the most abundant particles in the polar wind, the outward force from this field is 10.6 times stronger than gravity. The force explains how cold particles can achieve supersonic speeds when escaping into space. The ambipolar field's influence extends beyond individual particles. It also increases the "scale height" of the ionosphere by 271 percent, effectively expanding this atmospheric layer to greater heights than previously thought possible.

"It's like this conveyor belt, lifting the atmosphere up into space," Collinson added.

The discovery opens new avenues for exploration, not just on Earth but across the solar system. Scientists expect to find similar electric fields on other planets with atmospheres, including Venus and Mars.
NASA confirms that the Boeing Starliner is set to return to the planet after massive delays this week, September 6, but it will be crewless on its flight home. This return date is exactly three months since Boeing's spacecraft docked at the International Space Station last June 6, a mission that saw significant issues as helium leaks manifested along the way.

While the crew vessel from Boeing will make its grand return, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams' stay on the ISS are extended until next year.

Boeing Starliner to Return Crewless This Week After 3 Months

The latest announcement from NASA finally announces the Starliner's return, given the green light to undock from the ISS and return to the planet. It was given the window no earlier than Friday, September 6, but its return mission will still depend on the weather and "operational readiness."

It was decided by NASA and Boeing on its latest Delta-Flight Test Readiness Review conducted last Thursday, August 29.

According to NASA, Starliner would take around six hours to land on the planet after undocking from the ISS, targeting White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. Should this remain as Starliner's return schedule, it is expected to land by Saturday, September 7.

Starliner will use parachutes and inflated airbags for its landing.

NASA Astronauts to Stay in the ISS Until Next Year

It also follows the earlier announcement by NASA to have this Starliner return mission crewless, leaving behind astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on the ISS until next year.

The astronauts would stay on the space station until February 2025 as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew, and after this, they will return to the planet aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon.

NASA's Commercial Crew and Boeing Starliner

Years of delays plagued Boeing Starliner's mission and responsibility to deliver its end on NASA's Commercial Crew program which heavily relied on SpaceX's Crew Dragon and Falcon 9. It finally flew to the ISS last early June but this was still a flight test conducted by Boeing and NASA, with Starliner facing significant issues in its approach to the space station because of helium leaks.

Even after Boeing docked the Starliner to the ISS, it still faced massive delays, but this time, centering on its problem of returning to the planet and safely doing so with its crew onboard.

After almost three months of its stay on the ISS, Boeing and NASA decided to push through with Starliner's return, but this time without its crew onboard.

Now, Boeing and Starliner are only counting the days before its eventual return to the planet that will finally conclude its months-delayed first crewed test flight to the ISS. NASA now approved Starliner's return and green-lighted the September 6 mission, but will still depend on the weather and its readiness to do so, all while leaving its crew behind.
LHASA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- More than 100 journalists from over 20 major Chinese media outlets on Sunday embarked on a tour in Lhasa, the capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, to provide news coverage for the ethnic policies in the country's western areas.

During the 14-day tour, the journalists will visit villages, communities, schools and enterprises in Xizang, northwestern Gansu Province, and southwestern Sichuan Province to report on local experience of economic development, cultural heritage preservation, ecological protection, technological innovation and ethnic unity.

The tour is part of a campaign aimed at enabling journalists to investigate and report on the country's achievements in forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. 
TOKYO, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Typhoon Shanshan, which weakened into a tropical storm on Sunday, continued to bring severe thunderstorms to many parts of Japan.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the tenth typhoon of the year, almost stationary off the Pacific coast of central Japan, was downgraded to a tropical depression at around noon on Sunday, but was still causing unstable atmospheric conditions primarily in eastern Japan by bringing warm and moist air of tropical origin.

As of 1:30 p.m. local time, heavy rain clouds and thunderstorms were occurring in various parts from Kanto to Kinki regions, with intense rain accompanied by lightning expected through Monday.

With a precipitation rate of up to 80 millimeters per hour, landslide alerts remained active in the prefectures of Saitama, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka.

Due to the record-breaking rainfall in recent days, soil in parts of eastern Japan is already loosened while river levels are elevated, increasing the risk of landslides and flooding even with minimal additional rainfall, according to local media reports.

Local residents are urged to avoid dangerous areas and remain vigilant against further weather developments.

Six deaths have been confirmed due to a landslide, a house collapse and other incidents as Typhoon Shanshan swept through southwestern and western regions of the country, according to local authorities. 
TOKYO, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Smoke was reported emitting from an aircraft on Sunday evening at Naha International Airport in Japan's island prefecture of Okinawa, local media reported.

At around 6:50 p.m. local time, smoke was seen coming from the auxiliary engine of All Nippon Airways Flight 474, which was preparing for departure to Haneda airport in Tokyo, national broadcaster NHK reported citing Naha airport officials.

The smoke, emitting from the aircraft's auxiliary power unit, was spotted by air traffic control, prompting an immediate request for firefighting vehicles to be dispatched to the scene. Passenger evacuation was not initiated.

No injuries have been reported, and the airliner is currently inspecting the aircraft to determine the cause of the incident. 
Louisiana Inspired

'If it wasn't for DoorDash really partnering with us, a lot of things that we desire to do for the community probably wouldn't come to pass,' a Chicago pastor said.
Until then my father and I did not talk much of love. Or grief. I did not doubt I was loved by this gentle, funny, intelligent man. A dad who hugged me, put me on his shoulders and swam me out the back of the surf to be with my siblings when I was a boy. We simply did not speak of it. Love by action.

He told us through choked sobs that the wooden drawers he had spent the last year restoring, that he had applied the last coat of varnish to and left outside to dry overnight, had been stolen. The drawers that belonged to my brother who died by suicide a year earlier.

My father walked slowly down the stairs and stopped. My friends and I, a group of university students in our 20s, sat blearily around the dining room table on a Saturday morning. Caught in the fog of the Friday night before, we had not really noticed his descent into the room. It was the stillness that made me look up. He stood, one hand on the bannister, the other covering his face, and started crying.

We improved over time, at least he did. In my 30s, he would tell me he loved me as I headed back to Brisbane airport after visiting from whatever Australian city I lived in. A last-minute rushed declaration I did not treat with the tenderness it deserved. I too was hidden in a sea of unexamined grief.

In my 40s it changed again. He had slowly disappeared into dementia, with frequent stays in hospital during the last months of his life. One night the ward nurses called in the early hours because he was distressed and wanted my mother to come and get him. His marriage a love story his fading mind clung to. I went, comfortable in hospitals at night, and safe in my cloak of professional compassion. After an hour of sitting with him while he went from brandishing a walking stick at nurses to settled in bed, confused but calm, I told him I was heading home. He looked at me with his clear blue eyes and said, if you loved me, you wouldnt leave me here.

Credit: Matt Davidson

That barb dug deeper because I had heard it before. In the same hospital, decades earlier, my brother had levelled the same accusation. A week earlier, my parents had received a pre-dawn phone call from the Australian Consulate in France. Donald, who we thought was driving up the east coast of Australia, had been found agitated and hallucinating on the streets of Paris.

I remember sitting in the back of my mothers car, an 18-year-old medical student next to my 20-year-old brother who was heavily dosed on antipsychotics, as we drove him from Brisbane airport to hospital. He stared at me intently, showed me the skin peeling in chunks from the palms of his hands, and explained his reality. A vivid delusion of the plane catching fire on the tarmac at Tokyos Narita Airport, smoke and flames in the cabin, passengers distressed and dying, his hands burning as he tried to help. He shared his indignation and distress at the lack of action by the crew and the cover-up by authorities. Again, I did not know what to say.
During the past decade that I have been working in AI, the historical analogy I have heard spoken of the most is that of the atomic bomb. We all know the story of how a group of physicists invented a world changing, potentially world destroying, nuclear weapon with the unlimited resources of the United Statess military during the Second World War. In 2019 Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, casually compared his company to this effort, highlighting the fact that he shares a birthday with J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who led the team that created the bomb. You dont have to be a history professor to see why its a disturbing analogy to choose.

For many in the world of fast moving technological advances, the invention of the atomic bomb, nicknamed the Manhattan Project, was the perfect execution of a tortuously complicated task in record time and under immense pressure. Admirers will say that its not the mass destruction they esteem, but the speed of the project, its ambition, impact, and power. And theres nothing wrong with these qualities in themselves. Speed in pursuit of solutions that help people is welcome. Ambition and the exercise of power can bring enormous advantages if wielded carefully. But who is making those decisions about the creation, scale, and application of transformative technology? What motivates them, and from where do they draw their power?

This detail of a July 20, 1969 photo made available by NASA shows astronaut Neil Armstrong reflected in the helmet visor of Buzz Aldrin on the surface of the moon. Credit: AP

The purpose of AI cannot be to win, to shock, to harm. Yet, the ease with which some AI experts today refer to it as nothing more than a tool of national security indicates a broken culture. Competitiveness is natural and healthy, but we must avoid dangerous hyperbole, especially from those who do not understand the history behind it.

The geopolitical environment today is unstable and unnerving, but the international institutions that emerged from the wreckage of the last global war exist for a reason - to avoid such devastation again. Imply ing that AI is analogous to the atomic bomb does a disservice to the positive potential of the technology and falls short of the high standards to which technologists should hold themselves.
Former NSW Coalition minister Rob Stokes has ruled out a return to his old seat of Pittwater and thrown his support behind outgoing Northern Beaches deputy mayor Georgia Ryburn to replace state MP Rory Amon, who abruptly resigned after he was charged with child sex offences last week.

Amon, 35, was elected as Pittwater MP last year, but he quit parliament on Friday hours after police charged him with offences including five counts of having sexual intercourse in 2017 with a child between the ages of 10 and 14. Amon has denied wrongdoing and will fight the allegations.

Amon sought to evade media on Sunday evening when he attended Dee Why Police Station, where his bail conditions require him to report weekly. He visited the station about 7.40pm and departed via an awaiting car.

Former Liberal MP Rory Amon outside Dee Why Police Station on Sunday night. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Senior Liberal Party members had urged Stokes, who was Pittwater MP from 2007 until 2023, to nominate for his one-time seat. However, when contacted on Sunday, Stokes told the Herald he hoped Ryburn would put her hand up for pre-selection, vowing he would back her every step of the way if she did so.
Netanyahu has been driven primarily by a desire to retain power with a narrow, very radical messianic coalition in the Israeli government, said Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, a 36-year-old Israeli-American. Hes preferred that, at least to date, over the wellbeing of all the hostages, Dekel-Chen said on Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation. Despite the pressure, there was no sign Netanyahu was prepared to shift course. Those who murder hostages do not want a deal, he said in a statement on Sunday. We will pursue you, we will find you, and we will settle accounts with you. A security cabinet meeting ended Sunday evening without action on a proposal from Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to drop Netanyahus insistence that Israeli troops remained in the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt  a key sticking point in talks with Hamas, two officials told Bloomberg.

Gallant had warned in a cabinet meeting last week that not dropping the demand would amount to the execution of hostages. Netanyahu has defended his stance as necessary to ensure that Hamas doesnt use a truce to rearm, regroup, and weather the Israeli campaign to destroy it. Should Hamas endure, government officials have warned, it would spell more hostage-taking in the future. US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that he believed were on the verge of having an agreement, though the last active talks broke up inconclusively in Cairo last weekend. Protesters blocked roads in Tel Aviv to call for a deal to release the hostages held by Hamas. Credit: AP Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will meet on Monday morning local time with the US team trying to broker a hostage deal, according to the White House.

The Washington Post reported that the US has been talking to Egypt and Qatar about the outline of a take-it-or-leave-it deal to present to Israel and Hamas, citing an unidentified senior administration official. It is no longer possible to stand idly by, Arnon Bar-David, the chair of Histadrut, a labour group representing the majority of Israels trade unionists, said on Sunday when calling for a general strike. This thing  of Jews being murdered in the tunnels of Gaza  is unconscionable, and it has to stop. A deal must be reached, and a deal is more important than anything else. Israels finance minister said he asked for a court injunction against the strike and warned civil servants they would not be paid for time off taken to participate. The slain hostages included Israeli-US citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23. His parents became among the most high-profile advocates for the hostages, meeting Biden and other world leaders and speaking at last weeks US Democratic National Convention to a standing ovation. Biden spoke to his parents, Rachel and Jon, on Sunday, a White House official said.

For 11 months, the Israeli government led by Netanyahu failed to do what a government is expected to do  bring its sons & daughters home, the Hostage Families Forum posted on X. If it werent for his thwarting, excuses & spin, the hostages whose deaths were announced this morning would probably be alive. Another of the killed hostages was Carmel Gat, 40, an occupational therapist. She was abducted on October 7 from her parents home in Kibbutz Beeri, a collective farming community. Her mother was killed in the attack. Some hostages released earlier said shed helped them enormously in captivity, teaching them yoga and meditation. The other victims were Eden Yerushalmi, 24, who was studying to be a Pilates instructor; Alexander Lobanov, 33, a married father of two who had been working at a music festival that was attacked by Hamas gunmen; Almog Sarusi, 27, who was at the festival with his girlfriend, who was wounded; and Ori Danino, 25, the oldest of five siblings, who was planning to begin studies in electrical engineering. An Israeli police officer removes a demonstrator blocking a road during a protest calling for a deal to release the remaining Gaza hostages. Credit: AP Hamas said the hostages were killed by Israeli bombs.
75 years of SUPREME COURT Journey of constitutional values: PM





NEW DELHI :

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the establishment of the 75 years of the Supreme Court as a journey of the Constitution of India and its constitutional values. Seventy-five years of the Supreme Court, this is not just the journey of an institution. This is the journey of the Constitution of India and its constitutional values. This is the journey of India becoming more mature as a democracy, Prime Minister Modi said while addressing the inaugural event of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary, at Bharat Mandapam venue in the national capital. PM Modi appreciated that, the Supreme Court had, during its journey, upheld the faith reposed in the institution by the people of India. The people of India have never distrusted the Indian judiciary and the Supreme Court. Therefore, these 75 years of the Supreme Court further enhance the glory of India as the Mother of Democracy...I can say with confidence that the Supreme Court has upheld the trust and faith we have in our institution.... he said. In his address, PM Modi said, To eliminate delay in justice, work has been done at many levels in the last decade.

In the last 10 years, the country has spent about eight thousand crore rupees for the development of judicial infrastructure. 75 per cent of the amount spent on judicial infrastructure in the last 25 years has been spent in the last 10 years only. Before his address, PM Modi inaugurated the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary and unveiled the stamp and coin commemorating 75 years of the establishment of the Supreme Court of India. Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud presented a memento to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the event. The Supreme Court is organising a two-day national conference of the District Judiciary beginning August 31 and September 1. The two-day conference, organised by the Supreme Court of India, will host five working sessions that will deliberate and discuss on the issues related to district judiciary such as infrastructure and human resources, inclusive courtrooms for all, judicial security and judicial wellness, case management and judicial training. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Kapil Sibal, were also present at the event.

Distt judiciary the backbone

NEW DELHI :

CHIEF Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud said, district judiciary is the backbone of the judiciary and thus a crucial component of the rule of law and calling it subordinate must be stopped. Referring to the increasing number of women joining the district judiciary in the past few years, he highlighted that judges, despite being professionals, are affected by their own brush with reality and their mental health may suffer as a consequence. Speaking at the National Conference of the District Judiciary, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, Justice Chandrachud said district judiciary is the first point of contact for a citizen in search of justice. The district judiciary is a crucial component of the rule of law, he said, adding, Data on the NJDG (National Judicial Data Grid) reveals a basic truth - the district judiciary is not just the first, but is also the final point of contact for citizens. The CJI said the reasons may be numerous - many citizens are unable to afford legal representation, they have a lack of awareness about statutory rights, and there are geographical difficulties in physically accessing courts. The quality of our work and the conditions in which we provide justice to citizens determine whether they have confidence in us and is a test of our own accountability to society, he said.

The district judiciary is therefore called upon to shoulder tremendous responsibility and is aptly described as the backbone of the judiciary, Justice Chandrachud said, adding, The spine is the core of the nervous system. To sustain the spine of the legal system, we must stop calling the district judiciary the subordinate judiciary. He said 75 years after independence, the time has come to bury one more relic of the British era - the colonial mindset of subordination. Referring to the multifarious responsibilities of judges, the CJI said it was difficult for a judge not to be affected by the actual face of suffering that each of us encounters every day - a family which has faced a gruesome crime, an undertrial who is languishing for years or the children in a parental matrimonial dispute. Judges, despite being professionals, are affected by their own brush with reality. Their mental health may suffer as a consequence. This aspect is of great consequence but it unfortunately does not receive the attention that it merits, he said. Justice Chandrachud said as a step towards a more open discussion on the topic, the third session of the conference on Saturday was on judicial wellness, with a focus on holistic wellness, stress management, mental health, and quality of life. Referring to the aspect of adoption of technology in the legal system, he said in 2023-24, 46.48 crore pages of court records have been scanned or digitised and 714 district court websites have been hosted on the S3waaS of the Government of India.

He said the NJDG is a mine of data not only for lawyers but also for citizens and it reflects real time data of over four crore cases across the district courts and the high courts. The CJI said 970 e-sewa kendras were fully functional in District Court complexes, besides 27 in the High Court premises. He said e-sewa kendras assist lawyers and litigants with e-processes by providing assistance for e-filing, providing information regarding the case status and so on. In so doing, these centres ensure that the digitisation of the court process does not disadvantage common citizens in any way. They bridge the digital divide where it exists and reflect the principle animating citizen-centric services - no person left behind, the CJI said. He said e-courts project has been responsible for computerisation of over 3,500 court complexes and more than 22,000 court rooms.

The district judiciary, has played a crucial role in deploying technology in day-to-day affairs: district courts in the country have heard 2.3 crore cases through video conferencing, Justice Chandrachud said. He said judgements of the Supreme Court were being translated in every language recognised by the Constitution and 73,000 translated verdicts were in the public realm. Justice Chandrachud said merely purchasing technological devices was insufficient in the mission to ensure that courts were citizen-centric. Rather, we must embrace and implement technological processes by utilising the technology at our disposal and ensuring their full use in our work, he said. The CJI also spoke about data on the changing demography of judiciary. An increasing number of women have been joining the district judiciary in the past few years. Women consisted of 58 per cent of the total recruitment for civil judges in Rajasthan in 2023, he said. He said 66 per cent of judicial officers appointed in Delhi in 2023 were women while in Uttar Pradesh, 54 per cent of appointments for civil judge (junior division) in the batch of 2022 were women. In Kerala, 72 per cent of the total number of judicial officers are women in the latest recruitment. These are a few examples which paint the picture of a promising judiciary of the future, Justice Chandrachud said. Besides the CJI, Modi, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Supreme Court judge Sanjiv Khanna, Attorney General R Venkataramani, Supreme Court Bar Association President Kapil Sibal and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra also addressed the gathering. The two-day function is being organised by the Supreme Court
by Xinhua writer Hua Hongli

DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Every morning, 43-year-old Tanzanian Msafiri Omary starts his day as a cemetery keeper at the Gongo la Mboto cemetery in the western suburb of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

He guards the monument of Chinese engineers and workers who lost their lives constructing the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway and assisting in Tanzania's development in the 1970s.

On March 25, 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his first state visit to Tanzania, paid tribute to the heroes buried in the cemetery accompanied by then-Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.

"They are the heroes who cast the monument of China-Tanzania and China-Africa friendship," Xi said then.

"There was a drizzle, and President Xi carefully straightened the ribbons on the wreaths and laid a bouquet of white flowers," recalled Omary, adding that as Xi passed each tombstone, he carefully read the inscriptions.

"I felt President Xi's deep respect for the deceased," Omary said.

HEROES ALWAYS REMEMBERED

During a pivotal period of economic development for Tanzania and Zambia in the 1970s, some 50,000 Chinese workers and engineers arrived in the nations to help construct the TAZARA railway.

Complicated terrain and varying elevations brought many challenges to the construction work. The builders also had to face unimaginably difficult conditions, such as limited medical care, food shortages, hot weather, and the prevalence of diseases.

In the past five decades, 70 Chinese engineers, technicians, and workers lost their lives during railway construction, technical cooperation, or other projects in Tanzania.

The 1,860-km-long railway from Dar es Salaam to New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia serves as a reminder of the longstanding relationship between China and Tanzania.

"This sacred place deserves to be well-guarded because they are heroes who have forged a monument of the China-Tanzania and China-Africa friendships. Chinese and African people will always remember their names," Omary said.

"I have been working in this cemetery for almost 20 years to make sure that this sacred place is highly preserved to show respect to the fallen Chinese martyrs," said Omary.

"I have also received all walks of people who visit this area from across the world as tourists and students from schools and universities to learn about the history of TAZARA," he said, adding that some visitors went to the cemetery to lay wreaths and others came for research.

Visitors to the cemetery come from different countries, including Tanzania, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other African countries.

"Our Chinese brothers will always be remembered," Omary said.

IRON-CLAD BROTHERS

For 70-year-old Tanzanian Donatus Ngonyani, a former TAZARA railway construction worker, his life is also closely linked with the TAZARA railway.

On a weekday morning, Ngonyani walked onto the platform as he had countless times before and watched the train slowly pulling into the station. The platform was bustling with students, vendors, and travelers, all in a rush. Ngonyani vividly recalled the scene from 48 years ago, when the TAZARA railway began its commercial operation.

"The station was also packed with people; everyone was dressed in their festive best. The Chinese experts and Tanzanian workers were smiling, and we patted each other's shoulders in celebration," he said.

People waved their arms when the first train slowly departed from the station, and the crowd erupted into enthusiastic cheers. The celebrations lasted an entire day, with everyone dancing, singing, and many even performing, he recalled.

"The years spent building the TAZARA railway with our Chinese friends are unforgettable memories in my life. I am proud of it and will always cherish it," Ngonyani told Xinhua.

In 1971, when Ngonyani was not yet 18, he joined the construction team of the railway. "At that time, the entire nation of Tanzania was full of expectations for this railway, and my family hoped I could participate in constructing this great project."

At first, Ngonyani, like most local workers, knew nothing about railway construction, but the Chinese experts shared everything with them. "They demonstrated each step, taught us how to use various tools, how to measure the distance between tracks, and patiently guided us through every complex task of laying the rails."

"We lived together and ate together, sometimes Chinese food and sometimes local cuisine, and we learned Chinese from them, and they learned Swahili from us, and we were like one family," Ngonyani reminisced.

"We helped each other, and we are iron brothers," Ngonyani said.

As the railway was nearing completion, Ngonyani mustered the courage to express his desire to learn how to drive a train. "I was very nervous at the time, but my mentor not only didn't refuse but wholeheartedly supported me."

"That decision completely changed the course of my life," Ngonyani said emotionally. "From mechanical structure to safe driving, the Chinese experts' teaching was very detailed, ensuring that I could grasp every aspect."

Ngonyani became one of the first local train drivers on the TAZARA railway, a position he held for 28 years. During this time, he also trained more than a dozen apprentices.

CARRYING FORWARD TAZARA SPIRIT

Xi attaches great importance to China-Africa relations. In 2013, during his first overseas visit as Chinese president, he came to Tanzania, where he proposed the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith to guide China's cooperation with African countries.

In the new era, China has continued to bring new opportunities to African countries and remained committed to the overall direction of mutual trust, mutual benefit, mutual learning and mutual assistance in growing China-Africa relations.

"Even when China was poor, it tightened its belt to help its African brothers build this railway. 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 during talks with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in November 2022. The two heads of state announced the elevation of the China-Tanzania relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

As former Tanzanian Minister of Communication and Transport Mark Mwandosya said, the TAZARA railway is a road of everlasting friendship between the peoples of China, Tanzania, and Zambia, and it also serves as a road of freedom that brought hope to the African people, playing a vital role in the struggle for national liberation and economic independence in Africa.

Over its 48 years of operation, the TAZARA railway has transported over 30 million tons of cargo and carried more than 40 million passengers, becoming a vital artery that ensures the economic operation and development of Tanzania, Zambia, and surrounding areas.

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said the TAZARA railway has made substantial contributions to African liberation and the socio-economic development of the regions along its route, pioneering significant infrastructure cooperation between China and Africa.

The two sides should inherit and carry forward the spirit of the TAZARA railway, and make new and more significant contributions to building a closer China-Tanzania and China-Africa community with a shared future, the ambassador added.

Bruno Ching'andu, managing director of TAZARA, said that the railway, with its strategic position, has become an essential link for regional connectivity, providing significant dynamics for promoting trade and regional integration in Africa in the context of economic globalization. 
Committed to making rail travel comfortable for all: PM





NEW DELHI :

PM Modi flagged off 3 new Vande Bharat Express trains via video-conferencing

THE railways has made big strides in addressing long-standing issues and will not stop till it becomes a guarantee of comfortable travel for all sections of society, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. Flagging off three new Vande Bharat Express trains via videoconferencing, Modi said the nation was inching towards the goal of Viksit Bharat with modernisation and expansion of Vande Bharat trains. The three trains flagged off by the Prime Minister connect Meerut with Lucknow, Madurai with Bengaluru, and Chennai with Nagercoil. Through its hard work over the years, the railways has made big strides in addressing long-standing issues and offered new hopes and solutions. We will not stop until the Indian Railways becomes a guarantee of comfortable travel for everyone, Modi said. The Prime Ministers remarks came against the backdrop of railway accidents that prompted the Opposition to question the Governments track record on rail safety. Prime Minister Modi said modern rail infrastructure was a strong pillar of the vision of Viksit Bharat. He said more than Rs 2.5 lakh crore was allocated to the railways in this years budget and the Government was connecting Indian Railways with high-tech services to transform its old image.

The Prime Minister underlined that the rapid development of southern states was imperative to accomplish the goal of Viksit Bharat. Southern India is the land of immense talent, resources and opportunities, he said, adding that the development of Tamil Nadu, along with the entire southern India, was the Governments priority. He said the development journey of the railways was an example of the Governments commitment. Modi said more than Rs 6,000 crore was allocated for Tamil Nadus rail budget this year, seven times more than in 2014. Similarly, a budget of more than Rs 7,000 crore was allocated for Karnataka in this years budget, which was nine times higher than in 2014. Eight Vande Bharat trains are connecting different parts of Karnataka, he added. The prime minister drew parallels from budgets of the past and said the multiple-fold increase in allocations further strengthened rail traffic in southern states, including Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. He said railway tracks were being improved, electrification of tracks taking place, and stations modernised. The Meerut City-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express will help passengers save around an hour compared to the current fastest train between the two cities.

The Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express and the Madurai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will cut down travel time by more than two hours and around one-and-a-half hours, respectively. The prime minister said while the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) has helped connect Meerut with New Delhi, the distance to Lucknow has also been reduced with the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express. The National Capital Region (NCR) is becoming an example of how PM Gatishaktis vision will change the countrys infrastructure with modern trains, network of expressways, and expansion of air services, Modi said. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, her Tamil Nadu counterpart RN Ravi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, among others, were virtually present on the occasion.
India is a land of opportunities, says PM Modi





NEW DELHI :

PROJECTING India as the land of biggest opportunities globally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday promised the business sector facilitation, reforms, a stable policy regime and high growth. Addressing the ET World Leaders Forum, Modi, in turn, asked investors to commit to innovation, performance, positive disruption and high-quality products, as he stressed that the country respects wealth creators. With the Opposition often taking aim at his Government over its reduced majority, the Prime Minister asserted that his dispensation has begun its third term with more determined intentions and is full of hope and confidence, citing a host of decisions it has taken for the welfare of various sections of society and boosting infrastructure. While people in most countries that went to polls this year voted for a change, Indians preferred continuity, political stability and economic growth, Modi said, asserting that a new neo-middle class is driving the countrys progress and setting the direction for its market. India is writing a unique success story, and the impact of its reforms is visible in the economys performance, he said. In this dynamic world, he said, his Governments policies and strategy are dynamic as well. It takes necessary steps as per the needs, setting its policies not based on the past but on the evolving future. Our focus is on the future.

We want to prepare the country for the challenges and opportunities that await us, he said, underlining his governments initiatives in the fields of green hydrogen, semiconductors, deep ocean and space. The country has achieved sustained growth in the last 10 years, with a rise of 90 per cent in the period against the global growth of 35 per cent, he said, adding that the worlds prosperity lies in Indias prosperity. India has performed better than most predictions about it, he said. His Government wanted more companies to become global brands and the country to emerge as a leader in every sector, Modi said. He described the unfolding third decade of this century as an era of the countrys lift-off which will benefit everyone. India abides by the mantra of innovation, inclusion and international cooperation, Modi said In less than 100 days of the third term of our government, we have taken big decisions for poor, women, youth and farmers, he said, citing measures like more houses for the poor, package for the youth and the nod to numerous highway and rail projects.

Modi said his Government is working to make the country a global health and wellness centre, noting that it has added one lakh more medical seats in the last 10 years against the 60,000 that existed before. Over 75,000 more seats will be added in the next five years, he said. He also highlighted efforts to boost Indias tourism profile and make it a global food basket. It is his resolve to ensure a Made-in-India product on every dining table across the world, he added. His Government, he said, has succeeded in effecting big changes in peoples lives with its mantra of reform, perform and transform. With over 25 crore people rising out of poverty, a neo-middle class has emerged at a historic scale and speed, unseen in any democratic society, Modi said. Their needs are driving growth and fuelling demand in the market, he added.
Kukis hold rallies in Manipur, New Delhi seeking action against Manipur CM Singh





IMPHAL/NEW DELHI :

THE Kuki-Zo community people on Saturday took out rallies in different parts of Manipur and in New Delhi demanding action against Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh over an audio clip in which he purportedly declared his involvement in spearheading violence in the state. The protesters also sought a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community. In Manipur, rallies were organised in Churachandpur district, Kangpokpi district and the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal. Markets and schools in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts remained closed in view of the rally organised by students. G Kipgen, a protester in the Kangpokpi rally, said, The demonstration is being held to press our demand for a Union Territory for the Kuki Zo people. We also protest against the viral audio clips in which objectionable comments were made, another protester said. In New Delhi, around 500 people, most of them wearing black clothes, joined the protest called by the Kuki Students Organisation Delhi and NCR, at Jantar Mantar. They played patriotic songs, chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai and raised slogans against Singh. They concluded the protest by playing the national anthem.

In a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the KSO said the Kuki-Zo community has endured an ethnic cleansing campaign and constant attacks against it by the majority Meitei community since May 3rd, 2023. Over 200 people were killed and thousands rendered homeless in clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities since May last year. If the complicity and the involvement of the state machinery and state forces in unleashing violence against the Kuki Zo minority were ever in doubt, the audio recording mentioned above should dispel it, the memorandum said. The Manipur government has dismissed the recording as doctored. When asked about the clip in a PTI interview recently, Singh said, Some people are after me... There is a conspiracy. The matter is sub-judice. I wont talk much about it. An FIR has been filed. The KSO also demanded a separate administration for Kuki-Zo areas and making them a union territory with a legislature. At the protest, Kuki Inpi Delhi spokesperson Kim Haokip said they cannot go back to live in Imphal after all the atrocities committed against them. We dont want anything from Biren Singh. We want from the central government to look into this matter and find justice for all the Kukis. We are not demanding any separation, he said.
NO DIALOGUE





EXTERNAL Affairs Minister Mr. S Jaishankar has once again made clear Indias definite position on relationship with Pakistan by indicating that India will respond to evolving situations with equal and effective reaction to every action initiated by the neighbour. By dismissing resumption of talks with the neighbour, while noting that the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over, Mr. Jaishankar has effectively ended all hopes harboured by the leadership in Pakistan about a relationship restart. The EAMs statement during a book launch function (Actions have consequences. In so far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, Article 370 is done. So the issue today is what kind of relationship can we possibly contemplate with Pakistan.) serves as a reminder to Islamabad that New Delhi has no intentions to open up channels for dialogue until there is substantial and visible improvement in Pakistans policy towards India. Firmly in the grip of China, the leadership in Pakistan has refused to listen to the sane voices within the country and continues to use terror as a State tool to needle India.

A dialogue or even an effort to broach talks with such a nefarious neighbour is totally out of question and India is holding on to its tough stand with aplomb. Mr. Jaishankars terse message for Islamabad must keep ringing in the ears of Pakistans political and military leadership that India would not be passive when it comes to taking action against any further misadventure by the perennially client State. Indias relations with Pakistan have remained frozen since last eight years when New Delhi stopped all channels of dialogue in face of increasing cross-border terror attacks on Indian Armed Forces. Things were pushed to the brink with attacks on military installations in Pathankot and Uri and India did the right thing by suspending talks at all levels with the two-faced neighbour. The brazen posturing by Pakistan, emboldened by the support from its all-weather friend, was in clear contravention with the model of uninterrupted dialogue started in the UPA era. The Modi Government was wise enough to snap the model whose revival seems unfathomable in the present era. Despite the Neighbourhood First policy adopted successfully by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in 2014, reaching out to Pakistan is out of question.

Unlike other neighbours who have issues with India and problems within, Pakistan has remained a dirty player with gun in one hand and rose in the other hand. Such countries cannot fit in the Neighbourhood First policy whose basic idea is to use goodwill as a means to achieve continuity in relationship. Mr. Jaishankar also touched upon the close relations neighbours develop and the complications that are developed through this closeness. Indias outreach to Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka in the recent months despite having problems on many issues was borne out of the same policy that has remained the hallmark of the Modi Government. It is an effort to keep relations comfortable despite problems. However, the same parameter cannot be applied to Pakistan which uses terrorism and covert warfare to hurt India. Though it is a neighbour sharing a long border it is only a geographical dimension of the issue. Such neighbours do not deserve any sympathy.
Smart Logistics Zone proposed in Nagpur-Wardha National Mega Hub





Staff Reporter :

Special incentives for Vidarbha and Marathwada regions with no premium for additional FSI

The new Logistics Policy-2024 unveiled by Maharashtra Government focusses on development of logistics sector in Vidarbha region. Under the policy, Nagpur-Wardha National Mega Logistics Hub is proposed. Under this national mega hub, a Smart Logistics Zone also is proposed. Apart from the Nagpur-Wardha National Mega Logistics Hub, Vidarbha region will get nine District Logistics Nodes of minimum 100 acres in each district. These nine districts include Buldhana, Akola, Washim, Yavatmal, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli. Besides, a Regional Logistics Hub is proposed at Amravati-Badnera. It will be one of the five such regional hubs with 300 acres of land each. Considering Nagpurs significance as a major freight hub due to its geographical location, the Government has proposed Nagpur-Wardha National Mega Logistics Hub over an area of 1,500 acres to be identified in Nagpur and Wardha districts.

The land is to be identified specially for logistics infrastructure and ancillary areas with the help of local administration, and for development of Smart Logistics Zone through public-private partnership mode. The policy aims at significantly reducing the associated costs to make the concept of Smart Logistics Zone truly accessible to entrepreneurs. But, the policy is silent on how this will be achieved. Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) shall be the special planning authority for the mega national hub, for acquisition of land and necessary approvals. The policy promises special incentives to the first three anchor logistics entities that take lead in building world-class logistics facilities by adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain technology, motion sensors, and other emerging technologies. The AI will be used to facilitate and streamline logistics operations through route optimisation, predictive maintenance and real-time decision-making capabilities.

The blockchain technology will reduce inefficiencies by securing transparent and secure supply chain management, and provide seamless traceability capabilities, states the policy document. Motion sensor technology will play an important role in facilitating automated and efficient warehousing facilities. The national hub will have several facilities including integrated multimodal logistics park, mega and ultra mega logistics parks, modular flexible warehouses, cold and dry storage, common facility centres, inland container depot, container freight stations, special incentives for green and smart logistics parks, additional incentives for use of AI-based technologies, truck/bus terminals and railway side-ins, connectivity to MIHAN, research and development and testing facilities, incubation centres, training facilities for skill development, hostel/dormitories and commercial zones, international exchange centres, etc. For disbursement of incentives to the logistics sector, State has been classified into Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3. Nineteen districts of industrially backward Vidarbha and Marathwada regions have been included in Zone-1. These include all 11 districts of Vidarbha. As far as floor-to-space index (FSI) is concerned, one or permissible basic FSI, whichever is more, will be applicable to logistics parks. This FSI will be over the base FSI for development of all types of logistics parks. For entire Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, no premium will be charged for additional FSI under the new policy.
PWD Minister conducts extensive review meeting with deptt officials in Bhopal





State PWD Minister Rakesh Singh talking to senior officials during the meeting in Bhopal.

Staff Reporter :

State Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Rakesh Singh, on Friday conducted an extensive three-hour review meeting with department officials in Bhopal and gave necessary directions. Singh emphasised on the need to implement suggestions, innovations and instructions received from Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadavs review meeting in a timely manner. He highlighted importance of road construction and instructed that a clear monthly target be set for road building, with regular progress reviews. Singh directed officials to include all remaining roads in Lokpath mobile app by November 15. It will allow the public to report damaged roads across the entire network managed by the Public Works Department. During the meeting, Singh stressed on the use of high-quality materials for road construction, such as top-grade asphalt and emulsions. He also directed formation of a monitoring cell at Government level for construction projects worth over Rs 50 crore. Singh also highlighted importance of using latest technologies in construction and instructed officials to implement an Integrated Project Management System and a Road Asset Management System to streamline operations.

He suggested that excavation for necessary soil during road construction be carried out in designated areas to create reservoirs. Singh further instructed that trees should be relocated rather than cut down during road construction. He directed that rainwater harvesting systems be incorporated into all under construction department buildings. During the meeting it was informed that the department has initiated road construction using Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) technique. This method involves using reclamation materials to build roads on top of existing ones without removal. Minister Singh urged both the department officials and contractors to work with increased enthusiasm and dedication. Additional Chief Secretary K C Gupta and MD of Building Development Corporation Chandra Mohan Thakur among other officials were present during the meeting.
Unrest In Balochistan





By Lt General MK Das,PVSM, SM**,VSM (Retd) :

The unrest in Balochistan is a tale of serious neglect by Pakistan Government, since it became part of Pakistan in 1948. Now China is also intricately involved in the region, courtesy CPEC and Gwadar Port.

Balochistan is rich in mineral resources, such as copper, gold, coal and natural gas but exploitation of these resources has not seen much improvement in the lives of the local population. The province continues to have highest poverty rate in Pakistan and thus there is serious disgruntlement with the Pakistani establishment. There is a feeling of neglect and disappointment against Islamabads exploitative policies and thus the prevailing conditions have fuelled separatist movement in the province.

Pakistan received another jolt to its internal stability when heavily armed Baloch gunmen killed at least 40 people (56 as per Baloch reports) in two separate attacks in the Balochistan province on August 26, 2024. The bloody attacks once again brought focus to the restive region of Balochistan which borders Afghanistan. After taking over of Afghanistan by the Taliban in August 2021, the internal security situation in regions bordering Afghanistan i.e. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has remained more volatile. The unrest in Balochistan is a tale of serious neglect by Pakistan Government, since it became part of Pakistan in 1948. Now China is also intricately involved in the region, courtesy CPEC and Gwadar Port. Balochistan was part of undivided India under British rule at the time of Partition. Once India and Pakistan were divided, the main leader of Balochistan, the Khan of Kalat announced formation of an independent state. It was not liked by Pakistan as Maharaja Hari Singh signed Instrument of Accession for Kashmir with India in October 1947. A lot of pressure was exerted on the Khan of Kalat by Pakistan and he finally signed the Instrument of Accession for Balochistan to become a province of Pakistan in 1948. At that point of time, Gwadar Port was part of Oman and after prolonged negotiations, Pakistan purchased Gwadar Port from Sultanate of Oman in 1958. The province of Balochistan has strategic importance. Located in the south west of Pakistan, it is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area (44%) but is the least populated one (about 7%, 1.5 crore). It is bordered by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the north east, Punjab province to the east and Sindh province to the south east. It shares international boundary with Iran to the west and Afghanistan to the north. Arabian Sea is to its south which has the worlds largest deep-sea port, the Gwadar Port.

The land mass is extensive plateau of rough terrain, hills, mountains and basins. With extremely dry desert climate, only 5% of the land is arable and yet the economy is largely agrarian. Except for the capital city of Quetta and neighbouring areas, most of the province is backward by any standards of development. Balochistan is rich in mineral resources, such as copper, gold, coal and natural gas but exploitation of these resources has not seen much improvement in the lives of the local population. The province continues to have highest poverty rate in Pakistan and thus there is serious disgruntlement with the Pakistani establishment. There is a feeling of neglect and disappointment against Islamabads exploitative policies and thus the prevailing conditions have fuelled separatist movement in the province. There have been many conflict drivers in the region but rivalry of the Baluch with the Punjabi dominated establishment has been most intense. The provincial assembly has been dismissed many times in the past and there is little federal autonomy with the people. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is the largest militant group and it has been fighting insurgency with the Pakistani establishment for an independent Balochistan and expulsion of Chinese from their soil. BLA has been designated as a terrorist organisation by Pakistan, USA and UK. Since the year 2000, BLA has conducted numerous attacks the Pakistan Army, police and other pro-Pakistani elements. The latest attacks are also attributed to the BLA and this time around, the dead were from the Punjab province as the militants off loaded passengers and killed them after identifying them as Punjabis. The attacks coincided with the 18 th death anniversary of ethnic Baloch leader Nawab Bugti who was killed in a military operation by Pakistan Army. After the current setback of targeted killings, the Pakistani military has launched an offensive against the BLA and claims to have killed 21 BLA militants.

The current streak of violence is likely to continue for some time. The current unrest has a worrying message for China, which is heavily invested in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The BLA is slowly gaining control of several highways across Balochistan which clearly dominate the CPEC. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif called the attacks an attempt to create distance between Pakistan and China. China also issued a statement saying, China is ready to further strengthen counter -terrorism security cooperation with the Pakistani side in order to jointly maintain regional peace and security. The BLA offensive brought more embarrassment, as the attacks coincided with the visit of Commander of Ground Forces of PLA general Li Qiaoming to Pakistan. China is worried because it sees BLA a major threat to the CPEC. This 3000 km long infrastructure network project extends from Xinjiang region in western China to the Gwadar Port in the Arabian Sea.

This sea and land-based corridor is meant to secure the exclusive route for Chinas energy imports from the Middle East. China fears that the existing route from Strait of Malacca could be blocked during war and thus the strategic importance of this corridor. This ambitious $ 62 billion project of China has faced many challenges. In fact, China is now believed to have proposed to deploy its military and security agencies to protect Chinese workers and Chinese interests. That is something India has to be vary of. India has always been opposed to the CPEC as the corridor passes through the POK and the areas ceded by Pakistan to China. After protracted diplomatic efforts, India has signed a deal with Iran to operate its Chabahar Port for 10 years, in May this year. This port is located in the southern Iran on the Arabian Sea and is in the vicinity of Gwadar Port. Chabahar Port has both commercial and strategic importance for India and the deal has not been liked by China and Pakistan. The deal protects energy interests of India as also ensures security of our maritime interests in the Arabian Sea. It also gives India a direct transit route to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

The deal was contemplated at a time when India had invested heavily for the infrastructure projects in Afghanistan before the Taliban era of August 2021. Still, the port holds great potential for Indias economic interests in the region. In hushed tones, Pakistan links India to the current unrest and volatile situation in Balochistan. New Delhi has rejected these claims outrightly. Given the current economic crisis in Pakistan, the unrest in Balochistan is a grim reminder for a country that officially supports State sponsored Terrorism. An unstable Pakistan is not in the interest of India but India has to safeguard its security and strategic interests in the borders and the region. A bankrupt Pakistan is almost a puppet state of China and India has now two major challenges: in the West from Pakistan and now also from the East in the form of Bangladesh. Both the neighbouring countries are now under the Chinese shadow and India has to do the balancing act with astute diplomacy and necessary military muscle.
KABUL, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least four people, including a girl, were killed and two others injured after a car plunged into a ditch in north Afghanistan's Badakhshan province on Sunday, provincial police office said in a statement.

The road mishap took place when the car veered off the road and fell into the ditch enroute from Ishkashim district to the neighboring Shaghnan district of the province, the statement said.

Road accidents are common in mountainous areas and happen mostly due to poor driving, lack of safety measures for travelers on congested roads, and poor vehicle conditions.

According to official data, 2,001 people were killed and about 6,000 others injured in 4,270 road accidents in Afghanistan over the past 12 months. 
Farther Finance Advisors LLC trimmed its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) by 19.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 205,590 shares of the companys stock after selling 48,737 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.07% of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF worth $10,960,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Foster Group Inc. lifted its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Foster Group Inc. now owns 12,787 shares of the companys stock valued at $696,000 after acquiring an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 36.2% during the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 757 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 201 shares during the last quarter. Noble Family Wealth LLC grew its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 0.3% during the second quarter. Noble Family Wealth LLC now owns 63,084 shares of the companys stock worth $3,346,000 after buying an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Fortress Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Fortress Wealth Management Inc. now owns 26,670 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,415,000 after buying an additional 223 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Partners Capital Investment Group LLP lifted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP now owns 72,427 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,773,000 after acquiring an additional 227 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Performance

EFV traded up $0.09 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $56.83. 1,475,962 shares of the stock were exchanged. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 1 year low of $49.15 and a 1 year high of $59.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.69 billion, a PE ratio of 10.89 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $54.41 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $54.07.

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC lowered its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 8.2% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 1,993 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 177 shares during the period. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $207,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. GGM Financials LLC purchased a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the second quarter worth approximately $476,000. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC grew its position in Abbott Laboratories by 6.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC now owns 103,772 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $10,783,000 after buying an additional 6,079 shares during the last quarter. Values Added Financial LLC grew its position in Abbott Laboratories by 14.4% in the 2nd quarter. Values Added Financial LLC now owns 2,306 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $240,000 after buying an additional 290 shares during the last quarter. Integral Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in Abbott Laboratories by 10.6% in the 2nd quarter. Integral Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 2,502 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $262,000 after buying an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,054,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.18% of the companys stock.

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Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 0.5 %

ABT traded up $0.51 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $113.27. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,320,139 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,906,677. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firm has a market cap of $197.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.29, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.72. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $106.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $108.76. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $89.67 and a 52-week high of $121.64.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $10.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.37 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.18% and a net margin of 13.65%. The firms revenue was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.08 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 15th were issued a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is currently 68.54%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have commented on ABT shares. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They set a buy rating and a $121.00 target price on the stock. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Edward Jones downgraded Abbott Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Tuesday, June 4th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $121.80.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Abbott Laboratories

Abbott Laboratories Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The 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.

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AKITA Drilling (OTCMKTS:AKTAF  Get Free Report) and Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares AKITA Drilling and Nabors Industries net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AKITA Drilling N/A N/A N/A Nabors Industries -4.73% -28.10% -3.08%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares AKITA Drilling and Nabors Industries top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio AKITA Drilling N/A N/A N/A $1.32 0.79 Nabors Industries $2.93 billion 0.28 -$11.78 million ($13.81) -5.46

Institutional and Insider Ownership

AKITA Drilling has higher earnings, but lower revenue 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.

29.2% of AKITA Drilling shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.9% of Nabors Industries shares are held by institutional investors. 7.3% of Nabors Industries shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for AKITA Drilling and Nabors Industries, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AKITA Drilling 0 0 0 0 N/A Nabors Industries 0 4 2 0 2.33

Nabors Industries has a consensus target price of $108.50, indicating a potential upside of 43.96%. Given Nabors Industries higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Nabors Industries is more favorable than AKITA Drilling.

Dividends

AKITA Drilling pays an annual dividend of $0.34 per share and has a dividend yield of 32.2%. Nabors Industries pays an annual dividend of $0.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.1%. AKITA Drilling pays out 25.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Nabors Industries pays out -0.3% 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.

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.

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.

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Americana Partners LLC decreased its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 31.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 7,562 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 3,526 shares during the period. Americana Partners LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $212,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in shares of Pfizer by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 239,209,768 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $6,886,849,000 after purchasing an additional 11,099,024 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 8.8% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 104,246,432 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,985,783,000 after acquiring an additional 8,473,686 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at $2,129,927,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 13.8% during the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 68,506,441 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,972,300,000 after acquiring an additional 8,298,920 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 21.8% during the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 15,813,328 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $438,820,000 after acquiring an additional 2,829,178 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

PFE has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group raised their price objective on Pfizer from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Daiwa America raised Pfizer from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Barclays lifted their target price on Pfizer from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets raised Pfizer from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $28.00 to $34.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $34.54.

Pfizer Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE:PFE traded up $0.29 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $29.01. The companys stock had a trading volume of 37,137,599 shares, compared to its average volume of 38,496,418. The firm has a market capitalization of $164.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -483.50, a PEG ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.86. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $28.99 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $28.01. Pfizer Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $25.20 and a fifty-two week high of $36.29.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 earnings per share (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 company had revenue of $13.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.96 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.67 EPS. The firms revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, July 26th will be given a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 26th. Pfizers payout ratio is -2,800.00%.

About Pfizer

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Anfield Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 196 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $39,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BR. LifeSteps Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions during the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. EdgeRock Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Rothschild Investment LLC acquired a new stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 57.1% during the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 165 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New Covenant Trust Company N.A. acquired a new position in Broadridge Financial Solutions during the first quarter worth $34,000. 90.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Broadridge Financial Solutions Trading Up 0.4 %

NYSE:BR opened at $212.86 on Friday. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a 52 week low of $166.73 and a 52 week high of $223.81. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $207.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $202.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.08. The firm has a market cap of $24.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.32 and a beta of 1.04.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Increases Dividend

Broadridge Financial Solutions ( NYSE:BR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The business services provider reported $3.50 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.49 by $0.01. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a return on equity of 42.77% and a net margin of 10.73%. The company had revenue of $1.94 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.96 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.21 earnings per share. Broadridge Financial Solutionss revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 8.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, September 12th will be issued a $0.88 dividend. This is an increase from Broadridge Financial Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.80. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 12th. Broadridge Financial Solutionss payout ratio is 54.61%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on BR shares. DA Davidson reiterated a neutral rating and set a $185.00 price objective on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a report on Tuesday, June 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $224.00 to $225.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. StockNews.com raised Broadridge Financial Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $239.00 to $246.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $213.33.

View Our Latest Report on Broadridge Financial Solutions

Insider Activity at Broadridge Financial Solutions

In other news, Director Leslie A. Brun sold 5,739 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.05, for a total transaction of $1,205,476.95. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 77,318 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,240,645.90. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Leslie A. Brun sold 5,739 shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.05, for a total value of $1,205,476.95. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 77,318 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,240,645.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Timothy C. Gokey sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.11, for a total transaction of $5,227,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 200,675 shares in the company, valued at approximately $41,963,149.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 98,387 shares of company stock worth $20,503,110. 1.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Company Profile

(Free Report)

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions.

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Ashtead Group plc (OTCMKTS:ASHTF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 495,500 shares, an increase of 33.3% from the July 31st total of 371,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 19,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 25.2 days.

Ashtead Group Price Performance

OTCMKTS ASHTF opened at $71.03 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $67.95 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $69.85. Ashtead Group has a 12-month low of $56.01 and a 12-month high of $77.90.

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Ashtead Group Company Profile

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Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It provides pumps, power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services.

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Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 5,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $224,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Keudell Morrison Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Dutch Bros by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. Keudell Morrison Wealth Management now owns 10,546 shares of the companys stock worth $437,000 after buying an additional 524 shares during the period. Wealth Management Partners LLC increased its stake in Dutch Bros by 4.2% during the first quarter. Wealth Management Partners LLC now owns 18,790 shares of the companys stock worth $620,000 after acquiring an additional 756 shares during the last quarter. Transcendent Capital Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Dutch Bros in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Dutch Bros by 9.7% in the 2nd quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC now owns 9,532 shares of the companys stock worth $395,000 after purchasing an additional 840 shares during the period. Finally, Bullseye Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Dutch Bros by 20.0% in the 4th quarter. Bullseye Asset Management LLC now owns 6,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $190,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.54% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on BROS shares. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Dutch Bros from $35.00 to $31.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 9th. TD Cowen cut their target price on shares of Dutch Bros from $50.00 to $47.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Dutch Bros from $40.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, June 3rd. Bank of America increased their price target on Dutch Bros from $44.00 to $49.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Dutch Bros from $40.00 to $38.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $39.73.

Insider Transactions at Dutch Bros

In other news, Chairman Travis Boersma sold 426,891 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.59, for a total value of $13,485,486.69. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 467,228 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,759,732.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Chairman Travis Boersma sold 426,891 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.59, for a total value of $13,485,486.69. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 467,228 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,759,732.52. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Dm Individual Aggregator, Llc sold 167,315 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.60, for a total value of $5,287,154.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 467,228 shares in the company, valued at $14,764,404.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 624,116 shares of company stock valued at $19,730,335. 46.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Dutch Bros Stock Up 2.2 %

Shares of Dutch Bros stock opened at $31.00 on Friday. Dutch Bros Inc. has a 1-year low of $22.67 and a 1-year high of $43.49. The company has a market capitalization of $4.78 billion, a PE ratio of 172.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 2.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 2.19 and a quick ratio of 1.88. The business has a 50-day moving average of $36.79 and a 200-day moving average of $34.23.

Dutch Bros (NYSE:BROS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.19 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.13 by $0.06. Dutch Bros had a return on equity of 3.99% and a net margin of 1.95%. The firm had revenue of $324.92 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $317.39 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.07 earnings per share. Dutch Bross revenue for the quarter was up 30.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Dutch Bros Inc. will post 0.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Dutch Bros

(Free Report)

Dutch Bros Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates and franchises drive-thru shops in the United States. The company operates through Company-Operated Shops and Franchising and Other segments. It serves through company-operated shops and online channels under Dutch Bros; Dutch Bros Coffee; Dutch Bros Rebel; Dutch Bros; and Blue Rebel brands.

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PANAMA CITY, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people were killed and 17 injured after a truck crashed into a bar in the western Dominican Republic on Sunday morning, local media reported.

The accident occurred around 3 a.m. (0700 GMT) in the city of Las Yayas in the province of Azua, when a truck went out of control at high speed and crashed into a local bar, causing many casualties, according to local media reports.

Local traffic authorities said the death toll was likely to rise as some of the injured were in serious condition.

Authorities are investigating the cause, speculating that a truck malfunction or drunk driving may have caused the accident. 
Ritholtz Wealth Management grew its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA  Free Report) by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 482,386 shares of the banks stock after purchasing an additional 33,735 shares during the period. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria were worth $4,838,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. BSW Wealth Partners boosted its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. BSW Wealth Partners now owns 23,158 shares of the banks stock worth $274,000 after purchasing an additional 923 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 109,672 shares of the banks stock worth $1,100,000 after purchasing an additional 993 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 20.9% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,754 shares of the banks stock worth $68,000 after purchasing an additional 996 shares during the last quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC now owns 16,192 shares of the banks stock worth $192,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Optas LLC boosted its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 6.0% during the 2nd quarter. Optas LLC now owns 18,708 shares of the banks stock worth $188,000 after purchasing an additional 1,053 shares during the last quarter. 2.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on BBVA. BNP Paribas lowered shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria to a moderate buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Price Performance

NYSE BBVA traded up $0.09 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $10.65. The companys stock had a trading volume of 936,265 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,475,968. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. has a 52-week low of $7.41 and a 52-week high of $12.20. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $10.34 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $10.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.32.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The bank reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.03. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a net margin of 27.55% and a return on equity of 16.40%. The firm had revenue of $9.93 billion for the quarter. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.36 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. will post 1.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Company Profile

(Free Report)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA provides retail banking, wholesale banking, and asset management services in the United States, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and internationally. The company offers savings account, demand deposits, and time deposits; and loan products, such as residential mortgages, other households, credit card loans, loans to enterprises and public sector, as well as consumer finance.

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Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) had its target price hoisted by stock analysts at Bank of America from $150.00 to $155.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the technology companys stock. Bank of Americas target price indicates a potential upside of 34.15% from the companys previous close.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Loop Capital raised their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $125.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 28th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Dell Technologies from $175.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $128.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $142.00 to $136.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $132.88.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DELL opened at $115.54 on Friday. Dell Technologies has a 1 year low of $53.62 and a 1 year high of $179.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $81.95 billion, a PE ratio of 23.58, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.92. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $120.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $122.22.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The technology company reported $1.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.40. The company had revenue of $25.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $24.14 billion. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 4.00% and a negative return on equity of 173.72%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.44 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Dell Technologies will post 6.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Dell Technologies

In related news, Director David W. Dorman sold 75,000 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.26, for a total value of $10,144,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 114,317 shares in the company, valued at $15,462,517.42. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director David W. Dorman sold 75,000 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.26, for a total value of $10,144,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 114,317 shares in the company, valued at $15,462,517.42. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 16,434 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.16, for a total value of $2,221,219.44. Following the sale, the director now owns 806,352 shares in the company, valued at approximately $108,986,536.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 7,058,131 shares of company stock valued at $963,293,619. 46.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 5,959 shares of the technology companys stock worth $822,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its holdings in Dell Technologies by 58.2% in the first quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 223 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. J.P. Marvel Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Dell Technologies by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. J.P. Marvel Investment Advisors LLC now owns 10,887 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,242,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 4,607 shares of the technology companys stock worth $635,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Front Row Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 35.8% in the 2nd quarter. Front Row Advisors LLC now owns 391 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 38.10% of the companys stock.

Dell Technologies Company Profile

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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).

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Birkenstock (NYSE:BIRK  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $0.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.56 by ($0.07), reports. The firm had revenue of $564.76 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $628.70 million. Birkenstock had a return on equity of 5.92% and a net margin of 6.26%. Birkenstock updated its FY 2024 guidance to EPS.

Birkenstock Price Performance

NYSE BIRK opened at $49.90 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $57.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $51.83. The company has a market cap of $9.37 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.40. Birkenstock has a 1 year low of $35.83 and a 1 year 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.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Birkenstock

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BIRK. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Birkenstock by 377.1% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 668 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 528 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new stake in Birkenstock during the 1st quarter worth about $40,000. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Birkenstock by 358.2% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,181 shares of the companys stock valued at $103,000 after buying an additional 1,705 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Birkenstock in the second quarter worth about $136,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Birkenstock by 123.5% during the first quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,800 shares of the companys stock worth $180,000 after acquiring an additional 2,100 shares during the period. 19.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BIRK has been the topic of several research reports. Bank of America upgraded Birkenstock from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the company from $62.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Citigroup started coverage on shares of Birkenstock in a report on Monday, July 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $65.00 price target for the company. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Birkenstock from $58.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, May 31st. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Birkenstock from $44.00 to $58.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Birkenstock from $63.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $62.23.

View Our Latest Analysis on BIRK

About Birkenstock

(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.

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Shares of BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the fifteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $86.07.

BJ has been the topic of several analyst reports. DA Davidson increased their target price on BJs Wholesale Club from $92.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 24th. Bank of America cut their target price on BJs Wholesale Club from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. Barclays increased their target price on BJs Wholesale Club from $72.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, May 24th. Gordon Haskett raised BJs Wholesale Club from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $90.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 23rd. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on BJs Wholesale Club from $89.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 24th.

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BJs Wholesale Club Price Performance

BJs Wholesale Club stock opened at $79.96 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $86.74 and its 200 day simple moving average is $81.10. The stock has a market cap of $10.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.77, a P/E/G ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.23. BJs Wholesale Club has a 12-month low of $63.08 and a 12-month high of $92.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26.

BJs Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 22nd. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.09. BJs Wholesale Club had a return on equity of 37.78% and a net margin of 2.59%. The business had revenue of $5.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.15 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.97 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that BJs Wholesale Club will post 3.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at BJs Wholesale Club

In related news, CEO Robert W. Eddy sold 11,000 shares of BJs Wholesale Club stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.90, for a total value of $955,900.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 467,792 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $40,651,124.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other BJs Wholesale Club news, SVP Joseph Mcgrail sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.57, for a total value of $83,570.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 13,566 shares in the company, valued at $1,133,710.62. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Robert W. Eddy sold 11,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.90, for a total value of $955,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 467,792 shares of the companys stock, valued at $40,651,124.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 68,438 shares of company stock valued at $6,107,538. 2.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 812,783 shares of the companys stock worth $54,180,000 after acquiring an additional 20,820 shares during the period. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new stake in BJs Wholesale Club in the 4th quarter valued at $892,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in BJs Wholesale Club by 46.0% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 54,043 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,603,000 after purchasing an additional 17,024 shares during the period. Thematics Asset Management boosted its stake in BJs Wholesale Club by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Thematics Asset Management now owns 66,532 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,435,000 after purchasing an additional 992 shares during the period. Finally, AGF Management Ltd. acquired a new position in BJs Wholesale Club in the 4th quarter valued at $2,883,000. 98.60% of the stock is currently 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.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) had its target price raised by Jefferies Financial Group from $49.00 to $51.00 in a report released on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a hold rating on the biopharmaceutical companys stock.

A number of other research firms have also recently commented on BMY. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $53.00 to $45.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. StockNews.com raised shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $45.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $54.67.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

BMY opened at $49.95 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.16. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52-week low of $39.35 and a 52-week high of $63.03. The firm has a market cap of $101.25 billion, a P/E ratio of -16.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 12.51 and a beta of 0.44. The businesss fifty day moving average is $45.17 and its 200-day moving average is $46.59.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.07 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.64 by $0.43. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a negative net margin of 14.06% and a positive return on equity of 12.51%. The firm had revenue of $12.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.54 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.75 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 0.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 5th were given a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 5th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.80%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -77.42%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bristol-Myers Squibb

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Birmingham Capital Management Co. Inc. AL boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Birmingham Capital Management Co. Inc. AL now owns 45,141 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,875,000 after purchasing an additional 1,416 shares during the last quarter. New Century Financial Group LLC increased its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.4% during the second quarter. New Century Financial Group LLC now owns 21,234 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $882,000 after buying an additional 296 shares during the period. Founders Financial Alliance LLC raised its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 18.1% during the second quarter. Founders Financial Alliance LLC now owns 8,390 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $348,000 after buying an additional 1,287 shares during the last quarter. Finally, 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 19.7% in the second quarter. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC now owns 45,339 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,883,000 after buying an additional 7,465 shares during the period. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Basilea Pharmaceutica AG (OTCMKTS:BPMUF  Free Report)  Equities researchers at HC Wainwright increased their FY2024 EPS estimates for Basilea Pharmaceutica in a report issued on Wednesday, August 28th. HC Wainwright analyst R. Selvaraju now forecasts that the company will earn $3.85 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $2.27. The consensus estimate for Basilea Pharmaceuticas current full-year earnings is $2.42 per share. HC Wainwright also issued estimates for Basilea Pharmaceuticas FY2025 earnings at $2.30 EPS.

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Basilea Pharmaceutica Stock Performance

OTCMKTS:BPMUF opened at $51.26 on Friday. Basilea Pharmaceutica has a one year low of $38.60 and a one year high of $51.26. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $48.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $45.34.

About Basilea Pharmaceutica

Basilea Pharmaceutica AG, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of products that address the medical needs in the therapeutic areas of oncology and anti-infectives. The company offers Cresemba, an intravenous and antifungal drug for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis in the United States, and the European Union.

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Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Bunzl (LON:BNZL  Free Report) to a sector perform rating in a report released on Thursday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have GBX 3,350 ($44.18) target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of GBX 2,700 ($35.61).

A number of other research analysts have also recently weighed in on BNZL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Bunzl from GBX 3,300 ($43.52) to GBX 3,380 ($44.57) and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, June 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 3,200 ($42.20) price target on shares of Bunzl in a research note on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Bunzl in a research note on Tuesday, August 27th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 3,282.50 ($43.29).

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Bunzl Trading Down 0.4 %

Insider Transactions at Bunzl

Shares of BNZL stock opened at GBX 3,540 ($46.68) on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 106.68, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 1.40. The stock has a market capitalization of 11.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 2,269.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.40 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 3,192.76 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 3,101.91. Bunzl has a fifty-two week low of GBX 2,709 ($35.72) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 3,600 ($47.47).

In related news, insider Jacky Simmonds acquired 1,445 shares of Bunzl stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 29th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 3,462 ($45.65) per share, for a total transaction of 50,025.90 ($65,971.12). Insiders own 0.84% of the companys stock.

About Bunzl

(Get Free Report)

Bunzl plc operates as a distribution and services company in the North America, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers food packaging, films, labels, cleaning and hygiene supplies, and personal protection equipment to grocery stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores.

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Wedbush reiterated their outperform rating on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) in a research note released on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a $58.00 target price on the restaurant operators stock.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $67.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $74.60 to $67.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. Raymond James lowered their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $70.00 to $62.50 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, July 4th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $62.36.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE CMG opened at $56.08 on Thursday. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a 12-month low of $35.37 and a 12-month high of $69.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $77.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.24. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $120.35 and a 200 day moving average of $80.54.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 firm had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.94 billion. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 18.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $12.65 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill will post 1.09 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Chipotle Mexican Grill

In other news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of the firms stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the insider now owns 358,300 shares in the company, valued at $19,591,844. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.02% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chipotle Mexican Grill

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Riverview Trust Co boosted its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% during the second quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 400 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares in the last quarter. RiverPark Advisors LLC grew its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% in the second quarter. RiverPark Advisors LLC now owns 400 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares during the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Finally, Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% in the 2nd quarter. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group now owns 400 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 392 shares in the last quarter. 91.31% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile

(Get 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.

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Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (OTCMKTS:NTTYY  Get Free Report) and PLDT (OTCMKTS:PHTCF  Get Free Report) are both communication services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, earnings, risk and institutional ownership.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Nippon Telegraph and Telephone and PLDT, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nippon Telegraph and Telephone 0 0 0 0 N/A PLDT 0 0 0 0 N/A

Dividends

Profitability

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone pays an annual dividend of $0.61 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. PLDT pays an annual dividend of $128.17 per share and has a dividend yield of 582.6%. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone pays out 23.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. PLDT pays out 80.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

This table compares Nippon Telegraph and Telephone and PLDTs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nippon Telegraph and Telephone 9.61% 12.44% 4.65% PLDT N/A N/A N/A

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Nippon Telegraph and Telephone and PLDTs revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Nippon Telegraph and Telephone $92.65 billion 0.98 $8.83 billion $2.62 10.20 PLDT N/A N/A N/A $159.32 0.14

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone has higher revenue and earnings than PLDT. PLDT is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.1% of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.2% of PLDT shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone beats PLDT on 6 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Nippon Telegraph and Telephone

(Get Free Report)

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation operates as a telecommunications company in Japan and internationally. It operates through Integrated ICT Business, Regional Communications Business, Global Solutions Business, and Others segments. The Integrated ICT Business segment offers mobile phone, domestic inter-prefectural communications, international communications, solutions, and system development and related services. The Regional Communications Business segment provides intra-prefectural communications and related ancillary services. The Global Solutions Business segment offers consulting, system and software development, network system, cloud, global data center, and related services. The Others segment engages in the real estate, energy, and other businesses. The company was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

About PLDT

(Get Free Report)

PLDT Inc. provides telecommunications and digital services in the Philippines. The company operates through three segments: Wireless, Fixed Line, and Others. It offers cellular mobile, Internet broadband distribution, operations support, software development, and satellite information and messaging services; and sells Wi-Fi access equipment. The company also provides fixed line telecommunications services; business infrastructure and solutions; intelligent data processing and implementation, and data analytics insight generation services; and information and communications infrastructure for Internet-based services, e-commerce, customer relationship management, and information technology (IT) related services. In addition, it offers managed IT outsourcing, Internet-based purchasing, IT consulting and professional, and bills printing and other related value-added services; distributes Filipino channels and content services; and provides full-services customer rewards and loyalty programs. Further, the company engages in the sale of mobile handsets, broadband data routers, tablets, and accessories; and cross-border digital platforms. Additionally, it provides gaming support services; mobile internet and broadband, and data services; content provider and develops mobile application; IT solution; data and network; domestic leased lines; alternative messaging solutions, such as over-the-top services, social media, and messenger application; inbound roaming and other services; mobile prepaid and postpaid services; and fixed wireless broadband services. The company was formerly known as Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company and changed its name to PLDT Inc. in July 2016. PLDT Inc. was incorporated in 1928 and is headquartered in Makati City, the Philippines.

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IFG Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of Corpay, Inc. (NYSE:CPAY  Free Report) by 3.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 16,956 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 502 shares during the quarter. IFG Advisory LLCs holdings in Corpay were worth $4,517,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in CPAY. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Corpay in the first quarter valued at $12,335,000. Empirical Finance LLC purchased a new stake in Corpay in the 1st quarter worth about $829,000. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S acquired a new stake in Corpay during the 1st quarter worth about $1,013,000. Agate Pass Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Corpay during the 1st quarter valued at about $3,937,000. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Corpay in the first quarter worth approximately $949,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.84% of the companys stock.

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Corpay Stock Up 1.5 %

CPAY stock opened at $315.55 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The company has a market capitalization of $21.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.20. Corpay, Inc. has a 12 month low of $220.39 and a 12 month high of $319.94. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $284.84.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Corpay ( NYSE:CPAY Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $4.55 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.51 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $975.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $973.84 million. Corpay had a net margin of 26.41% and a return on equity of 38.93%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.85 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Corpay, Inc. will post 17.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of brokerages recently commented on CPAY. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Corpay from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $295.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Friday, May 17th. William Blair upgraded shares of Corpay to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Corpay in a research note on Wednesday, June 5th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $285.00 price objective on the stock. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of Corpay from $350.00 to $345.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, June 25th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Corpay from $360.00 to $350.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $332.50.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Corpay

About Corpay

(Free Report)

Corpay, Inc operates as a payments company that helps businesses and consumers manage vehicle-related expenses, lodging expenses, and corporate payments in the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers vehicle payment solutions, which include fuel, tolls, parking, fleet maintenance, and long-haul transportation services, as well as prepaid food and transportation vouchers and cards.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CPAY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Corpay, Inc. (NYSE:CPAY  Free Report).

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ULAN BATOR, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition highlighting Han paintings and calligraphy works by Lingnan artists opened on Sunday at the Chinese Cultural Center in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia.

The event, co-organized by the Chinese Cultural Center and the Art Association of Shantou in south China's Guangdong Province, aims to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Mongolia.

According to the organizers, the event also seeks to popularize traditional Chinese culture, promote the Belt and Road Initiative, and showcase the distinctive features and vibrant colors of Lingnan-style calligraphy works.

"China's Lingnan is an ancient and vibrant region that has nurtured countless artistic treasures. As a unique expression of Lingnan calligraphy art, the inscriptions on Han Dynasty paintings have captivated numerous art lovers with their distinctive artistic form and profound cultural significance. These inscriptions serve not only as witnesses to history but also as a cultural heritage that embodies the wisdom and emotions of our ancestors," said Li Zhi, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia and director of the Chinese Cultural Center, during the opening ceremony.

"Although China and Mongolia have differences in geographical location, history, and culture, art is a language that transcends national boundaries. Through the appreciation and discussion of the inscriptions on Han Dynasty paintings, we can gain a deeper understanding of each other's artistic traditions and cultural heritage, and work together to promote the development and prosperity of the art and culture of both countries," added Li.

More than 60 Lingnan-style works are on display at the exhibition. 
Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Fox Advisors from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note issued on Friday, Marketbeat reports.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $105.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Friday, May 31st. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $120.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, May 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Barclays raised Dell Technologies from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $97.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Dell Technologies from $175.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Dell Technologies has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $132.88.

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Dell Technologies Price Performance

Dell Technologies stock opened at $115.54 on Friday. Dell Technologies has a one year low of $53.62 and a one year high of $179.70. The companys fifty day moving average price is $120.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $122.22. The company has a market capitalization of $81.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.58, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.92.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 29th. The technology company reported $1.89 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.40. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 173.72% and a net margin of 4.00%. The business had revenue of $25.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.44 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Dell Technologies will post 6.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Dell Technologies

In other Dell Technologies news, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 2,837,829 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.75, for a total transaction of $379,559,628.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,412,241 shares in the company, valued at $2,730,137,233.75. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 2,837,829 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.75, for a total value of $379,559,628.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,412,241 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,730,137,233.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 7,058,131 shares of company stock valued at $963,293,619. 46.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in DELL. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of 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 worth $15,482,000 after acquiring an additional 25,117 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its position in Dell Technologies by 171.7% in the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 16,378 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,253,000 after purchasing an additional 10,350 shares during the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC acquired a new position in Dell Technologies during the 1st quarter worth $104,000. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Dell Technologies by 31.1% in the 1st quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,485 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $740,000 after buying an additional 1,539 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Aigen Investment Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $410,000. 38.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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).

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NBT Bank N A NY lowered its stake in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 36.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,277 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after selling 1,322 shares during the period. NBT Bank N A NYs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $287,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. IFG Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of EOG Resources in the 2nd quarter worth $320,000. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of EOG Resources by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,118 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $896,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the period. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new position in EOG Resources in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,285,000. United Capital Management of KS Inc. raised its holdings in EOG Resources by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. United Capital Management of KS Inc. now owns 62,105 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $7,817,000 after buying an additional 1,690 shares during the period. Finally, Intact Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in EOG Resources by 15.7% during the 2nd quarter. Intact Investment Management Inc. now owns 37,600 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $4,733,000 after buying an additional 5,100 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.91% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.48, for a total value of $505,920.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 35,058 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,434,135.84. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other EOG Resources news, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 11,037 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.50, for a total value of $1,429,291.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 74,250 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,615,375. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.48, for a total value of $505,920.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 35,058 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,434,135.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 21,537 shares of company stock valued at $2,751,612 over the last 90 days. 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial dropped their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $136.00 to $130.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $155.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Mizuho increased their target price on EOG Resources from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, May 13th. Wolfe Research started coverage on EOG Resources in a report on Thursday, July 18th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped 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. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $144.00.

Read Our Latest Analysis on EOG Resources

EOG Resources Stock Performance

EOG stock opened at $128.82 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $126.84 and a two-hundred day moving average of $125.72. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 12 month low of $108.94 and a 12 month high of $139.67. The company has a market capitalization of $73.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.18, a P/E/G ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a quick ratio of 1.89, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The energy exploration company reported $3.16 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.18. EOG Resources had a net margin of 30.33% and a return on equity of 25.42%. The firm had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.07 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.49 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 12.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

EOG Resources Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, October 17th will be paid a $0.91 dividend. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 17th. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is 28.75%.

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.

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Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR  Free Report) had its target price lifted by Evercore ISI from $70.00 to $74.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an in-line rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on EQR. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Equity Residential from $66.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, June 17th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered Equity Residential from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their price target for the stock from $69.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Monday, August 26th. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on Equity Residential from $73.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, August 26th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their target price on Equity Residential from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $72.16.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on EQR

Equity Residential Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of EQR opened at $74.88 on Wednesday. Equity Residential has a 52-week low of $52.57 and a 52-week high of $75.11. The stock has a market cap of $28.42 billion, a PE ratio of 31.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.06 and a beta of 0.87. The firms fifty day moving average is $70.23 and its two-hundred day moving average is $65.92. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64.

Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.96 by ($0.49). The firm had revenue of $734.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $735.26 million. Equity Residential had a net margin of 32.83% and a return on equity of 8.53%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.94 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Equity Residential will post 3.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Equity Residential Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 12th. Investors of record on Monday, July 1st were issued a $0.675 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 1st. This represents a $2.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.61%. Equity Residentials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 112.03%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Robert Garechana sold 6,357 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.08, for a total value of $439,141.56. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 14,576 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,006,910.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in EQR. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Equity Residential during the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Equity Residential during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 41.9% in the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 525 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 155 shares in the last quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Equity Residential by 146.6% in the 2nd quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 550 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 327 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Richardson Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Equity Residential during the 1st quarter worth $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.68% of the companys stock.

Equity Residential Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft.

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Essex Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in The Allstate Co. (NYSE:ALL  Free Report) by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,434 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 491 shares during the period. Essex Financial Services Inc.s holdings in Allstate were worth $1,354,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in Allstate by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 5,112,468 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $884,508,000 after acquiring an additional 90,390 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Allstate during the 4th quarter worth about $212,771,000. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Allstate by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 818,489 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $130,680,000 after acquiring an additional 8,454 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its holdings in Allstate by 11.8% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 716,757 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $123,574,000 after acquiring an additional 75,698 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in Allstate by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 687,386 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $118,925,000 after acquiring an additional 6,760 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.47% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Robert Toohey sold 16,682 shares of Allstate stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.17, for a total transaction of $3,005,595.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 4,873 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $877,968.41. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Robert Toohey sold 16,682 shares of Allstate stock in a transaction on Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.17, for a total value of $3,005,595.94. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 4,873 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $877,968.41. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Suren Gupta sold 45,775 shares of Allstate stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.28, for a total transaction of $8,114,992.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 89,930 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,942,790.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 201,938 shares of company stock valued at $36,122,740 in the last three months. 1.80% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Allstate Stock Performance

ALL traded up $1.50 during trading on Friday, reaching $188.94. 1,430,560 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,560,952. The Allstate Co. has a 1 year low of $105.57 and a 1 year high of $189.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.36 and a quick ratio of 0.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $49.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.48. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $171.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $167.25.

Allstate (NYSE:ALL  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The insurance provider reported $1.61 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.33 by $1.28. The firm had revenue of $15.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.04 billion. Allstate had a net margin of 5.03% and a return on equity of 24.05%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 12.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($4.42) EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that The Allstate Co. will post 15.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Allstate Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.92 per share. This represents a $3.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.95%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Allstates dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 81.24%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ALL has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Allstate from $177.00 to $175.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of Allstate from $199.00 to $208.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Allstate from $199.00 to $204.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Allstate from $213.00 to $226.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Allstate from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $191.94.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Allstate

Allstate Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Allstate Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides property and casualty, and other insurance products in the United States and Canada. It operates in five segments: Allstate Protection; Protection Services; Allstate Health and Benefits; Run-off Property-Liability; and Corporate and Other segments.

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Focused Wealth Management Inc increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,755 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Focused Wealth Management Incs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $2,151,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of GS. Legacy Advisors LLC lifted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 14.5% in the second quarter. Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 1,994 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $902,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,341,000. Abacus Planning Group Inc. acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $312,000. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC grew its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 4.4% during the second quarter. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC now owns 2,962 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,340,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. Finally, Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co grew its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 4.6% during the second quarter. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co now owns 7,500 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $3,392,000 after purchasing an additional 328 shares during the period. 71.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

GS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $485.00 to $520.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $500.00 price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $460.00 to $485.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $504.00 to $550.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $461.00 to $464.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $495.94.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group

In related news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $505.99, for a total transaction of $1,770,965.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 12,095 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,119,949.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,500 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $505.99, for a total value of $1,770,965.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 12,095 shares in the company, valued at $6,119,949.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 4,000,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.34, for a total value of $25,360,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 12,981,022 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $82,299,679.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 4,013,500 shares of company stock valued at $32,181,365 in the last ninety days. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Up 0.6 %

NYSE GS opened at $510.25 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $161.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.92, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.37. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $289.36 and a 1-year high of $517.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.20. The company has a 50 day moving average of $485.69 and a 200-day moving average of $443.98.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, July 15th. The investment management company reported $8.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $8.52 by $0.10. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 10.56% and a net margin of 9.36%. The firm had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.60 billion. On average, equities research analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 35.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a dividend of $3.00 per share. This represents a $12.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.35%. This is an increase from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.75. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 42.95%.

About The Goldman Sachs Group

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Forterra plc (LON:FORT  Get Free Report) passed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 174.25 ($2.30) and traded as low as GBX 173.28 ($2.29). Forterra shares last traded at GBX 176.40 ($2.33), with a volume of 263,662 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on FORT shares. Berenberg Bank reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 170 ($2.24) price objective on shares of Forterra in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Royal Bank of Canada assumed coverage on shares of Forterra in a research note on Thursday, July 4th. They set an outperform rating and a GBX 210 ($2.77) price target on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and issued a GBX 162.60 ($2.14) price objective on shares of Forterra in a research note on Thursday, June 27th.

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View Our Latest Research Report on FORT

Forterra Stock Up 1.0 %

Forterra Cuts Dividend

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 174.25 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 170.57. The firm has a market cap of 364.97 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4,410.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 62.10, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.79.

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 19th will be paid a GBX 1 ($0.01) dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 19th. This represents a yield of 0.55%. Forterras dividend payout ratio is currently 7,500.00%.

Forterra Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Forterra plc engages in the manufacture and sale of building products in the United Kingdom. The company operates through three segments: Bricks, Blocks, and Bespoke Products. It offers bricks; aircrete and aggregate blocks for internal and external applications, such as foundations, floors and walls, and detailing; bespoke precast concrete products comprising jetfloor, hollowcore, beam and block, and flooring, as well as box culverts, omnia bridge decks, and retaining walls for infrastructure; and crosswall frames, stairs and landings, stadia components, and columns and beams for structural projects.

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Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. raised its position in Forestar Group Inc. (NYSE:FOR  Free Report) by 75.0% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 63,000 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock after acquiring an additional 27,000 shares during the period. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc.s holdings in Forestar Group were worth $2,015,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Transcendent Capital Group LLC bought a new position in Forestar Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Forestar Group by 115.4% in the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 924 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 495 shares during the period. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Forestar Group in the second quarter valued at $34,000. CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of Forestar Group by 111.6% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,060 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 559 shares during the period. Finally, Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Forestar Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $112,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 35.50% of the companys stock.

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Forestar Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE FOR traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $30.94. 202,191 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 176,351. The company has a current ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $30.98 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $33.22. The company has a market cap of $1.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.70 and a beta of 1.77. Forestar Group Inc. has a 12-month low of $22.71 and a 12-month high of $40.92.

Insider Buying and Selling

Forestar Group ( NYSE:FOR Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.89 by ($0.13). The company had revenue of $318.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $370.50 million. Forestar Group had a net margin of 12.89% and a return on equity of 13.48%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Forestar Group Inc. will post 3.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, Director Elizabeth Parmer sold 1,547 shares of Forestar Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.24, for a total value of $49,875.28. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,548 shares in the company, valued at approximately $49,907.52. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director G.F. (Rick) Ringler III sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.38, for a total value of $62,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,951 shares of the companys stock, valued at $249,502.38. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Elizabeth Parmer sold 1,547 shares of Forestar Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.24, for a total value of $49,875.28. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 1,548 shares in the company, valued at $49,907.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 5,095 shares of company stock worth $159,887 in the last quarter. 0.49% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

FOR has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Forestar Group from $37.50 to $36.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Forestar Group from $46.00 to $43.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, BTIG Research lowered their target price on shares of Forestar Group from $41.00 to $37.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 19th.

Read Our Latest Analysis on FOR

Forestar Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Forestar Group Inc operates as a residential lot development company in the United States. The company acquires land and develops infrastructure for single-family residential communities. It sells its residential single-family finished lots to local, regional, and national homebuilders. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Arlington, Texas.

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IFG Advisory LLC raised its position in RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 29,421 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,141 shares during the period. IFG Advisory LLCs holdings in RTX were worth $2,954,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in RTX by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,126 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,518,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the period. Motco boosted its holdings in RTX by 7.2% in the 1st quarter. Motco now owns 1,475 shares of the companys stock valued at $144,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Enterprise Bank & Trust Co lifted its holdings in shares of RTX by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Enterprise Bank & Trust Co now owns 3,550 shares of the companys stock worth $356,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Werlinich Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of RTX by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Werlinich Asset Management LLC now owns 26,814 shares of the companys stock worth $2,698,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Founders Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of RTX by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Founders Capital Management LLC now owns 8,369 shares of the companys stock worth $840,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. 86.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Dantaya M. Williams sold 17,570 shares of RTX stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.87, for a total transaction of $2,018,265.90. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 38,855 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,463,273.85. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Chairman Gregory Hayes sold 134,887 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.74, for a total transaction of $15,881,595.38. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 566,723 shares of the companys stock, valued at $66,725,966.02. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Dantaya M. Williams sold 17,570 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.87, for a total transaction of $2,018,265.90. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 38,855 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,463,273.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 178,333 shares of company stock valued at $20,861,880. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

RTX Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of RTX stock traded up $1.05 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $123.34. The stock had a trading volume of 6,371,993 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,146,997. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $110.19 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $103.20. RTX Co. has a 52-week low of $68.56 and a 52-week high of $123.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $163.98 billion, a PE ratio of 48.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

RTX (NYSE:RTX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $1.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.30 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $19.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $19.29 billion. RTX had a net margin of 3.12% and a return on equity of 11.37%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.29 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that RTX Co. will post 5.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

RTX Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th will be paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.04%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 16th. RTXs payout ratio is 98.82%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on RTX. StockNews.com downgraded shares of RTX from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of RTX from $491.00 to $467.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Melius Research lifted their price objective on shares of RTX from $490.00 to $493.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of RTX from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of RTX from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $110.00 to $140.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $153.47.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on RTX

About RTX

(Free Report)

RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. The Collins Aerospace Systems segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers and commercial airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation, defense, and commercial space operations.

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Intact Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 31.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 56,900 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 13,500 shares during the quarter. Intact Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $5,912,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of ABT. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth about $2,115,836,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 165,301,921 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $18,788,216,000 after acquiring an additional 8,834,840 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors increased its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 86,588,614 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $9,530,825,000 after acquiring an additional 7,527,778 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors increased its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 9.1% in the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 70,177,564 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $7,976,382,000 after acquiring an additional 5,882,780 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners increased its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 12,577.8% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,772,670 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $415,948,000 after acquiring an additional 3,742,912 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE ABT opened at $113.27 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $197.05 billion, a PE ratio of 35.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $89.67 and a 52-week high of $121.64. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $106.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $108.76.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.04. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.18% and a net margin of 13.65%. The firm had revenue of $10.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.37 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.08 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 15th were given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 15th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.94%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 68.54%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ABT has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Edward Jones downgraded Abbott Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Barclays increased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $125.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Tuesday, June 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $121.00 price objective on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $121.80.

Read Our Latest 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.

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Interchange Capital Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE  Free Report) by 114.4% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 3,936 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 2,100 shares during the quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Intercontinental Exchange were worth $539,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of ICE. Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new position in Intercontinental Exchange during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Annapolis Financial Services LLC raised its position in Intercontinental Exchange by 1,018.8% during the 1st quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 179 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. New Millennium Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Finally, Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. 89.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have commented on ICE. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $152.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reissued an outperform rating and set a $168.00 price target on shares of Intercontinental Exchange in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $160.00 to $162.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Barclays boosted their price target on Intercontinental Exchange from $159.00 to $167.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised Intercontinental Exchange from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $143.00 to $167.00 in a research report on Monday, July 1st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Intercontinental Exchange has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $154.93.

Insider Buying and Selling at Intercontinental Exchange

In related news, insider Christopher Scott Edmonds sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.60, for a total transaction of $148,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 14,636 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,174,909.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, General Counsel Andrew J. Surdykowski sold 1,898 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $136.66, for a total value of $259,380.68. Following the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 46,815 shares in the company, valued at $6,397,737.90. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Christopher Scott Edmonds sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.60, for a total value of $148,600.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 14,636 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,174,909.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 66,346 shares of company stock valued at $9,472,911 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Intercontinental Exchange Price Performance

Shares of ICE traded up $1.33 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $161.55. The stock had a trading volume of 3,067,676 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,574,770. The business has a fifty day moving average of $149.68 and a 200 day moving average of $140.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 0.99. The firm has a market cap of $92.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.05, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 1.06. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has a 12 month low of $104.49 and a 12 month high of $161.97.

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $2.32 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.31 billion. Intercontinental Exchange had a return on equity of 12.70% and a net margin of 21.43%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 22.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.43 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. will post 6.04 EPS for the current year.

Intercontinental Exchange Profile

(Free Report)

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada.

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Racist signs were reported at bus stops on Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado. The signs use terms offensive toward black people and immigrants in the U.S. and also appear to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris over border policy.

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Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P. increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF (NYSEARCA:EWA  Free Report) by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 175,505 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 1,431 shares during the period. iShares MSCI Australia ETF accounts for about 2.0% of Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P.s holdings, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P.s holdings in iShares MSCI Australia ETF were worth $4,288,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of EWA. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 0.5% in the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 3,001,265 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $73,321,000 after acquiring an additional 16,207 shares during the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 70.6% in the 4th quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 1,467,088 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $35,709,000 after buying an additional 607,275 shares during the period. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 5.0% during the second quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 760,599 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $18,581,000 after buying an additional 36,486 shares during the period. Millburn Ridgefield Corp raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 12.9% in the 1st quarter. Millburn Ridgefield Corp now owns 724,113 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $17,857,000 after acquiring an additional 82,875 shares during the period. Finally, OLD Mission Capital LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 827.6% in the 1st quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC now owns 603,780 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $14,889,000 after purchasing an additional 538,688 shares during the last quarter. 59.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares MSCI Australia ETF Price Performance

EWA traded down $0.18 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $25.87. 1,301,869 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,247,274. The firms fifty day moving average is $24.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $24.47. iShares MSCI Australia ETF has a 1-year low of $20.46 and a 1-year high of $26.15.

iShares MSCI Australia ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI Australia ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, of publicly traded securities in the Australian market, as represented by the MSCI Australia Index (the Index).

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JMG Financial Group Ltd. reduced its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA  Free Report) by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,090 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 666 shares during the quarter. JMG Financial Group Ltd.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $3,454,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Litman Gregory Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 7.2% during the second quarter. Litman Gregory Wealth Management LLC now owns 189,698 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $14,859,000 after purchasing an additional 12,676 shares during the period. Kings Path Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the second quarter worth $92,000. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 13.0% during the second quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC now owns 7,945 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $622,000 after purchasing an additional 914 shares during the period. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 0.5% during the second quarter. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 33,208 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,601,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the period. Finally, Centerpoint Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 3,576.5% during the second quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 9,375 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $734,000 after purchasing an additional 9,120 shares during the period. 79.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Price Performance

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF stock traded up $0.13 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $82.98. The companys stock had a trading volume of 15,627,554 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,673,098. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a fifty-two week low of $65.68 and a fifty-two week high of $83.28. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $79.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $79.09.

About iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance.

Further Reading

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Shares of iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class (TSE:CDZ  Get Free Report) traded up 0.4% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as C$33.88 and last traded at C$33.87. 8,410 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 45% from the average session volume of 15,281 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$33.72.

iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class Trading Up 0.4 %

The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$32.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$31.79.

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JMP Securities reiterated their market perform rating on shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital (NYSE:IVR  Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports.

IVR has been the subject of several other research reports. Janney Montgomery Scott assumed coverage on shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital in a research report on Thursday, June 6th. They set a buy rating and a $10.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com lowered Invesco Mortgage Capital from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $9.00.

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Invesco Mortgage Capital Stock Up 0.6 %

Invesco Mortgage Capital stock opened at $8.77 on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $9.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.03. The stock has a market cap of $428.20 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.53 and a beta of 1.90. Invesco Mortgage Capital has a 12-month low of $6.34 and a 12-month high of $11.42.

Invesco Mortgage Capital (NYSE:IVR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.75 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $68.03 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.27 million. Invesco Mortgage Capital had a negative net margin of 2.96% and a positive return on equity of 62.02%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.45 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Invesco Mortgage Capital will post 3.58 EPS for the current year.

Invesco Mortgage Capital Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 26th. Investors of record on Friday, July 5th were given a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 18.24%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 5th. Invesco Mortgage Capitals dividend payout ratio is currently -228.57%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Valley Brook Capital Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital by 12.2% during the first quarter. Valley Brook Capital Group Inc. now owns 11,500 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $111,000 after purchasing an additional 1,250 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its stake in Invesco Mortgage Capital by 8.2% in the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 17,856 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $167,000 after buying an additional 1,360 shares in the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital by 2.9% in the first quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 48,476 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $469,000 after buying an additional 1,362 shares during the period. American International Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital by 7.8% during the first quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 24,098 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $233,000 after acquiring an additional 1,740 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PFG Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital by 6.2% during the second quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 32,172 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $301,000 after acquiring an additional 1,874 shares during the period. 40.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Invesco Mortgage Capital

(Get Free Report)

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests, finances, and manages mortgage-backed securities and other mortgage-related assets in the United States. It invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) that are guaranteed by a U.S.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued their overweight rating on shares of Hochschild Mining (LON:HOC  Free Report) in a report released on Thursday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. They currently have a GBX 250 ($3.30) price objective on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Berenberg Bank reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 200 ($2.64) target price on shares of Hochschild Mining in a research note on Wednesday. Canaccord Genuity Group restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 220 ($2.90) target price on shares of Hochschild Mining in a report on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 180 ($2.37).

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Hochschild Mining Trading Down 0.9 %

About Hochschild Mining

LON HOC opened at GBX 171.80 ($2.27) on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of 883.84 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3,436.00, a PEG ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.07. The companys 50 day moving average price is GBX 179.82 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 154.75. Hochschild Mining has a one year low of GBX 75 ($0.99) and a one year high of GBX 195 ($2.57). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 55.11, a quick ratio of 1.87 and a current ratio of 0.89.

(Get Free Report)

Hochschild Mining plc, a precious metals company, engages in the exploration, mining, processing, and sale of gold and silver deposits in Peru, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Chile. The company's flagship asset include the Inmaculada gold and silver underground mine located in the Ayacucho Department, southern Peru.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$26.59 and traded as high as C$26.66. Laurentian Bank of Canada shares last traded at C$25.81, with a volume of 718,199 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Cibc World Mkts raised Laurentian Bank of Canada to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 21st. National Bankshares cut their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$27.00 to C$26.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. CIBC cut their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$30.00 to C$28.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Desjardins upped their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$25.00 to C$26.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$28.00 to C$26.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, June 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eleven have given a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Laurentian Bank of Canada has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$28.24.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of C$1.13 billion, a PE ratio of -92.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.25. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$26.30 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$26.60.

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 31st. The company reported C$0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.84 by C$0.06. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a negative return on equity of 0.01% and a negative net margin of 0.04%. The firm had revenue of C$252.59 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$253.47 million. Sell-side analysts forecast that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 3.9419448 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Laurentian Bank of Canada Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.47 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 1st. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.28%. Laurentian Bank of Canadas payout ratio is presently -671.43%.

Laurentian Bank of Canada Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Laurentian Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services to personal, business, and institutional customers in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Capital Markets. The Personal Banking segment offers financial services, such as financial advisory services to financial intermediaries; and operates digital direct-to-customer platform to retail clients.

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London & Associated Properties Plc (LON:LAS  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 31% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as GBX 13.90 ($0.18) and last traded at GBX 13.75 ($0.18). 87,221 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 209% from the average session volume of 28,230 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 10.50 ($0.14).

London & Associated Properties Trading Up 31.0 %

The firm has a market capitalization of 11.73 million, a P/E ratio of -275.00 and a beta of 0.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 58.08. The firms 50-day simple moving average is GBX 10.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 10.43.

London & Associated Properties Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

London & Associated Properties is a fully listed property investment company specialising in retail. It owns a portfolio of shopping centres and other retail property currently worth some 78m. LAP also invests in joint ventures with institutional co-owners; these have included Oaktree Capital Management, Schroders and Bank of Scotland.

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Marshalls plc (LON:MSLH  Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 306.25 ($4.04) and traded as high as GBX 348.50 ($4.60). Marshalls shares last traded at GBX 341.50 ($4.50), with a volume of 292,329 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Berenberg Bank reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 420 ($5.54) price objective on shares of Marshalls in a research report on Monday, August 12th.

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Marshalls Price Performance

Marshalls Cuts Dividend

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.19, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.86. The business has a fifty day moving average of GBX 333.53 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 306.25. The firm has a market capitalization of 863.55 million, a P/E ratio of 4,268.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.17 and a beta of 1.23.

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, October 24th will be issued a GBX 2.60 ($0.03) dividend. This represents a yield of 0.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 24th. Marshallss payout ratio is currently 10,000.00%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Matt Pullen acquired 14,330 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 349 ($4.60) per share, for a total transaction of 50,011.70 ($65,952.39). 2.75% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Marshalls Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Marshalls plc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells landscape, building, and roofing products in the United Kingdom and internationally. It offers paving products, such as flag paving, natural stone paving, block paving, permeable paving, tactile paving, accessories, steps, rail products, marker blocks, setts and cobbles, and pedestals; kerbs; and combined kerb and drainage systems, linear drainage systems, below ground drainage, offsite solutions, civils and drainage water management, specialist precast, and precast solutions.

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MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new stake in shares of Franco-Nevada Co. (NYSE:FNV  Free Report) (TSE:FNV) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 99,999 shares of the basic materials companys stock, valued at approximately $11,852,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc owned approximately 0.05% of Franco-Nevada at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of Franco-Nevada during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Kings Path Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Franco-Nevada in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Fortis Group Advisors LLC raised its position in Franco-Nevada by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Fortis Group Advisors LLC now owns 352 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its position in Franco-Nevada by 37.1% in the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 440 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Franco-Nevada by 33.3% in the 1st quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 440 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.06% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on FNV. Scotiabank lifted their target price on Franco-Nevada from $141.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, August 19th. TD Securities raised Franco-Nevada from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. StockNews.com raised Franco-Nevada from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Franco-Nevada from $129.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, July 12th. Finally, HC Wainwright reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $185.00 price target on shares of Franco-Nevada in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $152.75.

Franco-Nevada Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of FNV stock traded down $0.20 during trading on Friday, reaching $122.15. 307,637 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 589,488. Franco-Nevada Co. has a twelve month low of $102.29 and a twelve month high of $146.43. The firms fifty day moving average price is $123.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $119.94.

Franco-Nevada (NYSE:FNV  Get Free Report) (TSE:FNV) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 13th. The basic materials company reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.78 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $260.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $277.44 million. Franco-Nevada had a positive return on equity of 10.56% and a negative net margin of 51.64%. The firms revenue was down 21.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.95 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Franco-Nevada Co. will post 3.2 EPS for the current year.

Franco-Nevada Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.36 per share. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.18%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 12th. Franco-Nevadas payout ratio is presently -57.83%.

Franco-Nevada Profile

(Free Report)

Franco-Nevada Corporation operates as a gold-focused royalty and streaming company in South America, Central America, Mexico, the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Mining and Energy segments. The company manages its portfolio with a focus on precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals; and engages in the sale of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids through a third-party marketing agent.

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NBT Bank N A NY grew its position in Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Free Report) by 119.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 15,437 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 8,404 shares during the period. NBT Bank N A NYs holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $1,500,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MS. Choreo LLC lifted its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 10.1% in the 4th quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 5,040 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $470,000 after purchasing an additional 463 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 28,084 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,619,000 after acquiring an additional 913 shares in the last quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley during the 4th quarter valued at about $207,000. Essex Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 6.9% in the 4th quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 6,186 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $577,000 after acquiring an additional 399 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its holdings in Morgan Stanley by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 6,024 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $562,000 after purchasing an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. 84.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Morgan Stanley Price Performance

Shares of Morgan Stanley stock traded up $1.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $103.61. 4,951,396 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,299,212. The company has a market cap of $168.38 billion, a PE ratio of 18.87, a PEG ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.38. The firms fifty day moving average price is $100.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $95.35. Morgan Stanley has a twelve month low of $69.42 and a twelve month high of $109.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.97, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.77.

Morgan Stanley Increases Dividend

Morgan Stanley ( NYSE:MS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.17. Morgan Stanley had a return on equity of 11.90% and a net margin of 10.17%. The company had revenue of $15.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.32 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.24 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Morgan Stanley will post 7 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 31st were paid a dividend of $0.925 per share. This is a positive change from Morgan Stanleys previous quarterly dividend of $0.85. This represents a $3.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.57%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 31st. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio is currently 67.40%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MS has been the topic of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Morgan Stanley from $91.00 to $108.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Morgan Stanley from $98.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Morgan Stanley from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Morgan Stanley from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company downgraded Morgan Stanley from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and decreased their target price for the company from $99.00 to $95.00 in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Morgan Stanley has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $101.45.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on MS

Insider Buying and Selling at Morgan Stanley

In other news, CFO Raja Akram sold 7,500 shares of Morgan Stanley stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.37, for a total value of $797,775.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 87,119 shares in the company, valued at $9,266,848.03. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Morgan Stanley news, Director Robert H. Herz sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.62, for a total transaction of $106,620.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 95,908 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,225,710.96. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Raja Akram sold 7,500 shares of Morgan Stanley stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.37, for a total value of $797,775.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 87,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,266,848.03. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 252,000 shares of company stock valued at $26,546,370. 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Morgan Stanley

(Free Report)

Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments.

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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.
KABUL, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- About 150 foreign nationals have been lodged in prisons in Afghanistan, an official of the country's prison administration reported on Sunday.

"Currently, about 150 foreigners are held in Afghanistan's jails for various crimes, including deception and forgery. They are from various countries, including neighboring ones," said Mawlawi Mohammad Yusuf Mustari, acting head of the administration.

Without revealing the nationalities of the foreign detainees, Mustari said, "At the moment, 8,000-9,000 Afghan citizens are imprisoned in jails abroad. Most of them are held in Iran."

According to the official, Afghan nationals are in jails in countries including Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

About 11,000 people, including 1,000 women, are currently held in prisons in Afghanistan, Mustari said. 
Nilsine Partners LLC cut its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD  Free Report) by 5.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,583 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 214 shares during the quarter. Nilsine Partners LLCs holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $770,000 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 the company. Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 23.6% in the first quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 5,649,510 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,162,217,000 after acquiring an additional 1,079,452 shares in the last quarter. Scarborough Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in SPDR Gold Shares by 10,133.3% in the 4th quarter. Scarborough Advisors LLC now owns 2,662,393 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $508,970,000 after purchasing an additional 2,636,376 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its position in SPDR Gold Shares by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 1,007,710 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $216,668,000 after purchasing an additional 70,290 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 6.8% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 857,981 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $184,474,000 after buying an additional 54,974 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stifel Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 793,569 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $151,707,000 after buying an additional 21,108 shares during the period. 42.19% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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SPDR Gold Shares Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of SPDR Gold Shares stock traded down $1.66 during trading on Friday, reaching $231.29. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,742,963 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,712,967. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $223.79 and a 200-day moving average price of $214.22. SPDR Gold Shares has a 12-month low of $168.30 and a 12-month high of $234.01.

About SPDR Gold Shares

SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares).

Further Reading

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Ooma, Inc. (NYSE:OOMA  Free Report)  Northland Capmk issued their Q3 2026 earnings per share estimates for Ooma in a report released on Tuesday, August 27th. Northland Capmk analyst M. Latimore expects that the technology company will post earnings of $0.01 per share for the quarter. The consensus estimate for Oomas current full-year earnings is ($0.11) per share. Northland Capmk also issued estimates for Oomas FY2026 earnings at ($0.05) EPS.

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Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on OOMA. Lake Street Capital started coverage on shares of Ooma in a research note on Monday, June 17th. They issued a buy rating and a $14.00 target price on the stock. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Ooma in a research report on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ooma has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $14.50.

Ooma Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:OOMA opened at $10.40 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $274.56 million, a PE ratio of -104.00 and a beta of 0.93. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $9.34 and a 200-day moving average price of $8.71. Ooma has a 1-year low of $6.50 and a 1-year high of $14.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.81.

Institutional Trading of Ooma

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Covestor Ltd lifted its position in Ooma by 52.7% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 6,197 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 2,138 shares during the period. Bailard Inc. bought a new position in shares of Ooma during the 2nd quarter valued at $108,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ooma in the 2nd quarter worth $119,000. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System bought a new stake in shares of Ooma in the first quarter worth $130,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp purchased a new stake in Ooma during the second quarter valued at $238,000. 80.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Ooma Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ooma, Inc provides communications services and related technologies for businesses and consumers in the United States and Canada. The company's products and services include Ooma Office, a cloud-based multi-user communications system for small and medium-sized businesses; Ooma Connect, which delivers fixed wireless internet connectivity; and Ooma Enterprise, a unified-communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) solution.

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Shares of Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ORA  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $81.67.

ORA has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Oppenheimer upped their target price on shares of Ormat Technologies from $85.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Ormat Technologies from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 14th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Ormat Technologies from $75.00 to $73.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 13th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Ormat Technologies from $70.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Ormat Technologies from $69.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Ormat Technologies

Insider Buying and Selling at Ormat Technologies

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ormat Technologies

In other Ormat Technologies news, Director Dafna Sharir sold 433 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.91, for a total transaction of $32,436.03. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,561 shares in the company, valued at approximately $266,754.51. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Company insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in Ormat Technologies during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Ormat Technologies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $50,000. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Ormat Technologies by 593.0% in the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 797 shares of the energy companys stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 682 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Ormat Technologies by 50.1% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,540 shares of the energy companys stock worth $117,000 after purchasing an additional 514 shares during the period. Finally, PFG Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Ormat Technologies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $202,000. Institutional investors own 95.49% of the companys stock.

Ormat Technologies Stock Up 0.8 %

NYSE:ORA opened at $74.53 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $73.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $69.98. The company has a market capitalization of $4.50 billion, a PE ratio of 33.57, a P/E/G ratio of 3.62 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.89. Ormat Technologies has a 1-year low of $58.73 and a 1-year high of $78.51.

Ormat Technologies (NYSE:ORA  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The energy company reported $0.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $212.96 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $214.07 million. Ormat Technologies had a net margin of 14.89% and a return on equity of 5.40%. The companys revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.40 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Ormat Technologies will post 2.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Ormat Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 20th. Ormat Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 21.62%.

Ormat Technologies Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Ormat Technologies, Inc engages in the geothermal and recovered energy power business in the United States, Indonesia, Kenya, Turkey, Chile, Guatemala, Guadeloupe, New Zealand, Honduras, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Electricity, Product, and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment develops, builds, owns, and operates geothermal, solar photovoltaic, and recovered energy-based power plants; and sells electricity.

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Pandora A/S (OTCMKTS:PANDY  Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $39.97 and traded as high as $44.00. Pandora A/S shares last traded at $43.70, with a volume of 4,164 shares changing hands.

Pandora A/S Stock Down 0.2 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $39.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $39.98.

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Pandora A/S (OTCMKTS:PANDY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 12th. The company reported $0.35 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.35. The company had revenue of $977.04 million during the quarter.

Pandora A/S Company Profile

Pandora A/S engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of hand-finished and contemporary jewelry. The company operates in two segments, Core and Fuel With More. It offers charms, bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, and pendants. The company sells its products through physical stores, online stores, and wholesale and third-party distribution in Denmark, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Mexico, and internationally.

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Pinnacle Associates Ltd. lessened its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 2.9% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 53,885 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,617 shares during the quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $5,460,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Searle & CO. raised its position in Philip Morris International by 22.5% in the 2nd quarter. Searle & CO. now owns 57,194 shares of the companys stock worth $5,796,000 after purchasing an additional 10,496 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the second quarter valued at about $7,343,000. Kings Path Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the second quarter valued at about $925,000. Centerpoint Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 8.4% in the second quarter. Centerpoint Advisors LLC now owns 3,888 shares of the companys stock valued at $394,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the period. Finally, Forum Financial Management LP increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.4% in the second quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 10,981 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,113,000 after acquiring an additional 256 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. StockNews.com raised shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $109.80.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total transaction of $1,038,150.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 85,629 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,877,305.15. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Philip Morris International news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total transaction of $1,038,150.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 85,629 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,877,305.15. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total transaction of $2,260,200.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 158,447 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,906,095.47. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Philip Morris International Stock Up 0.6 %

Philip Morris International stock traded up $0.74 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $123.29. The stock had a trading volume of 5,602,949 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,291,041. The stock has a market capitalization of $191.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.58. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $87.23 and a 12-month high of $123.45. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $111.52 and its 200-day moving average price is $100.98.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.57 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $9.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.19 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.41% and a negative return on equity of 113.32%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.60 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 21st were issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 21st. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.22%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 101.56%.

About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Private Ocean LLC grew its position in Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 18.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,425 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 225 shares during the quarter. Private Ocean LLCs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $132,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. DSM Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. First Community Trust NA acquired a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Pingora Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. Institutional investors own 79.46% of the companys stock.

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Edwards Lifesciences Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock opened at $69.96 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 3.71 and a quick ratio of 2.87. The company has a market capitalization of $42.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 1.11. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $77.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $84.78. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a 1 year low of $58.93 and a 1 year high of $96.12.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Edwards Lifesciences ( NYSE:EW Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The medical research company reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.65 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 22.35% and a net margin of 24.55%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.66 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.7 EPS for the current year.

Several brokerages have recently commented on EW. Truist Financial downgraded shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their target price for the company from $110.00 to $82.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $103.00 to $85.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $85.00 to $77.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $107.00 to $91.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Oppenheimer reduced their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $100.00 to $90.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Edwards Lifesciences presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $82.10.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Edwards Lifesciences

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Edwards Lifesciences news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.54, for a total value of $437,700.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 46,936 shares in the company, valued at $4,108,777.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.54, for a total transaction of $437,700.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 46,936 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,108,777.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Daveen Chopra sold 1,250 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.95, for a total value of $87,437.50. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 29,333 shares in the company, valued at $2,051,843.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 16,250 shares of company stock worth $1,321,988. Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Edwards Lifesciences Company Profile

(Free Report)

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names.

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Rexford Industrial Realty (NYSE:REXR  Free Report) had its price objective lifted by Evercore ISI from $55.00 to $57.00 in a research report released on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Mizuho decreased their price objective on shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from $52.00 to $50.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 31st. Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from $51.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 26th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from $66.00 to $61.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from $57.00 to $49.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from $47.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $54.09.

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Rexford Industrial Realty Price Performance

NYSE REXR opened at $50.92 on Wednesday. Rexford Industrial Realty has a 52 week low of $41.56 and a 52 week high of $58.02. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The stock has a market cap of $11.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 46.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $48.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $47.83.

Rexford Industrial Realty (NYSE:REXR  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.58 by ($0.21). Rexford Industrial Realty had a return on equity of 3.31% and a net margin of 30.71%. The firm had revenue of $237.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $227.70 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.54 EPS. Rexford Industrial Realtys revenue for the quarter was up 21.3% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Rexford Industrial Realty will post 2.35 EPS for the current year.

Rexford Industrial Realty Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a $0.4175 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. This is a positive change from Rexford Industrial Realtys previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.28%. Rexford Industrial Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 153.21%.

Insider Activity at Rexford Industrial Realty

In related news, CEO Howard Schwimmer sold 30,358 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.86, for a total value of $1,483,291.88. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 50,673 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,475,882.78. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Rexford Industrial Realty

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of REXR. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its holdings in Rexford Industrial Realty by 169.4% in the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 555 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in Rexford Industrial Realty in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new stake in Rexford Industrial Realty in the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Rexford Industrial Realty in the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Rexford Industrial Realty by 1,252.2% in the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 933 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 864 shares during the period. 99.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Rexford Industrial Realty Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Rexford Industrial creates value by investing in, operating and redeveloping industrial properties throughout infill Southern California, the world's fourth largest industrial market and consistently the highest-demand with lowest-supply major market in the nation. The Company's highly differentiated strategy enables internal and external growth opportunities through its proprietary value creation and asset management capabilities.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Sasol (NYSE:SSL  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Thursday.

Sasol Trading Down 5.7 %

Shares of SSL opened at $7.61 on Thursday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $7.62 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.06, a PEG ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 2.41. Sasol has a twelve month low of $6.22 and a twelve month high of $14.13.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sasol

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Point72 Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in Sasol by 417.3% in the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 71,900 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $547,000 after purchasing an additional 58,000 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning grew its position in shares of Sasol by 61.4% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 118,941 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $905,000 after buying an additional 45,243 shares during the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC raised its stake in Sasol by 81,913.0% during the 2nd quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 63,150 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $481,000 after acquiring an additional 63,073 shares in the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new stake in Sasol in the second quarter valued at $110,000. Finally, Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC boosted its stake in Sasol by 33.2% in the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 23,662 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $180,000 after acquiring an additional 5,898 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.21% of the companys stock.

About Sasol

Sasol Limited operates as an integrated chemical and energy company in South Africa. It offers alumina, such as battery materials, catalyst supports, abrasives and polishing, and polymer additives; cobalt fischer-tropsch; carbon-based products; recarburiser; graphite electrodes; mono-ethylene glycol, ethylene, propylene, sasfroth blends, sodium cyanide, caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, calcium chloride, chlorine, alcohols, aromatic blends, methyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, cresols, xylenols, phenols, limestone ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrate solution, and nitric acid.

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Privium Fund Management B.V. lifted its stake in shares of Sendas Distribuidora S.A. (NYSE:ASAI  Free Report) by 26.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 13,928 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,900 shares during the quarter. Privium Fund Management B.V.s holdings in Sendas Distribuidora were worth $122,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. SageView Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sendas Distribuidora during the 1st quarter worth about $69,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Sendas Distribuidora by 29.7% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 7,479 shares of the companys stock worth $103,000 after purchasing an additional 1,713 shares during the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sendas Distribuidora during the 4th quarter worth about $143,000. Bayesian Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Sendas Distribuidora during the 1st quarter worth about $160,000. Finally, Confluence Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sendas Distribuidora during the 1st quarter worth about $171,000. Institutional investors own 8.76% of the companys stock.

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Sendas Distribuidora Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ASAI traded up $0.11 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $8.38. 478,018 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 415,411. Sendas Distribuidora S.A. has a 1-year low of $8.04 and a 1-year high of $15.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.18, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.81, a PEG ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.05. The companys 50-day moving average price is $9.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $11.89.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Sendas Distribuidora ( NYSE:ASAI Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.07 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $3.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.60 billion. Sendas Distribuidora had a return on equity of 14.49% and a net margin of 0.95%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Sendas Distribuidora S.A. will post 0.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Sendas Distribuidora from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ASAI

Sendas Distribuidora Profile

(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.

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AGF Management Limited (OTCMKTS:AGFMF  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 16,400 shares, a growth of 31.2% from the July 31st total of 12,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 8.6 days.

AGF Management Stock Up 1.5 %

OTCMKTS:AGFMF opened at $5.90 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $5.94 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $5.98. AGF Management has a 52-week low of $4.73 and a 52-week high of $6.57.

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AGF Management Limited is one of Canada's premier investment management companies with offices across Canada and subsidiaries around the world. 2007 marks AGF's 50th anniversary ofproviding Canadians with innovative investment solutions across the wealth continuum. AGF's products and services include a diversified family of more than 50 mutual funds, the evolutionary AGF Elements portfolios, the Harmony asset management program, AGF Private Investment Management, Institutional Account Services and AGF Trust GICs, loans and mortgages.

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BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- In the experiment fields of China Agricultural University, Malawian postgraduate student Francina Lerato Kuwali could often be found discussing maize planting techniques with her classmates.

In the past year, Kuwali and other Malawian students have helped 30 farmers in Malawi to plant maize. Putting into practice the agricultural theories and techniques they learned in China, the results of their endeavor were indeed fruitful.

In Malawi, usual maize yields are between 150 and 200 kilograms per mu (0.07 hectares), but the maize that Kuwali and her classmates planted using advanced technology recorded yields of approximately 600 kilograms per mu.

"The feedback was so good," Kuwali said, excited about the experience.

Currently working at Malawi's ministry of agriculture, Kuwali, 35, well understands the hardships facing the country's agricultural development. "I've worked with smallholder farmers for a long time, and I see how they are struggling," she said.

"About 80 percent of the economy of Malawi is based on agriculture; it is the backbone of the country's economy," she noted. "But still, we have many challenges, and we are not producing enough food." Due to low yields, local farming incomes have remained limited, and farmers have been unable to purchase much-needed resources such as fertilizer, seed and machinery.

This situation is not a problem unique to Malawi, but a reality troubling many African countries. According to the 2024 edition of "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World" report, 20.4 percent of the people in Africa faced hunger in 2023 -- the highest percentage among all regions.

The determination to improve the lives of farmers drove Kuwali to attend a cooperative postgraduate education program known as the "China-Africa Science and Technology Backyard."

"When it comes to agriculture, China is doing very well. So we want to learn the knowledge, and how China is doing it," Kuwali said.

Launched by China Agricultural University in 2019, the program has been supported by institutions such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank.

Following a unique cultivation pattern that combines theoretical study with practice, foreign students like Kuwali spend their first year studying agricultural theory and skills in China, and return to their home countries to make use of their newly acquired knowledge. In their third year, they return to China to complete their studies.

To help the students understand agricultural technology better, the university pairs them with farmers at its agricultural base in Quzhou County, north China's Hebei Province, where they gain first-hand experience.

From the perspective of Jiao Xiaoqiang, head of the program and an associate professor at the university's college of resources and environmental sciences, Kuwali's diligence is truly impressive.

"She enjoyed chatting with locals and doing farm work with them," Jiao said. "Although she doesn't understand Chinese, she used mobile translation apps to communicate with the farmers and learn how they cultivate the crops."

It was in Quzhou that Kuwali learned the technique of intercropping maize and soybean. By using the latter as a natural fertilizer, the yield of the former can be increased substantially. This technique is particularly useful in Malawi, where farmland is infertile.

In her second year of study, Kuwali brought the technique to her home country and experimented with local farmers. In addition, she applied the technique of using compost to improve the local farmlands' fertility before planting crops. The results were more than satisfactory: yields of both maize and soybean increased.

"The results of Kuwali's experiments with the techniques in her own country were beyond our expectations," Jiao said, adding that thanks to her rich experience in communicating with farmers, she was able to popularize Chinese agricultural technology among many Malawian smallholder farmers.

To date, the university has developed "sci-tech backyards" in seven African countries, including Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania. The program has cultivated 91 agricultural professionals, 36 of whom have already graduated. Many have chosen to use their newfound knowledge to aid agricultural development in their home countries.

Throughout her studies in China, Kuwali has maintained one simple aspiration: to transform the lives of farmers in her country for the better. Now equipped with the knowledge she gained in China, she is confident that she will make contributions to that end.

"I wish that the lives of the farmers in my country can improve, and I hope my country can produce enough food," she said. "With the technologies that we are teaching them, we can help farmers boost their yield, so they may have enough money and be able to sustain themselves." 
Singapore Exchange Limited (OTCMKTS:SPXCF  Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 248,800 shares, a decline of 17.1% from the July 31st total of 300,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 8,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 28.0 days.

Singapore Exchange Trading Up 8.7 %

OTCMKTS:SPXCF opened at $8.55 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $7.37 and its 200 day moving average is $7.06. Singapore Exchange has a 52-week low of $6.50 and a 52-week high of $8.60.

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Singapore Exchange Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated securities and derivatives exchange, and related clearing houses in Singapore. It operates through Fixed Income, Currencies, and Commodities; Equities; and Data, Connectivity, and Indices segments. The Fixed Income, Currencies, and Commodities segment offers fixed income issuer, trading and clearing, and collateral management services.

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Analysts at StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Express (NYSE:EXPR  Get Free Report) in a note issued to investors on Friday. The firm set a sell rating on the stock.

Express Price Performance

Shares of Express stock opened at $0.11 on Friday. Express has a 52-week low of $0.35 and a 52-week high of $17.84. The company has a 50 day moving average of $0.37 and a 200 day moving average of $0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83. The company has a market capitalization of $406,441.00, a P/E ratio of 0.00 and a beta of 1.40.

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Express, Inc operates as a fashion retail company that offers apparel and accessories in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company sells its products under the UpWest and Express brands for men and women through its retail and factory outlet stores; express.com, an online store; and Express mobile app, as well as franchisees Express locations in Latin America.

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Spire Wealth Management increased its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 8.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,497 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after buying an additional 1,081 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Managements holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $2,346,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 18,167,165 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $3,157,635,000 after purchasing an additional 750,971 shares during the last quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the second quarter valued at about $419,000. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 18.4% during the second quarter. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC now owns 9,132 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,587,000 after buying an additional 1,416 shares in the last quarter. Ingalls & Snyder LLC lifted its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Ingalls & Snyder LLC now owns 36,097 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $6,274,000 after buying an additional 443 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 10.6% during the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 309,672 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $53,824,000 after buying an additional 29,687 shares during the last quarter. 16.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

TSM has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Barclays upped their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 5th. Susquehanna reissued a positive rating and set a $250.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $130.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Needham & Company LLC boosted their price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $168.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, June 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $200.00.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance

Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock traded up $2.55 during trading on Friday, hitting $171.70. 9,481,403 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,887,577. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a current ratio of 2.47. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 12 month low of $84.01 and a 12 month high of $193.47. The stocks fifty day moving average is $170.68 and its 200 day moving average is $153.88. The stock has a market cap of $890.51 billion, a PE ratio of 32.70, a P/E/G ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.14.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The semiconductor company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $20.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.33 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 37.85% and a return on equity of 25.54%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings quarterly revenue was up 34.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 6.45 EPS for the current year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.4871 per share. This represents a $1.95 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 12th. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is 36.95%.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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Bellevue Asset Management LLC decreased its position in shares of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) by 21.1% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 1,069 shares of the aircraft producers stock after selling 286 shares during the period. Bellevue Asset Management LLCs holdings in Boeing were worth $195,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital Research Global Investors increased its holdings in Boeing by 35.5% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 16,880,647 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $4,400,109,000 after purchasing an additional 4,425,964 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in Boeing by 563.9% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,439,093 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $896,434,000 after purchasing an additional 2,921,043 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in Boeing by 23.7% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 9,823,006 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $2,560,466,000 after purchasing an additional 1,884,850 shares during the period. Boston Partners increased its holdings in Boeing by 861.6% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,804,853 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $467,338,000 after purchasing an additional 1,617,151 shares during the period. Finally, Global Assets Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in Boeing during the 1st quarter worth about $272,312,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.82% of the companys stock.

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Boeing Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE BA traded up $1.48 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $173.74. The stock had a trading volume of 4,146,190 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,852,250. The firm has a market cap of $106.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -48.94 and a beta of 1.56. The Boeing Company has a fifty-two week low of $159.70 and a fifty-two week high of $267.54. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $178.13 and a 200-day moving average of $182.21.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Boeing ( NYSE:BA Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The aircraft producer reported ($2.90) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($1.00) by ($1.90). The business had revenue of $16.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.35 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned ($0.82) earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 14.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that The Boeing Company will post -2.38 EPS for the current year.

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on BA shares. Bank of America upped their price target on Boeing from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, June 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein cut their price target on Boeing from $222.00 to $207.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 5th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Boeing from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Baird R W upgraded Boeing to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, June 3rd. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price objective on Boeing from $250.00 to $240.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, June 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $215.18.

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Boeing Profile

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The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; and Global Services segments.

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Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Free Report) had its price objective trimmed by The Goldman Sachs Group from $47.00 to $40.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the oilfield services companys stock.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Johnson Rice raised shares of Halliburton to a moderate buy rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Evercore ISI cut their price target on shares of Halliburton from $52.00 to $48.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Susquehanna cut their price target on shares of Halliburton from $49.00 to $46.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Benchmark reissued a buy rating and set a $42.00 price target on shares of Halliburton in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on shares of Halliburton from $54.00 to $48.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Halliburton has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $44.88.

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Halliburton Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:HAL opened at $31.09 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $32.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $35.47. Halliburton has a one year low of $30.31 and a one year high of $43.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 2.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.76, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.93.

Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The oilfield services company reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.80. Halliburton had a net margin of 11.61% and a return on equity of 29.97%. The business had revenue of $5.83 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.95 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.77 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Halliburton will post 3.18 EPS for the current year.

Halliburton Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be given a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 4th. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.19%. Halliburtons dividend payout ratio is presently 23.53%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Van H. Beckwith sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.75, for a total value of $367,500.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 273,908 shares in the company, valued at $10,066,119. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.61% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Halliburton

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Halliburton during the second quarter valued at approximately $521,000. Truist Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 20.9% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,490,642 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $50,354,000 after acquiring an additional 257,403 shares in the last quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP lifted its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 15.1% during the 2nd quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 4,279,478 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $144,516,000 after acquiring an additional 560,325 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of Halliburton during the 2nd quarter valued at $184,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 16.3% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 41,739 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $1,410,000 after acquiring an additional 5,860 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.23% of the companys stock.

Halliburton Company Profile

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Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates through two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; and completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems.

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The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 7,340,000 shares, a growth of 31.8% from the July 31st total of 5,570,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,600,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.6 days.

Hershey Stock Up 0.7 %

HSY stock opened at $193.06 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $192.13 and its 200 day simple moving average is $193.17. The stock has a market cap of $39.05 billion, a PE ratio of 19.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.60 and a beta of 0.36. Hershey has a fifty-two week low of $178.82 and a fifty-two week high of $219.92.

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Hershey (NYSE:HSY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.17). The firm had revenue of $2.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.30 billion. Hershey had a net margin of 16.76% and a return on equity of 45.36%. Hersheys revenue for the quarter was down 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.01 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Hershey will post 9.5 EPS for the current year.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

Insider Buying and Selling at Hershey

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th will be given a dividend of $1.37 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 16th. This represents a $5.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.84%. Hersheys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.31%.

In related news, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.83, for a total transaction of $286,245.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 34,228 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,531,729.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Hershey news, CAO Jennifer Mccalman sold 538 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $199.17, for a total value of $107,153.46. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 3,238 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $644,912.46. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.83, for a total value of $286,245.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 34,228 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,531,729.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 3,538 shares of company stock valued at $667,793 over the last three months. 0.34% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Hershey by 14.2% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 17,341,721 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,372,965,000 after acquiring an additional 2,158,912 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Hershey during the 4th quarter valued at $349,448,000. Confluence Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Hershey by 297.9% during the 2nd quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 717,831 shares of the companys stock valued at $131,959,000 after purchasing an additional 537,419 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA acquired a new position in shares of Hershey during the 2nd quarter valued at $82,123,000. Finally, Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Hershey by 3,404.3% in the 1st quarter. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC now owns 256,447 shares of the companys stock worth $49,879,000 after buying an additional 249,129 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 57.96% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on HSY. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price objective on shares of Hershey from $237.00 to $230.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Hershey from $210.00 to $204.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, June 18th. Citigroup downgraded Hershey from a neutral rating to a sell rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $195.00 to $182.00 in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. Bank of America dropped their price target on Hershey from $210.00 to $200.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Argus cut Hershey from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $202.79.

Read Our Latest Analysis on HSY

About Hershey

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The Hershey Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products and pantry items in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International. It offers chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products, including mints, chewing gums, and bubble gums; protein bars; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings, beverages, and sundae syrups; and snack items comprising spreads, bars, snack bites, mixes, popcorn, and pretzels.

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Shares of Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Hold from the fourteen research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $323.29.

Several research analysts have issued reports on TT shares. Stephens reiterated an equal weight rating and set a $350.00 target price on shares of Trane Technologies in a report on Monday, August 5th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of Trane Technologies from $360.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Trane Technologies from $310.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Trane Technologies from $330.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Trane Technologies from $334.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st.

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Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Trane Technologies

In other Trane Technologies news, EVP Raymond D. Pittard sold 1,805 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $328.65, for a total transaction of $593,213.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 83,517 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,447,862.05. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . In other news, EVP Raymond D. Pittard sold 1,805 shares of Trane Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $328.65, for a total transaction of $593,213.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 83,517 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,447,862.05. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, SVP Evan M. Turtz sold 8,988 shares of Trane Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $321.30, for a total transaction of $2,887,844.40. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 20,758 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,669,545.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 44,243 shares of company stock worth $14,216,550 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock.

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Trane Technologies by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 706 shares of the companys stock valued at $232,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the period. Center for Financial Planning Inc. grew its stake in Trane Technologies by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 2,080 shares of the companys stock valued at $624,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the period. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its stake in Trane Technologies by 26.5% during the 2nd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 167 shares of the companys stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Muirfield Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Trane Technologies by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. Muirfield Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 939 shares of the companys stock worth $309,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pure Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Trane Technologies by 5.2% during the 2nd quarter. Pure Financial Advisors LLC now owns 765 shares of the companys stock worth $252,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.97% of the companys stock.

Trane Technologies Trading Up 1.9 %

TT stock opened at $361.66 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $81.86 billion, a PE ratio of 38.64, a P/E/G ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.01. Trane Technologies has a 12 month low of $184.02 and a 12 month high of $362.43. The firms 50-day moving average is $337.00 and its 200 day moving average is $317.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 0.74.

Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $3.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.08 by $0.22. Trane Technologies had a net margin of 12.33% and a return on equity of 33.97%. The company had revenue of $5.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.13 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.68 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 12.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Trane Technologies will post 10.83 EPS for the current year.

Trane Technologies Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a $0.84 dividend. This represents a $3.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th. Trane Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.90%.

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.

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Blue Fin Capital Inc. raised its position in TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG  Free Report) by 19.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,210 shares of the aerospace companys stock after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the quarter. Blue Fin Capital Inc.s holdings in TransDigm Group were worth $1,546,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Americana Partners LLC increased its holdings in TransDigm Group by 18.6% in the second quarter. Americana Partners LLC now owns 3,741 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $4,780,000 after buying an additional 587 shares during the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System lifted its stake in TransDigm Group by 2.9% in the second quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 4,243 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $5,421,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the last quarter. Mezzasalma Advisors LLC grew its position in TransDigm Group by 83.9% in the second quarter. Mezzasalma Advisors LLC now owns 2,372 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $3,030,000 after acquiring an additional 1,082 shares in the last quarter. Navalign LLC increased its stake in shares of TransDigm Group by 10.0% during the 2nd quarter. Navalign LLC now owns 705 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $901,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pinnacle Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of TransDigm Group by 31.7% during the 2nd quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,860 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,376,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares in the last quarter. 95.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Barclays upped their price target on TransDigm Group from $1,250.00 to $1,500.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, May 13th. Bank of America upped their target price on TransDigm Group from $1,310.00 to $1,460.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. KeyCorp lifted their price target on shares of TransDigm Group from $1,325.00 to $1,440.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 28th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of TransDigm Group from $1,466.00 to $1,423.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their target price on shares of TransDigm Group from $1,200.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,422.94.

TransDigm Group Stock Performance

Shares of TDG stock opened at $1,373.21 on Friday. TransDigm Group Incorporated has a 52 week low of $802.46 and a 52 week high of $1,380.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $77.05 billion, a PE ratio of 54.47, a PEG ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.38. The stocks fifty day moving average is $1,272.88 and its 200-day moving average is $1,255.87.

TransDigm Group (NYSE:TDG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The aerospace company reported $9.00 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $7.77 by $1.23. TransDigm Group had a net margin of 21.83% and a negative return on equity of 66.70%. The firm had revenue of $2.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.01 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $6.55 EPS. The companys revenue was up 17.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that TransDigm Group Incorporated will post 30.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Jessica L. Warren sold 925 shares of TransDigm Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,339.34, for a total value of $1,238,889.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 50 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $66,967. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider Jessica L. Warren sold 925 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,339.34, for a total value of $1,238,889.50. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 50 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $66,967. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Robert J. Small sold 30,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,323.86, for a total transaction of $39,715,800.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 112,381 shares of the companys stock, valued at $148,776,710.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 102,708 shares of company stock valued at $133,146,005. 4.96% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

TransDigm Group Profile

(Free Report)

TransDigm Group Incorporated designs, produces, and supplies aircraft components in the United States and internationally. The Power & Control segment offers mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, databus and power controls, sensor products, switches and relay panels, hoists, winches and lifting devices, and cargo loading and handling systems.

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Van ECK Associates Corp increased its stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII  Free Report) by 16.1% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 914,410 shares of the aerospace companys stock after acquiring an additional 126,654 shares during the quarter. Van ECK Associates Corps holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries were worth $225,247,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in Huntington Ingalls Industries in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. American National Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in Huntington Ingalls Industries in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 158.5% during the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 106 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.46% of the companys stock.

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Huntington Ingalls Industries Price Performance

HII stock traded up $1.20 on Friday, reaching $282.77. The company had a trading volume of 384,026 shares, compared to its average volume of 242,430. The companys fifty day moving average is $262.51 and its 200 day moving average is $267.96. The company has a market cap of $11.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.94, a PEG ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.82. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. has a 1 year low of $199.11 and a 1 year high of $299.50.

Huntington Ingalls Industries Dividend Announcement

Huntington Ingalls Industries ( NYSE:HII Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The aerospace company reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.61 by $0.77. The business had revenue of $2.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.84 billion. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a return on equity of 18.55% and a net margin of 6.35%. The businesss revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.27 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. will post 16.55 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. Huntington Ingalls Industriess dividend payout ratio is currently 29.31%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Citigroup assumed coverage on Huntington Ingalls Industries in a report on Monday, May 20th. They issued a buy rating and a $310.00 target price on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $278.00.

View Our Latest Report on Huntington Ingalls Industries

Huntington Ingalls Industries Company Profile

(Free Report)

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S.

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Van ECK Associates Corp lessened its stake in shares of Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL  Free Report) by 0.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 237,539 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 2,160 shares during the quarter. Van ECK Associates Corps holdings in Welltower were worth $24,763,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise grew its position in Welltower by 82.8% during the second quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise now owns 20,034 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,088,000 after acquiring an additional 9,075 shares during the period. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Welltower by 45.2% in the second quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 3,873 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $404,000 after acquiring an additional 1,206 shares in the last quarter. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC increased its position in shares of Welltower by 193.1% in the second quarter. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC now owns 9,542 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $995,000 after acquiring an additional 6,286 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Welltower by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 96,710 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $10,082,000 after acquiring an additional 597 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFG Advisory LLC purchased a new position in Welltower in the second quarter valued at about $257,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.80% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wedbush increased their target price on Welltower from $100.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Welltower from $107.00 to $111.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Welltower from $101.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Welltower from $98.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their target price on Welltower from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Welltower currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $109.58.

Welltower Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WELL traded up $0.13 on Friday, reaching $120.68. 7,190,752 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,508,206. The businesss 50-day moving average is $110.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $101.18. The company has a quick ratio of 4.07, a current ratio of 4.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Welltower Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $78.38 and a fifty-two week high of $121.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 148.99, a PEG ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 1.18.

Welltower (NYSE:WELL  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, July 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $1.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.89 billion. Welltower had a net margin of 8.36% and a return on equity of 2.21%. Welltowers revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.90 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Welltower Inc. will post 4.19 EPS for the current year.

Welltower Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 12th were issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is an increase from Welltowers previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 12th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.22%. Welltowers payout ratio is 330.86%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Kenneth J. Bacon sold 1,800 shares of Welltower stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.91, for a total transaction of $187,038.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 14,579 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,514,903.89. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

Welltower Company Profile

(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.

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This photo shows the attack site where three Israeli police officers were killed in the west of Hebron in the southern West Bank, on Sept. 1, 2024. Three Israeli police officers, a female and two males, were killed after Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an Israeli checkpoint in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to Israeli authorities. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Three Israeli police officers, a female and two males, were killed after Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an Israeli checkpoint in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to Israeli authorities.

The Israeli army said in a statement that the gunmen arrived with a car near the Tarqumiyah checkpoint in the southern West Bank. They fired at a police vehicle before abandoning their car and fleeing the scene.

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service confirmed that three police officers were killed by the gunshots.

Israeli forces have launched a search for the attackers.

The incident occurred amid the ongoing large-scale raids carried out by the Israeli military in the northern West Bank. The military stated that the raids were launched in an attempt to arrest wanted persons and prevent future attacks against Israel.

Tensions have escalated in the West Bank since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023. 

This photo shows the attack site where three Israeli police officers were killed in the west of Hebron in the southern West Bank, on Sept. 1, 2024. Three Israeli police officers, a female and two males, were killed after Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an Israeli checkpoint in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to Israeli authorities. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)

This photo shows the attack site where three Israeli police officers were killed in the west of Hebron in the southern West Bank, on Sept. 1, 2024. Three Israeli police officers, a female and two males, were killed after Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an Israeli checkpoint in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to Israeli authorities. (Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua)
Van ECK Associates Corp decreased its position in Eldorado Gold Co. (NYSE:EGO  Free Report) (TSE:ELD) by 17.1% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 18,674,074 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 3,852,639 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp owned 9.12% of Eldorado Gold worth $276,186,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Eldorado Gold in the 4th quarter worth $37,000. Tobam grew its holdings in Eldorado Gold by 14.8% during the 2nd quarter. Tobam now owns 5,036 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $74,000 after acquiring an additional 651 shares in the last quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP purchased a new position in Eldorado Gold during the 4th quarter valued at about $134,000. Sapient Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Eldorado Gold in the 4th quarter worth approximately $151,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Eldorado Gold during the first quarter valued at approximately $165,000. Institutional investors own 69.58% of the companys stock.

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Eldorado Gold Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of EGO stock traded down $0.05 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $17.25. 1,160,204 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,602,303. The stock has a market cap of $3.53 billion, a PE ratio of 30.26 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a current ratio of 3.62, a quick ratio of 2.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $16.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $14.91. Eldorado Gold Co. has a 1 year low of $8.30 and a 1 year high of $18.38.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Eldorado Gold ( NYSE:EGO Get Free Report ) (TSE:ELD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The basic materials company reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.26 by $0.07. Eldorado Gold had a net margin of 15.67% and a return on equity of 5.82%. The business had revenue of $297.14 million during the quarter. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.09 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Eldorado Gold Co. will post 1.35 EPS for the current year.

EGO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Scotiabank upped their target price on Eldorado Gold from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, August 19th. CIBC raised their price objective on Eldorado Gold from $18.00 to $22.50 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. StockNews.com raised shares of Eldorado Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Eldorado Gold from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $14.00 to $20.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. Four 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 presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $18.88.

View Our Latest Analysis on EGO

Eldorado Gold Profile

(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.

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Remembering Pranab Mukherjee on his death anniversary

|

Dr Wahengbam Rorrkychand Singh

On August 31, we remember the death anniver- sary of Pranab Mukherjee, one of Indias most revered statesmen. Born on December 11, 1935, in a small village in West Bengal, Mukherjee rose through the ranks of Indian politics, leaving an indelible mark on the countrys political landscape. Known for his astute political acumen, Mukherjee held various significant portfolios over the decades, including Finance, Defence, and External Affairs, before serving as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017.

Mukherjees political journey is not just a tale of power and prominence but also one of crossing ideological boundaries, a feat rarely achieved by politicians in the polarizing environment of Indian politics. His actions, particularly in the latter part of his career, have continued to resonate with many, especially his attendance at an RSS event and his visit to the birthplace of Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

A Statesman Who Bridged Ideological Divides

Mukherjees visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur in 2018 was an event that raised many eyebrows. As a lifelong Congress member, many saw this as a departure from the partys stance, which has traditionally been opposed to the RSSs Hindutva ideology.

However, Mukherjees decision to attend the RSS event was in line with his belief in dialogue and engagement over ideological rigidity. He believed that in a diverse democracy like India, understanding differing perspectives was crucial for National unity.

Mukherjee did not shy away from emphasizing his commitment to Indias pluralistic values during his speech at the RSS event. He spoke of the need to preserve the countrys rich diversity and unity, warning against the dangers of communalism and intolerance. His presence at the event was not an endorsement of the RSS and its activities but a testament to his belief in engaging with all sections of society, regardless of their political or ideological affiliations. This act was a bold statement, demonstrating that true statesmanship transcends party lines and ideological differences.

Exposing the Fault Lines in the Congress Party

Pranab Mukherjee was also known for his candid observations about the Congress Party and its leadership. Having served the party loyally for decades, Mukherjee was privy to its internal workings and challenges. In his autobiography, Mukherjee did not hesitate to critique the Congresss leadership, particu- larly its reliance on the Nehru-Gandhi family. He highlighted the pitfalls of a party excessively dependent on a single family, arguing that it hindered the party's democratic functioning and growth.

Mukherjee expressed concern over how this dependency weakened the organizational structure and led to the erosion of institutional integrity. He was critical of the party's inability to adapt to changing political dynamics and its failure to move beyond a personality-driven approach. Mukherjee warned that such an approach could cost the Congress dearly in the long run. His critiques were not borne out of bitterness but from a deep- seated concern for the party he had served for so long, reflecting his desire to see it evolve into a stronger, more resilient political force.

Praising Modi: A Testament to Fairness and Objectivity

Mukherjees ability to acknowledge and appreciate political opponents further underscored his statesmanship. During his tenure as President, Mukherjee worked with both Dr Man-mohan Singh and Narendra Modi, two Prime Ministers with starkly different styles of governance. In his writings and speeches, Mukherjee did not shy away from drawing comparisons between the two, often lauding Modi for his decisive- ness and strong leadership.

Mukherjees praise for Modi was particularly noteworthy because it came at a time when the Congress was vehemently opposed to Modi and his policies. Yet, Mukherjee, true to his principles, recognized the merits of Modis leadership, especially in terms of policy implementation and governance. He admired Modi's ability to take bold decisions and drive them to completion, a quality he found lacking in the UPA Government under Dr Manmohan Singh.

This appreciation was not a political endorsement but an acknowledgment of the changing dynamics in Indian politics. Mukherjee believed in giving credit where it was due, irrespective of party lines, a trait that made him stand out in a political culture often marred by partisan rhetoric.

Legacy of a True Statesman

Pranab Mukherjees legacy is that of a leader who stood above party politics and ideological divides. His life and career exemplify the values of dialogue, engagement, and fairnessqualities that are increasingly rare in todays political landscape. Mu-kherjees willingness to engage with the RSS, his candid critique of the Congress Party, and his ob- jective assessment of Modis leadership reflect his commitment to the nation above all else.

As we remember Pranab Mukherjee on his death anniversary, it is imperative to reflect on the lessons his life offers. In a time when Indian politics is deeply polarized, Mukherjees le-gacy serves as a reminder that true leadership lies in the ability to rise above narrow interests and work towards the greater good of the nation. His life was a testament to the power of statesmanship in bridging divides and fostering unity, a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
The Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended two Bangladeshi nationals and handed them over to the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB).

Acting on a tip-off, the 93 Battalion of the BSF prevented the two from entering the Indian side in Jalpaiguri district around 5 am today. The individuals have been identified as Khusho Sen (22) and Nirmal Sen (17), both residents of Thakurgaon in Bangladesh.

In response to the significant political unrest in Bangladesh, the BSF stationed along the Indo-Bangladesh border has adopted a new approach to managing the influx of infiltrators. This marks a departure from the previous protocol, where such individuals were handed over to the Indian police for legal processing.

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The BSFs North Bengal Frontier has already handed over a group of Bangladeshi nationals to the BGB in recent days under this new system.

Acting on a tip-off, BSF troops from the Mahadev Border Outpost (BOP) of the 15 Battalion, under the Siliguri Sector of the North Bengal Frontier, successfully apprehended four Bangladeshi nationals on August 28 and handed them over to the BGB the next day.

On the night of 25 August, BSF troops successfully thwarted multiple infiltration attempts by Bangladeshi nationals at three different locations along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

The first incident occurred at the Nargaon Border Outpost in North Dinajpur, where BSF personnel intercepted a group of 12 to 13 Bangladeshi nationals attempting to cross into Indian territory. When challenged by the alert BSF troops, the intruders were forced to retreat back to the Bangladeshi side.

A second infiltration attempt was foiled at Qualigarh BOP in North Dinajpur, where five Bangladeshis were spotted trying to cross the border. The quick response by BSF personnel compelled the infiltrators to abandon their efforts and flee back into Bangladesh.

The third incident took place at Chakgopal, along the Indo-Bangladesh border in South Dinajpur. Here, BSF troops observed and challenged three more Bangladeshi nationals attempting to breach the border. Their timely intervention prevented the intruders from entering Indian territory, forcing them to retreat.

This strategic shift is seen as a measure to alleviate the burden on Indian authorities, who previously had to take responsibility for these individuals, often leading to prolonged legal battles and the provision of food and shelter in correctional homes, sources said.

A BSF official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, explained the rationale behind this change: Why should we bear the responsibility for these infiltrators once they are handed over to the West Bengal Police? The previous system only prolonged their stay in India, often leading to extended periods in correctional homes as legal proceedings dragged on.
JERUSALEM, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Israeli high school teachers went on strike on Sunday, the country's first day of the new school year.

The Secondary School Teachers Association decided to prevent the start of the school year because of salary disputes with the Finance Ministry, including demands for a collective agreement with salary increases and improved employment conditions.

The organization also opposes the ministry's intention to integrate new teachers into personal contracts, claiming that "this will bring people without pedagogical education into the classrooms, which is a disrespect for the teaching profession."

The ministry asserts that the teachers have withdrawn from agreements reached after prolonged negotiations, adding that "the strike causes significant distress to hundreds of thousands of students, teachers, principals, and parents."

Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch said, "Shutting down the education system during wartime is a scandalous step that hurts teachers, students, and parents alike."

He added, "I have proposed a compromise outline for the Finance Ministry and the teachers, but unfortunately, both parties seem to prefer a strike. They are engaged in an ego battle, harming students and teachers during wartime." 
Woman and child development minister Shashi Panja on Saturday demanded an answer from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged murder and sexual assault of a trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August in Kolkata and said fake narratives regarding the incident are being spread.

We need a solution, CBI must answer. A hearing is going on in the Supreme Court, and the CBI is investigating. Fake narratives regarding this incident are being spread. Why is this media trial happeningif you know something, give the evidence to CBI, but through social media and in the name of bandh, this hooliganism is going on. Our fight is against this, Shashi Panja said on Saturday.

TMC leader Shashi Panja and TMC workers are holding a protest in connection with the alleged R G Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case.

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Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the inaugural event of the 2-day national conference of district judiciary at Bharat Mandapam, reiterated that many strict laws have been made in the country for the safety of women.

Today, atrocities against women, safety of children are serious concerns of society. Many strict laws have been made in the country for the safety of women, but we need to make it more active. The faster the decisions are taken in cases related to atrocities against women, the greater assurance of safety half the population will get, PM Modi said.

Doctors have been holding protests in different states demanding justice for the victim whose body was found in the seminar hall of the state-run medical college and hospital earlier in the month.

The doctors have also been demanding better security laws for healthcare professionals in the wake of this horrible and brutal incident.
The Calcutta Heart Clinic & Hospital in Salt Lake will be celebrating its golden jubilee year from 8 September, 2024 to 8 September, next year.

The non-commercial hospital, which conducts regular camps for the economically weaker patients also announced that on 8 September, it will also inaugurate its state-of-art cardiac cath lab, equipped with invasive cardiology, which will offer services at an affordable cost.

Dr Kisan Pradhan, secretary of the hospital, apart from announcing a slew of activities planned throughout the golden jubilee year, said that the hospital has acquired a 3 bigha plot to start its second complex in Hathisala area. Dr Pradhan said he expects the new complex will be operational in another 2-3 years.

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Professor Dr Nupur Banerjee, chief administrative officer of the hospital, said, We plan to start the new facility as a general hospital and then add on more specialised departments as we get more funds.

The founder secretary of the Calcutta Heart Clinic and Hospital Society, Dr Nani Guha was a freedom fighter. Dr Guha, who finished his medical education after serving his jail term, under the British government, was the head of Chittaranjan hospital (CNCI) when he resigned from his post to start a small hospital at his Park Circus home. The hospital now is a multi-speciality hospital with 130 beds.
Ex-students of the state-run R G Kar Medical College Hospital on Saturday unanimously demanded expulsions of some senior and junior members, including few influential leaders of the ruling Trinamul Congress from the body for their alleged misconducts and derogatory remarks at the backdrop against the horrific incident prompting mass-protest.

R G Kar Medical College Ex-Students Association, a registered body of more than 50 years, consisting of alumni, today held its general body (GB) meeting at N R S Medical Hospitals GLT building and condemned the incident that happened in their college.

Around 400 doctors-cum-members attended the meeting and demanded expulsions of some senior and junior members from the body.

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One senior member attached with a private medical college said, It was decided to expel around 18 members, including two leaders of the ruling Trinamul Congress from the body. One of the two veteran members still stands beside Prof (Dr) Sandip Ghosh, controversial former principal of our college, who has been facing CBI interrogations. The member in an interview published in a national English magazine has recently made high assessments about Prof Ghosh as an excellent administrator and teaching doctor.

We have demanded expulsion of another ruling party leader for allegedly making derogatory remarks on the women community during a debate on television. We have unanimously condemned the leader and will verify whether she is a member of our ex-students association, said another senior member.

Besides the two leaders, we have also decided to expel another 15 doctors in the rank of PGTs and above, who were close to Prof Ghosh during his regime as principal of R G Kar Medical College. This group of 15 doctors was allegedly involved in corrupt practices in the teaching hospital, he said requesting anonymity.
The state government today moved the Supreme Court challenging the order of Calcutta High Court releasing student leader Sayan Lahiri, who Kolkata Police had arrested allegedly in connection with provocation for attacks on police during its Nabanna Abhijan on 27 August.

The mother of Mr Lahiri had, however, filed a caveat in the Supreme Court, it was learnt.

Justice Amrita Sinha of Calcutta High Court ordered released of convener of West Bengal Chhatra Samaj before 2 pm this afternoon.

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After coming out of confinement, Mr Lahiri told news persons today that he was happy about the High Court order but the protest would continue till justice was delivered to the victims family.

He also acknowledged the fact that stone pelting on the police on that day was unfortunate.

Justice Sinha had on Friday had asked the state how much Mr Lahiri was influential that he should be put in jail.

Did he have any past criminal record? Why Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of R G Kar Medical College & Hospital was not taken into custody for interrogation by the police?, justice Sinha had asked.
Arambagh High School had a rare achievement as two of its teachers have received Shiksha Ratna award for the two consecutive years.

Last year, the assistant headmaster of Arambagh High School Rabindranath Tudu received the Shiksha Ratna award and this year, the headmaster of the school, Bikash Chandra Roy has been selected to receive the Shiksha Ratna award from the state chief minister Mamata Banerjee on 5 September at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan.

The students, teaching and non-teaching staff, parents and guardians and the people of Arambagh are elated over the prestigious award.

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Political leaders, renowned personalities of Arambagh sub-division are felicitating the headmaster in their own way. They said the school headmaster, teachers are doing a marvelous job in molding the students towards perfection. Every year, the students of Arambagh High School rank within 1 to 10 in the Madhyamik and Higher Secondary board examinations. Many students have ranked in the NIT UG examination.

The parents of the students said, We were confident that this year too the headmaster will be selected for the Shiksha Ratna award and our wish came true. Under the able guidance of the headmaster, the students development and achievement rate have gone up high. The method of joyful teaching has won the hearts of the students. The percentage of absent students have dropped to nil, besides studies the introduction of cultural activities have helped in character building and disciplined life of the students.

Headmaster Mr Roy said, I dedicate the award to the Arambagh High School family. The joint effort of the teaching, non-teaching staff, students performance in studies and cultural activities have made it possible for me to receive the prestigious award. When I joined the school in 2021, there were only 1,700 students. Today,the number has gone up to 2,600 plus.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk on Saturday said that freedom of speech is under massive attack around the world, after Brazils Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered to block his social media platform X nationwide.

The order came after the company refused to appoint a legal representative in the country.

Musk hit back, saying they are shutting down the top source of truth in Brazil.

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The oppressive regime in Brazil is so afraid of the people learning the truth that they will bankrupt anyone who tries, said the billionaire.

Just a reminder that you can always access this platform via X.com, even on your phone. No app is needed. Now would also be a good time to download a VPN in case you get blocked, the X owner told his millions of followers.

Musk-owned X has been in conflict with de Moraes for months over the platforms refusal to comply with court orders to remove profiles that promote coup-related content or undermine democracy, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Brazilian Supreme Federal Court has also ordered X to pay fines amounting to 18 million reais (about $3.2 million) for non-compliance.

De Moraes said that X has facilitated the actions of extremist groups and digital militias, enabling the spread of Nazi, racist, fascist, hateful, and anti-democratic speech, particularly ahead of the upcoming elections.

The Brazilian judge also instructed the countrys National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) to block access to X within 24 hours. Apple and Google have been given five days to remove the X app from their online stores.

Musk said: Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes.
Bollywood actress Kadambari Jethwani has taken legal action against political leader and film producer KVR Vidyasagar, accusing him of orchestrating false charges against her and her family. On Friday, Jethwani met with NTR Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu to file her complaint.

Jethwani claims Vidyasagar fabricated charges of forgery and extortion against her family, resulting in their unlawful detention. She alleges that Vidyasagar, with the assistance of certain police officers, had her and her parents arrested in Mumbai and forcibly transported to Vijayawada. The actress criticized the authorities for their harsh treatment, particularly towards her elderly parents, including her 83-year-old father, a retired army officer, and her mother, a retired RBI assistant manager.

Speaking to the media, Jethwani expressed her distress, stating, No one wants their name dragged through such controversies. I was thrust into this situation against my will, and it is deeply troubling. Yet, I believe in the integrity of this country and trust that justice will prevail.

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Her lawyer, N Srinivas Rao, echoed these sentiments, accusing the police of colluding with Vidyasagar and failing to respect the dignity of her senior parents. Rao highlighted the involvement of high-ranking police officials in their detention and alleged attempts to force a compromise in the case.

Kadambari Jethwani reported that three IPS officers and two senior police officers in plain clothes were among those who traveled from Ibrahimpatnam to Mumbai, leading to their arrest. The family was reportedly held in custody for around 40 days.

As of Friday evening, police have recorded statements from Jethwani and her parents, and the case continues to unfold.
In his first public statement since stepping down as President of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) amid the #MeToo revelations, renowned actor Mohanlal has addressed the ongoing turmoil in the Malayalam film industry. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Mohanlal emphasized the industrys resilience and urged the public not to undermine it during this challenging time.

Mohanlals resignation, alongside other AMMA leaders, came in the wake of serious accusations of sexual misconduct involving high-profile figures in Malayalam cinema, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh. This move followed the release of a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report, which exposed troubling cases of harassment and exploitation within the industry.

During his address, Mohanlal welcomed the Hema Committees findings and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. We appreciate the governments decision to release the report and support its findings, he stated. It is crucial that the guilty are held accountable, and we are committed to that process.

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The actor cautioned against placing undue blame on AMMA, noting that the association itself is undergoing significant changes. There are disagreements within AMMA, and elections for new positions will be held soon, he said. This is not about evading responsibility; its about ensuring a thorough and fair resolution.

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

Mohanlal also urged the public to recognize the hard work and dedication of the broader Malayalam film community. This is a hard-working industry with many people involved, and its important not to tarnish everyone based on the actions of a few, he explained. The industrys reputation should not be destroyed over these incidents.

He acknowledged the gravity of the situation and the need for a comprehensive response. The issues faced by junior artists and others are also being examined. We understand the gravity of these accusations and are fully committed to supporting the investigation, Mohanlal added.

As AMMA navigates through this period of scrutiny and reform, Mohanlals remarks highlight a broader effort to address the systemic issues exposed by the Hema Committee report while striving to preserve the integrity and reputation of the Malayalam film industry.
The Malayalam film industry has been shaken by the findings of the Justice K. Hema Committee report, which uncovers the grim realities of sexual harassment and exploitation faced by women in the industry. The revelations sparked widespread outrage and brought the issue of workplace safety in the film industry into the national spotlight. However, when superstar Rajinikanth was asked to weigh in on the matter, his response was less than illuminating.

During a press interaction, a reporter asked him if a similar committee should be established to investigate exploitation in the Tamil film industry. Rajinikanth, appearing puzzled, asked the reporter to repeat the question. Even after she clarified by mentioning the Hema Committee, Malayalam, he responded with a simple, I dont knowI dont know anything about that. Sorry, before smiling and moving on to another question. His seemingly dismissive response left many wondering about his awareness or willingness to engage with such serious issues.

The Justice K. Hema Committee was set up by the Government of Kerala in response to a petition from the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which was filed following the 2017 assault case involving a prominent actress. The committee, chaired by retired Kerala High Court Judge Justice K. Hema, also included veteran actress Sarada and retired IAS officer K.B. Valsala Kumari. Their mandate was to document the challenges and harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.

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In response to the committees findings, the Kerala government has taken further steps by forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve into the sexual harassment allegations within the industry. This SIT is led by Inspector General G. Sparjan Kumar and includes four senior female IPS officers: DIG S. Ajeetha Begum, SP Merin Joseph from the Crime Branch, AIG G. Poonkuzhali of the Coastal Police, and Aiswarya Dongre, Assistant Director of the Kerala Police Academy. The teams operations will be overseen by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) H. Venkitesh.

The formation of this investigative team is seen as a crucial step toward addressing the deep-rooted issues of harassment in the film industry and ensuring a safer work environment for women. However, the broader question remains: how much support will these efforts receive from the industrys leading figures?
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), led by the Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), to assess damages caused by rainfall and floods in Gujarat.

The IMCT will shortly visit the flood affected districts of the state, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Sunday.

During August 25-30, Gujarat was severely affected by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall due to a deep depression formed over Rajasthan and Gujarat.

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Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were also affected by heavy to very heavy rainfall. During the year, Himachal Pradesh has also been affected by various spells of heavy rainfall, cloudbursts and landslides.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is in touch with senior officers of these states, and will depute IMCT there as well, if the severe damages are reported by them.

During the current Monsoon season, some other states have been affected by heavy rainfall, floods, cloudbursts and landslides.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre is fully committed to provide all possible help to affected states.

As per the significant decision taken by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in August 2019, during this year, the MHA has constituted IMCTs which have visited the flood/ landslides affected states of Assam, Kerala, Mizoram, and Tripura in advance for on the spot assessment of the damages, without waiting for their Memorandum, the ministry said.

The IMCT for Nagaland has also been constituted, which will visit the affected areas of the state shortly.

In the past, the IMCT used to visit the disaster affected states only after the receipt of a memorandum from the state government.
ZARANJ, Afghanistan, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's counter-narcotics police have discovered 200 kg of illicit drugs in the western Nimroz province, a police official said on Sunday.

The contraband including 200 kg of meth was discovered during operations conducted on the outskirts of the province's Delaram District, said Mawlawi Samiullah Samim, manager of counter-narcotic of the district.

A person was arrested in connection with the case and his dossier was referred to the judiciary for further investigation and possible legal process, Samim added.

Additionally, nine individuals were arrested on charges related to drug trafficking, sales and purchases in various parts of the national capital Kabul.

The Afghan caretaker government has vowed to fight illicit drugs, and drug production and trafficking across the country. 
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued an Order against Shankar IAS Academy for misleading advertisement regarding the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022.

The authority has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh for misleading advertisements.

The decision was taken to protect and promote the rights of consumers as a class and ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any goods or services that contravene the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the statement released by the government said on Sunday.

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In its advertisement, Shankar IAS Academy claimed that, with respect to the UPSC Civil Service exam 2022, 336 selections out of 933 at the All India Level, 40 candidates were in the Top 100.

It also claimed to be the best IAS Academy in India, and 42 candidates have cleared from Tamil Nadu, of which 37 studied at Shankar IAS Academy.

The CCPA found out that Shankar IAS Academy advertised various types of courses but the information with respect to the course opted by the advertised successful candidates in above mentioned UPSC Civil Service exam results was deliberately concealed in the advertisement.

Shankar IAS Academy in its response submitted the details of only 333 successful candidates against its claim of 336 plus selections in UPSC CSE 2022.

Of the 336 claimed students, 221 took Free Interview Guidance Programme, 71 took Mains Test Series, 35 took Prelims Test Series, 12 took General Studies Prelims cum Mains, 4 took Prelims Test Series with Some other mains course (optional and/or GS).

This fact was not disclosed in their advertisement, thereby deceiving consumers, the CCPA said.

Further, the CCPA found that in 18 instances where candidates bought a Preliminary course from Shankar IAS Academy, the commencement date of the course on the receipt is mentioned as October 9, 2022, but the prelims of the UPSC CSE, 2022 exam had already been conducted on June 5, 2022 and result declared on June 22, 2022, which could only mean that these candidates bought Preliminary course for next UPSC CSE prelims exam i.e., 2023.

Shankar IAS claimed these candidates in their total selections list of UPSC CSE 2022.

Nidhi Khare, Chief Commissioner of CCPA stated that according to news reports, more than 10 lakh candidates apply for UPSC Civil Services Examination every year. Shankar IAS Academys advertisement was targeted towards a class of consumers i.e. UPSC aspirants.

The action was taken under Section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which empowers CCPA that it shall ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made in respect of any goods or services which contravene the provisions of this Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder.
Nine people were killed in Andhra Pradesh, while one person died and several others were washed away in flash floods in Telangana as relentless rain disrupted life in both Telugu states following a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal.

Both road and rail traffic between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been halted, with roads submerged and rail tracks under water. Among the Telangana districts, Khammam has been the worst affected, with floodwaters inundating low-lying areas, leaving people stranded and appealing for rescue.

The government has issued a flash flood risk warning for 19 districts in Telangana.

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Meanwhile, Cyberabad police has requested all IT and ITES companies to encourage their employees to work from home on 2nd September 2024 (Monday) in view of the inclement weather conditions and to avoid risks associated with commuting.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner has urged people to stay indoors following an orange alert issued by the IMD. All government-run and private schools in the Hyderabad district will remain closed on Monday due to the prevailing weather conditions and forecast of heavy rain. The Hyderabad district collectorate announced the closure to ensure childrens safety.

In a tragic incident, a father-daughter duo on their way to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport were washed away in flash floods. The incident occurred in Maripeda mandal of Mahabubabad district, where the Akeruvagu stream overflowed and flooded a bridge at Purushothamaiahgudem. The victims were identified as Nunawat Motilal and Nunawat Ashwini from Khammam district. While Ashwinis body has been recovered, her father is still missing.

Telangana Minister Ponguleti Srinivas reported that despite rescue efforts, a labourers family in his Paleru constituency was swept away and the rescue team could only save one family member. Adverse weather conditions thwarted rescue operations using helicopters.

In Khammam town, heavy flooding of the Munneru River has left many people marooned since morning, with floodwaters continuing to rise and complicating rescue efforts. Several videos of people appealing for help have surfaced on social media.

The Deputy Chief Minister has requested the Navy for helicopters to rescue several families trapped in the Prakash Nagar and Thirthala Valya Thanda areas of Khammam town.

KT Rama Rao slammed the government. On X he said, Appalling attitude by the government in handling the flood situation across the state! Situation in Khammam is even worse. There are three ministers from Khammam region but zero help to the people there. Tired of the apathy, public took to streets in Three Town area of Khammam. They are demanding basic assistance and help!

On Sunday morning, a landslide caused the death of five persons in the Moghalrajapuram colony of Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, while four were injured. Following heavy rains, the Budameru Vagu canal is in spate leading to a flood-like situation in various parts of the city.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who visited the flood-affected areas of Vijayawada, directed officials to evacuate people from landslide-prone areas to safer locations in view of the rain forecasts for the next few days.

He blamed the previous government for neglecting the Budameru Canal and promised to oversee rescue operations personally.

Naidu then went to the collectors office at NTR district for a review meeting and announced, Until the problem is solved and everyone gets help, I will make the district collectors office the chief ministers office and work from here.
An IndiGo flight from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh to Hyderabad in Telangana was diverted to Nagpur in Maharashtra on Sunday morning following a bomb threat on board.

Flight 6E 7308, en route from Jabalpur to Hyderabad, was diverted to Nagpur following a bomb threat. Upon landing, all passengers were safely disembarked, and necessary security checks were promptly carried out. Assistance and refreshments were provided to all passengers. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused, the airline stated in a press release.

The ATR 72-600 aircraft departed from Jabalpur airport around 8 am and was scheduled to land at Hyderabads Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at about 10 am.

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However, the flight was diverted midway and landed at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur around 10.15 am.

According to a police official, the bomb threat message was written on a piece of paper found in the aircrafts bathroom.

However, nothing suspicious was found following a thorough check by security agencies.
Over a hundred volunteers led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday started a foot march from Leh to New Delhi to urge the government to resume the stalled dialogue with the leadership of Ladakh on their four-point agenda.

Leh Apex Body (LAB) chairman Thupstan Chhewang flagged off the march from the NDS Memorial park.

The Delhi Chalo Padyatra has been organized by the LAB, which along with Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), is jointly spearheading an agitation over the past four years in support of statehood, extension of the Constitutions Sixth Schedule, early recruitment process along with a public service commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

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The talks between Ladakh representatives and the Central government ended in March without any concrete outcome.

Wangchuk expressed hope that the government will greet them with good news on reaching Delhi on Gandhi Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, on 2 October.

It is a matter of satisfaction that people from all sections of the society, including elders, women and youngsters, have joined this march in support of our demands.

Sixth schedule of the Constitution and UT with legislature is our democratic right as we want development and management of the region in accordance with our wishes and aspirations, said Wangchuk, who earlier in March held a 21-day long hunger strike in support of the demands.

He said this is a peoples movement and the government should fulfill the demands of the Ladakhis without a second thought.

We are sharing borders with Pakistan and China who may be boasting of their technology but I want to tell my country that Indians should be proud of the people of Ladakh who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the nation, he said.

Expressing confidence that more people will join the march enroute to Delhi via Himachal Pradesh, he said the people are enthusiastic which is evident that even a 90 year-old Ladakh citizen, who lives in Switzerland, is ready to join them in Delhi.

This is another phase of our struggle and the KDA is not joining this march at the initial stage but will definitely give a positive response as the march moves to Delhi, Chhewang said.
CPI-M-backed Independent MLA P V Anvar, on Sunday, came out with serious charges against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans political secretary P Sasi, and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, M R Ajith Kumar, accusing them of breach of trust.

Addressing a press conference in Malappuram, PV Anvar said Sasi, who is in charge of the police, is not doing his duties properly. He alleged that a group led by ADGP Ajith Kumar tried to undermine the party and its government by ignoring the directions from the chief minister.

He said many political issues in the Malappuram district have been brought to his notice, but no action has been taken.

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The chef minister handles as many as 29 portfolios. His trusted aides are digging his political grave. The CMs Political Secretary P Sasi is not acting properly. The Malappuram SP is cunning, and Sasi hasnt fulfilled his duty. I met Sasi several times regarding issues in Malappuram and gave him letters, but nothing happened, Anwar said.

The chief minister is like a father to me. They attempt to trap him, and I am trying to prevent this as his son. I am fighting against a group of gangsters, risking my life, he added.

Training his guns on ADGP MR Ajith Kumar, Anwar accused him of involvement in gold smuggling leading to killings. The left MLA called Ajith Kumar a criminal who emulates Dawood Ibrahim. For someone to reach the level of activities he is involved in, they would need to study the lives of people like Dawood Ibrahim and be attracted to that. MR Ajith Kumar appears to be influenced by such figures. Ajith Kumar has appointed an assistant and established a special system in the cyber cell specifically to tap the phone calls of ministers and politicians, he said.

Anvar also alleged that Pathanamthitta SP Sujith Das has connections within Customs that are used to smuggle gold through Kozhikode airport.

When gold arrives from Dubai, Sujith Das gets information through insiders. Das has strong connections in Customs, where he previously worked. Customs officers detect gold during scanning but pretend that it didnt come to their notice. Then, they pass the information to the police as the smugglers exit. The police then follow and catch them, seizing 50 to 60 per cent of the gold. This is their modus operandi. Sujith Das is controlled by MR. Ajith Kumar. Anvar alleged.

He said Ajith Kumars wife was also involved in his dealings but added that he wont say much about her being a woman. A trader from Kozhikode, known as Mami, has been missing for a year. It is believed that he was taken away and killed All these issues are connected to the Karipur gold smuggling, he further said.

A recorded telephonic conversation between Anvar and Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police, Sujith Das was leaked the other day.In the leaked audio, the SP was heard saying that the ADGP had taken Rs 2 crore as a bribe from a person and that Ajith Kumar had kept his confidants as Thrissur and Palakkad SPs and was using them for monetary benefits.

Responding to the development, Opposition leader VD Satheesan said it is believed that the allegations raised by MLA PV Anwar are true. Pinarayi Vijayan is not fit to hold the position of chief minister, he should resign and all the accused officers should be suspended, Satheesan said.

Anvars allegations have sent shock waves in the CPI-M and the Left Front in the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, BJP National President JP Nadda, and other senior BJP leaders will campaign for the party candidates in Jammu & Kashmir for the Assembly polls scheduled to start in the third week of September.

Polling in Jammu & Kashmir will be conducted in three phases, on September 18, 25, and October 1, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The counting of votes will take place on October 8.

There are a total of 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, of which seven are reserved for SCs and nine for STs. According to the ECI, Jammu & Kashmir has 88.06 lakh eligible electors.

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According to BJP sources, the top leaders of the party will campaign for the party candidates from September 8 onwards. They said the PM is expected to arrive in Jammu and Kashmir after September 10, but given his preoccupation, there might be some changes in his programme.

The participation of Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, JP Nadda, and other senior BJP leaders is already confirmed. The PM may campaign for the party candidates during the second phase, they said.

The sources further said that the PM would address two rallies, one in Jammu and the other in Srinagar, but the dates for these rallies are yet to be finalised.

The BJP is contesting the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly polls without any alliance partners although the party may support some Independent candidates depending on the ground situation. The main opponents of the BJP in these elections are the NC-Congress combine. These two parties have entered into a pre-poll alliance which is basically aimed at keeping the BJP out of power in Jammu & Kashmir.

Senior leaders of both the NC and Congress have admitted that the formation of the alliance between the two parties has been a political compulsion to prevent the BJP from coming to power in the Union Territory.

While the BJP is well entrenched in the Jammu division with 43 Assembly seats, the partys presence in Kashmir, where there are 47 seats, is not of predominant political significance.

During the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP did not field any candidate in the three seats of Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri in Kashmir.

The BJP supported the candidates of the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party headed by Syed Altaf Bukhari in Srinagar and the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seats and the Peoples Conference (PC) led by Sajad Gani Lone in the Baramulla seat.

The BJP-supported Apni Party and PC candidates did not win any of these three seats including Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, launched a Jode Maro protest march in Mumbai on Sunday, expressing its anger over the recent collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs statue.

The protest, which began at Hutatma Chowk and aimed to reach the Gateway of India, saw participation from key opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut, and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole.

The opposition blocs Jode Maro protest  literally meaning hit with footwear  was intended as a symbolic act against what they called a gross insult to Maharashtras pride Shivaji Maharaj.

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Calling upon the public to join the agitation, the Shiv Sena (UBT) tweeted that the march was aimed at bowing at Shivajis feet to awaken the pride of Maharashtra.

The Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP echoed strong sentiments, stating that there is no forgiveness for corrupt Shivdrohis (betrayers of Shivaji), who they accuse of being responsible for the statue collapse.

The state unit of Congress said that the march sought to teach a lesson to those who engaged in shoddy work, committed corruption, and insulted the legacy of Shivaji.

Speaking on the protest, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai criticised the Maharashtra government for its handling of the situation, remarking, PM was emotional, he expressed his grief over the incident, but the government of Maharashtra, which should have expressed themselves, didnt. On the contrary, they started picking up with the Opposition in a wrong way and calling that we are politicising the issue whereas this was the most emotional issue that Maharashtra never witnessed in the past.

Desai also underscored the peaceful intentions behind the protest, saying, We had done everything in a democratic way But we are assuring and expecting cooperation from the same administration and Police authorities because this morcha will be held in a very democratic and disciplined way.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant added to the criticism, saying Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is God-like for us. His statue collapsed and with that, our devotion, honour, and self-respect collapsed and fell there. Despite such disrespect, leaders of political parties supporting it  what else will they do if not condemn them?

Sawant also condemned the Maharashtra police for stopping the protesters, stating, We are being stopped in our own Maharashtra by our own Police that we cant go ahead with it.

Meanwhile, in response to the MVAs protest, the BJP organised a counter-demonstration, accusing the opposition of politicising the incident.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the protest as a political stunt. This agitation is completely political. Be it Maha Vikas Aghadi or Congress party, they never respected Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis also criticised the Congress and accused the countrys first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru of insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his book titled The Discovery of India.

Nehru ji insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in The Discovery of India. Will Congress and MVA apologise for it? he asked.

The 35-foot statue of the Maratha emperor at Rajkot Fort collapsed on August 26, just a few months after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday made a big announcement in Varanasi, the cultural city of the country, stating that in the next two years, one lakh youth will be recruited into the state police department.

CM Yogi further said that two lakh youths will be inducted into state government jobs in the coming two years apart from this. He emphasised that there is no discrimination against the youth in the state.

Youth are getting government jobs in a fair and transparent manner. In the last seven-and-a-half years, we have given jobs to more than six-and-a-half lakh youth. On Saturday, we successfully completed the written examination for the largest police recruitment process in the state, which will provide over 60,200 youths the opportunity to serve in the police force, he said.

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CM Yogi was addressing a meeting-cum-workshop of the State Working Committee of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha in Varanasi.

Deliberating on the basics of politics, he urged the youth to choose politics as a means to establish values and ideals in accordance with established principles. He emphasised that politics should not be used as a medium for gaining power or pursuing selfish ends, but rather for promoting the values of state and national interests.

While giving the youth the mantra of meaningful politics, CM Yogi drew their attention to the teachings of Atal ji. He asked them always to remember one thing: politics without principles is a death trap. We must not succumb to temptation and compromise our values no matter what, he added.

Regarding the changing perception of Uttar Pradesh, CM Yogi said, We worked on providing employment to the youth, and the results are in front of everyone today. Youth in the state are getting jobs in their own districts and villages. Every major investor in the country and the world wants to invest in Uttar Pradesh, which has now become the second-largest economy in the country. All this has happened due to our focus on youth power. We aim to make the state the number one economy in the country within the next 3-4 years. He also exhorted the Yuva Morcha workers to make the organisation number one in every sense.

Earlier upon his arrival in Kashi, CM Yogi paid his respects at the Baba Kaal Bhairav and Shri Kashi Vishwanath temples. After landing at the Police Line helipad, the Chief Minister proceeded to the temples and performed rituals in accordance with the tradition.

During his visit to Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple, CM Yogi Adityanath also visited the Adiyogi and performed the Shodashopachar puja in the sanctum sanctorum, praying for public welfare.

He also performed aarti of Baba Kaal Bhairav, the Kotwal of Kashi, and sought his blessings. Devotees in the temple greeted him with chants of Har Har Mahadev.

CM Yogi Adityanath graciously accepted the greetings of the devotees with folded hands and raised arms. On his way out of the Kaal Bhairav temple, he paused to interact with children and offered them sweets. Later, the Chief Minister visited Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, where he inspected manuscripts.
Orissa High Court Chief Justice Chakrdhari Sharan Singh on Sunday urged all stakeholders to commit to greater inclusion of underprivileged children in the juvenile justice system.

Judicial Academy in Cuttack on virtual mode laid emphasis on greater inclusion of disabled children in the juvenile justice system.

The Chief Justice also stressed on addressing the unique needs and challenges of such children.

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We have to recognize that Dibyang children face certain special problems and vulnerabilities that require special attention and care. A comprehensive approach needs to be taken care of for effective implementation of the provisions of the relevant laws keeping in mind the specific needs of Divyang children, Chief Justice Singh said.

He further said that as we work towards a just and equitable society, lets be committed to uphold the rights of all children, especially children with disabilities.

The participants highlighted the steps taken by the state government to protect children under the Juvenile Justice Act- Children in need of care and protection (CNCP) and other categories of disabled children in conflict with law.

A study conducted by UNICEF in August 2022 on children with disabilities revealed that one out of every three children in institutions is disabled. In addition, the number of disabled children in childcare institutions is disproportionate with some statistics suggesting that 25 percent of all children in such institutions face intellectual or mental health disabilities.

According to studies, the death rate of children with disabilities in institutional care is 100 times higher than that of other children.

On this occasion, Principal Secretary, Department of Social Security and Empowerment of the Disabled, Bishnupad Sethi said that the problem of about 60 to 70 lakh Dibyangas in Odisha are now being emphasized on their needs and contribution.

If we want our state to become a developed state and become a $5 billion economy by 2036 and a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047, we have to reiterate our commitment to the poor, he said.
President Droupadi Murmu Sunday lamented the fact that poor people from villages are afraid of going to court and become participants in the justice process only under great compulsion.

Often they tolerate injustice silently because they feel that fighting for justice can make their lives more miserable. For them, going away from the village to the court even once becomes a cause of great mental and financial pressure, she said.

In such a situation, many people cannot even imagine the pain that poor people experience due to the culture of adjournment. Every possible measure should be taken to change this situation, the President said.

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She was speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary, organised by the Supreme Court of India, in New Delhi. She also unveiled the flag and insignia of the Supreme Court on the occasion.

President Murmu said that pendency and backlog of cases are big challenges before the judiciary and stressed the need to ponder upon the serious issue of cases remaining pending for as long as over 32 years.

The President said since its establishment, the Supreme Court of India has made an invaluable contribution as a vigilant sentinel of the judicial system of the worlds largest democracy. Indian jurisprudence has a very respectable place because of the Supreme Court.

She appreciated the contribution of all present and past people associated with the Indian Judiciary. She was happy to note that on the completion of 75 years of its establishment, the Supreme Court has organised many programs that have increased peoples trust and attachment towards our judicial system.

The President said the feeling of faith and reverence towards justice has been a part of the tradition of India. She referred to her address on a previous occasion and reiterated that people consider every judge in the country as God.

Every judge and judicial officer of our country has the moral responsibility to respect dharma, truth, and justice. At the district level, this moral responsibility is the lighthouse of the judiciary. The district-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens. Therefore, providing justice to the people through the district courts with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost is the basis of the success of our judiciary, she added.

The President said that in recent years there have been significant improvements in the availability of infrastructure, facilities, training, and human resources of the judiciary at the district level. But, a lot remains to be done in all these areas. She was confident that rapid progress would continue on all dimensions of reform.

She emphasised that programmes such as special Lok Adalat week should be organised more frequently. This will help in tackling the pendency of cases. All stakeholders have to find a solution by giving priority to this problem. She was happy to note that many aspects related to case management were discussed in one of the sessions of this conference. She expressed confidence that these discussions will yield practical results.

The President said that the Indian Constitution provides for the power and responsibilities of the Legislative and Executive bodies at the local level through Panchayats and Municipalities. She asked if the country could think of a justice system at the local level equivalent to these. She stated that making arrangements to provide justice in the local language and local conditions can help in achieving the ideal of taking justice to everyones doorstep.

She said that when court decisions in a heinous crime like rape come after a generation has passed, the common man feels that the judicial process lacks sensitivity. She stated that it is a sad aspect that, in some cases, people with resources continue to roam around fearlessly and freely even after committing crimes. Those who suffer from their crimes live in fear as if those poor people have committed some crime.

The President said that the children of women, who are in prison, have their entire lives lying ahead. Our priority should be to assess and improve what is being done for their health and education. She stated that juvenile delinquents are also in the early stages of their lives. Taking measures to improve their thinking and mental health, providing them with useful skills for living, and providing them free legal aid should also be a priority.
JERUSALEM, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Israel's largest trade union federation on Sunday called for a general strike on Monday to protest what it described as the government's "abandonment" of hostages in the Gaza Strip and the stalling of negotiations for a ceasefire deal.

The strike is set to begin on Monday at 6:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) across all major workplaces. At 8:00 a.m. (0500 GMT), the staff of Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel's main air transport hub, will join the strike.

"I have spoken with many security and political officials, and the deal talks are not progressing due to political considerations," Arnon Bar-David, secretary-general of the Histadrut, Israel's national labor union, said in a broadcast statement.

"We must stop the abandonment of the hostages, the displaced, and the collapsing economy," he added.

Bar-David called on workers to join nationwide rallies to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to sign a ceasefire deal with Hamas that would secure the release of the hostages.

Earlier Sunday, major cinemas, theaters, museums, universities, and other large and small businesses announced they would go on strike starting Sunday evening.

Dozens of municipalities, including the municipality of Tel Aviv, Israel's cultural and financial capital, also announced they would join the strike on Monday.

At least 16 of the country's largest law firms said they would provide pro bono legal aid to protesters if they were arrested or harmed by the police.

The protest was sparked by the recovery of six bodies of hostages from Gaza. According to a statement from the army, they were killed in a tunnel by Hamas militants "shortly" before soldiers reached them, while Hamas said these hostages "were killed by Israeli shelling."

The bodies' retrieval was met with widespread anger and frustration over the stalled talks, which have been on-off for months with the mediation efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.

The army stated that all six were captured alive on Oct. 7, 2023, during Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israeli communities, which killed approximately 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 others. A total of 101 hostages are still being held in Gaza, with around half believed to be deceased. 
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the collapse of Shivaji Maharaj statue, terming his apology over the incident an attempt to hide corruption.

Modi tendered an apology to cover the corruption. Wherever there was the hand of Modi, including the Ram temple, Parliament House and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs statue  every work was proved to be of low quality, he alleged.

Mr Thackeray added that there was arrogance on Modis face while tendering the apology.

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Thackerays remarks came during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalitions Jode Maro protest in Mumbai against the Shivaji Maharajs statue collapse.

The 35-foot statue of the Maratha emperor at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra collapsed on August 26. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Navy Day in December last year.

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Modi apologised to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and people of the state who were hurt by the collapse of the Maratha emperors statue.

For me, my colleagues, and everyone, Shivaji Maharaj is not just a king but a revered figure Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity, Modi said while addressing a gathering in Palghar.

However, the apology seemed to come with a pointed jab at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Modi remarked that they were not the ones who consistently insult and abuse Veer Savarkar, yet refuse to apologise for it.

My sanskar is that the first thing I did upon landing in Maharashtra today was to apologise to my revered deity. I also apologise to the people who were hurt by the collapse, he added.
Addressing a Badlav Sabha (gathering to bring change) in Haryanas Badhra assembly constituency, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwals wife, Sunita Kejriwal, urged the voters to reject the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the scheduled upcoming assembly polls.

Sunita promised that once voted to power, the AAP would bring transformation in the state with facilities such as round-the-clock power supply, quality schools, hospitals, and Mohalla Clinics, and would pay 1,000 rupees per month to the women.

Drawing a parallel with the state governments of AAP in Punjab and Delhi, Sunita alleged that the BJP did nothing for the state despite being in power for a decade while the people of Punjab and Delhi are receiving facilities like free electricity, better government schools and Mohalla clinics because the AAP is in power in these states.

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During her speech, Sunita presented a series of five guarantees that AAP promises to implement in Haryana if elected. These include free and uninterrupted electricity, quality healthcare through Mohalla clinics, enhanced government schools, financial support for women, and employment opportunities for the youth.

She called on the people of Haryana to support the AAP, asserting that Arvind Kejriwals leadership could transform the state similarly to Delhi and Punjab.

Addressing the rally, Haryana AAP state president Sushil Gupta also lashed out at the state government for handling the unemployment problem and other issues. He claimed that the increase in the state budget in Delhi and the promotion of honesty among businessmen is proof of the partys effective governance.

Furthermore, he claimed that Arvind Kejriwal had made bus travel free to promote women and made contract employees permanent in Delhi. Haryana is number one in unemployment under the rule of BJP government. Therefore, there is a need for change in Haryana. Only when Haryanas son Arvind Kejriwal comes to power in Haryana, will Haryana also develop like Delhi and Punjab, added Gupta.

Speaking about the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Gupta claimed that very soon he would walk out of the jail. He will work to uproot this anti-farmer, anti-soldier, and anti-women government, added Gupta.
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav on Sunday alleged Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai is making a new excuse as the Delhi government failed to put in place plans to tackle the air pollution during the winter months in the city.

Yadav alleged that when the Congress was in power in Punjab, the AAP government blamed the state for stubble burning resulting in Delhis air becoming toxic.

But once the AAP came to power in Punjab, Rai swiftly shifted the blame of stubble burning to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana making the capitals air toxic, he added.

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Yadav further lashed the AAP government, calling it incompetent in addressing the real causes for Delhis air pollution, which includes dust from broken roads and streets, regular construction works and pollution from vehicular fumes.

He also criticized Gopal Rais Winter Action Plan and said that the minister is restricted only to writing to the Union Environmental Ministry to convene an urgent meeting to discuss the possibility of cloud seeding and seeks the co-operation of everyone in combating pollution, but does not take any concrete step to fix the broken roads and streets in the Capital.

Commenting upon the governments idea of setting up more smoke towers in the city, Yadav said that the already operational smog tower served no purpose in combating pollution. The high operational cost of the tower forced the operating agency to shut it down, he added.

Yadav said that it was time the AAP Government took decisive steps to check the toxic air in Delhi, which remained at a very high level, even after the capital received sufficient monsoon rains in the past two months.

On the idea of artificial rain, Yadav said that even during monsoon, the pollution was high, so the logic of cloud seeding will not help in preventing the winter pollution.

He added that until the Delhi Government takes firm steps to address the root cause of air pollution, people will continue to suffer, and Ministers like Gopal Rail will continue to invent new excuses to cover up their incompetence in solving Delhis problems.
Last Monday, two interesting news items caught attention. First, the former chief minister of Jharkhand, Champai Soren, an influential tribal leader from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, joined the BJP, swelling the number of its imported leaders. Champai Soren got miffed when the current chief minister, Hemant Soren, allegedly involved in a scam, came out on bail and took back the chief ministership. Champai remained chief minister for only a few months. The BJP took advantage of the opportunity to grab him. The saffron party is working on two levels to expand.

One is to import well-known leaders from other parties, and the second is to recruit new members. This was the other interesting news  announcement of a new drive to draw in new members. BJP plans to recruit 100 million new state members on a parallel track. The drive will be in two phases: September 2 to 25 and October 1 to 15. The BJP is already the worlds largest party, with 180 million members. The Grand Old Party, Congress, has 130 million members. Recent developments can be seen from two perspectives: the BJPs success in attracting VVIPs and its deliberate expansion programme. According to the National Election Watch-ADR, critical reasons for defections and party switching include the absence of value-based politics, greed for money and power, reward of political positions, and lack of efficient, honest, and credible leaders. Champai is not the only one whom the BJP has lured. In the last decade, 13 former chief ministers, mainly from Congress, have joined the BJP. Importing well-known leaders from other parties is easier than grooming new leaders  Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, imported from the Congress, is a classic example. Sarma has become the go-to man in the northeast.

Over the last decade, the BJP has seen significant growth in its organisational footprint. In the 1980s, upper middle-class, urban Hindus primarily supported the BJP. It has since built a broader political base, indicating its increasing influence. Between 2014 and 2019, well over 100 million people joined nationwide. Eighty thousand leaders and workers from various parties have joined the BJP, which aims to recruit about 100,000 leaders at national and district levels. In the last decade, many influential Congress leaders, including former chief ministers and ministers, either shifted to the BJP, revealing the partys dominance, or sought other alternate paths. Notable leaders who left the Congress include Himanta Biswa Sarma, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Captain Amarendra Singh, Kapil Sibal, Jitin Prasada, R.P.N. Singh, Milind Deora, and Jyotiraditya Scindia.

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Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, Ritesh Pandey, Sangita Azad, and others have recently joined the BJP. Why do they defect? These leaders fear becoming politically irrelevant when their party loses power. By aligning with the dominant BJP, they hope to gain control. They also seek to secure a political future for their children. The BJP gained the most from members switching sides, while the Congress suffered the most since 2014. There is a concern that the BJP will tempt legislators to join their party. According to an ADR analysis, many leaders from other parties have joined the BJP. Twenty two per cent of re-contesting candidates who switched parties joined the BJP, followed by 10 per cent joining the Congress and 6 per cent joining the BSP. Over the past decade, the BJP has attracted several leaders from other parties. This strategy has worked well, contributing to the rise of several leaders. Why does the BJP welcome these defectors? There are three key reasons: First, it weakens the party from which the defection occurs. Second, it allows the BJP to gain known leaders from established parties, strengthening its ranks.

Third, given the BJPs need for developed second-rung leaders or leaders at the state and district levels, it is easier to absorb imported men and women, to showcase the partys strength. It is not as if leaders have not left the BJP. Some, like Kalyan Singh, Shankar Singh Vaghela, and Yediyurappa (all chief ministers), launched their parties but returned to the BJP when they failed. The BJPs deeply ideological glue holds it together. The BJPs long-time loyal members are unhappy when newcomers get good positions while they despite having been faithful do not. This has happened in the past. During the late AB Vajpayees leadership, the party could only accommodate some, and others left.

While the party has been expanding, its leadership is still dominated by the upper castes. The BJP has many strengths but receives criticism for its limiting ideology, aggressive attitude, complacency, and arrogance. The BJPs upcoming membership drive will be tested in the post-2024 poll period. Through this drive, the BJP collects data about its members, including their caste, gender, age, residence, and other details. Top BJP leaders want to achieve a Congress-free India, but it may be challenging. You cannot get rid of a 140-year-old party in a day. The Congress showed signs of a comeback in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP must avoid repeating the mistakes of the Congress to stay in power.
While trying to understand how MSMEs can grow fast and create jobs  Indias foremost economic challenge we came across a remarkable example. Mr Jain, owner of an apparel firm from Mumbai turned a modest Rs 15 crore operation into a Rs 250-crore powerhouse in less than eight years. When we asked him how he did it, Mr Jain told us a large retailer approached us. Their vision was to diversify their supply chain, and they offered us not just business but a roadmap, with volume guarantees and technical support. This collaboration has been a game-changer, with nearly half of the firms 16-fold growth attributed to this single partnership.

Their commitment gave us the confidence and capability to scale our operations in ways we had never imagined, he reflected. Mr. Jains experience is a testament to the transformative potential of global partnerships, and he is not alone. We have seen this pattern repeat time and again, in India and globally. It exemplifies how collaborations with large multinational firms can drive unprecedented growth for smaller firms, setting the stage for economic prosperity. While our popular economic discourse lionises MSMEs as the engines of Indian economic growth, it under-appreciates, and even demonises large firms. Global firms such as IKEA, Nike, Uniqlo, Apple, Samsung and Tesla can, on their own, create supply chains in a nation where none exist.

If we want to create large-scale employment to drive economic prosperity, we need to appreciate the transformative role that large firms play and create strategies for these firms to significantly invest in India. Lets take the example of Suzuki. In the early 1980s when Suzuki entered India, we lacked high quality automotive manufacturing capabilities. India didnt have an automotive vendor base that could deliver reliable quality, or quantity. Since then, the company has invested in over 18 JVs for component manufacturing, built a vendor base of nearly 400 domestic and 70 international suppliers and achieved over 95 per cent localization.

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In the process, it turned companies like Motherson, once a small wiring manufacturer, into a $ 9 billion global automotive component giant. Additionally, Suzukis success helped provide confidence to other large auto manufacturers such as Hyundai and Honda to invest in India. In the last 40 years, Indian brands such as Tata Motors and Mahindra Auto have also benefited from creation of this automotive ecosystem and now capture a significant share of the Indian passenger vehicle market. Further, the Indian auto sector has also shown early signs of global competitiveness with India exporting nearly 800,000 units of commercial and passenger vehicles in FY2023. When a large global firm decides to source from a particular country, it does so typically after several on-theground visits, analysis and internal discussion and debate.

Their massive capital and human resources allow them to take a long-term view. Their contribution comes in three different ways: firstly, they provide backstop volume guarantees helping seed investment, then they help in scaling the ecosystem by developing a robust vendor base and finally, as these value chains are created, they organically attract other global firms, leading to a sustainable high-growth phase. This experience is not unique to India; we have seen similar effects world over. Just in the last decade Samsung has successfully transformed the Vietnam economy.

In 2010, Vietnam had negligible electronics exports. Between 2010 and 2020, Samsung invested $20 billion plus in Vietnam, leveraging it for the manufacture of mobile phones, consumer electronics, and components. Today, Vietnam has become a global hub for electronics manufacturing exporting over $150 billion. A similar transformation is presently underway in the Indian electronics sector, where volume guarantees by Apple are transforming the mobile phone manufacturing ecosystem. This growth is also starting to show broader ecosystem effects across the electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Apple is not only helping India build domestic mobile manufacturing capabilities, given investments by local champions such as the Tata group, but is also likely to provide confidence to players such as Dell and HP. The next stage in the evolution of Indian electronics should be a migration of global supply chains for subassemblies and components.

But it is important to recognize that shifting supply chains is costly and risky. And the only way to attract global brands is to provide a reliable and globally competitive business environment. This involves not only achieving global competitiveness in regulatory aspects such as labour regulations but also enhancing the governance ecosystem and ensuring long-term policy stability. And while geopolitics has opened a door for India, unless we are able to attract these large global firms within the next two or three years, we are likely to lose out on this opportunity to countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia and Mexico. For India to succeed and achieve rapid economic growth, both Industry Associations and the Government need to come together to attract and anchor large firms. We need to establish a dedicated team under the direct leadership of the Prime Minister and negotiate directly with Global CEOs of these large firms to move to India.

This can even take the form of a dedicated Mission. Government action needs to be supported by Industry Associations who can provide on-ground support to seed investments though local partnerships. If India can successfully demonstrate global scale in a few sectors, we can create over 200 million jobs helping us achieve our Viksit Bharat Ambition.

(The writers are, respectively, Team Lead Strategy at the Foundation for Economic Development and CEO at Kusumgar.)
Devastating floods this month in Bangladesh have killed at least 59 people, according to the National Disaster Response Coordination Centre (NDRCC) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.

The centre said in its latest update on Saturday that 59 people, including 41 men, six women and 12 children, died in the ongoing floods till Saturday. Most of the serious flooding has been in the countrys southeastern Greater Noakhali region so far.

Also, most of the deaths were in the southeastern Noakhali, Cumilla and Feni districts although the flood situation in parts of the northeastern Sylhet region has been deteriorating fast with the rivers inundating vast tracts of land and upending the lives of millions.

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More than five million people have been affected by the floodwaters that hit 11 of the countrys 64 districts and caused colossal damage to life, property and standing crops, Xinhua news agency reported.

Flood situations in several southeastern districts are now reportedly improving as flood water started to recede from the affected areas. There are still 696,995 people in the districts who are stranded by the floodwaters, according to reports.

Bangladeshi interim governments Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus urged all concerned to continue their efforts in rescuing stranded people, providing emergency healthcare and extending cooperation for the victims.

The authorities have sent teams of disaster response forces to carry out rescue operations, distribute relief materials and supervise centers where the flood-affected people have taken shelter.
Kerala police have launched a second sexual assault investigation into film director Ranjith, following a new complaint from an aspiring actor. The case, filed in Kozhikode, emerges in the wake of the recent Hema Committee report on workplace harassment in the Malayalam film industry.

The complaint alleges that in 2012, director Ranjith lured the actor to a Bangalore hotel under the guise of an audition. According to the actor, the director forced him to disrobe and sexually assaulted him. Initially, the actor mistook the incident for a part of the audition process, but the next morning, Ranjith allegedly offered him money. The actor has now formally reported the incident to the Director General of Police (DGP), and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) will review the case.

This new case follows a separate complaint filed on Monday by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra with the Kochi City Police. Mitras complaint came shortly after Ranjith resigned as the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Both complaints have garnered significant attention, particularly in light of the recent release of the Justice Hema Committees report, which exposed numerous instances of harassment and exploitation within the Malayalam film industry.

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The Hema Committees report has been pivotal in highlighting issues of abuse and misconduct, and the latest cases against Ranjith underscore the growing scrutiny and accountability facing industry figures. The police have begun investigating these serious allegations as they continue to delve into the broader concerns raised by the report.
Russia conducted another major aerial strike on Ukraine overnight, using an Iskander-M ballistic missile, four S-300 guided missiles, and 52 combat drones, the Ukrainian Air Force said in a statement on Saturday.

No casualties were reported in the air strike, as the air defence forces shot down 24 Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 drones, according to the statement.

The air defense was active in eight regions in central, southern and northern Ukraine, including the Kiev region, Xinhua news agency reported.

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The strike marked the fourth attack on the Ukraine capital this week, said the Kiev City Military Administration.

Earlier on Saturday, five people were reportedly killed and 37 others injured after Ukrainian forces attacked Russias Belgorod region.

Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on his Telegram channel that Ukrainian armed forces used cluster munitions from a Vampire multiple rocket launcher system to shell the city of Belgorod and its surrounding areas, causing significant casualties and damage, Xinhua news agency reported.

One woman and four men died on the spot from their injuries before the ambulance arrived, the Governor said.

A total of 37 civilians, including six children, were injured in the attack, Gladkov said, adding that all the wounded persons have been transported to medical facilities in Belgorod for treatment, among whom seven adults and three children were in critical condition.

Last Sunday, at least five people were killed and 12 others injured in an attack by Ukrainian armed forces on the village of Rakitnoye in Belgorod. The attack also caused severe damage to local infrastructure, destroying 10 private homes, two commercial buildings, and four passenger vehicles, the Governor informed.

Russias Defence Ministry had said that the Russian forces continue to repel the attacks by the Ukrainian armed forces in its territory.
Russia has launched military investigations following an An-2 plane with 12 people on board made a hard landing near the village of Koban in the Caucasian region of North Ossetia, on Saturday.

The Military Prosecutors Office of the Vladikavkaz Garrison of the Southern Military District, in cooperation with the Southern Transport Prosecutors Office, has organised an inspection of the implementation of legislation in the field of flight safety in connection with the emergency landing of the light transport aircraft An-2 of DOSAAF of Russia in the Prigorodny District of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania that occurred today, the press service of the Southern Military District stated.

According to the local emergency authorities, the aircraft pilot contacted the rescue services on his own to report the incident. The plane was located between the villages of Mayramadag and Koban in mountainous terrain.

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Seven people, including three children, were injured as a result of the hard landing of the An-2 aircraft. There were also parachutists on board the aircraft when it took off. Eight parachutists made the planned jumps. After that, an abnormal situation occurred during the flight, due to which the pilots made an emergency landing in a mountainous and wooded area near the village of Koban, reported Russian state-owned news agency TASS.

The plane, which was on a training flight, had 12 people on board, including children.

Meanwhile, in another major incident, a helicopter carrying 22 people has gone missing near the Vachkazhets volcano in the Russian Far Easts Kamchatka region, the local media reported on Saturday.

The Mi-8T helicopter, operated by Vityaz-Aero airline, lost communication shortly after takeoff on Saturday morning.

The Federal Air Transport Agency stated that the helicopter, which took off from a site near the Vachkazhets volcano, failed to respond to a scheduled call at around 7:15 am, Moscow time. The communication with the helicopter, however, was lost shortly after it picked up the tourists.

According to the emergency services, the Mi-8T helicopter disappeared from radar almost immediately after takeoff, though the crew did not report any issues prior to the loss of contact. The helicopter was carrying 19 passengers and three crew members.

Local media reports also suggest that low visibility was registered by the Kamchatka Hydrometeorological Centre in the area of Nikolaevka airport, close to where contact with the helicopter was lost.
Russia conducted another major aerial strike on Ukraine overnight, using an Iskander-M ballistic missile, four S-300 guided missiles and 52 combat drones, the Ukrainian Air Force said Saturday in a statement. #XinhuaNews
The name Kurskpierces Russian history like a dagger. At its worst, it stirs gruesome memories ranging from mass slaughter to claustrophobic terror. At its best, high-cost victory. Once again, Russias southwestern Kursk area is a battlefield fraught with ominous omens. Ukraine has launched a cross-border offensive into Kurskthe first invasion of Russian territory since World War II.

Deafening was the initial silence from all concernedRussia, Ukraine and its western allies. For the west, silence is better than defending Ukraine for violating an international border, a crime they accuse Russia of for invading Ukraine. Experts explained the incursion aimed to divert Russian forces away from the eastern battlefront where Ukrainian troops are failing and that staging a successful offensive bolsters flagging western support, inducing reluctant allies to supply more weapons.

Ukraines incursion appears to have caught Russia off-guard. President Vladimir Putins silence and his soldiersabsence from the Kursk battlefield revived memories of Russias unsinkable500-feet long nuclear submarine Kursk. In 2000, it sank in the Arctic with 118 trapped men on board. Even a day later, Putin was filmed partying and barbecuing in his Black Sea holiday villa. The slow and inept Russian rescue operation culminated with British and Norwegian divers eventually opening the hatchto find no survivors.

Illustration: Job P.K.

Days after Ukraines offensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked his western allies for supportingthe incursiona fait accompli that arguably exposed allied complicity. Putin said the Ukrainian attack aimed to seize Russian territory for use as leverage in future negotiations with Moscow. Analysts concluded this was a compelling, though dangerous, motivebecause it invites brutal Russian retaliation. Besides, conquering territory is daring, holding it, perilous.

Whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins the US elections, Ukraine knows it will be pressured into a peace dealAmerican voters are bothered by their own problems. Ukraine also expects the deals terms to be worse under Trump, whose bromance with Putin is legendary. The US will largely determine the trajectory of war and peace. Experts here are baffled by Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Ukraine. China, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other peacemakers circle the Russia-Ukraine war zone, but the US arguably prefers India as an interlocutor given its non-aligned and democratic status.

Historically, Russia thwarted invaders at great cost. Napoleon and Hitler failed to conquer the Russian heartland. The Battle of Kursk in 1943 between the Nazis and the Soviets was a turning point in World War II. Russia won the battle but lost seven lakh soldiers, 1,100 aircraft and 6,000 tanks. It was the biggest tank battle in history. In todays war, Russia and Ukraine have already lost an estimated five lakh soldiers. Both bleed, but Ukraine bleeds more with smaller population and higher civilian casualties. Territorial barter seems a natural face-saving manoeuvre to end the war. Until then, defying expectations, Putin aggressively bombards Ukraines capital Kyiv and eastern areas.

The threat of a nuclear attack or accident has thrummed throughout this war. More so now. Kursk, a region of 1.2 million people, has a nuclear power station well within the range of the Ukrainian invaders artillery, fired from western-supplied howitzers and rocket launchers. Rafael Grossi, head of International Atomic Energy Agency who is inspecting the Kursk plant on Russias invitation, said, Its a Chernobyl-type plant with no protective dome and totally exposed reactor core. Since there is combat, Im very concerned.In 1986, a reactor in Ukraines Chernobyl plant exploded. It was and remains the worlds worst nuclear disaster.

Pratap is an author and journalist.
I am sensing some ennui in the reportage around the horrific rape and murder at the R.G. Kar Medical College. Perhaps it is just me, but it seems that the media, while putting on their grimmest faces and askinghow many girls will have to die horrible deaths before we fix ourselves as a society?seem to be mouthing this often-repeated line a little mechanically. There is a sense of simply going through the paces, before moving on to something more important and substantial, like the prime ministers visit to Ukraine, say, or the state of the stock market.

Politicians, while claiming to care, seem to be indulging either in tokenism or opportunism. Regular folks are disheartened as well. Because we have held candlelit marches for Jessica and we have protested for Nirbhaya. No One killed Jessica and Delhi Crime have been produced, released, watched and awarded. The Nirbhaya gang rape and murder ended Sheila Dikshits reign in Delhi and ushered in the newer, cleaner government of the Aam Aadmi Party. We did our bit. Or did we?

Because even though public opinion was quick to condemn Tarun Tejpal, one year after Nirbhaya its support for abuse survivors definitely waned by the time #MeToo came to India. We waited eagerly to see if Bollywoods #MeToo moment would throw up any big names, rumours about whom have circulated in the industry for decades, but when this did not happen, we were quickly tired of it. Priya Ramani, the courageous journalist who called out M.J. Akbar as a sexual predator, fought a lonely battle, mostly.

Illustration: Deni Lal

There was a sense that women were making too much of an issue out of something quite small. They were being difficult. They were playing the woman card. And what about mens rights, huh? What about the future of young boys who innocently misread the signs sent out by fickle-minded teases who wore small clothes, put perfume, and ventured out after dark, and then withdrew their consent at the last moment?

I was on a channel debate some time during the 2010s, where, upon being asked why these tragedies kept happening, I had said that it was because no politician wanted to alienate the rapist vote bank. This alarmist conspiracy theory was laughed off by both the anchor and my fellow-panellists.

But there is a rapist vote bank. You could also call it the patriarchy, and it cuts across all castes, faiths and socioeconomic categories. It is the reason why men with crimes against women get tickets, win elections and enter Parliament. It is why people like Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Prajwal Revanna and their families stay relevant.

The rapist vote bank actively fosters rape culturethat is a society that normalises, condones and even admires hyper-masculine, the act of degrading and dehumanising women. This happens in a million big and small ways. If we call out any of these small things, were labelled alarmist, problematic and hysterical. If we demand that something be done about the relentless, endless barrage of rapes, eyes are rolled, and we are called nags. In fact, the trope of the nagging woman is the one that is weaponised the most against us. But what is nagging except for persistence?

We need to persist now like never before. We need to persist, not mechanically, but with a vengeance and zero tolerance. We need to send out the message to all stakeholders that the feminist vote bank is larger and more influential than the rapist vote bank. Ignore it at your own peril.

editor@theweek.in
The highly anticpated sequel to Robert Pattinson's 'The Batman', 'The Penguin', created by Lauren LeFranc and season two of 'The Great Indian Kapil Show' are ready to grace the OTT platforms this week.
Two years ago, the whole world was coming down on Narendra Modi like a tonne of bricks for not having condemned Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine, and for buying the bad guys oil. So Modi flew to Samarkand, pulled aside the big bad Russian to a corner at the Shanghai gang-up, and told him bluntlylook here big boy, "Today's era is not of war.

As discussed in this column then, to most of us undiplomatic mortals, what Modi said was just another truism. What else could he say?Good show, Vladimir! Pound them till kingdom come? God and Joe Biden forbid!

Last month, Modi blotted the western moralists copybook again. He went to Moscow and hugged Vladimir the vile. Blame it on the stars that guide the affairs of men, or on the satellites that guide the flight paths of missiles, that very day one of Vladimirs darts hit a kids hospital in Kiev.

All hell broke loose, Putin became a butcher of babies to every Christian eye, and Modi his apprentice. A huge disappointment... to see the leader of the worlds largest democracy hug the worlds most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day, shock-tweeted Volodymyr Zelensky.

Illustration: Deni Lal

The sin having been graver this time, Modi decided the penitence would have to be like in Canossa. Last week he pilgrimaged to Poland, took a train to Kiev, gave a tighter hug to the t-shirted president than the one he had given Putin, and recounted how he had looked Putin in the eye when he had given him an earful.

Now this is being touted as another balancing act, though Zelensky doesnt seem impressed. Cant blame him. Fighting with his back to the NATO wall, he thinks that if you are not with him, you are with his enemy.

But what we cant understand is how these diplomats and statesmen read so much in these gestures and statements, most of it between the lines, find meanings in hugs and handshakes, toast over sweet nothings, trip over commas in the wrong place, interpret body language, and even talk of body chemistry.

Our foreign office mandarins say, Modi invests a lot of energy in personal diplomacy. Don't we know? He almost plucked out poor Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo De Sousa's arm in a long and almost violent handshake four years ago. Britain's Prince Harry had his hand held in such a grip that one could see marks on the back of the princely palm long after Modi let him go.

Handshakes and hugs are hot currencies in diplomacy. The world remembers several suchthe minute-long handshake with which Deng Xiaoping received the young Rajiv Gandhi, commando-general Pervez Musharraf's lunge-and-grab handshake with a demurring A.B. Vajpayee at the Kathmandu SAARC, I.K. Gujrals bear-hug of Kuwait conqueror Saddam Hussein, Elizabeth Regina's gloved handshake with Martin McGuinness whose Irish Republican Army had killed her favourite cousin Lord Mountbatten, and Donald Trumps 13-second handshake with North Korea's Kim Jong-Un.

The Covid era provided some relief from these vice-like grips. Suddenly, everybody became untouchable to everybody else, and the world adopted the good old Indian hand-folded namaste in place of the western handshake and the largely middle-eastern hug. Thus we saw everyone from King (then Prince) Charles to the Spanish royals, Benjamin Netanyahu, Angela Merkel and even Donald Trump folding hands. But the moment the virus vanished, so did the new normal of namaste.

Come to think of it, would Modi have landed in this soup if he had stuck to the Indian namaste? Everyone would have been happyPutin, Zelensky, Biden, Xi and even Mohan Bhagwat who swears by everything Bharatiya.

prasannan@theweek.in
AIIMS-Delhi has decided to designate two faculty members as 'hostel mentors' per bloc. The decision was taken to enhance the quality of life and support for hostel residents.



The designated AIIMS faculty will conduct weekly visits to allotted hostel blocks and interact with the occupants. They will also be required to be available over the phone all the time for the residents and their families. The hostel mentors will also promote continuous interaction and work closely with the hotel superintendents to address any issues regarding infrastructure and facilities.

It was after a review of the hostel management system that the decision to upgrade the framework in order to increase faculty engagement in the hostels of AIIMS-Delhi.

The move comes after residents' feedback that the faculty should be more involved in regular hostel affairs.

"Our students and residents are the core of what we do and their health is our most important issue. By having hostel mentors, we hope that every resident feels supported and listened to," AIIMS-Delhi Director Dr M Srinivas was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

They will identify the residents who require additional support and connect them with the Student Wellness Centre for obtaining proper psychological help, the statement said.

AIIMS-Delhi's media cell in-charge Dr Rima Dada said, "This initiative underscores AIIMS-New Delhi's commitment to creating a more supportive and interactive hostel environment for its students and residents. The involvement of faculty members as hostel mentors is expected to significantly enhance the overall hostel experience and provide a more responsive and caring atmosphere."
South Indian actress Kasthuri Shankar slammed Malayalam superstars Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi for dodging questions from media, demanding them to respond to the issues in Mollywood instead of getting furious.

The actress, who has appeared in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam films, also said Mukesh should resign as MLA amid sexual harassment cases filed against him.

ALSO READ: 'Let those who have not sinned...': Actor Jayasurya breaks silence after 2 sexual harassment cases

"Why Mohanlal doesn't have answers? He has worked in so many movies. Why can't he say that such issues have never happened in his films?" asked Kasthuri. Pointing out that the executive committee members abandoned AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists), she urged Mohanlal to stand by his co-stars.

Slamming actor Suresh Gopi, who is BJP's first Lok Sabha MP from Kerala, she said he has the responsibility to address the issues in Mollywood as a minister in the Modi government. "When men avoid such issues, it feels like they are guilty. If they are not guilty, then they should face the press and answer the questions," she said.

This comes after Gopi reacted furiously and pushed mediapersons when he was asked questions regarding the release of the Hema Committee Report. The report had earlier revealed alleged abuse of women in the Malayalam film industry.

ALSO READ: Radhika Sarathkumar's shocking claims: Hidden cameras used in caravans to record nude videos of actresses on Mollywood sets

Kasthuri said the Hema Committee Reports might be late, but it is a step in the right direction. However, she said she is not entirely satisfied with the revelations in the report.

Kasthuri also alleged that she had bad experiences in Mollywood, when she was filming for her previous Malayalam movie when the production controller often spoke to her angrily.
Two youngsters got killed and four persons suffered grievous injuries in a blast at a firecracker godown in Thoothukudi during the late hours of Saturday. The injured are undergoing treatment at a nearby government hospital.



According to police, the blast occurred while the workers were handling the fireworks at the factory located near Nazareth in Thoothukudi on Saturday evening. The deceased were identified as K. Muthukannan (21) and T. Vijay (21).

Four persons suffered grievous injuries in the incident. The injured were identified as Selvam, Prashanth, Senthoorkani and Muthumari and they were rushed to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital and Sathankulam government hospital for treatment. According to police, the entire structure of the godown got completely gutted in the blast.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who is in the United States, condoled the incident. The CM announced a solatium of Rs 3 lakh for the kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those injured and undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that Miya Muslims use urea in fish which can cause liver disease if consumed. He asked the people of Assam to opt for fish grown locally instead. The arrival of "a new version of Miya Bihu" is an attack on Assamese culture, the chief minister reportedly said while coming down heavily on the use of urea on fish.



Sarma emphasized the need for organic fish production in upper Assam. According to reports, the Assam Chief Minister's comments were influenced by local fish traders in the Nagaon district of Assam, who claimed the catch in their area could have a high content of urea. They announced a boycott of the supply of fish to lower Assam and stated that healthier alternatives were needed, local news reports said.

According to a Times Of India (TOI) report, a group of Muslim fish traders from central Assam had halted supplies to upper Assam after people from their community were asked to leave the region. Coming down heavily on this protest by the fish traders, the CM reportedly said this "economic blockade' initiated by Miya Muslim traders was a significant threat.

Condemning the consumption of "Miya Bihu", Sarna said using it was an insult to the Assamese culture.

Sarma also addressed the cultural tensions surrounding "Miya Bihu" a version of the Bihu festival introduced by Miya Muslims. Bihu is a cultural festival that marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and the harvest season.

"Miya Muslims use urea fertilizer to produce fish... we should avoid that. Assamese need to produce fish in Upper Assam...

"Amongst all this, a new version of Miya Bihu has come out disturbing our community. We are a proud nation and cannot accept these attacks on our culture," Sarma was quoted as saying by India Today NorthEast.

For the unversed, upper Assam remains tense after some organizations demanded that miyas should leave districts in the region after a minor girl was gang-raped in Nagaon district. The Chief Minister on Tuesday said in the assembly that he would not allow Miya Muslims to take over Assam. Miya Muslims is a term used to represent immigrant Muslims of Bangladeshi origin.
When court decisions in heinous crimes like rape come after a generation has passed, the common man feels that the judicial process lacks sensitivity, President Droupadi Murmu said on Sunday. She also lamented that, in some cases, people continue to roam around fearlessly and freely even after committing crimes.

It is a sad aspect of our social life that, in some cases, people with resources continue to roam around fearlessly and freely even after committing crimes. Those who suffer from their crimes live in fear as if those poor people have committed some crime, Murmu said while addressing the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary, organised by the Supreme Court in New Delhi.

She said the challenges before the Indian judiciary require coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to resolve them. She also called upon government and police administrations to work together to find solutions to issues related to evidence and witnesses.

Murmu noted that the poor people from villages are afraid to go to court, and that they become participants in the justice process of the court only under great compulsion.

Often they tolerate injustice silently because they feel that fighting for justice can make their lives more miserable. For them, going away from the village to the court even once becomes a cause of great mental and financial pressure. In such a situation, many people cannot even imagine the pain that poor people experience due to the culture of adjournment. Every possible measure should be taken to change this situation, the President said in her address.

Noting that the children of women who are in prison have their entire lives lying ahead, Murmu opined that the priority should be given to assess and improve what is being done for their health and education. She also stated that juvenile delinquents are also in the early stages of their lives.

Taking measures to improve their thinking and mental health, providing them with useful skills for living, and providing them free legal aid should also be our priority, Murmu said.

The feeling of faith and reverence towards justice has been a part of our tradition, the President said as she pointed out that people consider every judge in the country as God.

Every judge and judicial officer of our country has the moral responsibility to respect dharma, truth and justice. At the district level, this moral responsibility is the lighthouse of the judiciary. The district-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens. Therefore, providing justice to the people through the district courts with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost is the basis of the success of our judiciary, she said.
CAIRO, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met his Somali counterpart Hamza Abdi Barre here on Saturday to discuss economic and security cooperation, according to a statement from the Egyptian cabinet.

During the meeting, Madbouly emphasized that his government is "moving strongly towards supporting and strengthening economic, trade, and investment relations between Cairo and Mogadishu," read the statement.

Madbouly also expressed Egypt's readiness to export commodities to Somalia to support the needs of its citizens.

Somalia is grappling with security issues as its breakaway Somaliland region signed a controversial deal with Ethiopia in early January that would allow Addis Ababa to lease a 20 km section of its coastline for five decades. Somalia, which regards Somaliland as part of its territory, rejects the deal as a violation against its sovereignty.

Madbouly affirmed Egypt's commitment to providing the necessary support to Somalia in all fields and upholding its unity and sovereignty.

Achieving the unity of Somalia and supporting our Somali brothers at this stage is one of the top priorities of the Egyptian state, the Egyptian prime minister was quoted as saying.

For his part, Barre said that cooperation between Somalia and Egypt covers political, commercial, and investment fields, as well as culture and education.

He noted recent "great progress" in Somali-Egyptian relations, referring to the direct flights between Cairo and Mogadishu since July and the opening of a new Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu earlier in August.

The Somali prime minister also "expressed appreciation for Egypt's support under this critical circumstance," according to the Egyptian cabinet's statement. 
A nurse working at a health centre in Birbhum, West Bengal was allegedly molested by the patient during the late hours of Saturday. The shocker comes as the Supreme Court is hearing a suo motu case over the death of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and has constituted a team to suggest measures for the safety of medical professionals at hospitals.



According to police, the incident happened while the nurse was on night duty at Ilambazar health centre in Birbhum and was administering medicine to the accused patient. The nurse was allegedly touched inappropriately by the patient while she was administering saline to him. The patients family was present while the incident happened, NDTV reported.

"The male patient misbehaved with me and touched me inappropriately in my private parts while I was just following the doctor's instructions. He also hurled verbal abuses at me," the nurse told NDTV. The nurse said the incident occurred due to lack of security and the patient wouldnt have dared to do so if there was adequate security at the hospital.

The West Bengal government and Kolkata police are facing backlash for lapses in the probe into the death of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Medical professionals have been conducting nationwide protests demanding justice for the victim and better security measures at hospitals.
BJP national president and Union minister J.P. Nadda trained his guns on the Kerala government on Sunday over the Justice Hema Committee report and asked why justice is delayed to the victims of the sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry.

Nadda further alleged that the committee report had specifically mentioned the involvement of several Communist party leaders in the scandal.

"Why delay in justice to the Hema Committee report? What is stopping them (the Kerala government)? What is haunting you? Because you are part and parcel of that... it is something you want to hide because your people are involved, the Union minister said, addressing an event in Palakkad.

I am very sorry to say that the Hema Committee report very specifically said that Communist party leaders are involved. The Chief Minister should come out and tell what really happened," Nadda said.

The 235-page report, which contains chilling details of sexual harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women in the Kerala film industry, has sparked off a political storm in the state with several actresses coming forward to narrate their ordeal.

The committee, set up by the Kerala government in 2017 in the wake of the sexual assault of an actress in Kochi, submitted its report in 2019. However, it took four years for the state government to make public a redacted version of the report last month after the intervention of the high court.

The report notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by a power group of 10-15 male producers, actors and directors.

Following the report, actor Mohanlal and the entire executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) resigned, taking moral responsibility for the allegations against some of its members.
The hostel warden confirmed that hidden cameras were fit in the washrooms for women at Andhra Pradesh's Seshadri Rao Gudlavalleru Engineering College (GEC), protesting students alleged. The agitating students reportedly made the claim after authorities maintained that no cameras were found in the hostel washrooms of the engineering college in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district.



Nine complaints have been filed so far with the Gudlavalleru Police with eight students and a woman employee coming forward despite alleged attempts to hush up the incident. The students in their complaints mentioned that the hostel warden had personally verified and confirmed the presence of recording devices in the hostel washrooms.

The engineering college staff was "attacking" students involved in protests, they alleged. The agitating students accused officials of rushing the probe and trying to suppress the probe, The Hindu said in a report. Despite the Andhra government guaranteeing a probe in the presence of students, Seshadri Rao Gudlavalleru Engineering College management is forcibly vacating hostel rooms, the students alleged. Students are being shifted to Vijayawada, Gudivada and Avinagadda, they told the daily.

The discovery of hidden cameras in the hostel washrooms at an engineering college in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district led to midnight protests by students who tried to assault the suspect. The alleged perpetrator, who wanted to sell the hidden cam visuals for money was identified and assaulted by other students before police moved him to safety, news reports said.

After the cameras were discovered, the students claimed that the final year student, with the help of another student of the same college, fit them to shoot private visuals of girls. The duo reportedly made money by selling visuals caught in the cameras.

Hundreds of such videos were captured and sold by the accused, news reports claimed the protestors as saying. As students gathered in front of the girls' hostel to hold the midnight protest, some students tried to manhandle the alleged accused, who was rescued by cops.
Sanjay Roy, the prime accused in the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata's KG Kar Medical College Hospital has told the probe team that he entered the seminar hall seeing someone on the floor. Denying having committed the crime, Sanjay Roy, claimed that he shook the body that was on the floor of the room but received no response.



According to the 33-year-old, he didn't know the victim -- the woman on the floor. As she remained motionless, he panicked and rushed out of the seminal room. Elaborating on how the Bluetooth headset linked to his mobile phone ended up near the body of the victim, Sanjay Roy said that he stumbled on something while fleeing the room and lost the device.

ALSO READ | Kolkata doctor rape and murder: Alcoholic, porn-addict widower who married four times, says police about Sanjay Roy

Roy, a civil volunteer with the Kolkata Police is accused of raping and killing a 31-year-old PG Medical student at the RG Kar Medical College Hospital on August 8. It was inside a seminar hall on the third floor of the hospital building that the semi-naked body of the victim was found along with the torn pieces of a headset.

CCTV footage and the device paired to Sanjay Roy's phone were among the evidence that led the probe team to him. His claim to not knowing the victim is also rejected by the sleuths as hospital CCTV footage from 11 am on Aug 8 shows him staring at the victim when she was in the company of four juniors.

ALSO READ | Kolkata doctor rape-murder: CCTV footage shows Sanjay Roy entering hospital

Sanjay Roy also had explanation for his presence at the hospital building at odd hours. He told the investigation team that a patient he knew needed medical assistance and he intended to notify the hospital staff. He entered the building in the wee hours in search of a doctor to help the patient whose condition was deteriorating, Times Of India reported the accused as saying. It was during this effort that he entered the seminar room and found the motionless person on the ground, he said.
After Jamaat-e-Islami members, another separatist leader and the sons of two separatists have joined the fray to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in the Valley.

Syed Salim Gilani, part of the Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led Hurriyat Conference, joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday. He may run as the PDP candidate from Srinagar's Khanyar constituency, challenging the National Conference's general secretary and six-time legislator, Ali Muhammad Sagar.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti welcomed Gilani to the party and mentioned that she wanted him to contest the upcoming election on the PDP ticket. However, Gilani suggested that the party field another candidate instead. The PDP president hopes Gilani will help the party in Srinagar.

Gilani said he had been associated with the Hurriyat Conference for 35 years and still feels proud of that connection. He added, "I feel the same pride in joining a mainstream party. PDP talks about all aspects of Jammu and Kashmirfrom the Kashmir issue to elections, human rights, and basic amenities. My aim is not just to contest elections but to raise issues of the people and work for them."

In 2005, Gilani, not a prominent separatist figure at the time, was a member of the Mirwaiz faction of the Hurriyat and was nominated by Mirwaiz to hold talks with Kashmiri Pandits about their return to Kashmir. He quit the separatist group in 2015.

His move to join the mainstream follows last weeks entry into the PDP by Aga Syed Muntazir, the son of Aga Syed Hassan Al Moosvi, president of Anjuman Sharie Shian and a member of the separatist Hurriyat Conference. Muntazir is the PDPs candidate from the Budgam assembly constituency, which has a sizable Shia-Muslim population. He will be competing with two other candidates from the Aga familyAga Syed Ahmad and Aga Syed Mehmood. Mehmood is likely to receive the mandate from the National Conference, while Ahmad will contest on the Awami National Conference (ANC) ticket. Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, the MP from the Srinagar Parliamentary seat, also belongs to the Aga family. The contest among the three Aga family members is expected to be closely fought, especially between Muntazir and Mehmood.

Javaid Hubi, son of former Hurriyat leader Dr Ghulam Muhammad Hubi, has also joined the mainstream. Dr Hubi, who left the Mirwaiz faction of the Hurriyat after several years and remained inactive, initially joined the Peoples Conference led by Abdul Gani Lone. He contested the 1983 and 1987 Assembly elections from Char-i-Sharif but joined the separatist movement after the eruption of militancy. His son, Javaid Hubi, is a lawyer and president of the Bar Association Budgam. He will be the candidate of the Awami Itehad Party (AIP), led by jailed MP Engineer Rashid, from Chrar-i-Sharif in Budgam district.

The AIP is also fielding Altaf Ahmad Bhat, the brother of jailed separatist Peer Saifullah, from Rajpora in Pulwama district. Munir Khan, the brother of jailed separatist leader Nayeem Khan, is contesting from Baramulla under the Jammu and Kashmir Nationalist Peoples Front after losing the Lok Sabha elections.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday stepped up his attack on senior lawyer Kapil Sibal over the latters remarks on the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital. Referring to Sibals statements, where he had termed the tragic incident a "symptomatic malaise", Dhankhar said such stray voices are a cause for concern as they only aggravate "our excruciating pain.

When humanity has been shamed, there are some stray voices, voices that cause concern. They only aggravate our excruciating pain. To put it mildly, they are adding salt to our injured conscience, Dhankhar said while addressing an event at AIIMS Rishikesh.

What do they say? 'It is a symptomatic malaise, a frequent incident'. When it comes from someone who is the Member of Parliament, a senior advocate, then the culpability is of an extreme degree," he said, reported NDTV.

Sibal, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, stated in a purported SCBA resolution that the tragic incident was a "symptomatic malaise" and suggested that such incidents are commonplace.

Condemning his remark, Dhankhar said this is not an occasion where one should look through a prism of politics. "There can be no alibi for such kind of demonising thoughts. I call upon such misguided souls to revisit their thoughts and publicly tender an apology," he added.

On Friday, while addressing students at Delhi University's Bharti College during an event, Dhankhar had lashed out at Sibal, saying he was appalled on seeing the MPs statement on the Kolkata incident.

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," he had said.

Dhankhar had observed Sibals statements were akin to trivialising the suffering of girls. "For partisan interest? For self-interest? You take a stance, leveraging your authority to perpetrate such kind of heinous injustice on our girls and women? What can be a greater injustice to humanity?, he had asked.

A trainee doctor was raped and murdered while on duty at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College Hospital last month, sparking widespread protests across the country. The accused has been arrested, even as the CBI took over the probe following a high court order.
After former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas ouster, at least 49 teachers belonging to the minority communities were targeted and forced to resign. The attacks against minorities in the country rose after Hasina resigned from the post on August 5.

The Bangladesh Chhatra Oikya Parishad, the student wing of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, at a press conference, said minority teachers faced physical assault.

Within less than a month by setting the never seen before predicament of wholesale purge of teachers from #minority communities in #education institutions, the mob leaders has marked the institutionalisation of intolerance among students, a shot in the arm for toxic narratives. pic.twitter.com/d5r4HCZOpF  Awami League (@albd1971) August 31, 2024

Sajib Sarkar, the organisation's coordinator, said the teachers were harassed and forced to resign. Though 49 teachers resigned, later 19 of them were reinstated, Sarkar was quoted by the Daily Star newspaper.

I know nobody in the central government, so it is difficult for me to get the information why my residence permit is not renewed yet. More than a month ago my residence permit was expired.   taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) September 1, 2024

After the Hasina-led governments fall last month, several incidents of violence against Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities were reported. At least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts were reported, according to the data compiled by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad organisations.

Hasina resigned following unprecedented anti-government student-led protests over a controversial quota system in government jobs. Over 500 people were killed in the country since the protests erupted in July.

Around 100 cases were charged against Hasina including those for murder and crimes against humanity.

An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has met the minority community leaders and vowed to promote interfaith harmony. The United Nations Human Rights Office on Friday said it will dispatch a fact-finding mission to Bangladesh to probe the human rights violations.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh police on Sunday ordered citizens to return all arms and ammunition looted from police stations during the recent violence by Tuesday (September 3).

Law enforcement authorities by Saturday had recovered a total of 3,872 weapons of various types, looted from police stations and offices during the recent unrest, the report said.

In addition, as many as 286,216 rounds of bullets, 22,201 teargas shells, and 2,139 stun grenades were also recovered, it said.
"The moral sense of the importance of human life; the humane desire to lighten a little of the torments of all these poor wretches or restore their shattered courage; the furious and relentless activity which a man summons up at such moments; all these combine to create a kind of energy which gives one a positive craving to relieve as many as one can."

Henry Dunant, A Memory of Solferino

These words were inspirational when I started my humanitarian journey with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The words still ring true to me and those of my several thousand colleagues in the field as we try to assist as many people as possible affected by conflict without taking sides, knowing what armed violence does to humanity. The perspective I share with you today is not that of an expert on conflict resolution but rather that of a humanitarian who started his journey in Ethiopia, saw the diverse landscapes of northern Nigeria, navigated the devastated streets of Gaza and witnessed the resilient smiles in Yemen. The four decades of my journey has taken me to the farthest reaches of human suffering and resilience. From the mountains of Nepal to the extensive landscapes of Sudan, the historic old cities of Iran, and the sun-drenched plateaus of South Africa, my experience has been a testament to one profound truth: at the core of every conflict, every crisis lies humanity in need of recognition, respect, and protection.

In every conflict zone, from Sierra Leone to Yemen, I have seen firsthand how humanitarian work and respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) contribute to peace initiatives in areas ravaged by violence. The foundation for peace is not just a ceasefire or a diplomatic agreement; it is the recognition of the intrinsic value of each individual and community. It is the acknowledgment that, irrespective of our differences, we all share a common value of humanity.

United Nations sources indicate that in 2023, almost 30,000 civilians were killed and injured by the use of explosive weapons in just six conflicts: Civilians accounted for 90 per cent of those killed and wounded when explosive weapons were used in populated areas. These stark numbers are not just statistics; I have witnessed lives cut short, families torn apart, and communities left in ruins. As technology continues to advance, with cyber operations, autonomous weapons, and even the militarization of outer space, the challenges to applying and interpreting IHL are growing. The overlapping crises of global financial pressures, rising inequalities, and the climate emergency exacerbate these challenges, making the plight of civilians even more precarious.

Another significant challenge in today's operating environment is the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation. These insidious forces not only threaten to divide communities but also undermine the very essence of humanitarian work.

The principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence were the cornerstones of our work at the ICRC. These principles still guide us today, as we assist those affected by armed violence without taking sides. But as Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan once sang, "The Times They Are a-Changin. The world is now facing some of the most complex and widespread conflicts in recent history. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, and Karabakh, millions of people are caught in the crossfire, enduring unimaginable suffering.

In the face of these challenges, our call is simple yet profound: we urge all parties to conflicts to respect their obligations under IHL. Civilians and those no longer participating in hostilities must be protected from harm. It is not just a legal obligation; it is a moral imperative. States and governments must increase their efforts to ensure that IHL is respected, not only to spare lives but to lay the groundwork for lasting peace. As ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger aptly put it, "When the law is broken, it doesn't need to be fixed. It needs to be enforced."

A child fleeing Ukraine at a temporary camp in Przemsyl, Poland | Reuters

For the ICRC, with our 18,000 staff members working across 100 countries, the principle of humanity guides every action we take. We see the horrific toll of armed violence on both combatants and civilians daily. Together with our Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement members, we help the most vulnerable who have lost everythingtheir families, their homes, their dignity. We entangled to the principle of humanity, one of the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, instructs us to promote mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation, and lasting peace among all peoples.

Discussion and agreements over humanitarian issues, particularly the respect for humanitarian principles can also be seen as gestures of goodwill and trust building to facilitate the starting, development or conclusion of peace talks among the parties to conflict. Humanitarian service access to the beneficiaries, visiting detention places and conducting our other protection works help the parties strengthen this peace initiatives. However, humanitarian action cannot be a substitute for, nor should it distract from, the lack of political solutions. Creating the conditions for peace is one of the most essential responsibilities of states.

When conflicts are characterized by widespread destruction and violation of IHL, development and peace become an unachievable ambition. It is clear: the protection of civilians is a pre-condition or conduit for restoring stability, peace, and recovery, in addition to sparing the lives and restoring the dignity of civilians and their properties. Despite these urgent and grave problems to address, we hold in our possession something extremely valuable: an international consensus. Every single state has signed onto the Geneva Conventions. Every state has freely and voluntarily agreed to be legally bound by the rules they embody. Every state has decided that no matter the circumstances that give rise to war, limiting its human cost is a legal obligation that cannot be swept aside. Today, with more than 100 armed conflicts around the world, creating the conditions for peace is not the responsibility of a few people. We are all responsible for it. The ICRC, together with other members of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, remain committed to working alongside states and communities to further the foundations for peace through the promotion, supporting the implementation and making IHL a political agenda globally.

Kedir Awol Omar is Head of the Regional Delegation of the ICRC, New Delhi, covering India, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives.
African country of Namibia has decided to kill elephants, hippos and other wild animals to feed its hungry population. As many as 723 animals have been identified to be culled for food, Namibian government authorities said as the African nation is battling the worst drought in 100 years.



What is happening in Namibia?

Namibia usually gets maximum rainfall in February. However, it received less than 20 per cent of needed rainfall this year, reports quoted experts as saying. The country is heavily dependent on agriculture and livestock which need rain to flourish. Between 2013 and 2019, Windhoek declared a drought emergency thrice.

The situation is dire in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia as well.

ALSO READ | Why deaths of cheetahs brought to India have set alarm bells ringing

El Nino and climate change have struck Namibia and neighbouring African nations so bad that they have declared "drought emergencies."

Nearly half of the 2.5 million Namibian population is expected to experience high levels of food insecurity during the period from July to September, AL Jazeera said in a report. About 84 per cent of the countrys food reserves have been exhausted as a result of the drought, reports quoted the United Nations as saying.

ALSO READ | Botswana vs Germany 'Elephant war' explained: Why African country has threatened to export 20,000 elephants to Munich!

The UN reportedly warned that the current drought is contributing to cases of acute malnutrition and even death in Namibian children under the age of five.

Are all animals to be shot for food?

300 Zebras, 100 antelopes, 100 blue wildebeest, 83 elephants, 60 buffalos, 50 impalas and 30 hippopotamuses have been selected by the government to be killed for meat. Professional hunters will be contacted to cull the selected 723 animals from across national parks, reports said.

However, as many as 157 wild animals have already been gunned down to source 56,875 kg of meat for the public. The official statement didn't leave any information on which animals have been culled so far and over what period.

Not an ecological concern, as things stand

There are over 24,000 wild elephants in Namibia. With the drought condition worsening, human-animal conflict is also on the rise with elephants invading human settlements.

The animals will be selected in such a way that the hunt will in no manner affect their existence. Areas prone to man-animal conflict will also be considered for the culling along with zones where their numbers are more than water, grazelands and other resources available for them.
On the occasion of the 29th anniversary of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singhs assassination, pro-Khalistan groups in Canada paid homage to the suicide bomber responsible for his death in 1995.

Members of the pro-Khalistan groups took out a rally to the Indian Consulate in Vancouver on Saturday, with floats depicting the CMs assassination picturescovered in blood.

"Beanta Bombed to Death," the float read.

 BREAKING:  Khalistan holds rallies for terrorist suicide bomber



Convoys and rallies were held in Toronto, Canada to commemorate the "sacrifice" of Dilawar Babbar, who assassinated former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.



Video source: Social media pic.twitter.com/zWHQmjNLZV  Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) September 1, 2024

Pictures of Dilwar Singh Babbar, the suicide bomber responsible for Singhs death, were also carried during the rally.

A similar rally took place in Toronto too to commemorate the sacrifice of Babbar. Human bomb sacrificed life to stop Sikh genocide, read another float. The Toronto rally was led by Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who described campaigners for the so-called Khalistan Referendum as "offspring" of Babbar.

Gosal was also close to Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Surrey, Canada on June 18 last year.

Beant Singh became Punjab CM in February 1992. His appointment came during a period of instability in Punjab.

The suicide bombing in Chandigarh killed a total of 17 people. The terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International or BKI, had claimed responsibility for the attack. BKI is on the list of Canadas proscribed terrorist entities.

ALSO READ | Op Blue Star anniversary: Group raises pro-Khalistan slogans at Golden Temple, display Bhindranwales posters

Earlier in June another rally was held in Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area depicting Indira Gandhis assassination. The parade marked the 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar-- when the Indian Army conducted a military operation to remove Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and other Sikh extremists from the Golden Temple.

Canadas Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc posted on X, The promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada.

India has earlier accused the Canadian government of allowing celebration and glorification of violence in their country.
GAZA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 40,738, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday.

During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 47 people and wounded 94 others, bringing the total death toll to 40,738 and injuries to 94,154 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, it added.

Also on Sunday, the first phase of polio vaccination began in the middle areas of Gaza, Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said on social media platform X.

"For this to work, parties to the conflict must respect the temporary area pauses. For the sake of children across the region, a lasting ceasefire is overdue," Lazzarini added.

Israel and Hamas had agreed to halt hostilities in Gaza for a polio vaccination campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO), Rik Peeperkorn, head of the WHO office for the West Bank and Gaza, said on Thursday.

He said the first two rounds of the vaccines would be administered from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time (0300-1200 GMT) in Gaza's central region for three days, followed by three days in the southern region and finally three days in the north. 
A white beluga whale nicknamed 'Hvaldimir', alleged to be a Russian spy, was found dead in Norway. According to the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, the whales carcass was found floating at Risavika Bay in southern Norway.

The beluga whale was first spotted off Norway's coast in April 2019, wearing a harness with a mount for a camera. Suspecting to be a spy, the whale was nicknamed Hvaldimir, combining the Norwegian word hval meaning whale and Russian President Vladimir Putins name.

The carcass was first spotted by a father and son, who were fishing along the area. The beluga was lifted out of the water using a crane and the experts have started examining the carcass.

Marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who has been tracking Hvaldimirs adventures for about three years, said he was deeply saddened by the sudden death. Strand is part of the Norway-based Marine Mind, a non-profit organisation.

The cause of death is unclear.

La ballena beluga que juega al rugby podria ser la ballena espia rusa Hvaldimir, del noruego: hval (ballena) y Vladimir Putin. https://t.co/CF5MvLS1XY pic.twitter.com/71atTWmhVZ  Elzo (@Elzo_) November 10, 2019

No major external injuries were visible on the animal, Strand told NRK.

 Con ca voi trang noi tieng Hvaldimir, uoc cho la mot iep vien Nga, a chet ngoai khoi bo bien Na Uy.



 Vao nam 2019, nguoi ta phat hien mot day ai va mot may anh co ky hieu cua Nga tren con ca voi nay, va viec no khong so con nguoi cho thay no a pic.twitter.com/kcbCQaoovc  c0mmand0 (@c0mmand0_2022) September 1, 2024

Meanwhile, the whale's sudden death has sparked many speculations. Several social media users commented that the whale was 'deliberately killed'.

Hvaldimir the beluga whale is dead.



Are these bullet wounds?



This famous beluga whale deserved so much better. He was a captured beluga trained by Russians for use in the military. He escaped in 2019 & has been swimming free since. Loved by so many.



RIP sweet soul

 pic.twitter.com/8A9tLa1wE3  Janet   (@lilacjay2) August 31, 2024

In April 2019, the 4.2-metre (14-foot) long and 1,225-kilogram (2,700-pound) whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingya, not far from the Arctic city of Hammerfest. The buckle around the neck is marked with the text Equipment St. Petersburg. Since then the rumours of the whale being a spy circulated.

Experts then pointed out that the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes.

The beluga was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns later on.

Based on these observations, it appeared as if Hvaldimir arrived in Norway by crossing over from Russian waters, where it is presumed he was held in captivity, NGO Marine Mind noted on their website.
Israel on Sunday identified the bodies of six hostages recovered from a tunnel in Rafah. The tragic discovery has triggered massive protests in Israel, with families of hostage and activists blaming the Benjamin Netanyahu government for the failing to secure a ceasefire deal with Hamas.



One of the victims, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, was an Israeli-American who made headlines after his parents met world leaders and addressed the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in August. The parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, who are US-born immigrants to Israel, had met US President Joe Biden, Pope Francis and addressed the United Nations, seeking release of their son and other hostages.

Hersh was among the hostages who were abducted from a music festival in southern Israel around 11 months ago. He had lost part of his left arm during a grenade attack when Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, 2023. Hamas had released a video of the California native in April, wherein he was seen speaking under duress.

His family issued a statement on Sunday, stating, "With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time."

Four other hostages whose bodies were recovered on Sunday were also taken from the music festival. They were identified as Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Ori Danino, 25; and Alexander Lobanov, 33. The sixth victim, identified as Carmel Gat, 40, was abducted from Be'eri, a farming community in southern Israel.

The hostage families have called for a widespread protest on Sunday, seeking an immediate ceasefire and hostage release.

Earlier last week, eight hostages were rescued by Israeli military while several others were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November. Many others were killed in Israeli airstrikes or failed rescues. In one such instance, the Israeli forces mistakenly killed three hostages who escaped captivity in December.
Former United States President Donald Trump has expressed support for a proposed constitutional amendment in Florida that would legalise recreational marijuana use in the state.

"Personal amounts of marijuana will be legalised for adults..whether people like it or not," said Trump in a Truth Social post on Saturday.

He highlighted that someone in Florida, the state where he resides, should not be a criminal when it is legal in so many other states.

"We do not need to ruin lives and waste Taxpayer Dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them," Trump added.

Trump had called for the state's amendment 3. He will be casting a vote for the proposed amendment in November, which would allow adults--above the age of 21--to legally buy and use marijuana without a medical card.

However, growing marijuana independently would still be illegal and individuals cannot possess more than three ounces for personal use.

After Trumps vocal support for cannabis, Floridas governor and Republican Ron DeSantis has slammed Trump's recent support for 'drugs'. "This is bad policy and even worse constitutional law," DeSantis said.

DeSantis has said he opposes Amendment 3 because of the smell and has claimed that people would be able to bring 20 joints to an elementary school.

Meanwhile, Trump stressed lawmakers to implement regulations that would ban the use of marijuana in public spaces "so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go."

Most of the US states now allow medical or recreational consumption of marijuana. According to a recent study, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the recreational use of cannabis in recent years.

The Florida amendment requires 60% voter support to pass. And public opinion polls show that a majority of Florida voters favour the measure.

Along with Florida, voters in South Dakota and North Dakota will also decide ballot initiatives proposing to legalize recreational marijuana in the November polls.
Interview/ Sreelekha Mitra, actor

Sreelekha Mitra is known for her contributions to Bengali cinema and for being a champion of women and animal rights. A left sympathiser and a regular presence at party rallies and public programmes, she filed a police complaint against popular Malayalam movie director Ranjith alleging misconduct, which forced him to resign as chairman of the Kerala Film Academy. She was offered a role in Ranjiths film Paleri Manikyam in 2009.

If you start unmasking, I am sure 90 per cent of the people would end up behind bars. This behaviour has become normalised, as if people think they have to give something to get something.

Q/ Ranjith has announced that he will take legal action.

A/ He has the right to take legal action. Who would openly admit to committing injustice? When it comes to something like sexual exploitation, even seemingly innocent gestures like touching someones bangles or hair cannot be taken lightly. Women know the difference between good touch and bad touch; we have been aware of it since childhood. I am not against Ranjith or anyone in this industry because I have nothing to gain from them. All I want is the Rs23,000 I spent on my return flight. However, the trauma I experienced that night and the following day was unthinkable.

Q/ Ranjith claims that this allegation is part of a larger conspiracy against him and the left government in Kerala?

A/ What conspiracy is he talking about? I am a left sympathiser and a staunch supporter, but no individual is above the party. He is answerable for his actions. This isnt about one person; its about a broader issue that exists in many industries, especially the film industry due to the glamour, money, and fame associated with it. That is why it garners so much media attention. If you start unmasking, I am sure 90 per cent of the people would end up behind bars. This behaviour has become normalised, as if people think they have to give something to get something.

I gave him no such signal, especially since I was trying to save my marriage at the time. Yes, he was a good looking, charming, and well-spoken man, and in another time or situation, I might have liked him. But back then, I was very loyal and faithful to my husband. This is not a conspiracy. And if it is, I would say it is more likely a conspiracy from the Trinamool Congress government. Perhaps they know I am a left supporter and have instigated this so that a left supporter of Bengal will talk about another comrade in Kerala and the Kerala government.

Q/ What made you decide not to file a complaint initially?

A/ I have made my point, and I dont want to pursue all these legal matters. Actually, I cannot say that he raped me or sexually assaulted me. That is not the case. Maybe if I had known you for a longer period of time, I would have come and hugged you, and you could have hugged me. But this is not the case. I met that person for the very first time, and he was romantically trying to instigate me when I was not in that zone. You have to understand a womans body language and attitude towards you.
Devaki Bhaagi, 36, still remembers the day when her dream of entering the magical world of cinema turned into a nightmare.

She was 12 when she went to Mananthavady, a quaint town in Keralas Wayanad district, with her father. Wayanad was far removed from the glitter and glamour of the movie world, recalled Bhaagi. One of my fathers acquaintances, a telefilm actor, had told us that a filmmaker and his crew were at a hotel in Mananthavady to audition teenagers for their film Vacation.

When she was in Class 11, a debutant filmmaker approached Bhaagi promising a lead role. He demanded that she be prepared for adjustmentsa euphemism for sexual favours. My parents were shocked that someone could come to our home and say such things, she said.

The filmmaker was K.K. Haridas, who had directed family entertainers in the 1990s. As my father and the filmmaker talked in the hotel room, I grew bored and wandered out to the balcony, she recalled. An assistant director came and started talking to me. Then he grabbed my hand and pulled me to a room, offering me a gift. The grip tightened as we neared the door, and I panicked. I dont want any gift! I cried out. Dont worry, girl, he said, and tried to push me into the room. I screamed and grabbed a part of the door, and his grip loosened. I escaped and ran back to my father, who was still talking to the filmmaker, and sat beside him silently. I told him what happened as we left the hotel.

Bhaagis father, a teacher, shook with rage as he listened. He confronted a photographer, who was part of the film crew, and asked, What is happening here? That man dared to misbehave with my little girl! The photographer said, Mashe (sir), please take her and leave this place as soon as possible. If I talk about things that are happening here, they would just throw me out. We left the place immediately, said Bhaagi. Throughout the journey home, my father held my hand.

Shocking as the experience was, Bhaagi did not let go of her acting dreams. She acted in advertisements and short films when she was in high school, and won the prestigious Kalathilakam title in the district-level school youth festival. When she was in Class 11, a debutant filmmaker approached her promising a lead role. To her dismay, he demanded that she be prepared for adjustmentsa euphemism for sexual favours. My parents were shocked that someone could come to our home and say such things, she said.

This second incident forced Bhaagi to abandon her acting dreams. To me, the film industry appeared to be filled with predators and manipulators, she said. Bhaagi, however, returned to the industry when she was 28, as a script assistant for a filmmaker who was her senior in college. Today, she is an actor and ad director, and more importantly, a member of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC)an influential group of women artistes formed in the aftermath of the case related to the sexual assault of a leading actor in a moving car in February 2017.

Bad memories: Filmmaker Devaki Bhaagi was forced to abandon her acting dreams as a teenager because of unpleasant experiences | Sowparnika Rajeev Madhavan

Malayalam cinema is currently in a watershed moment, as women like Bhaagi are speaking out about the horrific experiences they have had in the industry. The revelations have come after the report of the three-member Justice K. Hema committee, formed in 2017 to study issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry, was released on August 19. The report revealed many instances of abuse, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and exclusion in the industry.

After it was released, allegations of sexual misconduct against prominent members of the industry have gripped Malayalam cinema. Filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan recently stepped down as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, an autonomous institution under the state government, after Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra accused him of misconduct. On Mitras complaint, the Kerala Police registered a case against Ranjith under section 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code.

Meanwhile, taking moral responsibility for the crisis in the industry, most members of the executive committee of the powerful Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) resigned, along with its president, actor Mohanlal. Two days earlier, veteran actor Siddique had resigned as AMMA general secretary after actor Revathy Sampath accused him of rape and criminal intimidation. The police have registered a case against Siddique based on the complaint.

Allegations have also been made against other prominent figures in Malayalam cinema, including actor and legislator M. Mukesh, who is a member of the ruling CPI(M), and AMMA joint secretary Baburaj.

A STAINED LEGACY

After it was formed in 2017, the WCC launched a film society named after P.K. Rosy, Keralas first woman actor. Rosy had played the lead role of Sarojini in Vigathakumaran (1928), the first Malayalam feature film. Her portrayal sparked an outrage because Sarojini was a caste Hindu and Rosy was a dalit Christian. Having become the target of angry mobs, Rosy was forced to flee Kerala.

Documenting injustice: Justice K. Hema (extreme left) with committee members K.B. Valsala Kumari (extreme right) and T. Sarada (to Valsala Kumaris right) as she submits the commitee report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the presence of law minister A.K. Balan.

She has been hailed as Malayalam cinemas first symbol of resistance. The second is the leading actor who was sexually assaulted in 2017, but had the courage to stand her ground and file a police complaint. As the Malayalam film industry experiences a #MeToo moment, she is being seen as a torchbearer of the changes that are happening.

Interestingly, one of the actors who came out in support of her when the sexual assault came to light was Manju Warrier, former wife of actor-producer Dileep. According to the police, it was Dileep who had given a contract to a driver to abduct the actor and take obscene photos and videos of her. The police said it was an act of revenge, as the actor was close to Warrier and had reportedly encouraged her to file the divorce petition against Dileep.

Dileep spent 85 days in jail before he was released on bail. Interestingly, both Ranjith and Siddique were among the many celebrities who had visited Dileep when he was in jail. The case against him is still in court.

In the dock: Filmmaker Ranjith (left) and veteran actor Siddique are facing cases of sexual assault | Rinku Raj Mattancheryil, PTI

According to National Award-winning film critic and documentary filmmaker C.S. Venkiteswaran, the leading men of Malayalam cinema gained immense power after the emergence of television rights for movies. When television became the major consumer of films, star ratings became immensely important, he said.

In the 2000s, alongside Malayalam superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal, Dileep became a top beneficiary of these changes. Before the sexual assault case, Dileeps influence in the industry was unparalleledhe held key positions in various film bodies and had the clout to bring about far-reaching changes. Just a month before he was arrested, for instance, Dileep had resolved a deadlock between two industry bodies over sharing theatre revenues. He had achieved it by orchestrating a split in one of the bodies, and becoming president of the newly formed third body, the Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala.

AMMA expelled Dileep the day after his arrest. The decision was said to have been taken under pressure from actor-producer Prithviraj, who was one of the first among male artistes to publicly support the survivor of the assault.

Actor-legislator Mukesh has also been accused of sexual misconduct | Rajan.M.Thomas

The resignation of AMMAs executive committee came a day after he strongly criticised it for mishandling complaints. Prithviraj, whose influence has grown in the past seven years, also spoke out against the culture of bans. He said he was also subjected to an undeclared ban. In 2004, when his career was in its early stages, he was one of the first male artistes to agree to work on contract, a decision that displeased AMMAs leadership. Eventually, though, top actors also began signing contracts.

If it was a group of men who brought progressive changes to the industry in 2004, it is now a group of women that is leading the charge for change. Shell-shocked by the incident, we came together as a group, determined to support each other and the survivor, actor Parvathy Thiruvothu, a founding member of the WCC, told THE WEEK. We discovered that many of us shared similar experiences of feeling marginalised. We realised that there was a long-standing pattern of such issues.

WOMEN VS WOMEN

The state government appointed the Hema committee following a petition from the WCC. But the committee encountered several roadblocks. Initially, it issued notice in newspapers, calling on people in the film industry to appear before the committee and give statements. But not a single person responded. So the committee began reaching out to individuals, and holding meetings at night to suit the schedule of those who were willing to talk. Many prominent actors appeared before the committee more than once, spending considerable time clarifying various aspects. The hearings went on for more than two years.

Anger is apparent: A protest march organised by the Congress against Mukesh, actor and CPI(M) legislator | Thomas Mathew

In its report submitted to the government on December 31, 2019, the committee said Malayalam cinema was controlled by an all-male power group that wielded significant influence over casting and production. Since woman artistes feared retaliation and blacklisting, many of them chose not to appear before the committee. Many of them even said there was no need in Malayalam cinema for an organisation like the WCC.

WCC members who deposed before the committee said male artistes openly threatened to prevent them from working in the industry. Notably, the committees report, from which names and other sensitive information have been redacted, mentions an actor who was initially with the WCC, but later changed her stance to get more opportunities.

T. Sarada, committee member and National Award-winning actor who started her career in 1959, noted in the report that sexual harassment existed even in the early days of the film industry. She blamed western culture and increased openness in interactions for the current problems.

Adoor Gopalakrishnan

Girlfriends and boyfriends are very public now, she wrote in the report. The relationship between men and women was different in the old days. The culture of the new generation is different. Adjustment and compromise are openly discussed now, whereas it was not so open then.

In 2014, we recommended setting up a body that would contain representatives of industry and the government. But it was not taken up. Adoor Gopalakrishnan, filmmaker

Sruthi Rajan Payyanur, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication at Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar, said consent was often manipulated in the film industry. Even after consent is coerced, the threats persist, trapping individuals in a cycle of fear and control, she said. Rajan revealed that she had to abandon her dream of becoming a filmmaker in mainstream cinema after a director demanded sexual favours for hiring her as an assistant director.

The report said men had been exploiting the lack of legal awareness among women in cinema. To address the issue, a group of senior women lawyers have come together and formed a collective. We see the possibility that survivors who are now coming forward and speaking openly could again be victimised, unless there is strong support system to help them, said advocate Sandhya Janardhanan Pillai, a member of the collective.

Veil of vagueness

When the Kerala government appointed a committee to look into issues faced by women in cinema, it was widely praised as a progressive, first-of-its-kind decision. But over the past few years, the government has squandered much of the goodwill because of the way it is perceived to have prevented the release of the report.

In February 2020, Justice Hema wrote to the government stressing the importance of protecting the privacy of those who deposed before the committee. In October the same year, the State Information Commission rejected RTI requests for the release of the report. The redacted report was finally released only after the commission reversed its decision this July. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan attributed the four-year delay in releasing the report to Justice Hemas letter and the commissions 2020 decision.

The government, however, has found it difficult to hide its apathy. On August 16, three days before the reports release, Culture Minister Saji Cherian called a news conference in which he dismissed queries about the report, telling journalists that he had called them to announce the state film awards. The minister also announced the plan to organise a film conclave, which later became the governments standard response to questions about implementing the recommendations of the Hema committee.

One of the recommendations in the report was the setting up of a quasi-judicial tribunal to liberate women from the evils of the Malayalam film industry. Vijayan, however, said the tribunal would incur significant costs.

Currently, there is no clarity on how the government plans to go about implementing the recommendations. Said Parvathy: We kept choosing to trust the government to do the right thing. We still are; its been a week since the report came out and we are still waiting to hear from the government on the next steps.

In 2014, a committee headed by acclaimed filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan submitted his recommendations to solve disputes between industry bodies. We recommended setting up a body that would contain representatives of industry and the government. But it was not taken up. Our other recommendations, too, were not implemented, said Gopalakrishnan, who refused to comment on current developments.

There are concerns that suggestions in the Hema committee report would meet the same fate. The report lists 17 kinds of issues that women in cinema commonly face, many of which are cognisable offences. This has attracted criticism that the police have not been proactive in taking action based on the report. For the purpose of setting the law in motion for criminal investigation, mere information alone is sufficient, T. Asaf Ali, former director general of prosecution, told THE WEEK. Section 176 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita [says that] if the officer in charge of a police station receives information, or otherwise [has] knowledge, information or clue with regard to the commission of an offence, he has to set the law in motion for investigation.

On August 22, the Kerala High Court admitted a writ petition seeking a directive to the director general of police to initiate criminal proceedings based on the report. The court has asked the state government to submit the report in full, including the redacted portions, in a sealed cover. The next hearing is on September 10.

Meanwhile, as pressure mounted on the government, Vijayan convened a special meeting of top police officers on August 25. A team of seven IPS officers was formed, and H. Venkitesh, additional director general of police (Crime Branch), was made its supervisor. The chief ministers office said the team would function as a special investigation team that would look into the allegations. Notably, there was no mention of any inquiry into the allegations in the report.

Questions have been raised whether the government followed due procedure in forming the SIT. Section 21(2)(b) of the Kerala Police Act, which allows the government to create special units, stipulates the registration of a first information report for forming SITs. An investigation without FIR is a farce, said Asaf Ali. They cannot summon, arrest, search or seize any material. And, they cannot file a report in court.

The delay in releasing the government order constituting the team has added to the confusion. This is a peculiar situation, said an officer in the team. The routine is to file the FIR in a police station and then transfer it to the SIT.

The officer said the team was not formed under the Kerala Police Act, and that it would be operating under Section 30 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which deals with the powers of superior police officers. The teams powers and scope of operations, however, remains unclear.

The scope and structure of the planned film conclave also remains vague. There is criticism that the event could force survivors to once again share space with perpetrators. CPI leader Annie Raja told THE WEEK that Minister Cherian should have been more serious in his approach. The first response after a report like this should not have been to announce a conclave, she said. The immediate reaction should have been to present the report to the public and commit to taking action based on its recommendations. That was the bare minimum.

Cherian has also been criticised for letting Mukesh, the actor-MLA accused of sexual misconduct, remain in a committee set up by his ministry to create a film policy for the state. The committee, led by filmmaker Shaji N. Karun, has been tasked with addressing 25 areas of concern, including gender issues and womens safety.

Karun told THE WEEK that it was up to Mukesh to decide whether to remain in the committee, despite the allegations against him. I dont mind if he remains, he said, as his insights as producer, actor and politician are valuable.
Chennai, Sep 1 (PTI) Tamil Nadu holds significant appeal on the ties between the United States and India, and the relations between the two nations are not just between governments, but between the people, Chief Minister M K Stalin has said.

This is the unique aspect of the relationship between India and the United States, he said, at an event in San Francisco.

"Tamil Nadu, in particular, holds significant appeal for America," the Chief Minister, who is on a visit to the United States, said while addressing the American Tamils Meeting in San Francisco, late on Saturday evening.

Observing that renowned American companies have established their presence in Tamil Nadu, he said, "Tamil Nadu's status as the second-largest economy in India contributes to this."

Stalin noted that many Tamilians hold high positions in US-based companies while Indian-origin scientists were employed at the US-space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

"Bilateral trade has increased threefold since 2000. These are all signs of the friendship between our two nations," Stalin remarked.

On investments made by American companies in Tamil Nadu, he said, over 300 such companies have set up projects in the State and the investments from US companies grew in the last three years. "I have come here to invite them (US-based companies) personally. I urge the Indian-Americans present here to encourage American companies to invest in Tamil Nadu," he said.

Stalin stressed that India and America are important countries in the world. While America is the world's largest economy, India is the fifth largest. The friendship between America and India has been long standing. Trade, science and computing sectors continue to strengthen, he said.

On his trip to San Francisco, the DMK chief said, "I am visiting the third largest country in the world. Back in 1971, the then Chief Minister, the great leader Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar (his father, the late M Karunanidhi), visited here. Today, I am here as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu following in his footsteps."

"It fills me with pride and job to see you, the Indian diaspora in this esteemed country, which is highly valued globally. Seeing so many Indian faces here makes me feel as if I am in an Indian state rather than in America." he said.

Stalin who left for the United States on August 29, is leading a high-level delegation, seeking investments from US companies. He is scheduled to return on September 14.
Chennai, Sep 1 (PTI) Tamil Nadu has secured a Rs 400 crore investments from US-based Ohmium International, Inc., to set up a manufacturing facility in the state, Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Sunday.

Stalin accompanied by Minister for Industries TRB Rajaa and senior government officials were present at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Ohmium and the state government for the upcoming project in neighbouring Chengalpattu district.

"Another successful day in San Francisco. We have secured a Rs 400 crore investment from Ohmium in Chengalpattu district, creating 500 jobs," Stalin said.

The chief minister is currently on a visit to the United States seeking investments to Tamil Nadu.

"This (the signing of MoU with Ohmium International) marks a significant step in nurturing the ecosystem for green energy production and fuelling a sustainable future," the chief minister wrote in a social media post.

According to the website of Ohmium International, the company designs, manufactures modular, scalable Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers that enable cost-competitive green hydrogen production.

The company's suite of electro-chemical products help customers achieve their sustainable energy goals across various industrial transportation and energy projects.

Ohmium International has operations worldwide and has manufacturing facilities in India. In 2023, the company raised USD 250 million in Series C financing, led by TPG Rise Climate, the website said.
Kochi, Sep 1 (PTI) Actor Mammootty on Sunday denied the presence of any 'power group' in the film industry and called upon everyone working in the field to be vigilant so that nothing untoward happens there.

The veteran actor, in a Facebook post, praised the state government's initiative to constitute the Justice Hema Committee and requested it to implement the recommendations of the panel by enacting necessary legislation if there were any legal hurdles.

Breaking his silence on the report and the subsequent allegations that rocked the cinema world, Mammootty said that he wholeheartedly welcomes and supports the recommendations and solutions in the committee's report and urged all associations in the film industry to join hands in implementing them.

He said that the police was vigorously investigating the complaints of sexual harassment and abuse raised by several women, so let the agency carry on with its probe honestly.

The actor also said that as the full report of the committee was before the court, it can decide the punishments.

Mammootty, in his post, said that his response was delayed as he was waiting for the organisation representing actors and its leadership to first respond to the committee report.

He said that cinema was the "epitome" of society and the good and the bad present among the general public are there in the films too.

He also said that as society pays close attention to the film industry, anything that happens there becomes a major topic of discussion.

"Therefore, those working in the film industry need to be careful and vigilant so that nothing untoward happens in this sector," the actor said, adding that "cinema must survive."

His response comes a day after his colleague in the film industry, actor Mohanlal, broke his silence over the shocking revelations in the committee's report.

Mohanlal too denied the existence of a power group in the industry and had said that cinema was a part of the society and what happens everywhere else is happening in the film world also.

He too had welcomed the panel's report and said that wrongdoers should be punished if there was evidence against them.

The Justice K Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case, and its report revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.
Islamabad, Sep 1 (PTI) Pakistan said on Sunday that the Kashmir dispute was an internationally recognised issue that must be resolved in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch made the remarks while responding to recent comments on Jammu and Kashmir by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Jaishankar on Friday said that 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."

"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 Sunday, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Baloch said that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is an internationally recognised dispute that must be resolved in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. The resolution of this unresolved conflict is pivotal to peace and stability in South Asia.

She rejected the notion that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been or could be settled unilaterally.

The spokesperson said that while Pakistan remains committed to diplomacy and dialogue, it will respond with resolve to any hostile actions.

"True peace and stability in South Asia can only be achieved through a settlement in accordance with UNSC resolutions and the inalienable rights of the Kashmiri people," she said in a statement.

India has repeatedly told Pakistan that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh was, is and shall forever remain an integral part of the country.

The ties between the two countries nosedived after India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the State into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019.

India has repeatedly said it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.
Deir Al-Balah, Sep 1 (AP) Palestinian health authorities and United Nations agencies on Sunday began a large-scale campaign of vaccinations against polio in the Gaza Strip, hoping to prevent an outbreak in the territory that has been ravaged by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Authorities plan to vaccinate children in central Gaza until Wednesday before moving on to the more devastated northern and southern parts of the strip. The campaign began with a small number of vaccinations on Saturday and aims to reach about 640,000 children.

The World Health Organisation said Thursday that Israel has agreed to limited pauses in the fighting to facilitate the campaign.

There were initial reports of Israeli strikes in central Gaza early Sunday, but it was not immediately known if anyone was killed or wounded.

Hospitals in Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat confirmed that the campaign had begun early Sunday. Israel said Saturday that the vaccination programme would continue through September 9 and last eight hours a day.

Gaza recently reported its first polio case in 25 years  a 10-month-old boy, now paralysed in the leg. The World Health Organisation says the presence of a paralysis case indicates there could be hundreds more who have been infected but aren't showing symptoms.

Most people who have polio do not experience symptoms, and those who do usually recover in a week or so. But there is no cure, and when polio causes paralysis, it is usually permanent. If the paralysis affects breathing muscles, the disease can be fatal.

The vaccination campaign faces a host of challenges, from ongoing fighting to devastated roads and hospitals shut down by the war. Around 90 per cent of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, with hundreds of thousands crammed into squalid tent camps.

Health officials have expressed alarm about disease outbreaks as uncollected garbage has piled up and the bombing of critical infrastructure has sent putrid water flowing through the streets. Widespread hunger has left people even more vulnerable to illness.

We escaped death with our children, and fled from place to place for the sake of our children, and now we have these diseases," said Wafaa Obaid, who brought her three children to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah to get the vaccinations.

Ammar Ammar, a spokesperson for the UN children's agency, said it hopes both parties adhere to a temporary truce in designated areas to enable families to reach health facilities.

This is a first step, he told The Associated Press. But there is no alternative to a cease-fire because it's not only polio that threatens children in Gaza, but also other factors, including malnutrition and the inhuman conditions they are living in.

The vaccinations will be administered at roughly 160 sites across the territory, including medical centres and schools. Children under 10 will receive two drops of oral polio vaccine in two rounds, the second to be administered four weeks after the first.

Israel allowed around 1.3 million doses to be brought into the territory last month, which are now being held in refrigerated storage in a warehouse in Deir al-Balah. Another shipment of 400,000 doses is set to be delivered to Gaza soon.

The polio virus that triggered this latest outbreak is a mutated virus from an oral polio vaccine. The oral polio vaccine contains weakened live virus and in very rare cases, that virus is shed by those who are vaccinated and can evolve into a new form capable of starting new epidemics.

The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 hostages. Around 100 remain in captivity, about a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say whether those killed were fighters or civilians. The war has caused vast destruction across the territory, with entire neighbourhoods wiped out and critical infrastructure heavily damaged.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent months trying to broker a cease-fire and the release of the remaining hostages, but the talks have repeatedly stalled and a number of sticking points remain. (AP) GRS

GRS
RAMALLAH, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army on Saturday killed two Palestinians in Jenin, northern West Bank, as Israel's military operation in the city entered its fourth day, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported.

The ministry identified the victims as Amjad Mustafa Ibrahim Saleh and Muhammad Amin Talal Abdullah, but did not provide further details.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that Israeli forces obstructed its staff from transporting the bodies after they reached the Jenin refugee camp. The society also noted that its teams are evacuating emergency cases from Jenin Government Hospital to Al-Razi Hospital due to a power outage.

The Palestinian government has warned of possible shutdowns in some hospital departments in Jenin and expressed concern for dialysis patients. It also stated that it is pursuing legal action to hold Israel accountable for its "crimes" and is working to repair the damage inflicted by the Israeli army.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has called on international health organizations and the Red Cross to pressure for the lifting of the hospital blockade and to address disruptions to ambulances and medical teams.

Since Wednesday, Israel has conducted a large-scale raid across the northern West Bank, stating that the operation aims to prevent future attacks against Israel.

Tensions have escalated in the West Bank since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that more than 660 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli army in the West Bank. 
Dhaka, Sep 1 (PTI) Doctors in Bangladesh on Sunday announced a nationwide strike at public and private hospitals to protest the assault on medical professionals for their alleged negligence resulting in the death of a student at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) last night.

The demonstrating doctors called for immediate legal and punitive action against the perpetrators of the assault while also demanding safety at workplaces as a precondition to return to work.

Doctors across the country announced a complete shutdown of all public and private hospitals starting September 1 with a four-point demand, including the arrest of those involved in the assault on doctors in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday night.

"The sooner they accept our demand, the better. We will start giving treatment as soon as our demands are met," the protesting doctors told the media at the DMCH premises.

They said the nurses also expressed solidarity with doctors and refused to join work.

Asked who would take responsibility if anyone died for lack of treatment, the protesters said the administration would be responsible for any such incident.

The doctors demanded immediate security measures at all healthcare facilities in the country through the deployment of armed "health police".

They said if any irregularities or negligence in patient care were observed at any hospital, appropriate action should be taken through complaints to relevant authorities.

Under no circumstances should individuals take the law into their own hands, the doctors said in a statement.

The protest by medical professionals comes following the massive quota reform demonstrations that led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Novi, Sep 1 (AP) Two teenagers were shot, one fatally, just outside the Michigan State Fair in what police described late Saturday as an isolated incident.

Police in the Detroit suburb of Novi, where the fair is held, said gunshots were reported just before 10 pm Saturday. The shooting took place in the fair's parking lot and was initially described as an active shooter situation, prompting several law enforcement agencies to respond. Authorities later deemed it an isolated crime.

There is no threat to the community, Novi police said late Saturday in a statement on the social media platform X.

Both victims, 14-year-old teenage boys, had arrived at the fair with friends. Investigators said they believed the shooting stemmed from an argument in recent days.

The teens were taken to a local hospital where one 14-year-old was pronounced dead. The other was reported in stable condition, police said.

Police have not identified a suspect.

Novi is about 30 miles (48 kilometres) northwest of Detroit. The state fair ends Monday. (AP)



GSP
Islamabad, Sep 1 (PTI) Authorities in Pakistan on Sunday reported another case of monkeypox (mpox) virus amid the confusion about the total number of cases confirmed so far in the country.

The fourth case was detected in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province where authorities confirmed three previous infections of the virus.

The medical team at Peshawar airport transferred the patient (fourth case) to the Police and Services Hospital (PSH) after detecting symptoms of the virus during the screening, KP Health Director Dr Irshad Ali Roghani said.

Roghani said the rapid response team took samples from the patients wound in the hospital and sent it to the laboratory which confirmed mpox in the patient, who was reported in a stable condition.

According to officials, all patients returned from abroad and so far there was no local case reported.

Apart from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, health officials on August 19 reported that a 47-year-old resident of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, who recently returned from Saudi Arabia, was admitted in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) here due to mpox symptoms.

Dr Nasim Akhtar, the hospital's focal person, had told the media that the patient showed symptoms consistent with mpox and was placed in a special ward designated for such cases at PIMS.

However, it was not clarified if his mpox infection was confirmed.

Another patient, who was isolated in Karachi on Saturday due to symptoms of the virus, was later cleared as no infection of mpox was detected.

There is still confusion over the total number of confirmed cases in Pakistan but the latest confirmation by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa official suggested there were four confirmed cases in the country.

Pakistan has taken precautions to tackle the disease by putting in place a strict screening system at its airports after it emerged that all the patients confirmed with the virus had returned from abroad.

The mpox virus shows flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.

It is usually a mild but life threatening virus with children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems at higher risk.

The WHO last month sounded an alert over the mpox outbreak in Africa after cases in Congo spread to nearby countries.

At least 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths, mainly among children, have been reported in Congo since the current outbreak of the virus in January last year.
Colombo, Sep 1 (PTI) Sri Lanka's main Tamil party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on Sunday said that they will back the main opposition challenger Sajith Premadasa in the September 21 presidential election.

MA Sumanthiran the spokesman for the TNA told reporters that the decision was made on Sunday at the central committee meeting of Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), the main party of the TNA.

The decision has come as no surprise as Sumanthiran since 2022 had worked closely with the opposition, the analysts said.

The TNA had been split in its decision to support which group given its long association with the incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe, the current President of Sri Lanka, when he led the main opposition since 1994.

The TNA had always backed the opposition challenger at each presidential election in 1999, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2019.

In the previous presidential election of November 2019, the TNA backed Premadasa, the then-main challenger.

However, in this election, a section of the party had fielded a Tamil candidate, one of the 38 candidates in the fray. However, TNA had resolved to take disciplinary action against him for breaching party discipline.

The ITAK Chair S Sritharan last week publicly backed its breakaway candidate.

At todays meeting, it was decided to request the common Tamil candidate and TNA member P Ariyanethran to withdraw from the race.

The votes of 2.2 million registered voters from the Tamil regions would be crucial for any front-runner to gain the 50 per cent plus one vote required to be declared the winner.

The incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the main opposition challenger Sajith Premadasa and the Marxist JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake are the front runners.
Deir al-Balah, Sep 1 (AP) Palestinian health authorities and United Nations agencies on Sunday began a large-scale campaign of vaccinations against polio in the Gaza Strip, hoping to prevent an outbreak in the territory that has been ravaged by the Israel-Hamas war.

Authorities plan to vaccinate children in central Gaza until Wednesday before moving on to the more devastated northern and southern parts of the strip. The campaign began with a small number of vaccinations on Saturday and aims to reach about 640,000 children.

The World Health Organisation has said Israel agreed to limited pauses in the fighting to facilitate the campaign. There were initial reports of Israeli strikes in central Gaza early Sunday, but it was not immediately known if anyone was killed or wounded. The pause ended Sunday afternoon, according to a schedule released by Israel.

Hospitals in Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat confirmed that the campaign had begun. Israel has said the vaccination program will continue through Sept. 9 and last eight hours a day.

Gaza recently reported its first polio case in 25 years  a 10-month-old boy, now paralyzed in the leg. The World Health Organization says the presence of a paralysis case indicates there could be hundreds more who have been infected but aren't showing symptoms.

Most people who have polio do not experience symptoms, and those who do usually recover in a week or so. But there is no cure, and when polio causes paralysis, it is usually permanent. If the paralysis affects breathing muscles, the disease can be fatal.

The vaccination campaign faces challenges, from ongoing fighting to devastated roads and hospitals shut down by the war. Around 90% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, with hundreds of thousands crammed into squalid tent camps.

Health officials have expressed alarm about disease outbreaks as uncollected garbage has piled up and the bombing of critical infrastructure has sent putrid water flowing through the streets. Polio is spread through fecal matter. Widespread hunger has left people even more vulnerable to illness.

We escaped death with our children, and fled from place to place for the sake of our children, and now we have these diseases," said Wafaa Obaid, who brought her three children to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah to get the vaccinations.

Ammar Ammar, a spokesperson for the U.N. children's agency, said it hopes both parties adhere to a temporary truce in designated areas to enable families to reach health facilities.

This is a first step, he told The Associated Press. But there is no alternative to a cease-fire because it's not only polio that threatens children in Gaza, but also other factors, including malnutrition and the inhuman conditions they are living in.

The vaccinations will be administered at roughly 160 sites across the territory, including medical centers and schools. Children under 10 will receive two drops of oral polio vaccine in two rounds, the second to be administered four weeks after the first.

Israel allowed around 1.3 million doses to be brought into the territory last month, which are now being held in refrigerated storage in a warehouse in Deir al-Balah. Another shipment of 400,000 doses is set to be delivered to Gaza soon.

The polio virus that triggered this latest outbreak is a mutated virus from an oral polio vaccine. The oral polio vaccine contains weakened live virus and in very rare cases, that virus is shed by those who are vaccinated and can evolve into a new form capable of starting new epidemics.

The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 hostages. Around 100 remain in captivity, about a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say whether those killed were fighters or civilians. The war has caused vast destruction across the territory, with entire neighborhoods wiped out and critical infrastructure heavily damaged.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent months trying to broker a cease-fire and the release of the remaining hostages, but the talks have repeatedly stalled and a number of sticking points remain. (AP) GSP
Washington, Sep 1 (AP) US Vice President Kamala Harris said former President Donald Trump disrespected sacred ground in his recent appearance at Arlington National Cemetery, where the Republican nominee took and distributed images despite a federal prohibition on campaign activity on the grounds.

Harris, in a statement posted Saturday on the social media platform X, cited reports that Trump's campaign aides created an altercation with a cemetery staffer and proceeded to take photographs and film the former president, including at the graves of Afghanistan war veterans, after being warned about rules at the site.

Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt, Harris said, calling Arlington a solemn place where we come together to honour American heroes ... not a place for politics.

The original incident stemmed from Trump's and Republicans' continued criticism of President Joe Biden and now Harris for the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. At the invitation of some family members of service members killed during the withdrawal, Trump laid wreaths last Monday in honour of Sgt Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt Darin Hoover and Staff Sgt Ryan Knauss.

They were among 13 US service members and more than 100 Afghans who died in an Aug 26, 2021, bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Trump's campaign was warned about not taking photographs before an altercation at the cemetery, according to defense officials. Officials have said since that an Arlington employee whom two Trump campaign staff members allegedly verbally abused and pushed aside has declined to press charges. The Trump campaign has since lashed out at Pentagon officials, with a top campaign adviser, Chris LaCivita, referring to military spokespersons as hacks. Trump campaign officials say it had permission to bring someone to take video.

Since Biden ended his reelection bid, Trump has been zeroing in on Harris and her roles in foreign policy decisions. He has specifically highlighted the vice president's statements that she was the last person in the room before Biden made the decision on Afghanistan.

Biden's administration was following a withdrawal commitment and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban in 2020. A 2022 review by a government-appointed special investigator concluded decisions made by both Trump and Biden were the key factors leading to the rapid collapse of Afghanistan's military and the Taliban takeover.

Harris on Saturday alluded to Trump's history of picking fights with veterans and repeated allegations that he has called our fallen service members suckers' and losers' and disparaged Medal of Honour recipients.

This is a man who is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself, Harris said. I will always honour the service and sacrifice of all of America's fallen heroes...And I will never politicise them. (AP) SCY

SCY
Kathmandu, Sept 1 (PTI) Nepali Congress general secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma on Sunday asked party president Sher Bahadur Deuba not to become the prime minister again and leave the position for a new generation leader. However, the 78-year-old five-time prime minister rejected the proposal.

Deuba is known as the prime minister-in-waiting as the CPN-UML chairman and incumbent PM K P Sharma Oli and the Nepali Congress (NC) president had reached a seven-point agreement a couple of months ago while forming a new coalition, under which the two leaders will become the prime minister turn by turn.

Oli during a public programme recently said that he would resign from the post of the head of the government after one year and 10 months.

NC general secretary Sharma during the central committee meeting of the party asked Deuba not to become the prime minister for a sixth time and to leave the position for a new face.

Sharma requested party president Deuba to sacrifice the post of prime minister and leave the position for new generation leaders saying that there are many capable people in the party, according to senior leader of the party and central committee member Arjun Narsingh KC.

There are many leaders in the party who are capable, experienced and skilled, who can steer the government, Sharma was quoted as saying in the meeting.

He proposed to party president Deuba to choose from among the six leaders of the party, Prakash Man Singh, Arjun Narsingh KC, Bimalendra Nidhi, Purna Bahadur Khadka, Shashanka Koirala and Shekhar Koirala as the prime ministerial candidate of the party.

However, Deuba rejected the proposal saying, I will not abandon my claim for the post of the prime minister. Anyone wishing to become the PM should defeat me in the parliamentary party election of the Nepali Congress.

In July, Oli, the leader of Nepals largest communist party, was appointed Nepals Prime Minister for a fourth term to lead a new coalition government.

Oli, 72, succeeded Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda who lost the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives.

President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Oli, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), as the new Prime Minister.

Oli became the prime minister with the support of the Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament.
Jerusalem, Sep 1 (AP) Palestinian militants killed three Israeli police officers on Sunday when they opened fire on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank, where Israel has carried out large-scale raids in recent days.

The attack took place along a road in the southern West Bank. The raids have mainly been focused on urban refugee camps in the northern part of the territory, where Israeli forces have traded fire with militants on a near-daily basis since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.

The police confirmed that all three killed were officers and said the assailants slipped away.

One of the officers killed was Roni Shakuri, 61, from the southern town of Sderot near the Gaza border, police said. His daughter, Mor, who was also a police officer, was killed in a battle with Hamas militants when they tried to take over the Sderot police station during the October 7 attack.

A little-known militant group calling itself the Khalil al-Rahman Brigade claimed responsibility for the shooting on Sunday. Hamas praised the attack as a natural response to the war in Gaza and called for more.

Later Sunday, the military said Israeli forces encircled a home in the nearby city of Hebron where the suspected attacker was believed to be hiding. The army said it killed a militant at the scene, but gave no further details.

The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since Hamas' October 7 attack out of Gaza ignited the war there.

Over 650 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, mainly during Israeli military arrest raids. Most appear to have been militants involved in gunbattles with Israeli forces, but civilian bystanders and rock-throwing protesters have also been killed.

The last 10 months have also seen an uptick in settler violence directed at Palestinians and in Palestinian attacks on Israelis.

Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three territories for their future state, but the last serious peace talks collapsed more than 15 years ago.

Israel has built well over 100 settlements across the West Bank, some of which resemble suburbs and small towns, Over 500,000 settlers with Israeli citizenship live in the settlements, which most of the international community considers illegal.

The 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority exercising limited autonomy in population centers. (AP) GSP
Panaji, Sep 1 (PTI) A police constable and a lifeguard were arrested for allegedly trying to kidnap a one-and-half-year-old boy for ransom in Pernem in North Goa, an official said on Sunday.

Constable Nikesh Chari, attached to the India Reserve Battalion of the state police, and Sanjay Narevkar, lifeguard with Drishti Marine, were held in Kargao village on Saturday, Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi said.

"They attempted to kidnap the toddler while he was playing in the gallery of his house on Friday night. The duo arrived on a two-wheeler and Chari picked up the child. However, the child's grandfather raised an alarm, prompting neighbours to rush there. They caught Chari but Narvekar managed to flee," Dalvi said.

"Narvekar, who hails from Vengurla in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district, was held later. They have been charged with kidnapping and other offences under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Goa Children's Act. The accused have told us they planned to extort money from the child's parents," the Deputy SP informed.
Panaji, Sep 1 (PTI) A 22-year-old man is feared to have drowned after his car plunged into a river while evading another vehicle at a village in North Goa in the wee hours of Sunday, police said.

The police have launched a search for Bhashudev Bhandari, a native of Bharuch, Gujarat, whose car plunged into a river in St Estevan village around 1.25 am, an official said.

St Estevan is around 10 km from Panaji.

Bhandari was driving with a woman when he hit another car in Marcel village. He was speeding as the other car gave a chase, the official said.

Bhandari drove the four-wheeler off a jetty and plunged into the river, he said.

While the woman managed to swim to safety after the car started sinking, the victim remained missing, the official said.

The fire and emergency services and divers from the Indian Navy have been roped in to trace the missing man, he said.
Two loose dogs approach Officer Ericka Colon as she responds to a call on San Antonio's South Side on March 2, 2023. Dog attacks have been rising in San Antonio since 2018, according to data from the city. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News District 3 Officer Ericka Colon responds to a bite call at the South Side in San Antonio, Texas, on March 2, 2023. District 3 which is apparently one of the more problematic districts with a high volume of calls for service. ACS gets three to four thousand bite calls in a year. Due to state laws, bites are defined as a break in skin and potential exposures to high risk vector species like bats. These bite calls can have a range of seriousness. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Large dogs fill kennels at the San Antonio Animal Care Services center on Friday afternoon. Many of the pups were left at the center still wearing their collars bearing their owner's addrresses and phone numbers. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL 2022 Live Release Team Members Annalise Reagan and Micky Molinar love on Hogle the dog in the Big Yard at Animal Care Services campus in San Antonio, Texas, on March 2, 2023. Team members work with the dogs in the care of ACS by offering play groups so they can look for behavior issues, help dogs socialize, and get them out of their kennels. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Animal Care Services is responding to more urgent calls about aggressive dogs, animal neglect and cruelty than ever  but the city agency is more than a year away from being able to answer all of them, its leaders say.

The city pumped millions of dollars into ACS last year after a string of gruesome dog attacks  two of them fatal  stirred public anger and got city leaders talking about the agency's shortcomings.

In October, ACS was responding to 44% of the "critical calls" it received, officials say. Critical calls are defined as those about aggressive dogs, animal neglect or cruelty, injured or sick animals, and trapped or confined animals.

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Officials gave the agency a goal of improving that response rate to 64% by this month. The agency says its response rate is now 59% and that it is on track to reach 64% by this month. Last year, ACS received a 33% funding boost, the biggest percentage increase among city departments. Some of that $7.1 million went to hire eight new employees to help respond to critical calls.

"We have moved the needle," ACS Interim Director Mike Shannon told City Council members in a budget briefing this past week.

However, ACS leaders concede that the agency wont be able to respond to all critical calls until January 2026.

The number of critical calls continues to rise and is growing faster than expected. ACS projected that it would receive 50,000 critical calls this fiscal year, but it is expecting 56,659 by the end of September. If that projection is correct and ACS hits its 64% response rate, the department will have missed more than 20,000 critical calls.

Dozens of San Antonians packed a town hall in March to vent outrage over menacing dogs, maulings and lack of city action.

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Athena Santos, 36, said after the meeting that she has complained to the city for two years about problem dogs in her Northwest Side neighborhood. One of the dogs owners allows the pet to roam the streets, she said. She saw it attack a leashed dog on a walk with its owner.

Santos said she witnessed the same dog barking at an elderly neighbor and her grandchildren, menacing the three so much that they were afraid to move. Santos ran outside to shoo the dog away, armed with her Taser in case anything went wrong.

But Santos said ACS has never come to investigate the matter, even after she has made 30 calls since 2022.

In April, some City Council members on the Public Safety Committee pressed for ACS to move faster toward improvement.

We really need to amp this up if were going to make a change here, Council Member Marina Alderete Gavito, who represents District 7 on the Northwest Side, said at the time.

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Council Member and Public Safety Committee chair Melissa Cabello Havrda, who represents District 6, said ACS has made progress but that its performance remains "mediocre."

ACS has proposed adding 14 employees  a dozen officers and two supervisors  in fiscal year 2025. That request is on track with a two-year plan the city started this year to add employees who could respond to critical calls. The ACS budget is set to grow by 13.6% in the coming fiscal year, from $28.5 million to $32.3 million.

Last year, some City Council members pushed to hire enough officers to allow the agency to respond to 100% of critical calls within fiscal year 2024, but then-ACS Director Shannon Sims said it would have been impossible to train officers fast enough to hit that target. Instead, the city rolled out a two-year plan to reach 100%.

String of gruesome attacks

Community concern about dangerous dogs soared last year after a string of attacks that killed or seriously injured people.

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On Feb. 24, 2023, Air Force veteran Ramon Najera Jr., 81, of Leon Valley, was killed by two pit bulls that escaped their yard in the 2800 block of Depla Street on the West Side. His wife was injured. The Najeras were attacked while visiting the home of a friend who lived next door to the dogs.

Last week, the couple whose pit bulls killed Najera reached a plea deal to avoid a trial.

Christian Alexander Moreno and his wife, Abilene Schnieder, both 32, pleaded guilty to dangerous dog attack causing death, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison. A separate charge of recklessly causing bodily injury to an elderly person will be dismissed as part of a plea bargain with the Bexar County District Attorneys Office.

State District Judge Velia Meza is scheduled to sentence the couple Sept. 20.

Two months after Najera was attacked, a pregnant woman was struck by a car on the North Side after a snarling, loose dog chased her into traffic. She was hospitalized with severe injuries, and the baby died.

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In August 2023, Max de Los Santos, then 76, was attacked by two dogs outside his home on the West Side. The injuries to de Los Santos legs were so severe that both were amputated.

In a Sept. 5, 2023, attack in a mobile home park on the Northeast Side, Paul Anthony Striegl Jr. was sitting in his yard, smoking a cigarette, when his next-door neighbors two American Staffordshire terriers slipped under a chain-link fence. One of the dogs bit both of Striegls arms down to the bone and tore off a large section of his abdominal skin. Striegl died in a hospital less than a month later.

Severe dog bites are defined by city ordinance as those causing death, broken bones or disfigurement. Such cases soared in fiscal year 2023, which ended Sept. 30, 2023, reaching a total of 297, according to ACS.

Thats a 58% rise over the previous fiscal year, when 188 severe dog bites were reported in San Antonio, but the number of bites had been rising for several years. Between fiscal years 2018 and 2022, the number of severe dog bites jumped from 110 to 188  a 71% increase.

ACS officials say part of the agency's strategy is to improve enforcement of city rules for dogs that are officially deemed dangerous.

Agency staffers can designate a dog as dangerous if an investigation determines that the dog made an unprovoked attack off their owners property that caused an injury or if a dog acts in an unprovoked way off its owners property that could lead to an attack.

There are currently 116 dogs deemed dangerous in San Antonio.

Under state law, dangerous dogs must have a special ID collar, be confined to an enclosure, wear a muzzle when outside and be spayed or neutered. Their owners must have liability insurance and post warning signs on their property, among other requirements.

Dog owners who dont follow the rules can be fined and eventually have their dog impounded. At the start of the fiscal year, 55% of San Antonio residents who owned dangerous dog were in compliance with the rules, according to ACS.

Falling short on spay, neuter goals

City officials have said that preventing stray animals from reproducing is one way to cut down on the number of dangerous dogs roaming the city.

Alderete Gavito has pushed for the city to crack down on loose dogs with higher fines, changes to make it easier for people to file complaints about dangerous animals and a policy that would allow ACS to spay and neuter any dogs it picks up, at the owners' expense. The animals would have to be sterilized before the owner could reclaim the pet. That proposal is still weaving its way through City Hall.

ACS leaders, however, have said the agency's ability to sterilize the thousands of pets picked up each year is limited by shelter capacity and the availability of veterinarians.

ACS, which partners with several agencies on spay and neuter surgeries, projects that it will perform 33,080 sterilization surgeries this year. That's up almost 10,000 from the 23,600 surgeries performed last year but still short of the goal of 43,936, officials say.

Shannon said a nationwide veterinarian shortage is one of the main culprits behind the lag in sterilization procedures. The veterinary industry also is moving away from a faster method of conducting the operations, cutting by half the number of surgeries that can be conducted per day, Shannon said.

Those are the challenges that everyone is facing in the private clinic world and with us at the shelter and our partners, Shannon told council members.

Two buildings on the East and West sides are undergoing renovations to be used as spay and neuter clinics. Though the facilities are slated to open early next year, City Manager Erik Walsh said nonprofits didn't step forward to run the clinics, as the city had hoped. He said the city instead will hire 21 people to operate the clinics.The two facilities will provide between 7,000 and 8,000 free and low-cost spay and neuter surgeries each year.

Still seeking new leader

As ACS works to improve its performance, the agency's leadership team remains in flux, as it has been since Sims retired at the end of May.

Assistant City Manager David McCary briefly led the agency until Shannon was appointed interim director in July, and the city has yet to name a full-time replacement.

Walsh reopened the search to new applicants when the city was in the final stages of hiring a replacement. He told the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board that he wanted a better candidate.

"I felt like I was settling, and I can't afford to settle," Walsh said. "That job is harder than (Police Chief William) McManus' job some days. I need someone who understands the balance of enforcement, live release rate and spay neuter."

More than 70 people initially applied for the job. Shannon Oster-Gabrielson, assistant to the ACS director, and ACS chief operations officer Bethany Colonnese were among the applicants, according to records obtained by the Express-News. Neither made it to the final stages of the selection process.

The four finalists, according to city records, were Monica Dangler, Aaron Johnson, Ashley Woolnough and John Fischer.
RAMALLAH, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- A 65-year-old Palestinian prisoner from Gaza has died in a prison in central Israel, according to a joint statement released by the Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners Club on Saturday.

Nasr Ziyada, a father of seven children, passed away at Ramla Prison on August 16, read the statement.

Ziyada was arrested on Dec. 29, 2023, along with his son Jihad, who is currently being held at Negev Prison in southern Israel.

The statement said Ziyada and his son experienced prolonged "maltreatment" during field interrogations at their home in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City before their arrest.

Ziyada's death raises the number of prisoners who have died in Israeli prisons since Oct. 7, 2023, to 24, the statement added.

The statement placed full responsibility for Ziyada's death on Israeli authorities and called on the international human rights community to hold Israel accountable for its "crimes" against Palestinian detainees.

The Israeli authorities have yet to respond to Ziyada's death. 
Malvan, Sep 1 (PTI) Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday told the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government and the opposition not to do politics in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and demanded strict punishment against those involved in insulting state and national icons.

Jarange visited the Rajkot Fort in Malvan, where a 35-foot statue of the 17th-century Maratha warrior king, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, collapsed on August 26.

The incident caused outrage across the state, with the prime minister apologising for the event.

Talking to reporters here, Jarange said, "There should be no politics over it, both the opposition and the government. The government should conduct a detailed probe into the matter. The contractors should not be spared."

He said both the opposition and the Mahayuti government were doing politics in the name of Shivaji.

"There should be a law. Those who insult icons should rot in jail and not come out in a few days," the activist said, adding that the Rajkot Fort needs a statue of Shivaji that can last long.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi on Sunday held a march to protest the collapse of the statue.

They slammed the Union and state governments for the collapse, with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray calling PM Modi's apology as one "smacking of arrogance" and NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar saying the episode was an example of corruption.
Mumbai, Sep 1 (PTI) The Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court has imposed a cost of Rs 2 lakh on a Nanded resident for filing a frivolous plea against Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and has directed him to personally hand over the amount in the form of a demand draft to the former Maharashtra chief minister.

Mohan Chavan, who claims to be a doctor in philosophy and belongs to the Banjara community, had contended that his religious sentiments where hurt by Thackeray who did not apply sacred ash (vibhuti) given to him by Chavan's priest during a function.

A single bench of Justice S G Mehare, in the order of August 29, said prima facie even a person with little knowledge of law would said this was nothing but "abuse of process of law or using the judicial system to become famous and celebrity".

"Such petitions lower the image of respected members of the society. Most of the times, petitions like these are filed with ulterior motive," the HC said. It added the allegations levelled against Thackeray appeared basically without any foundation.

This was a fit case to impose cost for abusing the process of law, the bench said while permitting Chavan to withdraw the petition.

It, however, imposed a cost of Rs 2 lakh that Chavan has to give Thackeray within three weeks and warned of stringent action if the amount was not paid.

"The petitioner (Chavan) should purchase a DD (demand draft) in the name of the former chief minister Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, go personally to his home and deliver it to his hand or to the person whom he directs," the HC ordered.

In his plea, Chavan claimed his 'mahant' (priest) went to Thackeray's residence for a function, during which the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader was offered a sweet as 'prasad' as well as sacred ash (vibhuti).

After accepting the sweet (prasad) and ash (vibhuti), Thackeray gave it to the another person standing beside him instead of applying the sacred ash on his own forehead, Chavan said in the plea, adding this act had hurt his religious feelings.

Chavan had filed a private complaint against Thackeray before a magistrate's court in Nanded, which was dismissed, following which he appealed in a sessions court.

When the sessions court too refused any relief, Chavan moved the HC.

Both the magistrate and sessions court had correctly disbelieved the complaint and dismissed it, Justice Mehare noted.
Bolpur, Sept 1 (PTI) A nurse at a government hospital in West Bengal's Birbhum district was allegedly molested and verbally abused by a male patient, weeks after the shocking rape-murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.

"A man who came in with high fever late on Saturday night tried to outrage the modesty of an on-duty nurse at Illambazar block hospital. The hospital authorities immediately informed police who arrested him and sent him to Bolpur sub-divisional hospital for treatment," Birbhum Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Himadri Ari said.

"The patient started abusing me as soon as he arrived," the nurse said, adding, "I ignored and started treating him, but suddenly he touched me inappropriately while I was administering saline."

On Sunday, doctors and health staff of the hospital staged a rally demanding round-the-clock security for medics.

A nurse who took part in the rally said, "Despite the R G Kar incident, not much has changed regarding our security."
Agartala, Sep 1 (PTI) Five Bangladeshis and two Rohingyas, who entered Tripura without valid documents, were arrested from two separate areas in the northeastern state, police said on Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off, Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel detained two persons from Agartala station on Friday, a senior officer said.

During interrogation, the two persons admitted that they were inmates in Coxs Bazar Rohingya camp in the neighbouring country, he said.

"Ramzan Ali and Azida Begum crossed the international border and planned to go to Kolkata by train," Agartala GRP Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tapas Das said.

In another incident, five Bangladeshi infiltrators and two suspected Indian touts were arrested in Dhalai district on Saturday.

All the arrested Bangladeshis are residents of Moulvibazar and Sylhet districts in the neighbouring country, a BSF official said.

"The Bangladesh nationals entered India without valid documents and the two Indians are believed to be actively involved in facilitating illegal migration," he added.
Patna, Sep 1 (PTI) Former Bihar minister Shyam Rajak on Sunday joined Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), less than two weeks after quitting the RJD headed by the CMs arch-rival Lalu Prasad.

Rajak, who had been expelled from the state cabinet as well as the JD(U) in 2020, got re-inducted into the party here by national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha, in presence of a number of top leaders.

Jha said the entry of Rajak, "a leader with grassroots-level support" will strengthen the party, "especially among the state's 'Mahadalits' who were recognised as a separate category by Nitish Kumar".

"Sub-categorisation of Dalits may have become a buzzword in the backdrop of the recent Supreme Court judgement, but our leader was the veritable pioneer. The presence of Rajak in our party will send across this message more forcefully, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajak said he had joined the RJD "in a fit of emotion" but ended up feeling "stifled and insulted" in the party, where "corruption and dynasty rule seem to be the guiding principles".

"The RJD is alleging that I have joined the JD(U) just because the party is in power. They need to remember that I had joined them giving up a ministerial berth. But, they let me down, said Rajak, who had also served in the cabinet headed by Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi.

The party-hopper is understood to have been sore over the RJD not considering him for a berth in the Rajya Sabha or the state legislative council, even though he was made to give up his Phulwari assembly seat in the 2020 polls because of the party's alliance with the CPI(ML)L.

After quitting the RJD, Rajak had dropped hints that he would like to try his luck again in the assembly polls due next year from the seat, which he has represented six times.
Guwahati, Sep 1 (PTI) Assam Trinamool Congress president Ripun Bora on Sunday resigned from the party, claiming that the people of the northeastern state consider it as a "regional party" of West Bengal and are "not willing to accept" it as their own.

In a letter to All India Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, the former Rajya Sabha member said he had offered many suggestions to party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to make TMC acceptable in Assam, but those were "not implemented".

"Assam TMC has great potential, but several recurring issues have hindered our progress, including the perception of TMC as a regional party of West Bengal. To counter this perception, we made several suggestions," Bora said in his resignation letter.

He claimed that he had suggested the need for an Assamese leader at the national level of TMC, declaring the residence of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika at Tollygunge in Kolkata as a heritage site and converting the Madhupur Satra at Cooch Behar into a cultural hub.

"Despite my repeated attempts over the past year and a half to secure an appointment with you and our chief Mamata Didi to address these concerns, I have been unsuccessful," said Bora, former Assam minister and state Congress president.

He said that he has served as the state president of Assam TMC for over two years and during this period, he interacted extensively with people across the state.

"Unfortunately, the issues mentioned above have led many people in Assam to continue viewing TMC as a regional party of West Bengal. The people of Assam are not willing to accept a party that they perceive as being from another state.

"In light of these challenges and the lack of an adequate resolution, I feel compelled to make a difficult decision and have decided to disassociate myself from TMC," Bora added.
Bhubaneswar, Sep 1 (PTI) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's suggestion to rename the 156-year-old Ravenshaw University in Cuttack has sparked a political row with opposition BJD and Congress demanding an apology from him.

Pradhan while attending a programme in Cuttack on Saturday had suggested that the name Ravenshaw University be changed.

"There is a need for a name change. What did Ravenshaw, after whom the university is named, do during the famine," the minister had asked, adding that it was his personal opinion and open to debate.

BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty at a press conference here came down heavily on Pradhan and said that the Union Education minister lacks knowledge of the history of the state and the contribution of Ravenshaw to higher education in Odisha.

"It is a very unfortunate statement given by Pradhan under the cover of Odisha 'Asmita' (pride). He should have read a little history before doing so," Mohanty said.

BJP, immediately, reacted and asked the opposition party not to make it a political issue.

"The remark on Ravenshaw was the Union minister's personal opinion. He is free to give his opinion on issues," said deputy chief minister KV Singhdeo and Odisha's higher education minister Suryabanshi Suraj.

BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal said: "The BJD has the habit of arguing in support of non-Odia officers. Now, they have crossed all limits and are fighting for a British officer. The Union minister has taken a democratic approach by seeking a debate on the issue. The BJD during its 24-year rule did not even hand over an inch of land in the name of Ravenshaw university while claiming its love for the institute.

Congress MLA from Barabati-Cuttack Sofia Firdous said that Ravenshaw is an emotion and instead of being bothered about trivial things like renaming it, steps should be taken to develop it into a world-class university.

Congress in a statement said that the BJP should change its mindset and refrain from its act of changing the name and colour of institutions.

The prestigious institution in Cuttack city was named after Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, a British bureaucrat. He was instrumental in establishing the institute in 1868, just a couple of years after the Great Odisha Famine (Na Anka Durbhikshya).

The institute became a full-fledged university in 2006 and currently comprises nine schools and 33 departments, and has nearly 8,000 students. It is the only public university in the state to have got NAAC A++ grade.

Stating that he was against renaming Raveshaw university, former MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said he was ready for a debate over the matter. "Changing the name of Ravenshaw university does not change the character or increase the quality of education. The Union Education Minister should take steps to improve the quality of education," Patnaik said.
Guwahati, Sep 1 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the state has extended financial assistance of Rs 5 crore to flood-hit Tripura.

A cheque was handed to Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha by Assam minister Jayanta Mallabaruah in Agartala.

The people of Assam stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Tripura in this hour of crisis. Hon'ble Chief Minister, this token of assistance of Rs 5cr comes with the prayers of 3.5 crore people of Assam for quick return of normalcy in Tripura, Sarma wrote on X, tagging a post by Saha.

Saha extended his gratitude to the people of Assam and Sarma for the gesture.

A cheque of Rs 5 Cr was handed over by Hon'ble Minister @jayanta_malla Ji today, symbolising the solidarity and support from the people of Assam, he said.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and compassion! Your contribution will go a long way in helping us to overcome the challenges posed by the floods, the Tripura CM added.

At least 32 people lost their lives, two others were injured and one went missing in the deluge in Tripura during August 19-24.
New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) UNICEF plans to collaborate with the government to address the rising concerns of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among children, said UNICEF India Health Specialist Dr Vivek Virendra Singh.

In an interview with PTI, Singh also emphasized the urgent need to address the intersection of environmental degradation, climate change and NCDs among children.

The government is developing additional guidelines specifically targeting NCDs in children, he said, adding UNICEF plans to support the government by ensuring these guidelines are effectively disseminated across states in India.

The guidelines will enable leveraging of India's extensive network of over 800 NCD clinics at district levels and over 2,000 at sub-district levels for prevention and management of NCDs in children.

This guidance will also provide opportunities for convergence across multiple programmes and sectors, for example, comprehensive primary health care through Health and Wellness Centres, the school health programme and the Ministry of Women and Child Development's ICDS (Integrated Child Development Service) programmes, Singh said.

This initiative by the government marks a crucial shift in India's health strategy as the National Program for Non-Communicable Diseases, revamped last year, expands its focus to include pediatric care. In 2023, India updated its operational guidelines for the National Program for Non-Communicable Diseases, initially focused on cancer, diabetes, and hypertension, to a broader scope covering all NCDs.

Singh discussed the rising need for ensuring quality and universal care for children suffering from childhood onset NCDs like Type 1 diabetes.

While Type 1 diabetes in children is a genetic condition; recent evidence from multiple researchers also highlight the possibility of heavy metal poisoning in the environment and rise in endocrine disorders like diabetes.

He said, "The environment in which children live is increasingly becoming a factor in their health, and environmental degradation is amplifying these risks particularly among the most vulnerable women and children."

"We would need more robust research to fully grasp how environment degradation and climate change is influencing the prevalence of NCDs and to develop effective intervention strategies," Singh asserted.

He also underscored the need for global collaboration in addressing these challenges.

"Environment degradation and climate change is a global issue that requires a coordinated response from all sectors," he said.

UNICEF is working with select states on Healthy Environment for Healthy Children and plans to bolster local primary healthcare systems, focusing on strengthening early life course interventions for prevention of NCDs, while supporting health systems capacity for timely identification and management of childhood onset NCDs, he added.

Empowering children living with conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, asthma and congenital heart disease to advocate for better care and resources is critical, Singh said.

This can be done by giving them knowledge and tools to enable them to participate in their own care, to plan with local governments and demand quality universal care for all children living with childhood onset NCDs, he said.

The two key pillars for NCDs and children are: One, to close the tap on the rising NCDs by early life course interventions to prevent NCDs in children; and two, to strengthen the primary healthcare system to provide quality universal care for children suffering from childhood onset NCDs.

Singh said UNICEF will work with the states and government of India to put children at the heart of NCDs agenda, and will raise the issue at the fourth UN high-level meeting on NCDs in 2025.

Speaking on the early detection, care and management needed for children and young people living with NCDs, Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative, said, "UNICEF's mandate is to protect children's rights, to help children survive and thrive. The epidemiological burden is shifting to non-communicable diseases, that includes Type 1 diabetes, and is rising among children and adolescents globally and in India, who need immediate attention."

"Children and youth from vulnerable communities are at the greatest risk as they are often excluded from global NCD targets contributing to poor identification and intervention for treatable conditions," McCaffrey said.

"UNICEF recognizes that it is critical to integrate NCD care into primary healthcare, along with specialized capacity building on one hand and community awareness and demand creation on the other. An effective system for early detection, care and treatment of children with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), birth defects developmental disabilities to enable them to live to their full potential," she added.

Recently, experts at a high-level meeting discussed about early diagnosis and treatment of NCDs, including T1D, critical for care and quality of life. The meeting was organized by Breakthrough T1D, a leading global Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, and the Friends of Mewar in collaboration with UNICEF.

The meeting was hosted by Padmaja Kumari Parmar, Breakthrough T1D Global Ambassador, and was participated by multi-stakeholder partners including representatives from Breakthrough T1D, UNICEF, Friends of Mewar, charitable institutions, clinicians, civil society organizations and ImPatient Network, a coalition of community members and individuals living with T1D.
New Delhi, Sept 1 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Sunday and took stock of the situation in the two states in view of heavy rains and floods there, sources said.

He also assured the two chief ministers -- N Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh and A Revanth Reddy of Telangana -- of all possible help from the Central government to deal with rains and floods.

Heavy rains continued to lash many parts of Telangana, including Hyderabad on Sunday. Chief Minister Reddy held an emergency meeting with ministers, officials and public representatives to review the situation.

In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, unprecedented rainfall in the past two days paralysed normal life in several places, especially in Vijayawada and its vicinity while 17,000 affected people were evacuated across the state.

Sources said the Union home minister spoke to the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and took stock of the situation in view of heavy rains and floods in both states. He assured them of all possible help from the Central government, they said.

A woman died and three others were feared washed away in separate rain-related incidents in Mahabubabad and Khammam districts of Telangana on Sunday.

Waterlogging was reported on railway tracks at several locations under the South Central Railway. While 99 trains were cancelled, four were partially cancelled and 54 were diverted.

Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in a post on 'X', said he has informed the Union home minister about the severe situation in Telangana's Khammam.

Following Shah's orders, nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been dispatched to Telangana, he said.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed in a highway accident involving two trucks and a car in Brazil's metropolitan region of Curitiba, Parana, said the Federal Highway Police on Saturday.

The crash occurred on Friday night in Sao Jose dos Pinhais, Curitiba, when a line of vehicles had slowed down and a truck driver failed to stop in time, colliding into the car ahead. The car was then pushed into another truck, said the police.

Five passengers in the car and the truck driver who failed to brake lost their lives, they added. 
Bahraich (UP), Sep 1 (PTI) A 9-year-old boy among two was injured in separate incidents of attack by a wolf here, police said on Sunday.

The first incident took place in Pure Dildarsingh village on Saturday night when Paras (9) was sleeping outside his house and a wolf attacked him, Divisional Commissioner Shashibhushan Lal Shushil told PTI.

In another incident, in Dariakutti in Maikupur Gram Sabha around 4 am, Punnilal (55), who was sleeping outside, was also attacked by a wolf, Sushil said.

He said that villagers and the District Magistrate said that it was a wolf attack but the forest team is yet to verify.

Both the injured are undergoing treatment in hospital and their condition was stated to be out of danger.

Sushil said out of a pack of six wolves, four have already been captured by the forest team.

"Wolves are being tracked with the help of drones, by placing traps and cages near the den of wolves near Kulela village of Mahsi tehsil. Two wolves were seen in the thermal sensor camera on Saturday. But due to late night, the teams running "Operation Bhedia" could not catch them.

It is expected that the attacking animals will be caught in a day or two", he added.

Divisional Forest Officer Ajit Pratap Singh said that Operation Bhedia is underway in the district and wolves are changing their location which makes it difficult to capture them.

In the Mahsi tehsil of the district, wolf attacks on humans have been happening since March, Singh said.

The attacks increased from July 17 during the rainy season and seven people, including six children, died in the attacks and about 30 people were injured, he said.

A compensation of Rs 5 lakh each has been given to the families of the five deceased. The remaining two will receive the compensation once the investigation is completed," the official said.
Jammu, Sep 1 (PTI) Slamming National Conference for advocating dialogue with Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina on Sunday asked it to clarify whether initiating dialogue with the neighbouring country will end terrorism and bloodshed in the Union Territory.

He also played down the protests and resignations by his party leaders and workers over the selection of candidates, saying he is confident the BJP will form the government on its own.

The assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to take place on September 18, 25, and October 1. Votes will be counted on October 8.

"Unfortunately, the NC leaders do not talk about the welfare of the people, the Pakistani gun which brought death and destruction to our land. By advocating for dialogue with Pakistan, they are not doing the right thing," Raina said.

He said starting a dialogue with Pakistan is the prerogative only of the central government and the foreign minister.

"NC leaders should know that our former PM A B Vajpayee went to Pakistan in a bus to extend the hand of friendship but Pakistan backstabbed India by starting Kargil war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also went to Lahore on his return from Afghanistan but the terror attacks and killing of innocents continued," he said.

Asked about resentment within the party over ticket distribution, he said BJP is like a family and works together like a team.

"When you have 15 lakh registered members in J&K, political activists have their own aspirations but only one name is finalised for each segment.

"We are all together because our party believes in nation first, party second and self last," he said.

He said Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have turned around the fate of Jammu and Kashmir with restoration of peace, prosperity, and development.

On the launch of video vans, he said every assembly segment will be covered to highlight the achievements of the central government over the past 10 years, especially justice to the deprived sections of the society after abrogation of Article 370.

He assured that his party will resolve the issue of the daily wagers, ad hoc and need-based employees who are demanding their regularisation for decades together.
Chandigarh, Sep 1 (PTI) The Bishnoi community has thanked the Election Commission for deferring the Haryana Assembly poll date to October 5 from October 1 in view of the centuries-old festival of the community.

The ruling BJP has also welcomed the EC's decision.

The Election Commission on Saturday deferred the Haryana assembly poll date, saying the decision was taken keeping in mind the Bishnoi community's festival.

Som Prakash Bishnoi, Akhil Bhartiya Bishnoi Mahasabha's vice president, said the entire community thanks the Election Commission for its decision to defer the poll date.

Lakhs of members of the Bishnoi community take part in the festival and it takes 15-20 days to organise it, he said.

"Earlier, we were worried what if people (Bishnoi community) cannot vote as they would be travelling or if they are not able to take part in the event too. Now, with the new poll date, our problem has been solved and we thank the EC for this," he said.

Before the revision of the date, the Haryana polls were to be held along with the third and last phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections.

The decision to postpone the Haryana elections has been taken to honour both the voting rights and traditions of the Bishnoi community which has upheld a 300-400-year-old practice in remembrance of their Guru Jambheshwar, the EC said on Saturday.

It said it had received a representation from the national president of the All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, Bikaner, Rajasthan for rescheduling the Haryana assembly polls.

Generations of families from Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana visit their native village Mukam in Rajasthan on 'amavas' in the month of 'Asoj' for the annual festival in Bikaner in memory of Guru Jambheshwar, according to the EC.

This year, the festival falls on October 2 and thousands of Bishnoi families residing in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar will be travelling to Rajasthan, with many families from these districts expected to start their journey a day before.

Separately, the ruling BJP and the opposition INLD in Haryana had urged the EC to revise the polling date keeping in mind the long weekend which might result in poor voter turnout as people tend to go out on extended weekends.

Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli also said thanked the Election Commission for deferring the poll by a few days.

When asked about the remarks of Congress leaders that the saffron party has accepted defeat by seeking deferment of the polls, Badoli said, "The Congress has always worked to weaken the democracy.They imposed the Emergency...They never had this thinking that more and more people should be able to exercise their franchise".

"When I wrote the letter, I specified the reasons for deferment. Now, we welcome the Election Commission decision," Badoli said.

Haryana BJP leader and former Home Minister Anil Vij also welcomed the EC's decision to defer the poll.

The BJP is eyeing a third consecutive term while the Congress is looking to wrest power from the ruling outfit.

The Haryana unit of the ruling BJP had last month written to the Election Commission seeking a brief postponement of the assembly poll slated for October 1, saying holidays before and after the election date could lead to a lower voter turnout.

State BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli, in his letter, had said that on 'Asoj Amavasya' on October 2, several members of the Bishnoi community of Haryana will leave for Rajasthan to participate in an annual fair held on the occasion. This too can affect the voting percentage, he had said.
Shimla, Sep 1 (PTI) Hundreds of people gathered at Sanjauli, a suburb of Shimla, on Sunday and protested against "illegal" construction of a mosque and an attack on a trader in Malyana area of the city.

The protesters demanded demolition of the structure and registration of a case of attempt to murder against those who attacked the businessman, seriously injuring him on Friday.

Nearly 500 people from different parts of the city participated in the demonstration and expressed concern over the rising number of migrants belonging to the minority community in Shimla, and also demanded police verification and registration of these "outsiders".

Senior district administration officials reached the spot to pacify the agitators. The officials admitted that a portion of the structure constructed on the land of Waqf Board was "illegal" and the matter would come up for hearing in the municipal corporation court on Saturday.

They said that the matter is sensitive and religious sentiments of communities are involved.

Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said the case of attack on a businessman would be dealt with under the section of attempt to murder and appealed to the protesters to maintain peace.

He said investigation of the case has been handed over to an officer of DSP rank and that migrants coming from other states would be registered.

Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said the investigation would be conducted under relevant provisions.

"Top floor of the said structure was unauthorized and proceedings are underway in the MC court. The construction work has been halted," a civic body official said, adding that a toilet was constructed "illegally" one month back which was demolished after giving 24-hour notice.

The trouble started when the businessman and some other traders in Malyana area were attacked by half a dozen people belonging to the minority community with rods and sticks injuring four of them on Friday night while they were on their way back home.

The businessman sustained serious head injuries in the attack. The police had registered an FIR in the case.
Jabalpur, Sep 1 (PTI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court is slated to hear a Sikh body's plea on Monday seeking directions to stop the release of actor-politician Kangana Ranaut's upcoming film "Emergency", which is stuck with the Censor Board.

Ranaut, the BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, portrays former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the film scheduled for release on September 6.

The Jabalpur Sikh Sangat has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the high court against the film, which it claimed was detrimental to the interest of society, the petitioner's counsel, senior advocate NS Ruprah, told PTI on Sunday.

"The petition is listed for hearing before a division bench on September 2," he said.

"The Sangat, in its petition, has sought that the movie should not be released, as it infringes the fundamental rights of the Sikh community," Ruprah said.

On Friday, actor-turned-politician Ranaut said that her film is still stuck with the censor board contrary to rumours that it has been cleared for release.

In a video message posted on X, the actor claimed that she and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) members had received threats, and she is under pressure not to show the assassination of the former prime minister by her security guards.

Talking to PTI, BJP leader and former state minister Harindrajeet Singh Baboo said, "Kangana Ranaut is now an elected member of Parliament. Members of the Sikh community in her constituency had also voted for her. She should be sensible."

He questioned whether the movie was aimed at dividing the country.
Hyderabad, Sep 1 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on the situation following heavy rains in the state and assured that the Centre would extend necessary help.



The Chief Minister explained to Shah the damage caused by the heavy rains and flooding, a CMO release said Sunday night.

Revanth Reddy told the Union Home Minister about the measures being taken by the state government to prevent loss of life.

Shah assured that the Centre would extend help in the flood relief measures, it said.

The Chief Minister is reviewing the situation with senior officials in Hyderabad and also district Collectors following the downpour, it added.

Nine persons died in separate rain-related incidents in Telangana as heavy downpour continued to lash many parts of the state including Hyderabad on Sunday.



Earlier, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar in a post on 'X' said "Informed Honble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji about the severe situation in Telangana's Khammam & that 110 villages in the district have been submerged, 9 people are stranded on Prakash Nagar hillock, 68 people on Azmeera Thanda hillock in Palair constituency, and 42 others are trapped on buildings."

Following the Home Minister's orders, nine NDRF teams, three each from Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Assam, have been dispatched to Telangana, Sanjay Kumar said.

He said he spoke with senior NDRF officials to coordinate the rescue efforts and also discussed the situation and the ongoing rescue operations with Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.

According to Telangana Development Planning Society, Thumpally in Nizamabad district received 199.8 mm of rainfall during 0830 hours to 2100 hours on Sunday followed by 191 mm in IDOC (Kamareddy) in Kamareddy district.
Vijayawada, Sep 1 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday said several parts of Vijayawada city have been flooded due to unprecedented rainfall, swollen rivulets and flood water inflows, disrupting normal life of over 2.7 lakh people.



The Chief Minister said Budameru, a rivulet on the outskirts of the city suffered breaches and overflowed at many places, inundating the ground floors of thousands of residential buildings in Ajit Singh Nagar, Krishnalanka, Bhupesh Nagar, Ibrahimpatnam and others.



"Due to Budameru breaches, floodwaters are coming into Vijayawada. As a result, all of this place has been submerged. It is very sad," Naidu said, addressing a press conference at NTR district collectorate, and added that floodwaters are expected to rise in the coming hours.



According to the CM, heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of neighbouring Telangana are also entering into Budameru to add to the woes.

Stating that there is no other option but to resolutely face this exigency, Naidu said the unexpected torrential rain in Guntur and Vijayawada, estimated to be 35 cm (rainfall), and floodwater inflows from Nagarjunasagar, Srisailam, Pulichintala and other projects worsened the situation.



Highlighting that 16 wards were affected in Ajit Singh Nagar, Naidu said over 2.76 lakh people live in these areas, fearing that large damage could occur.





Naidu said 9.7 lakh cusecs of flood water was discharged by 9 pm from Prakasam Barrage on Sunday, recalling that flooding of this magnitude last happened in 1998. The CM said the discharge could rise further.



Back in 1998, he said 9.24 lakhs cusecs of flood water was released from Prakasam Barrage, a rise of 50,000 cusecs now.



Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao said Vijayawada is in the grip of floods and some areas were badly inundated.



"Main problem now is that some areas in Vijayawada city itself are badly inundated. Quite a few residents are stranded. Water has come to a very high level, especially in Ajit Singh Nagar, Jakkampudi Colony and others," Rao told PTI.



The DGP said a similar situation prevails in Krishnalanka area and food is being distributed to the affected people.



Though officials are striving to evacuate as many people as possible, the top police officer said it is becoming difficult as there is a paucity of boats.



"Boats are not sufficient. We are getting more boats and also some helicopters tomorrow (Monday) morning. We are getting NDRF teams," he said.



Naidu spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and updated him over the deluge and requested for the dispatch of power boats to the southern state for rescue operations.



Further, he asked for six NDRF teams for Andhra Pradesh from other states while the Union Home Ministry informed Naidu that boats and NDRF teams would reach Vijayawada before Monday morning.



According to an official press release, Home Secretary Govind Mohan assured Naidu that 40 power boats and six helicopters would be sent to the southern state on Monday.



Meanwhile, Subbaraju, a resident from Ajit Singh Nagar police station area said water level has reached up to 10 ft and all ground floors and cellars were submerged.



"We haven't had power since 8 am today. Prakash Nagar, Payakapuram, Rajarajeshwari Peta, Singh Nagar Dabba Kottula centre, Nandamuri Nagar and Pipula Road are all submerged," Subbaraju told PTI.



Observing that residents are fearing further rise in water level, he said people are avoiding venturing outside while the floodwaters are infested with snakes.



Moreover, he said residents on the ground floor were seeking refuge in the upper floors of buildings while mobile phones of several people stopped working due to power related issues.



An Ajit Singh Nagar resident complained that authorities issued no warning over the floods while another said she saw food packets being distributed.



Further, vehicle movement and traffic situation at Kanchikacherla near Vijayawada is in haywire due to the rain and flood-induced disruption.
Lucknow, Aug 31 (PTI) Quality forensic science is important to ensure that the victim can get proper justice and no innocent person is punished, a British expert said here on Saturday.

"Evaluation, ideas and critical thinking play an important role in forensic science," Professor Robert Green of University of Kent, the UK, said during a special lecture at the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (UPSIFS) in Lucknow.

The professor, who was honoured with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2008 for his contributions to the field, discussed the concepts of law, lab and justice with the students of the state-run institute.

Allahabad High Court's Justice Rajiv Singh was the chief guest at the programme.

"Globally forensic science saw the biggest boom in the year 1995. Earlier, forensic science was not given importance in 95 per cent of the cases, but with time forensic science has expanded, which has increased the employment opportunities in this field," the professor was quoted as saying in an official statement.

He stressed that requirement for good policies, visionary leadership and awareness in the criminal justice process are important for quality forensic science.

"It is very important to have quality forensic science so that the victim can get proper justice and no innocent person is punished," he said, adding that "it is not necessary that what we believe to be true is true!"

Addressing the students, Justice Singh noted that forensic science once received little attention, but with evolving crime methods, its role has become increasingly critical.

"There is a need to look at the evidence in the right way to punish the criminals," he said, according to the statement.


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COLOMBO, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Maldivian government has submitted a proposal to bring PayPal, an online payment system widely used in most countries for online money transfers, to the Maldives, according to Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed.

He made the announcement during an interview with PSM, the country's state media, on Saturday night.

Currently, while PayPal users in the Maldives can send money, they are unable to receive funds through the platform, Saeed said. He added that the government's proposal was submitted to PayPal Holdings a few days earlier and expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with PayPal soon.

Last month, Saeed held discussions with representatives from PayPal Holdings to address the challenges faced in launching PayPal services in the Maldives. 
The Islamic State (ISIS) terror group has issued a call to its supporters to carry out terror attacks in the United States and Europe, according to a post in its official weekly newsletter, al-Naba.

The same post also claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a Russian prison facility on August 23, which left four prison guards dead. The attack, carried out by knife-wielding prisoners at the IK-19 Surovikino facility in the Volgograd region, was eventually thwarted by authorities who killed the attackers. Reports previously tied the attackers to ISIS.

The details of ISISs call for attacks on Western targets remain unclear, but it follows a similar appeal made by the groups spokesman in March. Following the March 22 assault on Crocus City Hall in Moscow, which killed 145 people, the spokesman urged attacks on Christians and Jews worldwide.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Yemens Houthi rebels fired two missiles targeting a Liberian-flagged container ship in the Gulf of Aden, though the projectiles splashed down nearby without causing any damage, authorities said Saturday.

The attack comes after the Houthis repeatedly assaulted and then boarded a Greek-flagged oil tanker in the nearby Red Sea, planting explosives on it they later detonated. That attack, the worst in weeks, risked a major oil spill as 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.

In the attack Friday night, two missiles exploded 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 Joint Maritime Information Center, a multinational body overseen by the U.S. Navy, on Saturday identified the vessel targeted as the Liberian-flagged container ship Groton. The Groton came under attack Aug. 3 as well in a similar Houthi assault off Aden that included two missiles fired at the vessel, with one causing minor damage.

The ship was targeted due to other vessels within its company structure making recent port calls in Israel, the center said.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, claimed the attack in a prerecorded video address aired Saturday night. He claimed, without offering evidence, the missiles hit the Groton. Saree and other Houthi officials have exaggerated details about attacks in the past.

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 United States-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets.

The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the U.S. or the U.K. to force an end to Israels campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.

Meanwhile, the U.S. militarys Central Command said Saturday it destroyed two drones over Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.

(AP)
The United States military and Iraq launched a joint raid targeting suspected Islamic State group militants in the countrys western desert that killed at least 15 people and left seven American troops hurt, officials said Saturday.

For years after dislodging the militants from their self-declared caliphate across Iraq and Syria, U.S. forces have fought the Islamic State group, though the casualties from this raid were higher than in previous ones.

The U.S. militarys Central Command said the militants were armed with numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive suicide belts during the raid Thursday, which Iraqi forces said happened in the Anbar Desert.

This operation targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade ISIS ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond, Central Command said, using an acronym for the militant group. Iraqi Security Forces continue to further exploit the locations raided.

It added: There is no indication of civilian casualties.

An Iraqi military statement said airstrikes targeted the hideouts, followed by an airborne operation.

Among the dead were key ISIS leaders, Iraqs military said, without identifying them. All hideouts, weapons and logistical support were destroyed, explosive belts were safely detonated and important documents, identification papers and communication devices were seized.

A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the operation yet to be made public, told The Associated Press that five American troops were wounded in the raid, while two others suffered injuries from falls during the operation. One who suffered a fall was transported out of the region, while one of the wounded was evacuated for further treatment, the official said.

All personnel are in stable condition, the official said.

It wasnt immediately clear why it took two days for the U.S. to acknowledge it took part in the raid. Iraq did not say the U.S. took part in the operation when initially announcing it, as politicians debate the future of having American troops in the country. There are approximately 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq.

Since the U.S. toppled dictator Saddam Hussein with its 2003 invasion of Iraq, the country has struggled to balance relations between America and neighboring Iran. Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, Iraqi militias allied to Iran have targeted U.S. forces there, leading to American airstrikes targeting them.

At its peak, the Islamic State group ruled an area half the size of the U.K. It attempted to enforce its extreme interpretation of Islam, which included attacks on religious minority groups and harsh punishment of Muslims deemed to be apostates.

A coalition of more than 80 countries led by the United States was formed to fight the group, which lost its hold on the territory it controlled in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019.

However, the militants have continued to operate in the Anbar Desert in Iraq and Syria, while claiming attacks carried out by others elsewhere in the world inspired by the group. That includes the two suspects in a foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift shows in Vienna. Meanwhile, the IS branch in Afghanistan is known to carry out intensely bloody assaults.

Last month, the U.S. military said the number of attacks claimed by IS in Syria and Iraq was on track to double this year, compared with the year before. IS claimed 153 attacks in the two countries in the first six months of 2024, compared with 121 attacks in all of 2023.

Iraqi officials say that they can keep the IS threat under control with their own forces and have entered into talks with the U.S. aimed at winding down the mission of the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq.

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza last October, U.S. military presence in the region has become particularly contentious.

An umbrella group of Iran-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has periodically launched drone attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, which they said was in retaliation for Washingtons support of Israel in the ongoing war in Gaza and were aimed at forcing U.S. forces to withdraw from Iraq.

NBC News first reported on injuries for U.S. forces involved in the raid.

(AP)
Lawyers for Donald Trump intend to urge a judge to dismiss the federal election subversion case against the former president after a Supreme Court opinion that narrowed the scope of the landmark prosecution, according to a court filing.

The defense team, in a joint filing late Friday with prosecutors that lays out dueling proposals for the next steps, foreshadowed a series of anticipated challenges that would draw out until deep into next year the criminal case charging Trump with plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Those include arguments that a new and more limited indictment issued by prosecutors this past week still contains allegations for which Trump, as a former president, is entitled to immunity, such as his conversations with his then-vice president, Mike Pence.

Defense lawyers also intend as a threshold matter to seek the dismissal of the case on the same grounds that a federal judge in Florida cited last month in tossing out a separate prosecution charging Trump with illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The judge in that case, Aileen Cannon, held that special counsel Jack Smith, whose team brought the case, was unlawfully appointed and that his office was improperly funded.

The federal court filing in Washington offers competing visions for how the case should proceed and comes before a status conference set for the coming week  the first court appearance in the case in months.

The Supreme Court opinion made it all but certain that no trial can be held before the election, and it now falls to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which of the acts in the indictment can be included in the case and which must be stripped out.

The timetable proposed by the Trump team envisions the case remaining snarled in pretrial arguments up until potentially fall 2025, or well after this Novembers presidential election. Smiths team did not propose specific dates but said it would be prepared to file an opening legal brief on the central issue of Trumps immunity promptly at any time the Court deems appropriate.

The filing is an acknowledgment of the radically altered legal landscape since Smith filed the indictment in June 2023 and the challenges prosecutors have encountered in trying to hold Trump accountable this year.

Though prosecutors initially accused Trump of wide-ranging schemes to cling to power and to block the peaceful transfer of power, they must now contend with the aftermath of a Supreme Court opinion that said former presidents enjoy absolute immunity for exercising core constitutional powers and are presumptively immune for other official acts they take as president.

Smiths team responded to the ruling with a new indictment this past week that removed allegations related to Trumps dealings with the Justice Department, an area of conduct for which the court said Trump was immune from prosecution, and made other changes.

But Trumps lawyers, according to Fridays filing, dont think prosecutors went far enough and say they strongly maintain that many classes of conduct alleged in the Superseding Indictment are immune  including, but not limited to, Tweets and public statements about the federal 2020 Presidential election, communications with state officials about the federal election, and allegations relating to alternate slates of electors.

They said they particularly objected to the continued inclusion of allegations about Trumps badgering of Pence to get him to refuse to certify the counting of electoral votes. The Supreme Court said Trump was at least presumptively immune from prosecution for that conduct, Trumps lawyers note.

If the Court determines, as it should, that the Special Counsel cannot rebut the presumption that these acts are immune, binding law requires that the entire indictment be dismissed because the grand jury considered immunized evidence, Trumps lawyers wrote Friday.

(AP)
New York City is grappling with a disturbing surge in hate crimes, with attacks against Jews and Muslims skyrocketing this year. According to NYPD data, antisemitic incidents have increased by 74% (240 from 138) and anti-Muslim attacks have ballooned by 357% (32 from 7) through August 25.

Overall, hate crimes across the city have surged by 29% (427 from 332), with Manhattan leading the charge (174 incidents), followed by Brooklyn (157), Queens (64), and the Bronx and Staten Island (both 16). Notably, Queens saw a 36% drop in hate crimes, despite three swastikas being found in Woodhaven on August 14.

The NYPDs Hate Crime Task Force has made 177 arrests, a 23% increase from last year. However, some perpetrators remain at large, including the individual who attacked 70-year-old Allan Ripp in Central Park, calling him a [expletive] Jew pig and threatening to kill him.

The NYPD has vowed to take hate crimes seriously, saying, Crimes that are motivated by hate are vigorously investigated by the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force. Despite the challenges, victims like Allan Ripp remain optimistic, saying, Theres still too much basic humanity and there are plenty of good New Yorkers.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A bomb threat on Friday evening led to the evacuation of a shul in Miami Beach, Florida, and prompted a swift response from local police.

At approximately 7:40 p.m., officers responded to Beit Chabad South Beach and the Lubavitch Educational Center on Alton Road and 12th Street after a shul member flagged down an officer due to a suspicious envelope left in front of the building. The envelope contained handwritten lettering indicating a bomb threat and the words safe house on the other side.

As a precaution, the shul was evacuated, and officers established a perimeter, shutting down Alton Road between 11th and 13th streets and diverting cars. Bomb squad officers and K-9s were deployed to conduct a thorough sweep of the shul and learning center.

After a comprehensive investigation, police gave the all-clear, and the scene was cleared, with mispalelim.

The incident is under further investigation, and police urged anyone with information to come forward.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Osiel Cardenas Guillen, one of Mexicos most-feared drug lords, has been released from a U.S. prison after serving most of a 25-year prison sentence, authorities confirmed Friday.

A U.S. Bureau of Prisons official said Cardenas Guillen had been released from prison and was placed in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That would normally suggest he would be deported back to Mexico.

A Mexican official who was not authorized to be quoted by name said Cardenas Guillen faces two arrest warrants in Mexico, making it likely he would be detained upon arrival.

The former head of the Gulf cartel was known for his brutality. He created the most bloodthirsty gang of hitmen Mexico has ever known, the Zetas, which routinely slaughtered migrants and innocent people.

Cardenas Guillen was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2010 and ordered to forfeit tens of millions of dollars. It was not clear why he did not serve his full sentence, but he had been extradited to the U.S. in January 2007.

The 57-year-old native of the border city of Matamoros, Mexico, moved tons of cocaine and made millions of dollars through the Gulf cartel, based in the border cities of Reynosa and Matamoros.

He created the Zetas, a gang of former Mexican special forces soldiers who he recruited to become his private army and hit squad. They committed acts of terror that regularly involved slaughtering dozens of people, decapitating them or dumping heaps of hacked-up bodies on roadways.

The Zetas lived on long after Cardenas Guillen was captured in 2003. By 2010, the Zetas had formed their own cartel, spreading terror-style attacks across Mexico as far south as Tabasco until their top leaders were killed or arrested in 2012-2013.

An offshoot of the Zetas, the Northeast cartel, continues to control the border city of Nuevo Laredo, across from Laredo, Texas.

But Cardenas Guillens own gang, the Gulf cartel, has become hopelessly splintered after more than a decade of bloody infighting between factions with names like The Metros, The Cyclones, The Reds and The Scorpions.

Cardenas Guillens own nickname was El Mata Amigos, or The one who kills his friends.

Cardenas Guillens most brazen act was when he surrounded and stopped a vehicle carrying two U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents and one of their informants in 1999 in the border city of Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas.

His gunmen pointed their weapons at the agents and demanded they hand over the informant, who would almost certainly be tortured and killed. The agents toughed it out and refused, reminding him it would be a bad decision to kill employees of the DEA. Cardenas Guillen eventually called off his gunmen, but not before reportedly saying You gringos, this is my territory.

(AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired the commander of the countrys air force Friday, four days after an F-16 warplane that Ukraine received from its Western partners crashed during a Russian bombardment and killed the pilot.

The order to dismiss Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk was published on the presidential website.

We need to protect people. Protect personnel. Take care of all our soldiers, Zelenskyy said in an address minutes after the order was published. He said Ukraine needs to strengthen its army on the command level.

Lt. Gen. Anatolii Kryvonozhko was appointed acting air force commander, the armys general staff said.

The dismissal came on the same day that Oleshchuk directed scathing criticism at a lawmaker who is deputy head of the Ukrainian 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.

Oleshchuk accused Bezuhla of defaming the air force and discrediting U.S. arms manufacturers and said that he hoped she would face legal consequences for her claims.

The truth will win, 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.

U.S. experts have joined the Ukrainian investigation into the crash, the air force said.

Meanwhile, 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, which had a prewar population of 1.4 million people, the governor said.

One of the bombs hit a 12-story 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 ans comes under drone or artillery attacks almost daily.

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 defense forces had the capability to destroy Russian military aviation at its bases. We need strong decisions from our partners to stop this terror, Zelenskyy said.

F-16s are one of the weapons that could be used to hit Russian bases behind the front line.

Oleshchuk said on Telegram that a detailed analysis was already being conducted into why the F-16 jet went down 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, Oleshchuk wrote in the post shortly before his dismissal.

The crash was the first reported loss of an F-16 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-defense 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.

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.

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 defense umbrella or in an air-to-ground support role.

In other developments, European Union defense ministers agreed in Brussels to boost their training program 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, Borrell said. He added that the EU would set up a small coordination 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.

(AP)
IDF: Changes in the Home Front Command Defensive Guidelines Following a situational assessment, it was determined that as of today (Tuesday) at 6:00PM, changes will be made to the Home Front Commands defensive guidelines. As part of the changes, it was decided that in the area of the Haifa Bay (HaMifratz), specifically the communities of Kiryat Ata, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Yam, and Kiryat Motzkin, the activity scale will be changed from Partial Activity to Limited Activity, meaning educational activities are prohibited. The rest of the countrys guidelines remain unchanged. The instructions published on the official Home Front Command channels must be followed. The full instructions are updated on the National Emergency Portal and the Home Front Command app.

WATCH: IDFs 98th Division Conducts Targeted Raids Against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon The IDFs 98th Division, including the Paratroopers Brigade, Commando Brigade, 7th Brigade, and Yahalom Unit, has carried out a series of targeted operations against Hezbollah strongholds near Israels border with southern Lebanon. During these limited raids, the division has eliminated hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists, dismantled several underground tunnel routes, and destroyed dozens of terrorist infrastructure sites and combat compounds. Hezbollah had embedded hundreds of weapons along the border, which were located and destroyed by the IDF. The ongoing operations aim to neutralize Hezbollahs capabilities in the region. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/08103301/WhatsApp-Video-2024-10-08-at-10.30.15-AM.mp4 https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/08103309/WhatsApp-Video-2024-10-08-at-10.30.00-AM.mp4 https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/08103318/WhatsApp-Video-2024-10-08-at-10.29.49-AM.mp4

Hezbollah Fires Rockets Into Central Israel Interceptions seen over Central Israel after Hezbollah fired rockets. No reports of injuries. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/07162808/WhatsApp-Video-2024-10-07-at-4.26.19-PM.mp4

Air France Extends Flight Suspensions to Tel Aviv and Beirut Due to Regional Security Concerns Air France announced on Monday that it will continue suspending flights between Paris and Tel Aviv until October 15, and between Paris and Beirut until October 26, citing ongoing security concerns in the area, according to a company spokesperson.

Netanyahus Address at the State Ceremony to Mark One Year since the October 7 Massacre Following is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus address at the state ceremony to mark one year since the October 7 massacre [translated from Hebrew]: Citizens of Israel, A year ago, on October 7th, we were all hurled into a critical battle. That day, a Saturday, the Sabbath and the holiday of Simchat Torah, will be etched in the history of our nation as a day of grief and loss, of unimaginable agony. On that day, the Hamas monsters attacked our communities, our brothers and sisters, who are so dear to our hearts. They murdered and kidnapped babies and children, adults and old people. They tortured, maimed, raped, burned and destroyed. The memory of our citizens who were killed in the terrorist attack, and the memory of all the fallen heroes from the IDF and security forces, will be cherished forever. On October 7th, we were all hurled into a critical battle, but we were not defeated. On the contrary, it is we who are acting to defeat and deter our enemies. And, as we have often experienced in our history, it is in dark moments such as these that we exude our great inner power. We rallied together to defend our country, our homeland. We mustered immense mental strength. We outlined the goals of the war and we are achieving them: toppling the rule of Hamas; bringing all the hostages home, the living and the deceased alikethis is a sacred mission and we will not stop until we complete it; eliminating any future threat from Gaza to Israel; and returning the residents of the south and the north safely to their homes. We are doing this with solidarity unlike anything among the nations. When put to the test we proved, once again, that we are the Eternal People. A people that fights to bring light to this world, that aspires to spread good and eradicate evil. A people that rises like a lion, leaps up like a lion. Every time my wife and I meet with our soldiers, our wounded, with bereaved families, we hear the same message over and over again: we mustnt stop the war prematurely. As long as the enemy threatens our existence and the peace of our country, we will continue to fight. As long as our hostages are still in Gaza, we will continue to fight. We will not forsake any of them. I will not give up. As long as our citizens have not returned to their homes safely, we will continue to fight. We will continue to fight, and unitedwe will win. And when we win, not only for our sake but for the sake of future generations and for all humanity, we will rebuild the Tekuma region even bigger. When we hold onto the roots, the tree of life will grow back

.

Laly Derai, the mother of Saadia, who fell in battle said: Shadow is not darkness. Shadow is a sign that there is light from behind. Even if a mountain of grief obscures the light, we must all, as a nation, climb the mountain, because the light exists. We must always aim up, towards the light. Citizens of Israel, my dear brothers and sisters, Victory is the light. Victory guarantees eternity. October 7th will symbolize for generations the cost of our revival, and for generations it will demonstrate how determined we are and how strong our spirit is. Together we will continue to fight. And together, with Gods help we will win. Am Yisrael Chai!

NOW: Hamas Protests At Brooklyn College Pro-Hamas protestors are at Brooklyn College, as thousands are expected to protest at multiple locations around NYC on Monday. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/07142419/WhatsApp-Video-2024-10-07-at-2.23.01-PM.mp4

Home Front Command Eases Restrictions in Parts of Northern Israel, Allows Limited Educational Activities Following a situational assessment, it was determined that as of today (Monday) at 7:00PM, changes will be made to the Home Front Commands defensive guidelines. As part of the changes, it was decided that in the areas of the Lower Galilee, Southern Golan (in communities in the Emek HaYarden Regional Council) and Central Galilee (in some of the communities in the Lower Galilee Regional Council) the activity scale will be changed from Limited Activity to Partial Activity, meaning educational activities can be held in a place from which a standard protected space can be reached within the time available to reach shelter. The rest of the countrys guidelines remain unchanged.

FLASHBACK FEARS: Paragliders in Northern Israel Cause Brief Panic on October 7th Anniversary Thousands of Israelis in the north were briefly alarmed Monday afternoon when they spotted three paragliders flying around, triggering memories of the Hamas attacks exactly a year ago on October 7th. However, authorities confirmed the paragliders were civilians, and there was no connection to any terrorist activity. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/07113116/WhatsApp-Video-2024-10-07-at-11.29.00-AM.mp4
Liu Yan, marketing director of Wuling Motors, speaks in an interview with Xinhua News Agency at the Wuling Jimbaran Pool for the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali, Indonesia, Sept. 1, 2024. The 2nd IAF, organized by the Indonesian government, is scheduled to take place in Bali on Sept. 1-3. Streets of Bali were adorned with Wuling electric vehicles (EVs) featuring the forum's vibrant logos, adding a striking visual element to the resort island. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

BALI, Indonesia, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- "Wuling has now partnered with the Indonesian government for six international conferences," Liu Yan, marketing director of Wuling Motors, told Xinhua on Sunday in Bali, Indonesia, highlighting the company's ongoing collaboration with the Indonesian government.

The second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF), organized by the Indonesian government, is scheduled to take place in Bali on Sept. 1-3. Streets of Bali were adorned with Wuling electric vehicles (EVs) featuring the forum's vibrant logos, adding a striking visual element to the resort island.

The EVs, decorated with a wing pattern symbolizing openness and cooperation, and the slogan "Shaping Clean Tomorrow," underscored the forum's commitment to green and sustainable development.

Liu recounted Wuling's journey with the Indonesian government, which began in 2022 when the company provided 300 EVs for the G20 Summit. Since then, Wuling has supplied over 900 EVs for various high-profile international events hosted by the Indonesian government, including the ASEAN Summit, the Archipelagic and Island States Forum and the World Water Forum.

"Not a single safety or maintenance issue was reported. We ensured the seamless execution of these international conferences, and this flawless track record has earned high praise from the Indonesian Ministry of State Secretariat and other government departments," said Liu.

For the IAF, Wuling supplied 158 EVs, including 100 Wuling Binguo and 58 Wuling CloudEV models, to transport delegates from 52 countries. This partnership highlighted Wuling's commitment to support Indonesia's green transportation initiatives and the development of the local EV industry.

"Our primary goal is to support the Indonesian government's vision of shaping a clean and bright future by providing environmentally friendly, safe and efficient transportation options. Additionally, we aim to accelerate the establishment of an EV industry chain in Indonesia," Liu said.

To ensure the smooth operation of the vehicles during the forum, Wuling set up charging facilities at the parking center and provided 24-hour maintenance services with a team of 52 staff members. Furthermore, the company also conducted specialized training for 116 drivers from the Ministry of State Secretariat.

Eka Danny Manjur, head of the General Bureau of the Ministry of State Secretariat, expressed optimism for continued collaboration with Wuling. "We hope that Wuling can continue to work with the Indonesian government for future international activities, supporting transformation to environmentally friendly transportation technology in Indonesia," said the official.

Notably, the two models used at the forum were manufactured at Wuling's factory in Cikarang, Indonesia, with a local content rate exceeding 40 percent to be in line with the Indonesian government's requirements. This demonstrates Wuling's strong commitment to support the local EV industry.

All Wuling's three models in Indonesia, CloudEV, Binguo and AirEV, meet the requirements, said Liu, adding that the company has directly employed more than 1,000 people in Indonesia, with over 10,000 jobs created across the supply chain.

He stressed that since entering the Indonesian market in 2017, Wuling has built a robust presence, serving over 150,000 customers and selling more than 22,000 EVs, gaining over 50 percent market share and becoming one of Indonesia's top-selling EV brands.

"Wuling's rapid investment in Indonesia's EV sector not only fosters the development of other local automakers but also attracts more Chinese EV brands in the Indonesian market, providing consumers with more choices," he added. 

This photo taken on Sept. 1, 2024 shows a view of Wuling Jimbaran Pool for the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali, Indonesia. The 2nd IAF, organized by the Indonesian government, is scheduled to take place in Bali on Sept. 1-3. Streets of Bali were adorned with Wuling electric vehicles (EVs) featuring the forum's vibrant logos, adding a striking visual element to the resort island. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

A Wuling electric vehicle enters Wuling Jimbaran Pool for the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali, Indonesia, Sept. 1, 2024. The 2nd IAF, organized by the Indonesian government, is scheduled to take place in Bali on Sept. 1-3. Streets of Bali were adorned with Wuling electric vehicles (EVs) featuring the forum's vibrant logos, adding a striking visual element to the resort island. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 1, 2024 shows a view of Wuling Jimbaran Pool for the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali, Indonesia. The 2nd IAF, organized by the Indonesian government, is scheduled to take place in Bali on Sept. 1-3. Streets of Bali were adorned with Wuling electric vehicles (EVs) featuring the forum's vibrant logos, adding a striking visual element to the resort island. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

This photo taken on Sept. 1, 2024 shows the Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) logo painted on a Wuling electric vehicle parking at Wuling Jimbaran Pool for the 2nd IAF in Bali, Indonesia. The 2nd IAF, organized by the Indonesian government, is scheduled to take place in Bali on Sept. 1-3. Streets of Bali were adorned with Wuling electric vehicles (EVs) featuring the forum's vibrant logos, adding a striking visual element to the resort island. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

A staff member works at Wuling Jimbaran Pool for the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali, Indonesia, Sept. 1, 2024. The 2nd IAF, organized by the Indonesian government, is scheduled to take place in Bali on Sept. 1-3. Streets of Bali were adorned with Wuling electric vehicles (EVs) featuring the forum's vibrant logos, adding a striking visual element to the resort island. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)
Late Motzei Shabbos, the IDF announced the discovery of more bodies underground in Gaza, which are likely those of Israeli hostages previously held by Hamas.

Amid social media speculation regarding the identities of the potential hostages, the IDF stated that confirmation would only be possible once the bodies have been returned to Israel and examined by professional experts, likely on Sunday.

IDF sources clarified that if the bodies are indeed those of hostages, they were not killed in any recent skirmish with Hamas in the area, as no military force was used nearby.

In Rehoboth, Delaware, US President Joe Biden, after leaving a church service, commented on the IDFs statement about finding bodies in Gaza that could be hostages. He remarked on the uncertainty surrounding the exact number and identities, stating there is a lot of speculation who they are, and emphasized the need to wait until the bodies are identified and their families are notified.

Its time this war ended. We should end this war. I think were on the verge of having an agreement, Biden added.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Recent assessments have revealed that the number of Gazans who breached the Israeli border on October 7 was double what was initially believed, according to a report by Channel 12 on Saturday.

Data from the Israel Defense Forces Gaza Division shows that around 3,800 members of Hamass elite Nukhba forces were among the estimated 6,000 Gazans who crossed into Israel that day.

This significant increase highlights the scale of the infiltration during the attack.
Three Israeli police officers were murdered in a shooting attack at a vehicle at the Tarqumiyah checkpoint near Chevron on Sunday morning.

Initial reports of the attack said that at least three people in a vehicle were critically and seriously injured after they came under heavy fire from terrorists in a passing car.

MDA paramedics treated a man and a woman who were critically injured, and a man of about 60 who was seriously injured. Sadly, the man and woman were pronounced dead shortly later. Less than an hour later, the death of the third victim was pronounced.

The terrorists abandoned their car and fled the scene on foot following the attack. A large number of Israeli security forces have arrived at the area and launched a manhunt after the terrorists, including setting up roadblocks in the area.

The officers were identified on Sunday afternoon as:

First Sgt. Roni Shakuri, Hyd, 61, from Sderot, survived by his wife, a daughter and granddaughter. His daughter, First Sgt. Mor Shakuri, Hyd, was killed on October 7 fighting Hamas terrorists who took over the Sderot police station.

Command Sgt. Maj. Hadas Branch, Hyd, 53, from Sde Moshe. She left behind a husband, three children, and a granddaughter.

Chief Inspector Arik Ben Eliyahu, Hyd, 37, from Kiryat Yat, survived by his wife and three children.

The head of the Gush Etzion Council, Yaron Rosenthal, said: Unfortunately, this morning too, we experienced a serious attack on a bus in the Tarqumiyah area, which joins the car bombings on Shabbos along with the explosive device that was detonated last week in eastern Gush Etzion. We must take preemptive action and launch an operation to cleanse the terror nests in the Hebron Governorate and the surrounding area.

The Yesha Council issued a statement saying: The serious attack on Tarqumiyah this morning is further evidence of the serious escalation that is taking place in Yehudah and Shomron. We reiterate: The war against Israel in Yehudah and Shomron is directed by Iran and must be treated accordingly. A war is being waged in Yehudah and Shormon. The Israeli government and IDF should act accordingly: the complete destruction of the terrorist infrastructure in Yehudah and Shomron. The din of Gaza is the din of Yehudah and Shomron.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Tens of thousands of Israelis surged into the streets Sunday night after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza, chanting Now! Now! as they demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cave to Hamas demands to bring the remaining captives home.

The mass outpouring appeared to be the largest such demonstration in 11 months of war and protesters said it felt like a possible turning point, although the country is deeply divided.

Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, further pressured the government by calling a general strike for Monday, the first since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that started the war. It aims to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care and the countrys main airport  although the airport has not confirmed that it will go along with the strike.

Thousands of people gathered Sunday night outside Netanyahus office in Jerusalem. In Tel Aviv, hostages relatives marched with coffins to symbolize the toll.

We really think that the government is making these decisions for its own conservation and not for the lives of the hostages, and we need to tell them, Stop! said Shlomit Hacohen, a Tel Aviv resident.

Nothing is worse than knowing that they could have been saved, said Dana Loutaly. Sometimes it takes something so awful to shake people up and get them out into the streets.

Top security officials say the intense pressure on Hamas has created favorable conditions for a cease-fire deal. The army, noting the difficulty of rescue operations, has acknowledged that a deal is the only way to bring home large numbers of hostages safely.

But critics have accused the prime minister of putting his personal interests over those of the hostages. The wars end likely will lead to an investigation into his governments failures in the Oct. 7 attacks, the governments collapse and early elections.

Some analysts said the public outcry over the six hostages who died could signal a new level of political pressure on Netanyahu.

I think this is an earthquake. This isnt just one more step in the war, said Nomi Bar-Yaacov, associate fellow in the International Security Program at Chatham House, shortly before Sundays protests.

Divisions also have been exposed within the government. Senior military and security officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, have warned that time is running out.

Israels Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu got into a shouting match at a security Cabinet meeting Thursday with Gallant, who accused him of prioritizing control of a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border  a major sticking point in the talks  over the lives of the hostages.

In the name of the state of Israel, I hold their families close to my heart and ask forgiveness, Gallant said Sunday. The Cabinet was meeting Sunday night.

A forum of hostage families has demanded a complete halt of the country to push for a cease-fire and hostage release.

Even a mass outpouring of anger would not immediately threaten Netanyahu or his far right government. He still controls a majority in parliament. But he has caved in to public pressure before. A general strike last year helped lead to a delay in his controversial judicial overhaul.

(AP)
The Merchants Trust is a stalwart investment fund with a history going back 135 years.

Yet there is nothing stale or fuddy-duddy about the 889million trust which continues to provide investors with a compelling mix of income and capital return from the UK stock market. Among its peers, it shines.

The trust is managed by Allianz Global Investors and benefits from a steady hand at the tiller in Simon Gergel, who has been in charge of investment for more than 18 years. He is supported in managing the portfolio by Richard Knight and Andrew Koch.

The trust's performance numbers are impressive. Over the past one, three, five and 10 years, it has outgunned the average of its UK equity income peer group.

For example, over the past year it has produced a total return of 20 per cent compared to a peer group average of 18. Over five years, the outperformance is magnified  70 per cent versus 38.

There is no magical formula behind its success  just a lot of hard work and a commitment to an investment style that focuses on identifying undervalued companies that the team believes will come good in the long term.

These companies tend to offer above market average dividend yields. The trust's current annual yield is 4.8 per cent, which compares to a yield on the mainstream FTSE100 Index of 3.5 per cent.

Indeed, income is central to Merchants' investment proposition. Along with a small cohort of other investment trusts, it has a record of annual dividend growth going back decades.

Although other trusts have longer records  the likes of Alliance, Bankers and City of London  42 years of consecutive annual dividend increases is impressive.

Gergel and the Trust's board are keen to keep the record going, reassured by the fact that the fund has more than half a year's income tucked away in reserves, to be used if dividends from existing holdings tail off.

Dividends are paid quarterly and the first payment for the current financial year was 7.2p a share, an increase of 0.1p on the equivalent payment 12 months earlier. The trust's shares are priced just below 6.

The portfolio currently comprises just over 50 stocks with familiar dividend-friendly companies among its top holdings: the likes of oil companies BP and Shell and British American Tobacco.

Gergel and his team are brave investors, taking positions in businesses that have gone out of favour. Among the latest additions to the trust's portfolio is luxury goods manufacturer Burberry  a business which has suffered from poor sales, culminating in the appointment of a new chief executive in Joshua Schulman.

Although the trust bought into the company before the boardroom turmoil and the suspension of its dividends,

Gergel says he is prepared to 'hold strong business franchises through a restructuring period where we can see significant value'. Burberry's shares are nearly 70 per cent lower than this time last year.

Gergel adds: 'There is lots of value in the UK stock market, especially in companies like Burberry where their share price has been beaten up.'

Other recent additions to the portfolio include high tech engineering company Dowlais and student accommodation specialist Unite.

Gergel says: 'Dowlais is an attractive business with a decent yield [6.5 per cent] while Unite continues to benefit from strong demand for student accommodation and its share price could go a long way.'

The trust's total annual charges are competitive at 0.55 per cent. Its identification code is 0580007 and ticker MRCH.
Businesses missed out on up to 4.3billion in spending this summer due to the tourist tax, according to figures published this month.

Bosses of firms including Kurt Geiger and Burberry have said reinstating VAT-free shopping by overseas visitors could turbo-charge the economy.

Rishi Sunak abolished the perk as Chancellor in 2021.

Research suggests British businesses lost out on 3.8billion by European Union visitors between April and July, plus another 500million by those from the US, China and the Middle East, due to the tax.

The research from specialist tax refund company Global Blue suggests this equates to more than 1billion in lost VAT and other revenues for the public purse, at a time when Labour is looking to raise taxes.

Missing out: Travellers who would have come to the UK are going elsewhere to shop

Travellers who would have come to the UK are going elsewhere to shop due to the tax, critics say. Retailers who campaigned for the Tories to scrap the levy are lobbying the Labour government.

If the tax had been abolished, the UK would have been the only major country in Europe where 450 million EU residents could shop tax-free.

Global Blue estimates they would have splashed out 1.9billion over the summer, plus the same again on hotels, restaurants and other activities, adding up to 3.8billion. The researchers say that over the whole of 2024, British businesses would have made a total of 10billion if EU residents were allowed to shop tax-free.

The Tories refused to ditch the tax on the basis that it would mean lost revenues for the Treasury as shoppers from overseas would be able to reclaim VAT at 20 per cent on their purchases.

But retailers argue this loss of income would be heavily outweighed due to extra spending by tourists on hotels, transport and leisure attractions as more of them would visit the UK.

Paul Barnes, chief executive of the Association of International Retail, which represents hundreds of firms including Heathrow Airport and Bicester Village in Oxfordshire, said: 'These are huge amounts of foreign money that could have been spent in British businesses across the whole of the UK.

'The Chancellor is looking for ways to promote growth and increase tax revenues. If she looked again at tax-free shopping she would get a very pleasant surprise.'

Neil Clifford, boss of shoe and bag chain Kurt Geiger, said the policy had 'put a big hole in the British economy'.

Clifford added: 'Brexit was to open us up to the world and then we shut the door on ourselves.'

Campaign: Kurt Geiger is a vocal critic

The Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday have been campaigning for the policy to be reversed, with the support of more than 500 firms.

Muniya Barua, deputy chief executive at BusinessLDN, which represents firms in the capital, said: 'This data is a wake-up call which shows how the tourist tax is diverting spending into Paris, Madrid and Lisbon where VAT-free shopping for tourists still exists.'

At the moment, British companies are 'competing with one hand tied behind their backs'.

James Lambert, deputy chairman of Value Retail, the owner of designer outlet Bicester Village, said his business had seen 'evidence of a deflection of tourism expenditure towards capital cities in Europe'.

Opponents of the tax argue it is a brake on growth.

Rachel Reeves has said she wants to become the most 'pro-growth Chancellor' in UK history. And prominent retail source said they are hopeful Labour will decide scrapping the levy is a 'silver bullet' for growth after they see more data.

A spokesman for the Treasury said: 'Following the spending audit, the Chancellor has been clear that difficult decisions lie ahead on spending, welfare and tax to fix the foundations of our economy and address the 22billion hole in the public finances left by the last government.

'Decisions on how to do that will be taken at the Budget in the round.'
Oh My Cod!: Chippie owner Andrew Crook said he is concerned for the industry

The days of the great British chippie may be numbered under Labour plans to boost workers' rights, owners fear.

Fish and chip shops are already under pressure due to high energy costs and poor potato harvests driving up prices for customers.

Now an industry group is warning that one of Britain's favourite institutions could be consigned to history.

Andrew Crook, who has run Skippers in Euxton, Lancashire, for 17 years and is president of the National Federation of Fish Friers, has written to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds warning the 'odds are stacked against' fish and chip shops.

Crook is expanding with another outlet called Oh My Cod in nearby Coppull, but says many of his fellow chippie-owners are in despair.

'I am fielding several calls a week from former successful business owners who are despondent as they go from one issue to another. And they do feel that the Government is not interested in fully supporting small business,' the letter said. 'There are many businesses up for sale and we are seeing more close as the owners find it is just not worth it any more and are unable to find a buyer.' Crook said: 'My fear is we're about to see an exodus of good operators who provide good jobs.'

The letter comes as the Office for National Statistics revealed the average price of a portion of fish and chips leapt from 6.48 in July 2019 to 9.88 today.

Chippies are facing a perfect storm of import tariffs on seafood and a jump in global demand for fish, particularly from the US, where buyers have fallen in love with cod caught in waters around Norway.

Extreme weather has also hit potato harvests across Europe, pushing up the price of spuds.

Some chip shop owners are also alarmed by Labour's overhaul of workers' rights, steered by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. This could give staff protection from unfair dismissal from day one, put an end to zero-hours contracts and raise the minimum wage.

Stuart Devine, owner of Scottish fish and chip shop chain Ashvale, said: 'If you put wages up, prices need to go up. It's a worry in a cost-of-living crisis.

'Minimum wages have moved far enough. Chip shops aren't like fancy restaurants. We can't start charging 30 for a meal.'

Crook called for 'common sense' from Labour on workers' rights, adding: 'You've got to protect employees from bad employers. But you also have to protect employers from bad employees.'
Sage: Warren Buffett, with badge courtesy of us, is the world's most successful investor and eighth richest man

When Warren Buffett starts selling one of his most successful investments, the rest of us should sit up and take note. And since that company is Apple Inc, we should absolutely go on full alert.

On 28 August his investment corporation, Berkshire Hathaway, was valued at $1trillion (750billion), the first enterprise in America aside from the high-tech giants to cross that threshold. It is up 31 per cent in value this year. Two days later, he had his 94th birthday.

Buffett has achieved his status as the world's most successful investor partly by his longevity  he has been running Berkshire Hathaway since 1965.

Part of his status is, naturally, his wealth  with $146billion he comes in at number eight on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. It is also his genius for finding a crisp way of expressing investment truths. One of my favourites is: 'Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.'

But most of all, he is revered for being the champion of the small investor. Famously, he bases his business in Omaha, Nebraska, not New York, and is known for his frugality. He lives in the same house he bought in 1958, eats hamburgers at McDonald's and drinks cherry coke. And he has made thousands of once-small investors very rich.

Since the annual return on Berkshire Hathaway shares from 1965 to 2023 works out at the equivalent of 19.8 per cent compound interest, it is easy to see why. It is the classic case of 'get rich slow'.

That is the message that attracts some 40,000 shareholders to the company's annual meeting at the CHI health centre in Omaha every May. This year was the first that he hosted solo, after the death of his long-time business partner and vice-chairman, Charlie Munger, just short of his 100th birthday.

Let's try to unpick that recipe for success by looking at some of Buffett's most famous aphorisms.

First the 'be fearful' quote above. He sold nearly half his Apple stake, though the technology firm remains Berkshire Hathaway's single most valuable holding  and he has made a string of sales of Bank of America shares, his second largest holding, though again he remains the bank's largest shareholder.

This does not show fear but demonstrates some scepticism about share values in America. It has been a stunning boom, with the S&P 500 index nearly doubling in the past five years. Apple shares have more than quadrupled. But all bull phases come to an end, and taking some profits before the peak is a good way of coping with the uncertain timing of market cycles.

The Apple holding fits with another of his quotes, the origin of which he attributes to Munger: 'It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price, than a fair company at a wonderful price.'

Apple was and is a wonderful company. So why sell half the stake? The answer may be in its valuation but also some weakening of its competitive advantage.

In Buffett's own words: 'The key to investing is not assessing how much an industry is going to affect society, or how much it will grow, but rather determining the competitive advantage of any given company and, above all, the durability of that advantage.'

Apple has the advantage of an astoundingly loyal customer base, but that is very much a function of the beauty and effectiveness of its products. It is not yet clear that this advantage will persist in the next technological revolution  the application and development of artificial intelligence.

Next, take the very long view. 'Our favourite holding period is for ever,' as Buffett puts it, or: 'The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.' And: 'If you aren't willing to own a stock for ten years, don't even think about owning it for ten minutes.'

This has to be tempered with the discipline of accepting when you have made a mistake and need to reverse direction. Buffett quotes the familiar: 'The most important thing to do if you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging.'

He has been frank about his mistakes, which include not buying Google shares, as he didn't know enough about technology and didn't spend enough time analysing it to appreciate its potential.

A final element to Buffett's status is this: 'Rule number one is never lose money. Rule number two is never forget rule number one.'

Inevitably there have been years when the value of Berkshire Hathaway has fallen, but it made a small gain in 2022 when the S&P 500 index fell 18 per cent. That silenced some critics who had suggested Buffett had lost his edge.

Behind everything is the power of compound interest over a long period. It helps to be old. Warren Buffett himself says he made most of his money after the age of 65.

That surely is a message for everyone, not just shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway like me. It is a powerful argument for saving within some kind of tax wrapper, so dividends and capital gains can be ploughed back and reinvested without deductions.

Right now it feels right to follow Buffett. For those lucky enough to have profits from high-tech holdings, the option is either build up some cash or switch to lower-rated sectors.

A number of other famous investors, including George Soros and Stanley Druckenmiller, have been paring back their holdings in the Magnificent Seven (Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla) in recent weeks.

But it is not, and never has been, a time to stop investing. Or, a final quote, this time from the late Charlie Munger: 'The big money is not in the buying and selling, but in the waiting.'
Angela Rayner is being urged to deliver swift approval for controversial plans by Marks & Spencer to demolish its flagship Oxford Street store.

The Deputy Prime Minister is reviewing the plans which were blocked by the previous government only for that decision to be quashed following a legal challenge.

M&S wants to raze the 1929 art deco building near Marble Arch in London and build a larger ten-storey retail and office block.

Decision time: Angela Rayner is reviewing the plans which were blocked by the previous government only for that decision to be quashed following a legal challenge

Sacha Berendji, M&S operations director, said: 'Unlocking this investment would send a clear message that the planning system will support sustainable growth.'

However, several architects  including TV presenter Kevin McCloud - oppose the scheme.
John Nichol joined the RAF after his O-levels

John Nichol is a former Royal Air Force navigator who, with pilot John Peters, was shot down in a Tornado jet fighter during the first Gulf War in 1991.

They were paraded on television by their Iraqi captors before being held as prisoners of war for seven weeks.

Since leaving the RAF, 60-year-old Nichol has written best-sellers about the Spitfire, Lancaster bomber and Tornado aircraft, among other subjects, and has sold two million books.

He lives in Hertfordshire with his businesswoman wife Suzannah, their daughter Sophie, 19, and golden retriever, Ralph.

What did your parents teach you about money?

I was one of four and grew up in a three-bedroom council house on Tyneside. My late mum Cath and dad John, who was a clerk at an engineering works, were part of the wartime generation that grew up when everything was in short supply.

As a consequence, they were very frugal people. And that frugality has rubbed off on me. So despite being quite well-off now, I still watch the pennies.

I was livid when a London restaurant recently charged a friend and I 16 for two small bottles of lager  talk about daylight robbery!

Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?

When I first joined the RAF as an electronics technician after my O-levels, I was on about 15-20 a week. I was living in a barrack room at an RAF base, but had to pay towards my accommodation.

After buying the odd beer and playing the fruit machine, I'd often run out of money after a few weeks. I was commissioned as an officer after five years so was paid more.

However, the worst time of my life was undoubtedly being held hostage by the Iraqis  I was half-starved and lost nearly three stone over seven weeks in captivity. That said, if I hadn't been a prisoner of war and paraded on TV, I wouldn't have the career I have today.

Have you ever been paid silly money?

Speaking engagements, in particular corporate speaking events, can pay very well (around 5,000) and I've done quite a few over the years. I'm not sure I'd describe it as 'silly money' but it's certainly a lot more than my dad ever got paid.

But Covid knocked all that on the head, and things have never quite gone back to how they were beforehand.

Brothers in arms: John Nichol (right) with his fellow PoW from the Gulf War, John Peters

What was the best year of your financial life?

Being self-employed, my yearly earnings can vary hugely, for instance depending on how my latest book is selling.

But the early Noughties  2002-2004  were probably my best years financially because I was in demand on TV as a military commentator, made some TV documentaries with WWII veterans and also did lots of speaking engagements.

What's the most expensive thing you bought for fun?

A 5,000 Rolex watch I got myself in the 1990s. I thought it was the ultimate watch  until I hosted the British Watch Awards one year and found myself sitting next to a chap with one on each wrist.

Rare: The bespoke Bremont MB1 watch

Their combined worth? Half a million pounds!

Nowadays I wear a bespoke Bremont MB1 watch  it can only be worn by men and women who have used a Martin-Baker ejection seat in an emergency. I also splash out on holidays, and will book my family into a nice villa or five-star hotel.

What is your biggest money mistake?

It was buying a used Honda Accord for 1,500 in 1983. The car looked nice enough but after a few weeks I noticed the sills had been filled in with newspaper and sprayed with paint to hide the rust.

In short, I'd bought a rustbucket.

After a year or so, the suspension collapsed while I was driving on the M4 and I had to be towed home by the AA. I had to scrap the car.

Best money decision you have made?

Although leaving the RAF and starting a new career in my 30s was a bit scary, I knew that it was time to move on. Making that leap opened up a world of opportunities and enabled me to become a best-selling author.

Yes, being a writer has its ups and downs, but it has paid better than being in the RAF. When I left the forces in the mid-1990s, I was earning about 35,000. Incidentally, one of the jobs I was offered after leaving the RAF was as a combine harvester salesman  I was briefly tempted.

Do you have a pension?

I get a military pension which I've just started drawing down. While it's not a huge amount, it pays the weekly Tesco shop. I also pay into a private pension, though I've no plans to retire in the foreseeable future because I enjoy what I do too much.

Do you own any property?

Yes, a six-bedroom 1970s house in a quiet Hertfordshire village, next to a church, which my wife and I bought for 300,000 back in the late-1990s. I don't know exactly what it's worth today but I imagine we could never afford to buy it now.

Man's best friend: John Nichol pictured with his old golden labrador retriever, Ted

If you were Chancellor, what would you do?

Reform the way the social care system works. I understand the concept that if you have more, you should pay more, but it seems wrong that those who've saved for retirement should have to sell everything to fund their care in old age, whereas those with nothing have their old-age care paid for by the Government.

What is your number one financial priority?

To have enough money to see me through comfortably to my final days.
BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- China will speed up the building of a unified national market that is efficient, rule-based, fair and open, Luo Wen, head of the State Administration for Market Regulation, has said.

The country will formulate and revise rules for the implementation of the regulations for fair competition reviews, improve legal rules for determining market monopoly and unfair competition, and refine rules for fair competition in the digital economy, Luo said in an interview with Xinhua.

He said policies and measures that impede the building of a unified national market and fair competition will be reviewed.

Strong efforts will be made to promote the inclusion of the review of fair competition in the assessment and evaluation of building a law-based government and optimizing the business environment, said Luo.

The administration will intensify efforts to address issues related to regional protectionist practices and market segmentation to ensure fair competition and market order, and promote fair and unified enterprise credit evaluation, he said.

Acts that abuse administrative powers to exclude or restrict competition will be prohibited and business entities of all kinds will be guided to compete in an orderly manner, said Luo.

To promote fair and unified market regulation, efforts will be made to strengthen the standardization and digital construction of market regulation and to build big data centers for market supervision, he said.

Noting the importance and urgency of improving the basic system of market economy, Luo said efforts will be made to improve market access and exit system, establish a trade secret protection system, and improve the credit supervision system. 
BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's 62-day summer travel season has concluded, with the railways handling a record 887 million passenger trips between July 1 and Aug. 31, up 6.7 percent year on year, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. said Sunday.

During the period, the daily average number of passenger trips handled by the country's railways was 14.31 million, according to the company.

To ensure safe, orderly travel and stable operations, the company prepared a transportation plan, increased capacity and implemented passenger-friendly measures well in advance.

The summer travel rush is usually a busy season for the country's railway system as college students return home for the summer vacation, while family visits and tourist trips also increase during the period. 
ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Severe flooding has hit several provinces of Yemen, leaving more than 150 people dead and thousands more displaced as of Sunday, according to a Yemeni source and a UN agency.

A Houthi health official, who spoke anonymously due to the lack of authorization, put the death toll from heavy rains and floods in Yemen at 152.

According to the official, approximately 40 individuals died from the intense rainfall and the dam burst in the northwestern Al-Mahwit province on Tuesday evening.

The source added that 28 others were killed Friday as a result of flood-related incidents in the Houthi-controlled Dhamar province, western Yemen.

The official noted that the Houthi-held Hodeidah province is the region most impacted by the flooding since the beginning of August, with 84 people reported dead and 25 others injured.

Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that the floods, which began in mid-July, have affected multiple regions across Yemen, with the western and northwestern provinces suffering the most.

The UNHCR said that in the western Malhan district of Al-Mahwit province alone, more than 56,000 homes have been impacted, and over 1,000 families have been forced to flee their residences.

The deadly flooding also caused massive damage to vital infrastructure, with vast tracts of agricultural land submerged and roads blocked.

The natural disaster has further compounded the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, as the country has already been devastated by a protracted civil war.

The civil war between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government, since its onset in late 2014, has resulted in 4.5 million people internally displaced.

The UNHCR warns that 85 percent of the war-affected households are now unable to meet their basic nutritional requirements.

The country's infrastructure and healthcare system, undermined by years of civil conflict, have proven woefully inadequate in the face of this natural disaster.

The Yemeni government has issued an urgent appeal for international assistance in preserving and protecting the country's archaeological heritage from the ravages of the ongoing floods.

On Saturday, Yemeni Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Muammar Al-Eryani made a formal plea for immediate intervention to safeguard valuable historical sites, particularly those located in areas under the control of the Houthi forces. 
Every Irish Fest there's a Catholic mass that marks the occasion and insiders know that it's worth attending to keep in touch with the last remaining REAL IRISH LOCALS in Kansas City.



Accordingly . . .We give credit were it's due to newsie Sam Zeff who understood this fact of life and reported today from the scene . . .



It was packed Sunday around the stage on the east edge of Crown Center, with about 1,000 people under the tent and 500 more in the bright sunshine in the rear. The weather was perfect. Still, there was clearly a sadness at Brady's loss.



"There is a cloud upon us," said Father Don Farnan, pastor at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, St. James, and St. Therese Little Flower. "We offer our Mass for him today."



After communion, a moment of silence for Brady was held while the bagpipes played "Amazing Grace."



This soul crushing detail deserves to be highlighted . . .



"Organizers said the crowd for the Irish mass wasn't any bigger than in the past, but there was a little more security. Normally there would be an Irish breakfast for everyone after Mass  cooked in large part by Brady himself  but this year, as a way to remember the beloved chef, it was canceled."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
In this post we collect more than a few local items related to often treacherous street life, court cases and community outreach.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Truman Road Bridge Hit and Run Collision Marks Kansas City's 63rd Fatality of 2024 - Northeast News Admin BREAKING: Saturday evening, Aug. 31, the Accident Investigation Section (AIS) of the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) - along with East Patrol Division (EPD) officers - were dispatched to the Truman Road Bridge overlooking Manchester on a confirmed hit and run fatality collision, according to a release from KCPD media unit.

Driver ejected from car, killed after speeding away from Prairie Village traffic stop One person died after running from a traffic stop in Kansas and crashing their car into a tree in Missouri.

Teens hitting the road in Missouri face dangerous driving conditions, study finds - again A report ranks Missouri one of the worst states in the country for teen driver safety, after looking at factors such as driving laws, crash rates, and distracted driving and texting laws.

Investigation opened after homeowner shoots man attempting to burglarize property Police are investigating after a man who broke into a Lee's Summit home over the weekend and refused to leave was shot by the owner.

As KC's East Side grapples with crime, residents call for action. We must help them | Opinion Prostitution, drugs, assault, shoplifting and civil disturbances around the Sun Fresh at 31st and Prospect Avenue hurt the quality of life.

'I feel very blessed': Mother of former KCPD officer shares son's organ donation experience Former KCPD officer, Christopher Garcia, continued to save lives after his death through organ donation.

'Michael had a spark': Family, friends remember man killed at Kansas City, Missouri, gas station Family and friends remember Michael Dehaan, a man shot to death during an armed robbery August 21 at a BP gas station in Kansas City, Missouri.

Developing . . .
SEOUL, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export grew for the 11th straight month due to strong demand for locally-made tech and oil products, government data showed Sunday.

Export, which accounts for around half of the export-driven economy, rose 11.4 percent from a year earlier to 57.90 billion U.S. dollars in August, continuing to climb since October 2023, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Import gained 6.0 percent over the year to 54.07 billion dollars in August, sending the trade surplus to 3.83 billion dollars. The trade balance stayed in black for the 15th consecutive month since June 2023.

Of the country's 15 major export items, seven products saw an increase in outbound shipment.

Semiconductor export soared 38.8 percent over the year to 11.88 billion dollars in August, keeping an upward trend for the 10th successive month.

The rapid expansion was attributed to chip demand relevant to artificial intelligence (AI), higher memory chip prices, and the launch of new smartphones.

Mobile device shipment jumped 50.4 percent to 1.81 billion dollars thanks to the global smartphone market recovery, while computer export almost tripled to 1.48 billion dollars on the continued demand for solid state drive (SSD).

Display panel export declined 4.9 percent to 1.82 billion dollars last month, marking the first fall in 13 months.

Automotive shipment reduced 4.3 percent to 5.07 billion dollars, with auto parts export sliding by 3.5 percent to 1.84 billion dollars.

General machinery shipment decreased 5.9 percent to 3.86 billion dollars, but export for ships spiked 80.0 percent to 2.84 billion dollars owing to higher demand for high-value-added ships such as LNG carriers and container ships.

Shipment for oil products and petrochemicals increased in single digits to 4.53 billion dollars and 4.18 billion dollars each on robust global demand that offset lower prices.

Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, averaged 77.6 dollars per barrel in August, down 10.2 percent compared to August 2023.

Steel export retreated 1.7 percent to 2.81 billion dollars, while shipment for home appliances, textiles and secondary batteries shrank in single digits to 620 million dollars, 790 million dollars, and 710 million dollars respectively.

Export to the United States advanced 11.1 percent from a year earlier to 9.96 billion dollars in August, maintaining an upward trend for the 13th successive month since August 2023.

Shipment to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) added 1.7 percent to 9.82 billion dollars on strong demand from Vietnam, and export to the European Union (EU) jumped 16.1 percent to 6.43 billion dollars.

Export to Japan, Latin America and India gained to 2.52 billion dollars, 2.56 billion dollars and 1.64 billion dollars each last month.

Regarding import items, the import of three major energy sources, including crude oil, natural gas and coal, climbed 17.3 percent to 12.58 billion dollars in August compared to August 2023.

Non-energy imports grew 3.0 percent to 41.49 billion dollars on higher demand for chips and naphtha. 
In Great Britain, under the guidance of instructors from Australia and Finland, future platoon commanders are training and practicing storming enemy trenches as part of Operation Interflex.

The AFU General Staff posted this via Facebook, as reported by Ukrinform.

"Starting from the stage of collecting and analyzing reconnaissance and intelligence information, preparing and proving the combat order, our military personnel go through all the necessary stages for the successful completion of tasks. From storming the trenches to occupying an all-around defense after clearing them of the enemy, every step is important to ensure the safety and effectiveness of operations on the battlefield," the message reads.

In addition, Ukrainian military personnel take classes in fire training, tactical medicine and operations in urban areas.

A significant part of the time is devoted to planning: analyzing information, issuing combat orders and transferring plans to the layout.

These skills and knowledge are the basis for effective command and successful execution of combat missions by commanders. Training under the guidance of experienced instructors from Australia and Finland helps them develop all the necessary skills.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, in August, a new rotation of the Canadian Armed Forces personnel began a training course for Ukrainian defenders.
BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's 62-day summer travel season has concluded, with the railways handling a record 887 million passenger trips between July 1 and Aug. 31, up 6.7 percent year on year, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) said Sunday.

During the period, the daily average number of passenger trips handled by the country's railways was 14.31 million, according to the company.

Meanwhile, more than 14.32 million student tickets were sold during the summer travel rush, according to the China Railway.

A total of 670 million tonnes of goods were also transported by railways, including 250 million tonnes of thermal coal, during the period, according to the company.

To ensure safe, orderly travel and stable operations, the company prepared a transportation plan, increased capacity and implemented passenger-friendly measures well in advance.

The summer travel rush is usually a busy season for the country's railway system as college students return home for the summer vacation, while family visits and tourist trips also increase during the period. 
(@FahadShabbir)

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2024) Growing tributes were paid to the iconic Kashmiris leader Syed Ali Geelani, who stood firm for the freedom of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) despite an endless oppression of Indian occupational forces, on his third death anniversary observed with great respect and admiration on Sunday.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani was one of the iconic leaders of IIOJK, who stood up against the Indian occupation forces' over seven-decades long repressions as well as systematic state terrorism, human rights abuses and fought for Kashmir Cause till his last breath.

Ali Shah Geelani's famous saying "We are Kashmiris and Pakistan is our country" has inspired the people of the held valley to continue his rich legacy and peaceful struggle for the right of self-determination as promised to them by the UN Security Council through several passed resolutions.

In spite of severe threats to his life, he stayed at the held valley most of the time and faced all challenges with bravery and steadfastness.

The Kashmiris living in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir held condolences references and highlighted his great services. Quran Khwani was also held.

"Ali Geelani's had fought the case of Kashmir with bravery in all forums and his life-long commitment and peaceful struggle to the Kashmir Cause was unprecedented in the modern era," Prof Dr Ejaz Khan, former Chairman International Relations Department, University of Peshawar while talking to APP.

Ali Geelani has left an inspired legacy for Kashmiris and his unparalleled courage and sacrifices during the freedom movement had left lasting imprints on the hearts and minds of people of Indian Occupied Kashmir who kept alive the indigenous freedom independence since India had illegally invaded the held valley on October 27, 1947.

"Late Geelani Shahib had received widespread admiration due to his strong commitment for justice, equality, human rights and freedom while facing Indian persecution and oppression and never escaped from danger," he said.

"Geelani Sahib has deep love with people of IIOJK and died among them during a long-drawn house arrest on September 1, 2021," he said.

He said the Indian occupation forces' oppression, war crimes and disregard for human rights were further exposed after they snatched Geelani's dead body from his family, and hurriedly buried in a graveyard in the absence of his relatives and friends at night.

He said the family, relatives and friends of the great Kashmiri leader were not allowed to pay their final respects, funeral or bury him in a graveyard of choice.

Hussain Khateeb, member All Parties Hurriyat Conference (Gillani Group) said the late Ali Shah Geelani being a champion of human rights had exposed Indian occupation forces' organized state terrorism and war crimes.

Referring to the September 2021 Pakistani dossier, he said about 8,652 unmarked graves were identified in 89 villages of six districts in the held valley while the bodies of 37 Kashmiris burnt alive by Indian forces were beyond recognition.

Over 96,000 cases of extrajudicial killings, around 162,000 cases of arbitrary arrests and torture, over 25,000 pellet gun injuries, 11,250 women raped, 23,000 women widowed and over 108,000 children orphaned by the Indian army since 1989 were reported, he claimed.

Syed Ali Geelani had also raised strong voices against excessive use of pellet guns against peaceful Kashmiris and cluster ammunitions by India to target civilian populations along the Line of Control.

The children and women was being used as human shields during encounters at IIOJK where they were forced to sleep at military camps to dig out minefields besides tying youth on military jeeps testified the Modi fascist governments direct involvement in war crimes and genocide of Kashmiris.

The killing of freedom fighter Burhan Wani in fake encounter and putting Hurriyet leader Yasin Malik in jail in a fake case, have further exposed the nefarious designs of the indian apartheid regime that converted IIOJK into the world's biggest jail.

Dr Ejaz Khan said that Syed Ali Geelani was a true face and strong voice of the Kashmiris struggle for their right of freedom.

He said Geelani's unflinching commitment and support to the Kashmiris right to self-determination, in the face of persistent persecution, cruelties and tremendous hardship, had inspired generations of Kashmiris to resist the occupation and tyranny of the Hinduvata regime.

Ejaz Khan said the late Geelani had been a steadfast advocate for the inalienable right to self-determination and became a role model of Kashmiris for his exemplified fearlessness, bravery and unflinching commitment to championing the rights of the Kashmiris.

He said that his legacy transcended the constraints of time and would continue to kindle the fervour of succeeding Kashmiri generations, inciting them to relentlessly strive for their birthright of freedom.

The experts said the road to peace in South Asia was passing through Kashmir and another war on this lingering dispute would destabilize the entire region.

They urged UN bodies including its security council to implement its resolutions on Kashmir and press India to give right of self-determination to the oppressed Kashmiris.

They also demanded the Indian government allow the family of the late Syed Ali Geelani to visit his resting place and construct his grave as per their choice.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also paid rich tributes to Ali Geelani on his third death anniversary, saying the mission of Syed Ali Geelani would continue till the oppressed Kashmiris achieve freedom from Indian yoke.

APP/fam/1055
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday while paying tribute to late iconic Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani, reiterated Pakistans continuing moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiri people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

In a message on the third death anniversary of late veteran Kashmiri leader, the prime minister said that his name would always be remembered and respected in the movement for freedom of IIOJK.

Geelani had been a great Kashmiri leader who had a firm faith in the Kashmiris people in their right to self-determination.

Late Geelani had devoted his entire life for the achievement of the same objective, PM Office Media Wing, in a press release, quoted the prime minister as saying.

The prime minister further said that Syed Ali Shah Geelanis contributions for the freedom of Kashmiri people and in the struggle for the right to self-determination, would always be remembered, adding sufferings in imprisonment could not deter Geelanis strong resolve.

Geelanis sacrifices would not go in vain, the prime minister said, adding that the struggle for the right to self-determination would continue.
Erfurt, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2024) Voters in two former East German states go to the polls Sunday in elections expected to deal a blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government and deliver big gains for the far-right AfD.

The polls in Thuringia and Saxony come just over a week after three people were killed in a suspected Islamist attack, which has fuelled a bitter debate over immigration in Germany.

Opinion polls have the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead in Thuringia and a close second in Saxony, while also predicting a strong showing for the upstart, far-left BSW.

The two parties have found a receptive audience in the eastern states for their criticism of the government in Berlin and of military aid to Ukraine.

An election victory for the AfD would be a landmark in Germany's post-war history and represent a rebuke for Scholz, ahead of national elections in 2025.

In both states, Scholz's Social Democrats are polling around six percent, while their coalition partners, the Greens and the liberal FDP, lag even further behind.

But even if the AfD does come out on top in the elections, it is unlikely to come to power because other parties have ruled out working with the far right to form a government.

Voting in both regional elections will start at 8:00 am local time (0600 GMT), with polling stations closing at 6:00 pm.

- Far-right rise -

The ballot-counting will start immediately after voting ends, with the first exit polls expected shortly after.

Created in 2013 as an anti-euro group before morphing into an anti-immigration party, the AfD has capitalised on the fractious three-way coalition in Berlin to rise in the polls.

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.

Saxony is the most populous of the former East German states and has been a conservative stronghold since reunification.

Thuringia meanwhile is more rural and the only state currently led by far-left Die Linke, a successor of East Germany's ruling communist party.

A third former East German state, Brandenburg, is also due to hold an election later in September, where polls have the AfD ahead 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.

- New challenger -

The AfD has found stronger support in the east where more voters "identify with its nationalist and authoritarian positions" and many are dissatisfied with the mainstream parties, according to Kneuer.

The same currents have fed support for BSW, founded in January by the firebrand politician Sahra Wagenknecht after she quit Die Linke.

Like the AfD, Wagenknecht and her party have made hay with a dovish stance towards Russia and calls for a radical crackdown on immigration.

BSW scored an immediate success in June's European elections, hauling in some six percent of the German vote, and is polling a strong third in Saxony and Thuringia.

Other parties' refusal to work with the AfD leaves BSW as potentially the kingmaker in Thuringia and Saxony, despite serious policy disagreements with potential partners -- especially on Ukraine.

The run-up to polling day in Saxony and Thuringia has however been dominated by outcry over immigration stirred up by the deadly stabbing in the western city of Solingen.

The alleged attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian man with suspected links to the Islamic State group, was slated for deportation but evaded attempts by authorities to remove him.

The government has sought to respond to the alarm caused by the incident by announcing stricter knife controls and rules for migrants in Germany illegally.

The conservative CDU, which holds hopes of winning both elections, has said the initial measures do not go far enough and urged a halt to arrivals from Syria and Afghanistan.
Gaza Strip, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2024) Israel's military announced Sunday the discovery of six dead hostages in a Gaza tunnel, as medics in Palestinian territory braced for pauses in fighting for a polio vaccination drive.

The hostages' remains were recovered Saturday "from an underground tunnel in the Rafah area" and formally identified in Israel, a military statement said.

The military named them as Hersh Goldberg-Polin -- a dual US-Israeli national -- Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov -- a Russian-Israeli -- Almog Sarusi and Master Sergeant Ori Danino.

US President Joe Biden said he was "devastated and outraged" by the deaths.

The six were among 251 hostages seized during Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the ongoing war, 97 of whom remain captive in Gaza including 33 the Israeli army says are dead.

Military spokesman Daniel Hagari said all six "were abducted alive on the morning of October 7" and "brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them".

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said it "bows its head in mourning" for the latest deaths and called for a ceasefire deal.

"Were it not for the delays, sabotage, and excuses those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive," the campaign group said.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign since October 7 has reduced Gaza to ruins, devastating water and sanitation facilities, while disease has spread.

Following the first confirmed polio case in the besieged Palestinian territory in 25 years, a Gaza health official said vaccinations began Saturday ahead of a wider campaign.

The World Health Organization says Israel has agreed to a series of three-day "humanitarian pauses" to facilitate the polio vaccination drive, which an international aid worker told AFP would start in earnest Sunday.
Editor's note: Here is a look at immigration-related news around the U.S. this week. Questions? Tips? Comments? Email the VOA immigration team: ImmigrationUnit@voanews.com.

Biden calls ruling wrong, as Texas judge suspends immigration reform policy

A Texas judge has ordered a temporary pause on a policy that would streamline the process for spouses of U.S. citizens to obtain legal status in the country, a blow to one of U.S. President Joe Biden's biggest immigration reform policies. Judge J. Campbell Barker granted a 14-day administrative stay Monday in a case brought by the Republican attorneys general of 16 U.S. states challenging the policy. Reported by Agence France-Presse.

Biden restarts immigration program for 4 countries with more vetting

The Biden administration is restarting an immigration program that allows migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to come to the United States, and it includes "additional vetting" of their U.S.-based financial sponsors following fraud concerns. The Department of Homeland Security had suspended the program earlier this month to investigate the concerns but indicated that an internal review found no widespread fraud among sponsors. Reported by the Associated Press.

Harris vows tougher approach on migration, supports weapons for Israel

Vice President Kamala Harris vowed a tougher approach to migration along the U.S. southern border and said she would not withhold weapons to Israel, in her first interview with a major news organization since becoming the Democratic nominee for president. In the interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash, Harris sought to show she is in command of the issues and give Americans a sense of her policy positions with little more than two months until Election Day on November 5. Reported by Reuters.

Immigration around world

Panama deports Ecuadorean migrants in second US-backed flight

Panamanian authorities deported a group of migrants to Ecuador on a second flight financed by the United States, as part of an agreement between the U.S. and Panama to discourage irregular crossings and reduce the flow of mostly U.S.-bound migration. The flight carrying 30 Ecuadoreans departed on Thursday evening en route to the coastal city of Manta, Ecuador, Panama's migration service said, adding that the migrants were deported for evading a migration checkpoint on the popular Darien Gap route. Reuters reports.

Mpox outbreak in Africa poses risks for refugees, displaced communities

United Nations agencies warn that refugees and displaced communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African countries reporting mpox infections are at particular risk of illness and death because of the conditions under which they are forced to live. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.

More food, other relief reaching millions of famished Sudanese

Breakthroughs providing for greater humanitarian access that were achieved in the first round of U.S.-mediated peace talks on Sudan are expanding, the United States' special envoy for Sudan said. The talks wrapped up in Geneva last Friday. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.

For Senegalese dreaming of Europe, the deadly Atlantic route is not a deterrent

Salamba Ndiaye was 22 when she first tried to get to Spain, dreaming of a career as a real estate agent. Without her parents' knowledge, she made it onto a small fishing boat known as a pirogue, but the Senegalese police intercepted the vessel before it could leave. A year later, Ndiaye tried again, successfully making it off the coast but this time a violent storm forced the boat to stop in Morocco, where Ndiaye and the other passengers were sent back to Senegal. The Associated Press reports.

Germany repatriates first group of Afghan refugees since Taliban takeover

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. Ayaz Gul reports for VOA.

13 dead after boat capsizes off Yemen, migration agency says

Thirteen people died and 14 others are missing after a boat capsized off Yemen on Tuesday, the International Organization for Migration said Sunday.

The migrant boat, carrying 25 Ethiopians and two Yemenis, had been sailing off the coast of Yemen's Taiz governorate in the southwest, IOM said. Reuters reports.

News Brief

 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the opening of an international field office in Quito, Ecuador, on September 10. The Quito Field Office will focus on increasing refugee processing capacity, consistent with USCIS commitments under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, and helping reunite individuals with their family members in the United States.
African leaders descend on China's capital this week, seeking funds for big-ticket infrastructure projects as they eye mounting great power competition over resources and influence on the continent.

China has expanded ties with African nations in the past decade, furnishing them with billions in loans that have helped build infrastructure but also sometimes stoked controversy by saddling countries with huge debts.

China has sent hundreds of thousands of workers to Africa to build its megaprojects, while tapping the continent's vast natural resources, including copper, gold, lithium and rare earth minerals.

Beijing has said this week's China-Africa forum will be its largest diplomatic event since the COVID-19 pandemic, with leaders of South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and other nations confirmed to attend and dozens of delegations expected.

African countries were "looking to tap the opportunities in China for growth," Ovigwe Eguegu, a policy analyst at consultancy Development Reimagined, told AFP.

China, the world's No. 2 economy, is Africa's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade hitting $167.8 billion in the first half of this year, according to Chinese state media.

Beijing's loans to African nations last year were their highest in five years, research by the Chinese Loans to Africa Database found. Top borrowers were Angola, Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya.

But analysts said an economic slowdown in China has made Beijing increasingly reluctant to shell out big sums.

China has also resisted offering debt relief, even as some African nations have struggled to repay their loans -- in some cases being forced to slash spending on vital public services.

Since the last China-Africa forum six years ago, "the world experienced a lot of changes, including COVID, geopolitical tension and now these economic challenges," Tang Xiaoyang of Beijing's Tsinghua University told AFP.

The "old model" of loans for "large infrastructure and very rapid industrialization" is simply no longer feasible, he said.

Stalled megaprojects

The continent is a key node in Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure project and central pillar of Xi Jinping's bid to expand China's clout overseas.

The BRI has channeled much-needed investment to African countries for projects like railways, ports and hydroelectric plants.

But critics charge Beijing with saddling nations with debt and funding infrastructure projects that damage the environment.

One controversial project in Kenya, a $5 billion railway -- built with finance from Exim Bank of China -- connects the capital Nairobi with the port city of Mombasa.

But a second phase meant to continue the line to Uganda never materialized, as both countries struggled to repay BRI debts.

Kenya's President William Ruto last year asked China for a $1 billion loan and the restructuring of existing debt to complete other stalled BRI projects.

The country now owes China more than $8 billion.

Recent deadly protests in Kenya were triggered by the government's need "to service its debt burden to international creditors, including China," said Alex Vines, head of the Africa Program at London's Chatham House.

In light of such events, Vines and other analysts expect African leaders at this week's forum to seek not only more Chinese investment but also more favorable loans.

'Lack leverage'

In central Africa, Western and Chinese firms are racing to secure access to rare minerals.

The continent has rich deposits of manganese, cobalt, nickel and lithium -- crucial for renewable energy technology.

The Moanda region of Gabon alone contains as much as a quarter of known global reserves of manganese, and South Africa accounts for 37% of global output of the metal.

Cobalt mining is dominated by the Democratic Republic of Congo, which accounts for 70% of the world total. But in terms of processing, China is the leader, at 50%.

Mounting geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, which are clashing over everything from the status of self-ruled Taiwan to trade, also weigh on Africa.

Washington has warned against what it sees as Beijing's malign influence.

In 2022, the White House said China sought to "advance its own narrow commercial and geopolitical interests [and] undermine transparency and openness."

Beijing insists it does not want a new cold war with Washington but rather seeks "win-win" cooperation, promoting development while profiting from boosted trade.

"We do not just give aid, give them help," Tsinghua University's Tang said.



"We are just partners with you while you are developing. We are also benefiting from it."

But analysts fear African nations could be forced to pick sides.

"African countries lack leverage against China," Development Reimagined's Eguegu said.

"Some people ... think you can use the U.S. to balance China," he said. "You cannot."
YANGON, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar will conduct a comprehensive population and housing census to obtain accurate population statistics that will contribute to the current and future development of the country, Chairman of Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said on Sunday.

In a speech commemorating the 2024 population and household census, Min Aung Hlaing urged the public to provide accurate answers to all census questions.

The data obtained from collecting population and housing censuses are essential for the management and administration areas, he said.

Conducted once every ten years, the upcoming nationwide population and housing census is scheduled from Oct. 1 to 15.

According to the latest update from the country's Department of Population on Sunday, Myanmar's population is currently estimated to be over 56.68 million. 
The Biden administration has delayed an announcement on final determinations regarding steep tariff increases on Chinese made electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors, and solar cells which were due to begin on August 1.

The U.S. trade representative said Saturday it continues to develop the final determination regarding proposed modifications on China-made goods, according to a spokesperson from the agency.

This delay does not come as a surprise to Thibault Denamial, an associate fellow and Scholl Chair in International Business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He says this being an election year requires the Democratic Party to balance competing issues when deciding how to implement the tariffs.

The Democratic Party certainly doesnt want to seem soft on China, Denamial told VOA. But there is so much pushback from industry and from domestic stakeholders who argue that the new tariffs are going to be destructive to the U.S. economy, so kicking the can [delaying action on the tariffs] seems like an attractive option right now, he added.

The United States is currently scheduled to implement a 100% tariff on China-made EVs, a 50% tariff on semiconductors and solar cells, and a 25% tariff on lithium-ion batteries and strategic goods such as steel, aluminum and ship-to-shore cranes in the coming days.

Washington is implementing the tariffs as it seeks to decrease its reliance on China along with views that China allegedly has used unfair business practices to expedite the growth of certain industries critical to supply chains and the global green transition.

This past August, the EU announced a provisional tariff increase on China-made EVs to 37.6% and lowered it to 36.3% a few weeks later. Canada said last week it would follow the U.S.s footsteps announcing a 100% tariff on China-made EVs.

Wendy Cutler, vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute, says she thinks China will respond to the tariff hikes swiftly, proportionally and in a non-escalatory manner.

China has a number of options in terms of responding to any tariff hikes imposed by the United States or any of its trading partners, she told VOA.

She explained one option for China would be to respond in a proportional manner.

The U.S. tariff hikes announced have a value of about $18 billion, and so one option for China would be just to adjust its tariff schedule and raise tariffs in a proportional manner on U.S. imports into China, she told VOA.

She also noted Chinas ability to take the United States to [a] WTO [World Trade Organization] dispute settlement, claiming that we are [the United States] violating the WTO rules.

China recently announced an anti-subsidy probe on dairy imports from the EU, which was seen by the EUs Chamber of Commerce in China as pushback to Brussels provisional tariffs on EVs.

The commission will firmly defend the interests of the EU dairy industry and intervene as appropriate to ensure that the investigation fully complies with relevant WTO rules, according to an EU statement.

Rush Doshi is the director of the China Strategy Initiative at the Council on Foreign Relations. Doshi says the probe is a form of economic self-defense.

The PRC is essentially telling them [the EU] they cannot practice any form of economic self-defense or the PRC will target their imports. They're going after dairy because they think it is politically painful, Doshi explained in a written statement to VOA, using an abbreviation of the countrys formal name, the Peoples Republic of China.

Cutler says that while a WTO dispute settlement is a potential route for China to take when responding to Washingtons tariffs, it is not the likeliest option due to the WTOs lack of appellate body judges.

There wouldn't be an outcome that would sanction retaliation, she explained to VOA.

She says a likelier route China may take is further limiting export restrictions, such as increasing export limits on critical minerals, an area where the U.S., Canada, and EU may be vulnerable.

Denamial maintains export limits may be a way to create some worry for U.S. policymakers, specifically in the critical mineral space.

I think that [export limits] is where the U.S. economic and national security policymakers have been a little more worried, quite frankly, because the direct effects can be more dire on the United States and allies.

He says critical minerals are the kind of goods that China has clearly targeted adding that China is extremely dominant in the critical minerals and raw material supply chain, specifically the processing and refining stage.

On September 15, Beijings Ministry of Commerce announced export limits on antimony, a critical mineral used in a range of products from military ammunition, nuclear weapons and night goggles to batteries.

In addition to export limits, Beijing may also increase the priority of exporting to developing countries according to Cutler.

She explained to VOA, how at Chinas third plenum  a meeting among high-level Chinese officials to discuss economic and political policy measures for the next 5-10 years  Beijing made a call in the third plenum documents to conclude more free trade agreements, particularly with the developing world. Denamial furthered this sentiment explaining Beijing may start exporting to non-Western countries out of necessity.

That's sort of something that happens almost organically, he said. One of the main questions that you have when you see these countries such as the United States or Canada, who have imposed the most stringent tariffs on green technologies, for instance, the next question is, where are all of these goods going to go, explained Denamial.

Doshi says Beijing's overproduction of goods will affect Chinas responses to the tariffs. The PRC is targeting commodity exports from other economies that try to protect their industries from PRC excess capacity, he told VOA.
China and the Philippines accused each other of causing a collision between their two vessels Saturday in the latest flareup of tensions over disputed waters and maritime features in the South China Sea.

In a statement posted on social media, Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun was quoted as saying that a Philippine ship maneuvered and "deliberately collided" with a Chinese coast guard ship "in an unprofessional and dangerous manner."

Philippine officials in Manila said it was their coast guard ship, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, that was rammed three times by the Chinese coast guard without any provocation, causing damage to the Philippine vessel.

It was the second confrontation in days near Sabina Shoal, about 140 kilometers west of the Philippine province of Palawan, in the internationally recognized exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

The Philippine ship, the Magbanua, has been anchored in Sabina since mid-April after Manila suspected that China may construct a structure to seize the uninhabited atoll. China harbored the same suspicions and recently filed a diplomatic protest against the Philippines because of the ship's prolonged presence at the shoal.

China is rapidly expanding its military and has become increasingly assertive in pursuing its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, which is crucial to international trade. The tensions have led to more frequent confrontations, primarily with the Philippines, and could drag in the United States, which is bound by a treaty to defend the Philippines. The longtime territorial disputes also involve other claimants including Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.

China has rejected a ruling by a U.N.-backed arbitration panel that negated almost all of its historically based claims in the South China Sea.

Commodore Jay Tarriela of the Philippine coast guard said in a news briefing in Manila that the Magbanua had dropped its anchor again and would not withdraw from Sabina Shoal "despite the harassment, bullying activities and escalatory action of the Chinese coast guard."

Video released by the Philippine coast guard appeared to show the Magbanua being rammed by a Chinese coast guard ship.

"The United States stands with its ally, the Philippines, and condemns the dangerous and escalatory actions by the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the vicinity of Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea on August 31, the State Department said in a statement Saturday.

"We stand with the Philippines in upholding international law," U.S. Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson said in a statement she posted on X.

The United States has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines if Filipino forces come under an armed attack in the South China Sea.

On Tuesday, Adm. Samuel Paparo, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said the U.S. military is open to consultations about escorting Philippine ships in the disputed waters.

China's coast guard, navy and accompanying ships regularly clash with Philippine vessels during attempts to resupply Filipino sailors stationed in parts of the South China Sea claimed by both countries. As the confrontations become increasingly hostile, resulting in injuries to Filipino sailors and damage to their ships, the Philippine government has faced questions about invoking the treaty alliance with Washington.
China urged the European Union to be "objective and fair" and careful with words and actions on issues in the South China Sea, after the bloc remarked on an incident that occurred over the weekend.

China said it was "strongly dissatisfied" with the European Union's "accusations" against it on the issue, a statement by the Chinese mission to the EU showed.

"The European Union is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to point fingers on the issue," it said.

It also said the EU's repeated "hyping up" on the freedom of navigation issue "has no benefits to the EU's own interests and international credibility."

China and the Philippines exchanged accusations of intentionally ramming coast guard vessels in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Saturday, the latest in an escalating series of clashes.

The collision near the Sabina Shoal was their fifth maritime confrontation in a month in a longstanding rivalry over the vital waterway.

The EU said in a Sunday statement that it condemned the "dangerous actions by China Coast Guard vessels against lawful Philippine maritime operations" in the sea.

In the statement, the European Union External Action Service said the recent incidents between Chinese and Philippines authorities "endanger the safety of life at sea and violate the right to freedom of navigation and overflight to which all nations are entitled under international law."
A far-right party won a state election for the first time in post-World War II Germany in the country's east on Sunday and looked set to finish a very close second to mainstream conservatives in a second vote.

A new party founded by a prominent leftist also made a strong impact, while the parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's unpopular national government obtained extremely weak results.

The far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, won 32.8% of the vote in Thuringia  well ahead of the center-right Christian Democratic Union, the main national opposition party, with 23.6%.

In neighboring Saxony, projections for ARD and ZDF public television with the count well advanced put support for the CDU, which has led the state since German reunification in 1990, at 31.9% and AfD on 30.6-30.7%. AfD made substantial gains in Thuringia and smaller ones in Saxony compared with the last state elections in 2019.

"An openly right-wing extremist party has become the strongest force in a state parliament for the first time since 1949, and that causes many people very deep concern and fear," said Omid Nouripour, a leader of the Greens, one of the national governing parties.

Other parties say they won't put AfD in power by joining it in a coalition. Even so, its strength is likely to make it extremely difficult to form new state governments, forcing other parties into exotic new coalitions. The new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or BSW, took 15.8% of the vote in Thuringia and nearly 12% in Saxony, adding another level of complication.

"This is a historic success for us," Alice Weidel, a national co-leader of AfD, told ARD. She described the result as a "requiem" for Scholz's coalition.

The CDU's national general secretary, Carsten Linnemann, said that "voters in both states knew that we wouldn't form a coalition with AfD, and it will stay that way  we are very, very clear on this."

Weidel denounced that as "pure ignorance" and said that "voters want AfD to participate in a government."

Deep discontent with a national government notorious for infighting, anti-immigration sentiment and skepticism toward German military aid for Ukraine are among the factors that have contributed to support for populist parties in the region, which is less prosperous than western Germany.

AfD is at its strongest in the formerly communist east, and the domestic intelligence agency has the party's branches in both Saxony and Thuringia under official surveillance as "proven right-wing extremist" groups. Its leader in Thuringia, Bjorn Hoecke, has been convicted of knowingly using a Nazi slogan at political events, but is appealing.

Hoecke bristled when an ARD interviewer mentioned the intelligence agency's assessment, responding: "Please stop stigmatizing me. We are the No. 1 party in Thuringia. You don't want to classify one-third of the voters in Thuringia as right-wing extremist."

He said he felt "a great, great deal of pride" in Sunday's result for his 11-year-old party and "the old parties should show humility."

Scholz's center-left Social Democrats at least stayed in the two state legislatures with single-digit support, but the environmentalist Greens lost their seats in Thuringia. The two parties were the junior coalition partners in both outgoing state governments. The third party in the national government, the pro-business Free Democrats, also lost its seats in Thuringia. It already had no representation in Saxony.

A third state election follows Sept. 22 in another eastern state, Brandenburg, currently led by Scholz's party. Germany's next national election is due in a little over a year.

Thuringia's politics are particularly complicated because the Left Party of outgoing governor Bodo Ramelow has slumped into electoral insignificance nationally. It lost more than half its support compared with five years ago, dropping to 13.1%.

Sahra Wagenknecht, long one of its best-known figures, left last year to form her own party, which is now outperforming the Left. Wagenknecht celebrated that party's success, underlined its refusal to work with AfD's Hocke and said she hopes it can form "a good government" with the CDU.

The CDU has long refused to work with the Left Party, descended from East Germany's ruling communists. It hasn't ruled out working with Wagenknecht's BSW, which also is at its strongest in the east. But the result means the CDU can't put together a coalition that has a majority in Thuringia's legislature without the Left Party.

AfD has tapped into high anti-immigration sentiment in the region. The Aug. 23 knife attack in the western city of Solingen in which a suspected extremist from Syria is accused of killing three people helped push the issue back to the top of Germany's political agenda and prompted Scholz's government to announce new restrictions on knives and new measures to ease deportations.

Wagenknecht's BSW combines left-wing economic policy with an immigration-skeptic agenda. The CDU has also stepped up pressure on the national government for a tougher stance on immigration.

Germany's stance toward Russia's war in Ukraine is also a sensitive issue in the east. Berlin is Ukraine's second-biggest weapons supplier after the United States; those weapons deliveries are something both AfD and BSW oppose. Wagenknecht has also assailed a recent decision by the German government and the U.S. to begin deployments of long-range missiles to Germany in 2026.
Hollywood heavyweights George Clooney and Brad Pitt admit they are disappointed their latest comedy "Wolfs" is not getting a broad cinema release and instead heading almost straight onto Apple TV.

"It is a bummer," Clooney said on Sunday, adding that television streamers, such as Apple, were nevertheless vital to the future of filmmaking, presenting actors with opportunities and generating bigger audiences for their work.

"Streaming, we need it, our industry needs this," he said.

Written and directed by Jon Watts, "Wolfs" is an old-fashioned crime caper with Clooney and Pitt playing lone-wolf professional fixers who are forced to work together with comically unfortunate consequences.

Apple originally signaled it would place the film in a large number of cinemas before the TV release, but instead opted to show it briefly in a restricted number of U.S. movie theatres and then run it on its global TV service.

"We'll always be romantic about the theatrical experience. At the same time, I love the existence of the streamers because we get to see more story, we get to see more talent, it gets more eyes," said Pitt. "It's a delicate balance right now and it'll right itself."

Asked what it meant if two of the biggest names in the business could not get a broad cinema release, as they had requested, Clooney quipped: "Clearly we're declining."

Sixteen years after last appearing together in 2008's Coen brothers' comedy "Burn After Reading," Pitt and Clooney said they jumped at the chance to reunite when they read Watts' script for "Wolfs."

"I got to say, just as I get older, just working with the people that I just really enjoy spending time with has really become important to me," said Pitt, who turned 60 last year.

In a news conference full of light-hearted banter, Clooney, said Pitt, was fortunate still to be offered parts. "He's 74 years-old and he's very lucky at this age to still be working."

On a more serious note, he denied a New York Times story in August that said both he and Pitt had been paid more than $35 million each to appear in the film.

"I'm only saying that because I think it's bad for our industry if that's what people think is the standard bearer for salaries. I think that's a terrible thing. It will make it impossible to make a film," he said.

"Wolfs" is showing out of competition at the Venice Film Festival, which runs until Sept. 7.
While Kyrgyz state media have portrayed the recent resettlement of residents of a Kyrgyz enclave in Uzbekistan in glowing terms, a different picture emerged during a VOA visit to the residents new home.

At issue is Barak, a Kyrgyz hamlet of less than 1,000 inhabitants in Uzbekistan that was moved in April as part of a border deal with Uzbekistan.

Barak is one of a number of parcels of land shared by Soviet Central Asian republics that, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, became problematic. The Uzbek territories of Shakhimardan, Sokh, Qalacha, and Jangail are all located within Kyrgyzstan's Batken province. Vorukh and Western Qalacha, two Tajik districts, are also surrounded by Batken province. Tajikistan's Sarvak lies within Uzbekistan's Fergana province. Enclave residents have long complained about stiff border control measures by the Central Asian governments that have hampered travel and trade. As a result, the enclaves often become flashpoints for border-related confrontations.

Nurgul, a Barak primary school teacher who only provided her first name, described to VOA the difficulties of living in Barak, which was connected to Kyrgyzstan by a 3-kilometer road through Uzbekistani territory.

"To reach Kyrgyzstan, we had to cross several border and police checkpoints. Border guards frequently closed the road, and this left Barak without food and medicine for weeks." She added that, exhausted by such difficulties, some of her relatives left Barak to resettle in Kyrgyzstans Osh province, about 20 kilometers away, in 2018.

In late 2022, in accordance with a Kyrgyz-Uzbek border agreement, Baraks territory was absorbed by Uzbekistan. In exchange, Kyrgyzatan received an equivalent parcel of land from Uzbekistan.

In November 2022, Kyrgyz officials said that Barak residents would be permanently resettled in a new village in Osh province.

The new settlement is called Jany Barak, or "New Barak" in Kyrgyz. Construction began in April and was to be completed by August 31, the anniversary of Kyrgyzstan's independence.

Osh provincial Governor Elchibek Jantaev told local media in April that Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov had allotted $3 million for the construction of 101 new houses, a secondary school, and a health clinic for the resettled Barak residents and Kyrgyz state media provided extensive coverage of governments resettlement works.

An early May broadcast on Kyrgyz state TV described the resettlement as a historic event. The broadcast also presented interviews with several Barak residents who said they were joyous about being reunited with mainland Kyrgyzstan.

A different picture

That is not the picture that emerged during a VOA visit to the site of Jany Barak.

Kalyssa, a retired accountant from Kara-Suu, a town in Osh province near Jany Barak, who would only let her first name be used, said construction is still in progress, adding, "people have questions about quality of the new houses. They are also worried the houses will not be completed until winter."

VOA observed August 17 that the new houses being built are not winterproof and there are no paved access roads or sewage system.

Nurgul, the primary school teacher from Barak, said Barak residents were not given a choice between financial compensation and housing.

"Some people would rather take money instead of moving into government-built houses," she told VOA.

Marat Imankulov, the head of Kyrgyzstan's Security Council  part of Kyrgyz President's Office  said in a May interview with Kyrgyz media that the land-swap deal allowing for resettlement of Barak could serve as model for "solving border issues with Tajikistan." Some experts, though, have expressed doubts about land-swap solutions for enclaves.

Chris Rickleton, a journalist based in Almaty, Kazakhstans largest city, wrote in a late April analysis paper published by RFE/RL that 2021 comments by Kyrgyz President Japarovs ally and national security chief Kamchybek Tashiev about a potential transfer of Tajik enclave Vorukh to Kyrgyz control "were met with anger from Vorukh locals, not to mention a former top Tajik official who publicly lambasted Tashiev."

Kyrgyz political analyst Emil Juraev, in an April interview, described Vorukh, compared with Barak, as "a massively more difficult situation, with around 40,000 people in Vorukh compared to just a few hundred in Barak."

A Kyrgyzstani journalist who covered the enclaves for Kyrgyz media pointed to high economic costs from potential land-swap deals, saying Central Asian governments "are cash-strapped, and they cannot afford such costly resettlement projects."

Uzbek officials have their own reasons to oppose further land-swap deals with Kyrgyzstan. An Uzbek government official from Ferghana province, which has jurisdiction over Uzbekistani enclaves of Shakhimardan and Sokh, told VOA on condition of anonymity that the two territories "have strategic importance for Uzbekistan."

"They are major holiday destinations due to their picturesque sceneries and mountain lakes," the official said, adding that both enclaves house small Uzbek military outposts.

Nevertheless, there are positive developments related to enclave solutions.

Since November 2022, the Uzbek and Kyrgyz governments have eased border restrictions for Shakhimardan and Sokh inhabitants and have pledged to jointly develop the tourism potential of the enclaves.

"This step is a crucial move forward," the Uzbek government official from Ferghana said.
A Mexican judge ordered the Lower House of Congress not to discuss a controversial judicial reform scheduled to be taken up by lawmakers the first week of September, according to a legal document reviewed by Reuters on Saturday.

The judicial reform, pushed by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has generated tensions with the United States and has sparked concern in global financial markets.

The order to temporarily block lawmakers from debating and voting on the reform was issued by District Judge Martha Eugenia Magana Lopez in the Mexican state of Morelos, in response to concerns about judicial workers' labor rights.

The reform would see around 7,000 judges, magistrates and justices elected by popular vote, lower experience and age requirements and reduce the size of the nation's top court.

Proponents say it will improve democracy and help fix a system that no longer serves the public, but critics say it will cut off judges' careers, skew power to the executive and open the judiciary to criminal influence.

The judge's order issued on Saturday would prohibit lawmakers in the Lower House of Congress from discussing the reform until September 4, when the judge will rule on whether to issue a permanent suspension.

Congress has ignored similar orders from judges in the past, leading to doubt as to whether the lawmakers will heed the judge's order or take up the reform anyway.

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar has expressed strong criticism of the proposed judicial overhaul, calling it a "major risk to the functioning of Mexico's democracy." Canada's government has also criticized it.

Lopez Obrador said earlier this week that he had paused relations with the Canadian and U.S. embassies in the country over their criticisms, which he said disrespected Mexico's sovereignty. He stressed the pause was only with the embassies, and not with the countries.

The ruling Morena party and its allies hold a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house and are one seat short in the Senate.
An alliance of parties seeking independence for New Caledonia has nominated as chief a prominent opposition leader currently jailed in France over a wave of deadly rioting in the French Pacific territory.

Christian Tein, who considers himself a "political prisoner," was one of seven pro-independence activists transferred to mainland France in June  a move that sparked renewed violence that has roiled the archipelago and left 11 people dead.

His appointment on Saturday to lead the Socialist Kanak National Liberation Front (FLNKS) risks complicating efforts to end the crisis, sparked in May by a Paris plan for voting reforms that indigenous Kanaks fear will thwart their ambitions for independence by leaving them a permanent minority.

Laurie Humuni of the RDO party, one of four in the FLNKS alliance, said Saturday that Tein's nomination was a recognition of his CCAT party's leading role in mobilizing the independence movement.

It was not clear if the two other alliance members, the UPM and Palika, supported the move  they had refused to participate in the latest FLNKS meeting and indicated they would not support any of its proposals.

The alliance also said it was willing to renew talks to end the protests, but only if local anti-independence parties are excluded.

"We will have to remove some blockades to allow the population access to essential services, but that does not mean we are abandoning our struggle," Humuni told AFP.

On Thursday, France said it had agreed to terms with Pacific leaders seeking a fact-finding mission to New Caledonia in a bid to resolve the dispute, though a date for the mission has not yet been set.

President Emmanuel Macron's government has sent thousands of troops and police to restore order in the archipelago, almost 17,000 kilometers (10,600 miles) from Paris, and the electoral reforms were suspended in June.
Engineers who specialize in building NASA spacecraft to explore distant worlds are designing a fleet of underwater robot probes to measure how rapidly climate change is melting vast ice sheets around Antarctica and what that means for rising sea levels.

A prototype of the submersible vehicles, under development by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory near Los Angeles, was tested from a U.S. Navy laboratory camp in the Arctic, where it was deployed beneath the frozen Beaufort Sea north of Alaska in March.

"These robots are a platform to bring science instruments to the hardest-to-reach locations on Earth," Paul Glick, a JPL Robotics engineer and principal investigator for the IceNode project, said in a summary posted Thursday on NASA's website.

The probes are aimed at providing more accurate data gauging the rate at which warming ocean water around Antarctica is melting the continent's coastal ice, allowing scientists to improve computer models to predict future sea level rise.

The fate of the world's largest ice sheet is a major focus of nearly 1,500 academics and researchers who gathered this week in southern Chile for the 11th Scientific Committee on Antarctica Research conference.

A JPL analysis published in 2022 found that thinning and crumbling away of Antarctica's ice shelf had reduced its mass by some 12 trillion tons since 1997, double previous estimates.

If melted completely, according to NASA, the loss of the continent's ice shelf would raise global sea levels by an estimated 60 meters.

Ice shelves, floating slabs of frozen freshwater extending miles from the land into the sea, take thousands of years to form and act like giant buttresses holding back glaciers that would otherwise slide off easily into the surrounding ocean.

Satellite images have shown the outer "calving" off into icebergs at a higher rate than nature can replenish shelf growth.

At the same time, rising ocean temperatures are eroding the shelves from underneath, a phenomenon scientists hope to examine with greater precision with the submersible IceNode probes.

The cylindrical vehicles, about 2.4 meters long and 25 centimeters in diameter, would be released from boreholes in the ice or from vessels at sea.

Although equipped with no form of propulsion, the robot probes would drift in currents, using special software guidance, to reach "grounding zones" where the frozen freshwater shelf meets the ocean saltwater and land. These cavities are impenetrable to even satellite signals.

"The goal is getting data directly at the ice-ocean melting interface," said Ian Fenty, a JPL climate scientist.

Upon arrival at their targets, the submersibles would drop their ballast and float upwards to affix themselves to the underside of the ice shelf by releasing three-pronged "landing gear" sprung from one end of the vehicle.

The IceNodes would then continuously record data from beneath the ice for up to a year, including seasonal fluctuations, before releasing themselves to drift back to the open seas and transmit readings via satellite.

Previously, thinning of the ice shelf was documented by satellite altimeters measuring the changing height of the ice from above.

During the March field test, an IceNode prototype descended 100 meters into the ocean to gather salinity, temperature and flow data. Previous tests were conducted in California's Monterey Bay and below the frozen winter surface of Lake Superior, off Michigan's upper peninsula.

Ultimately, scientists believe 10 probes would be ideal to gather data from a single ice shelf cavity, but "we have more development and testing to go" before devising a timeline for full-scale deployment, Glick said.
Ukraine's Kharkiv and Donetsk regions continued to be hit by deadly strikes from Russia on Saturday.

Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of Ukraines Kharkiv region, said on Saturday that a Russian guided bomb attack on a residential building killed two people and injured 10 others, including children, in the village of Cherkaska Lozova.

"Two women were killed. One was removed from the rubble, the other died in an ambulance," he said.

A day earlier, Syniehubov reported that at least seven people were killed and nearly 100 injured, including at least 22 children, when a Russian strike on Kharkiv hit a high-rise residential building and playground.

In the Donetsk region, five people were killed by Russian shelling on Saturday in Chasiv Yar, according to Vadym Filashkin, the head of the Donetsk regional government.

"Chasiv Yar -- is a city in which normal life has been impossible for more than two years. Don't turn yourself into a Russian target! Evacuate!" he wrote on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Russias Defense Ministry said on Saturday that its forces had captured the settlement of Verezamske, in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, part of incremental gains claimed by Moscows forces at a time when Ukrainian troops are operating in Russia's Kursk region following their surprise cross-border attack on August 6.

The reports could not immediately be confirmed.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, visited the Pentagon on Friday and told CNN that the U.S. administration is still considering Kyivs request to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons to hit deeper inside Russia, saying he has presented a list of proposed targets to senior U.S. officials.

"We have explained what kind of capabilities we need to protect our citizens against the Russian terror that Russians are causing us, so I hope we were heard," Umerov said in the Friday interview.

Umerov, who met on Friday with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, told CNN that "we are showing that the airfields that they are using to hit our cities are within the range of deep strikes."

"Theyre killing our citizens. Thats why we want to deter them, we want to stop them, we dont want [to] allow their aviation to come closer to our borders to bomb the cities," he said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pressed the United States and other allies to ease restrictions on Ukraines use of long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), saying the use of such weapons would allow Kyiv to strike sites inside Russia used by the Kremlin to launch attacks against civilian areas in Ukraine.

Deadly Russian attacks could be prevented "by striking Russian military airfields, their bases, and the logistics of Russian terror," the president said.

"We talk about this every day with our partners. We persuade. We present arguments," he said in his nightly video address.

He said eliminating the threat of Russias guided aerial bombs would be "a strong step to force Russia to seek an end to the war and a just peace."

"We need the capabilities to truly and fully protect Ukraine and Ukrainians," he said, in appealing to the United States, Britain, France and Germany.

The United States and other allies of Ukraine have placed restrictions on the use of the weapons over concerns that it could escalate the war.

Washington has signaled it has given its approval to Kyiv to strike over the border in response to Russian attacks into Ukraine but has resisted further loosening of restrictions.

"Youve heard us say that the Ukrainians can use U.S. security assistance to defend themselves from cross-border attacks, in other words counterfire," Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said this week.

"But as it relates to long-range strike, deep strikes into Russia, our policy has not changed," he added.

Umerov also said the recent dismissal of Air Force chief Mykola Oleshchuk was "not related" to the crash of an F-16 fighter jet and was more related to a "rotation" of leadership.

"I would probably say that this is a rotation. These are two separate questions ... at this stage, I would not link them," Umerov said.

"We are analyzing what happened [in regard to the crash]. We have also opened this case to our partners so that they can also analyze it and investigate it with us," he added.

Zelenskyy dismissed Oleshchuk from his post as commander of the Air Force on Friday, a move that came after Ukraine lost the first F-16 fighter jet provided by Western partners. The pilot was killed in the crash.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, shown Sept. 8, has announced the creation of the Texas Senate Leadership Fund, a new political action committee dedicated to advancing the goals of the conservative majority in the Texas Senate. Sam Owens/Sam Owens / Pool via San Antonio

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced the creation of a new political action committee dedicated to advancing the goals of the conservative majority in the Texas Senate.

The new PAC will be called the Texas Senate Leadership Fund. No money has been received yet, said Allen Blakemore, a spokesperson for Patrick.

There are other PACs where donors may support the work done by various House and Senate Caucuses and even to support the mission of House Leadership, Patrick said in a news release last week. But, until now, there hasnt been a place to support the work on the Texas Senate Leadership in fulfilling its goals. In order to ensure the resources to support the mission of the conservative majority in the Texas Senate, I have launched this new political action committee.

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Patrick said in his statement that the Senate has led on issues such as border security, property taxes, Second Amendment rights and voter integrity. He said the chamber also has led on education, health and infrastructure.

Patrick presides over the Senate and has steered the chamber in a more conservative direction than previous lieutenant governors. He has pushed major reforms to the chambers procedures that have enabled conservatives to more strongly advocate for their policy preferences.

In recent years, Patrick has increasingly been at odds with House Speaker Dade Phelan of Beaumont, a fellow Republican whom he criticizes as being insufficiently conservative and for blocking legislation that Patrick says is important to Texas conservatives, such as school voucher bills.
YEREVAN, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Armenia has proposed a new peace treaty to Azerbaijan, building on the points agreed upon in their ongoing negotiations, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Saturday.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have engaged in war over the Nagorno-Karabakh territorial dispute. Although a ceasefire was reached in 1994, peace negotiations have continued with sporadic clashes persisting since then.

During a press conference, Pashinyan said that the proposed treaty comprises 17 articles, of which 13, including the preamble, have been fully agreed upon.

Pashinyan also proposed a direct meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, where delimitation commissions have been operating, to further advance bilateral negotiations. 
Torrential rains in Niger have killed at least 15 more people, regional authorities said on Sunday, the latest casualties of the downpours lashing the African nation.

Heavy rains have been drenching Africa's Sahel region since June and the latest victims in Niger come on top of at least 217 people who have died across the country in that time, according to authorities.

More than 350,000 people have been affected and last week rising floodwaters nearly cut off the capital Niamey from the rest of the country before retreating.

The latest deaths occurred on Friday in the city of Maradi, the country's economic capital whose eponymous region that has been one of the areas most affected by the rains.

"We have registered 15 human lives lost, we have also registered injured and heavy material damage", regional governor Issoufou Mamane told public television.

Friday saw 150 millimeters (six inches) of water fall on the city in the space of 90 minutes, local television said.

Images broadcast on television showed water racing through the streets, touching off landslides and collapsing homes as it carried off cars, motorcycles and trees.

Drinking water and electricity supplies have been affected in some areas, according to broadcasters.

The downpours have also disturbed traffic on the main route linking Maradi to the city of Zinder.

Niger's rainy season normally lasts from June to September and consistently brings a heavy death toll.

In 2022 there were 195 deaths and 400,000 people affected.
More than 10,000 workers at 25 U.S. hotels were on strike Monday after choosing Labor Day weekend to amplify their demands for higher pay, fairer workloads and the reversal of COVID-era cuts.

The UNITE HERE union, which represents the striking housekeepers and other hospitality workers, said 200 workers at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor were the latest to walk off the job.

Nearly half of the striking workers  or 5,000  are in Honolulu. Thousands of workers are also on strike in Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego and San Jose, California. The strikes targeting Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt hotels were set to last one to three days.

UNITE HERE said a total of 15,000 workers have voted to authorize strikes, which could soon spread to other cities, including New Haven, Connecticut; Oakland, California; and Providence, Rhode Island.

Union President Gwen Mills says the strikes are part of long-standing battle to secure family-sustaining compensation for service workers on par with more traditionally male-dominated industries.

Hospitality work overall is undervalued, and its not a coincidence that its disproportionately women and people of color doing the work, Mills said.

Unionized housekeepers want to reinstate automatic daily room cleaning at major hotel chains, saying they have been saddled with unmanageable workloads, or in many cases, fewer hours and a decline in income. Many hotels cut services during the coronavirus pandemic and never restored them.

But hotels say guests are no longer asking for daily room cleaning and some other services.

Michael DAngelo, the head of labor relations for Hyatt in the Americas, said in a statement Monday that the chain has contingency plans in place to minimize the impact of the strikes on hotel operations.

We are disappointed that UNITE HERE has chosen to strike while Hyatt remains willing to negotiate, DAngelo said. We look forward to continuing to negotiate fair contracts and recognize the contributions of Hyatt employees.

Messages seeking comment were left with Marriott and Hilton on Monday.
The United States has handed over to the Uzbek government possession of aircraft that former Afghan air force personnel flew to Uzbekistan after the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told VOA on Thursday that the ownership of some aircraft was transferred to Uzbekistan as part of the Department of Defenses Excess Defense Articles program.

This transfer was agreed in the context of our strong bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism, counternarcotics and enhanced border security, the spokesperson told VOA in an email, without saying how many aircraft were transferred to the Uzbek government.

The fate of aircraft that were flown to Uzbekistan after the fall of Afghanistan into the hands of the Taliban has been a bone of contention between the Taliban and Uzbekistan for three years.

Afghan air force personnel flew about 46 aircraft  22 military planes and 24 helicopters  to Uzbekistan as the government in Afghanistan collapsed in the face of the Talibans advances in August 2021.

The Taliban, who consider the aircraft to be Afghan property, objected to the handover of the aircraft to Uzbekistan.

The Ministry of Defense [of the Taliban] clearly declares that the United States has no right to donate or confiscate the property of the Afghan people, the spokesperson of the Talibans Ministry of Defense said in an audio message sent to media this week.

The Taliban spokesperson also called on Uzbekistan to make a reasonable decision to return the aircraft to the Taliban.

Local media in Uzbekistan reported last week that the U.S. ambassador said the aircraft had already been transferred.

Tashkent has not commented yet on the transfer. However, Uzbek authorities previously said that the aircraft belonged to the United States because the U.S. government paid for them and that it would not return the military equipment to the Taliban.

Tashkent-Taliban relations

Alisher Hamidov, an expert on Central Asia, told VOA that the transfer of aircraft to Uzbekistan may complicate the relations between Tashkent and the Taliban.

The situation with the planes may now endanger Uzbekistans diplomatic relations, he said, adding that Tashkent has been playing mediator between Kabul and other countries over the past three years.

The main goal was to bring Afghanistan [Taliban] to the international arena, restore relations and, of course, strengthen Uzbekistans economy and foreign policy, Hamidov added.

Uzbekistan has cultivated close relations with the Taliban, though it does not officially recognize the Talibans government in Afghanistan.

On Thursday, the Talibans deputy prime minister, Abdul Ghani Baradar, attended the inauguration ceremony of the Termez International Trade Center in Uzbekistans border town of Termez.

On August 17, the prime minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, visited Kabul and signed 35 trade and investment agreements valued at $2.5 billion.

Malik Mansur of VOA's Uzbek Service contributed to this report, which originated in VOA's Afghan Service.
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Anime culture is growing in Zimbabwe. Fans of Japanese animation, comics and video games participated in Otakukon, a one-of-a-kind festival celebrating Japanese pop culture in the country (Reuters)
The SNL movie plays like an anxiety dream, and the dreamer in this case is Lorne Michaels. Photo: Sony Pictures

This review was originally published on September 1, 2024 out of the Telluride Film Festival. We are recirculating it now timed to Saturday Nights theatrical release.

Before the world premiere of his new picture Saturday Night at the Telluride Film Festival, Jason Reitman took the stage to describe the intensity of preparing an episode of Saturday Night Live. Its a level of adrenaline usually reserved for test pilots and heroin addicts was how he put it. The director said that after the success of Juno, he did a one-week writing stint on SNL (it had been a lifelong dream of his to work on the show) and came away from the experience even more astonished at the process. Saturday Night, which depicts the hectic 90 minutes before the live broadcast of the very first episode on October 11, 1975, has the veneer of authenticity to it: Filmed in freewheeling, handheld 16mm, it speeds almost verite style through cluttered studio corridors and crowded stages abuzz with activity, dissension, and doubt. But theres quite a bit of mythmaking going on here as well. Everythings been played up (and sometimes made up) for maximum drama and chaos.

Back in 2018, before he descended into Ghostbusters sequels, Reitman made a film about the disintegration of Gary Harts 1988 Presidential campaign called The Front Runner, for which he employed a wandering, Altmanesque camera style that drifted among the characters, catching snippets of conversations and scenes. (The Front Runner was something of a critical and financial bust, but I was transfixed by it.) Reitman does something similar here, though its a turbo-loaded variation, with the melodrama and the sensationalism and the conflict kicked up several notches. Saturday Night plays like an anxiety dream, and the dreamer in this case is Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle), the producer at the center of SNL, who spends the hour and a half before airtime unable to explain to anyone what the show is. Were told he has a vision  hes told he has a vision  but even he doesnt really believe it. Its postmodern, its Warhol, its iconic is how one character describes a much-derided (and now-legendary) bit involving the cast in bee suits; were meant to think thats a lot of hooey, but the description is later used to describe SNL itself, still with a hint of hooey.

Theres a touching truth here about the whole creative process. Michaels might have once known what type of show he wanted to create, but now, faced with the terrifying fact of its impending existence, hes lost, and everybody else is lost along with him. The idea is to bring an irreverent, underground, at times almost Dada-ist sensibility to network television, but that also means surrounding himself with people whose own factory settings are bedlam and cynicism. And so, the lunacy swirls ever faster, and this disorienting, at-times nausea-inducing uncertainty carries the whole film. LaBelle, who broke through a couple of years ago playing Steven Spielbergs anxious young avatar in the biographical drama The Fabelmans, has just the right deer-in-the-headlights anti-charisma to pull off Michaels; he at no point seems to be a man with a plan, and we enjoy watching him squirm.

Writer Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), who also happens to be married to Michaels, is a lot more pragmatic and a bit more in control of the situation, energetically managing the many personalities around them, but she also doesnt feel like her whole life depends on the success of this one show. This is our shot, Rosie, Michaels tells her. Its a shot, she replies. She also tells him that, while theyre married, shes not his wife. Among the many questions in the picture is how Shuster will be credited on the show  with her own last name, or as Michaels. (Even though Lornes real last name is itself Lipowitz, as she eventually reminds us.) This attempt to coax a conventional romantic through line out of the madness doesnt really work, partly because Reitman and co-writer Gil Kenan have otherwise done a fine job of making clear how unconventional this whole situation was.

The frenzied nature of the filmmaking rarely settles on any big scenes, which forces the actors to fill in their parts with a combination of acting strokes and our own shared memory. The movies cast mimics the shows cast well, but they never feel like theyre doing impressions, save maybe for Cory Michael Smiths somewhat programmed turn as Chevy Chase  but Chases self-consciousness was also part of his appeal, so it still basically works. Matt Wood has an uncanny resemblance to John Belushi, but he portrays the man as a frustrated artist, unwilling to sign his contract and almost catatonically humiliated by the fact that hes doing television comedy dressed as a bee. We dont see much of the unhinged physical energy that made Belushi so famous, but we can sense it, just under the surface. As Andy Kaufman, Nicholas Braun has just the right gawky awkwardness, and his brief, odd, mostly silent appearances in the first half of the film delightfully pay off near the climax. Ella Hunt gets Gilda Radners sweetness just right  but we see little of her actually performing.

It would take forever to go through the whole cast here, but theyre mostly aces. Matthew Rhys, in his brief moments, gives George Carlin a chest-thumping, confrontational machismo. As Garrett Morris, the shows first Black cast member, Lamorne Morris strides confidently around the studio while constantly wondering what hes doing there, a perpetual outsider. As the bottom-slapping Dan Aykroyd, Dylan OBrien has a nice, chummy unpredictability, able to go full-nerd one minute, full party boy the next. His libidinousness gets a fun turnaround when we see him play a scantily clad man being harassed by a group of female construction workers. By that point, Reitman has already sent Michaels into one of NBCs other stages to witness a garish dance number featuring Milton Berle (a howlingly good J.K. Simmons) groping a bunch of showgirls; the contrast between the TV That Was and the TV To Come couldnt be starker, even as we get hints (muted, naturally, in this cinematic love letter) that the TV To Come came with its own share of issues.

Saturday Night compresses a lot of the intriguing storylines around SNLs first episode  and, really, its first season  into this one short night. When Willem Dafoe is introduced halfway through the film as NBCs gravel-voiced, authoritarian head of talent David Tebet, we might wonder why such a person is appearing right before airtime on a show he doesnt seem to know anything about. Well, thats because he didnt; by most accounts, Tebet was a champion of SNL and had been involved with it for months. When Lorne Michaels gets an angry phone call from Johnny Carson calling him a benchwarmer and a stalking horse, that too might feel a little off to those familiar with this history. SNL was in fact created because Carson didnt want NBC airing any more of his reruns on weekends; he wanted to do reruns on weeknights to give himself more time off. So, SNL was there to make Carsons life easier, not to compete with him. (Though, being Carson, he did reportedly have an adversarial relationship with the show.) Michaels is told that NBC wants him to fail: That these suits are just humoring him because they want to prove to Carson that they need to keep airing his reruns. This too might be a print-the-legend situation. But theres another underlying truth here about the creative process: Sometimes, it feels like the whole world is against you. Whats more, sometimes you have to imagine that the whole world is against you in order to get anything meaningful done.

Condensation and embellishment are, of course, Filmmaking 101, but they do stand out more in a movie thats all about the packed intensity of such a short timeframe. Isnt it crazy that Lorne Michaels had to wander out into the streets of New York 30 minutes before showtime and pull a random, impoverished joke-writer named Alan Zweibel out of a bar where a stand-up comic was butchering Zweibels jokes in a back room? Well, yes, it is crazy, and it does not appear to have happened: In the real world, Zweibel came on board well before SNL first aired, though he was indeed writing cheap jokes for Borscht Belt hacks while also working a deli counter. Theres enough genuinely crazy lore around Saturday Night Lives first episode that it probably didnt need all this extra semi-fictional material. At the same time, for anyone whos worked on the show, the all-consuming commotion probably makes it seem like everything is happening in those few brief hours. Saturday Night might not be factually accurate, but it feels spiritually true.
A terrific Adrien Brody anchors this three-and-a-half-hour American saga whose ambitions end up exceeding its grasp. Photo: Focus Features, Universal Pictures

This article originally ran after The Brutalist premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Were republishing it on the occasion of Brady Corbet winning the Silver Lion for Best Director.

If you told me that Brady Corbet possessed the ability to walk on water, repel bullets, or phase through walls, Id believe it. To make a movie like The Brutalist requires such a superhuman level of self-confidence that it might as well be accompanied by other preternatural powers. The Brutalist spans 33 years on screen and over three and a half hours of runtime, including a 15-minute intermission at its midpoint. Its the first film in decades to be fully shot in VistaVision, and at the Venice Film Festival, where it had its premiere, it was projected on 70mm. Its a sweeping work about a Hungarian Jewish immigrant and diasporic trauma in the wake of World War II from a filmmaker whos not himself Jewish, but who hurls himself into details of his main characters journey from a ravaged Europe to a booming Pennsylvania with such specificity that youll find yourself googling whether this is another Tar situation, or whether Laszlo Toth was a real person (he wasnt). Its impossible not to be impressed by the sheer audacity of The Brutalists existence, even if the finished product doesnt end up matching its ambitions. Set aside all its film geek specs, and it still feels willed into existence to be the kind of movie that isnt made anymore, a grand American saga thats openly intent on telling a big story with big ideas. And at its center is Adrien Brody, doing better work than hes done in years or possibly ever as Laszlo, who in 1947 washes up in Philadelphia at the doorstep of a cousin, Attila (Alessandro Nivola), sure hes lost everything.

Brody won an Oscar for The Pianist, the movie that served as his breakthrough, and despite working steadily since (and becoming a regular in Wes Andersons ensembles), never reached that level of work again. But hes remarkable in The Brutalist, in a way that makes you feel like youre seeing him afresh, with his open parenthesis of a body and that handsome, hangdog face thats always ruefully giving away a little more than his characters want. We only gradually learn what a big deal Laszlo was in Budapest before the war, but Brody offers glimpses of the respected architect the man used to be in his blunt assessment of the furniture Attila sells in his store, in the care he takes when crafting his own designs, and in his indifference to anyone who doesnt appreciate the value of his work. Laszlo has lost the love of his life, Erzsebet (Felicity Jones)  not to death, as he initially thought, but to the snarls of bureaucracy and legal whims that keep his wife stuck at the Austrian border with his niece Zsofia (Raffey Cassidy), whos so traumatized by what she went through that shes stopped speaking. Without her, hes half a ghost, living in storage closets and shoveling coal and only sparking to life when his friend, Gordon (Isaach De Bankole), takes him to a jazz club, or when he and Attila get a commission to rework the library of a wealthy industrialist named Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), a job that will alter the course of Laszlos life for years to come.

The Brutalist is a movie about desperation and anguish, though its willingness to keep that element below the surface of all of its dramas is gratifying. Laszlo and Attila and Erzsebet dont discuss what they went through, though it informs everything about their sometimes erratic, electrified behavior  like the way Attila has shed all traces of his Jewishness, or how Erzsebet, when she eventually reunites with her husband, requests sex from him in a way that suggests they should be able to use it as a shortcut to sealing up their psychic wounds. Laszlo himself is a man in pieces who can barely pretend to hold himself together, and he teeters on the edge of falling apart so often in the films first half that it feels like a miracle when he slips into the blustering Harrisons good graces, and gets chosen to design a community center on a hill in Doylestown. Harrison is a self-made man who collects first editions and madeira like he can rack up a high score in being cultured  Pierce is menacing and funny in the role, especially when Harrison informs Laszlo, more than once, that he finds their conversations intellectually stimulating. Having Harrison as a patron is like holding a tiger by the tail, but managing him and his slimy little shit of a son Harry (Joe Alwyn) offers Laszlo a chance to not just return to architecture, but to be the author of a wildly ambitious project that, if he can fend off all other forces, will represent a vision that is purely his.

It fits that The Brutalist is about architectural auteurism. Corbet, who writes all of his scripts with his wife, fellow filmmaker Mona Fastvold, is a former actor who got his start as a teenager on features like Thirteen and Mysterious Skin before moving into directing, and each of his now three features is an individual campaign in establishing his seriousness (and self-seriousness) as a filmmaker and laying out his as a major creative voice. He has a particular interest in placing his characters against a backdrop of tumultuous historical moments. His directorial debut, 2015s The Childhood of a Leader, depicted the coming-of-age of a future dictator in post-World War I France, while his caustic Natalie Portman-lead pop star drama Vox Lux spanned a Columbine-like school shooting and September 11. This desire to ground his films in the weight of momentous events has previously struck me as hopelessly thirsty, in the same way that his critiques of American culture have felt a little glib. The Brutalist is the first feature of his thats actually lead by his characters rather than pinning those characters onto major milestones like display butterflies, and even then, it loses its focus by the end, rushing toward a conclusion thats presented as a hasty reveal rather than something you really want the movie to dwell on. Still, theres half a great movie here, and in the high ceilings of Laszlos community center, the swell of the score, and those wide shots of columns going up on a green hillside, theres plenty of room to grow.
US tourists fined for Trevi Fountain stunt.

Two American tourists aged 57 and 53 were fined after Rome police caught them getting into the waters of the historic Trevi Fountain on Friday, Italian media reported.

The two women were stopped by police just after they entered the waters the landmark fountain at around 17.30 on Friday afternoon, according to news agency ANSA.

In addition to the fines, whose amount was not specified, the tourists were handed a temporary daspo banning order from returning to the Trevi Fountain area.

It is the latest incident this summer involving tourists behaving badly at the Baroque monument which was completed in 1762.

Last month a 28-year-old Swiss tourist was fined 550 for a dawn dip in the fountain, with the same fine handed to a 40-year-old Indian man who waded into the waters to steal coins thrown by tourists.

Photo credit: The Art of Pics / Shutterstock.com.
Bereavement

The death sadly occurred on Sunday, August 25, of Mr Roger Moore, late of Coxtown, Dunmore East, Co Waterford, and formerly of London, UK. He is survived by his loving wife Rita, his loving daughters Andrea, Rachel and Helen; his adoring grandchildren Kieran and Olivia and the McGrath family. Roger will be forever and sadly missed by all his family, relatives, neighbours and wide circle of friends. As per Roger's wishes a private cremation service will take place at a later date. Condolences are extended to Rogers family, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.

Volunteers Needed

The Slice of Culture Festival is back and it is bigger than ever and we need your help. This fantastic event is a true celebration of the rich diversity and vibrant cultures that make our community unique. It will take place on Saturday, September 7, from 11am to 7pm in Wyse Park, Waterford City. Volunteering at the Slice of Culture Festival is a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of multiculturalism and foster community spirit. Join us in bringing this incredible event to life and gain a rewarding experience while connecting with people from all walks of life. To apply to be a volunteer and be part of this amazing festival or to get more information go online to https://buff.ly/3npkK4S and https://buff.ly/3SJhHoC

Children in Hospital

We are seeking play volunteers to support children and young people in University Hospital Waterford. As you can imagine, hospital can be a scary and stressful time, so our volunteers provide a space for fun and give them a positive experience. Volunteers must be 18 or older and be available or two hours, once-a-week, week day or weekends. To find more information and apply here go online to https://childreninhospital.ie

Older People's Council

Waterford Older Peoples Council will hold its Annual General Meeting in the Mary Strangman (Large Room) at City Hall, Waterford, on Wednesday, September 18. All are invited to the event which will take place from 2pm to 4pm. It will be chaired by the Older Peoples Council Executive, Susan OConnor and addressed by the Ombudsman, Ger Deering. Light refreshments will be provided for those attending the event. Information will also be provided at several stands located throughout the room.

Coffee Morning

An Age Well Coffee Morning will take place on Friday, September 13, in the Tower Hotel, Waterford at 9.45am to be seated. Please register by Friday, September 6. For more information or to register email edelfinan@wwetb.ie or telephone on 086 0845354

Solas Ladies Lunch

The Solas Ladies Lunch will take place on Saturday, September 14, in Faithlegg House Hotel. Due to late cancellations we have limited tickets available for the event. For more information or to book tickets contact 051 304604 or email: events@solascentre.ie

Solas Walk For Life

The Solas Run and Walk for Life will return in October to the streets of Waterford City and Dungarvan. The event will take place in Dungarvan on Saturday, October 12, and in Waterford City on Sunday, October 13.

The 10K Run and Walk in Dungarvan will start at 10am at Walton Park while the event in Waterford City will begin, the following day, on the Quay. A new 4K family walk has been added to both Waterford and Dungarvan this year to encourage families to take part in tandem with the 10K routes. The popular virtual option is also available and workplaces are being encouraged to once again #GoOrangeForSolas. Registration is open online at www.solascentre.ie. The registration fee is 25 per adult and 15 per child. This fee includes a t-shirt and an event medal, kindly sponsored by Eirgen Pharma.

Farronshoneen Project Centre

If you are living on the Williamstown or Dunmore Road Area we have a mixed gender art group for those aged between 16 to 18 years, running every Monday from 7pm. If you are interested please don't hesitate to contact Nina on 086 7816269.

Writing Workshops

Waterford Libraries will be hosting a series of writing workshops across the county over the coming weeks. The programme will run from now until mid-December and will give participants an opportunity to attend courses in both Irish and English. The courses are free of charge and open to people over 18 years resident anywhere in the county. Application forms are also available at library desks.

Board Game Saturdays

Board Game Saturdays at Central Library are continuing so why not drop in for some family time playing board games every Saturday morning from 10am to 12pm. All welcome and under 12s must be accompanied by an adult.

Art Classes

St. Joseph & Benildus Church Art classes will be starting in September. Join Marcella Maher for six weeks of art classes beginning on Monday, September 16, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm in the Parish Centre. Explore the fundamentals of painting using acrylics. Learn to mix colours, landscapes, still life, and self-portraits. The cost is 80 and includes all materials. Places are limited so please contact the parish office at 051 348077 or email parishofficejbm@gmail.com to book.

Chair Yoga

Chair yoga classes will commence on Monday, September 9, at 11 am at Benildus Parish Centre. They will continue for six weeks and the cost will be 50. For more information contact Eleanor Carlton at 087 7790542.

Ardkeen Library

Waterford Harvest Festival Storytime will take place in Ardkeen Library on September 6. Come along to our special event, 'Seeds, Songs and Stories', with Jessie at 10.30am. The event will be suitable for children aged 5 years and younger and all are welcome to attend. For further details contact 051 849755 of email: ardkeenlibrary@waterfordcouncil.ie

Seedbomb Workshop

A 'Make your own Seedbomb' workshop will take place at Ardkeen Library on Friday, September 6, at 3.30pm. Waterford Sustainable Living Initiative will be showing participants how to make seed bombs with native Irish wildflower seeds while talking about pollinators, their crucial role in our ecosystem, how seeds grow and why native Irish wildflowers are so important. Suitable for children aged 8 to 12, booking is essential. Contact us on 051 849755 to book your child's place.

Showband Greats Showcase

The Waterford greats of the showband era will be celebrated in the Deise at Ardkeen Library for this year's Culture Night. Join us at Ardkeen Library for a Culture Night like no other. Whether youre reliving memories or discovering them for the first time, come along for an evening filled with fun, laughter, music, dance, and lively chat. Bring your old photos, memorabilia, and storiesor just bring yourself. Lets make history come alive. With WLRs John Keane in the DJs Booth it will be a Culture Night to remember on Friday, September 20, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. This will be a free event and no booking is required.

Tales and Rhymes

Tales and Rhymes on Fridays takes place in Ardkeen Library from 10.30am to 12pm. Children under 12 years must be accompanied and supervised in the library by a parent/guardian. All are welcome.

Draughts Club

Draughts Club for Adults takes place in Ardkeen Library in Waterford on Thursdays at 10.30am. Drop in and all welcome.

Performance Workshop

Come and join our circus for Waterford Harvest Festival. Learn juggling, unicycle, plate spinning, diabolo, flowersticks and many more circus skills with our expert teachers. The workshop will be run on a come and have a go basis where all ages can come and learn the tricks of the circus. It's happening on O'Connell Street, Waterford between 1pm and 5pm on Thursday, September 8.
Kill Lotto

There was no winner of this weeks lotto so it rolls over until next week with a jackpot of 2,600. The numbers pulled were 4, 16, 17 and 21. Congratulations to Ray Hennessy and Sean Phelan who matched three numbers.

Gealach Gorm Theatre

Next up at the Gealach Gorm Theatre on Saturday, September 14, at 8pm will be 'Sugar' - a comedy with a big heart set in Mallow Sugar Factory prior to its closure. It was written and performed by Michael Patric ('An Cailin Ciuin', 'Smother' and 'Frontier'). Danyl Sweetnam describes his last days as an Irish Sugar employee. As much as he tries to stay on topic, he can't help veering off towards the 'craic' and taking us on a journey of hilarious shenanigans: "You must have the craic. I don't trust any fella who can't have d'aul craic". Not suitable for under 16s. Michael trained at Dublin's Gaiety School of Acting and since then he has worked in Ireland and North America, in film, theatre, television, animation and radio. He has worked extensively in Irish Theatre. Tickets are now on sale at https://ie.powertik.com/events/sugar or contact 086 8569358.

Social Dancing

Last week, Philip English entertained a fantastic crowd at Wednesday night dancing at Kill Community Centre. This week Pat Daly and Art Supple will entertain on September 4, when they take to the stage at Kill from 9pm to 11.30pm. Complementary tea/coffee and sweet treat will be available so come and join in the fun. Last week, Andy Feery kept the dancers busy at the centre. Everyone enjoyed the great atmosphere and danced away the afternoon. Next to take to the stage will be Muriel OConnor and Fran Curry, on September 8. Social dancing begins at 3pm and finishes at 6pm. Kill Community Centre guarantees a great afternoon of great music and refreshments. So why not put on your dancing shoes and join in the fun.

If you would like to contribute to the local notes in either Kill or Bunmahon, simply email killandbunmahonnotes@gmail.com

Anniversary Mass

A special Mass celebrating the 150th anniversary or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, in Kill, will be held on Friday, September 6, at 7pm. There will be complementary refreshments in Kill Community Centre afterwards and everyone is welcome to attend.
Bereavement

The death sadly occurred on Thursday, August 22, of Mr Frank Ryan, College Mews, The Folly, Waterford, and formerly of Priory Lawn, Ballybeg, Waterford and Ruskie, Roscommon. Predeceased by his loving wife Mary, he is survived by his loving sons Kevin and Pat, daughters Michelle, Clare and Laura, Kevins partner Aimee, Pats partner Sharon, son-in-law Sean, grandchildren Clodagh, Adam, Zoe, Alana, Saoise, Lucy and Alex, brothers Jim, Gerald, Dermot, Kevin and John, sister Maura, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. Frank will be sadly missed by all his family, relatives, neighbours and friends. Requiem Mass took place on Wednesday, August 28, at 10 am in St. Saviour's Church, Ballybeg, followed by burial in Kilbarry Cemetery. Condolences are extended to Frank's family, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.

Bereavement

The death sadly occurred on Wednesday, August 28, of Eleanor Power, St. John's Park, Waterford and late of Tesco, Ballybeg, Waterford. A loving daughter, mother, sister, aunt and friend she was predeceased by her loving mother Dina. She is survived by her loving father Jim, daughter Katie and son Kyle, brothers John and Frank, her sister Gemma, sisters-in-law Karen and Siobhan, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. Eleanor will be sadly missed by all her relatives, extended family, neighbours and friends, Requiem Mass took place on Saturday, August 31, in the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly, Waterford, at 11am, followed by burial in St Otteran's Cemetery, Ballinaneeshagh, Cork Road, Waterford. Condolences are extended to Eleanor's family, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.

Baptism Celebration

Sacred Heart Church welcomes Brooke Lena Hanrahan, Tyler John Murphy and Mikey Richard Fitzgerald into our Christian Community through Baptism. Please keep them, their parents and god-parents in your prayers. Baptism enquiries / bookings please email: sacredheartparishinfo@gmail.com

Children's Liturgy

The Childrens Liturgy group will resume on Sunday, September 1, at the 11.30am Mass. Childrens Liturgy is a structured time during Mass where children of primary school age are invited to the parish centre, under the supervision of the childrens liturgy team of adults, to reflect on the scripture readings of the day at a language and comprehension level that is suitable for their age group.

Yes Drama

A new term of Yes Drama is back at Butler Community Centre. The sessions take place on Saturdays from 10am for those aged 4 to 7 and at 11am for those aged 8 to 12. To register contact yesdrama.contact@gmail.com or contact Fabi on 083 8103977. There is a siblings discount available.

Chair Yoga

Chair Yoga in Bulter Community Centre, Room 5, St Johns Park Waterford (X91 FEP4) will take place from Monday, September 23, from 10am to 10.45am. The cost will be 8. Move with confidence, improve your flexibility, mobility, balance and co-ordination with chair yoga, classes lead by experienced yoga and Pilates teacher. For more information or to book your place contact Grainne on 087 6370502 or email hello@graforfitness.ie

Alternatively, to book online go to www.graforfitness.ie/class-schedule

Whist Club

The Whist Club in the Butler Community Centre, St. John's Park, takes place on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. They would love to see all their old players attend and new players are also very welcome. The cost is 5 per person.

Shotokan Karate

Waterford Shotokan Karate beginners classes are starting now in Butler Community Centre. We Teach Traditional Shotokan Karate self defense, respect, leadership skills, confidence building, self discipline and it develops character. All ages are welcome on Tuesdays 7pm to 8pm and Thursdays, also from 7pm to 8pm.

Coffee Morning

An Age Well Coffee Morning will take place on Friday, September 13, in the Tower Hotel, Waterford at 9.45am to be seated. Please register by Friday, September 6. For more information or to register email edelfinan@wwetb.ie or telephone on 086 0845354

Older People's Council

Waterford Older Peoples Council will hold its Annual General Meeting in the Mary Strangman (Large Room) at City Hall, Waterford, on Wednesday, September 18. All are invited to the event which will take place from 2pm to 4pm. It will be chaired by the Older Peoples Council Executive, Susan OConnor and addressed by the Ombudsman, Ger Deering. Light refreshments will be provided for those attending the event. Information will also be provided at several stands located throughout the room.

Birthday Wishes

A very big happy birthday is wished to John Tebay, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Wednesday, August 28. John celebrated over the weekend with his family and friends, Birthday wishes come to you John from all your family and wide circle of friends. Happy 70th Birthday John. A very big happy birthday is also wished to Helen Hayes, who celebrated her 40th birthday on Wednesday, August 28. Helen celebrated over the weekend with her family and friends. Birthday wishes come to you Helen from all your family and wide circle of friends. Happy 40th birthday Helen.

Solas Ladies Lunch

The Solas Ladies Lunch will take place on Saturday, September 14, in Faithlegg House Hotel. Due to late cancellations we have limited tickets available for the event. For more information or to book tickets contact 051 304604 or email: events@solascentre.ie

Solas Walk For Life

The Solas Run and Walk for Life will return in October to the streets of Waterford City and Dungarvan. The event will take place in Dungarvan on Saturday, October 12, and in Waterford City on Sunday, October 13.

The 10K Run and Walk in Dungarvan will start at 10am at Walton Park while the event in Waterford City will begin, the following day, on the Quay. A new 4K family walk has been added to both Waterford and Dungarvan this year to encourage families to take part in tandem with the 10K routes. The popular virtual option is also available and workplaces are being encouraged to once again #GoOrangeForSolas. Registration is open online at www.solascentre.ie. The registration fee is 25 per adult and 15 per child. This fee includes a t-shirt and an event medal, kindly sponsored by Eirgen Pharma.

Nutrition & Pilates for Menopause Programme

Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre Waterford will be running a free, seven-week, 'Nutrition & Pilates for Menopause' programme, beginning on Tuesday, September 17, for one morning a week, from 9.30am to 11.30am. For more information or to register for your place please contact Maria on 051 306728.

Parents Hub

A free Parents Plus Programme will be taking place in Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre, Waterford, for parents of children aged up to 7 years. It will begin on October 2, and will take place from 10am to 12.30pm, one morning a week. If you would like to reduce your stress as a parent and build your child's confidence, learning and positive behaviour then why not come along to this programme. To register your place now ring Anne on 051 306728.

Parents Support

A free support progamme for parents of children experiencing anxiety will be running in Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre, Waterford, from Friday, September 13. The programme will run one morning a week from 9.30am to 11.30am. This programme will be facilitated by a Creative Arts Therapist in a confidential space. For more information or to register for your place please contact Elaine on 051 306728. Participants must be willing to commit to the 10 weeks of the programme.

Creative Writing

Sacred Heart Family Resource Centre Waterford would love you to join us for our Creative Writing Programme which will be starting on Thursday, September 12, for 10 weeks. The sessions will take place from 11am to 1pm. The programme will be free to attend and is being funded by WWETB Adult & Community Education. It will be facilitated by Derek Flynn. For more information ring Elaine on 051 306728, however, places are limited so ring to secure your place.

Homework Club Volunteers

The Shy Project, Waterford & South Tipperary Community Youth Service, are seeking volunteers, (one to two hours weekly commitment), to join their Homework Club. The club offers homework support for primary school boys on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. This is an opportunity to develop relationships with the younger generation in your community and make a positive impact on their lives. For further information please contact Rachel: 086 8589871 or Tracey on 086 1831555.
TASHKENT, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Tashkent hosted celebrations marking the 33rd anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence on Saturday, said the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

"In these emotional moments, we all more deeply realize the enormous, historical significance of our priceless asset -- national independence," Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in his speech at the ceremony, as quoted by the statement.

The statement said that data from the International Monetary Fund revealed the country's gross domestic product (GDP) surpassed 100 billion U.S. dollars for the first time in 2023. Also, the World Bank forecasts a 5.3 percent GDP growth for the country this year.

The statement further highlighted efforts to advance the social sector and establish a high-quality education system. It said that the future of the country and the realization of its noble aspirations depend on the knowledge and potential of its youth. 
Sympathy

It is with deep and sincere regret we record the death of Mr Frank Ryan, College Mews, The folly and late of Priory Lawn, Ballybeg and Ruskie, Roscommon, who died on Thursday, August 22. His remains lay in repose at Thompson's Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 27, with vigil prayers and rosary. Franks cortege walked from Priory Lawn en-route to St Saviour's Church for Requiem Mass, celebrated by Fr Robert Grant PP, followed by burial in Kilbarry cemetery.

Predeceased by his wife Mary, he is survived by his sons Kevin and Pat, daughters Michelle, Clare and Laura, Kevin's partner Aimee, Pat's partner Sharon, son-in-law Sean, seven grandchildren, brothers Jim, Gerald, Dermot, Kevin and John, sister Maura, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives and friends to whom we offer our deepest sympathy.

Sonny Walsh Cup

Congratulations to Darragh Murphy, Carraige an Aird, who was part of the Waterford U14 development team who won the Sonny Walsh Cup on Saturday last in De La Salle pitch, Gracedieu, defeating Dublin by a point. Well done to all. Darragh is popular player with St Saviour's GAA. We also congratulate Jamie Swift who was part of the U15 development squad who also played last weekend. Jamie is also popular player with St Saviour's GAA.

Birthday Corner

A very happy 5th birthday is wished to Emily Byrne, Cherrymount, who celebrated her big day on Sunday, September 8. Birthday wishes come to her from her mam and dad, Katie and Mark, her grandad Paul Dower and her great-gran, Betty Dower, Priory Lawn and all the family.

A very happy birthday is wished to Jade Power who celebrated her birthday recently and we also send birthday wishes to Ann Sheridan, Larchville, who celebrated her birthday this week. Birthday wishes come to them from all the Power family, Kingsmeadow, and all their families. A very happy birthday is wished to Linda Ryan, Priory Lawn, who celebrated her birthday on Saturday, September 7. Birthday wishes come to her from all her family and her many friends.

A very happy birthday is wished to Ted Smith, Glencarra, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, August 30. Birthday wishes come to him from his wife Ann and all his family and many friends.

A very happy 30th birthday is wished to James Mullally Birthday wishes come to him from all his family, especially all the Mullally family, Clonard Park and his many friends. James celebrated his birthday in great style with a holiday in the sun.

Sympathy

Deepest sympathy to the White family on the death of their mother Maureen, late of OReilly Road, Cork Road who died on Wednesday, August 28. Maureen's remains lay in repose at Tom Hennessys Funeral home on Thursday, August 29 and Requiem Mass was celebrated for the repose of her soul in the Church of the Holy Trinity Without, Ballybricken, on Friday, August 30, followed by burial in St Otteran's Cemetery, Ballinaneeshagh.

Maureen was a lovely lady, and she was a long time resident of the Cork Road, where she was liked by all who had the pleasure to meet her. She will be sadly missed by family and friends alike. Predeceased by her husband John and son-in-law Eamon Gavin, she is survived by her sons Nicholas, Thomas and Sean, daughters Jennifer, Annette, Marian, Jacinta, Paula and Martina, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. May Maureen's gentle soul rest in peace.

Little Saints

St Saviour's GAA Club's Little Saints meet every Saturday from 10am to 11pm for boys and girls aged from 5 years to 8 years. The cost is 2 per session. Any boys and girls from Ballybeg and the surrounding areas are welcome to attend.

Wedding Anniversary

A very happy 30th wedding anniversary is wished to Brenda and Sean Giles, Cherrymount, who celebrated their special day on Tuesday, August 27. Best wishes come to them for many more years of happiness from all their families and their many friends, especially all in the Panto world in Waterford.

Sympathy

Deepest sympathy to the Begadon family on the death of a much loved wife, mother and grandmother, Maura Begadon (nee: Kennedy), Belvedere Drive, who died in the care of Mooncoin Residential Home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, August 27. Her remains lay in repose at Falconer's Funeral Home, Tramore, on Friday, August 30, with Vigil prayers. Requiem mass was celebrated in St John's Church, Parnell Street, on Saturday, August 31, followed by burial in Faithlegg Cemetery. Maureen's cortege passed her residence on route to St John's Church. Predeceased by her parents and brothers, Sonny and Micheal and her sisters Eily and Bridie, she is survived by her husband Martin (Sonkey), daughters Valeria, Janet and Joanne, her seven grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, sons-in-law Liam, Derek and David, her sisters Kathleen and Rita, brothers Jim and Pat ,nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

St Saviour's Parish

St Saviour's Church mass times are daily at 10am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and on Sunday at 8.30am. 11am and 5.30pm.

Baptism takes place after the 11am mass on Sunday and a weeks notice must be given through the Parish Office. For marriage, three months notice must be given - also through the Parish Office which is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 12pm. The contact number for the office is 051 376032, text mobile 089 2395192 and email stsaviours@outlook.com

Fr Grant PP, is available after mass on Sundays to take bookings for masses and all your spiritual needs.

Care of the Sick

If you have a relative or neighbour who is ill at home or in hospital, please let us know.

St Paul's

Mass takes place at 10am on Thursdays and at 10am on Sunday in Butlerstown Church. Mass in St Paul's Church is celebrated on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am. Saturday Vigil Mass is at 6pm and on Sunday at 8.30am and 11.30am . If you are available and willing to help us with the parish envelope collections in St Pauls area we would appreciate your help. Please leave your name and contact no in the Sacristy.

Items for this column may be e-mailed to marian.murphy@hotmail.com or phone 086 8727995 before Thursday each week.
Before the highly anticipated Oasis return coming next year, fans can get an early taster of the iconic duo in Waterfords own Bank Lane this October.

Fans have been in hysterics this week following the unexpected and seemingly impossible reunion of the quarrelling brothers for a UK and Ireland tour. The band will play 14 dates across the UK and Ireland as part of the Oasis Live 25 world tour. Two dates are scheduled in Dublin, with tickets going on presale this week.

In anticipation, a three-hour tribute to the Manchester pair is coming to the Deise this October, courtesy of local band Mad Ferritt.

Mad Ferritt are Irelands original Oasis tribute act composed of a group of musicians from the south east of the country.

The aim of the band is to put together a tribute show that mimics the raw power and swagger of an Oasis live show in their hey day.

A representative of the band said: If you are a fan of the Oasis, 'Live by the Sea' and 'There and Then' live videos, then you are gonna love this. The lads pay particular detail to re-creating the famous Oasis wall of sound which makes them one of the finest Oasis tribute shows around today.

As well as their full electric show they also have re-created the famous 'Oasis MTV Unlugged' theatre show that consists of a 14-piece band with string and brass section.

Speaking to the Waterford News & Star, Mad Ferritt member, Jamie Murphy said: "I have mixed feelings because I'm an Oasis fan all my life. I think it's great, but I'm also nervous and anxious because I don't think I'm going to be able to get tickets. But I think its brilliant, especially for young fans who never got to see them live."

Mad Ferritt will be performing in Bank Lane in Waterford City on October 12, with doors opening at 7 pm.

Tickets are available at banklane.ie.
Dress You Up, an upcoming play presented by Stagemad, is receiving its finishing touches ahead of its debut this October in Waterford.

The play tells the story of Bobby, an aspiring drag queen still reeling from his mothers untimely death. As Ireland welcomes a new Taoiseach, Britpop throws its last hoorah and Girl Power becomes part of pop culture towards the millennium, the summer of 1997 in which the play is set, will shape and change the lives of each character.

The play really is a love letter to the nineties," writer, Wayne Power told the Waterford News & Star. "We use various news stories and music from that time, especially Madonna, whose song the play is named after."

The original draft for the play was written by Wayne in November 2022, and has since evolved into a fully fleshed script. Sharing insights into bringing it to life on stage, Wayne said his transition from poetry to playwriting signified the next step of his creative journey.

This is my first proper outing as a playwright and its kind of scary on a lot of levels," he said.

"Poetry and spoken word comes very easy to me, whereas with the playwriting, it was a bit more intensive, but still very satisfying. Its been amazing so far. To write it and see people read your stuff and then act it out is surreal."

Reflecting on the inspiration behind the play and its main character Bobby, Wayne said: Its not autobiographical but theres definitely similarities between myself and Bobby. There's themes of acceptance and freedom to be yourself and I hope that will resonate with people.

With Bobby, its not really a tale about his orientation, but more about who he wants to be in life. Hes a scared and vulnerable 16-year-old whos not only struggling to come to terms with the death of his own mother but also with who he is and who he wants to be."

"The play is set in a small city in the Summer of 1997. For me, at that time I would have been 13. I remember all that music, the different news stories of the time.

"I have a great fondness for that era and I wanted to bring that nostalgia to people."

Dress You Up will play at Bank Lane from Tuesday, October 22, to Friday, October 25. Tickets are available at gr8events.ie
Ten weeks after my son was born, I took him to visit my parents in Canberra. My intention had been to save Mum and Dad another trip down the highway to Melbourne. But being proud, newly minted grandparents, they insisted on driving all the way to me just so they could turn around and accompany us back to their home.

That evening my son woke up crying at two, three and four AM, the loneliest hours of the night. This was what I had struggled with most during those anxious, early weeks of motherhood  waking up in the darkness to feed and feeling like we were the only people left in the world.

I knew Dad was worried about me. I knew it in the same way I knew he would pick me up from parties I hadnt told him about as a teenager.

I dont like saying the early months of motherhood were unpleasant because it feels awkward and ungracious, as if I am insulting the nine-year-old boy who has since become the centre of my world and the person whose company I enjoy most. But as a little crying lump of a thing at 2 months old, he wasnt much fun.

In the depths of a Canberra winter, I cradled my son in my arms. I felt the discomfort of a latch I was yet to grow used to and the sweet relief of the letdown that followed. I watched moonlight cast shadows on the walls of what had once been my teenage bedroom. And I tried not to think of my before life, knowing it would only make me cry.
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 In a sun-soaked room in Melbournes inner north, Tara and Marina Hart are getting matching tattoos on one of the happiest days of their lives. The university librarians walk down a eucalyptus-lined aisle together, then say I do in front of 20 of their loved ones, who later toss rose petals over them in an alley out back. By the time theyre getting inked with matching hearts and swords, their guests are peeling off, and the next wedding has already begun. Tara (left) and Marina Hart are among a growing number of couples bucking wedding traditions, celebrating their nuptials with flash tattoos. Credit: Ceremony by Charlie Tara and Marina are among an increasing number of couples ditching big white weddings for alternative, smaller and cheaper ceremonies, ranging from $400 at the bottom end to a few thousand. Theyre driven by the belief that the traditional wedding industry does not reflect modern relationships, the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. Brunswicks Flash Romantics, where the couple got married, cycles through six weddings in a single day in what owner Sass Cocker describes as a well-oiled machine. A wedding can be whatever you want it to be, Cocker says.

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Authentically us: Couples go their own way Tara and Marina were already in casual talks to get married, but the allure of a flash tattoo wedding sped things up. Within weeks of the announcement of a new date at the studio, Tara proposed  the pair from Ascot Vale in Melbournes north-west wanted a cool, queer, affordable way to get married after two years together. Marina and Tara Hart wanted a unique wedding day. Credit: Ceremony by Charlie People were pretty surprised  we were like, were getting married in a tattoo studio, Tara says. Couples get inked with everything from croissants to pet portraits to celebrate their nuptials. Some people, like the Harts, decide to choose a new shared surname rather than retain their own, and not all couples have a legal marriage or even guests.

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Weve had commitment ceremonies for people who are polyamorous, Cocker says. My partner [and I] can be their witnesses, and we can all celebrate them. Tara and Marina Harts matching tattoos, which they got after their wedding ceremony. Credit: Nick Gauci Cocker, who uses they/them pronouns, ran a tattoo studio called Little Gold, where Flash Romantics was meant to be a one-off event in 2022. Theyve since pivoted the business entirely, running flash weddings with matching tattoos three times a year. Tattoos instead of rings, inviting just a small handful of chosen family, dogs, DIY and op-shop wedding outfits  it seems fitting to me that the queers are doing things their own way, Cocker says. Stress less: Embracing the all-in-one Across town at The Altar Electric in Melbournes north-east, a DJ spins tunes beneath rotating disco balls while an overall-clad bartender serves guests bubbly over a leopard-print bar.

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Co-owner Sarah Dobson, wearing a jumpsuit and silver platform boots, takes her post at the altar: a pink, tinsel-lined stage adorned with a massive blue sky heart. Celebrant Sarah Dobson with Daniel and Ellen Weissel, who opted to get married with only their nearest and dearest. Credit: Simon Schluter/The Age Sarah tells the couples few dozen guests: When you take away all the stuff  all the fluff, the distraction, the adrenaline, the drama  that can come with a bigger wedding  you realise that nothing else is important other than this: its Ellen, its Daniel. In peace, in love, in rock and roll, you are officially married! Daniel and Ellen Weissel  a physiotherapist and nurse who live in Wagga Wagga in inland NSW  initially wanted to elope overseas with minimal fuss. Ultimately, they settled on something with only their nearest and dearest with an all-in-one package. The couple met working at Dominos a decade ago and ended up bonding over their love of music. Everyone goes to a barn; everyone goes to a farm; everyone dresses up in chinos, boots and blazers, Daniel says.

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Weve done heaps of those. We want it to be us. Ellen, lounging on a couch minutes after the ceremony, says: This morning, I was literally so chill. Ive been a bridesmaid twice, and both weddings were do-it-yourself. Theres so many aspects; its too much. Six in 10 Australian and New Zealand wedding professionals say couples are inviting fewer guests in 2024, according to wedding planning marketplace Wedshed. Ellen and Daniel Weissel initially wanted to elope overseas but loved the vibes at Melbournes The Altar Electric. Credit: Simon Schluter/The Age The business surveyed almost 600 wedding operators, and found nine in 10 service elopements and micro-weddings with fewer than 40 guests. Those who attended micro-weddings [during COVID] experienced how special and connecting they are, and those of us watching on from the sidelines suddenly started getting served content from these cosy celebrations that showed couples relishing in one-on-one time with friends and family, Wedshed co-founder Amy Parfett says. Theres a perception that the smaller the wedding, the less stressful it will be to bring to life logistically, financially and even emotionally.

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Established in 2018, the Digital Commodity Asset fund attracted scores of well-heeled clients in Sydney and Melbourne who each invested a minimum of $50,000. In March this year, investors became concerned about the management and regulatory compliance of the fund and took court action to wind up the scheme.

The fraying of Balanians backstory and his struggles to provide liquidators to his investment businesses with access to a cryptocurrency storage device he claims holds tens of millions of dollars of investors money has been laid bare over the past four months during public examinations into his business affairs.

Ashod Ash Balanian arrives at court on Friday with his lawyer and a laptop computer that is hoped will finally crack open a locked device storing $50 million of cryptocurrency. Credit: Nick Moir

The Federal Court has since heard its likely that none of those things are true.

Cryptocurrency investment manager Ashod Ash Balanians investors were told he was a NASA command controller and mission planner, had a degree from Harvard and their investments in his Digital Commodity Assets fund, estimated at $50 million, would be safe.

Liquidators Scott Langdon, Jenny Nettleton and John Mouawad from KordaMentha were appointed in April and that month the Federal Court froze Balanians assets  including his sprawling $7 million home in Ingleside in northern Sydney and four other houses. In the months since, investors have watched as Balanian has been quizzed over his business activities.

Balanian has already agreed under examination that a memorandum for the fund given, which described him as a NASA command controller and NASA engineer, was incorrect. He had instead worked for a company that had a large contract with NASA for the Chandra X-ray observatory program. He also told the court he was an alumnus of Northeastern University in Boston, rather than Harvard, as claimed in the memorandum.

Ash Balanians home in Ingleside that is subject to asset preservation orders handed down by the Federal Court. Credit: Domain

More concerning for liquidators and creditors has been the list of reasons about why he has so far been unable to present the cryptocurrency holdings of his investors to court as requested.

Previous attempts by Balanian to provide access to the device under court supervision had shown there was no cryptocurrency on it. Balanian told the court in May this was because he had used a smart contract that would deliver the cryptocurrency to the device on August 12. When Balanian under examination accessed the device on August 13, there was again no currency, and he insisted it was the result of IT issues and that a new laptop, never before connected to the internet, was required.
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 Theres a saying among parents of neurodiverse children: change your lens. There have been books written about it, seminars you can attend to hear about it and support groups you can join to discuss it. The idea is that you stop looking at your kid like it is an out-of-control demon (even though they often are) and start recognising that he or she is struggling. And that lens change eventually leads to calmer behaviour, builds connection and  with a collaborative approach to problem behaviours  diffuses many of the unwanted issues children with disabilities regularly present with. I know this from personal experience. Children with neurodiversity, as well as those who come from dysfunctional, abusive homes, are regularly prone to emotional dysregulation, impulse control problems, violent meltdowns, disordered thinking and defiant behaviour. And sadly, in many cases that leads to a life of crime. Throw in poor role models, a parent with substance abuse, or one who drank while they were pregnant with said child (which is sadly quite common), and you are asking for a walking, talking criminal-in-the-making. Science has proven that growing up in those environments leads to poor brain wiring and limited cognitive function.

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But still most peoples attitudes towards these kids is verging on hateful. Lock them up, that will teach them a lesson! The evidence shows it doesnt. Most young offenders are incarcerated again and again upon release. That is if they dont top themselves first. Police working to end a violent riot at Banksia Hill Detention Centre in Canning Vale in 2023. Credit: Nine News Last week in WA we saw another child take his own life after being locked up at a detention centre  the second in the nation to do so. The first was also in Perth, less than 12 months ago. The debate has already begun again about the conditions at Banksia Hill, the staffing levels, the monitoring of the youth offenders. Was it good enough? Do they need to be let out of their cells more often? Were the officers on duty sleeping on the job? Its all massively missing the point.

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Putting a neurodiverse, troubled, dysfunctional child from a background of trauma into a prison cell for months or years on end and hoping he will come out the other side a better person with fewer problems is absolutely ridiculous. And for all the people who complain about the crime being committed in their community by these wayward children, I hear you. No one should live in fear of being knifed by a 10-year-old, or having their car stolen by a 15-year-old. And yes, something needs to be done about it. But locking them up earlier, giving them harsher punishments and cutting them off from society with no support is not the way forward. We need to change our lens. There needs to be a better approach to dealing with WAs youth crime crisis. Credit: iStock These children are struggling. Most children, and adults for that matter, that are currently in our prison system come from dysfunctional, abusive homes, are born with neurodiversity and disabilities and see substance abuse, violence, aggression and crime as a normal way of life. I know this because I sit through court hearings day after day and I hear their backstories and they are heartbreaking. These people never stood a chance. And if you think that is a sob story that should not be tolerated as a defence, wait until one of these people tries to break into your home and then find out all you can about that person. Ask yourself if you would have turned out differently if you spent your childhood watching your dad beat up your mum, or your aunty shoot up drugs when you were 12, or your parents spend all the household money on meth so you had no choice but to steal food. Children arent born bad.

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But when they turn to crime, it becomes our job to show them a different way. It is only through rehabilitation, education and empathy that these children will change, come out better people, be more functional in society and less likely to turn to crime. And guess, what? Theyll probably stop killing themselves in prisons too. This is not just my opinion, it has been proven. A few years ago it was reported that 74 per cent of all young Australians who leave detention return to some form of justice supervision within 12 months. Our age of criminal responsibility is lower than in most other countries around the world. And our detention rate is 26 times higher for young Indigenous people.

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But in Norway, Spain and Germany and in some parts of America, they now recognise that any period of incarceration is harmful and instead deal with these kids and teens in other ways. They are placed into home-like environments with bright open spaces, schools and an emphasis on therapy, rehabilitation and community-oriented centres designed to equip young people for re-entering society. Unsurprisingly, their rates of recidivism are dramatically lower than ours. WAs youth justice system needs an overhaul. And so are their numbers of children killing themselves. It is unclear why our state government has not addressed this. Its not like many, many people havent already said the same thing. Concerns were being publicly raised about Banksia Hill years ago and as recently as a few weeks ago when an inquest was held into the suicide of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd last year. During the four-week hearing it was made clear by many of the experts called to give evidence that the issues that have compounded at both WAs only youth detention facility and Unit 18, where Dodd took his own life, were not specific or narrow. They come from the top.

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Butler said the aged-care package should include a mechanism to ensure the care targets were reached. But she countered claims from providers that they could not reach the targets because they could not find enough nurses. Unless theres a consequence for not meeting those standards, its not going to happen, she said. Loading Butler said her response was to ask providers why they did not offer nurses higher salaries to match those paid in hospitals, or offer more incentives to hire and retain them. The federation, which estimates that 40 per cent of nurses were born overseas and 20 per cent were educated overseas, is in favour of streamlining the process to bring in more workers and says Australia needs more investment in local training.

The shortage has forced some aged-care providers to search for nurses from nearby employers while also losing existing staff to hospitals, with every new hire creating a gap somewhere else. Theres a knife fight for staff in the regions, with aged care and hospitals scrapping for the same staff, said Duncan McKimm, the chief executive of Clarence Village in Grafton, in northern NSW. The combination of staff constraints and care minute targets make building new aged-care facilities largely unfeasible. The government knows there arent enough registered nurses to meet the targets. We need to design and fund an aged-care system based on the forecasts rather than pretend thousands of registered nurses and carers are going to materialise.

Labor promised to improve aged care when it took power at the last election, saying it would act on the royal commission that exposed the neglect of older Australians, and has mandated 24/7 onsite clinical care as well as the minimum amount of nursing care that residents should receive each day. Without enough staff to meet the mandate, some providers have dropped plans to add more beds despite the demand from older Australians who need to move from home or retirement villages into aged care. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation secretary Annie Butler at a jobs and skills summit at Parliament House in 2022. Credit: James Brickwood A government aged-care taskforce warned last year that the sector needed more staff and investment to support older Australians, but Labor and the Coalition are yet to reach a deal in parliament on the reforms. Taskforce member Grant Corderoy, of accounting firm StewartBrown, has estimated providers will close 21,200 beds in net terms over the six years to 2030 unless changes are made to attract investment.

Workforce reforms are critical and should be addressed by a separate reform agenda, not tied to the taskforce funding reforms, Corderoy said. Loading Aged and Community Care Providers Association chief executive Tom Symondson said only about 40 per cent of all residential providers were currently meeting targets. While weve seen some improvement over the last year from the absolute worst point, weve only seen that because we havent been able to find enough workforce to deliver on the minutes targets, he said. If 100 per cent [of providers] were meeting the targets, those losses would skyrocket.

Federal authorities are likely to take the nurse shortage into account when looking at whether providers have met the mandate on daily care minutes, as long as there is no risk to residents and the providers are doing what they can to meet the targets. Federal Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said the government had put $11.3 billion towards a wage rise for aged-care workers and was tackling the labour shortages as a major issue. This significantly improved pay for 250,000 workers and was the biggest pay rise for the sector, ever, Wells said. This years federal budget included $88.4 million over three years to develop the aged-care workforce, while state governments are also offering incentives to nurses, such as waiving their university fees. UnitingCare national director Claerwen Little welcomed the federal pledge on aged-care wages but said the federal government needed a long-term workforce plan.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells. Credit: James Brickwood We are acutely aware of chronic workforce shortages, particularly in regional and remote services, she said. Our services are often forced to engage contract staff through recruitment agencies at an exorbitant cost to fill critical workforce shortages. While the nursing federation backs the federal mandate on daily care minutes, Catholic Health Australia said it was a factor in the pressure to find staff. Catholic Health Australia director of aged-care policy Laura Haylen estimated the nurse shortage was far greater than some of the official figures showed, saying the sector had 60,000 care and nursing vacancies.
Located five hours north-west of Oslo in Norways Jotunheimen National Park, Northern Europes tallest peak  the 2469-metre-high Galdhopiggen  is a popular hike because of its accessibility. After driving to the 1850-metre-high Galdhopiggen Summer Ski Resort, its only a 5.5-kilometre trek to the summit with an elevation gain of just 619 metres. The tricky part? Avoiding the 30-metre-deep crevasses that lurk beneath the Styggebreen glacier surrounding it  hence why you need to be led by an experienced guide. Reach the top and youll be rewarded with spectacular views of the regions dramatic glacial valleys and mountains. See fiftydegreesnorth.com Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory Ellery Creek Big Hole in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Credit: Getty Images Staying in tented eco-camps, this five-night trip with Australian Walking Holidays showcases the best bits of the Larapinta Trail, an epic 221-kilometre trek that winds its way through the Northern Territorys rust-red West MacDonnell Ranges. Highlights include summiting Mount Sonder at sunrise, exploring the dramatic Ormiston Gorge and gaining a deeper understanding of the regions Indigenous culture from traditional owners. Australian Walking Holidays is the only operator that includes a bush tucker lesson with Rayleen Brown, founder of Kungkas Can Cook, and has a guided tour through Standley Chasm with local Indigenous mob. See australianwalkingholidays.com.au The Balkans, Via Dinarica

Intrepid Travels 10-day Split to Tirana itinerary showcases some of the Via Dinarica trails highlights. Stretching from Italy through the western Balkans (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania), the Via Dinarica is the long-distance European hiking route almost no one has heard of. Launched in 2010, the trail aims to encourage tourism to the western Balkans and lure visitors from the regions celebrated coastline to its lesser-known mountainous interior. Intrepid Travels 10-day trip from Split to Tirana showcases some of the trails most spectacular portions via six scenically stunning hikes, together with visits to the cities of Split, Sarajevo and Tirana. See intrepidtravel.com Waterfall season, the Kimberley True North  one of the Kimberleys cruising pioneers. Credit: True North Thundering waterfalls, spectacular sunsets and very few people are just some of the advantages of visiting the Kimberley at the tail end of the wet season. True North, one of the pioneers of expedition cruising in the region, now has two vessels (True North and True North II) offering departures in March and April, which is the best time to see the Kimberleys famed waterfalls. It also means youll probably be the only ones at most of the rock art and swim sites youll visit. The price for this exclusive access? Hair-ruining humidity. Thankfully, both vessels are air-conditioned. See truenorth.com.au

Antarctic snorkelling, Aurora Expeditions Polar plunge  a signature experience of Aurora Expeditions. Obviously Antarctic vistas are incredible above the water, but what about below? This is a signature experience offered by Australian-based company Aurora Expeditions. Passengers don dry suits, masks, snorkels and fins and plunge into the water. On show are playful penguins and other marine life such as crustaceans and starfish along with icebergs and subaquatic rock formations. All this, and you dont even have to navigate the most difficult part of Antarctic exploration to get there: crossing the Drake Passage. Aurora offers flights from Punta Arenas to King George Island, meaning less time at sea and more time in the sea. See auroraexpeditions.com.au Coral Expeditions Coral Expeditions compact ships can access bays and coastlines the bigger ships cant.

This small Aussie-founded company celebrated its 40th anniversary last year and is an unsung minnow amid the cruise company whales. It pioneered the use of knowledgeable guides onboard and all-inclusive shore excursions, and has remained true to its mission of providing expedition cruises in remote Australia locations and now in South-East Asia and Japan. Its compact, purpose-built ships can penetrate small bays and convoluted coastlines, while tenders and Zodiacs enable guests to visit gorges and land on the tiniest of islands. Dont expect on-board diversions and luxuries. Instead, enjoy exploring with enthusiastic leaders dedicated to passing on their impressive learning. See coralexpeditions.com Le Soleal, Ponant The finest of dining onboard the French-flagged Le Soleal. If you like creature comforts, Beaujolais and plump pillows and yet want to see tricky-to-reach places such as Antarctica, Alaska or Papua New Guinea, then this stylish French-flagged ship keeps you in billionaire style while sailing gently through ice-encrusted coastlines or remote atolls. Le Soleal, near-identical to three other Ponant ships (LAustral, Le Boreal and Le Lyrial), carries 264 guests, looks like a boutique hotel and has small bar-lounges, a theatre and spa. Particularly outstanding is the restaurant for the finest of dining in the most out-of-the-way places. See ponant.com Celebrity Flora, Galapagos, Celebrity Cruises
J.D. never had a honeymoon; he had a hurricane, but I think a lot of that is in the rearview mirror now, said Charlie Kirk, a Republican activist close to the Trump campaign. Hes further animated the conservative base and also voters we are looking to run up the score with, which are white working-class voters and young male voters. Democrats, however, have been outraged and confounded by Vances vice presidential bid. This year, Trump had spoken at length about finding a running mate who was uniquely qualified to take over as president  and then picked Vance, who assumed his first elected office just last year and turned 40 less than a month ago. Vance would be the nations youngest vice president since 1953 when Richard Nixon took the oath of office at 40. Common traits run through their backgrounds and early careers. Both were born into poor families and earned law degrees from prestigious universities, Duke for Nixon and Yale for Vance. Both served in the military. Nixon had a more robust political resume, but both were also less than two years into their first terms in the Senate when they joined their partys presidential ticket.

Nixon was arguably one of the most combative vice presidential contenders of the past century, although Vance may challenge him in that regard. Vance has accused Vice President Kamala Harris of being personally responsible for the deaths of 13 service members in Afghanistan in 2021 and of opening the southern border to let these cartels bring in the poison thats killing our families. He has said that she plans to buy oil from every tin-pot dictator, is more interested in building the economy in communist China than at home and longs to put truck drivers out of business to force them into computer-coding classes. Loading And that was all from one 30-minute event Wednesday in Erie, Pennsylvania. I really dont know what Trump was thinking with this pick because Vance hasnt done anything to show hes ready to be the leader of the free world, said Joel Benenson, a Democratic pollster who worked for former President Barack Obama. Is he doing anything other than playing to the conservative base? The answer is no, and you dont win elections from the left or the right. You win from the middle out, and these guys are not appealing to the middle.

The most damaging attack on Vance last month centred on his comments from a Fox News interview in 2021 when he lamented the numerous childless cat ladies among American leaders, including Kamala Harris. Many voters shrug off similar comments from Trump because they view the 78-year-old former president as something of an elderly uncle who doesnt understand the world has changed, said Bill Kristol, who was the chief of staff for vice president Dan Quayle in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Senator J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, speaks during a campaign rally at Majestic Friesians Horse Farms, in Big Rapids, Michigan. Credit: Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times But Vance has gone out of his way to adopt a set of views from an ideological, right-wing milieu on things like child-rearing and how women should more or less stay home, said Kristol, an organiser of Republican Voters Against Trump. That is harder to understand from someone who is 40. The Trump campaign had planned to ease Vance into the spotlight, but the furore over cat ladies accelerated that timetable.

Vances excitement at joining the fray was immediately visible. He arrived with a fresh haircut and neatly trimmed beard for his first solo rally, a hometown event in Middletown, Ohio. In a sign of his astonishment at every warm welcome from his pro-Trump crowds, Vance opened each event for the first several weeks with the same single exclamation: Wow! He has enjoyed travelling with family members aboard his chartered Boeing 737. His wife, Usha Vance, is rarely without a book in her hands. His mother, Beverly Aikins, posed for selfies at an A&W in Big Rapids, Michigan, and joined him at a private fundraiser in Nashville, Tennessee. His father-in-law, Krish Chilukuri, carried an oversized bag of popcorn onboard for his day on the trail as if he anticipated an entertaining show. Since Trump announced his selection July 15, Vance has held two dozen campaign events, mainly in the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. He has hosted about two dozen fundraisers. He has participated in more than 70 interviews on television, conservative radio and podcasts, as well as with newspaper and magazine reporters. At least 10 other times, he has answered questions from reporters travelling on his campaign plane. Vances media strategy, allies said, functioned as his attempt to reach beyond the conservative base and to joust  carefully and respectfully, for the most part  with network anchors. Every VP candidate gets attacked when theyre chosen; its how you handle it that matters, said Republican Senator Steve Daines, who is overseeing his partys Senate campaigns. Theyre throwing hardballs at him, throwing curveballs at him, and hes really been very impressive.

Vances interactions with reporters produced one of his most effective days on the trail when he attacked his Democratic counterpart, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota. The Harris campaign had posted an old video of Walz pushing to restrict access to weapons of war that I carried in war. Walz served 24 years in the military but never in combat. Vance and his team had been searching for some way to disrupt a streak of positive news for Harris, who had unified her party around her nomination, and their tactic of highlighting the discrepancy worked. Cable networks broke into their coverage to report his criticisms of Walz. Some pundits concluded that the move had been designed by Chris LaCivita, a senior Trump campaign adviser who had played a key role in similar Swift Boat attacks on Senator John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee. But Vance had anticipated the opportunity on his own and quickly seized it. Later, when his plane followed Air Force Two into Chippewa Valley Regional Airport in Wisconsin, he hurried down the tarmac straight for Harris plane. Her motorcade sped off before Vance could execute any publicity stunt, so he instead spent a few minutes with reporters who had gathered to see Harris. He mostly mocked Harris for not taking more questions, a criticism that remains a top talking point for Republicans.

I just wanted to check out my future plane, Vance said when he returned to his motorcade. Harris campaign later posted a meme-style video on social media aimed at mocking Vance. The clip shows her meeting with Girl Scouts on the tarmac before quickly cutting to footage of Vances arrival. A narrator says, All of a sudden, I hear this agitating, grating voice. Vances self-assured manner with the news media has reached the point where questions from reporters now account for about half of his typical 30-minute events. The rules are stacked in his favour. Vance seeks questions mostly from local outlets, which, by definition, are typically focused on regional issues. The news media is corralled at the back of the room, where the microphone is held by campaign staff members, limiting opportunities for follow-up questions. You all want to see me take some questions from the media? Vance asked a crowd inside a Wisconsin warehouse stacked with PVC products Wednesday.

An approving roar erupted from the crowd. But unscripted events carry risk, too. At a trucking logistics company in Pennsylvania, Vances audience sustained a chorus of earsplitting boos when a woman introduced herself as a reporter from CNN. Loading The next reporter stumbled on her question, and multiple audience members heckled her and loudly mimicked her stammer. Vance also overextended himself while speaking about a confrontation between Trumps team and Arlington National Cemetery officials. Vance angrily cursed Harris for her response to the incident  but she has said nothing. Her campaigns only reaction was from a spokesperson who offered a brief and largely unnoticed response to a question during a cable news interview.
Meet Adrian, a young American who has found his passion in rural Huangshan, Anhui Province, China. He's growing his own ingredients and serving up pizzas with a fun Chinese twist. It's a delicious adventure waiting to be discovered.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
The rosary was a nightly ritual in our house as I grew up. My father was ever-faithful to it, my mother somewhat less so.

Saying the rosary in the company of my father was sometimes an unpredictable affair. It was my father who gave out the rosary and maintained a serious tone most of the time.

Saying the rosary seemed to present him with the opportunity to reflect on the day. If there was something in there that amused him, he often gave way to chuckling about it during the rosary. If he started to chuckle, we all began to chuckle. This breakdown would usually happen in the aftermath of a testing occurrence during the day - a thieving cow or rain on a field of dry hay. It was only in the meditation of the rosary that he relaxed enough to see the fun, or folly, in something he might have said or done earlier. I always felt it was his way of saying sorry.

Our dog, Rover, arrived in our house as a troubled teenager. Reports were that he was boisterous and willful but with a strong instinct for driving cattle. It was also reported that he came from a family of different faith to our own. In order to acclimatise Rover to his new home, he was kept in our kitchen for that first night.

When the rosary started, Rover started. He whined and howled and pawed at the base of the door in an attempt to leave the room. My fathers response, the turf box being his nearest source of missiles, was to intermittently pelt the dog with sods in an effort to convert him to Catholicism. Hail Mary, bang! Holy Mary, wallop! Rover eventually calmed down. I am not sure whether he was converted by the Hail Marys or the hail of sods but after a few nights, he slept happily in his own shed.

The Rosary Priest

I take the road from Foxford towards Swinford and, as I travel along, I spot the sign for the Fr Peyton Centre in Attymass. The approach from this side takes me through the foothills of the Ox Mountains on an ever-decreasing road network.

I imagine coming upon the centre in the middle of nowhere but am pleasantly surprised when the narrow roads widen into the village of Attymass. There, the Fr Peyton Centre presents itself as an oasis of calm, surrounded by the sounds of family and nature.

I quickly get a feel for the place and so my Fr Peyton story begins to unfold. According to the centres own information, Patrick Peyton (1909-1992), was born just outside Attymass in Co Mayo, on January 9th, 1909, and the centre provides a very real link to his life and lasting legacy, as this introduction states:

Seeking a spiritual pilgrimage? Our peaceful and serene atmosphere, surrounded by breath-taking mountains and lakes, sets the perfect backdrop for prayer and reflection. This destination is a must-see for anyone intrigued by the life and enduring legacy of Venerable Patrick Peyton.

A statue of the Rosary Priest in the Fr Peyton Centre in Attymass.

Simple origins

An American information website, fatherpeyton.com, expands on his family background and his interest in becoming a priest.

Patrick's father's dominant quality was his 'Spirit of Faith' and he practiced this faith each night by kneeling and leading the family in the Rosary. A farmer from a nearby village needed help picking potatoes. While staying with them, Patrick realised that this family is different than his, as there is no 'Spirit of Faith' and no Family Rosary. Patrick decided to share his love for Mary and the Family Rosary with this family and they begin to pray the Rosary nightly.

At the age of nine one of Patricks friends, John Barrett, arranged for him to serve Mass. This was a high honor in his parish and Patricks desire to become a priest began to form. From age nine to age 17, Patricks desire to become a priest grew with each retreat and talk given at St. Joseph Parish in Attymass. However, his applications to the seminary were rejected and he refocuses on a career.

In 1927, aged 18, Patrick decided that he wanted to go to the United States. He already had family members in America: three sisters in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Acquiring his fathers consent to leave home was the hard part. His father agreed that he and his brother, Tom, could make the trip to America and live with their sisters on one condition: Go down on your knees and make me a promise here before the picture of the Sacred Heart. From now on there will be nobody but yourself to advise you and to decide for you. But your first responsibility will always be to save your soul, and so I want you to promise to be faithful to Our Lord in America.

While playing with the idea of becoming a successful businessman, Patrick still harboured ambitions of becoming a priest. According to fatherpeyton.com, he and his brother Tom were eventually given the opportunity to get the education they needed to go on to study for the priesthood.

With great joy, in 1929, Patrick and Tom entered Holy Cross Minor Seminary at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. In June 1932, at the age of 23, Patrick and Tom graduated and began the novitiate at Holy Cross. This was an intensive year of spiritual exercises that included living with and learning about the Congregation of Holy Cross. They professed their temporary vows with Holy Cross in 1933 and started studying for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Notre Dame.

Patricks ambitions seemed doomed again when during his final year in the seminary, he got tuberculosis. He became very sick and his medical team gave him little hope of recovery. It was about this time that his deep faith began to manifest itself. Patrick had a particular devotion to the Virgin Mary and so he began to pray to her for healing and recovery. To the amazement of his doctors, his prayers were answered, and his health began to improve. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 15th, 1941.

The Power of Radio

Giving thanks for his miraculous recovery, Fr Peyton pledged to bring Family Prayer to ten million homes in America by urging people to say the rosary each night as he had done at home in Attymass in the early 1900s. He believed that family was the cornerstone of society and that prayer was the key to family unity. He was also aware that more and more families were gathering around their new radio sets at that time. He spotted the advantage of this medium and quickly applied it to his crusade. Using the power of radio, he soon brought his message to the airwaves through his popular radio show.

Fr Peyton presented hundreds of radio and television shows with many of the famous movie stars of the day, including Bing Crosby. These Broadway and Hollywood personalities helped to spread his message of 'Family Prayer'. This was a very clever move on his part: blending the popular with traditional.

During his prayer crusade years, Fr Peyton is estimated to have addressed over 26 million people. His single biggest gathering of people was in Manila in 1985 where he addressed two million people. His famous call to prayer was: The family that prays together stays together.

Legacy

For those of you who might like to know more about The Rosary Priest, there is of course the Fr Peyton Centre in Attymass, as well as the previously mentioned fatherpeyton.com website and there is even a full-length 2020 documentary, Pray: The Story of Patrick Peyton.

Fr Patrick Peyton died on June 3, 1992, in Los Angeles, California. His final words were Mary, my Queen, my Mother".
BEIRUT, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- A Hezbollah member was killed and six people were injured on Sunday in Israeli airstrikes on border villages in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

An Israeli airstrike on the village of Bayt Lif killed one Hezbollah fighter and injured two others, including a woman who sustained serious injuries, according to a statement released by the ministry's Public Health Emergency Operations Center.

In a separate statement, the ministry reported that an Israeli airstrike on the village of Aita al-Shaab injured four people.

Lebanese military sources told Xinhua that Israeli drones and warplanes carried out 13 airstrikes on seven towns and villages in the border area of southern Lebanon on Sunday.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that an Israeli surface-to-surface missile targeted a house in the southeastern town of Shebaa, destroying the building. They reported no injuries from that attack.

The sources also said that a Lebanese army vehicle came under gunfire from the Israeli Zar'it site while it was moving along the southern border to deliver supplies to army centers, though no further details were provided.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced in separate statements that it had launched rocket attacks on Israeli soldiers near the Marj site and targeted espionage equipment at the Ruwaisat al-Alam site in the occupied Lebanese Kfarchouba hills.

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. 
Laundry is a top source of microplastic pollution  heres how to clean your clothes more sustainably
Members of the search collective "Uniendo Esperanzas" use the tip of an iron rod to search for the smell of human remains under the earth, in a forest Aug. 16 in the state of Mexico, Mexico.
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were injured when a blast went off in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city, according to hospital and police officers on Sunday.

Police officers told media that the blast occurred when some unknown miscreants riding on a motorcycle hurled a hand grenade at Chaman Phatak area of Quetta, the capital city of the southwestern Balochistan province.

Following the blast, rescue teams and security forces reached the site. Police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to arrest the culprits.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack. 
BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of nine media and think tank representatives from Pakistan recently visited China, traveling from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Shaanxi Province to Beijing.

Impressed by China's social and economic advancements, they expressed a strong desire to further deepen China-Pakistan cooperation in the future.

During their five-day visit to Xinjiang, the first stop of their China tour from Aug. 19 to 29, the delegation visited the regional capital Urumqi and the Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili. Through direct exchanges with local residents, the members of the delegation experienced a Xinjiang that starkly contrasts with the negative portrayals by some Western media.

"It is my second time here in Urumqi. It has been 10 years since the last visit, and there are a lot of differences here," said Qamar Bashir, former press secretary to the Pakistani president. "The people look much happier and more confident."

During a visit to the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, senior PTV journalist Arbab Ali Asghar was visibly excited to meet a Pakistani businessman who shared that he has lived in the region for 30 years and finds the local people very friendly.

"When I visited Xinjiang back in 2014, it was implementing the policy of pulling people out of poverty. Now this is totally transformed, people are living in their own houses, well protected, given jobs, this is all about humanity," said Mian Abrar Hussain, chief news editor of Pakistan Today. He also engaged in in-depth exchanges with locals in a relocation village in Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County in Ili.

Captivated by the vibrant scenes -- crowds of tourists, people of all ethnic groups dancing joyfully and a dazzling array of goods from various countries -- Maarij Farooq, deputy editor and chief digital editor of the Daily Ittehad Media Group, couldn't resist capturing the beautiful moments with his camera throughout the journey.

Farooq told Xinhua that before visiting the region, he was concerned that the negative propaganda about Xinjiang on social media might be partly true.

"But the truth is totally different. People here are living a very good life," Farooq said. "I would recommend that people themselves visit this beautiful place, and they will see the changes taking place in China."

The trip also unraveled answers to the delegation's lingering questions about Xinjiang. "In English, they say 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating.' Now, I have eaten the pudding," said Murtaza Solangi, chief editor of Stratheia, an online media outlet from Pakistan.

"Before coming here, there were a lot of stories of underdevelopment and backwardness of Xinjiang. But it's a region that's hustling and bustling with energy, technology and new ideas," he added, expressing the hope that the people of Xinjiang and Pakistan can learn from each other in fighting extremism and terrorism.

During their China tour, the delegation also witnessed the achievements of exchanges and cooperation between China and Pakistan under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Launched in 2013 as a flagship BRI project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has broadened bilateral cooperation from infrastructure to include new energy and agriculture sectors.

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (LONGi), a leading global solar technology company in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, entered the Pakistani market in 2018. The market share of LONGi's photovoltaic (PV) module in Pakistan exceeded 40 percent this year.

"I got the solar panels on my house. I feel so relieved now because it's a good technology, good for the pocket and also for the environment," said Abdullah Gauhar Malik, digital editor of Pakistan Observer, during the delegation's visit to LONGi. "I think there is huge potential for energy cooperation between Pakistan and China."

Speaking about Western accusations of overcapacity in China's PV sector, he said that there was no such thing as overproduction and that current activities were significantly benefiting the environment. "As long as there is market demand, there is no overcapacity. We should do more."

According to the delegates, with the CPEC now entering its second phase, they anticipate an increase in collaborative projects focused on renewable energy and the green transformation of the economy. 
CAIRO, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Sunday discussed ways to enhance joint action to confront challenges affecting regional security and peace.

During a phone conversation, they stressed the necessity of reaching an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and stopping the escalation in the West Bank to restore stability to the region, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.

Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, is leading mediation efforts to reach a truce and a hostage-prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas, with the goal of achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The Palestinian death toll from the nearly 11-month-long Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 40,738, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday. 
CAIRO, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Egypt condemned on Sunday the continued Israeli military operations in the West Bank, which have led to the killing and injury of dozens of Palestinians over the past few days.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli efforts to escalate confrontations within the Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as Israel's continued use of "excessive military force and unlawful killings."

The ministry stressed that Israel must abide by its legal obligations as an occupying power and protect the security of the Palestinian population in the occupied territories rather than exacerbating and fueling the conflict.

Egypt also warned of the dangers of Israel's "scorched earth policy," noting that such a policy aims to undermine all the components of a future Palestinian state and eliminate Palestinians' hopes of establishing their independent state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ministry called on influential parties in the international community and the United Nations Security Council to take a firm position to stop these illegal practices and provide protection for the Palestinian people in the occupied territories.

Since Wednesday, Israel has conducted a large-scale raid across the northern West Bank, stating that the operation aims to prevent future attacks against Israel.

Israel has been carrying out almost daily raids in the West Bank since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 660 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks across the West Bank since the onset of the conflict. 
by Justice Lee Adoboe

ACCRA, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian health sector players were impressed by the latest Chinese cutting-edge medical technology on display during a three-day medical industry summit and exhibition.

The event, held in the Ghanaian capital of Accra from Monday to Wednesday, was organized by the Health Community of West Africa, a Ghana-based Chinese firm that seeks to support the capacity building of all health facilities in West Africa.

Participating Chinese manufacturers and distributors showcased laboratory equipment, dental, ophthalmic and acupuncture technology, ventilators, and scanners. Other equipment on display were advanced oxygen concentrators, analyzers, and generators, with experts on hand to demonstrate their workings to interested Ghanaians and West African medical personnel.

Zhongshan Tsingair Electric Technology Company Ltd. from southern China displayed its latest technology in oxygen therapy, including different types of oxygen concentrators for use in small and large health facilities, as well as some in-home care.

Wang Lixin, the company's overseas marketing manager, told Xinhua that the products are the culmination of research over a period to identify the needs for oxygen therapy, and their products are very efficient in bringing solutions to such patients.

"This is our first time to come to Ghana, and we've made some friends here. It is an honor to attend this summit. We expect future cooperation with local hospitals and local agents," Wang said.

"We will do our best with our professional equipment to support local healthcare in Ghana," he said, adding that the company expects to meet qualified agents to distribute their products in Ghana and West Africa.

Zetop, another Chinese company specializing in medical equipment supply, providing equipment to hospitals, clinics, and other medical institutions, was also present.

Jiang Qian, Zetop's foreign trade manager, expressed excitement after meeting with a number of hospital representatives who visited the company's exhibition stand during the summit.

"I am glad to see that the Ghanaian market has many opportunities for cooperation between Ghanaian and Chinese companies and health institutions. We want to bring China-Africa medical cooperation into a bright future," Jiang said.

She said the 11-year-old company already has agents in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, and expects to expand into West Africa through Ghana.

"What is happening here is enlightening. China's medical technology has advanced. Considering the various items and medical equipment on display here, I think China has gone far," said Sandra Ashong, president of the Ghana Association of Medical Herbalists.

Ashong, also the head of the complementary and alternative medicine unit at LEKMA Hospital in the Ghanian capital of capital, lauded the advanced medications and tools of traditional Chinese medicine on display at the exhibition.

"There are prospects for boosting the win-win medical cooperation between Ghana and China. Not just me, but members of my association who were here have learned a lot, and we hope that more of these technologies and skills will come into the country to improve health care," she added.

Margaret-Mary Bortsie, a biomedical engineer with the Ghana Health Service, said she was amazed at the advanced lifesaving healthcare delivery technologies that the Chinese companies have put on display at the event.

"The oxygen concentrators I saw here, for instance, are fully digital and portable, unlike the analog products we have in Ghana, and you can see everything on the screen and monitor all your parameters," Bortsie told Xinhua.

She urged the governments in West Africa to invest in equipping their healthcare institutions with such advanced technologies to make healthcare more efficient for citizens with better results.

"I hope we will have the opportunity in the future to visit some of these manufacturers in China to see firsthand what they do and adopt their technologies for the benefit of Ghana's health sector," she added. 
A stewardess checks tickets of passengers at Nairobi station of the China-built Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Nov. 17, 2021. [Xinhua/Dong Jianghui]



BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua)  "The future of China-Africa relations lies in our young people," said Chinese President Xi Jinping while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The development of young people has been high on the agenda of China-Africa cooperation. Many of the initiatives Xi outlined at FOCAC summits were designed to assist them in exploring job opportunities and pursuing better personal development.

At the 2015 FOCAC Johannesburg Summit, he proposed the establishment of regional vocational education centers and capacity-building schools for Africa. Three years later, at the Beijing Summit, he introduced the idea of setting up Luban Workshops on the continent to provide vocational training for more youngsters.

Jamlick Mwangi Kariuki, who is currently studying at Beijing Jiaotong University, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 10, 2024. [Xinhua/Wang Xiaopeng]



Over the years, these measures have benefited many young African people. Among them is Jamlick Mwangi Kariuki, a 26-year-old Kenyan student pursuing a master's degree in a Beijing-based university.

Kariuki's connection with China started in 2017, when the Chinese-built Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) opened to traffic. The project not only cuts rail travel time between the two cities by half, but also has created about 50,000 jobs for locals, resulting in the training of more than 2,800 high-caliber railway professionals for the country.

Months before the modern railway's opening, Kariuki was enrolled in a China-funded program aimed at boosting the ranks of Kenyan talent for railway management, and moved to Beijing for undergraduate study in civil engineering at Beijing Jiaotong University.

After graduating in 2021, Kariuki went back home to work for the Kenya Railways Corporation as an assistant engineer, contributing to the operation of the SGR. Many of his fellow students in the same program are working for the Kenyan corporation. In his quest for more advanced knowledge, Kariuki returned to China in 2023 to further his studies at the same university in order to become a railway expert.

Feeling grateful for the opportunities they received, representatives of Kenyan students and alumni at the university, including Kariuki, wrote a letter to Xi at the end of 2023, expressing their great pleasure in coming to China to learn more about railway operation and management.

The year 2023 marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, as well as the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was put forward by Xi.

In his reply letter in January this year, Xi said the BRI has turned the ideals of development and revitalization of China and Kenya into reality, and closely linked the well-being of the two peoples, calling the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR a flagship project and a successful example of China-Kenya Belt and Road cooperation.

"I am glad to see that you have bonded with China through this road to happiness. You have witnessed and benefited from China-Kenya and China-Africa friendship and cooperation, and you have helped build and spread the friendly cooperation between China and Kenya and between China and Africa," Xi said in the letter.

He went on to add that the blueprints of the BRI and the China-Kenya comprehensive strategic partnership demand the involvement of more ambitious and capable young individuals like them to ensure successful realization.

Inspired by Xi's words, Kariuki said he will continue working hard to contribute to the two countries' cooperation and common development.

Xi values both the inheritance of traditional China-Africa friendship and the cultural exchanges between Chinese and African youth. During his visit to South Africa in March 2013, he witnessed the signing of an agreement between China and South Africa on jointly establishing the Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology. In ten years since its establishment, the institute trained about 10,000 students.

In 2023, 50 faculty members and students from the institute in Durban wrote a joint letter to Xi, sharing their experiences and thanking Xi and the Chinese government for providing more opportunities for African youth to pursue their dreams.

In his reply letter, Xi encouraged them to visit China more often, and develop a deeper understanding of China while having a good command of the Chinese language to contribute to promoting China-Africa friendship and cooperation.

When addressing the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit, Xi expressed his confidence that the baton of China-Africa friendship would be passed from one generation to the next and that China and Africa, working together, would build an even more vibrant community with a shared future.

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha
Wrexham businesses urged to enter National Tourism Awards!

Two Members of the Senedd are urging local businesses to enter the National Tourism Awards.

Last month, Tourism Minister Jack Sargeant announced the much-anticipated awards will return in spring 2025.

Hosted by Visit Wales, they celebrate the best of the industry throughout the country.

Winners of the Regional Awards in 2024 will go through to the National Awards in March 2025, so local businesses need to apply to the Go North Wales Awards.

The categories for the National Tourism Awards 2025 are:

Best Hotel

Best B&B, Inn and Guesthouse

Best Self-Catering

Best Caravan, Camping, Glamping

Best Attraction

Best Activity, Experience or Tour

Bro a Byd Category (those going the extra mile on environmental sustainability)

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

Best Place to Eat

Rising Star

Best Event

Best Dog Friendly Business

Wrexhams Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths, said: Its no surprise there has been an increase in tourists visiting the city and the area following the high-profile takeover of Wrexham AFC by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and the subsequent success of the Welcome to Wrexham series.

Wrexham is in the spotlight like never before and this newfound global interest has boosted the regions economy.

People from all over the world are experiencing the brilliant things Wrexham has to offer and there are many excellent local businesses, particularly in the hospitality industry, that deserve to have their efforts recognised at the National Tourism Awards.

Ken Skates, MS for Clwyd South, said: We have so many fantastic businesses in Clwyd South which deserve to have their efforts recognised at the National Tourism Awards.

It would be great to see as many as possible putting themselves forward for awards.

He added: Im pleased that the Welsh Government has made supporting the tourism industry a key priority, and I know local businesses will benefit from funding and promotion provided through Visit Wales in the years to come.

The latest figures show that tourism-related industries generate 5.1% of Wales GVA (3.8bn). In 2023, more than 8.5m visitors from within Great Britain came to Wales  as well as 892,000 international visitors.

Mr Skates, a former Tourism Minister, added: The National Tourism Awards is an opportunity to celebrate the people and businesses behind these numbers and recognise their hard work and determination to make Wales a world-renowned tourism destination.

More information is available at gonorthwalestourismawards.website and the closing date is October 7.
Incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez and Republican Mayra Flores are running against each other this year. The race in the 34th Congressional District is Republicans top flip target in the state. ERIC GAY / ASSOCIATED PRESS, LM OTERO / ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON  South Texas Republican congressional candidate Mayra Flores is getting an extra boost from Washington.

The National Republican Congressional Committee announced $800,000 in ad reservations in Harlingen to support Flores, a former Congress member, in her bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez. The race in the 34th Congressional District is the Republicans top flip target in the state.

The ad reservation is the first by the national Republican group to target a Texas race this cycle. The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC with ties to House Republican leadership but independent from the campaigns, also has spent $1.9 million in support of Flores.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The House Majority PAC, a super PAC associated with Democratic leadership, announced its own ad reservations in South Texas in April. That included $92,000 in Corpus Christi, $1,635,000 in Harlingen and $520,000 in San Antonio.

The ad reservation announced last week also will include $720,000 for U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, who is defending his seat in Iowa. The ad reservation will include broadcast, cable and digital advertisements.

From border security to the cost of living, voters know extreme House Democrats are responsible for the mess but trust Republicans to deliver solutions, NRCC communications director Jack Pandol said in a statement. With strong leaders like Zach Nunn and Mayra Flores returning to Washington next year, families can count on them to deliver results and reverse the Harris-Biden administrations glaring failures.

The NRCC in June announced $45.7 million in ad buys across the country, but Texas was left out of that push. The June ad buy included $688,800 for the El Paso media market, but those ads were focused on New Mexicos 2nd Congressional District, where Republicans are hoping to unseat Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez. Both of El Pasos members of Congress, Democrat Rep. Veronica Escobar and Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, are in safe seats.

The NRCC named Flores as a part of its Young Guns program in July, giving her added mentorship from seasoned campaign hands.

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Democrats ridicule Republican efforts in the district as useless. Gonzalez won the seat in 2022 by more than 8 percentage points.

Try as they might, the NRCC cant change the facts, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Lauryn Fanguen said in a statement. South Texans know that Vicente Gonzalez is fighting for them and delivering results. Mayra Flores is a repeated liar and come November, shell be a repeated loser.

Gonzalez echoed the sentiment.

We do enjoy watching Republicans squander resources in un-winnable districts. Amateur decisions like that is how we take the majority across the country, Gonzalez said in a statement.

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Cuellar is facing Navy veteran Jay Furman, a political novice with modest fundraising. Furman raised just under $70,000 as of the end of June, according to FEC filings. Cuellar, meanwhile, had raised over $2 million with more than $350,000 in cash on hand.

Republicans are spending heavily to protect U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-McAllen, who flipped the 15th Congressional District in 2022. The seat is considered the most competitive in Texas, and Democrats are pouring resources into Michelle Vallejos bid to unseat De La Cruz. Vallejo and De La Cruz faced each other in 2022, when Gonzalez vacated the seat to run in the 34th District. De La Cruz unsuccessfully challenged Gonzalez in the 15th District in 2020.
DHAKA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Amid the unprecedented flood in Bangladesh recently, many Chinese who live in the country took action to donate to the disaster areas, contributing more than 4 million taka in cash, and materials worth nearly 9 million taka as of Saturday.

New Hope Bangladesh donated 550 cases of milk, 550 cases of biscuits and 550 cases of drinking water, which amount to 12 lakh taka, to their clients to help them overcome the lost as soon as possible. Besides, they will donate three lakh cash to the flood-hit people.

Mohammad Ahmadullah, a fish farmer who suffered losses in the flood, told Xinhua that he has been doing business with the company for five years.

"I knew that their products' quality is good. Now I have found their kindness and quality in all aspects," he said.

"Bangladesh faces many natural disasters every year, but as long as we unite, we can overcome these challenges and help people live better lives," said He Quanshui, regional president for New Hope Bangladesh.

Overseas Chinese Association in Bangladesh (OCAIB) raised donation fund among overseas Chinese citizens in Bangladesh and delivered 4,000 family packs valued 68 lakh taka to villages in Kamalnagar, Sonaimuri Senbag, Fulgazi and Sadar thana on Friday.

"We need to support the communities in which we live and work, extending a hand of friendship and assistance during times of crisis," said Qiu Xiaobin, vice president of OCAIB.

"Chinese have stepped forward to donate relief supplies to the flood-hit people, demonstrating the deep friendship between the peoples of China and Bangladesh," Qiu said.

Recently, parts of Bangladesh have been severely affected by flooding, impacting millions of people. At least 59 have lost their lives. 
A Palestinian university student was detained on Tuesday after protesting Turkeys mediation of oil supplies from Azerbaijan to Israel during a panel discussion on Palestine organised by the state-owned English language broadcaster TRT World. On Thursday, three other people, including a Palestinian, were reportedly detained in connection with the incident.

Stating that two Palestinian protesters have been sent to the Repatriation Centre under the threat of deportation, the group Thousand Youth for Palestine continues its protest in front of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP)s Istanbul Provincial Administration to demand the release of their friends. The groups members have been detained many times before for protesting the genocide in Gaza and the complicity of the Erdogan government.

Members of the group "Thousand Youth for Palestine" protest against oil shipments to Israel and the detention of their friends. 28 August 2024, Uskudar/Istanbul [Photo: Twitter: @filistinicinbin]

This persecution and the recent unlawful threat of deportation of Palestinian youth exposes Turkeys complicity in Israels genocide in Gaza. The Socialist Equality Group condemns this persecution and calls on workers and youth to mobilise for the release of those detained. The deportation of Palestinian youth to a country where a genocidal war is now spreading to the West Bank could have fatal consequences.

A study by Oil Change International reveals that many countries, including signatories to the Geneva Conventions on genocide, have supplied oil for the tanks and planes used by Israel in the Gaza genocide and are complicit in crimes against the Palestinian people.

The study analysed shipping records, satellite imagery and other open-source industry data to track 65 oil and fuel shipments to Israel between October 21, 2023 and July 12. According to the report, a total of 4.1 million tonnes of crude oil have been shipped to Israel since the start of the war on Gaza, and these shipments have continued uninterrupted since the International Court of Justice rulings.

Israel imports almost 99 per cent of the oil it uses. According to the report, Azerbaijan is the main supplier, providing 28 per cent of the crude oil going to Israel. Azerbaijan is followed by Kazakhstan and the African country Gabon with 22 per cent. These three countries meet three-quarters of Israels oil needs.

Turkey, Italy, Cyprus and Greece play a key role in providing transshipment services to Israel. As the terminus of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, Turkey ranks first in terms of volume, accounting for 26 per cent of shipments to Israel. Cyprus follows Turkey with 21 per cent.

Turkeys continued intermediation of Azerbaijans critical oil shipments to Israel and the persecution of protesters exposes the hypocrisy of the Erdogan government's response to the Gaza genocide.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his governments first reaction after October 7 was one of caution and restraint. It called for a ceasefire and invited the Israeli state and Hamas to the table.

The events of October 7 have undermined the process of normalisation with Israel that Turkey has been pursuing in recent years, based on interests in the natural gas resources of the eastern Mediterranean. Ankara also fears that it could be drawn into a war against Iran, which would damage the interests of the Turkish bourgeoisie, through US imperialisms drive to dominate the Middle East.

The public demand to stop trade with Israel was persistently rejected and ignored by the government until May. Amid the genocide in Gaza, the government maintained diplomatic and economic relations with Israel for a long time and approved the expansion of NATO, which supports the genocide, by accepting Sweden as a member. In Turkey, where the majority of the population has anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist sentiments, this was a factor in the massive defeat of Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the elections on March 31.

In the face of the public backlash, Erdogan was forced to take decisions to cut direct trade with Israel and even hardened his rhetoric to the point of threatening military intervention against it. Despite this, US-NATO bases in Turkey continue to support Israels operations, and Azerbaijans oil shipments through Turkey, which feed Israels war machine, are increasing.

There are suspicions that Turkey is continuing to trade with Israel via Palestine after the official end of trade with Tel Aviv. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), exports to Palestine in July increased 12-fold after the ban on trade with Israel in Julyto almost as much as in the whole of 2023. Last July, $128 million worth of exports were made to Palestine during the destruction and massacres. Exports to Palestine in July last year were only $10 million.

Turkey, which used to be Israels largest steel exporter, exported only $27,000 worth of steel to Palestine in July last year, the Evrensel newspaper reported. In July 2024, however, this export rose to $14.3 million, an increase of around 51,000 percent. There was a similar increase in exports of cement and glass products.

The main reason for the Erdogan governments continued feeding of the Israeli war machine is the ruling classs close military-strategic ties with US-NATO imperialism.

The traditional policy, which Erdogan has largely maintained since 2002, is one of maneuvering between the pro-Palestinian sentiments of the people and the pro-imperialist and pro-Zionist character of the ruling class. In Turkey, which was the first Muslim-majority country to recognize the creation of Israel in 1948, the ruling elite in the following decades rhetorically condemned Israels crimes, but essentially acted in line with the destructive policies of the United States and Israel in the Middle East.

The repeated exposure of the complicity of the Erdogan government, supposedly the most vocal critic of Israels crimes in Gaza, underlines once again that the genocide cannot be stopped by appeals to governments or international organisations. The only way to stop the genocide in Gaza and the escalation of the war in the Middle East and worldwide is to unite the working class internationally in an anti-war socialist movement against imperialism and its proxies.
The Guardian published an editorial on August 28 titled bluntly, The Guardian view on trade unions: good for capitalism. Written as a defence of Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer against the most unhinged sections of the right-wing media and Conservative Party, it makes clear how the more level-headed sections of the ruling class view the union bureaucracy.

The article was published one day after Starmer explained that his immediate priority was to find 22 billion worth of spending cuts in Labours October budget, extending a period of austerity reaching back to 2010. Labours continuation of Tory austerity comes with a marked shift in approach, however, towards bringing trade union leaders in from the cold to work as corporate partners with government and big business.

Screenshot of August 28 of Guardian editorial - The Guardian view on trade unions: good for capitalism [Photo: screenshot: theguardian.com]

Whatever tropes are rolled out by the Daily Telegraph and others about Starmer caving in to union barons and militant strikers, Labours partnership with the union bureaucracy is linked inseparably to Starmers plans to implement a painful budget on working people.

This was underscored by Trades Union Congress General Secretary Paul Nowaks interview with Radio 4 the same week, in which he described Starmers austerity speech as a serious message from a serious prime minister that his government is committed to putting right what went wrong over 14 years.

The Guardian tries to grease the wheels of this operation by rapidly dismissing Chancellor Rachel Reeves insistence that there will be no blank cheques and presenting Labours reset of industrial relationsincluding the settlements negotiated in the outstanding bitter disputes from the strike wave of 2022-3 by junior doctors and train driversas workers finally receiving their fair share.

In both cases, the leaders of the BMA junior doctors committee and ASLEF have recommended pay settlements only marginally improved from those offered by the Sunak government. Their main purpose is to entrench the long-term decline in real-terms wages. Labour offered chump change, and the union bureaucracy rolled over at the first time of asking.

Even this will be extracted through harsher working conditions based on a partnership with the government to secure cost efficiencies, workplace reform and further privatisation in the National Health Service and Labours revamped version of the Conservatives Great British Railways.

The feigned sympathy for the dire situation facing nurses and teachers is all the more galling, given they have been offered just 5.5 percent this year. Yet the Guardian talks about the shortage of doctors and teachers and bemoans the pay slashed in real terms under austerity. Reading the editorial, which chooses not to adjudicate each and every one of the pay claims, one could be mistaken for believing a major redistribution of wealth is being enacted.

The suggestion that the Labour government is committed to public health and education is a fraud. What have been labelled reforms in these sectors by Starmer and his cabal of right-wing ministers has nothing to do with the words historic meaning, long usurped by its pro-market invocation under Blair and his successors. Reform in their mouths means upending the last vestiges of social gains won by the working class.

Using the same language, the Guardian argues against its anti-union opponents that if they arent perturbed by the social crisis, they should at least accept that shortage [of doctors and teachers] is a market signal that these jobs and their terms and conditions are not up to standard.

That the various pay deals referenced are yet to be accepted by the membership is not noted by the newspaper, which apparently takes the union leaders recommendations as the final word.

This makes a mockery of the lame attempt to portray the trade unions as the most democratic organisations in society: Those union barons are elected and accountable to their members, in a way that no FTSE chief executive is really beholden to employees, suppliers or shareholders. And their members are ordinary workers who, over the past four decades, have been stripped of many of their essential rights to organise and demonstrate.

The truth is union leaders have been willing accomplices in using anti-strike laws to discipline the working class. This is why they have endorsed Labours pledge of only a partial repeal of these laws, stopping at 2006, describing it as transformational. This leaves untouched the battery of legislation introduced under Thatcher and maintained by the Blair Labour government which helped to bring industrial action to its lowest levels in history.

One of the most important features of the 2022/23 strike wave was the way the bureaucratic apparatus was tightened to suppress workers militancy, with strike mandates vetoed, action isolated where it could not be prevented, and even the immediate demands of a cost-of-living pay increase betrayed to enforce sellout deals.

The false presentation of the trade union leaders as the representatives of workers is then abandoned in the final paragraph, and what the Guardian considers its coup de grace.

Turning to what the newspaper informs its readers is no less an authority than the International Monetary Fund [IMF], the editors write that Union weakness has also weakened capitalism. The point is made with a passing reference to a report on the aftermath of the 2008-9 financial crash, arguing that a big reason for the crash was that workers were being driven to borrow more, and answering with a call for a restoration of the lower income groups bargaining power.

Of course, this obscure report is a smokescreen and the real reason for citing as an ally the worlds chief enforcer of austerity, privatisation and inequalitymost associated with shock therapy measures around the worldis plain.

The editorial concludes, Sharon Graham and Mick Lynch are good for capitalismthe IMF says so. Here you have it: the two most prominent union figures, Graham of Unite and Lynch of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), frequently presented as militant leaders, are considered by the Guardian respectable pillars of the capitalist establishment, and its efforts to keep the leading institution of finance capital afloat.

RMT leader Mick Lynch addresses a protest in London against Israel's genocide in Gaza, February 4, 2024

Although only hinted at, the papers main concern, and Labours, is to make it as easy as possible for the union bureaucracy to police workers and create a strike-free environment for the governments right-wing agenda, at home and abroad. Given energy bill price rises, the paper writes, pressure to do something about public sector pay would only have built. As Ms Reeves rightly observed, there was a cost to not settling.

Unite leader Sharon Graham speaking at a Trades Union Congress rally in London on June 18, 2022

Among other objectives, the corporatist set-up between the Starmer government and the trade unions endorsed by the Guardian is intended to defuse the class struggle while the government deepens it support for the genocide in Gaza and possible regional war in the Middle East and the NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine.

The embrace of the trade unions as an essential part of a modern [capitalist] economy by the degraded voice of British liberalism confirms the experiences of workers around the country. Every time they seek to launch a major struggle they are faced with sabotage at the hands of union bureaucracy.

Breaking the grip on society of a corporate and financial oligarchy which is sucking the life out of democracy, ruling over an unprecedented level of social inequality and driving humanity towards catastrophic war requires the building of genuine democratic organs of working-class struggle against the nationally based and pro-capitalist union bureaucracy in the international fight for socialism. This is the task being taken up by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees.
On Sunday, August 25, a remarkable intellectual event took place in Buyukada (Prinkipo), Istanbul: The Second International Commemoration of Leon Trotsky. Hosted by the Adalar (Islands) Municipality and organized with the contributions of the World Socialist Web Site and Mehring Yaynclk (Books), the event was entitled Analyzing a World in Chaos from an Island of Tranquility: Trotsky on Prinkipo. Trotsky spent most of his four and a half years in Turkey, where he was exiled by the Stalinist regime in 1929, on this island and analyzed the world in chaos from this island of tranquility.

The panel was opened by Ali Ercan Akpolat, mayor of Adalar, and moderated by Ulas Atesci, editor of Mehring Yaynclk and a leading member the Sosyalist Esitlik Grubu (Socialist Equality Group), the Turkish section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI). Professor Rdvan Akn, faculty member of Galatasaray University in Istanbul, spoke about Trotskys years on Prinkipo.

David North speaking at the Second International Leon Trotsky Commemoration

The main speaker at the event was David North, chairman of the WSWS International Editorial Board. He gave a lecture entitled Analyzing a World in Chaos from an Island of Tranquility. The commemoration concluded with a lively and significant question and answer session.

In his comprehensive lecture, North examined the historical and political significance and contemporary relevance of Trotskys work on the island, especially his critical writings on the rise of fascism in Germany, in the context of the various dimensions of the deepening global capitalist crisis today. For the policy of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) under the direction of Stalin, which paved the way for the Nazis to come to power in 1933, had disastrous consequences for the German and international working class that continue to have an impact today.

The growing awareness of the historical and contemporary significance of this great Russian revolutionary, who co-led the October Revolution of 1917 alongside Vladimir Lenin, founded the Red Army that won victory in the imperialist-backed civil war, led the Left Opposition in the struggle against Stalinist degeneration in the Soviet Union and founded the Fourth International in 1938 against the collapse of the Communist International, brought a large audience to Prinkipo again this year.

The Trotsky commemoration was covered by many national and local media outlets and widely discussed on social media before and after the event. However, a former Maoist and current anarchist, Gun Zileli, who was in the audience, published an article on his website denouncing and misrepresenting Norths remarks. Zileli was given the opportunity to speak at the end of the event and express his differences. But, as we will see below, his article does not mention this discussion and deliberately distorts Norths statement by omitting what was said on critical issues such as the war in Ukraine.

In his article, Zileli criticizes North for giving a comprehensive and serious lecture in English. First, it should be noted that Turkish is not one of the languages North can speak. Therefore, North, the WSWS, and Mehring Yaynclk had made a Turkish translation of the speech available to all listeners in advance as an expression of respect for members of the audience who could not follow the speech in English.

David North speaking at the second international commemoration of the work of Leon Trotsky on Buyukada.

Zileli also sets out to present a picture of North as an evil authoritarian figure: North, with his stern features, spoke with dictating, harsh emphasis. Zileli was disheartened by Norths eyes and gaze as cold as the Arctic Ocean. While the article quotes Norths speech incompletely and distorts his views, this invented figure of Mephistopheles is intended to create prejudice against him.

No jokes, no laughs!, Zileli complained, apparently expecting to see a comedian at this important commemoration event and disturbed to see a serious political leader in North. Did Zileli really expect a speech on the following critical issues to be full of jokes: the rise of the Nazis to power in Germany in 1933; the murder of hundreds of thousands of socialists by the Stalinist regime during the Great Terror of 1936-1939 in the USSR; the assassination of Trotsky by a Stalinist agent in 1940; the Holocaust and the Second World War; the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused over 27 million excess deaths; the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine that risks a nuclear conflict; the Israeli genocide in Gaza; and the resurgence of fascism worldwide?

In his article, Zileli says nothing about the most critical aspects of Norths lecture and tries to mislead his readers with cheap polemics. However, what North, a prominent Marxist-Trotskyist politician from the United States the center of world imperialismsaid, especially on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the war in Ukraine, was of great objective significance. North, as a revolutionary who has devoted over 50 years of his life to the struggle against US imperialism on the basis of an international socialist program, embodied the reality that there are two Americas: the American ruling class, and its most powerful enemy, the American working class. North was here as a representative of the American working class.

North devoted a significant part of his speech to unconditionally condemning the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza and to putting forward a socialist perspective based on the revolutionary mobilization of the international working class against this historic crime. Explaining that the Zionist project is at the root of todays genocide, he said:

This reactionary chauvinist project has now morally implicated the Israeli population in a crime of historic magnitude. The descendants of the victims of genocide have become the perpetrators of genocide. The Israeli working class and youth must tear itself free from the reactionary ideology and politics of Zionism.

In his article, Zileli quotes Norths speech out of context and accuses him of giving advice to Putin. In reality, North explained in detail the ICFIs approach to the war in Ukraine, especially in the Q&A session at the end of the event. He outlined the ICFIs uncompromising opposition not only to the US and NATO, and their proxy force in Ukraine, but also to the Putin regime in Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.

Zileli is not being honest in his article by failing to mention that he took the floor during the Q&A session of the event and explicitly took a stance in favor of the Ukrainian regime backed by the US and NATO, or that North made a comprehensive statement on this issue. In fact, both the moderator of the event and North gave Zileli the opportunity to openly express his political differences.

In his remarks, Zileli stated: Until today, I knew that Ukraine was occupied by Russia. Here I learned this: Ukraine is invading Russia. I think this is a distortion of the fact. There is no such thing. It is Russia that started the occupation and is continuing it. Ukraine is fighting a defensive war. These words are a clear expression of approval for the unlimited political, military and financial support of the imperialist powers to Ukraine.

In his lecture, North warned that US-NATO escalation against Russia could provoke retaliation by the Putin regime, leading to a global catastrophe.

Norths comprehensive response to Zilelis objection in the Q&A was a concise summary of the Trotskyist movements approach to the Ukrainian war. We quote that response in full below:

In the analysis of a war, the least important of all questions is who fired the first shot. Wars always have deep historical and political roots. As for the origins of the Ukraine war, I think that it is naive and incorrect to approach the war as if it simply began in February of 2022. The circumstances which led to this war have far deeper historical roots. It depends how far back do you want to go? Of course, you must at least go back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union itself, because the conflict which has arisen between Russia and Ukraine is at the very least bound up with the circumstances which arose in the aftermath of the breakup of the Soviet Union. But I make the point that just two months before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, in December, 1991, I spoke in Kyiv in October 1991 and I warned that one of the consequences of the breakup of the USSR would be the exacerbation of national conflicts between different factions of the Russian and Ukrainian Stalinist bureaucracies. I want to make the point that what I will say now is the statement of a political tendency which stands opposed to both the Ukrainian and Russian governments. Neither of them are of a progressive character. Nevertheless, there is a vast amount of empirical evidence that at the time of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, assurances were given to the Russian government that NATO would not utilize the breakup of the Soviet Union to expand its forces to the east. The fact of the matter is, since 1991, the boundaries of NATO were moved 800 miles to the east, and many of the countries that were formally either part of the Soviet Union or connected to the Warsaw Pact, which was the Soviet defensive system, were incorporated into NATO. Now we can look at a more recent period. In 2014, the United States and Germany orchestrated the overthrow of the elected Ukrainian government, the so-called Maidan events. And they brought to power on this basis an extreme right-wing political force. I mean the history of Ukrainian nationalism, particularly the nationalism which arose in the western portion of Ukraine, is among the filthiest in modern history. The Ukrainian national movement associated with Stepan Bandera, the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, was allied with the Nazis during World War Two. There is nothing progressive about the Ukrainian national movement. And there has been since 2014, the year of the coup, almost unrelenting military conflict in which eastern Ukrainians, who are predominantly Russian speaking, have suffered approximately 14,000 deaths. That does not justify, and we do not justify, the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The regime of Putin is itself a reactionary capitalist regime, and as such it has sought to settle the problems posed by the expansion of NATO in a reactionary manner. It has not appealed to the working class of Russia. It has not appealed to the working class of Europe and of Ukraine. It has undertaken a war which has, in fact, played into the hands of the imperialists.

North went on to highlight the case of Ukrainian Trotskyist leader Bogdan Syrotiuk, who was arrested by the Ukrainian regime on April 25 for this principled revolutionary internationalist stand. He said:

I would like to point out that our movement, the International Committee of the Fourth International, has political supporters in both Ukraine and Russia. They function under the name of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists, and they advance an opposition to both Zelensky and Putin to call for the unity of Russian and Ukrainian workers. And for advancing this position, the leader of the YGBL, Bogdan Syrotiuk, who lives in southern Ukraine, has been arrested by the government and held for the last three months. Our opposition to the invasion of Ukraine is an opposition from the left and not from the right. The war being waged by NATO is a proxy war. The lives of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have been expended in the interests of American and European imperialism. Those who have studied the foreign policy of the United States were not surprised by the outbreak of the war. Ukraine has vast geostrategic implications for American and European imperialism. Not only does it have vast raw materials which are vital to modern capitalist industry. But the defeat of Russia would inevitably lead to the breakup of the Russian state and the transformation of what is presently Russia into a whole series of mini colonies of American and European imperialism.

Zileli also writes that Russias aggression against Ukraine, not NATO expansionism, was the reason for the sudden decision of uninvolved countries like Switzerland [sic] and Finland to join NATO.

The ruling classes of Sweden (not Switzerland) and Finland, the uninvolved  countries that Zileli justifies joining NATOthe imperialist war organization of which Turkey is a partin the midst of the war against Russia, have a long anti-Soviet and anti-Russian record dating back to the early twentieth century. The Swedish ruling class has wanted to join NATO for decades and, even before becoming a member of the alliance, worked closely with the US and European intelligence services, especially against Russia. The Finnish bourgeoisie, on the other hand, has a sordid record of collaboration with the imperialist powers against the Soviet regime after World War I and World War II.

Zileli also asks cynically about Norths response to John Kelly, a British academic who has written two books in the past six years denouncing Trotskyism: Why is it our business? But the response to Professor Kelly was entirely consistent with the main theme of Norths lecture. In his speech, North said:

We are not only paying tribute to the man who stands alongside Lenin as the greatest Marxist theoretician and revolutionary of the twentieth century. We are acknowledging the unique place occupied by Trotskys political legacy in contemporary world politics. To describe Trotskys political conceptions as merely relevant is a vast understatement. One cannot understand the political contradictions of the present-day worldwhich is among other things manifested in a worldwide resurgence of fascismwithout a systematic study of Trotskys writings. His theory of permanent revolution is as essential to the strategy and practice of international socialismthat is, the struggle to secure the future of humanityas the theories of Einstein and Heisenberg are to the comprehension of the physical universe.

In this context, North went on to respond to current attacks on Trotskyism. In fact, Zileli finds in Norths response to Kelly a profound critique of the views he shares. Both Zileli and Kelly consider Trotsky and Trotskyism irrelevant. One cant help wondering why this irrelevant political movement is so preoccupying to Kelly and now to Zileli.

The source for this reaction is the principled commitment of Leon Trotsky and the heirs of the political movement he founded to a revolutionary perspective and historical truth. Norths remarks make this crystal clear.

Buyukada Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat

In his article, Zileli also seeks to attack the holding of a commemoration event of Trotsky on a principled joint basis between the International Committee and the administration of Adalar Municipality. The political basis for this event is the principled position of the administrations of the former mayor Erdem Gul and the newly elected mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat on the historical and cultural significance of Trotskys years on Prinkipo. This attitude was reflected in Akpolats opening speech at the event as follows:

We are here today for an event of historical and contemporary political importance. It has been 91 years since Leon Trotsky, the indomitable defender of the working class who fought for an egalitarian world and lost his life for this cause, left Buyukada. It is also the 84th anniversary of his assassination in 1940. On this occasion, I remember him with respect. Trotsky settled in Buyukada in 1929 and spent four years here on our island. He wrote the most important of his works based on a free and egalitarian world in his house on the island. His life was intertwined with the ups and downs of the class struggle. And today we will talk about the world in chaos in the light of Trotskys dream, struggle and works. We have an internationally important historical and cultural heritage left by Trotsky that has been neglected for many years. Our aim is to restore the house where Trotsky lived on Buyukada and turn it into an international library and museum house. Our research and work in this direction is ongoing. Wouldnt it be great if this house, which has been abandoned to its fate for years, is transformed into a cultural center that opens its doors to the whole world? As I conclude my speech, I respectfully salute Leon Trotsky and all revolutionaries who fought and paid a price for a better world.

The World Socialist Web Site and the Sosyalist Esitlik Grubu welcome the strong sentiments expressed in these words and this principled stand for the preservation of Trotskys historical and cultural legacy. We will continue to support the initiative to commemorate Trotsky with an annual international intellectual event on Buyukada, where he spent four years, and to restore the Trotsky House in a manner worthy of this great revolutionary and make it a cultural center accessible to workers, youth and intellectuals from all over the world.
NEW DELHI, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Authorities Sunday diverted a domestic flight to an airport in India's western state of Maharashtra following a bomb threat, officials said.

The IndiGo flight from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh to Hyderabad in Telangana was diverted to Nagpur in Maharashtra following a bomb threat message found inside the aircraft.

According to officials, all the passengers and crew were deboarded and the aircraft was subjected to a thorough check. However, the quick response team did not find anything suspicious inside the plane.

The incident is the latest among a series of hoax bomb threats that have been sent to schools, airports, shopping malls and hospitals in the country, including Delhi.

In June, India's civil aviation security body, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, proposed a five-year flying ban on those who issue such threats. 
Crown Princess Victoria of Swedens Fashion Evolution: Playful Patterns, Vibrant Gowns and More Through the Years

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden has been an active, working member of the Swedish royal family for decades. The daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, Princess Victoria attends several royal engagements, public events, galas, banquets and more throughout the year. With each event, the royal creates an opportunity for a true fashion statement.

Throughout her years in the spotlight, Crown Princess Victoria has demonstrated a certain proclivity for marrying traditional, feminine silhouettes with playful patterns. When it comes to formal attire, a ruby red gown has been one of the royals go-to looks for years.

More from WWD

Ahead, see Crown Princess Victoria of Swedens style evolution through the years.

2002

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden arrives for a conference at the Royal Monceau Hotel Dec. 2, 2002, in Paris.

In December 2002, Crown Princess Victoria embraced her power suit moment while attending a conference in Paris. The royal wore a merlot modern power suit with soft collar and a defined waist.

2005

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden arrives at the Opera Garnier Gala Night at Monaco Palace on Nov. 19, 2005, in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

While attending the Opera Garnier Gala Night in Monte Carlo in November 2006, Crown Princess Victoria wore a formfitting ruby red gown. The fabric created a shiny sheen on the flowing skirt, while the bodice incorporated ornate floral embroidery. She paired the gown with the Baden Fringe Tiara, which has been in the royals possession for more than 20 years.

2011

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergotland attend the Royal Wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco to Charlene Wittstock in the main courtyard on July 2, 2011, in Monaco.

At the 2011 wedding of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, Crown Princess Victoria styled an elegant ensemble for the occasion. The royal wore a cocktail dress with a bevy of ornate detailing and fabric draping at the neckline of the cap sleeve look.

2016

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attends 2016 Global Goals Awards Dinner at Gustavinos on Sept. 20, 2016, in New York City.

At the 2016 Global Goals Awards Dinner in New York City, Crown Princess Victoria showcased her love of botanical inspiration. She wore this Baum und Pferdgarten skirt, which she paired with a black top with three-quarter-length sleeves and a statement silver necklace.

2020

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden visits the artist organization Wip:sthlm on Aug. 26, 2020 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden popped in this green Tiger of Sweden Jacenia Si dress in August 2020. The midi dress featured a flowing silhouette with short sleeves and a vibrant green hue, which the royal complemented with her choice of accessories.

2024

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attends the annual meeting of the friends of Nordic Museum and Skansen at Nordic Museum on May 27 in Stockholm.

In May 2024, while attending the annual meeting of the friends of Nordic Museum and Skansen at Nordic Museum, Crown Princess Victoria wore the Aimee dress by Scandinavian fashion brand Malina. The royal wholly embraced the floral print of the ornate dress, which featured fabric ruching at the waist and a flowing skirt.

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Launch Gallery: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden's Style Through the Years: Red Gowns, Floral Patterns & More Looks [PHOTOS]

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On Saturday, Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper were photographed sharing a fiery kiss on a luxury yacht off the coast of Palmarola in Italy. The couple have been traveling with friends Margot Robbie and her husband, Tom Ackerley, as well as Coopers seven-year-old daughter, Lea, who he shares with former partner, Irina Shayk. The group was also joined by actor Benedict Cumberbatch and his family for the day of fun on the water.

In the photos, Hadid wore an orange swimsuit before wrapping a large towel around herself. The models chic blonde bob was wet and Cooper embraced her after they kissed on the yachts deck. He wore a gray shirt with no sleeves and green swim shorts.

The couple have been linked since October of last year and it has quickly gotten serious. Hadid first appeared in the company of Coopers daughter on Thursday, August 29, when the group arrived in Sardinia along with Coopers mother, Gloria. Hadid has a daughter as well, three-year-old Khai, who she shares with her former boyfriend, Zayn Malik. Cooper has reportedly met both Malik and Khai and everyone is co-parenting amicably.

Cooper and Lea were at Taylor Swifts Rhode Island house party last weekend as well, with Hadid arriving afterwards. The actor seems to have befriended Swift and her boyfriend Travis Kelce through Hadid. The quartet have spent some time together traveling in California and in France during Swifts Eras Tour.

A source told DailyMail.com that Hadid and Cooper have had conversations about going to the next level in their relationship.

Bradley has already determined that he is going to ask Gigi to marry him, the insider claimed. This is not even a question. They discussed family and marriage early on in their relationship. They have been committed to each other and to their plans for some time and now it is just a matter of when.

The source added, Bradley only has a couple of projects currently in production but has nothing lined up after that. He wants to take some time away to focus on this and give Gigi the attention and love she deserves.

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Jelly Roll says he was stopped by Coast Guard leaving Ohio music festival

Jelly Roll says he was stopped by Coast Guard leaving Ohio music festival

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PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio (WJW)  A rising country music star said he was stopped by the U.S. Coast Guard on Lake Erie while leaving Ohios Bash on the Bay music festival, where he was the headline performer.

Jelly Roll posted a video to his Instagram at about 11 p.m. on Wednesday that said We got pulled over by the Coast Guard!

Police: Dad left 3 kids unattended while riding roller coasters at Cedar Point

He went on to say, It was crazy. We had the sheriff of the county with us. But, it actually turned out to be okay. So we are back on our way. Thank you to everybody who was concerned.

The performer who won multiple awards at the 57th Annual Country Music Awards, including New Artist of the Year, didnt say why they were pulled over.

Earlier in the night he posted another video that showed him sitting on a boat and wrote, Never been to a show that requires a boat ride  this is cool.

Nexstar reached out to the sheriff and Coast Guard for more information, but did not immediately receive a response.

Police called to local Hulk Hogan event

The two-day outdoor music festival happens at Put-in-Bay Airport on South Bass Island and is said to be one of Put-in-Bays hottest music festivals each year.

Jelly Roll is scheduled to perform alongside Hardy, Ernest, Drake White and the Big Fire, Tigirlily Gold and Cory Farley Thursday at the country music fest.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Cant make it to Toronto International Film Festival next week? Have no fear, Kino Film Collection is here to make you feel less left out. Though the streamer wont be offering the latest selections from this years festival, to celebrate the annual showcase, it has created a program of 87 films that have previously screened there and will be available throughout the month. Below you can find some of the selections with language provided by Kino.

3 Faces (dir. Jafar Panahi, 2018)

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Winner of the Best Screenplay Award and nominated for a Palme dOr at the Cannes Film Festival, 3 Faces is Iranian director Jafar Panahis fourth feature since he was officially banned from filmmaking. Starring Behnaz Jafari as herself, Panahis film builds in narrative, thematic, and visual intricacy to put forth a grand expression of community and solidarity under the eye of oppression.

Alps (dir. Yorgos Lanthimos, 2011)

Before The Favourite, Academy Award nominee Yorgos Lanthimos created this darkly comedic, absurdist vision of (in)human relationships, focusing on a mysterious underground organization that helps mourners get over their losses by impersonating the deceased.

Anthropocene: The Human Epoch (dir. Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier, and Edward Burtynsky, 2018)

Premiering at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival and nominated for Best Canadian Feature Film, this stunning and sobering documentary follows the research of the Anthropocene Working Group, an international group of scientists who argue that the Earth has entered a new geological phase: the Anthropocene Epoch, a period in which humans impact the planet more than all other natural processes combined. Traveling to 22 countries across multiple continents, the film captures the various industries that significantly contribute to ecological destruction, from metal mining in Russia to ivory poaching in Kenya, to marble quarrying in Italy. With sweeping drone shots of the vastly diverse locations and terrain, Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier and Edward Burtynskys film reveals the heart-wrenchingly epic scale of manmade planetary ruination, but somehow also makes it visually breathtaking. Narrated by Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, Anthropocene: The Human Epoch is both a poetic meditation and pressing message to the world: humans did this, which means humans can stop this.

Barbara (dir. Christian Petzold, 2012)

Winner of two awards at the Berlin Film Festival, Christian Petzolds Barbara follows a young doctor, played by Nina Hoss (Tar), who has applied for an exit visa from East Germany. As punishment, she is transferred to a small pediatric hospital where she must weigh her dedication to her patients against an escape to the West and her attraction to a doctor in whom she sees a kindred spirit.

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (dir. Pham Thien An, 2023)

Winner of the prestigious Camera dOr for best first film at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the enthralling Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell from Vietnamese filmmaker Pham Thien An is a reverie on faith, loss, and nature expressed with uncommon invention and depth that follows a thirtysomething man after he leaves Saigon for a trip back to his rural hometown following a family tragedy.

Long Days Journey Into Night (dir. Bi Gan, 2018)

Like Wong Kar-wai meets Blade Runner, Bi Gans neo-noir, dipped in dark shadows and saturated colors, follows a mans quest through the underbelly of his hometown to find a mysterious woman. When Luo returns home to Guizhou for his fathers funeral, he finds a photograph of a woman who had disappeared, prompting him to embark on a journey that melds together his past, present, and dreams. Whats real and what isnt blur together to create a hypnotizing effect, accentuated by the intoxicating tropical atmosphere. Inarguably, the films standout feature is its 59-minute single shot, filmed in 3D and featuring several locations (an abandoned mine, a mountain chairlift, a village square) and an array of chaotic activities (ping pong, scooter ride, karaoke). Its a technical feat youll have to see to believe. That combined with the haunting, fever dream of a story, makes Long Days Journey Into Night one of the most unforgettable cinematic experiences of the 21st century.

Martin Eden (dir. Pietro Marcello, 2019)

Winner of the Platform Prize at TIFF 2019, Pietro Marcellos historic drama follows a proletariat writer who falls in love with a member of the bourgeoisie and finds himself torn between his ambitions to climb the ladder and the social issues at the heart of his writing. A sailor with no educational background, Martin Eden is inspired to better himself when he meets the wealthy and beautiful Elena, pouring himself into writing and enduring countless rejected manuscripts before finally breaking through. But what do his aspirations cost him? The film, which features a standout, career-defining performance by Luca Marinelli as the titular character, presents a poignant catch-22: can you achieve success by writing about the struggles of the working class without failing your cause? Martin Eden is based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Jack London, who had his own rags-to-riches story.

Kino Film Collection comes from Kino Lorber, a leader in arthouse cinema and home media distribution since 1977 with an extensive selection of contemporary releases and restored classics. New films are also dropped weekly to their service, many of which are streaming for the first time.

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One of the many reasons I look forward to the weekend is because I get to catch up on newly-released shows and movies. This weekends latest watch was The Tyrant, a new Korean-drama series on Hulu/Disney+, which is super intense and jam-packed with action.

Directed and written by Park Hoon-jung, the four-part mini-series tells the heart-pumping story of the race to find a coveted bioweapon that is stolen during a secret handover between Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies. Along the way, there is tons of action, lots of blood, a little betrayal and some suspect characters that have to be dealt with.

The trouble at hand? The South Korean government has developed an extensive plan known as The Tyrant Project, which consists of a bioweapon with the power to enhance human abilities. At first glance, the bioweapon seems like it could be a good idea (superhuman abilities don't exactly sound terrible), but as with all inventions of this nature, the weapon was developed for nefarious reasons, which means it has to be destroyed.

Needless to say, I was thoroughly entertained by The Tyrant.

Hulu/Disney+

That bioweapon I just mentioned? Well, South Korea was supposed to turn that over to the United States so that all samples could be destroyed. During that exchange, an assailant known as Director Choi (Kim Seon Ho) takes over and ruins that plan by stealing the sample. Now, Im not somebody who is typically into shows and movies with loads of blood and killing (and this show has a lot of it), but I couldnt keep my eyes away (even if I had to cover them at times).

The performances of Kim Seon Ho, Cha Seung-won, Kim Kang-woo and Jo Yoon-and Jo Yoon-so are also noteworthy as their characters are riveting, while also matching the dark neo-noir tone of the series. The visuals are stunning, and so is the camera workparticularly during the action scenes, with the first episode laying the groundwork for the remaining three episodes.

Hulu/Disney+

Episode two is the fallout from the events of the first episode, with a call-to-action to eliminate the two main perpetrators of the operation.

While things end after four episodes here with The Tyrant, Id say theres definitely an opportunity to expand upon the final events in the form of another season. If not, you get your answer as to which party is the winner of The Tyrant Project so to speak, leaving you more-than-satisfied with a short-but-sweet watch.

You can stream The Tyrant on Hulu and Disney+.

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This Intense New Drama-Thriller Is Based on a Heartbreaking True Storyand It Stars 2 Mega-Famous Singers

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Walter Salles 1998 international breakthrough, Central Station, earned an Oscar nomination for the magnificent Fernanda Montenegro. Now in her 90s, the actress turns up toward the end of the directors first feature in his native Brazil in 16 years, the shattering Im Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui), in a role that requires her to speak only through her expressive eyes. What makes the connection even more poignant is that she appears as the elderly, infirm version of the protagonist  a woman of quiet strength and resistance played by Montenegros daughter, Fernanda Torres, with extraordinary grace and dignity in the face of emotional suffering.

Many powerful films have been made about the 21 years of military dictatorship in Brazil, from 1964 through 1985, just as they have about similar oppressive regimes in neighboring South American countries like Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. The human rights abuses of systematic torture, murder and forced disappearances represent an open wound on the psyches of those nations, for which cinema has often served as a vessel for collective memory.

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Its not often, however, that the spirit of protest against the horrors of junta rule is viewed through such an intimate lens as Im Still Here. That aspect is deepened by evidence throughout the film of Salles personal investment in the true story of the Paiva family after patriarch Rubens (Selton Mello), a former congressman, was taken from his Rio de Janeiro house in 1971, ostensibly to give a deposition, and never seen or heard from again.

Salles met the family in the late 1960s and spent a significant part of his youth in their home, which he credits as foundational to his cultural and political development. That accounts for the coursing vitality of the early scenes, as the five Paiva siblings dash back and forth between the house and the beach, and an extended family of friends of all ages seems to be constantly dropping by for drinks and meals and music and lively conversation.

There are sweet throwaway moments like two of the sisters dancing and singing along to the Serge Gainsbourg-Jane Birkin wispy make-out classic Je taime  moi non plus, without understanding the words. Just watching how one of the youngest kids, Marcelo (Guilherme Silveira), sweet-talks his way into keeping a stray dog they found on the beach conveys the warmth, spontaneity and affectionate scrappiness of the Paiva household dynamic. The young actors playing the kids are all disarmingly natural and appealing.

The first blunt intrusion into the familys bubble of closeness and comfort comes when eldest daughter Vera (Valentina Herszage) is out with a group of friends and their car is pulled over at a tunnel roadblock. Its a disturbing scene in which we see teenagers  just minutes earlier cruising along, sharing a joint and laughing  ordered at gunpoint to stand against a wall while military officers question them, searching their faces for any resemblance to the terrorist killers theyre looking to apprehend.

An occasional hushed phone conversation or private exchange with a friend suggests Rubens involvement in something that needs to be kept quiet. But the script by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega, based on the book by Marcelo Rubens Paiva, saves those details until long after Rubens is taken into custody. That puts us in the same position as his wife and children, wondering what their father could possibly have done to place him in the regimes crosshairs.

The chill of uncertainty is hardest on Rubens wife Eunice (Torres), who does what she can to hide whats going on from the youngest kids. But having armed strangers in their house and a car parked across the street to keep a constant eye on them is tough to explain, and the older siblings are aware something is very wrong.

The situation escalates when Eunice is hauled off for interrogation. With Vera away in London with family friends, the next oldest, 15-year-old Eliana (Luiza Kozovski), is forced to accompany her mother, with bags put over their heads to keep them from knowing where they are being taken.

The interrogation scenes, set in a grim building with confinement cells, are harrowing. Eunice is sequestered for 12 days. Denied contact with the family lawyer, shes kept completely in the dark about whats happening to her daughter and is unable to learn where her husband is being held. Shes coerced over and over to identify people in photo files as possible insurgents, but aside from her husband, she recognizes only one woman who teaches at her daughters school. Her isolation and fear are made worse by the constant screams of people being tortured coming through the walls.

There are many moments of raw tenderness after Eunice is released  notably when one of her daughters watches from the bathroom doorway, her face a mix of sorrow and terror, as her mother showers away 12 days of grime.

With the government refusing to acknowledge even that her husband was arrested, Eunice continues fishing for information, talking to Rubens friends who tell her the military is shooting blind, going after random people based on almost nothing concrete. Unable to make bank withdrawals without her husbands signature, she struggles to keep up with expenses. At the same time, she begins studying the family lawyers case file, foreshadowing her eventual decision to relocate with the five children to Sao Paulo and return to college.

The chief focus of Marcelo Rubens Paivas book is essentially his mothers quiet heroism  first as she single-handedly shoulders the responsibility of keeping the family together and protected, concealing her grief when the inevitable is confirmed, and subsequently when she earns a law degree at 48 and becomes active in a number of causes. That includes pushing for full acknowledgment from authorities of disappeared people like Rubens after democracy is returned to the country.



Salles heartfelt film jumps forward 25 years and then by almost 20 more, allowing us to absorb Eunices self-reinvention not in big crusading speeches but simply in her dedication to the work of keeping memories alive and not letting the abuses of the past be swept away.

Perhaps the most beautifully observed arc of the film is the gradual rebuilding of the family. As the children grow up and marry and grandchildren come along, they transition back into a noisy, joyful clan much like the one depicted in carefree scenes at the start. Even the simple process of sorting through boxes of family photos is viewed as a loving act of reclamation in a final stretch that will have many audiences in tears.

Torres (one of the stars of Salles terrific early film, Foreign Land, co-directed with Daniela Thomas) is a model of eloquent restraint, showing Eunices private pain and her necessary fortitude by the subtlest of means. Only once during the film does she raise her voice in anger after a sad occurrence, beating on the windows of the parked car watching the house in Rio and screaming at the two stone-faced men inside.

The final scenes in which Montenegro steps into the role are bittersweet, as Eunice has become nonverbal and uses a wheelchair, in steep decline with Alzheimers. The poignancy is almost overwhelming as we watch her gently lean in, her eyes lighting up and a hint of a smile forming, when Rubens photograph appears in a television program on the heroes of the resistance.

The movie looks gorgeous. Adrian Teijidos agile cinematography uses 35mm to great grainy effect to evoke the 70s and Super 8mm home movies shot during that decade provide lovely punctuation. The other key asset to the film is Warren Ellis score, which starts out pensive and quietly troubling before shifting almost imperceptibly into a much more emotional vein with the surge of feeling that accompanies the forward time jumps.

While it could use a less generic international title thats not also a well-known Stephen Sondheim song, Im Still Here is a gripping, profoundly touching film with a deep well of pathos. Its one of Salles best.

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The wedding of Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Durek Verrett took place on August 31.

Verrett says on his website that he is a sixth-generation shaman.

He has received criticism for his controversial views on health matters.

Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Durek Verrett, a self-styled shaman from California, married on August 31 in a rather unconventional royal wedding.

The eldest child of Norway's King Harald V and Verrett  who goes by Shaman Durek  tied the knot in the scenic town of Geiranger in the princess's home country, according to Hello! Magazine.

The British celebrity magazine  to which the couple sold the wedding photo rights  reported that around 350 guests attended the nuptials.

The BBC said that a Netflix documentary crew was even at the event following the recent announcement that the streaming platform is producing a documentary about the couple's love story, which has been mired in controversy since it began.

Martha Louise, 52, who is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne, and Verrett, 49, first announced their relationship in 2019, two years after the princess divorced Ari Behn, her late first husband and the father of her three children.

Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Durek Verrett married on August 31, 2024. Heiko Junge/NTB/AFP via Getty Images

Martha Louise and Verrett, who got engaged in 2022, have faced criticism for using the princess's royal status in their commercial activities, such as when they hosted spiritual seminars in 2019 titled "The Princess and the Shaman."

In 2022, Martha Louise said in a statement that she would step down from official royal duties to focus on her and Verret's activities and "distinguish more clearly between their activities and the royal house of Norway."

Martha Louise has also previously opened up about what it has been like to be in an interracial relationship.

"I never thought of myself as racist before I got together with Durek, and suddenly to expand that vision and acknowledge that I actually have white privilege  it was such an eye-opener for me," Martha Louise told Business Insider in 2021. "I also see through his eyes that racism isn't just the obvious headlines, it's the subtle energies. It's how people look at him ... even in elevators or on the street, they clasp their handbags closer."

She added: "It's from both sides, you know. He also gets death threats from people saying, 'Why are you with the white devil?' and all that."

Verrett, who describes himself as a "sixth-generation shaman" on his website and is a favorite among celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, has also been called out for his controversial alternative views on healing and wellness.

According to NBC News, Verrett said in his 2019 book "Spirit Hacking" that children get cancer because they "want" it and claimed that casual sex "attracts underworld entities" that are "the origin point for all sexually transmitted diseases."

On his website, Verrett also sells a $222 "spirit optimizer," which he says helped him recover from COVID-19.

Nevertheless, Norway's King Harald has previously said he thought the shaman was "a great guy," per the BBC.

For her part, Martha Louise has reportedly claimed to be a clairvoyant and ran a school that supposedly taught students to talk to angels and "create miracles" until 2018, the BBC reported.

Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Durek Verrett share a kiss on their wedding day. Heiko/Junge/NTB/AFP via Getty Images

Martha Louise and Verrett  who will not get a royal title following the wedding  allowed Netflix cameras to follow them for more than a year as they prepared for the wedding, according to a press release from the company.

Representatives for Netflix and the director of the project, Rebecca Chaiklin (of "Tiger King" fame), did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, which was sent outside regular working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Selena Gomez makes good on ask to visit high school volleyball team

Selena Gomez popped into a high school gym to give a warm greeting to students in Colorado.

Gomez shared photos and a video on Saturday, showing the "Wizards of Waverly Place" star popping into a high school volleyball game, to the gasps of players and students.

Gomez's visit spurred from a poster she photographed reading, "Selena Gomez, please sing the national anthem @ one of the home games," listing the times for the weekend volleyball games.

Selena Gomez meets fan battling rare cancer after his TikTok video goes viral

"They asked!! Couldn't help it; it's my first time in Telluride," wrote Gomez in the caption of her post.

In a video showing Gomez's entrance to the volleyball court, shrieks could be heard from the background as onlookers covered their mouths in surprise, filming the star as she walked onto the court.

Telluride Middle/High School also posted photos on the school's social media account showing Gomez posing with multiple teams.

"I saw the sign," Gomez can be heard telling the onlookers gathering around her in the gym.

PHOTO: Selena Gomez makes a surprise appearance to a girls' volleyball team at Telluride High School in Telluride, CO, Aug. 31, 2024. (Selena Gomez/Instagram)

A photo on Gomez's Instagram story revealed she was in Colorado for the 51st Telluride Film Festival, which runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.

"Thanks @selenagomez for visiting TMHS and giving  to our volleyball teams!" read the caption of the school's Instagram post documenting the visit.

Celebrity friends of Gomez celebrated her arrival at the school with her boyfriend, Benny Blanco, posting heart emojis in the comments.

Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldana and more star in 'Emilia Perez' teaser trailer: Watch here

Gomez's "Emilia Perez" co-star Zoe Saldana also commented on the images, writing, "The kindest heart indeed ."

Ashley Park of "Emily in Paris" fame also commented, "This is so sweet ," on the post, which has garnered more than 4 million likes to date.

Gomez was recently nominated for her first Emmy for best lead actress in a comedy series for her role in "Only Murders in the Building."

Selena Gomez makes good on ask to visit high school volleyball team originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
In 1481, a mysterious figure emerged from the desert in Benghazi. The man, exhausted and delirious after having survived a monstrous sandstorm, demanded to speak to the local emir. Intrigued, the emir allowed him to relay the incredible tale of his survival and how he managed to escape the swallowing sands that every desert traveler feared.

The stranger had been driving camels from the Nile to the oases of Dakhla and Kharga. Then he met a series of misfortunes until Providence put him on the path to an unknown oasis in the Sahara, the Oasis of Little Birds, also called Zerzura.

A tall tale?

Hamid Kiela, the man who found Zerzura, was traveling with a caravan west of the Nile when a sandstorm hit. The rest of the company suffocated, but Hamid sought shelter underneath a dead camel and survived.

After the storm had passed, Hamid had more problems to worry about  mainly food and water. He began to wander the desert in a daze, preparing himself for the inevitable. He passed out, but not long after, a group of strange-looking good Samaritans offered their assistance. They werent olive-skinned with dark eyes like everyone else but rather fair-skinned and blue-eyed.

They brought him to a gate with a bird at the top. Inside was an incredible city of white buildings. Significantly for the time, people were not wearing Islamic dress, and there were no mosques. Giants guarded the oasis, and the king and queen were in an enchanted sleep. The guardians of the city were huge birdmen hybrids or jinn.

Zerzura means bird or starling. Thus, it became known as the Oasis of Little Birds.

A portrait of Sir Gardner Wilkinson. Photo: State Library of New South Wales

Asked by the emir why he didnt stay in this idyllic oasis, Hamid admits that he left of his own accord. Eventually, Hamid showed the emir a regal-looking ruby ring, implying that he had stolen it. The emir punished him but still sent out search parties to find the oasis, to no avail.

Interestingly, local legend says that the stolen ring, supposedly from Zerzura, sat on the finger of King Idris of Libya.

Book of Treasures

Our tale begins with an Arabic manuscript dating to the 15th century, now lost to us. It was called the Kitab al Kanuz, the Book of Treasures or Book of Hidden Pearls. It was a codex of over 400 treasure sites in Egypt, had a general compendium of fables and Arabic myths, and included magic spells for various purposes.

One of the stories in this Book of Treasures involved Zerzura. Fragments of this text emerged in 1904 when pieces showed up in an English newspaper based in Cairo called the Egyptian Gazette:

Account of a city and the road to it, which lies east of the Qalaa es Suri, where you will find palms and vines and flowing wells. Follow the valley till you meet another valley opening to the west between two hills. In it, you will find a road. Follow it. It will lead you to the City of Zerzura. You will find its gate closed. It is a white city, like a dove. By the gate, you will find a bird sculptured. Stretch up your hand to its beak and take from it a key. Open the gate with it and enter the city. You will find much wealth and the king and queen in their palace, sleeping the sleep of enchantment. Do not go near them. Take the treasure and that is all.

European interest

The first mention of Zerzura by a European was in 1835 by Gardiner Wilkinson, the father of British Egyptology. He met a man who had lost his camel in the desert. The man claimed to have survived after finding a miraculous oasis five days west of the Farafra-Bahariya caravan route. He called it Wadi Zerzura and said it contained shady palms, refreshing springs, and some peculiar ruins.

An oasis in Libya. Photo: Shutterstock

For several years, the Book of Treasures was allegedly in the possession of a member of the Royal Geographic Society named E.A. Johnson Pasha. When the explorer William Joseph King Harding was trying to pinpoint the origin of the Zerzura story, he met with Johnson Pasha. Pasha told him that he possessed the only copy of a manuscript with the routes to Zerzura and other legendary locations, such as the mines of the great Persian king Cambyses. Harding searched for the city in 1909 and 1911 but found nothing.

The Royal Geographic Society published a series of papers and expedition reports related to Zerzura. They described the lost city as a problem that needed solving, not just because they did not know its whereabouts but because they believed it played a key role in an ancient expedition.

Richard A. Bermann, in a paper from 1934, explained their thinking. The famous expedition of King Cambysess army against the oasis of Jupiter Ammon could hardly have been planned if the existence of water somewhere in the middle of the desert had not been known. Throughout the Middle Ages, Arab writers had told about a hidden oasis, the name of Zerzura, he wrote.

Local legends

Harding also heard from locals who claimed to have seen the giant men and animals who hailed from Zerzura or had met residents who emigrated from there. But he heard conflicting reports about the state of the oasis city. Rather than the flourishing, rich city from the Book of Treasures, he often heard of an abandoned oasis. He started to believe that there were dozens of these through the desert.

The Zerzura mystery even inspired the formation of a Zerzura Club. Founded in 1930 by British explorer Ralph Bagnold (famous for crossing the Libyan Desert from east to west), the club had 13 members dedicated to finding the city. It lasted till at least 1935.

A separate group tried to find the city in 1932. Laszlo Almasy, Robert Clayton, pilot H.W.G.J. Penderel, and surveyor Patrick Clayton used planes to scout the desert. They came across lush valleys in southeast Libya containing prehistoric art. Some locals even suggested that the valley belonged to Zerzura.

Theories

There is precious little information about Zerzura, even compared to other mythical places. Take Iram of the Pillars. It was built by a king named Shaddad for the people of Ad. The city was an opulent paradise that grew too greedy, leading to its destruction.

Zerzura does not seem to be an allegory; there is no obvious moral lesson. We have no archaeological evidence to work with either, merely the fanciful words of a story.

The details about the lack of Islam in the city are peculiar. Was it a sort of commune of non-believers? Was that why the location was such a secret?

Or perhaps it was not ancient or Islamic at all. Travelers passing through might have established the oasis. Many non-Muslims traveled through the Sahara, particularly in the medieval period. It could have been a foreign group living in this oasis that did not adhere to Islamic customs. Additionally, they were fair-skinned and blue-eyed, which indicates a European background. The Crusades lasted until 1291. Were these Crusaders that settled in the desert? The mystery endures.

The post Exploration Mysteries: Zerzura appeared first on Explorersweb.
A Fraud Expert Is Sharing The Best Tips To Avoid The Latest Phone Scam, And It's Important

Scammers win when they trick you into divulging personal information  and one of the simplest ways they can get you to do this is by impersonating someone you know.

When a bad actor pretends to be someone you trust or a legitimate retailer, this type of scam is known as spoofing. With spoofing, scammers take advantage of the fear and the curiosity that we have that this is somebody we know, said Amy Nofziger, the director of victim support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

One common tactic in a spoofing scam is to make an email address, text message, website or phone number appear like its the real deal. But even though it might have a similar or exact same display name, domain address or use the same call-to-action button as a trusted business, politician or boss, its actually all a deceptive act to convince you into downloading malware or giving up your financial information.

Often, the trickery can only be revealed through minor details. Here are some of the most common ways you will encounter spoofing and what to watch out for:

Phone Spoofing

Celiaosk / Getty Images

Phone spoofing can be hard to spot because there are apps that can replicate caller IDs so that they can carry the display name of people you know, as well as the local area codes that you are familiar with.

Dont trust what you hear, either. In a 2023 60 Minutes segment, an ethical hacker used an app to create an AI-generated recording that mimicked the voice of one of the shows correspondents. Through this eerie likeness, the hacker was able to successfully ask a colleague to share that correspondents passport number in a phone call.

In these cases, the best thing you could do is say, I gotta call you right back, even if its just one minute, said Cliff Steinhauer, the director of information security and engagement for the National Cybersecurity Alliance.

In the example of the 60 Minutes colleague who got fooled, if the [co-worker] had hung up and called her boss back, she would have gotten her boss, not the attacker. To help prevent this kind of spoofing, set up a code word you can ask for as a verifying test, Steinhauer suggested.

Overall, the big telltale sign that the caller is a scammer is not in how legitimate they appear or sound, but in what they are telling you to do. It can be normal to receive a random call that shares information with you like a prescription available for pickup from the pharmacy. But you should be suspicious if the caller urgently needs you to give up sensitive information in order to continue the conversation.

If theyre saying, Your child is hurt and you need to send us an insurance payment right now with prepaid gift cards or cryptocurrency, theyre asking you for something, and thats the biggest red flag, Nofziger said.

Email Spoofing

Athima Tongloom / Getty Images

Upon first glance, a spoofed email may look reliable. Scammers will often use sender addresses that look like its coming from a known company or authority figure.

Sometimes, a tiny typo can be the biggest clue that something is amiss, so watch out for emails that have misspellings or unusual syntax. Steinhauer shared an example where an email attacker was using actual vendors domain name, with the same name and signature, but the only thing that was different was the spelling of the companys name.

The good news is that email authentication technology that many businesses use can block emails from suspicious senders or confine them to a spam folder. But if those things arent set up correctly, then its possible for attackers to spoof your email addresses, Steinhauer said.

What can be tricky too in these cases is how there can be no obvious typos at all and the email can have the same addresses, logos and branding that you would be familiar with.

So watch out if the email is supposed to be internal, but you get an alert that it appears like its coming from an external sender. Mail being marked as junk or being marked as spam  that could be an indication that somebody has compromised the DNS of the mail service, and theyve somehow tricked it into sending an email from another domain, Steinhauer said.

URL Spoofing

Surasak Suwanmake / Getty Images

Sometimes, the email or text may be worded correctly, but the attachment or hyperlink you are being asked to click is the suspicious sign.

Many times, scammers will create look-alike URLs that appear legitimate until you look more closely at the punctuation or wording. Drive-google.com is an insecure imitation domain, for example, while drive.google.com is not.

Usually, when youre on a computer, you can hover over the link with your mouse, and you can see the URL that youre going to be taken to. Be wary if the email or website has a link that has been shortened through a service like Bitly so you cannot see where the link will go, Steinhauer said: It can mask the actual destination of the link. In these cases, its better to avoid clicking.

Steinhauer gave the example of a random text from a politician that is asking you to donate to their campaign with a link. Instead of clicking a suspicious URL that has been shortened, its better to just go to that candidates website directly, he suggested.

And if you get an unsolicited email from a business you interact with like an airline, just go directly to the website that you want to visit, Nofziger recommended, instead of clicking links within that email.

What To Do If You Get Spoofed

Tara Moore via Getty Images

If you do end up clicking that fraudulent link or you reply to someone you thought was a real authority figure, your next steps depend on where it happened and what you ended up sharing.

Report it.

Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images

Immediately let your IT department know you got fooled if it happens at work, Steinhauer suggested.

If you realize youve clicked a link, hopefully you stop there, close out of it, and then send your help desk a ticket, he said.

If it involves your finances, report what happened to your bank or credit card, too, because they can put a temporary freeze on your accounts. You can also report the spoof to the FTC.

Reset passwords and update your computer.

Tulcarion / Getty Images

If you believe you may have shared more than you should have with a potential scammer, you need to bolster your online security.

For good cybersecurity, you should continue to install the latest patches and updates on your computer network, authorize multifactor authentication if you have not, and reset your passwords.

If you think you put your password in on a fake website, the first thing you should do is absolutely reset that password, because the attacker is going to ... try to reset it before you can, Steinhauer said.

Train yourself to be better at spotting spoofs.

Nomadnes / Getty Images

To be better at distinguishing from spoofed URLs or domains, try Googles quiz. It can help you see how one typo or one unusually worded email address can tip you off to a larger scam taking place, Steinhauer suggested.

When in doubt about an incoming call, let it go to voicemail. Do not pick up your phone unless you absolutely know whos calling, Nofziger said.

And if you do answer, stay mum if you start getting detailed requests for information.

Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mothers maiden names, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls or if you are at all suspicious, the Federal Communications Commission warns on its website about spoofing.

Avoiding spoofs means treating every email or call with some healthy caution. It can be annoying to seek out extra verification when you feel doubt, but the consequences of dealing with a stolen identity are worse. This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
SYDNEY, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Residents of the Australian island state of Tasmania have been told to prepare to evacuate their homes and businesses amid heavy rainfall and severe winds.

Authorities on Sunday issued a major flood warning for the town of New Norfolk on the banks of the River Derwent in Tasmania's southeast and told people in the region to prepare to leave.

Mick Lowe, executive director of the Tasmanian State Emergency Service (SES), said properties could become inundated, and major roads closed due to flooding and that some towns in the area could become isolated for several days.

Wind damage and fallen trees have caused widespread blackouts in the state, with 32,000 properties left without power as of 9:30 a.m. local time on Sunday.

Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications company, reported that 38 network sites in Tasmania were without power, causing mobile network outages.

Residents of the Huon Valley region on the south coast were on Sunday asked to conserve water after a major water treatment plant was affected by the power outages.

It comes as winds exceeding 100 km per hour and heavy rains battered Tasmania, which is the smallest of Australia's six states by population and area.

Sarah Scully, a senior meteorologist from Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation television that winds recorded in southern Tasmania on Saturday night were the equivalent strength of a category 3 tropical cyclone.

She said the River Derwent is expected to peak at major flood levels on Sunday evening.

The Spirit of Tasmania, a ferry between Tasmania and the state of Victoria on the Australian mainland, canceled a trip on Saturday night due to the powerful winds.

As of Sunday morning, flights were still operating from the airport in Hobart, Tasmania's capital and largest city, and were not expected to be impacted. 




Your Monthly Work Horoscope for September 2024. Discover your Monthly Work Horoscope for each zodiac sign here.





Aries

Issues with coworkers could arise during Plutos backward spin, which consumes all of September after it reenters Capricorn on the first.

When the new moon in Virgo rises on September 2, you will be able to see things from a new perspective. Instead of carrying on arguments with those you work with, you might decide to take a step back and watch the office drama unfold without you playing an active role in it. Not consuming your life with the ongoing work saga your colleagues are facing will feel good, that is until Mars enters Cancer on the fourth.

Unfortunately, the ongoing power struggles and competitiveness at the office is creating a toxic work environment this month. All the more reason for you to get back in your lane during the entrance of Venus into Scorpio on September 22.







Taurus

If youve been contemplating quitting your job, now is the time to start thinking about what you should do. Virgo season is making you assess your future, which could leave you feeling slightly melancholy. Words of advice: Dont share your thoughts about leaving your position. There could be someone waiting in the wings to pounce on it and even report your current sentiments to your boss. The bottom line is that you have to watch your back because there are vultures that are waiting and wanting to usurp everything youve worked hard to create throughout the years.

Truth be told, this will come as a surprise to you during the lunar eclipse on September 17. This energy will make you aware of secrets going on behind your back at the office and help you gain the tools to work through such problems and issues when they arise when Venus enters Scorpio on the twenty-second.







Gemini

Virgo season is allowing you to refine the work that you do. You are realizing that taking on too many projects at one time is creating too much anxiety in your personal life. Its not that you are seeking a break from work, but you are minimizing the projects that land on your plate during the eclipse on September 17. You may even start referring work or clients to colleagues at the moment while you take time to yourself.

Having said that, the twenty-second gives you the motivation and wind beneath your wings to start taking on more projects and tasks. You just needed a little break to rest and relax. After all, you take on a lot of responsibilities, and the stress can get to anyone. You deserve a hiatus to chill and enjoy life without worrying about your in-box overflowing with emails.







Cancer

The only foreseeable issue this month is that you will spend too much time focusing on the minor details of matters and need to see things from a larger perspective when Pluto reenters Capricorn on September 1. The finite part of your objectives wont be figured out until you can assess problems and gain the foresight to avoid them in the future.

The lunar eclipse on the seventeenth marks a time when you can refresh and revise the scope of your career. After chatting endlessly with coworkers about the direction you want to take and objectives you want to attain during Virgo season, youll be inclined to work on augmenting your role so that it encompasses a larger range of tasks and topics.

Dont stress! There is a learning curve that comes with cultivating success. As long as you dont let your ego take charge, youll be able to make the most out of the situation.







Leo

The lunar eclipse on September 17 gives you a sense of freedom and wholeness in your life. This will help you attain a sense of newness in your professional endeavors, as the cosmos has been holding you back from speaking up at project meetings with your team and letting your voice be heard in emails regarding upcoming events.

When the lunar eclipse occurs, youll have the confidence to be the most fearless version of yourself and make sure that youre being appreciated by being given attention from your peers. This will undoubtedly inspire you to work harder at work and reclaim your position as the leader of your team in the office. You have been on hiatus for some time, which is why it is a pristine moment for you to take charge of your life and career in September.





Prepare yourself to take on each month with your personalized Monthly Horoscope!





Virgo

The new moon on September 2 aligns with your sun sign. This will give you the stamina and drive to get your hustle on for the last half of the month. By showing your team that youre working hard and burning the midnight oil, you will prove to your boss and colleagues that you are able to multitask and take on many jobs at the same time without complaining or fretting over the amount of projects and tasks you have on your plate.

This will ultimately lead to talks of a raise by the time the eclipse occurs on the seventeenth and Leo season commences on the twenty-second. The truth of the matter is that you are at the top of your game, proving to everyone that you have the motivation to give your all to your career and showing your ability to do your best in all that you do for the company you represent.







Libra

Rather than plan for the future or dwell on the past, youll be wanting to focus on the here and now, especially during the new moon in Virgo and Mercury entering Virgo, both of which occur midmonth.

With Venus entering Scorpio on September 22, you are finding that connecting with your old acquaintances is finally resulting in work opportunities for you. This allows you to expand your horizons and evolve in ways that you never thought possible.

The fall equinox that same day helps you feel seen and heard by your colleagues. Youll have the rare opportunity to present original and extraordinary objectives that force you to think outside the box. This is a moment that pushes you forward. Enjoy the successes and riches that come as a result.







Scorpio

With the Virgo new moon on September 2, youll be able to assert your aspirations at the office and hone in on your specific goals and desires. This earthy energy combined with your determination and passion will give you the chance to make waves at work by creating opportunities for yourself that havent existed until now. Being that you have a fire underneath your belly which never goes out (due to your personal intensity), youll be pushed to succeed in all that you do. Itll be easy to attain your professional hopes and goals by the time the lunar eclipse occurs on September 17.

The movement of Venus into your sign on the twenty-second will offer you a professional reprieve, allowing you the chance to make right on past ventures and finally seal some deals that have been on the back burner for the past few months.







Sagittarius

The new moon in Virgo on September 2 brings positive professional news your way. Youll receive notice of an opening in your office or a raise that might be coming to you. Opportunities are opening and the good spirits are flowing at work, allotting you a positive position on matters.

Given the chance, you may decide to take your extra earnings and invest it all to double your cash flow. With luck permeating the ether, you could win big. Therefore, its a pristine time to bet on yourself. If there is a professional goal or dream that youve always wanted to attain, now is the time to go for it. You have the power to manifest your vision into reality. All you have to do is believe in yourself to make it happen. With the right amount of gusto and determination, your fiery can-do spirit has the capacity to make anything happen.







Capricorn

Think of this month as your professional wake-up call. Although things wont manifest or happen in your career until the fall equinox and the suns shift into Libra on September 22, it doesnt mean that you wont find your way to greatness.

The first three weeks of September are going to motivate you toward defining your goals. Like most of us, youve been lost in a fog of confusion about what you wish to accomplish and achieve, but youll be able to get clear about your professional interests and desires. As a result, youll be able to bring your passions to life at this time. Before you know it, youll be one happy Sea-Goat, as you have committed to a wonderful path that speaks to your heart and spirit.







Aquarius

The Uranus retrograde, which begins on September 1, gives you a sense of power and autonomy in the professional landscape youve created.

They say money makes the world go round, and youre finding it to be true this month. The new moon in Virgo on the second is making you very aware of the importance of having good cash flow in order to fund your professional vision. If youre strapped for money, you might find that crowdfunding is a great option. Not only will it help you offset expenses, but itll bring you closer with the community that you live in and are a part of.

The lunar eclipse on September 17 will push you forward in unexpected ways. As the month comes to a close, youll see the fruits of your career on the twenty-second.







Pisces

Aligning with potential clients or partners will be challenging for your career this month. Everyone has their own vision about how projects should proceed, and none of them are going to be able to project the best sentiment to the public. Luckily, the new moon in Virgo on September 2 gives everyone involved a chance to start fresh with ideas.

Creativity will flow when the lunar eclipse (which is aspecting your sign) highlights and ignites your artistry on the seventeenth. Although people working on your team will try to steal credit for your hard work and ideas, they wont be able to.

September 22 exposes everyone who tries to stand in your way, due to the suns entrance into Libra, which gives you the upper hand.





Need guidance? Your Numerology Reading is a mystic cheat-sheet to living your full potential.
In the Czech capital, leaders of the culinary scene are embracing the multicultural history of the Austro-Hungarian empire  with delicious results.

Courtesy of Mincovna The entrance to Mincovna restaurant.

At Mincovna, a restaurant in Pragues Stare Mesto (Old Town), which dates back to the 11th century, Czech food historian Martin Franc pointed at his plate and said something that might have gotten him run out of town a century ago. We like to think that these knedliky are uniquely Czech, he said of the airy bread dumplings, a perpetual stalwart of the countrys cuisine. But they probably originated elsewhere in the Austro-Hungarian empire.

The menu looked innocuous enough to me: schnitzel, goulash, roasted pork tenderloin, and duck confit served with red cabbage and dumplings. Any traveler might assume this was typical Czech fare  and some of it is. But the team at Mincovna specifically cooks dishes from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Central European kingdom that, from 1867 until 1918, incorporated parts of todays Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, northern Italy, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia.

From left: Kamila Jira/Courtesy of Masarycka; Courtesy of Cafe Imperial From left: A guest enjoying a meal at Masarycka; dessert at Cafe Imperial.

Courtesy of Mincovna A selection of appetizers, including pickled cheese and duck rillettes, at Mincovna.

Related: The Best Hotels in Prague

Were starting to go back to our roots, Jitka Sobotkova, the gastronomy curator of the National Museum of Agriculture in Szreniawa, told me the next day. The re-emergence of Austro-Hungarian cuisine in Prague is a sign that we Czechs are proudly accepting our own history. They often feel conflicted about that acceptance, especially considering their ancestors had no voice during those times.

Until the end of World War I, Prague and the region that surrounds it, Bohemia, had been under Austrian rule for centuries. Free of Austria, the Czechs and their Slovak neighbors formed Czechoslovakia. But independence was short-lived: just 20 years later the Nazis invaded, and when World War II ended, Czechoslovakia came under the control of the Soviet Union. For 41 years Czech citizens lived under totalitarian rule dictated from Moscow, and chefs were directed, by law, to follow Soviet standards. A state-issued cookbook, Recipes for Warm Meals, was one of the mandated guides. To make matters worse, postwar rationing and a dwindling supply of ingredients meant recipes shrank and were further simplified. My grandfather used to call that the devils cookbook,  said Martin Bohacek, who was the chef at the tony Augustine Restaurant when I was in Prague.

By the time the country began to emerge from behind the Iron Curtain in 1989, Czech food had become stodgy and unimaginative. For two decades the dining scene in Prague consisted primarily of fancy, if mediocre, French, Italian, and Japanese restaurants, along with a few smoky Czech pubs. But in the past couple of years, chefs like Oldrich Sahajdak, at the Michelin-starred La Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise, and Zdenek Pohlreich, of the celebrated traditional-style Cafe Imperial and the modern bistro Next Door by Imperial, have begun unearthing late-19th-century cookbooks and putting a modern twist on traditional dishes.

Ivana Larrosa Masaryk train station, where Masarycka restaurant is located.

Im not sure we were ready thirty or forty years ago to accept our place in this part of European history, Marek Hosnedl told me. At the time of our meeting, he was the chef at Masarycka, a Bohemian restaurant that opened in 2021 inside the 1845 Masaryk train station, in the city center. But we couldnt have made this food back then anyway, because we didnt have the ingredients to do it. Now we do. With Hosnedl I feasted on porkolt, a Hungarian stew, followed by risotto laced with Gorgonzola  two examples of dishes with ingredients that were still rare and expensive back when the country was adjusting to its new independence.

The next morning, I went to Augustine Restaurant, located in the hotel of the same name in the Mala Strana district. At the time, Chef Bohacek had been putting on Austro-Hungarianthemed dinners every Thursday, from October to March. Its hearty food thats perfect for winter, he said. But our real motivation was to show locals where our cuisine comes from. Bohacek tapped his fingers on a burgundy hardcover volume on the table in front us  a cookbook his chef grandfather gave him. Published in 1914 and featuring Austro-Hungarian recipes, it was an inspiration for those weekly dinners, featuring dishes like wild-boar ribs and catfish paprikash. Food historians are always trying to source Czech dishes, hoping to find theyre specifically Czech, he said. But more times than not, theyve come from the former empire.

Related: 7 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Prague Castle

From left: Courtesy of Next Door by Imperial; Courtesy of Cafe Imperial From left: A lobster dish at Next Door by Imperial; the interior of Cafe Imperial.

A couple of days later, during lunch at Next Door by Imperial  where I ordered a seasonal dish of dark-beer-braised veal cheeks with mashed potatoes  I asked Chef Pohlreich about this growing appreciation for Austro-Hungarian cuisine. Although Pohlreich and his peers started their culinary careers under the restrictive Communist mandates, he says the current wave of chefs did not have that experience. The new generation has traveled and worked in kitchens around Europe and the world, he said. They dont feel politically obligated to limit their focus to just Czech cuisine.

Since the country regained its autonomy, it has had several decades of solid economic and political stability. Todays Czechs are able to have a stronger sense of their own national identity than previous generations. Everyday citizens are now comfortable wading out into the waters of the empire they were once a part of  and enjoying the edible fruits of its history.

From left: Ivana Larrosa; Courtesy of La Republica From left: The interior of La Republica, in Prague; a platter of pork, duck, and vegetables at La Republica.

Its true, said Chef Sahajdak when I stopped by La Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise, in the Old Town. We were a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire much longer than weve been an independent nation. He glanced at the menu, a physical representation of the past and the present. We have a linked history to all the people of the former empire. Were more connected to the rest of Europe than we were, say, thirty years ago.

Its a hopeful sign as the city looks beyond national autonomy and embraces a rich, multicultural history  through an act as simple as ordering the veal schnitzel.

Where to Stay

Andaz Prague

Centrally located near attractions such as the Mucha Museum, dedicated to the Art Nouveau illustrator, this comfortable hotel, part of the Hyatt portfolio, has 176 contemporary rooms.

Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague

This hotel is housed within the 13th-century St. Thomas Monastery (a small cohort of monks still lives next door). The public spaces and 101 rooms echo the buildings original clerical style, with vaulted ceilings and preserved frescoes now paired with modern art.

Where to Eat

Augustine Restaurant

At this Austro-Hungarian-influenced fine-dining favorite inside the Augustine Hotel, a la carte ordering is possible, but the best choice is to order one of the five tasting menus, which highlight ingredients like beets, morels, and meats and cheeses sourced from local farmers.

La Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise

Traditional Czech cuisine frames the menu at this Michelin-starred restaurant, where chef Oldrich Sahajdak produces a small selection of starters  like kohlrabi with apple and chives or trout with dill and smoked pork fat  followed by a five-course set menu with an optional European wine pairing.

La Republica

La Republica is a casual restaurant in a historic building near Republic Square, with dishes that evoke the countrys culinary past. Meat is the order of the day, from grilled duck breast with cherry sauce to beef goulash and pork schnitzel.

Masarycka

This upscale venue in the Masaryk railway station serves dishes like the old Bohemian tasting board, which includes pickled cheese, hot peppers, and vejmrda (horseradish and apple salad). Theres also a traditional bun pudding, a dessert of apples, macerated raisins, and caramel.

Mincovna

Once home to the Prague Mint, Mincovna, on Old Town Square, specializes in hearty, traditional Austro-Hungarian dishes such as romadur, a fried cheese with cranberry sauce and baby spinach, and beef goulash with potato dumplings.

Next Door by Imperial

At this sleek bistro  which is run by the people behind Cafe Imperial  one Czech must-try is the duck leg with caramelized white cabbage and potato gnocchi. Lighter options include the young pea salad with marinated Wagyu, bean pods, and yuzu vinaigrette.

A version of this story first appeared in the September 2024 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline Back to the Future.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Hello, Yahoo Life readers! My name is Kaitlin, and Im sharing the weeks health and wellness tips you need to know.

Its Labor Day weekend, which means the last days of barbecue season are here. Wondering if you should opt for grilling the vegan hot dog this time around? Experts told Yahoo it may be a good idea. If youre lucky enough to lounge by a pool this weekend, make sure to follow our guidelines for how to stay safe in the water  especially if you have pool-happy little ones to watch out for.

Check out the weather in your area and, if youre looking for some starry guidance, your horoscope. Then dig into these wellness bites!

 Bond with new friends

Friends are so important, but new connections can be challenging to make as adults due to factors like shifting priorities and more responsibilities around family. Fortunately, its not impossible: Experts spoke to Yahoo Life about how to find and cultivate real bonds. One big tip? Dont stick to the surface stuff. Engaging in meaningful conversations and finding shared experiences can build trust and emotional intimacy. Another surprising piece of advice is to ask favors from budding friends when you truly need them  it helps us build trust in our relationships.

 Go rucking

Rucking is when you wear a weighted backpack on a walk or hike. Though it was first popularized by the military, civilians can incorporate it into their exercise routines too  with great health results. Walking has so many benefits, from improving cardiovascular health to reducing stress, but on its own it isnt a form of resistance training, which can help build muscle and bone density. Adding a weighted backpack to your walk, however, forces your muscles to work harder, enhancing strength and endurance while also increasing calorie burn.

Want to get started? Try wearing a weighted vest or sporting wrist or ankle weights when you walk instead, which are lower-weight options for beginners, before you move on to true rucking with a heavier load.

 Let in the air

Germans love to practice Luften, opening your windows to ventilate your home. And theres a good reason to try it: Doing so may improve indoor air quality by reducing the buildup of stale air, pollutants and excess humidity, while lowering the concentration of indoor allergens like dust mites and mold  meaning you may breathe easier. Plus, if you often sleep while running the air conditioner, opening the window before bed may cool down your room significantly, helping you sleep at an optimal temperature. However, its important to note that if you have seasonal allergies to things like pollen, you could be inviting unwanted allergens in as well, so you may want to keep windows closed in that case.

 Dont pass on the potatoes

Potatoes get a bad rap, probably because theyre mostly famously eaten fried. However, theres a ton to love about the spud, which is packed with nutrients like vitamin C, potassium (more than bananas!), fiber and even some protein. Research says theyre also more satiating than rice or pasta. One way to make the most of potatoes is to load them up with other good-for-you foods: Enjoy a baked potato with black beans and guacamole for a filling, plant-based meal that has gut-healthy fiber.

 Keep up with exercise as you age

Longevity experts want older people to stop believing the myth that exercise gets less important  and even more dangerous  as you age. In fact, the opposite is true: Regular workouts improve muscle mass, strength and overall vitality well into the later years. One thing you should keep up with specifically as you get older is resistance training, as this type of exercise prevents bone and muscle loss, keeps you flexible and helps protect you from falls. One easy way to get started is to lift weights: Try exercises like bicep curls, squats and shoulder presses with a weight you can lift for eight to 12 reps comfortably, for three sets.

Not a fan of lifting weights? Resistance training also includes guided exercises like Pilates, which also has the bonus of improving balance. You can follow instructor-led videos online, or sign up for an in-person class for extra assistance.

 Sleep in on weekends

Youve probably heard that its best to stick to a consistent sleep schedule, even on the weekends  but now new research says there are benefits to getting some extra shut-eye on Saturday. Catching up on sleep over the weekend may reduce the risk of heart disease by 20%, especially for those who consistently dont get enough sleep during the week  that is, less than seven hours of sleep per night, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicines recommendation. While the experts Yahoo Life spoke with suggest getting your recommended hours of sleep every night (as opposed to playing catch-up on the weekends) in order to avoid messing up your circadian rhythm, paying off your short-term sleep debt with some extra weekend sleep or even naps can help you feel more rested and productive.

 Dont stress about perfect posture for back pain  do this instead

Are you trying to sit up straight more to fix your aching back? Poor posture, like slouching, may be a reaction to your back pain, not the cause of it, according to experts. Instead of focusing on perfect posture, aim for taking breaks from sitting for long periods. Get up and move every hour youre sitting: Take work calls while youre walking, try a treadmill desk or walking pad or just do some light stretching if you can only sneak in a few minutes of movement. Not only will your back thank you, but youll avoid the not-so-fun health implications of too much sedentary time, which include increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, dementia and cancer.

 Say something positive to yourself

Affirmations are statements you say to yourself to challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. While it may seem silly to repeat I am strong in your head, theres research that says doing so can make a big difference in behavior by reshaping your internal dialogues. To get started, write down a few positive statements that reflect your personal goals (such as I handle challenges with confidence) and say them aloud in the quiet moments of your day. For added impact, you can set reminders on your phone to repeat them, or write your affirmations on notes around your home to remind yourself that you are strong and capable  or whatever else you aspire to be!

 Strengthen your pelvic floor

Yoga moves to strengthen the pelvic floor  a group of muscles that support the bladder, urethra, bowels and more  has long been recommended for urinary incontinence, but a new study from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, found that general exercise, such as stretching and strengthening moves, was about as effective in reducing symptoms. The results suggest it may be just as effective for people to focus on exercises that improve overall physical function as they age as opposed to specific pelvic floor moves  further highlighting the importance of finding a workout routine you love and sticking with it.

 Spend time with trees

Results from the University of Louisvilles HEAL Study highlights the benefits of living near trees. The researchers found that people who lived in neighborhoods with more trees and other greenery had a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer when compared with people who had less of them near their homes.

While the exact reason for these health wins are not yet known, previous research shows that living near green spaces can provide a wellness boost, including better bone health and slowing down the aging process. Plus, exercising in nature also reduces stress and negative feelings.

Dont live near a place with a lot of trees? Drive to a park, or take a bike ride through a more leafy neighborhood  your health may thank you.
I vividly remember the emotions that coursed through my body the first time I saw the Vietnam Womens Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The sculpture depicts three uniformed women holding a wounded soldier. It is a dramatic representation of the sacrifice, commitment, and compassion of the women who served, primarily the courageous nurses. As I walked around the sculpture slowly, studying every detail, memories long stored beneath a tough shell broke free and took me to a place I did not want to go.

Kristan Hannahs novel, The Women, affected me the same way. My wife and her many book-reading pals had suggested I read Hannahs book. Among them was our friend Sally Robinson who wanted to know if the book was an accurate reflection of my Vietnam experience. But it was my friend, Butch Adams, who convinced me to read it. I am glad he did.

I confess I had to put it down after the first five chapters. The vivid and accurate descriptions of the sounds, the smells, the overwhelming heat, and the filth of a forward fire base in Vietnam were initially more than I could handle. But I picked it up again and loved it.

There are some inaccuracies and some descriptions of how America prosecuted the war that seem politically influenced to me. Among the untruths is a statement in Chapter Twelve that young men were being shipped to Vietnam with just six weeks of basic training. This is untrue. Army and Marine basic training lasted eight weeks in 1967 as today. This was followed by advanced infantry training for another eight weeks. Following months of instruction and field exercises, recruits were assigned to U.S.-based units for further grooming in all aspects of combat. I joined the Army in November 1966 and spent 10 months of training before a nine-month assignment to the 82nd Artillery at Fort Bragg for field operations before shipping out to Vietnam in August 1968. I was not the exception to the rule. No American combat soldier or Marine was sent to Vietnam with just six weeks training.

Hannah also says most American combatants in Vietnam were African American and Hispanic. This is untrue. The overwhelming majority of those who served in the war were young white men. The demographics were 88% Caucasian, 10% black, and the rest other. This was long before the huge influx of Hispanic soldiers who now serve in the U.S. military branches with honor, competence, and courage. The racial breakdown of those killed is nearly identical to that of those who served, overwhelmingly white men. Of the 58,267 people killed in Vietnam, the names of eight women, all nurses, are carved into the black granite of the Vietnam Memorial.

The book states there were many American atrocities committed on the villagers of rural Vietnam, including intentional napalm strikes. In my year in the country, I experienced nothing approaching violence toward innocent civilians, not by Americans. But I served with professional officers and NCOs. Atrocities are a breakdown in command and unit discipline. As a field artillery forward observer, one of my jobs was to coordinate aerial bombing and strafing missions, including napalm strikes. I never saw indiscriminate, or even accidental bombing of civilian populations. But the Vietcong were little different from Hamas. They hid among civilians. They used women and children as human shields. They had no regard for human life, and they committed countless acts of brutality and genocide against unarmed men, women and children. The poor villagers were often caught in the middle of firefights, but our men did all they could to protect noncombatants, often risking their lives to keep them as safe as possible.

Michael McMahan

All of this said, the book is great. The writing is exceptional, and the characters, especially combat nurse Frankie McGrath, are compelling and strong. The story is touching. Hannah captures the unique emotions of combat; the guilt when courage and skill falter; the heart-shattering grief when men you know, and love are lost; the indescribable fatigue; the unanticipated disappointment in coming back to the life you left but no longer know or even want.

The book, like most bestsellers, is a love story. Love breaks us. Love puts us back together. Frankies heart was broken again and again, but it was the people she loved and who loved her who saved her each time. In the end she found purpose and happiness saving others like her who were tormented by their wartime experience.

I returned from combat in Vietnam to a wife who loved me, a little girl who soon became my best buddy, and to family, friends, and faith that healed me. I was among most Vietnam vets who were able to get over the war. Some, like Frankie McGrath, could not. Their experiences are portrayed well in this book. It touched me deeply to read and reflect on their struggles. You should get The Women, and read it. I promise you will love it.

Michael McMahan is a resident of Gaston County.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: YOUR TURN: Sculpture, and book about the Vietnam War evoke emotions
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Ten people were arrested for taking part in a coordinated street takeover event at a Tampa intersection on Saturday night, the Florida Highway Patrol announced.

The event was organized on social media and drew hundreds of people to an intersection, which was later shut down by the participants so they could do donuts, drift, and other illegal and reckless driving activities, FHP said.

Officials did not release the exact location.

Credit: Florida Highway Patrol

Credit: Florida Highway Patrol

Credit: Florida Highway Patrol

Credit: Florida Highway Patrol

Credit: Florida Highway Patrol

Credit: Florida Highway Patrol

Troopers, along with the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, arrested the following suspects:

Jakob Bryan, 20, Land OLakes

Jakiya Burr, 24, Lake Wales

Jaewon Foster, 29, Haines City

Ethan Marton, 20, Holiday

Marquis Pinkins, 29, Haines City

Alex Rodriguez-Lazu, 20, Lakeland

Ramon Santiago, 20, Lakeland

Grant Watson, 18, Wesley Chapel

A 17-year-old boy from Wesley Chapel

A 17-year-old boy from Tampa

The 10 suspects are facing various charges ranging from unlawful racing on a highway to drug possession and fleeing to elude. Those arrested were taken to Orient Road Jail while the juveniles were taken to the Hillsborough County Juvenile Assessment Center.

In addition to the arrests, authorities also confiscated three guns and impounded four vehicles.

Street racing and roadway takeovers are incredibly dangerous. They obstruct normal traffic flow and can prevent or deter emergency response, potentially putting lives at risk. Individuals taking part in events such as this can be charged with spectating, riding as a passenger, and, if driving, unlawful racing, in addition to many other charges regarding the reckless endangerment of others while they are behind the wheel, FHP 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 WFLA.
There's more to Labor Day than what often seems to only amount to the final barbecues and three-day weekends of summer. The federal holiday, celebrated the first Monday in September, marks a major win for American workers. Learn about the history of Labor Day and why it deserves recognition beyond burgers and sales.



Related: 45 Cesar Chavez Quotes on Life, Education and Community

10 Facts About the History of Labor Day and the Labor Movement

1. The first Labor Day "parade" was actually a strike.

On Sept. 5, 1882, tens of thousands of union laborers marched from New York City Hall to Union Square to protest deplorable working conditions amid the Industrial Revolution: Workers, including children as young as five years old, labored in unsafe factories, farms, mills and mines for 12 hours or more per day, seven days a week, often without breaks, fresh air or even clean water. Many workers risked their jobs and livelihoods in order to march.



Related: 125 Labor Day Weekend Instagram Captions To Let the Good Times Roll

2. The war on police brutality was directly tied to the Labor movement.

In early May 1886, a labor protest rally in Chicago turned into what's now known as the Haymarket Riot. Police fired into a crowd, killing at least two but possibly six protesters (reports at the time varied) and injured several others in a peaceful rally demanding an eight-hour workday and safe conditions.



The following evening, at the end of a rally peacefully protesting police brutality, a still-unidentified individual threw a bomb, killing seven cops and at least four protesters. More protests followed, some condemning the slayings and others slamming police brutality. Gunfire between police and protesters broke out, wounding 60 cops and even more civilians. The outrage and unrest led to the convictions of eight alleged anarchists, with four being hanged. Three surviving defendants were later pardoned.

Related: Happy Labor Day Quotes

3. New York City recognized Labor Day in 1882.

It would be several more years before it became a federal holiday.

Related: Should You Expect USPS Mail Delivery on Labor Day?

4. A deadly railroad strike led to the federal recognition of Labor Day.

The Pullman Palace Car Company cut wages following an economic depression in the early 1890s, leading many railroad workers to join the American Railway Union, led by Eugene V. Debs. The union supported the workers with a strike against Pullman train cars. After the striking workers were punished, the entire ARU went on strike, and within days, 125,000 railroad workers quit their jobs.



Then-President Grover Cleveland sent in troops and U.S. Marshals, claiming that the railroad strike interfered with mail delivery. As a result, 13 workers were killed and nearly 60 were injured. The incident was known as the Pullman Strike. Cleveland began to show support for the Labor Movement afterward and made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894but his motives have been said to likely be political gain more than genuine sympathy for workers.

Related: Wait, Are Banks Open on Labor Day?

5. Railroad workers didn't get a standard eight-hour workday until 1916.

It wasn't until another massive railroad workers' strike that the standard eight-hour workday became law. In 1916, 400,000 rail workers in four different unions threatened to strike unless the rule was implemented. President Woodrow Wilson signed the Adamson Act, making an eight-hour workday the legal standard, out of fear of the repercussions of a railroad strike.

Related: Is Walmart Open on Labor Day 2024?

6. Other workers had to wait much longer for government regulation of work hours.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was enacted in 1938 to expand the standardized eight-hour workday to industries beyond railroads. It also established minimum wage, overtime pay and child labor laws.

Related: Will Costco Be Open on Labor Day 2024? Here's What You Need to Know About the Store's Holiday Hours.

7. Labor Day weekend technically has two holidays.

Labor Day always falls on the first Monday of September, but in 1909, it was declared that the Sunday preceding Labor Day would be "Labor Sunday," dedicated to educational and spiritual messages and goals of the Labor Movement.



Related: 40 Dolores Huerta Quotes on Life, Community and Peace

8. Labor Day and May Day are similar, but not the same.

The concept of Labor Day is essentially the same as that of May Day, now known as International Workers' Day, celebrated worldwide (though not widely recognized in the United States) on May 1 every year.



Related: 16 Powerful Luisa Moreno Quotes from the Labor Organizer and Civil Rights Activist

9. Canada had the idea first.

From January through June 1872, Canada marked the Nine Hour Movement for laborers in an effort to shorten working days.



Related: In Honor of Labor Day, 10 Most Influential Women Union Heroes in History

10. No one is quite sure who invented Labor Day.

Peter J. McGuire, who served as general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and was a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, is largely credited with conceiving Labor Day to recognize people "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold." However, Matthew Maguire, a machinist and secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., is also believed to have had a hand in founding Labor Day, proposing the holiday when he served as secretary of New York's Central Labor Union in 1882.

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Related: 324 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Game Night
People gathered at the Colorado Capitol for the "Bans off our Bodies" rally in support of abortion rights on May 14, 2022. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline)

After legal fights, counter-campaigns and bureaucratic wrangling all year long, as things stand today, abortion questions in 10 states are heading to ballots in November.

After abortion rights were upended federally in June 2022, Kansas voters got a chance to weigh in on a ballot measure that was something of a test balloon just a couple of months later. Defying expectations, nearly 60% of voters rejected an anti-abortion constitutional amendment.

Since then, voters in states with both conservative- and liberal-leaning electorates have either rejected abortion restrictions or secured the right to an abortion. The majority of these successful campaigns were spearheaded by coalitions of doctors, advocates and everyday people who disagreed with the Supreme Courts decision to upend federal abortion rights.

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The issue was on the ballot in five states in November 2022. Americans in California, Michigan and Vermont enshrined the right to a host of reproductive health care services into their state constitutions during the midterms, while voters in Montana defeated a measure containing anti-abortion rhetoric and Kentucky voters soundly rejected an amendment seeking to declare that nothing in the state constitution guaranteed abortion rights.

Then, last year, faced with a Republican trifecta in state government where many lawmakers harbored anti-abortion positions, Ohio reproductive rights advocates took matters in their own hands and launched an effort to codify the right to abortion, contraception, fertility treatments, miscarriage management and pregnancy care.

Despite roadblocks thrown up by GOP officials who tried to increase the threshold for an amendment to be added to the Ohio Constitution, Issue 1 succeeded in November. Nearly 57% of Buckeye State voters cast ballots in favor of reproductive rights.

Elected officials elsewhere are playing a role in thwarting abortion ballot petitions, too. Missouris attorney general tried to push the state auditor to inflate the estimated cost of an initiative, and the secretary of state offered up ballot summaries that judges dismissed as partisan last year. (Abortion-rights proponents are suing again over the same issue, Missouri Independent reported.)

In Arkansas, Republican Secretary of State John Thurston refused to count all of the signatures for an abortion-rights ballot petition, citing technical paperwork errors, according to Arkansas Advocate. After a five-week legal battle  on the day of the deadline for Thurston to distribute certified ballots to counties  the state Supreme Court affirmed his position. Arkansans for Limited Government, the group behind the ballot measure, said the justices recent 4-3 ruling silenced more than 102,000 people who signed on to the effort, the Advocate reported.

Another strategy being deployed by opponents: decline-to-sign campaigns popped up in Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri and South Dakota.

Democrats have pledged to restore the right to an abortion nationally if they retain the White House and gain seats in Congress in the coming election, and Republican leaders have said they dont support a national ban.

Still, as things stand today, 10 states have confirmed abortion-rights questions for Nov. 5 ballots. Lawsuits to invalidate them are pending across the nation.

A supporter of the Arkansas Abortion Amendment holds up a sign in a Capitol hallway where petitions to put the amendment on the November ballot were delivered Friday, July 5. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Arizona

Abortion is illegal after 15 weeks in Arizona, unless the patients life is at risk. There are no exceptions for rape, incest or genetic abnormalities.

Proposition 139 will ask voters if they want to allow abortion up to fetal viability with exceptions later in pregnancy for the patients life, or physical or mental health. The amendment would also prevent any penalties for someone who helps a person get an abortion. Arizona for Abortion Access is behind the initiative.

Colorado

Abortion is legal throughout pregnancy in Colorado, but the state enacted a ban on public funds being used for abortions in 1984. Government employees insurance does not cover abortion care.

Initiative 89, titled Right to Abortion, could effectively repeal that 40-year-old coverage ban if 55% of voters approve the amendment. Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom is leading the effort.

Florida

Abortion is illegal after six weeks in Florida with exceptions for rape, incest and to save the patients life.

Amendment 4 would bar government interference in abortion access before fetal viability or when a provider deems the procedure necessary to save a persons health. Sixty percent of voters have to approve the measure, which wouldnt remove the parental notification requirement for minors seeking abortions. Floridians Protecting Freedom is behind the campaign.

Maryland

In March 2023, the Democratic-controlled Legislature voted in favor of a referendum that put the Right to Reproductive Freedom Act before voters this fall. Abortion is broadly legal in Maryland.

Question 1 would reify the right to reproductive freedom, including the right to make decisions to prevent, continue, or end a pregnancy. The proposed amendment would also prevent the state from interfering in the right for the most part.

Missouri

Abortion is only permitted in Missouri for medical emergencies. Restrictions on clinics and providers hindered access in the state before the Dobbs decision, Missouri Independent reported.

Amendment 3, if approved by a simple majority, would legalize abortion up to fetal viability with exceptions later in pregnancy to protect the life or physical or mental health of a pregnant person. It also states patients and providers cannot be prosecuted for abortion. Missourians for Constitutional Freedom is the political action committee behind the initiative.

Montana

A 1999 Montana Supreme Court ruling solidified abortion access based on the states constitutional right to privacy, and a 2023 decision reaffirmed the precedent, while also ruling that advanced practice nurses can provide abortions. Still, the Republican-controlled legislature advanced abortion restrictions, which are largely blocked by the courts, Daily Montanan reported.

CI-128 asks voters to further enshrine into the states constitution the right to make decisions about ones pregnancy, including abortion up to fetal viability, without government regulation. The amendment would include exceptions later in pregnancy to protect the life or health of the patients, as determined by providers. Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights headed the ballot effort.

Nebraska

A 12-week abortion ban was enacted last year. Protect Our Rights launched a campaign in November for an amendment that would expand access up to viability, as determined by a provider, with later exceptions for a mothers health.

Protect Women and Children announced a counter-effort in the spring for a competing constitutional amendment that would ban abortions after the first trimester (12-14 weeks), with later exceptions for rape, incest or the life of a mother. It would allow the legislature to pass stricter bans in the future.

If both questions make it to the ballot and both are approved by voters, the one with the most votes wins, Nebraska Examiner reported.

Nevada

In 1990, Nevada voters secured the right to an abortion through 24 weeks of pregnancy, or later if the mothers life is at risk. Question 6 will ask voters to ensure similar rights constitutionally  making them harder for lawmakers to modify. If passed, this amendment would protect abortion access up to fetal viability, or later to protect the life or health of the patient, Nevada Current reported.

The coalition Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom is behind the proposal, which will have to be approved twice  once this year and again in 2026.

New York

Abortion is legal in New York up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, and abortions after that point must be approved by providers who decide whether a fetus is viable, or if a patients life or health is at risk.

Proposal 1, a legislatively referred referendum, asks voters if they want to add an equal rights amendment to the constitution. If approved, it would bar discrimination based on sex, including pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive health care and autonomy. Supporters say this would add protection for the right to an abortion.

South Dakota

Abortion is banned in South Dakota unless its necessary to save a patients life. Dakotans for Health led an effort to expand access.

Amendment G asks voters whether to ban legislators from regulating abortion until the end of the first trimester, allow regulations during the second trimester in ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman and let the state prohibit abortion in the third trimester unless the procedure is necessary to save the life or health of a pregnant patient.

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Draft of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, outlining the rights and priveleges of American citizenship, ratified in 1868. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election not only failed, but some of them also rested on a misreading of the U.S. Constitution, as our new analysis argues. The relevant constitutional provision dates back to just after the Civil War, and contemporaries recognized it as a key protection of American democracy.

In November 2020, as it became clear that Trump had lost the popular vote and would lose the Electoral College, Trump and his supporters mounted a pressure campaign to convince legislatures in several states whose citizens voted for Joe Biden to appoint electors who would support Trumps reelection in the Electoral College votes.

Trump and his allies contacted Republican lawmakers in Michigan, Georgia and Pennsylvania to induce the state legislatures to overturn the results of the popular election. Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, emailed GOP legislators in Arizona, encouraging them to ensure that a clean slate of Electors is chosen.

These efforts were relying on a provision of the Constitution, in Article II, Section 1, that states, Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors. Trump and his supporters wanted state lawmakers to discard their citizens votes and simply appoint electors who would back Trumps reelection bid.

As part of their efforts, Trump and his supporters claimed that the Constitution allowed state legislatures to directly choose a slate of electors without a popular vote.

But they were wrong. There was a safeguard already in place  and it remains today, defending against this approach being used to subvert the 2024 presidential election.

An effort to protect voters power

In almost every state, the candidate who gets the most popular votes for the presidency receives all of that states electoral votes. Nebraska and Maine have slight exceptions  but those states laws still deliver the majority of their electoral votes to the person who wins the popular statewide vote.

In the late 1860s, when the 14th Amendment was written and ratified, the same was true  though the right to vote was limited to men until 1920, and states have often denied or abridged the voting rights of some citizens, particularly racial minorities. After the Civil War, Congress sought to remove barriers to Black mens voting, especially in the South.

In 1866, when Congress debated the 14th Amendment, its drafters wrote Section 2 in an effort to force reluctant white Southerners to allow Black men to vote.

Section 2 of the 14th Amendment provides that when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States  is denied  or in any way abridged  the basis of representation for that state in the U.S. House of Representatives shall be reduced in proportion to the abridgment.

So if a state took away the voting rights of any of its citizens, it would immediately lose the same percentage of seats in the House as the percentage of people whose right to vote was taken away.

Just weeks after ratification, this provision faced its first challenge.

The Republican-dominated Reconstruction Legislature of Florida decided to choose presidential electors without a popular election. Democrats  at the time, the party supporting the disenfranchisement of Black men  were apoplectic. Many Southern newspaper writers, still angry about the ratification of the 14th Amendment, saw an opportunity to turn the amendment against its Republican authors.

The plain conclusion is that if in any State the election of Presidential electors is taken out of the hands of the people and placed in the hands of the Legislature, the whole number of citizens of the State  will be excluded, wrote the Charleston Daily News on Aug. 10, 1868.

This was not a rare or local view: Nine days later, the Anderson Intelligencer, a South Carolina newspaper, published a short article credited to the New York Herald, similarly declaring:

When the right of voting for Presidential electors is denied to all voters of a State, then the basis of representation in such State must be reduced by the number of all the voters, which is to say that it is to have no basis of representation at all.

These opinion articles have no legal authority, but they reflect a common  though contested  understanding of the 14th Amendments provisions at the time of its passage. No one brought a legal challenge, so no court had an opportunity to issue an opinion. And the Republican-dominated Congress had no qualms about accepting electoral votes  even without a popular vote  for the Republican presidential candidate.

The right to have your vote counted

In the wake of the 2020 election, Congress took steps to make clear that the voters must be the ones who choose presidential electors. Legislation passed in 2022 revised the federal law governing the selection of electors to specify that state legislatures must determine their states method of choosing electors before Election Day and cant change it after the votes are cast.

That clarification lines up with  and indeed reinforces  the provisions of Section 2 of the 14th Amendment.

As our analysis notes, if a state legislature were to directly choose electors, that would disenfranchise all of the states voters. The right to vote, after all, is the right to have ones vote counted, not the right to have ones preferred candidate win.

So even if the legislature chose a slate of electors that received significant support in the popular election, the act of the legislature making the choice would abridge the rights of every voter in the state. Disenfranchisement depends on whether the people or the legislature chooses the electors, not which electors are selected.

If all of a states voters have their right to vote taken away, Section 2 requires that the states House representation immediately and automatically be reduced to zero. The Constitution elsewhere specifies that each states representation in the Electoral College is the sum of the states House and Senate delegations.

Thus, if a state has no representatives in the House, it would have only two presidential electors, rendering its influence over the presidential election minuscule and largely irrelevant.

A lone exception

To date, besides Florida in 1868, the only other instance of a state legislature choosing presidential electors without a popular election came in 1876.

Election fraud, political violence and voter intimidation undermined the integrity of the 1876 presidential election. The constitution of Colorado, newly admitted as a state, provided that the Legislature would choose the states presidential electors without a popular vote in 1876. Overshadowed by an exceptionally acrimonious election, the Legislatures selection of Colorados presidential electors generated relatively little attention or debate.

The overall conclusion is that the Southern newspapers in 1868 correctly read the text of Section 2. The writers may have been cynical opportunists working to defend an indefensible racist hierarchy, but their interpretation of the text is sound.

The plain meaning of Section 2 is clear, and it imposes strong penalties if a state does not allow its citizens to vote for presidential electors. The 14th Amendment continues to protect American democracy more than 150 years after its ratification.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
2 arrested for racing at speeds over 100mph on Florida highway, FHP says

2 arrested for racing at speeds over 100mph on Florida highway, FHP says

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. (WFLA)  Two Florida men were arrested by troopers for racing at speeds over 100 mph on a Lee County Highway.

On Thursday, Florida Highway Patrol troopers pulled over a Ford Mustang and a Dodge Charger around 9:44 p.m. for racing on State Road 82 near Alabama Road in Lehigh Acres.

Motorcyclist strikes pickup, dies after he is ejected from bike, FHP says

Officials arrested Kenson Fadeus, 24, the driver of the Charger, and Chelson Noncirel, 18, the driver of the Mustang, for racing and reckless driving.

Fadeus and Noncirel, both from Immokalee, were booked into the Lee County Jail.

Florida Highway Patrol

Florida Highway Patrol

Troopers said both of their vehicles will be impounded for the next 30 business days.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Authorities arrested four suspects after a shooting injured two people early Saturday at an Airbnb in Gulfport, police said.

Police were called at 4:17 a.m. to the rental property in the 1100 block of 19th Street, Gulfport Police said in a news release.

Authorities said one victim suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was taken to a local hospital in a private vehicle. The victim was later airlifted to another hospital and is currently listed in stable condition, the news release said.

Police said another victim suffered an apparent gunshot wound in the leg.

Authorities said a group from South Carolina rented the Airbnb.

Tedric Antonio Owens, 35, faces two counts of aggravated assault in connection to the shootings. Police said they cleared the residence and found Owens under a bed, holding a gun.

Owens resisted arrest and hit and choked a K9 before police arrested him, authorities said. He also faces one count of assault on a law enforcement officer, one count of trafficking cocaine, one count of trafficking MDMA and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Authorities searched the home and found three guns, 174 grams of marijuana, 1,011 dosage units of MDMA and 84 grams of cocaine, the news release said. Two of the seized guns were previously reported stolen, authorities said.

Police also arrested three suspects on drug charges: Christopher Emanuel Reese, 34, Demetrius Dontay Goodman, 36, and Laquavius Deshaun Wortherly, 36. Each faces one count of trafficking cocaine, one count of trafficking MDMA and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

The suspects are held in the Harrison County jail. Owens is held on a $1,100,000 bond. Reese, Goodman and Wortherly are each held on a $550,000 bond.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to call the Gulfport Police Department at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.
DHAKA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The central bank of Bangladesh has set a new cash withdrawal limit of 500,000 taka (4,166 U.S. dollars) via cheques per account per day for the current week starting from Sunday.

As per the latest circular from the Bangladesh Bank on Saturday, commercial banks in the country are now required to limit cash withdrawals to 500,000 taka per account daily, up from the previous limit of 400,000 taka.

On Aug. 8, the Bangladeshi interim government imposed stricter controls, limiting cheque withdrawals to 100,000 taka.

The bank's decision follows the Bangladeshi interim government's directive for banking and financial sector reforms after the fall of the previous government on Aug. 5. (1 U.S. dollar equals about 120 taka) 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man has been arrested after allegedly firing a weapon and injuring two people Saturday night in Nashville.

The Metro Nashville Police Department stated officers near the scene heard gunshots around 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 and responded to the incident taking place in the 100 block of 2nd Avenue South.

The officers aided two victims, identified as a 47-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, both from Nashville.

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The woman claimed that she and the man were trying to leave a parking lot in a Nissan Altima when she drove near a group of people, according to police. People in the group began yelling at her, and several women approached her car and allegedly started striking her through the window of the Altima.

The man got out of the car and began firing shots into the air in an attempt to end the conflict., authorities said

The female driver then reportedly heard someone else firing a gun in response to the mans shots. The 47-year-old was shot multiple times, and the 44-year-old was shot in the shoulder.

Witnesses identified the suspects vehicle, a gray Infiniti, attempting to leave the scene. An officer then moved in front of the Infiniti and ordered the driver to stop. The suspect, Jeremi Ford, 39, of Nashville, continued to drive towards the officer, police said.

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Authorities stated that the officer moved out of the way and Ford pulled into a parking lot. The suspect and three women who were in the car with him were arrested.

Ford was identified as the shooter but refused to be interviewed by law enforcement. Police said he has prior felony drug convictions, adding that he was last arrested in April on two felony probation violations stemming from a case in 2007.

According to officials, Ford is now charged with two counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault against a first responder, possession of a gun as a felon, and reckless endangerment as a result of the shooting. He is being held in Metro Jail on a $560,000 bond.

Both victims were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for their injuries and are expected to recover.

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 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.
(KRON)  San Francisco 49ers first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall was shot in an attempted robbery near San Franciscos Union Square.

Two people were shot, and one of the victims is listed in critical condition. According to the 49ers, Pearsall sustained a bullet wound to his chest and is in serious but stable condition.

San Francisco police confirmed that a suspect attempted to rob Pearsall and then a physical altercation ensued.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA  JULY 29: Ricky Pearsall #14 of the San Francisco 49ers works out during training camp at SAP Performance Facility on July 29, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) runs after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

According to the San Francisco police, the suspect is a 17-year-old Tracy resident. The minor is in custody and charges are pending at this time. According to the San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins once charges are filed, there will be accountability.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed called the shooting a terrible and rare incident in Union Square. Breed also express gratitude to SFPD for responding quickly to the scene.

Pearsalls teammate Deebo Samuel posted on X, Hes good. Thank god!!!!

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call the SFPD tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.

This is an ongoing story. Stay tuned with KRON4 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.
2 men arrested, firearm recovered in connection with double stabbing in Mattapan

Two men have been arrested and a firearm has been recovered in connection with a double stabbing in Mattapan.

According to police, officers responded to the area of 70 West Selden Street for a report of a fight. Upon arrival, police observed an adult male suffering from a stab wound.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers were also approached by another victim who advised officers that she was pistol-whipped, police said. Officers observed the suspect begin to walk away from a group and approach a female behind a vehicle. The male suspect then passed an unknown object to the female suspect.

The female suspect immediately began to run from officers and a foot pursuit began. The female suspect refused officers orders to stop, and officers observed her throw an unknown object into a front yard. Officers were able to arrest and locate the firearm.

The male suspect was arrested shortly after. According to police the firearm was determined to be a Polymer 80 Ghost Gun with sixteen rounds and equipped with a laser sight attachment.

The suspects were identified as Luxury Lee, 29, of Fall River, and Kamaree Lee-Eliot, 26, of Dorchester.

Officers also learned a second adult male victim self-transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening stab wounds.

Lee and Lee-Eliot are being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and a slew of other charges.

Both are expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.

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

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Former President Donald Trumps proposal to have government or insurance companies cover IVF was an unprecedented shift last week  and Republicans are split on whether to support it.

Two prominent Republican senators  both strong supporters of Trump  took different approaches to the issue of in vitro fertilization on Sunday morning, highlighting the split in the party over whether to support the measure.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) supported the new IVF proposal, adding that he believed most Republicans would be open to the idea. The Arkansas senator said that the fiscal impact and whether the taxpayer can afford to pay for this.

Well, all Republicans, to my knowledge, support IVF, in the Congress. And there's no state that prohibits or regulates IVF in a way that makes it inaccessible, Cotton said in an interview with Kristen Welker on NBCs Meet the Press." It is expensive for many couples. I understand that. So, it's something I'm open to, that most Republicans would be open to.

He added, In principle, supporting couples who are trying to use IVF or other fertility treatments, I don't think is something that's controversial at all.

But Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) disagreed: The South Carolina senator said he would not support mandating insurance coverage of IVF because theres no end to that. Instead he said he would prefer a tax credit in an interview with Jonathan Karl on ABCs This Week.

We have tax credits for people who have children. Maybe we should have a means-tested tax credit for people using IVF and other treatments to become pregnant, Graham said. I would support a tax credit, means-tested, kind of like we do with children, that makes sense to me, to encourage people to have children.

IVF became a major campaign issue in February when the Alabama Supreme Court declared frozen embryos to be children under state law, which led to the possibility that medical professionals could be criminally prosecuted for embryos that are lost in the process.

Both Republicans were among 47 Republicans who voted against a bill in June designed to expand access to IVF and other fertility treatments. Two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, supported the measure, which Cotton on Sunday referred to as "Chuck Schumer's ridiculous messaging bill."

As for Trumps unprecedented call for public funding for IVF, Graham said Trump is just trying to show his support for IVF treatments.

Weve been accused  the party has  of being a bit against birth control. Were not, Graham said. Weve been accused of being against IVF treatments. Were not.
2024 race hits critical stretch as debate approaches and first ballots are set to go out

The 2024 presidential race is entering a critical stretch, with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump set to debate and the first swing state ballots hitting mailboxes shortly after the Labor Day holiday weekend.

As the calendar turns to September, both campaigns are focusing on on key battleground states  with Harris eyeing an expanded map and Trump digging in across the Upper Midwestern states that delivered him the presidency in 2016 and ousted him from office in 2020.

Meanwhile, voting will begin this week. The first ballots of the 2024 election will go out Friday in North Carolina, one of a handful of potentially critical Sun Belt states. Then, two weeks later, early in-person voting starts in Minnesota, South Dakota and Virginia.

Harris last week focused on the Sun Belt, with a bus tour in Georgia and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, also visiting North Carolina.

I think we know: Very difficult for a Republican presidential candidate to win the White House if they cant win North Carolina, Walz said Thursday during a stop at a campaign field office in Raleigh.

Harris campaign is pouring money into advertising in the Savannah media market as it seeks to broaden its appeal outside Atlanta. According to AdImpact data, Harris campaign has spent a total of about $1.7 million in advertising there over the last three weeks.

Harris top campaign adviser said in a memo Sunday the vice president remains the clear underdog in the race, setting expectations and looking to guard against complacency as the fall campaign season begins.

Jen OMalley Dillon, the Harris campaign chair, wrote that Trump retains a motivated base of support, and predicted a close contest.

Pointing to the September 10 debate and an increased pace of travel, OMalley Dillon said the weeks ahead will be critical in defining the Democratic ticket.

Trump, meanwhile, has turned his attention to the blue wall of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, holding events in all three states late in the week and promising an economic revival.

Im here today with a simple message for the American autoworker and for the American worker: Your long economic nightmare will very soon be over, the former president said at the start of his remarks at a steel distribution company in Potterville, Michigan.

The candidates are interspersing their campaigning with preparation for their September 10 debate, hosted by ABC. That debate  the first between Harris and Trump, and the only one both campaigns have agreed to so far  could prove the most pivotal moment in the 2024 race.

Trump has enlisted the help of former Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, whose failed 2020 presidential bid featured several notable clashes on debate stages with Harris over foreign policy and Harris record on criminal justice. Harris, meanwhile, is working closely with Philippe Reines, a longtime aide to Hillary Clinton, who is reprising his role playing Trump at the request of the Harris campaign.

Polls show a tight race nationwide and in critical swing states. A Wall Street Journal survey released Thursday found no clear leader, with Harris at 48% to Trumps 47% among registered voters. A Quinnipiac University poll out the same day similarly found Harris at 49% and Trump at 47% among likely voters.

Sun Belt states that once appeared to have slipped out of Democratic reach have reemerged on the battleground map since Harris became the partys nominee. Fox News polls released Wednesday found no clear leader among registered voters in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and South Carolina. The polls found Harris at 50% to Trumps 49% in Arizona; those numbers flipped, with Trump at 50% and Harris at 49%, in North Carolina. In both Georgia and Nevada, Harris was at 50% to Trumps 48%.

An election that isnt all about Trump

More than a month after the Democratic change at the top of the ticket, with President Joe Biden dropping his reelection bid and Harris stepping in, Democrats believe they still have momentum.

Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz said in an interview that the race has shifted from one where Democrats were on track to lose and in need of a fundamental shake-up, to one where Republicans are hoping that theres some catastrophic moment in which Harris blows it.

Theyre clearly taken aback by a change in the candidate. But its the candidacy that I think is throwing them off. Theyve never run with against someone with such an orientation towards the future, Schatz said.

It was always about how you felt about Donald Trump  you were either for Donald Trump or not for Donald Trump or ambivalent. And I think whats happening is after more than eight years a lot of people would just like not to talk about that man anymore, he said. Lots of politicians have attempted to be the leader that could help us to turn the page as a nation and Kamala Harris is evidently the only one that is capable of doing that.

Republicans, meanwhile, are arguing that Harris economic proposals, and her promises of a new era in American politics, are hollow, since she has been vice president for three and a half years and bears at least partial ownership of Bidens record.

If she wants to tackle the affordability crisis or close down the southern border, she should be doing it now, Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance said Friday on CNN News Central. And I think it takes a lot of shame  shamelessness, I should say  to be able to stare at the American peoples eyes and say, Im going to fix your problems now, when Ive already been in power for three and a half years.

Battle for womens votes

Polls have shown Trump with an advantage among men who are likely to vote, but Harris with a huge edge with women. That split is common in presidential elections, but Trump is attempting to chip away at Harris advantage with women in part through a focus on reproductive rights.

Its a topic that has been a huge Democratic advantage since the Supreme Court, with a conservative majority that includes three members appointed by Trump, in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wades nationwide abortion rights protections  opening the door to a new patchwork of state-level restrictions.

Trump last week infuriated conservatives with his answer to a question about how he plans to vote on a referendum that will decide the future of abortion access in his home state of Florida.

Under current Florida law, abortion is illegal in most cases after six weeks. Voters this fall will decide on 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 said he would be voting that we need more than six weeks.

A day later, he said he was going to vote no on the referendum and, in explaining why he was doing so, repeated a false claim that Democratic states are passing laws that allow people to execute babies after birth.

Also on Thursday, while campaigning in Michigan and Wisconsin, he offered a new proposal aimed at women, pledging universal coverage of in vitro fertilization.

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 during a campaign event in Michigan. Because we want more babies, to put it nicely.

However, senators in his own party, including his running mate, Vance, defeated a bill with a similar provision earlier this summer.

On a Harris campaign call with reporters on Friday, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Trumps promise to have fertility treatments paid for is just smoke and mirrors without a commitment to protect the treatments from legal threats.

She pointed to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that deemed that frozen embryos are children, jeopardizing the legality of IVF treatments before Alabamas Republican governor signed a law protecting IVF access in the state after Trump said he supports the treatment.

She also cited a Senate bill to codify access to IVF nationwide that was blocked by Republicans in June and a House GOP bill that seeks to legally define life as beginning at the moment of conception or fertilization to draw the contrast on protections for reproductive health care.

Making vague promises about insurance coverage does not stop a single extremist judge or state legislature from banning IVF. 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 said.

Harris campaign on Friday also countered Trump by announcing a new bus tour aimed at advocating for womens reproductive rights. The Fighting for Reproductive Freedom bus tour will kick off Tuesday in Palm Beach, Florida  Trumps hometown  with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Harris-Walz campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez, CNN senior political commentator Ana Navarro and reproductive rights storyteller Anya Cook.

Missing specifics on policy

It wasnt just Trumps pledge of universal coverage of IVF that lacked details.

Both Harris and Trump have discussed policy through the lens of details and aspirations, rather than addressing the difficult questions about the exact contours of their proposals, how theyd win approval on Capitol Hill and how theyd be funded  all of which would confront them in the Oval Office.

Harris has said she would aim to help the middle class by targeting price-gouging, making housing more affordable through $25,000 in down-payment support for first-time homebuyers, offering a child tax credit, lowering drug prices and creating new jobs.

Trump, meanwhile, has pledged the largest deportation effort in US history, and has said it would involve the National Guard and perhaps the military. But he has not addressed how he would solve the constitutional, logistical and manpower issues that such an undertaking would involve.

He has also ducked specific questions about abortion rights, claiming he could bring about a national consensus policy on an issue that has been a wedge in American politics for more than 50 years.

In fact, the most detailed policy blueprint in the 2024 race  Project 2025, a 920-page document organized by The Heritage Foundation think tank and developed in significant part by people who served in Trumps administration  is one Harris campaign has used to attack Trump, while the former president distanced himself from it.

The missing details could be fleshed out when Harris and Trump meet for their first debate on September 10. Another key moment will come on October 1, when CBS hosts the vice presidential debate between Harris running mate, Walz, and Trumps No. 2, Vance.

This story has been updated with new reporting.

CNNs Daniel Strauss, Steve Contorno, Aaron Pellish, Ali Main, Ebony Davis, Priscilla Alvarez, Kit Maher and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
22-year-old Cherokee County man convicted in molestation of 8-year-old child

The Cherokee County Sheriffs Office announced the conviction of a 22-year-old man charged with molesting an 8-year-old child.

CCSO officials say Xavier Matthew Jennings, 22, Canton was convicted of two counts of aggravated child molestation after a three-day jury trial.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Jennings was charged with these crimes following a Holly Springs Police Department investigation of allegations involving an 8-year-old child.

Law enforcement officials became aware of the assault after the child told her grandparent about the sexual abuse in June 2018.

TRENDING STORIES:

Sentencing is set for Sept. 4.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Three people were killed Saturday morning when a small plane crashed into a row of townhomes in a neighborhood east of Portland, Oregon, setting the homes ablaze.

The crash happened around 10:20 a.m. PDT when the plane went down near the Troutdale-Portland Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a twin-engine Cessna 421C

The planes two passengers died in the crash and another person was killed when the Cessna hit the townhomes, officials with the Gresham Fire Department confirmed late Saturday afternoon.

Two people were treated for injuries at the scene: one refused transport to the hospital, and the others condition is unknown.

Three people died, including one inside this townhome, when a small plane crashed in Fairview, August 31, 2024 (KOIN)

Three people died, including one inside this townhome, when a small plane crashed in Fairview, August 31, 2024 (KOIN)

Neighbor Donnie Calvert saw a small plane crash into a townhome in Fairview, August 31, 2024 (KOIN)

A small plane crashed into a Fairview residential neighborhood on Aug. 31 (KOIN)

A small plane crashed into a Fairview residential neighborhood on Aug. 31 (KOIN)

Three people died, including one inside this townhome, when a small plane crashed in Fairview, August 31, 2024 (KOIN)

Three people died, including one inside this townhome, when a small plane crashed in Fairview, August 31, 2024 (Maddie Shaffer)

Fire Chief Scott Lewis said the first call about the fire came from staff at the Troutdale airports control tower, who saw a thick plume of smoke rising in the air. But Lewis said that initial reports indicated there was no mayday, no call for emergency from the aircraft itself before it crashed.

Oregon official makes the case for ghost gun ban effective Sunday

Lewis added this became a 5-alarm fire that displaced five families and possibly a sixth.

This particular fire was well involved. Theres flaps from the initial airplane strike. (Crews) couldnt get into the units.

Officials said that on the way down, the plane hit a power pole before crashing into a townhome building in Fairview Terrace. The downed power pole started a small brush fire in a nearby area, but the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office said that it was in a marshy area and easily taken care of.

What are cat eyes? TSA issues warning over uptick in passengers carrying prohibited item to checkpoints

Due to the initial impact before the crash into the townhomes, officials said that there is a large debris field in the area.

It was horrible

Residents in the area who spoke with Nexstars KOIN shared similar stories of the crash.

The plane went super, super hot, super low and then, boom! said Gina Schroeder. Ive never seen anything like that before. It was horrible.

Karoline Calvert said her granddaughter wanted to see the plane because she heard it. So I looked out the window, saw it. Its a white plane. And then we turned around and next thing we know, the whole house was like  because it was a huge explosion.

Donnie Calvert described it as almost like a gas explosion. He said he heard the plane and it felt like it was descending. And then I next hear a big boom and I turn and thats when I see in the house and stuff over there on fire.

NFL rookie shot during attempted robbery in San Francisco, teen arrested: police

Neighbor Gina Schroeder said she just wanted to fall to the ground. I just felt so much empathy and sadness.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the crash. A spokesperson said the agency was still gathering information and didnt have immediate comment.

According to the Portland General Electric Outage map, thousands of residents in the area were without power for about 4 hours. Most of the power was restored by 3:45 p.m. PDT.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  In a special Labor Day Holiday Weekend edition of 4 The People, we highlight a couple of local groups laboring to make the community better.

Christina Ludwig and James Eddy of Crimestoppers share new details about a survey that was launched in May. They want residents of the metro counties served by the program to take a survey that gives them a better idea of where the non-profit stands in the community as it works to boost the number of tips that are sent in.

Then, former Kansas City Chiefs center Tim Grunhard joins us as the Chiefs opener looms to share how Chiefs alumni like himself help the club stay connected with the Chiefs Kingdom. The Chiefs Ambassadors are made up of former Chiefs players who stay active at community events, and raise money for good causes.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

They represent the team while active players are busy preparing for the Ravens and a possible three-peat season!

Finally, a 4 The People Extra: A metro Marine goes on a decade long quest to connect a World War II soldier who was killed in action, with his immediate family.

They could not be found for the 1997 ceremony at the White House when PFC Willy James was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor. One of seven African Americans honored decades after the war ended.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
41,000 people were killed in US car crashes last year. What cities are the most dangerous?

A trucker who was distracted by TikTok and speeding in the Phoenix area last year caused a crash that killed five people. He's now going to spend the next 22 years of his life in prison.

The catastrophic crash that devastated the lives of six families is just one of millions of car crashes in the U.S. that kill many thousands of people. Last year, about 41,000 people died in traffic crashes, according to preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Some of the leading causes of the crashes include distracted driving, speeding, and drug and alcohol use. In 2022 alone, more than 3,300 people were killed on U.S. roadways because of distracted driving, according to the NHTSA.

"Put the phone away or pay," Sophie Shulman, deputy administrator for the administration, previously told USA TODAY. "Pay can mean a ticket or points on your license and it can also mean pay the ultimate price  a deadly crash that takes your life or the life of someone else on the road."

Crash fatality data from the federal government gives insight into which states and major cities are the most dangerous for drivers. Forbes Advisor recently compared the 50 most populated U.S. cities to find the average number of fatal crashes per 100,000 residents over five years.

As millions of Americans travel for the three-day Labor Day weekend, see which cities are the most dangerous for drivers and passengers.

Traffic travels eastbound along Okeechobee Boulevard on August 9, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Which cities are the most dangerous for drivers?

Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the most dangerous cities for drivers, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis looking at the average rate of fatal accidents between 2017 and 2021.

In Memphis, 25.96 people per 100,000 residents were killed in fatal motor vehicle accidents, the most of any major U.S. city. Detroit and Albuquerque, New Mexico, followed with the highest rate of fatal car crashes per 100,000 residents. Tucson, Arizona, and Kansas City, Missouri, round out the top five.

Texas is home to three of the top 15 cities with the worst drivers, Forbes reported. These cities include Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston.

Drunken driving, distracted driving and speeding are common causes of fatal car accidents. In Memphis, fatal car crashes involving drunken driving averaged 7.5 per 100,000 residents. Detroit and Dallas followed as cities with the highest rates of fatal crashes involving drunken driving.

Top 20 dangerous cities for drivers

When looking at a 5-year average of motor vehicle fatality data, the following cities have the highest fatality rates per 100,000 residents:

Memphis, Tennessee: 25.96 people killed per 100,000 residents Detroit: 21.47 people killed per 100,000 residents Albuquerque, New Mexico: 18.11 people per 100,000 residents Tucson, Arizona: 17.02 people per 100,000 residents Kansas City, Missouri: 16.85 people per 100,000 residents Jacksonville, Florida: 16.23 people per 100,000 residents Dallas: 15.77 people per 100,000 residents Atlanta: 15.43 people per 100,000 residents Tampa, Florida: 15.42 people per 100,000 residents Louisville, Kentucky: 14.99 people per 100,000 residents Phoenix: 14.59 people per 100,000 residents Tulsa, Oklahoma: 13.4 people per 100,000 residents Nashville: 13.4 people per 100,000 residents Miami: 13.21 people per 100,000 residents Indianapolis: 13.17 people per 100,000 residents Oklahoma City:12.46 people per 100,000 residents Milwaukee: 12.21 people per 100,000 residents Fort Worth, Texas: 11.48 people per 100,000 residents Houston: 11.36 people per 100,000 residents Bakersfield, California: 10.96 people per 100,000 residents

What state is the safest for driving?: Here's where the riskiest drivers are.

Have traffic fatalities decreased?

The number of miles driven in 2023 increased to 67.5 billion, while the number of traffic fatalities decreased by 3.6% from 2022. The total number of motor vehicle fatalities has increased compared to the prior decade. Between 2013 and 2023, motor vehicle fatalities increased by about 25%, safety administration data shows.

More than 3,300 people died and nearly 290,000 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2022, Shulman said. She said that's likely an undercount because people may not want to admit to using their phones before a crash, and it can be difficult for law enforcement to determine if they were doing so.

Distracted driving: Arizona truck driver distracted by TikTok videos gets over 20 years for deadly crash

Report: As US traffic fatalities fall, distracted drivers told to 'put the phone away or pay'

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Map shows which major U.S. cities are the most dangerous for drivers
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at Berezhkovskaya embankment in Moscow, Russia, on Aug. 31, 2024. More than 100 rescue workers with fire-fighting equipment were deployed to contain the blaze that spread across an area of 1,000 square meters, according to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

A firefighter works to extinguish a fire at Berezhkovskaya embankment in Moscow, Russia, on Aug. 31, 2024. More than 100 rescue workers with fire-fighting equipment were deployed to contain the blaze that spread across an area of 1,000 square meters, according to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at Berezhkovskaya embankment in Moscow, Russia, on Aug. 31, 2024. More than 100 rescue workers with fire-fighting equipment were deployed to contain the blaze that spread across an area of 1,000 square meters, according to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at Berezhkovskaya embankment in Moscow, Russia, on Aug. 31, 2024. More than 100 rescue workers with fire-fighting equipment were deployed to contain the blaze that spread across an area of 1,000 square meters, according to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua)
San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall out of hospital after shooting during attempted robbery

FILE - San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick Ricky Pearsall speaks at an NFL football news conference, April 26, 2024, at the team's facility in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez, File)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A juvenile suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the chest Saturday afternoon during an attempted robbery in central San Francisco, officials said.

Pearsall, 23, was released Sunday from San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, according to a statement from the team. He had been listed in fair condition.

Pearsall was walking alone carrying shopping bags to his car shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday when a suspect attempted to rob him with a gun on Geary Boulevard in the Union Square area, officials said.

A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued and gunfire from the suspects gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject," San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said during a news briefing.

Officers in the area responded immediately and provided emergency medical aid and arrested the suspect.

Police identified the suspect as a 17-year-old male resident of Tracy, California, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of San Francisco, who also was transported to San Francisco General. His condition was not immediately disclosed.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. A gun allegedly belonging to the suspect was recovered and investigators believe he acted alone, Scott said.

Video recorded by a witness showed Pearsall, shirtless with a large chest wound, being helped into an ambulance, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

This kind of violence is simply unacceptable in our city and we will do everything in our power to work with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to ensure that justice is served in this matter," Scott said.

Jenkins told reporters at the briefing that her office expects to make a charging decision by Tuesday or Wednesday and initially will file any charges in the juvenile court system.

Scott said there was no indication Pearsall was targeted because he is a player for the city's football team.

He and his family, along with the entire San Francisco 49ers organization, would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department, emergency medical services, doctors and staff at San Francisco General Hospital," said the team statement Sunday.

Hes good, 49ers teammate Deebo Samuel posted on X. Thank god!!!!

Mayor London Breed said she was confident in the district attorney's actions to prosecute the case.

This is how we hold people accountable in San Francisco. Robberies and any violence like this will not be tolerated in our city," Breed said during the briefing, offering her gratitude to the hospital staff, police and first responders including San Francisco Fire Department personnel.

This was a terrible and rare incident in Union Square and our thoughts are with Ricky Pearsall and his family. He has a bright future and I look forward to seeing him recover and get back on the field, Breed said.

Pearsall was drafted in the first round in April by the 49ers with the 31st overall pick but has been slowed by injuries since joining the team.

He missed time during training camp due to hamstring and shoulder issues before returning to practice this past week with a noncontact blue jersey while his shoulder heals.

Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State and transferred to Florida for his final two seasons. He had 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Gators and finished his college career with 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 TDs.

The Niners have hoped Pearsall could contribute as a rookie as backup to starters Brandon Aiyuk and Samuel.
ABCs This Week co-anchor Jonathan Karl pressed Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) over Vice President Harriss apparent shift away from Medicare for All, to which the governor argued it is not a one size fits all solution, for the health care debate.

Speaking with Polis on Sunday, Karl played a series of clips from Harriss 2020 presidential campaign, during which she pledged support for Medicare for All on numerous occasions before pointing to reporting that her campaign states she is no longer in favor of this policy.

When asked if he had a sense of the reasoning behind the shift or if she needed to explain it, Polis said, Well, look, as a basic value, should every American have access to health care? Absolutely.

Almost every other wealthy country does that. We do it very poorly, he continued. In our nation, people overpay for insurance. Theres people that still lack coverage. They dont get it through work; they make too much to get it through Medicaid. Theyre not old enough to get it for Medicare.

The Colorado governor suggested improving this system involves taking on the special interest, which he claimed Harris did as Californias attorney general and during her time in the Senate. This includes taking on the pharmaceutical, hospital and provider industry, he said.

Its not a one-size-fits-all solution. I think she understands that Americans want to have their choice of health care but can we do better and save people money on health care? he said. Absolutely. And I expect that shell be working hard to deliver real results, so that peoples monthly insurance premiums are lower and that the American people are able to afford health care.

Karl then suggested that Harris, somewhere along the lines, decided that eliminating private health insurance and replacing it with Medicare for everybody was the wrong approach.

Polis repeated the argument Harris recognizes there is not a one size fits all solution for health care.

This is a very challenging, divisive issue, right? he said. Its not one that lends itself to a one word answer. Its figuring out, of course first and foremost, how Americans can save money with what they have.

While Harris backed the Medicare for All bill introduced by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) at the time, she also lacked an array of moderate alternatives, including a private option plan that would transition to Medicare for All by allowing private insurance plans to compete with public plans.

She came under criticism for the seeming indecision at the time.

Experts told The Hill last month they believe Harris is still a staunch supporter of expanding ObamaCare and making health care more affordable for millions of Americans  something that is likely to be one of the biggest health care fights in Congress in 2025.

It is one of the latest examples of Harriss shift to the center on various issues in an apparent attempt to shore up moderate support ahead of the November election.

Polis, in an interview with Fox News Sunday last week, pushed back on criticism Harris has changed her stance too many times.

The truth of the matter is, yes, shes come to the middle. Shes pragmatic, shes a tough leader, shes the leader we need for the future, Polis said last week. So again, while she may have in the past ran on things, just as President Trump ran on single-payer  supported single-payer health care years ago and has moved away from that  Kamala Harris did support things that shes now moderated.

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California Rep. Adam Schiff offered a fiery response to news that the bodies of six Israeli hostages were found in Gaza on Sunday. While speaking with CNNs Dana Bash, the Democrat said that these sons of bches who did this ought to be hunted down and brought to justice, no matter how long that takes, I hope and pray.

Schiff, also the leading candidate for Californias next senator, added that he hopes there is a negotiated end to this war soon.

The pair also spoke about the family of the American-Israeli Omer Neutra, who was taken hostage on Oct. 7. The Neutra family has repeatedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire deal that could bring their son and the rest of the 101 remaining hostages home.

I asked her about a prayer that she says every day, and shes clearly done with prayers. Shes frustrated, understandably, Schiff said of Neutras mother.

Im hearing anecdotally from people saying, this is the United States of America, and the fact that the American president and American administration cant get American citizens held in these conditions back is very frustrating, and a little bit, theyre flabbergasted by it, Schiff added.

Both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris issued statements in response to the news of the hostages being killed by Hamas.

On October 7, Hersh Goldberg-Polin  an American citizen  was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists. He was just 23 years old, attending a music festival with friends. We now know he was murdered by Hamas.



Doug and my prayers are with Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh's pic.twitter.com/vHSGbWgUjr  Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 1, 2024

The vice president wrote in part, On October 7, Hersh Goldberg-Polin  an American citizen  was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists. He was just 23 years old, attending a music festival with friends. We now know he was murdered by Hamas. Doug and my prayers are with Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hershs parents, and with everyone who knew and loved Hersh.

Americans and people around the world will pray for Jon, Rachel, and their family and send them love and strength. As is said in the Jewish tradition, may Hershs memory be a blessing. Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas continued brutality, and so must the entire world.

The president described the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who have tirelessly advocated for the release of their son and all of the hostages, as courageous, wise, and steadfast.

I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersch safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death, Biden continued. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

I've worked tirelessly to bring Hersh home, and Jill and I could not be more heartbroken by the news of his death.



It is tragic and reprehensible.



Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we'll continue working towards a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages. pic.twitter.com/SKL99gGjOP  President Biden (@POTUS) September 1, 2024

Both Biden and Harris statements have been criticized for not directly speaking about Netanyahus role in the ongoing hostage crisis. Washington Post journalist John Hudson noted in a thread on X that Biden has tried to avoid criticizing Netanyahu for holding up the deal and Harris statement makes no mention of a ceasefire-hostage deal and lends indirect support for Netanyahus maximalist goals for Gaza, which many U.S. officials say are not achievable.

The killings of these hostages has spurred an increase in voices calling for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. In an opinion piece titled The Claim That Only Israeli Military Pressure Can Free Hostages Was Always Wrong. Now Its Shattered published on Haaretz on Sunday, Amos Harel wrote, Netanyahu, as apparent in all his declarations in recent weeks  including the strange conversation he had with female hostages who had returned from captivity the preceding weekend  does not want a deal at this point.

He may believe that continued pressure on Hamas will bring the organization to make concessions in the future. The trouble is that so far, there is no evidence of increased flexibility on the part of Hamas, with more hostages dying, Harel added.

The post Adam Schiff Says the Sons of Bches Who Killed 6 Israeli Hostages Ought to Be Hunted Down | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Alice Weidel (L), AfD national spokesperson, and Bjoern Hoecke, AfD lead candidate in Thuringia, take part in an AfD demonstration at the end of the election campaign on Cathedral Square. Martin Schutt/dpa

The federal chairwoman of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Alice Weidel, has hailed the projected outcome of state elections in Thuringia and Saxony as an historic victory for her party.

At the same time, it is a punishment for the federal government coalition in Berlin, Weidel told public broadcaster ARD on Sunday.

"It is a requiem for this coalition," Weidel said, referring to the government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz that consists of his centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP).

The SPD, the Greens and FDP would now have to ask themselves whether they could continue to govern at all, Weidel added.

According to exit polls, the AfD will claim a clear victory in state parliamentary elections in Thuringia, well ahead of the second-place conservative Christian Democrats (CDU).

In Saxony, initial exit polls gave the CDU a narrow lead over the AfD.

Weidel criticized the CDU for ruling out a coalition with the AfD.

"That is, of course, pure ignorance of the will of the voters," she said. Without the AfD, a stable government would no longer be possible.

The AfD will approach the CDU in both Saxony and Thuringia and always has an outstretched hand for constructive cooperation, Weidel said.
Affordable housing on church parking lots? A new law makes it easier to build

The Rev. Paul Anthony Daniels, the rector of St. Mary in Palms, an Anglo-Catholic parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, at the church. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

The Rev. Paul Anthony Daniels knows the names and life stories of the people who sleep in their cars near St. Mary, a century-old church in Palms.

In the past, homeless people have spent the night in St. Mary's Sunday school room.

So it wasn't a huge leap for Daniels to think about building affordable housing on the church property.

A place to sleep, bathe and cook "provides a basic dignity" that can turn around someone's life and also help the neighborhood, said Daniels.

The unhoused are a part of this community, he added. Not only in the sense that we shelter them, but also in the sense that they live literally around the property."

Across Los Angeles, some religious leaders are sizing up their own properties, encouraged by new legislation making it easier to develop the land.

A California law that went into effect Jan. 1 allows affordable housing projects on property owned by churches, temples, mosques and other religious institutions to bypass an extensive review process and to be built in single-family neighborhoods. The city of Los Angeles is considering even more exemptions.

An aerial view of St. Mary in Palms, center, where some of the land owned by the church may eventually be leased for affordable housing. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

In L.A., which has little vacant land, sky-high rents and a homeless population that topped 45,000 at last count, affordable housing proponents view religious institutions  often land-rich but cash-poor  as an untapped resource.

For religious leaders, building their own housing could be a way to fulfill their missions of helping needy people. And with many congregations shrinking as Americans become less religious, revenue from the developments would help make up for dwindling collection boxes.

But some real estate experts question whether many religious organizations will ultimately seek to build, considering the buy-in required from their members and governing boards. Years of construction near their sanctuaries could be a deterrent, as could opposition from neighbors.

Some cities, including Chino, Rancho Palos Verdes, Santa Clarita and Thousand Oaks, opposed the new state law as it was being debated in Sacramento. Then-Beverly Hills Mayor Lili Bosse said it would strip local governments of their power to control development, "overriding carefully crafted, locally informed plans."

Leaders at St. Mary, an Episcopal church in the Anglo-Catholic tradition, are in the early stages of studying the idea. The small congregation is close-knit, with a few dozen people attending a typical Sunday service in the diminutive, brown-shingled church. An affordable housing project would enrich church coffers, probably through leasing fees paid by the developer.

The St. Mary property includes two main buildings, a house and six parking spaces on a narrow strip of land in a neighborhood of apartment buildings. Daniels, who has led St. Mary since 2022, said it's too soon to say where on the property the new housing would go.

The Rev. Paul Anthony Daniels, the rector of St. Mary in Palms. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

In South Los Angeles, with its abundance of historically Black churches, many congregations are still reeling from the pandemic and a decline in attendance.

Regina Fair, a board member at Bethel AME-Los Angeles, said her church draws a few hundred people on Sundays but has cut back to a single sermon.

Like other churches, Bethel AME, which was founded in 1921, relied on livestreaming during the pandemic lockdown and uses social media to reach younger people. That all means fewer dollars in the collection plate.

People became OK with doing church in their home, on their couch, Fair said. And when youre not in the church, it makes a big impact on the giving.

Bethel AME, which faces a stretch of South Western Avenue lined with businesses and apartment buildings, has embarked on a multiyear plan to develop affordable housing on its parking lot.

The 53-unit project, which benefited from city rules intended to fast-track affordable housing, will cater to some of the homeless men who sleep in the church on cots during the winter. The church also plans to build housing on two nearby parcels it owns.

Logos Faith Housing, which is co-developing the property, was started by a pastor to help churches build affordable housing. Bethel is leasing the land to a collection of backers in what the church's leader, the Rev. Kelvin T. Calloway, describes as a "perfect model" to bring in revenue over a long period.

Calloway has seen gentrification change other neighborhoods in South L.A., leaving fewer worshipers in church pews. That isn't happening much yet in Bethel AME's neighborhood of Manchester Square, but "it's a real possibility," he said.

Pastor Martin Porter, managing partner of Logos Faith Development LLC, a real estate development company focused on partnering with religious entities, on the parking lot of Bethel AME Church in Los Angeles. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)

Christianity is in crisis, said Logos founder Pastor Martin Porter, who leads Quinn African Methodist Episcopal in Moreno Valley. Youre seeing a lot of empty pews. The natural question is: What do we do with excess property thats not being used?

Bethel AME didn't need the new state law, sponsored by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), to develop its property.

But in L.A., at least 600 sites owned by faith-based groups in single-family neighborhoods are now eligible to build affordable housing, according to the city Planning Department. City officials couldnt provide information about whether any applications have been filed under the law in the last eight months.

Wiener predicted it will take a few years for a substantial number of projects to launch  particularly as religious institutions figure out how to approach the opportunity.

"They're typically not major financial players," he told The Times. "Theyre a church or synagogue, not a development company.

"This is a big deal," said Pastor John Oh, project manager of faith in housing at L.A. Voice, a community organization that supported the law.

Oh sees it as a potential "domino" that could lead to more zoning changes in single-family neighborhoods, which have long been treated by political leaders as off-limits for multi-unit development.

The city of L.A.'s planning department has put forward a version that, unlike Wiener's law, does not require paying construction workers prevailing wages, or, on larger projects, providing them with healthcare.

The proposal, which is expected to come before the City Council in the next six months, is meant to appease affordable housing developers who say that the higher wages and benefits can add 30% to their costs.

Labor unions, including the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, are opposed.

Pete Rodriguez, the brotherhood's western district vice president, called the proposal "outrageous" and suggested it could worsen the homelessness crisis by impoverishing workers.

"When will the city of L.A. realize that so many of our problems, from homelessness to budget deficits, are caused by the simple fact that too many Angelenos cannot make ends meet? he said.

Wiener declined to comment on the city's proposal. He said his law prioritizes protections for construction workers, who can be targets of wage theft.

Some development experts privately question whether religious entities in single-family neighborhoods will want to build affordable housing, in the face of possible resistance.

In Laguna Beach, some residents are protesting a church's plans to build affordable housing under Wiener's law. A petition against the development on the property of Neighborhood Congregational Church has collected about 1,500 signatures.

"It affects the entire community by altering the neighborhood's character and exacerbating existing issues such as traffic congestion and parking shortages," the petition said.

But Bishop Lovester Adams, who heads Greater New St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church in a single-family residential area in South L.A., isn't shying away. He called Wiener's law and the city proposal "a game changer."

Adams, who is also a senior associate at Logos Development, said he can't afford to build housing on his church's parking lot at 36th and Crawford streets unless the city passes the labor exemption.

The church, which dates to the 1960s, is nestled between homes and duplexes. Church leaders regularly give out food and toys to needy residents.

Attendance has fallen since the pandemic, Adams said. Sunday services draw 50 to 70 people, who fill fewer than half the seats. Some older people stay away because of concerns about COVID-19.

Adams said he wants veterans to live in the new housing: "There is a great need there."

IKAR CEO Melissa Balaban stands in the foundation's parking lot where affordable housing will be developed in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

On South Fairfax Avenue in Mid-Wilshire, the Jewish congregation IKAR is building an affordable housing complex for formerly homeless senior citizens on its parking lot.

The project was built through Mayor Karen Bass' Executive Directive 1, which fast-tracks affordable housing, said IKAR executive director Melissa Balaban. State legislation pushed by IKAR reduced the amount of required parking.

Balaban said IKAR isn't relying on the project, which is being funded by a nonprofit developer, to generate revenue for the congregation.

"My hope is that what were doing isnt just going to provide 60 homes but hopefully inspire other faith-based communities," she said.

In Palms, St. Mary member Julia Bergstrom, 72, is enthusiastic about the idea of affordable housing on the church property.

She has noticed the number of people living in RVs rise and fall, and she finds the years-long wait for Section 8 housing vouchers to be "immoral."

While she worries about changes to the "very beautiful little church" she has attended since 2008, "it doesnt stop me, and it doesnt make me sad about the whole thing," she said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Alleged drunk driver rear-ends another car, keeps driving for 30 minutes in Kansas

An alleged drunk driver rear-ended another vehicle in a construction zone on I-70, went around the vehicle and continued driving for 30 minutes, fleeing the scene, authorities said.

The incident occurred at 9:55 p.m. on Saturday along I-70 in Geary County, Kansas Highway Patrol crash logs show.

A 2016 Nissan Altima entered a construction zone on I-70 and began to slow down. A 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo entered the construction zone and rear-ended the Altima, went around it and continued on, according to the crash report.

The incident occurred after a Kansas State University game. The driver of the Altima followed the Monte Carlo while notifying authorities, KHP trooper Ben Gardner posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

A KHP trooper located and stopped both vehicles in Saline County.

Upon contact, it was clear the driver of the suspect vehicle was severely impaired. So impaired, in fact, that he drove 30 miles without realizing his airbags had deployed, Gardner said.

Authorities reportedly found open beer cans; the driver of the Monte Carlo admitted to drinking alcohol, Gardner said.

The driver, a 40-year-old man from Kearney, Nebraska, was arrested and booked into jail.

The driver of the Altima, a 27-year-old Wichita man, drove himself to the hospital with possible injuries. His passenger, a 54-year-old Wichita woman, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Salina Regional Health Center, the KHP said.

At approximately 2145 hours, after the K-State game, dispatch alerted Trooper Jacoby Williams to a hit-and-run crash on I-70 westbound at milepost 290. The victim, still following the suspect, provided updates to dispatch as they continued westbound.



Trooper Williams caught up pic.twitter.com/AcfRsifPdw  Trooper Ben (@TrooperBenKHP) September 1, 2024
The Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) has achieved a significant victory in tourism marketing, winning six awards at VISIT FLORIDAs 2024 Flagler Awards. The honors were presented during the Florida Governors Conference on Tourism, held from August 28-30 in Tampa, Florida.

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Amelia Island stood out by winning four prestigious Henry Awards in the categories of Resource/Promotional Material-Trade, Direct Marketing, Mobile Marketing, and Radio Advertising. This achievement made Amelia Island the only destination to win four Henry Awards at this years ceremony, which took place on August 28 at the Tampa Convention Center. Additionally, the CVB earned Bronze Awards in the Social Media Marketing and Websites categories.

Our outstanding marketing team and partners have once again shown themselves to be among the best and brightest in Florida, consistently and creatively delivering effective, wow-worthy campaigns and programs, said Gil Langley, president and CEO of the Amelia Island CVB. Its an honor to be recognized among the states hard-working tourism marketers for our efforts to strengthen our community and economy through strategic, sustainable tourism.

The winning campaigns included quarterly meeting planner emails (Resource/Promotional Material-Trade), USAE & Northstar third-party emails (Direct Marketing), digital ads with Padsquad (Mobile Marketing), and an iHeart Podcast (Radio Advertising). The Bronze Awards were given for the CVBs blog campaign (Social Media Marketing) and AmeliaIsland.com (Websites).

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The Flagler Awards are Floridas annual tourism marketing competition, celebrating the achievements of travel businesses and organizations that demonstrate exceptional efforts in promoting the state as a top travel destination. These awards pay tribute to those who contribute to the ongoing success of Floridas vital tourism industry.

For more information about Amelia Island, visit AmeliaIsland.com.

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American leaders expressed their frustration and anger Sunday morning after Hamas murdered six Israeli hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

I am just absolutely heartbroken for Hersh's family, for the families of these other hostages that were butchered by these Hamas terrorists, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif) said on CNN's "State of the Union," noting Goldberg-Polin was from California. I hope and pray, I think as we all do, that there's a negotiated end to this war, and soon, and that not another innocent person loses their life.

On Sunday, Israel reported the body of Goldberg-Polin, 23, was recovered alongside five other hostages: Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat. IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said in an interview with CNNs Dana Bash on Sunday morning that the hostages were killed shortly before their bodies were found in an underground tunnel in Rafah.

This is a very sad morning in Israel, very sad news coming out of the Gaza Strip announcing today after we were able to talk to the families and inform them about finding the bodies of their loved ones, Shoshani said Sunday morning. We examined them and we found that they were murdered by Hamas recently. We were able to inform the families about it and share the news today, the very, very sad news about them.

The reports about the death of the hostages served as a stark reminder of the human cost of the ongoing war in Gaza that began with Hamas' attacks last Oct. 7 on Israeli territory. The news was also another setback in the quest for peace and made clear theres no immediate end in sight to the conflict.

Goldberg-Polin, who was captured during a music festival in Israel, became one of the most well-known American faces of the hostages. His parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, spoke at the Democratic National Convention, urging for a ceasefire deal and release of the hostages less than two weeks ago.

Vice President Kamala Harris offered her condolences and support to Hersh's families in a statement early Sunday morning. She later spoke to Hershs parents later in the day, alongside her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, she said in a post on X.

Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands, Harris said in a statement Sunday morning. I strongly condemn Hamas continued brutality, and so must the entire world.

And President Joe Biden said he was devastated and outraged and called Goldberg-Polins death tragic and reprehensible. Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we'll continue working towards a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages, Biden said in a statement.

Republicans criticized Biden and Harris for their handling of the hostage crisis. Former President Donald Trump reiterated his belief on Truth Social that the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel would have never happened under a Trump administration: The Hostage Crisis in Israel is only taking place because Comrade Kamala Harris is weak and ineffective, and has no idea what shes doing, Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

What are they going to pay? I mean, whats the price? Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on ABCs This Week in response to Biden saying Hamas will pay. They destroyed a lot of Gaza. They put their own people in harms way. Hamas could care less about the Palestinian people.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said that Biden and Harris need to put more pressure on Hamas and Iran: I would urge him to finish the job against Hamas, which is exactly what Kamala Harris and Joe Biden should've done from the very beginning, he said in an interview with Kristen Welker on NBCs Meet the Press.



Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of Israeli-American hostage Omer Neutra who is still being held, recently spoke at the Republican National Convention about freeing the hostage. They called on the administration to do everything possible to free their son and the remaining hostages on Sunday morning after the news of Goldberg-Polins murder.

We are calling on President Biden and vice president Harris to do everything in our power to reach a deal and bring the hostages back, Ronen Neutra said in an interview with Bash on State of the Union. We were warning about that kind of situation.

Schiff, a Democrat running for Senate in California, defended the Biden administration saying that they are doing everything he can. But he also acknowledged the limitations of the American government.

We're not putting boots on the ground in these tunnels under Gaza, so it is a very difficult situation in terms of our own ability to rescue these hostages, Schiff said in an interview with Bash. But I really sincerely believe the administration is doing everything possible.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of one Israeli-American hostage still held captive, reaffirmed the building internal pressure and criticism on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal. Mass protests in Israel had already been putting pressure on Netanyahu to bring the hostages home, but news of the death of the six ratcheted up their size and intensity, with the Jerusalem Post reporting that 300,000 gathered Sunday in Tel Aviv.

Israelis at large, and myself included, have been extremely critical of the Israeli government for not negotiating in good faith now, for many, many months, Dekel-Chen said in an interview with Nancy Cordes on CBS "Face the Nation" on Sunday, adding that only Netanyahu and Hamas' Yahya Sinwar ("with the blood of thousands on his hands") have the power to end the carnage.

Dekel-Chen added, There is no explanation, a reasonable explanation why our government is refusing to deeply engage in these negotiations and complete them, when our entire senior military establishment and intelligence community has been saying publicly and openly for weeks and months that the time has come to end the fighting in Gaza get our hostages home, as many alive as possible.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), in an interview with Welker, also noted the increased pressure on Netanyahu to reach an agreement, including from hostage families.

What we need now is an end to the war, Khanna said. And we need to continue to pressure Hamas to unconditionally release the hostages, but the hostage families themselves are saying that Netanyahu needs to actually be in the negotiation.

Khanna added that Netanyahus Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has also criticized the prime minister for not withdrawing troops from the Philadelphi Corridor along the border between Gaza and Egypt, as requested by Egypt and the United States deal. I hope there's going to be pressure on Hamas and Netanyahu to end this war, release the hostages," he said.
Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance again described women who prioritize their careers as miserable, and slammed Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) for her ingratitude as a Somali immigrant, on a right-wing podcast in 2021.

Vance made the comments, which were first reported on by The Guardian and Media Matters for America, on a newly resurfaced episode of a podcast produced by American Moment, a partner of the group behind the far-right policy plan known as Project 2025.

Asked why he viewed elite institutions like Yale University as corrupt, Vance reiterated his feelings about women who dont have kids.

You have women who think that truly, the liberationist path is to spend 90 hours a week working in a cubicle at McKinsey, instead of starting a family and having children, he said.

He continued: What they dont realize  and I think some of them do eventually realize that, thank God  is that that is actually a path to misery. And the path to happiness and to fulfillment is something that these institutions are telling people not to do.



When a host asked him where gender and racial resentment comes from, Vance adopted the perspective of a hypothetical progressive.

Clearly, this value set has made me a miserable person, who cant have kids because I already passed the biological period when it was possible, Vance said. And I live in a 1,200 sq ft apartment in New York and I pay $5,000 a month for it. But Im really better than these other people. What Im going to do is project my racial and gender sensitivities on the rest of them.

Vance also took the opportunity to take a dig at Omar while speaking about migrants, saying that the Minnesota Democrat has shown a complete lack of gratitude towards the U.S. and that she would be in a craphole if she hadnt moved to this country.

My family has been here, as far as I can tell, for nine, 10, many generations. Ive never heard a person in my family express the ingratitude towards this country that Ilhan Omar does.

And look, this is the way the laws work. This country belongs to Ilhan Omar in the same way that it belongs to me, Vance went on. But, my God, show a little appreciation for the fact that you would be living in a craphole if this country didnt bring you to a place that has, obviously, its problems, but has a lot of prosperity, too.

HuffPost reached out to Vance and Omar but did not get immediate responses.

Vances comments about women who dont have children are just some of the latest to be unearthed. Shortly after former President Donald Trump announced Vance as his running mate, an interview Vance gave to Fox News in 2021, in which he referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as one of the childless cat ladies who is miserable with her life, got renewed attention. Vance has continuously defended the cat ladies remark.

Related...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Aug. 31 during a press conference that Armenia has suspended its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) "at all levels," but that the decision could change.

"The Republic of Armenia 'has frozen' its participation in the CSTO at all levels, and at this stage, we consider this decision sufficient," Pashinyan said.

The CSTO, established in 2002, includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Russia is by far the most powerful member of the alliance.

In early 2024, Armenia threatened to leave the organization and, in May, refused to fund it despite the budget being approved last November.

"There may be a discussion, someone may say that it is enough, and someone may say that it is not enough, but here we need to look at who has what assessment powers," the prime minister also said about the decision.

Pashinyan could not name the "exact day" when Armenia would leave the organization. He said the government could reconsider the decision to suspend its membership in the future but did not see the need to do so for now.

Armenia has had a historically close relationship with Russia, especially vis-a-vis its primary regional foe Azerbaijan, and has thus largely refrained from getting involved in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

The calculus changed after Russian "peacekeepers" failed to prevent Azerbaijan's offensive into the Nagorno-Karabakh region, primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, in September 2023.

Disappointed with Russia and fearing renewed hostilities with Baku, Yerevan has turned West for new partnerships.

EU ambassadors approved the launch of a visa-free dialogue with Armenia in July and, for the first time in history, agreed to allocate military aid from the European Peace Facility (EPF) to the country.

Read also: Russia willing to participate in South Caucasus peace settlement amid crisis in Ukraine, Putin says

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WARSAW, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Poland marked the 85th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II on Sunday with major ceremonies at Westerplatte and Wielun.

In the early morning at Westerplatte, a peninsula in the Baltic city of Gdansk, the event began with the sound of alarm sirens just before 4:45 a.m., echoing the exact moment 85 years ago when Nazi Germany launched an attack on the Polish military transit depot there.

The ceremony, organized by the Ministry of National Defence and the City of Gdansk, was attended by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

During his address, Tusk emphasized the importance of unity in the face of aggression. He stressed that Poland must never again face aggression alone and highlighted the need for full dedication to defense.

Meanwhile, in the central city of Wielun, a ceremony began at 4:40 a.m. to commemorate the anniversary of the city's bombing in 1939, one of the first major acts of World War II.

Polish President Andrzej Duda addressed the gathering in Wielun, underscoring that while forgiveness and recognition of guilt are important, the issue of compensation for the damages suffered during the war remains unresolved after 80 years. Duda expressed hope that this matter will eventually be addressed.

The coordinated attacks on Wielun and Westerplatte are widely regarded as the first significant acts of World War II. An estimated 5.5 to 6 million Poles lost their lives during the conflict. 
I had so much fun at my high school reunion last weekend that Im putting my party hat on  my former Oklahoman Parties, Etc., column hat  to share it here in a rare personal post. What made the weekend even more special was an unexpected date with a high school classmate from the 50s, Don Howe, who called me after more than 60 years to ask me to attend the weekend with him. We had the best time and laughed all weekend. It was kind of like having a blind date. I havent had contact with him in decades except for a couple of brief encounters over the years. Remember, I am 84 years old.

What a jolt and a delightful surprise to reconnect with a new (old) friend, see so many longtime friends and enjoy all the memories together.

The U.S. Grant High Schools 66th reunion was held recently at South Embassy Suites on a Friday and Saturday. People traveled from out of town, as they do, stayed at the hotel, attended the mixer Friday night and attended the Saturday buffet luncheon. They looked at high school photos (from 66 years ago), and thoroughly enjoyed talking about old times. Judy and Larry Warner were the reunion chairmen, as they have been since we graduated from high school.

The reunion also celebrated the classes of the '50s (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959). U.S. Grant opened 71 years ago in south Oklahoma City.

Everyone looked exactly the same and told brilliant life stories.

More: Etiquette experts say 'Cheers' with question about party's drink menu

What a gift Dons and my time together was! The history we shared from times past was delightful. Catching up was meaningful and it was the best weekend ever!!! We noted that these people who were our age shared the same values and had many of the same interests that we did.

The reason I am sharing this is to encourage all of you to attend your high school reunions  even if you think you wont remember anyone. It might just be one of lifes greatest blessings, just like mine was.

Shown attending their U.S. Grant High School 66th reunion are, seated, Mary Ann Stubbs Reherman, Mary Capehart Segars, Martha Langston Howard and Judy Warner. Standing are Don Howe and Bob Austin.

From left, Wayne and Carol McDonald and Don Howe attend their U.S. Grant High School 66th reunion.

Helen Ford Wallace is the former editor of a column in The Oklahoman that was called Parties, Etc.

If you want to give kudos to someone or a real-life situation, voice disdain or rant about something annoying, have a thoughtful observation on the lighter side of life, or on life in general, submit your comments for Props & Pans to yourviews@oklahoman.com. Responses should be 250 words or less.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Even at 84, attending my Oklahoma City high school reunion was a blast
Following Germany's lead, Austria said it intends to start deporting Afghanistan nationals with criminal records back to their home country.

This comes after Germany deported 28 convicted criminals to Afghanistan on Friday, the first such deportations to the country since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Vienna says it intends to cooperate closely with Berlin on joint deportations.

"The minister of the interior has been in negotiations with the German minister of the interior for a very long time about how we can solve the problem of deportations to Afghanistan because Austria is also deporting Afghans and Syrians right now," said Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

Now the next step is to be able to deport people directly to Afghanistan or Syria."

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner called Germanys decision "very good".

Related

In March, he called for talks on whether to reassess the EU-wide ban on deportations to Afghanistan and Syria as "necessary and urgent".

"Currently, we are not able to repatriate anyone to countries like Syria or Afghanistan, as it would be against EU law," Karner said in Brussels in March. "In Austria, these two countries account for about three-quarters of all asylum applications."

'I am pleased this is happening'

Austria's Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum has already said that deportations to Afghanistan are permissible on a case-by-case basis due to the changed security situation in the country.

In a July ruling, the Constitutional Court confirmed that this assessment was made by the immigration authorities.

The ministry and the Federal Office for Foreign Affairs are working intensively on implementing deportations to Afghanistan, and talks are underway with several European countries.

"The fact that deportations to Afghanistan are possible again is a demand that I, that Austria, have been making for a long time, and I am therefore very pleased that this is happening. It is crucial that we deport people to Afghanistan and Syria again," Karner said on Friday.

"And that is why this will also happen departing from Austria in the future."

"The fact that a terrorist regime is in charge there, namely the Taliban, was the reason why it was suspended. That's why it's so important to work closely with partners in the region so that we can also bring people back to Kabul or Afghanistan directly," he added.

Human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, have criticised the move as a "breach of international law".

Since the takeover of Kabul and the rest of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have been accused of systemic oppression against women and girls, sexual and other minorities, and acts of vengeance against purported collaborators with the previous, pro-Western regime.

'We will not allow ourselves to be divided'

Like Germany, Austria hasn't deported anyone directly to Afghanistan since 2021. The country has deported Afghan nationals before, but always to third countries.

While the idea of joint deportations with Germany has found favour among many across Austrias political spectrum, some have cautioned that cases must be carefully scrutinised.

"We are strong as a society and will not allow ourselves to be divided by Islamism and terrorism," said Alma Zadic, the minister of justice for the Greens.

"We have strong laws, we have tough laws and these must be applied in this case. And all constitutional options must be exhausted, even when it comes to deportations."

Almost 9,000 Afghan nationals applied for asylum in Austria last year, according to the Austrian immigration agency.
Azerbaijan's ruling party on course for one-seat majority in election, exit poll says

By Nailia Bagirova

BAKU (Reuters) -Azerbaijan's ruling party was on course for a single-seat majority on Sunday in a snap parliamentary election called by President Ilham Aliyev, according to an exit poll.

The poll, conducted by Oracle Advisory Group, said Aliyev's New Azerbaijan party was set to win 63 out of 125 seats, down from 69 in the outgoing parliament.

Despite the forecast decline in seats, the president's supporters were still set to dominate the new legislature.

Dozens of other seats were set to go to candidates who are nominally independent of political parties but in practice back the government, and to minor pro-government parties.

It was the first parliamentary election since Azerbaijan staged a lightning offensive a year ago to recapture the breakaway territory of Karabakh, where ethnic Armenians had enjoyed de facto independence for three decades since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Aliyev, in power since 2003, moved swiftly to capitalise on that victory and won a fifth presidential term in February with more than 92% of the vote, according to election authorities.

Armenia accused Baku of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh after almost all of its more than 100,000 ethnic Armenian residents fled the area.

Azerbaijan denied that charge. It is rebuilding the region and resettling it with Azerbaijanis who fled during a war with Armenia in the 1990s. The Central Election Commission said about 42,000 people in Karabakh were registered to vote on Sunday.

The opposition Musavat party took part in the election for the first time in 15 years, having boycotted previous contests. It was not set to win any seats, according to the exit poll.

Its leader Arif Gadzhili told Reuters he did not believe the vote would be fair, but the party was running in order to "activate the political atmosphere in the country".

"The elections are not taking part in democratic conditions," he said.

Opposition deputies in the outgoing parliament are loyal to Aliyev, but some opponents outside parliament say they have faced persecution.

They point to the arrests of a string of independent journalists and political activists, which have focused international attention on Azerbaijan's human rights record as the oil-producing country prepares to host this year's COP29 climate summit in Baku in November.

Aliyev has rejected criticism over the arrests, saying Azerbaijan must protect its media landscape from "external negative influences".

(Reporting by Nailia Bagirova in Baku; Writing by Mark TrevelyanEditing by Gareth Jones)
Double standard

Kamala Harris to tell nation shes a daughter of the middle class ready to unite America, (Aug. 22, fresnobee.com)

Former President Barack Obama said at the Democratic National Convention the other night that we need to remember that weve all got our blind spots and contradictions and prejudices, and that if we want to win over those that arent yet ready to support our candidate, we need to listen to their concerns, and maybe learn something in the process.

Ive heard those sentiments on MSNBC (which is peppered with former Republicans) and from elected Democrats for a long time. Do elected Republicans or conservative media folk say anything like that? If they did, theyd have to admit that liberals and Democrats arent demons  despite their demonization.

Don Smith

Fresno

Opinion

Not a ceremonial role

Filing closes for city council races in Stanislaus County CA, (modbee.com, Aug. 12)

It was disappointing to see The Modesto Bee refer to the Turlock City Treasurer as a mostly ceremonial role. Unlike other cities who appoint or elect a treasurer to oversee the work of a hired consultant, Turlock residents elect their treasurer as the sole person responsible for safeguarding and managing $300 million of taxpayer funds.

While the treasurer role holds no policy-making authority, it deserves the voters attention, as the treasurers performance can have a very real impact on funding services that residents depend on, like public safety, water and roads.

Im running for treasurer because I want to use my time, energy and professional training to serve my community. As a professional investment manager, I manage $500 million for 375 clients. I know firsthand what it means to be a fiduciary and act in my clients best interests.

I plan to use my experience to bring more transparency to the position and ensure our citys investments are managed safely and wisely.

Michael Abram, PhD, CFA

Turlock

Constitutions lasting importance

Is it time to begin the process of thinking about a new U.S. Constitution? | Opinion, (sacbee.com, Aug. 22)

Thank the founding fathers for their wisdom in sculpting the U.Constitution. The founders were true scholars of world history. They knew it would take fairness, honesty and forthrightness to govern our new nation.

Our constitution is not perfect, but the fact is there would not be a United States if not for the compromises that had to be made to form it in the first place. The electoral college system was one of those compromises, as the founding fathers knew that a pure democracy would mean large populated states would have all the say in government and small, less-populated states would have none. The founders formed a republic, knowing that a pure democracy would not be the answer to fairness and justice for all.

John Mendosa

Ceres

A different perspective

California climate program hurts Central Valley families, (fresnobee.com, Aug. 16)

An effective climate solution will not come at the cost of low-income communities.

The author cites rising gas costs under Californias Low Carbon Fuel Standard. And, as a new driver myself, I too wince when I pull up to the pump. But I also care about my future.

Enter the carbon fee and dividend. This proposed policy would charge a fee at the source of fossil fuel production, encouraging businesses to become more energy efficient and expand clean energy. Not only would Central Valley residents benefit from cleaner air, we would benefit from renewable  and reliable  energy sources becoming affordable and plentiful. The money collected from this fee would then be directly returned to all American people as a monthly check. This carbon cashback would not only help low-and-middle-income families afford the transition, it would actually help them get ahead. Legislation like this is equitable, effective and, thankfully, bipartisan.

Anna Villavicencio

Three Rivers
Baruch College makes Forbes list of top 25 state schools, but drops position since last year

Bernard M Baruch College notched a coveted spot on Forbes list of the top 25 state universities in the country, but the CUNY campus dropped a few pegs from last year.

The Manhattan college is one of the most cost-effective colleges on our list and has a good return on investment, according to Forbes, garnering it the No. 22 spot. Last year, Baruch ranked No. 19.

Baruch tuition is $31,482 for New Yorkers, and $39,432 for out-of-staters  but thats before student aid.

Baruch is one of the top public colleges, according to a new Forbes list. LightRocket via Getty Images

Of all the schools on the list  which covers four-year public colleges with at least 300 undergraduates  Baruch enrolls the highest percentage of low-income students, Forbes said.

Fifty-two percent of its undergraduates receive Pell grants.

Only 11% of Baruch College undergraduates take out loans to attend the school, and the median debt burden is $10,000, Forbes indicated.

California has the biggest presence on the Forbes list, having secured eight spots, including the top two positions.

Baruch has a good return on investment, Forbes said. Bloomberg via Getty Images

Ranked No. 1, University of California-Berkeley is known for its top-tier academics. Bloomberg via Getty Images

University of California-Berkeley, known for its top-tier academics, is No. 1. University of California-Los Angeles came in at No. 2. University of Florida landed at No. 3.

At No. 22, Baruch bested Texas A & M University-College Station, North Carolina State University at Raleigh and San Diego State University.
Celebrity endorsements in an election year are hardly a new phenomenon. But former President Donald Trumps appearance alongside Puerto Rican reggaeton star Anuel AA forms part of a larger emerging pattern in his campaigns outreach to voters of color  and signals the campaign might see an opportunity in battleground Pennsylvania.

After greeting the former president on the tarmac, Anuel AA, born Emmanuel Gazmey Santiago, endorsed Trump during his rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on Friday, telling Puerto Ricans to stay united and to vote for Trump.

I dont know if these people know who the hell you are, but its good for the Puerto Rican vote. Every Puerto Rican is going to vote for Trump right now. Well take it, Trump told several thousand attendees at the campaign rally while introducing the rapper.

While the immediate crowd might not be familiar with the star, his magnitude as a reggaeton and rap artist likely wont be lost on the likely target audience: young Puerto Rican voters and battleground state Latino voters at large. The 31-year-old rapper is a frequent feature on smash hits with artists like Bad Bunny  and a major artist in his own right with a social media following millions-strong to show for it.

But the rappers appearance and brief remarks may also be part of a larger Trump campaign effort to court artists of color to engage voters in a new way. Trump has garnered the support of several notable Black artists  including rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black  and others like Sexxy Red have signaled their support for the former president in interviews. At a rally in the Bronx earlier this year, Trump brought up two local fixtures of the growing drill music scene: Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow.

Even though Puerto Ricans who live on the island  despite being U.S. citizens  can only vote in presidential primaries and not in the general election, they can still influence relatives on the mainland. Pennsylvania, a state that doesnt often first come to mind as a battleground with a sizable Latino vote, is home to the third-largest Puerto Rican diaspora community in the country (roughly 500,000 Puerto Ricans strong) after thousands fled the island in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Puerto Rican and Latino support for President Joe Biden proved crucial in cementing his successful 2020 campaign in the Keystone State, while over 60% of Latino voters nationwide broke for Biden over Trump, according to exit polls conducted at the time.

Now, both sides of the ticket may see a path to victory in strengthening their margins in these growing diaspora communities.

Earlier this summer, the Trump campaign opened a Latino Americans for Trump office in Reading, Pennsylvania, inviting former Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno to deliver remarks at its opening in both English and Spanish.

Even Vice President Kamala Harris, before launching her own presidential bid following Bidens decision to no longer seek re-election, took her first official trip to the island and toured housing developments made possible through $140 billion of infrastructure funding from the Biden-Harris administration.

While the influence of any celebrity endorsement is hard to gauge, Anuel AA wading into the election on Trumps behalf is significant  even if just as a pop culture moment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO)  Purple populated prairie fields in Belvidere as the community came out to honor International Overdose Awareness Day with a walk on Saturday.

The event is part of the Boone County Health Departments Community Outreach Advocacy and Recovery Program. Manager Adam Hartzell said drug overdose is one of their largest priorities.

Its just to really show the impact that this epidemic has had. People think that, oh, because were a smaller county, a smaller community, but it impacts us, said Hartzell. At one point, Boone County had higher overdose rates than the average of the state of Illinois.

The latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows a decrease in nationwide overdose deaths for the first time since 2018. Drugs like fentanyl have contributed to an increase in opioid deaths in Illinois and is the reason Rockford Chris Shorter Joined the walk.

I lost a son a little over a year ago to a drug overdose with fentanyl, said Shorter. He got hooked on OxyContin and things just got out of hand from there and turned to heroin. He was an addict for quite a while and it finally got him.

Narcan was given out and a memory board was made for loved ones of overdose victims to write a memorial message. Shorter said making resources as easily accessible as possible can slow the crisis.

A lot of people are ODing. A lot of people are dying from this and they dont realize it. Be aware, Try to stop, get help, said Shorter. Theres plenty of places to go for help. Your family, your friends, theres organizations, everything.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.




Image source: Getty Images

Starting Sept. 1, 2024, shopping at Costco is going to get more expensive. Rates for both membership tiers will increase -- it will cost $65 a year for a Gold Star membership and $130 a year for an Executive membership.

When Costco announced the increase, it also gave us some interesting information, such as that there are roughly 52 million current members. Perhaps more interesting is that "a little over half" of memberships are Executive memberships.

Given that Executive memberships cost twice as much as a regular Gold Star membership, why have so many people upgraded? There are two main advantages to an Executive upgrade -- though most members are likely inspired more by the first than the second.

1. The 2% Costco Reward

Arguably the main reason to upgrade to an Executive membership is the 2% Costco Reward. Executive members earn 2% back on their Costco purchases, including at costco.com and Costco Travel.

Here's what 2% back could look like based on your Costco spending:

Monthly Spend Annual Spend Annual 2% Cash Back $100 $1,200 $24 $271 $3,250 $65 $500 $6,000 $120 $688 $8,250 $165 $1,000 $12,000 $240 $2,000 $24,000 $480 $3,000 $36,000 $720 $4,000 $48,000 $960 $5,208 $62,500 $1,250

Data source: Author's calculations

Your 2% back is paid out as a lump sum Reward once per year. You can use the Reward toward Costco purchases, including toward your annual membership fee. The 2% Reward is capped at $1,250 (as of Sept. 1) per year.

Pro-tip: The 2% back you earn is separate from any other coupons or rewards. So make sure you stack it with a good rewards card for Costco to maximize your return.

2. Discounts on Costco services

Costco offers a variety of services beyond the stock on its regular warehouse shelves. This includes everything from pet and home insurance to garage door or closet installation.

All members have access to these services -- and some general discounts -- but Executive members often receive extra perks. Here are just a few examples:

$15 enrollment fee waived for Fido pet insurance through Costco

Complimentary roadside assistance with auto insurance through Costco

Complimentary home window repair/replacement with home insurance through Costco

No application or statement fees on payment processing services through Costco

Just to be clear, insurance-related benefits kick in only when you purchase your policy while logged into your Costco account and using the links from Costco's services pages. You can't just apply them to your existing outside insurance.

Story continues

Bonus reason No. 3: No more asking you to upgrade

Alright, so this one is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it definitely could be a factor for many people: Once you upgrade your membership, the workers at checkout will stop asking (occasionally demanding?!) you to upgrade.

You can now check out in (relative) peace. Enjoy the serenity.

Is an Executive upgrade worth it for you?

While the various extra discounts on services could be handy for some members, the majority of folks are upgrading to Executive for the 2% Reward. So, to figure out if an upgrade is right for you, all it takes is looking at how much you spend at Costco every year.

As the table above shows, you need to spend $3,250 a year to get $65 back. You'd need to spend $8,250 during the year to get $135 back.

In other words, an annual spend of $3,250 would pay for the upgrade to Executive from Gold Star. If you spend more than this each year at Costco, then an upgrade could be a good move for your budget. If not, then keep your Gold Star membership (assuming you're getting value from it).

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America's favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.



Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it's no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Brittney Myers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

2 Reasons Costco Executive Is More Popular Than Gold Star was originally published by The Motley Fool
Better Together Dog Rescue hosts meet & greet event for their dogs up for adoption

HADLEY, Mass (WWLP)  One local organization hosted a meet-and-greet event to help clear the shelters in our area.

Deadly motorcycle crash in Hadley, victim identified

Its amazing, its the best thing you could ever do, said the founder of Better Together Dog Rescue, Jenny Franz.

Better Together Dog Rescue hosted a meet and greet dog event with their rescue dogs in attendance to allow people to meet the dogs and the dogs to meet a potential new family.

The more dogs we get adopted, the more dogs we can bring in from other shelters and get them rescued as well, said Franz.

Franz said while these dogs are all ready, any dog entering a new home needs to adjust.

Dogs take time to settle in. They need decompression. They need trust. Give them a little bit of time and they are going to give you the world, said Franz.

Whether your new dog is a puppy or an older dog, she has one big tip for the transition into your home.

Crate training is the best way to go for any new dog in the home. It keeps them safe, it gives them a safe place to stay, said Franz.

All of the dogs at the meet and greet are ready for adoption and to find their forever home. Just like little Risotto, who has already been adopted.

One family who came to the event found the perfect match.

Im very excited, I always wanted a puppy or a kitten, and I think Daphne will be a good fit, said Sammi Hicks who came with her family from Shutesbury to meet the dogs.

At Better Together Dog Rescue, fees normally cost $600 which includes all of the vet necessities, spade/neutering, the state isolation requirement, transporting the rescue from Texas or Tennessee, and more. But on Saturday, as part of the Clear the Shelters initiative, the price was only $300 for a dog older than one-year-old.

With some money saved, Sammi told 22News shes excited to do a little bit of shopping for her newest sibling. We already have a few treats and food but I would like to get her a toy, like a cute little chew toy or something.

As the rescues name suggests, they believe humans and dogs are better together.

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.
President Biden said Saturday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) found several bodies in Gaza.

The president, leaving church in Delaware, said his staff has been in contact with Israel.

Im not sure the exact number, he said, NBC News reported.

The IDF said Saturday that it had located a number of bodies during combat in Gaza, but it did not confirm if any of the bodies were hostages from the Oct. 7 attack by the militant group Hamas.

Despite no confirmation, many Israelis took the IDFs statement to mean the bodies were hostages. The military group asked the public to refrain from spreading rumors, CNN reported.

Biden said they wanted to identify the people before releasing more information and that he is not at liberty to say who they are at the moment.

Its time this war ended, he said. We should end this war.

As he has said for months, Biden believes he is on the verge of a cease-fire deal with Israel and Hamas in the nearly year-long war in Gaza.

I think were on the verge of an agreement, its just time to end it. Time to finish it, he said.

Biden said he is optimistic about closing a deal because all parties have agreed to the principles of a deal.

So, keep your fingers crossed, he said.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, when Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 Israelis and taking 250 hostages, Israel has participated in a deadly and destructive counteroffensive. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed and survivors are facing a famine.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD)  The South Haven community gathered Saturday to honor veterans with a boat parade, a flyover and more.

The Salute to Veterans Boat Parade, hosted by Operation Injured Soldiers and South Haven Steelheaders, kicked off at noon. Onlookers gathered along the piers to watch, waving American flags.

The Salute to Veterans Boat Parade in South Haven on Aug. 31, 2024.

We came out first thing this morning, Allegan resident Ron Kerkstra told News 8. And if you saw the lead boat, we decorated that lead boat. It was fun.

The boat parade, now in its 12th year, was preceded by a fishing expedition for veterans. The festivities also included band performances, a gun salute and a rendition of Taps.

Though the parade was originally set for earlier this month, it had to be postponed because of the weather. Ron and Deb Kerkstra said they were pleasantly surprised by Saturdays turnout.

We want to do anything we can for our veterans. I think theyre greatly underappreciated, Deb Kerkstra said. But now, seeing today how many people came out  it was fantastic. It did my heart good.

The Kerkstras told News 8 this was their first year participating in the Salute to Veterans Boat Parade, but it certainly wont be their last.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose parents recently spoke at the DNC, was among those reportedly found in a tunnel beneath Rafah.

People demonstrate to call for the immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group on Sept. 1. (Mahmoud Illean/AP)

The Israeli military announced Saturday that it had recovered the bodies of six hostages, including that of an Israeli American.

The news prompted protests in Israel and renewed calls for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.

The hostages, who were reportedly found in a tunnel beneath Rafah, in southern Gaza, were among the 250 people taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis. Over 40,000 Palestinians have reportedly died in the subsequent fighting in Gaza in response to the attacks.

Among the deceased was Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose parents spoke at the Democratic National Convention last month and have led efforts to secure the release of the hostages. Three of the deceased hostages were slated for release in an early phase of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to CNN.

Roughly 100 hostages remain in captivity, though the Israeli military said that dozens of them have already been killed.

Goldberg-Polins body was discovered alongside those of Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino, all of whom were abducted during the Oct. 7 Nova music festival. A sixth victim, Carmel Gat, was taken from a nearby farming community, according to the Associated Press.

An autopsy concluded that the hostages were killed by short-range shots, according to the Israeli health ministry. They were reportedly killed just moments before they were discovered in a tunnel buried several dozen feet beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah  half a mile from the tunnel where Israeli hostage, Farhan al-Qadi, was recovered alive last week. Hamas, however, reportedly claimed the six victims died from an airstrike using American-sponsored weapons.

Who were the 6 victims?

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23

A native of Berkeley, Calif. who lost part of his arm during the Oct. 7 attack. His parents Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg have been prominent advocates for the hostages, having met with global leaders like President Biden and Pope Francis.

Eden Yerushalmi, 24

A Tel Aviv-born aspiring Pilates instructor who was working at the Nova music festival when she was captured.

Carmel Gat, 40

An occupational therapist from Tel Aviv who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Beeri, where her parents were killed. She reportedly helped fellow captives through meditation and yoga.

Alexander Lobanov, 33

A married father of two who was abducted from the Nova festival, where he worked as a bar manager. He had reportedly helped others escape during the attack before being captured.

Almog Sarusi, 27

He was captured after staying with his wounded girlfriend during the festival attack, where she was killed.

Ori Danino, 25

The eldest of five children, Danino was reportedly kidnapped while helping others escape from the Nova festival.

Read more: Who were the 6 hostages whose bodies the Israeli military recovered from Gaza?

Strikes and protests planned in Israel to support hostages

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai announced in a statement posted to social media that the city will participate in a nationwide strike on Monday to show solidarity with the families of hostages and that criticized the Israeli government, which he claimed abandoned them.

The State of Israel is all of us, he said. As a gesture of support for the abductees and their families, the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality will join the strike. We will allow all employees to step out and stand with the families in their struggle. Take to the streets.

Other municipalities, including Kfar Saba and Givatayim, are also suspending services in solidarity.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an activist group representing many relatives of abductees held in Gaza, criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to NBC News, before urging Israelis to take part in Mondays protest as a way to put pressure on the Cabinet and the prime minister for a ceasefire.

The forum organized two protests in Israel Sunday, according to NBC News, and will hold a vigil to honor those whove lost their lives in Gaza. At least 700,000 people attended demonstrations across Israel calling for a ceasefire and hostage deal, its organizers told CNN. An estimated 550,000 of them were in Tel Aviv alone.

Israels largest labor union will also participate in Mondays strike, proclaiming that a deal is more important than anything else.

Jews are being murdered in the tunnels of Gaza. It is impossible to grasp and has to stop, Histadrut Labor Federation chief Arnon Bar-David said at a press conference on Sunday. We are getting body bags instead of a deal. I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention might move those who need to be moved.

I call on the people of Israel to go out to the streets tonight and tomorrow and for everyone to take part in the strike, added Bar-David, who said that decisions beyond Monday will be made at a later time.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem said that it will shut down all activities on Monday, except for exams, according to CNN. One of the six hostages, Carmel Gat, was a graduate of the university, where she received a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy, the school shared in a post on X.

The families respond

The family of American Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin issued a brief statement in response to the news.

"With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh," the family reportedly said in a statement. "The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time."

Rachel Goldberg, left, and Jon Polin, parents of Israeli American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, join other relatives of hostages held in the Gaza Strip at a protest on Aug. 29. (Tsafrir Abayov/AP)

Gil Dickmann shared a heartfelt tribute to his cousin Carmel Gat, whose body was also recovered in Gaza.

I'm so sorry, Carmeli. Sorry we didnt act sooner when there was still a chance to save you. Sorry we let them take your life, Dickmann wrote in a post on X. I wish that in memory of you, in memory of the warrior of justice that you were, in memory of the life that you still had to live and that was taken from you by those who kidnapped you and by a government that decided that you could be given up.

Netanyahu offers an apology

Netanyahu apologized to Oksana and Grigory Lobanov, the parents of victim Alexander Lobanov, expressing his deep regret that military forces were unable to rescue their son and the other hostages.

I deeply regret and ask for forgiveness that we were not able to bring Sasha back alive, he said, according to a statement released by his office.

Netanyahu also reportedly planned to reach out to the families of all the hostages whose bodies were recovered, although two families reportedly declined to take his calls.

Biden, Harris say Hamas will pay for these crimes

In a statement released on Saturday, President Joe Biden expressed deep sorrow and anger following the news, calling Goldberg-Polin an innocent young man who was brutally attacked while attending a peace festival.

He also praised his parents, who he spoke on the phone with, for their courage and determination since the attacks, acknowledging that theyve been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and the rest of the hostages amid the ongoing plans to have a ceasefire.

Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes," Biden vowed. We will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Vice President Kamala Harris also condemned Hamas, describing the group as a vile terrorist organization responsible for shedding even more American blood.

I strongly condemn Hamas continued brutality, and so must the entire world, she said. The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel  and American citizens in Israel  must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza. The Palestinian people too have suffered under Hamas rule for nearly two decades.

Harris later confirmed that she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, also spoke to Goldberg-Polins parents Jon and Rachel to express our condolences following the brutal murder of their son by Hamas terrorists.

I told them: As they mourn this terrible loss, they are not alone. Our nation mourns with them," she wrote in a statement shared on X.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, meanwhile, called the deaths horrific and senseless and said that a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.

Trump responds

In a statement first posted to Truth Social Sunday afternoon, former President Donald Trump said, "We grieve the senseless death of the Israeli Hostages, horrifically including a wonderful American Citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, murdered by Hamas due to a complete lack of American Strength and Leadership."

Trump, the Republican nominee for president in the 2024 election, went on to blame the deaths of the six hostages on Biden and Harris, saying "They have blood on their hands!"

Hamas and Palestinian leaders blame Biden

On Sunday, Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq blamed the Biden administration for the six deaths, claiming that the United States is supporting a war on genocide due to the countrys bias for Israel.

President Biden, if he is keen on saving their lives, must stop supporting this enemy with money and weapons and pressure the occupation to end its aggression immediately, he said, according to the Jerusalem Post. The one who will pay the price for these brutal crimes and the war of genocide against our people for eleven months is Netanyahu and his extremist government and all the supporters of this aggression.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in Washington, D.C., in July. (Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)

Palestinian lawmaker Mustafa Barghouti accused Netanyahu and his extremist government of rejecting a ceasefire and being responsible for escalating the crisis.

In a statement posted on X, Barghouti criticized the Israeli Prime Minister for rejecting a ceasefire and intensifying the conflict in the West Bank. He argued that Netanyahu is indifferent to the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians, focusing solely on avoiding personal accountability.

Netanyahu does not care about the lives of anyone, including Israeli prisoners, and his only concern is saving himself from accountability, he added.

Biden is still optimistic

President Biden expressed continued hope for a ceasefire, telling reporters in Delaware on Saturday that he remains optimistic about the possibility of ending the conflict.

I think were on the verge of having an agreement, he said, according to USA Today.

But Netanyahu seemed to suggest Sunday that a ceasefire was not within reach.

In recent days, as Israel has been holding intensive negotiations with the mediator in a supreme effort to reach a deal, Hamas is continuing to steadfastly refuse all proposals. Even worse, at the exact same time, it murdered six of our hostages. Whoever murders hostages  does not want a deal.
Broadway Halloween Parade at risk of being canceled this year unless it raises $26K

Broadway Halloween Parade at risk of being canceled this year unless it raises $26K

DENVER (KDVR)  A popular Halloween event in Denver is in danger of not happening this year and organizers need help to both keep it alive and to keep it safe.

The Broadway Halloween Parade began back in 2016. Each year, dozens of floats travel down Broadway from 5th Avenue to Alameda Avenue, with thousands of people watching in costumes.

Where to find sunflower fields near Denver in 2024

But as the events popularity has grown, a new safety measure is necessary that requires organizers to raise more than $20,000 in less than a week.

Luke Johnson loves the Broadway Halloween Parade. Each year since it began, he said its grown in attendance. From around 15,000 people in 2021 to 30,000 last year, all lined up to see a parade perfect for spooky season.

It just kind of blows you away, said Johnson, President of the Broadway Merchants Association. We had over a dozen hearses last year.

Larger attendance, however, has brought with it a new challenge.

The crowds have gotten more difficult to control and so we need pedestrian barricades this year, said Johnson.

Safety barricades to keep crowds out of the street are a new requirement that the Denver Police Department brought up this year, and parade leaders agree with them.

How does Spirit Halloween choose its locations?

The safety of the parade ultimately lies with Denver Police and we want to support them. We want the parade to be safe too, said Johnson.

The only issue is the cost.

Our whole budget last year was $12,000 for the parade. The barricades alone this year are going to be just shy of $26,000, said Johnson.

A brand new $26,000 expense that, right now, parade organizers just cant afford on their own.

We need a hero, said Johnson.

And to make matters worse, they need to hit that total by Sept. 6. Johnson hopes people who know and love the parade are willing to pitch in to save it.

If every person that came out last year gave a dollar, we would have the parade no problem at all, he said.

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Because he believes its an event worth saving.

Its not political, religious, its not focused on the troubles that are happening in the word, its just having fun for a couple of hours, said Johnson.

Johnson said if they cant have the parade this year, he wants to make sure it comes back but said it could take a couple of years.

If you want to donate to the Broadway Halloween Parade, you can do so by visiting 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 FOX31 Denver.
A robber wearing a balaclava is seen fighting with a villa occupant in Ibizia, Spain - POLICE/SOLARPIX.COM

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A gang of burglars suspected of pumping sedative gas into luxury villas in Ibiza have been arrested by police.

It comes after radio DJ Nick Grimshaws holiday home was raided in a night-time attack, following the spate of thefts on the Spanish island.

The former BBC Radio 1 presenter had rented the villa on the Spanish party island to celebrate his 40th birthday with his family.

Previous attacks, believed to have been by the same gang, have seen luxury villas targeted by pumping sedative gas into the properties. The gangs then break in wearing hazmat suits and raid the villas.

The Telegraph understands that the robbery took place at night while Grimshaw and the rest of the guests were asleep, so it is unclear whether gas was used by the assailants.

Spanish detectives have now suggested for the first time that knockout gas could have been used by the criminals as they linked the gang to at least 22 raids.

Nick Grimshaw with his mum Eileen. The DJ was renting a luxury villa in Ibizia to celebrate his 40th birday - Richard Young/Shutterstock

Police also released footage showing the masked suspects at work.

Three people accused of the burglaries have been held, who police said have been operating in Ibiza since 2019.

Spanish police have not yet officially confirmed they believe the gang held were behind the raid on Grimshaws home or named other celebrities they suspect could have been victims.

A spokesman for the Civil Guard said in a statement: The Civil Guard has arrested three people belonging to a gang specialising in committing robberies in luxury properties on the island of Ibiza during the summer.

They have been linked to at least 22 crimes with the total value of the items stolen exceeding half a million euros.

The intruders entered the properties while the occupants were sleeping, always dressed in black and hiding their faces.

If they were caught during the break-in, they fled the scene.

Many of the victims told police they felt dazed when they woke up, as well as feeling discomfort with dizziness and vomiting, leading detectives to suspect the criminals were using some sort of gas that caused sleepiness.

During the investigation detectives in Ibiza were able to track down the homes of the suspects thanks to the localisation of vehicles they were using to commit the crimes, vehicles which had previously been stolen.

This week a property was searched and several objects related to the robberies which had been reported missing, including designer watches, sunglasses, designer bags, mobiles and cash, were found.

Officers also seized clothes the suspects used to perpetrate the crimes. The three people arrested are two men and a woman. They have already appeared before a judge in court and two of them have been remanded in custody and continue to be investigated for at least 22 robberies and thefts inside houses.

The total amount of the items stolen has been estimated at around 548,500 (462,000). Police information points to the gang being in Ibiza since 2019.

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Chevron (NYSE: CVX) is offering investors a solid 4.4%-or-so dividend yield in the energy patch. That compares favorably to the average energy stock's 3.1% yield and even more favorably to the broader market's 1.2%. But a generous dividend payment is just one reason to like Chevron if you are looking for a high-yield energy stock to add to your portfolio.

Here are three more reasons to like this energy giant.

1. Chevron has a diversified business

Chevron is what's known as an integrated energy giant. The giant part is simple to understand; the company's market capitalization is around $260 billion. It isn't the largest integrated energy company, but it competes easily with all of the big players in the energy sector. The integrated aspect means that Chevron has operations across the energy spectrum, including the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments.

Image source: Getty Images.

Each of these broad segments operates a little differently, with some tending to do well while others do less well, or even poorly. Chevron's upstream (oil and natural gas production) business is the driving force behind revenue and earnings, but the midstream (pipeline) and downstream (chemicals and refining) operations help to soften the peaks and valleys. In this way, Chevron is actually a fairly conservative option within the energy sector.

2. Chevron has a long history of dividend success

The consistency Chevron offers investors is highlighted by its dividend. Not the yield, but the actual yearly payments. The company has increased the annual dividend for a huge 37 consecutive years. That's an incredible streak when you consider the swings in energy prices over that span. In fact, during the coronavirus pandemic, oil prices fell below zero at one point! Chevron's dividend didn't skip a beat.

CVX Debt to Equity Ratio Chart

The diversified business helped on that front, but the bigger assist comes from Chevron's balance sheet. Chevron tends to keep its leverage low, with a current debt-to-equity ratio of around 0.15. That would be good for any company, but it notably gives Chevron the wherewithal to add leverage during oil downturns so it can keep supporting its business and dividends. When energy prices recover, as they always have historically, it reduces leverage so it's ready for the next energy trough. As long as management remains focused on financial strength, the dividend looks like it should be secure through the energy cycle.

3. Chevron's business isn't going away anytime soon

The one big negative with Chevron for many investors will be its focus on carbon fuels. While it has dabbled in the clean energy space, it has really chosen to stay an oil and natural gas company. But don't think that's a bad thing. Yes, clean energy is a growing sector. But oil and natural gas are going to remain important for decades to come. In fact, Chevron peer ExxonMobil still expects carbon fuels to represent around half of the world's energy demand in 2050.

This means that companies like Chevron will still be needed. But there's a small wrinkle here, because oil and natural gas are depleting assets, so more drilling will have to be done or there will be a supply/demand mismatch that could lead to high energy prices. In other words, not only will the oil Chevron has today be needed, but there's still plenty of opportunity for investment in the energy patch.

In fact, if the world wants to keep up with energy demand, more (perhaps much more) investment will be a necessity. Financially strong Chevron will be there to benefit.

Chevron is a through-the-cycle pick

To be fair, the best time to buy Chevron stock is probably during oil downturns, when investors are throwing the baby out with the bathwater. However, if you are looking for a reliable high-yield oil stock, Chevron is still pretty attractive right now, noting its relatively high yield.

For many, the best way to look at Chevron might be to buy it and just keep buying it. That's particularly true during industry downturns, which is a time to add more shares while others are fearful -- after all, the energy giant appears to have a bright future and has clearly proven its staying power through the entire energy cycle.

Should you invest $1,000 in Chevron right now?

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FILE - The California State Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., is seen on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Juliana Yamada, File)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California lawmakers approved a host of proposals this week aiming to regulate the artificial intelligence industry, combat deepfakes and protect workers from exploitation by the rapidly evolving technology.

The California Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, is voting on hundreds of bills during its final week of the session to send to Gov. Gavin Newsoms desk. Their deadline is Saturday.

The Democratic governor has until Sept. 30 to sign the proposals, veto them or let them become law without his signature. Newsom signaled in July he will sign a proposal to crack down on election deepfakes but has not weighed in other legislation.

He warned earlier this summer that overregulation could hurt the homegrown industry. In recent years, he often has cited the states budget troubles when rejecting legislation that he would otherwise support.

Here is a look at some of the AI bills lawmakers approved this year.

Combatting deepfakes

Citing concerns over how AI tools are increasingly being used to trick voters and generate deepfake pornography of minors, California lawmakers approved several bills this week to crack down on the practice.

Lawmakers approved legislation to ban deepfakes related to elections and require large social media platforms to remove the deceptive material 120 days before Election Day and 60 days thereafter. Campaigns also would be required to publicly disclose if theyre running ads with materials altered by AI.

A pair of proposals would make it illegal to use AI tools to create images and videos of child sexual abuse. Current law does not allow district attorneys to go after people who possess or distribute AI-generated child sexual abuse images if they cannot prove the materials are depicting a real person.

Tech companies and social media platforms would be required to provide AI detection tools to users under another proposal.

Settng safety guardrails

California could become the first state in the nation to set sweeping safety measures on large AI models.

The legislation sent by lawmakers to the governors desk requires developers to start disclosing what data they use to train their models. The efforts aim to shed more light into how AI models work and prevent future catastrophic disasters.

Another measure would require the state to set safety protocols preventing risks and algorithmic discrimination before agencies could enter any contract involving AI models used to define decisions.

Protecting workers

Inspired by the months-long Hollywood actors strike last year, lawmakers approved a proposal to protect workers, including voice actors and audiobook performers, from being replaced by their AI-generated clones. The measure mirrors language in the contract the SAG-AFTRA made with studios last December.

State and local agencies would be banned from using AI to replace workers at call centers under one of the proposals.

California also may create penalties for digitally cloning dead people without consent of their estates.

Keeping up with the technology

As corporations increasingly weave AI into Americans' daily lives, state lawmakers also passed several bills to increase AI literacy.

One proposal would require a state working group to consider incorporating AI skills into math, science, history and social science curriculums. Another would develop guideline on how schools could use AI in the classrooms.
Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), pictured in 2022, wrote the bill after an investigation revealed authorities had used death notifications to collect disparaging information about people killed or injured by police. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

A bill to stop law enforcement investigators from questioning the families of people killed by police before revealing their loved one is dead failed when the Democratic-controlled state Senate declined to bring it up for a vote before the legislative year ended on Saturday.

Under Assembly Bill 3021 , detectives and prosecutors investigating a police-related death would have been required to tell relatives of the deceased that they have the right to know the status of their loved one, remain silent, retain an attorney and know whether they are being recorded before answering questions.

While the bill passed the Assembly in May, it failed to garner the minimum 21 votes required to clear the Senate amid heavy opposition from police and sheriff's organizations.

Law enforcement does have a lot of influence still in this building, Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), the bills author, said in a brief interview in the Capitol on Saturday night.

I don't think they like when they're told how to conduct their business, but I think there are situations where they need to be told how to conduct their business, and this is one of them, he said.

Kalra said he hoped to try again next year.

Read more: After police killings, families are kept in the dark and grilled for information

The Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Assn. was one of many law enforcement groups that lobbied against the bill.

Imposing rigid requirements on peace officers, prosecuting attorneys, and investigators could ultimately impede the pursuit of justice and compromise the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts, the group wrote in a legislative analysis. Requiring peace officers and prosecutors to disclose specified information before interviewing family members could compromise the confidentiality of ongoing investigations.

The legislation followed an investigation by the Los Angeles Times and the UC Berkeley Investigative Reporting Program that verified 20 instances of detectives and prosecutors across California using death notifications as opportunities to collect disparaging information about people killed or seriously injured by police.

During these interviews, investigators questioned families about a relatives drug use, alcoholism, gang involvement and mental health issues, encouraging families to answer the questions before telling them their loved one was dead.

When some of the families later sued, authorities often used information from those interviews to portray the deceased as mentally ill criminals or deadbeat parents while defending their agencies in court. In some cases, that helped lower the cost of damages or settlements paid to families, The Times found.

The cases uncovered by The Times and the Investigative Reporting Program represent just a sample of a routine practice, according to attorneys and advocacy groups specializing in police misconduct.

Bruce Praet, the co-founder of Lexipol, a company that trains and writes policy manuals for police departments, helped popularize the practice by teaching it to officers in one of his webinars. In a 2019 online training, Praet encouraged officers to get to the families of people killed by police before the dust settles.

Several national policing experts condemned the practice. Since The Times published its findings, several more people have come forward claiming they, too, experienced the tactic.

Read more: California bill would give families more information after police killings

After The Times and Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting published stories about Praets webinar, Lexipol distanced itself from its co-founder, apologized for Praets remarks and vowed to more thoroughly review the materials presented in training materials. In April, the investigation won a George Polk Award , one of the most prestigious honors in investigative journalism.

Members of the San Jose-based police accountability group Silicon Valley De-Bug who partnered with Kalra to draft the bill after several realized they had been subjected to the practice said they would continue fighting for a new version of the bill.

Im disappointed that grieving families mean so little to the California Senate, said Sharon Watkins, whose son, Phillip Watkins, was fatally shot by San Jose police officers in 2015.

The possibility of healing community and police relationships will not be possible without this bill.

California Politics Editor Laurel Rosenhall contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This could be the worst threesome to run California in a very long time.

Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire emerged at the end of this years legislative session, which ended Saturday, as independent autocrats as opposed to a functioning team of Democrats. They disagreed. They proposed big reforms at the last minute. Too often they failed.

And while they cant make spectacles of themselves any more this session because it is thankfully over, theres no reason to think that they can do any better conducting the peoples business any time soon.

This sessions lowlights began with the implosion of an effort to address the states electricity crisis and the skyrocketing bills of the investor-owned utilities such as Pacific Gas & Electric. There had been weeks of chatter that the Democrats would make some effort to lower electricity bills for consumers, but no actual legislation. The whole concept appeared dead.

Opinion

And then within mere days of the close of session, Democrats unveiled complex pieces of legislation. Its centerpiece was Assembly Bill 3121 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, D-Irvine. It proposed to give one-time refunds of electricity bills, estimated in the $30 range, to the millions of customers of these for-profit utilities. But it would have done so in the most destructive of ways, by diverting funds from existing programs intended to support schools and low-income Californians.

McGuire in the Senate led in this so-called California Made package of reforms. But soon after AB 3121 made its debut, it was dead in a Senate committee.

AB 3121s death was a blessing that needed no disguise. It purported to lower electricity bills with a one-time refund that couldnt cover a tank of gas. It wouldnt have reduced a penny of actual electricity costs.

It turned out that the leadership meltdown over this bill was just the beginning. Following through on his threat, Newsom on Saturday called an immediate special session to ram through yet another last-minute idea, this one a mandate of the states oil refineries to amass more reserves to avoid price spikes during production slowdowns.

But McGuire ignored Newsoms maneuver. The governors ability to actually force a session and a vote is as murky as a barrel of crude. And in the end, outmaneuvered and out of time, Newsom called off his session, as if that action had any real-world meaning.

This dysfunction starts at the top. Saturday night exemplified how the imperious and distant Newsom has horrible relations with his fellow Democrats in the Legislature. He treats them more like children than partners. Newsom leads like an island unto himself, now relocated to Marin.

All Rivas and McGuire have done is replicate Newsoms style of bad governance. They have become their own islands. None of them seem to care what the other two think. They are bereft of the civic mindedness of putting the public first, leaving egos at the door and making some really tough decisions. They all have come to prefer island living.

The longer this threesome has been in power, the worse their coordination has become. The implosion at the end of this session may be a small taste of what is to come. Newsom finds himself in political steerage with Kamala Harris ascendancy to the Democratic Partys throne. He is fast becoming an asterisk on the national stage. He has grown so tired of Sacramento, his family no longer calls it home. None of this bodes well for his home stretch as governor.

Real answers to any of our crises - housing, insurance, electricity, homeless, climate change - will not be popular. For Californias three top Democrats, real change means respectfully working together, reaching a consensus, watching each others back and working with legislators on both sides of the aisle. And that simply isnt happening.

Good governance is an endangered species in Sacramento. With the threesome of Newsom, Rivas and McGuire, it is on the verge of extinction.
Its an early August morning 30 miles north of Sacramento. The sun is still low. But the heat stored in fertile soil lifts an early fragrance from a field covered in Christmas reds and greens. I pick one from the vine, round and warm and dusted with dirt. Im here to understand the California tomato.

I joined Sacramento Bee Opinion Writer Tom Philp on his journalistic journey to explain this agricultural marvel. He came away understanding the tomato as an innovation, a multitude of red orbs grown and processed in miraculous quantities through one clever California breakthrough after another.

Opinion

But me? As a Sacramento Valley-born and -based artist, I discovered something quite different

Yes, how we grow 30% of the worlds tomatoes on a tiny fraction of the states agricultural landscape is impressive. But the tomatos true essence is not an innovation, its a sensation. Its breathtaking to all my senses: sight, smell, sound, touch. These tomatoes are our living art. After my time in the fields and in frenetic processing plants, I came to no other conclusion.

Lets not merely admire and understand the life of California tomatoes. Lets savor them with every sense at our disposal.

Sacramento artist Stephanie Taylors depiction of a tomato growing on a vine.

The tomato field: a sight to behold

On farmer Frank Mullers tomato field on the outskirts of Esparto, the landscapes vast openness dims any sound of trucks or cars passing in the distance on Highway 16. The smell of the earth is a fragrance stronger than the tomatoes and its vines, undisturbed (for now) by human intervention.

Perfectly straight rows of tomatoes, with tractors guided by satellite, stretch out as far as the eye can see. The plants lush green canopies hide millions of treasures. Under an umbrella of green, they grow to vibrantly warm and ripe perfection.

Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, talked about the tomato as humble. Shes right. So are its ingenious farmers, in their uniforms of blue jeans and boots. Muller is one of many farmers in a Sacramento-area cooperative to grow and process tomatoes in the Pacific Coast Producers facility that dominates the main street of Woodland.

In the tomato field, I envision its future: Its peaceful life will soon be interrupted. We see tomatoes on our highways, red globes launched, lining the side of the road with an occasional, magnificent red patina. What most Californians never get to see, however, is the tomatos journey from farm to fork.

Sacramento artist Stephanie Taylors photo of salsa made with California tomatoes.

On Mullers tomato field, the show was about to begin.

Tomato harvesting: a riot of sound

I jump on the side of a harvester to witness the gathering of these beauties up close. Engine noise destroys the silence. This is the first phase of separating fruit from dirt, plants and bugs. Im glad Im not a tomato, sucked up and spat out onto these very trucks we see on the highways. And Im glad Im not a bug.

The scene is stunning, a poetic motion of crop and machine. On this hot summer day, I can smell a strong fragrance of the plants with a hint of the tomato itself.

But harvesting is first and foremost a study of sound. There is the droning noise of the diesel engine of the harvester as it slowly makes its way straight down laser-planted fields. Its companion is the hauling truck, with two empty trailers to be filled.

The harvester is a mystery machine guided by one driver. In the back, a solo worker picks the last of the greens as the harvester spits a spray of discards back onto the soil. To the side, tomatoes appear like brave soldiers rising on a conveyor belt, to drop into trailers soon loaded to the brim with red bounty.

Tomato processing: a shock of sights and smells

Mullers tomatoes, a hybrid perfect for skinning and dicing, head to the Woodland cooperative. Though there are bigger players in the business, Pacific Coast is old school. By no means is this family in the minor leagues, with stellar local farmers like Bruce Rominger, Eric Schreiner, Neil Dougherty and Mike Turkovic.

Visually, a tomato processing plant is infrastructure galore. We walk past stacks of shiny empty cans reflecting the sun, like skyscrapers on this flat valley floor.

A tower of cans at a tomato processing plant.

Pipes belch steam. Its both a horizontal and vertical world of industry. These impossibly red spheres provide a stark contrast to a monochrome world of steel, both engineered by man. In water-filled channels, tomatoes float, roll and careen onto conveyors, lifted toward the sky, and then down again.

Cooking tons of tomatoes in a factory on a 100-degree Sacramento day is the scorching chapter of this journey. The noise of the maze-like process of conveying and cooking makes conversation impossible. This is sensory overload. Imagine flying over the largest multi-layered freeway interchange in Los Angeles at rush hour. Now speed it up, and paint it a pungent tomato red.

All sensations pale in comparison to the smell of the process of heating tons of tomatoes before canning. Im not prepared for the overwhelming fragrance that assaults me. Pacific Coast produces a line of diced, roasted tomatoes, in a process that can only be described as a wall of fire. An overwhelming, relentless, oppressively sweet, flame-roasted pungency invades my nostrils and every cell in my body for days.

Homegrown tomato artistry

These tomatoes have a tolerance for punishment. They get plucked. They bob, bounce and boil before ending up in a tidy aluminum can  or a 300-gallon plastic bag of paste. Its life is a three-ring circus that entertains and stuns the eyes, ears and nose.

Uniquely ours, everything about the California Tomato is picture perfect.

Stephanie Taylor, a passionate Californian, is a multimedia artist, writer and visual historian who responds with whatever materials are most suited to interpret the meaning of a place, from paint, steel, ceramics and cement to words.
By now, two months before the presidential election, we voters ought to have seen a verdict in the federal criminal case against the three-time Republican nominee accused of conspiring to overturn the result of the previous contest. (Thats a sentence I never thought Id write.)

But there is no verdict against defendant Donald Trump, U.S. historys biggest sore loser, thanks to the Supreme Court . Its right-wing super-majority  half of whom were selected by Trump, and two of whom should have recused themselves  dallied for half the year before issuing a surreal ruling in July granting the former president, and all future presidents, broad immunity from criminal liability for official acts, even for purportedly official acts intended to dynamite democracys foundation: free and fair elections.

So much for no person being above the law.

Thanks to special counsel Jack Smith, however, voters at least have a revised indictment against Trump in the Jan. 6 case. On Tuesday a new grand jury charged him with the same four conspiracy and obstruction crimes alleged in last years indictment , stripped of supporting material that might run afoul of the Supreme Courts new tests for what is or isnt an official act.

Its far too late for a trial, and hence a verdict, before Nov. 5. And Trumps team almost certainly will argue all the way back to the high court that Smiths superseding indictment violates the justices immunity ruling.

Read more: Calmes: Is Kamala Harris' rise backlash against Donald Trump's misogyny?

Yet if nothing else, the retooled indictment is a useful refresher for those whove forgotten about, or become inured to, Trumps antidemocratic outrages, the ones that made him the first American president to resist the peaceful transfer of power.

And more than that, the charges are a reminder about just why Trump wants to be president again: to avoid criminal liability and possibly prison. If reelected, he could thwart the rule of law, not uphold it as the oath of office demands. Trump could  would  make the Jan. 6 case go away, along with the separate federal charges against him for keeping classified documents. While hes at it, he has promised to pardon hundreds of charged and convicted Jan. 6 insurrectionists, whom he grossly calls government hostages. He could also pardon himself, of course, for his alleged federal crimes (but not state charges).

After the grand jury action last week, former Justice Department official and MSNBC legal analyst Andrew Weissmann helpfully tweeted , For those counting, FIVE separate grand juries (scores of citizens) have now found probable cause that Trump committed multiple felonies.

Read more: Calmes: Donald Trump's state of mind should be under debate

Yes, for all of Trumps daily lies that hes being railroaded by the Biden-Harris Regime and its weaponized Justice Department, the facts are that many average Americans have heard evidence and decided against Trump. Theyve done so not only in those five grand juries, but also in several state trial juries that found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation , and guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide hush money payments to a porn star from voters before the 2016 election.

With that last judgment, Trump achieved another contemptible first: No other president has been convicted of felonies. Sentencing in the hush money case, in New York, was delayed until Sept. 18, thanks to the confusion spawned by the Supreme Courts immunity decision, and Trump has asked for a further delay  past election day, natch. Judge Juan M. Merchan should proceed with the sentencing. Sure, Trump would cry foul. But all weve seen to date is excessive legal deference toward the lawless former president, his incessant whining about witch hunts notwithstanding.

Read more: Calmes: Reports of the death of Trump's Project 2025 are greatly exaggerated

Which brings us back to Smiths overhauled Jan. 6 indictment, and its welcome reminder of Trumps unprecedented power grab. The 36 pages are a maddening must-read for undecided voters, a ticktock of his falsehoods and scheming from the 2020 election through the violence of Jan. 6, 2021. Yet nearly four years later, instead of being held responsible, Trump is a candidate for reelection.

Smith strained to steer clear of Trumps supposedly official acts, in keeping with the Supreme Courts warped ruling. Out, for example, are accounts of his vile efforts to force Justice Department aides to lie about election fraud, as a pretext for lawsuits; they were his executive branch employees. But campaign advisors should be fair game for the prosecutors, and the indictment still recounts Trumps refusals to accept their assertions and proof that hed lost, that there was no fraud. Trump instead kept his aides spreading lies  conspiracy s beamed down from the mothership, one wrote in an email cited in the indictment  and working on illegal slates of alternative state electors.

The document retains some details of Trumps belittling pressure on Vice President Mike Pence. Youre too honest, the liar in chief once erupted, exasperated that Pence wouldnt agree to throw out the electoral votes of pro-Biden battleground states during Congress Jan. 6 certification. And it includes Trumps private and public haranguing of state officials to do his illegal bidding; theyre not feds, and presidents have no official role in states vote-counting.

Alas, for now all we have, still, are the charges, no trial and no verdict. But that fact defines the stakes for the 2024 election: A vote for Trump is a vote against his accountability. Its really that simple.

@jackiekcalmes

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Calvary Assembly hosted a free back-to-school cookout to celebrate the start of the 2024-2025 school year Sunday.

Regular attendees and first-time visitors were welcome to attend.

The cookout included hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, bounce houses and lawn games. It kicked off at noon and ran through 5 p.m.

Executive Pastor Jonathan Sigmon said their mission is to provide a safe space for people to find faith and friends.

Were literally and figuratively setting the table for people to come, have a good time and enjoy some really good, free food. As well as  just become a part of this open community, he said. All of this is our heartbeat and our mission and vision of exactly why we exist.

When is the first day of school in your district?

Calvary Assembly is located on 3429 Chili Avenue in Rochester.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  What was the takeaway for both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions?

Capitol View host Roby Brock spoke with Republican Sen. Ben Gilmore and Democratic Rep. Jamie Scott about the impact each convention had on their respective parties and what the path forward could be.

Roby then talks with University of Central Arkansas political science associate professor Dr. Heather Yates to discuss the dramatic ups and downs over recent weeks in the presidential race.

Capitol View airs on Sundays at 8:30 a.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Car crashes into median on I-277 during foot race

One person was taken to the hospital after a car crashed into the median on Interstate 277 Sunday morning as thousands of runners passed by for the Around the Crown 10K.

The crash happened around 8 a.m. in the outer loop near South Boulevard.

ALSO READ: Man dies after crashing into tree in Catawba County, troopers say

Chopper 9 Skyzoom caught video showing the car flipped on its roof.

MEDIC told Channel 9 that one person was seriously hurt and taken to the hospital. No runners were hurt.

Its not clear what caused the crash.

(WATCH: Runner to race in Around the Crown 10K despite physical challenges)
The black-and-white cat shivered as it walked slowly along the Midtown Beach seawall.

Mary Adam de Villiers almost couldnt believe it: Could this be Ace, the same cat she hoped to find in the middle of the night, with just a very bright flashlight, a towel, some cat food and a nearby police officers rough estimates to guide her?

The same cat that Palm Beach Police said just two days earlier had been roughly gripped by his back, plunged repeatedly into the Atlantic Ocean and then thrown from the sidewalk over the seawall onto the beach  less than two weeks after being adopted?

She called his name, Ace! He turned around. The flashlights beam caught his eyes and filled them with white light.

Yes. It was him.

More: Police: Shocked beachgoers watch as man repeatedly dunks cat in ocean in Palm Beach

Adam de Villiers is one of dozens of people who expressed concern on social media about Ace and how he came to be in the hands of the 24-year-old West Palm Beach man who Palm Beach Police said terrorized him by dunking the cat into the ocean over and over again on Aug. 11.

On Facebook, Aces supporters have questioned how a man who was once involuntarily institutionalized could adopt a pet from one of the leading animal rescue organizations in Palm Beach County.

Ace, a nearly 5-year-old cat, was found along the seawall at Midtown Beach on Aug. 13, a little more than 24 hours after police said the man who adopted him tossed him away after terrorizing him by dunking him in the ocean repeatedly.

But supporters of open adoption policies say background checks and home visits only do so much to prevent abuse and neglect, arguing that more restrictive policies may deter some people looking to adopt pets, while relying on background checks that may not capture everything about a person.

The question remains: Could anything have prevented what happened to Ace?

Where to draw the line for adoptions?

Animal advocates are split when it comes to how much screening should be done before allowing someone to adopt a pet.

While some argue for strict limitations that include criminal background checks, visits to a potential adopter's home and calls to people who can vouch for an adopter's character, others say that process slows a system already over-burdened by a massive influx of abandoned, neglected and surrendered pets since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though the debate dates back decades, it has been exacerbated by that influx, several people who work with rescue agencies told the Daily News. While some attribute that to the large numbers of adoptions during the pandemic and people returning to work unable to now care for those pets, others said the issue is more one of rising costs for that care.

Some of those animal advocates, including those who believe in stricter checks for people who want to adopt animals, said that a criminal background check would not have prevented the man from adopting Ace, because it would not have revealed anything about his mental health history, and his previous charges were nonviolent misdemeanors.

The man who adopted Ace from Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League shared the news on his Facebook profile in an Aug. 4 post that has been widely spread by Aces supporters: Got a cat, they call him Ace. From five six ace, the man wrote, referencing a local nickname for Palm Beach County's 561 area code. "A staff favorite and a favorite of the kids at summer camp. Hes an alright cat to me. Currently getting used to my back room.

A photo of Ace curled up in a cushy cream-colored bed was accompanied by two other images: a child's drawing of Ace, surrounded by handwritten notes about the cat's personality, and three pink hearts; and Ace's shelter notes, which included his intake date of June 5 and his weight, 10.63 pounds.

Read more: Palm Beach grapples with long-running issue of cat abandonment

One week after making that Facebook post, the man would be arrested after the incident on Midtown Beach, where witnesses told police that the man stopped every 60 feet or so to dunk Ace into the water, according to court documents.

It was just before 7 p.m. Aug. 11 when police were called to the beach and an officer found the man gripping Ace by his back. The officer in an arrest report noted that he could see Ace was "under duress," in pain and suffering.

The man yelled at the officer, saying, "The world is going to hell, everybody is stupid," the arrest report said.

When the officer told the man he would be arrested, the man gripped Ace by his back and neck, shouted, "Does anybody want a cat?" and tossed Ace about 10 feet over the seawall into the vegetation there, the report said.

Ace hit the ground and ran.

The man is represented by the Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office, which as a policy does not comment on open cases.

According to court records, the man had in 2021 been involuntarily institutionalized under the state law known as the Baker Act. But the man appealed the state's use of the Baker Act in his case, and in 2022, the Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed the circuit courts order to grant a petition to involuntarily commit the man to inpatient treatment, saying that in the man's case, the state failed to show that the man met the criteria for involuntary placement, court records show.

Following his Aug. 11 arrest, the man was arrested two days later and charged with misdemeanor battery after West Palm Beach Police said he attacked and beat another patient at the NeuroBehavioral Hospital on 45th Street. He had been released Aug. 12 on a $5,000 bond, jail records show. As of Aug. 30, he is back at the Palm Beach County Jail and being held on $10,000 bail.

A child who attended Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League's summer camp made this sign to encourage people to adopt Ace, a black-and-white cat.

The mans arrest for animal cruelty was his first felony charge, according to court records. He previously faced a number of traffic violations, including a 2018 arrest for driving under the influence, when he was not yet 21 years old. In that case, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving and served a year of probation, court records show.

Why rescues say open adoption policies work

Peggy Adams has an open-adoption policy, also known as a conversational adoption, said Jane Tomsich, director of operations for the century-old organization.

During that process, Peggy Adams' adoption coordinators work with potential adopters one-on-one to discuss what they're looking for, their lifestyle and what to expect from a new pet, she said.

"All of our adoptable pets are available to go home same-day with their new families, and we try to make it as friendly and positive of an experience as possible for our adopters, so that they feel confident about their decision to adopt a pet from our organization," Tomsich said.

People who have been convicted of animal cruelty cannot adopt pets from Peggy Adams, she said. Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, which has a similarly structured adoption policy, shares information with Peggy Adams about people who have been convicted of animal cruelty, and those people are flagged in Peggy Adams' system and prevented from adopting pets, Tomsich said.

Peggy Adams' open-adoption philosophy is integral to its adoption program, she said. Tomsich did not speak specifically to Ace's time with Peggy Adams, though his documentation from the shelter reviewed by the Daily News described him as a favorite of those who worked with him.

"Open adoptions remove potential barriers to adopting a pet from an animal shelter," Tomsich said. "Everyone has an equal opportunity to adopt a pet, regardless of their age, income, race, or other factors that have no effect on their ability to love and provide care for an animal."

More restrictive policies can leave pets waiting longer to find suitable candidates to adopt them, she said, noting that open adoptions are a best practice for U.S. animal shelters and supported by organizations including The Humane Society of the United States, Best Friends Animal Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The organization's approach to adoptions is friendly and more welcoming, she said. "We want adopters to feel comfortable asking questions and talking to us about themselves, and providing a judgment-free process is integral in creating that kind of environment," Tomsich said. "The more comfortable an adopter feels, the more likely they are to adopt a pet and the less time our animals have to spend in a kennel in our shelter."

Sandy, a pit bull mix, greets guests during the ribbon cutting in March 2021 for the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League's new Lesly S. Smith Pet Adoption Center. DAMON HIGGINS / PALM BEACH DAILY NEWS

She also said there are always concerns that pets may be adopted to someone who harms or mistreats them, but pointed to research that shows strict requirements "only serve to provide an illusion of control over the outcome of an animal once it leaves a rescue's care," she said.

"We cannot promote pet adoption while simultaneously making potential adopters jump through hoops to prove they are 'worthy' of adopting a pet," Tomsich said.

Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control also has an open-adoption policy, but previously used stricter measures including background checks, agency director Janet Steele said. The background checks slowed the process tremendously, and those checks frequently didn't produce results for people interested in adopting pets, she said.

Speaking to Ace's case, where people on social media have questioned why a person who had issues with their mental health was allowed to adopt a pet, Steele said that wouldn't come up on a background check. "And we're not doctors," she said. "We can't decide whether or not someone with a mental issue is going to be better off with an animal, or worse off."

She noted that in her experience, people who have mental illnesses do better with pets. "That's where a lot of service animals are coming into play," Steele said. "So just arbitrarily saying, 'If you have a mental issue, you shouldn't have a pet,' is not appropriate."

Instead, Animal Care and Control adoption counselors meet one-on-one with people who want to adopt pets. They've found that a person's behavior in that discussion can raise more red flags for counselors than under the previous system, Steele said.

Ace, the cat Palm Beach Police said was dunked into the ocean repeatedly and then thrown over the Midtown Beach seawall, is now in the care of a foster home. He continues to experience signs of anxiety, including pulling out his hair, his foster said.

"We say here oftentimes, 'Right dog, right person,'" she said. By questioning potential adopters to find out the attributes they want in a pet, adoption counselors can make a better match, Steele said.

The county maintains a list of people who cannot adopt pets, including people convicted of animal cruelty, people who repeatedly surrender pets to the county and people who have repeated animal-related violations, she said. That list is available to be shared with any organization that requests it, but there is no central database where that information is tracked, Steele said.

"There's a couple of different groups that have tried to do that, but because there's such a wide range of what is acceptable and not acceptable, it's never gotten consensus in the sheltering community," she said.

Adam de Villiers, the woman who found Ace hiding near the Midtown Beach seawall in the middle of the night, thinks that may need to change.

Rescuing Ace, and calling for change

Adam de Villiers didn't expect to find Ace when she drove from her Lake Worth Beach home Aug. 12.

It was late, but she had seen a news report about what happened to Ace, and she wouldn't be able to sleep unless she did something.

Adam de Villiers' love for animals prompted her a year ago to become a foster home for shelter pets. The first dog she fostered, Lady, was on Animal Care and Control's "urgent" list, a sign that Lady would soon be euthanized. Adam de Villiers worked with local organization NAIA's Pet Rescue to pull Lady from the shelter.

The young pit bull mix quickly won over Adam de Villiers. While Lady was supposed to be a foster  "We poured in so much time and energy, that we ended up adopting her," Adam de Villiers said.

Lady is now an ambassador to the fosters who have come through Adam de Villiers' home in the past year, including a litter of puppies, several cats and more dogs.

While Adam de Villiers has experience caring for, fostering and owning cats and dogs, she had never tried to trap a scared, traumatized cat. Still, her instincts kicked in, and she knew she had to try to find Ace.

As she drove to Palm Beach, she spotted a Palm Beach Police officer on a routine patrol near the beach. He pointed her in the general direction of where Ace was last seen.

"I decided, I'm just going to start from where I am, and head southbound from this block," Adam de Villiers said. "I'm walking, and I have a really good flashlight and I could see the ocean. I was just looking everywhere along the seawall where he was apparently thrown.

"And it didn't really take too long," she said.

Soon, almost as though he wanted to be found in that moment, Adam de Villiers spotted Ace walking toward her along the seawall near a lifeguard station. At first, she didn't believe it was him.

Then she said his name.

He stopped and turned to look at her, as seen in a cellphone video she recorded of the moment. When he continued to walk, Adam de Villiers pulled out the big guns: a freshly opened can of wet cat food.

Soon after Ace was rescued, his foster Mary Adam de Villiers noticed that he had patches of fur missing, as seen in this photo from the first days after he was found.

Ace stopped to sniff the food, and in the way of so many cats, momentarily seemed like he might pass. "Maybe it wasn't to his liking," Adam de Villiers said, laughing. "But I presented it to him again, and he came back to sniff at it, and then from there, I thought, 'I'm just gonna go for it.'"

She delicately scooped up the nervous cat, cuddled him into a towel and began walking back to her car in disbelief. Adam de Villiers also in that moment realized that she did not have a cat carrier with her.

While Ace growled, he didn't try to escape, she said. She sat with him and waited for a friend to bring a carrier. It was about 1 a.m. Aug. 13, and Ace had been on the run for more than a day.

A microchip confirmed his identity.

She knew she would need a rescue organization to take him in, and NAIA's quickly stepped up, she said.

While Adam de Villiers is fostering Ace, she also tends to his medical needs.

Ace sometimes pulls out his hair, and he has several bald or balding patches where Adam de Villiers believes the man held Ace to force the cat under the waves. Ace is sore but has no broken bones, and is taking an anti-inflammatory medication and probiotics, she said.

Ace also occasionally trembles, and he will experience some issues related to his trauma, Adam de Villiers said the veterinarian told her. Peggy Adams is helping to provide medical care for Ace.

Ace's records show that he first came to Peggy Adams as a kitten at about 3 weeks old, was adopted and then returned, she said. He turns 5 in September.

"My thought was when I first heard about Ace's story and seeing how the public had been able to retrieve readily available public information about this guy's recent history, it seems that it would have taken just a matter of a few minutes to run a person's name," she said.

She feels that background checks "would make a world of difference for some of these animals."

"We can say that he's one of the lucky ones, in the sense that he's still alive and well today and now under a rescue," Adam de Villiers said. "There are others that we may not even hear of or that didn't make it."

While a strict policy might deter some people from applying to adopt a pet, it shouldn't be taken as something offensive or intrusive, she said. "It just kind of goes without saying that it should be normal to look into possible risk factors and sort through whether or not it's going to be safe for the animal," Adam de Villiers said.

There should be one place where rescues can see a list of who has been banned from adopting at other organizations, she said. "No one is speaking to each other," Adam de Villiers said. "There's so many rescues out there, even just in Palm Beach County, so how do you connect the dots with that?"

In a Daily News review of local rescue organizations' publicly posted policies, they are fairly divided between open and more strict adoption policies. One local rescue director, who asked not to be named because of the controversial nature of the subject matter, said that while their group does background checks, the one-on-one discussion with potential adopters is crucial.

"Frankly, that's usually what seals the deal," they said. "A background check isn't foolproof. And neither is a Google search."

While it seems that smaller organizations are more likely to have strict policies, according to the review that is not always the case. Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves, one of the largest private nonprofit pet rescue organizations in the Southeast, performs background checks as part of its adoption process, according to its website.

Home visits and calls to people who know potential adopters are also key to screening applicants, several local animal rescue adoption workers told the Daily News.

"It provides a deeper look at who a person is, what their intentions are and what they can handle," one said.

Even if someone is charged with animal cruelty, jail or prison time is uncommon, and the current law is not strong enough to deter people from harming animals, said a spokesperson for the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office.

State Attorney Dave Aronberg, who was unavailable for comment last week, previously called out animal cruelty as "barbaric behavior" that is linked to domestic violence and other serious crimes. He has also said he would like Florida to enact stricter penalties, including prison time, for even misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.

Adam de Villiers said she has marveled at how the pieces have come together with people rallying on social media around Ace.

"I think it's all about the education and putting the right nudge to the people who might be able to make some decisions and changes," she said. "That's all I could wish for, is a little bit of change, the baby step that just moves the needle to a positive direction."

Applications are open for people interested in adopting Ace. NAIA's does conduct background checks, visit prospective adopters' homes and do a meet-and-greet, Adam de Villiers said. Those interested can go to naiasrescue.org.

Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Cat abused in Palm Beach spurs calls for changes to adoption checks
FILE - In this photo taken in April 2019 a beluga whale found in Arctic Norway is fed. (Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP)

HELSINKI (AP)  A white beluga whale named Hvaldimir, first spotted in Norway not far from Russian waters with a harness that ignited rumors he may be a Moscow spy, has been found dead.

The Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that the whale carcass was found floating at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway Saturday by a father and son who were fishing.

The beluga, named by combining the Norwegian word for whale  hval  and Russian President Putin's first name Vladimir, was lifted out of the water with a crane and taken to a nearby harbor where experts will examine it.

Unfortunately, we found Hvaldimir floating in the sea. He has passed away but its not immediately clear what the cause of death is, marine biologist Sebastian Strand told NRK, adding that no major external injuries were visible on the animal.

Strand, who has monitored Hvaldimir's adventures for the past three years on behalf of the Norway-based Marine Mind non-profit organization, said he was deeply affected by the whales sudden death.

Its absolutely horrible, Strand said. He was apparently in good condition as of (Friday). So we just have to figure out what might have happened here.

The 4.2-meter (14-foot) long and 1,225-kilogram (2,700-pound) whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingya, not far from the Arctic city of Hammerfest, in April 2019 wearing a harness and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle marked with text Equipment St. Petersburg.

That sparked allegations that the beluga was a spy whale. Experts said the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes.

Over the years, the beluga was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it quickly became clear that he was very tame and enjoyed playing with people, NRK said.

NGO Marine Mind said on its site that Hvaldimir was very interested in people and responded to hand signals.

Based on these observations, it appeared as if Hvaldimir arrived in Norway by crossing over from Russian waters, where it is presumed he was held in captivity, it said.

Norwegian media have speculated whether Hvaldimir could have been used as a therapy whale of some sort in Russia.
Mark Hertzberg/ZUMA Press Wire / Shutterstock

Much like her current boss, Vice President Kamala Harris aims to provide plenty of financial help to needy U.S. families should she win the 2024 presidential election. Harris has been a strong backer of President Joe Bidens economic proposals  including those that never made it into law.

Find Out: Mark Cuban and Many Other Venture Capitalists Are Supporting Harris for President  Heres Why

Discover More: 6 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money

Biden was instrumental in passing stimulus legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the American Rescue Plan, which provided $1,400 in stimulus checks for eligible Americans. While those kinds of pandemic-era programs have largely fallen by the wayside, Harris still backs legislation that would give many citizens an economic boost either directly or indirectly.

Here are five forms of stimulus you can expect if Harris wins the election.

Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week.

Child Tax Credit

Harris supported the expansion of the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC), which provided up to $3,600 per child under the age of six and $3,000 for children ages six to 17. As president, she likely would continue to pursue these kinds of policies, which are designed to help both poor Americans and middle-class families.

Part of Harris economic plan includes at least restoring the CTC back to its 2021 levels, CNET reported. She also said she will push to substantially increase the credit to $6,000 for newborn children less than a year old for middle- and low-income families.

We will provide $6,000 in tax relief to families during the first year of a childs life, Harris said during a speech in North Carolina rolling out her economic agenda.

Read Next: Im an Economist: Heres My Prediction for Social Security If Kamala Harris Wins the Election

Additional Tax Credits

As a presidential candidate leading up to the 2024 election, Harris proposed replacing the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed by ex-President Donald Trump with a monthly refundable tax credit worth up to $500 for people earning less than $100,000 a year. The policy, known as the LIFT the Middle-Class Act, aimed to help offset high living costs by providing middle-class and working families with money to help pay for everyday expenses.

Housing

Harris has called for the construction of 3 million new housing units over four years as a way of easing a serious housing shortage in America, PBS reported. She also backs the following:

Legislation to create a new series of tax incentives for builders who construct starter homes sold to first-time homebuyers.

A $40 billion innovation fund for businesses building affordable rental housing units.

Expansion of a Biden administration plan to provide $25,000 in potential down payment assistance to help certain renters buy a home.

Story continues

Student Loan Relief

Another one of Harriss proposals as a presidential candidate was a student-debt forgiveness plan that was part of a broader initiative to invest in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Black entrepreneurs. Under that plan, Pell Grant recipients would have up to $20,000 of their student loans forgiven if they started a business in a disadvantaged community and operated it for at least three years.

As VP, Harris endorsed Bidens proposal to cancel up to $20,000 of federal student loans per borrower. That plan was eventually shot down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Healthcare

Harris previously supported a government-run Medicare for all program that would provide healthcare for everyone, The New York Times reported. She later changed that position to focus on strengthening the Affordable Care Act. Her campaign suggested she would preserve temporary increases in subsidies for private plans, according to the NYT. She also backs the latest White House budget that seeks new aid for residents in the ten states where Republicans declined to expand Medicaid.

Editors note on election coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on GOBankingRates.com.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Forms of Stimulus That Americans Can Expect if Harris Wins the Election
Can Labour be trusted on foreign policy? Or will it allow post-Imperial hand-wringing to outweigh the national interest? A litmus test will be its handling of the territory of the Chagos Islands, which Britain has owned since 1814.

The islands occupy a strategic position in the north-west of the Indian Ocean. The largest island is Diego Garcia, which is leased to the US and for the past half a century has been one of its most important military bases. Diego Garcia has played a vital role in many conflicts, including those in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Iraq.

However, Mauritius, independent since 1968, lays claim to sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. Last year the then defence secretary, Grant Shapps, thwarted a Foreign Office plan to cede sovereignty to Mauritius in return for a Cyprus solution. Shades of the Falklands?

Now it has emerged that the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have reopened talks with the Mauritians, thereby casting doubt on British resolve. It would be an understatement to say that our American allies would be unhappy with any handover of sovereignty to Mauritius, which is closely aligned with China. Beijing has bankrolled Mauritian development as part of its expansion of influence into Africa. With Sino-American tensions rising in Taiwan and the East China Sea, any potential threat to the US base in Diego Garcia would be taken very seriously in Washington.

No British government can afford to put the special relationship at risk. But Sir Keir Starmer and David Lammy, who show an undue deference towards foreign courts, are doubtless concerned about a non-binding 2019 ruling from the International Court of Justice, asserting that British sovereignty over the Chagos Islands was unlawful. Predictably, the UN General Assembly followed suit. No less predictably, the then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (Sir Keirs boss at the time) promised to right one of the wrongs of history by giving the islands away.

This is a chance for Sir Keir to distance himself from the Corbyn legacy. He and Mr Lammy should defend Anglo-American interests robustly, not pander to the global post-colonial guilt industry. The Chagos Islands are legally British and should remain so  in perpetuity.

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 notorious Shanghai-based Marxist millionaire behind a sprawling anti-U.S and anti-Israel disinformation network has a cadre of operatives embedded at Columbia University, The Post has learned.

Neville Roy Singham poured the huge fortune he made off the $785 million, 2017 sale of his software company, ThoughtWorks, into at least a dozen nonprofits, including the communist Peoples Forum in Midtown.

The groups helped organized many of the protests that raged across the city and nation since Hamas Oct. 7 raid on the Jewish state.

Shanghai-based Marxist millionaire Neville Roy Singham (right)  with producers Abigail Disney (left) and Jodie Evans  has dumped part of his fortune into the communist Peoples Forum in Midtown. WireImage

Multiple apparatchiks from the nonprofits that Singham put money into work at the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice, operating under the auspices of Union Theological Seminary, the affiliated divinity school of Columbia. AFP via Getty Images

Documents The Post obtained show multiple apparatchiks from these organizations work at the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice, operating under the auspices of Union Theological Seminary, the affiliated divinity school of Columbia.

Sen. Marco Rubio, who has urged the Justice Department to probe the Singham network, said the gravy train has to end for groups that advance the interests of Americas enemies.

I have warned of efforts by Communist China to sow discord in the United States, including Neville Singhams role in it, said Rubio (R-Florida).

We must stop this infiltration of our education system.

In total, nine of the 14 staff members listed on the centers website have a connection to Singham or to one of his groups. They include:

Rev. Liz Theoharis , Kairos executive director, who led a political discussion at Singham and Evans wedding. In her writing, Theoharis has attacked American efforts to secure its supply chains and access to computer chips as further inflaming a rising cold war with China.

Chris Caruso , operations director for the Kairos Center, treasurer and member of the board of directors at the Peoples Forum  and Theoharis husband. Filings by the Justice & Education Fund, another Singham nonprofit, list him as a curriculum developer with a $72,800 salary. He formerly held a job at ThoughtWorks, and named Singham as one of his mentors in his graduate school dissertation.

Ciara Taylor , cultural strategies organizer and educator at Kairos, previously served as cultural strategy director for CODEPINK, an anti-military group founded by Singhams wife Jodie Evans, which the tech tycoon has showered with nearly $1.5 million, records show. The Justice & Education Funds disclosures listed her as a curriculum developer with a $60,800 salary, and she has identified herself repeatedly as a co-founder of the Peoples Forum. She has also hosted two podcasts including one called Its Not You, Its Capitalism.

William Willie Baptist serves simultaneously as coordinator of poverty scholarship and leadership development at Kairos and chairman of the board at the Peoples Forum, where he also worked as an instructor at various seminars on radical politics. He also co-hosts a podcast with Taylor called Gravediggers Unite! a title which in its inaugural episode Baptist declared we are referencing the manifesto of the Communist Party, which claims capitalism will produce its own gravediggers.

Charon Hribar, the Kairos director of cultural strategies and also a Peoples Forum instructor. In a post co-authored with Baptist, the two lamented the characterization of the Soviet Union as totalitarian, and claimed we have for a long time been kept [in] ignorance of these processes, particularly those that actually took place and reconstructed Russia, Vietnam, China, and Cuba.

Singham has a cadre of operatives embedded at Columbia University, the Post has learned. Getty Images

It appears that the foxes are in the hen house, observed Alex Goldenberg, director of intelligence at the Network Contagion Research Institute, an independent New Jersey center that monitors extremism on both sides of the political spectrum.

The Peoples Forum and other Singham-linked entities, such as Breakthrough News, were on the ground during the Columbia encampment unrest.

Located inside Hastings Hall on Broadway in Morningside Heights, Kairos launched in 2004 as the Poverty Initiative, intended to train leaders and faith liaisons for various left-wing movements.

Today, it runs The Poor Peoples Campaign, which advocates pulling money from the defense budget to push toward domestic initiatives.

Singham-linked operatives include Chris Caruso is the operations director for the Kairos Center. kairoscenter.org

It also operates the Peoples Church of the Poor, which over Easter hosted Israel-bashing lefty Squad member, Rep. Cori Bush (D-M.O.), who gushed: I just want you to know how much I admire, I deeply admire you, and I appreciate all the work, the commitment to humanity, that you all are able to accomplish.

Roughly $2 million in donor funds have flowed through Union Theological Seminary into the center over the past decade, tax documents show, though The Post could not find a gift from a Singham-linked organization with Kairos name on it.

But following the tumultuous semester at the Ivy, Kairos updated its website to identify its fiscal sponsor as the Tides Center, a half-billion-dollar incubator of various left-wing causes  part of the Tides Network into which liberal billionaires George Soros and Mackenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, have poured millions of dollars.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Clearwater man was handed additional charges after he was arrested earlier this month for possessing pornographic material with children and sexual activity involving animals, the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office announced.

Deputies began their investigation after receiving information that child pornography was being accessed and stored on the internet. Their investigation revealed Gage Anthony Hines, 23, as the suspect. He was arrested on Aug. 15.

According to detectives, Hines possessed videos of children between 10 and 13 years old, as well as a video depicting an adult female engaging in intercourse with a German Shepherd.

Following his arrest, Hines was initially charged with one count of possession of child pornography, one count of transmission of child pornography, and one count of sexual activity involving animals.

However, on Saturday, deputies said they found additional files of child pornography on his cell phone, which depicted children from 2 to 10 years old.

He has since been charged with 17 additional counts of possession of child pornography. The 23-year-old is currently being held in the Pinellas County Jail.

The investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app.

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CHICAGO  Early Labor Day celebrations kicked off in the Pullman neighborhood on Saturday, an area deeply rooted in Americas labor movement.

Paradegoers enjoyed candy and freebies as they cheered on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside a multitude of unions, businesses, elected officials and community members who marched down Cottage Grove Avenue.

Just supporting everybody, you know, labor, the labor forces, the unions that are out here. Because, Im a letter carrier, so Im in the union too. So yeah its a great thing, paradegoer Rahsan Morris said.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

This annual holiday represents much more than summers last hurrah, a day off work on Monday or an extended weekend. The labor movement has deep roots in Pullman and across the city.

Whether its the workers who fought for fairness at Pullman, the fight for the eight-hour work day, or modern fights for, you now, making sure workers have the ability to have sick leave, benefits, Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter said.

To brothers who each spent more than working at Pullman Standard participated in Saturdays parade.

It was one big happy family. And of course, the union was involved in that, former Pullman employee Alfonso Quiroz said.

They expressed their gratitude to the steelworkers union for its support. especially when the company ceased operations in 1981.

They offered early retirement, Quiroz said. Ive been retired 42 years now collecting pension, and still collecting it.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

While many embraced the beautiful weather and time with family, they also took a moment to recognize the contributions of the working class and the impact that unions have made on society.

Ive never been in a union. Ive always been in a private sector as far as working. So whatever helps them to get the job done. Equality for all employees, Im all for it, paradegoer Geri Durham said.

The Chicago Federation of Labor said they will continue advocating for social economic and racial justice for all working people in Chicago and the county.

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Asking hard questions

Juan Esparza Loera named opinion editor of The Fresno Bee, (fresnobee.com, Aug. 26)

Congratulations to Juan Esparza Loera for his selection as The Fresno Bees new opinion editor. His experience, bilingual abilities and humble beginnings will help him continue giving voice to the voiceless and working hard to expose wrongdoings.

What better time than election season to bring focus to hard truths? For example, the family values that most candidates claim to care about. Will they renew the expanded Child Tax Credit that cut child poverty by 46%? What will they do about the affordable housing and homelessness crisis? Will they support expanding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to help hungry families?

Loera is now in position to ask these questions and follow-up on the answers, setting an example for all of us and informing our votes.

Willie Dickerson

Snohomish, WA

Opinion

A different perspective

California climate program hurts Central Valley families, (fresnobee.com, Aug. 16)

An effective climate solution will not come at the cost of low-income communities.

The author cites rising gas costs under Californias Low Carbon Fuel Standard. And, as a new driver myself, I too wince when I pull up to the pump. But I also care about my future.

Enter the carbon fee and dividend. This proposed policy would charge a fee at the source of fossil fuel production, encouraging businesses to become more energy efficient and expand clean energy. Not only would Central Valley residents benefit from cleaner air, we would benefit from renewable  and reliable  energy sources becoming affordable and plentiful. The money collected from this fee would then be directly returned to all American people as a monthly check. This carbon cashback would not only help low-and-middle-income families afford the transition, it would actually help them get ahead. Legislation like this is equitable, effective and, thankfully, bipartisan.

Anna Villavicencio

Three Rivers

Double standard

Kamala Harris to tell nation shes a daughter of the middle class ready to unite America, (Aug. 22, fresnobee.com)

Former President Barack Obama said at the Democratic National Convention the other night that we need to remember that weve all got our blind spots and contradictions and prejudices, and that if we want to win over those that arent yet ready to support our candidate, we need to listen to their concerns, and maybe learn something in the process.

Ive heard those sentiments on MSNBC (which is peppered with former Republicans) and from elected Democrats for a long time. Do elected Republicans or conservative media folk say anything like that? If they did, theyd have to admit that liberals and Democrats arent demons  despite their demonizations.

Don Smith

Fresno
Conservationists stunned by unusual heat phenomenon causing baby birds to fall from trees: 'Their nests are like furnaces'

A July heat wave in Northern California caused large numbers of baby birds to fall from their nests, stunning the conservationists working to preserve the creatures.

What's happening?

On July 6, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that an "unusually high number" of young shorebirds had fallen from their nests in urban areas.

At the time, the volunteer group Sacramento Heron and Egret Rescue had already assisted 250 baby herons and egrets  the most needing rescue since 2017.

"When there's increased heat and the sun is right on top of the nest, they tend to jump out," Wildlife Care Association of Sacramento animal care manager Sandra Foreman told the Chronicle, "Their nests are like furnaces."

Complicating matters was the fact that many of the nests were over hard surfaces, such as parking lots. The rescue organization's co-founder, Christy Berger, told the newspaper that the areas were likely part of the shorebirds' historic range before humans developed the region.

Now, when the baby birds fall, instead of landing on wetlands, many are smacking onto concrete and into the path of moving cars, frequently resulting in death or injuries requiring euthanization.

Why is this important?

Birds are known indicators of ecosystem health, supporting pollination, transporting seeds, and fertilizing soil, according to the National Audubon Society. Some species, including vultures, help with disease control. When our winged friends suffer, it is an indication that something is amiss.

The situation in Northern California further highlights how the ways we manage natural resources and design our cities can have far-reaching consequences for the planet's inhabitants  and even exacerbate certain effects.

For example, the United States is heavily dependent on cars, creating the need for large parking lots. However, pavement radiates more heat than trees and other plants. Meanwhile, vehicles, if powered by gas or diesel fuel, release planet-warming pollution from their tailpipes.

Scientists have warned that extreme weather events such as heat waves are growing more frequent and severe as a result of rising global temperatures and that warming is overwhelmingly driven by the use of dirty energy. The United Nations notes that more than 75% of planet-warming pollution comes from fuels such as gas, oil, and coal.

Plastic waste, light pollution, and unintentional capture in fishing gear are among the other threats to bird populations globally.

What can be done to protect birds?

Donating to conservation organizations aiding birds is one way to assist. One habitat restoration project in the Welsh marshlands has resulted in the return of two types of rare birds.

Other ways to help include opting for plastic-free alternatives and participating in a Lights Out program during migratory seasons, which includes actions such as turning off exterior decorative lighting and pulling down window coverings.

Global efforts to adopt a cleaner energy grid are also expected to pay dividends, not only reducing heat-trapping pollution from dirty fuels but also providing low-cost, reliable electricity. Signing up for community solar is one way to begin participating in this transition.

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.
Rich Lowry, editor-in-chief of the conservative National Review, told a bemused Chris Wallace in a Saturday appearance on CNN that Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has essentially run a perfect campaign.

In remarks during a panel on The Chris Wallace Show, Lowry first granted Vance obviously did have a rocky introduction to national life. Citing the furor surrounding his now-infamous childless cat ladies criticism as just one example, Lowry continued to note that Vance is, not necessarily the most warm and fuzzy campaigner, but he a is proven tireless, fearless, really effective spokesman for this ticket.

In a moment of truly-limber talking head contortion, he then asserted that Vance as far as I can tell, has not had one misstep.

Stunned by the remark, a skeptical but seemingly amused Wallace quickly pushed back: How about Vance this week telling Kamala Harris to go to hell for criticism about Trumps visit to Arlington which she in fact never made? the host queried.

You think the campaign didnt want him to do that? parried Lowry back in turn.

I would hope that they didnt want him to, Wallace demurred.

They probably wanted him to go out and be a forceful critic and be an attack dog, and he's doing a really good job, the conservative journalist explained.

Walz Says Hell Make Debate With JD Vance All About Project 2025

Wallace followed up again, asking about Vances defense of lewd remarks by Trump.

"Well, he's on the ticket, what is he going to do?" said Lowry, who then praised Vance for the number of media appearances the Ohio senator has made during the campaign.

Its going to be a long two months, joked Wallace, ending the segment.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump asserts his 'no' position on a proposed Florida ballot measure to protect and expand abortion rights. (Steven Hirsch-Pool/Getty Images)

Originally published by The 19th

After criticizing Floridas six-week abortion ban on Thursday, former President Donald Trump, a resident of the Sunshine State, told Fox News that he will be voting against a ballot measure to protect and expand abortion rights.

I disagreed with that right from the early primaries when I heard about it, Trump said Friday of the states six-week ban. I disagreed with it.

Trump then made additional comments centering on an untrue point about abortions, arguing that some states allow for abortions after birth. There is no such thing as abortion after birth, and no state law allows for it. The Florida measure would allow for restrictions after fetal viability, which occurs typically between 23 and 25 weeks of pregnancy.

The Florida measure would amend the states constitution to protect abortion rights until viability  the same standard as Roe v. Wade  and would as a result overturn the states active six-week ban. The measure requires 60 percent voter approval to pass.

During an interview on Thursday, Trump said the six-week ban offered too little time  leading some to believe he might vote in favor of the abortion rights measure, though his campaign quickly said otherwise.

He also said he would require the government or insurance companies to pay for IVF treatment, though he did not say how.

These remarks incensed some anti-abortion leaders, who have been his staunch allies since his first presidential campaign in 2016. This year, as the GOP presidential nominee, Trump has sought to soften his stance on abortion  taking credit for the overturn of Roe, but declining to endorse a national ban on the procedure.

Most women voters still disapprove of Trumps favored position, which is to leave abortion policy up to states. Instead, they support a national abortion rights protection, per polling from the nonprofit health policy research and journalism organization KFF.

The Republican Party endorsed a platform at its national convention that would interpret the U.S. Constitutions 14th amendment to grant embryos the same legal status as people  an anti-abortion ideology known as fetal personhood, which could be used to ban abortion and other reproductive health services like in vitro fertilization. Trumps campaign website links to the party platform.

Trumps new IVF pledge would require congressional approval, which is unlikely, and would run against the position of many in his own party. All but two Senate Republicans voted against a Democrat-backed bill in June meant to protect access to the treatment.

Some evangelical leaders and abortion opponents have said they will not be endorsing Trump because of his recent efforts to distance himself from the movement. Meanwhile, other prominent anti-abortion activists, such as Students for Life leader Kristan Hawkins, have argued they stand a better chance of restricting abortion under a Trump administration than one led by Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.

Trumps latest comments drew praise from abortion opponents.

We thank President Trump for shedding light on how extreme this measure is and call on all Republican leaders in Florida to follow the presidents example, said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America.

In a series of posts on the social media website X, Hawkins suggested Trumps announcement shows abortion opponents will have better luck influencing a Republican White House.

The last 24 hours the pro-life movement united calling on President Trump to do the right thing, she posted, then inaccurately described the Florida measure as one that would protect abortion in all trimesters. It worked. He listened. Hes voting NO.

Harris issued a statement shortly after the news about Trumps no vote broke on Friday.

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, she said. 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.

The 19th is an independent, nonprofit newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Feb. 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. Trump said Thursday he would debate Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris on Sept. 10. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

After criticizing Floridas six-week abortion ban on Thursday, former President Donald Trump, a resident of the Sunshine State, told Fox News that he will be voting against a ballot measure to protect and expand abortion rights.

I disagreed with that right from the early primaries when I heard about it, Trump said Friday of the states six-week ban. I disagreed with it.

Trump then made additional comments centering on an untrue point about abortions, arguing that some states allow for abortions after birth. There is no such thing as abortion after birth, and no state law allows for it. The Florida measure would allow for restrictions after fetal viability, which occurs typically between 23 and 25 weeks of pregnancy.

This report was originally published by The 19th. The Illuminator is a founding member of The 19th News Network.

The Florida measure would amend the states constitution to protect abortion rights until viability  the same standard as Roe v. Wade  and would as a result overturn the states active six-week ban. The measure requires 60 percent voter approval to pass.

During an interview on Thursday, Trump said the six-week ban offered too little time  leading some to believe he might vote in favor of the abortion rights measure, though his campaign quickly said otherwise. He also said he would require the government or insurance companies to pay for IVF treatment, though he did not say how. These remarks incensed some anti-abortion leaders, who have been his staunch allies since his first presidential campaign in 2016. This year, as the GOP presidential nominee, Trump has sought to soften his stance on abortion  taking credit for the overturn of Roe, but declining to endorse a national ban on the procedure.

Most women voters still disapprove of Trumps favored position, which is to leave abortion policy up to states. Instead, they support a national abortion rights protection, per polling from the nonprofit health policy research and journalism organization KFF.

The Republican Party endorsed a platform at its national convention that would interpret the U.S. Constitutions 14th amendment to grant embryos the same legal status as people  an anti-abortion ideology known as fetal personhood, which could be used to ban abortion and other reproductive health services like in vitro fertilization. Trumps campaign website links to the party platform.

Trumps new IVF pledge would require congressional approval, which is unlikely, and would run against the position of many in his own party. All but two Senate Republicans voted against a Democrat-backed bill in June meant to protect access to the treatment.

Some evangelical leaders and abortion opponents have said they will not be endorsing Trump because of his recent efforts to distance himself from the movement. Meanwhile, other prominent anti-abortion activists, such as Students for Life leader Kristan Hawkins, have argued they stand a better chance of restricting abortion under a Trump administration than one led by Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.

Trumps latest comments drew praise from abortion opponents.

We thank President Trump for shedding light on how extreme this measure is and call on all Republican leaders in Florida to follow the presidents example, said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America.

In a series of posts on the social media website X, Hawkins suggested Trumps announcement shows abortion opponents will have better luck influencing a Republican White House.

The last 24 hours the pro-life movement united calling on President Trump to do the right thing, she posted, then inaccurately describing the Florida measure as one that would protect abortion in all trimesters. It worked. He listened. Hes voting NO.

Harris issued a statement shortly after the news about Trumps no vote broke on Friday.

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, she said. 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.

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Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said Sunday he is open to former President Trumps proposal to have the government or insurance companies cover in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Well, all Republicans, to my knowledge, support IVF, in the Congress. And theres no state that prohibits or regulates IVF in a way that makes it inaccessible, Cotton said in an interview on NBC Newss Meet the Press. It is expensive for many couples. I understand that. So, its something Im open to, that most Republicans would be open to.

The Republican senator said the fiscal impact would have to be first evaluated, whether the taxpayer can afford to pay for this and what impact it would have on premiums.

But in principle, supporting couples who are trying to use IVF or other fertility treatments, I dont think is something thats controversial at all, he said.

Trump said Thursday his administration would protect access to IVF and have either the government or insurance companies pay for the treatment if hes elected in November.

We are going to be  under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment, he said in an exclusive interview with NBC News, adding would apply to all Americans who get it; all Americans who need it.

So, were going to be paying for that treatment, or were going to be mandating that the insurance companies pay, he added.

Meet the Press anchor Kristen Welker noted Cotton voted against a Senate bill that would have protected and expanded IVF access and mandated some coverage by health insurance plans.

Cotton called that bill Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers (D-N.Y.) ridiculous messaging bill, and noted how the bill included various other policies Schumer slapped together.

Its a bill that also wouldve protected and expanded IFV access. So thats a no, Welker responded.

When asked where the money would come from to fund IVF under Trumps proposal, Cotton said he would have to evaluate any specific legislation.

Welker then suggested Cotton is still undecided on a government-funding IVF plan, to which he said, Well, I certainly support couples having access to IVF, and its not even a controversial issue in any of the 50 states.

Cottons Republican colleague, Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.), however, said he would not support the idea of mandating insurance companies to cover IVF treatments.

When asked if he would back the proposal, Graham said, No  no, because theres no end to that.

Graham, instead, suggested a tax credit for people who use IVF and other treatments to become pregnant.

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More than 110 firefighters were dispatched to battle a large fire at a construction site in Historic South-Central Los Angeles early Sunday morning.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, crews were dispatched to 217 Vernon Avenue near Wall Street just after 4 a.m.

Upon arriving, they located a three-story wood framed building engulfed in flames. The structure, which was in its construction phase, was surrounded by scaffolding, LAFD said.

More than 110 firefighters were dispatched to battle a large fire at a construction site in Historic South-Central Los Angeles early Sunday morning. (Citizen App)

More than 110 firefighters were dispatched to battle a large fire at a construction site in Historic South-Central Los Angeles early Sunday morning. (KTLA)

Intense flames spread to two nearby single-family homes, which firefighters entered to extinguish, and several detached buildings, fire officials stated. Although there were initial concerns of structural or scaffolding collapse, everything remained stable during the firefight.

Grandmother killed after man jumps off freeway bridge in Southern California

Video posted to the Citizen App shows a thick plume of smoke rising into the night sky.

At least 10 people have been displaced due to the fire, LAFD said, and the Red Cross is responding to assist them. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Croatia has announced the transfer of a DOK-ING MV-4 robotic mine clearance system to Ukraine.

Source: Ukrinform news agency, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The relevant certificate was handed over to Ukrainian representatives by Croatian Defence Minister Ivan Anusic and the heads of the manufacturing company during the Globsec international conference in Prague.

Anusic noted that the process of mine clearance in Ukraine will require a lot of time and funds.

"Mine clearance is a tremendous task, and international support is crucial. Ukraine is not alone, we will work together as long as necessary," the Croatian minister said.

Anusic announced the results of a donor conference held in Zagreb in 2023. He noted that almost half a billion dollars had been raised there.

This will contribute to Ukraine's recovery, as humanitarian mine clearance is essential for rebuilding, economic development, and the return of displaced people to their homes, Anusic added.

Background:

In early August, the European Union allocated 2 million to fund a new humanitarian mine clearance initiative in Ukraine.

On 16 July, the US Department of State handed over more mine clearance equipment worth US$5.8 million to Ukraine's State Special Transport Service.

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Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova met with her Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto and discussed support for Ukraine, among other things.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Radio Prague International

Details: The ministers also discussed the security situation in Africa and the Middle East, Czech-Italian defence cooperation, and the project to purchase American F-35 aircraft.

Cernochova and Crozetto also discussed the outcome of the July NATO summit in Washington.

Quote from Cernochova: "The summit sent a clear signal that our defence is strong. However, it is also clear that much more needs to be done. NATO also needs to adopt a new strategy toward Russia, which is already waging war against the West, conducting attacks in cyberspace and sponsoring terrorist attacks and arson in our countries. To the south, threats are growing in Africa and the Middle East."

Jana Cernochova says Russia has turned Africa into a geopolitical battlefield, undermining Europe's strategic interests there.

The project to purchase fifth-generation US F-35 aircraft was also discussed. The Czech government has approved the purchase of 24 aircraft for a total of CZK 150 billion (roughly US$6.34 billion).

Jana Cernochova reports that Czechia is also ready to discuss cooperation with Italian companies, in particular with Leonardo, which plays a key role in the European defence industry.

Background:

The day before, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said that Russia's military plans are not limited to the invasion of Ukraine.

Jan Lipavsky also said that Czechia does not impose any restrictions on Ukraine's use of its military equipment but understands the different attitudes of some allies to this issue.

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Basil Gooden, U.S. Agriculture Department under secretary for rural development, speaks Aug. 29, 2024, at Ages and Stages Daycare in Clear Lake with, from left, Rural Development State Director for South Dakota Nikki Gronli, day care owner Hailey Freeman and Grow SD CEO Lori Finnesand. (Courtesy of USDA Rural Development)

Basil Gooden, U.S. Agriculture Department under secretary for rural development, speaks Aug. 29, 2024, at Ages and Stages Daycare in Clear Lake with, from left, Rural Development State Director for South Dakota Nikki Gronli, day care owner Hailey Freeman and Grow SD CEO Lori Finnesand. (Courtesy of USDA Rural Development)

Ages and Stages Daycare is the only child care center in Clear Lake, a town near Watertown with a population of 1,218.

The owner planned to sell, and longtime employee Hailey Freeman was able to buy the center earlier this month with a $105,000 low-interest loan through GROW South Dakota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Interstate Telecommunications.

The USDA showcased the partnership in a press conference Thursday, where the agency also announced a $750,000 loan to Grow SD to continue such investments in rural areas of the state. USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Basil Gooden attended the press conference.

Freemans loan allowed her to purchase the building and plan for improvements to the facility. She told attendees how critical the child care facility is to the community and the children she serves.

Were like their second homes, she said. The center struggles with staffing, which Freeman hopes to address in order to reach the centers full capacity.

USDA Rural Development State Director Nikki Gronli said the department has helped seven communities in South Dakota through similar lending partnerships. That includes investments in child care centers in Custer, Black Hawk, Tea, Oacoma, Platte, Ipswich and Pierre.

Child care is economic development, Gronli said. The beauty of our programs is that we have a lot of flexibility to look at what the critical needs are in rural South Dakota and respond to them.

In total, Grow SD has received around $22 million in funding from USDA Rural Development over a 30-year partnership for a variety of rural economic development projects. GROW SD CEO Lori Finnesand said the nonprofit has financed over $49 million in loans to more than 700 small businesses.

Those loans have created or retained more than 4,000 jobs in rural areas of the state, she said. The money has helped businesses such as repair shops and grocery stores, and has allowed people to do business in their own community rather than driving miles away for goods and services.

Loans like this potentially keep those small communities alive, Finnesand said.

Low-interest loan partnerships like the one between Interstate Telecommunications, GROW SD and the USDA help spread the risk of loans, especially when nonprofits can be a little more flexible than traditional lenders might be, Finnesand added.

Communities who arent served by GROW SD can reach out to other rural nonprofits working with the USDA if they would like to apply for a loan, Gronli added. Or businesses can work directly with the USDA grant program.

Three child care grant investments from the USDA in South Dakota will be announced soon, she said.

More child care innovations

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An investigator for the Vermont Department of Health is helping authorities look into a death in Brattleboro.

Someone was found dead Saturday morning at a home on Birge Street. Their name has not been released, nor have any specifics on precisely when and where they were discovered. However, the Brattleboro Police Department says their family has been notified.

The persons death is not considered suspicious. Police say it appears to have been due to natural causes, but a medicolegal death investigator for the state health department is helping them in their attempt to confirm that.

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The halls of the US Congress were, for many years, a mans world. The first woman elected to Congress, the Republican Jeannette Rankin of Montana, joined the House in 1917, three years before the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote and decades before the civil rights movement enabled ballot access for women of color.

Now, more than a century later, 150 women serve in Congress, marking an all-time high. And as more women have joined the House and Senate, the ranks of senior staffers on the Hill have shifted alongside them. More women, specifically young women, are leading congressional offices as chiefs of staff, giving them invaluable access to lawmakers and opportunities to influence the policies that shape Americans lives.

Data shows that white male staffers are still more likely to hold senior roles on Capitol Hill, but the young women who lead congressional offices want to help change that. And among Democratic chiefs of staff, this year represents an inflection point: many of them were first inspired to get involved in politics after Hillary Clintons loss in 2016, and the country now has another opportunity to not only defeat Donald Trump but elect Kamala Harris as the first female president.

Its really important for women in positions of power to be speaking out and sharing their experiences, said Marie Baldassarre, 29, chief of staff to the Democratic congressman Ro Khanna. The more of those examples that young women can have, then the less we doubt ourselves  because weve seen other people do it.

A call to action after 2016

Multiple Democratic chiefs of staff said they had not envisioned a career in politics before Trumps victory in 2016. They certainly did not expect to rise to the level of a chief of staff, who holds the most senior role in a congressional office and can directly consult with a House member on legislative and political decisions.

After her family emigrated to the US from Iran when she was seven, Armita Pedramrazi, chief of staff to the Democratic representative Mary Gay Scanlon, thought she might go into pro-bono immigration law. Then a mentor suggested she apply for a job with the then congresswoman Susan Davis.

The more of those examples that young women can have, the less we doubt ourselves  weve seen other people do it Marie Baldassare, chief of staff to Ro Khanna

I applied completely on a whim, thinking there was absolutely no way that someone without political connections or without some sort of leverage could work for a congressional office, said Pedramrazi, 32. It felt like this incredibly far away, impossible thing.

She got the job and eventually moved to Washington DC in 2016, expecting to do immigration policy work with Hillary Clintons administration. That did not come to pass, but she stayed on in her legislative role with Davis before arriving in Scanlons office and working her way up to chief of staff.

For Amy Kuhn, chief of staff to Democratic congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Clinton campaigns in 2016 marked her first foray into political work. And although Clinton lost, the experience allowed Kuhn to meet her current boss and underscored the importance of the work.

Im a gay woman who grew up in the very red state of Montana, so a lot of my life has been very political by its nature, said Kuhn, 35. [The Clinton campaign] was such a good experience, but the outcome was so personal and painful, and we were all reckoning with what it meant for Donald Trump to become president.

If Trumps presidency spurred them into action, several chiefs of staff said the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022 served as a reminder of why they chose this professional path.

My mom dedicated her career to fighting for reproductive rights, and that was something I really viewed as a threat when I first got involved in politics, Baldassarre said. Now that Roe has been overturned, it just motivates me that the fight isnt over.

Since launching her campaign, Harris has placed a renewed emphasis on the importance of protecting abortion access. She has embraced the rallying cry of were not going back to bolster her argument that this election represents an existential fight over Americans fundamental freedoms.

For young women working in Democratic politics, the excitement around Harriss candidacy demonstrates the importance of deploying effective messengers who understand the gravity of issues like abortion access.

Shes a trustworthy narrator. She can talk about the issue from personal experience, as so many women can, said Abby May, 28, chief of staff to the Democratic congressman Wiley Nickel. Being able to speak to the millions of women out there who are worried about having their rights ripped away, and knowing that shes someone who understands exactly whats at stake, is hugely impactful.

The same logic applies to the young women who lead congressional offices, Pedramrazi argued.

Being a young woman in this moment, there are ways that we can talk about the issues facing the electorate and our constituents that are much more personal, she said.

To me, thats the benefit of any type of diversity. You have people who are bringing a different kind of fire to the issues that affect them personally. And I think that is as true being a young woman chief of staff as it is for anyone.

More work remains

Even as more young women step into senior roles in congressional offices, they remain somewhat of an anomaly. According to 2019 data compiled by the left-leaning thinktank New America, 22% of female Hill staffers serve in senior roles compared to 33% of male Hill staffers. Women were also less likely than men to serve in roles focused on political leadership, which tend to be more senior and better paid. Among female staffers on the Hill, 11% of them worked in political leadership in 2019, compared to 17% of male staffers.

People of color face their own challenges on the Hill. According to a 2022 report from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, people of color account for only 18% of top House staff, even as they make up 40% of the national population. In the personal offices of white Democratic members, people of color represent 14.8% of top staff, compared to 5.2% in the personal offices of white Republican members.

And although those under 35 made up a majority of Hill staffers, political leadership roles tend to be held by those more advanced in their careers. In 2019, the average tenure for all staffers was roughly three years, according to New Americas data, but the average tenure for those in political management roles was more than 14 years.

Im grateful that the institution of Congress is changing along with us Amy Kuhn, chief of staff to Sara Jacobs

The impact of remaining in the minority is felt by many of the staffers. May said that, even as her boss has expressed unwavering confidence in her capabilities, she has still had the experience of being mistaken for his daughter or intern.

I think the main challenges are with external folks who come in expecting one type of face when theyre meeting with the chief of staff and get mine, May said. Being taken seriously at all levels when we are doing such important work is still a reality that I think all women chiefs of staff  and women around the country  deal with.

Baldasarre echoed that sentiment, while praising Khanna and other mentors for giving her opportunities for advancement. I think the biggest challenge that Ive faced has actually been much more subtle, which is that women, people of color, younger people, we just arent given the same benefit of the doubt when we walk into a new room, she said.

Despite those challenges, there are signs of slow change. The New America data found the percentage of women in senior staffer roles increased by 5%, from 17% to 22%, between 2017 and 2019, although the percentage of men in senior staffer roles rose by 11 points in that same time period. The report from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies found that the percentage of people of color in top House staffer positions rose from 13.7% to 18% between 2018 and 2022.

Being taken seriously at all levels is still a reality that I think all women chiefs of staff deal with Abby May, chief of staff to Wiley Nickel

Im grateful that the institution of Congress is sort of changing along with us, Kuhn said. We go into weekly meetings with all the Democratic chiefs, and it is a remarkably diverse room.

The young women chiefs of staff are bringing about change in their own offices as well, encouraging colleagues to take mental health days and providing younger employees the opportunity to voice their opinions.

Pedramrazi wants to build an experience for her younger coworkers that feels distinctly different from her own early memories on the Hill, when she often felt condescended to by external groups. She got the impression that her contributions or concerns were dismissed out of hand because she wasnt taken seriously by external advisers.

Related: Young men in the US used to lean left. Could they now hand Trump the presidency?

No one really was standing to attention when a brown, 24-year-old young woman was speaking, Pedramrazi said. And I think part of the amazing experience of being a chief of staff now is  creating a really safe environment for our staffers  regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race  to feel really heard in the office.

May hopes that by building more equitable offices, more young women will be motivated to get involved in politics. In a year where the enthusiasm of young voters could decide the outcome of a presidential election, that mission feels more urgent than ever.

Representation of young women only encourages more young women to get involved and get their own seats at the table, May said.
The original Chicano Squad members filming in Houston, Texas, on July 24, 2023. Danielle Villasana Houston HPD Chicano Squad being honored in October 2002, at the Hispanic Officers of the Year banquet for its work on the murder of Joana Rodriguez, 20, and the kidnapping of her 4-day-old son, Ray Cabrera. The baby was later recovered safely. Houston Police Dept. HPD Chicano Squad at a reunion 3 years ago, 2001. Front row L-R: Inv. David Vasquez Jr., Sgt Cecil Mosqueda, Lt. Murry Smith, Inv. P. J. Guerrero, Inv. Jesse Sosa. Back row L-R: Inv. Mac Sosa, Sgt. Hector Riojas, Rico Garcia, Sgt. Jim Montero, Inv. U. P. Hernandez, Sgt. toby Hernandez. Houston Police Dept. Officer M. Sosa, Lt. M.J. Smith, Officer H.A. Chavez, Officer P.J. Guerrero, officer J. Selvera, Sgt. Robert Torres, and behind the car far back,officers Jesus Sosa, left, and X.E. Avila, right, part of the Chicano Squad, or at least a few of them shot on the HPD parking garage, Wenesday August 11, 2004. Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle Houston Police Office Robert Gatewood with wife, was promoted to detective Friday, May 1, 1981. He works with the department's Chicano Squad, Assistant Chief John Bales presented the award. Jim McNay/Houston Chronicle

Houston was once known as the murder capital of the country. In 1979 alone, there were 664 murders, and one in every four was Hispanic. Discrimination, distrust and a language barrier exacerbated the problem.

Things erupted in 1977 when several Houston police officers killed Jose Campos Torres, a Vietnam War vet, in 1977. The officers arrested Torres, beat him and dumped him in Buffalo Bayou. The Houston Police Department's Chicano Squad was born out of that strife. The bilingual unit of five Mexican-American police officers was the first of its kind in the U.S.

MORE FROM JOEY GUERRA: Legendary Houston rapper is also a guitarist who loves to rock out to Kiss

Those fledgling officers are the subject of "The Chicano Squad," a two-part documentary series airing Sept. 1 and 2 on A&E. It's an absorbing watch that's both informative and entertaining. It features interviews with original members, reenactments and snapshots of Houston's complex past. The members also gather on-camera at Dona Maria restaurant on Navigation to reminisce about their groundbreaking past.

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08/18/1981 - Houston Police Department Chicano Squad (l-r): Jose Selvera Jr., Raymond Gonzales, ?? Montero, Cecil Mosqueda, Robert Gatewood, and U. P. Hernandez. Jerry Click / Houston Post HPOST CAPTION (09/24/1981): Selvera, Gonzales, Montero, Mosqueda, Gatewood, Hernandez Jerry Click/Houston Chronicle

Earlier this month, Mayor John Whitmire proclaimed Aug. 20 as Chicano Squad Day during a ceremony attended by members U.P. Hernandez, Jose DeLeon, Robert Gatewood, Raymond Gonzales, Jim Montero, Cecil Mosqueda and Jose Selvera Jr. The event marked the 45th anniversary of the Chicano Squad's formation. A premiere was held two days later at the Hobby Center.

'The Chicano Squad' When: 8 p.m. Sept. 2 and 3 Where: A&E 1/2 (out of 5)

The Chicano Squad was originally created to help non-Spanish-speaking detectives with translations during investigations. But Montero knew he waned to assemble a permanent team to help solve crimes in Houston's Latino communities. His original recruits included Selvera, a structured ex-marine; Hernandez, who provided the muscle; and Mosqueda, known as the funny one. The series does a good job of carving out distinct characters and personalities.

"I think Jim, being a savvy vet on the police force, navigated the police politics to get what he needed." says executive producer Sergio Selvera, the son of Jose Selvera Jr. He's one of many family members interviewed for the series, along with former city councilmember Gracie Saenz and Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia.

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Officer H.A. Chavez, Lt. M.J. Smith, Officer M. Sosa, Officer J. Selvera (one of the originals), Officer P.J. Guerrero, Sgt. Robert Torres, Officer Jesus Sosa, and Officer X.E. Avila, (l-r) all with the Chicano Squad, shot on the HPD parking garage, Wednesday August 11, 2004. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle) HOUCHRON CAPTION (08/16/2004): CHICANO SQUAD: Members of the Houston Police Department's special investigative unit who gathered last week include, from left, officer H.A. Chavez, Lt. M.J. Smith, officer M. Sosa, officer J. Selvera, officer P.J. Guerrero, Sgt. Robert Torres, officer Jesus Sosa and officer X.E. Avila. Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

To make an impression, the Chicano Squad wore suits or sport coats, shiny shoes and had perfectly coiffed hair. The group was put in a small room with a single desk, typewriter and chair. They were given 90 days to prove themselves or be sent back to their original jobs. Within that tight time frame, they cleared an astounding 40 cases. Their work is also the subject of a 2021 podcast narrated by Texas-born actress Cristela Alonzo.

The first episode of the TV series focuses on the early buildup and pressure. The work was exhausting and graphic. Hernandez recalls seeing his first dead body and visiting the morgue.

"I'm hearing a saw and I'm thinking somebody's building something around here. He was using it to open the skull. I couldn't eat meat for two weeks," he recalls.

Houston Police Department Chicano Squad in a 1986 photo. Front row left to right, Inv. P. J. Guerrero, Richard "Rico" Garcia, and the late Irma Sauceda; middle row left to right, Inv. Jose Selvera Jr., Officer Jaime Escalante, Sgt. Cecil Mosqueda, Raymond Gonzales; back row left to right, Sgt. Tody Hernandez, Robert Gatewood, Inv. U. P. Hernandez. Houston Chronicle

The group faced challenges from all sides, including racism and jealousy from within HPD and, in the wake of Campos' murder, accusations from the city's Latino community of having "sold out" and doing a "white man's job." They built trust by taking a friendly approach to interviewing witnesses, visiting them at home and bonding over food and familia. And because Chicano Squad members grew up in those neighborhoods  Magnolia, East End, Northside  they understood them in ways others could not.

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"Somewhere in those houses, there was a senora that's always out there watering the plants or sitting out on that porch that saw something," Selvera says. "You get an Anglo investigator, he's not going to get that information."

The second episode focuses on a pair of cases, one involving the emergence of the Colombian drug trade in Houston; and another about Liliana Reyes, an 18-month-old who was kidnapped from her home. Reyes' kidnapping hits home for the Chicano Squad, who sacrificed time with their own families to help others. The series also puts Reyes' kidnapping in the context of race, contrasting it with the highly publicized case of "Baby" Jessica McClure, another 18-month-old who fell down a well in Midland and attracted worldwide attention.

Chicano Squad members pose as Mexican revolutionists for their Houston Police Department photograph. Front row, from left are Sgt. Jim Montero, Rico Garcia, U. P. Hernandez, Jose Selvera and Toby Hernandez. Back row, from left: Xavier Avila, Phil Guerrero, Cecil Mosqueda, Jaime Escalante, Raymond Gonzales, Irma-Sauseda and Robert Gatewood. Photo dated March 29, 1989 copy shot / Courtesy photo

The Chicano Squad disbanded in 2010 after going through several incarnations and opening the doors for others to move up the ranks. Mosqueda was the last of the original crew.

"I guess we did something good," he says to his Chicano Squad friends.

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Hernandez, through tears, sums it up beautifully.
SNEHIT / Shutterstock.com

Whether youre mid-career or just a few short years away from retirement, you might be wondering when other people tend to retire. Are you retiring around the same time as your peers, or are you a bit early or late?

Read Next: The Average Retirement Age in 2024: US vs. China

For You: 7 Reasons You Shouldnt Retire Before Speaking To a Financial Advisor

This is a question many people find themselves asking, and not just in the United States. People all over the world have their own retirement plans and their ideal retirement age. This is just as true for residents of America as it is residents of India.

As you continue down the path toward retirement, heres the average age people in the U.S. and India typically leave the workforce, along with some of the reasons why.

Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week.

Average Retirement in America

In the U.S., the average retirement age is 62 years old. Not everyone retires at that age, however. Some will get there much sooner. Others will keep working for several more years to get the most retirement income possible and to take advantage of any health benefits their employer offers them.

In the U.S., people can enroll in Medicare as soon as they turn 65. Those who have a qualifying medical condition or disability may be able to get it as early as 62. So, waiting until at least that age generally makes sense, provided the individual is healthy enough to keep working.

Most working Americans are also eligible for Social Security as early as age 62, which could be another reason why so many wait to retire until at least then. The average benefit amount for retired workers in July 2024 was $1,919, according to the Social Security Administration.

Around half of people ages 65 and up receive 50% or more of their household income from Social Security. Roughly a fourth of these individuals get 90% or more of their income from Social Security. This just goes to show how vital the program is for so many.

It is possible to get a larger benefit amount, but only if you wait until the full retirement age. For those born in or after 1960, that age is 67. For maximum benefits, you may need to wait to collect until youre 70.

Some Americans are concerned about both Social Security and Medicare, something that could affect the average retirement age going forward. According to the SSA, Social Security will be insolvent by 2035  unless some major changes occur. This means it will only be able to cover about 75% of peoples anticipated benefits.

Medicare may also be in danger of running out of funds as early as 2036. This could also impact peoples retirement plans.

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Be Aware: 2 Changes Are Coming to Social Security in 2025

Average Retirement in India

India has one of the lowest average retirement ages in the world, right up there with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and China.

Generally speaking, people in India reportedly retire between the ages of 58 and 60, depending on their industry. Back in 2020, the Kerala Government legally mandated an increase in the state retirement age to 60. In the state of Andhra Pradesh Government, the minimum retirement age is 62.

Each state can set its own rules, but all must abide by the central government. The retirement age for employees of the central government is 60 years old.

Its worth noting that Indias pension system, which consists of employer-managed funds and employee contributions, has its own age requirements. Currently, residents must be at least 58 years old to collect from the Employees Pension Scheme. They must also have made contributions for 10 or more years.

India also has whats known as the Employees Provident Fund, which residents can become eligible for as soon as they turn 55  though some may be eligible for partial withdrawals in select cases. This program, along with the Employees Pension Scheme, is available to government employees and those who work for companies with at least 20 employees.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Average Retirement Age in 2024: US vs. India
People hold posters with photos of Israeli hostages whose bodies were recovered by the Israeli army from a tunnel in Rafah in Gaza, near the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, on Sunday. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Protests drawing at least an estimated 700,000 people took place across Israel on Sunday and strikes are planned for Monday in opposition to the government's failure for the safe return of hostages after six abductees' bodies were recovered in Gaza, including that of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

Demonstrations were in Tel Aviv, where an estimated 550,000 showed up, as well as Jerusalem, Haifa, Ra'anana, Be'er Sheva, Kfar Saba, Kiryat Bialik, Afula, Ness Ziona, Binyaminap, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum told CNN on Sunday. The nation has 9.6 million people.

The Tel Aviv, Kfar Saba and Givatayim municipalities have announced that they will join a nationwide strike Monday in support of hostage families. Histadrut Labor Federation chief Arnon Bar-David announced a general strike, including the closure of Ben Gurion International Airport at 8 a.m. local time. And Israeli colleges, including Hebrew University in Jerusalem, will "join the economic shutdown." And Ben Gurion International Airport.

On Sunday morning, the Israel Defense Forces announced the remains of four men and two women were found Saturday in a tunnel and later identified.

Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a briefing they were "brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short while before we reached them."

Thousands of demonstrators supporting the families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza take part in a protest rally outside the Kyria military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel on Sunday. Photo by Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE

The bodies were brought to Israel for identification.

Ninety-seven of the 251 hostages abducted remain, including the bodies of 33 hostages confirmed dead by IDF. Hamas released 109 hostages, eight have been rescued by troops alive and the bodies of 37 others have been recovered, including three who were killed by the Israeli military, The Times of Israel reported. Also, 1,200 Israelis died in Hamas' initial Oct. 7 assault.

Posters of Israeli hostages whose bodies were recovered by the Israeli army from a tunnel in Rafah in Gaza are displayed the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, on Sunday. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

In Tel Aviv, organizers marched through the streets carrying coffins and appeared outside the Kirya military headquarters. Organizers described the crowd in Tel Aviv as an "endless sea of protesters" and the largest demonstration since the start of the war.

Protesters blocked several lanes on the Ayalon Highway, with some using smoke canisters, and police responded by firing water cannons with foam and forcibly carrying away demonstrators sitting in the road.

Demonstrators appear near the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, on Sunday after Israel Defense Forces said six hostages were found dead in a tunnel in Gaza. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

In Jerusalem, protesters demonstrated outside a cabinet meeting.

Protesters blocked roads, demanding an immediate agreement to secure the remaining hostages' release.

A woman sits in front of Israeli border police during a protest outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem calling for a hostage deal. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

"Look them in the eyes," one banner read.

A protester at the Bilu Junction in Rehovot said: "We have to stop our routine, to stop the country until the hostages come home."

A woman holds a sign at a protest outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem calling for a hostage deal. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

The protests are led by Hostages Families Forum with the motto "Bring them home now." A block lists it has been 331 days since they were abducted.

On Saturday the group declared: "Starting tomorrow, the country will tremble. We call on the public to prepare. We will stop the country."

People hold cut outs of yellow ribbons at a protest outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem calling for a hostage deal. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

The municipality of Tel Aviv-Jaffa in Israel will participate in a half-day strike Monday.

"Starting in the morning until noon, there will be no municipal public services and we will allow all employees to go out and support the families' fight," Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai said in a post on X Sunday.

A man dressed as an Israeli hostages sits near a protest outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem calling for a hostage deal. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has asked Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to request injunctions to prevent the nationwide strike, saying it would hurt the economy during wartime and set a dangerous precedent.

"These issues are at the core of the authority of the political establishment and they are not the subject of a strike by trade unions and there is no connection between them and labor relations in Israel," Smotrich said in the letter to the attorney general.

Demonstrations also took place outside the Cabinet meeting Sunday morning in Jerusalem.

During the meeting, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized the Israeli government for prioritizing control of a key border area over a deal to free hostages. According to CNN, he reportedly said: "I was taught that we don't leave the injured behind in the field. It's a moral disgrace."

The Hostage Families Forum demanded that Netanyahu "take responsibility for the thwarting [of a deal]. Take responsibility for the neglect. Take responsibility for the hostages who were murdered in captivity."

Netanyahu, saying he was shocked to the core by the "the terrible cold-blooded murder of six of our hostages," blamed Hamas for blocking a deal that would lead to the release of hostages in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning: "This is a difficult day for us. Together with all citizens of Israel, I was outraged to the depths of my soul by the horrific, cold-blooded murder of six of our hostages: pic.twitter.com/Fs8qqlhJUm Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 1, 2024

"Three months ago, on May 27, Israel agreed to a hostage release deal with the full backing of the United States," he said in the taped statement. "Hamas refused. Even after the United States updated the outline of the deal on Aug. 16 -- we agreed, and Hamas again refused."

He added that the Israeli government and he, personally, are "committed to continue working toward a deal that will bring back all our hostages and guarantee our security and existence."

The prime minister said "Israel is conducting intensive negotiations with the mediators in a supreme effort to reach a deal, Hamas continues to firmly refuse any proposal."

Netanyahu plans to speak with the victims' families.

An autopsy concluded that the hostages were killed by short-range shots, a spokesperson for Israel's health ministry said Sunday.

The IDF won't yet to state exactly how and when they were killed, Lt. Col Nadav Shoshani, an IDF spokesman, told reporters Sunday.

Identified were Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33, who were abducted with Goldberg-Polin, 23, from a music festival during Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Carmel Gat, 40, was taken from Kibbutz Be'eri on a visit to her parents.

Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi and Gat were slated to be released as part of a "humanitarian category," according to a framework agreed by Israel and Hamas in early July, two Israeli officials have told CNN.

"Our prime minister delayed it," one of the Israeli officials said. "It's way too late for the six who have been killed, but it's time to reach an agreement."

Lobanov, a 32-year-old father of two, and Yerushalmi, 24, were tending bar at the festival, according to the Hostages Families Forum.

The family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin announced that his funeral will be held Monday at Har Hamenuchot in Jerusalem.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin has worn a piece of tape marking each day that has passed since her son was kidnapped. It hit 332 days Sunday on the Bring Them Home Now website.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday spoke with Rachel Goldberg-Palin and Jonathan Polin "to offer his condolences for the death of their son at the hands of Hamas," a White House official said.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, also spoke with the parents, according to her post on X.

Biden announced the deaths of six hostages late Saturday from Delaware before confirmation from IDF.

He said he was "devastated and outraged" at the news.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, as he grieved the "senseless death" of the hostages, sought to blame Harris and President Biden for the hostage crisis, and the "terror would have never happened if I were President," he said.

"Make no mistake -- This happened because Comrade Kamala Harris and Crooked Joe Biden are poor Leaders. Americans are getting slaughtered overseas, while Kamala is disparaging and making up lies about Gold Star families, and Biden is sleeping on the beach on this 16th consecutive day of vacation. They have blood on their hands!" the presidential candidate posted on Truth Social on Sunday. "Just like the Debacle of the Afghanistan Withdrawal that claimed 13 American lives, Kamala and Biden's judgment has not only put lives at risk, but is directly responsible for unnecessary deaths that should have never happened."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for "the unconditional release of all hostages and an end to the nightmare of war in Gaza.

"I will never forget my meeting last October with the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and other hostage families," Guterres said in a post on X.

"Today's tragic news is a devastating reminder of the need for the unconditional release of all hostages and an end to the nightmare of war in Gaza," he added.

The Hamas-run Health Ministry said 40,738 Palestinians have been killed.

Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq blamed Israel for the killings, saying the nation was unwilling to reach a deal and the United States had continued to support "the war of genocide" due to the country's "bias" for Israel.

Hamas urged Palestinians to attack Israelis.

"We are mobilizing all cities, villages, and camps to ignite the fire against the occupation and to block the settlers' roads by all means. We call on everyone who bears arms to direct their bullets at the chests of the occupiers, who continue to commit massacres against our steadfast people in the Gaza Strip," the statement read.
The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department is asking for the communitys help to locate Angela Marie Estrella, 35, who was last seen on Thursday near the 14000 block of Fidel Avenue in Norwalk.

Investigators say Estrella suffers from an intellectual disability and is considered at-risk. Her family is concerned for her well-being, added LASD in a press release.

Estrella is about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs about 135 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes, according to LASDs report. She was last seen wearing a purple top and red shorts.

Angela Marie Estrella, 35, has been reported missing since Thursday, Aug. 29. Officials say she suffers from an intellectual disability and her family is concerned for her well-being. January 2024. (LASD)



The department is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Homicide Bureau Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500. To reach out anonymously, call 800-222-TIPS (8477).

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KLFY)  An Iowa, Louisiana man was arrested after allegedly driving away from an arrest attempt, dragging a deputy about 40 feet, which broke the deputys arm, authorities said.

Sincere Z. Buckley, 18, of Iowa, is charged with obstructing a public passage, aggravated second degree battery and resisting a police officer with force or violence.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Office deputies were conducting an investigation at about 7 p.m. Friday of an unoccupied car near Sixth Avenue and Third Street in Lake Charles that was blocking the southbound lane.

Deputies said an individual, later identified as Buckley, walked from a residence on Sixth Avenue, entered the drivers seat of the car and locked the door. Deputies opened the back door of the car in an attempt to remove Buckley. After a brief struggle Buckley turned the car on and drove away, dragging one of the deputies approximately 40 feet, before fleeing the scene, authorities said.

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The deputy was transported to a local hospital suffering a broken arm and abrasions from the incident.

Later the same evening, the Lake Charles Police Department received a report of Buckley hiding behind homes in the area. When LCPD officers attempted to make contact with Buckley, he fled on foot, but was quickly apprehended.

Buckley was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with obstructing a public passage, aggravated second degree battery and resisting a police officer with force or violence. Bond was set at $35,100.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The front page of the Deseret News on Sept. 1, 1939, as Germany invaded Poland.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

On Sept. 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, an event regarded as the start of World War II.

But what came next, the German occupation of Poland, was exceptionally brutal.

Adolf Hitlers Nazis considered Poles to be racially inferior. So when Germany amassed troops near their shared border, Poland and the rest of its allies were aggressive in resistance.

Here are the Deseret News headlines of that week:

Aug. 30-31: Peace efforts appear to be fruitless. Poles mobilizing on a large scale, with a summary of crisis responses from London, Washington, Berlin, Warsaw, Rome and Tokyo. Initially, the U.S. declared neutrality.

Sept. 1: War rages on Polish Front; Bombers rain death. Allies send final warning.

Sept. 2: Britain takes war stand; Chamberlain sees only one answer.

In the weeks following the German attack on Poland, German SS, police, and military units shot thousands of Polish civilians, including many members of the Polish nobility, clergy and intelligentsia. Per historians, in the spring of 1940, the German occupation authorities launched AB-Aktion, a plan to systematically eliminate Poles considered to be members of the leadership class.

The aim was to remove those Poles seen as most capable of organizing resistance to German rule and to terrorize the Polish population into submission. The Germans shot thousands of teachers, priests and other intellectuals in mass killings.

Nazi officials sent thousands more to the newly built Auschwitz concentration camp, to Stutthof, and to other concentration camps in Germany where non-Jewish Poles constituted the majority of inmates until March 1942.

Hitler intended to Germanize Poland by replacing the Polish population with German colonists. As many as 100,000 Polish civilians, including 30,000 children, were sent for Germanization.

Per the Holocaust Encyclopedia, it is estimated that the Germans killed between 1.8 and 1.9 million non-Jewish Polish civilians during World War II. In addition, the Germans murdered at least 3 million Jewish citizens of Poland.

Here are some stories from Deseret News archives on those first years of World War II and how the nation of Poland was affected:

This week in history: Nazis stage fake attack at the start of WWII

Father of Polish Utahn killed by Soviets in WWII

Poles mark 1939 invasion

Polish Holocaust hero dies at age 98

Holocaust survivors return to Poland

Secret Soviet pact with Nazi Germany found on microfilm

Rare 3D film shows Warsaw devastated after WWII

Nazis son returns art that his family looted in Poland

Associated Press

As a side note, the recent movie Escape From Germany, a thriller about the evacuation of Latter-day Saint missionaries from northern Germany in 1939 before the Nazis invasion of Poland, offers a sense of some of the emotions in Europe at the time.

How a spiritual prompting contributed to the Escape From Germany

Escape From Germany: Latter-day Saint history has the best stories to tell in movies, says filmmaker T.C. Christensen
DETROIT (AP)  Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is deep in campaign mode. But not his own.

The three-term mayor, whose name is being floated as a possible Democratic candidate for Michigan governor, knows the value of his and his majority Black city's support for Vice President Kamala Harris in November's presidential election.

Duggan, like some other major city mayors across the country, is using his political pull to help mobilize voters in his city as Harris is set to visit Monday in a Labor Day slate of events by the Democrat and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Mayors tend to be elected along partisan lines with policies reflecting the views of the majority of voters in their cities. Of the largest 20 cities in the United States based on population, only Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, have Republican mayors.

Mayors know whats at stake, said Columbus, Ohio, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, a Democrat who adds that hes all in for the vice president.

For Duggan, its all about getting Harris and Walz elected.

Michigan is among the top swing state prizes Harris and Republican nominee former President Donald Trump are vying for this fall, ever aware that Trump won the state by fewer than 11,000 votes in 2016 before losing it to President Joe Biden in 2020 by about 150,000 votes.

Detroit, Michigans largest city, is one of the top Democratic strongholds in the country, with turnout expected to top 50% of registered voters for the general election, according to its city clerk.

Soon after Biden bowed out of this year's presidential race, Duggan endorsed Harris. An August rally in the Detroit area drew 15,000 people, according to Harris' campaign. Trump later would falsely claim an image of thousands of people waiting at airport for the rally was fabricated with the help of artificial intelligence.

City Clerk Janice Winfrey said 55% or more of Detroits registered voters could cast ballots in November. About 51% of registered voters cast ballots for Barack Obama when he first ran for president, Winfrey said.

Everybody wants to be involved, said Winfrey, adding that Duggans involvement in voter outreach extended to his support for a 40% increase in her budget.

But it's more than popularity driving mayors to cozy up to current and future presidents. Communities rely on millions in federal dollars for anything from infrastructure projects to hiring more police officers.

We need to get things done, said Ginther, who also serves as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Theres not a Republican or Democrat way to pick up trash, plow the streets or keep people safe. One of the major platforms is housing. By far its the No. 1 issue facing mayors around this country, whether Donald Trump is elected or the vice president is elected president.

Over the past five years, Detroit has invested about $1 billion to create more than 4,600 affordable housing units in the city. Federal, state and city funds helped pay for those projects.

Every mayor makes their own decision," Duggan said. The cities have done enormously well under Biden/Harris.

Detroit was awarded about $706.5 million in federal grant funding under the Trump White House. Biden's administration has awarded and committed more than $2 billion to the city, according to Duggan's office.

The American Rescue Plan, a 2021 federal coronavirus relief measure signed by Biden that included funds for state, city and tribal governments, "probably accelerated Detroits recovery by 10 years, Duggan said.

The city, deeply in debt and with annual budget deficits in the millions of dollars, was steered into and out of the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history by a manager appointed by Michigan's then-Republican governor a decade ago. Under Duggan, the city's finances have stabilized and budget surpluses now are the norm.

What the American Rescue Plan did was give us the ability to rebuild our cities faster," Duggan said. "When Donald Trump ran for president he promised big infrastructure but never delivered on any of it.

The nation's housing crisis should be foremost on the minds of mayors, both Democrat and Republican, according to Analilia Mejia, co-executive director of the nonprofit Center for Popular Democracy.

I think that what were going to see is not only mayors doing the thing that is right and is smart in terms of engaging their constituents and informing them of whats in their best interest," Mejia said.

Mesa, Arizona, Mayor John Giles also is pushing for voters to cast ballots for Harris. Giles, a Republican who has soured on Trump, was among several GOP politicians who spoke in favor of Harris at last months Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Giles said he's had more contact with the Biden administration than Trump's administration, a difference he attributes to Trump working more closely with governors.

Around election time, it does seem mayors get more engaged in partisan politics than we normally do, Giles said. We want to have good relations with the incoming administration. It's in our cities' best interests.

But Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, a fellow Republican, sees things differently. The former Democrat, focusing on the GOPs tough approach to crime, told attendees in July at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee that he wants to help put Trump back in the White House.

Kwame Kilpatrick, who spent five years in the Michigan state House and seven years as Detroits mayor, said all mayors simply hope for access to the White House.

Kilpatrick also served more than seven years of a 28-year federal prison sentence for corruption during his time as mayor. Kilpatrick, whose sentence was commuted by Trump in 2021, now works as a political consultant. A lifelong Democrat, Kilpatrick said he supports Trumps reelection bid and will register as an independent.

Mayors rarely have to pick up the phone and call Washington for anything, but when they do pick up the phone, they want to be able to access government in Washington when they need to, said Kilpatrick, who resigned as Detroits mayor in 2008 after a text-messaging sex scandal.

For his part, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, a Democrat, said he is working to get voters in his city engaged this election cycle and is "100%, without a shadow of a doubt behind the Harris/Walz ticket.

I have challenged people in our community who can vote, should vote and don't vote," Johnson said. I talk to people on the ground about what the stakes are. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Its a contact sport.
Clarify Idahos abortion law or lose it

Idahos current abortion law only states a doctor can terminate a pregnancy to save the womans life (or for rape or incest). No further details are provided and doctors are afraid to act for fear of prosecution. Pregnant women in Idaho are at risk of not getting timely treatment when a complication arises. A doctor must know for sure that he can terminate a pregnancy if a woman may develop a lethal complication or even a risk of serious damage to her bodily function.

This clarification of the abortion law can be accomplished by adding language to the law at the 2025 Idaho legislative session and by providing education to doctors on what that language means.

There has been a proposed new law submitted to the Idaho Secretary of State to allow abortions for any reason up to about mid-pregnancy. I dont believe the life of an innocent human being should be taken unless the mother will die or have serious damage to her body.

Dr. Stephen Schmid, Twin Falls

Skipping Garland and Prelogar

A couple of weeks ago, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, along with U.S. Solicitor General Eliabeth Prelogar (a Boise native no less) visited Boise to discuss crime and drugs, particularly fentanyl. The pair spoke with Ada and Canyon County sheriffs, police chiefs from Boise, Nampa, and Caldwell, Idaho State Police leadership and leaders of local federal agency offices like the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshalls and Drug Enforcement Agency. U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho Josh Hurwit hosted the meeting. Noticeably absent were Gov. Brad Little and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador.

Why would two of the highest-ranking officials in Idaho, who are always campaigning on and complaining about crime and drugs, not show up to speak with the U.S. Attorney General about their proclaimed concerns? Could it be they are just using those tactics to scare the people of Idaho into voting for them? Or is it because the visitors are Democrats? Could it be possible they are hypocrites? Or did they not want to hear that crime here and across the country is going down, not up. It seems it is all of the above.

Tony Moody, Boise

The example you set

Reflect on this before you vote in the upcoming presidential election. Which candidate can you honestly say you would want as a leader in your community?

Here is a simple litmus test to consider when voting for the person you trust to be the leader of the United States: Would you trust this person to be your mayor or a member of the city council? Would you trust this person to be the school superintendent, a principal, a teacher or a member of the school board? Would you trust this person to be a leader in your church? Would you trust this person to be your banker? Would you trust this person to be the general manager of your gym?

Which candidate running for president has demonstrated over the years that he or she is trustworthy and honest? Your children and grandchildren look up to you as a role model. Hopefully, your vote takes that into consideration.

Mary Feeny, Boise

Lives are improving

I think people should remember when they say the American economy is in ruins.

Just three-and-a-half years ago, America was in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. It took 12 years for America to recover from the Great Depression.

Just three-and-a-half years ago, America was in the worst health crisis in 100 years. There were 3,000 people dying per day, so many, that refrigerator trucks were used to help with the situation.

Hospitals were in crisis and overwhelmed with so many patients they had to place them in the halls.

Just three-and-a-half years ago, millions of people were out of work. People were losing their homes to foreclosure. America had one of the highest unemployment rates ever.

And, yes, people were hoarding toilet paper.

The list goes on and on.

So, yes, we are better off than we were three-and-a-half years ago, and thats a fact

Theres still much to do, but America pulled itself out of the depths of this crisis.

I for one, do not complain about the economy because I am so thankful to even have lived through COVID pandemic.

I, for one, am so thankful all my family members survived the pandemic.

Cherry Woodbury, Meridian

Why Im voting blue

What a difference a month makes. In July there was doom and gloom on the horizon. Then August came and the sun broke through the clouds of doubt. Suddenly hope and joy could be seen throughout the land.

We dont need to accept the naysayers shouting Americas best days are past. We dont have to accept what they say. We can choose our own lifes direction without governmental control of our bodies and minds. We can be free to read what we want; we would be able to love who we want; and have the right to decide when or if we have children.

The method we use to make these choices again is simple: vote. For too long the extreme right has legislatively controlled much of this country. The way to re-establish our rights is to vote. The GOP nominee for president has declared frequently if you vote for him, you will never need to vote again. Say what?

The GOP ticket, top to bottom, continually promotes a us-versus-them mentality. The Democrats have a message of fairness and a better tomorrow for all. A message of hope and equality for everyone. I chose hope, and Im voting blue.

Gilbert E Beyer, Sandpoint

Democratic Convention convinced me

My takeaway from the Democrats National Convention: Being decent, honest, empathetic and humble isnt a weakness. Its the prerequisite for our nations next president.

Ralph Sims, Eagle
Doctors and emergency workers injured in repeat Russian strike on Kharkiv  photos

The aftermath of the latest Russian attack on Kharkiv. Photo: Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram

Emergency workers and doctors who responded to a call after a Russian attack on Kharkiv have been injured in a repeat missile strike.

Source: Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov during the national joint 24/7 newscast; Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Viktor Zabashta, Head of Kharkiv Emergency Medical Centre, in a comment to Suspilne Kharkiv, a Kharkiv-related branch of Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne

   , :    Telegram

The aftermath of the latest Russian attack on Kharkiv

Photo: Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram

Quote from Terekhov: "About 40 people are known to have been injured. Fortunately, there are no fatalities, but several people are in a very serious condition.

In addition, the State Emergency Service personnel and ambulances that responded to the call came under fire. The enemy launched a cynical repeat strike, likely with Iskander [missiles], on our city, leaving doctors injured."

Details: Viktor Zabashta noted that two medics had been injured in the repeat Russian strike on Kharkiv.

   , :    Telegram

The aftermath of the latest Russian attack on Kharkiv.

Photo: Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram

Quote from Zabashta: "An ambulance team rushed [to the scene], stopping in front of a shopping centre. Shortly after, a second strike hit nearby, damaging the ambulance with debris. A doctor sustained a head injury, while a paramedic suffered a shin fracture from shrapnel. Fortunately, the driver was unharmed. The paramedic's condition is stable and surgery has been performed. However, the doctor has not yet regained consciousness."

Later, Oleh Syniehubov noted that two medics and two emergency workers had been injured.

Background:

On the afternoon of 1 September, Russian forces delivered about 10 strikes on Kharkiv, leaving 41 civilians injured, including 5 children.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reacted to the latest Russian attack on Kharkiv and addressed world leaders.

According to the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office, the Russians attacked Kharkiv with Iskander-M ballistic missiles launched from Russia. Eight missiles hit three of the citys districts.

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Dog stolen in armed robbery in Prince Georges County, police say

PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said officers are investigating an armed robbery after a dog was stolen from its owner on Saturday morning in Hyattsville.

According to PGPD, officers responded to an armed robbery in the 4800 block of Avondale Overlook Drive shortly after 7 a.m.

Motorcyclist dies after crash in Hyattsville

The victim reported to police that her small brown dog, Yana, was taken.

(Courtesy: @PGPDNews)

Police encourage anyone with information to call PG Crime Solvers.

The investigation is ongoing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Donald Trump will rally in Mosinee Saturday, his fourth rally in Wisconsin this year

Former President Donald Trump will return to Wisconsin on Saturday to hold a rally in Mosinee, a city in the central part of the state near Wausau and Stevens Point.

The rally will be held at Central Wisconsin Airport around 1 p.m. on Sept. 7, his campaign announced Sunday. Tickets for the rally are available at this link.

The campaign's announcement indicates Trump's remarks will focus heavily on the economy.

Former President Donald Trump makes a campaign appearance Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse Wisconsin., Wisconsin. The town hall format was hosted by former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.

"Voting red will ensure Wisconsinites can experience a thriving economy full of better jobs, higher income, and lower unemployment rates. If Americans want more money in their pockets, the only option is to vote for President Trump," the campaign said in a release.

Trump used the same airport for a rally during his 2020 campaign, and in 2018 when he campaigned for then-Gov. Scott Walker's reelection and U.S. Senate candidate Leah Vukmir.

Mosinee is located within Wisconsin's solidly red 7th Congressional District, which is currently held by Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany.

Trump was last in Wisconsin on Thursday, when he held a town hall event in La Crosse. This will be Trump's fourth rally of this campaign cycle in Wisconsin, after holding rallies in Green Bay, Waukesha and Racine.

Both campaigns have been visiting the state frequently with less than ten weeks until Election Day.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, will speak at Laborfest in Milwaukee tomorrow. President Joe Biden is also set to visit southwestern Wisconsin on Thursday, his first visit to the state since dropping out of the presidential race.

The more Wisconsinites hear from Donald Trump and about his Project 2025 agenda to hike our taxes and ban abortion, the more they will be motivated to come together to defeat him this fall," a statement from the Wisconsin Harris-Walz Communications Director Brianna Johnson, read. "Trump is visiting Mosinee just days after he endorsed his home states extreme abortion ban and as hes running on a platform that would rip away reproductive freedom here in Wisconsin. Trumps extreme Project 2025 agenda would give him the power to punish women for seeking reproductive care, ban abortion nationwide, and threaten access to IVF and contraception. The only way to stop him is by voting for Vice President Harris and Governor Walz this November.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Donald Trump returning to Wisconsin for a rally in Mosinee Saturday
BROOKLYN (PIX11) A vehicle was involved in two separate hit-and-run accidents in Brooklyn Saturday evening, one involving a 3-year-old girl and her mother, police said.

Officers from the 67th precinct received a 911 call for a hit and run at 4:01 p.m. A 61-year-old man was driving a 2007 Toyota Sienna Northbound on Rockaway Parkway when he hit two cars, authorities said.

More Local News

The driver tried to flee by making a U-turn but struck two pedestrians. The driver hit a 26-year-old mother and her 3-year-old daughter. The victims were rushed to an area hospital to be treated for their injuries. They are expected to recover, police said.

After hitting the two cars and the pedestrians, the driver fled the scene and drove to another police precinct, where he struck two more cars.

Officers from the 73rd precinct say the driver struck two unoccupied parked vehicles near Blake Avenue and Grafton Street. He was taken into police custody after the second hit-and-run incident, police said.

No charges have been made, and no further damage has been reported. It remains unclear if the driver will face charges. Police said his name has not yet been released, as charges have not been filed.

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.
Electricity to be shut off for homes affected by Rancho Palos Verdes landslide

A month after having their gas shut off, residents began scrambling Saturday when SoCal Edison announced they would shut off electricity indefinitely for the 135 homes continuously shifting from a Rancho Palos Verdes landslide.

The shut-off is scheduled to start on Sunday, Sept. 1. at 12 p.m.

Mayor John Cruikshank noted to make matters worse, the citys sewage system runs on electricity. Water sewage cannot be ejected from some homes safely and properly, becoming a sanitation and health issue.

So now, as part of the escalating safety measures, the city of RPV issued an evacuation warning for zones within the affected area. To see if your area is under evacuation warnings, find your zone here: www.pvpready.gov.

Losing power was a blow, but losing electricity takes this all to a different level, said Cruikshank.

The city of Rancho Palos Verdes issued evacuation warnings over Labor Day Weekend for residents affected by electricity shut-offs. August 2024. (RPV)

Sky5 shows aerial footage of damages from this landslide that has now led to power shut-offs and evacuation warnings in Rancho Palos Verdes.

KTLAs Angeli Kakade spoke with neighbors on Saturday who said they were frustrated, not necessarily because the power was going off, but because they werent given enough time to prepare beforehand.

The overwhelming sensation when I first read the email from Edison was frustration, said resident Justin Monzon. He said the announcement came indefinitely and with no warning to sufficiently prepare.

Monzon said neighbors have been pleading for help as the landslide has been an increasing problem.

We know this is a difficult time for Rancho Palos Verdes and weve been looking for ways that we can keep the power safely flowing, said Reggie Kumar, a spokesperson with Southern California Edison. At this point, land movement in Rancho Palos Verdes has created such a dangerous situation that we must make the difficult decision to disconnect power to 140 residential customers indefinitely.

Within the days preceding this shut-off, the area suffered from a sewage spill and a fire that further damaged electric equipment, leading to Saturdays notice.

Recently, a fire near Narcissa Drive demonstrated that we cannot mitigate the public safety risk from the land movement in the area we are disconnecting, added Kumar. Since the accelerated land movement continues to damage our electric equipment, we need to turn off power to keep the public safe.

Despite the warning and offers for alternative housing, Monzon said he doesnt plan on evacuating.

My son loves insects and birds and reptiles, and anything that he can get his hands on, he said. I would like to stay in our home.

Cruikshank is holding an emergency meeting on the situation before a regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday.

In the meantime, impacted residents in need of emergency assistance can make their way to the Ladera Linda Community Center beginning Sunday at 11 a.m.

City officials recommend evacuated residents bring along all important documents such as utility bills, birth certificates, etc. along with a photo documentation of your home for insurance purposes and any needed medications.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Trump and Musk have come under fire from Democrats for anti-union statements made during a discussion on X.

Elon Musks endorsement of former President Donald Trump was meant to buoy the candidates chances in November. But more than a month after Musk officially put his weight behind Trump, a series of Democratic attacks have suggested that the endorsement has exposed a vulnerability.

Since the tech billionaire endorsed Trump on July 13, the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris has repeatedly attacked Musk for his anti-worker stances. The campaign has called Musk and Trump self-obsessed rich guys and reposted audio from an event on Musks social media app, X, in which the two laugh together about firing striking workers.

Harris allies including Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers, have followed up with attacks of their own, and now some Democratic strategists look eager to keep highlighting the Musk-Trump alliance, which they see as reinforcing Trumps weak points.

Every time that Elon Musk tries to do something to help Donald Trump, I think it fires up the Democratic base to work against him, said Pete Giangreco, a Democratic strategist based in Chicago.

If youve got a billionaire helping out someone who says hes a billionaire, but really isnt, what does that really get you? he said.

Musk did not respond to a request for comment on the Democrats attacks or the impact of his endorsement.

Musks endorsement was supposed to hit the Trump campaign like a lighting bolt. He announced it the same day the former president survived an assassination attempt. His backing signaled that Trump would have all the cash and social media firepower he needed to regain the White House, and it added to a perception that Trump had won over a big share of Americas tech industry and entrepreneur class.

Musks endorsement was arguably the most high profile and coveted of this election cycle, given his unprecedented mix of wealth, celebrity and media reach.

But the weeks since have been defined by stumbles and missed opportunities. The two men publicly disagreed about how much money Musk would chip in. Musks super PAC went through a major staff shake-up soon after it launched. And many other Big Tech donors have declined to follow Musks lead, choosing instead to sign onto the Harris campaign.

Then there was the live one-on-one discussion on X, which Trumps campaign billed as the interview of the century. Partway through the two-hour event, Trump brought up how much he admires Musks handling of labor unions.

I look at what you do. You walk in and you just say, You wanna quit? Trump said while laughing.

Yeah, Musk broke in, also laughing.

They go on strike, Trump continued. I wont mention the name of the company, but they go on strike, and you say, Thats OK, youre all gone. Youre all gone, so every one of you is gone. And you are the greatest.

The Harris campaign quickly jumped on the exchange with a post on X that has been viewed 7.2 million times. And it has posted about the exchange at least three times since.

Trump praises billionaire Elon Musk for firing workers who were striking for better pay and working conditions pic.twitter.com/4ZGWHV49Mw  Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 13, 2024

Harris campaign added in a statement soon after the event: Trumps entire campaign is in service of people like Elon Musk and himself  self-obsessed rich guys who will sell out the middle class and who cannot run a livestream in the year 2024. (The event was delayed 40 minutes by technical difficulties.)

The episode snowballed. The United Auto Workers union filed unfair labor practice charges against Musk and Trump, alleging they interfered with workers who may want to exercise their labor rights. The UAWs Fain pressed the issue in media interviews. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su said at an event at the Democratic National Convention: You cant be pro-Elon Musk and pro-worker.

Sean OBrien, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in July, slammed Trump and Musks comments as economic terrorism.

American workers right to strike is guaranteed by the National Labor Relations Act of 1935.

The criticism of labor unions is likely to motivate part of the Democratic base, said Chuck Coughlin, a Republican-leaning campaign consultant.

If I were the Harris campaign, Id lean on that, too, he said.

Harris leads Trump by 10 points among people who live in union households, according to a Fox News poll conducted Aug. 9-12.

Brendan Steinhauser, a Republican strategist in Texas, said Democrats appear to be pulling from the playbook they used in 2012 to defeat Mitt Romney, who also appeared to hold a casual attitude toward job cuts.

They want to make Trump, Elon and people like them look like plutocrats, he said.

Steinhauser said theres a danger for Republicans that the message could resonate in strong union states like Michigan.

It can land if delivered effectively. I dont think it will land, but it can, he said, adding that its tough for any one message to break through in a crowded media environment.

Musk has a long record of opposing organized labor and has fought allegations of illegal anti-worker activity at his companies Tesla, SpaceX and X. In 2018, he tweeted that unionized Tesla workers would lose stock options, which Teslas lawyers said was protected employer speech.

In January, Musk responded to allegations from the National Labor Relations Board against SpaceX with a countersuit asking a federal court to declare the NLRBs system of administrative law judges unconstitutional.

Labor union leaders have been harshly critical of Trumps time in office, citing his appointment of conservatives to the NLRB and the federal courts. At the same time, Trump has sought to maintain some ties to organized labor, inviting some union leaders to the White House while he was president and continuing to court the Teamsters.

Seth Harris, a former labor policy adviser to President Joe Biden and a senior fellow at the Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University, said he believes Trump wants to be ambiguous on the subject of labor unions, a goal that he said is now much more difficult.

Elon Musk created the opportunity that Donald Trump took to unmask himself as rabidly anti-union, and he did that by praising Elon Musks anti-union, union-busting perspective and endorsing the idea of illegally firing striking workers, he said.

Harris, who is not related to Kamala Harris, said he views Musks endorsement as a net negative.

No one views Elon Musk as a voice of the middle class, he said. Musk is a rapacious corporate overlord who did everything in his power to destroy organizing efforts at Tesla and also at SpaceX.

David Nasaw, the author of books on business magnates such as William Randolph Hearst and Andrew Carnegie, questioned Musks ability to sway voters: Even those who think hes a genius with regard to AI and tech and space travel, that doesnt translate into presidential campaigns.

Im trying to think of the demographics that are going to be swayed by Musk repeating Trumps attacks, he added. If they dont believe Trump, are they going to suddenly come to his side because Musk says hes right?

Nasaw said he sees a parallel with Hearst, a newspaper and radio baron who tried and failed to defeat President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 and 1940 by using his media empire to stir up opposition. Musk showed similar aspirations in 2022 when he bought X, and he frequently uses the app to attack Harris and Biden.

When it came to elections, nobody really trusted Hearst and there was no reason to trust Hearst. I think the same is true with Musk, he said.

Once upon a time there was this legion of Musk bros who hung on his every word  who believed he was not only a genius but a genius who was dedicated to saving the planet, he said. I dont think thats the case anymore.

Nasaw said he believes Musk has become too far out there to attract widespread support, citing Musks antisemitic statements and his views about birth rates.

In a March poll by Grinnell College, 47% of respondents said they had a favorable view of him, with 37% having an unfavorable view. For comparison, Taylor Swift in the same poll was seen favorably by 52% and unfavorably by 32%. Her potential endorsement in the presidential race is also highly anticipated.

A USA Today/Suffolk University poll in May ranked Musk as the sixth most influential kingmaker among celebrities, just behind Oprah Winfrey, with 15.2% of respondents saying Musks endorsement for president would have a lot or a little influence on their vote. But the poll found that his influence was largely limited to Republicans, indicating he may not bring many Democratic-leaning voters into the Trump camp.

Coughlin said Musk and Trump have similar fan bases.

I see it as drawing from the same well, he said.

Both Trump and Musk have discussed the possibility of Musk serving in a second Trump administration, at least in an advisory role.

In recent years, Musk has vacillated not only on Trump but on whether he would endorse a candidate at all this election cycle. Musk said in 2022 that Trump should not seek the White House again and he frequently describes himself as a former Democrat.

As recently as March, Musk struck a pose of neutrality in the presidential race.

Just to be super clear, I am not donating money to either candidate for US President, he posted on X, three days after meeting Trump over breakfast in Palm Beach.

Two months after that post, Musk set up a super PAC, a type of political action committee that can raise unlimited cash for independent political activity, not coordinated with a candidate. The committee, America PAC, is now running ads supporting Trump and opposing Harris.

Seth Masket, a University of Denver political science professor who has studied the power of endorsements, said the backing of a famous person or media purveyor can sometimes make a difference in a primary election, as when Winfrey boosted then-Sen. Barack Obamas presidential campaign with her endorsement in 2007.

But the evidence is thin for endorsements in general elections, especially in a relatively polarized era, he said.

Even a very famous persons endorsement is not going to change very many peoples minds, he said.

Musks ownership of X adds to his potential influence: He has the most followers on X with more than 195 million and controls its algorithm, at times pushing his own posts higher in the feed. But X remains a much smaller app than competitors such as Instagram, TikTok or YouTube, and its growth has slowed.

I dont know how many people who are undecided in this race are relying on Twitter, Masket said, using Xs previous name.

If Musks endorsement has sway with voters, its likely to be among a very specific group, said Thad Kousser, a political science professor at the University of California San Diego who has studied endorsements.

There are many people in this techno-libertarian, young-voter world who arent as set in their ways and locked into one party or another. Kousser said. They may be up for grabs in this election.

But as Trumps poll numbers have sagged, Musk has shown signs of toning down his enthusiasm, if not outright signs of buyers remorse. Musk did not speak at the Republican National Convention, despite early discussions among Trump and his allies for him to do so.

And on July 22, two days after Trump boasted to a Michigan crowd that Musk gives me $45 million a month, Musk said the figure was not true. He added on X that he would give at a much lower level. So far, Musks name hasnt appeared as a donor on public campaign finance disclosures except for a $10,000 donation to the Utah Republican Party, though there is a lag in reporting.

If he comes through on these promises to donate tons of cash, and that cash is well spent by the Trump campaign, then that could have an effect, said Nasaw, the biographer.

But I see no signs that, one, hes going to follow through and give the money hes promised or, two, that the Trump campaign is organized in such a way as to make use of that money, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
'Emotion AI' may be the next trend for business software, and that could be problematic

As businesses experiment with embedding AI everywhere, one unexpected trend is companies turning to AI to help its many newfound bots better understand human emotion.

Its an area called "emotion AI," according to PitchBooks new Enterprise Saas Emerging Tech Research report that predicts this tech is on the rise.

The reasoning goes something like this: If businesses deploy AI assistants to execs and employees, make AI chatbots be front-line salespeople and customer service reps, how can an AI perform well if it doesnt understand the difference between an angry What do you mean by that? and a confused What do you mean by that?

Emotion AI claims to be the more sophisticated sibling of sentiment analysis, the pre-AI tech that attempts to distill human emotion from text-based interactions, particularly on social media. Emotion AI is what you might call multimodal, employing sensors for visual, audio, and other inputs combined with machine learning and psychology to attempt to detect human emotion during an interaction.

Major AI cloud providers offer services that give developers access to emotion AI capabilities such as Microsoft Azure cognitive services Emotion API or Amazon Web Services Rekognition service. (The latter has had its share of controversy over the years.)

While emotion AI, even offered as a cloud service, isnt new, the sudden rise of bots in the workforce give it more of a future in the business world than it ever had before, according to PitchBook.

With the proliferation of AI assistants and fully automated human-machine interactions, emotion AI promises to enable more human-like interpretations and responses, writes PitchBooks Derek Hernandez, senior analyst, emerging technology in the report.

"Cameras and microphones are integral parts of the hardware side of emotion AI. These can be on a laptop, phone, or individually located in a physical space. Additionally, wearable hardware will likely provide another avenue to employ emotion AI beyond these devices," Hernandez tells TechCrunch. (So if that customer service chatbot asks for camera access, this may be why.)

To that end, a growing cadre of startups are being launched to make it so. This includes Uniphore (with $610 million total raised, including $400 million in 2022 led by NEA), as well as MorphCast, Voicesense, Superceed, Siena AI, audEERING, and Opsis, each of which also raised modest sums from various VCs, PitchBook estimates.

Of course, emotion AI is a very Silicon Valley approach: Use technology to solve a problem caused by using technology with humans.

But even if most AI bots will eventually gain some form of automated empathy, that doesnt mean this solution will really work.

In fact, the last time emotion AI became of hot interest in Silicon Valley  around the 2019 time frame when much of the AI/ML world was still focused on computer vision rather than on generative language and art  researchers threw a wrench in the idea. That year, a team of researchers published a meta-review of studies and concluded that human emotion cannot actually be determined by facial movements. In other words, this idea that we can teach an AI to detect a humans feelings by having it mimic how other humans try to do so (reading faces, body language, tone of voice) is somewhat misguided in its assumption.

Theres also the possibility that AI regulation, such as the European Unions AI Act, which bans computer-vision emotion detection systems for certain uses like education, may nip this idea in the bud. (Some state laws, like Illinois' BIPA, also prohibit biometric readings from being collected without permission.)

All of which gives a broader glimpse into this AI-everywhere future that Silicon Valley is currently madly building. Either these AI bots are going to attempt emotional understanding in order to do jobs like customer service, sales and HR and all the other tasks humans hope to assign them, or maybe they wont be very good at any task that really requires that capability. Maybe what were looking at is an office life filled with AI bots on the level of Siri circa 2023. Compared with a management-required bot guessing at everyone's feelings in real time during meetings, who's to say which is worse?
Final Swipe

In a late-stage capitalist tragedy, an Arizona bank employee was found dead in her cubicle on Tuesday  after clocking in on a Friday and apparently never clocking back out.

As Arizona's KPNX local broadcaster reports, Tempe police are investigating the death of 60-year-old Wells Fargo employee Denise Prudhomme after her body was found at her desk last week, and officials believe she may have died there up to four days prior.

Building records indicated that Prudhomme had scanned into the Wells Fargo corporate office where she worked at around 7 am on August 16 and never scanned back out. Police came to the scene on August 20 after security workers found her unresponsive, and she was declared dead upon arrival.

With her cubicle on the building's third floor away from the main aisle, it seems that the unfortunate worker may have died at some point during the work day that Friday and was quite literally left to rot over the weekend before anyone noticed.

What's worse, several employees had  per an anonymous employee who spoke to the local NBC affiliate  complained of a foul odor coming from the area surrounding her desk, but it was presumed to have come from faulty plumbing.

Indirect Address

While most of the people in Predhomme's office reportedly work remotely, the same concerned worker told KPNX that the bank employs 24-hour security and that Prudhomme's body should have been discovered sooner.

"That's the scary part," the employee told the news outlet. "It's negligence in some part."

Tempe police have not released many details about Prudhomme's cause of death beyond saying they don't currently suspect any foul play was involved. Nevertheless, this is a chilling cautionary tale that, per the anonymous employee who spoke to the NBC affiliate, Wells Fargo hasn't spoken to employees about.

"I'm just wondering," the worker said, "why they didn't formally address employees about it?"

In a statement to KPNX, the bank said that it is "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague at our Tempe office," and directed staff to speak to its Employee Assistance Consulting service for support.

Boilerplate statement aside, the lack of dignity in Prudhomme's death is shocking, and likely going to be remembered by the workers who found her and who have spoken out, albeit anonymously.

"It's really heartbreaking and I'm thinking, 'What if I were just sitting there?'" a Wells Fargo associate told the news station. "No one would check on me?"

More on workplace tragedy: Death Reported At Tesla Factory
EU High Representative reacts to Russian attack on Kharkiv that killed six people

Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has reacted to the Russian attack on Kharkiv which killed 6 people and injured 97 others.

Source: Josep Borrell on X (Twitter)

Quote from Josep Borrell: "Shocking toll from Russian bombs against a residential building in Kharkiv yesterday. Such attacks against civilian targets is why during our informal EU Ministers meetings, Ukraine asked again for lifting restrictions on use of Western weapons, in self-defence."

Details: Borrell added that meanwhile, Russian journalists who publish news about the war are being sentenced to terms in prison.

Quote from Josep Borrell: "The EU condemns the use of censorship laws to criminalise and imprison those who speak against the war and expose Russian atrocities."

Background: Russian forces attacked the city of Kharkiv with UMPB D-30 unified multi-purpose glide bombs on 30 August.

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Zero  thats how much the German government says it wants to pay asylum seekers in the future if they arrive from a fellow EU state. Following the arrest of a Syrian refugee for a deadly knife attack last weekend, Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to be seen to crack down on illegal migration.

Thats a fairly Right-wing policy from a Left-wing government and it was announced just in time for the regional elections taking place in the states of Thuringia and Saxony today, both in the former East Germany. Immigration and safety are hot-button issues, but the governments assurances may be too little too late to prevent electoral disaster for the coalition parties.

The tough measures announced by interior minister Nancy Faeser on Thursday aim to slash benefits for people who have no right to be in Germany. Nobody will starve or sleep in the streets, Faeser clarified, but further support would be cut to absolutely nothing. Just the deportation.

Voters may feel this isnt a huge change from existing law. Under the EUs Dublin rules the first country of arrival is responsible for asylum seekers. This also applies to the 26-year-old Syrian who allegedly stabbed three people to death. He had been scheduled for deportation to Bulgaria, where he first entered the EU, but had evaded the authorities. When reporters asked Scholz how, the chancellor responded, Thats what Id like to know, too.

The proposed changes in law are not the screeching U-turn they seem. There is no intention to turn people away at the borders, for instance, something the opposition demanded despite the legal challenges it would likely pose.

But there is no doubt the governments stance has changed. When it took office in 2021, its coalition treaty promised accelerated routes to citizenship and other measures in an express paradigm shift in immigration and asylum policy. Now Scholz told the German magazine Der Spiegel the issue of migration is like a huge wheel that needs to be turned and described the large-scale deportation of illegal immigrants as an ambitious goal.

The first deportation flight to Afghanistan since the Taliban took over again set off on Friday with 28 convicted criminals. On board were among others: a man who had come to Germany as an unaccompanied minor and then raped an 11-year-old girl, a man convicted of 160 crimes and a man who had participated in the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl. Each of these criminals received 1,000 Euros from the taxpayer in the hope that this will make the deportations impossible to contest.

Speaking at an election event in Leipzig, the largest city of Saxony, Scholz said, This is a clear sign: those who commit crimes cannot bank on the fact that we wont be able to deport them.

Its a message to a critical audience. In Saxony, polling says, only 7 per cent of people intend to vote for Scholzs Social Democrats. The far-Right Alternative fur Deutschland rides high both here and in neighbouring Thuringia, standing at around 30 per cent.

Whether Scholzs ramping up of words and deeds will sway voters remains doubtful. Many violent criminals who came to Germany posing as refugees remain on the streets. Only on Wednesday another knife attack shocked a small town in Thuringia when a Somalian man allegedly tried to stab someone in a supermarket. The attacker reportedly had previous convictions for violent crime but was clearly free to walk the streets.

Many people continue to feel unsafe in their communities and its unlikely that Scholzs reassurances that we can choose who comes to us and doesnt will change that.

Katja Hoyer is the author of Beyond the Wall: East Germany, 1949-1990

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Everything we know about Ukraines new Palianytsia missile-drone

With much fanfare, Ukraine has announced a new weapon  the Palianytsia missile drone.

The first images of the Palianytsia were shown in a video President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X on Aug. 25, following his announcement the day before about the new weapon's first successful combat use.

"Today was the first, and successful, combat use of our new weapon. A completely new class of weapon  the Ukrainian missile-drone Palianytsia," he said.

"This is our new method of retaliation against the aggressor. The enemy has been struck."

What exactly is the Palianytsia?

Experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent are divided in their assessments.

The Palianytsia has been described as both a missile-drone and a rocket-drone, but defense expert Andrii Kharuk said it is essentially a lightweight cruise missile.

It is a cruise missile, an ordinary, classic cruise missile because a cruise missile is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a rocket or, in this case, turbojet engine, said Kharuk.

According to what we can see from the presented images, Palianytsia is a relatively small missile. Its explosive charge is about a few tens of kilograms, not 400 or more kilograms as you find in full-size cruise missiles.

But Federico Borsari, a Leonardo Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), said the Palianytsia should actually be defined as a high-speed, one-way attack drone.

"Typically, missiles fly at a higher speed compared to what we know about the Palianytsia," he said, adding that he would call it a one-way attack drone with some missile characteristics."

A Neptune coastal defense system fires a missile on April 5, 2019 (The Presidential Office of Ukraine)

"From what we know, it has a more or less 20-kilogram fragmentation warhead or other type of warhead, and I assume it has a flying range of between 500 and 700 kilometers.

Oleksandr Dmitriev, advisor on unmanned automated systems and IT to the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said the Palianytsia can be compared with a cruise missile, but with some atypical features.

"You can compare it with missiles, but missiles have slightly different control mechanisms," he said.

The line between a cruise missile and this drone is very thin. The target of a cruise missile cannot be corrected during the flight, but a drones can. That is basically the difference.

What do we know for certain about the Palianytsia?

All three experts agree that the technology in the Palianytsia is not new, but that Ukraine has managed to combine existing technologies with which it was familiar and create a new weapon that could be used effectively against targets far into Russian territory.

The lifting wing technology, electronic control technology, and jet-powered engine have been around for a long time. All these technologies have been combined to create an innovative product, said Dmitriev.

While most of the weapons characteristics are classified, it is known that the Palianytsia is powered by a turbojet engine and is launched from a ground platform, rather than from an aircraft or ship.

The exact range of the weapon has not been revealed, but according to the video Ukraine presented publicly, the Palianytsia is capable of reaching 20 airfields deep inside Russia.

One of these is the Savasleyka airbase, located nearly 665 kilometers (413 miles) away from the Ukrainian border.

This airbase was one of four struck during the largest aerial attack against Russia so far on Aug. 14. Ukraine did not disclose what equipment was used during the attack.

Ukraine had already developed some other jet-powered one-way attack drones before, some of them have not been named yet," Borsari said, adding that "some have been used sparingly against targets in Russia in previous months."

What do we know about the Palianytsia's development?

Borsari said that despite the lack of technological novelty in the drone, the speed of its development has been impressive.

Ukrainian officials claimed the Palianytsia took one and a half years to go from blueprints and plans, to its first successful combat use.

In the West, for this kind of weapons it can sometimes take years from initial development to first combat testing," Borsari said.

"So for Ukraine, this (period of development) is really admirable and impressive."

Ukraines Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told the Associated Press (AP) on Aug. 27 that production of one unit is less than $1 million.

Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov at the Globsec forum in Prague, Czechia, on Aug. 30, 2024. (Ray Baseley/The Kyiv Independent)

This is cheaper than the average cruise missile  a Russian Kh-101 costs around $13 million, for example  but more expensive than a Russian Shahed-136 kamikaze drone, which can be produced for as little as $50,000, though they are propeller-driven and therefore far slower.

Why does Ukraine need Palianytsia?

Ukraine has been prohibited from using some Western-supplied weapons to strike deep within Russia, prompting Kyiv to develop its own alternatives, in particular, to take out the aircraft that launch mass missile attacks against Ukrainian cities.

A weapon fast enough to attack targets such as aircraft located far inside Russian territory before they can disperse is badly needed, Borsari said, adding the missiles currently available to Ukraine are not up to the job.

The Palianytsia is definitely something Ukraine needed and did not have before," he said.

The Neptune (Ukrainian-made subsonic cruise missile) does not have a sufficient range, the Tochka-U (Soviet-made tactical ballistic missile) has limited range and is also a very outdated missile that Russia can easily intercept with their air defense systems."

According to experts, the Palianytsia will not be a magic wand that alone can turn the course of the war in Ukraines favor.

However, in the case of its mass production and use in combination with other types of weapons, Ukraine could be able to effectively strike back against Russias war machine on Russian territory.

Terrorist attacks (by Russia) continue, so if we are not provided with weapons of sufficient range, we have no choice but to create these weapons ourselves, Kharuk said.

A few days after the Palianytsia announcement, Zelensky also revealed Ukraine had carried out a successful test of its first domestic-made ballistic missile.

This is the exact kind of combination Ukraine needs to threaten important targets deep inside Russia, Borsari said.

Read also: Starstreak missiles in the hands of Ukraines soldiers  heres why theyre so deadly

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Everything you need to know about voting in Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Are you ready to vote this November?

Check out this compiled list of information about voter registration, absentee ballots, early voting and other general election information in Arkansas.

Have a question that could not be answered here? Email news@knwa.com.

When is Election Day?

Election Day is on Nov. 5, 2024.

Voter registration

Who is eligible to register to vote?

To be eligible to vote in Arkansas, a person must:

Be a U.S. citizen.

Be a resident of Arkansas.

Be 18 years old by Election Day (Nov. 5).

Group submits 150,335 signatures for medical marijuana amendment

Who is not eligible to register?

Individuals currently deemed mentally incompetent by a court.

Convicted felons, unless their sentence has been pardoned or served in full.

How do I know that I am registered to vote in Arkansas?

Check out the Arkansas voter registration page on the Secretary of State Voter View website.

Alternatively, contact a local elections office, courthouse or county elections office for more information on voter registration status.

How do I register to vote for the first time?

Registering by mail

Print and fill out an application from the Arkansas Secretary of States website, picking one up from a county clerks office (listed here) or requesting it by mail. You can also pick up a voter registration form from a local DMV office, public library, disability agency or military recruitment office.

After completing the form, print, sign, and mail it to the Arkansas Secretary of State.

Registering in person

Visit a local elections office and register in person at least 30 days before the election.

Ballot approved for Siloam Springs Sunday alcohol sales

How do I update or change my voter registration?

Changing voter registration is similar to first-time registration. It can be done by mail or in person and must be completed at least 30 days before the election.

What ID do I need to register to vote?

In-Person Registration: Provide a state-issued drivers license or nonoperating ID number. If unavailable, use the last four digits of your social security number.

If none of these are available, write NONE, and the State will assign a unique number.

By Mail: Include a state-issued drivers license or nonoperating ID number, or the last four digits of your social security number. If neither is available, write NONE.

Verification requires a document with your name, photo, issued by a recognized authority, and not expired (or expired within four years).

When is the deadline to register to vote?

In Arkansas, registration must be completed at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote.

For the upcoming Arkansas General Election, the voter registration application must be:

Postmarked by (mail): Monday, Oct. 7, 2024

Received by (in-person): Monday, Oct. 7, 2024

NWA county officials give tips for upcoming election

Absentee ballots

Who is eligible for an absentee ballot?

According to the Arkansas Secretary of State, to qualify for an absentee ballot in Arkansas, you must:

Be unavoidably absent from your polling place on Election Day.

Be unable to attend due to illness or physical disability.

Be a member of the Uniformed Services, merchant marines, or a spouse/dependent of an active duty member, and away from your polling location.

Be a U.S. citizen temporarily living outside the United States while maintaining Arkansas residency.

Ive requested a mail-in ballot but now want to vote in person. Can I change my method?

If you decide not to vote by mail, contact your local election authority for guidance on voting in person.

Is postage necessary for my absentee ballot?

Yes, Arkansas requires voters to cover the postage costs when returning their absentee ballot.

Can I track my absentee ballot?

Yes, Arkansans can track their absentee ballot by using the ballot tracker available on the Arkansas ballot tracker website.

Arkansans for Limited Government sues Secretary of State Thurston over abortion amendment petition rejectio

Early voting

Who is eligible to vote early?

For the upcoming Arkansas General Election, all registered voters are eligible to vote early in person.

When is the early voting period?

Early voting starts on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, and ends on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

Election Day information

What ID is required on Election Day?

Voters must present one of the following IDs at the polling place:

Drivers license

Photo ID card

Concealed handgun carry license

U.S. passport

Employee badge from an accredited Arkansas post-secondary institution

U.S. military ID

Public assistance ID with a photo

Voter verification card

What if I forget my ID?

If a voter forgets their ID, they should ask a poll worker about voting with a provisional ballot. This allows the voter to cast their vote while election officials verify their registration after Election Day.

University of Arkansas journalism students receive pre-election training

What are the hours at polling places on Election Day?

Polling places are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

What if my work schedule conflicts with polling hours?

According to Arkansas Code Title 7. Elections  7-1-102, employers in the state must adjust work hours on election days to allow employees time to vote. Non-compliant employers may face fines ranging from $25 to $250.

What accommodations are available on Election Day?

Per the Help America Vote Act, polling places must have accessible voting systems for individuals with disabilities. Check with local election authorities for specific accommodations available at your polling place.

For more details, visit the Arkansas Secretary of States website.

General information

What is on my ballot?

Ballot information is public record. Voters can preview sample ballots ahead of time through newspapers, county clerk or election commission websites and the Secretary of States Voter View website.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson joining University of Arkansas law school as a professor

Most counties provide this information, but if its not available, contacting the county clerks office is recommended. More information on Arkansas statewide ballot issues is also available at www.uaex.uada.edu/ballot.

Where can I find elections results?

All election results can be found on the Arkansas Secretary of States website linked here.

What are some additional resources?

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
By buying an index fund, you can roughly match the market return with ease. But many of us dare to dream of bigger returns, and build a portfolio ourselves. Just take a look at CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF), which is up 83%, over three years, soundly beating the market return of 13% (not including dividends). On the other hand, the returns haven't been quite so good recently, with shareholders up just 7.5%, including dividends.

Since it's been a strong week for CF Industries Holdings shareholders, let's have a look at trend of the longer term fundamentals.

View our latest analysis for CF Industries Holdings

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

CF Industries Holdings was able to grow its EPS at 40% per year over three years, sending the share price higher. This EPS growth is higher than the 22% average annual increase in the share price. So one could reasonably conclude that the market has cooled on the stock.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

We know that CF Industries Holdings has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? This free interactive report on CF Industries Holdings' balance sheet strength is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of CF Industries Holdings, it has a TSR of 94% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

A Different Perspective

CF Industries Holdings shareholders are up 7.5% for the year (even including dividends). Unfortunately this falls short of the market return. If we look back over five years, the returns are even better, coming in at 14% per year for five years. It's quite possible the business continues to execute with prowess, even as the share price gains are slowing. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with CF Industries Holdings (including 1 which is potentially serious) .

Story continues

Of course CF Industries Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

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.
Ex-Trump aide claims hes met only one person who hates former president more than Melania

Anthony Scaramucci, a former aide to Donald Trump, has claimed he has only met one person who hates his ex-boss more than his wife Melania Trump.

Speaking in an interview with MeidasTouch on Saturday, Scaramucci suggested that the former presidents wife might be the only person who would like to see Vice President Kamala Harris win the presidential election more than he does, because she hates him.

I judge the hatred of Donald Trump by the Melania standard, the former aide said, providing the interviewer with examples, including My wife hates Trump as much as Melania.

Scaramucci said that retired General Mark Milley is the only person hes met that hates the former president more than the former first lady.

Ive met one person that actually hates Trump more than Melania, he said.

Thats General Milley. Hes the only guy Ive met so far that actually hates him more than Melania.

After the January 6 2021 Capitol riot, Trump made comments suggesting Milley, the nations top-ranking military officer at the time, should be killed.

Trump was referencing a call Milley held with Chinese officials to assure them the US was not under threat of attack during the riots. Several members of Trumps cabinet knew Milley was holding the talks.

Anthony Scaramucci, a former aide of president Donald Trump, has claimed he has only met one person that hates his ex-boss more than his wife Melania (EPA)

This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH! Trump said in a Truth Social post about the general.

Milley later said he took adequate safety precautions following Trumps remarks.

He told CBS: I wish those comments had not been made, and Ill take appropriate measures to ensure my safety and the safety of my family.

On Saturday, Scaramucci called Trump a despicable guy for doing that.

Donald Trump with Melania Trump on stage after he accepted his party's nomination on the last day of the Republican National Convention on July 18 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

The fact that were even talking about an enemies list in a country like ours, which is the longest standing Republican representative democracy, 250 years, is just a disgusting thing, the former aide said.

Trumps former communications director went on to blame Republican leaders for enabling his former boss. Now we have to put up with this nonsense, he said.

The Independent reached out to Trumps campaign for comment.

Scaramucci spent 10 days as the White House communications director in 2017 and earned the nickname The Mooch during that time. Sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that Trump had fired his communications director after an obscene tirade.

His comments about Melania come following reports that she has struck a deal with her husband not to move back to the White House full time if he is re-elected in November.

An insider told Page Six earlier this year that she does not want a non-stop schedule of events in the White House, and makes the point she can be both a hands-on mother and First Lady at the same time.

This mirrors when Melania hung back in New York City for five months following Trumps election in the 2016 presidential race, reportedly to allow her son to finish the school year without interruption.

The insider added that she is still concerned about the scrutiny Barron may face while attending college if his father is president.
EXETER  A Manchester man is facing driving while intoxicated and reckless conduct charges after leading police on a pursuit that ended in a crash in Exeter.

Kevin Labelle, 32, a registered sex offender currently on parole, was arrested on charges of reckless conduct, criminal mischief, criminal restraint, and driving as a habitual offender. He also was charged with misdemeanor DWI  third offense, aggravated DWI, conduct after an accident, driving without proof, and driving after suspension for DWI.

State police said they were called at 8:50 p.m. Friday to assist the Auburn Police Department with a vehicle they were pursuing on Route 101 East in Auburn.

Kevin Labelle, 32, is facing DWI and reckless conduct charges after leading police on a pursuit that ended in a crash in Exeter.

The vehicle, according to police, was operating erratically.

The pursuit continued across Route 101 East and then moved onto local roads, where police said it crashed after Labelle tried to avoid spike strips deployed by state police near the area of Route 111 and Pickpocket Road in Exeter.

Police said Labelle's vehicle struck a vehicle that was stopped along the roadside of Route 111.

The operator of the stopped vehicle, according to police, was treated for minor injuries and released from the Exeter Hospital.

Labelle was transported to Exeter Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, and an adult passenger in Labelles vehicle was treated for minor injuries at Portsmouth Hospital.

As a result of his arrest, police said Labelle's parole was revoked, and he was transported to the Rockingham County Jail.

State police were assisted at the scene by the Auburn Police Department, Exeter Police Department, Exeter Fire Department, and Rockingham County Sheriffs Office.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Manchester man facing charges after pursuit ends in Exeter crash
Incumbent Minister President of Saxony and leading candidate of Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU ) Michael Kretschmer stands in a television studio after the announcement of the first projections. State elections were held in Saxony on Sunday. Robert Michael/dpa

Initial exit polls give the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) a narrow lead over the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in parliamentary elections in the eastern German state of Saxony.

Projections from public broadcasters ARD and ZDF forecast the CDU to finish with nearly a third of the vote in Saxony, while the AfD was forecast to finish between 0.5 and 1.5 percentage points behind.

The upstart populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which has campaigned on a mix of left-wing economic policy and right-wing messages on immigration, is forecast to finish third.

Incumbent Minister President of Saxony and leading candidate of Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU ) Michael Kretschmer waves on stage after the announcement of the first projections. State elections were held in Saxony on Sunday. Robert Michael/dpa
Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, walks through the state parliament after the first forecast results for the state election in the AfD election party in Erfurt. Michael Kappeler/dpa

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) will claim a clear victory in state parliamentary elections in the German state of Thuringia, well ahead of the second-place conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), initial exit polls show.

Projections from public broadcasters ARD and ZDF released just after polls closed at 6 pm (1600 GMT) put the AfD at 30.5% to 33.5% of the vote, with the CDU trailing at 24.5%.

The upstart populist Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), which has campaigned on a mix of left-wing economic policy and right-wing messages on immigration, is forecast to finish third in Thuringia with 14.5% to 16.0%.

Incumbent state Premier Bodo Ramelow's hard-left Die Linke (The Left) is projected to slide into fourth place with 11.5% to 12.5% - a major slide from the most recent state parliamentary election in 2019, when they claimed first place with 31%.

BSW broke away from Die Linke earlier this year in a bitter split that appears to have sapped away voters from the party.

Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, walks through the state parliament after the first forecast results for the state election in the AfD election party in Erfurt. Michael Kappeler/dpa

(L-R) Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) parliamentary group in the Saxon state parliament Dirk Panter, Co-Chairman of the SPD Saxony Henning Homann and Co-Chairwoman of the SPD Saxony Kathrin Michel react during the election party. State elections were held in Saxony on Sunday. Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, reacts to the first forecast results for the state election in Thuringia, at the election party of the BSW. Christoph Soeder/dpa
A prominent food safety lawyer says more illnesses can be expected and Congress should investigate Boar's Head after deli meat produced in one of the company's plants was linked to an ongoing multistate listeria outbreak.

The outbreak has led to at least 57 hospitalizations and nine deaths in 18 states since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initially reported it on July 19. The CDC on Aug. 28 reported six new deaths connected to the outbreak including the first deaths in New Mexico, New York, South Carolina (2), and Tennessee.

There will likely be more illnesses, and possibly more deaths, because the incubation period for listeria may last more than two months, so people who consumed tainted deli meat in July could still develop illnesses, said Bill Marler, a Seattle attorney who specializes in food safety.

The CDC's investigation found that meats sliced at deli counters, including Boar's Head brand liverwurst, were contaminated with listeria and made people sick. Subsequently, Boar's Head expanded its recall to include every product made at the facility in Jarratt, Virginia.

This week, inspection reports from the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service revealed that inspectors found insects, mold and mildew at the plant over the 12 months before it was voluntarily shut down because of the outbreak.

"This is the worst set of inspection reports I have ever seen," Marler told USA TODAY.

Listeria outbreak map: See which 18 states have been affected by outbreak tied to Boar's Head deli meat

Congress should investigate how the listeria outbreak arose and why inspectors allowed the plant conditions to exist for so long, says Marler, who is representing the family of one person who died and two others who had illnesses in the outbreak.

"It's crazy. Not only was this plant better at producing listeria than it was at producing meat, but also, what were the inspectors doing?" he told USA TODAY.

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Boar's Head meats are displayed at a Safeway store on July 31, 2024, in San Rafael, California.

Boar's Head list of recalled deli meats

The CDC says its data found that meats sliced at deli counters, including Boar's Head brand liverwurst, were contaminated with listeria and made people sick.

After a link was confirmed between the liverwurst and the outbreak, Boar's Head said on July 29 it "voluntarily decided to expand our recall to include every item produced at the same facility as our liverwurst. We enacted this broad and precautionary recall totaling seven million pounds because we believed it was the right thing to do."

A list of the recalled products is embedded below  and here's where to see labels of recalled products.

What did federal inspectors find at the Boar's Head plant?

Inspectors found insects  alive and dead  black and green mold, and mildew, within the plant in the weeks before Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc, issued a July 26 recall of more than 200,000 pounds of liverwurst due to potential listeria contamination.

In June 2024, inspectors also saw "a steady line of ants" on a wall and in February 2024 found "Ample amounts of blood in puddles on the floor" in the plant's Raw Receiving cooler. "There was also a rancid smell in the cooler."

"It's a layup, whether you are a Republican or Democrat, to have congressional hearings on why this happened and why FSIS inspectors let this thing drag on," Marler said.

Overall, the Food Safety and Inspection Service filed 69 reports of "noncompliances" over the past year at the plant. The agency records were first obtained by CBS News through a Freedom of Information Act request; USA TODAY has also made a request for the inspection documents and independently confirmed the reports.

Map shows which states are affected by listeria outbreak

The CDC reports nine people have died and 57 people have been sickened across 18 states by a listeria outbreak linked to sliced deli meat.

The following map shows where the 57 people in the listeria outbreak lived. Deaths occurred in Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and South Carolina (2).

Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boar's Head recall, listeria outbreak: See full list of recalled items
F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine unlikely shot down by 'friendly fire,' NYT suggests

"Friendly fire" from a Patriot missile battery is unlikely to have caused the downing of a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet, the New York Times reported on Aug. 31, citing two undisclosed senior U.S. military officials.

Ukraine's General Staff confirmed on Aug. 29 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 on Aug. 26. Mes was killed in the crash.

The cause of the accident remains unclear, but early investigation suggests that a Patriot anti-aircraft system shot out the F-16, The Telegraph reported on Aug. 31.

American and Ukrainian investigators are looking at different versions of the crash, including mechanical failure or pilot error, according to the NYT.

Following the F-16 crash, President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Ukraine's Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Aug. 30. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that his removal was not connected to the deadly accident.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry has also established a special commission to investigate the cause of the crash. Oleshchuk said that Ukraine had received a preliminary report from the U.S., which he said is now part of the investigation.

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 discuss the crash in more detail, repeatedly saying that such questions should be referred to Ukrainian officials.

Ukraine received its first F-16s at 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.

Read also: How Ukraines military has changed since it last paraded through the streets of Kyiv

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Who are the faces of the Wichita bus system? Most often, its those with no other choice.

While the flashing red sign inside Wichitas buses may say to limit conversation with the operator, that wont be necessary when youre on Mario Whites route.

White has been driving for Wichita Transit for seven years. Before operating buses, he was busy catching them, something he thinks gives him a unique perspective as a driver.

My golden rule was to always make sure I left the house two hours earlier than I needed to be somewhere  I remember having to chase the bus down two blocks, White said, laughing.

This summer, two Wichita Eagle reporters spent a day riding the bus and talking to riders.

What they found is that some of those who ride the bus have formed communities. These individuals, who are disproportionately low-income, often rely on public transit as their only way of getting around the city.

Funding issues and shortened hours of operation for city buses often leave this population stranded.

These factors make Whites bus unique. His route is an anomaly in a bus system that often has few passengers and even less conversation.

Though his assignments shift to the needs of the transit system, White currently takes passengers along Route 201, which goes through North Rock and to East Harry.

John Vaden rides Whites route to get to his job at CLC Lodging, a travel agency in Wichita. When Vaden hops on Whites bus, though, they dont talk about travel; they discuss all things hip-hop, R&B and more.

On an average day, White pulls up near Towne East Square, where Vaden boards just before 8 a.m. White greets Vaden with a, Whats up, bro. Vaden doesnt bother with a hello, and instead begins the days half-hour conversation.

Bro, Im just trying to figure out how deep does this rabbit hole go with your boy Drake, Vaden said, taking his seat near the front of the bus.

John Vaden, a frequent Wichita bus rider, speaks to Mario White on July 11. Vaden rode Route 201 to his job at CLC Lodging .

And their conversation is off. Vaden considers these brief discussions part of his daily morning routine.

We discuss music and, you know, things especially dealing with the culture, Vaden said. I grew up in the culture; I grew up in hip hop. Its something that is part of me.

When Route 201 makes it to Vadens work, White still has five or so hours remaining of his shift.

Passengers filter on and off. Sometimes, a brief smile and greeting are exchanged; other times, White will catch friends up on his three kids.

I like it here, White said. I like my customers.

Mario White gives directions to the Social Security office to a passenger. White is an operator for Wichita transit and currently takes passengers along Rock Road.

A lot of the time, though, White is a party of one. Being near the outskirts of the city and transit, the bus typically only fills up when people are coming and going from school and work. And even then, the bus is far from maximum capacity.

Luckily, I entertain myself, White said. I constantly have some type of music playing in my head.

Lower cost, but fewer riders

In 2016, Wichita Transit overhauled its bus system in the face of a limited budget, modifying existing routes while reducing monthly fare fees. Before the change, monthly bus passes cost $90, theyre now $55.

A single ride hasnt changed in years, though, costing riders $1.75 per ride.

A month after the overhaul, ridership drastically declined, from 135,418 to 94,851 trips.

That number remained fairly consistent, averaging around 100,000 trips per month. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic sliced ridership in half. In April 2020, only 41,412 trips were taken.

To add to that, 189 bus stops were removed in 2021.

Since the pandemic, ridership has increased. In March 2024, 103,068 trips were taken, bringing ridership back up to pre-pandemic patterns, but still falling short of numbers before the 2016 overhaul.

Wichitas buses are often passenger-less, as ridership has dropped over the last decade for the transit system.

With fewer passengers on the buses at a time, new communities formed. For Whites route, this comes in the shape of friendships and mutuality. But not all routes are as tight-knit as Whites.

Many rides have minimal conversation, if any.

Sometimes a driver will ask where someone is going, but often, the only noise that can be heard is the rush of wind, sounds of traffic and clattering as the bus runs over a bumpy section of road.

Linked through common experience

According to this years Wichita Transit state of the system report, a majority of bus riders live under the poverty line. Sixty-five percent of riders do not own a vehicle, 52% use the bus five or more times a week and a plurality have used the transit system for more than five years.

Delbert Pfeiffer, a frequent bus rider, describes himself as an average Joe.

Pfeiffer worked in construction for most of his life, picking up spine, shoulder, knee and ankle injuries. Eventually, he said, his body broke down so much that he could no longer ride his motorcycle around.

My body is not working out right now, Pfeiffer said. Im not able to ride a motorcycle no more.

So, for the last two years, Pfeiffer has relied on Wichita Transit.

Delbert Pfeiffer (right) rides on a Wichita bus on July 11. Pfeiffer says that after years of construction work, injuries prevent him from driving his motorcycle.

Pfeiffer remains optimistic despite his health. He attempts to chat with other bus riders and describes himself as the happiest Ive ever been. When he first started riding the bus, he discovered how helpful the community of frequent riders was.

I didnt know where I was going, which bus to go on, Pfeiffer said. They help you out.

Pfeiffer is a recovering addict who is currently sober. He, along with a majority of route 28 passengers, got off the mid-afternoon bus at Union Rescue Mission on Hillside, a shelter for those experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty and other challenges.

Pfeiffer said when the buses arent available, he relies on friends for rides. Sometimes, this isnt viable, and he has to cancel or postpone appointments when he has no means of travel.

Id like to go to church, Pfeiffer said. Not everybody is able to have a ride.

I wish it ran longer

Pfeiffer had two main complaints about Wichita Transit: Most buses only run from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and dont run at all on Sundays.

The Douglas Q-Line is the only route that runs past 7 p.m. It runs from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, it runs until midnight.

The Q-Line is free to ride and targets tourists, only traveling along Douglas between Riverfront Stadium and the VA Medical Center. The route also has one of the lowest ridership numbers, with only 160 daily boardings on the weekdays and not even 100 on Saturday.

According to the transit survey, 43% of employed bus riders in Wichita work on Sundays, and 38% work past 9 p.m.

Anthony Richmond is a member of the latter group. He said he works a third-shift job when no buses are running.

While Richmond owns a car, he said gas and insurance costs make Wichita Transit the cheaper option. That doesnt make the post-work wait for a bus any less frustrating.

Us third shifters, we have to wait and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait and wait, just to go back home, Richmond said. How is that fair?

A rider waits for the buses to come into the Transit Center on July 11. Wichitas buses typically run every 45 minutes to an hour, making riders wait often.

Richmond punctuated his frustration about the citys public transportation with repeated profanities.

I was thinking about quitting my (expletive) job because of this (expletive), Richmond said. Im so tired of waiting all the (expletive) time.

Thomas Reynolds, a soft-spoken Arkansas native, voiced similar concerns. Currently living in a motel near 27th and Broadway, Reynolds has to get on three different buses to make it to his job at Jimmies Diner on North Rock.

Reynolds typically works six days a week. When hes scheduled on Sunday or after the buses stop running in the evening, he has to ask for a ride.

Im glad I have it, but I wish it ran longer, Reynolds said.

Changing the system

Wichita is developing a Transit Network Plan to improve the citys bus system. Penny Feist, Wichitas interim transit director, said the city has sought feedback from riders and non-riders, with more-frequent and later service being the main issues.

The change isnt simple, though. Any increase in service would require more funding.

If were talking about later service across town or if youre talking about Sunday service especially, youre talking about more buses, Feist said.

Des Moines; Little Rock; and Toledo, Ohio, buses all run on Sundays and service earlier in the mornings and later at night than Wichita Transit, despite each serving a smaller population.

Wichita Transit receives the lowest funding levels compared to peer systems, according to the transit report.

In 2022, Wichita Transit received just over $2 million from its local government and operated with $13 million in total funding. Des Moines bus system generated over $14 million locally and had a $33 million budget overall.

That gap in funding means people like Richmond and Reynolds are left behind.

Truthfully, if they had four, five, six buses that were like 24 hours, it would help out a lot of people, Richmond said.

Making do

While some riders have cite grievances about Wichita Transit, others are simply grateful it exists.

For Jerry Proctor, a retiree living at a retirement home near 13th and West, the bus gives him something to do during the day. Hell often ride the empty route through Maize Road, stopping at Walmart or other stores.

Its the only way I can get out, Proctor said.

A Wichita native, Proctor began using the buses 30 years ago. Before then, he got around in a car.

I got tired of driving, Proctor said. I noticed when I had a car  I was a nervous wreck. So I started riding the bus.

But Proctor doesnt see riding the bus as a chore. In his words, its fun.

I look at it like a tour, he said.

Haley Jenkins and Joe Thompson both ride Wichitas buses. Both are recovering from addictions and before this summer, the two friends hadnt seen each other in over a decade.

(We) just reunited after, like what, 13 years? Jenkins said. We were in our active addictions (before), but at the same time, we were really young.

Nearly 30 now, Jenkins said shes got nothing to show for her life and is ready to move forward.

Im going moment by moment. My second-by-second sobriety is one of my biggest goals, Jenkins said. Wichita is a wonderful place when it comes to resources and taking care of their people, you just have to know your coping skills and your resources that are out there.

When asked if she thinks the Wichita buses are reliable, Jenkins said, definitely.

When it gets too hot, theyre even free, Jenkins said. Because they dont want their homeless on (the street.) There are so many homeless that die because they dont have AC.

Herbert Forbes has watched the evolution of Wichita Transit over the past 20 years. After a schizophrenia diagnosis, Forbes sold his car, deciding that it would be cheaper to ride the bus than pay for car insurance.

Now enrolled at Wichita State University in electronics engineering, Forbes uses the buses as his only means of transportation.

Its doing okay by me, Forbes said.

Similarly to Forbes, Emily Cleaver used to get around by car.

After going to prison for a year, though, Cleaver lost everything, including her job and car.

I dont know what Im going to do because I used to be a bartender, so I cant go back to that, Cleaver said while waiting at the transit center.

Despite being unsure about her future, one thing for Cleaver is certain.

Ill probably be taking the bus a lot more often.

Emily Cleaver waits for her bus home after spending a year in Topekas correctional facility. Cleaver used to get around town by car, but after going to prison and losing her car, she anticipates riding the bus a lot more.
Claim:

In 2023, two people used an excavator to clear a path through the Great Wall of China.

Rating:

Rating: True

In 2023, images of severe damage to the Great Wall of China went viral on both Reddit and TikTok. Multiple media outlets, including CNN, NBC, the BBC, Smithsonian Magazine, and Vice also reported that two people used an excavator to create a path through the more than 13,000 mile-long relic of the Ming Dynasty.

One Reddit post gained more than 65,000 upvotes. "Be nice AI is still a baby," one of the top comments read.

However, we looked into the claim and found that the images were authentic, meaning they were not AI-generated or otherwise digitally altered. The photos originated from the official police report posted to Chinese social media platform Weixin  also known as WeChat.

The police report, posted the Youyu County Public Security Bureau, confirmed that two suspects  a 38-year-old male and a 55-year-old female)  used an excavator to create a shortcut through the Great Wall, "causing irreversible damage to the integrity of the Ming Great Wall and the safety of cultural relics."

According to Google Translate, the full report was as follows:

The Thirty-two Great Walls in Youyu County is a section of the Ming Great Wall. It is named after the 32nd beacon tower where the Ming Great Wall enters Youyu. The existing border walls and beacon towers are relatively intact. It is a provincial cultural relic protection unit and is well-known for its majestic and vast ancient frontier style. It has important protection and research value. However, part of the Great Wall has been severely damaged in recent days. August 24At around 4:20 p.m., the command center of the county public security bureau received a report that a gap had been dug in the Thirty-Two Great Walls in Yangqianhe Township. After receiving the alarm, the Criminal Investigation Brigade rushed to the scene. After checking the traces on the scene, the police initially determined that the ancient Great Wall was damaged by excavation by large machinery. Subsequently, the police patrolled and tracked the area and found an excavator and a man and a woman in the neighboring county of Horqin. After questioning on the scene, it was found that the ancient Great Wall was destroyed by the two people. The police summoned the two people back to the county public security bureau for further investigation. Upon investigation, it was found that the suspects Zheng (male, 38 years old, from Hohhot, Inner Mongolia) and Wang (female, 55 years old, from Hohhot, Inner Mongolia) used an excavator to dig a large gap in the original gap of the ancient Great Wall to save distance during construction near the Thirty-two Great Walls, so that the excavator could pass through the gap, causing irreversible damage to the integrity of the Ming Great Wall and the safety of cultural relics. At present, the two suspects have been criminally detained according to law and the case is under further investigation.

The report included both pictures included on the viral Reddit post, and an additional photo of the police officers standing on either side of the two suspects; the police blurred their faces to protect their identity.

(Youyu County Public Security Bureau)

State-owned news outlet China Daily reported that the police charged the two with destroying a cultural relic.

In sum, because the Youyu County Public Security Bureau posted the viral photos, confirmed the details of the damaged section of the Great Wall, and charged two people with the damage, we rate this claim "True."

Sources:

China's Great Wall Damaged by Workers Looking for Shortcut. 5 Sept. 2023. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-66714547.

Gan, Mengchen Zhang, Nectar. 'Two People Detained in China for Allegedly Damaging Great Wall with Excavator'. CNN, 4 Sept. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/04/china/china-great-wall-damage-excavator-intl/index.html.

Great Wall of China | Definition, History, Length, Map, Location, & Facts | Britannica. 27 Aug. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Great-Wall-of-China.

'Great Wall of China "Irreversibly" Damaged by People Looking for Shortcut'. VICE, 5 Sept. 2023, https://www.vice.com/en/article/great-wall-of-china-damaged-by-people-looking-for-shortcut/.

Magazine, Smithsonian, and Sarah Kuta. 'Construction Workers Plow a Shortcut Through the Great Wall of China'. Smithsonian Magazine, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/construction-workers-cause-irreversible-damage-to-great-wall-of-china-180982876/. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.

TikTok - Make Your Day. https://www.tiktok.com/@abcnewsaus/video/7275566210459241735?_r=1&_t=8pDw8KCYAiV. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.

- YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2N_NDyMYlw. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.

. ' '. Weixin Official Accounts Platform, https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/PNWdmbZXS7esmGQiUZqurw. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.

. Excavator Used to Damage Section of Great Wall, Two People Detained. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202309/04/WS64f5a6aca310d2dce4bb3d00.html. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  The KELOLAND Fanfare bus arrived in Oklahoma Saturday to watch the Jackrabbits.

While the Jackrabbits lost, the fan experience was still electric.

Courtesy Mari Ossenfort

Courtesy Mari Ossenfort

Courtesy Anna Peters

About 50 fans were accompanied by several KELOLAND staff on the FANfare bus.

If you have any photos to share of the experience, please send them to uShare@keloland.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 KELOLAND.com.
A German far-right party wins its first state election and is very close in a second

Bjoern Hoecke, top candidate in Thuringia of the far-right Alternative for Germany, gestures as he walks through the state parliament, in Erfurt, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Bodo Schackow/dpa via AP)

BERLIN (AP)  A far-right party won a state election for the first time in post-World War II Germany in the countrys east on Sunday, and looked set to finish a very close second to mainstream conservatives in a second vote.

A new party founded by a prominent leftist also made a strong impact, while the parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholzs unpopular national government obtained extremely weak results.

The far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, won 32.8% of the vote in Thuringia  well ahead of the center-right Christian Democratic Union, the main national opposition party, with 23.6%.

In neighboring Saxony, projections for ARD and ZDF public television with the count well advanced put support for the CDU, which has led the state since German reunification in 1990, at 31.9% and AfD on 30.6-30.7%. AfD made substantial gains in Thuringia and smaller ones in Saxony compared with the last state elections in 2019.

An openly right-wing extremist party has become the strongest force in a state parliament for the first time since 1949, and that causes many people very deep concern and fear, said Omid Nouripour, a leader of the Greens, one of the national governing parties.

Other parties say they won't put AfD in power by joining it in a coalition. Even so, its strength is likely to make it extremely difficult to form new state governments, forcing other parties into exotic new coalitions. The new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or BSW, took 15.8% of the vote in Thuringia and nearly 12% in Saxony, adding another level of complication.

This is a historic success for us, Alice Weidel, a national co-leader of AfD, told ARD. She described the result as a requiem for Scholz's coalition.

The CDU's national general secretary, Carsten Linnemann, said that voters in both states knew that we wouldn't form a coalition with AfD, and it will stay that way  we are very, very clear on this."

Weidel denounced that as pure ignorance and said that voters want AfD to participate in a government.

Deep discontent with a national government notorious for infighting, anti-immigration sentiment and skepticism toward German military aid for Ukraine are among the factors that have contributed to support for populist parties in the region, which is less prosperous than western Germany.

AfD is at its strongest in the formerly communist east, and the domestic intelligence agency has the partys branches in both Saxony and Thuringia under official surveillance as proven right-wing extremist groups. Its leader in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, has been convicted of knowingly using a Nazi slogan at political events, but is appealing.

Hocke bristled when an ARD interviewer mentioned the intelligence agency's assessment, responding: Please stop stigmatizing me. We are the No. 1 party in Thuringia. You dont want to classify one-third of the voters in Thuringia as right-wing extremist.

He said he felt a great, great deal of pride in Sunday's result for his 11-year-old party and the old parties should show humility.

Scholz's center-left Social Democrats at least stayed in the two state legislatures with single-digit support, but the environmentalist Greens lost their seats in Thuringia. The two parties were the junior coalition partners in both outgoing state governments. The third party in the national government, the pro-business Free Democrats, also lost its seats in Thuringia. It already had no representation in Saxony.

A third state election follows Sept. 22 in another eastern state, Brandenburg, currently led by Scholz's party. Germany's next national election is due in a little over a year.

Thuringias politics are particularly complicated because the Left Party of outgoing governor Bodo Ramelow has slumped into electoral insignificance nationally. It lost more than half its support compared with five years ago, dropping to 13.1%.

Sahra Wagenknecht, long one of its best-known figures, left last year to form her own party, which is now outperforming the Left. Wagenknecht celebrated that party's success, underlined its refusal to work with AfD's Hocke and said she hopes it can form a good government with the CDU.

The CDU has long refused to work with the Left Party, descended from East Germanys ruling communists. It hasnt ruled out working with Wagenknechts BSW, which also is at its strongest in the east. But the result means the CDU can't put together a coalition that has a majority in Thuringia's legislature without the Left Party.

AfD has tapped into high anti-immigration sentiment in the region. The Aug. 23 knife attack in the western city of Solingen in which a suspected extremist from Syria is accused of killing three people helped push the issue back to the top of Germany's political agenda, and prompted Scholz's government to announce new restrictions on knives and new measures to ease deportations.

Wagenknechts BSW combines left-wing economic policy with an immigration-skeptic agenda. The CDU has also stepped up pressure on the national government for a tougher stance on immigration.

Germanys stance toward Russias war in Ukraine is also a sensitive issue in the east. Berlin is Ukraines second-biggest weapons supplier after the United States; those weapons deliveries are something both AfD and BSW oppose. Wagenknecht has also assailed a recent decision by the German government and the U.S. to begin deployments of long-range missiles to Germany in 2026.
Scandal has swept the nations capital after the protege of D.C.s Mayor for Life was arrested and charged with scamming over $156,000 this year.

In 2016, Trayon White Sr. was elected council member of Washington D.C.s Ward 8 after D.C.s beloved former mayor, Marion Barry, died. White, who won reelection in 2020, was known as a rising star in D.C. politics, with many even drawing comparisons between him and Barry.

But all the high hopes for White came tumbling down last month when the 40-year-old was arrested by the FBI and now faces bribery charges.

According to the criminal complaint, White allegedly agreed to accept approximately $156,000 in undisclosed kickbacks and cash payments beginning in June 2024. In return, he would allegedly pressure government agencies, like the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services, to extend contracts across the District.

District of Columbia Councilman Trayon White, Sr., center, walks out of the federal courthouse after his initial appearance, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 in Washington. White was arrested on a federal bribery charge by the FBI on Sunday - Image: Andrew Leyden (Getty Images)

In a statement following his arrest, Whites office wrote:

This matter is in the hands of the appropriate legal authorities, who will oversee the necessary proceedings... ...We recognize the seriousness of this matter. We want to assure Ward 8 residents and stakeholders that our office remains fully operational and steadfast in our commitment to serving the public. Our staff continues to work diligently to address the needs of our constituents, ensuring that essential services and initiatives are not disrupted.

White has represented D.C.s Ward 8 since 2017, according to the Council of the District of Columbias website. Although this is his first run-in with the law, White is no stranger to controversy.

In March 2024, White was exposed for owing over $80,000 in campaign related fines, per Fox 5. Before then, $59,000 allegedly went missing during Whites unsuccessful run for mayor in 2022.

According to Fox 5, Whites campaign has file several amended reports with D.C.s Office of Campaign Finance since 2020. During a civil filing, White claimed to be unaware of these ongoing discrepancies within his own campaign.

White has not entered a plea regarding these most recent charges. According to NBC News, he is expected to appear in court again on Sept. 19. If convicted, White could face up to 15 years behind bars.

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Aug. 31 (UPI) -- A third COVID-19 vaccine will be available shortly as Novavax joins Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna in targeting variants that are now circulating.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized the updated version of the protein-based Novavax Covid-19 vaccine for use in people 12 and older.

One week ago, the FDA approved the updated versions for Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, an mRAN. They are now available in some pharmacies.

All these vaccines include a monovalent, or single, component that corresponds to the Omicron variant JN.1 strain of SARS-CoV-2.

"The COVID-19 vaccines have had a tremendous positive impact on public health and vaccination continues to be the most effective method for COVID-19 prevention," Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a news release. "COVID-19 continues to be a very real risk for many people, and we encourage individuals to consider getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine when eligible.

"Today's authorization provides an additional COVID-19 vaccine option that meets the FDA's standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization."

Individuals 12 years of age and older who have never been vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine are eligible to receive two doses three weeks apart of Novavax.

One dose is allowed for those who have been vaccinated only with one dose of any of the manufacturers' doses. For Novavax, it is three weeks after the last dose and for the two others it is at least two months.

On June 5, an FDA advisory panel recommended updating the formula for COVID-19 vaccines.

"Today's authorization enables Novavax to launch our updated COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. in pre-filled syringes, and we have worked hard to ensure consumers have access in thousands of locations nationwide," President and Chief Executive Officer John C. Jacobs said in a news release.

The FDA says vaccines will need to be assessed annually, like for seasonal influenza vaccines. The last update was in September 2023.

Earlier this month, Health and Human Services announced a national campaign to increase public awareness of common respiratory viruses and available vaccines. Health officials said they hope the campaign, called "Risk Less. Do More," will reduce serious illnesses from the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial viruses in high-risk populations, as well as limit the spread of the virus in the United States.

KP.3.1.1 was the dominant strain and accounts for between 31% and 43% of clinical specimens for two weeks ending Aug. 17 compared with 20% to 30% for the two-week period ending Aug. 3, according to the CDC.

"COVID-19 activity is elevated nationally, with continued increases in many areas and early signs of decline in others," the CDC reported on Friday.

The CDC no longer tracks cases but examines SARS-CoV-2 levels in sewage, and limited data from hospitals and states. Cases now are hard to track because most people get tests at home and the results are not reported to state health agencies.

In the last cases update from the CDC on May 11, 2023, there were more than 103 million infections with more than 1.1 million deaths.

Levels of the virus measured in wastewater are at "very high" levels nationally, according to CDC data, sparking the highest summer peak in the United States since July 2022. A map of the United States, last updated Thursday, lists different levels.

The only "low" level is in Michigan. Everywhere else is "high" or "very high" though no data was from obtained from Arizona, North Dakota, Utah as well as Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands.

About 22.5% of U.S. adults received the latest round of shots that rolled out last fall, according to the CDC in May.

The FDA issued Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Dec. 11, 2020, and for the Moderna vaccine on Dec. 18, 2020 for those 18 and older.

Novavax was approved June 7, 2022 for those 18 and older.
Judith Evans, 33, a secondary school teacher from Newtownabbey, is accused of sexual offences against a male pupil

A female teacher has been charged with sexually abusing a schoolboy in Northern Ireland.

Judith Evans, 33, from Newtownabbey, will stand trial later this year over sexual offences she is accused of committing against a male pupil.

Ms Evans, who taught at Belfast Boys Model School, appeared at Belfast Crown Court last Wednesday to deny 11 charges.

The Belfast Telegraph reported that she can now be named after her lawyers failed in a last-minute attempt to prevent her being identified as the defendant.

Confirmed her identity

During last weeks hearing, Ms Evans was accompanied in the dock by Adrian Harvey, her solicitor, and confirmed her identity to a court clerk before denying the charges spanning a four-month period earlier this year.

It is alleged that between March 1 and May 17, Ms Evans communicated with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.

When asked how she pleaded, she replied: Not guilty.

She is also accused of two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming over the same time period and pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Ms Evans also denied two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of intentionally engaging in sexual touching involving penetration with a child.

She denies one count of causing a child to look at an image of a person engaging in sexual activity for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.

The secondary school teacher entered pleas of not guilty to two counts of possessing an indecent image of the pupil.

Accused of perverting the course of justice

She is also accused of perverting the course of justice between June 13 and 27 this year by allegedly making a false allegation of sexual assault against the boy, to which she pleaded not guilty.

Laura Ivers KC, representing Ms Evans, told Judge Patricia Smyth that the defence was seeking forensic and psychiatric reports ahead of a trial.

No further details about the alleged offending emerged during the arraignment but Mr Harvey told a previous hearing that his client claims she was a victim in the encounters with the schoolboy.

He said his client is also a complainant in relation to these proceedings and he confirmed she has been suspended by the school.

Released on continuing bail

Judge Patricia Smyth, the Recorder of Belfast, set a Nov 4 trial date and agreed to a defence request for the defendant to be released on continuing bail.

Ms Evans was named after her lawyers argued on Friday that she should not be identified for several reasons including that she herself had made a criminal complaint and concerns over her mental health.

They also argued naming her might risk identification of the schoolboy and risked prejudicing the administration of justice.

However Fergal McGoldrick, representing Northern Irish newspapers the Sunday Life and the Belfast Telegraph, objected, arguing there was no legal basis to prevent her identification given the charges she faces.

Importance of open justice

Judge Smyth, citing the importance of open justice, declined to make any order preventing Ms Evans being identified.

She allowed the teachers legal representatives until 6pm on Saturday to provide evidence from a psychiatrist and any further argument.

However on Saturday evening, Ms Evans confirmed no further argument would be made.
Finnish president says situation in Ukraine is critical, but better than three months ago

Finnish President Alexander Stubb believes that while the situation in the Russo-Ukrainian war remains critical, Ukraine is in a better position than it was three months ago.

Source: Finnish public service media company Yle, citing Stubb, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "The situation remains critical, but Ukraine's position looks better than it did three months ago."

Details: The Finnish president said it is difficult to estimate when the war, which has been raging on for over two and a half years, will come to an end.

He highlighted the beginning of discussions about peace as a positive development.

Stubb emphasised that the conditions for achieving peace put forward by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are the liberation of Ukraine's territories, security guarantees, prosecution of war criminals, and the country's recovery.

"We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes," the Finnish president vowed.

Stubb stressed that Finland has chosen its side, making it difficult for Finland to act as a mediator in negotiations.

He was also asked why Ukraine is being restricted in its use of Western weapons for strikes on targets inside Russia.

According to Stubb, there should be no such restrictions as long as Ukraine is acting in self-defence and adhering to international law, although strikes must not be directed against civilian targets.

He believes that Russia is a threat to Finland's security for various reasons.

"The number one security threat is Russia, but there is no reason to be concerned at the moment," Stubb concluded.

The Finnish president believes that it is necessary to prepare for a period of uncertainty in Russo-Finnish relations.

Stubb thinks Finland will increasingly see hybrid operations from Russia. He cited psychological operations, the situation on the border, and even sabotage as examples of possible hybrid influence.

Background: Earlier, Alexander Stubb stressed that Kyiv has the right to defend itself against Russian aggression, including in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

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An evacuation order was in effect near Chuckchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold after a fire broke out, the Madera County Sheriffs Office said.

The Coarsegold Fire was burning in the area of the 46000 block of Road 417.

Zones 0711 and E0717 were under an evacuation order because of an immediate threat to life.

This is an evacuation order to leave now, deputies said. The area is being closed to public access. Take action immediately. If youre in need of evacuation assistance, call 9 1 1. An evacuation shelter is to be determined.

Fire crews responded to a structure fire just before 11:30 a.m.

Eight acres were burned.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH)  A firefighter is recovering and a family is displaced after a structure fire broke out Saturday night in Bridgeport.

The Bridgeport Fire Department was called to 48 Alpine St. last night at 8:20 for a heavy structure fire. At the scene, crews witnessed fire coming from the structures three floors and rapidly began an extensive overhaul by extinguishing all visible flames.

Photo provided by the Bridgeport Fire Department.

Photo provided by the Bridgeport Fire Department.

Photo provided by the Bridgeport Fire Department.

Photo provided by the Bridgeport Fire Department.

Photo provided by the Bridgeport Fire Department.

More than three hours later at 11:35 p.m., the fire was brought under control.

A Bridgeport firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

The American Red Cross was also called to assist two adults and three children who are now displaced.

Bridgeports Fire Marshals Office is investigating this 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 WTNH.com.
SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  First responders across Sumner County worked together Saturday morning to battle a blaze that seriously damaged a home and a garage and sent a firefighter to the emergency room (ER).

The White House Community Volunteer Fire Department said it was dispatched to a report of a garage fire along Hogans Branch Road at approximately 5:22 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31. Someone spotted it while driving down the road and alerted the residents.

Funeral held for Sumner County coaching legend, community icon Pat Webb

Personnel from multiple other emergency response agencies were reportedly called in to help fight the fire, including the Shackle Island Fire Department, the Cottontown Fire Department, the Goodlettsville Fire Department, the Ridgetop Fire Department, the Cross Plains Volunteer Fire Department, the Gallatin Fire Department, the City of White House Fire Department, the Sumner County Fire Buffs, the Sumner County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Sumner County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the Sumner County Sheriffs Office.

(Courtesy: White House Community Volunteer Fire Department)

(Courtesy: White House Community Volunteer Fire Department)

(Courtesy: White House Community Volunteer Fire Department)

(Courtesy: White House Community Volunteer Fire Department)

(Courtesy: White House Community Volunteer Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Cottontown Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Cottontown Fire Department)

(Courtesy: White House Community Volunteer Fire Department)

(Courtesy: White House Community Volunteer Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Cottontown Fire Department)

(Courtesy: White House Community Volunteer Fire Department)

(Courtesy: White House Community Volunteer Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Cottontown Fire Department)

For example, a tanker from the Cottontown Fire Department made 10 trips, hauling about 20,000 gallons of water since the closest fire hydrant was more than two miles away, according to fire officials.

The White House Community Volunteer Fire Department said the blaze ended up in the attic of the house, so the garage and the house were pretty much a total loss, but it was not due to the valiant effort of our firefighters.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Officials said one firefighter was treated and transported to the Hendersonville ER for observation while several other firefighters were treated at the scene and released.

This fire required an enormous amount of water, man power, teamwork and coordination. It demonstrated the good working relationship between the volunteer and city fire departments, the Cottontown Fire Department posted on 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 WKRN News 2.
As Japan's stock markets show signs of resilience, with both the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX Index recovering from early-month sell-offs, investors are increasingly looking towards small-cap opportunities that may have been overlooked. In this environment, discovering stocks with strong fundamentals and growth potential becomes crucial for capitalizing on market movements. A good stock in today's Japanese market is one that not only demonstrates solid financial health but also shows promise in navigating economic shifts and leveraging unique market positions.

Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals In Japan

Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating AOKI Holdings 28.27% 0.91% 37.15%  Uoriki NA 3.90% 6.15%  Nippon Denko 18.00% 4.31% 48.41%  Yashima Denki 2.93% -2.38% 13.99%  NPR-Riken 15.31% 10.00% 44.55%  Toho 82.16% 1.83% 47.38%  Innotech 38.96% 7.08% 6.36%  AJIS 0.69% 0.07% -12.44%  Pharma Foods International 191.14% 33.83% 23.46%  Toyo Kanetsu K.K 47.92% 2.34% 15.44% 

Click here to see the full list of 751 stocks from our Japanese Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener.

We'll examine a selection from our screener results.

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: oRo Co., Ltd. engages in the provision of cloud and digital transformation solutions and has a market cap of 36.56 billion.

Operations: Revenue streams for oRo Co., Ltd. are primarily derived from its cloud and digital transformation solutions. The company has a market cap of 36.56 billion.

oRo, a promising player in Japan's tech sector, has shown consistent financial health. The company is debt-free and has been so for the past five years. Trading at 26.4% below its estimated fair value, it offers attractive valuation prospects. Earnings have grown 17.2% annually over the last five years, with future growth forecasted at 14.23% per year. Despite a recent earnings growth of 9.9%, slightly underperforming the IT industrys 10.1%, oRo remains profitable with high-quality earnings and positive free cash flow (2,293M).

TSE:3983 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: GMO Financial Gate, Inc. provides cashless payment infrastructure in Japan and has a market cap of 62.49 billion.

Operations: GMO Financial Gate generates revenue primarily from providing cashless payment infrastructure in Japan. For the latest fiscal period, the company reported a gross profit margin of 45.67%. Operating expenses and cost of sales are significant components impacting its financial performance.

Story continues

GMO Financial Gate has demonstrated robust financial health, with its interest payments well covered by EBIT at 128.1x and a notable earnings growth of 42.9% over the past year, surpassing the Diversified Financial industrys 27.1%. Over five years, its debt to equity ratio increased from 0% to 37.5%, indicating a strategic leverage approach. The company recently provided guidance for FY2024, expecting revenue of 19.2 billion and operating profit of 1.41 billion, reflecting strong future prospects.

TSE:4051 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: Inforich Inc. provides portable power bank sharing services in Japan and has a market cap of 36.63 billion.

Operations: Inforich Inc.'s revenue primarily comes from its portable power bank sharing services in Japan. The company reported a market cap of 36.63 billion.

Inforich, trading at 80% below its estimated fair value, has shown significant promise by becoming profitable in the past year. Despite a large one-off loss of 224M impacting its latest financial results to June 30, 2024, the company's EBIT covers interest payments 11.6 times over. Recent moves include establishing INFORICH Europe Limited in London to expand its ChargeSPOT business into Europe, leveraging success in Asia and Australia. Earnings are projected to grow by 30% annually.

TSE:9338 Debt to Equity as at Sep 2024

Next Steps

Discover the full array of 751 Japanese Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals right here.

Have you diversified into these companies? Leverage the power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to keep a close eye on market movements affecting your investments.

Join a community of smart investors by using Simply Wall St. It's free and delivers expert-level analysis on worldwide markets.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include TSE:3983 TSE:4051 and TSE:9338.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
The biggest conservative policy success of former President Donald Trump's term in office may also be his 2024 campaign's undoing: the overturning of Roe v Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that had protected abortion rights for half a century. That has left the field open for proposed state and federal abortion restrictions that leave Trump in a bind.

Trump has tried to avoid embracing his party's most unpopular policies during the 2024 campaign while also placating anti-abortion advocates.

The former president doesn't endorse a national ban on abortion, which his running mate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio has been open to in the past, but he brags about appointing the U.S. Supreme Court justices who made sweeping new abortion restrictions possible in many states when they overturned Roe.

That juggling act finally caught up with the former president this week, exposing how fraught abortion politics are for the Republican presidential nominee.

After months of dodging and initially signaling he favored a more permissive approach, Trump came out Friday against an abortion rights measure on the Florida ballot that would make the procedure legal up to the point of fetal viability outside the womb, which currently corresponds to about 24 weeks of pregnancy and was the standard under Roe until it was struck down.

Known as Amendment 4, Florida's ballot measure would overturn a ban on abortions in the state after roughly six weeks of pregnancy. The abortion ban was pushed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis as he was running for president and approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature. It is one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation, and one that Trump has been eager to distance himself from.

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses thousands of anti-abortion activists at the 47th annual March for Life in Washington, U.S., January 24, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis

Scrambling to contain the fallout

On Thursday, Trump was asked about Amendment 4 and gave an answer that alarmed some anti-abortion activists. Trump criticized the six-week ban, saying there "has to be more time."

Pressed on how he would vote on the Florida ballot measure, Trump told NBC: "I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks." The comments seemed to imply he would support the ballot measure to overturn the six-week ban.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser immediately put out a statement after Trump's comments saying that supporting Amendment 4 "completely undermines" his past position on abortion. Conservatives already had been growing restless with Trump's efforts to soften his image on abortion, including a recent statement that "my administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights."

The Trump campaign worked to contain the fallout on the right from his Thursday comments, releasing a statement that evening insisting Trump hadn't decided how he would vote on Amendment 4. Dannenfelser later put out a second statement saying she spoke to Trump and he was undecided on the Florida ballot measure.

By Friday Trump was decided. Bowing to pressure on the right, he told FOX News "I'll be voting no" on Amendment 4, meaning he would vote to keep his state's ban on abortions after six weeks.

Now it was the left's turn to pounce on Trump.

"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," Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump's Democratic opponent, said in a statement after Trump's Friday comments.

Republican consultant Alex Conant said Trump's difficulties in finding a consistent message on abortion strike at one of his core selling points.

"Trump's appeal is that he's authentic," Conant said. "You know what he thinks. That makes his waffling on abortion questions so odd."

GOP on defensive on abortion after fall of Roe

Abortion has Republicans on the defensive, and it's not just Trump.

A Pew Research Center survey from April found that 63% of U.S. adults believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

Yet with Roe gone, Republicans moved swiftly at the state and national level to restrict abortion. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina introduced federal legislation to ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, and many conservative states went further.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, a group that promotes abortion rights, 14 states have complete bans on abortion, four states ban the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy and two ban it after 12 weeks.

Voters are pushing back.

Ballot measures to protect abortion rights at the state level, like the one in Florida, have been successful everywhere from Kansas to Michigan since Roe was overturned, and have Republicans on edge.

"I think a lot of people are struggling with this ballot initiative," Jamie Miller, a GOP consultant and former executive director of the Republican Party of Florida, said of the Florida measure.

Miller framed the issue as a choice between an abortion ban that many see as too restrictive but "can easily be changed" because it's not in the state constitution, and a ballot measure that would be "extremely hard to change and is much too extreme for Florida."

"I think Trump is grappling with this issue like every other Floridian," he said.

Asked about Trump's difficulties with the abortion question, Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that "President Trump's record is clear" without elaborating, and accused Democratic rival Kamala Harris of having an "extreme position" on abortion.

The Harris campaign pointed to comments she made last year that she wants to restore the abortion protections that existed under Roe, saying that's still her position.

Trump's abortion paradox

Trump created a paradox for himself when he followed through on conservatives' long-held desire to overturn Roe. He touts the fall of Roe as a great accomplishment because it sends the abortion question back to the states. Yet many states are adopting highly restrictive new abortion laws that are unpopular with swing voters.

The Alabama Supreme Court even went so far as to declare that embryos created during in vitro fertilization have the same legal protections as children, putting at risk a popular procedure for overcoming infertility. Trump immediately came out in support of IVF and went further this week, saying he wants to mandate that insurance companies pay for the costly procedure, although his campaign has not produced a written proposal or provided any details of how it would work.

Trump has tried to distance himself from more extreme anti-abortion measures without upsetting supporters who are staunchly against the procedure.

Republican consultant Mike Murphy, who worked for multiple GOP presidential candidates and is a vocal critic of Trump, wrote on X that the former president is "actually multiple choice on abortion."

"Say whatever he thinks will scam a vote off em," Murphy added. "The sign of a true con man with zero beliefs."

Equivocating too much can have its own political perils, as the Florida abortion question showed. Faced with angering his base or continue nodding to those who oppose the measure, Trump chose his base.

Opposing Amendment 4 may help keep the Christian conservatives who are pivotal to Trump's coalition from revolting, but it risks tying him more closely to what critics say amounts to a near total abortion ban.

Christian Family Coalition Florida Executive Director Anthony Verdugo downplayed the idea that abortion could be a decisive issue.

"To believe that women voters only care about abortion is stereotypical, sexist and offensive," he said.

Conant said Trump just needs a consistent message when it comes to abortion.

"It might not please everyone," he said. "But at least he'd stop these self-made, unhelpful news cycles."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's abortion contortion act falters on Florida ballot question
Woman is thrown from SUV and a man is arrested after chase ends in crash, SC cops say

A woman was critically injured Friday night and a man was arrested after a vehicle chase in South Carolina ended in a crash, according to the Sumter Police Department.

At about 8:30 p.m., an officer tried to pull over an SUV that had been identified in an ongoing metal theft investigation, police said in a news release. The vehicle was seen on North Guignard Drive in Sumter, not far from the USC-Sumter campus.

The driver, later identified as 47-year-old Sumter resident Michael Charles Rose, ignored the traffic stop and sped away, prompting a pursuit to begin, police said.

The chase ended when Rose lost control of the SUV, which crashed and rolled over at the intersection of Alice Drive and Wesmark Boulevard, according to the release.

A passenger, a 56-year-old woman formerly of Florida, was thrown from the vehicle as it crashed, police said. She was found severely injured and was airlifted to a hospital in Columbia, where she was in critical condition, according to the release. Further information about her condition was not available.

Rose escaped from the crash and ran away, police said. After what police called an extensive search that involved officers and Sumter County sheriffs deputies, Rose was found in a wooded area near Meadow Circle, according to the release. Thats about half a mile from the crash scene.

After being treated for what police called minor injuries, Rose was arrested. He was taken to the Sumter County Sheriffs Office Detention Center, where police charged him with driving under suspension and failure to stop for blue lights involving in an accident with great bodily injury, according to the release.

Rose also faces a felony driving under the influence charge from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, according to police. Blood-alcohol content analysis results are pending, according to the release.

No other injuries were reported.

The crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Fort Smith was once a Wild West hotspot where law and legend clashed.

Saddle up for an abbreviated look at the River Valley citys role in shaping the Wild West, from its early days as a strategic outpost to its transformation into a key player in Western expansion.

The gateway to the Wild West

Established in 1817, Fort Smith began as a military post aimed at keeping peace between the Osage and Cherokee tribes.

Strategically located at Belle Point with a commanding view of the Arkansas River, Fort Smith was crucial for defense and surveillance, aiding the U.S. Armys regional control efforts, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

15+ Guinness world records set in Arkansas

As tensions between Native American tribes and settlers grew, Fort Smith evolved from a military outpost into a central hub for westward expansion, especially during the Mexican-American War and the California Gold Rush.

The fort served as a vital departure point for soldiers, traders, and settlers, linking the eastern United States with the expanding frontier.

Law and order on the frontier

Fort Smith in 1860. (Public Domain)

Fort Smith is known for its role in enforcing law and order in the Wild West, particularly during Judge Isaac C. Parkers tenure from 1875 to 1896.

Parker presided over the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, which had jurisdiction over the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), a region with high crime rates, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

4 animals native to Arkansas that have gone extinct

Parkers court handled thousands of cases, many involving serious crimes, and resulted in numerous executions.

Famous outlaws and their time in Fort Smith

The Rufus Buck Gang

The Buck Gang, consisting of five Native Americans (Rufus Buck, Sam Sampson, Maoma July, Lewis Davis, and Lucky Davis), embarked on a violent crime spree in July 1895 that lasted two weeks and was noted for its unprecedented level of violence in the Indian Territories, according to Law West of Fort Smith; a history of frontier justice in the Indian Territory (1834-1896) by Glenn Shirley.



On August 9, 1895, they were captured by a posse of citizens and U.S. Deputy Marshals after a gunfight. Despite their efforts to resist, the gang surrendered when they ran out of ammunition.



They were tried and convicted of rape in Fort Smith in September 1895. All five were sentenced to death by hanging and executed on July 1, 1896.

Belle Starr

Belle Starr, known as the Queen of the Outlaws, became famous posthumously due to exaggerated tales in dime novels and media.

Outlaw And Bandit Queen Belle Starr, 1886. Belle Starr, sitting side-saddle on her horse She is wearing a single loop holster that has a pearl-handled revolver in it. (Photo by Roeder Brothers/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)

During her lifetime, she was a known figure in Fort Smith and was convicted only once, for horse theft in 1886, according to Law West of Fort Smith.

Much of her outlaw legend, including supposed ties to Quantrills Raiders and Cole Younger, is likely fictional.

She married three times: Jim Reed, Sam Starr and Jim July, with whom she had a troubled relationship, according to Law West of Fort Smith. Belle was killed on February 3, 1889, likely by her husband Jim July, and was found near her cabin in Oklahoma.

The United States first national river is in Arkansas

She was buried near her cabin, with a headstone paid for by her daughter Pearl.

Today, her grave is maintained by the Oklahoma Historical Society, and the site is part of an Oklahoma State Park.

Cherokee Bill

Crawford Goldsbys, better known as Cherokee Bill, outlaw career began at eighteen and was marked by violence and crime.



Known for his involvement with the Bill Cook gang, Cherokee Bills criminal activities included numerous robberies and murders. He first came into legal trouble at seventeen and later gained notoriety for shooting Ernest Melton during a robbery, according to Law West of Fort Smith.



After being captured in January 1895 for robbing a train, Bill was convicted of Meltons murder. During his imprisonment, he attempted to escape but was persuaded to surrender by fellow outlaw Henry Starr.



Cherokee Bill was executed on March 17, 1896, and famously said, I came here to die, not make a speech before his execution.

How these Northwest Arkansas cities got their names

Economic and cultural development

Fort Smiths role as a gateway to the West also spurred its economic growth.

A pamphlet prepared by the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce advertising the citys offerings, 1893. (Library of Congress, Public Domain)

In the late nineteenth century, Fort Smith experienced rapid growth, with its population nearly tripling during the 1880s, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

Fort Smith expanded its commercial trading and established Garrison Avenue as a major retail and wholesale center.

The arrival of railroad transportation in the 1870s further boosted economic activity, offering an important alternative to river transport.

The discovery of natural gas in 1887 attracted manufacturers, including a notable glass-manufacturing industry, and the city also developed a strong furniture manufacturing sector.

This economic expansion continued into the early twentieth century, with further industrial and infrastructural growth supporting Fort Smiths development, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

The largest sorority in the U.S. was founded in Arkansas

A wild legacy

Today, several protected historical sites in Fort Smith preserve the citys Wild West heritage, including:

Miss Lauras Social Club

Miss Lauras Social Club, located at 123 First Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas, was originally built in 1896 as the Riverfront Commercial Hotel and converted into a brothel by Laura Ziegler in 1903.

From 1907 to 1924, the city was one of the rare cases in U.S. history where prostitution was not only legalized but also regulated within a designated district known as the Row.

Miss Lauras Social Club was built just before 1900 and now on the register as the only bordello on the National Register. (Creative Commons)

Miss Lauras Social Club was one of the most renowned bordellos in the Southwest and was one of several buildings on The Row, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

The building faced demolition in 1963 but was saved by Donald Reynolds, who purchased it and restored it.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and opened as a restaurant in 1984 before becoming a visitor center in 1992, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

In July 2024, it was announced that the Fort Smith Visitors Center would relocate to a new site at 524 Garrison Avenue to improve accessibility and suitability for children.

Arkansas was not always the Natural State, here were the states other nicknames

The U.S. Marshals Museum

The U.S. Marshals Service, established in 1789, sought a new museum site after its exhibit Americas Traveling Star closed in Laramie, Wyoming, in 2002.

Fort Smith was chosen as the new museum location, with an official announcement on January 4, 2007. according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. The Westphal family donated land, and Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects and Cambridge Seven Associates designed the museum to resemble a U.S. Marshals badge.

The U.S. Marshals Museum, featuring exhibits on the history of the service, frontier marshals and modern technology, opened on July 1, 2023.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Freehold school closed for months because of mold, where will students go?

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP  Students of a Freehold Township elementary school will be temporarily relocated to other buildings in the district after mold was discovered in their building.

The Laura Donovan Elementary School may be closed for months as remediation takes place, district officials said this week.

"Our plan will provide safe, stable class space and ample time to provide a clean Donovan building," school board President Michael Amoroso wrote Thursday in a letter to the school community. "The timeframe is still unknown exactly but the estimation is that we are off-site for a few months at most."

Mold seen under a microscope.

School officials said the source of the mold remains under investigation by engineers and district consultants. Custodial staff discovered the mold earlier this summer and reported it to administrators, they said.

Because Freehold Township School District's enrollment has declined from a high of 4,500 students to its current 3,400, there is plenty of classroom space to accommodate the Donovan students and teachers, Amoroso said in the letter. Laura Donovan Elementary accommodates about 460 students in kindergarten through fifth grade, according to the New Jersey Department of Education.

"The relocated students will be in individual classrooms with their respective Donovan teacher and classmates," the school board president said. "Classrooms are not going to be shared and large group spaces are not being used."

Remediation efforts are happening seven days per week, but the work is taking longer than originally expected, Superintendent Neal Dickstein said in a statement shared with the Press.

"We anticipate that these alternate arrangements may last several months, and we are committed to communicating regular updates with parents and staff as information becomes available," Dickstein said in the statement. "We are working diligently to remediate the mold and are especially grateful to the Donovan families who are showing patience, flexibility, and understanding during this time."

The students' temporary reassignment is based on grade level:

Donovan kindergarteners will be bused to C. Richard Applegate Elementary.

First and second graders will attend Marshall W. Errickson Elementary.

Third and fourth graders will be relocated to West Freehold Elementary.

Fifth graders will go to Joseph J. Catena Elementary.

The situation has stirred controversy in the community.

Amoroso said social media users had crafted "a string of misinformation and personal verbal attacks" online over the school's closure.

"As in all schools across the state, there are always random instances of mold appearing for various reasons," the school board president said. "In many cases, these are contained and remediated quickly without disturbance to the opening of an entire building. However, false rumors are spreading around social media that the mold was alwaysthere at Donovan and just being covered up. That is completely false."

Monmouth University: New freshmen are most diverse group in school's 91-year history

Amoroso said a factor in the cleanup is the large number of classrooms with wood panel ceilings that need to be cleaned and removed.

He added that temporarily relocating students to different buildings was a better alternative than placing Donovan students into virtual instruction.

"A parent session is being planned with a representative from our professional consultants to answer questions as soon as all the data is ready," the school board president said.

Dickstein, the superintendent, said the district was fortunate to have the classroom space to relocate the Donovan students.

"While we know this is disappointing for our Donovan families, the goals remain to keep students safe and to minimize disruption to the schedules of our families," he said.

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 16 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Mold forces temporary closure of Freehold school. Where will students go?
The family of American hostage George Glezmann, a 65 year-old airline mechanic from Atlanta, Georgia, who has been held in Afghanistan for nearly two years, has told the White House they will negotiate directly with the Taliban to try and secure his release.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, a representative for Glezmanns family wrote to senior U.S. national security officials last week and accused them of neglecting his case.

George Taylor, the familys representative, asked national security adviser Jake Sullivan, lead hostage negotiator Roger Carstens and others in an e-mail to exhibit the necessary courage and leadership that it takes to facilitate the release of George.

Taylor advised the officials that the family is in the process of arranging a meeting in Doha with the Taliban.

How Bidens Big Blunder Left the Taliban Stronger Than Ever

The Taliban, which recaptured Afghanistan after President Joe Biden decided to withdraw US troops in 2021, seized Glezmann in December 2022 during a trip he had taken to the country as a tourist. Ten months after his capture, the State Department ruled he was wrongfully detained.

Glezmans wife, Alexandra, told WSB-TV Atlanta last week that an EU diplomat was able to meet with her husband recently and found he was in deteriorating health, mentioning that he has lost several teeth, has sores on his back, and bumps in his mouth that make eating difficult.

The newspaper reported that Glezmanns family believes they have received substandard information and cooperation from the Biden administration, which led them to reach out to his captors.

There is also a growing sense among some families that there is a tiered system in place, with celebrity hostages getting nearly all the medias and presidents attention, reads the Journals report.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

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George Clooney calls Biden most selfless president since George Washington after his damning op-ed urging him to drop out of race

George Clooney has hailed Joe Bidens decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race as the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington.

In an appearance at the 2024 Venice Film Festival on Sunday September 1  where he is promoting his new film Wolfs with co-star Brad Pitt  the actor was asked about the impact of the damning op-ed he wrote for The New York Times titled I Love Joe Biden, But We Need a New Nominee.

The essay is seen as one of the key turning points as momentum built to urge the president to step aside in favor of a younger candidate. Less than two weeks later, Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris  who was also quickly endorsed by Clooney.

The person who should be applauded is the president who did the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington, Clooney told journalists at the festival, People reported.

All of the machinations that got us there, none of thats going to be remembered, and it shouldnt be, he continued.

What should be remembered is the selfless act of someone who did the hardest thing to do. You know weve seen it all around the world, and for someone to say, I think theres a better way forward, he gets all the credit, and thats really the truth.

In late July, after the president made the decision to stand down, Clooney said in a statement to CNN: President Biden has shown what true leadership is. Hes saving democracy once again.

He added: Were all so excited to do whatever we can to support Vice President Harris in her historic quest.

George Clooney and Brad Pitt arrive at the Lido Beach for the Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2024 (EPA)

The Hollywood stars July 10 op-ed sent shockwaves through the Biden camp, having come just three weeks after Clooney and Julia Roberts hosted a $28m celebrity fundraiser featuring Biden and former president Barack Obama.

In the op-ed, Clooney said he had witnessed first-hand a change in his friend.

The one battle he cannot win is the fight against time, Clooney wrote.

None of us can. Its devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe big f***ing deal Biden of 2010. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.

Clooney spoke of his love for Biden as a senator, vice president and president, praising the many battles the White House incumbent has won since taking office in January 2021.

But the star was also withering in his criticism of the Democratic party and Bidens inner circle of advisers, writing: Were all so terrified by the prospect of a second Trump term that weve opted to ignore every warning sign.

Is it fair to point these things out? It has to be. This is about age. Nothing more. But also nothing that can be reversed. We are not going to win in November with this president. On top of that, we wont win the House, and were going to lose the Senate, he wrote.

George Clooney poses during a photocall for the movie Wolfs. He has praised Bidens selfless act of dropping out of race (REUTERS)

Clooney added that his opinion was shared by every senator and congress member and governor he had spoken to privately since the debate.

Clooney concluded the essay by expressing gratitude for the president: Joe Biden is a hero; he saved democracy in 2020. We need him to do it again in 2024.

His editorial was a major blow to Bidens campaign at a time when he was rapidly losing support from top Democrats, donors and allies.

Donald Trump hit out at Clooney over his editorial at the time, calling him a fake movie star who should get out of politics and go back to television.

When Biden ultimately announced he was stepping down from the race, Ana Navarro, co-host of ABCs The View criticized Clooney.

I hope those donors who said things about him come back with big checks now, she added.
At the 2024 Venice Film Festival on Sunday, September 1, George Clooney praised President Joe Biden for his decision to exit the 2024 presidential race.

Clooney's comments came after he wrote an essay for The New York Times titled I Love Joe Biden, But We Need a New Nominee, in which he previously urged Biden to step down.

While he was promoting his new film, "Wolfs," alongside Brad Pitt, George Clooney was asked about the influence of his essay on Joe Bidens decision to step aside from the Presidential race, allowing Kamala Harris to take his place as the Democratic candidate.

George Clooney Praises President Joe Biden For Stepping Out Of Presidential Race

MEGA

During the 2024 Venice Film Festival, the 63-year-old actor addressed Joe Biden's withdrawal from the Presidential race, calling it "the most selfless act since George Washington."

The person who should be applauded is the President who did the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington, Clooney told the room, per People Magazine.

In his New York Times essay, Clooney withdrew his support for Biden's 2024 presidential campaign, urging the White House to evaluate the implications of keeping him on the ballot.

All of the machinations that got us there, none of thats going to be remembered, and it shouldnt be, he added while at the Film Festival. What should be remembered is the selfless act of someone who did the hardest thing to do."

"You know weve seen it all around the world, and for someone to say, 'I think theres a better way forward,' he gets all the credit, and thats really the truth," the "Oceans Eleven" actor told the room.

George Clooney Urged Joe Biden To Step Aside In 'New York Times' Essay

MEGA

Clooney referred to himself as a "lifelong Democrat" in his essay and reminded readers of his role in co-hosting the Biden campaign's high-profile Hollywood fundraiser, which he highlighted as the "single largest fund-raiser supporting any Democratic candidate ever."

"Its devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe 'big f-cking deal'Biden of 2010," Clooney said. "He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate."

The 63-year-old wrapped up the essay by expressing his appreciation for the president and making a heartfelt appeal: "Joe Biden is a hero; he saved democracy in 2020. We need him to do it again in 2024."

Senator Chris Coons of Delaware Also Praises Joe Biden

MEGA

George Clooney was not the only one to praise Joe Biden after he decided to withdraw from the Presidential race, calling it a reflection of "the very best of who Joe Biden is."

"As he was going through the excruciating loss of his beloved son Beau, it was in Rehoboth, in Wilmington, in prayer and surrounded by all who have loved and supported him for decades in Delaware that he found strength," Senator Chris Coons said, per CBS. "As he was finding his way through the tragic loss of his wife and daughter back in 1972 that began his career in the Senate, it was in Delaware."

"And it was in his faith that he found the grounding and the strength to be able to get back up and continue, and in every chapter in his life, in politics, in service, in his family and at home, he's been grounded," he continued. "Joe Biden, more than anyone I've ever known, speaks to what is best in the American spirit."

Joe Biden Withdraws From Presidential Race

MEGA

In July, after much speculation, Joe Biden confirmed that he would be withdrawing from the presidential race and would not pursue re-election.

While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term, Biden wrote in a letter shared on social media.

Following the announcement, Joe Biden endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris.

Now, in just a few months, the American people choose the course of Americas future, the president said from the Oval Office in his first public address since dropping out of the race last month. I made my choice. I made my views known. I would like to thank our great vice-president, Kamala Harris. She experienced. Shes tough, shes capable. Shes been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country."

"Now the choice is up to you, the American people," the President of the United States added.

Kamala Harris Takes Joe Biden's Place In 2024 Presidential Race

MEGA

My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term, he wrote in a follow-up post on X. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And its been the best decision Ive made.

Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year, he continued. "Democrats  its time to come together and beat Trump. Lets do this."
Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see Admiral Group plc (LON:ADM) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 3 days. The ex-dividend date is usually set to be one business day before the record date which is the cut-off date on which you must be present on the company's books as a shareholder in order to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is an important date to be aware of as any purchase of the stock made on or after this date might mean a late settlement that doesn't show on the record date. Thus, you can purchase Admiral Group's shares before the 5th of September in order to receive the dividend, which the company will pay on the 4th of October.

The company's next dividend payment will be UK0.71 per share, and in the last 12 months, the company paid a total of UK1.23 per share. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Admiral Group stock has a trailing yield of around 4.2% on the current share price of UK29.18. We love seeing companies pay a dividend, but it's also important to be sure that laying the golden eggs isn't going to kill our golden goose! As a result, readers should always check whether Admiral Group has been able to grow its dividends, or if the dividend might be cut.

View our latest analysis for Admiral Group

If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Admiral Group is paying out an acceptable 66% of its profit, a common payout level among most companies.

Generally speaking, the lower a company's payout ratios, the more resilient its dividend usually is.

Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Stocks with flat earnings can still be attractive dividend payers, but it is important to be more conservative with your approach and demand a greater margin for safety when it comes to dividend sustainability. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. That explains why we're not overly excited about Admiral Group's flat earnings over the past five years. We'd take that over an earnings decline any day, but in the long run, the best dividend stocks all grow their earnings per share.

Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. Admiral Group has delivered 2.1% dividend growth per year on average over the past 10 years.

Story continues

The Bottom Line

From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid Admiral Group? Earnings per share have not grown at all, and the company pays out a bit over half its profits to shareholders. All things considered, we're not optimistic about its dividend prospects, and would be inclined to leave it on the shelf for now.

So if you're still interested in Admiral Group despite it's poor dividend qualities, you should be well informed on some of the risks facing this stock. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Admiral Group you should know about.

A common investing mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a full list of high-yield dividend stocks.

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.
George Clooney at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2024 in Venice, Italy - Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

George Clooney commented for the first time Sunday on his op-ed that called on Joe Biden to end his presidential campaign at the Venice International Film Festival, where the actor also praised the selfless president.

On July 10, Clooney became one of the most high-profile celebrities and Democrats to call on Biden to end his campaign when his op-ed published in the New York Times. We are not going to win in November with this president, the actor wrote at the time. On top of that, we wont win the House, and were going to lose the Senate. This isnt only my opinion; this is the opinion of every senator and Congress member and governor that Ive spoken with in private.

More from Rolling Stone

Clooney  who just three weeks earlier had hosted a Biden fundraiser, an event that left many attendees with the impression that Biden was in decline, as Rolling Stone reported  added in his op-ed, This is about age. Nothing more.

Eleven days later, on July 21, Biden dropped out of the presidential race and backed Vice President Kamala Harris, who Clooney subsequently also endorsed.

While some credited Clooneys very public request for Biden to step away as a turning point, the actor, in Venice for the premiere of his upcoming film Wolfs with Brad Pitt, instead credited the current president with the decision.

The person who should be applauded is the president, who has done the most selfless thing a president has done since George Washington, Clooney said of Biden (via Variety). What should be remembered is the selfless act of someone who, its very hard to let go of power  we know that, weve seen it all over the world  and for someone to say I think theres a better path forward, all the credit goes to him. And thats really the truth Im just very proud of where we are in the state of the world right now.

Following the publication of Clooneys op-ed, it was later revealed that actor notified Barack Obama that he was penning the New York Times piece, and that the former president didnt attempt to stop Clooney in the aftermath of Bidens disastrous debate with Trump.

Best of Rolling Stone
The German air traffic control company Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) has been attacked by hackers, likely the pro-Russian hacker group APT28, also known as Fancy Bear.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Spiegel

Details: A spokesperson for DFS, based in Langen near Frankfurt-am-Main, said on 1 September: "Our office connection was hacked, and we are now taking protective measures." DFS is working to minimise the consequences of the incident.

DFS stressed that the cyberattack did not affect air traffic and it is operating as usual.

DFS said the attack occurred last week. It is not yet known whether the hackers managed to gain access to data. Security agencies were informed of the incident, the DFS spokesperson stated.

According to local media outlets, the attack was linked to the hacker group APT28, which is also known as Fancy Bear. APT28 has been attacking commercial businesses such as defence, energy and logistics companies for several years.

Western governments regard the group as a long arm of the Russian secret services. In Germany, the group achieved notoriety among the general public in 2015 following a cyberattack on the Bundestag.

Background:

Last spring Germany summoned its ambassador from Russia for consultation after Berlin accused Moscow of carrying out cyberattacks on defence and aerospace companies and the ruling party.

Berlin said the attacks, which had started two years before, had targeted Germanys ruling Social Democratic Party, as well as companies in the logistics, defence, aerospace and IT sectors.

According to the German authorities, APT28 exploited a vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook in order to hack into email accounts.

On 3 May the EU condemned a malicious Russian cyber-campaign against Germany and Czechia.

NATO also expressed its solidarity with Germany and Czechia in connection with the Russian cyberattacks.

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Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, speaks after the first forecast results for the state election in Thuringia. Michael Kappeler/dpa

The firebrand leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the state of Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, hailed his party's projected lead in state parliamentary elections there on Sunday as an "historic victory."

Hocke, who has become a household name in Germany for his fiery extremist rhetoric, gave a brief speech to supporters at an election evening party in the state capital of Erfurt.

Hocke contended that he wants to lead a coalition government in the state and plans to invite other politicians for coalition talks.

Every other major German political party has categorically ruled out any cooperation with the AfD, who many view as too extreme and a danger to Germany's democratic traditions.

"We are ready to take government responsibility," Hocke said on Sunday evening, noting that tradition has normally given the top-performing party the first chance to form a coalition.

Chants of "Hocke, Hocke!" and "Here we go!" could be heard from outside the event, which was closed to the media at the last minute.

The results would mark the first time that the AfD has won a state parliamentary election and is likely to be seen as a major breakthrough for the far right in Germany.

Projections based on exit polls released shortly after the end of voting at 6 pm (1600 GMT) on Sunday forecast the AfD to take about a third of the vote in the state. Those forecasts put the far-right party seven to nine percentage points ahead of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) in second place.

Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, prepares for a TV interview, after the first forecast results for the state election in Thuringia. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Bjorn Hocke, AfD leader, gestures on the day of the Thuringia state election in Erfurt, Germany - Reuters

Germanys far-Right party is on course to win an election in a state parliament for the first time since the Nazi era.

Exit polls predicted the anti-immigration AfD gained some 33 per cent of the vote in Thuringia, with the mainstream conservative Christian Democrat (CDU) party polling at around 23 per cent.

The CDU, however, ruled out a coalition on Sunday evening, meaning the AfD was locked out of power.

In a further blow, the AfD appeared to be narrowly losing to the CDU, Angela Merkels former party, in the state of Saxony where it was projected to make a breakthrough.

Omid Nouripour, Green leader, described the Thuringia result as a breaking point and that ethnic and sexual minorities are simply afraid that an openly Right-wing extremist party will be the largest party in a state parliament.

The Thuringian AfD has been ruled as definitely Right-wing extremist by the German domestic intelligence.

The AfD has twice as many votes as the three parties of chancellor Olaf Scholzs ruling traffic-light coalition combined, and is likely to have a third of seats in both parliaments, giving it the ability to block constitutional changes and the appointment of state functionaries.

News magazine Der Spiegel has called the AfD the dominant force in eastern Germany, noting that it could also win the upcoming election in neighbouring Brandenburg in three weeks time.

Voices calling to dissolve the national government and for new elections will grow louder after this result, with Wolfgang Kubicki, Free Democrat deputy leader, saying that the election result shows that the coalition has lost its legitimacy.

If a significant portion of the electorate refuses to support it in this way, there must be consequences, he warned.

Bjorn Hocke, the AfDs state leader in Thuringia, has said it is ready to take government and that it is a tradition that the strongest party starts coalition talks.

He declared the results a clear vote against business as usual, we need changes and there will only be changes with the AfD.

He called on other parties to end the stupid firewall excuses, referring to the so-called firewall that keeps the far-Right out of government.

Bodo Ramelow, Thuringias outgoing Left party first minister, said I am fighting against the normalisation of fascism and that he wants to do everything to ensure that the AfD never has the potential to blackmail the democratic majority in parliament. Thuringia was the first state in which the Nazis won an election in the 1930s.

The surprise winner is the populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, having only formed earlier this year among dissident Left-wingers who want to reduce migration and stop German support for Ukraine.

The party came in third place in both elections, achieving a double-digit result in its first state elections and could act as kingmakers and replace the Greens in government in Saxony, an upset for Germanys previously stable party system. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance has replaced the Left party that it split from across much of eastern Germany.

Sahra Wagenknecht has said she would only enter coalitions that impact German foreign policy, rejecting the weapons bases and planned stationing of US medium-range missiles in Germany and further arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Of course there must be a position on these issues in the coalition agreement, she said, adding that any state coalition must advocate against these issues on a federal level, making this a difficult agreement for the CDU or any governing parties to enter into.

The Greens may have lost all their seats in both state parliaments coming under the 5 per cent minimum hurdle as voters express dissatisfaction with Olaf Scholzs coalition. The Social Democrat, Green and Free Democrat parties of the three-way coalition got 6.5 per cent, 4 per cent and 1 per cent in Thuringia, respectively, down from 8.2 per cent, 5.2 per cent and 5 per cent in 2019.

Kevin Kuhnert, the SPD general secretary, has admitted a lot needs to be changed but maintains that fighting is worth it. We are needed. There are also people who want our politics with Scholzs party making small gains in Saxony.

07:55 PM BST

Todays live coverage has ended

Thanks for following todays live blog on Germanys state elections.

We will be back soon with more updates and analysis.

07:48 PM BST

AfD likely secured blocking minority

The AfD party has likely secured a blocking minority in Thuringia after predictions it secured some 33.5 per cent of the vote.

The Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) are also likely to miss the five per cent hurdle to secure entry to state parliament, helping to ensure AfD receives a third of the seats.

If a party has more than a third of seats it can block certain decisions that require a two-thirds majority.

07:29 PM BST

Economists alarmed by success of far-Right and far-Left

Marcel Fratzscher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), has said that the success of AfD and BSW in the state elections is very likely to lead to an exodus of companies and skilled workers.

Meanwhile, the Central Association of German Skilled Crafts (ZDH) said the elections signalled a clear warning sign for the country.

Supporters of the AfD party wave German flags, including one adorned with an Iron Cross, at a campaign rally on Aug 31 - Getty Images Europe

07:15 PM BST

Exit polls roundup:

Germanys AfD party is on course to become the strongest far-Right party in a German state parliament since the Nazi era.

In Thuringia, exit polls predict the anti-immigration party has gained some 33.5 per cent of the vote in Thuringia, with the conservative CDU party polling at around 23.4 per cent.

The Social Democrat, Green and Free Democrat parties of Chancellor Olaf Scholzs three-way coalition got 6.5%, 4% and 1% in Thuringia respectively down from 8.2%, 5.2% and 5% in 2019.

In Saxony, the AfD is projected to very narrowly lose to the CDU, with about 31.4 per cent of the vote to the CDUs 31.7 per cent.

BSW follows in second with 11.5 per cent in front of SDP with 7.5 per cent.

THURINGEN | 18 Uhr Prognose Landtagswahl Forschungsgruppe Wahlen/ZDF



AfD: 33,5% (+10,1)

CDU: 24,5% (+2,8)

BSW: 14,5% (NEU)

LINKE: 11,5% (-19,5)

SPD: 6,5% (-1,7)

GRUNE: 4,0% (-1,2)

FDP: 1,0% (-4,0)

Sonstige: 4,5% (-1,0)



Anderungen zu 2019#ltwth pic.twitter.com/LwdDwsBrhM  Deutschland Wahlt (@Wahlen_DE) September 1, 2024

06:48 PM BST

Pictured: Party leaders react to Thuringia results

CDU leader Mario Voigt, Thuringia's premier Bodo Ramelow, (AfD) leader Bjoern Hoecke and BSW's top candidate Katja Wolf speak to broadcaster ZDF - Reuters

06:43 PM BST

AfD far ahead with young voters in Saxony

According to the exit polls, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) was the strongest force amongst young voters in Saxony.

It received 31 percent of the vote among 18 to 24-year-olds. The centre-right CDU party trailed behind with 17 per cent in this age category, followed by the Left Party with 11 per cent and BSW with 10 per cent.

The preliminary results showed large increases for both the far-Right AfD and the far-Left BSW in the eastern German state, while the Greens suffered heavy losses.

06:32 PM BST

Far-Left aiming for coalition with conservatives

BSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht is aiming for a coalition with the centre-right CDU party along with the Social Democrats following the state elections in Thuringia.

We very much hope that we can form a good government together with the CDU in the end - probably also with the SPD, Ms Wagenknecht told German media. I hope that works, she added.

Other parties refusal to work with the AfD potentially leaves BSW as the kingmaker in Thuringia and Saxony, despite serious policy disagreements with potential partners, especially over aid to Ukraine.

06:25 PM BST

Greens call AfD result as turning point for Germany

Katrin Goring-Eckardt, vice-president of the Bundestag and Green party politician, has called the success of AfD in the Thuringia a democratic turning point in this country.

For the first time in the history of the Federal Republic, a right-wing extremist, anti-democratic party, the Hocke-AfD, is the strongest force in a state parliament, she wrote on X.

I am very worried. Not about my party - we will pull ourselves together, we will come back! But about the country. There is a risk of setbacks for nature and the climate, for the economy and for a free, diverse society.

Die Wahl in Thuringen ist eine demokratische Zasur in diesem Land. Erstmals in der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik ist mit der Hocke-AfD eine rechtsextremistische, demokratiefeindliche Partei starkste Kraft in einem Landesparlament.  Katrin Goring-Eckardt (@GoeringEckardt) September 1, 2024

06:18 PM BST

In pictures: New far-Left leader applauded for strong performance

Sahra Wagenknecht, leader and founder of the new far-Left party BSW is applauded after exit polls showed strong support - Getty Images Europe

Ms Wagenknecht waves with a bouquet of flowers during the party's election night in Erfurt, eastern Germany - AFP

05:56 PM BST

Sholzs party polling at 6pc in both states

In the states of Thuringia and Saxony, Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats are polling at around six percent, while their coalition partners, the Greens and the liberal FDP, lag even further behind.

The results represent a major blow to Mr Scholzs already weak tripartite coalition government.

According to early projections, the Greens and the FDP appear to have both crashed out of the state parliament after failing to secure the five per cent threshold necessary to gain seats.

05:32 PM BST

Conservatives rule out coalition with AfD

Germanys conservative party has ruled out a coalition with AfD following the far-Right partys success in two eastern German state elections.

Carsten Linnemann, general secretary of CDU, the main opposition party at national level, said his party will stick to its longstanding refusal to work with AfD in both Thuringia and Saxony. We are very, very clear about that, he said.

Alice Weidel, the national co-leader of AfD, denounced the decision not to form a coalition as pure ignorance and said that voters want AfD to participate in a government.

05:28 PM BST

Historic success for us

This is a historic success for us, Alice Weidel, a national co-leader of AfD, told German broadcaster ARD, following the exit poll results of former East German state of Thuringia.

She described the result, that shows AfD on course to win its first regional election, as a requiem for Chancellor Scholzs coalition.

Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany's AfD party gestures alongside Bjorn Hocke at an election campaign rally on Aug 31 - Reuters

05:18 PM BST

AfD bans journalists from election party

Germanys Alternative for Germany (AfD) has banned journalists from attending its results party on Sunday as the far-Right party looks set to win a state election for the first time.

A ruling by the Regional Court of Erfurt on Saturday stated that the AfD must allow media companies into its results party.

But it now appears to have closed the party to the entire public, thus excluding journalists, German media reports.

05:01 PM BST

AfD co-chair says party could join government

AfD co-chair Tino Chrupalla has said his party could join government following the vote results.

If we are ahead, then that means a very clear mandate to government, he told German daily Bild. Reality is much further ahead than the officials. This will also happen at the state level.

04:47 PM BST

Most important election in 34 years

Saxonys prime minister has described Sundays state election as probably the most important election in 34 years.

Michael Kretschmer, who is part of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), also described the election as fateful as he cast his vote in Dresden.

He has been prime minister in the region since 2017.

Christian Democratic Union (CDU) State Premier and Saxony top candidate Michael Kretschmer - REUTERS

04:32 PM BST

Elections set against backdrop of heated immigration debate

Sundays elections in Thuringia and Saxony have been set against the backdrop of a heated debate centring around immigration.

The contests come just over a week after three people were killed in a suspected Islamist knife attack in the city of Solingen.

The man suspected of carrying out the knife attack is a Syrian who had applied for asylum, according to German police.

Meanwhile, Germanys ruling coalition on Thursday announced a series of tougher migration measures as polls suggested AfD would take around 30% of the vote.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends a wreath-laying ceremony for the victims of a knife attack that killed three people last week - REUTERS

04:22 PM BST

AfD voter threatened polling station manager, say local police

A man wearing an AfD t-shirt allegedly threatened a polling station manager in Gera on Sunday after being asked to take the clothing off before casting his vote.

We quickly identified the suspect and conducted a threat assessment at his address, Thuringia police said in a statement.

Criminal proceedings are now underway against him for threatening behavior. The election process was not jeopardized by the incident.

04:16 PM BST

Where are votes taking place?

Germans are casting their votes in two eastern German states this Sunday - Saxony and Thuringia - to elect their MPs.

Voters in a third eastern state, Brandenburg, will go to polls on Sept 22, while the next national election will take place in 2025.

It is expected to be a bruising night for Olaf Scholz and his coalition government, with the AfD forecast to win in Thuringia.

A police van stands outside the HopfenBerg restaurant, venue for the election evening party of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) - Getty Images Europe

04:12 PM BST

Welcome to our live coverage

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage.

Were bringing you the latest updates from the eastern German elections.



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Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, speaks after the first forecast results for the state election in Thuringia, at the election party of the BSW. Christoph Soeder/dpa

German populist politician Sahra Wagenknecht said her upstart party, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), would absolutely not consider coalition talks with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) following elections in the German states of Saxony and Thuringia.

Wagenknecht in particular denounced the AfD's firebrand leader in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke.

"Mr Hocke represents a volkisch [ethno-nationalist] world view, which is miles away from us," Wagenknecht said during an appearance on public broadcaster ARD on Sunday evening. "We have always said that we cannot work with Mr Hocke."

Wagenknecht has described her politics as "left-conservative" and has campaigned on a mix of anti-immigration and left-wing economic policies. She is also a staunch opponent of German military aid for Ukraine.

On Sunday evening, Wagenknecht again hinted that the BSW might be open to voting for individual AfD proposals in state parliament.

Katja Wolf (R), state chairwoman and lead candidate of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) in Thuringia and Steffen Schuetz, state chairman and lead candidate of the BSW in Thuringia, react with party chairwoman Sahra Wagenknecht after the first forecast results for the state election in Thuringia, at the election party of the BSW. Christoph Soeder/dpa

Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, speaks after the first forecast results for the state election in Thuringia. Michael Kappeler/dpa
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks during the memorial service for the victims of the knife attack at the Solingen town festival. In the suspected Islamist attack in Solingen, an attacker killed three people with a knife at a city festival and injured eight others. Michael Probst/AP Pool/dpa

The suspected Islamist attack last week in Solingen, which killed three and wounded eight, has hit the entire country at its core, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Sunday at a memorial ceremony for the victims.

This act of bloodshed strikes at the heart of "a friendly, open and diverse country," he told roughly 450 gathered to commemorate the attack, which took place last Friday at a city festival commemorating the 650th anniversary of the municipality and promoting diversity.

"It strikes us at the core of our national identity in which people live together peacefully despite all differences and want to live together - people who have lived here for generations as well as those who have arrived later," Steinmeier said at the service in the city's performing arts theatre.

In his eulogy, the German president said the perpetrator was targeting, with his hatred, just as others have before him, this way of life.

Also attending the funeral services were Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Bundestag President Barbel Bas, North Rhine-Westphalia's (NRW) Premier Hendrik Wust and the state's Interior Minister Herbert Reul.

Steinmeier, who had spoken privately to the relatives of those killed and injured, said he could hardly imagine what the families and friends "are going through, what you must be suffering, what hell you are going through."

He charged that "fanatical Islamists want to destroy what we love" including an open society. While he acknowledged that people "feel fear and uncertainty," residents must not allow themselves to be paralysed with fear.

A 26-year-old Syrian man who was living in a nearby refugee residence was arrested in the wake of the stabbing rampage. He is being held on suspicion of murder, suspected membership in the Islamic State terrorist group and other charges.

The Islamic State is claiming responsibility for the attack, but German authorities are still investigating the claim.

The suspected attacker is believed to have evaded a deportation order in Germany, something that has helped fuel a bitter debate in the country over asylum and migration policy.

Scholz's government proposed stricter rules on weapons, tight new limits on benefits for asylum seekers and greater police powers to address suspected Islamist threats in the wake of the attack.

On Friday - for the first time since the Taliban retook power - a deportation flight to Afghanistan took off from Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport with 28 convicted Afghan criminals on board.
The News

Germanys far-right Alternative fur Deutschland party surged in elections in two eastern states on Sunday.

The populist and anti-immigration AfD notched its first statewide win in Thuringia, while in Saxony, the AfD finished just behind the Christian Democratic Union, the center-right party of former Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Establishment left-leaning parties, especially those in German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs center-left federal coalition, took an especially big hit at the hands of the right. In both states, the AfD doubled the vote share of the coalition parties combined, threatening to further destabilize their already-fragile alliance.

Without a majority on its own, though, the AfD wont be able to form a government in either state without help from other parties, who have vowed not to work with the AfD.

The elections also saw the rise of a far-left populist party, the Bundnis Sahra Wagenknecht, which was just formed in January and campaigned in part on ending aid to Ukraine. The party is now set to hold more seats in both state parliaments than any of the federal coalition parties.

Know More

Once considered a fringe party, the AfD has made headway in the formerly communist east following years of economic stagnation and deepening hostility toward immigrants. Despite fewer migrants settling in eastern Germany in general, many voters there believe Berlin has put too much money into asylum and refugee programs instead of local economic development, according to The New York Times.

Anti-immigration sentiment has only increased following a mass stabbing at a street festival last month, prompting Scholz to resume a suspended program to deport migrants convicted of crimes.
Mario Voigt (C), chairman of the Chriistian Democratic Union (CDU) in Thuringia and top candidate for the state elections, speaks at the CDU election party after the first forecast results for the state election in Thuringia, at the election party of the CDU. Martin Schutt/dpa

The leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) in the German state of Thuringia said on Sunday that his centre-right party has a mandate to form the next government, despite a projected second-place finish in state parliamentary elections.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is projected to score a clear victory in Thuringia's election, according to exit polls released just after voting ended at 6 pm (1600 GMT) on Sunday.

But other political parties have all categorically ruled out any cooperation with the AfD, decrying the party as too radical and anti-democratic. Voigt underscored again on Sunday that he would not consider any such alignment.

Voigt said the election results called for political change in the state, which has been governed by a left-wing coalition led by Bodo Ramelow of the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) party.

"As the CDU, we see this as an opportunity for political change under the leadership of the CDU," Voigt, 47, said at an election evening party in the state capital of Erfurt.

He said he plans on leading coalition talks to form a "sensible government in Thuringia under the leadership of the CDU," and added that he would approach the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), who are projected to finish in fifth place.

He also expressed openness to working with the upstart populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which has mixed anti-immigration stances with left-wing economic policies.

Mario Voigt (C), chairman of the Chriistian Democratic Union (CDU) in Thuringia and top candidate for the state elections, speaks at the CDU election party after the first forecast results for the state election in Thuringia, at the election party of the CDU. Martin Schutt/dpa

Guests react to the first forecast results for the state election in Thuringia, at the election party of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Martin Schutt/dpa
Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, walks through the state parliament after the first forecast results for the state election in the AfD election party in Erfurt. Jacob Schroter/dpa

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made historic gains in a pair of closely watched state elections on Sunday, with initial results giving them a clear victory in Thuringia and in a tight race for first in Saxony.

The AfD's projected win in Thuringia would mark the first time since the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II that a far-right party has won a statewide election in the country.

In Saxony, the incumbent centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) clung to a razor-thin lead over the AfD in projected results from German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF on Sunday evening.

The election results - and subsequent coalition talks - will decide the balance of power in the state parliaments in Thuringia and Saxony, which each hold considerable power over regional matters.

The three parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's squabbling national coalition government, meanwhile, faced a rough evening with losses nearly everywhere.

The AfD is almost certain to remain frozen out of power in both Thuringia and Saxony despite the strong gains, however, as they are projected to be well short of a majority and were again denounced by other politicians.

Every other major German political party has categorically ruled out any cooperation with the AfD, and repeatedly attacked the AfD as too extreme and a danger to Germany's democratic traditions.

Both Thuringia and Saxony are in the former communist East Germany, where politics and voting patterns remain distinct more than three decades after reunification, and where outmigration and a lagging economy has helped fuel resentment.

The states are relatively small - together, they account for only about 7% of Germany's population - but the surging popularity of extremists in the AfD there has drawn widespread attention across the country.

Another insurgent populist party, the newly launched Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) which combines anti-immigrant stances with left-wing economic policies, placed third in both states.

AfD breakthrough in Thuringia

Projected results from public broadcasters ARD and ZDF, which are based on exit polls and initial vote counts, put the AfD at between 32.8% and 33.4% of the vote in Thuringia.

That gives the party a clear lead over the CDU, which is forecast to collect 23.8%.

Nonetheless, the CDU's top candidate in Thuringia, Mario Voigt, claimed a mandate to form the next government in the state, since parties rejected election night overtures from the AfD out of hand.

Voigt said the election results called for political change in the state, which has been governed by a left-wing coalition led by Bodo Ramelow of the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) party.

He said he plans on leading coalition talks to form a "sensible government in Thuringia under the leadership of the CDU," Voigt, 47, said at an election evening party in the state capital of Erfurt.

In Thuringia, the BSW was projected to come in third with 15.5% of the vote.

Ramelow's Die Linke was forecast to finish fourth with between 11.9% and 12.9%, a major slide from the previous state election in 2019 when the party led the vote with 31%.

Ramelow denounced the AfD and said Voigt now holds the responsibility for forming the next government on behalf of those who support democracy.

Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) are projected to collect 6.0% to 6.1% of the vote, while Scholz's national coalition partners, the Greens and the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP), are forecast to fall short of the 5% threshold required to take seats in German elections.

The Greens are forecast to finish with 3.3% to 3.4% of the vote, while the FDP trail with just 1.2%.

Tight race in Saxony

Projected results showed that the AfD remained within striking distance of first place in Saxony as well on Sunday evening, with 30.8% to 31.4% of the vote.

The CDU clung to a very narrow lead in the projected results in the state with 31.5% to 31.8% even as votes continue to be counted.

The CDU's incumbent state premier, Michael Kretschmer, said he plans to remain in office as the head of a new coalition after the election either way, although tough talks could lie ahead as his current alliance with the SPD and the Greens may no longer hold a majority.

The BSW is projected to place third in Saxony with 11.5% to 12.0%, while the SPD is forecast for 7.5% to 7.6%. The Greens are forecast to collect 5.1% to 5.2%, barely over the 5% threshold required to receive seats in German elections.

The hard-left Die Linke is forecast to fall short of the 5% mark with just 4.2% to 4.3%, while the FDP appeared to score around 1%.

Fiery far-right challenge draws headlines

The leader of the AfD's state organization in Thuringia, the firebrand Bjorn Hocke, has become a household name in the country because of his fiery attacks on immigration policy and his extremist rhetoric. He was twice convicted this year of knowingly quoting a banned Nazi slogan in speeches.

Domestic intelligence agencies have labelled the AfD's state-level chapters in both Thuringia and Saxony as known far-right extremist groups, and Hocke as an extremist.

The AfD again made overtures toward the BSW on Sunday night, and Hocke declared himself ready to former the next government in Thuringia. But the BSW's founder and namesake, Sahra Wagenknecht, blasted Hocke on national TV.

"Mr Hocke represents a volkisch [ethno-nationalist] world view, which is miles away from us," Wagenknecht said. "We have always said that we cannot work with Mr Hocke."

Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, walks past Bodo Ramelow of The Left (Die Linke), current Minister President of Thuringia and top candidate, in the ARD television studio after the first forecast results for the state election in Thuringia. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, walks through the state parliament after the first forecast results for the state election in the AfD election party in Erfurt. Jacob Schroter/dpa
Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, walks through the state parliament after the first forecast results for the state election in the AfD election party in Erfurt. Jacob Schroter/dpa

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made historic gains in a pair of closely watched state elections on Sunday, with initial results giving them a clear victory in Thuringia and trailed only by a narrow margin in Saxony.

The AfD's projected win in Thuringia would mark the first time since the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II that a far-right party has won a statewide election in the country.

In Saxony, the incumbent centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) clung to a razor-thin lead over the AfD in projected results from German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF as of 10 pm (2000 GMT) on Sunday night.

The election results - and subsequent coalition talks - will decide the balance of power in the state parliaments in Thuringia and Saxony, which each hold considerable power over regional matters.

The three parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's squabbling and unpopular national coalition government, meanwhile, faced a rough evening with losses nearly everywhere. The results could deepen fractures in the parties with just over a year to go until the next nationwide parliamentary elections in September 2025.

'Firewall' to keep AfD out of government

The AfD is almost certain to remain frozen out of power in both Thuringia and Saxony despite the strong gains, however, as they are projected to be well short of a majority and were again denounced by other politicians.

Every other major German political party has categorically ruled out any cooperation with the AfD, and repeatedly attacked the AfD as too extreme and a danger to Germany's democratic traditions.

Both Thuringia and Saxony are in the former communist East Germany, where politics and voting patterns remain distinct more than three decades after reunification, and where outmigration and a lagging economy has helped fuel resentment.

The states are relatively small - together, they account for only about 7% of Germany's population - but the surging popularity of extremists in the AfD there has drawn widespread attention across the country.

Another insurgent populist party, the newly launched Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) which combines anti-immigrant stances with left-wing economic policies, placed third in both states.

The CDU's national general secretary, Carsten Linnemann, hailed the election as a success which demonstrates that his party - unlike their centre-left rivals, the Social Democrats (SPD) - remain a mass party with broad support

"We are a bullwark," Linnemann said on Sunday evening.

Turnout was high in both Thuringia and Saxony for the election, with a projected 73.5% to 74.0% of eligible voters taking part in the election, significantly more than in the last state elections in 2019.

Voters in another eastern German state, Brandenburg, will elect a new state parliament on September 22, and opinion polls have put the AfD in the lead there as well.

AfD breakthrough in Thuringia

Projected results from public broadcasters ARD and ZDF, which are based on exit polls and initial vote counts, put the AfD at between 32.9% and 33.1% of the vote in Thuringia.

That gives the party a clear lead over the CDU, which is forecast to collect 23.6% to 23.7%.

Nonetheless, the CDU's top candidate in Thuringia, Mario Voigt, claimed a mandate to form the next government in the state, since parties rejected election night overtures from the AfD out of hand.

Voigt said the election results called for political change in the state, which has been governed by a left-wing coalition led by Bodo Ramelow of the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) party.

Voigt said at an election evening party in the state capital of Erfurt that he plans on leading coalition talks to form a "sensible government in Thuringia under the leadership of the CDU."

The BSW was projected to come in third in Thuringia with 15.6% of the vote.

Ramelow's Die Linke was forecast to finish fourth with between 12.9% and 13.0%, a major slide from the previous state election in 2019 when the party led the vote with 31%.

Ramelow denounced the AfD and said Voigt now holds the responsibility for forming the next government on behalf of those who support democracy.

Scholz's Social Democrats are projected to collect 6.0% to 6.1% of the Thuringia vote, the worst result for the SPD in any state election since 1945.

His national coalition partners, the Greens and the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP), are forecast to fall short of the 5% threshold required to take seats in German elections.

The Greens are forecast to finish with 3.2% of the vote, while the FDP trail with just 1.1%.

Tight race in Saxony

Projected results showed that the AfD remained within striking distance of first place in Saxony as well on Sunday evening, with 30.5% to 30.8% of the vote.

The CDU clung to a very narrow lead in the projected results in the state with 31.7% to 31.8% even as votes continue to be counted.

The CDU's incumbent state premier, Michael Kretschmer, said he plans to remain in office as the head of a new coalition after the election either way, although tough talks could lie ahead as his current alliance with the SPD and the Greens may no longer hold a majority.

The BSW is projected to place third in Saxony with 11.7% to 11.9%, while the SPD is forecast for 7.3% to 7.4%. The Greens are forecast to collect 5.2% to 5.3%, barely over the 5% threshold required to receive seats in German elections.

The hard-left Die Linke is forecast to fall just short of the 5% mark with 4.5% of the vote, while the FDP appeared to score only around 1%.

Fiery far-right challenge draws headlines

The leader of the AfD's state organization in Thuringia, the firebrand Bjorn Hocke, has become a household name in the country because of his fiery attacks on immigration policy and his extremist rhetoric. He was twice convicted this year of knowingly quoting a banned Nazi slogan in speeches.

Domestic intelligence agencies have labelled the AfD's state-level chapters in both Thuringia and Saxony as known far-right extremist groups, and Hocke as an extremist.

The AfD again made overtures toward the BSW on Sunday night, and Hocke declared himself ready to former the next government in Thuringia. But the BSW's founder and namesake, Sahra Wagenknecht, blasted Hocke on national TV.

"Mr Hocke represents a volkisch [ethno-nationalist] world view, which is miles away from us," Wagenknecht said. "We have always said that we cannot work with Mr Hocke."

Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, walks past Bodo Ramelow of The Left (Die Linke), current Minister President of Thuringia and top candidate, in the ARD television studio after the first forecast results for the state election in Thuringia. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, walks through the state parliament after the first forecast results for the state election in the AfD election party in Erfurt. Jacob Schroter/dpa
It looks like Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:PANAMY) is about to go ex-dividend in the next three days. Typically, the ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date which is the date on which a company determines the shareholders eligible to receive a dividend. It is important to be aware of the ex-dividend date because any trade on the stock needs to have been settled on or before the record date. Accordingly, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad investors that purchase the stock on or after the 5th of September will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 20th of September.

The company's upcoming dividend is RM01.21 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of RM1.36 per share to shareholders. Looking at the last 12 months of distributions, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad has a trailing yield of approximately 6.8% on its current stock price of RM020.00. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing.

View our latest analysis for Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad

If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Last year Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad paid out 92% of its profits as dividends to shareholders, suggesting the dividend is not well covered by earnings. A useful secondary check can be to evaluate whether Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad generated enough free cash flow to afford its dividend. The company paid out 102% of its free cash flow over the last year, which we think is outside the ideal range for most businesses. Cash flows are usually much more volatile than earnings, so this could be a temporary effect - but we'd generally want to look more closely here.

Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad does have a large net cash position on the balance sheet, which could fund large dividends for a time, if the company so chose. Still, smart investors know that it is better to assess dividends relative to the cash and profit generated by the business. Paying dividends out of cash on the balance sheet is not long-term sustainable.

Cash is slightly more important than profit from a dividend perspective, but given Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad's payouts were not well covered by either earnings or cash flow, we would be concerned about the sustainability of this dividend.

Click here to see how much of its profit Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad paid out over the last 12 months.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Companies with falling earnings are riskier for dividend shareholders. Investors love dividends, so if earnings fall and the dividend is reduced, expect a stock to be sold off heavily at the same time. That's why it's not ideal to see Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad's earnings per share have been shrinking at 3.2% a year over the previous five years.

Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad has seen its dividend decline 3.2% per annum on average over the past 10 years, which is not great to see. It's never nice to see earnings and dividends falling, but at least management has cut the dividend rather than potentially risk the company's health in an attempt to maintain it.

The Bottom Line

From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad? It's looking like an unattractive opportunity, with its earnings per share declining, while, paying out an uncomfortably high percentage of both its profits (92%) and cash flow as dividends. This is a starkly negative combination that often suggests a dividend cut could be in the company's near future. Overall it doesn't look like the most suitable dividend stock for a long-term buy and hold investor.

With that being said, if you're still considering Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad as an investment, you'll find it beneficial to know what risks this stock is facing. Our analysis shows 1 warning sign for Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad and you should be aware of it before buying any shares.

A common investing mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a full list of high-yield dividend stocks.

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.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks during a commemoration service for the victims of a knife attack that killed three people last week, in Solingen, Germany, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, Pool)

BERLIN (AP)  German leaders paid tribute Sunday to the three people killed in the Aug. 23 knife attack by a suspected Islamic extremist, which has pushed immigration back to the top of the country's political agenda.

Eight people also were wounded in the attack at a Festival of Diversity marking the 650th anniversary of the city of Solingen in western Germany. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said at a memorial event in a city theater that he was relieved and thankful that none of them is now in serious danger.

The 26-year-old Syrian suspect, who was arrested a day after the attack, was supposed to be deported to Bulgaria last year but reportedly disappeared for a time and avoided deportation.

In recent days, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has announced new restrictions on knives and new measures to ease deportations. On Friday, it deported Afghan nationals to their homeland for the first time since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, following up on a pledge made in June after a previous attack.

It is a horrifying crime that brings us together today, carried out by a man who, according to everything we know, sought and and found protection here, and abused this protection so terribly, Steinmeier said at the memorial, also attended by Scholz and other top officials. That is also intolerable.

Steinmeier said that we are for good reason a country that takes in people who seek protection from political persecution and war. He added that we want to remain that country, but ultimately we can only do so if the number of those who are not entitled to this special protection does not overburden us.

We must make every effort to implement the entry rules that exist and the ones that are now being drawn up, he said, adding that this must be a priority in the coming years.

The attack in Solingen also has reawakened painful memories of a racist firebomb attack on a Turkish family's home there in which five women and girls were killed in 1993. Four young Germans were later convicted.

There was already one shocking Solingen attack, now a second, Mayor Tim Kurzbach said. Why always Solingen?
Donald Trump's campaign is under fire for using what was supposed to be a somber ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery for their political purposes while fighting with the staff. But this blatant disrespect from Trump and his allies for U.S. veterans is nothing new. MSNBC's Ayman Mohyeldin spoke with Gold Star father, Khizr Khan, on Trump's long history of attacking the military and veterans who dare to criticize him.

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The TSA is predicting a record number of travelers breezing through the nations airports this Labor Day weekend.

As many as 17 million passengers are expected from Thursday through the following Wednesday, according to the agency. Thats an 8,5 percent jump from last year.

Central Florida is a top destination for tourists from across the country this long holiday weekend. I will be spending time with my dog. its nice to have an extra day with her. So we will probably be going to the beach, said an Orlando resident who walked by Lake Eola Sunday morning.

Read: Kids Free September returns to Brevard Zoo

Whether the plan is going to the beach, or just taking nice a walk in the park, Central Florida residents and visitors alike are looking forward to the extra day off.

Its set to be a busy oneAAA is predicting a 9% increase in domestic travel for Labor Day. The agency is also ranking Orlando second among the top ten destinations.

READ: Little League World Series Champion receives warm welcome at his school

Business owners along International Drive appreciate the extra business. Every time we have holidays or vacations, its good for us, said Felipe Andre, Owner of Gostoso Brazilian Bakery. Its good for business, for sure.

As many as 900,000 people are expected to fly in and out of Orlando between Thursday, August 28th, and Tuesday September 3rd, according to officials at Orlando International Airport.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Italo Medelius was leading a volunteer drive to put Cornel West on North Carolina's presidential ballot last spring when he received an unexpected call from a man named Paul who said he wanted to help.

Though Medelius, co-chairman of West's Justice for All Party, welcomed the assistance, the offer would complicate his life, provoking threats and drawing him into a state election board investigation of the motivations, backgrounds and suspect tactics of his new allies.

His is not an isolated case.

Across the country, a network of Republican political operatives, lawyers and their allies is trying to shape November's election in ways that favor former President Donald Trump. Their goal is to prop up third-party candidates such as West who offer liberal voters an alternative that could siphon away support from Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.

It is not clear who is paying for the effort, but it could be impactful in states that were decided by miniscule margins in the 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden.

This is money West's campaign does not have, and he has encouraged the effort. Last month the academic told The Associated Press that American politics is highly gangster-like activity and he "just wanted to get on that ballot."

Trump has offered praise for West, calling him one of my favorite candidates. Another is Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Trump favors both for the same reason. I like her very much. You know why? She takes 100% from them. He takes 100%.

Democrats are exploring ways to lift Randall Terry, an anti-abortion presidential candidate for the Constitution Party, believing he could draw voters from Trump.

But the GOP effort appears to be more far-reaching. After years of Trump accusing Democrats of rigging elections, it is his allies who are now mounting a sprawling and at times deceptive campaign to tilt the vote in his favor.

The fact that either of the two major parties would attempt financially and otherwise to support a third-party spoiler candidate as part of its effort to win is an unfortunate byproduct" of current election laws that facilitate spoilers, said Edward B. Foley, a law professor who leads Ohio State Universitys election law program. "This phenomenon is equally problematic whichever of the two major party engages in it.

One key figure in the push is Paul Hamrick, the man on the other end of the call with Medelius in North Carolina.

Hamrick serves as counsel for the Virginia-based nonprofit People Over Party, which has pushed to get West on the ballot in Arizona, Maine, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as North Carolina, records show.

In an interview, Hamrick declined to say who else besides him was orchestrating the effort and he would not divulge who was funding it. He vigorously disputed any suggestion that he was a Republican, but acknowledged that he was not a Democrat, either.

His history is complex.

Hamrick was chief of staff to former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, a one-term Democrat who was booted from office in 2003 and later was convicted and sentenced to prison on federal bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud charges. Hamrick was charged alongside his former boss in two separate cases. One was dismissed and he was acquitted in the other.

Though he insists he is not a Republican, Hamrick voted in Alabamas Republican primary in 2002, 2006 and 2010, according to state voting records maintained by the political data firm L2. He was tapped briefly in 2011 to work for the Alabama state Senates Republican majority. And since 2015, according to federal campaign finance disclosures, he has contributed only to GOP causes, including $2,500 to the Alabama Republican Party and $3,300 to Georgia Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican who has trafficked in conspiracy theories.

Hamrick denied that he voted in any Republican primaries, suggesting that the voting data was inaccurate.

For years, he was a consultant for Matrix LLC, an Alabama firm known for its hardball approach.

Matrix LLC was part of an effort in Florida to run ghost candidates against elected officials who had raised the ire of executives for Florida Power & Light, the state's largest utility.

Daniella Levine Cava, the current mayor of Miami-Dade County, was a target. As a county commissioner, Levine Cava had fought with FPL. When she ran for reelection in 2018, Matrix covertly financed a third-party candidate they hoped would siphon enough votes to tip her seat to a Republican challenger, The Miami Herald reported in 2022.

Hamrick was deeply involved. A company he created paid the spoiler candidate a $60,000 salary and rented a $2,300-a-month home for him, according to the newspaper and business filings made in Alabama. Hamrick said the candidate worked for him to help recruit business. Hamrick denied having anything to do with the man's campaign.

Either way, it did not work. Levine Cava was reelected before winning the mayor's seat in 2020.

Now Hamrick is playing a prominent role to place West's name on the ballot in competetive states. Hamrick surfaced in Arizona two weeks ago after a woman told the AP that a document was fraudulently submitted in her name to Arizona's secretary of state in which she purportedly agreed to serve as an elector for West. She said her signature was forged and she never agreed to be an elector.

After the AP published her account, Hamrick said he spoke to the woman's husband, trying to rectify the situation and gave some information. Hamrick declined to say what information was shared. He also tried to persuade another elector who backed out to recommit to West, according to interviews and voicemails.

The next day, with the deadline to qualify for the Arizona ballot just hours away, Brett Johnson, a prominent Republican lawyer, and Amanda Reeve, a former GOP state lawmaker, made house visits to each as they tried to persuade both to sign new paperwork to serve as West electors.

Johnson and Reeve work for Snell & Wilmer, which has done $257,000 worth of business for the Republican National Committee over the past two years, campaign finance disclosures show.

Hamrick declined to comment on the role of Johnson and Reeve. They did not respond to requests for comment.

West did not qualify for the Arizona ballot.

Other Republican-aligned law firms also have been involved in the national push, opposing Democrat-backed challenges to West's placement on the ballot:

 In Georgia, Bryan Tyson, a partner at the Election Law Group, represented the state Republican Party as it tried to keep West on the ballot. The firm has collected $60,000 in payments from the RNC since April, campaign finance records show. Tyson did not respond to a request for comment.

On Thursday, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger overruled an administrative law judge and placed West, Stein and Party for Socialism and Liberation nominee Claudia De la Cruz on the ballot.

 In North Carolina, Phil Strach, a member of the Republican National Lawyers Association, successfully challenged in court a North Carolina State Board of Elections decision to bar West from the ballot. Strach did not respond to a message left for him.

 In Michigan, John Bursch, a senior lawyer for the Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative legal group that helped overturn Roe v. Wade, fought a challenge to West's placement on the ballot. Bursch's firm, Bursch Law PLLC, was paid $25,000 by Trump's campaign in November 2020 for RECOUNT: LEGAL CONSULTING, according to campaign finance disclosures. Bursch did not respond to a request for comment.

 In Pennsylvania, a lawyer with long-standing ties to Republican candidates and causes, unsuccessfully argued in August for West to stay on the ballot. The attorney, Matt Haverstick, declined to say in an interview who hired him or why. People Over Party, the group Hamrick is affiliated with, had tried to get West on the ballot.

None of these actions was funded by West's campaign, though he and his Justice for All party have coordinated at times with Hamrick's People Over Party, according to legal filings, a news release and social media posts.

In North Carolina, People Over Party, worked with Blitz Canvassing and Campaign & Petition Management  two firms that routinely work for the GOP  to gather signatures for West. Hamrick later responded in writing on behalf of workers for the two companies after the state election board opened its inquiry.

Jefferson Thomas, a longtime Republican operative from Colorado, submitted petition signatures that his firm, The Synapse Group, gathered on behalf of Stein in New Hampshire, records show. He did not respond to requests for comment.

In Wisconsin, Blair Group Consulting oversaw West's petition signature drive to qualify for the ballot, as previously reported by USA Today. David Blair, the firm's president, was the national director of Youth for Trump during the 2016 campaign and was a spokesman in the Trump administration. Blair declined to comment.

Mark Jacoby, whose signature gathering firm Let the Voters Decide often works for Republicans, was involved in the failed Arizona push to get West on the ballot. The California operative was convicted in 2009 of voter registration fraud, court records show. Jacoby did not respond to a message left at a phone number listed to him.

Medelius, the North Carolina co-chairman of West's Justice for All Party, said the partisan battles over third-party candidates amounted to a gang war.

"If they want to use us for cannon fodder, there's not much I can do about it," he said.

___

Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix, Farnoush Amiri in Chicago and Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.
Prominent Republicans are trying to figure out how to handle Donald Trumps latest policy announcement regarding in vitro fertilization.

Over the weekend, a number of GOP leaders reacted to Trump recently announcing hed make insurance companies cover the costly fertility treatment if hes elected as president.

Under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment, Trump said in an interview with NBC News on Thursday. Or were going to be mandating that the insurance company pay.

During a Sunday appearance on NBCs Meet the Press, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said he and most other Republicans would be open to making insurance companies cover IVF, which can cost anywhere between $15,000 and $30,000 per cycle. Most patients end up needing multiple rounds of IVF to conceive.

Well, all Republicans, to my knowledge, support IVF, in the Congress. And theres no state that prohibits or regulates IVF in a way that makes it inaccessible, Cotton said. It is expensive for many couples. I understand that.

While the Arkansas legislator told moderator Kristen Welker that the Senate would still have to evaluate the fiscal impact of the policy, he said that supporting access to IVF was not controversial at all.

Despite Cottons claim most Republicans support IVF, he and a vast majority of his GOP colleagues in the Senate voted against the Right to IVF Act in June, legislation that would have protected and expanded patients access to the treatment.

Donald Trump speaks during a Friday event in Washington, D.C. He proposed making insurance companies cover the cost of IVF treatments during an interview earlier this week. Alex Wong via Getty Images

Elsewhere on Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) shut down Trumps IVF idea during an interview on ABCs This Week, characterizing a potential mandate as a slippery slope.

When asked if he supports the Republican presidential nominees proposal, Graham told co-anchor Jonathan Karl, No  no, because theres no end to that.

Instead, the South Carolina politician suggested that Republicans could find common ground with their Democratic colleagues regarding IVF, floating the idea of giving tax credits to help cover the procedures costs.

On Friday, Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), appeared evasive when asked how the proposed IVF mandate would work if certain states moved to restrict or ban the procedure.

I think its such a ridiculous hypothetical, Vance told CNN anchor John Berman, adding, Theres no state in the union, whether a right-wing state or a left-wing state, that I think is trying to ban access to fertility treatments.

Although Vance claimed there are no moves to ban IVF across the nation, earlier this year the Alabama Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos and fertilized eggs can be considered children, putting a de facto stop to IVF treatment in the state. (Many anti-abortion advocates oppose the treatment because embryos are often discarded during the process.)

After widespread outcry, Alabama Republicans passed a law shielding clinics and doctors from lawsuits or criminal charges related to the destruction of embryos.

In response to Trumps new policy proposal, Vice President Kamala Harris campaign called him out for his flip-flops on a number of issues, citing his evolving stances on IVF, abortion, the child tax credit, legalizing cannabis and more.

With his back against the wall, he is suddenly pretending to be a completely different candidate, desperately attempting to memory-hole his past positions and rhetoric, a memo from the campaign read. It wont work. Voters will see right through Trumps lies over the next 66 days.

Related...
Gov. Gavin Newsom called state lawmakers into a special legislative session to address gasoline prices and price spikes, but legislative leaders are in a standoff over whether theyll convene.

The call came down hours before the legislature was set to adjourn its 2023-2024 session. Newsom had threatened to call a special session if lawmakers did not pass a package of bills aimed to stabilize the states gasoline market and infamously painful price spikes.

Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire had said Saturday night his chamber wont be convening in a special session this fall because they were ready to pass the package before adjourning Saturday.

But Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said he favored that approach and did not want to push through bills that havent been sufficiently vetted with public hearings and favored doing it in a special session.

My absolute priority is lowering the cost of living, and I appreciate the Governor calling a special session to reign-in soaring gas prices, Rivas said in a statement Saturday evening. While I respect the Pro Tems position, the Assembly is united: We want the public to have a voice in this process, and that hasnt happened yet. We need to get this right.

We have all been working on this California Made and Clean Energy Package for months, and some of these proposals have been in discussions for the better part of a year, McGuire said in a statement. The Senate always had the votes and was ready to get these important measures across the finish line this legislative year and deliver the relief Californians need at the pump and on their electricity bills.

We wont be convening a special session this fall, but we look forward to continuing conversations with the Governor and Speaker about this critical issue in the days and weeks to come, the pro Tem said.

The package in question includes SB 950, which would require oil refiners to maintain reserve stockpiles of gasoline to prevent shortages in case of unplanned maintenance.

According to analysis by the California Energy Commission, the stockpile proposal could mitigate short-term price spikes but could create shortages in some markets and increase storage costs.

It should be common sense for gas refineries to plan ahead and backfill supplies when they go down for maintenance to avoid price spikes. But these price spikes are actually profit spikes for Big Oil, and theyre using the same old scare tactics to maintain the status quo. We look forward to working with our Legislative partners during the special session to act on this urgently needed legislation, Newsom said in a statement Saturday.

It was not immediately clear when the legislature would meet to pass the bills. According to the California Constitution, the legislature has until November 30 to meet in a special session.

Calling the session now allows the Legislature to begin that work immediately so that the state can resolve this important matter to establish the necessary rules to prevent price spikes next year and beyond, Newsom said.

Newsom also called lawmakers into a special session to address spiking gas prices in late 2022. In early 2023, the legislature passed a bill creating the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight, meant to be a watchdog on the oil industry. The stockpile proposal is a recommendation from the DPMO proposed earlier this year.
SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO)  Sioux Falls police are looking into why a man showed up to an urgent care facility early Sunday morning with a gunshot wound.

Police say the man was dropped off at the Avera Urgent Care on the east side of the city just before 2 a.m.

Yankton man and partner in finals for the gold in Paralympic Badminton

Police say he suffered a gunshot wound to his left arm, and that the injury appeared to be non-life threatening.

Police are still trying to figure out where the shooting happened and say that at this point in their investigation, they cant rule out that his wound was self-inflicted.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
I've been a stock market investor for more than 20 years, but I'm much more comfortable evaluating U.S. stocks than international ones -- even though there are some excellent investment opportunities outside of the major U.S. stock markets. It can be difficult to assess things like geopolitical risk, regulatory risks of foreign countries, foreign exchange risk, and more.

However, just because I don't want to buy individual international stocks doesn't mean I don't want any exposure. There are some great international stock exchange-traded funds (ETFs) you can buy, and there are two in particular that are on my radar right now.

International income stocks

I tend to gravitate toward value stocks and dividend growth investments in my portfolio, so an ETF like the iShares International Select Dividend ETF (NYSEMKT: IDV) seems like a natural fit. The fund focuses on developed markets, with lots of exposure to the U.K., Italy, Spain, France, and Canada, to name the largest geographical areas.

As of Aug. 26, the ETF has 123 different stocks, and it's a weighted index fund, meaning that larger companies make up more of the portfolio. Just to name a few holdings, British American Tobacco, BHP Group, and Mercedes-Benz are among the largest in the portfolio.

The iShares International Select Dividend ETF has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is certainly on the higher end for an index fund. But as a general rule, the more specialized an index fund is, the more you should expect to pay in investment expenses. Income investors may love this ETF -- it has a 6.2% dividend yield as of this writing, and plenty of upside potential over the years to come.

Lots of opportunities in emerging markets

The Vanguard Emerging Markets Index Fund ETF (NYSEMKT: VWO) is an incredibly efficient way to get exposure to stocks in emerging markets, with a rock-bottom expense ratio of just 0.08%.

This is an extremely diverse ETF with over 5,900 stocks. Almost three-fourths of the fund's holdings are based in China, India, or Taiwan, and several of the top holdings in the weighted index are well known to U.S. investors, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent Holdings, and Alibaba.

Right now, emerging market stocks look like an excellent value. The average earnings growth rate of stocks owned by the ETF is 16% annualized over the past five years, and the average valuation is just 15 times earnings.

It's also worth noting that while emerging markets are often thought of as speculative investments for growth-oriented investors, that's not entirely accurate. For one thing, the Vanguard Emerging Markets ETF has a substantial 3.1% dividend yield. Plus, you might be surprised to learn that the ETF has a beta of 0.9 -- anything less than 1 indicates that an investment tends to be less volatile than the S&P 500.

Story continues

Two great but very different choices

For some investors, one of these could be the obvious choice. If your priority is steady income, the iShares International Dividend ETF is likely the best fit for you, and if you're more of a deep value seeker, the Vanguard Emerging Markets ETF could be the better option.

To be clear, I don't think investors who are looking for international stock exposure will go wrong with either ETF; I'm considering both for my own portfolio. So, if you want to add some international stocks without having to choose individual companies, these are two solid choices that are worth a closer look.

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Bring Hersh home now, say big white letters on a red banner, hanging on a building on my Jerusalem street. Its one of many banners in my neighborhood, where Hersh Goldberg-Polin grew up.

I walk down the street two hours after the early morning news flash that Hersh and five other Israeli hostages were murdered by their Hamas captors in a tunnel under Gaza. I am trying to remember how to breathe, and how to weep, how not to be numb.

Hersh has come home. In a body bag.

Its 9:00 in the morning on Sunday. Joe Biden has issued a statement of condemnation and consolation, focused on Hersh, who was a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen. Kamala Harris has issued a statement. By 9:15 Benjamin Netanyahus offices only statement is that he has cancelled his ceremonial appearance at a classroom to mark the start of the school year. Frankly, this is not a good morning for the prime minister to fake his love for the children of Israel.

(It will take nearly two hours more for Netanyahu to produce words about the hostages deaths. His statement will be militant. As usual, it will include no acknowledgment of error or responsibility on his part.)

As of yet, news bulletins are not clear on precisely when Hamas operatives murdered the six Israelis, though reports indicate it was sometime Friday. Was it before or after the pre-dawn meeting of the Israeli security cabinet that day? According to multiple reports, based on unnamed sources, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confronted Netanyahu at that meeting. The prime minister called for a vote affirming that come what may, Israel would keep control of the Philadelphi route, the corridor in Gaza along the border with Egypt. The military chief of staff and the head of the Mossad intelligence agency reportedly opposed the decision. Gallant said insisting on this condition could end the negotiations with Hamas on a hostage dealand doom the captives still alive in Hamas hands.

The prime minister can reach any decision [he wants]. And he can also decide to execute all the hostages, Gallant reportedly said. Netanyahu called for a vote. Only Gallant voted no.

According to another leak, at least three of the murdered hostages were on the list of those to be released first as part of the hostage-ceasefire agreement that has been on the table for many weeks. One of them was Hersh, prioritized because he lost a hand in the Hamas attack on October 7. So a senior Israeli source - or multiple sources - familiar with the details of the talks told Israeli media. The leaks were only the latest indication that Netanyahu had stalled the talks by stiffening Israeli conditions. Gallant clearly shares that view. His first statement after the deaths called for the security cabinet to reconvene and reverse its decision on the Philadelphi route.

Heres the essence: Hamas killed six more Israeli captives. Netanyahu abandoned them.

Why has Netanyahu foiled a deal? The most common hypothesis among Israelis, it seems, is that he wants the war to continue because the public pressure for him to resign, or call elections, will increase dramatically when the shooting ends, reservists come home, and the bodies of more hostages are returned for burial. This is a logical explanation. But the truth is that we dont know whats going on in Netanyahus mind. He may truly believe he will achieve the absolute victory over Hamas that he has promised. He may believe that Israel can and should occupy Gaza permanently.

Whats certain are two facts: that saving hostages is not his priority, and that they keep dying.

Philosophically, discussed in a seminar room, theres reason to reject any hostage deal: Pay ransom, and you encourage more kidnappings. Outside the seminar room, a different reasoning applies: The force that holds Israeli society together, stronger than any known to physics, is that we are all in this together. This is deeper than Zionism or any other ideology. The Israeli social contract is not that individuals have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The social contract is that we all have an obligation to each other. Its the reason that a stranger can drop her toddler in your lap on a bus while she taps her payment card. Its the reason that the original administrative plan for the state, written before independence, assumed that the state had to provide health care for its citizens.

The state is an instrument for fulfilling the contractor is supposed to be.

Throughout his long career, Netanyahu has gained and kept power by dividing us, by eroding solidarity. His obstinance in the hostage negotiations, however, is his most egregious violation of the Israeli social pact. This is unforgivable.

He could have brought Hersh home, and he didnt.
Vice President Kamala Harris said former President Donald Trump disrespected sacred ground in his recent appearance at Arlington National Cemetery, where the Republican nominee took and distributed images despite a federal prohibition on campaign activity on the grounds.

Harris, in a statement posted Saturday on the social media platform X, cited reports that Trump's campaign aides created an altercation with a cemetery staffer and proceeded to take photographs and film the former president, including at the graves of Afghanistan war veterans, after being warned about rules at the site.

Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt, Harris said, calling Arlington a solemn place where we come together to honor American heroes ... not a place for politics.

The original incident stemmed from Trumps and Republicans continued criticism of President Joe Biden and now Harris for the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. At the invitation of some family members of service members killed during the withdrawal, Trump laid wreaths last Monday in honor of Sgt. Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss. They were among 13 U.S. service members and more than 100 Afghans who died in an Aug. 26, 2021, bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Trumps campaign was warned about not taking photographs before an altercation at the cemetery, according to defense officials. Officials have said since that an Arlington employee whom two Trump campaign staff members allegedly verbally abused and pushed aside has declined to press charges. The Trump campaign has since lashed out at Pentagon officials, with a top campaign adviser, Chris LaCivita, referring to military spokespersons as hacks. Trump campaign officials say it had permission to bring someone to take video.

Since Biden ended his reelection bid, Trump has been zeroing in on Harris and her roles in foreign policy decisions. He has specifically highlighted the vice presidents statements that she was the last person in the room before Biden made the decision on Afghanistan.

Bidens administration was following a withdrawal commitment and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban in 2020. A 2022 review by a government-appointed special investigator concluded decisions made by both Trump and Biden were the key factors leading to the rapid collapse of Afghanistans military and the Taliban takeover.

Harris on Saturday alluded to Trump's history of picking fights with veterans and repeated allegations that he has called our fallen service members suckers and losers and disparaged Medal of Honor recipients.

This is a man who is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself, Harris said. I will always honor the service and sacrifice of all of Americas fallen heroes. ... And I will never politicize them.
As anyone who has invested in a few neon green accessories this summer will tell you: the 00s are back. That Y2K revival also extends into our politics, where an old chestnut has resurfaced from the Kamala Harris campaign: flip-flopper.

In a memo shared by the campaign, Harris staff bashed Donald Trump for his brazen flip-flop on the issue of recreational marijuana.

The Iraq War-era insult flew after Trump threw his support behind a ballot amendment in his home state of Florida that would legalize recreational marijuana. After touting his record as the most respected LAW & ORDER President in U.S. History, Trump pushed for the state legislature to get out ahead of marijuana legalization.

Whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the Voters, so it should be done correctly, he wrote. We need the State Legislature to responsibly create laws that prohibit the use of it in public spaces, so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go, like we do in many of the Democrat run Cities.

Someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other States, he continued. We do not need to ruin lives & waste Taxpayer Dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them. (sic)

The Harris campaign accused Trump of "just making things up" to help his election chances in November.

"As of this morning, Trump now suggests he is for legalizing marijuana  but as President, his own Justice Department cracked down on marijuana offenses," Harris communications aide Ian Sams said in the memo, per ABC News.

Harris campaign accused Trumps rhetoric of being wholly at odds with the way that Trump governed. Though Trump supported a bipartisan bill to shore up protections for state-level marijuana laws, he also rolled back some Obama administration guidelines that restricted the practice of charging people found with marijuana with federal offenses.
Days after Vice President Kamala Harris took questions on her changing views on policy, her campaign sent out a memo criticizing Donald Trump on his "brazen flip flops," including on marijuana reform, accusing the former president of "just making things up" ahead of the election.

Saturday morning, Trump signaled in a social media post he supports a ballot measure in Florida, where he lives, that would legalize marijuana recreationally. While calling for the state legislature to "prohibit the use of it in public spaces, so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go," Trump said, "someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other States."

"We do not need to ruin lives & waste Taxpayer Dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them, and no one should grieve a loved one because they died from fentanyl laced marijuana," Trump added.

PHOTO: Kamala Harris Campaigns For President In Savannah, Georgia (Win Mcnamee/Getty Images)

The Harris campaign is framing Trump's support for the measure as another change in policy in a long line of "brazen flip-flops," according to a memo on Saturday, first obtained by ABC News.

"As of this morning, Trump now suggests he is for legalizing marijuana  but as President, his own Justice Department cracked down on marijuana offenses," Ian Sams, a longtime Harris communications aide who joined the campaign earlier this month after a stint at the White House Counsel's Office, said in the memo.

MORE: Hispanic people favor Harris, but with opportunities for Trump: ANALYSIS

Trumps record on marijuana has varied. While in office, his Justice Department announced it would remove an Obama-era policy that limited federal prosecutions for some sales of marijuana in states where it is legal, only for Trump to walk that back months later. He also expressed support for a bipartisan bill in 2018 to protect states pro-marijuana laws, but in 2019 he used part of his salary to pay for a promotional campaign highlighting the negative effects of marijuana use.

In a statement to ABC News, a Trump campaign official maintained, "President Trump has been consistent in his support for leaving this issue to the states for years."

The memo comes just two days after Harris sat for her first wide-ranging interview with CNN more than a month after launching her campaign for president after President Joe Biden announced he was abandoning his reelection bid.

Harris' role as vice president naturally required her to adopt Biden's agenda and platform, but since her ascension to the top of the ticket, how her policy views may differ from Biden's -- and that of her 2019 campaign -- have yet to be clearly defined.

"My values have not changed," Harris said repeatedly in a CNN interview Thursday when pressed about her about-face on certain policy positionsparticularly compared to what she ran in the 2020 primary.

The Harris team's argument is that her record in office reflects her evolution on certain issues, but that Trump's does not.

MORE: Harris leads Trump overall but not on handling of the economy: POLL

"As soon as Trump starts catching heat for his unpopular agenda and record," Sams said, referencing Project 2025, "he rushes out to claim he would actually do the opposite. It's a desperate play from a candidate whose back is up against the wall running against Vice President Harris."

"But it demands scrutiny," Sams argued. "He was President for four years, and how he exercised his power on these issues is the best metric for how he will do so again if he gets the chance. What he says now is just desperate pandering from a scared man who is worried he will lose."

ABC News' Soo Rin Kim contributed to this report.

Harris campaign criticizes Trump for 'brazen flip-flops' on marijuana originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
(Bloomberg) -- Kamala Harris is counting on union support to help power her to victory in November. Labor leaders are lining up to oblige, even if she hasnt spelled out just how shed follow a president hailed as the most worker-friendly in generations.

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Some union leaders say theyre confident shell champion their issues at least as strongly as did Joe Biden. Others who are reserving judgment still say shell be a more reliable ally for unions than Donald Trump. And for all Democrats, Harris offers a better chance of beating the former president than Biden.

Until I see some of the people that will be put in the administration, I cant tell you, said Marc Perrone, president of the United Food & Commercial Workers, when asked if shed be any more or less pro-labor than Biden.

But, he added, I am comfortable at this time with her at least being more pro-worker than Trump ever thought about being. Perrone cited Trumps recent comments celebrating the idea of Elon Musk getting rid of workers who go on strike.

Labor voters will be essential to winning key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. About a fifth of the electorate there are union voters, according to the AFL-CIO.

Activists are counting on the trust that unions enjoy with their members to turn out voters who might otherwise might not go to the polls, or lean toward Trump for cultural or economic reasons.

Harris is wasting no time making her case.

When unions are strong, America is strong, she told the American Federation of Teachers in one of her first major speeches after entering the race, pledging to sign a long-stalled sweeping labor reform bill into law if elected. This weekend includes a stop in Detroit to speak to the United Auto Workers before a Labor Day event with Biden and union members in Pittsburgh.

Trump has made inroads with the rank and file, especially in Midwest swing states, with his populist appeals. Teamsters President Sean OBrien accepted an invitation to speak at the Republican convention. Trump picked a running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, whose ties to Appalachia could help strengthen the appeal to working-class voters.

OBrien said the Teamsters are holding off on endorsing a candidate at least until the unions leaders have a chance to sit down and talk with Harris.

Were waiting on Vice President Harris to commit to come meet with us, OBrien said Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation.

For her part, Harris chose a running mate with strong union support in Tim Walz, picking the Minnesota governor over another prospect, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, who some in labor had opposed.

Some union activists worry that Harris ties to corporate leaders may temper her pro-labor commitments. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, told donors on Aug. 26 that she totally gets it when it comes to the needs of business, saying she wants a forward-looking economy that helps everyone. And some business executives have said they expect her to reach out to corporate America.

Her campaign makes clear labor will get plenty of attention, too. Kamala Harris promises to continue the pro-worker agenda of the Biden-Harris administration, her campaign manager said in an August memo.

Indeed, some union leaders say theyre optimistic that shell expand on the current administrations record, including by doing more to bolster the availability and quality of child care and elder care jobs.

She has been a staunch champion of workers her entire career, said April Verrett, the president of the Service Employees International Union. I just know that she will really lean into building the care economy.

Still, Harris lacks the longstanding relationships with unions that Biden built over decades.

Joe Biden has a 50-year history with the labor movement, said Seth Harris, who served as deputy director of the Biden-Harris National Economic Council. But I think shes shown the same level of commitment, the same level of dedication. Shes developing the same understanding of workers.

Harris allies argue shes got a strong record of backing unions and just has to amplify that message.

Its very much deeply ingrained, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in an interview. She first met Harris in California during the 2010 gubernatorial campaign of Jerry Brown.

We were all over the state, on airplanes together, and I had a chance to really connect with her, Shuler said. The policies, of course, are still in formulation, but we know the values, and the values are that she sees workers as central.

Harris supported state legislation in California in 2019  when she was seeking the Democratic presidential nomination  that would have limited the ability of gig companies to classify workers as contractors. She took that position even though Tony West, the chief counsel at Uber, who became a public face of business opposition to the law, is married to her sister, Maya.

Union officials see positions like that, as well as Harris appearances at autoworkers and fast-food chain picket lines, as evidence that she shares Bidens allegiance to the union cause.

As a senator, Harris introduced the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. As vice president, she headed the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, which issued recommendations on how agencies throughout the government could make it easier to unionize.

To underscore her commitment, labor advocates urge Harris to call out more companies for price-gouging, to spend more time campaigning with union members, and to emphasize her support for Biden appointees like trade representative Katherine Tai and Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan.

Harris hasnt made any public commitments on those officials yet, and Khan in particular has drawn the ire of some wealthy Democratic donors for her tough antitrust stands.

Harris definitely sees herself as pro-labor and is likely to continue the pro-labor Biden-Harris record, said former AFL-CIO spokesperson Jeff Hauser, who now runs the progressive watchdog group Revolving Door Project. I think there will be questions about how much she can and will try to extend it, and if there will be any minor retrenchment.

In Pittsburgh, Harris steps into another contentious issue for unions: the proposed $14.1 billion sale of United States Steel Corp to Nippon Steel Corp. of Japan. The United Steelworkers union strongly opposes the takeover. Biden has said the company would remain US-owned, guaranteed, but has stopped short of killing the deal. Trump has said hed block it. Harris hasnt said where she stands.

Of course, any nostalgia unions may have for Bidens candidacy is tempered by the reality that his drop in the polls before he left the race threatened to torpedo Democrats hopes for stopping Trump, as well as holding seats in Congress.

Harris surging fortunes have energized her allies in other races, raising hopes Democrats may be in a stronger position to enact pro-worker policies after the election.

In membership polling by UFCW, Harris did about 6 points better than Biden against Trump, and 20% more members said they planned to vote with her as the nominee, said Perrone, the unions president. While our members liked Bidens policies, I think they thought that his age had actually taken its toll.

(Updates with Teamsters presidents comments in 10th paragraph.)

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Kamala Harris and Donald Trump traded barbs on Saturday over the former presidents choice to film a campaign ad at Arlington National Cemetery.

The vice president said that Trump disrespected sacred ground when his campaign chose to film a TikTok in Section 60, the portion of the military cemetery that holds recent American war dead.

I have had the privilege of visiting Arlington National Cemetery several times. It is a solemn place; a place where we come together to honor American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of this nation, Harris shared on X. It is not a place for politics.

In a statement, the Army said they warned Trump staffers about federal laws that prohibit any partisan activity on Army installations. NPR reported that one cemetery staffer was pushed aside when she attempted to stop the Trump campaign from filming during their visit on August 26.

In her response to the incident, Harris said she was not surprised that Trumps team disregarded the prohibitions on filming to make a promo.

This is a man who is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself, she wrote.

Trump responded to Harris statement with a series of testimonials from parents of Marines who were killed in a bombing of Kabuls airport during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. (The ceremony on August 26 that Trump was attending was honoring the service members who died in the attack.) At points, the videos shared to Truth Social blame those deaths on the current presidential administration.

Our kids were murdered because of your administration, and you are partly to blame, Jaclyn Schmitz, mother of late Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, said in one clip.

Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoovers father Darin Hoover shared that his family asked the Trump team to take the videos and that the event was solemn and respectful.
HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital has announced the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art Simulation Center, marking a significant advancement in medical training and patient care.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The event, held on August 26, also celebrated the expansion of the hospitals Graduate Medical Education (GME) program.

The $3 million, 15,000-square-foot Simulation Center is designed to enhance medical education by providing residents and medical students with a cutting-edge environment to practice and refine their skills. The facility features clinical settings, offices, conference spaces, classrooms, and an auditorium, all equipped with the latest medical simulation technology. This includes realistic mannequins that simulate a wide range of medical conditions and procedures, allowing residents to gain invaluable experience before facing similar scenarios in real clinical settings.

Our new Simulation Center represents a significant investment in the future of healthcare, said Dr. Bradford Smith, Chief Medical Officer at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital. By providing our residents and students with cutting-edge tools and realistic training scenarios, we are not only enhancing their educational experience but also ensuring that they are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the medical field.

The grand opening event featured a ceremonial ribbon-cutting attended by local dignitaries, hospital leadership, and key stakeholders in medical education. Dr. Jessica El-Bahri, GME Associate Program Director, and Dr. Bradford Smith delivered remarks highlighting the importance of the Simulation Center in advancing medical training and improving patient outcomes.

Attendees also had the opportunity to tour the new facility, observe demonstrations of the advanced simulation technology, and interact with medical professionals and educators.

In the HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital GME program, more than 150 residents are trained each year. Our goal is to continue to grow, said Hope Greig, Administrative Director of Graduate Medical Education. Our program is led by an accomplished faculty and set under rigorous standards. We provide extensive training for the next generation of physician leaders right here at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital.

HCA Florida Orange Park Hospitals commitment to advancing medical education and enhancing patient care is evident in the new Simulation Center and the expanded GME program, ensuring that the hospital continues to provide exceptional healthcare services to the community and beyond.





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Helicopter with 22 aboard goes missing in eastern Russia

A Baltic Airlines Mil Mi-8P flies over the Peter and Paul Fortress Helipad in Russia. A similiar helicopter in eastern Russia went missing Saturday. Photo by Igor Dyuerelov/Wikimedia Commons

Aug. 31 (UPI) -- A helicopter with 22 people aboard went missing Saturday in Russia's far east region of Kamchatka.

The Mi-8 helicopter had just taken off near the Vachkazhets ancient volcano in the Kamchatka peninsula and was traveling to the village of Nikolayevka eastward about 16 miles away, TASS reported.

Contact was lost with the helicopter at 4:15 p.m. local time Saturday, Kamchatka Gov. Vladimir Solodov said in a video posted on Telegram.

He said the helicopter had 19 passengers -- most of them tourists-- and three crew.

The local weather service said there could have poor visibility in the area around the time of the disappearance.

The crew did not report any problems or issue any distress signals before losing contact.

Kamchatka peninsula is 3,728 miles east of Moscow and 1,242 miles west of Alaska.

The Mi-8 is a twin-engine helicopter designed in the 1960s.

In August 2021, a Mi-8 helicopter crashed into a lake in Kamchatka in poor visibility, killing eight. Sixteen people were on board, including 13 tourists,

In July 2021, a plane crashed during landing on the peninsula with all 28 occupants dead, including 22 passengers and six crew members.
Henry County police are looking for a missing woman.

Dajza Shields, 19, was last seen near Forest Road in Stockbridge on Wednesday, August 21.

Police say she has an altered mental state.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

She is five feet and one inch tall, weighs approximately 180 lbs. and has black hair and brown eyes.

Police say she traveled to Georgia from Texas and stayed with her sister on Forest Road.

She was supposed to meet her boyfriend, Barrett Wagner, 34, who lives in Tennessee.

She had plans to move to Tennessee to live with Wagner.

But Wagner failed to show up to pick her up in Stockbridge.

She later went missing and hasnt been seen or heard from since then.

If anyone has any information on her whereabouts, please contact Detective E. Luciano at 770-288-8278, the Henry County non-emergency dispatch at 770-957-9121, at text tips, videos, or photos to 770-220-7009.

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This week we saw the Galapagos NV (AMS:GLPG) share price climb by 13%. But will that heal all the wounds inflicted over 5 years of declines? Unlikely. Five years have seen the share price descend precipitously, down a full 82%. The recent bounce might mean the long decline is over, but we are not confident. The important question is if the business itself justifies a higher share price in the long term. We really feel for shareholders in this scenario. It's a good reminder of the importance of diversification, and it's worth keeping in mind there's more to life than money, anyway.

On a more encouraging note the company has added 200m to its market cap in just the last 7 days, so let's see if we can determine what's driven the five-year loss for shareholders.

Check out our latest analysis for Galapagos

While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

During five years of share price growth, Galapagos moved from a loss to profitability. That would generally be considered a positive, so we are surprised to see the share price is down. Other metrics may better explain the share price move.

It could be that the revenue decline of 23% per year is viewed as evidence that Galapagos is shrinking. This has probably encouraged some shareholders to sell down the stock.

The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

Galapagos is a well known stock, with plenty of analyst coverage, suggesting some visibility into future growth. So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts

A Different Perspective

Investors in Galapagos had a tough year, with a total loss of 25%, against a market gain of about 22%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, longer term shareholders are suffering worse, given the loss of 13% doled out over the last five years. We'd need to see some sustained improvements in the key metrics before we could muster much enthusiasm. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Galapagos (including 1 which makes us a bit uncomfortable) .

Story continues

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Dutch exchanges.

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.
Israel confirmed on Sunday the deaths of six hostages, including Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, in Hamas captivity in Gaza.



The bodies of Goldberg-Polin and five others Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Ori Danino, 25; Alex Lubnov, 32; Carmel Gat, 40; and Almog Sarusi, 25  were discovered in tunnels under the city of Rafah by IDF forces operating in the area. The IDF said all six had been recently killed, possibly within days of their bodies being found.



Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin, Hershs parents, spoke movingly at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last month urging for a deal to get the hostages freed.



The family released a statement announcing Goldberg-Polins death early Sunday morning: With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.



President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris issued separate statements shortly after the announcement. I am devastated and outraged, Biden said. Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world.



I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable. They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express. I know all Americans tonight will have them in their prayers, just as Jill and I will, Biden went on.



Biden added: I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.



In a statement, Harris reflected on a meeting with the Goldberg-Polins in the spring. When I met with Jon and Rachel earlier this year, I told them: You are not alone. That remains true as they mourn this terrible loss, Harris said. Americans and people around the world will pray for Jon, Rachel, and their family and send them love and strength. As is said in the Jewish tradition, may Hershs memory be a blessing.



Hamas is an evil terrorist organization, Harris added. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas continued brutality, and so must the entire world. From its massacre of 1,200 people to sexual violence, taking of hostages, and these murders, Hamas depravity is evident and horrifying. The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israeland American citizens in Israelmust be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza. The Palestinian people too have suffered under Hamas rule for nearly two decades.



Secretary of State Tony Blinken called Goldberg-Polin an American hero and said that [t]he killing of these hostages only further confirms Hamass depravity. It should release all the hostages immediately. We will continue to work with our partners in the region to secure an agreement without delay that frees the remaining hostages.



The killings of Goldberg-Polin and the five other hostages, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said, shows how brutal Hamas is and how urgent it remains to free all the hostages now.



I have met with the families, including Hershs brave parents Rachel and Jon. They are inspiring and they are selfless. My heart aches for them, and for each and every family impacted by the horrors of Hamas. There is no time to waste in bringing the hostages home now, Schumer added.





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Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs can now forecast extreme weather faster and more accurately than traditional forecasting methods.

That sort of thing could come in handy when, for instance, you're predicting where a hurricane will make landfall, and that's exactly what happened.

GraphCast, an experimental program created by DeepMind, which is owned by Google, correctly predicted that Hurricane Beryl would make landfall in Texas, according to The New York Times, while other European and American forecasts had Beryl making landfall in Mexico.

The software made the prediction based on what it had learned about the Earth's atmosphere and made a more accurate prediction than the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, one of the most respected forecasters on the planet.

AI-assisted forecasts are expected to predict extreme heat, high winds, downpours, and tornadoes in a matter of seconds, as opposed to the hours it takes now to feed loads of atmospheric information into a supercomputer and wait for a forecast.

A new weather prediction system also developed by Google, NeuralGCM, combines AI with traditional techniques and expects to be able to predict local weather events and changing weather patterns due to the overheating of the planet caused by carbon pollution.

The predictive capabilities could prove to be life-saving as extreme weather events become more and more common.

The use of predictive AI isn't new to the realm of forecasting extreme weather. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed AI software that can accurately predict the trajectory and wind speed of future hurricanes.

AI is also being used to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires by evaluating risk mitigation tactics, as well as anticipating environmental factors like dryness and wind speed to understand how a wildfire might spread.

Maria Molina, a research meteorologist at the University of Maryland who studies AI programs for extreme-event prediction, told the New York Times, "It's a turning point. You don't need a supercomputer to generate a forecast. You can do it on your laptop, which makes the science more accessible."

"If you know where a cyclone is going, that's quite important," said Dr. Remi Lam, GraphCast's lead scientist. "It's important for saving lives."

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.
Fine dining in the U.S. isnt what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; instead, its about cutting-edge culinary experiences.

Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller at the French Laundry unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe mealsa French style of serving with a set menubecame the norm for fine dining in the U.S.

Between the rise of chefs tasting menus and consumers continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers arent just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients theyve never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.

With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America to choose from, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Hattiesburg using data from Yelp. Businesses were selected using Yelps ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.

Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like diners, buffets, and food trucks) were excluded. Data is as of Aug. 19, 2024.

Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!

You may also like: Where people in Hattiesburg are looking to buy homes

#5. Bourbon On Front

 Rating: 3.3/5 (12 reviews)

 Price level: $$$$

 Address: 206 West Front St. Hattiesburg, Mississippi

 Categories: Steakhouses, Seafood, Whiskey Bars

 Read more on Yelp

#4. Patio 44

 Rating: 3.9/5 (217 reviews)

 Price level: $$

 Address: 3822 West 4th St. Hattiesburg, Mississippi

 Categories: Cajun/Creole, New American, Seafood

 Read more on Yelp

#3. Glory Bound Gyro

 Rating: 4.0/5 (131 reviews)

 Price level: $$

 Address: 6174 US Hwy 49 Hattiesburg, Mississippi

 Categories: Salad, Falafel, Desserts

 Read more on Yelp

#2. Half Shell Oyster House

 Rating: 4.2/5 (167 reviews)

 Price level: $$

 Address: 6555 Hwy 98 West Ste A Hattiesburg, Mississippi

 Categories: Seafood, Southern, Cajun/Creole

 Read more on Yelp

#1. Jutamas Thai Restaurant

 Rating: 4.5/5 (270 reviews)

 Price level: $$

 Address: 910 Timothy Lane Hattiesburg, Mississippi

 Categories: Thai

 Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 299 metros.

You may also like: Highest-rated steakhouses in Hattiesburg by diners

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Yvette Cooper is said to be committed to reversing the Tories' decision to downgrade the monitoring of non-crime hate incidents - Belinda Jiao

Yvette Cooper is facing a legal challenge over plans to strengthen hate-crime laws in order to crack down on anti-Semitic and Islamophobic abuse.

Free-speech campaigners have warned they will take the Home Secretary to court if she reverses the previous Tory governments decision to water down the rules on recording hate speech that fell short of criminality.

Ms Cooper is said to be committed to reversing the Tories decision to downgrade the monitoring of non-crime hate incidents in relation to anti-Semitism and Islamophobia so they can be logged by police.

The move follows a surge in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents after the Oct 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.

Home Office sources said it would only be recorded where proportionate and necessary to protect Jewish and Muslim individuals and communities from abusive and hateful comments and behaviour, while also preserving the fundamental right to free speech.

Suella Braverman, then home secretary, issued a code of practice last year ordering forces to stop recording the incidents just because someone was offended, amid concern that freedom of expression was being curtailed.

Officers are restricted to recording only incidents motivated by intentional hostility and that pose a real risk of escalating into significant harm. The changes followed trivial cases such as a man who ended up with a police file for whistling the theme tune to Bob the Builder at his neighbour, who perceived racial hatred.

We will take legal action

However, in a letter to Ms Cooper, Toby Young, general secretary of the Free Speech Union, said the threshold for reporting non-crime hate incidents was raised by Mrs Braverman because of a Court of Appeal judgment, not because she was less concerned about anti-Semitic or Islamophobic attacks.

He said the Court of Appeal ruled the way non-crime hate incidents were being recorded and retained was unlawful because they breached peoples right to freedom of expression.

Mr Young warned that if the statutory code introduced by Mrs Braverman was withdrawn, and the College of Policing was given a free hand when it comes to drawing up operational guidance relating to non-crime hate incidents, police forces in England and Wales will start breaking the law again.

He added: We put you on notice that if you do withdraw or alter the code of practice, and as a result the College of Policing, at your insistence, replaces its authorised professional practice with operational guidance that is once again unlawful, we will take legal action to force you and the College of Policing to comply with the law.

The letter is also signed by Harry Miller, a retired policeman who has campaigned against the police recording of non-crime hate incidents.

He successfully took the College of Policing to court over its hate-crime operational guidance in 2021. He was visited by his local police force after a member of the public complained about his tweets relating to transgender rights.

Chilling effect on debate

The Court of Appeal ruled unanimously that the College of Policings guidance unlawfully breached Mr Millers human rights and warned that his treatment could have a chilling effect on public debate.

He said: The police have never been able to show that non-crime hate incidents have served any other purpose other than to terrify the public into silence. Theyve not helped solve a single crime.

They serve purely as a chilling effect and what Yvette Cooper is doing is threatening to overturn a Court of Appeal ruling that said that the police were operating outside of our Article 10 [of the European Convention on Human Rights].

This is not what I expect from any government, particularly a Labour government, and we will absolutely fight this tooth and nail. Terrifying the public into silence is the behaviour of an authoritarian, despotic government and I would encourage everyone to speak and to express their views in a lawful manner while we still can.

A Home Office spokesman said: It is vital that the police can capture data relating to non-crime hate incidents when it is proportionate and necessary to do so, to help prevent serious crimes which may later occur.

We will carefully consider how best to protect individuals and communities from hate while also balancing the fundamental right to free speech, and ensuring the police can spend their time dealing with the issues that matter most to our communities.

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.
Honduras is threatening to ditch a bilateral extradition treaty, furthering a pattern of snubs delivered against the United States by an array of Latin American leaders.

Anti-American rhetoric has been on the rise in the region, with presidents of partner countries  not just avowed U.S. rivals  casually leveling accusations of U.S.-led plots and coups.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro ordered her government to drop the U.S.-Honduras extradition treaty after U.S. Ambassador Laura Dogu expressed concern over Honduran military officials meeting with Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, a prominent member of President Nicolas Maduros inner circle.

A plan is being hatched against my government and its important that the people know this, Castro said, according to Reuters.

I wont allow the extradition instrument to be used to intimidate or blackmail the Honduran Armed Forces. Were defending our armed forces, not coups.

Padrino is under indictment by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly running a drug trafficking operation through Belize, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico.

Castros saber-rattling follows a week of heightened U.S.-Mexico tensions, with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador declaring his relationship with the U.S. embassy on pause after Ambassador Ken Salazar said a judicial reform proposal represents a risk for the functioning of Mexicos democracy, and the integration of the American, Mexican and Canadian economies.

I think these people are showing their true colors. I think its about time the U.S. wakes up and realizes who their friends are, who are not their friends, whos willing to work with them, whos not willing to work with them, said Eddy Acevedo, chief of staff and senior adviser at the Wilson Center.

Seeking distance from the United States is ideologically consistent for regional leaders like Castro, Lopez Obrador and others like Colombian President Gustavo Petro, all of whom to some extent embrace the historical vision of the United States as a post-colonial interventionist power in Latin America.

But Castros motivations could be more personal than historical.

In 2009, Castros husband, Manuel Mel Zelaya, was ousted as president of Honduras in a coup.

While the Obama administration was critical of the coup itself, the United States quickly moved to recognize a post-coup swift election that much of Latin America saw as de facto support for the coup.

Porfirio Lobo Sosa, the president who won that election, and Juan Orlando Hernandez, his successor, both have direct links to the multinational drug trade. Hernandez is serving a 45-year sentence for drug trafficking in the United States. Lobos son Fabio is serving a 24-year sentence, and Lobo had related corruption charges dismissed in Honduras this year but has been under U.S. sanctions for his alleged corruption since 2021.

In 2022, the Biden administration hyped Castros election, sending Vice President Harris as the guest of honor to her full-stadium inauguration.

But that doesnt mean Zelaya let bygones be bygones.

Mel Zelaya is seizing the moment, driven by alliances with [Nicaraguan President Daniel] Ortega and economic opportunities with Maduro and [El Salvadorean President Nayib] Bukele. With U.S. elections looming and migration dominating the agenda, he sees an opening to distance from the U.S. and align with Russia and China without fearing strong U.S. retaliation, said Carl Meacham, a former Republican Senate Foreign Relations Committee senior staff for Latin America.

Revenge was inevitable, as the U.S. abandoned him after the coup. Now, with his wife in power, theyre back with a vengeance, exposing the shortsightedness of U.S. policy during the Lobo and Hernandez years.

Castro threatened to pull the extradition treaty that would have brought Padrino to justice in the United States  ironically, the same treaty that allowed the United States to take custody of Hernandez.

A State Department spokesperson told The Hill the treaty remains in force.

Extradition is a valuable law enforcement tool that has benefitted both the people of Honduras and the United States. We strongly urge the Government of Honduras to reconsider this decision, as it will hurt efforts by Honduras and the United States to jointly fight narcotrafficking and bring criminals to justice, the spokesperson said in an email.

But leaders like Castro and Lopez Obrador are taking advantage of yet another tense election year in the United States, spouting anti-American rhetoric both to score internal political points, and playing into a larger geopolitical push to weaken U.S. influence worldwide.

Castros first big play on the global scene was to recognize communist China in 2023, dropping a longstanding diplomatic relationship with Taiwan.

Chinas interest in Latin America is multifaceted  political and security interests are intertwined, if not secondary, to economic interests both in Latin America as a market and provider of raw materials, and as a gateway to the U.S. market.

But China is not the only major power looking to Latin America, a region thats rarely a high U.S. foreign policy priority under either Democratic or Republican administrations.

Our future is tied to this region, and we have seen in recent years all these nefarious actors, the Russians, the Chinese, the Iranians, gaining a foothold. And we have to be able to counter that, said Acevedo.

From a Russian perspective, they see it as a very small investment thats getting them a very large return. Right? Because further instability in the Western Hemisphere only impacts the U.S. more. Further migration out of Venezuela impacts the U.S. more. The Kremlin and [Russian President Vladimir] Putins objective is to further chaos, instability in the region and undermine U.S. interests, he added.

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House of Heroes Connecticut brings volunteers to help veterans in Norwalk and Stamford

STRATFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  Forty volunteers came out with House of Heroes Connecticut Saturday morning to help provide home repairs to two veterans from Norwalk and Stratford.

House of Heroes Connecticut was founded by Billy May and Steve Cavanaugh in 2012 with the mission of keeping veterans safely in their own homes.

Carol May, the Executive Director of House of Heroes Connecticut and BIllys widow, told News 8 that her husband,  was a 24-year Black Hawk test pilot. Unfortunately, we lost him to cancer in 2016. So, when that happened were like were going to keep this mission going. This is his legacy.

One of the homes repaired Saturday was that of 43-year-old Navy veteran, and Stratford native, Brandon Sullivan. Sullivan served from 1999 to 2005 and he was a part of the crew that assisted the USS Cole after it was attacked by al-Qaeda.

The home belonged to 76-year-old Marine Jack Consiglio. Consiglio served as a stateside mechanic from 1968 to 1970 and is a long time member of the Knights of Columbus, some of whom assisted with repairs.

The homes received repairs to their decks, their electrical wiring, plumbing, windows, they were power washed and more.

To date, House of Heroes Connecticut has worked on 241 veterans homes in the state with no plans of slowing down.

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Hundreds of Boston hotel workers go on strike after months of contract negotiations

Hundreds of Boston hotel workers have gone on strike after months of contract negotiations.

Almost 900 Boston hotel workers are joining in on the strike including room attendants, front desk agents, doormen, cooks, dishwashers, banquet servers, and others at four hotels across the cities.

The workers are members of the UNITE HERE Local 26 union, and they say they are protesting arduous workloads and wages that arent enough to afford the cost of living.

The negotiations between the hotels and the union have reportedly dragged on since April without results.

The workers are from hotels including Hilton Park Plaza, Hilton Logan Airport, Hilton-Hampton Inn Boston Seaport, and Fairmont Copley Plaza.

Im on strike because Im literally tired of working in multiple departments and having an unpredictable weekly schedule just so I can make 40 hours a week, said Michael Correa, a Barback at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport Hotel for 17 years. Going on strike is a huge sacrifice, but its something I have to do for myself and my two daughters, Correa added.

Boston hotel workers go on strike

Boston hotel workers go on strike

Boston hotel workers go on strike

Boston hotel workers go on strike

Boston hotel workers go on strike

Boston hotel workers go on strike

Boston hotel workers go on strike

Boston hotel workers go on strike

Boston hotel workers go on strike

Boston hotel workers go on strike

Many workers say they are forced to work two or even three jobs because their current pay is not enough to support their families. The Union says that too many hotels took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic by cutting staffing and suspending guest services.

Hotel workers are fighting for their economic lives, said Carlos Aramayo, President of UNITE HERE Local 26. The hotel industry is making massive profits, but wages just arent enough to support our families. Service and staffing cuts have made hotel jobs more painful than ever, and we dont want hotels to become the next airline industry  where guests pay more and get less while workers are left behind. Workers are fed up with the hotels, and were on strike to make them pay, Aramayo added.

Boston 25 reached out to Hilton, Marriot, and Omni for more information but have yet to hear back.

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

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Democrat Janelle Bynum are not the only candidates looking to represent Oregon Congressional District 5.

The district includes the majority of Clackamas County, all of Linn County and stretches across the Cascades to Deschutes County  including Sisters and Bend.

There are four others, including Independent candidate Brett Smith. A pipe-fitter, welder, inventor and former school bus driver, he is now the maintenance director for a healthcare facility in Oregon City and lives in Molalla.

On this weeks Eye on Northwest Politics, Smith voiced his displeasure with the two-party system due to a lack of representation. This is also his reason for running for office.

I dont look at Congress or anybody in there and feel like they represent me or my family or my neighbors or my friends, he said. Its a sentiment that I hear all across the district when I talk to people. And it doesnt matter where these people come from or their background or their political affiliation.

Non-affiliated voters (which differ from Independents) are the biggest group of voters in Oregon at 36%. Thats more than a million of Oregons three million registered voters. Democrats come in at 33%, Republicans at 24% and the Independent party is at about 5%.

For Smith, these numbers signify a couple factors.

I think its more important that a Republican or a Democrat try to reach out to the Independent parties or the non-affiliates, he said. But I think its equally important to show that the Independent and unaffiliated people have somebody else that has the same ideologies. Running as an independent, Im not like they are.

The way that we vote in primaries now is you have to be a member of the party in order to vote for the candidates in the primary. To that end, Smith argues this method gives those running in the two-party system an unfair advantage.

I dont even think I like the primaries in general, he said. Its not government affiliated. Its just us deciding which Republican and which Democrat get to be running for in the general election. Its kind of an unfair advantage that they have over like an independent or non-affiliated.

Congressional District 5 is largely rural and includes cities such as Bend, Oregon City and Sisters, as well as Smiths hometown of Molalla. If elected, Smith said his priorities would involve more direct legislation involvement for issues affecting his district, such as the PGE rate hike.

The idea that they can say that theyre going to raise rates and theres nothing that our regulators can do about it is ridiculous to me. And I dont ever hear anybody talking about stuff that directly impacts our district in that manner, he noted. I hear a lot of social issues, which are important things like that, but thats kind of what [Chavez DeRemer and Bynum] campaign on. Its like peoples feelings instead of real policy.

Smith also argued that, as an independent in Congress, he would have leverage when a Republican or Democrat comes up with ideas for potential legislation.

It would give Oregon District 5 leverage to say, Whats in it for my district? And then I would be able to go and hold companies like PGE accountable for these rate hikes, he said. And we could look into why farming subsidies cost so much and how come local farmers cant compete with like big corporations. Things like that.

Watch the full interview in the video above.

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves claims a 22bn 'black hole' in public finances requires 'difficult decisions' to address - Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Europe

Fears of an autumn tax raid and a radical strengthening of workers rights have triggered a collapse in confidence among business leaders.

The Institute of Directors (IoDs) economic confidence index plunged from a three-year high of +7 in July to -12 in August. The IoD, which is nicknamed the bosses union, represents 20,000 business leaders across the country, ranging from entrepreneurial small ventures to major corporations.

Anna Leach, chief economist at the IoD, said the slump in confidence among members was driven by newsflow in recent weeks on employment rights and autumn tax rises.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves claimed at the very end of July that the Government had found a 22bn black hole in public finances that would require difficult decisions to address.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer subsequently warned in a speech last week that he had no other choice than to impose a painful Budget in October.

Their comments have heightened speculation about a tax raid on businesses in the autumn, with ministers refusing to rule out an increase in the capital gains levy. The Chancellor has also opened the door to an increase to employers National Insurance contributions, the tax paid by bosses on their workers salaries.

Executives have also been alarmed by plans to hand more powers to staff, including the right not to answer late-night emails or calls and the ability of employees to request a four-day week from their first day of employment.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who is spearheading the Governments workers rights shake-up, wants to make companies legally obligated to offer flexible working.

Sir Keir made the shake-up, dubbed Labours new deal for working people, a core part of his manifesto in the lead up to his victory in the General Election.

The party enjoyed significant support from business in the run-up and immediate aftermath of the election. However, the IoDs survey suggests the honeymoon period is already fading as the extent of the Governments plans becomes clearer.

The IoDs findings also raised the possibility that the Government could talk the country into a downturn. Bosses have scaled back plans for hiring and investment at the fastest rate since the pandemic over the last month.

Ms Leach said: As we head into a busy autumn, we are calling on the Government to take time to get policy design right for the long term, and deliver the stable tax and policy framework needed to drive business confidence and investment.

Further clarity on the industrial strategy and the business tax roadmap, in conjunction with more progress in engaging with business on workers rights, would be welcome.

Story continues

The IoD said investment intention for the year ahead among its membership had dropped from a reading of +24 in July to +10 in August, in a sign that the Governments plans are causing businesses to scale back their ambitions.

The proportion of bosses planning to hire more staff in the next year also fell sharply, dropping 14 points from +24 to +10.

The slumps in investment and hiring intentions were the most significant falls since the onset of lockdowns when the pandemic hit in 2020.

More than 30pc of business leaders told the IoD they now feel quite pessimistic about the UK economy and 10.1pc said they were very pessimistic. While 26.9pc said they were quite optimistic, only 1.5pc said they were very optimistic.

Ministers have said they will consult both unions and business leaders on workers rights changes and the Government has promised to be pro-worker and pro-business.

A spokesman for the Department for Business & Trade said: Our new industrial strategy and International Investment Summit, which will take place within 100 days, will deliver long-term, sustainable, inclusive growth right across the UK by driving investment into our economy. It will play a key role to maintain the highest sustained growth in the G7, increasing opportunities for all.

Our Make Work Pay plan is designed around creating the right conditions for businesses to support productivity and economic growth and our close engagement with business and civil society is key to finding the balance between improving workers rights while supporting the brilliant businesses that pay peoples wages.

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LYON COUNTY, Iowa (KCAU)  Two people were arrested on Sunday for their role in the death of a six-week-old infant.

Sydney Schneiderman, Courtesy of the Division of Criminal Investigation

According to a press release, Sydney Schneidermann, of Little Rock was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of child endangerment resulting in death. Brenan Schneidermann, of Little Rock, was charged with one count of child endangerment resulting in death.

Court documents state that they brought their child to the emergency room on September 10, 2023, at 7:36 p.m. after what Sydney Schneidermann allegedly described as an episode where the infant went limp in the arms of Brenan Schneiderman.

During the visit, it was documented that the child had unexplained red marks along his jawline.

When the infants vitals were determined to be normal by medical staff, Sydney and Brenan Schneidermann were directed to take the baby to their primary care provider the next day.

Sioux City trailer manufacturer to lay off 58 employees

The documents allege the infant did not eat or suck on his pacifier overnight or into the morning.

Brenan Schneiderman, Courtesy of the Division of Criminal Investigation

The provider who saw the child at the ER followed up with Sydney Schneider the following day for an update. She was directed to bring the child back to the ER, according to the documents.

When they arrived, it immediately became apparent that the child was in critical condition. The documents noted that the red marks had developed into bruises since the child was last seen.

According to the documents, the child was transferred to a hospital in Sioux Falls but succumbed to injuries consistent with abuse on September 25.

An autopsy was performed by the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner, and it was determined that the childs cause of death was head trauma. It was also discovered that the child had various stages of healing rib fractures.

Additionally, the documents noted that digital evidence showed that Sydney Schneider had researched Shaken Baby Syndrome on her phone three days prior to bringing the baby to the hospital on September 10.

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Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, called for a general strike to take place Monday as scores of Israelis took to the streets demanding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a cease-fire deal after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza.

Histadrut chief Arnon Bar-David called for the strike during a Sunday press conference, during which he said, We must reach a deal. A deal is more important than anything else, Reuters reported.

We are getting body bags instead of a deal, he said.

Ben Gurion Airport, Israels main air transport hub, will be closed from 8 a.m. local time Monday, he said, per the news service. Municipal services in Tel Aviv will also be closed for part of Monday.

The announcement came hours after Israels military confirmed it recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a native of Berkeley, Calif. The Israeli military said Sunday the six hostages were killed by Hamas shortly before forces reached them in an underground tunnel in Rafah.

The recovery of the bodies quickly sparked further protests, calling on Netanyahu to reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas that would secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Protests unfolded Sunday, with many shouting Now! Now! The Associated Press reported.

The war has raged on for nearly 11 months since Hamas launched a surprise incursion in southern Israel on Oct. 7, prompting Israel to launch a counteroffensive in Gaza, which has been under Hamas control since 2007.

Netanyahu has remained steadfast in continuing the war until Hamas is destroyed and argues military pressure is needed to bring the hostages home.

Israels retaliatory campaign to eliminate the threat of Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians since early October and driven hundreds of thousands of civilians from their homes in Gaza, per local and international health officials.

The Manufacturers Association of Israel threw its support behind the strike, alleging the government of neglecting its moral duty.

We are impatiently waiting for the return of the abductees, and we must ensure that we have done everything for them to return. This is our moral duty as a people and as a country. Without the return of the abductees we cannot end the war, we cannot restore ourselves as a society, association head Ron Tomer wrote in a translated post on the social platform X. And we will not be able to begin to restore the Israeli economy and economy. We are torn and divided, and this is the place to act to unite Israeli society.

Netanyahu said Sunday that Hamas will pay the price for the deaths of the six hostages.

We will not rest, nor will be silent. We will pursue you, we will find you, and we will settle accounts with you, he said, adding, Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal.

He claimed Hamas has refused to hold genuine negotiations, and stated Israel agreed to a hostage release deal with the full backing from the U.S., while Hamas refused.

Hamas, however, has claimed it has offered to release the hostages in return for a halt in the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the release of some Palestinian prisoners, per the AP.

Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, told the AP the hostages would be alive if Israel accepted a U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal that the militant group claimed to have agreed to back in July.

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JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel says it has recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza.

They include a young Israeli-American man who became one of the most well-known captives held by Hamas as his parents met with world leaders and pressed for his release.

The news sparked calls for mass protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom many of the families of hostages and much of the wider public blame for failing to bring them back alive in a cease-fire deal with Hamas.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and four of the other hostages were seized by militants at a music festival during Hamas Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war in Gaza.

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Jon Polin comforts Rachel Goldberg as she speaks at last month's Democratic National Convention about their son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American Israeli hostage held by Hamas. Goldberg-Polin's body was among six recovered in Gaza by the Israeli military Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A wave of grief and fury washed over Israel Sunday, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets to march and mourn after Israeli authorities said six hostages, including a 23-year-old California-born Israeli American, had been killed days earlier by their captors after enduring nearly 11 months of Hamas captivity.

Israeli forensic officials said autopsies showed that all six  four men and two women, most of them music festival-goers in their 20s  died Thursday or Friday from multiple gunshots fired at close range. The bodies were recovered Saturday from a dank tunnel beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah, and the army confirmed their identities on Sunday.

The sole U.S. citizen among the six was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a Berkeley native whose parents had mounted a fiercely determined international campaign for his release.

The Israeli military said its preliminary assessment was that all six were killed shortly before the arrival of troops who hoped to pluck them to safety. Army spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari described them as having been "cruelly murdered."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a wave of anger from compatriots, again blamed Hamas for the failure to achieve an accord that could have secured their release.

Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal, the Israeli leader said in a prerecorded statement issued hours after Israelis awakened to the grim news of the latest deaths.

Hamas, in a statement, blamed Israel and the United States.

"The occupation and its supporters, headed by the United States and its President Biden, bear the first and last responsibility for killing prisoners, as they bear responsibility for killing our people and the war of extermination against them," the group said.

In addition to Goldberg-Polin, the other dead hostages were identified by the Israeli military as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33  also seized from a desert music festival  and Carmel Gat, 40, who was abducted from Kibbutz Beeri nearby.

Biden said in a statement that he was devastated and outraged by the deaths. The White House said later the president had spoken to the Goldberg-Polin family.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, also condemned the killings.

"With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands, she wrote on X. I strongly condemn Hamas' continued brutality, and so must the entire world."

The Los Angeles Times interviewed Goldberg-Polin's parents, Rachel and Jon, in Jerusalem three days after the Oct. 7 attack, as they were only beginning to process the shock of his capture. At the time, they expressed hopes of securing his release.

Since then, the two, who immigrated to Israel when Hersh was 8, helped spearhead a worldwide campaign that included meetings with Biden, Pope Francis and many others. Last month, they addressed the Democratic National Convention, calling for the hostages' freedom and an end to civilian suffering in Gaza.

For many Israelis, the circumstances of the killings  that the six were apparently so close to possible rescue after suffering months of captivity, and that a deal to free them had recently seemed within reach  marked one of the bleakest junctures of a catastrophic war that Gaza health officials say has killed nearly 41,000 Palestinians.

The conflict erupted after Hamas-led Palestinian militants stormed out of Gaza on Oct. 7 of last year, killing about 1,200 people in southern Israel.

Some 250 people  men, women and children  were taken hostage that day. About half were freed in a hostage-prisoner swap last year; a handful were rescued, while others died or were killed in captivity. Three were accidentally slain by Israeli troops in Gaza last year after escaping their captors.

Of about 100 hostages still missing in Gaza, Israeli officials have said around one-third are thought to be dead. Of the eight Americans who were abducted, four, including Goldberg-Polin, are now confirmed dead.

Word of the latest deaths triggered some of the largest and most emotional demonstrations yet by hostage families and their supporters, who turned out en masse across the country on Sunday for vigils and rallies. Many of those taking part excoriated Netanyahu for prioritizing a total defeat of Hamas over a deal to bring the hostages home.

Hamas killed them, but Bibi also had the responsibility, and didnt shoulder it, said Yuval Sheleg, a 27-year-old student, referring to the prime minister by his nickname as she prepared to join in a candlelight vigil at a downtown Tel Aviv square.

A 25-year-old marcher named Jonathan Shoval, who carried a handmade cardboard placard emblazoned with a blood-red handprint, said Netanyahu had missed the opportunity to strike a deal.

The most painful thing was that those people were young and alive, and could have come back to Israel, back to their homes, he said.

Other demonstrators carried six mock coffins through the streets. Protesters blocked the main entrance to Jerusalem and set tires ablaze on a Tel Aviv highway, and Israels biggest labor federation called for a general strike on Monday.

Press commentary aimed at the prime minister was among the most scathing since the start of the war.

Israeli Hostages Die So Netanyahu Can Keep His Coalition Alive was the headline on an opinion piece in the Haaretz newspaper by prominent military correspondent Amos Harel, referring to the prime ministers hard-right government.

While his key political allies support continuing an all-out war, some of Netanyahus most senior associates in the countrys security establishment took thinly veiled shots at him.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called Sunday for a reversal of a Cabinet decision last week  which he had reportedly opposed  to keep Israels forces in a corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border. Netanyahus insistence on maintaining military control of the corridor was a key sticking point in negotiations.

The prime ministers main political foes, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, accused him of failing to make freeing the hostages a priority. Netanyahu and the cabinet of death decided not to save them, Lapid said in a video statement.

Netanyahu did not issue a statement for hours after the armys announcement confirming the identities of the dead hostages, and when he did, it was a pretaped video. Some of the relatives of the dead openly scorned him, with the family of Carmel Gat saying they had refused to speak with him.

Goldberg-Polin and four of the other five were taken captive at an all-night rave in the desert just outside Gaza, where attackers hunted, killed and captured hundreds of attendees who made frantic calls to family and the army, pleading for rescue.

The circumstances of Goldberg-Polins capture were particularly harrowing: his left arm was blown off below the elbow by a grenade while he and a group tried to find haven in a roadside bomb shelter. In April, a video issued by Hamas had shown him injured, but alive.

In keeping with Jewish tradition, the round of funerals began swiftly. In the central Israeli city of Raanana, 27-year-old Almog Sarusi was buried, with hundreds in attendance.

How we hoped and prayed wed get to see you, his mother Nira said in a eulogy. You were sacrificed on the altar of destroying Hamas.

Goldberg-Polins funeral was to take place Monday in Jerusalem, his family said.

Staff correspondent Nabih Bulos in Beirut contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Israels military said it recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including an Israeli American who became a well-known captive as his parents publicly urged for his release during the months-long war.

The Israeli military said Sunday the six hostages were killed by Hamas shortly before forces reached them in an underground tunnel in Rafah.

The bodies of those recovered were Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Almog Sarusi and Alex Lobanov, military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing. Their bodies were brought back to Israeli territory for identification before their families were informed.

Goldberg-Polin, a native of Berkeley, Calif., was taken along with four of the other hostages during a music festival in southern Israel during Hamass Oct. 7 assault, The Associated Press reported.

He became one of the faces of the mass kidnappings on Oct. 7, which included about 250 others who were taken and brought back to Gaza.

The parents of Goldberg-Polin, 23, spoke at last months Democratic National Convention, where they pushed for a hostage-release deal.

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time, the family said in a statement Sunday.

The recovery of the six bodies prompted further calls for a cease-fire and hostage release deal to end the 10-month-old war as negotiations drag on between Israel, Hamas and international mediators.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom some Israels have blamed for failing to bring the hostages back alive with a deal, said Sunday that Hamas members will pay the price, for their deaths.

We will not rest, nor will be silent. We will pursue you, we will find you and we will settle accounts with you, he said, adding, Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal.

He said efforts to free the hostages are continuing constantly and alleged Hamas has refused to hold genuine negotiations.

Hamas has offered to release the hostages in return for a halt in the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of some Palestinian prisoners, the AP noted.

Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, told the AP the hostages would be alive if Israel accepted a U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal that the militant group claimed to have agreed to back in July.

President Biden, who met with Goldberg-Polins parents, said he was devastated and outraged to be informed of the Israeli Americans death.

I know all Amercians tonight will have them in their prayers, just as Jill and I will, he wrote in a statement over the weekend. I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible.

Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes, he added.

Vice President Harris expressed her condolences and said the threat of Hamas in Israel must be eliminated.

Hamass Oct. 7 assault killed more than 1,100 people in addition to the hostage kidnappings, sparking the war in Gaza. Israels retaliatory campaign has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians since early October, according to local health officials.

The Associated Press contributed.

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Updated Sep 2, 2024, 8:35am EDT Middle East

The News

Israelis went on strike for several hours on Monday after mass weekend protests demanding the government secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Schools, universities, and businesses were among those that shut their doors before the walkout was called off, earlier than planned, after Israels labor court ruled the strike must end for failing to give enough notice.

The strike and protests come amid growing anger against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the retrieval of six more hostage bodies from Gaza on Saturday.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Netanyahus rehabilitation campaign may have collapsed

Sources: Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post

Netanyahus warmongering initially helped him win back the trust of the far-right following the Oct. 7 attacks, but news of the hostage deaths has run his rehabilitation campaign into serious difficulty, a columnist wrote in Haaretz. It is too little, too late for Israels current leaders, the right-leaning Jerusalem Post argued in an editorial. But while Netanyahu is certainly to blame, so too are the yes-men cabinet ministers and lawmakers who remained glued to their chairs, Haaretz Gidi Weitz argued. The most recent tragedy must be a turning point in the effort to remove Netanyahu from power, he added.

Efforts to remove Netanyahu may need to come from within

Sources: The Jerusalem Post, The Guardian

Netanyahu has doubled down on his red lines for a ceasefire deal, insisting that any concessions  such as caving on Israeli retention of the Philadelphi Corridor  would simply reward Hamas, The Jerusalem Post reported. Direct action ordered by Israels largest trade union has forced the governments hand before, and could reignite public support for a truce, The Guardians Jerusalem correspondent wrote. But Netanyahu has only become more desperate to cling to power, meaning any attempt to remove him may ultimately need to come from within in the form of cabinet members deserting him and forcing new elections, she added.
Israels military said it has recovered the bodies of six hostages killed by Hamas militants in Gaza  including an Israeli-American captive  dealing fresh heartbreak to relatives who fear time is running out for loved ones seized by the militants more than 10 months ago.

Israeli soldiers found the six bodies in tunnels under the enclave, according to the military. The hostages were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists, a short while before we reached them, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a briefing Sunday.

The development has sparked protests across Israel, with fresh public anger directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet for failing to secure a hostage deal. Israels largest trade union has also called for a nationwide strike starting Monday.

Three of the six whose bodies were recovered had been expected to be released during the first phase of an eventual ceasefire agreement, two Israeli officials have told CNN.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi and Carmel Gat were slated to be released as part of a humanitarian category, based on a framework agreed by Israel and Hamas in early July, the officials said.

Our prime minister delayed it, one of the Israeli officials said. Its way too late for the six who have been killed, but its time to reach an agreement.

The ordeal of California native Goldberg-Polin, who was taken at gunpoint at the Nova music festival on October 7, led to him becoming one of the faces of the devastating international hostage crisis that has challenged Netanyahus leadership and triggered widespread destruction in Gaza.

The parents of 23-year-old Goldberg-Polin have been among the most vocal of the hostage families pushing Netanyahu to seek a deal securing their relatives return. Their tireless and high-profile campaigning saw them meet with world leaders, and earlier this month, give an emotional address at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time, the family said in a statement Sunday.

The Israeli military named the other three victims as Almog Sarusi, Alex Lobanov and Ori Danino. CNN is reaching out to their families.

In a taped message Sunday, Netanyahu said he had been shocked to the core by what he said was the terrible cold-blooded murder of six of our hostages. He also stressed that those who murder hostages do not want a deal.

He said Israel would continue to pursue Hamas, and accused it of not wanting to conduct genuine negotiations since December.

Three months ago, on May 27, Israel agreed to a hostage release deal with the full backing of the United States. Hamas refused. Even after the United States updated the outline of the deal on August 16  we agreed, and Hamas again refused.

He added that the Israeli government and he, personally, are committed to continue working towards a deal that will bring back all our hostages and guarantee our security and existence.

In response, the Hostages Families Forum, a volunteer-based organization that represents relatives of those held captive, criticized the Prime Minister, calling on him to stop blaming everyone and to take responsibility for his alleged failures.

Take responsibility for the thwarting (of a deal). Take responsibility for the neglect. Take responsibility for the hostages who were murdered in captivity, the Forum demanded in a statement.

The Forum also said Netanyahu had ignored the views of the security establishment in insisting on conditions in the negotiations.

Hamas is not the only one responsible for the thwarting of the deal. We do not expect the terrorist (Hamas leader Yahya) Sinwar to want to return the hostages, we expect the Prime Minister of Israel to do everything, everything, everything in order to return the hostages home.

The Forum has called for demonstrations across Israel, while also announcing a vigil honoring the hostages murdered in Gaza by Hamas in Tel Aviv at 6 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET).

US President Joe Biden said the bodies of the hostages were recovered under the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

I am devastated and outraged, Biden said in a statement released by the White House that also paid tribute to Goldberg-Polins parents.

They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable, Biden said. They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions.

Anguish and misery

Goldberg-Polins death in particular will reverberate not just in Israel but in US political circles.

His parents Rachel and Jonathan have regularly met top US officials in Washington to press the case of the hostages, and their emotional address to top Democrats at the convention earlier this month inextricably tied the hostages fate to US policy over the war in Gaza.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin told CNN in January that she wears a piece of tape marking each day that has passed since her son was kidnapped.

At her convention speech, she described life since October 7 as like living on another planet.

Anyone who is a parent or has had a parent can try to imagine the anguish and misery that Jon and I and all the hostage families are enduring, she told delegates.

Some of those discovered dead in the tunnels under Gaza this weekend were, like Goldberg-Polin, captured at the Nova music festival. Lobanov, a 32-year-old father of two, and Yerushalmi, 24, were both tending bar at the gathering, according to the Hostages Families Forum. Danino, 25, and Sarusi, 27, were also at the festival.

Gat, 40, was taken from Kibbutz Beeri. She had been visiting her parents when Hamas militants stormed the community close to Gazas border, killing and taking hostages as they went.

People demonstrate against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and to call for the release of hostages in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on August 31, 2024. - Florion Goga/Reuters

Anger in Israel

News of more hostage deaths piles pressure on Netanyahu as anger inside Israel swells over the failure to strike a ceasefire deal, and as stark disagreements between the prime minister and his military leaders increasingly spill out into the open.

A number of protests sparked across Israel on Sunday, with demonstrators anger directed at the governments handling of the crisis.

Protests have occurred or are ongoing in Tel Aviv, Raanana, Rehovot and Beer Sheva. In several instances, protesters have blocked roads  demanding an immediate agreement to secure the remaining hostages release. The banner at one protest read: Look them in the eyes.

The chairman of Israels General Federation of Labor (Histadrut) Arnon Bar-David has also called for a nationwide general strike to begin on Monday at 6 a.m. local time, after holding a charged and difficult meeting with representatives of hostage families in Tel Aviv.

I will not tolerate the neglect, Bar-David stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation of the hostages in Gaza. Histadrut is the countrys biggest labor union.

We are in a downward spiral, and we dont stop receiving body bags. Only a strike would shock, and thats why Ive decided that starting tomorrow at six in the morning, the entire Israeli economy will shut down, the labor leader said.

The hostage deaths up the stakes for Biden to push US ally Israel to find a way out of a devastating war in Gaza that has inflamed global public opinion and repeatedly threatened to spiral into an all-out regional conflict.

Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages, Biden said in his statement on Goldberg-Polins death.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces by the news of the six dead.

On behalf of the State of Israel, I embrace their families with all my heart, and apologize for failing to bring them home safely, Herzog said in a statement.

We will continue to fight relentlessly against the criminal, terrorist organization Hamas, which has once again proven there is no end to its willingness to commit murder and crimes against humanity.

Israel launched its war against Hamas in Gaza after the militant groups October 7 cross-border attacks, in which more than 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the health ministry in the enclave.

Anger has been growing inside Israel, led by many hostage families who believe Netanyahu and key far-right cabinet colleagues have been stalling on achieving a ceasefire resolution with Hamas that might bring those captured and killed home.

Netanyahu has been adamant that a deal can only be signed when Israels safety is assured.

Demonstrators lift placards and flags during a protest calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas militants, in Tel Aviv, Israel on August 31, 2024. - Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images

But domestic pressure is building, with the Hostages Families Forum being among the most critical of the Israeli prime minister.

The delay in signing the deal has led to their deaths and those of many other hostages, the forum said in a statement in English on Sunday.

We call to Netanyahu: Stop hiding. Provide the public with a justification for this ongoing abandonment, the forum added.

Biden said Saturday evening that his staff has been in touch with Israeli officials. Biden also called for an end to the war, expressing optimism that an agreement could be reached on a ceasefire-for-hostages deal and adding that parties involved in the negotiation have said they agree on the principles.

Its time this war ended, Biden added. I think were on the verge of having an agreement. Its time to end it. Its time to finish it.

The US, Qatar and Egypt, who have acted as mediators, this month renewed a push to reach a hostage and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

The mediators have proposed a three-phase approach: a first phase involving a six-week ceasefire; a second phase that would release all hostages and a withdrawal of all IDF presence from Gaza; and a third reconstruction phase.

This story has been updated.

CNNs James Legge, Elliott Gotkine and Tamar Michaelis contributed to this report.

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Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among six hostages held by Hamas-led militants whose bodies were recovered by Israel's military as thousands of Israelis on Sunday protested their government's failed efforts to negotiate a deal to free scores of captives still held in Gaza.

The bodies were found in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, near the border with Egypt. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families, said they had been "murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture and starvation in Hamas captivity."

The Israeli health ministry said they appeared to have been shot at close range two to three days before the bodies were recovered. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized for not bringing them home alive.

"We saw the inconceivable brutality of the Hamas murderers on October 7, and we have seen it again in the tunnels under Rafah," Netanyahu said in a statement.

Izzat Al-Rishq, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, blamed Israel and the U.S. for the hostage deaths: "The one who bears responsibility ... is the occupation, which insists on continuing the war of genocide and evading reaching a cease-fire agreement, and the U.S. administration for its bias, support and complicity in this aggression."

People attend a demonstration calling for the immediate return of hostages held in Gaza outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem on Sept. 1, 2024.

Developments:

 Israel's military identified the other recovered hostages as Carmel Gat, 40, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Alexander Lobanov, 32, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino, 25.

 Despite the outrage over the hostage killings, a pause in fighting in areas of Gaza began to allow the start of a complex operation to vaccinate 640,000 children against polio. The pauses are scheduled to last for at least eight hours daily, for three days in central Gaza, then three in southern Gaza, then three in northern Gaza. Each regional pause could be extended one day if needed.

'Tent life': Popular Palestinian TikTok creator killed in airstrike in southern Gaza

Strikes, protests planned across Israel in solidarity with hostages

The Hostage Family Forum called for street demonstrations across Israel to protest the government's failure to negotiate freedom for the captives.

Israeli media estimated that up to 500,000 people gathered for demonstrations in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other cities, according to Reuters. Demonstrators in Jerusalem blocked streets and protested outside the prime minister's residence.

Aerial footage showed protestors holding flags with pictures of the killed hostages on Tel Aviv's main highway and television footage showed police directing water canons at demonstrators who blocked roads.

The Jerusalem Post reported that 29 protestors were arrested on Sunday night for "disturbing public order, attacking officers, and rioting with brutality" on the highway and a demonstration area.

The head of Israel's Histadrut labor union, Arnon Bar-David, called on all civilian workers to join a nationwide strike Monday and said Ben Gurion airport, Israel's main air transport hub, would be closed after 8 a.m. Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said the city will join the nationwide strike until noon, saying in a social media post that the Israeli government "abandoned" the hostages.

"But the State of Israel is us," Huldai said. "As a sign of solidarity with the abductees and their families, the municipality of Tel Aviv-Jaffa joins the strike. ... We will allow all female and male employees to go out and support the families' struggle. Take to the streets."

Jerusalem is among cities that have declined to join the stoppage. Israel Gantz, the head of the West Banks Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, said a strike could weaken the country. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged the government to seek a court injunction to cancel the nationwide strike.

Israeli-American had been kidnapped from music festival

Goldberg-Polin, 23, a native of California, was among more than 200 people captured by militants in the Oct. 7 attack on Israeli border communities in which almost 1,200 people also died. He was taken at gunpoint from the Nova music festival. During the ordeal part of his arm was blown off by a grenade, his friends previously told USA TODAY.

"With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time, the family said in a statement.

The White House said national security adviser Jake Sullivan would hold a virtual meeting Sunday with the families of American hostages.

Netanyahu's opposition: Israeli society 'falling apart'

Netanyahu political foe Benny Gantz called for the "absolute failure" government to be replaced. Gantz lauded the Israeli troops for their efforts to free hostages but accused the prime minister of "playing a game" that costs human lives. Netanyahu, Gantz said, "hesitates, is afraid and plays for time due to political considerations" instead of making a deal to bring the hostage home.

"The prime minister should protect the abductees and the citizens of Israel and not his coalition controlled by extremists,' Gantz said in a statement. "The abductees die, the children of the north are exiled, and Israeli society is falling apart."

Biden, Harris express sorrow and outrage

President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, to offer condolences. Biden.issued a statement saying he was "devastated and outraged" by the news and paid tribute to Goldberg-Polin.

"He had planned to travel the world," Biden said. "I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable. They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions."

Vice President Kamala Harris called Hamas an "evil terrorist organization" and said in a statement that the militant group now has "even more American blood on its hands." Hamas must be eliminated and not allowed to control Gaza, she said.

"I strongly condemn Hamas continued brutality, and so must the entire world," the statement said. "From its massacre of 1,200 people to sexual violence, taking of hostages and these murders, Hamas depravity is evident and horrifying."

Netanyahu apologizes for not rescuing hostages

Netanyahu expressed "deep regret" to Oxana and Grigory Lobanov, the parents of Alexander Lobanov, that Israeli forces were unable to rescue their son and the other hostages.

"I would like to tell you how much I regret and request forgiveness for not succeeding in bringing Sasha back alive," Netanyahu told the couple in phone call, according to a readout provided by his office. Netanyahu planned to speak Sunday to the families of all the hostages whose bodies were recovered in the tunnel, although Israel's Channel 12 reported that two of the families refused to take Netanyahu's calls.

Militant kills 3 Israeli officers in West Bank

A militant who shot three Israeli police officers in the occupied West Bank on Sunday was later killed by commandos, the Israeli military said. Muhammad al-Aswad, 31, was affiliated with the Palestinian Authoritys Fatah movement, and previously served in the authoritys presidential guard, the military said. The Israeli military has stepped up attacks in the West Bank in recent weeks, citing an increase in militant activity there.

A little-known armed group calling itself the Khalil al-Rahman Brigade claimed responsibility for the shootings. Hamas praised the attack as a natural response to the war in Gaza and called for more.

Israel presses offensives in Gaza, West Bank

The discovery of the bodies comes as Israel continues to press its withering assault on Gaza under intense international pressure for a cease-fire. At least 40,691 Palestinians have been killed and 94,060 injured in Israels military offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

In recent days, Israel has also been stepping up its military operations in northern cities in the West Bank, prompting fears that the war in Gaza could be spreading to other Palestinian territories. Looming over that, is the specter of full-fledged war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran, which backs the militant group.

On Saturday, Israeli strikes killed at least 48 people in the Gaza Strip, as clashes took place in central and southern areas of the enclave ahead of the planned start of a polio vaccination campaign.

Rachel Goldberg and Jonathan Polin, parents of Gaza hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, attend a demonstration by families of the hostages taken captive in the Gaza Strip near Kibbutz Nirim in southern Israel on Aug. 29, 2024

Biden still has hope cease-fire can be reached

On Saturday, Biden, speaking to reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, said he was still optimistic, that a truce could be reached to end the conflict. I think were on the verge of having an agreement, he said. Its time this war ended.

Biden added that people are continuing to meet. We think we can close the deal, they've all said they agree on the principles."

Netanyahu appeared to downplay the prospect of a deal Sunday.

"In recent days, as Israel has been holding intensive negotiations with the mediator in a supreme effort to reach a deal, Hamas is continuing to steadfastly refuse all proposals. Even worse, at the exact same time, it murdered six of our hostages. Whoever murders hostages  does not want a deal," he said.

Scores of hostages still held by militants

The discovery of the bodies also comes one week after another hostage taken during the Oct. 7 Hamas rampage was freed after a "complex" rescue operation in southern Gaza. Hagari, Israeli's military spokesman, said Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a member of Israel's Arab Bedouin minority, was alone when rescued from an underground tunnel thanks to extensive intelligence on the location.

Hagari said that the hostages recovered Sunday were found about a mile from where Farhan Alkadi was located.

The Hostages Families Forum said that over the past few months, eight hostages have been rescued alive through Israel's military operations. In November, a deal between Israel and Hamas saw 105 hostages released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Israel believes that 101 hostages remain in Gaza including at least 27 who are presumed dead. With Goldberg-Polin's death, it means there are now seven American hostages still held in Gaza.

Parents spoke recently at DNC

Goldberg-Polin's parents had recently spoken about their son during an appearance at the Democratic National Convention. They shared details about his passion for music, the Hapoel Jerusalem soccer team and his sense of humor. They also recounted the heroism of his best friend whom he attended the Nova music festival with.

As the Hamas attack unfolded, Goldberg-Polin, his friend Aner Shapira and more than two dozen other festival goers took refuge in a bomb shelter. Shapira, 22, an off-duty solider, tried to protect them by standing in the doorway and catching and then throwing back multiple grenades that the attackers were lobbing in their direction. He threw back six grenades in all. The seventh fatally wounded him.

"He stood there as a wall for the others. This was our man. Not for himself, but for the others," Liat Netzer, the mother of a friend of Shapira's told USA TODAY at his funeral in Jerusalem in October.

Netzer's husband, Yaakov, said that Goldberg-Polin was wounded in the hand during the grenade attack that killed Shapira, but he could walk and that other friends attending the festival saw him being led away by Hamas with several others and lifted into the back of a pickup.

The first definitive proof Goldberg-Polin survived despite being badly injured only surfaced in April when Hamas released an undated video in which he appears sitting in a chair, addressing the camera. His hair is cropped short and as he speaks he gestures occasionally with his left arm, which shows a healed stump where his hand should be.

In the video, which runs for just under three minutes, Goldberg-Polin criticizes Netanyahu for not reaching a cease-fire deal with Hamas and tells his parents that he misses and loves them very much.

"I expect and hope to see you very soon after all this tragedy is over," he said.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel war: U.S. hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin's body recovered in Gaza
Brandie Dowda, a former HISD librarian, spoke out against the bond proposal during an HISD board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Houston ISD officials scheduled the meeting that left its Library Services team in tears on short notice, forcing the staff of librarians to squeeze in the meeting between two sessions of the popular Name that Book competition.

Len Bryan, then head of Library Services, said his team rushed to wrap up the middle school edition of the long-running book competition to make the meeting.

Bryan and his team members joined a room with hundreds of people for the academics office's 20-minute meeting, where they realized that they were losing their positions after an organization chart for the upcoming year was displayed.

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Later that day, Library Services employees hosted the three-hour Name That Book competition for high schoolers. Bryan said he struggled to maintain composure as he read quotes for students to identify the books they were taken from.

I was able to keep it together. But there are tears in the background. Like theyre crying, Bryan recounted. Theyre having a hard time. We would take a break. Id be like, They (the students) can hear you on the mic. Keep it (together). We can't tell anybody yet.

HISD Library Services supported campus libraries, and its elimination occurred alongside campus librarian departures. District records show only 28 HISD librarians remained employed in July. The Chronicle was unable to verify how many media specialists, certified teachers and clerks staffing libraries remain.

The apparent lower count of staffed libraries is driven in part by the removal of shelves and furniture out of libraries to create team centers, where children may work on advanced content or stay after misbehaving in the classroom. The creation of team centers ramped up for this school year with the addition of more than 40 schools to state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles' New Education System (NES).

The decline in librarians, following former Superintendent Millard House IIs goal to place a librarian on every campus, spells out an uncertain fate for $15 million of books purchased with pandemic-era federal funding to bring libraries up to state standards, library advocates said. The district previously said books will remain in former libraries. It commented Friday that principals can track which books remain and that an "Instructional Media and Libraries Department" in its central office supports campus libraries and programs. However, HISD spokesperson Richard Guerra said Wednesday that this department is vacant, that the district is hiring for two positions there, and that the department name is "Digital Access" on HISD's job openings site.

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"At any school where the library has been repurposed into a Team Center, principals have full autonomy to determine which books remain in the library," the district commented Friday. "The Central Office Library team has assisted leaders in the past at making these decisions and continues to offer that support."

Bryan said that Library Services was not given an opportunity to access and support NES book collections.

Community members, teachers, parents, students and elected officials protest the closing of Libraries in HISD schools outside the Hattie Mae White Educational Service Center on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Questions around books purchased with federal funds

Unstaffed book collections are loaned to NES students on an honor system, the district said. Library circulation at NES schools largely appear to be zero or near zero, Bryan said.

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"The amount of waste that has occurred as a result of this takeover is astronomical, and the library books are the canary in the coal mine, only because I can tell you to the penny what was spent at each individual building and is now inaccessible to students," Bryan said. "Now, the regime will say, 'Well, they're still accessible. They're there.' It's like, how do you know? You haven't done an inventory."

Seeking to work with the district's new approach to libraries, Bryan said he presented a self-checkout system that NES students could use near the beginning of last school year, but Bryan said he's not sure why the idea did not go forward within district chain of command.

"I was like, OK, it's pretty clear that there's no room for libraries in this model, that they're not interested in compromise, that they're not interested in hearing from someone with almost 30 years of experience in education," he said.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Tell us how you're feeling

HISD commented, "We understand the significance of certain programs associated with libraries and have worked to maintain those offerings. Libraries are available to students who are dropped off at school before classes begin or after school before they go home, and students can still borrow books. Campuses will continue to receive library support services from Central Office, including assistance with programs like the Name that Book Competition."

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Bryan and four library inventory management team members are listed as involuntary separations in June district records. The district is hiring two people  one with Bryan's job title.

Coordinator 2-Library Inventory Management Lead and Coordinator 1-Library Inventory Management Coordinator were listed on HISD's job openings site Friday, and the district confirmed Wednesday those positions were not filled. Bryan did not apply for this position. He left the state this summer for a job in Colorado. The district said employees whose positions were eliminated can reapply to new roles.

I want the community to remember what they lost, and I want them to have as many positive memories of their childs library as it could have. So when a duly elected board and a properly selected superintendent comes back into the district, that voice is very loud and very concerted the way that it was when (former Superintendent) House came in.

More schools without staffed libraries under NES

Twice displaced by the New Education System, librarian Brandie Dowda said if NES campuses use an honor system, there would be no way to track when a book goes in an and out of a library.

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Dowda, who left HISD for another school district, said she learned in January that her campus, Almeda Elementary School, would become NES.

In the latter half of May, her principal told her the district was going to remove center shelving from her library the next day, she said. With the help of Library Services, she moved the materials to the peripheral shelves.

Dowda was conducting class for third-graders when contractors came to remove the shelves, a sight she called "soul-crushing."

"I really want to emphasize that these changes that are happening with the libraries are not decisions happening at the campus level," Dowda said. "They are happening at the central office level, and principals are not really being given a choice."

Brandie Dowda, a former HISD librarian, leaves the podium after speaking out against the bond proposal during an HISD board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Dowda, who teaches informational literacy, conducted the rest of her lessons in classrooms. It had become unsafe to conduct class in the library with leftover screws and nails loose on the floor, Dowda said.

She added that after the center shelves were removed but furniture was still left, students were upset and asked her why the shelves were removed.

Theres not a good way for me to answer that, because I have not gotten a satisfactory answer from Mr. Miles about why a team center is better for student enrichment and student engagement than what a functional library serviced by a certified librarian can provide, Dowda said.

She trained her students on how she organized the books so they could be independent and navigate them.

Honestly, it just looks like chaos, to me. Because they are just crammed, stuffed full, Dowda said, adding she tried to keep the books organized by the Dewey Decimal system so students at least have a place to start if they were looking for a non-fiction book. She also sent school administration instructions for self-checkout, but she did not know if that decision was in the schools purview.

Dorcas Hand, an advocate with Students Need Libraries in HISD, said she is not aware of a way to track what and whether materials were removed from libraries amid conversions to team centers.

"What they (the district) took out, what they literally took out of the libraries, they did not provide any tracking for," Hand said. "Many of those libraries that have been closed, they left the books on the periphery (of libraries), but no one's managing them. So you got a chunk of books that are in the wind, off campus. We don't know if they put them in storage. We don't know if they threw them away."

HISD pointed to campus leadership regarding library staffing decisions outside of NES.

"The NES model has not changed," HISD commented. "NES schools will continue to have books, and in many cases, libraries available to students. At our non-NES campuses, principals will continue to have the discretion to allocate their resources for librarians or media specialist positions if they so choose."

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Community members, teachers, parents, students and elected officials protest the closing of Libraries in HISD schools outside the Hattie Mae White Educational Service Center on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Parent Jacqueline Muncy, with three children previously at Crockett Elementary School, co-organized a protest for libraries outside of the district's Educator of the Year Banquet in May, where Crockett's librarian won district Librarian of the Year. The school became NES this year.

Well keep using our voices, because students need books and they need librarians to guide them, to help them understand different reading materials, to support them in so many different ways, Muncy said. "The librarian does so much more than checking out books. They literally build communities in their schools."

Anastasia Goodwin contributed to this report.

Update Sept. 4, 2024 at 8:23 p.m.: This article was updated to add information provided by the district after publication. The district said it did not hire for the two library management positions posted.
My friend asked me to cosign a loan, but I'm $30,000 in debt and my credit's already shaky  what should I do?

Cosigning a loan that creates debt for a friend or loved one is risky enough. Doing so when you have your own debt and shaky credit  thats when the implications go far beyond a simple signature.

Vouching for a consumers creditworthiness is crucial to the loan industry in the U.S., and the ability to borrow for some may hinge on sharing the burden. This can be the top of a slippery slope.

Don't miss

Lets say youre 36 years old with dreams of homeownership but saddled with a car that needs regular maintenance. Youre also dealing with $30,000 of debt and a mediocre credit score. A childhood friend calls with a desperate plea: Can you cosign a personal loan for me?

The friendship runs deep, but so does your debt. What do you do when their emergency collides with your own fragile situation?

For someone with significant debt and less-than-stellar credit, this decision could lead to financial disaster, becoming a weight that drags you deeper into the hole. Lets break down what cosigning really means and why you may want to avoid it.

What it means to cosign

Cosigning isnt just doing your friend a favor  its putting your own financial health on the line. When you cosign, you become just as responsible for the loan as the primary borrower. If your friend misses payments or defaults entirely, the lender will come after you for the money.

In addition, the loan will appear on your credit report, impacting your debt-to-income ratio and potentially lowering your credit score, especially if payments are missed or late. Essentially, cosigning is the same as assuming the loan yourself  with none of the direct benefits.

Cosigning risks while in debt

If youre already $30,000 in debt and your credit is average to poor, cosigning a loan can be like playing with fire. Heres why:

Increased liability: When youre working through your own debt, adding someone elses financial burden can be overwhelming. Should your friend fail to make payments, youll be responsible for covering them, which could stretch your finances beyond their limits.

Credit score impact: Cosigning could further damage your score if your friend misses a payment. Any missed payments will show up on your credit report, making it even harder to improve your financial standing.

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Effect on creditworthiness: Lenders scrutinize your credit history when assessing any future loans or credit applications. Cosigning could make you appear risky and impact your ability to apply for more credit.

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

The potential benefits of cosigning

Despite the risks, cosigning isnt all bad  if done under the right circumstances.

You may strengthen your relationship by helping a trusted friend during a time of need. If they consistently make payments on time, it can help them build on their credit history while solidifying your own, and both credit scores benefit.

Having another account in good standing on your credit report may offer a slight boost  if all goes well.

Alternatives to cosigning

If cosigning feels too risky, consider other ways to help your friend without putting your financial health on the line.

Your friend may be able to qualify for a smaller loan on their own or find lenders who specialize in high-risk borrowers. Instead of cosigning, consider becoming a co-borrower. This means youll share responsibility for the loan but will have more control over payments and loan terms.

Also look into peer-to-peer lending platforms or credit unions, which may offer more flexible loan terms for someone with limited credit history.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
The Israeli American hostage who was taken captive by Hamas militants on Oct. 7  and whose parents tearfully begged leaders for a cease-fire at this months Democratic National Convention  is confirmed to be among the six captives found dead on Saturday in Gaza, joining the ever-growing toll from almost a year of violence in the region.

Israeli forces said they recovered the bodies of six hostages in a tunnel under the southern Gaza city of Rafah: 25-year-old Ori Danino, 24-year-old Eden Yerushalmi, 27-year-old Almog Sarusi, 33-year-old Alexander Lobanov, 40-year-old Carmel Gat and 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The victims were allegedly found about half a mile from where soldiers rescued 52-year-old Qaid Farhan Alkadi alive last week.

Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani claimed that Hamas killed all six captives shortly before soldiers arrived to rescue them, while Hamas officials maintained that the victims were killed by Israels own airstrikes. Citing Israeli officials, Axios reported that it is still unclear exactly when and how the captives were killed.

People light candles during a vigil in memory of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Jerusalem, Israel, on Sunday. Leo Correa via Associated Press

Goldberg-Polin, the youngest of the six victims, was a California native attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants attacked, killing hundreds of concertgoers and taking him and four others captive. Militants captured the sixth person, Gat, from the nearby Israeli farming community of Beeri.

Part of Goldberg-Polins left arm was reportedly blown off by a grenade during the attack, and in April a Hamas-issued video showed him alive with an amputated left hand. The video led to Israelis angrily renewing protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government for not doing enough to secure the hostages release and a cease-fire.

Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel will hold Hamas accountable for killing the hostages in cold blood, and that whoever murders hostages doesnt want a [cease-fire] deal. Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq said that the hostages would still be alive if Netanyahu and his government had accepted the proposed U.S.-supported cease-fire deal the militant group agreed to in July.

President Joe Biden spoke with Goldberg-Polins parents on Sunday morning to give his condolences, according to a White House official. The president said in a separate Saturday statement that Hershs father Jon Polin and mother Rachel Goldberg have been courageous, wise and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable.

I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible, said Biden, whose administration continues to send billions in unconditional military aid to Israel. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Jonathan Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, attend a demonstration by families of Hamas captives calling for the hostages' release, near Kibbutz Nirim in southern Israel on Aug. 29. Israeli forces have recovered the bodies of six slain hostages, one of them being Goldberg-Polin. Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

Goldberg-Polins parents have been pleading at the international level for the release of all captives, meeting with Biden and Pope Francis, as well as addressing the United Nations. The parents spoke to a crowd of the DNC attendees on Aug. 21, urging the world to not reduce the victims as just numbers.

This is a political convention. But needing our only son  and all of the cherished hostages  home is not a political issue, Polin said on the stage. It is a humanitarian issue.

Even though the DNC blocked Palestinians from being able to speak on that same stage, Goldberg-Polins parents used their speaking time to also advocate for the Palestinians who have faced nonstop violence in Israels war. In the same time period that the six hostages were found dead, Israeli forces killed 47 Palestinians.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters filled the streets in Tel Aviv on Sunday, demanding the prime minister resign for putting his own interestsabove the return of hostages. Israels national labor union, Histadrut, said Netanyahus government abandoned the hostages and that the entire country will stand still on Monday for a general strike.

Protesters lift Israeli flags and placards around symbolic coffins representing the six hostages whose bodies were recovered from the Gaza Strip, during an anti-government rally calling for the release of the Hamas captives held since October. Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

In her statement about Goldberg-Polins death, Vice President Kamala Harris did not mention a potential cease-fire deal that the hostages parents and other families have been begging for. Instead, the Democratic presidential candidate said that Hamas is an evil terrorist organization that must be eliminated.

Harris embrace of militarism is a stark contrast with the courageous stance of many Israeli hostage families who are protesting Netanyahus horrific policy of war above all else, Layla Elabed, co-founder of the American pro-Palestinian Uncommitted Movement, said Sunday in a statement. Their anger reveals the dangerous consequences of our own failed foreign policy.

We must not forget the 109 hostages still held in Gaza, each a universe unto themselves, and the over 16,000 Palestinian children killed in a genocide fueled by American weapons  part of the largest Palestinian civilian death toll since Israels founding in 1948, she continued, adding: Every life is precious, and its time to dismantle the hierarchy of human value in our government and party that places Israeli lives above Palestinian lives.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to conclude a ceasefire deal with Hamas to bring the remaining hostages home from Gaza, as the bodies of six of those taken on Oct. 7 were brought home.

"It's too late for the abductees who were murdered in cold blood. The abductees who remain in the captivity of Hamas must be returned home," he said on the social media platform X.

"The political-security cabinet must convene immediately and reverse the decision made on Thursday," he said, referring to a decision by the cabinet to insist on keeping troops in the so-called Philadelphi corridor, along the southern edge of Gaza.

Netanyahu's insistence on keeping troops in the corridor to prevent Hamas smuggling weapons in from Egypt, has been widely seen as one of the major obstacles to an agreement with Hamas in talks brokered by Egypt and Qatar.

Gallant has clashed repeatedly with Netanyahu and hardline religious nationalist ministers over the need to reach a deal to halt the fighting in Gaza and bring the remaining hostages back in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Around a third of the 101 Israeli and foreign captives still in Gaza are believed to have died, with the fate of the others unknown.

Israeli media reported that Gallant confronted Netanyahu angrily during the cabinet meeting on Thursday over the issue of the Philadelphi corridor and warned that time was running out for a hostage deal.

Netanyahu said on Sunday Israel was committed to concluding a hostage deal but he blamed Hamas for refusing to accept proposals agreed with the United States.

He said the killing of the six hostages, shortly before they were found by Israeli forces in a tunnel under the southern Gaza city of Rafah, showed that Hamas was not interested in stopping the fighting.

"Whoever murders hostages is not interested in a deal," he said in a statement following the return of the bodies of the six hostages.

Israel's security and defence leaders have been increasingly at odds with Netanyahu over the issue of the ceasefire talks, which have shown little sign of producing a breakthrough after weeks of meetings in Qatar and Egypt.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (C) holds strategic discussion with the IDF Chief of the General Staff and senior IDF officials on the goals of the war. Shira Keinan/GPO/dpa

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday called for an urgent meeting of the security Cabinet after the discovery of the bodies of six hostages in the Gaza Strip.

The Cabinet must reverse its decision to maintain control over the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, Gallant wrote on X. The decision is seen as a barrier to reaching a potential agreement with the militant Palestinian Hamas organization for the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

"It is too late for the hostages who were murdered in cold blood. We must bring back the hostages that are still being held by Hamas," Gallant wrote.

He added that Israel would settle the score with all "Hamas leaders and murderers."

The security Cabinet had voted earlier this week to keep Israeli troops stationed in the Philadelphi Corridor, a 14-kilometre stretch has been a major sticking point in the ongoing indirect negotiations with Hamas regarding a potential ceasefire.

Israel argues that several Hamas tunnels allowing for weapons smuggling between Egypt and Gaza are underneath the corridor, a claim Egypt has denied.

According to media reports, a heated exchange took place during the Cabinet meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gallant, who reportedly accused Netanyahu of prioritizing military control over the Gaza-Egypt border at the expense of efforts to free Israeli hostages.

He allegedly stated that Netanyahus decision might as well condemn all the hostages to death.
An armed Israeli soldier stands guard at his post. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Three Israelis police officers - two men and one woman - have been killed in a suspected Palestinian attack in the southern West Bank, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Sunday.

Citing police chief Daniel Levy, Israeli media outlets reported that the three victims of the attack near Hebron were police officers.

The Israeli military said that the assailants opened fire on a vehicle in which the three victims were travelling at a military checkpoint.

Security forces are currently searching for the attackers in the southern West Bank, it said.

Israeli troops were encircling a residence in Hebron with the suspected perpetrator inside, the IDF said later on Sunday.

"A terrorist was eliminated at the scene," according to the statement.

Israel launched a military operation in the northern West Bank on Wednesday, citing a significant increase in attacks on Israelis as the justification for the action.

The operation is aimed at targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, it said.

The situation in the West Bank has deteriorated significantly since the outbreak of the Gaza war which was triggered by the Hamas-led terrorist attack in Israel on October 7.

Since then, according to the Health Ministry in Ramallah, 648 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations, confrontations or their own attacks in the West Bank.
Israelis erupt in protest to demand a cease-fire after 6 more hostages die in Gaza

JERUSALEM (AP)  Grieving and angry Israelis surged into the streets Sunday night after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza, chanting Now! Now! as they demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a cease-fire with Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.

Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, also pressured the government by calling a general strike for Monday  the first since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that started the war. The strike aims to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care and the countrys main airport.

Tens of thousands of Israelis were expected to protest. Many blame Netanyahu for failing to reach a cease-fire during nearly 11 months of war. Negotiations have dragged on for months. Israels army has acknowledged the difficulty of rescuing dozens of remaining hostages and said a deal is the only way to bring a large-scale return.

Im crying the cry of humanity, said one protester who gave his name as Amos as thousands, some of them weeping, gathered outside Netanyahus office in Jerusalem.

The military said all six hostages were killed shortly before Israeli forces arrived. Netanyahu blamed the Hamas militant group for the stalled negotiations, saying whoever murders hostages doesnt want a deal.

Militants seized Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and four other hostages at a music festival in southern Israel. The native of Berkeley, California, lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. In April, a Hamas-issued video showed him alive, sparking new protests in Israel.

Massachusetts Reepresentative Jake Auchincloss said in a statement on social media that he met with the family of one of the victims, Goldberg-Polin.

Hersh, a fellow American, had strong connections to Massachusetts and I was able to meet with his parents Their courage in the middle of every parents nightmare should strengthen the resolve of all Americans to return all hostages, through means military and diplomatic, his statement said.

Hamas murdered these hostages, knowing that rescue was imminent. It is further evidence of the unbounded depravity of these terrorists. Together, the United States and Israel will get justice.

The army identified the other dead hostages as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33; also taken from the festival. The sixth, Carmel Gat, 40, was abducted from the nearby farming community of Beeri.

The army said the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around a kilometer (half a mile) from where another hostage was rescued alive last week.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesperson, said Israeli forces found the bodies several dozen meters (yards) underground as ongoing combat was underway, but that there was no firefight in the tunnel itself. He said there was no doubt Hamas had killed them.

Hamas has offered to release the hostages in return for an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, said the hostages would still be alive if Israel had accepted a U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal that Hamas said it had agreed to in July.

Funerals began for the hostages, with more outrage. Sarusis body was wrapped in an Israeli flag. You were abandoned on and on, daily, hour after hour, 331 days, his mother, Nira, said. You and so many beautiful and pure souls. Enough. No more.

Hostages families urge a complete halt of the country

Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed.

Critics have accused him of putting his personal interests over those of the hostages. The wars end likely will lead to an investigation into his governments failures in the Oct. 7 attacks, the governments collapse and early elections.

I think this is an earthquake. This isnt just one more step in the war, said Nomi Bar-Yaacov, associate fellow in the International Security Program at Chatham House, shortly before Sundays protests began.

Israels Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu got into a shouting match at a security Cabinet meeting Thursday with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who accused him of prioritizing control of a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border  a major sticking point in the talks  over the lives of the hostages.

An Israeli official confirmed the report and said three of the hostages  Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi and Gat  had been slated to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed in July. The official was not authorized to brief media about the negotiations and spoke on condition of anonymity.

In the name of the state of Israel, I hold their families close to my heart and ask forgiveness, Gallant said Sunday.

A forum of hostage families has demanded a complete halt of the country to push for a cease-fire and hostage release. Were it not for the delays, sabotage and excuses, those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive, it said in a statement.

Even a mass outpouring of anger would not immediately threaten Netanyahu or his far right government. He still controls a majority in parliament. But he has caved in to public pressure before. Mass protests led him to cancel the dismissal of his defense minister last year, and a general strike last year helped lead to a delay in his controversial judicial overhaul.

A familys high-profile campaign

Goldberg-Polins parents, U.S.-born immigrants to Israel, became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage. They met with U.S. President Joe Biden and Pope Francis and on Aug. 21, they addressed the Democratic National Convention  after sustained applause and chants of bring him home.

His mother, Rachel, who bowed her head during the ovation and touched her chest, said Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive.

Biden on Sunday said he was devastated and outraged. The White House said he spoke with Goldberg-Polins parents and offered condolences.

Some 250 hostages were taken on Oct. 7. Israel now believes 101 remain in captivity, including 35 who are thought to be dead. More than 100 were freed during a cease-fire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Eight have been rescued by Israeli forces. Israeli troops mistakenly killed three Israelis who escaped captivity in December.

Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, when they stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7. Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not say how many were militants. It has displaced the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times, and plunged the besieged territory into a humanitarian catastrophe.

___

Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo, Danica Kirka in London and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.

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A 35-year-old Moroccan citizen, already known to the police for a knife attack in France where he shouted "Allahu Akbar", was expelled from Italy on Thursday, following his conviction of crimes against people and property.

Police in Lucca reported that the expulsion took place with direct accompaniment to Casablanca, where the man was handed over to Moroccan authorities.

The news was also confirmed by Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi in a social media post.

The man was also considered dangerous internationally and had recently been arrested for serious offences committed in Italy. His offences in Lucca included a robbery knife attack in May where he seriously injured three persons, causing one of them a permanent facial deformation.

The incident led to his arrest and detention. The man was already known for a previous knife attack in France, for which he was placed under constant monitoring by investigators from the Digos anti-terrorism section.

His deportation with accompaniment to the border by specialised State Police personnel was carried out after a court on Thursday rejected his appeal and immigration authorities refused to renew his residence permit.

It is not the first time that Italian authorities have expelled convicted persons from Morocco.

Related

In June, the Brescia Court of Appeal approved the deportation of one Idriss Farhane to Morocco over several cybercrimes, and in 2020, a Moroccan imam was expelled because of his support for the so-called Islamic State group.

Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese, at the time, cited reasons of state security in sending the 41-year-old imam, identified only as MG, back to Casablanca.
The Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) is reaching out to the community for donations to aid in the medical treatment of Blue, a severely malnourished dog who was recently brought to the shelter.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Blue, estimated to be about 2 years old, arrived at JHS weighing a mere 17 pounds, according to a Facebook post from the organization.

This isnt what you normally see from us, but we felt this was too important not to share, the post read. Please know that these images might be difficult to see, but we want to honor this precious pups fighting spirit.

The post further detailed Blues dire condition: Blue was found by a kind and caring citizen and brought to JHS less than 48 hours ago. As you can see, she is very malnourished and underweight. We think that she is 2 years old, and only weighs 17 pounds.

The shelters veterinary team is working tirelessly to save Blues life, though her prognosis remains uncertain. While it is too soon to know if she is going to make it, she deserves a fighting chance, the post explained. No matter the outcome, we are committed to sharing Blues journey with you.

JHS is calling for donations to help cover Blues intensive medical treatment. Your loving support makes it possible for JHS to be here when dogs like Blue need us, the post said.

Donations can be made at jaxhumane.org/donate. The public is also encouraged to leave well-wishes for Blue in the comments, which will be read to her by the JHS team. Direct donations can be made HERE.

Additionally, the shelter is offering support to those struggling with pet care.

If you are struggling to provide food or care for your pets, we want you to reach out so we can connect you with options, the post added. We are here to provide non-judgmental support for both ends of the leash.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The most recent health update posted by the JHS showcases some promising news.

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Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Democratic Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado defended Vice President Kamala Harris' shifts on policy between her 2020 presidential campaign and her White House bid this year as Republicans seize on perceived discrepancies.

Polis, a Harris ally, told "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl that Harris' shifts on issues like fracking, the border wall, health care and others are the sign of someone who can adapt as needed.

"I think it's a sign of a good leader, that they learn and evolve over time," Polis said. "Whether it's a move to the middle, the left, the right, it's really about what works. Kamala Harris is a pragmatic leader who looks at data and science and makes the best decisions she can."

"Democrats are a broad tent party, and they have people who are conservative, they have people who are liberal," he added when asked if Democrats running for president in 2020 had veered too far to the left. "What Kamala Harris has said, and I take her at her word, is she's going to be a leader for all Americans, a president for all Americans. And that means, regardless of your ideology, there's going to be a place for your viewpoints."

MORE: Harris doesn't get convention bounce, but widens gap with women: POLL

Republicans have seized on what they cast as flip-flops on a range of issues from her 2020 campaign, when progressive fervor gripped the Democratic Party.

During an interview with CNN on Thursday -- her first in-depth interview since accepting the Democratic nominee, Harris insisted that her values hadn't changed -- an argument Polis echoed on Sunday.

When pressed on Harris' past support for "Medicare for All" -- a proposal she no longer supports -- the Coloradan said the vice president is still invested in making health care more affordable.

"As a basic value, should every American have access to health care? Absolutely. Almost every other wealthy country does that. We do it very poorly," he said. "I think she understands that Americans want to have their choice of health care, but can we do better and save people money on health care? Absolutely."

Harris in 2019 also lambasted the border wall proposed by then-President Donald Trump, calling it at the time a "medieval vanity project" and that she would not support funds for it. Now, she is touting support for a bipartisan border security bill that Republicans blocked from advancing at Trump's direction, which included roughly $650 million for border wall construction -- shy of the $18 billion Trump sought in 2018.

MORE: Trump's push for free IVF may attract suburban women, but questions about covering cost

Polis said Harris was right to cast Trump's border wall proposal as ineffective and a waste of taxpayer money, but that walls and other barriers in certain places along the border could prove effective.

"That's true that the border wall that Donald Trump has proposed is a huge boondoggle and waste of taxpayer money. He effectively talked about a wall across the entire border, rather than using barriers of different kinds effectively in a cost-effective manner, including imagery from satellites, including on-the-ground intel to secure and lock down the border. What Kamala Harris is for is securing it in the most cost-effective way possible," Polis said.

MORE: Trump slams Harris on immigration during border visit in battleground Arizona

Jared Polis defends Harris' shifts on policy originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Jeremy Clarkson has explained why he has ended his partnership with Richard Hammond and James May.

The trio first started working together on BBCs Top Gear in 2002 and moved over to Amazon for Prime Video series The Grand Tour, which premiered in 2016.

However, a forthcoming special of the car show, titled One for the Road, will serve as a swansong for the trios onscreen partnership  and Clarkson, who is currently enjoying the biggest success of his career with Clarksons Farm, has reflected on why he decided to cut professional ties with both Hammond and May.

After 36 years of talking about cars on television, Im packing it in, because Im too old and fat to get into the cars that I like and not interested in driving those I dont, he said in a new interview with The Sunday Times.

What this means of course is that my 22-year partnership with James May and Richard Hammond is now over. You can see our final road trip together on Amazon Prime very soon. Its emotional.

Clarkson said the trio had thought long and hard about how we should end our 22-year partnership, but in the end we just went to the end of the alphabet and selected Zimbabwe as a place to set the special.

There was another reason why we chose Zimbabwe, though, he continued, revealing: We would drive across it from east to west, as usual, but then we could cross the border and finish up where we began all those years ago: the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana.

Jeremy Clarkson said filming last Grand Tour episode was emotional (Getty)

Clarkson said it makes the three of us happy that their working relationship did not disintegrate in a blizzard of outrage and tabloid headlines, but was landed safely and gently.

Was it sad when the director called, Thats a wrap, for the very last time? Yes, it was. Especially as some of the crew had been with us when we were there before. People think of Top Gear and The Grand Tour as being James, Richard and me. But it isnt. Weve had the same crews for years. Weve all grown up together.

Weve camped together. S*** our lungs out together, laughed our arses off together. These are the guys who really made those shows. Theyre the ones who kept the cameras and the microphones going even when it was cold or dangerous, so that Andy [Wilman, producer] had his 1,200 hours of material to sift through.

Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May in the final Grand Tour (Prime Video)

Earlier this year, it was reported that Clarkson, Hammond and May had dissolved their production company, declaring solvency and appointing a liquidator to wind up their business.

The final Grand Tour episode will air on Prime Video on 13 September.
Jewish Columbia students were chased out of dorms, spat on, and pinned against walls: damning report

Protester waving Israeli flag at columbia, protesters holding Israeli flags at with new york post front page, protester smashing window with hammer while covering face with keffiyeh

Jewish students at Columbia University were chased out of their dorms, received death threats, spat upon, stalked and pinned against walls, as the Ivy League school devolved into a cesspool of antisemitic hate in the wake of Hamas Oct. 7 murderous raid on Israel.

The new and disturbing details emerged from the lengthy, 91-page document released Friday by the schools faculty-led antisemitism task force, which revealed the extent to which the hate permeated the institution.

Students described being shoved, pushed to the ground, berated for showing support for Zionist causes, and watching Israeli flags burned, the task forces authors wrote.

Jewish and Israeli students at Columbia University endured a months-long nightmare of harassment, violent threats and assaults after Oct. 7. Getty Images

They recounted seeing drawings of swastikas in their dorms, students yelling pro-Hamas chants, and being denied access to public spaces and opportunities simply because they were Jewish or Israeli.

Testimony from nearly five hundred Columbia students informed the report, which found visibly observant Jews had been pinned to the wall and had their jewelry ripped off while coming and going from synagogue. Others recounted being spat on and having been called ethnic slurs on campus.

One student, who had installed a mezuzah on her dorms doorway prior to the Israel-Hamas war, was forced to move out after people were pounding her door throughout the night beginning in October, demanding she explain the Jewish states war in Gaza.

If I walk on campus right now with my star out or kippah or say am Yisrael chai, I could start World War III, one anonymous students testimony read.

Instructors tasked with guiding and mentoring students instead contributed to the sense of isolation and unease among Jews and Israelis on campus, according to the report.

Students recalled being pushed to the ground and watching Israeli flags being burned. James Keivom

One faculty member leading a class that delved into the Israel-Hamas conflict called a student who previously served in the IDF a murderer. Another professor extensively said a pair of Jewish donors to the university had laundered dirty money and blood money.

During the spring, as protests and encampments roiled the schools Morningside Heights campus, protesters, including outsiders and members of the university community, bellowed death threats at Jewish students. Demonstrators who held Israeli flags, meanwhile, recalled being assaulted.

There is a sense of personal threat, and we keep looking over our shoulders, masters student Omer Lubaton Granot, an Israeli veteran and father of a toddler, told an Israeli radio station in the wake of protesters seizing the academic building Hamilton Hall in April.

Visibly Jewish students said they were spat on and called ethnic slurs on campus. Paige Kahn/NY Post

Councilman Eric Dinowitz (D-Bronx) described the students testimonies as horrifying  and not surprising.

These are stories weve been hearing about, as the report says, even before the encampments, he told The Post, adding that antisemitism had been on the rise at college campuses even before Oct. 7

Without any sort of consequence [for students and faculty] this sort of behavior will continue.

As protests and encampments roiled Columbias Morningside Heights campus, demonstrator bellowed death threats at Jewish students. James Keivom

The task force offered several recommendations to address the issues detailed in the voluminous report, including improved anti-bias training for students and staff along with a new system for reporting complaints about antisemitism.

The report was issued just days before Columbias fall semester begins and less then three weeks after embattled university president Minouhce Shafik suddenly resigned, citing the period of turmoil that marred her brief tenure at the school.

Interim President Katrina Armstrong called the disturbing incidents completely unacceptable before rattling off new initiatives at the university aligning with the panels recommendations.

This is an opportunity to acknowledge the harm that has been done and to pledge to make the changes necessary to do better and to rededicate ourselves, as university leaders, as individuals, and as a community, to our core mission of teaching and research, she said.
Bjoern Hoecke, lead candidate of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, walks through the state parliament after the first forecast results for the state election in the AfD election party in Erfurt. Michael Kappeler/dpa

As victory loomed for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Sunday's state parliamentary polls in the central German state of Thuringia, media workers found themselves barred from the party's election day celebrations.

Photographers and camera crews from around the country gathered outside the pub where AfD members and supporters were meeting in order to report the reactions of the party base.

However, due to a legal stand-off with the party, media were denied entry to the event, at which AfD members were clearly in high spirits.

Upon his arrival, the firebrand leader of the AfD's chapter in Thuringia Bjorn Hocke said: "We will be able to celebrate a historic victory today."

The AfD is projected to win the regional vote in Thuringia, according to initial forecasts after polling stations closed at 6 pm (1600 GMT).

However, it probably does not have an option to govern as all other parties have ruled out cooperation in advance.

The decision to deny journalists access despite accreditation was only made on Saturday evening.

Legal action taken by a group of media outlets, who must be granted access by court order, has forced the AfD "to cancel the event in its previously planned form," said a party spokesman.

The court ruling meant that more than 150 media representatives would have to be admitted to a venue that could only hold 200 people at best, in addition to 150 registered party guests, the AfD said of its decision.

"The event would have to be cancelled due to overcrowding. The safety of all participants would not be guaranteed," the spokesman said.
A federal judge blocked Ohio's ban on foreign nationals and green card holders contributing to ballot campaigns.

U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson ruled Saturday that the Ohio law, which was set to take effect Sunday, violated the First Amendment rights of non-U.S. citizens living here legally, often known as green card holders.

Watson concluded that Ohio lawmakers have a legitimate interest in protecting ballot issues from foreign influence, but this law missed the mark.

For example, the law doesn't limit foreign companies from contributing to ballot measures. Instead, it likely violates the rights of lawful permanent residents, who live in the United States indefinitely and can serve in the military.

"If the U.S. Federal Government trusts LPRs [lawful permanent residents] to put U.S. interests first in the military (of all places), how could this Court hold that it does not trust them to promote U.S. interests in their political spending? It cannot," wrote Watson, who was appointed to the court by former President George W. Bush.

Ohio lawmakers added a ban on foreign contributions to ballot campaigns to a bill changing the deadline for presidential nominees to make the Ohio ballot. Democrats scheduled their national convention this year after Ohio's initial deadline, necessitating the change.

There already was a ban in Ohio on candidate donations.

The penalty for these contributions is a fine of at least $10,000 or three times the amount contributed and a first-degree misdemeanor for the first offense or a fifth-degree felony for repeat offenses. The Ohio attorney general is tasked with investigating and prosecuting these crimes.

When the bill was moving through the Legislature, Republican lawmakers like Rep. Bill Seitz, of Green Township, and Sen. Niraj Antani, of Miamisburg, warned that a judge could decide that they had overstepped.

"Green card holders absolutely have the right to freedom of speech," Antani said before the vote. "And absolutely, donating to campaigns and candidates is free speech. This is going to get mucked up in the courts."

Antani's words proved prescient on Saturday.

Watson wrote: "Not only does the First Amendment protect lawful resident foreign nationals as speakers, but it also protects U.S. citizens right to hear those foreign nationals political speech."

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The lawsuit challenging Ohio's ban on foreign spending was filed by OPAWL  Building AAPI Feminist Leadership, Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, a German citizen and her husband who live in northeast Ohio and a Canadian citizen who lives in Silver Lake by the Elias Law Group and Cooper Elliott.

Read the decision:

Decision on Ohio ban on foreign contributions to ballot campaigns by Jessie Balmert on Scribd

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Jessie Balmert covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Federal judge blocks Ohio ban on foreign donations to ballot campaigns
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said she supports the idea of "an enforceable code" of ethics for Supreme Court justices, at least as a general concept.

Speaking in an interview that aired on "CBS News Sunday Morning," the justice told Norah O'Donnell, "A binding code of ethics is pretty standard for judges, and so I guess the question is: Is the Supreme Court any different? I guess I have not seen a persuasive reason as to why the court is different."

Jackson said she couldn't weigh in on any specific proposal but supported the idea in broad terms.

"I am considering supporting it as a general matter," she said. "I'm not going to get into commenting on particular policy proposals, but from my perspective, I don't have any any problem with an enforceable code."

Debate over a code of ethics for the Supreme Court has increased due to extensive revelations in the last few years about trips and gifts provided to Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito. In July, President Joe Biden proposed term limits for the justices, in addition to a code of ethics for those serving on the nation's highest court.

"It really boils down to impartiality," Jackson said of a code of ethics.

The justice also discussed the recent Supreme Court ruling that declared that the president has immunity for official actions, at least under certain circumstances. Jackson dissented in that case, which was an enormous legal victory for former President Donald Trump.

"I was concerned," she told O'Donnell, "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."

Jackson, who was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022, has been promoting her book, "Lovely One: A Memoir," which is to be released Tuesday. In the CBS interview, she appeared alongside her husband, Dr. Patrick Jackson, who said he was convinced that his wife was destined to be appointed to the Supreme Court.
ENFIELD, CT. (WWLP)  K-9 Duke of the Enfield Police Department has been donated a bullet and stab protective vest from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

Injured red-tailed hawk rescued from Moody Road in Enfield

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charity established in 2009 whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States, according to the Enfield Police Department. The non-profit has provided over 5,435 vests to K-9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, which was made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to any dogs in the United States that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K-9s that have expired vests are also eligible to participate.

There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s throughout the United States, and not all of them have protective vests. Each vest has a value of $1,800, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty.

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.
Time is running out for Kamala Harris to distance herself from U.S. policies that enable Israel to continue with mass murder and genocide in Gaza. Polling shows that a pivot toward moral decency would improve her chances of defeating Donald Trump. But during her CNN interview Thursday night, Harris remained in lockstep with President Bidens unconditional arming of Israel.

Two weeks ago, YouGov pollsters released findings in Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania, three swing states now on a razors edge between Harris and Trump. In Pennsylvania, 34 percent of respondents said they would be more likely to vote for the Democratic nominee if the nominee vowed to withhold weapons to Israel, compared to 7 percent who said they would be less likely. The rest said it would make no difference, the new journalism site Zeteo reported.

Results in the two other states were similar. In Arizona, 35 percent said theyd be more likely, while 5 percent would be less likely. And in Georgia, 39 percent said theyd be more likely, also compared to 5 percent who would be less likely.

But on CNN, Harris stuck to echoing Bidens rhetoric  calling for a ceasefire while dodging the reality that the U.S. government could force one by implementing an arms embargo on Israel.

Huge U.S. shipments of weapons and bombs to Israel keep allowing it to massacre and starve civilians of all ages while violating federal statutes as well as international law. Days ago, Biden approved sending arms to Israel worth upwards of $20 billion. The transfers were called sales, but as policy analyst Stephen Semler pointed out, most if not all of this materiel is paid for by U.S. taxpayers  Israel uses much of the military aid Congress approves for it effectively as a gift card to buy U.S.-made weapons.

Just listening to Harris during her CNN interview, youd be clueless about the realities that the UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, spelled out in a statement midway through August: The people of Gaza are now grieving 40,000 Palestinian lives lost, according to Gazas health ministry. Most of the dead are women and children. This unimaginable situation is overwhelmingly due to recurring failures by the Israeli Defense Forces to comply with the rules of war. On average, about 130 people have been killed every day in Gaza over the past 10 months. The scale of the Israeli militarys destruction of homes, hospitals, schools and places of worship is deeply shocking.

Notably, Harris gave no indication of the number of Palestinian lives lost  while she did say that 1,200 Israelis, including many young people, lost their lives on October 7. That most of the Palestinians who died were children and women went unmentioned.

While the vice president said that Israelis were massacred, she relied on passive voice to say only that too many Palestinians have been killed.

After recording the interview, I transcribed it in full:

CNNS Dana Bash: President Biden has tried unsuccessfully to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Hes been doing it for months and months along with you. 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.

Harris: 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 gonna change. But lets take a step back. October 7. Twelve hundred people are massacred, many young people who are simply attending a music festival. Women were horribly raped. As I said then I say today, Israel had a right, has a right to defend itself. 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. We were in Doha, we have to get a deal done, this war must end

Bash: And in the meantime 

Harris: And we must get a deal that is about getting the hostages out. Ive met with the families of the American hostages. Lets get the hostages out. Lets get the ceasefire done.

Bash: But no change in policy? In terms of arms and so forth.

Harris: No. We have to get a deal done. Dana, 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, 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 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.

When I heard Harris say I remain committed, I felt sure that the phrase two-state solution could not be far behind. For U.S. politicians and pundits, it has become a handy slogan to assert virtuous intent  rendered more and more absurd as Israels terroristic ethnic cleansing persists in Gaza and escalates in the occupied West Bank. And as genocide continues to gain momentum.

There is every reason to believe that Donald Trump  who said this summer that the president should let Israel finish the job  would be even worse than Biden as an accomplice to Israels slaughter of Palestinian people. But thats no reason to evade the unconscionable complicity of President Biden in the daily mass atrocities.

A suction tube of euphemisms and evasion has captured many a partisan mind. And so it was from the podium of the Democratic National Convention, when the usually admirable Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez descended into making the groundless claim that Harris is working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and bringing the hostages home.

In sharp contrast, with horrors in Gaza continuing, fellow Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib has never taken the easy way out. As she has done countless times since last fall, on Thursday she sent out a truthful and disturbing message.

Palestinian Americans feel invisible, with our trauma and pain unseen and ignored by both Democrats and Republicans, Tlaib wrote. We want action to stop the horrific massacres of our families and polling shows that, regardless of political party, the majority of Americans are with us. . . . Yet, even after over 600 weapons shipments since October, including fighter jets, high explosive mortars, and more, the Biden administration has approved another $20 billion in weapons for the Israeli military to commit well-documented war crimes and continue to murder Palestinian children and civilians.

And Tlaib wrote: An arms embargo to stop the genocide is not just the moral, just, and right thing to do. It is also good politics.

Whether Kamala Harris will ever really get the message is unclear.
This is an adapted excerpt from the Aug. 29 episode of "Alex Wagner Tonight."

Just one month before Election Day in 2016, the infamous Access Hollywood tape was leaked. It was a shocking and despicable 70-second video that will surely have its own wing in the future Donald J. Trump Museum of Sexism.

In the wake of that offensive hot mic audio, panicked talks ensued to replace Trump at the top of the Republican ticket. At that moment, the GOP had the chance to do the right thing and replace him as the nominee. But, of course, that didnt happen and he eventually became the president of the United States.

This turn of events sent a very depressing reminder to women across America: Even someone as lewd and misogynistic as Trump can rise to the highest office in our country. In other words, sexism is acceptable.

Now, in 2024, Trump is once again running for president; his opponent is, once again, a woman; and his gross sexism is, once again, in overdrive and on full display.

On Wednesday, Trump went on a Truth Social rampage, reposting QAnon slogans, altered images and calls to jail his political rivals. In a period of just 30 minutes, he reposted 30 times  and Im supposed to believe women are the emotional ones?

In the midst of this vomitous social media spew, Trump reposted a photo of arguably the two most accomplished female politicians in America, Hillary Clinton and Vice President Kamala Harris. The photo was accompanied by a caption that is almost unspeakably vile, suggesting that the vice president of the United States slept her way to the top. A Trump campaign senior adviser laughably tried defending the former president by suggesting that Trump had not read the caption.

But thats only just the latest example of Trumps sexism in this election cycle. He and his supporters have been making gender-based attacks on Harris for weeks now.

Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly also suggested Harris slept her way to the top. In an interview on Fox News in July, Trump told Laura Ingraham that world leaders would treat Harris like a play toy. Another Fox News host, Jesse Watters, asked if voters would gamble the country away on a frightened woman. In a separate appearance, Watters also remarked that, if elected, generals would have their way with Harris.

All of that is in addition to the racist attacks Trump and Fox News have made about Harris mixed-race identity, including calling her a DEI hire. Theres also the fact that just last year, a jury of Trumps peers found him liable for the sexual abuse of columnist E. Jean Carroll.

We have a chance to redo that moment from 2016. Back then, despite Trumps sexism and misogyny, he still became president. But now in 2024, we have the chance to show that in America sexism will not be tolerated. Its time for us to show were better than that. Were better than Trump.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Police are searching for a missing 12-year-old girl who was last seen Saturday night in Kansas City, Missouri.

According to the Kansas City Police Department, Alma Martinez was last seen at about 11:30 p.m. near the 3700 block of Gardner Avenue. She was said to be walking on foot.

Woman dies in hospital one day after deadly Grandview motorcycle crash

Police said it is unknown exactly what she was wearing, but she often wears long-sleeved shirts.

Martinez is described as 5 foot 2 inches tall and weighing 100 pounds.

If you or anyone you know has information regarding Alma Martinezs whereabouts, police ask that you contact the Missing Persons unit at (816) 234-5043 or 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
When you think of the perks that come with being a member of Congress, the salary and lifetime benefits might be the first things that come to mind. But theres more on the table  U.S. representatives and senators also have access to a taxpayer-matched savings plan that can contribute up to 5% of their salary, and theyre eligible for Social Security benefits, just like the rest of taxpayers.

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The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement  How do you compare ?

Can you guess how many Americans successfully retire with $1,000,000 saved? The percentage may shock you.

Even the most powerful politicians in the country, who often have millions in the bank, can collect Social Security if theyve paid into the system long enough. This includes Nancy Pelosi, who has been a dominant figure in U.S. politics for more than three decades.

At 84, Pelosi has represented San Francisco in Congress for over 36 years, making history as the first and only woman to serve as Speaker of the House  first from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. Throughout her career, shes been at the helm of key decisions that have shaped the nation. And while her $223,500 annual salary as Speaker of the House was nothing to scoff at, her financial portfolio extends well beyond that.

Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement How do you compare?

Thanks to her years of service, Pelosi will receive a substantial public pension and could potentially withdraw around $1 million from her federal savings account. And despite her considerable wealth  estimated at around $120 million according to Celebrity Net Worth  Pelosi is still entitled to Social Security benefits. If she started collecting in 2023, she could receive the maximum benefit of $4,555 per month, adding up to $54,660 annually.

See Also: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? How does it compare to the average?

Before 1984, members of Congress and other federal civil service employees didnt pay into Social Security and, as a result, werent eligible to receive benefits. However, those elected after 1984, like Pelosi, fall under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and are entitled to the same Social Security benefits as any other American who meets the eligibility requirements.

Pelosi could have started collecting Social Security benefits as early as 2002 when she turned 62, albeit at a reduced rate. The exact amount of her Social Security check isnt publicly disclosed. But given her long career and high earnings, its safe to assume she qualifies for the maximum benefit.

Story continues

Trending: The number of 401(k)' Millionaires is up 43% from last year Here are three ways to join the club.

While some wealthy individuals might choose to skip out on Social Security, Pelosi and her husband, Paul, have other income streams that could make this choice a realistic option for them. Like other high-net-worth individuals, she has the option to decline Social Security if she wishes.

The decision to draw Social Security benefits is a personal one, influenced by various factors, including financial needs and other sources of income. For Pelosi, its just one more piece of an already impressive financial puzzle, a testament to the benefits that come with a long and storied career in public service. Whether shes cashing her Social Security checks or not, one things for sure  Pelosis retirement years are looking pretty comfortable.

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This article Can You Guess How Big Nancy Pelosi's Monthly Social Security Check Is? originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Kennesaw man sentenced to 15 years in prison for child sex crimes

A Cobb County man was sentenced to 40 years for sexual crimes against a child.

Wolford Hunter Kilgore, 54, pleaded guilty to aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, and child molestation on August 16, 2024.

A judge sentenced him to 40 years, with the first 15 years to be served in prison without the possibility of parole.

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The rest of his sentence will be served on probation.

He is forbidden from having any contact with the victim and will be registered as a sex offender.

According to court testimony, the child told authorities that Kilgore touched and molested her at his home in Kennesaw.

The abuse took place over 18 months.

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Russia does not expect a quick mediation success in resolving the war in Ukraine if Donald Trump is re-elected as US president, according to the leadership in Moscow.

"I don't think there is a magic wand. It cannot be done in one day," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in extracts of his interview with the "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin." programme due to be shown on Russian television on Sunday.

Peskov was commenting on earlier claims by the former US president and current Republican candidate for the White House that he could end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict started by Moscow in a day.

Nevertheless, Peskov toyed with the idea, saying it was conceivable that "the next US president announces in his inauguration speech that the United States is in favour of peace and is therefore ending its support for Ukraine.

"Then perhaps something will change in thinking the next morning, especially in Kiev," Peskov added.

However, he stressed that this was purely hypothetical, given the extent of US support for Ukraine's war effort against Russia.

The US is already very much part of the conflict through its arms supplies to Ukraine, Peskov said, describing the relationship between Moscow and Washington as worse than it has been "for decades" as a result.

Officially, Peskov stuck to the line that Russia was not favouring anyone in the election campaign between Trump and Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris.

Thanks to military and financial support by Western countries, Ukraine has been fending off the Russian invasion for two and a half years.

Despite the aid, it has been unable to fully repel the attack, which in view of high casualties on both sides has increased the pressure to seek a diplomatic solution.

However, Moscow's demands for an end to the war so far effectively amount to a capitulation by Ukraine.
(Reuters) - Russia sees U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris as a more predictable opponent than Republican Donald Trump, though in any case there is no prospect of an improvement in relations with Washington, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

In an interview with Pavel Zarubin, a TV reporter with favoured access to the Kremlin, Peskov also appeared dismissive of Trump's boast that he could end the Ukraine war within 24 hours if U.S. voters returned him to the White House.

Before Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from November's election and threw his support behind Harris, Russian President Vladimir Putin had said that Moscow preferred Biden over Trump, describing the former as an experienced "old school" type of politician.

With Biden out of the running, Zarubin asked Peskov, laughing: "Then who is our candidate now?"

Peskov, also laughing, replied: "We have no candidate. But, of course, the Democrats are more predictable. And what Putin said about Biden's predictability applies to almost all Democrats, including Ms. Harris."

While stating that the election was an internal U.S. matter, Putin and Peskov have offered a variety of opinions at different times. In February, for example, Putin praised Biden for his predictability but also discussed the sensitive topic of his mental fitness for office in comments that appeared designed to sow mischief.

In June, he said Russia did not care who the next U.S. president was, but that the U.S. court system was clearly being used in a political battle against Trump.

Peskov, in the interview published on Sunday, said U.S. steps to "trample on our country's interests" had exceeded acceptable limits. Bilateral relations were at a historic low point, with "no prospects" at the moment of setting them on a path towards recovery.

The Kremlin spokesman said there was no "magic wand" to resolve the Ukraine crisis overnight in the way that Trump has promised.

He said it was "fantasy" to imagine that the next U.S. president would announce in their inauguration speech that Washington was halting military aid to Ukraine and calling for peace negotiations, and that this would change mindsets in Kyiv.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Here is question for voters: Are you looking for the next president to deliver on jobs?

A seemingly wild statistic making the rounds suggests that if job creation is your top priority, you may be looking at a no-brainer between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent, Donald Trump. That is, if we go by the party affiliation of the president.

Since 1989, 51 million jobs have been created in the United States, based on figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fifty million of those jobs have been under Democratic presidents. In other words, almost all of them.

Former President Bill Clinton brought up the eye-popping disparity during his speech on Aug. 21, the third night of the Democratic National Convention.

I swear I checked this three times, Clinton said. Even I couldnt believe it. Whats the score? Democrats 50, Republicans one.

Former President Clinton's figures on jobs check out

So, I know what youre thinking. He is a politician backing his own Democratic party over Trump and the Republicans in November.

Undoubtedly true.

But Clintons figures check out, according to a fact-check by The Washington Post and others. In March, PolitiFact, a nonpartisan fact-checker, rated a nearly identical claim by Democratic political strategist Simon Rosenberg, as Mostly True. PolitiFact upheld Rosenberg's numbers but added that his conclusion ignores caveats around divided governance and lucky timing.

A chart from The Washington Post compares employment changes during Democratic vs. Republican presidential administrations.

The Republican Congress of 1995 to 2001 might deserve a share of the credit for the job growth under Clinton, PolitiFact wrote, as could the Democratic House that served during Republican President Ronald Reagans entire presidency.

I still believe this 50-to-1 jobs stat should inspire reporters with access to Trump to at least ask him about it. And its a valid question to put to Republican candidates, generally speaking. After all, it involves the economy, which Americans list as one of their top concerns every election.

COVID-19 recovery is only part of Biden's big job numbers

The time span, roughly the end of the Cold War in 1989 to the present, covers four Republican presidential terms: President George H.W. Bush, who served one term; his son, George W. Bush, who served two terms; and Trump, who served one term.

The period covers five Democratic presidential terms: Clinton and Barack Obama, who both served two terms, and President Joe Biden, who is in his first term.

Biden's administration follows a time of significant employment disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it was never true, as Trump has claimed, that Bidens job gains were due to the hiring of undocumented immigrants and bounce-back jobs from COVID.

There has been some job growth related to laid-off people finding new jobs, but that still leaves Biden in good shape. His job numbers passed the pre-pandemic levels of employment in June 2022 and have since created 6.2 million additional jobs, according to PBS.

As a president, he is somewhat unmatched in job creation in the modern era. His policies are part of the reason. The bipartisan bill that passed in March of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act, by itself created 1 to 4 million jobs.

As analyst Rosenberg states: Bidens 15.4m jobs are 8 times as many jobs as were created in the 16 years of the last 3 Republican Presidencies, combined. (Emphasis his.)

Obama moves helped the economy at great political cost

There are other caveats to the jobs gap between the parties. The pandemic started during Trumps administration and the related job losses left him in a hole, as the only president in the modern era who did not finish his term with a net gain in jobs. Even giving him this benefit of the doubt, the raw numbers debunk a firm belief by many of his supporters that he was a great jobs president. He wasn't.

Meanwhile, timing can play a role, as PolitiFact noted. Bill Clintons administration coincided with the tech boom, which sprouted many new companies that would go on to create the online infrastructure and devices we now take for granted.

But Democratic administrations have had their own challenges, as all presidencies do. Obama in particular was handed the Great Recession and unemployment hovering around 10% when his term began in January 2009.

He passed massive economic stimulus with precious little Republican support. He also signed into law the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. All this large-scale legislation came at a political cost as his party was wiped out in the 2010 midterm elections.

But Obama was able to hand to his successor, Trump, an unemployment rate that had been cut in half, below the historical norm, and an economy that had added 11.6 million net jobs. Plus, at least 15 million more people had health insurance to help them weather the hard times.

Lets be real. It would not have been in the same place with no stimulus, which economists at the time supported, and which the GOP in Washington was nearly united against.

Opinion editor Myron B. Pitts.

How much difference can a president make?

The debate over how much the president can affect the economy is a never-ending one, but I believe it is never a zero effect. I believe a president's policies matter, at least to a degree.

And thats why its worth at least asking Trump and the GOP what is it about their policies that could lead to a 50-to-1 disparity in getting Americans into new jobs.

Opinion Editor Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Clinton's DNC claim on Democrats' big lead in job creation
A farmworker in Maine harvests zucchini. (Courtesy of John Williams/MOFGA)

On this Labor Day, the Maine Center for Economic Policy put together an explainer outlining how rights for farmworkers in Maine differ from the protections other workers are guaranteed.

Who are Maines farmworkers?

The people who milk our cows, rake our blueberries, harvest our potatoes, and do the hard work to power Maines agricultural sector come from diverse backgrounds, and are disproportionately Black, Latino, and Indigenous. According to the USDAs 2022 Census of Agriculture, some of these workers are full-time Maine residents, others are migrant workers, and around 1,300 are working in Maine on H-2A visas for temporary agricultural workers. While our state has more than 7,000 farms  many of them small, family-owned operations  roughly 300 farms that employ at least 10 workers account for more than half (58%) of the jobs held by Maines roughly 11,000 farmworkers. Seventy three percent of Maines small family farms do not hire any farmworkers.

What labor rights are farmworkers denied?

Under current Maine law, farmworkers are denied many basic rights most workers take for granted. These include the right to:

Be paid no less than the state minimum wage

Receive a pay stub

Take unpaid rest breaks

Receive protection from excessive mandatory overtime hours

Receive overtime pay

Organize and collectively bargain with their employers

Engage in concerted activity with coworkers to improve their working conditions

Farmworkers across the U.S. have been excluded from fundamental labor laws for as long as those laws have existed. New Deal legislation passed in the 1930s, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which mandates minimum wage and overtime pay, and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which established federal labor law, excluded agricultural and domestic workers. These exclusions were enshrined in law as a way to secure the necessary votes from Southern Democrats at a time when more than half of Black workers were employed in those sectors, a legacy of slavery.

Since then, the Fair Labor Standards Act was amended to require farmworkers be paid at least the federal minimum wage. For many workers, that federal rate of $7.25 per hour is well below their states minimum wage. In 2025, the federal minimum wage will be less than half of Maines. Partly as a result of these unequal labor standards, Maine farmworkers are roughly 4.5 times as likely as other workers to live in poverty.

What can be done about it?

More than a dozen states, including those representing the nations largest agricultural producers, have taken steps to correct these historic exclusions. For example:

California , which employs the largest number of farmworkers and grows over a third of U.S. vegetables and nearly three quarters of our fruits and nuts, extends minimum wage, overtime, and collective bargaining protections to farmworkers.

In Colorado , where agriculture is the states second largest industry, farmworkers are now covered under state laws for minimum wage, overtime pay, rest breaks, and the right to organize and collectively bargain.

Ranking in the top ten in production of 30 commodities, New York established the Farm Laborers Fair Practices Act in 2019, providing labor protections that include minimum wage and overtime, a weekly day of rest, the right to organize, paid family and medical leave, and migrant worker safe housing standards.

Here in Maine, lawmakers, farmworkers, farmers, and advocates have pushed to follow in other states footsteps. Since 2021, the Legislature has passed four bills that cover farmworkers by the state minimum wage, extend collective bargaining rights, and protect them from retaliation for engaging in concerted activity. All four bills were ultimately vetoed by Governor Janet Mills. In her latest veto, Mills opposed her own minimum wage bill because it allowed farmworkers to defend their minimum wage rights in a court of law, a right afforded to all other workers under state law.

Did you know?

Nationally in 2022, farmworkers earned 40% less than comparable non-agricultural workers.

Nationally, 70% of investigations at farms by the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division found violations of labor law, including wage theft. But the probability that the department will investigate any farm employer is about 1 in 100.

Foreign agricultural workers in the US on H-2A visas enjoy several protections not extended to Maines farmworkers, including an adverse effect wage rate of $17.80 per hour ($3.65 higher than Maines minimum wage and $10 higher than the federal minimum wage), employer-provided transportation and housing, the right to concerted activity, and protections from being fired without cause.

98% of Maine farmworkers surveyed in 2024 by the Maine Department of Labor favored extending Maines minimum wage protections.

Maine farmers who participated in minimum wage listening sessions report that they already pay at or above Maines minimum wage. Some also provide transportation and housing.

A Maine worker who is paid less than the state minimum wage or does not receive a pay stub has no standing under Maine law.

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An eviction notice is posted and the lock is changed on a residence in the unincorporated community of Galloway on March 3, 2021 west of Columbus, Ohio. Property management teams are given 1 1/2 hours to remove all items from the property under supervision of the service bailiff. (Photo by Stephen Zenner/Getty Images)

Evictions are a window into Americas rental housing crisis: In 2022, more than half of all renters spent more than a third of their income on housing, and millions of tenants who miss rent payments are evicted each year.

When renters are kicked out of their homes, the consequences can be disastrous. Families might lose their possessions when they are piled on the sidewalk, or cant afford the fee to get them out of storage. Children might have to switch schools, and studies show that evictions often lead to job loss and depression.

The most recent eviction data, based on court records, suggests that 3.6 million evictions were filed in 2018, or 7.8 for every 100 renter households. Those numbers, from the Eviction Lab at Princeton University, are considered to be the best available. But they dont come close to painting a full picture.

Court records on eviction filings vary from county to county, and typically dont contain much information beyond names and addresses. Crucially, they usually dont detail the eventual outcome of the legal proceedings. And legal records only represent evictions that make it to court, not informal ones that occur outside the legal process, such as when a property owner simply changes the locks.

Theres virtually nothing on anything that might happen outside of the court system, like more informal evictions where its maybe just a threat, and the person moves out, said Jill Naamane, a director at the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the lead author of a recent report on the limits of eviction data.

Evictions are called something different in lots of different places. There are writs of this and complaints of that, and even after understanding all those different nuances in the thousands of places, you still may not really have a good data set.

Researchers and housing advocates say policymakers need better eviction information to make meaningful progress in addressing the nations affordable housing crisis. Many of them are calling on the federal government to collect and standardize the disparate data, and to provide demographic details on the tenants and property owners involved in evictions.

Collecting data

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development collects data on tenants who leave public housing, but it does not gather information on people who are evicted from private housing. In 2020, Congress directed the agency to study the feasibility of creating an evictions database, but four years later, it doesnt exist.

Theres virtually nothing on anything that might happen outside of the court system, like more informal evictions where its maybe just a threat, and the person moves out.

 Jill Naamane, a director at the U.S. Government Accountability Office

In the absence of a federal database, the Eviction Lab has become one of the primary sources of eviction information. But the group relies on court filings, and despite aggregating more than 99 million eviction records and 30,000 county reports on eviction filings between 2000 and 2018, it does not have reliable data for the counties that include a third of renters.

In one county, they use one software and track it digitally, and literally the neighboring county could be something completely different, said Camila Vallejo, a researcher at the Eviction Lab. It makes it really hard to funnel that data outwards if all the courts arent [using] the same resources or instructions.

Property owners typically seek to evict tenants for nonpayment of rent or other violations of lease agreements. Owners begin eviction proceedings by notifying the tenant, then filing a lawsuit in a local court.

Court filings allow researchers to determine how often property owners begin this process, but they can be a poor measurement of actual evictions.

For example, the filings dont always indicate whether the court has ruled in favor of the landlord and ordered the tenants to leave. A tenant might leave voluntarily after getting an eviction notice, or the property owner might drop the filing after reaching a payment agreement with the tenant. Even after an eviction judgment, a landlord might allow a tenant to remain if certain conditions are met.

Property owners also might pursue an informal eviction outside the court system, by changing entry-door locks or shutting off utilities.

Carl Gershenson, the director of the Eviction Lab, said the group is working on ways to fill in some of those gaps.

A lot of this involves linking the eviction records to other sources of address data, Gershenson said. Were close to getting a good estimate of how many people are ultimately displaced upon receiving these filings.

Advances in artificial intelligence might aid such efforts, according to Tim Thomas, director of the Urban Displacement Project at the University of Toronto and the University of California, Berkeley.

Thomas noted that even the limited eviction data that is available now has had a profound impact on policy. For example, he said, it helped prompt the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a moratorium on evictions during the pandemic. That cut eviction filings by more than half in 31 cities tracked by the Eviction Lab.

The pandemic put gasoline on the fire, said Thomas. The data we had prior to the pandemic helped inspire the CDC moratorium. Without that data, we wouldnt have had as strong of a response.

Who is most affected

Recent studies on the demographics of the people evicted also have had an effect on policy, advocates say. Multiple studies and reports show that Black women, infants and young children are disproportionately affected by evictions.

Such research has helped spur state legislation to guarantee tenants right to counsel in eviction proceedings. The National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel estimates that 83% of landlords have a lawyer in eviction proceedings, compared with 4% of tenants. It also has sparked so-called just cause laws that limit the reasons a landlord can evict a tenant or refuse to renew a lease.

Colorado Democratic state Rep. Javier Mabrey, an eviction lawyer who sponsored a just cause measure that Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed into law in April, said he was inspired by personal experience: When he was 15, a landlord evicted him, his brother and his permanently disabled mother, leaving them homeless.

He told Stateline that bringing House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a fellow Democrat, to see eviction court helped earn her support after she voted against the measure last year.

This year, after coming to eviction court with me, it was one of the bills that she highlighted in her speech opening the legislative session, Mabrey said. When you peel back the curtain on the eviction process, it highlights the need for these protections for tenants.

This story was originally produced by Stateline which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (KRQE)  After major floods devasted the City of Las Vegas, New Mexico, in June, city councilors approved an agreement with the federal government to receive much-needed funding for future emergency responses.

[Make sure were] having systems in place that if we endure the same situation that we did on June 21st, that were ready to go, and were not having to shut down businesses, said Las Vegas Mayor David Romero. Were not having to ask the community to conserve the way we did.

The $98 million is just a portion of a larger $140 million pot the City of Las Vegas is getting from the federal government.

Albuquerque bartender wins national competition

The process to get the funding was started by the citys past administration and was earmarked for water treatment plant upgrades. However, with the recent floods, the city is in need of the funds right now to improve preventative emergency systems.

After the June 21st flooding situation that we had, it brought to light a lot of needs to our system, said Mayor Romero.

One of the ways the city is looking to use that money is by upgrading its water storage as it awaits the treatment plant upgrades.

We need more storage tanks to beef up our reserves, Mayor Romero said. We know that the treatment plant is going to take upwards of five years to build.

Mayor Romero said this would help the city during times when theres limited access to treated water.

Parts of the current water treatment facility date back to about the 1960s, but improvements have been made over the years. With this funding, they hope to make even more.

Story continues below

Were going to continue to improve our facilities, which the water treatment plant, at the end of the day, is the big goal, Mayor Romero added.

City officials said theyve signed their portion of the agreement and are waiting for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to sign theirs.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
(Bloomberg) -- With Donald Trump now championing a decentralized finance platform while pledging to make America the crypto capital of the world, all eyes are focused on the growing digital-asset efforts of the former presidents family and associates.

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In recent weeks, the Republican presidential nominee and two of his sons have been promoting World Liberty Financial, a DeFi project that aims to eliminate intermediaries such as banks through the use of software-driven applications. Trump just put our his fourth collection of nonfungible tokens, which represent unique ownership of assets like images depicting him riding a motorcycle or as a boxer. Melania Trumps upcoming memoir can be purchased with a digital collectible, according to her website.

While five years ago, Trump said he was not a fan of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, his family and associates have clearly since whole-heartedly embraced crypto  and already made millions off of it.

For several years now, Donald Trump has been making money by lending his name or likeness to crypto-related products much as he has done throughout his life for everything from real estate to steaks to menswear.

Trumps CIC Digital LLC, which earned $7.2 million through licensing his image on NFTs, held a crypto wallet with at least $1 million in Ether, according to 2024 disclosures. In August, 1,000 Trump-branded Crypto Sneakers became available for pre-order for $499 through CIC Ventures LLC. CIC Ventures is connected to Trump lawyer John Marion IV, according to registration documents in Florida. Marion has represented Trump in Florida, where he argued the former president could live at Mar-a-Lago full time, according to NPR.

Trump is working on the NFT collections with Bill Zanker, a friend of 30 years who co-wrote a book with him, Think Big and Kick Ass, published in 2007. Zanker used to book Trump as a speaker through his Leaning Annex business before suggesting to the former president that he should start selling NFTs about two years ago.

Melania Trump had put out several NFT collections, and even sold a gold Mothers Day necklace with a related NFT on the Solana blockchain. Just how successful the collections have been is unclear: The source of funds for the winning bid in the former first ladys first NFT auction appeared to be the creators of the project themselves.

Eric and Don Jr., along with their father, began promoting the DeFiant Ones Telegram channel for World Liberty Financial in August.

In an unusual twist, disgraced entrepreneur Martin Shkreli claimed  while offering no evidence  that Barron Trump, the presidents youngest son, was behind the DJT token. The coin debuted in June, and its price has since dropped by more than 97%. The Trump Organization didnt reply to a request for comment.

Trump son-in-law and former presidential adviser Jared Kushner advocated for a US digital dollar in 2019, according to documents obtained by CoinDesk. Earlier this year, Donald Trump said that he is against creating a central bank digital currency.

And than there is Steve Bannon, the chief executive of Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, key adviser and chief strategist at the start of his administration.

Several years ago, Bannon supported Himalaya Coin and a namesake exchange, whose website has since been seized by the FBI. Three people have been charged with soliciting more than $1 billion in investments using false statements and representations; Bannon wasnt mentioned in the complaint. Bannon had faced a number of federal charges and was pardoned by Trump in 2021. He is currently in prison on a contempt of Congress conviction, related to the 2021 US Capitol attack.

Cantor Fitzgerald LP CEO Howard Lutnick, who is co-chair of Trumps transition team, has been one of most vocal Wall Street supporters of crypto. Cantor Fitzgerald manages reserves for Tether Holdings, known for the $118 billion USDT stablecoin that is the most traded digital asset.

Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance first got involved in crypto well before joining the campaign. The Ohio senator has disclosed that he owns more than $250,000 in Bitcoin, according to documents obtained by CNN. He has also emerged as a crypto advocate on Capital Hill, working on a bill to revamp digital-asset regulations, according to Politico.

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Are mask ban laws about public safety or for lawmakers to quiet protesters? The controversies of face coverings outlined

The mask wars didnt end with Covid.

First, they were a public health imperative. Then they were banned in a conservative backlash. And now, in the wake of nationwide Israel-Palestine protests, lawmakers are trying to ban face coverings of all kinds, in a move many see as a strategy to yank the face masks off pro-Palestine voices and silence dissent.

Ohio warned its public universities that protesters could be charged with a felony under an obscure anti-mask law. Officials in Texas justified their police response to campus protests in part because students were wearing masks. Eight student protesters at the University of Florida were charged with misdemeanors, including wearing masks in public. And, in June, North Carolina passed a mask ban over the objection of its governor, adding extra penalties for crimes committed while wearing a mask and raising the punishment for activists who block traffic.

Backers of the efforts say the measures will increase public safety and protect minority communities from vigilante violence, but activists and legal experts tell The Independent the provisions could do the exact opposite: exposing protesters to potentially violent police interactions, threatening immunocompromised people, and silencing pro-Palestinian activism despite being ostensibly neutral.

Most recently, the University of California system, the nations largest, directed campuses to forbid students from wearing masks with the intent of intimidating any person or group or evading identification while breaking the law or school policy.

This approach troubles political science professor Graeme Blair of UCLA, which was home to a large Palestinian solidarity encampment that was attacked by a mob of masked counter-protesters and subject to a violent police sweep.

The University of California is the latest university system to ban student protestors from wearing masks, a policy that some say seeks to stomp out political dissent. (AFP via Getty Images)

They just have one goal. The UC administration would like to stop speech on campus about Palestine, he said. Thats really cynical from a college administration.

Blair, a member of Faculty for Justice in Palestine at UCLA, said his students had plenty of good reasons to mask up over the semester. In addition to health conditions and the ongoing Covid pandemic, there was the threat activists would be doxxed for participating in the demonstrations.

Sites like Canary Mission, as well as a constellation of even more opaque social media influencers and right-wing groups, regularly post details about pro-Palestinian activists, who are often then threatened on- and offline.

Nassau County, which covers part of Long Island, was one of the first places in the country to ban face masks. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who passed the legislation this month, said the bill will help identify individuals who commit violent or hate crimes. It provides exemptions for those who wear masks for religious or medical reasons, although its uncler how that will function in practise.

At a news conference in August, Blakeman said the bill was introduced in response to people who wore masks and engaged in antisemitic acts and added that the bill is a broad public safety measure  weve seen people use masks to shoplift, to carjack, to rob banks, and this is activity that we want to stop.

After Nassau County implemented its mask ban, the New York Civil Liberties Union wrote in a statement that the legislation fails to safeguard rights and liberties. Well say it again: masks protect people who express political opinions that are controversial. Officials should be supporting New Yorkers right to voice their views, not fueling widespread doxxing and threatening arrests.

A string of concerning incidents has prompted officials to consider expanding mask bans well beyond Nassau County.

In Los Angeles, violence broke out between pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israeli demonstrators at a synagogue in June after it had hosted an Israel real estate event, leading mayor Karen Bass to consider a mask ban.

That same month, a man was charged with attempted coercion after demanding that Zionists leave a subway during a protest, prompting New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams to throw their support behind a face mask ban.

A highway patrol officer detains a supporter of a ceasefire and arms embargo, amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, during a protest blocking the 405 freeway's southbound lanes, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. August 13, 2024. (REUTERS)

We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior. My team is working on a solution, but on a subway, people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes, Hochul said following the incident.

The proposals represented a sea change in New York, where masks were banned in public spaces for 175 years until legislators repealed the law during the pandemic due to health and civil rights concerns. Many subway riders still wear facemasks for health reasons.

New York State Senator James Skoufis introduced a bill in June banning face masks in public demonstrations across the state, following a similar law previously introduced in the Assembly. He wrote in a statement to The Independent that it is a mistake to characterize his bill as a mask ban because the law had been statute long before the pandemic: Everyone has a right to protest and express themselves freely, but no one has a right to assault or menace fellow New Yorkers while cowardly hiding behind a face covering.

During protests on campus this spring, UCLA professor Blair watched as counter-protesters hovered around the encampment with telephoto cameras, harassing activists to take off their face masks so they could be photographed and, presumably, have their personal information shared on the Internet. UC administrators observed the dynamic as well, the professor said, meaning theyd know the consequences of a mask rule.

I know that they know that the students who are at risk were those who were using their voices to stand in solidarity with Palestine, Blair told The Independent. Those are the people who had fireworks shot at them, who were bare maced and pepper sprayed.

A spokesperson for the UC presidents office told The Independent that, under the guidelines, masking for health reasons, or during authorized protests, will still be allowed, and campus police will determine in what contexts mask-wearing crosses the line.

Ensuring that masks are not used to intimidate or evade identification in situations involving violations of laws or policies helps enable free expression while maintaining the safety of all community members, the spokesperson said.

Beyond the civil rights concerns, some, like Xavier T. de Janon, director of mass defense at the National Lawyers Guild, worry that police would be the primary agents enforcing mask rules, further escalating already tense encounters between law enforcement and protesters.

These explanations of public safety, reducing violent offenses and all these things, dont match the reality on the ground of a protest and police behavior, he said. You can have all these laws, you can have a perfectly written mask ban, with all the exceptions, everything carefully detailed out so no one is harmed, but then the police can still use this law against anyone to criminalize them anyways.

Disability rights activists say mask bans may also endanger immunocompromised people, who are at greater risk of contracting infectious diseases. (AFP via Getty Images)

The mask policies are particularly concerning for those who have disabilities or are immunocompromised.

We have opposed mask bans generally because they do have a negative impact on people with disabilities in particular, who are at greater risk of contracting infectious diseases including Covid-19, Michelle Uzeta, deputy legal director at the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, told The Independent. It is unfortunate that masks have become such a political talking point. It really shouldnt be.

Not only do the bans threaten peoples health, but they silence disabled peoples political voice, according to Kaitlin Costello, an associate professor of library and information science at Rutgers in New Jersey. She was alarmed by nearby Nassau Countys mask rules because of her health and her politics. She takes immunosuppressant medication after having a kidney transplant, and is at heightened risk from conditions like Covid.

Solidarity needs to go across groups, she said. The ability for disabled people to protest on any number of issues is a really important First Amendment right.

Mask laws have a long, strange political history in the US. Some of the earliest ones date back to the 1940s and 50s, when southern states sought to limit the activities of the Klu Klux Klan.

Since then, mask rules have sporadically been discussed or deployed against protesters, including those who demonstrated at Standing Rock, Occupy Wall Street, and in the Black Lives Matter movement. Many were temporarily repealed during the pandemic, only for some states to then explicitly ban mask-wearing in reaction to Covid mandates.

To de Janon, from the NLG, its hard to miss the timing of this current wave of mask bans, which came after a highly visible round of often left-leaning protests. He noted how increasingly bold demonstrations from white supremacists in masks in recent years hasnt triggered the same kind of mask crackdown as Israel-Palestine activism has.

The legislatures all these decades have not responded to them in this way, he said. It is because these protests are about Palestine.

And with the students returning to college campuses over the coming weeks for another semester, and the war in Gaza still raging, those protests are likely to continue.
Inari Amertron Berhad (KLSE:INARI) Full Year 2024 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: RM1.48b (up 9.2% from FY 2023).

Net income: RM300.2m (down 7.2% from FY 2023).

Profit margin: 20% (down from 24% in FY 2023). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses.

EPS: RM0.08 (down from RM0.087 in FY 2023).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Inari Amertron Berhad Revenues and Earnings Miss Expectations

Revenue missed analyst estimates by 1.9%. Earnings per share (EPS) also missed analyst estimates by 11%.

The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the Singapore segment contributing a total revenue of RM1.30b (88% of total revenue). Notably, cost of sales worth RM1.16b amounted to 78% of total revenue thereby underscoring the impact on earnings. The largest operating expense was General & Administrative costs, amounting to RM92.9m (113% of total expenses). Over the last 12 months, the company's earnings were enhanced by non-operating gains of RM58.6m. Explore how INARI's revenue and expenses shape its earnings.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 12% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 13% growth forecast for the Semiconductor industry in Malaysia.

Performance of the Malaysian Semiconductor industry.

The company's shares are down 6.0% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

It is worth noting though that we have found 1 warning sign for Inari Amertron Berhad that you need to take into consideration.

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.
Three years after the departure of the final US troops from Afghanistan, the situation in the country is bleak, with the Taliban tightening its grip as it introduces increasingly oppressive laws that restrict political freedoms and suppress the rights of women.

Most Afghans have had to acquiesce to the Taliban not because they embrace their misogynistic ideology but because they have all the guns. Still, there is a nascent resistance movement. I spoke to its leader, Ahmad Massoud, who said hes engaged in a fight for the soul and future of our nation, and we are determined to win, no matter the odds.

He is the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, who led the Afghan resistance to the Taliban more than two and half decades ago when the Taliban first seized power in Afghanistan in 1996.

Massoud is now 35, and he leads the National Resistance Front to the Taliban. In our interview, he asserted that his group has carried out 207 military operations around Afghanistan this year and that he has 5,000 soldiers under his control. Verifying this kind of information independently is nearly impossible as there are relatively few international journalists covering Afghanistan, while the Taliban have closed hundreds of Afghan media outlets. The UN put out a report in June that documented a surge of anti-Taliban attacks during the first six months of this year but put the number at 29 operations carried out by the National Resistance Front, while on the groups X feed, there are claims of far more operations.

Massoud told me that the Talibans true victory wasnt on the battlefield; it was at the negotiating table, a withdrawal agreement that was negotiated by then-President Donald Trumps team and carried out by President Joe Biden.

Massoud lives in an undisclosed location in Central Asia directing military operations in Afghanistan from outside the country. We conducted our interview over email, and it has been edited for clarity.

BERGEN: The Taliban last week banned the sound of womens voices outside of the home. This seems crazy, but the Taliban can do it with impunity. What does this say about their hold on power?

MASSOUD: This is a blatant display of ignorance and arrogance. The Taliban believe they can punish the people of Afghanistan, especially women, and yet they can also still gain international recognition. [Today, no government officially recognizes the Taliban, though several governments do have diplomatic relations with them.] This impunity is a direct result of the international communitys policy of appeasement of the Taliban over the past three years. If we hope to see a change in the Talibans behavior, we must alter our approach towards them. Its that simple.

Within Afghanistan, our strategy for resistance is clear. The Taliban only respond to power and force. Diplomatic engagement with the Taliban has only emboldened them.

Afghan women wait to receive food rations distributed by a humanitarian aid group, in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 23, 2023. - Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

BERGEN: This is the third anniversary of the withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan. What are your feelings on this anniversary after two decades of a US military and diplomatic presence in Afghanistan? Was this a betrayal of Americas Afghan allies?

MASSOUD: The hasty US withdrawal in 2021 caused us to lose many achievements that we had gained in the last 20 years. Afghanistan had started experiencing social and political transformations that it never had before. We had rights like freedom of speech, and a new generation, both women and men, was on the rise. Yet we lost all of this when the agreement with the Taliban was signed in 2020 and when the withdrawal abruptly happened in 2021. Now we are the only country fully controlled by terrorists.

BERGEN: What kind of military operations are you carrying out in Afghanistan?

MASSOUD: The National Resistance Fronts military activities started in August 2021 when the Taliban attacked us in the Panjshir Valley [in northern Afghanistan]. Since then, we have been resisting them. We started from two provinces in the north, yet now we have networks and operations in almost 20 provinces after three years of expansion. [There are 34 provinces in Afghanistan.] Our operations at the moment are unconventional and mostly guerrilla operations. Yet, the military wing of the National Resistance Front is based inside Afghanistan, our bases, and our commando units are all in the country, and as every day passes, we are increasing our recruitment and operational capacity.

BERGEN: Can you give us a sense of the strengths of your National Resistance Front?

MASSOUD: The National Resistance Fronts military wing is solely made up of the remnants of Afghanistans former armed forces. These forces joined us instead of abandoning the fight for democracy on August 15, 2021 [when the Taliban captured Kabul, the capital]. Today, we have more than 5,000 permanent forces scattered in some 20 provinces. We have been able to increase their capabilities even though we arent receiving any external support. To give you a sense of our strength, since January 2024, we have launched 207 operations around the country.

BERGEN: Your soldiers claimed an attack at Kabul Airport last month. Can you describe what happened?

MASSOUD: Operational security prevents me from disclosing specifics, but I can assure you that this operation and many others demonstrate the significant military and intelligence capabilities weve developed since 2021. Despite the risks and complexities, our forces, supported by our deep intelligence network within the enemys ranks, executed the operation precisely.

Also, I would like to make something clear. All our targets are and will be military targets. We only target where the Taliban and other terror groups reside and avoid civilian casualties.

BERGEN: Tell us about how you became the leader of the anti-Taliban resistance, and are there other resistance groups you work with?

MASSOUD: I started my political efforts back in 2018 by consulting Afghanistans people. I went to the furthest villages and valleys of Afghanistan, engaging directly with my people to formulate a strategic response to the imminent US-Taliban deal and withdrawal. On September 5, 2019, I received a clear mandate from our citizens, gathered at my fathers mausoleum, to lead a solution to this coming crisis. The critical moment arrived on August 15, 2021, when my people and some of the former armed forces of Afghanistan established the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, entrusting me with its leadership. This was not a choice but a call to duty that I answered without any hesitation.

BERGEN: You attended Sandhurst, the British equivalent of West Point, and studied in the War Studies department of Kings College, London. Was that helpful training for what you are doing now?

MASSOUD: My training at Sandhurst and education at Kings College provided me with a solid foundation. However, the burden of real-world conflict has been my true academy. The lessons Ive learned leading our resistance these past few years far surpass any classroom instruction.

BERGEN: You wont recall this, but I met you when you were only around 4 years old when CNN was interviewing your father, Ahmad Shah Massoud, in the Panjshir Valley in Afghanistan in 1993 during the Afghan civil war. I was very impressed by your father, his extraordinary charisma and his intelligence.

It must have been very difficult for you, aged 11 when he was assassinated by al Qaeda assassins two days before 9/11. How has your fathers assassination affected what you are doing today?

MASSOUD: The video of our first encounter, when you met my father during that CNN interview in the Panjshir Valley in 1993, is indeed part of our historical record. While I wish I had been older to fully grasp the gravity of those moments and learn more directly from my father, his legacy has become the cornerstone of my mission. My fathers assassination by al Qaeda, just days before 9/11, was a moment that shaped not just my family but the course of our nation. As Ive detailed in my memoir In the Name of My Father, the impact was profound. However, it also ignited an unshakeable determination within me. At that moment, I vowed to continue his vision for a free and peaceful Afghanistan. His sacrifice wasnt in vain  its the foundation upon which were building Afghanistans future. [Disclosure: I wrote the foreword to Massouds memoir, which I do not benefit from financially in any manner.]

BERGEN: When the Americans left Afghanistan three years ago, they left behind $8.5 billion dollars worth of military equipment, according to an estimate by the UN. Thats more than the defense budget of some European nations. Does this make your task of resisting the Taliban more difficult?

MASSOUD: The $8.5 billion worth of military equipment abandoned by the Americans has of course altered the battlefield dynamics, but it hasnt dampened our determination and commitment. Yes, the Taliban are now better armed than ever before. However, military history is full of examples where determination and strategy overcame material advantages. The Taliban may have the weapons, but we have the will of the people  and history shows thats a far more powerful force.

Whats more concerning is the Talibans transformation of Afghanistan into a black market for these weapons. We know that they are not just arming themselves; theyre fueling global terror networks. This isnt just about our resistance; its about preventing Afghanistan from becoming a nexus of international terrorism.

Taliban fighters take control of the Afghan presidential palace after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 15, 2021. - Zabi Karimi/AP

BERGEN: When your father, Ahmad Shah Massoud, was fighting the Taliban before 9/11, he controlled some territory inside Afghanistan and could be resupplied from neighboring Tajikistan. You are not in Afghanistan, and its hard for you to supply your forces inside Afghanistan as you control no territory in Afghanistan. You do have a political office in Tajikistan, but no other countries support you; how does this lack of support affect your ability to fight the Taliban?

MASSOUD: Our current position differs strategically from my fathers era, but our determination remains unshaken. Since 2021, weve not only survived but expanded our influence, despite minimal external support. It is important to emphasize that we are not just fighting the Taliban; were engaged in a broader conflict against a coalition of regional and global terror groups. When al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban supply fighters to the Taliban, its clear that our struggle is an extension of the global war on terror.

However, let me be clear: to defeat these 20 terrorist organizations in Afghanistan threatening global security, we require international backing. Its unrealistic to expect us to single-handedly neutralize this threat without resources. Our fight isnt just for Afghanistan; its for global security. Any nation that perceives terrorism as a threat must recognize the strategic necessity of supporting our cause and efforts.

BERGEN: What support do you need?

MASSOUD: We need any kind of support that will allow us to defeat this group. We believe we have capable forces who were trained for 20 years to pursue counterterrorism. For this reason, we are asking for resources instead of foreign forces to liberate our country.

BERGEN: What do you say to those who say your resistance movement doesnt have much of a chance against the well-armed Taliban and without financial and military support from other countries?

MASSOUD: Those who underestimate our resistance fail to grasp the lessons of Afghanistans history. Despite our current lack of external support, weve consistently grown in strength and numbers. The Taliban may control territory and possess billions in arms, but they lack the most crucial asset  the support of the people of Afghanistan. Our history proves that popular legitimacy, not weaponry, determines ultimate victory. Even the communist regime [which controlled Afghanistan from 1979 to 1992], which was far stronger than todays Taliban, fell due to lack of popular support. Our resistance is expanding because we represent and embody the will of the people.

BERGEN: Will the Taliban still be in charge in Afghanistan a decade from now? If not, why not?

MASSOUD: The Talibans grip on Afghanistan is already slipping. Their lack of discipline, competence, legitimacy, and internal disunity makes their long-term rule ineffective. We dont just hope for their downfall  were working to ensure it.

In Vienna, Austria, this year we initiated a political process, uniting Afghanistans diverse political and civil groups. This isnt only opposition  its the foundation of a democratic alternative for Afghanistans future. Were not waiting for the Taliban to fail; were building the system that will replace them.

The fractures within the Taliban are widening. Their implosion is not a matter of if, but when. When that moment comes  and it will come sooner than many expect  well be ready. The democratic government were preparing will fill the void, representing all citizens and bringing stability to our nation.

A decade from now, Afghanistan wont just be free of Taliban rule  it will be on the path to becoming a beacon of democracy in the region. Thats not wishful thinking  its our objective.

BERGEN: Has the Taliban created an inclusive government as they promised?

MASSOUD: The Talibans promise of an inclusive government has proven to be nothing but propaganda. The fundamentally reject the core democratic principle that political legitimacy stems from the will of the people and free elections. Their current power structure is a sham, with various factions of their terrorist organization vying for control and systematically marginalizing each other.

The very notion that this group could create an inclusive government is absurd when they cant even maintain unity within their own ranks. Their internal power struggles and ideological inflexibility make any form of genuine inclusivity impossible. Theyve demonstrated time and again that their only interest is in consolidating power for their extremist vision.

A Taliban fighter stands guard as a woman walks past in Kabul, Afghanistan, on December 26, 2022. - Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

BERGEN: Flawed presidential elections produced flawed Afghan governments. How culpable were Afghanistans leaders like President Ashraf Ghani for what transpired in Afghanistan?

MASSOUD: The government of Afghanistan was corrupt and flawed. The flaws in Afghanistans previous governments were systemic and deep-rooted. I consistently opposed these administrations precisely because of their corruption and ineffectiveness.

The root of the problem lies in the political system adopted after 2004, which was fundamentally unsuited to Afghanistans diverse demographic reality. Afghanistan is a highly diverse country without an ethnic majority. Its constitution concentrated excessive power in Kabul, essentially creating a presidential monarchy. This centralization was a primary factor in the governments weakness and the marginalization of numerous communities.

The situation worsened dramatically during Ashraf Ghanis presidency. His further centralization of power, limiting decision-making to only himself and a small circle of advisors, exacerbated the alienation of large segments of our population.

Recognizing this flaw, I advocated for the decentralization of power in a 2020 New York Times article. I firmly believe that Afghanistans path to peace and stability lies in the distribution of power. It is a strategic requirement for building a stable, resilient nation that can withstand internal divisions and external threats.

BERGEN: In all the discussions about the mistakes made in Afghanistan, sometimes its easy to lose sight of what went right. In addition to the rise of independent media and the provision of education to girls and jobs for women, what else worked? Programs like the National Solidarity Programme, which offered small grants for public works to local communities in consultation with those communities?

MASSOUD: Yes, despite challenges and setbacks in Afghanistan, its important to acknowledge the significant progress made during the two decades after 9/11. The rise of independent media was a cornerstone of this progress, giving voice to diverse perspectives and creating a more informed population. The expansion of education for girls and employment opportunities for women were transformative. Programs like the National Solidarity Programme were particularly effective.

BERGEN: What was the effect of the Trump administrations 2020 Doha peace agreement with the Taliban and President Joe Biden announcing in April 2021 that he was going to go through with the total US withdrawal?

MASSOUD: The Trump administrations 2020 Doha deal with the Taliban and President Bidens later announcement of a total US withdrawal in April 2021 had detrimental effects on Afghanistans stability. These decisions legitimized the Taliban on the international stage while signaling the end of substantial Western support for the government of Afghanistan at the same time.

The Doha agreement, in particular, undermined the morale of our security forces and government officials. It created a sense of certainty about the Talibans return to power. Bidens withdrawal announcement made it worse. It triggered a rapid loss of confidence in the governments ability to stand independently. These policy decisions, which sought to end Americas longest war, sacrificed the hard-won progress of two decades and betrayed the trust of millions of our people.

US Army Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, steps on board a transport plane as what the XVIII Airborne Corps calls the last soldier to leave Kabul, Afghanistan, August 30, 2021, in a photograph using night vision optics. - XVIII Airborne Corps/Reuters

BERGEN: Did the Taliban win at the negotiating table with the United States, what they couldnt win on the battlefield from them?

MASSOUD: The Talibans true victory wasnt on the battlefield; it was at the negotiating table. Prior to the negotiations, their territorial control was limited. The negotiation process itself became their launch pad to power. This diplomatic engagement legitimized a terrorist group. It turned them from insurgents to political actors. Had the US simply withdrawn without these negotiations, the Taliban wouldnt be in power today.

The consequences were devastating  it demoralized Afghanistans armed forces, normalized relations with terrorists, facilitated the release of thousands of extremists from our prisons, and paved the way for the fall of our government.

This colossal mistake handed the Taliban a victory they couldnt achieve through force of arms.

BERGEN: This year, you published a book, In the Name of My Father: Struggling For Freedom In Afghanistan. What was the main message of the book?

MASSOUD: My book is more than a memoir  its a manifesto for Afghanistans future and a testament to our ongoing struggle. I lay out my convictions on democracy, womens rights and the role of Islam in our society. These are the foundational principles upon which were building our resistance.

BERGEN: What is your vision of the future? The Taliban control more of the country than they did before 9/11. Theyre better armed. Theyve been fighting for 20 years. So, whats the end goal here for you?

MASSOUD: Let me be very clear about our vision and end goal. We are fighting for a democratic, decentralized and pluralistic Afghanistan where every citizen, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religious belief, enjoys equal rights. This is our non-negotiable objective.

Yes, the Taliban currently control more territory and are better armed than before 9/11. But control of land and possession of weapons does not mean legitimate governance or popular support.

Were not just resisting the Taliban; were building the foundation for a new Afghanistan. Were creating a system thats resilient against extremism and responsive to the diverse needs of all our citizens.

Make no mistake  we are prepared for a long struggle. This isnt just a fight against the Taliban; its a fight for the soul and future of our nation, and we are determined to win, no matter the odds.

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Federal Chairman of Alliance 90/The Greens (Bundnis 90/Die Grunen) Omid Nouripour speaks during a statement on the results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia from his party's perspective. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

The co-leader of Germany's Greens, Omid Nouripour, has expressed hope that his party may still be part of a future government in the state of Saxony, despite a projected poor showing in state elections there.

The Greens are forecast to collect 5.3% to 5.5%, barely over the 5% threshold required to receive seats in German elections, according to initial forecasts by public broadcasters ARD and ZDF.

Over the past five years, the Greens were part of a governing coalition led by the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) in the eastern state, and Nouripour said the coalition government had done good work.

Meanwhile, the Greens are unlikely to take any seats in parliamentary elections in the neighbouring state of Thuringia, where they are projected to fall short of the 5% threshold.

Nouripour said the Greens' projected result from Sunday's vote in Thuringia was painful, but added that he was even more worried about the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) projected to take first place.

"To be honest, my pain tonight is marginal compared to the fact that we have a profound turning point and an openly far-right party has become the strongest force in a state parliament for the first time since 1949," he said.

That year is when Germany held its first elections after the end of World War II and the defeat of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler's regime.

Federal Chairman of Alliance 90/The Greens (Bundnis 90/Die Grunen) Omid Nouripour speaks during a statement on the results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia from his party's perspective. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa
To the editor: While Israel is of prime importance to most Jews, the majority of us have long supported the Democratic Party because its policy has been to help people in need. The responsibility to help others has been ingrained in Jews by the Torah, the Jewish bible, which stresses that we should help the stranger. ("Are American Jews losing their long-standing political home in the Democratic Party?" Opinion, Aug. 26)

On the other hand, the Republican Party policy has been to reduce taxes and let people in need help themselves.

Former President Trump claims that he has done more for the Jews than any other president, forgetting Harry Truman, who immediately recognized the new state of Israel upon its declaration in 1948.

He says that he cannot understand why a Jew would vote for a Democrat. As a Jew, I have long wondered how any Jew could vote for a Republican.

Martin A. Brower, Corona del Mar

..

To the editor: The headline of Yardena Schwartz's article, "Are American Jews losing their long-standing political home in the Democratic Party?," is both misleading and provocative.

At best, it poses a rhetorical question that suggests the answer might just be "yes." If one were to read no further, that might be the conclusion one could draw. It is not until the final paragraph that some reassurance is weakly offered: "American Jews' relationship with Democrats has certainly been complicated, but ... it's likely to remain strong."

The first impression, however, is the lasting one. The suggestion of Jews abandoning their affiliation with the Democratic Party by asking the question in the first place is damaging and, I hope, not at all true.

Rochelle Ginsburg, Beverly Hills

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Positive side of State College construction





The construction at the center of town had one good side  it showed the advantage of closing off the traffic on the 100 block of South Allen Street and making the pedestrian mall many of us have hoped for.

In the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci designed a city where all the machines were underground. And when the motor car was new early in the last century, neighborhoods in Brooklyn revolted against the cars as violators of their communities. And in Europe urban planners are respecting this and designing their downtowns this way.

In the car here is fused with an away-there where on foot here neednt have this compulsion. And here in this sense is a prime source of conviviality and civilization.

John Harris, State College

Reject Project 2025, Trump

If Donald Trump becomes president, the United States will be unrecognizable to our founding fathers.

Project 2025, the Heritage Foundations plan for a Trump presidency, will dismantle our government and undermine democracy. Trump denies knowing about it, but it was written by former Trump administration officials, and is supported by his running mate. Crucially, Trumps statements align with its principles.

Project 2025 advocates a unitary executive. The entire federal bureaucracy, including independent agencies, will be controlled by Trump  undermining Americas founding principle of separation of powers, with checks and balances across three equal branches of government.

Tens of thousands of government employees will be fired, replaced with pre-vetted Trump loyalists swearing allegiance to him, not the Constitution.

The DOJ and FBI will be dismantled, with Trump empowered to persecute his opponents.

The Department of Education will be abolished.

The Department of Health and Human Services will establish a biblically baseddefinition of marriage and family.

Climate protections will be gutted. The fossil fuel industry will be prioritized.

The Constitution and Bill of Rights will be meaningless.

Protections for LBGTQ+ Americans, legal immigrants, and peaceful protesters will be stripped away.

Reproductive rights will be abolished: the abortion pill mifepristone will be illegal, and a 150-year-old law will be revived to prevent mailing of contraceptives.

Christian Nationalism underlies it, rejecting our founding principle of separation of church and state. This is not the government Americans fought and died to protect.

Reject Trump before its too late.

Linda Barton, State College

MidPenn Legal Services to host Access to Justice Awards

MidPenn Legal Services will be hosting its annual Access to Justice Awards on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Mt. Nittany Overlook Event Center, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This event is a unique opportunity for the legal community to spotlight and elevate promising practices in access to justice.

The Access to Justice Awards celebrate local justice heroes who have supported and delivered MidPenns mission of providing high-quality, free legal representation to those who need it the most. The event will honor volunteer attorneys, pro bono attorneys, and partner law firms that have dedicated their time and expertise to improving the lives of clients and strengthening the communities where we live and work through impactful legal services.

MidPenn Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm that provides free legal representation, advice, and education to low-income residents and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across 18 counties in central Pennsylvania. The counties served include Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Schuylkill, and York.

For additional information regarding the event, contact me at 717-234-0492, ext. 2215.

Eliz Nestorov, State College. The author is the director of development for MiddPenn Legal Services.

Thompson makes misleading energy claims





Republican Congressman Glenn Thompson recently sent his constituents a dire warning about Biden and Harris destroying American energy independence. Scary stuff.

What Thompson fails to mention in his email newsletter is that under Biden and Harris there is more oil production here in the U.S. than at any other time in U.S. history. More oil production than during Trumps time in office or any other Republican president. And clean energy production is at an all time high as well under Biden-Harris.

Thompson is spending tax dollars to mislead voters.

From Thompson: This administration has ended our energy independence for the sake of Green-New Deal initiatives.

Here is another fact Thompson did not mention: The United States is currently the number one oil producing country on the planet. And over the past year the U.S. strategic petroleum reserves increased by more than 8%. When the reserves are at full capacity we have more reserves than any other nation.

Our energy situation is better than ever. Dont let our congressman hide the facts.

Bill Mahon, State College
DES MOINES, Iowa  Every day is a good day to donate blood, but around holiday weekends blood donations are needed at critical levels.

Shay Willis with LifeServe Blood Center joined Today in Iowa Sunday to highlight that the supply of O negative and B negative blood types at LifeServe is at a critical level. But any blood types are encouraged to come out and donate.

175 hospitals in Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and South Dakota all receive blood from LifeServe; and the pinch around holiday seasons can put the blood center in a bind.

Iowa nonprofit hosts celebration for those pursuing addiction recovery

You can watch the full interview from Today in Iowa Sunday above, and to sign up to donate blood visit LifeServe Blood Centers website.

16 and 17-year-olds can donate with a parent consent, and the center asks that you are well hydrated and fed before donating.

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Senator Lindsey Graham criticized the vice president over her foreign policy credentials on Sunday as Donald Trump battles a furor over his Arlington visit (The Independent)

Donald Trump loyalist Lindsey Graham went on the offense against Kamala Harris on Sunday calling her a wrecking ball for her stance on Israels war with Hamas, after it was announced that six hostages had been found dead in Gaza.

Graham appeared on ABCs This Week on Sunday and opened up a line of attack against Harriss foreign policy credentials  something that the Trump campaign has been trying to get off the ground this past week as it pushes back on criticism over a controversial visit to Arlington National Cemetery and a host of issues related to his running mate JD Vance.

I would say on foreign policy, she [Harris] has been a wrecking ball, Graham said on Sunday.

Contrasting her to JD Vance, Trumps running mate, he went on to argue: "JD has been unequivocally supporting Israel. She has been horrible. She is slow-walking weapons. She did not attend the [Benjamin Netanyahu] speech [in Congress], and that juiced up every terrorist in the region.

The South Carolina Republican also argued that increasing political and financial pressure on Tehrans government was necessary to put the squeeze on Hamas and force the militant group to lay down its arms.

If you want the hostages home, which we all do, you have to increase the cost to Iran. Iran is the great Satan. Hamas is the junior partner. Theyre barbaric, religious Nazis, Hamas, they could care less about the Palestinian people, he said.

I would urge the Biden administration and Israel to hold Iran accountable for the fate of [the] remaining hostages and put on the target list oil refineries in Iran if the hostages are not released.

Focus on the conflict in the Middle East is likely to intensify after the Israeli military confirmed that six hostages being held by Hamas, including one American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, had been found dead by IDF forces in tunnels under Rafah, a region in Gaza. White House officials said on Sunday that the president had been in touch with Goldberg-Polins family.

This comes after Republicans, led by the ex-president, have attacked the vice president and President Joe Biden this past week over the chaotic pullout from Kabul, during which 13 American service members died in a suicide bombing and countless Afghan civilians were injured or killed in the blast. Horrifiying pictures emerged of panicked Afghans attempting to cling to departing American military aircraft, and falling to their deaths.

Trump led those attacks on Monday with a visit to Arlington to attend a memorial service for the slain US troops.

That visit sparked days of negative headlines for the Trump campaign after an aide was accused of shoving an Arlington National Cemetery worker.

Senator Lindsey Graham criticized the vice president over her foreign policy credentials on Sunday as Donald Trump battles a furor over his Arlington visit (The Independent)

The former president has responded by trying to attack the Biden-Harris administration over the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, landing some of those attacks this weekend with a series of video responses from Gold Star families.

Those attacks are part of a full-court press by the Trump campaign to recapture the races momentum ahead of the next major milestone: the first debate between Harris and Trump, set for nine days from Sunday. It will be the first time the two rivals have ever come face to face and comes as Harris is riding a surge in the poll numbers accompanied by a massive donation haul for her first month of campaigning.

Graham, who trends towards the neoconservative wing of the GOP, opposed the pullout from Afghanistan entirely  even as it was ordered initially by Trump. The former president, fuming over his loss to Joe Biden in November of 2020, initially sought to order all US troops out of the country immediately, but was rebuffed by top officials.

In 2021, Graham said that a full withdrawal from Afghanistan was dumber than dirt.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The community in Rochester gathered Saturday afternoon in the form of a barbeque to fight against childhood poverty.

Good Vibes Music Shop and Trianos Meat Market and Deli put together a parking lot cookout, complete with live music and food.

Organizers said, its an effort to raise money for the local nonprofit, Save Rochester, a group dedicated to helping local families in need. But they said it couldnt have been accomplished without a little help.

I figure, if were helping ourselves, we should probably help the whole community. Like our neighbors, the ice cream shop, theyre helping us with power, we got permission from everybody. So, its really just a community event. The whole plaza came together to make sure this happened, Connor Carrol, the co-manager of Good Vibes Music Shop said.

In addition to any monetary donations made, Save Rochester also received food donations following the cookout.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Jacksonville residents are reacting to a major decision taken to push the legalization of recreational marijuana in Florida. Former President Donald Trump said he endorses Amendment 3 to legalize it statewide.

READ: Former President Trump endorses Floridas Amendment 3 for marijuana legalization on Truth Social

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

This decision has Trump on the side of Democrat Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan who supports legalizing recreational marijuana. Meanwhile, Republicans Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are against the amendment.

READ: Jacksonville leaders and community split over marijuana legalization ahead of the November election

Trump took to Truth Social to show his support for the amendment, posting in part, we do not need to ruin lives & waste taxpayer dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

This post was cause for celebration at a local CBD wellness store where they are happy the former president spoke up.

Its good because we can go ahead and give relief to people that have anxiety and stress that cant afford access to medical care. I do fear because its going to be pushed to the consumer and advertised so fast, people might not be learning about the principles of marijuana, said Samuel Valdivia, a wellness coach at Natural Life.

Opinion is mixed elsewhere.

Several people walking through Friendship Fountain were torn. Many of them said they support legalization; however, they are worried it can come with increased crime.

Its going to be more income for the state and local government as long youre of age, its taxed and its regulated absolutely, said Emory Raines, Jacksonville resident.

A visitor from Gainesville, Florida, Shandia Lewis, said if people are not responsible, there will be more DUIs in the state, and it will create a more dangerous environment on our roads.

Election day is just a few weeks away, on Nov. 5, 2024.

The newest poll from the University of North Florida (UNF) shows there is stronger support for the legalization of recreational marijuana. Out of a set of 774 random people, 64% voted yes and 31% voted no.

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Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
We recently compiled a list of the 16 Most Undervalued Tech Stocks To Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) stands against the other undervalued tech stocks.

Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers

Artificial intelligence is the hot center of the technology industry, especially with the introduction of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Gemini. The AI revolution, which is underway, has affected the semiconductor market and we have seen chipmaker stocks skyrocket with it. However, semiconductor stocks are not the only beneficiaries, data centers also benefit greatly from the surge in AI.

According to Future Market Intelligence, the data center market is estimated at around $30.4 billion during 2024, it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.4% to reach $117.24 billion by 2034. Data centers were in demand before the AI boom as well, with data from Jefferies showing their demand rising 10% to 20% for the last 15 years before AI. However, AI accelerated the market to around 30% in just two years.

The capabilities of data centers and artificial intelligence are revolutionary, but that doesn't overshadow the energy consumption concerns that come with them. As highlighted by Goldman Sachs Research, data centers consume around 1% to 2% of overall power worldwide, which seems manageable at first. However, they are likely to rise from 3% to 4% in just a decade.

We recently covered 15 Best Data Center Stocks To Buy According to Jefferies, Citi and Wall Street Analysts. It talks about the alarming power consumption challenge that comes with AI and data centers. Heres an excerpt from the article:

Naturally, since the US is responsible for ushering in AI, AI energy consumption in America is higher than that in other countries. According to the Boston Consulting Group, by 2030, AI power consumption will account for 16% of all of Americas energy use. It is expected to grow by 15% to 20% annually and touch as much as 130 GW, or the amount of electricity thats used by 100 million homes. AI chip companies are also aware of these trends, with the latest AI chips promising to improve energy efficiency by 25x. Improving AI performance at the semiconductor level is important especially since some areas where data centers are growing are being forced to turn to coal power to reduce the power gap.

While the expected power consumption figures are concerning, they also point towards a new market opportunity to introduce sustainable AI factories. Tim Rosenfield co-founder and co-CEO of Sustainable Metal Cloud, has introduced HyperCubes, which reduces energy consumption by up to 50%.

Story continues

HyperCubes contains servers fitted with Nvidia processors, submerged in synthetic oil called polyalphaolefin. Synthetic oil draws heat from the processors more efficiently than air cooling systems typically used in most data centers.

These cubes are being used in Singapore and Australia. Tim Rosenfield mentioned that the technology enables high-density hosting for GPUs and that too sustainably with low energy consumption. The technology is also said to be 28% cheaper to install as compared to traditional cooling systems and is designed to be used in any data center around the globe.

The co-founder of SMC further mentioned that countries like Singapore are looking to push the green button for data centers and AI ambitions and the country has committed more than $379.7 million to the cause.

Countries like Singapore, where SMC is headquartered, are also looking to mitigate the hefty energy consumption by pushing for green data centers to support its AI ambitions where the country has committed more than 500 million Singapore dollars ($379.7 million). The company has also recently received funding from Singapore state investor Temasek-backed ST Telemedia Global Data Centers, one of Asias largest data center operators.

Our Methodology

To curate the list of 16 most undervalued tech stocks to buy now we first identified 50 undervalued tech stocks that were most widely held by hedge funds. We looked at stocks that were trading under 20 times their forward earnings (the market's P/E multiple is ~23x as of August 28, according to WSJ data), with earnings expected to grow during the year. Once we had an aggregated list of 50 undervalued tech stocks, we ranked them by short percentage of shares outstanding as of 8/15/2024, sourced from Yahoo Finance.

Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

A closeup of a woman's hands typing rapidly on a laptop in a corporate office setting.

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM)

Short % of Shares Outstanding: 2.24%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 54

Forward Price to Earnings Ratio as of August 28: 19.58

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is a pioneer technology company that provides integrated solutions and services globally through its Consulting, Software, Infrastructure, and Financing Segments.

Its Software segment is also involved in hybrid clouds, AI platform integration, and transformation for enterprise use. Whereas, its consulting segment focuses on technology integration, operation integration, and strategy.

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is leveraging its years of experience and AI enterprise to drive record revenues. CEO, Arvind Krishna was positive regarding the companys second-quarter results and mentioned that revenue growth and free cash flow generated during the quarter exceeded their expectations.

Revenue grew 4% year-over-year to reach $15.8 billion and the year-to-date free cash flow amounted to around $4.5 billion. International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) witnessed a strong performance in its software and infrastructure segments growing 8% and 3%, respectively. Strong performance within these segments was a testimony to the continued success of its hybrid cloud and AI strategy.

Management has infused AI across all its businesses and tools and is leveraging its automation products such as Apptio and Watson Orchestrate to drive growth. The company is in the process of acquiring HashiCorp, for its automation cloud infrastructure which is anticipated to boost its software segment substantially.

As a result of a strong quarter with growth across the board, management has raised its free cash flow guidance to over $12 billion for the year. CEO, Arvind Krishna believes that strong cash generation will allow the company to invest more in innovation to return more profits for the company and shareholders.

IBM is cheap at current levels, it is trading at 19 times its forward earnings, which is an 18% discount to its sector. Moreover, its earnings are also expected to improve by 5.70% to reach $10.17 during the year.

The stock was held by 54 hedge funds with stakes worth $837.6 million. Citadel Investment Group is the top share holder of the company with a position worth $383 million.

Diamond Hill Capital Long-Short Fund stated the following regarding International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) in its first quarter 2024 investor letter:

Among our bottom Q1 contributors short positions in Dicks Sporting Goods, International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) and Palomar Holdings. Though we believe the quality and durability of IBMs free cash flow-generating capabilities remain questionable, investor sentiment has improved amid optimism for the companys still-nascent AI product suite.

Overall IBM ranks 15th on our list of the most undervalued tech stocks to buy now. While we acknowledge the potential of IBM as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a promising AI stock that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Donald Trump and his supporters are again complaining about a New York judges gag order on the reality-challenged former president. Though both the U.S. Supreme Court and a New York appeals court have declined to weigh in, the order restricting Trumps speech should go in the trash, especially as we near the final two months before Election Day.

The First Amendment fracas was set in motion before Trumps trial on allegations of creating false business records to cover up paying a porn star hush money during the 2020 presidential campaign even began.

Judge Juan Merchan made a $20 donation to a Democratic-aligned political group and gave $15 to the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris presidential campaign against Trump. Such gifts are banned for federal judges but allowed for state judges under New Yorks ill-considered rules.

Three times Trumps lawyers have argued that the donations create a conflict of interest for Merchan, and that the judge should recuse himself from the case where Trump was convicted and faces a September sentencing hearing. And three times the judge has ruled against them, though over time he has narrowed the order to cover only attacks on court employees and their families.

The latest move is a congressional subpoena to Authentic Campaigns, a Democratic fundraising and communications firm where the judges daughter works and which features on its website work the company did for the 2020 Biden-Harris campaign.

For any normal person, like a judge, his daughter or other court employees Trump has lambasted for their bias against him, attacks from the former president are not to be taken lightly. While Trump sticks to blasts of the rhetorical kind, his followers promise far worse. Threats of death, rape and more have driven some from their homes and required others to get security.

While Trumps speech and his followers reactions are often vile, that is when free speech is most important. Indeed, the Supreme Court has ruled in case after case, that campaign speech no matter how false or unhinged or uncomfortable it may be, is on the highest rung of the hierarchy of First Amendment values.

And while Trump has a tendency to veer off into fantasy land, at the core of his case against Merchan, Trump has a reasonable point. Couldnt the Democrats who run New Yorks government have found a judge who didnt give money to Biden-Harris 2020 to hear the case? Isnt it a coincidence that the judges daughter works at a Democratic campaign firm?

The cases against Trump about hush money, classified documents and election interference working their way through the judicial system have already embroiled the Supreme Court in controversy and are among the most consequential in our history.

Yes, the campaign donation was a paltry $15. But wouldnt it have been wiser to find a judge without even the appearance of even a teensy bias against Trump? Merchan could have recused at the beginning with little delay in the case. If he had, we wouldnt be here now.

If Trump thinks that the judicial system has been rigged and is out to get him, there is nothing more important than for the public to hear him out  without gag orders. At the end of the day, the American people are going to be the judges of whether Trump slinks off into ignominy or returns to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to wreak havoc.

I dont think the public is going to buy the argument that fifteen bucks is the smoking gun of a national conspiracy to railroad Trump. The former president certainly doesnt deserve constitutional protections like those offered by the First Amendment, but by birth he should have them nonetheless.

David Mastio, a former editor and columnist for USA Today, is a regional editor for The Center Square and a regular Star Opinion correspondent. Follow him on X: @DavidMastio or email him at dmastio1@yahoo.com
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Little Rock police released new information concerning a deadly shooting in downtown Little Rock on Thursday.

According to investigators, officers responding to a shooting near the intersection of 10th and Main Street just after 1:20 p.m. discovered a man suffering from gunshot wounds who later died from his injuries at a nearby hospital.

Little Rock police investigating downtown deadly shooting

Officers said the other person involved in the shooting, an 18-year-old, was on scene and released after questioning from detectives.

The person who died in the shooting was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy and to get a positive identification.

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(Bloomberg) -- Deutsche Lufthansa AG Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr is set to meet with Portuguese government officials on Monday as the German airline group weighs a possible investment in state-owned airline TAP SA, according to people familiar with the matter.

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Acting on a request by Lufthansa, Portugals finance minister and infrastructure minister will hold talks with the CEO, said one of the people. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported earlier on Sunday that Lufthansa will seek to buy an initial 19.9% stake in TAP, citing Portuguese institutional sources.

Talks are still at a preliminary stage, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations. Officials for Lufthansa declined to comment.

Portugals government reaffirmed its plans in July to privatize TAP, adding that the terms of the sale remain to be defined. The previous administration had aimed to sell at least 51% of the carrier.

Lufthansa, as well as Air France-KLM and IAG SA, the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, have publicly stated their interest in TAP. The Lisbon-based airlines biggest attraction lies in its links to Brazil, of which its the largest European provider. It also maintains a strong presence in Africa and operates a number of flights to North America.

Spohr recently managed to get clearance for Lufthansas takeover of a stake in Italian carrier ITA Airways. IAG, on the other hand, dropped its pursuit of Air Europa amid opposition from regulators. Air France-KLM completed a purchase of a stake in Scandinavian carrier SAS AB last week.

TAP is among a small group of state-owned carriers still up for grabs in Europe, a region now dominated by three major airline groups: IAG, Lufthansa and Air France-KLM.

The Portuguese airline is led by CEO Luis Rodrigues and carried 7.7 million passengers in the first half, a 1.6% increase from a year earlier.

(Updates with details on TAP)

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Majority of Poles believe Russian objects flying over Poland should be downed

The majority of people in Poland believe that the Polish military should shoot down objects flying over Polish territory during Russian attacks on Ukraine, even if they are not sure what objects they are.

Source: the results of a survey conducted by SW Research for Rzeczpospolita, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Respondents were asked: "In your opinion, should Poland shoot down objects flying above our territory during Russian attacks on Ukraine, even if it is not certain what objects they are?"

58.5% of the survey participants answered "yes". 22.1% hold the opposite opinion, while 19.4% said they were "not sure".

The results vary for each group depending on sex, age and level of education.

Women were more likely to choose an affirmative response  the "yes" option was chosen by 60.8% of female respondents. 20% of women said "no" and 19% were "not sure".

55% of men are in favour, 24.4% are categorically against, and 19.8% of male respondents opted for "dont know".

The survey was conducted on 27-28 August 2024 by the research agency SW Research among users of its online SW Panel. The analysis covered a group of 800 internet users aged 18 and over.

Background:

Following a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine on the morning of 26 August, Poland reported that its airspace had been violated by an "aerial object", likely a kamikaze drone.

General Maciej Klisz, Commander of the Operational Command of the Armed Forces of Poland, stated that judging from its trajectory, velocity and altitude, the object was definitely not a missile and was most likely a drone.

Polish media outlets reported, citing sources in the Polish army, that the military believe the object was a Shahed drone, and that it remained in Polish airspace for at least 30 minutes.

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Malaysia halts rescue operation for woman who plunged into sinkhole

Malaysian authorities have stopped a nine-day effort to find and rescue a woman who fell into a sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur, officials said Saturday.

The operation will now shift into a search and recovery phase, local media reported, citing Zaliha Mustafa, a minister in the Prime Ministers Department in the Federal Territories.

Mustafa said several factors went into the decision, including concerns over the safety and health of the rescue personnel, Singaporean newspaper the Straits Times reported.

Vijaya Lakshmi Gali, an Indian national, fell into the sinkhole on the morning of Aug. 23, according to the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur.

Surveillance footage shows the woman walking on a pavement along a busy road when the sinkhole suddenly opened beneath her. She plunged into the eight-meter gap while people around her scrambled for safety.

Fire and Rescue department workers search for a woman who fell into a sinkhole after a section of the sidewalk caved in Kuala Lumpur, on Aug. 23, 2024. - Vincent Thian/AP

Malaysian authorities mounted an extensive, multi-agency rescue effort involving the Royal Malaysian Police, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Civil Defense Force, among others.

They tried a variety of tools and techniques to locate her, including excavations, flushing portions of the drain system, sending divers to search the citys sewage line, using high-pressure water jets to remove obstacles, and mapping inaccessible areas with remote cameras and ground-penetrating radar, according to the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur.

Authorities found no trace of her apart from a pair of slippers, the Associated Press reported.

CNN has reached out to Malaysian authorities and the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur for more information.

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HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A male in his twenties is in stable condition after being shot early this morning in Hartford.

The Hartford Police Department was called to St. Francis Hospital around 3:00 a.m. after a male arrived with a gunshot wound.

Investigators say the wound is non-life-threatening and the Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions are investigating the shooting.

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Man arrested after attack on Jewish students at University of Pittsburgh

A man was arrested after two Jewish students were attacked on the University of Pittsburgh campus Friday night.

The suspect, identified on Saturday as Jarett Buba, is not a student nor does he have any known affiliations with the university, CBS News reported. Hes facing charges of simple assault, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest and harassment.

Police said they have surveillance video showing 52-year-old Buba sitting at a table in Schenley Plaza around 6 p.m., and then running across Forbes Avenue toward the victims, both of whom were wearing yarmulkes at the time.

He then allegedly attacked them from behind with a glass bottle.

Officers told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Buba had been sporting a keffiyeh, a traditional checkered scarf that has come to represent Palestinian solidarity amid the Israel-Hamas war.

The two students were treated on the scene in wake of the attack, which occurred near the Cathedral of Learning located on the universitys main campus, according to a statement from Pitt spokesperson Jared Stonesifer.

While Buba attempted to resist being taken into custody, and allegedly gave a series of fake names before properly identifying himself, police were eventually able to detain him. He was transported to the Allegheny County Jail, authorities confirmed.

To be clear: Neither acts of violence nor antisemitism will be tolerated, Stonesifer said. Local and federal partners are supporting Pitt Police in this ongoing investigation.

We recognize that incidents like these are unsettling to our Pitt community, Stonesifers statement said. The University Counseling Center is available to any student needing support, and Life Solutions is available to all faculty and staff members.

The attack came just after University of Pittsburgh students kicked off the fall semester with the start of classes on Monday.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man was arrested in connection to a burglary that happened in Southwest D.C. on Saturday morning.

Police said that at about 5:30 a.m., the suspect broke into a business in the 1100 block of Maine Avenue and stole items.

The suspect then broke a window at another business.

Man dead after shooting in Prince Georges County

The man took items from that business and attempted to escape. and attempted to flee. Security officers were able to detain him until police arrived.

MPD arrested and charged 38-year-old James Houska, of no fixed address, with Burglary Two, Unlawful Entry, Theft (Second Degree), and Destruction of Property.

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A very important occupation in society is someone who has learned the trade of plumbing and heating. Presently you're afforded the opportunity in having a great selection of bathtubs, showers, sinks, toilets, and the necessary parts and fixtures in furnishing and remodeling the specified location.

Our schools, churches, businesses, homes, sport complexes and public buildings are an example of where you'll find all the modern features associated with plumbing and heating. It wasn't always this easy, as over 100 years ago things were a lot different as some homes and businesses did not have the modern facilities, so they had to use an outdoor privy as a toilet and use a hand pump to draw water from a well to have drinking water.

Chambersburg, past and present, has had many great journeymen in plumbing and heating. One of the gentlemen was Edward N. Metz. Born on Dec. 16, 1867, Metz was raised in Chambersburg, attended public schools and graduated from Chambersburg Academy, a 19th-century college and business preparatory school.

His father was Abram Metz, an established blacksmith who manufactured anvils, plows, wagons and butchering tools at his shop on South Second Street near East Washington Street.

Edward Metz stands between his brothers/employees Walter and Norman in front of his new, larger show showroom at 120 S. Main St. Metz moved his plumbing/heating business there from his home in 1907.

The younger Metz started his apprenticeship in plumbing, steam and gas fittings, and heating systems during the year of 1886.

Metz always kept current with the changes and advancements relating to the modern sanitation and heating systems. He was the superintendent of the water department for the Borough of Chambersburg for several years before he resigned and went on to obtain his license to conduct a plumbing business during the fall of 1904. His business was first located to the rear of his residence at 224 E. Washington St.

Edward Metz was successful in the plumbing and heating industry in Chambersburg in the early 20th century.

Metz's business increased to the point that after three years, in 1907, he relocated to 120 S. Main St. next to the hardware business of A.L. Sherk. The new location was much larger and had room for a big display in the showroom and space for an office.

Metz was now able to display a larger selection of bathtubs, gas fixtures, mantels, toilets, boilers, steam and hot water fittings, along with the most modern display of plumbing supplies and pumps.

More from Mike Marotte: Grand Army of the Republic Housum Post served Civil War vets in Franklin County

He mostly dealt with the Sanitary Manufacturing Company for bath and toilet fixtures as this company was considered to be the best for their quality and style in the United States. It was during the early 1900s that Metz's business had received many contracts in which this kept his employees busy installing the modern plumbing and heating fixtures in many Chambersburg homes.

This successful business had five employees, two of whom were his brothers Walter and Norman.

This interior view of Edward Metz's new showroom at 120 S. Main St. shows a large selection of bathroom and heating fixtures available in 1907.

Metz was truly The Master of his Trade for 53 years before retiring in 1939. The Metz family during the 1920s through the early 1940s were fortunate enough to have a summer cottage at Caledonia State Park where they could enjoy the beautiful scenery and the cool mountain air.

He was also active in Chambersburg. He was a member and secretary of the Vigilant Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 of Chambersburg until it merged with the Junior Hose Company No. 2 in 1897 to become the Junior Hose & Truck Company No. 2. He was also a member of the George Washington Lodge No. 143 Free and Accepted Masons and Second Lutheran Church.

More from Mike Marotte: Chambersburg's Taylor Manufacturing Co. was innovator of agricultural, industrial machines

Edward N. Metz passed away on Aug. 2, 1947. He is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery on North Franklin Street in Chambersburg.

M.L. Mike Marotte III is an author, historian, and journalist who writes about the rich History of Franklin County. Read more of him at www.vintagefranklincountypa.com.

This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Metz brought plumbing, heating tech to 20th century Chambersburg
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently sat down with PBS NewsHour to discuss a range of issues, including potential changes to U.S. tax policy.

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Senior correspondent Judy Woodruff asked about a column Dimon recently published in The Washington Post in which he described policies he hopes the next U.S. president will enact, like expanded earned income tax credit.

He wrote, These national policies should include facing  and fixing  our failure to create equal opportunity for all, expanding the economy by encouraging investments, sharing the wealth, addressing our national debt, maintaining the worlds strongest military, taking control of our borders, strengthening the social safety nets, and renewing national pride by unabashedly teaching civics and American exceptionalism without papering over our mistakes.

When asked how he proposes paying for new government initiatives while also bringing the national debt down, he said after "maximizing growth" there would be "a little bit of deficit." He added, You would maybe just raise taxes a little bit, like the Warren Buffett-type rule, I would do that, and we would be fine.

But what is the Buffett Rule and how would it potentially help the country?

How the Buffett Rule works

The Buffett Rule is a principle named for billionaire investor Warren Buffett who famously expressed concern that his effective tax rate is lower than his secretarys because of tax rules that favor the wealthy. It says that no household making over $1 million annually should pay a smaller share of their income in taxes than middle-class families pay.

"The question is what is fair when you have to raise multi-trillions to fund the United States of America," Buffett told ABC News in 2012. "[Raising taxes] will not change my behavior. I have paid all different kinds of rates and I've always been interested in making money. I believe this should be a defining issue. [My secretary] Debbie works just as hard as I do and she pays twice the rate I do."

In 2011, the Congressional Research Service said the current U.S. tax system violates the Buffett rule as roughly a quarter of all millionaires (about 94,500 taxpayers) face a tax rate that is lower than the tax rate faced by 10.4 million moderate-income taxpayers (10% of the moderate-income taxpayers).

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Soon after, President Obama proposed the Buffett Rule and said to achieve it no millionaire should pay less than 30% of their income in taxes. As a result, rich households would enjoy fewer tax subsidies, like lower rates on investment income (capital gains and dividends) than other income, and be limited in their ability to employ tax avoidance strategies.

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What's the impact?

The Buffett rule was a policy proposal that gained popularity during the Obama era. Several think tanks analyzed its potential impact at the time.

Brookings Institute found it would increase tax revenue by around $260 billion in the decade following its passage, which wouldn't significantly impact the country's deficits. The Center for American Progress estimated that an extra $73 billion would have been collected annually over the prior three years had the rule been in place. The Center for Public Integrity argued the tax code is already progressive, that Buffett's low tax rate is an exception rather than the norm, and that the impact on the deficit would be minuscule.

It's unclear which of these competing analyses would have proved correct because the Buffett rule never became law. Instead, there were other changes  including President Donald Trump's major overhaul of the tax code.

While a small number of lawmakers reintroduced a bill with a version of the Buffett rule in 2021, it hasn't been a part of most recent major tax reform proposals. Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly supports President Biden's plan to raise the top marginal rate on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends for the highest earners to 44.6%.

Whether Dimon gets his wish and taxes are increased so the government can invest in solving problems will depend in large part on who wins the next election in November 2024. We won't know that for months, and until then, predicting future tax changes is a difficult endeavor.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Man charged with 68 counts of distribution of obscene matter in Hopkinsville

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (WKRN)  A man was taken into custody in Hopkinsville Friday after a weeks-long Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation, according to authorities.

The Hopkinsville Police Department said detectives and officers from its Crime Suppression Unit arrested John Jay Smith on Friday, Aug. 30 for a warrant charging him with 68 counts of Distribution of Obscene Matter > than 1 Unit of Matter.

Nashville woman charged with child endangerment after allegedly leaving children in hot car

According to officials, Smiths arrest followed the conclusion of a nearly two-month-long investigation led by Hopkinsville detectives, with assistance from the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office in Ohio, as well as the Kentucky ICAC Task Force.

The Kentucky ICAC Task Force includes members of more than 26 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, police stated, adding that the ICAC program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the internet, the proliferation of child sexual abuse material, and the heightened online activity of predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims.

TNs missing children: Over three dozen kids still havent been found

Authorities said Smith has previously been arrested for sexual-based offenses in Ohio. However, no additional details were released about the circumstances for his prior arrest or his arrest on Friday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Prince Georges County Police Department said a man died after being shot on Saturday evening.

Officers said that at about 7:30 p.m., they responded to the 6900 block of Hawthorne St for a reported shooting.

DC police shoot, kill man who had gun, crashed car into McDonalds, MPD says

When police arrived at the scene, they found a man in a parking lot who had been shot.

The man was taken to the hospital where he later died.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Man exposes himself to women in downtown parking garages: Police

ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis man admitted to exposing himself to around 20 women at two downtown parking garages.

According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments probable cause statement, the incidents took place on August 26 at the Stadium West Parking Garage on South 8th Street and the Kiener Plaza West Parking Garage on Pine Street.

Four different victims told officers that a man approached them and exposed his genitalia before performing a sex act on himself in front of them.

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Investigators said they were able to identify and apprehend Antoine Jones, 21, as the individual responsible.

Police said Jones confessed to the acts with the hope that the victims would have sex with him on video for the purposes of making pornography.

Jones was on probation for second-degree burglary at the time of his arrest.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged Jones with four counts of first-degree

sexual misconduct.

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Man hospitalized, another arrested after stabbing in Roxbury

A man has been hospitalized and another has been arrested after a Saturday morning stabbing in Roxbury.

Officers responded to the area of Columbia Road and Stoughton Street for a report of a person stabbed. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim suffering from a stab wound.

Boston EMS transported the victim to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Before the victim was transported, he was able to point at a fleeing suspect near the intersection of Columbia Road and Dudley Street. Officers began to chase after the suspect who hopped on a bike.

The suspect, identified as Kelvin Ortiz, 30, of Roxbury, was located by officers on Gene Street. When located he jumped off the bike and hopped the fence, police said.

Officers were flagged down on Humphreys Street and were told that Ortiz had broken into their basement. Officers watched Ortiz flee the basement and were able to take him into custody on Wendover Street.

Ortiz is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering daytime for felony, and trespassing.

He is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.

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

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Man injured in shooting during meetup for online marketplace sale in North Lawndale

Man injured in shooting during meetup for online marketplace sale in North Lawndale

CHICAGO  A man was hospitalized on Saturday afternoon after a shooting during a meetup for an online marketplace sale on the West Side.

Chicago police said the armed robbery attempt unfolded just after 3 p.m. in the 3400 block of West Douglas Boulevard in North Lawndale.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

According to police, the victim, a 23-year-old man, had organized to meet a seller from an online marketplace to purchase an item. But when the victim arrived at the designated meetup spot, he was confronted by three individuals who pulled out a gun and opened fire.

Officers said the victim suffered gunshot wounds to his left and shoulder and was later transported to the hospital, where he was listed in fair condition.

An investigation into the shooting is now underway and authorities said no arrests have been made.

Authorities did not disclose what online marketplace was used to conduct the sale.

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Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact CPD Area Four Detectives at 312-746-8251 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

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Police officers from a special task force (SEK) go to an apartment building in Berlin Wannsee. An SEK operation is underway in Berlin-Wannsee because a man is said to have threatened another man with a weapon. Michael Kappeler/dpa

The 46-year-old man who was shot dead by special police forces in Berlin apparently had psychological problems, the spokesman for the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office, Sebastian Buchner, said on Sunday.

On Saturday morning, the man allegedly threatened a 49-year-old man with a firearm at a caravan site, officials said in a statement.

The police and the public prosecutor's office said the 49-year-old was unharmed and managed to drive away from the attacker and call the police.

He then followed the 46-year-old and saw him run into an apartment block, they said. The incident took place in an upper middle class neighbourhood of Berlin.

The suspect did not open the door, so officers forced their way into the flat in the afternoon.

The man then allegedly opened fire immediately with a gun, the statement said.

Police forces returned fire, hitting the man fatally.

A homicide squad is investigating the incident.
HENRY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Members of multiple law enforcement agencies teamed up Friday to track down a wanted man in Henry County.

The Henry County Sheriffs Office said it responded to Cypress Road and Otts Road on Friday, Aug. 30 after receiving a tip that Richard Sager  who had active arrest warrants for criminal attempt to commit second-degree murder stemming from a prior incident  was seen in the area.

Teen dead after being shot multiple times in Hermitage

When authorities got to the location, they said they located Sagers vehicle and had reason to believe he ran off just before they arrived.

Through a coordinated effort between the Henry County Sheriffs Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and its Aviation Unit, the Calloway County Sheriffs Office, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee state park rangers, and the emergency management agency (EMA), officials said they set up a containment perimeter and took Sager into custody within about four hours.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

The Henry County Sheriffs Office thanked all of the law enforcement agencies involved in the search, saying, Through the quick response of all agencies and the use of THP Aviation Unit and drone usage by EMA, law enforcement was able to apprehend Sager without incident.

No additional details have been released about the circumstances surrounding Sagers arrest or the incident that led to him being wanted for attempted murder.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A man and woman are facing charges after police say they stole a vehicle in Indiana County and then led state troopers on a chase through Armstrong County.

Pennsylvania State Police said troopers were called to the Walmart on the 3100 block of Oakland Avenue in White Township, Indiana at 5:44 p.m. on Friday for reports of a stolen blue 1986 Pontiac 6000. The key was left on the vehicles dashboard while it was unoccupied in the store parking lot.

The car was spotted on the westbound side of Route 422 in Armstrong County. Two troopers tried to pull it over for a traffic stop but said it took off.

Police used two PIT maneuvers at the start of the chase. The first deflated the left rear tire. The second briefly stopped the vehicle but the driver was able to regain control and flee east.

Troopers set up spike strips in the area of Margaret Road and were able to deflate the front right tire but said the car was still able to keep going.

A Pennsylvania State Police said one of their vehicles was damaged after the driver intentionally crashed into the passenger side of it.

Another PIT maneuver was used and the driver continued to try to get away but, this time, was unable to after a second troopers vehicle pinned the Pontiac against a guide rail and a third trooper parked directly in front of it. The chase ended in Plumcreek Township.

Troopers say the driver was Michael Antonio Pucciarelli, 34, from Pittsburgh. He faces a long list of charges, including aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, theft by unlawful taking or disposition, and criminal conspiracy to theft by unlawful taking or disposition. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and 25 summary Vehicle Code violations, including reckless driving and driving the wrong way.

A woman who was riding in the passenger seat was identified by police as Rehny Denise Little, 30, of Homestead. She is charged with felony counts of theft by unlawful taking or disposition and criminal conspiracy to theft by unlawful taking. Police say a trooper had to taze her to take her into custody.

Pucciarelli and Little are being held at the Indiana County Jail with bails of $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

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On Friday, Mason County Sheriffs deputies responded to a report of an unexploded suspicious device in the Star Lake community.

When they arrived, deputies identified the device as a homemade improvised explosive device (IED).

Residents told the patrol units that three other explosives had been detonated in the neighborhood within the previous 12 hours.

The Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad was called to the scene, where they investigated the device and conducted a controlled detonation to neutralize it safely.

The investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly set off the devices from their vehicle while driving through the area.

The Bomb Squad is now collaborating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to examine further and document the explosive.

The Mason County Sheriffs Office thanked the community members who reported the IED and provided valuable information to assist the investigation.
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

Three Department of Defense contracts were awarded to Lockheed Martin Corp. in Orlando earlier this month.

On Aug. 15, the Bethesda, Maryland-based defense contractors Orlando operations landed $287 million in contracts to provide services to the Air Force, Navy and other parties. Lockheed Martins Missiles & Fire Control division is based in Orlando along Universal Boulevard near the International Drive tourist corridor.

Read: He didnt protect her: family remembers 9-year-old after father was arrested for her death

Here are more details on the local Lockheed (NYSE: LMT) contracts, according to the Department of Defense website:

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

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Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) on Sunday poured cold water over the legitimacy of former President Trumps proposal to have the government or insurance companies cover in vitro fertilization (IVF), stating voters cannot believe anything he says on reproductive issues.

You cant take this seriously. I mean, this isnt just a Republican  and by the way, I work well with Republicans  this is Donald Trump, who will say anything and everything depending on where the wind is blowing, Healey said on CBS Newss Face the Nation. He caught some heat the other day, you know, and so he comes out with a statement that, all of a sudden, hes a believer in IVF. Its just patently false, its offensive.

Trump said Thursday his administration would protect access to IVF and have either the government or insurance companies pay for the treatment if hes elected in November.

Under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment, he said in an exclusive interview with NBC News, adding that would apply to all Americans who get it; all Americans who need it.

So, were going to be paying for that treatment, or were going to be mandating that the insurance companies pay, he added.

Although Republicans have not directly opposed IVF access, Democrats say Trump and his party made it possible for the Alabama Supreme Court ruling in February that frozen embryos could be considered the same as children, and therefore discarding them could be criminal. The ruling temporarily halted IVF services for many patients in Alabama.

First of all, dont believe anything that Donald Trump says, Healey said. You know, as attorney general, I had to sue him over 100 times for his lies. And as governor, Ive seen the very real difference between a Trump administration and an administration that will have Kamala Harris when it to health, womens health, reproductive freedom. There can be no clear a difference in this election, Kamala Harris stands squarely for reproductive freedom.

She later said Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), are out there day after day on offense, on the issue.

And theyre not just talking to Democrats; theyre talking to Republicans, to independents, and to so many Americans who are just tuning in this Labor Day and havent made up their mind about who theyre going to vote for, and on issue after issue, protecting the middle class a well-functioning economy, standing up for reproductive freedom. These are all things that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz believe in and will fight for, and things that Donald Trump and [Sen] JD Vance [R-Ohio] dont know the first thing about and cannot deliver on.

IVF has been a central concern for political figures and voters alike in the past year, especially following the Alabama Supreme Court decision.

The former president has repeatedly been blamed by Democrats for the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, after he appointed three of the justices who voted with a 6-3 majority in the landmark decision.

The Trump-Vance campaign, like the larger Republican party ahead of the 2024 election, has largely sought to sidestep issues related to abortion and reproductive rights, given the unpopularity of its anti-abortion agenda among voters since Roe v. Wade was overturned two years ago.

The Hill reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

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Vice President Harris is making a big play for voters in the center ground, even if doing so risks sparking discontent among progressives.

The move toward the center is reinvigorating questions over Harriss authenticity, especially given that she advocated for more left-leaning positions during her 2020 primary campaign.

But the vice president and her allies plainly see the risk as worthwhile, given that the elections outcome will likely be decided by a sliver of independent-minded voters in six or seven battleground states.

The election forecast from The Hill and Decision Desk HQ gives Harris a 55 percent chance of prevailing in November, a finding that highlights just how tight the contest is likely to be.

Harriss effort to win the center is being fought on a number of fronts.

She no longer supports a ban on fracking, as she did back in 2019. She is no longer pushing the health care concept known as Medicare for All, as she did in Senate and in the early stages of her primary campaign. Having once indicated she wanted unauthorized border crossings to be decriminalized, she now says there must be consequences for people who make those crossings.

Beyond those specific details, there is a more generalized moderate tone now emanating from Harris and her campaign.

When she talks about immigration these days, it is often in a way that foregrounds her support for border security  and her record as attorney general of California, during which she notes she prosecuted gang members accused of human trafficking.

On Israel and Gaza  an issue that has bitterly divided the Democratic base  Harris emphasizes her backing for Israels right to defend itself, even as she acknowledges too many Palestinians have been killed. In her big CNN interview Thursday, she declared her opposition to any suspension of U.S. arms sales to Israel.

In terms of domestic politics, Harris said in the same CNN interview she would appoint a Republican to her Cabinet if elected, though she stressed she did not have anyone specific in mind. I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my Cabinet who was a Republican, Harris told Dana Bash.

Meanwhile, Harriss speech at the Democratic National Convention has an ostentatiously patriotic tone, emphasizing her rise would have been impossible, in her view, in any other nation.

At the convention, and elsewhere, she often invokes the concept of freedom a concept that tends to be cited more frequently by Republicans than Democrats  as she makes the case for economic fairness, abortion rights and gun safety.

There has been some criticism of these moves, especially from pro-Palestinian activists on the Gaza question.

But more broadly, leading voices on the left, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), are backing Harris, mostly for her ability to stop what they see as the catastrophe of a second Trump presidency.

Advocates of centrism within the Democratic movement are celebrating Harriss recent tone without equivocation.

I thought her acceptance speech was the most centrist Democratic acceptance speech I have ever heard, and that includes Bill Clinton in 1992, said Jim Kessler, the executive vice president for policy at Third Way, a moderate group.

Shes articulating Democratic centrism very well. She has moved to the center on issues where voters really want to see that  the border being Number One, but also on crime and by seizing on the word opportunity and by making that the campaigns economic watchword, Kessler added.

Former Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) said he believed Harriss moves were being made in a way that acknowledges that elections are won by appealing to moderate voters.

Altmire, who served three terms as a moderate Democrat, later wrote a book decrying Americas growing polarization. He contended Harriss movement away from her prior positions, especially on the fracking issue is designed to appeal specifically in the states where the election will be won.

But Altmire acknowledged Harris could face real challenges because, he said, the positions she held throughout her career are really very far to the left.

Of course, many activists on the left would disagree with that assessment.

During the 2020 primary, Harris faced skepticism among left-leaning voters who believed she was adopting some of their rhetoric as a matter of political convenience. Kamala the cop was a derisive label often used to underline these doubts by referring to her record as a district attorney in San Francisco and, later, her states attorney general.

Now it is Republicans and right-leaning independents who are expressing skepticism. Thats true even of Republicans who dont hammer Harris as hard as Team Trump, which routinely refers to her as a California radical. Trump himself appears to have finally settled on the nickname Comrade Kamala for Harris.

Brendan Steinhauser, a GOP strategist, said Harris might get some leeway from voters for shifts in position, but there are limits.

People are used to politicians changing their message and shifting their positions as they move into a general election campaign, he said. But I think some of those  like the fracking  are going to hurt her more than others. If I was the Trump campaign, Id continue to hammer that, especially in Pennsylvania but across the board.

Matt Gorman, a GOP strategist who served as a senior adviser to Sen. Tim Scotts (R-S.C.) presidential campaign, portrayed the risks for Harris in starker terms.

He said her new centrist tone supercharged the critique of her as a fraud with no political core.

Right now, Harris is willing to bet she can bat back those attacks and win the center  and with it win the White House.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

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Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard has pleaded guilty to unlawfully acquiring funds from Hall County and the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia (PAC) to cover personal and unrelated expenses.

In June, Attorney General Chris Carr announced a multi-count indictment against Woodard, composed of theft, false statements and writings.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Mrs. Woodard took advantage of our state by violating the same laws that she was elected to uphold, Carr said. She has now been held accountable for her actions. Our office will always follow the law, the facts and the evidence to ensure justice for all Georgians.

Officials say Woodard used unauthorized funds to cover personal expenses from July 2018 to Sept. 2022. The indictment also alleges that Woodard got reimbursed for travel expenses she had already submitted or for travel that never happened.

TRENDING STORIES:

Woodard took a plea deal in which she pleaded guilty to unprofessional conduct. She was sentenced under the First Offender Act, which included 12 months of probation and ordered to pay $1,190.48 in restitution to PAC and $1,028.80 to Hall County.

Also as part of her plea, she was also required to resign as Hall County Solicitor General, effective Aug. 9, 2024.

Hall County citizens entrusted Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard to serve the community with honesty and integrity. However, Woodard betrayed that trust for her personal gain, said GBI Director Chris Hosey. The GBI is committed to thoroughly investigating cases like this and ensuring accountability.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
City workers dismantled an abandoned makeshift camp that was known as "Little Haiti" in the Tlahuac borough of Mexico City, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexico will offer escorted bus rides from southern Mexico to the U.S. border for non-Mexican migrants who have received a United States asylum appointment, the government announced Saturday.

The National Immigration Institute said the buses will leave from the southern cities of Villahermosa and Tapachula. It appeared to be an attempt to make applying for asylum appointments from southern Mexico more attractive to migrants who otherwise would push north to Mexico City or the border.

The announcement came a week after the U.S. government expanded access to the CBP One application to southern Mexico. Access to the app, which allows asylum seekers to register and await an appointment, had previously been restricted to central and northern Mexico.

The Mexican government wants more migrants to wait in southern Mexico farther from the U.S. border. Migrants typically complain there is little work available in southern Mexico for a wait that can last months. Many carry debts for their trip and feel pressure to work.

The migrants who avail themselves of the buses will also receive a 20-day transit permit allowing them legal passage across Mexico, the institute's statement said.

Previously, Mexican authorities said they would respect migrants who showed that they had a scheduled asylum appointment at the border, but some migrants reported being swept up at checkpoints and shipped back south, forced to miss their appointments.

Local, state and federal law enforcement will provide security for the buses and meals will be provided during transit, the institute said.

The rides could also help discourage some migrants from making the arduous journey north on foot. Three migrants were killed and 17 injured this week when a vehicle barrelled into them on a highway in the southern state of Oaxaca.

Mexico had pressured the United States to expand CBP One access in part to alleviate the build up of migrants in Mexico City. Many migrants had opted over the past year to wait for their appointments in Mexico City where there was more work available and comparatively more security than the cartel-controlled border cities.

Those with the resources buy plane tickets to the border crossing point where their appointments are scheduled to reduce the risk of being snagged by Mexican authorities or by the cartels, which abduct and ransom migrants.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A 106-year-old World War II veteran from Michigan has died.

Robert Holt, who lived in Albion, has passed away, the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight told News 8 Saturday.

Holt was on the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in May. He served in Germany, and during his first mission, his truck hit a land mine and exploded. Holt was thrown from the truck but wasnt injured.

At 106 years old, two WWII veterans meet in Michigan

Holt also got the chance to meet another 106-year-old veteran: Irene Hosking, a nurse who served in Australia. The two, born just 10 days apart in April 1918, spent hours talking.

Robert Holt and Irene Hosking meet. (Courtesy)

Earlier this month, Hosking also passed away.

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FILE - An aerial view of a migrant tent encampment set up on the plaza of the Santa Cruz y La Soledad Catholic parish church, in La Merced neighborhood of Mexico City, Dec. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File)

MEXICO CITY (AP)  Thats it, dude! Done! exclaimed Eliezer Lopez as he jumped up and down, throwing his arms to the sky and drawing a sign of the cross across his chest. His joy was so contagious, his friends started to emerge from nearby tents to celebrate with him.

Lopez, a 20-year-old Venezuelan migrant in Mexico City, had reason to rejoice: after several frustrating attempts, he was able to secure an appointment to seek asylum in the U.S.

He is one of thousands of migrants whose U.S.-bound journey has landed them in the Mexican capital, the southernmost point until recently from which migrants can register to request an appointment to seek asylum through the U.S. Customs and Border Protections mobile app known as CBP One.

Since June, when the Biden administration announced significant restrictions on migrants seeking asylum, the app became one of the only ways to request asylum at the Southwest border.

This U.S. asylum policy and its geographic limits are a driving force behind the emergence of migrant encampments throughout the Mexican capital where thousands of migrants wait weeks  even months  in limbo, living in crowded, makeshift camps with poor sanitation and grim living conditions.

From point of transit to temporary destination

Historically, Mexico City has not been a stop for northbound migrants. They try to cross the country quickly to reach the northern border. But the delays in securing an appointment, coupled with the danger that plagues cartel-controlled northern Mexico border cities and the increased crackdown by Mexican authorities on migrants have combined to turn Mexico City from a point of transit to a temporary destination for thousands.

Some migrant camps have been dismantled by immigration authorities or abandoned over time. Others, like the one where Lopez has lived for the past few months, remain.

Like Lopez, many migrants have opted to wait for their appointment in the somewhat safer capital, but Mexico City presents its own challenges.

Shelter capacity is limited, and unlike large U.S. cities like Chicago and New York, which rushed last winter to find housing for arriving migrants, in Mexico City, they are mainly left to their own devices.

Andrew Bahena, coordinator of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, or CHIRLA, said that up until late 2023 many migrants were contained in southern Mexican cities like Tapachula, near the border with Guatemala. Many tried to disguise their location to defeat CBP Ones geographic limits, but when U.S. authorities took notice, more migrants began aiming for Mexico City to make their appointments from there, he said.

As a result, there has been an increase in the migrant population living in the Mexico City camps.

We talk about this as border externalization and its something the United States and Mexico have been jointly implementing for years, said Bahena. The CBP One app is probably one of the best examples of that today.

These folks are asylum seekers, theyre not homeless people living in Mexico, he added.

A maze of tents and tarps

When Lopez first arrived in Mexico City at the end of April, he thought about renting a room only to realize it was not an option.

He earned 450 pesos ($23) a day working three times a week at a market. Rent was 3,000 pesos a week ($157) per person to share a room with strangers, an arrangement that has become commonplace in Mexican cities with migrant populations.

The camp is like a refuge, said Lopez. Migrants can share space with people they know, avoid the curfews and strict rules of shelters and potentially stay longer if necessary.

The camps are a maze of tents and tarps. Some call their space ranchito, or small ranch, assembled from wood, cardboard, plastic sheets, blankets and whatever they can find to protect them from the chilly mountain air and intense summer rains that pound the city.

At another camp in La Merced neighborhood, hundreds of blue, yellow and red tents fill a plaza in front of a church. Its one of the capitals largest camps and just a 20-minute walk from the city center.

This is a place where up to 2,000 migrants have been living in the last year, said Bahena. About 40% are children.

Migrants in La Merced have organized themselves, building an impromptu pump that moves water from the public system and distributes it on a fixed schedule, with every tent receiving four buckets of water every day.

At the beginning there were a lot of problems, lots of trash and people in Mexico didnt like that, said Hector Javier Magallanes, a Venezuelan migrant, who has been waiting nine months for a CBP One appointment. We made sure to fix those problems little by little.

As more migrants kept arriving at the camp, he set up a task force of 15 people to oversee security and infrastructure.

Despite efforts to keep the camp clean and organized, residents havent been able to avoid outbreaks of illnesses, exacerbated by drastic weather changes.

Keilin Mendoza, a 27-year-old Honduran migrant, said her kids constantly get colds, especially her 1-year-old daughter.

Shes the one that worries me the most, because she takes the longest to recover, she said. Mendoza has tried accessing the free medical attention from humanitarian organizations at the camp, but resources are limited.

Israel Resendiz, coordinator of Doctors Without Borders mobile team, said the uncertainty of life in the camps weighs heavily on migrants mental health. Its not the same when a person waiting for their appointment (...) can get a hotel, rent a room or have money for food. The majority of people dont have these resources.

The secretary of inclusion and social welfare and the secretary of the interior in Mexico City didn't respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press about the camps. Press representatives of Clara Brugada, the incoming mayor of Mexico City, said the issue must first be discussed at the federal level.

Meanwhile, tensions between camp residents and neighbors have increased, sometimes leading to mass evictions of the camps.

In late April, neighbors from the trendy and central Juarez neighborhood blocked some of the citys busiest streets, chanting, The street is not a shelter!

Eduardo Ramirez, one of the protest organizers, said it's the government's job to "help these poor people that come from their countries in search of something better and have the bad luck of traveling through Mexico.

They sleep on the streets because the government has abandoned them, he said.

In a camp hosting about 200 families in the northern neighborhood of Vallejo, tensions  and fear  run rampant.

One day they threw chlorinated water on a kid and hot water on another, recalled 50-year-old Salvadoran Sonia Rodriguez, a resident of the camp.

Despite making her ranchito as dignified as possible  she has a grill for cooking, bunk beds and a television  her gaze turns somber when she remembers shes been living for 10 months in an improvised camp that is not her home, without her things, far from her normal life. ___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
A military training helicopter crash killed both crew members on board, the Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University in Kharkiv said on Sept. 1.

The university did not disclose where the crash took place or name the two crew members.

"Investigators, specialized experts, and specialists of the special commission of the Defense Ministry are working at the scene of the incident," the university said.

The university and the helicopter's military unit will contribute information to establish the cause of the crash, the university added.

"We express our condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased."

In July, a first-year cadet at the same university was killed in a training flight of a Ukrainian-made K-10 Swift aircraft.

Read also: Ukraines Air Force announces death of pilot after WSJ reports F-16 crash

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I was dismayed to hear that the Milwaukee police union endorsed former President Donald Trump (Milwaukee Police Association endorses Donald Trump at Vance campaign visit, Aug. 16).

Is this what support the blue means? They endorse a person that encouraged an insurrection, is a convicted felon and has denied that anyone was killed at the insurrection? How on earth can you believe in the brotherhood of your fellow law enforcement agencies?

Is it no wonder that there are many that do not trust the Milwaukee police? The union needs to rethink what it stands for.

Mary Jo Kern, Wauwatosa

Unimaginable police association would endorse convicted felon

The Milwaukee Police Association has endorsed former President Donald Trump for president (Milwaukee Police Association endorses Donald Trump at Vance campaign visit, Aug. 16).

I would ask their members to consider how officers who were assaulted and their families feel when they hear Trump say that Jan. 6 was a "beautiful day" or that his supporters "were there with love in their hearts." It's unimaginable to me that the Milwaukee Police Association could endorse an insurrectionist and convicted felon.

Terry Hansen, Milwaukee

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Police Association's endorsement of Trump is dismaying
UPDATE:

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  The Monongalia County Sheriffs Office has updated its post saying Dunn was found safe.

ORIGINAL:

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  The Monongalia County Sheriffs Office is searching for a missing elderly man believed to be at risk.

The man, identified as James Dunn, suffers from dementia and was last seen leaving his Crosby Road home at around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, the Monongalia County Sheriffs Office said in a post on its official Facebook page.

Dunn is described as 63 tall weighing 169 pounds, with white hair and brown eyes.

Thousands of Mon Power customers have outages after storms

Dunn has previously lived in New Jersey as well as the Richmond, Virginia area, according to the Monongalia County Sheriffs Office; it is believed he could be traveling to either area. He was driving a red Buick Enclave with a trailer attached, the sheriffs office said.

The sheriffs office said it has requested a Silver Alert for Dunn through the West Virginia State Police Fairmont. Anyone who has seen Dunn is asked to contact 911 and check his welfare, the sheriffs office said.

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Riding a motorcycle can be fun and exhilarating. However, there are serious risks involved, and theyre only increasing.

As motorcycle crash fatalities rise in the United States, Eastonlawoffices.com conducted a study by collecting data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to determine where the dangers of motorcycle driving are most prevalent, including finding which states are the most or least safe for motorcyclists.

The study ranked Missouri as the third-worst state in the country for motorcycle crashes with a weighted score of 67.0. The study also found that 16.22% of fatal crashes in Missouri involved a motorcycle, and 12.58 people were killed per 10,000 registered motorcycles.

Big changes on track for Branson attraction

A big reason for Missouris high ranking stems from speeding incidents, with exactly 50% of motorcycle accidents in Missouri caused by speeding drivers. Another 25.61% of accidents in Missouri were caused by drunk driving.

In fact, the study found that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents across the United States are due to either speeding (37.2%) or alcohol (33.5%).

Hawaii was named the most dangerous state for motorcycles with a weighted score of 77.96, followed by Texas at 72.90.

Alaska had the lowest score in the study at 30.9, with South Dakota (35.1) and Wisconsin (35.9) right behind them.

The full study can be viewed here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
Abercrombie & Kent offers a range of trips including cruises of the Arctic and Antarctic - Richard Harker

A British luxury travel agency that offers high-end trips including cruises of the Arctic is preparing to join the stock market.

London-based Abercrombie & Kent has kicked off conversations with bankers about an initial public offering (IPO) in 18 to 24 months time.

Cristina Levis, the companys chief executive, said joining the stock market could help Abercrombie & Kent become the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy [LVMH] of luxury experiential travel, referencing the 338bn (285bn) French luxury giant.

However, in a potential blow to the London Stock Exchange, Ms Levis said executives were considering joining the New York stock market rather than pursuing a local listing.

Founded in 1962 to offer safaris in East Africa, Abercrombie & Kent has expanded to become one of the worlds leading luxury travel businesses. Today it offers a wide range of trips around the globe that include cruises of the Arctic and Antarctic, wildlife tours in the jungles of Borneo and guided trips around Peru that culminate at Machu Picchu.

The travel Group includes Sanctuary Retreats, which runs lodges and boat tours in Africa - Mark Williams

Holidays typically run into the thousands of pounds and can reach into the tens of thousands. Island hopping in the Caribbean costs more than 8,000 for 12 nights, while a seven night trip to the South Pole to see emperor penguins can cost upwards of 85,000 per person.

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group comprises its namesake tour agency, the cruise operator Crystal, the agency Cox & Kings, and Sanctuary Retreats, which runs lodges and boat tours in Africa.

The decision to list the company comes on the back of strong demand for luxury travel since the pandemic, despite turbulent economic conditions and geopolitical unrest.

At the moment, demand is very strong with obviously some exceptions with the situation in the Middle East, Ms Levis said.

She added: Our niche has always been very, very resilient  in the toughest moment in history, we have seen a continuous increase in demand.

The groups latest available accounts, for 2022, show revenues of $528m (402m) as sales rebounded in the wake of the pandemic. The group made a pre-tax profit of $22m for the year.

Trips to Japan, Scandinavian countries and South America are proving particularly popular, Ms Levis said.

She said: I would not have expected the Nordics to become so popular. I love Scandinavia, but this year the demand for the Nordics have increased really dramatically.

Its impossible to find space in Japan  now we are moving clients to see cherry blossoms in South Korea, because we dont have space anymore in Japan.

Joining the stock market could help Abercrombie & Kent become 'the LVMH of luxury experiential travel'

Ms Levis said the company was also seeing increased demand for private jet trips because soaring prices for business class plane tickets meant there was less of a gap in price.

Story continues

Prior to the pandemic, going to the US in business class, a return trip was $3,000 to $4,000. Now we easily see $9,000, $10,000 and $12,000, she said.

Flights in a large private jet such as a Gulfstream cost $7,000 to $9,000 per flight hour, Ms Levis said, meaning some groups of travellers were finding it more economically viable to travel in them.

Ms Levis said she and other executives had not yet decided where to list Abercrombie & Kent but said New York was appealing because the company is expanding in the US and there are more analysts covering travel businesses there.

The US is already the companys biggest source of income, accounting for $267.7m of its revenues in 2022.

It comes as the London Stock Exchange battles to attract new listings and stem an exodus of companies shifting to New York. Worries over poor liquidity, a high burden of governance and a shortage of exciting initial public offerings have sparked fears about the long-term health of the market.

We are still putting everything on a scale to try to understand whats the best market for us to list, said Ms Levis, adding that bankers had presented a number of different options including several European stock markets.

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Most Poles believe Poland should down Russian drones over Polish airspace, survey shows

Most Poles believe the Polish military should shoot down Russian drones that enter Polish airspace during aerial attacks on Ukraine, according to a survey published on Sept. 1 by the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita.

The poll came after an unidentified airborne object, likely a Shahed-type kamikaze drone, flew over Poland for over 30 minutes on the morning of Aug. 26 before disappearing.

Polish Brigadier General Tomasz Drewniak told Radio RMF24 on Aug. 27 that Russia is likely testing Poland's air defense system by sending drones into Polish airspace.

The survey asked respondents if Poland should shoot down unidentified objects during Russian attacks on Ukraine, even if it is not certain what the object is.

58.5% of respondents said they agreed with the statement, 22.1% disagreed, and 19.4% said they did not have an opinion.

According to the results, more women than men supported Poland shooting down unidentified objects, with 61% of female respondents agreeing to the statement, compared to 56% of male respondents.

The poll had 800 respondents and was conducted with the research agency SW Research between Aug. 27 and Aug. 28.

Not only Russian drones, but also Russian missiles have previously entered Poland's airspace during attacks on Ukraine.

A Russian missile entered Polish airspace during a massive aerial attack launched against Ukraine in March, staying in Polish airspace for 39 seconds.

In another incident on Nov. 15, 2022, a missile flew onto Polish territory during a Russian mass strike, killing two civilians.

Polish investigators later concluded that it was a stray Ukrainian surface-to-air missile launched to intercept a Russian attack.

Read also: Volhynian Massacre  the Achilles heel of Ukrainian-Polish relations

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The family of a beautiful inside and out mother stabbed to death in front of her three-year-old daughter at Notting Hill Carnival have denied she would have broken up a gang fight with her daughter.

Cher Maximen, 32, had been fighting for her life in hospital after she was knifed while with her young child and other family and friends last Sunday.

Ms Maximen was stabbed in the groin in broad daylight. Early reports suggest she tried to intervene in a fight on Golborne Road shortly before 6pm.

She died in hospital on Saturday morning, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.

Cher Maximen died in hospital after being attacked on the family day of Notting Hill Carnival (Facebook)

Her grieving family issued an emotional tribute through Big Ego Media, saying: Cher was beautiful inside and out. She has a lot of family and has many friends.

She was a good mother and protector of family and close friends.

Dismissing initial reports that suggested the model and clothes designer was trying to break up a fight when she was stabbed, her mother said: My daughter was not parting any gang fight with a three-year-old.

Friends have set up a fundraiser for Chers only daughter to go towards therapy after she witnessed the fatal stabbing of her mother.

Yasmin Joseph said on a GoFundMe looking to raise 20,000 for the toddler as she now faces a future without her mother.

She said: Cher was enjoying a joyful day out with her beloved three-year-old daughter when her life was cut short in an act of senseless violence.

This little girl deserves all the love and care we can offer during this incredibly difficult time.

Cher was not just a mother; she was a shining light in her community, known for her warmth and kindness. Her smile brought joy to many, and her legacy will live on through her daughter. Together, we can help ensure that this young girl has the resources she needs to grow up surrounded by love, support, and opportunities.

In a separate killing, Mussie Imnetu, 41, a chef who worked under Gordon Ramsay, was found unconscious with a head injury outside the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway at about 11.22pm on Monday.

On Saturday, police said he had also died from his injuries.

Shakiel Thibou, 20, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with the attempted murder of Ms Maximen.

In light of Maximens death in the early hours of Saturday, the offence will be reviewed in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Thibou is also charged with possessing a knife in a public place and violent disorder.

Shakiel appeared in court alongside his two brothers, Sheldon Thibou, 24, and Shaeim Thibou, 21, who are both charged with violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker, while Sheldon Thibou faces an additional charge of possessing a stun gun.

Shakiel Thibou, of Masbro Road, Hammersmith, west London, and Sheldon Thibou, of Star Road, Hammersmith, gave no indication of pleas, while Shaeim Thibou, of Charleville Road, Fulham, southwest London, indicated a not guilty plea.

District Judge John Zani denied all three defendants bail and remanded them into custody to next appear together for a hearing at the Old Bailey on 25 September.
MPD: Man charged in connection to deadly stabbing of woman in Southeast DC

WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said officers arrested a man in connection to a fatal stabbing that happened in Southeast D.C. on Friday afternoon.

Police said that at about 4:30 p.m., they responded to the 3800 block of South Capitol St. for the report of a stabbing.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a woman inside a home who had been stabbed.

Man arrested in connection to Southwest DC burglary

The woman died at the scene. She was identified as 42-year-old Tiffany Parker of Southeast D.C.

Police arrested and charged 64-year-old Adrian Morgan of Southeast D.C. with Second Degree Murder While Armed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in cities across the country to call for a ceasefire - Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Israel faces a nationwide general strike over the deaths of six hostages found with gunshot wounds to the head in a Gaza tunnel.

The countrys biggest unions said they would shut down the entire economy on Monday to force the government to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

The six hostages are believed to have been killed by Hamas terrorists as Israeli troops closed in on their locations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Three were on a list to be released under a possible ceasefire deal.

The killings piled pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, who has been accused of blocking the latest proposed deal in recent weeks.

On Sunday, Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, called on Mr Netanyahus security cabinet to drop its veto of a peace deal.

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Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in cities across the country, chanting: Now! Now! in reference to a possible ceasefire.

A deal needs to be reached  a deal is more important than anything else, Arnon Bar-David, the leader of the union that called a general strike, said on Sunday night.

Mondays strike  the first since the Oct 7 attacks  was set to begin at 6am local time. Ben-Gurion Airport will halt all flights, starting at 8am.

Nurseries, universities and a number of large shopping centres will be closed. The Israel Bar Association alled on lawyers to join the one-day strike.

On Sunday night, demonstrators blocked the main way in to Jerusalem, while hundreds protested outside the prime ministers office in the city.

In Tel Aviv, thousands took to the streets following a call by the Hostages Families Forum earlier in the day to make the country come to a complete halt. The forum said the killing of the six hostages in Gaza was a direct result of the government delaying the ceasefire.

Thousands protested outside the defence ministrys headquarters in Tel Aviv, with demonstrators carrying mock coffins and signs saying: End the criminal abandonment.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, joined calls for both sides to agree an end to fighting in Gaza, piling further pressure on Mr Netanyahu.

Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering, he said.

Joe Biden, the US president, said: It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

He later spoke to the family of one of the killed hostages, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli.

Mr Netanyahu is accused of torpedoing a US-led peace initiative that would have led to the release of some hostages.

He refused to accept Hamas demands that Israel gives up control of the Philadelphi Corridor, which runs along the border between Gaza and Egypt.

Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, called on the security cabinet to reverse a decision to veto the deal made on Thursday.

He said: Its too late for the abductees who were murdered in cold blood. The abductees who remain in the captivity of Hamas must be returned home.

The six hostages who were killed. Top from left: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi. Bottom from left: Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov and Carmel Gat. - The Hostages Families Forum

Yair Lapid, the opposition leader, accused Mr Netanyahu of doing everything to stay in power insead of saving the lives of hostages.

On Sunday night, hundreds of people attended the funeral of Almog Sarusi, 27, who was among the hostages killed.

Mr Sarusis mother, Nira, said her son was abandoned, an ongoing abandonment that went on with every day, every hour, for 331 days. You were sacrificed at the altar of destroying Hamas  a reference to Mr Netanyahus primary goal of the war.

She added: Enough. No more. Only a hostage deal. Only return the remaining hostages  those to be rehabilitated and those to be buried.

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06:58 PM BST

Thanks for following todays live blog

Thank you for following todays live coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict.

06:16 PM BST

Protest in Tel Aviv

Israeli protesters have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv, calling on Benjamin Netanyahus government to agree to a ceasefire deal.

Protesters gather in Tel Aviv, Israel - Getty Images Europe

06:13 PM BST

Pictured: Killed hostages mourned

Mourners gather for the funeral of slain hostage Alexander Lobanov - AP

People attend a candlelight vigil accompanied by prayers for killed Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin - AFP

Mourners pay respects to killed hostage Eden Yerushalmi - REUTERS

05:26 PM BST

All schools to close in strike, says union

The teachers union in Israel, linked to the wider Histadrut movement, has announced that K-12 schools will only open until 11.45am on Monday, with exceptions for children with special needs.

Similarly, all kindergartens will close completely, with the same exceptions in place, the union added.

Meanwhile, a high school teachers strike which began on Sunday, unrelated to the national strike, will continue on Monday.

Mondays national strike is only expected to last one day, though could be extended further.

05:19 PM BST

German chancellor joins calls for ceasefire

The German chancellor has joined calls for a ceasefire in Gaza following the death of six Israeli hostages who were found dead on Saturday.

Olaf Scholz said: The news of six hostages found dead in the Gaza Strip fills us with sadness and anger. Hamas terrorists are responsible for the deaths of these women and men, with one of them having a connection to Germany.

At the same time, it is once again clear that a ceasefire that paves the way for the release of all Hamas hostages must now have top priority. Other considerations should stand back.

It follows a similar statement from Sir Keir Starmer earlier on Sunday.

The news of six hostages found dead in the Gaza Strip fills us with sadness and anger. Hamas terrorists are responsible for the deaths of these women and men, with one of them having a connection to Germany.  Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) September 1, 2024

05:09 PM BST

Six Israeli hostages shot at close range

Six hostages whose deaths were announced on Sunday were shot at close range shortly before their bodies were recovered from the Gaza Strip, Israels health ministry has confirmed.

The six hostages were murdered by Hamas terrorists with several close-range gunshots, a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the forensic examination, the hostages deaths are estimated to have occurred approximately 48-72 hours before their examination (between Thursday and early Friday morning).

05:00 PM BST

Biden speaks with parents of murdered hostage

Joe Biden spoke with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, parents of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, on Sunday morning to offer his condolences for the death of their son at the hands of Hamas, a White House official said.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was one of the six hostages found dead inside a Gaza tunnel over the weekend - AFP

04:52 PM BST

Pictured: Israeli protesters take to streets of Jerusalem

Israeli protesters have taken to the streets of Jerusalem once again on Sunday, calling on Benjamin Netanyahus government to agree to a ceasefire deal.

It follows similar protests on Saturday.

Protesters block a main road to show support for the hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly Oct 7 attack - REUTERS

Israel security forces move people attending a demonstration calling for the immediate return of hostages held in Gaza - REUTERS

04:24 PM BST

Watch: Netanyahu says Hamas does not want ceasefire

Those who kill hostages do not want an agreement for a Gaza truce, Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday, before telling Hamas leaders that we will hunt you down, we will catch you and we will settle the score.

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04:09 PM BST

White House to speak to hostages families

The White Houses national security adviser will hold a virtual meeting on Sunday with families of American hostages held by Hamas, American officials said.

It follows the death of six Israeli hostages, including the dual Israel-US citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

Joe Biden said earlier that he was devastated and outraged by their deaths.

03:45 PM BST

Pictured: Mother of killed Israeli hostage speaks at sons funeral

Nira, the mother of Israeli hostage Almog Sarusi, has been pictured speaking at her sons funeral in Raanana in central Israel.

Nira, the mother of killed Israeli hostage Almog Sarusi, reacts as she speaks during the funeral of her son in Raanana on Sunday - AFP

03:21 PM BST

Israel must leave Gaza-Egypt border to achieve ceasefire, Hamas demands

A Hamas official has told the Telegraph that Israel has to leave the Philadelphi corridor totally if a ceasefire is to be agreed.

When it comes to the corridor, there is no compromise. There will be no (ceasefire) deal without solving this problem, Basem Naim said.

Protest groups, including families of hostages being held by Hamas, have also called on Mr Netanyahu to change his stance on keeping troops on the Gaza-Egypt border, which they believe is currently preventing a ceasefire deal from being agreed.

03:08 PM BST

Entire Israeli economy to go on strike

Arnon Bar-David, the head of Israels Histadrut labour union, called on all civilian workers to join the national strike and said Ben Gurion, Israels main international airport, would be closed from 8am (6am BST).

He said: We are getting body bags instead of a deal. I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention might move those who need to be moved.

Therefore, I have decided that starting tomorrow, the entire Israeli economy will go on strike. I call on the people of Israel to go out to the streets tonight and tomorrow and for everyone to take part in the strike, he added.

03:05 PM BST

Israels largest labour union announces strike

Israels largest labour union, General Federation of Labour, has announced a general strike will take place from 6am on Monday.

A (hostage) deal is more important than anything else, said Arnon Bar-David, the chief of the Histadruth labour federation.

It comes as pressure grows on Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas after the murder of six Israeli hostages over the weekend.

02:48 PM BST

Israeli military kills suspect involved in triple police officer shooting

The Israeli military said it had killed the suspected attacker who carried out a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank on Sunday that left three police officers dead.

Israeli forces encircled a house where the alleged attacker was hiding in the city of Hebron, the military said in a statement, adding that he was eliminated at the scene.

Israeli police search the area where a vehicle opened fire to an Israeli police car and killed 3 policemen at Tarqumiyah district of Hebron - Anadolu

02:32 PM BST

Netanyahu apologises to parents of murdered hostage

Benjamin Netanyahu has apologised to Oxana and Grigory Lobanov, the parents of Alexander Lobanov, who was murdered while being held hostage by Hamas.

I would like to tell you how much I regret and request forgiveness for not succeeding in bringing Sasha back alive, the Israeli prime minister told them, marking the first time the prime minister spoke so explicitly about his failure to bring back hostages since Oct 7.

Mr Netanyahus office said that the Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman returned this morning from a visit to Moscow where he discussed Mr Lobanov and the other hostages in an attempt to advance the ceasefire deal.

02:09 PM BST

Tel Aviv to join nationwide strike, says mayor

The mayor of Tel Aviv has announced the city will join a nationwide strike on Monday in support of hostage families who have called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Tomorrow, beginning in the morning until midday, there will be no reception of the public [at our offices] and we will allow all employees to go out and support the families struggle, Ron Huldai said.

The mayor of Givatayim, located east of Tel Aviv, has also said his city will take part in a strike on Monday.

It followed calls by Yair Lapid, the opposition leader, for a strike in response to the death of six Israeli captives whose bodies were found in a Gaza tunnel on Saturday.

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,                   (@Ron_Huldai) September 1, 2024

02:02 PM BST

Hostage killings horrific and senseless, says Starmer

The Prime Minister has said he is completely shocked by the killing of six hostages who were captured by Hamas on Oct 7 and found by Israeli forces inside a Gaza tunnel on Saturday.

Sir Keir Starmer said: I am completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time.

Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.

I am completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time.



Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.  Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 1, 2024

01:32 PM BST

Israeli defence minister urges deal to return hostages

Israels defence minister has called for a ceasefire deal in Gaza in order to facilitate the return of the hostages still being held by Hamas.

Yoav Gallant said: Its too late for the abductees who were murdered in cold blood. The abductees who remain in the captivity of Hamas must be returned home.

Mr Gallant also called for the reversal of a decision to keep troops in the so-called Philadelphi corridor, along the southern edge of Gaza, which is seen as a major obstacle in facilitating a ceasefire deal.

Mr Gallant has clashed repeatedly with Mr Netanyahu and hardline religious nationalist ministers over the need to reach a deal to halt the fighting in Gaza.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and others at the 'pit' at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv - Maayan Toaf

01:13 PM BST

Israeli mayor declares strike in blow to Netanyahu

The mayor of Givatayim, an Israeli city located east of Tel Aviv, has declared that a general strike will take place on Monday in a fresh blow to Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Israeli prime minister has been under increasing pressure to agree to a ceasefire deal that would see the return of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas.

The idea that military pressure will return hostages has collapsed, Ran Kunik said.

It followed calls by Yair Lapid, the opposition leader, for a strike in response to the death of six Israeli captives whose bodies were found in a Gaza tunnel on Saturday.

12:58 PM BST

Watch: Israeli forces at scene of triple killing

Dozens of Israeli troops were seen at the site where three police officers were killed in a shooting on Sunday.

Arik Ben Eliyahu, Hadas Branch, and Roni Shakuri were killed near the Palestinian city of Tarqumiyah in the southern West Bank.

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12:48 PM BST

Murdered hostages were due to be released

Several of the Israeli hostages who were found dead in a Gaza tunnel were due to be released in a proposed prisoner exchange deal, a senior Hamas official said on Sunday.

Some of the names of the captives announced as found by the (Israeli) occupier... were part of the list of hostages to be released that Hamas had approved in a potential exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, the anonymous official said.

It comes after a senior Israeli official told the Telegraph that at least three of the hostages were due to be exchanged in a ceasefire deal that recently collapsed.

Hersh, Carmel and Eden were all on the list of hostages set to be released in the July 2 ceasefire proposal presented by Biden. We could have saved them, the official said.

Israel said the captives were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before being found by Israeli troops - potentially only one or two days before being found.

But Hamas has so far denied responsibility for their deaths, saying the hostages were killed by Zionist bombing.

Six hostages captured by Hamas who were found by Israeli forces inside a Gaza tunnel were killed within the last 48 hours - REUTERS

12:41 PM BST

Hostages killed by Hamas shot in the head

Six hostages abducted by Hamas who were found dead in a Gaza tunnel were found with gunshot wounds to the head, a source familiar with the subject told the Telegraph.

Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported that autopsies showed they were murdered in the last 48 hours.



12:16 PM BST

Israeli police officers killed in West Bank attack named

Three police officers who were killed in a shooting attack in the southern West Bank on Sunday have been named as Arik Ben Eliyahu, Hadas Branch, and Roni Shakuri.

The fatal shooting was carried out near the Palestinian city of Tarqumiyah in the southern West Bank, according to Israeli officials.

The three fallen Israeli Police officers. https://t.co/GDPy4TkS6C pic.twitter.com/o3sjPLC5AZ  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) September 1, 2024

11:52 AM BST

Death toll in Gaza reaches 40,738, says health ministry

The death toll in Gaza has risen to 40,738 since the war began on October 7, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said.

It said that 94,154 have also been injured during that time.

Health authorities do not differentiate between civilians and fighters in their death toll count.

Members of the Israeli military operate in what they say is the Jenin Area - REUTERS

Israeli security forces and rescue services check the scene of a shooting attack in the West Bank city of Tarkumiya - AP

11:36 AM BST

Explosions and gunfire in West Bank in Hamas fightback

Three Israeli police officers were killed on Sunday in a shooting attack which Hamas said its fighters carried out near the Palestinian city of Tarqumiyah in the southern West Bank.

Magen David Adom, Israels medical emergency service, said on Sunday that two men and a woman had been killed in a very severe attack as explosions and gunfire were heard across the West Bank.

We saw a vehicle with bullet marks on a mound beside the road, the emergency service said in a statement, quoting two of its paramedics at the scene.

Hamas has claimed responsibility for the attack, which the terror group described as a natural response to the war of genocide in the Gaza strip and Zionist crimes in the West Bank.

The shooting comes as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue a widespread operation across the northern West Bank, which was launched on Wednesday.

At least 22 Palestinians have been killed in a series of counter-terror raids across four West Bank cities, including 14 fighters from Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups.

A member of Israel's security forces takes position in the area of a shooting attack against Israelis near the Tarqumiya crossing in the West Bank - AFP

11:30 AM BST

Israeli finance minister warns of second Oct 7

Israels finance minister has warned another Oct 7-style attack could happen unless Israel carries out a preemptive strike against terrorism.

We are a step away from October 7 in Judea and Samaria and the center of the country, Bezalel Smotrich said on Sunday.

We need to do now what we didnt do that cursed night and launch a preemptive strike and strike terror hard. Gazan, West Bank, and Lebanese terror are one part of the Iranian choke ring. We are committed to eliminating terrorism on all fronts.

10:58 AM BST

Gaza hostages found dead approved for potential swap

Hamas had approved the release of several of the six Israeli hostages who were found dead in a Gaza tunnel, an official claimed on Sunday.

Some of the names of the captives announced as found by the (Israeli) occupier... were part of the list of hostages to be released that Hamas had approved in a potential exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, the official told AFP.

"Hamas still holds 101 hostages in Gaza, including women, children, and the elderly. We will not stop until every hostage is brought home."



The IDF International Spokesperson, @LTC_Shoshani , regarding the recovery of the bodies of 6 hostages: pic.twitter.com/JXKFJRZbQc  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 1, 2024

10:53 AM BST

Israeli hostages sister injured in protest against Netanyahu government

The sister of a hostage being held in captivity by Hamas was injured after being hit by a police officer riding a horse during protests in Tel Aviv on Saturday.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Israeli capital to call for a hostage deal and protest against Benjamin Netanyahus government.

Natalie Atedgi, the sister of hostage Matan Zangauker, was taken to hospital following the incident.

The Department for Internal Police Investigations (DIPI) has said it has launched an investigation into the incident.

Israeli people stage a protest demanding a hostage swap deal and a ceasefire in Gaza - Anadolu

10:41 AM BST

Biden devastated and outraged by hostage killings

Joe Biden said he was devastated and outraged by the deaths of six Israeli hostages, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a dual Israeli-US citizen.

I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to [his parents] and am heartbroken by the news of his death, the US president said.

It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages, he added.

10:24 AM BST

Instead of freeing terrorists, shoot them in the head

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israels national security minister, called for terrorists to be shot in the head on Sunday as he visited the area of the deadly attack on three Israeli police officers.

Right to life (of Israelis) is more important than freedom of movement of PA (Palestinian Authority) residents, he said.

Instead of freeing terrorists, shoot them in the head.

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's national security minister, during an interview in his office at the Knesset in Jerusalem - Bloomberg

10:08 AM BST

Polio vaccination campaign begins in Gaza

The United Nations and Palestinian health authorities began a campaign on Sunday to vaccinate 640,000 children against polio following the diseases reemergence for the first time in 25 years.

Israel and Hamas agreed to brief pauses in their 11-month war in Gaza to allow the campaign to go ahead.

It is not clear how the strain arrived in Gaza but genetic sequencing showed that it resembles a variant found in Egypt that could have been introduced from September 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

The UN health body said that a drop in routine vaccinations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, likely contributed to its re-emergence.

A Palestinian child is vaccinated against polio in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip - REUTERS

A health worker administers the Polio vaccine to a baby in Zawayda in the central Gaza Stri - AFP

10:00 AM BST

Hostages found dead in tunnel were brutally murdered by Hamas

The bodies of six hostages were found by Israeli special forces in a tunnel in Gaza on Saturday.

Israel said the captives were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.

The hostages were all kidnapped on Oct 7 and were found in Rafah roughly one km from the tunnel from where Qaid Al-Alkadi, another hostage, was found earlier this week.

Among those found on Saturday was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli, who was seen alive with a hand missing in a proof-of-life video published by Hamas earlier this year.

The others discovered were Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Carmel Gat, and Eden Yerushalmi.

A senior Israeli official told the Telegraph that at least three of the hostages were due to be exchanged in a ceasefire deal that recently collapsed.

Read the full story here.

A woman walks next to the poster depicting Alexander Lobanov, whose body was retrieved from Gaza, displayed together with the posters of other hostages kidnapped by Hamas - REUTERS

09:49 AM BST

Netanyahu vows to settle score with Hamas

Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday to settle the score with Hamas after the military recovered the bodies of six hostages from a Gaza tunnel.

Those who kill hostages do not want an agreement for a Gaza truce, the Israeli prime minister said in a statement, telling Hamas leaders that we will hunt you down, we will catch you and we will settle the score.

Mr Netanyahu also accused Hamas of carrying out a shooting attack earlier on Sunday near the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

We are fighting on all fronts against a cruel enemy who wants to murder us all. Just this morning, he murdered three policemen in Hebron, he said.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, vowed to "hunt down" Hamas fighters - GPO

09:44 AM BST

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Good morning and welcome to our live coverage.

Were bringing you the latest updates from the Israel-Hamas war.



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We must work together: How UK migrant communities are rebuilding from the far-right riots, one month on

Just a few weeks ago, the UK saw unprecedented scenes of violence and destruction as far-right rioters took to towns and cities all over the country, spreading anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hate.

Police clashed with those causing the disorder, often as violence was aimed at officers themselves. Buildings and areas with migrants became hotspots, with hotels believed to be housing asylum seekers becoming targets for arson.

The riots made me feel unsafe and unwelcomed, says Augusta Itua, who is chair of trustees at Hackney Migrant Centre. I felt vulnerable and easily identifiable as a target because I wear my identity on my skin.

The 31-year-old child rights lawyer was born in Nigeria, moving first to Italy when she was eight to reunite with her mother and then later to the UK. She now works as a childrens rights lawyer, having undertaken his legal education in the UK.

Since arriving in the UK in 2012, I have worked, paid taxes, and studied, contributing tirelessly to advancing the rights of all children and young people, she said.

It was the tragic killing of three young girls in Southport that sparked the riots. Misinformation spread online galvanised far-right anger, as it was suggested that the suspect Axel Rudakubana, who was not initially named due to his age, was a Muslim and immigrant.

Violence first erupted in Southport on July 30, and then in dozens of locations around the country on the following weekend.

In the wake of the destruction, organisers continued to rally support from would-be rioters. Messages were shared on platforms like Telegram naming nearly 40 migrant centres as targets, seemingly picked at random. Some responded by saying that if they couldnt see an area near them on the list, they should just search for the centre nearest to them.

Riot police officers push back riots outside a hotel which is housing asylum seekers, August 4, 2024 in Rotherham (Getty Images)

Migrant centres are places where refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants can go for advice and support. There are dozens across the country, mostly in towns and cities with larger migrant communities.

The threat of violence prompted worry for migrant centre staff and visitors across the country, fearful that the place which is at the heart of their community could be targeted with violence. Most closed for the day, with many barricading their doors and windows to prevent damage.

Fortunately, the far-right did not mobilise in most places. Instead, counter-protests were held in their place all over the country, with demonstrators greatly outnumbering the far-right in the few places they did show up.

The counter-protests were organised by Stand up to Racism, a British campaign group which organises protests and events to tackle racism in the country. These demonstrations took place in over 50 locations across all four nations of the UK, with the largest crowd  5,000 strong  gathering in Walthamstow.

Over 5,000 anti-racist protesters gather in Walthamstow on August 7, 2024 (EPA)

I was humbled by the absence of disorder and the solidarity shown by the community, says Augusta, adding that it was instrumental in helping me regain a sense of safety and inner peace.

In the face of attempts to fragment the support and services available to migrants, some have emerged even stronger in their commitment to supporting migrants, she says.

Tal, who requested his real name not be used, is 22 and arrived in the UK from Syria as a refugee in 2022. He lives in supported accommodation in Birmingham provided by social enterprise ACH, who help refugees and vulnerable migrants integrate into their communities with branches also in Bristol, Wolverhampton and Coventry.

I was really scared, and my family back in Syria were afraid for me, he says, me and my friends had to stay inside the house, we couldnt leave.

When I first came here, I felt that they accepted me and in this country I was comfortable. But with the recent events, I knew that they dont want any more refugees in the country.

Many migrants and refugees in the UK share Tals feelings says Nevinder Ram, operations manager at Himlio, ACHs training subsidiary: Weve got many individuals who came to the UK for a reason: to escape something, he says.

Ive had individuals come to me and say: we left Syria because of the worries and concerns, and we really didnt expect to face this out here in the UK.

People board up restaurants ahead of feared far-right violence in Birmingham, August 7, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

The 55-year-old Birmingham local adds that many of the rioters were also motivated by the long-standing myth that migrants dont contribute to the UK. He mentions ACHs Rethinking Refugee campaign, which they launched to tackle misinformation about refugees and asylum seekers living in the UK.

They do contribute, he says. There is a mass shortage in key roles in the UK, such as in the NHS, which is dependent on people with the right skills and qualifications. Many of these are themselves migrants and refugees.

I think it becomes forgotten that many of our services here in the UK would not operate or be able to provide services to the general public [without migrants], he adds.

Mr Ram says he does not want ACH and the migrant community they support to be disheartened by the events or become insular. Instead, he believes it is time to take a stance.

We are not going to be affected by what is going on with the far-right movements. We are continuing as we always have with passion and pride, he adds.

This, if anything, gives us an opportunity to reignite the fire.

Over 1000 people had been arrested following the violence over the weekend and 600 charged as ministers promising swift and strict sentencing for offenders. Following the disorder, Sir Keir Starmer condemned the far-right thuggery displayed, as courts and police continue working to bring justice.

Keir Starmer delivers a speech addressing the far-right rioting, August 1, 2024 (Getty Images)

Abass is a Nigerian immigrant who arrived in the UK at 16. He started volunteering with Hackney Migrant Centre after his immigration status prevented him from pursuing higher education. Three years later, he will be attending university to study law and politics, something he says he could not have done without the centres support.

Speaking about the far-right riots, Abass said: I was feeling concern for my own fear and anxiety because of the safety of myself and my loved ones. We were mostly isolated because we are scared of getting attacked,

It also fuelled my determination to succeed and become someone successful in life in order to become an advocate for change and also to become someone that the community could be proud of in future.

The 19-year-old East London local says he was supported by Hackney Migrant Centre, with staff calling him to provide emotional support. He adds that all the reassurance he was offered during the riots has made him and his family feel welcomed and supported by the community.

Due to the planned violence on Wednesday, August 7, Hackney Migrant Centre was forced to postpone its summer party over safety concerns. But just under a month later, visitors, volunteers and staff were able to join together again for the day of celebration.

Chief executive officer Becky Moore said: Hackney Migrant Centre has stood in solidarity with migrants for almost 17 years. We believe migrants belong in our communities.

Our community is shaken, but our joyful event was a poignant opportunity to celebrate our existence.

Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott MP attends the Hackney Migrant Centre Summer Parrty (Hackney Migrant Centre / Tom Trevatt)

The Hackney Migrant Centre supports over 700 people to access justice and overcome barriers every year. However, tighter regulations and funding cuts mean the queue to access their services has become longer, explains Ms Moore. The centre has launched a Crowdfunder Appeal to raise the money needed to secure their future.

We must build on the momentum of the anti-fascist counter-demonstrations to be louder and bolder in our demand for meaningful, long-term change, says Ms Moore.

We must work together to keep our communities safe for everyone. We must seek the end of the hostile environment, starting with an end to harmful, divisive rhetoric which dehumanises and punishes migrants in our communities.
Mystery of Pinnacle Man found frozen in a cave solved after nearly five decades

A man found frozen in a Pennsylvania cave in 1977 has finally been identified, closing the book on a nearly 50-year-long mystery.

The Berks County Coroners Office identified the remains of the missing man as Nicholas Paul Grubb, 27, from Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.

Surprisingly, advanced technology played no role in identifying the Pinnacle Man, a moniker inspired by the peak in the Appalachian Mountains near where Grubb was found.

Instead, Berks County Coroner John Fielding told reporters at a Tuesday news conference that a Pennsylvania State Police detective discovered the missing link to the cold case the old-fashioned way, by digging through files.

Hikers find Pinnacle Man

On January 16, 1977, hikers found a mans frozen body in a cave just below the Pinnacle, in Albany Township, the Berks County Coroner said at the news conference.

During the autopsy he was unable to be identified based on his appearance, clothing or belongings, according to George Holmes, chief deputy coroner of Berks County. The cause of death, according to Holmes, was determined to be a drug-induced overdose. There were no signs of trauma to Grubbs body suggesting foul play, the coroners office said.

Dental records and fingerprints were collected from the mans body during his autopsy, according to Holmes, who added that the fingerprints were misplaced.

A break in the case

More than 42 years passed before authorities revisited the cold case, according to CNN affiliate WFMZ, which reported Grubbs body was exhumed in 2019 after dental records linked him to two missing person cases in Florida and Illinois.

Berks County forensic experts performed an exam in 2019, and DNA samples were taken to update his record in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NamUs. But they did not match the two missing person cases, the coroners office said.

Fast-forward to early August, when there was a major break in the cold case. Ian Keck of the Pennsylvania State Police found the lost fingerprint card from Grubbs 1977 autopsy.

Keck submitted the fingerprint card to NamUs on August 12, according to Holmes, and within an hour an FBI fingerprint expert matched the Pinnacle Mans fingerprints to Grubbs.

One of Grubbs family members was notified by the Berks County Coroners Office, who confirmed Grubbs identity. The family member asked the office to place his remains in the family plot.

This identification brings a long awaited resolution to his family, who have been notified and expressed their deep appreciation for the collective efforts that made it possible. It is moments like these that remind us of the importance of our work to provide answers, to bring closure and to give the unidentified a name and a story, Fielding said.

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WASHINGTON  In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.

Members of Congress Call on President to Establish the Sattitla National Monument in Northern California

Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler (both D-Calif.) and Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.-30) called on President Biden to use his authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate the Sattitla National Monument in northern California. The Senators will also introduce legislation to establish the Sattitla National Monument when Congress returns in September. The creation of the Sattitla National Monument would protect over 206,000 acres of culturally significant, ecologically rich, and geologically unique public land within the Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Modoc National Forests in northeastern California.

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The Pit River Nation regards Sattitla as sacred land, and this area remains a spiritual center for the Pit River and Modoc Nations, as well as for surrounding Native Americans who continue to use the area for religious activities, ceremonies, and gatherings. For this reason, the lawmakers legislation would support the co-management of the monument between the federal government and federally recognized Tribes under relevant federal authority.

The Sattitla highlands are geologically unique and contain one of the headwaters of the entire California watershed. The volcanically formed aquifers below the surface capture snow melt, store as much water as Californias 200 largest surface reservoirs, and discharge over 1.2 million acre-feet of snowmelt annually. The highlands also host a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitat, including the Fall River trout fishery.

The establishment of the Sattitla National Monument would also contribute to the Administrations goal of permanently conserving 30 percent of U.S. lands and coastal waters by 2030, as well as address the three interlocking crises of nature loss, climate change, and inequitable access to the outdoors, furthering the Administrations America the Beautiful initiative.

HUD Awards More Than $10 Million to Combat Homelessness Among Native American Veterans

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced on Monday more than $10 million to provide rental assistance and supportive housing services to Native American veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Three Tribal communities in the Great Lake Region recieved the critical funding including Leech Lake Housing Authority, Oneida Nation, and White Earth Reservation Housing Authority for a combined total of $807,683 in funding. Federal investment in Native American housing programs is critical to ensure the health and safety of Native Americans and Tribal communities. Yesterdays announcement underscores HUDs continued efforts to expand and improve affordable housing options for homeless Native American veterans.

Native Americans are seven times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions with between 42,000-85,000 Native Americans living with family and friends due to having no place to call their own. The Biden-Harris Administration has been committed to strengthening the Nation-to-Nation relationships between the United States and Tribal Nations, advancing Tribal sovereignty and addressing the housing needs of Indian Country. The American Rescue Plan made the largest direct federal investment in Indian Country in history, and through the Presidents Investing in America agenda, the Biden-Harris Administration has made additional record-setting investments in Tribal Nations and Native communities.

Expanding services for homeless Native American veterans to secure and maintain housing is a top priority, said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. This significant renewal of funding today emphasizes our commitment to sustaining quality, safe and affordable housing for those veterans across Indian Country who proudly served our nation.

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
Welcome to the governors race edition of our Under the Dome politics newsletter. Im Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observers Capitol bureau chief.

As we get closer to Election Day, the political polling winds are shifting in favor of Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein over Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, as I reported last week. But polls arent always accurate, and there are still two months until the election.

Now the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter has shifted its prediction of the North Carolina governors race, again.

The Cook Political Report listed North Carolina as leans Democrat earlier this year, then changed that to toss up. Now its back to leans Democrat. And a big factor in that assessment is women voters.

The reports Swing State Project poll from GS Strategy Group and BSG favors Stein over Robinson 48% to 40% in August, compared to its May poll with the two tied at 43%.

That shift, Cook Political Report says, has been especially pronounced among non-college-educated women, who shifted from Robinson +7 in May to Stein +10 in August, adding that even Trump-supporting non-college women were turned off by Robinsons demeaning comments about women.

As Ive previously reported, Robinson talked about women needing to keep your skirt down to prevent abortions in a selfie Facebook video he posted before running for governor. Steins campaign has an attack ad highlighting the video.

Cook also reported voters of color moving in Steins favor. Stein is white, while Robinson is the first Black lieutenant governor and would be the states first Black governor.

Robinsons wife, Yolanda Hill, has been campaigning on his behalf by meeting with various groups of women for what Robinsons campaign calls Conversations From the Heart. Robinson posts photos after Hills events, but they are not publicly announced like the campaign visits he announced this past week he would make to a variety of towns across the state, meeting voters in local restaurants.

In June, Robinson spoke to women in the ultra-conservative group Moms for Liberty at an event in Raleigh.

N.C. State Board of Elections data shows that there are 7.6 million registered voters in the state, and 3.7 million of them are women.

Stay informed about #ncpol

Dont forget to follow our Under the Dome tweets and listen to our Under the Dome podcast to stay up to date. Our new episode posts Monday morning, and Im joined by Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper. We talk about changes in the governors race, presidential campaigning and much more.

You can sign up to receive the Under the Dome newsletter at newsobserver.com/newsletters. Want your friends to get our email, too? Forward them this newsletter so they can sign up. You can also email me questions you may have about the governors race at dvaughan@newsobserver.com.
Lisa Wozniakowski, the owner of Blue Ribbon Reality in Crown Point, said she decided to implement the new buyer agreement around May, which was three months before it was required under a national settlement agreement.

Wozniakowski, who is also this years president of the Northwest Indiana Realtors Association, said she wanted to enact the agreement sooner to help buyers begin to understand the change and to have experience in answering questions from fellow real estate agents.

The associations buyer contract is four pages long, Wozniakowski said, and since she began implementing it only one person declined to sign the agreement. The person declined to sign the agreement before Indiana implemented it on July 1.

I really have not had any issues, Wozniakowski said. This just proves our professionalism more. I am all for transparency.

Christopher Jones, a real estate agent with @Properties with an office in Highland, said the buyer agreement has helped set parameters for who is representing who in the home-selling process.

Its a long time coming, Jones said. It shouldve happened a while ago because its positive for the industry.

The National Association of Realtors in March settled a lawsuit brought against it and several major brokerages by home sellers who argued that the trade groups rules governing homes listed for sale on its Multiple Listing Services unfairly propped up agent commissions.

The rules also incentivized agents representing buyers to avoid showing their clients listings where the sellers broker was offering a lower commission to the buyers agent, according to the suit.

As part of the settlement, the NAR agreed to no longer require a broker advertising a home for sale on MLS to offer any upfront compensation to a buyers agent. The rule change leaves it open for individual home sellers to negotiate such offers with a buyers agent outside of the MLS platforms, though the home sellers broker has to disclose any such compensation agreements.

The trade group also agreed to require agents or others working with a homebuyer to enter into a written agreement with them. That is meant to ensure homebuyers know going in what their agent will charge them for their services.

The rule changes represent a major change to the way real estate agents have operated going back to the 1990s and could lead to homebuyers and sellers negotiating lower agent commissions.

Before the rule change, agents working with a buyer and seller typically split a commission of around 5% to 6% thats paid by the seller. This practice essentially became customary as home listings included built-in offers of cooperative compensation between agents on both sides of the transaction.

Story continues

In Indiana there was a movement before the settlement to require a buyer agency agreement under state law, which went into effect July 1, said Peter Novak, CEO of the Northwest Indiana Realtors Association.

We are already two months into this system and we have not seen any major shifts in the market one way or the other as it relates to buyers and sellers, Novak said.

Jones said it took about two weeks for Realtors to get used to the settlement agreement, and after that, they got used to it. Jones, who also works in Illinois, said realtors there were nervous when the settlement agreement went into effect early last month, and he was able to assure them it went well.

A lot of people were looking at Indiana because we did go almost six weeks starting, Jones said.

Over the last few years, there has been a combination of increased home prices and homes sell themselves, Sara Coers, associate director for Indiana Universitys Center for Real Estate Studies. That phenomenon translated into buyers noticing the cost for the seller agents included in the cost of the house, she said.

They just felt like it was unfair because it basically put the brokers in a position to dictate fees that they thought negatively impacted the prices they were paying, Coers said.

Previously, only sellers signed a listing agreement, which included payment for the commissions for the buyer and seller agent, when selling a house, Coers said, while buyers did not have to sign anything with a broker at the start of the home buying process.

Now, buyers sign agreements with their brokers upfront that state the broker will help them buy a house and that the buyers will pay the broker if the seller doesnt, Coers said.

The upside of that, its really more negotiable now. The downside of that is everybody will have their own deal and, in theory, there will be less regulation, Coers said.

Sellers can still offer compensation to a buyer broker, but under the settlement, that amount cant be listed on the MLS anymore, Novak said. Now, the buyer and their broker will have an agreement on commission in advance, which could still be set up to be paid by the seller.

Under the settlement, the plaintiff lawyers have stated the new system may drive down commissions and give buyers more control by providing them more transparency regarding who is paying the buyers agent and how much, Novak said.

Thats all subject to negotiation between the buyer and the seller, Novak said. It really is just a shift in how Realtors may get paid.

A potential slippery slope, Coers said, would be if a buyer and the buyers broker agree to a commission, but the seller doesnt agree to pay that amount. That would affect the buyer most, who would then incur additional costs to pay commissions.

While the real estate industry ebbs and flows, Coers said the brokers who represent sellers will see more benefits under the new structure because they will still be hired to sell a house. In states like Indiana, where sellers brokers can represent both the buyer and seller, the broker still leans more toward the seller so the seller would still have the upper hand, she said.

I think we may see more dual agency, which could be harmful to the interest of buyers, Coers said.

But what could also happen, Coers said, is the settlement could shift the market in a competitive way where buyers start offering to pay a little extra to sellers brokers to sweeten their offer on a house.

Some people are expecting prices to change, to shift, based on this. Others are saying that may not happen at all, in fact, it may just become a new area of competition, Coers said.

Buyers mentality has been that the price of a house includes commission and the commission is increasing the price of homes, Coers said, meaning a buyer has been thinking if a seller agrees to a 6% commission, the house costs 6% more than if no broker was involved.

Theyve always thought price is price. The whole psychology of the American home-buying public may shift or may not, Coers said.

Wozniakowski said the new buyers agreements mean that buyers and sellers sign contracts with their agents in advance of the home buying or selling process. With that, the process has become akin to signing forms before seeing a doctor or meeting with a lawyer, she said.

Since she started implementing the buyers agreements, Wozniakowski said she hasnt yet calculated her commission for the year, but her commission has felt stable.

Part of the trend I am seeing is that buyers are asking for the seller to pay that amount owed, so it is being negotiated, Wozniakowski said. At this point, I can say, on my listing side its the same and on my buyer side its the same.

Jones said hes heard from colleagues that commission numbers for July were strong.

The biggest change, Wozniakowski said, is meeting with buyers in advance to tell them about what skills she has that make her stand out as an agent.

Written agreements with buyers does create more transparency and sets the expectations of both buyer and agent to avoid surprises or conflicts throughout the process, Wozniakowski said.

Moving forward, Wozniakowski said it will be interesting to see how the NIRA organization numbers and a potential shift in the number of full and part-time agents.

We need a little bit more time to determine, Wozniakowski said. But I do anticipate some people will probably leave.

Jones said the effect of the settlement will show people the benefits of Realtors.

I think it will make our industry stronger, Jones said.

akukulka@post-trib.com
OAK ISLAND, N.C. (WNCN)  This Labor Day weekend an island on the North Carolina coast warned swimmers about dangerous marine life in the surf.

BREAKING NEWS: Man swimming with family at Oak Island dies after hes pulled from surf

The Oak Island Fire Department on Saturday had a special alert for jellyfish stings after several swimmers were impacted, officials said.

The island, located in Brunswick County near Wilmington, said that at least six swimmers were treated for injuries by beach patrols.

No species has been identified, however, stings have been consistent with those of jellyfish, the Oak Island Fire Department wrote in a news release.

BREAKING NEWS: Man swimming with family at Oak Island dies after hes pulled from surf

The island used a purple flag  instead of a yellow or red flag  to denote dangerous fish or marine life present in water.

Oak Island Fire Dept. photo of a rip current rescue in mid-August, about three weeks ago.

Oak Island Water Rescue reported the flag color change to purple around 12:20 p.m. due to numerous reported













stings.

Fire crews said that beach-goers should swim with caution. Officials also added that the stings did not appear to be caused by Portuguese man-of-war, which have tentacles up to 30 feet long.

The rip current risk was low this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) announced on Friday its largest Full Circle scholarship cohort ever, with nearly 2,000 Native students receiving awards.

In total, students from 249 tribes from throughout Indian County received the awards. They are pursuing more than 450 majors at every level from associate to doctorate degrees.

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The Full Circle Scholarship Program is open to any Native American U.S. citizen who is an enrolled member or descendant of an enrolled member of a state or federally recognized tribe. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average, and plan to enroll as a full-time student at a nonprofit, accredited college or university.

This years Full Circle scholars are using their scholarship awards to attend 34 tribal colleges and universities and 345 mainstream institutions. The median award amount per scholar is $3,900. The College Fund is preparing thousands more scholarships for tribal colleges and universities to disburse to their awardees this fall.

The College Fund accepts online scholarship applications on a rolling basis each year beginning on February 1. Students are encouraged to apply by May 31 to receive priority consideration. To learn more, visit http://collegefund.org/scholarships.

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Police used a tanklike vehicle with a battering ram to smash into a Southern California home and arrest the next-door neighbor of a couple living in a nudist community who were reported missing earlier this week, officials said Friday.

Officials believe the bodies of Stephanie Menard, 73, and her husband, Daniel, 79, are inside the residence, though they first have to shore up the home to make it safe to search, said Carl Baker, spokesperson for the Redlands Police Department.

Former Florida Gator, 49ers first-round pick shot during attempted robbery

We are confident that they are deceased and that they are still here on the property, Baker said. He did not release any information about a possible motive.

Later Friday, officials said searchers had found human remains in bags in a concrete bunker underneath the home. The remains were not immediately identified.

Michael Royce Sparks, 62, was booked into jail on suspicion of homicide Thursday night after being found under the house at Olive Dell Ranch, which is described as a residential RV park and family friendly nudist resort on its website. The rustic community is in hill country about 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.

This booking mug, provided by the Redlands Police Dept., shows Michael Royce Sparks, who was booked into jail for investigation of homicide in connection with the disappearance of a couple living in a nudist colony in Redlands, Calif. (Redlands Police Department via AP)

Baker did not know whether Sparks has a lawyer who can speak on his behalf. Online jail records showed he was ineligible for bail and was scheduled for a Tuesday court appearance.

A dog trained to find cadavers indicated the presence of at least one body somewhere under the house Friday morning, but officers were waiting to enter until a structural assessment determined whether the home was safe, Baker said at a news conference.

Were not going to send people in if theres a danger of the structure collapsing on them, Baker said, noting that the assessment might take hours to complete.

A friend reported the couple missing Sunday and said they were last seen at their home Saturday morning. Their pet dog, a shih tzu named Cuddles, was also missing.

FILE  This combination of undated photos provided by the Redlands Police Dept. shows Daniel Menard, 79, left, and Stephanie Menard, 73, who have been reported missing from a nudist ranch in Redlands, Calif. (Redlands Police Department via AP, File)

The couples unlocked car was found later Sunday, not far from their residence, and both their phones, along with Stephanie Menards purse, were still inside their home. Daniel Menard was described as a diabetic with dementia.

Tammie Wilkerson, a friend of the couple, told KABC-TV that the Menards were kind people involved in the community.

Deadly shooting prompts investigation in Pinellas County

Theyre very sweet people, Wilkerson said. Theres not a mean bone in their body at all, which makes this very confusing.

The arrest followed rapid developments that began when police were at the park Thursday to continue the investigation, search the area and knock on doors.

We received information from a source that a person who was involved in their disappearance was here on the property, Baker said. At that point, we locked down the property.

Police went to the suspects home but attempts to contact him were unsuccessful and the tactical vehicle was brought in, Baker said. News video showed that the home was substantially torn open, leaving debris strewn about.

The suspect was arrested about 9:30 p.m. after voluntarily surrendering, Baker said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Netanyahu to Hamas: Whoever murders hostages - does not want a deal'

Following the discovery of the bodies of six Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accused the Palestinian militant group Hamas of systematically sabotaging efforts to reach a ceasefire.

"Whoever murders hostages  does not want a deal," Netanyahu said in a video message.

"This is a difficult day for us," he said, adding that the heart of the entire nation has been torn.

Netanyahu vowed to do everything possible to prevent Hamas from killing other hostages, saying efforts to free those remaining are continuing.

But he blamed Hamas, saying that since December, the Islamist organization has refused to engage in real negotiations. He accused Hamas of rejecting several proposals he said Israel had agreed to.

Critics in Israel, however, accuse Netanyahu of undermining the efforts to reach a ceasefire for domestic political and personal reasons.

On Sunday Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the security Cabinet's decision a few days ago to keep troops between Egypt and Gaza - a major sticking point in the negotiations - must be reversed and he called for an emergency Cabinet meeting.
Netanyahu: "Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal"

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would not rest until it catches those responsible for the killing of six hostages whose bodies were recovered from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu, in a statement, said that Israel was committed to achieving a deal to release remaining hostages and ensure Israel's security.

"Whoever murders hostages - does not want a deal," Netanyahu said.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Gov. Gavin Newsom called on California lawmakers to pass his proposal to put new requirements on oil refineries in an attempt to avoid gas price spikes. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Gov. Gavin Newsom called California lawmakers into a special session Saturday after Assembly Democrats pushed back on his request to approve new requirements on oil refineries in the final days of the regular legislative session that ended Saturday night.

The unusual maneuver effectively pushes the Legislature into overtime to address the complex and politically sensitive issue of energy affordability just as campaign season heats up in advance of the Nov. 5 election.

Newsom's order called for a special session to begin Saturday, but it's unclear when lawmakers will hold hearings to consider the bills or whether they will pass. While the Assembly formally opened the special session Saturday night, the Senate defied Newsom and refused to. Lawmakers were scheduled to leave Sacramento this weekend for four months in their home districts.

Read more: Newsom energy plan sparks tug of war with lawmakers in final hours of legislative session

It should be common sense for gas refineries to plan ahead and backfill supplies when they go down for maintenance to avoid price spikes. But these price spikes are actually profit spikes for Big Oil, and theyre using the same old scare tactics to maintain the status quo," Newsom said in a statement.

"Calling the session now allows the Legislature to begin that work immediately so that the state can resolve this important matter to establish the necessary rules to prevent price spikes next year and beyond.

It's the second time in two years that Newsom has called a special session focused on the economics of the oil industry, an issue that divides Democrats as they navigate a desire to fight climate change with ambitions to lower prices at the pump. Newsom has blamed high gas prices on the industry, which he accused of gouging consumers. Oil companies point to the state's climate change and tax policies as drivers of higher prices.

Two weeks ago, Newsom announced a proposal to require that petroleum refiners maintain a stable inventory in order to prevent fuel shortages and price spikes when refinery equipment is taken offline for maintenance.

As the oil industry lobbied heavily against the proposal, Democrats in the Assembly and Senate squabbled over how to move forward. Lawmakers said they were frustrated with Newsom's attempt to push the plan through the Capitol at the last minute.

In a statement Friday, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) said his caucus agreed with the governor about the need to urgently address affordability and would deliver results if a special session was called. But he refused to take up the bills for a floor vote by Saturday's deadline.

What Im not going to do is push through bills that havent been sufficiently vetted with public hearings," Rivas said. "Doing so could lead to unintended consequences on Californians pocketbooks.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said he wouldn't rush Newsom's energy proposal through the Legislature. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Late Saturday night, Rivas said he will begin organizing the Assembly for the special session and plans to announce more details in the next two weeks.

"We know that the number one issue facing this state is our cost of living, the high cost of living," he said to reporters in the Capitol. "We have to stop at nothing to find solutions."

The message was different on the other end of the Capitol, where Senate leader Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) told reporters that his chamber was prepared to pass Newsom's oil proposal during the regular session but will not reconvene this fall.

"The Senate Democratic Caucus is 100% united that we're not going to come back for a special session," McGuire said.

"We had the votes. We were ready to pass the bills, get them across the finish line and to the governor."

It was not immediately clear if the Senate leader has the legal authority to refuse the governor's call for a special session or whether Newsom would try to force McGuire to acquiesce.

California Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire has refused to convene a special session this fall. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Newsom's office began talking with the Senate and Assembly earlier this summer about legislation that would allow his administration to require that petroleum refiners maintain a stable inventory in order to prevent fuel shortages in California.

After gathering more insight about pricing from laws passed in a previous special session on oil that ended last year, state regulators had reported that charges at the pump increase when the oil companies do not maintain enough refined gasoline to backfill production shortfalls or protect against the impact of unplanned maintenance.

Western States Petroleum Assn. leaders said the governor's refinery proposal will drive up fuel costs in California and reduce supplies in Arizona and Nevada. The argument raised a potent political concern that the state policy could become a national headache for Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats in a critical election year.

Its noteworthy that legislators are considering such radical energy policies at a time when the nation is closely examining how the California model will impact their families and pocketbooks," Catherine Reheis-Boyd, CEO of the Western States Petroleum Assn., said in a statement this week.

Read more: Newsom's signature move at the California Capitol: Jam the Legislature

The warning from the association, Chevron and other industry players spooked Assembly Democrats, who were also irked by the late introduction of the proposal.

In an effort to reach an agreement with Democratic lawmakers, the proposal was tied together with other bills in the Senate and Assembly during negotiations with leaders of both houses. But environmentalists opposed some of those proposals, leaving Democrats with a suite of bills that angered both ends of the environmental policy spectrum.

One of the Assembly bills  which would cut energy and climate programs that fund air-conditioning improvements in schools, installation of energy storage and generation technologies in vulnerable communities and solar energy systems on multifamily affordable housing to achieve a meager one-time customer credit on electricity and gas bills  drew sweeping opposition from a coalition of environmental, education, housing and energy groups. Another bill, which ratepayer advocates supported, would have required the Public Utilities Commission to develop a framework for analyzing total annual energy costs for residential households.

The bills didn't offer enough incentive for Assembly Democrats to slam the plan through this week. They also soured on efforts by Senate leader McGuire to leverage the moment to pass Senate bills that would accelerate environmental reviews for clean energy and hydrogen projects, save ratepayers money by lowering requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans and make it harder for companies to terminate utility service to customers.

Read more: Southern California electric bills are soaring. Heres how to save money

The drama marked another effort by a governor on the cusp of the final two years of his second term to push last-minute bills through a Legislature guided by two new leaders. Earlier this summer lawmakers similarly balked on passing a bill that would have placed his measure targeting retail crime on the ballot.

Newsom's decision to call for a special session marks the second time he's sought to toughen California's oil laws outside the typical two-year process to hear bills, which runs from January through August or mid-September each year.

The governor called a special session two years ago to penalize oil companies for excessive profits as gasoline prices spiked. But lawmakers were ultimately reluctant to adopt a penalty and Newsom refined his request to instead demand more transparency from the industry.

Instead of enacting a cap and penalty on oil refinery profits, Newsom and lawmakers gave state regulators the ability to do so in the future. Consumer advocates and the governor celebrated the resulting law as a groundbreaking tool that could keep gas prices from escalating.

Read more: How Newsom fell short of the oil penalty he wanted but still scored a political win

But Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo of Nevada joined the industry and his party in May when he sent Newsom a letter warning that a cap could "further raise gas prices for both of our constituencies" because his state's gas largely comes from refineries in California.

On Friday, Andy Walz, president of Americas products for Chevron, sent a letter to the California Energy Commission saying that Newsom's new refinery proposal "risks the safety of refinery operations, the orderly functioning of markets and would leave industry and labor experts without a voice in key policies."

"The physical, operational and cost burdens to sustain unnecessary inventory are also a concern," he wrote. "Building just one new storage tank can take a decade and cost $35 million. These costs would likely be passed onto the consumer. And given the current regulatory regime, with constraints on permits and a gasoline vehicle sales ban, there is no opportunity to recover capital invested to build additional tanks, which could be the 'last straw' for the states energy market investors."

The timing of a second special session on oil regulations could work in Newsom's favor if lawmakers immediately get to work.

Newsom will finish signing the bills on his desk by Sept. 30, which means he could have the political upper hand if the special session begins before that period concludes. If the special session begins after bill signing, the governor could lose some of that leverage.

But when, and, if, they ultimately pass, new mandates on the oil industry or lower electricity bills could affect the election.

Legislation that saves consumers money could give lawmakers something to tout to their constituents. Laws that potentially raise gas prices could be weaponized in California races or national contests.

Times staff writer Mackenzie Mays contributed to this article.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NJ judge rules smoking can continue in Atlantic City casinos, dealing blow to gaming workers

Photos showing casino workers on strike back in April and a man enjoying a smoke at the slot machines at Harrah's Casino.

New Jersey gaming workers were dealt a serious legal blow Friday when a state judge dismissed a lawsuit that sought to ban smoking on casino floors.

The ruling in favor of Atlantic Citys nine struggling casinos was delivered by Superior Court Judge Patrick Bartels.

The tobacco-wary casino workers filed a lawsuit in May, seeking a permanent ban on smoking over the health concerns posed by second-hand smoke.

Atlantic City casino workers hold signs during a rally in Trenton, N.J., on April 5. AP

When the state abolished smoking indoors nearly 20 years ago, they did so with an exception  permitting smoking on 25% of the casino floor.

The casino workers first called on state lawmakers to prohibit smoking four years ago, but when a bill to that effect stalled, they filed their lawsuit.

Atlantic City casino workers fly an anti-smoking flag during a rally in April. AP

Opponents of the ban say it will lead to casino closures and thousands of layoffs.

They also believe putting an end to smoking in Atlantic City casinos will drive gamblers to casinos in neighboring Pennsylvania.

Casino owners also contend the state would lose millions in tax revenue under such a ban.

A gambler lights up at a slot machine in Harrahs Casino in Atlantic City on Sept. 29, 2023. AP

Atlantic Citys nine casinos have been hurting financially since the start of the COVID pandemic, a recovery made even harder with the advent of online and app-based gambling.

The casino industry has long opposed a smoking ban, and said it has been working to develop better ventilation systems as well as enclosed smoking rooms, staffed by employees who volunteer to work there.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  The North Charleston Police Department (NCPD) marked a significant milestone on Saturday night by hosting its inaugural Overdose Awareness Day event at North Charleston City Hall.

The event saw strong participation from Mayor Reggie Burgess, members of the NCPD, the North Charleston Fire Department, The Charleston Center, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, and various other local organizations.

Attendees took part in creating luminaries to honor or memorialize loved ones affected by substance use. The event also provided an opportunity for participants to engage with organizations offering vital services and support for victims of substance abuse and their families. In a practical step toward harm reduction, attendees could build Narcan kits for personal use or to distribute within the community.

International Overdose Awareness Day, which originated in Melbourne in 2001 through the efforts of the Salvation Army, has grown substantially as awareness of the fentanyl and opioid overdose crisis has intensified. This annual observance now involves thousands of communities, organizations, and governmental bodies worldwide, aiming to raise awareness about Substance Use Disorder and overdose prevention.

This year, North Charleston joined the global movement with its dedicated event, embracing key principles of Overdose Awareness:

Overdose can and must be prevented.

Overdose prevention solutions exist and should be actively utilized.

Criminalizing drug use has been ineffective; compassionate alternatives are essential.

Only a community-wide effort can ultimately end overdose.

For those interested in participating in Narcan Kit building sessions or opioid use informational classes, Shelby Joffrion, Opioid Prevention Coordinator, is available for contact at sjoffrion@northcharleston.org.

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NYC funeral home chain that exploited consumers, once displayed dead man in plastic bag, settles for $700K

Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga at left. Exterior of R.G. Ortiz Funeral Homes at right.

A New York funeral home chain has to cough up hundreds of thousands of dollars to customers for alleged predatory and deceptive practices, according to a settlement with the city.

Bronx-based R.G. Ortiz Funeral Homes will pay $600,000 to grieving families and $100,000 in civil penalties for actions such as refusing to tell families where the remains of their loved ones were, the citys Department of Consumer and Worker Protection announced.

Money will never heal the wounds R.G. Ortizs conduct inflicted, but were proud to hold this business accountable and secure justice for our neighbors, department Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga said in a statement.

While money wont take away grieving families pain, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga is pleased the agency held the funeral home chain accountable. William Farrington

The business has eight different funeral homes in the five boroughs and primarily serves Spanish-speaking communities.

Since 2018, 74 consumers submitted complaints to the agency outlining R.G. Ortizs predatory and deceptive practices including misrepresenting or concealing the prices of services offered and failing to provide services that consumers paid for. The agency hit the chain with over 82 violations.

In one alleged incident, R.G. Ortiz presented a dead mans body sitting inside a plastic bag for a viewing, the citys consumer watchdog said.

Another time a customers loved one smelled of decomposition.

As part of the settlement, 28 consumers will receive approximately $104,000 in payments, with $500,000 left for other consumers who can come forward with complaints online in English (and in Spanish).

A person who answered the phone at Ortiz headquarters said no one was immediately available to comment.
NYC pizzeria worker who was allegedly beaten by enraged customer and his dog is in a coma, coworkers dont accept apology

A Manhattan pizzeria worker who was allegedly beaten by an enraged customer and then mauled by the mans dog is in a coma, according to his angry colleagues who said they dont accept his accused assailants apology.

Zakaria El Sherief was attacked by a pit bull at Roma Pizza late Aug. 19, police and sources said.

Tyshaun Watson was charged with attempted murder. William Farrington

At Roma Pizzeria Saturday, an employee who gave his name as Rodrigo told The Post during a lunch rush that El Sherief was still in the hospital and in a coma, per his manager, who has been visiting the pizzeria worker since the attack.

Rodrigo said the vicious assault  which was caught on surveillance video  shook workers.

Not safe, he said when asked how he felt after the incident.

The brutal beatdown was set in motion when El Sherief told the crazed customer the dog wasnt allowed in the eatery, cops and sources said.

The dogs owner, Tyshaun Watson, 35, was hit with an attempted murder charge for allegedly pummeling the employee, authorities said.

The suspect muttered sorry when he was cuffed, cops said.

The fight allegedly broke out over the pizzerias no dogs policy. William Farrington

The brutal beatdown was set in motion when El Sherief told the crazed customer his dog wasnt allowed in the eatery, cops and sources said. Dorian Geiger for New York Post

Asked if his colleagues accepted Watsons apology for the assault, he said bluntly, Hell no!

A sign warning customers that dogs werent allowed in the pizzeria had been torn down, although Rodrigo wasnt sure by whom.

Nobody cares. Nobody listens. We have a sign over here  they took it off, he said with disgust.

El Sherief tried to wave off Watson for bringing his dog inside the Flatiron eatery, sparking a heated argument, according to sources. Watson flew into a rage, kicking and punching the worker, cops said.

The dog then hopped on top of the injured worker, biting him several times all over his body, according to the video and sources.

Zakaria El Sherief was attacked by a pitbull when bedlam broke out at Roma Pizza late Aug. 19, police and sources said. Dorian Geiger for New York Post

Watson also went back and kicked the worker in the head several times, according to footage of the attack.

The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, intubated and unconscious, sources said.

Watson was charged with attempted murder and assault with attempt to cause disfigurement or dismemberment, police said.

Sadly, since August 19, 2024 Zach has been in the hospital in ICU under critical condition with brain bleeding and is unable to move the left side of his body, according to a GoFundMe started for El Sherief to help pay his medical bills. The fundraiser has brought in $7,010 of its $50,000 goal.

Zach is a selfless, hard-working man who will give you the shirt off his back, he is a loving, caring and providing father and husband, the online call for help says.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A Waikele resident feels whole again after being refunded hundreds of dollars that were apparently drained from his Walmart gift card.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

He reached out to KHON2 after initially not receiving fraud compensation.

KHON2 shared John Shaws gift card trouble on Tuesday, Aug. 27. He purchased it at the Pearl City Walmart and loaded it with $480 in late 2023 but did not touch it until May, 2024 when he checked his balance. The money had apparently been stolen and Shaw found out that he was a victim of gift card fraud.

Oahu mans gift card drained: I never even used it!

All gone, Shaw said. They were really mean about it too  the people that took the money  because they took like 98% of it and they came back for the last, almost every cent.

Shaw sent KHON2 email correspondence with Walmarts Customer Care Team, which initially told him that his case did not qualify for compensation. KHON2 reached out to Walmart and then company representatives got in touch directly with the Shaws.

Oh, I was really relieved, and the person, she was really nice, Shaw said. They told me they wanted to pay me.

Shaw had received a new $480 electronic gift card from Walmart by Saturday, Aug. 31.

The company confirmed to KHON2 that they have returned millions of dollars to customers who purchased gift cards as part of a scam in recent years and asked that holders call the number on the back of their card to report fraud first before filing a report with Customer Care online.

The Better Business Bureau said gift card fraud often occurs when scammers covertly peel back security stickers on gift cards that have not been sold in stores yet  then the fraudster copies the numbers down and reseals the card.

Have an Outback Steakhouse gift card? Heres what you should do

Once those cards are activated and money is loaded on to them, they get an alert of some kind and they know, Okay, now its time to go in and drain that account,' BBB media engagement manager Cameron Nakashima said. The crime is being committed before you even really get the gift card.

Shaw has been trying to get his money back since May, but holds no hard feelings toward the big box company.

Its not really Walmart themselves, Shaw said. I have no hard feelings against Walmart, I think they did a terrific job. They said they will make it right, they made it right! Thats all I want.

Check out more news from around Hawaii

Walmart said in a statement:

Walmart works hard to keep our customers safe from scammers and other criminals seeking to harm our customers. Walmarts robust anti-fraud program has been effective at fighting fraud, and continuously evolves to respond to the fraudsters ever-changing tactics. Kelly Hellbusch, Walmart Global Governance Communications senior manager

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Officials greenlight massive $25 million grant to fund global coral restoration initiatives: 'We must wake up to the urgency and recognize what's at stake'

Great news for our oceans: A whopping $25 million-plus is heading to coral reefs around the world, giving these underwater wonders a fighting chance against changes in the climate.

The Global Fund for Coral Reefs just announced this game-changing boost in funding to protect some of Earth's most important ecosystems, according to the U.N. Environment Programme.

This exciting development comes at a crucial time. Scientists have warned that without swift action, we could lose over 90% of our remaining coral reefs by 2050, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

But this new funding is like a life preserver for these incredible underwater cities, supporting innovative projects across 23 nations to safeguard the most resilient reef systems.

So, why should you care about coral reefs?

Well, besides being breathtakingly beautiful, they're the unsung heroes of our oceans. Reefs provide homes for countless marine species, protect coastlines from storms, and support millions of people through fishing and tourism.

By investing in their protection, we're not just saving colorful fish. We're securing food, jobs, and safety for coastal communities worldwide.

One of the coolest parts of this initiative is its focus on "reef-positive" businesses.

Imagine snorkeling tours that go toward helping restore reefs, or seaweed farms that provide sustainable livelihoods while improving water quality. These innovative ideas show that protecting our planet can go hand-in-hand with creating jobs and boosting local economies.

The best part? This funding is just the beginning. It's designed to attract even more investment from both public and private sources.

That means the positive impact could snowball, creating a wave of change that benefits reefs, wildlife, and people for generations to come.

Peter Bryant, a member of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs Executive Board, summed it up perfectly: "The new GFCR announcements, representing an increase of more than $25 million for resilience-based efforts, will aid the sustainable blue transition of local economies and unlock greater conservation funding flows for generations to come."

Leticia Carvalho from the U.N. Environment Programme added: "As we approach the 2025 U.N. Ocean Conference, we must wake up to the urgency and recognize what's at stake: The functional extinction of an entire ecosystem. And the opportunity to be the first generation to save one."

Now that's a plan we can all dive into.

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.
In the year I spent in Berlin long ago, I became fascinated with the relative recentness of the East German regime, and couldnt get enough of that history, ogling artefacts like Marxist-Leninist scout pamphlets, school books and bits of childrens uniform, all deifying the dire philosophy of state-mandated socialism.

In the end, I grew bored. It was an empty vessel. I learnt that the worst regimes can also be the most banal. Evil can be fascinating  Nazism still entrances many  but eventually it shows itself to be vacuous, and even absurd.

This absurdism is manifest in the Taliban. The sadists running Afghanistan know no end of brutality, violence and murder. Their laws force women to totally cover in public, including eyes and mouth. Violations result in severe punishment. Honour killings, stonings and beheadings are the norm in Taliban-run Afghanistan.

But apparently mixed martial arts (MMA) is simply too violent and so has been outlawed. It was found that the sport is problematic with respect to sharia and it has many aspects that are contradictory to the teachings of Islam, said the Talibans general directorate on physical education and sport in a statement last week.

This isnt ironic  that would require more sophistication. It is laughable, absurd, banal and just so stupid, the outcome of a regime run by people who are both extremely thick and extremely horrible.

Looking for profundity or even coherence in people like the Taliban is pointless. They arent interesting. They arent clever enough to be interesting. Its just an ever-expanding feast of ridiculousness and hypocrisy  with millions of lives as the punchline. The only profundity one can find in their sick rule is the abject, inexcusable and lethal betrayal of Afghan women by the Americans, who allowed the Taliban to slink back into power.

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Olaf Scholz's SPD is predicted to get just 6.5 per cent of the vote in the state election - MICHAEL PROBST/AFP

Olaf Scholzs days as Germanys chancellor are numbered after the far-Right got its best election result since the time of the Nazis.

Alternative for Germany (AFD) have won regional elections in Thuringia, with a taboo-busting 33 per cent of the vote.

Mr Scholzs SPD is predicted to get just 6.5 per cent, while his coalition partners, the Greens and FDP, fared even worse in a vote held just a year before a nationwide federal election.

In Saxony, the AFD are fighting it out for victory with the centre-Right opposition CDU, with about 30 per cent of the vote, according to exit polls.

The anti-migrant nationalists would be in pole position to form state governments in both regions, had the establishment parties not vowed a cordon sanitaire to keep them from power.

The AFDs success came despite calls to ban the party after allegations members discussed mass deportations of foreigners at a secret meeting.

In another scandal this year, a senior AFD man declared not all Waffen-SS members were criminals.

That did not deter voters in the the AFD heartlands of East Germany, who have backed the eurosceptic, pro-Putin party in their droves and given Mr Scholz a very bloody nose.

Bjorn Hocke, AfD leader, gestures on the day of the Thuringia state election in Erfurt, Germany - Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters

Any chancellor would face serious questions after such a political earthquake, even if they were popular.

But Mr Scholz is deeply unpopular and his personal approval ratings are so low they have broken records. More than 70 per cent of Germans are dissatisfied with his leadership, according to one recent poll.

In Junes European elections, Mr Scholz led his SPD to their worst federal election result in more than a century.

His warring coalition government is one of the least popular German governments in modern history.

Two thirds of Germans were dissatisfied with the traffic-light coalition, which is struggling to fill a 17 billion euro blackhole in its budget.

His lack of charisma and communication skills are acute. Germany is one of the most generous donors to Ukraine but gets no credit, thanks to Mr Scholz.

Voters in Germany are rebelling against the coalitions net zero policies in the face of the cost of living crisis triggered by a war in Ukraine, which has divided public opinion.

Mr Scholz is also unlucky. The regional elections were held nine days after the terrorist murder of three people at a festival in Solingen. The suspected knifeman is a Syrian man.

Crackdown on illegal immigration

The chancellor ordered a crackdown on illegal immigration this week, including carrying out its first deportations to Afghanistan since it fell to the Taliban and reducing benefits for asylum seekers arriving in Germany from other EU members.

It came too little, too late for voters in Thuringia and Saxony, as, once again, Mr Scholz failed to convince.

He is likely to resist pressure to call a snap election. His dysfunctional coalition may stagger on until the federal elections next year but that now seems certain to achieve nothing but delay his inevitable ousting at the hands of the CDU.

Mr Scholz won the chancellorship campaigning as a Merkel 2.0 after serving as the centre-Right CDU chancellors deputy in the previous coalition.

Ironically, it is her policies on open borders and Russia that have helped condemn him to a far shorter stint in office than Mrs Merkels 16 years in power.

As for her party, its biggest headache at the next election wont be winning it.

It will be which parties to form a coalition government with from the unpalatable choice of the extreme Right and Left or the discredited remains of the SPD, Greens and FDP.

The fact the SPD was the only party to vote against the 1933 Enabling Act that gave Hitler the power to make laws and paved the way to the rise of Nazi Germany, will make this defeat even more bitter.

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This Miami churchs new home is in a high-rise condo. You enter through the coffee shop

Corner Coffee is not your typical coffee shop.

All the the usual suspects are offered: espresso, cold brews, pastries. But the distinct interior design offers some clues as to what is also on the menu: A ceiling mobile made of religious stained glass hangs over a seating area. A bronze sculpture of a life-size Homeless Jesus sleeping on a park bench is perched on the window sill. A sign at the register informs customers that for every drink purchased, a cup of coffee is donated to their unhoused neighbors.

Corner Coffee is the new entryway to one of Miamis oldest congregations, the First United Methodist Church of Miami.

The coffee shop is just part of what makes the new home unusual. The historic church is now located in 49-story condo at the corner of Northeast Fifth Street and Biscayne Boulevard. Its a business arrangement that has allowed the church to maintain a presence in the high-rent zone of downtown Miami.

As we know here, development isnt stagnant. Its always changing, and the church has to change with it, said Rev. Audrey Warren, senior pastor of First UMC of Miami.

Like with many new condos, there are a whole bunch of amenities you wouldnt find in abuelas old church. On a recent Sunday morning service, after valet parking their cars at The Elser Hotel next door, congregants filed into Corner Coffee and took the elevator past the podcast studio to get the sanctuary. After service, kids gathered in the churchs open gym, complete with air conditioned pickleball courts and a rock-climbing wall. Members, old and young, shared coffee and ice cream on the terrace overlooking Bayfront Park.

The congregation of First UMC, nicknamed First Church of Miami, is as old as the city of Miami itself and many early members were pioneers who built the city  including Dr. James Jackson, namesake of Jackson Memorial Hospital.

But the building is brand new. After years of struggling financially, First Church sold its one-acre property to a developer in 2018 for $55 million. The city gained another mixed-use condo and hotel tower with 646 micro-units. The church, as a part of the deal, gained a new 20,000 square-foot space with multiple floors.

Senior Pastor Audrey Warren reflects on the blessing and challenges facing First Church Miami on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in Downtown Miami, Florida. In 2018, First United Methodist Church in downtown Miami sold its aging building for 5.5 million.

The vision for the space was to be modern and flexible, so that it could meet the needs of the community around it.

We wanted to provide a space that the people that lived around us were looking for, Warren said.

Through our corner court ministries, through our worship services, through our small groups, through our pickleball, we want to be a place where people can find each other and can find community, in a place where you can feel like youre lost.





Much of the space  the podcast studio or classrooms for example  can be rented out by the public. The building amenities, the gym and pickleball courts for example, are often used as a part of the churchs outreach efforts, but can also be rented by nonmembers. (Its $10 for an open gym day pass). The church offers free yoga (Corner Calm), language classes as well as a variety of faith-based activities, like their music ministry and songwriting group.

First Church of Miami also aims to be inclusive. They voted to be a reconciling church, two summers ago, which means LGBTQ people can get married in the church and they openly accept LGBTQ clergy and members. They partner with St. Johns on the Lake, a Methodist church in Miami Beach, to host a monthly brunch event, Big Gay Brunch Church, specifically aimed toward members of the LGBTQ community.

Boys play dodgeball inside the First United Methodist Church of Miamis basketball gym after Sunday service. The gym is located on the 7th floor of the churchs new space in a luxury condo tower on Biscayne Boulevard.

Church stuck in time

When Warren first arrived to Miami in her role as senior pastor in 2015, she noticed that First Church was full of dedicated members, but that it was not financially stable  a common challenge for many older urban houses of worship across South Florida.

Earlier this year, for example, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, a historic church in Edgewater, partnered with a development firm to develop a portion of its property into a $225 million high-rise in exchange for a new cathedral hall and event spaces.

Evangel Church International, a Haitian-Pentecostal church in North Miami, sold its property to a developer and merged with a newer, social media-savvy church, causing a rift between old and new members. New condos are being built on the land overlooking the Golden Glades Interchange, where the church with 100-year-old roots stood not long ago.

And this month, leaders of Temple Israel of Greater Miami, a 103-year-old synagogue, announced a plan to move out of their current space by next summer due to a shrinking congregation and costly building upkeep.

At First Church, the challenges were familiar: The congregants were aging out, with the majority of the top 50 donors over the age of 65. The building itself, almost 40 years old, was also dealing with some costly repair and re-certification issues. On top of that, the church was barely using its own space. Miami-Dade College was renting out the church for much of the week, leaving only a handful of hours to its members.

It just seemed like little by little the church was atrophying, said Warren. Im not kind of a pastor that wants to be a chaplain, that just wants to, like, help a church slowly die.

The church stood stuck in time, watching the downtown grow and change around it. As UMC Bishop, Kenneth H. Carter Jr. and Warren wrote in an article on old first churches: Many of our downtown structures were defined and built for an earlier way of life. But church leaders were slow to adapt to change.

Facing the reality of a dying church, the members formed a committee and explored options to sell to developers, ultimately deciding to sell to the New-York based Property Markets Group. The income received from the $55 million sale was used to buy the churchs portion of the condo-tower and the rest was placed in an endowment to fund the church for years to come.

Making this big decision took a lot of faith. Now, living in this decision takes even more faith. I always said its going to get harder before it gets easier, and thats the truth today.

The old stained glass windows now serve as doors to the First United Methodist Churchs new sanctuary, where Senior Pastor Audrey Warren delivers her Sunday sermon. In 2018, First UMC of Miami sold its aging downtown building for $55 million to a developer.

Downtown Miami mission

For over forty years, the church has been driven by its outreach efforts, like its service to the homeless population in downtown Miami. Through The Breakfast Club project, church volunteers provide a meal, coffee, hygiene items and a shower to the homeless 3-4 days per week.

Most of the folks that we serve are like chronically and continuously homeless. Many struggle with mental illness, and many are veterans. It is hard work, but its a gift and an honor, said Warren.

Even during the construction of the new church, when First Church members relied on their neighbors for a physical worship space, the work with the homeless continued. For four years, members met at The Greater Bethel AME Church, including two mostly virtual years during COVID. Then, at St. Johns on the Lake for two.

Weve been roaming around the beautiful Miami desert. So we may not be done roaming. Who knows. You never know where God calls you, but you just have to go, she said.

The transition wasnt always easy. The church lost some members along the way due to death and people moving away, and many still had fears about the future. Today, some of their biggest issues include finding parking in downtown and visibility, which should eventually be solved with new signage.

The reflection of congregants enjoying ice cream and refreshments and the view is cast on the glass door of the 7th-floor terrace. The church sold its old building in 2018 for $55 million and is now located in a luxury condo tower.

Warren is a pastor who is used to adapting and leading people through change. Before coming to Miami, Warren worked as a Methodist pastor in Florida City. The church burned down, causing the congregation to have to rebuild their house of worship from scratch.

In the first eight months, we met under a tent, literally under a tent, Warren said. This is kind of my second rodeo of leading a group of people through the desert, Warren said.

Lucy Nunez, center, squeezes a piece of paper with her prayer on the wall of stones during service at the First United Methodist Church of Miami in downtown.

Enduring through past moves

The congregation has moved before and endured.

Before the Northern and Southern Methodists reunited, First Church Miami was split in two locations, the White Temple Methodist Church and Trinity Methodist Church South, which were about a mile a part. After a fire damaged the White Temple Church, the two congregations merged into one in the 1960s. Later, the church bought the property the condo sits on today and completed the sanctuary on Biscayne Boulevard in 1981.

Don Baggesen was one of the architects, along with his father and brother, who designed the old building  the same one that was torn down to erect the condo tower. Hes seen the church move locations and change over the years, and still attends service every Sunday.

It wasnt hard at all watching the building get demolished, he said.

We got enough money out of that [deal] to take care of us for another hundred years, Baggensen said.

Warren said she believes the churchs upgrades are possible because of the the churchs storied history. She references what kind of imagination the churchs founders had to have in order to start a church on a muddied land with little to no development.

Thats really, I think, what helped in so many ways for us to make this brave and bold decision, was having that spiritual imagination, God could do something that we havent seen before, building a church in a high rise.

This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
One dead and another critically injured in Saturday hit and run in Kansas City

One person is dead and another critically injured from a hit and run in Kansas City Saturday.

Drivers in a Nissan Altima and white Chevrolet were experiencing mechanical problems in the westbound lanes of the Truman Road Bridge over Manchester when they were hit by a Jeep Grand Cherokee speeding westbound, according to Alayna Gonzalez, spokesperson with the Kansas City Police Department.

The driver of the Chevrolet was in the passenger seat waiting for help and the Nissan driver was standing outside of the vehicle. A front-seat passenger of the Nissan was sitting in the passenger seat without a seat belt when the Jeep struck the back of the Nissan. The impact caused the Nissan to hit the Chevrolet and the driver standing outside of the Nissan, according to Gonzalez.

The front-seat passenger of the Nissan was declared dead at the scene and the pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. The passenger of the Chevrolet was uninjured, according to Gonzalez. The driver of the Jeep fled the scene on foot and was not located.

This fatality marks the 63rd traffic fatality in Kansas City this year compared to 60 at this time last year, according to police.
One is dead after ejection from vehicle that was speeding in Kansas City Sunday

A driver was ejected from a vehicle and died Sunday morning after speeding away from police attempting to do a traffic violation stop.

Prairie Village Police did not initiate a pursuit of a silver Chevrolet Malibu which continued speeding east on 63rd Street around 1:39 a.m., according to Alayna Gonzalez, spokesperson with the Kansas City Police Department.

At the intersection of 63rd and State line, the Chevrolet crossed into Missouri across a grassy median and struck a tree on the west side of 62nd Street. The vehicle then launched across 62nd Street, hitting a large tree. The driver, the only occupant of the vehicle, was ejected from the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.

This traffic fatality marks the 64th incident in 2024, compared to 61 at this time last year, according to Gonzalez. The investigation is ongoing.
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  One person was killed early Sunday morning in a shooting in Honea Path.

According to the Honea Path Police Department, at around 1:30 a.m., officers with the police department and deputies with Anderson County Sheriffs Department were called to reports of a domestic shooting on Black Street in Honea Path.

The victim was identified as 31-year-old Shaveze Kirshun Hampton Finley, from Easley.

At the scene, officers found Finley, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of death is a gunshot wound to the chest, and has been ruled a homicide, according to the Anderson County Coroners Office.

The shooting remains under investigation by the police department, sheriffs office and Anderson County Coroners Office.

I ask the members of the public to know that this is an ongoing investigation, and HPPD urges the public to refrain from speculating about the incident until more information is available. Any updates will be provided through official channels as the investigation progresses, said Police Chief Chris Miller in a statement.

Investigators ask anyone who may have heard anything prior to or has additional video of the shooting to please notify HPPD at 864-369-0532.

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One man dead after drowning at James Lee Park in Destin

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  The Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office responded to a drowning at James Lee Park in Destin on Saturday.

OCSO officials said a 40-year-old visitor drowned after apparently being swept out into the Gulf of Mexico by a rip current.

According to a news release, the son of the victim was pulled out by the current and recovered from the water. Officials confirmed he was last reported in stable condition.

Both family members were taken to the Destin ER, however the father did not survive.

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STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA ON CCG 'DELIBERATELY' RAMMING BRP TERESA MAGBANUA THREE TIMES AT ESCODA SHOAL

We have all the reasons and enough evidence to bring the repeated and unprovoked dangerous actions of the Chinese Coast Guard before international courts. Our government has sufficient basis to take immediate and decisive legal action to hold China accountable for its increasingly aggressive actions.

They have repeatedly endangered the lives of our brave men and women Coast Guard personnel and violated international maritime laws and sovereign rights.

They have no right to even question the presence of BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal because it is situated within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) which the arbitral court ruled to be within our sovereign rights and jurisdiction.
Houston Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing adopted Ava while on assignment in 2013. Ava became a rockstar with children as she traveled across Texas on a book tour for Sewing's children's book, "Ava and the Prince: the Adventures of Two Rescue Pups." Ava died of complications related to a brain tumor. Jill Karnicki / Houston Chronicle



On the day my dog Ava died my daughter insisted she needed to get to heaven to make sure Ava was happy.

It had been only a few hours since I had to say goodbye to my beautiful rescue boxer unexpectedly, and life already was unbearable. Our world was now strangely quiet. No more joyful noises of her snoring, whining for the smallest crumb of food or barking at the slightest sound.

Losing a dog, one that is family, is a hurt that you feel to the bone. Unyielding pain with a flood of tears.

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In the emergency room of the animal hospital, Avas sweet block-shaped head lay in my hand. She licked my fingers one last time, then gently let go of life.

The emptiness made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to get to heaven, too. See her deep chestnut eyes stare at me one last time and hug her massive chest that was soft and warm. She wasnt the kind of dog to try to squeeze her big body on your lap; instead, she would lean all 65 pounds against your leg and expect you to rub her belly. If you didnt oblige, shed lean harder. It was her way of hugging.

Houston Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing appears with her boxer dog Ava at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists on August 22, 2024. Ava died of complications related to a brain tumor. Jill Karnicki / Houston Chronicle

Ava and I were destined for a life together  nearly 11 years, but I prayed wed make it to 13.

Our connection started with a random photo of a fawn boxer puppy on the Chronicles website that I found and made my screen saver. The big-eyed, smushed-faced pup looked curiously smart and happy. I needed that in my life. So in 2003, while leaving a work assignment at the Galleria, I saw an SPCA Houston volunteer walking a 10-month-old boxer almost identical to the dog in the photo I had saved two years earlier. I immediately adopted the dog, which was named Foxy, and changed her name to Ava.

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Ava became my shadow and my big snorting ball of happiness. A bold personality who talked with her eyes and would twist into a pretzel when she was really happy. I understood her language.

She could defy gravity, hoisting her thick frame into the air to scare a squirrel or birds, but never missed catching a piece of food in her massive mouth. Not once.

Houston Chronicle Columnist Joy Sewing appears with her rescue boxer dog, Ava, for Interfaith Ministries of Houston's annual pet fashion show and luncheon to benefit AniMeals. Interfaith Ministries At the Twig Bookshop in San Antonio, Houston Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing and her dog Ava make an appearance. Joy Sewing Houston Chronicle's Joy Sewing reads her children's book, "Ava and the Prince" at Neiman Marcus San Antonio at La Cantera Shopping Mall. Courtesy of Joy Sewing Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing and her dog Ava appear on Fox 26 discussing her new book, "Ava and the Prince: The Adventures of Two Rescue Pups." Joy Sewing Houston Chronicle's Joy Sewing with a 10-month-old boxer, Ava. Sewing adopted the pup from SPCA Houston's Windows of Life at Neiman Marcus Galleria in 2013. Joy Sewing Houston Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing appears with her boxer dog Ava at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists on August 22, 2024. Jill Karnicki / Houston Chronicle Houston Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing with her boxer dog Ava, 11, at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists on August 22, 2024. Sewing, who adopted Ava from SPCA Houston in 2003, had to put Ava to sleep because of a brain tumor. Jill Karnicki / Houston Chronicle



Because boxers have endless energy, I taught Ava to run on a treadmill. She was so smart and learned the skill in just one session. In her youth, she could run up to 3 miles, which was especially helpful when the weather was too brutal for walks. The day before she died, she climbed onto the treadmill, lay down and took a nap.

My family thought I was crazy getting a second boxer, a younger rescue male named Prince, six months after I adopted Ava. But I knew the happiness would magnify with two in our home, and it did. Ava and Prince were like two old friends who respected their lanes. Ava was the alpha, the life of the party who would let a stranger into the house, particularly if they smelled like food. Prince was the introvert and the protector.

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They were my training for motherhood, too. I learned to create structured routines and playtimes. I kept track of doctor appointments and made sure they had good nutrition. Comparing mothering dogs to mothering children might be frowned upon by some, but for me, it was an essential guidebook that helped me courageously and confidently adopt two children a decade later.

"Ava and the Prince: The Adventures of Two Rescue Pups" by Joy Sewing and designed by Susan Barber. LongTale

In 2018, I wrote a childrens book about Ava and Prince and their journey as rescue dogs to find a forever home. The subsequent book tour had Ava and me traveling across Texas to schools, libraries, bookstores and festivals to share the story and talk with thousands of children about animal empathy and the beauty of having rescue dogs.

I took out a $1 million insurance policy in case anything went awry as we toured. Once a young girl took a paper clip and tried to snip Avas nub of a tail. Ava didnt even flinch.

The rule was that the children could only look at Ava, not touch her. Still, it was something to watch as Ava strolled into an elementary school like a superstar, hundreds of children gazing with bewilderment and awe.

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In those moments, Ava was Beyonce, living her purpose with a big fabulous life.

Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing visits an elementary school in Pearland with her dog Ava to read her book, "Ava and the Prince: the Adventure of Two Rescue Pups." Joy Sewing

A few months before the pandemic hit, the book events had slowed, and I was now a foster-to-adoptive parent, mothering two children with two dogs. Our walks around the neighborhood were comical, especially on cold days when everyone, including the dogs, had on jackets.

Kids would lead the pack, dogs by my side. Strangers driving by commented that they hadnt seen anything like it and praised me for wrangling kids and dogs, but all the props went to Ava. She showed me how love and chaos can coincide and how to wrestle multiple to-dos to make sure everyone in our home got what they needed.

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When the kids' demands were overwhelming, and when my father died, Ava and Prince were my emotional support and kept me standing and moving.

Thats what dogs do; they fill the stillness of life with love and teach us more about ourselves than we could ever know.
Should I talk to my husband about this? (Photo subjects are models.) - Getty Images/iStockphoto

Dear Quentin,

My husband and I are both on our second marriage. We each have children from previous marriages. His divorce decree from his first wife states that he must maintain a $350,000 life-insurance policy for his children. However, on the actual policy, I am the sole beneficiary. What would happen if he dies and I receive the payout from the life-insurance policy?

Am I legally obligated to turn the money over to his children because of what his divorce decree says? There is no written will at this time indicating anything for his children. I dont want to be left in legal limbo. Should I talk to my husband about this and have him name his children as beneficiaries on the policy, consistent with his divorce decree?

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Wife & Stepmother

Related: My girlfriend and I are having a symbolic wedding. She does not want to lose her health benefits  and I dont want to lose my shirt. Is that wise?

You may wish to ask your husband to take your name off the policy and make his children the beneficiaries, in accordance with his divorce decree. - MarketWatch illustration

Dear Stepmother,

You wouldnt be the first second wife to be part of a face-off between a life-insurance policy and a divorce decree.

Its smart and mature to be forward-thinking and to want to sort this out now, rather than kicking the can down the road and waiting for something to happen to your husband, and only then seeing how it all plays out. That would not only create legal problems for you and his first wife, it would also create unnecessary stress for the entire blended family at an extremely difficult time. I applaud you for wanting to do the right thing and making sure nothing nefarious happens. Its the decent thing to do. The Supreme Court has also weighed in on such cases.

You may wish to ask your husband to take your name off the policy and make his children the beneficiaries, in accordance with his divorce decree. If you are ordered to pay spousal support and/or child support in your divorce settlement, the judge may require you to maintain life insurance to protect these payments, according to Charles R. Ullman & Associates, attorneys at law in Raleigh, N.C. Once your children reach the age of majority, you may file a motion to have the divorce agreement amended.

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Some life-insurance policies are established with irrevocable beneficiaries, which cannot be changed by the policyholder alone, the law firm adds. Unless an ex-spouse agrees to changes in the policy, as an irrevocable beneficiary, he or she would have the right to a payout upon your death even after a divorce. If there were no children involved and your husband was not ordered to maintain the life-insurance policy as part of his spousal support, he could in good conscience put your name on the policy as a beneficiary, it adds.

Related: Im conflicted: I have two sons  one is a hard worker with kids and the other is a carefree actor. Should I leave the family man more money in my will?

There are caveats

This may all be moot depending on the type of policy he has. A term-life policy lasts anywhere from 10 to 30 years, and if your husband lived longer than that, the policy would expire and the beneficiaries would not receive any money. A whole-life policy, on the other hand, has a cash value (the amount you can take out while you are alive) costs more than a term-life policy. Once a whole-life policy has built up significant monetary value, the insured person can cash it out or borrow against it. And, yes, if the insured person dies, the face value would go to the legal beneficiary.

A caveat: If your husbands divorce decree was not clear regarding the beneficiary of his life-insurance policy, the outcome may depend on the laws of your state. A divorce decree can sometimes override a life-insurance policy, but the circumstances are quite limited: If the policyholder was married in a community property state and got divorced, the ex-spouse may be entitled to some of the death benefit regardless of who is the named beneficiary, according to Boonswang Law in Philadelphia.

Its not clear whether your husband acted to change the beneficiary on his life-insurance policy knowing it would contravene his earlier divorce decree. Roughly half of U.S. states  including Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Massachusetts and Colorado  have some form of revocation-upon-divorce statute that automatically removes an ex-spouse as a life-insurance beneficiary after divorce, the law firm says. California law, on the other hand, excludes life-insurance policies from automatic revocation-upon-divorce laws.

In a similar but not identical case, the Supreme Court decision ruled in favor of the ex-wife. In Hillman vs. Maretta, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a 66-year-old mans ex-wife, who was named as the beneficiary of a life-insurance policy worth over $124,000, rather than his widow. The second wife asserted that she could claim the policy under Virginia state law, which revokes a divorced spouses beneficiary in favor of the widow or widower. The Supreme Court disagreed, and the ex-wife got the money.

Ask your husband to address this inconsistency and become his own Supreme Court justice.

More columns from Quentin Fottrell:

I dont want anyone telling me what to do: My second husband wants to put our $750,000 home in a trust for his children. Does he have the right?

I was devastated by her infidelity: Im still on the deed of my ex-wifes house, but our divorce decree says she gets the property. Am I sitting on a golden goose?

My soon-to-be ex-husband placed his money in a trust before we married, and used it to buy properties. Am I entitled to any of these?

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For more than 40 years, Harry Chapin Food Bank has led the fight against hunger in Southwest Florida, working tirelessly to ensure children, families and seniors throughout the region have reliable access to healthy food.

During that time, weve seen a significant increase in the number of community members struggling with food insecurity. Last year alone, more than one in eight Southwest Floridians, including one in six children, experienced hunger that impacted their quality of life. And the heartbreaking reality is these numbers continue to rise.

Richard LeBer

In recognition of Hunger Action Month, Harry Chapin Food Bank is calling on community members to do their part in ending hunger in Southwest Florida. From monetary donations to volunteering your time, everyone has a role to play in this fight.

Established in 2008 by Feeding America, Hunger Action Month takes place each September, raising awareness about hunger in America and inspiring action. This annual recognition sheds light on the more than 44 million people, including 13 million children, who are food insecure in the United States.

This years theme  no one should have to go hungry  is at the core of Harry Chapin Food Banks daily mission. Every action, big or small, is one step closer to a community where no one is hungry.

We know food insecurity affects every corner of Southwest Florida, beyond simply rural communities. In 2023, nearly 16% of children in Collier County, often considered an affluent coastal community, struggled with hunger, while nearly 18% of Lee County children and 20% of Charlotte County children were impacted.

Food shouldnt be an impossible choice. Yet, for so many, a daily meal isnt a choice between different dishes, but a choice between food and other crucial needs such as medicine, electricity or childcare. We serve communities where no grocery store exists, where individuals must choose between housing and food, and where no school means no food for countless families.

Limited access to healthy and nutritious food can have a longstanding effect on individuals, especially on children. Hunger can negatively impact a childs health, development and well-being, leading to increased medical issues, poor academic performance and delayed developmental milestones.

Understanding that food plays an important role in a childs development, we have taken steps to ensure that children throughout our community have access to healthy and nutritious foods. This includes operating in-school pantries, making healthy food accessible, convenient and comfortable to students and their families.

Our Fresh Force Mobile Market, a one-aisle mobile grocery store, also provides healthy, fresh food and a dignified shopping experience to those in need who may not have access to affordable food options.

Additionally, our Harrys Helpings program offers food kits at a variety of educational and community facilities throughout the region. Each kit is filled with enough nutritious food for 15 meals, ensuring families have healthy options at mealtimes. This program currently operates out of 10 sites in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties, and provided more than 142,000 meals to families in 2022.

This Hunger Action Month, consider how you can make a difference to ensure our community is fed, futures are nourished, and we can all reach our full potential. From hosting a food drive to volunteering at a packing event, Harry Chapin Food Bank offers a variety of ways to support our mission to end hunger.

To join Harry Chapin Food Bank in its fight against hunger, visit harrychapinfoodbank.org.

Richard LeBer is the president and CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: One in six children in Southwest Florida experience hunger
One teen killed, another hospitalized in Greenville shooting

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA)  Two teenagers were shot, one fatally in a Saturday night shooting in Greenville.

According to the Greenville Police Department, at around 10:20 p.m., officers were called to a home on Mulberry Street for reports of a shooting. At the scene, officers found two teenagers with gunshot wounds.

The teens were taken to the hospital for treatment. One of the victims, a 16-year-old, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and Andre Udonus Nicholson, 17 was reported in critical condition, according to the police department.

According to the Greenville County Coroners Office, Nicholson died from his injuries early Sunday morning.

Police said they have arrested Corey Russ, 18, who was present at the scene on a drug possession charge, though charges against Russ are expected to be upgraded.

The shooting remains under investigation.

We will update this story 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 WSPA 7NEWS.
There are only a few LGBTQ-owned businesses in Stanislaus County. Why theyre needed

When David Soria first took over a hair salon in Oakdale, the old clientele needed some time to adjust.

The regulars, often older women, werent used to seeing a man behind the chair.

In place of jazz, Soria started playing pop or electronic dance music in the background. Clients would watch with amusement as his husband, Larry Soria  who also works at David Allen Salon  styled vibrant, voluminous wigs.

At the same time, Soria had to learn how to bring in LGBTQ clients to what had always been known as a straight salon. Those new customers have told him theyve never felt so comfortable getting their hair done.

When we do have someone brand new stepping in the door from the gay community, they immediately feel like theyre home, Soria said of the salon at 710 E. F St. in Oakdale.

Larry Soria styles a wig at the David Allen Salon in Oakdale, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024.

Modesto and Stanislaus County are no San Francisco when it comes to the variety of LGBTQ-centered spaces where the community can feel open. This scarcity makes the few such businesses all the more invaluable.

In addition to being the only openly LGBTQ-owned business in Oakdale, Sorias salon is one of the few in the area owned by a person of color. Just a few doors down, his mother owns Seed2Cup, a cafe that recently hosted a drag trivia night.

Still, Soria keeps politics out of the salon. He said he nips any conversations with customers that deal with religion or politics, but ensures that customers respect pronouns to maintain a safe and inclusive space.

Were therapists, not politicians, Soria said.

Daytime vs. nighttime spaces

Stanislaus County not only lacks LGBTQ spaces but has very few daytime spaces  places where the community can gather without the presence of alcohol. This is part of a salons appeal: It offers a welcoming environment where people can find a sense of community during the day.

Bettie Mercury, who is opening a queer-forward salon in Modesto in September, emphasized the importance of such spaces for LGBTQ youth. These environments allow people of all ages to connect without having to engage in nightlife.

Her salon will be called Phases, in reference both to moon phases and to the businesss mantra of accepting people in all phases of their lives. She said her primary clientele will be gay and trans individuals, though anyone is welcome. The salon will be inside Hidden Beauty Crystal Healing Boutique off McHenry Avenue.

Mercury acknowledged some concern that her LGBTQ marketing might attract pushback, but shes optimistic about the future of her business. Its just getting people to be able to feel comfortable, feel confident, and know that there is a place here in this small town where they normally dont feel accepted, where they absolutely will be accepted, Mercury said.

Though everyone passes through a hair salon, it can represent a transformative experience for trans individuals.

Soria said hair typically is the first and most noticeable aspect people address when transitioning. As a result, many clients come to the salon specifically for gender-affirming haircuts.

Soria and their team not only guide transitioning clients in styling their new haircuts but also engage with parents who bring in their children who are considering transitioning.

Mercury said she has heard from community members who have faced microaggressions at other salons. For instance, stylists might question why someone wants a boy haircut or misgender clients.

She noted that LGBTQ individuals, particularly those who are trans, often feel uncertain about how they will be received when they enter a salon.

Lo-Fi Laboratories artisan cocktail lounge in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023.

Creating inclusive environments

Before Lauren Jamieson opened Lo-Fi Laboratories in downtown Modesto, people assumed it would be a gay bar because of her sexuality.

While the space and its aesthetic may reflect her identity, Jamieson doesnt consider her business a gay bar. She enjoys creating an inclusive environment where a diverse clientele can feel welcome.

However, she has faced some prejudice. In a recent encounter, someone remarked feeling overwhelmed by the gayness and had to leave.

Were not a gay bar, but if theyre so uncomfortable with even the idea that they dont even want to try to come in here, thats probably for the best, Jamieson said.

The lounge features a mural of two nude women reclining, one smoking a cigarette. Many customers assume she commissioned the artwork specifically for Lo-Fi, reinforcing the perception that its a gay bar. However, the artist who painted it did so with complete creative freedom.

I never, ever in a million years, imagined that that would be what she chose, Jamieson said about the artists subject matter.

She hopes the bar is recognized as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. To honor the 100th birthday of James Baldwin  writer, civil rights activist and LGBTQ icon  the lounge recently projected a reel of him on the wall.

Founder and owner Bridgette Berry at 18Seventy Brewing Co. in Modesto, Calif., on August 12, 2020.

Similarly, Bridgette Berry, owner of 18Seventy Brewing Co. at 911 J St. in Modesto, doesnt view her business as specifically LGBTQ-focused but values creating a safe space for anyone who needs it.

Berry feels her identity as a woman plays a more significant role in her business. She hadnt realized how few female-owned breweries there are until customers began pointing it out.

One customer even remarked that they initially saw the brewery as a chick-owned spot but ended up really enjoying the beers.

She said some of her gay friends have told her she should turn it into a gay bar.

I dont think thats what Im after, Berry said.

Shes pleased that her brewery serves as a safe space for everyone, a place where people dont have to hit the club scene. Shes noticed that many couples choose her brewery for first dates before heading to the nightclub next door.

I think everybody comes here feeling like theyre safe to be here, Berry said.

David Soria cuts the hair of Vince Calderon as Larry Soria, right, styles a wig at the David Allen Salon in Oakdale, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. The Sorias married in 2022 and have owned the Oakdale salon for 14 years.
Photos of oil-covered seals and birds from Californias 1969 Santa Barbara blowout helped launch the environmental and stop-oil movements. More recently, the 2010 Deepwater Horizon drillship disaster killed 11 workers and blasted 3-4 million barrels of oil and enormous amounts of natural gas into the Gulf of Mexico.

These accidents spurred industry to implement better blowout-prevention technologies and procedures.

Such industry actions, of course, never placated environmentalists who wanted them banned forever. But now the question is whether they will apply the same standards for wind energy today.

A recent mishap off the coast of Nantucket, an island in Massachusetts, underscores yet another reason why hundreds or thousands of monstrous wind turbines should not be permitted in Americas coastal waters. Shards, chunks and finally the rest of a turbine blade fell into the ocean. One blade  from a 62-turbine project that is only three-fourths completed.

The blade was broken by its own weight, not even by a storm. And yet it was enough to force the closure of beaches amid peak tourist season, while crews picked up pieces of fiberglass-resin-plastic-foam. Boats were also forced to dodge big pieces floating in the water. Worse, Vineyard Wind, the company behind the project, didnt even warn Nantucket officials about the problems until two days after the blade began disintegrating.

Each blade is 350 feet long and weighs 140,000 pounds. Thats more than a fully occupied Boeing 737 jetliner. The Vineyard Wind project involves 186 blades, or 65,000 feet (12 miles) in total combined length and a combined 26,000,000 pounds in weight.

The Biden-Harris offshore wind plan calls for 30,000 megawatts of generating capacity by 2030. That would require 2,500 gigantic 12-megawatt offshore turbines. Offshore winds contribution toward meeting future demands for all Atlantic Coast states could easily require 5,000 such turbines. That means 15,000 blades, weighing a combined 2 billion pounds and spanning a combined 5,250,000 feet (995 miles).

Thats a lot of potential ocean-bound junk.

Every year, the entire Atlantic coastline is hurricane country. The only questions are how many hurricanes, how powerful and where each one will hit. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration records for landfalling hurricanes  those that actually hit U.S. beaches and cities  reveal that 105 Category 1-5 hurricanes struck the Atlantic seaboard, from Florida to Maine, from 1851 through 2023. Add in those that remained at sea, where the turbines will be, and that number could double.

Of that total, 23 were Category 3 through 5, meaning their winds were 111 miles per hour or more. Most struck Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, but 39 made landfall between North Carolina and Delaware. Nineteen hit Northeastern states, including nine Category 2-3 monsters (96 to 129 mph winds).

Mind you, these turbines will be weakened by constant corrosive salt spray and frequently by sub-hurricane storms. When the inevitable big hurricane roars up the coast, devastation will follow.

Kamala Harris is bullish about offshore wind. For the last three-and-a-half years, she has helped run an administration thats determined to convert the nation to wind, solar and battery power, expedite permits for onshore and offshore clean energy projects and even waive requirements that offshore wind developers post bonds and pay for removing damaged, broken and obsolete offshore wind towers. She supports banning plastic straws, but has she ever considered how many plastic straws it would take to equal 15,000 offshore wind turbine blades?

Harris, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and other wind advocates dismiss worries about hurricanes as anti-wind-energy fearmongering. Yet history says otherwise.

The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane clobbered Florida with 200-plus mile-per-hour devastation and Georgia with Category 1 winds. The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 smashed into New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts with 115-120 mph force. The Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944  punished the coast from North Carolina to New Jersey and Massachusetts with Category 2 winds.

Hurricane Edna hit the Northeast with Category 2 winds in 1954, Donna did it again in 1960 and Gloria clobbered the region with 96-115 mph blasts in 1985, even reaching New Hampshire and Maine. Isabel hit North Carolina and Virginia in 2003. The minor Category 1 hurricane of 2012, better known as Superstorm Sandy, was also devastating.

This is just a sample of the kind of weather that will hit our planned forests of offshore turbines. Whether they are fixed to the seafloor or sitting atop enormous floating platforms, the likelihood approaches 100 percent over time of a massive failure that makes this summers trouble in Nantucket seem mild by comparison.

Replacing hundreds or thousands of torn, damaged and smashed turbines and blades could take years, perhaps decades, to say nothing of the cleanup process or environmental damage.

Before we rush further into this renewable energy transformation, can we first have some realistic, commonsense analysis?

Paul Driessen is senior policy analyst for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow and author of books and articles on energy, environment, climate and human rights issues.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Donald Trump fights to become Americas next Deporter-in-Chief, he wants to keep all eyes on the border, particularly on migrants. A day after telling the National Association of Black Journalists that migrants will take your jobs, he appeared at the Georgia State University Convocation Center and said illegal aliens are coming in from prisons, jails, mental institutions and insane asylums.

Although these statements are not true, they are an attempt to justify stricter measures in the name of border security. What many Americans dont realize is that such draconian policies dont just affect migrants. They are a threat to all American citizens.

As a former Department of Homeland Security prosecutor across three presidential administrations, I know the dangers of vilifying noncitizens. Although American citizens are exempt from immigration laws, when the government detains or deports migrants, or subjects them to harsh treatment, in the name of border security, we make it that much easier for the government to use those tactics against us all.

Politicians and policymakers have a long history of using the legal distinction between noncitizens and Americans to sway voters. But in practice, the dividing line isnt so clear.

In the 1880 presidential election, candidate James A. Garfield referred to Chinese immigration as an invasion. He capitalized on fears from Western states that Chinese migrants would steal their jobs  the border security issue at the time. Two years later, the Chinese Exclusion Act, a total ban on Chinese migration, passed.

The law was supposed to only apply to noncitizens from China. Except it didnt.

Many Chinese Americans were refused entry into the U.S., even though they had proper certificates to return. Those affected sought protection from the Supreme Court. But the court allowed the government to revoke its decisions, tipping Lady Justices scales in favor of border security and leaving Chinese migrants and Chinese American citizens exposed to arbitrary immigration enforcement.

After World War II, the same border security tune continued, except on a different note  Operation Wetback. This time, Americans feared Mexican laborers would steal jobs and deplete resources. President Dwight Eisenhower responded with a mass deportation campaign, rounding up people who looked like Mexican migrants and deporting them to remote areas in Mexico. Families were separated and Mexican Americans were wrongfully deported.

Perhaps immigration officials didnt care much about mistakes because their decisions werent reviewable by courts, or maybe they too fell victim to the border-security myth. Whatever the reason, these actions were applauded, and Eisenhower used this success to help secure reelection.

In the early 2000s, the War on Terror brought renewed concerns against noncitizens. Guantanamo Bay was established to detain and interrogate suspected terrorists and enemy combatants. The government detained many without charge. It was easy for the majority of Americans to watch on television as noncitizens were captured in Afghanistan and elsewhere and then transferred to Guantanamo, where they had no constitutional rights.

But when Jose Padilla, an American citizen, was arrested at Chicago OHare International Airport, President George W. Bush labeled him an enemy combatant, allowing his prolonged detention without formal charges. This time, the Supreme Court spoke, reminding the government that however it labels them, it must still afford U.S. citizens all the protections of the Constitution.

There is a better way forward. Americans have a right to a country with secure borders and a functioning immigration policy. But current border policies arent addressing the real problem.

Instead, more resources should be directed toward the 24.7 million shipping containers that enter the country every year, offering a far more efficient path to transport fentanyl and other contraband into the U.S. than via migrants. But only 2 to 5 percent of containers are thoroughly inspected. Data from the Drug Enforcement Association backs this up, showing Mexican cartels and other criminal organizations as the primary source of drug smuggling. But finding drugs in a container doesnt get voters to the polls the same way that finding drugs on migrants does.

Americans need to learn from our history. Migrants lack of fundamental rights makes it too easy for any president to enforce a border security agenda. This is a slippery slope, because the actual security threat isnt found at Americas physical borders but in using demonizing labels to justify the erosion of fundamental rights.

These categorical distinctions exist in name only, and make it easier for Americans to wrongly believe that these policies will never apply to them.

Veronica Cardenas is a former prosecutor with the Department of Homeland Security. She is the founder of Humanigration, a digital platform serving immigrants and their legal advocates.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, Ruth Bader Ginsburg  the list of influential American women is long and illustrious, and ever relevant.

Not only are womens issues front and center in our presidential politics, but female voters are poised to sway the 2024 election  one way or another. Vice President Harris, who has officially emerged as the Democratic nominee for president, has also assumed the mantle of countless women from centuries past. In other contexts, female superstars like Taylor Swift, Serena Williams and Oprah appeal to the masses in their own ways.

Chances are, the name Frances Perkins isnt top of mind in quite the same way.

While most Americans are aware of Swifts contributions to the music industry or Harriss decades of public service or Ginsburgs jurisprudence, Frances Perkins flies under the radar. And yet she is one of the most influential women in the history of our nation, whose influence can and should be an inspiration for all Americans  women and men alike.

A longtime workers rights advocate from Massachusetts, Perkins was the first woman ever to serve in a presidential Cabinet. While it is not groundbreaking for a woman to hold public office in 2024, it was unprecedented for one to influence White House policy in the 1930s and 1940s. And she did, becoming the fourth U.S. secretary of Labor and the longest serving one at that. Perkins was one of only four people to serve at the upper echelon of Franklin Delano Roosevelts administrations from beginning to end.

Perkins was the driving force behind the New Deal, creating many of the benefits and safeguards Americans count on today. Social Security, a top issue in 2024, would not exist without her. As chairwoman of FDRs Committee on Economic Security in 1934, Perkins was involved in all aspects of the reports and hearings that ultimately resulted in the Social Security Act of 1935.

In Perkinss words: I came to Washington to work for God, FDR, and the millions of forgotten, plain common workingmen. That she did. Nearly a century later, millions of working Americans still have her to thank for securing their retirements.

It has never been more important to celebrate American heroes like Perkins. Not only did she score remarkable achievements on their own merits, she achieved them despite the many constraints of her time period, as a woman working in the male-dominated field of public policy.

Perkins understood that, while elections come and go, policy endures, from Social Security to labor relations. She realized that real change requires policy change, and Perkins set out to be the change that America so desperately needed at the time.

As we all know, America still needs change  real, lasting policy change that benefits both men and women. Those striving to be todays change, especially the youth, looking to the heroes of yesteryear, can find unique inspiration in Perkins. I certainly have, as executive director of an organization that bears her name.

Thats exactly why we are calling on the Biden administration to designate the Frances Perkins Homestead as a national monument managed by the National Park Service. Today, only 12 out of 430 national park sites were designated to honor women.

As we approach Labor Day  a day for celebrating the contributions of working Americans  we should also remember to celebrate Perkins, who fought for workers wellbeing and economic security. This includes banning child labor, establishing a minimum wage, and supporting a 40-hour work week.

Let us never stop striving for better. Fortunately, there is no shortage of role models for modern change-makers, as they build on the work of the past and enact further policy reforms that benefit both sexes.

The change-makers of 2024 face an uncertain world. Womens rights are not secure in America and other parts of the world, despite centuries of progress. But current uncertainty in America is also an opportunity. As Perkins once said, Healthy discontent keeps us alert to the changing needs of our time.

Lets use our healthy discontent for the greater good. Frances Perkins would expect nothing less.

Giovanna Gray Lockhart serves as executive director of the Frances Perkins Center in Newcastle, Maine.

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Opinion: What we can learn from the Afghanistan disaster, 3 years later

Taliban fighters celebrate the third anniversary of the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. | Siddiqullah Alizai

The terrible disaster of the collapse of the Afghan government and sweeping Taliban victory three years ago was a reversal for the United States and the international community, and a serious leadership failure by the Biden administration. However, the collapse does not have to be a strategic defeat for the U.S.

Let me explain why. The current anniversary of the debacle is an appropriate time to do so.

The failure of the administration to adequately prepare for this scenario was devastating. The background of the debacle has been investigated, but not thoroughly or publicly.

The fact that the Democrats held majorities in both houses of Congress, along with the White House, means the partys congressional leaders did not pursue aggressive fact-finding hearings. However, the leaders power is limited, and the scale of a failure this significant provides powerful incentive. Republicans now have a narrow House of Representatives majority and continue to press.

Most striking is that the American withdrawal from Afghanistan unfolded contrary to customary procedures, as well as common sense. Normally, civilians leave first, then the military, with a rear guard securing exits as long as necessary.

The explanation is that clearly no one at the top of the administration believed Afghanistans government and military would disintegrate immediately. Consequently, there was no preparation for handling this terrible worst-case development.

Predictably, various agencies aggressively leaked to the media that they warned the White House this collapse was likely to happen. Skepticism is the right attitude toward such self-protection, especially in this case.

The Biden administration apparently failed to coordinate withdrawal with our allies. A substantial international coalition overthrew the Taliban regime and occupied the country following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The U.S. led this U.N. and NATO effort, but many nations have been involved. This again is a prime topic for in-depth, serious investigation.

There is also a challenge to learn and use this failure to strengthen as well as repair relations with our closest allies. We should devote sustained attention to working-level military and intelligence cooperation and make the priority public.

Reports of British and French military patrols in Afghanistan operating beyond the Kabul airport and successfully rescuing their citizens, Afghan nationals and some Americans are impressive. American forces guarding the airport should have been permitted to join them. In April 1975, as South Vietnam collapsed, U.S. officials emphasized efforts to rescue our citizens and allies.

Commentary on Afghanistan regularly referred to the disastrous Soviet invasion and ultimate defeat in the 1980s, but usually overlooked the earlier history of British engagement. During the 19th century, the British experienced military defeat, but eventually achieved influence. Condemnation of Biden by Britains Parliament provides powerful evidence for the necessary repair of relations.

The two-decade occupation of Afghanistan has brought extensive economic and social modernization. That clock cannot be turned back completely, and economic aid to the nation provides useful practical leverage.

Electronic surveillance and human agents are essential to monitor the Taliban. No doubt this is happening, but should be a top priority.

The international effort to transform Afghanistan was misguided. In future, patient realism, calculated diplomacy and selective aid should guide policy  not failed utopianism.

Learn more from Hans Morgenthaus Politics Among Nations.

Arthur I. Cyr is a professor at Carthage College and the author of After the Cold War, Liberal Politics in Britain, and other books. Contact acyr@carthage.edu.
On Aug. 23, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his campaign and endorsed Donald Trump for president. Kennedy revealed that Trump had offered him a role in a second administration on issues related to health care, food and drug policies.

This time, Kennedy said, he was choosing to believe the former president would deliver  a reference to an unfulfilled promise in 2017 to appoint him as chair of a commission on vaccine safety. RFK Jr. discussed his opposition to U.S. aid to Ukraine and the rise in chronic diseases, which he attributed to the toxic environment, prescription drugs and processed food. He did not mention vaccines.

Trump praised Kennedy as a beloved person, respected by everybody, but didnt comment on an appointment.

Kennedy and Trump differ on many issues, but they have well-deserved reputations as peddlers of false and dangerous allegations about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Their claims play well with the MAGA base, but they raise the possibility that in the general election RFKs endorsement will give Trump a pain in the butt instead of a shot in the arm.

As recently as July 2023, Kennedy told members of a House Judiciary Subcommittee that he was up-to-date on COVID-19 shots and has never told the public to avoid vaccination. Kennedys false claims, however, include that the 1918 influenza pandemic and HIV originated in vaccine research, that autism is linked to childhood vaccines, and that COVID shots may have caused suspicious deaths among seniors.

Asked in 2021 about CDC schedules for childhood immunization, Kennedy declared that if he saw someone carrying a baby, he would say Dont vaccinate that baby. And he would encourage his fellow Americans to do a civil disobedience every day by confronting everybody on it.

Kennedy has also suggested that anti-depressants are responsible for the increase in school shootings in the U.S., and that a particular herbicide helps explain why an increasing number of young people are identifying as transgender. To boost his muscle mass, Kennedy, who is 70 years old, uses testosterone replacement therapy, a treatment (dubbed legal steroids) that can increase the risk of infertility, blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.

In 2015, then-presidential candidate Trump revealed that he had never taken a flu shot: I dont like the idea of injecting bad stuff in your body, which is basically what they do. He indicated as well that a two-year-old child of one of his employees was vaccinated to protect against infectious diseases and a week later got a tremendous fever, got very sick and is now autistic.

In December 2020, at a White House summit hailing the success of Project Warp Speed in producing a COVID vaccine in record time, President Trump described the shot as verifiably safe and effective It will quickly and dramatically reduce deaths and hospitalizations. When at a rally in 2021 he recommended taking the vaccine  I did it. Its good  audible boos emerged from the crowd. Youve got your freedoms, Trump responded, but I happened to take the vaccine.

After he left the White House, as vaccine skepticism grew among Trump Republicans, and especially after declaring his candidacy for a second term, Trumps tone and tune changed. In September 2023, he declared he was not proud of the vaccine. Im not talking about it, he said. But what I did do is I got something done for that specific thing.

In July 2024, in a telephone conversation with RFK Jr., whom he was courting, Trump said, I agree with you, man. Somethings wrong with that whole system.Remember, I want to do small doses. Small doses when you feed a baby, Bobby, a vaccination that is like 38 different vaccines, and it looks like its meant for a horse, not a, you know, 10 pound or 20-pound baby.

That same month, in a speech to the Christian Faith and Freedom Coalition, Trump promised he would not give a penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate or mask mandate.

Trump didnt say  or doesnt know  that the federal government supplies only about 10 percent of public-school budgets. And federal officials have limited ability to dictate to states and localities how to spend those funds. All 50 states and D.C., moreover, require public school students to be vaccinated for some infectious diseases. Every state provides medical exemptions; 15 states permit philosophical or personal exemptions. As the number of exemptions has grown, measles, mumps and rubella shots have dipped below the 95 percent threshold for herd immunity, increasing the likelihood of infectious disease outbreaks.

RFK Jr., it is worth noting, indicated that if elected president he had no intention of amending the CDC childhood recommended vaccine schedule  and would not use the federal government to force state governments or schools to change their policy on vaccines.

Americans remain sharply divided about the safety and effectiveness of COVID vaccines. But 88 percent of them believe the benefits of the MMR vaccination outweigh the risks, the same as in 2019. Although the percentage of Americans who support MMR vaccine mandates for public school children has dropped from 82 percent to 70 percent  almost all of the decline attributable to Republicans  mandate supporters remain a substantial majority. Few of them, we can assume, support Trumps threats to end federal funding of public education.

If there is a debate on Sept. 10, Kamala Harris should ask Trump what position he plans to give Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and remind voters of the threat the former president poses to the health, education and welfare of the nations children.

Glenn C. Altschuler is the Thomas and Dorothy Litwin Emeritus Professor at Cornell University.

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One of the bright spots in American politics has been that space policy has avoided becoming a partisan political issue. The Biden administration has adopted wholesale from the preceding Trump administration both the Space Force and the Artemis mission to return to the moon. The continuity of space policy between the two very different presidencies has been both surprising and gratifying.

However, the nonpartisan nature of space policy may be about to change.

A sticking point seems to be developing not so much around what space policy should be, but about how it is being executed. Eric Trump, a son and surrogate for former President Trump, launched a salvo on the Jesse Watters Fox News show on the last night of the Democratic National Convention.

Kamala Harris chairs the National Space Commission and Boeing cant get one of the rockets  its docked at the [International Space Station] with astronauts stuck up there and you will have to have Elon Musk go rescue them.

Eric Trump misspoke. Harris is the chair of the National Space Council. The National Space Commission does not exist. The National Commission on Space was convened in the wake of the Challenger disaster to chart the future course of the American space program.

Harris is not directly responsible for the Starliner debacle that has stranded two American astronauts on the International Space Station for far longer than originally planned. The direct responsibility resides with Boeing and its quality control problems surrounding the Starliner, and with NASA for not exercising sufficient oversight.

Nevertheless, Harris is the point person for Bidens space policy and must therefore answer for its failures during the Biden administration.

NASA has decided to bring the astronauts home in February on a Crew Dragon, and to bring back the Starliner separately and unmanned. Boeing has vowed to fix the problems with Starliner and provide NASA with the redundancy for sending astronauts to and from the ISS that it requires,

Still, the problems with the Starliner and possible delays facing the Artemis program  it may slip as much as two years partly because of problems with the Orion spacecrafts heatshield  could provide a tempting target for the Trump campaign.

The Harris campaign has not been shy about touting her position as chair of the National Space Council. She mentioned space as a priority in her nomination acceptance speech. Space merited a short mention in the Democratic Party platform in a paragraph covering manufacturing.

The most bizarre space-related event of the Harris campaign was a livestream fundraiser by a group calling itself Space Cadets for Harris. The eclectic group consisted of former astronauts, scientists, engineers, Star Trek actors, two former NASA administrators and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Some of the participants compared Harris to characters from Star Trek, such as Captain Kathryn Janeway and Lt. Nyota Uhura. Harris will apparently usher in the future of Star Trek if she is elected.

If Team Trump desires to make space an issue in the campaign, it should do so with care. Space has been nonpartisan thanks in large part to the efforts of Trumps NASA Administrator, Jim Bridenstine. If he hits Harris too hard on her handling of the issue, Democrats may be reluctant to support his space policy if he is reelected.

Instead, Trump should accentuate the positive. He should mention that he started the Artemis program and the Space Force. Forbes called his naming of Bridenstine as NASA chief one of the best decisions he ever made.

Indeed, the once and possibly future president should thank Biden and Harris for adopting his space policy as their own. It would show uncharacteristic magnanimity and would stick in the craw of the Democrats.

Trump should promise that he will straighten out the commercial space mess caused by the Starliner fiasco and that two commercial spacecraft will take Americans to and from Earth orbit by the end of his term. He should also promise that American moon boots will be on the lunar surface by the end of his presidency, ahead of the Chinese.

Trump should promise to end the Biden-Harris mandated DEI policies at NASA that make funding to science, technology, engineering, math and medicine research grants conditional on diversity statements and equity requirements that have little to do with the projects merits. Whistleblowers in academia claim that such requirements threaten Americas competitive edge and its national security.

If space must be a political issue, let it be a positive one, promising a better future.

Mark R. Whittington is the author of  Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon?  as well as  The Moon, Mars and Beyond , and, most recently,  Why is America Going Back to the Moon?  He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner.

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People in marginalized groups are particularly vulnerable to falling into homelessness: Black people represent only 8% of Los Angeles population but make up 34% of the citys unhoused population. Centuries of American history contribute to this overrepresentation, including decades of racist housing policy and redlining that deprived generations of Black Americans of wealth. Some consequences of such racist legacies can be quantified  for instance, in the average wealth of white households ($189,000) versus Black ($24,000). When something goes wrong, such as a medical crisis or a job loss, such wealth can make the difference between weathering the storm or becoming unhoused. The stories of some of my unhoused neighbors on the Westside  including James, Bobo and Dywaine  remind us that there often are crucial moments in life when a little assistance could make a huge difference, all the more so for many members of marginalized groups. We cant erase the racist policies that have led us to this point, but we should address their consequences swiftly, humanely and collectively. James, Bobo and Dywaine, who spoke with me this summer, all agreed to share their stories with The Times on condition that their last names not be used.  Robert Karron

James

My name is James, and Im 55. I was born in Monroe, La. I was raised in South-Central, but every summer Id go back to Monroe. It was loving there. I stayed with my grandmothers, uncles and cousins. I stayed with love. In a way Id like to be back, but theres no more there; everybodys gone.

After high school I enlisted in the Navy and worked on F-14 fighter jets. Top Gun? I launched those planes off the USS Eisenhower  three years active, five years reserve at Point Mugu, working on F-18 Hornets. Honorable discharge.

Then I went to Northeast Louisiana State, but I dropped out so I could drive an 18-wheeler. I did that off and on, until I got a job in Atlanta; I was a boat tank operator, loading cement into a tanker truck. Paid real good money, because it was union. In 1994, I was getting $18 an hour. I did that for five years, until the unions were busted. They wanted the unions out of there.

'What am I going to do? What is James going to do? That brings me back to reality.'

James

I went back to school and got A+ certification in Microsoft systems, MCSE certification, then came here and worked for a few companies. I wanted out of blue-collar work  all that dust and dirt. I wanted an office job. I had one on Westwood and Santa Monica boulevards, selling toner cartridges. But they saw that I was skilled so they asked me to help with web design. These were the early days of the web  Youve got mail. We were helping people with their domain names. We were on the ground floor, but we gave up a little bit prematurely. If wed stayed with it, wed be on top today. James would be a multi-multimillionaire today.

Read more: Opinion: A job can't always lift someone out of homelessness. What more is needed?

After that, I worked odd jobs, sometimes going back to trucking. But then I had a meltdown, and Im still melting down.

Heres the thing: A lot of the people who are assisting the homeless just use us. I went to PATH (People Assisting the Homeless). I was living under a bridge. They asked, Are you a veteran? Yes, I am. They said, Come on in. I see theyve got this whole structure. All this money, to build their offices. I worked with them for four months  and nothing came of it. Hey, we need this document. We need this document. Id give them all they wanted. I went out myself and talked to landlords. I found one. I went back to them and said: I have a landlord, and Im ready to move in. All I need is first and last month, and a security deposit. Then I can get back into the workforce, and sustain myself. Thats what the program was designed for. My housing navigator says to me: We need this document (again). So I give it to her (again). Then she quits. So I have nothing. They have all these housing navigators  paid with funds I cant access, funds that are intended for me. Its wrong. And then they blame us. They discredit us. It makes me crazy. Im so angry. Veterans Affairs is like this, too. They build new buildings instead of hiring more doctors for us.

My parents are going to be gone soon. I dont want them to see me like this. My sister doesnt talk to me. That hurts. Ive done nothing to her.

Read more: The stories of two unhoused men on the Westside, whose lives were interrupted by grief

What am I going to do? What is James going to do? That brings me back to reality. What do you want to do, for you, now, to better yourself? Well, Ill have to find another place to move into. Ill have to save up, and use my own money. Im on disability: I was injured during active duty. My country is compensating me for that. Ill just need to save up, thats all. But more than that, I have to stop being bitter. I have to get past that.

Bobo

My name is Bobo, and Im 25-plus. I was born and raised in Virginia. The nations capital is there, so theyre as politically correct as possible. Id say that in Virginia the law is upheld, mostly. D.C. isnt the South, but it isnt the North, either. Youve got a bit of everything. Youve got that hospitality: We dont lock our doors. People dont steal from other people in their neighborhood.

I graduated high school and went to two community colleges. Im 18 credits away from a degree in business management. I didnt finish because I had to work, to pay bills; I had jobs in office management, restaurant management and some project management. I also worked in advertising. Ive been working since I was 14. I was raised by my grandmother. She did her best.

Compared to Virginia, here its the Wild West. Anything could happen. Accountability is at zero. People dont love each other. Clearly, I am Black. Ive experienced more racism and hatred here than in Virginia or anywhere else. I got here in 2015. A friend bought me a ticket to California and said, Just come.

'My mind is going at 100 miles a minute. I used to be an efficient, productive member of society. Now I dont feel comfortable enough to sit for five minutes.'

Bobo

Id always wanted to come. I love being outdoors. If I dont get sunshine, I feel not well. I was going through a lot of loss. I lost my father, my sister and my grandmother, all in a two-year span. I didnt know it at the time, but Id had a breakdown of sorts. After I got here, I started laughing and smiling and working again. Only then did I realize how depressed Id been.

Right now Im in between housing. Four years ago I was in an apartment where they discovered mold. Theyd covered it up. I suffered from long-term mold exposure. I have a fungal parasite that I can never get rid of. I have scars all over my body. I can only minimize its effects. I was feeling sick and not able to breathe indoors, so I came out here and discovered a whole community. It took two years for any doctor to listen to me and send me to a specialist. For a while, I had emergency hotel housing in Inglewood, but a couple of months ago they said we had 24 hours to get out. They sent us to this place downtown, but after a friend died there, I had to leave.

Read more: Opinion: Some in a blue-collar job are just one injury away from homelessness

Ive been in this neighborhood since, but never in the same place for very long. I move around. Its safer that way.  Real Gs move in silence, like lasagna   the silent G. People attack you out here. If youre on the street, youre a target. Ive been hatcheted in the head. Last summer I was drugged and held captive. Have I talked to anyone about it? No. People can get over anything. Worse things have happened to me. I mean, Im alive. The important thing is to stay in groups. People look at us as less than, but were really the superior ones. We can make it under any conditions.

Im working odd jobs now and saving money. I do physical labor, things like demolition. After dealing with my health issue, I realized I needed to work for myself. Why work for someone else, when you can work harder, and make more, for yourself? When I get enough money, Im thinking of going to Vegas with my friend and letting him gamble it. Ive never been to Vegas, so why not try it? The house always wins? Not with this guy. Trust me.

The health department said I needed to file my own claim against the building where I got sick, but I havent had the time, because my mind is going at 100 miles a minute. I used to be an efficient, productive member of society. Now I dont feel comfortable enough to sit for five minutes.

Dywaine

My name is Dywaine, and Im 44. I was born and raised in L.A. I went to Fairfax High, where I was in special ed for ADHD. I wasnt on any medication, because my grandparents didnt want that for me. I was raised by them; my mother was on the streets, and my father was in prison. My favorite subject was art (those are my paintings, behind me). After graduation, I got my certificate in animation and desktop publishing. It took two years, through Job Corps. I loved it. It was a very good experience. I met new people, made new friends, learned things I didnt know before. I ended up having to do security, because there was no room in my field.

I met my wife on a bus when I was 23. Id seen her a few times on that route. One day I decided to jump off and walk her home. That was the beginning.

We were living with my grandmother, until she died, in 2022. I was in her house with my family  my wife and two daughters. Then, when she died, my uncle sold the house. This was in May 2022. Since then, weve been on the street. My family is in a hotel, in Torrance. We havent paid rent in a month, so they could be kicked out at any minute. I eventually got some inheritance from the sale of the house, but that went to living expenses and a car for my wife. (I also got a car, but I was parking it on different streets, and one day I guess I parked on the wrong street because they torched it. Id only had it a few days; I hadnt even got insurance yet.) Yes, I could be in the hotel with my family now. But I have to be out here to make something happen. Im working with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and some other organizations, trying to get an apartment for us. Im in a tight situation.

'My wifes family had an opportunity for us at one point, but we would have had to move. I couldnt do it. If Id left my grandmother, she would have passed earlier.'

Dywaine

Id love to get into graphic design, but at this point Im so far behind on programs, Id have to be retrained again. Im trying to get back into security. Before the pandemic, I had a job clearing glasses at a bar and doing security for a dispensary. I had my guard card and my weapons permit. When the pandemic hit, I lost both of those jobs. Now I have to reapply for my guard card, which costs around $500. And, of course, to get a job, you need an address.

If my family gets kicked out of the hotel before I find them an apartment, theyll probably move across the country, to be with my wifes family. My wife could make a phone call today, and her stepmother would buy them plane tickets. But shes waiting on me. Its their safety net, not mine.

Read more: Opinion: Homeless, when you just can't afford the rent

My wifes family had an opportunity for us at one point, but we would have had to move. I couldnt do it. If Id left my grandmother, she would have passed earlier. I took care of her until the end. I couldnt even see her, because she got COVID. They kept her in a room by herself. When my mother heard, she had two heart attacks. They both died in the same month. My mother was 69. She led a rough life. My grandmother was 96. She led a good life.

Im usually in touch with my kids daily, but last week someone stole my phone. LAHSA could help with that; Ill get a phone later today. But I also need seed money to get my guard card, and money to get my family set up somewhere. Once I have that, I can move forward.

Robert Karron teaches English at Santa Monica College. Instagram: @robertkarron

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SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's exports rose for an 11th straight month in August, but the pace of growth was weaker than the previous month and market expectations as demand for computer chips slowed, while auto sales remained sluggish.

Overseas sales by Asia's fourth-largest economy rose 11.4% year-on-year to $57.90 billion, trade data showed on Sunday, slowing from a gain of 13.9% in the previous month, which was the fastest in six months.

It was also weaker than a 13.0% increase tipped in a Reuters survey of economists.

Growth in semiconductor exports slowed to a five-month low, while auto sales fell for a third consecutive month due to temporary factors, such as wage negotiations and factory suspensions to improve production lines at some firms.

By destination, exports to China rose at a slower pace, but growth in U.S.-bound shipments quickened. Exports to the European Union snapped a six-month run of declines and surged 16.1% to a record high of $6.4 billion.

Yet, exports are heading towards a record-high performance this year, trade minister Ahn Duk-geun said. "Growing trends are seen across major export markets."

Imports rose 6.0% in August to $54.07 billion, after a 10.5% jump in July, which was the steepest since September 2022. It was slightly lower than a gain of 6.3% expected by economists.

As a result, the country posted a trade surplus of $3.83 billion in August, wider than the previous month's $3.60 billion.

(This story has been refiled to correct grammatical errors in paragraphs 1 and 3)

(Reporting by Jihoon Lee; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Wendell Pierce is a Tony Award-nominated actor who is known for iconic roles such as Bunk in the critically acclaimed TV series The Wire, Antoine Baptiste in Treme, and James Greer in Tom Clancys Jack Ryan. He currently stars in the CBS series Elsbeth. Here, he explains why he plans to vote for Kamala Harris.

When evil people plot, good people plan. I still subscribe to this civil rights movement mantra, especially in the run-up to this most consequential of elections. We have less than 70 days to make an impactfor me, and other Vice President Harris supporters, its all hands on deck.

I like Kamala Harris because of her policies and economic plans, her determination to protect reproductive rights and to see through climate change legislation and an assault gun ban, and her plans to allow people the opportunity to purchase their homes. I know how important that was in my New Orleans neighborhood after Hurricane Katrina.

Kamala Harris Hits It Out of the Park, CNN Not So Much

My father passed away in November last year, aged 98. I was able to ensure he had around-the-clock care. Many people are not, and its important that older people, their loved ones and caretakers are able to access that care affordably, while also caring for their children and families.

During this administration funding was created to assist Americans caring for elderly parents, while also providing the child tax credit to assist with infant care. Harris will continue and improve upon these programs, providing policies and leadership in a comprehensive way that serves the American family in all its forms.

Harris wants to increase jobs and supplies of housing, and to protect the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). She supports a bipartisan immigration bill to secure the border and reform the asylum process. The two can coexist: a secure border and fair immigration reform. She accomplished this bipartisan solution only to have Donald Trump wield his influence with Republicans senators to kill it.

In contrast to her, I believe he is a threat to democracy. A second Trump administration would oversee mass deportations and the purging of government workers to put Trump loyalists in place. His officials are crafting strategies to thwart the election under the guise of election protection, when theyre actually conducting election suppression. He also wants to eliminate the Department of Education, and that is anathema to me.

Tim Walz and Kamala Harris are interviewed by CNNs Dana Bash at Kims Cafe in Savannah, Georgia, on Aug. 29, 2024. Will Lanzoni/CNN

We even have some Republicans arguing that the Supreme Courts 1857 Dred Scott decision means Harris should not even be a candidate. (That decision held that a negro, whose ancestors were imported into (the U.S.), and sold as slaves, whether enslaved or free, could not be an American citizen and therefore did not have standing to sue in federal court.) It is disgusting. Theyre saying Harris should not be considered a citizen; that we, as people of color, are not American citizens.

Black communities are always asked why they have historically supported Democrats in such large numbers. For your consideration: childcare, social security, Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the Voting Rights Bill protecting your right to vote and combat voter suppression, equal rights protections for women, marriage equality for LGBTQ people, $15 billion to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), student debt relief, medical debt relief, and community development legislation that allowed Black entrepreneurs to combat lending discrimination and start businesses.

Thats why I vote for Democrats, and I tell people all the time: be selfish. What will you do for me? is a perfect question to ask of the parties and leaders who want your vote.

Ask the opposite question too: what wont you do for me? The really offensive thing about the anti-abortion movement is that theyre replicating the 1865 Fugitive Slave Act, created as a mechanism to capture slaves in free states and return them to slave states. Today its a means of stopping women in places like Texas from accessing abortion in other states like California, and prosecute them. Thats the America Republicans want to bring us back to, and as our candidate says: Were not going back.

Kamala Harris, right, and Tim Walz gesture during a campaign rally at the Thomas and Mack Center, University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Aug. 10, 2024. Ronda Churchill/AFP via Getty Images

The worst thing at a local level Republicans have done is let the Empowerment Zones in the inner cities, created by President Obama, sit dormant and create further urban blight. Now theyve become tax write-offs.

We have to plan for the backlash that would happen if Harris wins. I fear there will be another Jan. 6although this time it will be more organized. Trump and Republicans wont need fake electors; they have put in place officials to ensure Trump wins and suppress peoples votes. We have to be vigilant about this and not naive.

Harris was right when she said Trump was an unserious man, and the consequences of putting him back in the White House are, as she said, extremely serious.

Trumps spewing of conspiracy theories and lies, and his general lack of character, makes for a strong contrast with Harris, who would be a serious president for all Americans. We should vote Harris as if our country depends on itbecause it does.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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BELCHERTOWN, Mass. (WWLP)- 2,125 purple flags were placed on the Belchertown town common Saturday.

Those flags honored individuals in Massachusetts who lost their lives to an overdose last year.

A mother who lost two of her children to an overdose has launched a non-profit, Team Sharing, to help parents struggling.

We reach out to families when we find out that theres been a loss, we will show up to the wake, well bring five or six parents to show up to let that mom know you are not alone, Cheryl Juaire, founder of Team Sharing.

Community leaders also use the opportunity to remind those attending of the dangers of street drugs.

The fentanyl epidemic out there is awful. 80 million pills were seized this past year from the D.E.A. and 12,000 pounds of fentanyl this year. 7 out of 10 of those pills are deadly says Kris Hoag, chair of Belchertown overcoming adversity together.

If you or someone you know needs help, below are some resources:

BOAT: Belchertown Overcoming Adversity Together

Team Sharing: where support meets action

MA Young People in Recovery: call 617-657-1031 or text 617-657-1031

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.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A man who was camping and hiking near the Middle St. Vrain trailhead in Boulder County was found dead Saturday.

The Boulder County Sheriffs Office said in a press release that the family reported that the hiker was overdue just before 9 p.m. Thursday.

Selena Gomez attends Telluride High School volleyball game

The man, 67, was hiking, climbing and camping in the area of the Middle St. Vrain trailhead, near Camp Dick at 50,000 Peak to Peak Highway, north of Nederland, according to the sheriffs office. He was supposed to return home on Thursday, but when he did not show up or check-in, his family reported him missing.

When his vehicle was found in the parking lot of the Middle St. Vrain Trailhead, a search effort was launched.

Based on reports from the family, a search was conducted in the area with ground searchers and dog teams, the press release reads.

The man believed to be the missing person was found dead in a scree field near the trailhead around 1 p.m. Saturday.

Rescuers from Rocky Mountain Rescue Group were able to recover the deceased male and transport him to investigators from the Boulder County Sheriffs Office and the Boulder County Coroners Office, the sheriffs office said.

The Boulder County Coroners Office will identify the man and the cause and manner of his death. The sheriffs office said the death does not appear to be suspicious.

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ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Pakistan's military has launched intelligence-based operations in the southwestern Balochistan province in response to attacks by insurgents that killed over 50 people this week, the army said on Friday.

In a statement, the army said five insurgents were killed and three others wounded in the three operations it had launched in the province.

"Operations will continue until all perpetrators, facilitators and abetters of these atrocious acts are brought to justice," the statement said.

Ethnic Baloch insurgents earlier this week hit several civil and military targets in a coordinated string of attacks. The army said it retaliated, killing 21 militants.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for one of its deadliest attacks in recent years as it seeks to win secession of the resource-rich province, home to major China-led projects such as a deep-water port and a gold and copper mine.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the attacks were aimed at hurting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an over $65 billion scheme to develop road, rail and port infrastructures in Pakistan that is part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Beijing has condemned the attacks.

(Reporting by Asif Shahzad; editing by Miral Fahmy)
On August 5, Palantirs CTO Shyam Sankar stood in front of about 20 nervous new employees at the companys Washington, D.C., office and gave a speech youd expect at a new hire meeting: company mission, Palantirs history, etc. But there was one part that wouldve seemed unfathomable a few years ago: Sankar evangelized the importance of a new wave of defense tech startups, spun up by Palantir, Tesla and SpaceX alums.

The significance was more ideological than financial. Any business Palantir gets from startups is dwarfed by its government contracts, after all. But you cant put a price on philosophical bedfellows.

Palantir likes to remind the world that its not like other publicly traded companies  that is, buttoned up and appropriately distanced from its cowboy private days. Sankar ends his orientation by cheekily inviting the new employees to shout f--- off at him  a way, he says, to encourage a flat structure. And as he walks out of the event room into the office bullpen, he passes a sign referring to employees as founders and trailblazers.

The sign is fitting: Sankar, whos been at the company for over 18 years, is determined to help Palantir become a driving force for defense tech startups, a sector thats been flooded with over $129.3 billion in venture capital since 2021, according to PitchBook.

To have this class of new champions who have all cut their teeth in Tesla and SpaceX and see the world in completely different ways, it's providing a huge amount of energy internally for us as we build for them, he said, referring to startups like Apex Space and Castelion, whose founders hail from those companies.

That is why, in late 2023, he started a program that provides guidance and tools to defense tech startups called First Breakfast. He referred to it in his writings as Palantirs Amazon.com to AWS moment. Basically, its a play for Palantir to get in at the ground level for the next Palantirs. Its a business strategy, but also a philosophical one for Sankar, who spends hours a week on the phone consulting with defense startups and venture capitalists.

Like his longtime boss, Palantir CEO Alex Karp, Sankar likes to wax poetic about protecting Western values and how Americas industrial base stumbled after its WWII glory days (though perhaps prime defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and RTX, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, would disagree that the industry has been resting on its laurels for 80 years). Sitting in a conference room lined with whiteboards, and a constant stream of commercial planes flying over the Potomac River behind him, he reiterated his darkest fears: that America may not be ready for whatever great conflict comes next.

You have to really start from the premise that winning is not assured, which I believe, he said.

He feels the mission of Palantir is to help the country and the West win, he said of the software company that helps governments and businesses analyze data. That's going to require many more of these companies succeeding.

Spawning a defense tech ecosystem

In 2004, Sankar was destined to get sucked into Silicon Valley: He was getting a masters in management science and engineering at Stanford, was an early adopter of cold showers and wellness trends, and had a militant approach to work, according to Kevin Hartz, Sankars first boss out of grad school. Hartz, who would go on to co-found Eventbrite, said Sankar was the ultimate Boy Scout and hired him as the fifth employee at Xoom, a service to help people send remittances.

Hartz sent Sankar abroad, where he helped set up Xoom in over 40 countries.

Much to Hartzs dismay, Sankar revealed in 2006 that his ambitions had drifted to Washington, D.C. It wasn't surprising at all, because Shyam really had a higher purpose, he said. It makes perfect sense that like Peter [Thiel] effectively drafted Shyam in service.

Sankar joined Palantir as the 13th employee. At the time, the Valley wasn't anti-government. It was more like the government's a dumb place to build a business, Sankar said. Investors, he recalled, told them, We won't give you a check because we think this is a loser business.

The teams brash attitude didnt help. Frankly, we weren't that interested in how government acquisition worked, Sankar laughed now.

They had their first breakthrough when In-Q-Tel, a CIA-affiliated venture firm, invested and helped them obtain security clearances. Twenty years later, Palantir has had a storied rise, winning major deals with the government, like a $480 million contract with Project Maven, and facing intense scrutiny for its work with ICE and broader privacy concerns.

It has also spawned a whole ecosystem in its wake. Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale now finances some of the biggest defense tech startups through his venture firm 8VC; other alums Trae Stephens, Brian Schimpf and Matt Grimm went on to co-found Anduril, the defense tech unicorn now valued at $14 billion. And ex-Anduril employees are at the heart of key early-stage defense tech startups like Saronic Technologies, Salient Motion and Wraithwatch.

As the defense tech boom grows, so do Sankars existential fears about Americas war readiness. He recalled something an officer told him: The military we have today is the one we're going to fight with in 2032.

Imagine, he said, if a business decided that the infrastructure I have today is what I'm going to run my business on in 2032.

You're going to be going out of business, he said.

First Breakfast and a head start

Hes written publicly about various long-shot initiatives, like creating a military reserve for tech leaders and suggesting the DoD loosen up on micromanaging contractors. What if Congress acted more like a limited partner of a VC than a bureaucratic bean-counter? he wrote.

But his biggest effort to put these ideas into action has been First Breakfast, named after the infamous Last Supper in 1993, when then-secretary of defense Les Aspin warned the major military contractors that the defense budget was about to sharply decrease; it led to mass consolidation among the biggest defense companies.

First Breakfast is largely a set of software tools that Palantir has used internally for years, marketed to help up-and-comers quickly navigate the difficult government approval process and qualify for contracts. Sankar is hoping he can help the new generation of risk-taking founders succeed in the sector. We need that eccentricity back, he said.

One of the key offerings is FedStart, a program that approves startups to build their software atop Apollo and Rubix, two already-accredited platforms built by Palantir. This gives startups a head start in the government accreditation process, which can otherwise take a startup over a year and a half and cost millions in auditors and compliance consultants. Palantir charges for FedStart, though Sankar insists its discounted and that the company is only really charging you our consumption costs.

First Breakfast also offers startups a free service that provides the companies access to otherwise disparate military data, making it easy to access and use through secure APIs. Ben FitzGerald, the CEO of defense tech unicorn company Rebellion Defense, said that the First Breakfast tooling can save a ton of time, a ton of technical complexity, and a ton of additional compliance.

Those are the sorts of innovations that I'm really excited to see, because it doesn't require an act of Congress, FitzGerald said. It doesn't require a new Deputy Secretary of Defense to come in and try to innovate. We can work with the existing systems.

Beyond all the talk of defense techs shared mission, its also just a smart business move for Palantir. Ross Fubini, managing partner at XYZ Venture Capital, estimated at least 10 of his portfolio companies use tools from the First Breakfast. He said he sees First Breakfast as a chance for Palantir software to underpin all the new startups in the space. For Shyam, I think it's two things at once, he said. Shyam, he said, cares about the government and social stability  but he also definitely believes it's good for Palantir to grow the ecosystem.

Sankar knows providing a leg up with software isn't enough to make defense tech an area where VCs will continually invest at hype-like levels  not when theres a huge question mark around how these startups find an exit. Palantir is one of the few IPOs in the defense tech space. For the ecosystem to work, there has to be liquidity on the other end, he said, musing that at least some startups will have to sell to the major defense players, like Lockheed Martin or Boeing.

Yet the defense primes have thus far shown little interest in snatching up the new defense tech startups, something Sankar hopes will change in the future. You need a broad set of options for liquidity, he said. Otherwise, everything's less valuable.

But thats a long-term problem, one to be chipped away at by the many defense tech startups newly armed with war chests.

As for First Breakfasts immediate future? I've been wanting to do a literal breakfast, Sankar said, sighing. But I think the tech crowd wakes up late.
Israeli security forces and rescue services check the scene of a shooting attack in the West Bank city of Tarkumiya, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. Israeli authorities said Palestinian gunmen killed several Israelis in a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank. Israel has been carrying out large-scale military raids in the territory in recent days. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Palestinian militants killed three Israeli police officers on Sunday when they opened fire on a vehicle in the occupied West Bank, where Israel has carried out large-scale raids in recent days.

The attack took place along a road in the southern West Bank. The raids have mainly been focused on urban refugee camps in the northern part of the territory, where Israeli forces have traded fire with militants on a near-daily basis since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.

The police confirmed that all three killed were officers and said the assailants slipped away.

One of the officers killed was Roni Shakuri, 61, from the southern town of Sderot near the Gaza border, police said. His daughter, Mor, who was also a police officer, was killed in a battle with Hamas militants when they tried to take over the Sderot police station during the Oct. 7 attack.

A little-known militant group calling itself the Khalil al-Rahman Brigade claimed responsibility for the shooting on Sunday. Hamas praised the attack as a natural response to the war in Gaza and called for more.

Later on Sunday, Israeli forces encircled a home in the nearby city of Hebron where the army said the suspected attacker was believed to be hiding. At least six soldiers moved in on the structure, repeatedly opening fire and tossing a grenade inside. Soldiers later removed the body of a man from inside on a stretcher, at one point turning toward Palestinian journalists and firing several rounds toward them.

The army later said the dead man was the gunman from the morning attack, and that an M-16 automatic rifle was found with him. It said the man had formerly served in the Palestinian Authority's security forces.

The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack out of Gaza ignited the war there.

Over 650 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, mainly during Israeli military arrest raids. Most appear to have been militants involved in gunbattles with Israeli forces, but civilian bystanders and rock-throwing protesters have also been killed.

The last 10 months have also seen an uptick in settler violence directed at Palestinians and in Palestinian attacks on Israelis.

Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three territories for their future state, but the last serious peace talks collapsed more than 15 years ago.

Israel has built well over 100 settlements across the West Bank, some of which resemble suburbs and small towns, Over 500,000 settlers with Israeli citizenship live in the settlements, which most of the international community considers illegal.

The 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under seemingly open-ended Israeli military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority exercising limited autonomy in population centers.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Named after a Palm Beach resident and pioneering pharmaceutical executive, the Melvin R. Goodes Prize for Excellence in Drug Development will be awarded next month during a three-day event in Sweden.

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, founded in 1998 by part-time Palm Beacher Leonard Lauder, chairman emeritus of The Estee Lauder Companies, and his brother Ronald, chairman of Clinique Laboratories, will present the 10th annual award as part of a series of events Sept. 8-10 at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

The ADDF strives to accelerate the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease, according to its website.

It counts numerous Palm Beach residents among its supporters, including Nancy Goodes, a long-time ADDF board member who created the Melvin R. Goodes Prize in honor of her husband.

Related: Two generations of the Lauder family give $200 million to Alzheimer's drug research

The former CEO of the American pharmaceutical company Warner-Lambert  which was acquired by Pfizer in 2000  Melvin Goodes played a key role in developing the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2009.

The Goodes Prize is awarded annually to a leading scientist for their "exceptional" contributions to Alzheimers research. Since her husband's diagnosis, Nancy Goodes has worked to support Alzheimer's drug development research worldwide.

Daniel Martin Watterson, from left, Miranda E. Orr, Rhoda Au, Nancy Goodes, Dr. Howard Fillit, Jerri M. Rook, Roberta Diaz Brinton and Mark Roithmayr attended the 2023 Melvin R. Goodes Prize presentation in New York City.

"I started this because I wanted a legacy for my husband," said Goodes, who has encouraged her stepchildren to discuss how the disease has robbed them of meaningful time with their father.

"It's a wonderful thing to support the science. We need to find a cure for this, no doubt, but it's also about the loss of people we love. That was an important component of the Goodes Prize," she said.

Goodes noted that her 16-year-old granddaughter, the youngest of her eight grandchildren, has never known her grandfather without Alzheimer's disease.

Three of Goodes's grandchildren and two of her stepchildren will be in Stockholm to watch Dr. Henrick Zetterberg receive the Goodes Prize. Zetterberg is a biomarker expert from Sweden and a pioneer in the Alzheimer's field.

The presentation of the Goodes Prize is part of a series of ADDF-sponsored events over the three days that include a welcome reception, scientific lectures focusing on significant Alzheimer's research achievements, and an awards dinner.

Queen Silvia of Sweden is expected to attend the science symposium, Goodes said, and U.S. Ambassador to Sweden Erik Ramanathan will be a guest speaker at the awards dinner.

"My sister said she never thought I'd be having lunch with the Queen of Sweden," Goodes said. "It's really cool. It's just such an honor for us, for our family, to have Mel's name attached to this forever. And these scientists, they're like family. They really talk to each other. One is working on a different, crazy experiment that I can't even understand when they talk, because it's going to take more than one. It's going to take a couple different therapies to cure Alzheimer's. The brain is complicated, and now there are so many things to slow the progression."

Goodes said her husband was targeted early for treatments, and that has allowed him to live longer than most who have been diagnosed with the disease.

"I was like a bull in a china shop," she said. "I knew that something was wrong, and I pushed for him to be tested early, and he got on some early trials. He's 15 years beyond his diagnosis, and that's almost unheard of. He's still aware."

In addition to family members who will be traveling to Stockholm for the Melvin R. Goodes Prize presentation  this year's ceremony will be the first held outside New York City  Goodes also will be supported by numerous Palm Beach residents who have contributed to the The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation.

They include Ronald Lauder, Gary Lauder, Anita Cosgrove, Chip DiPaola, Ann Jackson and Ken Wilson, Angela Kumble, Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, Julie Geier, Nancy Goodes, Peter and Deborah Krulewitch, Laura Landro and Rick Salomon, Sharon Sager, Caroline Fitzgibbons and Tad Smith, Bonnie and Tom Strauss.

"They're all dear friends," Goodes said.

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beachers traveling to Sweden to support Alzheimer's research
Panama City came alive with the sound of music during Play Music on the Porch Day

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Panama City was alive with the sound of music on Saturday. Several local artists serenaded the community during Play Music on the Porch Day.

From classic country to folk rock, there were musical performances for everyone to enjoy.

Right now, all over the world, people are doing what were doing right here. Millions of musicians are stopping what theyre doing and playing music on the porch today, local musician Michael Lister said.

Latitude Margaritaville celebrates Jimmy Buffett Day

The worldwide musical celebration gives artists the opportunity to share their talents with the community.

Its an honor to be here. If youd asked me a few years back, I would have never guessed that Id be out here playing music for people, for the farmers market, but other than it being a little warm, its been a blast, local musician Ryan Keefe said.

Some musicians sang cover songs, and others brought their originals to light. Lister says Play Music on the Porch Day was a great opportunity to debut some of his new work.

Im used to working alone. Then you have that chance where you get to share it with the world, so releasing a book or releasing an album, which Im doing in December, is just a way of taking all of this work youve done in solitude and then sharing it with others, Lister said.

Patrons, like Jake Spillers, showed up to support local musicians and enjoy a day downtown. Spillers says he hopes Play Music on the Porch Day inspires young musicians to pursue their passion.

Labor Day weekend events in the Panhandle

What I really want in this town is for the youth to see what weve been doing and to make a band and be bigger than any of us ever could be, Spillers said.

This year was Play Music on the Porch Days 10th anniversary.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
The father of an Israeli American hostage being held captive by Hamas blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what he feels is prioritizing a total victory against the militant group in Gaza over securing a hostage release deal.

I think the vast majority of Israelis now have come to believe, by his actions  not his words  but by his actions, that hes been driven primarily by a desire to retain power with a narrow, very radical messianic coalition in the Israeli government, and he has made choices to pursue this fantasy of total victory over Hamas, a terrorist organization, and no doubt, Jonathan Dekel-Chen said Sunday on CBS Newss Face the Nation.

But this idea of total victory is a messianic one from his coalition partners and not realistic, and hes preferred that, at least to date, over the wellbeing of all the hostages, he added.

Connecticut-born Dekel-Chen is the father of Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, who was taken captive during Hamass Oct. 7 surprise assault on southern Israel.

The Times of Israel reported Segui was one of the first in his Kibbutz Nir Oz to notice Hamas militants entering the area. He was one of roughly 250 people taken hostage during the assault, which killed more than 1,100 people and triggered the months-long war in Gaza.

The interview came hours after Israels military confirmed it recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a native of Berkeley, Calif. The Israeli military said Sunday the six hostages were killed by Hamas shortly before forces reached them in an underground tunnel in Rafah.

The recovery of the bodies has prompted further calls for a cease-fire and hostage release deal to halt the 10-month war. Negotiations have dragged on for months between Israel, Hamas and international mediators.

Israelis at large, and myself included, have been extremely critical of the Israeli government for not negotiating in good faith, Jonathan Dekel-Chen said. Now, for many, many months there is no explanation  a reasonable explanation  why our government is refusing to deeply engage in these negotiations and complete them, when our entire senior military establishment and intelligence community has been saying publicly and openly for weeks and months that the time has come to end the fighting in Gaza, get our hostages home, as many alive as possible.

Protests by angry Israelis unfolded Sunday into the streets, with many shouting Now! Now! in a call for Netanyahu to strike a deal for the return of the remaining hostages, The Associated Press reported.

Netanyahu has remained steadfast in continuing the war until Hamas is destroyed and argues military pressure is needed to bring the hostages home. Israels retaliatory campaign to eliminate the threat of Hamas has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians since early October and driven hundreds of thousands of civilians from their homes in Gaza, per local and international health officials.

Netanyahu said Sunday Hamas members will pay the price for the recent deaths of the six hostages.

We will not rest, nor will be silent. We will pursue you, we will find you and we will settle accounts with you, he said, adding, Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal.

He claimed Hamas has refused to hold genuine negotiations, and stated Israel agreed to a hostage release deal with the full backing from the U.S., while Hamas refused.

Hamas, however, has claimed it has offered to release the hostages in return for a halt in the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of some Palestinian prisoners, per the AP.

Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, told the AP the hostages would be alive if Israel accepted a U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal that the militant group claimed to have agreed to back in July.

The U.S. government has served as a key mediator in the months-long negotiations. Jonathan Dekel-Chen said the U.S. has been extraordinarily supportive of the hostages families.

I believe that they have done everything in their power up to now. But at the end of the day, two men have to say, yes, he said. One is Yahya Sinwar [Hamass political chief], in a tunnel under Gaza somewhere, with the blood of thousands on his hands  Israelis and Palestinians. And Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

President Biden, I believe, has done everything that he can, he added.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen lives at Nir Oz, along with Saguis mother, Neomit, who was reportedly taken captive in a cart toward Gaza before an Israeli military helicopter shot the militants and driver. She eventually returned to the kibbutz, and was evacuated, the Times of Israel reported.

The Hill reached out to Netanyahus office for further comment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
We recently compiled a list of the 16 Most Undervalued Tech Stocks To Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) stands against the other undervalued tech stocks.

Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers

Artificial intelligence is the hot center of the technology industry, especially with the introduction of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Gemini. The AI revolution, which is underway, has affected the semiconductor market and we have seen chipmaker stocks skyrocket with it. However, semiconductor stocks are not the only beneficiaries, data centers also benefit greatly from the surge in AI.

According to Future Market Intelligence, the data center market is estimated at around $30.4 billion during 2024, it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.4% to reach $117.24 billion by 2034. Data centers were in demand before the AI boom as well, with data from Jefferies showing their demand rising 10% to 20% for the last 15 years before AI. However, AI accelerated the market to around 30% in just two years.

The capabilities of data centers and artificial intelligence are revolutionary, but that doesn't overshadow the energy consumption concerns that come with them. As highlighted by Goldman Sachs Research, data centers consume around 1% to 2% of overall power worldwide, which seems manageable at first. However, they are likely to rise from 3% to 4% in just a decade.

We recently covered 15 Best Data Center Stocks To Buy According to Jefferies, Citi and Wall Street Analysts. It talks about the alarming power consumption challenge that comes with AI and data centers. Heres an excerpt from the article:

Naturally, since the US is responsible for ushering in AI, AI energy consumption in America is higher than that in other countries. According to the Boston Consulting Group, by 2030, AI power consumption will account for 16% of all of Americas energy use. It is expected to grow by 15% to 20% annually and touch as much as 130 GW, or the amount of electricity thats used by 100 million homes. AI chip companies are also aware of these trends, with the latest AI chips promising to improve energy efficiency by 25x. Improving AI performance at the semiconductor level is important especially since some areas where data centers are growing are being forced to turn to coal power to reduce the power gap.

While the expected power consumption figures are concerning, they also point towards a new market opportunity to introduce sustainable AI factories. Tim Rosenfield co-founder and co-CEO of Sustainable Metal Cloud, has introduced HyperCubes, which reduces energy consumption by up to 50%.

Story continues

HyperCubes contains servers fitted with Nvidia processors, submerged in synthetic oil called polyalphaolefin. Synthetic oil draws heat from the processors more efficiently than air cooling systems typically used in most data centers.

These cubes are being used in Singapore and Australia. Tim Rosenfield mentioned that the technology enables high-density hosting for GPUs and that too sustainably with low energy consumption. The technology is also said to be 28% cheaper to install as compared to traditional cooling systems and is designed to be used in any data center around the globe.

The co-founder of SMC further mentioned that countries like Singapore are looking to push the green button for data centers and AI ambitions and the country has committed more than $379.7 million to the cause.

Countries like Singapore, where SMC is headquartered, are also looking to mitigate the hefty energy consumption by pushing for green data centers to support its AI ambitions where the country has committed more than 500 million Singapore dollars ($379.7 million). The company has also recently received funding from Singapore state investor Temasek-backed ST Telemedia Global Data Centers, one of Asias largest data center operators.

Our Methodology

To curate the list of 16 most undervalued tech stocks to buy now we first identified 50 undervalued tech stocks that were most widely held by hedge funds. We looked at stocks that were trading under 20 times their forward earnings (the market's P/E multiple is ~23x as of August 28, according to WSJ data), with earnings expected to grow during the year. Once we had an aggregated list of 50 undervalued tech stocks, we ranked them by short percentage of shares outstanding as of 8/15/2024, sourced from Yahoo Finance.

Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

A customer happily using their mobile device in a busy urban setting.

TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX)

Short % of Shares Outstanding: 2.08%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 46

Forward Price to Earnings Ratio as of August 28: 10.39

TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) is a major information technology distribution company, which was formed by the merger of Synnex and Tech Data in 2021. It sells a wide range of products and services including technology products, data center solutions, assembly and integration services, cloud services, and much more.

It operates through Cloud Services, Professional Services, Supply Chain Services, and Financial Services segments. The IT distribution services is a high-growth business model and the margins improve by distributing more software and services, TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) has done well in capturing the market. It has more than 200,000 products and solutions, 2,500 plus OEMs and vendor partners, and more than 150,000 customers. It is an investor-favorite stock and was held by 46 hedge funds in Q2 2024, with total stakes worth $1.52 billion. Brave Warrior Capital is the top shareholder of SNX with a position worth $383.3 million.

The second quarter of 2024 was a testimony to the companys profitability. It was able to grow its gross billings by $19.3 billion by 3% year-over-year, stemming from growth in all business areas, especially its Strategic Technologies segment. The Strategic Technologies segment, which focuses on next-generation technologies including cloud, cyber security, IoT, AI, and Data accounted for 25% of the gross billings.

Although the total revenue of the company was down 4% year-over-year, TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) was still able to improve its gross margins by 27 base points. Management believes that the market has stabilized and remains confident to improve their revenues and gross billing prospects during the remaining half of fiscal 2024.

The prospects of growth are bright, as the company has well-positioned itself to leverage the growing AI market. TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) has entered into vendor partnerships and launched IBMs Watson Gold 100 Program to accelerate AI opportunities for partners. Moreover, the company has also been named a design partner for NVIDIAs HGX product line.

Looking at the FQ3 guidance, management expects revenue between $13.3  $14.9 billion and gross billings to reach $20.1 billion. The increased guidance is fueled by its PC refresh cycle, customer investment in data center and cloud deployments, and its increased investment in AI ventures.

SNX is undervalued at current levels. It is trading at only 10 times its forward earnings, a 57% discount to its sector, and its earnings are also expected to grow by 4.40% during the year to reach $11.8.

FPA Queens Road Small Cap Value Fund stated the following regarding TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) in its Q2 2024 investor letter:

TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) is an information technology (IT) distributor formed through the merger of Tech Data and Synnex in 2021. IT distribution is an attractive business model that grows at a GDP+ rate with the opportunity for margin improvement through selling more software and services, although with some cyclicality. The IT distributors have historically traded cheaply, usually at less than 10x earnings.22 We have owned Synnex since 2012 and Tech Data from 2010 until it was taken private by Apollo in 2020. SNX has performed well on the back of a strengthening IT market, particularly for PCs.

Overall SNX ranks 13th on our list of the most undervalued tech stocks to buy now. While we acknowledge the potential of SNX as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a promising AI stock that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Officers say a man from Florida tried to go where he wasnt allowed at the Charlotte Douglas Airport.

Sameer Telang is accused of walking through two security doors and onto a ramp level before officers arrested him.

ALSO READ: Charlotte airport, local troopers prepare for Labor Day weekend

Investigators said hed been there overnight after his flight was canceled.

He had also been drinking before the incident.

VIDEO: Charlotte airport, local troopers prepare for Labor Day weekend




Passengers slam airline CEOs proposal to ban fliers from boarding if theyve had more than 2 drinks: Dont you dare

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary in small image on top of photo of people drinking on plane

One airline execs anti-alcohol request might be a tall order for boozing travelers.

After Ryanair CEO Michael OLearys comments about the need to impose a two-drink limit at airport bars due to an uptick in violence among plane passengers, frequent flyers arent too pleased with the proposal.

We dont want to begrudge people having a drink, OLeary said this week, per The Telegraph. But we dont allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet.

He argued that gate agents have difficulty identifying over-served individuals during boarding, and imposing a drink limit would protect the safety of the pilots, crew and fellow flyers.

OLeary proposed a two drink maximum for flyers, but was met with resistance and frustration from customers. EPA

In the old days people who drank too much would eventually fall over or fall asleep. But now those passengers are also on tablets and powder, he said.

Its the mix. You get much more aggressive behavior that becomes very difficult to manage. And its not directed just at the crew. Passengers fighting with each other is now a growing trend on board the aircraft.

Some passengers argued the alcohol calms their flying anxiety, while others say it is the one thing enjoyable about flying. Viacheslav Yakobchuk  stock.adobe.com

But travelers werent so thrilled about the prospects of sober flying, taking to Reddit to express their adamant disproval of OLearys suggestion.

Dont you dare take away my airport drinking, Ryan, scolded one person.

Insist we turn up to airports 3 hours early. Take away the one thing thats even remotely enjoyable in airports, scoffed another. Not a big fan of the proposal, wont lie.

Or, maybe just have an absolute zero tolerance and ban anyone getting violent on flights from being ever being allowed to fly or leave the country again, argued someone else, writing that plenty of passengers dont start causing fights and getting violent when drunk.

OLearys comments come as stories of unruly passengers proliferate. AFP via Getty Images

I would be unable to fly. I get very severe anxiety when flying and have found a couple of drinks really helps me through, wrote one pro-booze traveler.

I dont get smashed, I dont harm or upset anyone. Why should I be punished because other people cant handle their booze? they added.
Union leaders are demanding answers and an audit after hundreds of Dekalb County teachers and staff did not get paid on time Friday, Aug. 30.

The school district said this week all employees have been paid and work continues to fix the issue before the next payday.

President of The Organization of Dekalb Educators, Deborah Jones, said she predicted this would happen months ago.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

This started back in May when they changed over system, Jones said.

She said the district changed payroll software, and some administrators and summer school teachers reported paycheck errors.

Checks were not right. They were taking $1,000 here, $500 here, too much tax there, said Jones. She said some did not get paid at all.

So, she warned the new Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton even more employees would be at risk when school started back up in August.

He assured me that everybody would be paid, but my telephone has not stopped ringing, said Jones.

Channel 2 Action News is waiting to hear Dr. Hortons response. In a statement, the district said approximately 300 new staff were not included in the payroll Friday.

Press Secretary Donald Porter wrote then, Weve already processed payments for approximately 165 of these employees, and our payroll team is actively finalizing payments for the remaining staff, which is expected to be completed later today.

Saturday, Channel 2 Action News checked back to see if everyone was paid and confirmed new software has caused problems. We are waiting for an update.

The following Tuesday, the district said the number of teachers impacted was higher than initially thought. Actually, 500 employees did not get their paychecks on time. 65% of the issues were data entry errors, and 35% were linked to the new payroll system and software. These issues were reconciled by 9:30 p.m. on Friday. Checks not distributed then were hand-delivered today. At that time, 29 unresolved payroll discrepancies remained

On Wednesday, a spokesperson told Channel 2s Courtney Francisco that all payments were made earlier in the week and that work continues to ensure that the Sept. 15 payroll is error-free.

Teachers said they already have late fees for not paying bills on time, and they want the district to fix that.

TRENDING STORIES:

Georgia Federation of Teachers President Verdaillia Turner called for an audit.

Some of them have been owed money since June, some of them owed money as far back as May, said Turner. All this should have been straightened out before several hundred people werent paid.

Jones wants the district to show its work and explain the issue and what has been done to try to fix it.

People have rents to pay, they have mortgages to pay, they have car payments to pay, they have children going to school. You cant afford not to be paid, Jones said. On top of all that, its a holiday weekend. Its the end of Summer. People want to do things, but you cant do anything without money.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Person drowns after being underwater for more than 10 minutes at Kansas state park

One person drowned Saturday at the swimming beach of a northeast Kansas state park, authorities said.

A Geary County dispatcher on Sunday could not provide information about the person or what time the incident occurred. The Geary County Sheriffs Office posted about the incident on Facebook shortly after 8:30 p.m.

Geary County deputies and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks are investigating the drowning at Milford State Park, the sheriffs office said.

Bystanders found the person and began performing CPR. The person was underwater for more than 10 minutes, the Sheriffs Office wrote in a social media post.

EMS arrived and pronounced the person dead. The victims identity was not released pending notification of family.

The 1,084-acre Milford State Park is northwest of Junction City, in Geary County.
Palestinians displaced by Israeli bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip play next to the Philadelphi corridor in January - Fatima Shbair/AP

The killing of six Israeli hostages whose bodies were found in a tunnel on Thursday is being partially blamed on Benjamin Netanyahus government for failing to reach a ceasefire deal.

Critics claim the cabinet decided not to save the hostages when it voted to keep control of a buffer zone, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, separating Gaza from Egypt.

The issue of who will remain in control of the corridor has been one of the main focus points of recent ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, with the terror group insisting that Israel withdraws fully from Gaza.

What is the Philadelphi Corridor?

The Philadelphi Corridor is 14km (8.6 miles) long, running south from the Mediterranean sea along the Gaza-Egyptian border.

Israel took control of the corridor in May, when forces invaded the city of Rafah. Until then, 750 Egyptian forces had been in control of the zone, as per the peace agreement between Jerusalem and Cairo in 2005 when Israel withdrew from Gaza.

The purpose of the Egyptian forces controlling the border was to prevent infiltration and combat terrorism. But when Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, Egypt failed to secure the border.

Why is it so important?

The Israel Defense Forces says the Philadelphi Corridor served as an oxygen line for Hamas, which it regularly used to smuggle weapons into the area of the Gaza Strip.

Last month, the IDF said it had destroyed 50 underground tunnels in the corridor, some of which were crossing into Egypt.

Both Hamas and Egypt have voiced their opposition to Israeli forces keeping control of the corridor. This has been our stance from the start of the negotiations, and we have no intention of changing it, a senior Egyptian official told Ynet, an Israeli news outlet, last week.

The official also claimed that Egypt sealed most of the tunnels under the buffer zone with water and flooded them with concrete to prevent the smuggling of weapons, goods and spare parts.

Both Hamas and Egypt have voiced their opposition to Israeli forces keeping control of the corridor - Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

What happens next?

Following the news of the deaths of the six hostages, three of whom were on a list of those expected to be released through a ceasefire, Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, said the cabinet must gather immediately and reverse the decision made on Thursday.

Mr Gallant was the only cabinet member to vote against the decision to keep forces along the corridor.

While ceasefire talks are expected to resume this week, it is unclear whether the latest decision by the Israeli government on the corridor will cause Hamas to stop negotiations. The terror group had previously warned that the talks were on the brink of collapse because of Israels demands, including control of the Philadelphi Corridor.

Demonstrators are hoping that Histadrut, the General Federation of Labour in Israel, will announce a nationwide strike in protest at the governments handling of the ceasefire talks.

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UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW)  Residents have been relocated after a car crashed into their home on Saturday night.

The crash happened at a South Green Road home at the roads three-way intersection with Beachwood Boulevard and Campus Road.

1 person killed, 6 injured in 6-car crash on I-480 West

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(City of University Heights)

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The call came in to Cuyahoga County 911 dispatchers just before 10:30 p.m.

The residents are safe but they have been temporarily relocated, Mayor Michael Brennan wrote in a Sunday morning Facebook post.

I-Team: Arrest made in Euclid shooting that killed teen

Our thanks to our first responders and the Hill Tech Structural Collapse team for acting fast to rescue the residents and shoring up the structure so essential personal items could be removed safely, he wrote.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
WHITEWATER, Wis.  Police have released the identity of the man charged in the killing of a 21-year-old Plainfield woman who died after being shot at an apartment Friday night in Whitewater, Wis.

The Whitewater Police Department announced on its Facebook page late Tuesday morning that Chad Richards, 23, of Loves Park, Ill., has been charged in the killing of Kara Welsh, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater who was majoring in business management and was also a championship-winning member of the schools gymnastics team.

Chicago man charged in April shooting that killed 9-year-old girl and injured 10 others at family confirmation party on Southwest Side

According to police, Richards has been charged by the Walworth County (Wis.) District Attorneys Office with first-degree intentional homicide, endangering safety by the use of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct while armed.

Richards is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

Whitewater police said at 11:54 p.m. Friday, officers were sent to an apartment in the 100 block of West Whitewater Street to investigate reports of a shooting. When officers arrived at the apartment, they found a 21-year-old woman who had been shot multiple times. She was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Welsh.

Search underway after teen girl injured in apparent random stabbing attack in Lake County, Indiana

Officers also found a 23-year-old man inside the apartment who reportedly knew Welsh. While investigating, officers determined Welsh and the 23-year-old man got into an argument before the shooting.

The man was arrested and held in the Walworth County Jail before his identity was released Tuesday.

While competing for UW-Whitewater, an NCAA Division III program, Welsh won the 2023 individual national title in the vault at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championships. She then came back from injury late in the 2024 season and last spring won her second straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in the vault before helping lead the Warhawks to a team runner-up finish in the NCGA Championships.

School officials said counseling services will be made available to UW-Whitewater students, faculty and staff. Chancellor Corey King also said the UW-Whitewater flag will fly at half-staff Tuesday. His full statement can be found here.

Anyone with more information is asked to call the Whitewater Police Department at 262-473-0555 and use option #4. Anonymous tips can also be shared by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
TechCrunch

Tesla loves to put on a show, and Thursdays Robotaxi reveal might just be the flashiest of them all. The electric vehicle maker is slated to unveil its much-hyped Robotaxi vehicle at Warner Bros. Discoverys movie studio in Burbank, California. In usual Tesla fashion, we expect the company to livestream the "We, Robot" event on its YouTube page and on Musk-owned X.
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk attends solemn ceremonies at the monument to the 1939 heroic defense of the Westerplatte peninsula to mark the 85th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, at Westerplatte, on the Baltic Sea, Poland, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. Attacked by a German Nazi warship in the small hours of Sept. 1, 1939, the Westerplatte military outpost was supposed to hold out for 24 hours, but its soldiers put up resistance to the Germans for seven days. (AP Photo/Wojciech Strozyk)

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland's leaders stressed the need for a strong defense in the face of war in neighboring Ukraine and redress as they led solemn ceremonies early Sunday to mark the 85th anniversary of German Nazi forces invading and bombing Polish territory at the start of World War II.

Sirens wailed and a memorial bell tolled as President Andrzej Duda and deputy ambassador of Germany, Robert Rohde, attended an observance in the town of Wielun, the first civilian target of German bombing in the small hours of Sept. 1, 1939. Some 1,200 people were killed in the attack which witnesses say began at 4:40 a.m.

We can say that we have forgiven even though we remember, even though the pain is persisting and even though there are still tens of thousands of those who have been directly hurt by the Germans," Duda said. He also called on Berlin to make amends.

Meanwhile, at a monument on the Baltic Sea's Westerplatte peninsula, where a military outpost was shelled by a German warship just minutes after Wielun was attacked, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz laid wreaths and attended a memorial roll call for fallen soldiers. At the time, the outpost's outnumbered troops fought for seven days before surrendering to the Germans, becoming a symbol of heroism and patriotism.

Tusk said war was present again in the region as the Russian invasion of Ukarine, which began in 2022, grinds on.

He said, in a clear reference to Germany, it wasn't enough to speak about reconciliation or to bend your head in a sense of guilt, adding that the best sign of lessons learned from the past is the readiness to organize the entire western world, Europe and NATO for the defense against aggression that we are witnessing today in the battlefields of Ukraine.

Today we will not say Neven Again. Today we must say Never Again Alone," the prime minister said.

Tusk also said Poland was building the most modern army in Europe, one of the strongest in Europe to actively contribute to the unity and strength of the NATO defense alliance and the European continent and to defend our civilization" and never again expose our homeland to any risks.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock posted on X, saying she wished Poles and Germans become completely normal toward one another, adding it was the desire of former Polish foreign minister Wadysaw Bartoszewski who survived the German invasion.

She also wrote that it was their responsibility, while bearing our past in mind, to constantly work to keep their friendship alive.

In more than five years of World War II and the brutal German occupation, Poland lost 6 million citizens, or a sixth of its population, of which 3 million were Jewish. The country also suffered huge losses to its infrastructure, industry and agriculture.

Poland's previous right-wing government demanded $1.3 trillion in damages from Germany. Tusk's current Cabinet has toned the demand down to some form of compensation that could serve to strengthen the ties between the two neighbors. Germany insists the matter is closed as it had paid damages to the Moscow-led East Bloc after the war. Warsaw says it did not get any share of it.

Addressing attendees at the Wielun observance, the Polish president said: Forgiveness and the admission of guilt is one thing, but compensation for the damage caused is another thing. And this issue has not been settled yet."

__

Associated Press writer Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
Police: Security guard acted in self-defense after man pointed gun at him

DENVER (KDVR)  Police in Aurora said it appeared a security guard at a convenience store in the 12000 block of Colfax Avenue acted in self-defense in a deadly shooting Saturday night.

According to the Aurora Police Department, officers responded to the store just after 9 p.m. after reports of a shooting.

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Officers found a 36-year-old man who was suffering from a gunshot wound. They performed life-saving measures before he was taken to a local hospital where he later died.

The Aurora Police Departments Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene to investigate. APD said the preliminary investigation shows a 36-year-old man pulled a gun on the 38-year-old security guard who was working at the convenience store.

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He allegedly approached the security guard from behind and pointed a gun at his head, police said. The security guard and the man then struggled over the firearm. Police said the security guard was able to draw his own firearm and fire one shot at the 36-year-old, striking him.

The security guard was taken to the Aurora Police Department headquarters for questioning, and police said it appears at this time that the security guard was acting in self-defense.

The security company that the guard is an employee of, Iron Spear Protection, LLC, issued a statement to FOX31 about the incident and said the guard was doing good and was with family.

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The company also said it was supporting the Aurora department in any way it could.

After reviewing the incident, Iron Spear Protection Group LLC is backing him with absolute certainty, the statement said.

The investigation into the shooting was ongoing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad (KLSE:TGL) Full Year 2024 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: RM133.3m (up 5.3% from FY 2023).

Net income: RM10.8m (down 5.3% from FY 2023).

Profit margin: 8.1% (down from 9.0% in FY 2023). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses.

EPS: RM0.13 (down from RM0.14 in FY 2023).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad's share price is broadly unchanged from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad you should know about.

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.
(KRON)  Police activity in the area of Van Ness Avenue between Market and Turk Streets has been resolved and it is no longer necessary to avoid the area, according to the San Francisco Office of Emergency Management.

Pup struck by gunfire in Oakland: police

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Police: Illinois CCL holder fires at drive-by shooter who killed a woman on a porch

CHICAGO (WTVO)  Katrina Brown, 49, was fatally shot while sitting on a porch with a 38-year-old male on the South Side of Chicago.

The incident took place in the 11800 block of South Indiana Avenue on Friday around 9:33 p.m., according to officials.

The man and brown were met with gunfire coming from a dark-colored SUV causing fatal injuries to the woman, authorities said. The man, who is a CCL holder, returned fire at the SUV as the vehicle fled the scene.

Brown was taken to Roseland Hospital before she succumbed to gunshot wounds to the face and arm, officials told WLS.

The man who fired back at the SUV was not injured during the incident.

A gun was recovered at the scene and Area Two detectives are currently investigating.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
Police investigating an attempted murder in Ewa

HONOLULU (KHON2)  The Honolulu Police Department is investigating an attempted murder in Ewa Friday night.

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HPD said the incident happened around 10:55 p.m.

Bench warrant issued for Ewa Beach crash suspect

A domestic argument between a 36-year-old female and male turned physical when the male stabbed the woman in the neck.

The male was identified by a witness and arrested as a suspect in the ongoing investigation.

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Police have classified the incident as second-degree attempted murder.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
HONOLULU (KHON2) The Honolulu Police Department is investigating the shooting of four individuals, including the suspect, in Waianae Valley.

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Just after 11:15 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to multiple 911 calls coming from a Waianae residence reporting that their neighbor was operating a front loader and using it to ram various cars into the home.

He rammed through the gate with something, I dont know if it was a tractor or an excavator, and then he did what he did, said one nearby resident.

I just heard bah, bah, bah, bah, and then returning gunfire bam, bam, bam, bam and I was like oh those are gunshots, so I turned off all the lights in my house and waited to see if anyone came up my room and then a few minutes later you heard police cars in Waianae Valley, the same neighbor said.

Police said multiple individuals were in the carport and fled or tried to flee when the suspect began shooting, striking the victims.

I was just sleeping and then it was like bah bah bah bah guns going off, so I woke up it kept going off, just bah bah bah bah, and then some lady was yelling help, help, help, and it sounded like someone was getting shot you know? Then it stopped for a while and it started up again bah bah bah bah, another nearby resident told KHON2.

Many residents nearby said the two families had been feuding for several years.

During a press conference on Sunday, Honolulu police Chief Joe Logan said it was a targeted act, and not a random act.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services identified the deceased as a 34-year-old female, a 36-year-old female, and a 29-year-old female.

An additional two victims were taken to the hospital in varying conditions due to the gunshot wounds.

I am deeply saddened and alarmed by the tragic shooting that occurred last night in Waianae, where four lives were lost, and two others were seriously injured. This incident, involving neighbors, has shaken our community to its core and is a painful reminder of the violence that has impacted Waianae too often in recent weeks. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and all those who are grieving in the wake of this senseless tragedy. Statement from Mayor Rick Blangiardi

3-day strike commences at 8 Hawaii hotels

The surviving victims are a 31-year-old male and a 52-year-old female.

The 42-year-old male resident who shot the suspect has been arrested for Murder in the Second Degree.

The investigation found the front loader was carrying four 55-gallon drums containing an

unknown fuel. However, at the scene on Sunday morning you could smell gasoline.

Some witnesses reported that the suspect shot rounds at the drums.

The Honolulu Fire Department Hazmat Team is assisting us with the removal of the drums.

On Sunday, a portion of the damaged home was seen with broken pillars and several vehicles underneath.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

HPD said the investigation is ongoing.

This marks the fourth high-profile shooting in the area in the past month.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
A man who escaped River City Correctional Center custody Saturday night has been located.

According to River City executive director Scott McVey, 35-year-old Adam Cadet was taken back into custody by Cincinnati police overnight after he escaped around 10 p.m. Saturday. He exited a vehicle transporting him back to the Camp Washington prison after receiving medical treatment at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Prior to his apprehension, he had been sighted walking into Burnet Woods park in handcuffs and leg shackles.

The last time an inmate escaped River City Correctional was in July 2022 when Thomas Cromwell, 27, and Shawn Black, 29, escaped the facility, leading to a SWAT standoff at a Mason hotel. Cromwell was shot and killed by a Mason police officer after holding a woman hostage in a hotel room for 12 hours, and, armed with a knife, repeatedly threatened officers, an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation review of the fatal police shooting found.

Black was subsequently apprehended in North College Hill.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati police locate escaped River City Correctional inmate
A polling station in Erfurt city center. The state election in Thuringia takes place on 01 September. Martin Schutt/dpa

Polling stations opened on Sunday at 8:00 am (0600 GMT) for voters to cast their ballots and decide the balance of power in the eastern German states of Thuringia and Saxony.

The state parliamentary elections, which each hold considerable power over regional matters, could reverberate nationwide.

Polling stations in both states are open until 6:00 pm.

The main focus is on how well the far-right Alternative for Germany AfD, which could become the strongest party in a state election for the first time, performs.

The three parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's squabbling and unpopular national coalition, meanwhile, appear headed for further miserable results that could deepen fractures among ministers, with a year to go until the next nationwide parliamentary elections in September 2025.

Polls ahead of Sunday's election have put the AfD in the clear lead in Thuringia and narrowly trailing the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) in Saxony.

The firebrand regional leader of the AfD in the state of Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, a former history teacher, has been convicted and fined twice this year for using a banned Nazi slogan. He is still facing another pending criminal case on a charge of incitement.

Domestic intelligence has categorized the AfD in Thuringia and Saxony as right-wing extremist and is monitoring the party as a suspected extremist group in both Brandenburg and the national level.

A polling station in Erfurt city center. The state election in Thuringia takes place on 01 September. Martin Schutt/dpa
By Stanley Widianto

JAKARTA (Reuters) - When Pope Francis visits Indonesia next week, he will stop by a mosque in Jakarta that has an unusual feature - a tunnel connecting it to the city's Catholic cathedral, as part of a push for interfaith harmony on his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour.

The 28.3-metre "Tunnel of Friendship", connecting the iconic Istiqlal mosque to the Our Lady of the Assumption cathedral, was built by the government in 2020 as a symbol of religious harmony, a theme the global head of the Catholic church has also emphasised on his travels during his 11-year reign.

Pope Francis, 87, arrives on Tuesday in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, on the first leg of the longest trip of his papacy that will also take him to Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. The plans have drawn concerns over his increasing health problems.

The pope is scheduled to participate in an interfaith meeting at the mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, and to visit the tunnel, which features windows to let in light and inscribed art on the walls but is not yet open to the public.

"It's extraordinary that the Catholics' number one figure is coming," said Nasaruddin Umar, the grand imam of the Istiqlal, whose vast parking lot is often open to churchgoers during major events. "Whatever your religion is, let's respect our guest."

Only about 3% of Indonesia's population of 280 million are Catholic, while nearly 90% are Muslim.

The pope is scheduled to meet outgoing President Joko Widodo and hold a mass service at a Jakarta stadium, which is expected to be attended by more than 80,000 people, said Rev. Thomas Ulun Ismoyo, an Indonesian church official.

The visit has excited Indonesian Catholics, who have not experienced a papal visit in more than three decades.

"If I could meet him, I could only bow before him. I couldn't even bring myself to hold his hand," said Maria Regina Widyastuti Sasongko, a 77-year-old Catholic woman who sells items such as statues and t-shirts bearing the pope's face.

Indonesia has been visited by two popes before - the first, Pope Paul VI in a 1970 trip to Jakarta and in 1989, Pope John Paul II, who visited Jakarta and four other cities.

SYMBOL OF FRIENDSHIP; CHEQUERED PAST

Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Indonesia's religious affairs minister, said the pope's visit was a symbol of friendship among people of all religions in Indonesia.

"The pope's visit makes Indonesia the barometer of peace and a pillar of tolerance," he told Reuters.

Still Indonesia has had a chequered history with religious harmony.

Catholicism came to the country by way of Portuguese missionaries in its eastern area in the 16th century, but historians say it was banned during Dutch colonial rule for about two centuries in favour of Protestantism.

The Vatican officially named a diplomatic representative in Indonesia in the 1940s.

And in modern Indonesia, officially a secular state, minority religions can still face discrimination.

The U.S. religious freedom watchdog has said that "Indonesia's religious freedom conditions remained poor" in 2023, citing several regulations including ones that led to closures of places of worship, including churches.

Andreas Harsono, the Indonesia researcher for Human Rights Watch, said the roots of religious intolerance, and church closures, were the laws that facilitate them.

But for Sasongko, the Catholic woman selling papal merchandise, the arrival of the pope signifies hope for unity.

"His visit can transform people to love one another," she said.

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
A delegate at the Democratic National Convention watches former President Barack Obama give a speech in Chicago on Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Griswold / Source NM)

Going into 2024s election-cycle hubs for U.S. political power showed me the enchantment in New Mexico is unmatched. Nothing like leaving to make you love where youre from.

A throughline between Wisconsin and Illinois is how fast and easy it is to get a good cheeseburger. They do need a little green chile up there to make the hamburger stands better. And hot take: Pizza is pizza is pizza. If it doesnt have green chile, it is not great pizza. Go ahead and @ me.

Waiting in lines to get on the floors of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and then, a couple of weeks later, at the Democratic one in Chicago, my thoughts kept turning to home, where were trying to sort out new ideas and fixes for problems we carry uniquely, but that are still tied to greater issues in the United States.

Many people nationally are working every day on access to clean water, good schools and safe, clean streets.

Delegates from both political parties and elected leaders spoke to these issues with a more recent lens. In New Mexico, these are long-standing problems weve been patching up incrementally, sometimes going back years before New Mexico was taken over by the United States.

Water wars

In regards to the environment, Republicans voiced loud support for extraction. Drill, baby, drill, former President Donald Trump said in his nomination speech. Democrats did speak to energy, too, while trying to at least say that clean air and water are necessary.

Former President Barack Obama caught my attention during his speech when I heard the word clean followed by air and water. I had to take a picture of the teleprompter to just remind myself it happened. Days later, images from back home of the San Juan Generating Station coal stacks being demolished after decades of polluting this regions air, water and healthy existence reminded me that Obama-administration policies on coal are fragile.

Coming from New Mexico, water abundance up north is so present, its in the air. The humidity can be tasted at times. The Great Lakes region (the name doesnt lie) has rivers, lakes and their rivers dump into their lakes, I thought as I constantly walked from where I stayed to my work covering the conventions. A little mud from a Bosque walk off Isleta Boulevard before I left somehow stayed on my sole. It mustve wanted to be on that Milwaukee concrete.

On my first night staying at a colleagues house, I went for a glass of water. Confused on where to get it, only seeing the tap, I had to ask: can I drink from the kitchen tap? My host looked surprised, until I mentioned that the aquifer where I live has a history of contamination and my family in Zuni Pueblo cannot drink water from the tap. So I remind everyone that it took us fighting for an act of Congress to hopefully get us closer to the comfort others take for granted to just drink from the tap in their kitchen.

Its just part of our New Mexico existence that were told to not drink the tap water.

My host assured me that wasnt a problem there, but it was nearby. So the water issues we experience are at least peripherally present for others  even with the rivers and the lakes, and the rivers that go into the lakes.

It was a regular conversation between Milwaukee and Chicago, where bragging who has the better tasting tap water is like our Chile Verde Wars. Its all subjective and very privileged.

Quality education

The entire reason for the assignment became a lesson on Native American history, both contemporary and pre-colonization.

I was there with a team of Indigenous journalists, and each day we summoned the class. Outside of the 12 radio shows we did between the RNC and DNC, the crew answered all questions like it was a freshman seminar in American Indian studies at the University of New Mexico.

Really, we were giving lessons Native American children are learning at home and, in some places in New Mexico, at preschool and elementary schools across the state. Not only is that unique since so many people do not know our history  or that Native people are still here  the politicians we were speaking with often said they would support expanding curriculum to their public schools. Suddenly we were talking about the culturally relevant curriculum and New Mexico public education reform mandate. Many at both conventions were surprised by the model.

Sovereignty was a throughline to discussions of freedom. Every person not Native at both conventions had no idea about sovereignty, but could talk freedom. And when someone finally understood that sovereignty comes with terms, namely total approval by the federal government, they could see the limitations to their freedoms.

This conversation with U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin) struck a nerve because he said he understood the perspective from his time as a medical professional for the Indian Health Services at the hospital in Shiprock. He connected the struggles for working with that system to economic sovereignty for tribes, like the Lac Courte Oreilles Band that he represents in Congress.

A few weeks later, on the last night of the DNC in Chicago, a Laguna Pueblo person from New Mexico took the stage and gave a Keres introduction. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland kept up the principles of education for a television audience. Most directly, she took it to two Laguna Pueblo people working up in media row covering her speech.

When Haaland asked how people at the convention were doing with the Keres phrase, Guwhatzi, my co-host for the radio show Shawn Spruce immediately responded in the way we as Pueblo people are taught. He said in Keres that he is doing fine.

As I wrote the article, I asked Spruce if it was appropriate to write out the phrase. He said yes. Then he helped me spell it as best we could to share it with the Source NM audience. He gave me a Keres lesson  a language I am actively trying to learn.

When we published the article, we got several comments from readers acknowledging that Pueblo journalists are covering Pueblo politicians, which is as it should be.

It felt enchanting. I could feel my uncles, my grandparents, a language they were told not to speak and struggled to pass on. I knew they heard it. I could feel their voice come out of me.

And that is why we went to Milwaukee and Chicago. We needed Native voices to be heard Native issues to be reported on by our people. That is why we put so much stress on ourselves, our families and our co-workers back home. The support we needed was always at home. And we did it, is what I told my mom.

Whats safe?

Before the J.D. Vance nomination speech at the RNC, the sounds of passive, angry, violent chants from the Fiserv Forum that hit the Republican talking points on immigration followed me outside of the Panther Arena where we interviewed GOP members of Congress earlier in the day. I had finished my job at that point. I was looking for tacos.

That kicked off a great experience meeting Milwaukee. Everything open outside the perimeter around the Fiserv Forum was somehow loving, even with the large presence that apparently hit the city like a turd. Many businesses closed, home rentals were easy to snag because locals left. People werent tipping workers, even after the gleeful crowd inside cheered for tax reform on tips.

Local police from all over the country came and made traffic horrible. This was much different than the secure perimeter set and monitored by federal police, it was clear when state police from places like Indiana and Kentucky would march between arenas inside the perimeter for their shift to usually patrol some street outside in greater Milwaukee.

An officer from Columbus, Ohio, shot and killed one local.

I met several of his friends and apologized for all of us: the press, staff and the convention itself for having to be there as part of what felt like a takeover of their city.

Its great to be back home. As soon as I got off the plane in Santa Fe I took a taxi to the Rail Runner, got to downtown Albuquerque, hopped on the 66 ABQ RIDE, sat in the back of the bus, and heard my cousins from Kewa Pueblo check in on me. They asked how I am doing.

Were all doing just fine.

The wildflowers in the backyard are fine, too. I was surprised at how well the house plants did with less care. RIP petunias.

Source New Mexico is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Source New Mexico maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Shaun Griswold for questions: info@sourcenm.com. Follow Source New Mexico on Facebook and X.
Japan's stock markets have shown resilience, with the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX Index recovering most of the losses incurred earlier in the month. As inflation rises and monetary policy continues to evolve, investors are increasingly focusing on dividend stocks for stable returns. In this context, a good dividend stock typically offers consistent payouts and demonstrates financial stability, making it an attractive option amid market volatility.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In Japan

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Yamato Kogyo (TSE:5444) 4.14%  Tsubakimoto Chain (TSE:6371) 3.95%  Globeride (TSE:7990) 4.19%  KurimotoLtd (TSE:5602) 4.74%  Mitsubishi Research Institute (TSE:3636) 3.76%  CAC Holdings (TSE:4725) 4.54%  Innotech (TSE:9880) 4.51%  Business Brain Showa-Ota (TSE:9658) 4.04%  FALCO HOLDINGS (TSE:4671) 6.38%  GakkyushaLtd (TSE:9769) 4.30% 

Click here to see the full list of 436 stocks from our Top Japanese Dividend Stocks screener.

We'll examine a selection from our screener results.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Nippon Air Conditioning Services Co., Ltd. (TSE:4658) specializes in providing air conditioning and related services, with a market cap of approximately 37.35 billion.

Operations: Nippon Air Conditioning Services Co., Ltd. (TSE:4658) generated 59.94 billion from its Maintenance Services and Renewal Construction segment.

Dividend Yield: 3.7%

Nippon Air Conditioning Services offers a dividend yield of 3.69%, which is not well covered by free cash flows due to a high cash payout ratio of 183.3%. Despite this, dividends have been stable and growing over the past decade. The company recently announced an increase in its quarterly dividend to 20 per share from 15 last year, though it is lower than the previous year's 24 per share. Earnings are forecasted to grow by 5.65% annually, with FY2025 guidance projecting net sales of 61 billion and EPS of 81.48.

TSE:4658 Dividend History as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: J Trust Co., Ltd. provides various financial services in Japan and has a market cap of 62.48 billion.

Operations: J Trust Co., Ltd. generates revenue from its Investment Business (0.06 billion), Real Estate Business (18.38 billion), Japan Financial Business (15.33 billion), Southeast Asia Financial Business (44.03 billion), and South Korea and Mongolia Financial Business (48.13 billion).

Story continues

Dividend Yield: 3%

J Trust's dividend yield (3.04%) is below the top 25% of Japanese dividend payers, but its low cash payout ratio (9.9%) ensures dividends are well-covered by cash flows. Despite a reasonable earnings payout ratio (53.4%), dividends have been volatile and unreliable over the past decade. Recent buybacks totaling 731.84 million for 1,716,500 shares might indicate management's confidence in future performance amidst lower profit margins this year compared to last year.

TSE:8508 Dividend History as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Nippo Ltd. and its subsidiaries manufacture and trade industrial materials and plastic molded products in Japan and internationally, with a market cap of 19.35 billion.

Operations: Nippo Ltd. generates revenue from several segments, including Mobility (16.50 billion), Electronics (19.68 billion), and Medical/Precision Equipment (6.62 billion).

Dividend Yield: 3.5%

Nippo's dividend payments have been volatile over the past decade, with periods of significant fluctuation. Despite this, the company's dividends are well-covered by both earnings (payout ratio: 47.2%) and free cash flows (cash payout ratio: 28.8%). Trading at 60% below its estimated fair value, Nippo offers a dividend yield of 3.53%, slightly below the top quartile in Japan. Recent shareholder activism saw ESG proposals rejected at their June AGM.

TSE:9913 Dividend History as at Sep 2024

Summing It All Up

Discover the full array of 436 Top Japanese Dividend Stocks right here.

Are you invested in these stocks already? Keep abreast of every twist and turn by setting up a portfolio with Simply Wall St, where we make it simple for investors like you to stay informed and proactive.

Invest smarter with the free Simply Wall St app providing detailed insights into every stock market around the globe.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include TSE:4658 TSE:8508 and TSE:9913.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
I am running to represent Kansas 3rd Congressional District because I see that the American dream, which Ive been blessed to live, is in jeopardy. Now that Ive won the Republican nomination, Rep. Sharice Davids and her allies are using the same tired, old negative tactics theyre running everywhere.

In a recent Star guest commentary, one of her allies completely misrepresented my positions on abortion rights and in vitro fertilization, and did so without a shred of evidence to support their argument. This is the first of many misleading attacks Kansas voters can expect to see about this deeply personal topic. Between now and Election Day, the topic of abortion will be twisted for political gain to divide Kansans.

The voters of this district deserve better than that. You deserve the truth and I want you to hear my position directly from me. As a cancer physician, Ive had tough conversations and faced hard choices. The one constant in practicing good medicine is that I always start from a place of empathy by actively listening to and supporting my patients choices.

First, Kansas voters made their voices heard on abortion in 2022. For many voters, it was a hard choice. Ill always support the choice that Kansas voters made on abortion rights two years ago and would never vote in Congress to overrule the will of the people. Period.

Second, I dont support a national abortion ban. I wouldnt vote for one in Congress. This issue should be left to the states. I believe any state-level legislation should protect access to contraception and, at minimum, include exceptions for rape, incest, fetal abnormalities inconsistent with life and threats to the life of the mother.

Third, like the majority of Americans, I dont believe federal tax dollars should be used to fund abortions.

Fourth, I support in vitro fertilization and vocally oppose any attempt to restrict it. IVF has helped countless people in Kansas and across the country, start and grow their families. We should help families have children. Thats exactly what IVF does.

For me, supporting life means continuing to support a babys life after birth. We can be doing more to help families by removing taxes on baby and toddler items. I also believe we should be doing more to streamline the adoption and foster care services. These systems are broken and far too many children have been left behind because of it.

The Supreme Courts Dobbs ruling in 2022 has led to ongoing legislative battles across the country, a statewide referendum in Kansas, and questions and uncertainty for patients and their physicians. I believe life is an important issue which should be treated with empathy, respect, and honesty  not made up talking points to fit a politicians preferred narrative.

But instead of being honest with the voters, Sharice Davids is running a campaign of baseless partisan attacks  the kind that have left many Kansans fed up with politics altogether.

Over the last year, Ive attended hundreds of events and met thousands of voters in this district. Ive heard whats on their minds and what issues matter most to them.

Theyre struggling with rising costs and making ends meet. They know if we dont reverse course, the American dream will continue to grow further and further out of reach.

Theyre worried about whats been happening at our southern border since 2021  millions of illegal border crossings, including hundreds on the FBI terrorist watch list, and fentanyl invading our community.

These are the issues that Kansans can unite around. We all want lower costs and safer communities. We are not as divided as Washington would like you to think, and we should be focused on the solutions we can agree on, not stoking divisive partisan flames.

Instead, Sharice Davids and the party insiders in Washington are taking the predictable low road and making up attacks against me. Theyre nervous about November, and they should be, because their records speak for themselves.

Its time for a change.

Im listening to the people of our district, not the bosses in Washington. Im running to serve you, not to be beholden to them. Ill always be clear about where I stand, even if we may sometimes disagree. And Id be honored to have your vote in November.

Prasanth Reddy of Lenexa is a physician and Republican candidate to represent Kansas 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A pre-planned controlled explosion on an east London film set spiraled out of control near The O2 arena in Silvertown, per the London Fire Brigade.

The fire in #Silvertown followed a controlled explosion at a film set which spread out of control, the organization wrote on X Aug. 31. Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire, which is now under control. Crews will remain on scene for the remainder of the evening.

More from Deadline

Per a report from LFB, the fire destroyed one van, most of a car and a lorry (truck). There are currently no reports of any injuries. The call was made at 7:51 p.m. UTC, with the fire brought under control by 9:02 p.m. Crews from Poplar, Millwall, Shadwell, East Greenwich attended the scene, featuring 25 firefighters and four fire engines that tamed the fire at the open air yard near Dock Road and Trinity Buoy Wharf.

Local police force Newham MPS tweeted out, We are aware of reports of explosions being heard in the vicinity of the #O2 in #Greenwich. This was part of a pre-planned filming event in the Canning Town #E16 area. There is no risk to the public.

Video captured at the scene and posted to social media also showed a boat being sent out to attend to the blaze. Additional video from onlookers featured multiple crackling explosions as the fire raged on, billowing out dark clouds of smoke. Also depicted in video is a burning truck emblazoned with the words BBC News World, though BBC News said it had no involvement with the incident.

It is currently unclear what film set the fire impacted, though Deadline will update this post once further details are available.

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What if Preston Lord had carried a gun the night he was murdered?

Steven Jones was sentenced to six years for a 2015 shooting at Northern Arizona University. He was charged with murder and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He was released last week.

Does anyone else see a comparison between his very sad story and that of the murder of Preston Lord in Queen Creek? If 18-year-old Steven Jones wasnt armed, would he have been murdered like Preston Lord?

Steven Jones was with some friends near NAU walking by a frat house when drunk fraternity brothers started threatening, harassing and chasing him and his friends.

The autopsy stated Colin Charles Brough was within 2 feet of the bullet that hit him, and the trajectory of the bullet indicated Brough was lunging at Jones.

Preston Lord and his friends were walking from a house party when the Gilbert Goons started threatening, harassing and chasing he and his friends. His friends were able to escape, but Preston Lord was knocked to the ground.

Would Preston Lord have been declared a murderer if he had shot a Gilbert Goon?

Colleen Hunt, Phoenix

I could've made AZ logo in a week

Arizona paid a consultant to rewrite the word Arizona with pine trees and mountain silhouettes around the O. This took years and $700,000.

I would have done this in a week for a couple hundred bucks, though my idea would be to depict the O with heat waves emanating from a heat island.

The $700,000 they paid could have purchased about 1,400 acre-feet of water at current prices, which could have been used to grow some grass and trees on 400 acres of vacant dirt lots across the Valley that are now littered with broken glass and abandoned big gulp containers.

Warren Kotzmann, Gilbert

Add chips and cars to the 5 C's

Arizona is famous for the five Cs: copper, cattle, cotton, citrus and climate. We can add chips and cars to that list in a few years.

Last week, I visited the Arizona Sonoran Copper mine and the Lucid AMP-1 factory in Casa Grande. The workshop celebrated Arizonas role in the electric vehicle supply chain  from mining copper and other rare earth minerals to bending steel into new cars.

Almost half of new vehicles within a decade could have a component manufactured or mined from Arizona.

Arizona is uniquely positioned because we have easy access to minerals like copper and a growing cluster of advanced manufacturing companies.

Even if you dont drive an EV, these new industries can dramatically boost our economy: they can create new, high-paying jobs, increase spending at local businesses, and keep young people gainfully employed in the communities they grew up in.

With the right public policy, the Arizona Legislature can grow both industries and make our state a powerhouse for the future. Policymakers should consider regulations that make establishing and expanding these industries in our state easier.

Elliott Popel, Benson

Tribe should fear lithium project

I am deeply concerned about the recent article on the Big Sandy Lithium project near the Hualapai Tribes lands.

Lithium is crucial at this point for the transition to renewable energy technologies and of utmost importance to the overall climate effort. However, it is imperative that development does not come at the expense of Indigenous rights, environmental integrity or sustainable practices.

More letters: Gilbert police, schools and parents have failed

The Hualapai Tribe has legitimate fears that this project will threaten vital cultural and ecological resources, especially their sacred spring, HaKamwe. Protecting our environment and respecting Indigenous rights cannot be mutually exclusive.

It is time to make Indigenous rights a priority in this country as we continue our fight to address climate change. As an Arizonan, I fully support that philosophy.

Katherine Hess, Tucson

Trump rallies are worth attending

I want to respond to Greg Moores Trump rally column, as I, too, have attended Trump rallies. To me, experiencing a Trump rally is experiencing America!

What strikes you is the patriotism and optimism across a vast number of diverse people in the room. Its a great display of diversity meeting unity. Were all there for the same goal: to make America great again.

I was also struck by the number of elderly and disabled attendees who struggled to descend many stairs to get upfront seats. It was heart-clenching every time!

And the signs and the shirts  so many used these as their voices to express their distrust of the current regime, the mainstream media and the justice system.

It was hilarious and gratifying at the same time to see so many recognizing the dishonesty playing out on a mass scale in our country today.

See a rally for yourself!

Caroline Machiraju, Camp Hill, Penn.

Whats on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor online or via email at opinions@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Preston Lord may have lived, like Steven Jones did, if he was armed
Protester who interrupted Trump rally to face charges, police say

Protester who interrupted Trump rally to face charges, police say

A protester who interrupted former President Donald Trump's rally Friday in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, will face misdemeanor charges, local police confirmed to NBC News on Saturday.

The man, whose identity has not yet been released, will face charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and disrupting a meeting or procession, Police Sgt. Evan Dabbs said.

Security and police apprehend a man who jumped onto the media platform Friday at a campaign rally for Donald Trump in Johnstown, Pa.

The charges have not yet been filed. Dabbs said they are expected to be filed early next week.

It is unclear what the protester's views of Trump were.

The man jumped over a barricade and hopped onto a media riser and yelled to Trump as he was speaking. It was unclear what the protester was saying.

Trump reacted from the stage, saying, He is on our side.

Donald Trump speaks at the rally in Johnstown.

The protest came shortly after Trump criticized journalists, comments that are a routine part of his rallies. Trump has for years sharply criticized the media and tried to undermine its credibility. Often, supporters at his rally turn around and boo reporters when he unleashes on journalists.

Security handcuffed and removed the protester. He was processed and released Friday, Dabbs said. Dabbs said he was not involved in the arrest and did not know the protester's motive.

No bystanders or members of the media or law enforcement were injured, said Greg Neugebauer, the district attorney in Cambria County, where Johnstown is located.

"There were no further incidents reported at the event," Neugebauer told NBC News.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the expected charges.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Sharon Verzeni, who was killed while she was taking a late night stroll

The brutal murder of a woman in northern Italy allegedly by the son of African migrants has shocked Italians and reignited debate about migration and the right to citizenship.

Moussa Sangare, 31, is accused of stabbing Sharon Verzeni to death while she was taking a latenight stroll in the small town of Terno dIsola, near the northern city of Bergamo, on July 29.

Police said Mr Sangare, who was born in Milan to parents of African origin, confessed to the crime after he was arrested on Friday. However, he said he did not know the victim and had no apparent motive for the womans murder.

I had a sudden outburst, Mr Sangare told police after his arrest, according to Italian media reports. I cant explain why it happened, I saw her and I killed her.

The young man, who was unemployed and described as an aspiring rapper, lived in Suisio, just 3 miles from the town where 33-year-old Ms Verzeni was killed.

Mr Sangare told police he left home on his bicycle about an hour before the murder, armed with a knife and with the intention of stabbing anyone he met. Before encountering Ms Verzeni, he said he had threatened two teens.

He told investigators he found Ms Verzeni staring at the stars, apologised for what he was about to do and stabbed her several times in the back while she repeatedly asked him Why?

The funeral of 33-year-old Sharon Verzeni - IMPA

The arrest of Mr Sangare ends an intense investigation during which police took DNA samples from 40 residents and analysed footage from surveillance cameras in the town of 8,000 people in a bid to identify the killer.

Mr Sangares younger sister, Awa, has said her family was shocked and sorry for what had happened. We knew he was not well, but we never thought it could have come to this, she told local outlet Eco.

Deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, head of the far-right League party, seized on the case to push his anti-immigration stance at a time when foreign minister Antonio Tajani, is urging the government to grant citizenship to foreign minors who complete most of their education in Italy.

Mr Salvini posted a photo of the murder victim on his Instagram with the headline: Moussa Sangare arrested, of North African origins and Italian citizenship, suspected of having killed poor Sharon.

Rossano Sasso, a League MP, insisted Mr Sangare was not really Italian, writing online that he feared there were many other Moussa Sangares walking our streets, who hate and who kill because they had nothing to do.

Luana Zanella, an MP from the Green Party, accused Mr Salvini of linking femicide with ethnic identity, while Riccardo Magi, an MP from More Europe, dismissed the political reaction as shameful.

Using a crime to oppose a debate that has opened in the country about citizenship is really disgraceful exploitation, Mr Magi said.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a rare move, apologized on Sunday to the family of slain hostage Alexander Lobanov for the fact that he and five other hostages held in Gaza were not rescued alive.

Netanyahu's office announced that the prime minister wanted to speak to other families during the course of the day.

"The prime minister expressed deep regret, and apologized to the family, that the State of Israel did not succeed in returning Alexander and the other five hostages alive," the statement said.

Netanyahu's military adviser had returned in the morning from a visit to Moscow, the aim of which had been to advance efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza war, according to the statement.

Alexander Lobanov and other hostages were also discussed during the Moscow meeting. Lobanov, a father of two, had both Israeli and Russian citizenship.
The Russians reported that 158 fixed-wing UAVs attacked their oblasts on the night of 31 August  1 September.

Source: Russian Ministry of Defence

Details: As usual, the Russian military reported that all drones were shot down, while videos of fires in many oblasts were shared on social media.

At night, 46 UAVs were "destroyed and intercepted" over the territory of Kursk Oblast, 34 over Bryansk Oblast, 28 over Voronezh Oblast, 14 over Belgorod Oblast, 8 over Ryazan Oblast, 2 over the city of Moscow, 7 over Moscow Oblast, 5 over Kaluga Oblast, 4 over Lipetsk Oblast, and 3 over Tula Oblast.

Two more UAVs were allegedly shot down over the territories of Tambov and Smolensk oblasts, and one over Oryol, Tver and Ivanovo oblasts.

 ,     1     158   .https://t.co/LQowNitWFd pic.twitter.com/JapCrq9XQY     (@ukrpravda_news) September 1, 2024

Background: On the night of 31 August  1 September, two thermal power plants in Moscow and Tver oblasts, as well as a Moscow oil refinery, were also attacked during a large-scale drone attack on Russian oblasts.

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The American Red Cross held a basic life support course at the Blasco Library.

The class is held once a month and provides the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies.

The totals are in! New benchmark hit with this years Crawford Gives

David Kohl, the owner of Household HQ, said although Saturdays class was for healthcare workers, everyone should take it.

I think any parent will know that you want to make sure that you know that you have every capability to take care of your children. Thats why I founded the business, it was to take care of my children. I think with anybody we want to make sure that we have to care in todays world. Erie, even in the metropolitan, can take a few minutes for professionals to get there we want to make sure we have the skills and abilities to protect our own and make sure everyone stays alive when we need to, Kohl said.

Erie health officials give update on West Nile virus as more mosquitoes test positive

Additional information on how to take a class is available on the Red Cross 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
By Laurie Chen

BEIJING (Reuters) - After quitting the education industry last August due to China's crackdown on private tutoring, He Ajun has found an unlikely second life as an unemployment influencer.

The Guangzhou-based vlogger, 32, offers career advice to her 8,400 followers, charting her journey through long-term joblessness. "Unemployed at 31, not a single thing accomplished," she posted last December.

He is now making around 5,000 yuan ($700) per month through ads on her vlogs, content editing, private consultations and selling handicrafts at street stalls.

"I think in future freelancing will be normalised," said He. "Even if you stay in the workplace, you'll still need freelancing abilities. I believe it will become a backup skill, like driving."

China is under instruction to unleash "new productive forces", with government policies targeting narrow areas of science and technology including AI and robotics.

But critics say that has meant weak demand in other sectors and risks leaving behind a generation of highly educated young people, who missed the last boom and graduated too late to retrain for emerging industries.

A record 11.79 million university graduates this year face unprecedented job scarcity amid widespread layoffs in white-collar sectors including finance, while Tesla, IBM and ByteDance have also cut jobs in recent months.

Urban youth unemployment for the roughly 100 million Chinese aged 16-24 spiked to 17.1% in July, a figure analysts say masks millions of rural unemployed.

China suspended releasing youth jobless data after it reached an all-time high of 21.3% in June 2023, later tweaking criteria to exclude current students.

Over 200 million people are currently working in the gig economy and even that once fast-growing sector has its own overcapacity issues. A dozen Chinese cities have warned of ride-hailing oversaturation this year.

Redundancies have even spread to government work, long considered an "iron rice bowl" of lifetime employment.

Last year Beijing announced a 5% headcount reduction and thousands have been laid off since, according to official announcements and news reports. Henan province trimmed 5,600 jobs earlier this year, while Shandong province has cut nearly 10,000 positions since 2022.

Meanwhile, analysts say China's 3.9 million vocational college graduates are mostly equipped for low-end manufacturing and service jobs, and reforms announced in 2022 will take years to fix underinvestment in training long regarded as inferior to universities.

Story continues

China currently faces a shortage of welders, joiners, elderly caregivers and "highly-skilled digital talent", its human resources minister said in March.

Yao Lu, a sociologist at Columbia University, estimates about 25% of college graduates aged 23-35 are currently in jobs below their academic qualifications.

Many of China's nearly 48 million university students are likely to have poor starting salaries and contribute relatively little in taxes throughout their lifetimes, said one Chinese economist who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.

"Although they cannot be called a 'lost generation', it is a huge waste of human capital," the person said.

'DOING THREE PEOPLE'S JOBS'

Chinese President Xi Jinping in May urged officials to make job creation for new graduates a top priority. But for younger workers unemployed or recently fired, the mood is bleak, nine people interviewed by Reuters said.

Anna Wang, 23, quit her state bank job in Shenzhen this year due to high pressure and frequent unpaid overtime. For a salary of about 6,000 yuan per month, "I was doing three people's jobs," she said.

Her ex-colleagues complain about widespread pay cuts and transfers to positions with unmanageable workloads, effectively forcing them to resign. Wang now works part-time jobs as a CV editor and mystery shopper.

At a July briefing for foreign diplomats about an agenda-setting economic meeting, policymakers said they have been quietly urging companies to stop layoffs, one attendee told Reuters.

Olivia Lin, 30, left the civil service in July after widespread bonus cuts and bosses hinted at further redundancies. Four district-level bureaus were dissolved in her city of Shenzhen this year, according to public announcements.

"The general impression was that the current environment isn't good and fiscal pressure is really high," she said.

Lin now wants a tech job. She has had no interview offers after a month of searching. "This is completely different from 2021, when I was guaranteed one job interview a day," she said.

REDUCED STIGMA

Shut out of the job market and desperate for an outlet, young Chinese are sharing tips for surviving long-term unemployment. The hashtags "unemployed", "unemployment diary" and "laid off" received a combined 2.1 billion views on the Xiaohongshu platform He uses.

Users describe mundane daily routines, count down the days since being fired, share awkward chat exchanges with managers or dole out advice, sometimes accompanied by crying selfies.

The increasing visibility of jobless young people "increases broader social acceptance and reduces stigma surrounding unemployment", said Columbia's Lu, allowing otherwise isolated youth to connect and "perhaps even redefine what it means to be unemployed in today's economic climate".

Lu said unemployed graduates understood blaming the government for their plight would be both risky and ineffective. Rather, she said, they were more likely to slip into "an internalisation of discontent and blame" or "lying flat".

He, the influencer, thinks graduates should lower their ambitions.

"If we have indeed entered 'garbage time', then I think young people could accumulate skills or do something creative, such as selling things via social media or making handicrafts."

(Reporting by Laurie Chen; Editing by Kevin Krolicki and Lincoln Feast.)
Renton residents urged to seek medical help after rabid bat discovery

A rabid bat was discovered Thursday in Renton at 415 Rainier Ave North, prompting a public health warning for anyone who may have come into contact with it.

Public Health  Seattle & King County is urging individuals who might have had any contact with the bat, even if they were not bitten, to seek immediate medical evaluation.

Those at risk should call Public Health at 206-296-4774 to determine if preventative treatment is necessary for rabies.

Rabies is a life-threatening disease but is treatable if caught early before symptoms appear.

A King County resident initially reported the bat after observing it behaving unusually.

The bat was euthanized by a local wildlife rehabilitation center on the same day and later tested positive for rabies on Friday.

So far, Public Health has identified two people who may have been exposed to the bat.

Both are being evaluated to determine if rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed.

Dr. Elysia Gonzales, Medical Epidemiologist at Public Health  Seattle & King County, emphasized the importance of identifying anyone who may have been exposed to the bat.

Rabies is treatable if caught before symptoms appear, so identifying anyone who has had contact with the bat as soon as possible is important, she said.

Contact includes touching a bat, being bitten, scratched, or any other bare-skin contact with the bat or its saliva.

Pets that may have been exposed to the bat should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Even if pets are current on their rabies vaccine, they must be revaccinated if they had any contact with a bat.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms begin.

The virus is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal via a bite or scratch.

If a bat is found inside a home, Public Health advises contacting them immediately to determine if testing for rabies is necessary.

For more information on safely handling a bat, visit kingcounty.gov/bats.
May 10, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (14) runs drills during the 49ers rookie minicamp at LeviOs Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Mandatory Credit: Robert Kupbens-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot during an attempted robbery in San Francisco according to a report from NBCs Gia Vang.

Vang reported Pearsall is in stable condition. The suspect is in police custody.

Per FOX 40s Sean Cunningham, San Francisco Police Department said Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt involving his Rolex watch. There was a struggle for the gun during the robbery. The suspect was also shot and is in stable condition.

Pearsall was the 49ers first-round pick in this years draft. He dealt with hamstring and shoulder injuries during training camp, but returned to practice after the preseason and was on track to make his debut in San Franciscos season opener on Sept. 9 against the Green Bay Packers.

Well provide more information as this story develops.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Report: 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall shot in robbery attempt
French President Emmanuel Macron takes part in an event at the French embassy in Berlin. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

French President Emmanuel Macron will on Monday consult with his predecessors Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy in a bid to break the country's political deadlock, according to media reports.

Macron also plans to meet with former socialist prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve, the France Info and BFMTV broadcasters said, citing sources close to the former leaders.

Cazeneuve headed the government under Hollande from December 2016 to May 2017 and could once again be a candidate for the office, media have speculated.

A month and a half after early parliamentary elections in France, Macron has still not appointed a new prime minister. Nor is there any prospect of a viable government majority among the parties.

The election produced a surprise victory for the left-wing alliance Nouveau Front Populaire, ahead of Macron's centrist forces and the far-right forces around Marine Le Pen, who had been predicted to win. None of the camps secured an absolute majority.

The left-wing alliance made its claim to government clear on several occasions. However, Macron ruled out a pure government of the alliance on the grounds that it would be toppled immediately by a vote of no confidence.

Despite several rounds of consultations between Macron and the parties, it remains unclear how a stable government can be formed in France. Coalitions are unusual in the country, which makes it difficult to form a government.
(BCN)  A resident in Petaluma spooked two burglars as they broke into a home on Sage Way on Friday afternoon, according to police.

Petaluma police said that officers were called to the 1800 block of Sage Way at 2:49 p.m. after receiving a report of the burglary.

2 people struck by gunfire on I-580, road closed

Officers allegedly found the rear glass door of the home smashed. Police believe the burglars fled when they saw a resident inside.

One suspect was wearing a tan hat and neon scarf around his neck. The other person had a face covering, police said.

Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to contact the Petaluma Police Department at (707) 778-4372.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is suing the North Carolina State Board of Elections over its decision to keep him on the states ballot.

The lawsuit filed Friday says forcing Kennedy to remain on the ballot violates his First Amendment rights.

The state Board of Elections voted along party lines Thursday to keep Kennedys name on the ballot, despite requests from Kennedy and the party that nominated him that he be removed.

Most counties had started printing ballots by Thursday as they prepared to meet the states Sept. 6 deadline for the first absentee ballots to be mailed to voters who requested them. The Boards three Democrats, citing the impracticality of removing Kennedy from the ballot, voted to keep him on.

Kennedys lawsuit says he told the Board that he wanted off in plenty of time. Democrats based their denial on the practicality of removing him rather than on the law, the suit says. The federal deadline for the start of absentee ballot mailing is Sept. 21.

On Friday, Aug. 23, Kennedy announced he was endorsing former President Donald Trump and was suspending his own campaign. He said he would remove his name from ballots in 10 battleground states but encouraged voters in noncompetitive states to vote for him. Kennedy did not name the states where he would seek to be dropped from the ballot, but North Carolina is considered a battleground.

On Monday, the state Board of Elections received formal correspondence asking how Kennedy could have his name removed, the lawsuit says. On Tuesday, Kennedy sent a letter asking to be removed.

Kennedy is running as a candidate of We the People, a party he created so he could gain ballot access in North Carolina and a few other states. We the People formally asked the Board on Wednesday to remove Kennedys name.

Despite knowing on Aug. 23 that Kennedy wanted to be taken off the ballot, the Board told counties to keep printing, the lawsuit says.

Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell told board members Thursday that she told counties to continue printing because they could not make decisions based on a press conference as they worked to meet the Sept. 6 deadline.

The Boards decision to certify We the People as a political party was clouded in controversy. Certifying the party allowed Kennedy to run without having to collect as many petition signatures as he would have if he ran as an independent candidate.

Republicans argued for party certification. Democrats were skeptical. The Board voted 4-1 in favor of certifying the party.

The state Democratic Party sued. A Wake County Superior Court judge sided with the Board and We the People.

At Thursdays meeting, it was the Republican Board members fighting to have Kennedy removed from the ballot, and Democrats arguing he had to stay on.
Erik Chaput teaches at Providence College and Western Reserve Academy. Russell DeSimone is an independent scholar from Middletown. Chaput and DeSimone created the Dorr Rebellion Project website (hosted by Providence College) for educators in 2011.

The story of Rhode Islands long and winding road to adopting the federal Constitution that emerged from Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 is a fascinating one that deserves a prominent place in the upcoming school year. However, this fall Rhode Island citizens have an opportunity to vote for a state-level constitutional convention and humanities teachers should take a leading part. It will surely prove useful to prod students to think about what a state constitution means today and their important role as citizens to help create and implement one.

More: Many variables at play in cost of a RI constitutional convention. How it might work.

Indeed, as historian Patrick T. Conley has noted, democracy is a demanding system of government which requires strong commitment and constant attention from its citizens at national, state and local levels. Teachers need to work to develop in their students a sense of the reality of the public good and how this fits into a posture of citizenship and ones own self-fulfillment.

After a multitude of failed attempts from the late 1700s to the 1840s, it took a rebellion in Rhode Island to finally reject the Royal Charter of 1663 that remarkably served as the states primary instrument of government long after the American Revolution severed our ties to Great Britain. Beginning in the 1770s, every original colony, except Rhode Island, set out to write a new constitution. By the early 19th century, Rhode Island, in Patrick Conleys memorable phrase, was a democracy in decline.

Rhode Island Constitutional Convention Chairman Keven McKenna, right, is applauded by Secretary of State Kathleen Connell, Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fay, House Speaker Matthew Smith and Lt. Gov. Richard Licht in 1987.

In an extralegal plebiscite in late 1841, frustrated Rhode Islanders overwhelmingly approved a constitution that emerged from an extralegal convention led by Providence attorney Thomas Wilson Dorr. The General Assembly, however, did not recognize the constitution nor Dorrs subsequent election as the Peoples Governor. In the wake of Dorrs failed attempt to implement the Peoples Constitution, a new constitution finally went into effect in the spring of 1843.

There were dozens of attempts to amend the 1843 Constitution during the 19th century. But there were no truly open conventions. By the turn of the 20th century, Rhode Islands political scene was a shameful affair as revealed by reporter Lincoln Steffens in his stinging 1905 expose, Rhode Island: A State For Sale.

More: Should RI have a Constitutional Convention? The cases for and against

In December 1964, as the war in Vietnam was ramping up, the states first open convention since the mid-19th century convened. The convention deliberated over the course of nearly four years, but the proposed document was defeated by a 4-1 majority in the tumultuous month of April 1968. Another convention convened in 1973, ending with a number of important revisions to the basic law, especially the call for future open conventions at regular intervals. In November 1986, Rhode Islanders finally adopted a revised constitution. The principal task of the 1986 convention was to redraft and rework the constitution adopted in the wake of Dorrs rebellion.

This November voters will be asked if they want a constitutional convention to be called. As noted by the Rhode Island Citizens Union action group nearly 120 years ago: It simply asks that the people of Rhode Island be given an opportunity to amend their Constitution by means of a convention whose membership shall represent [the] population.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: It will surely prove useful to prod students to think about what a state constitution means today and their important role as citizens.
On the California coast where the mountains cascade into the sea, a ribbon of road rides down the edge of the continent. Driving on Highway 1 is a singular experience, and this winding 70-mile stretch hugging the steep coastline of Big Sur is why bucket lists exist.

For tourists like Linda Carroll, of St. Paul, Minnesota, the feeling from driving Highway 1 is divine. "I think it's phenomenal," she said. "If you didn't believe in God and you were down here, you definitely would have to, because it's just spectacular."

Henry Miller helped put the area on the map in the 1950s, writing in his memoir, "Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch," "This is the California that men dreamed of years ago.  This is the face of the earth as the Creator intended it to look."

Highway 1 in Big Sur, on the California coast. / Credit: CBS News

Kirk Gafill has spent his life on the bluffs of Big Sur, where he runs Nepenthe restaurant. Gafill's grandparents first moved here in 1947 after Hollywood royalty moved out. They bought the property from Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles (who had purchased it a couple years prior on their honeymoon trip and then got divorced), and decided to build a restaurant. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton filmed scenes at Nepenthe for 1965's "The Sandpiper."

But the true star of the show around here has always been Highway 1, opened in 1937 in a burst of optimism at the end the Great Depression. Gafill said of Highway 1, "It is the part of Big Sur that is fundamental to living here, to having a business here. And so, access is everything."

And right now there are signs of trouble in paradise, with the road closed just south of Gafill's restaurant. "It represents about a 30% to 35% drop in business levels," he said. "We know these closures are going to happen. it's just a matter of when, not if. It's almost become an annualized event."

Fierce storms from two back-to-back wet winters have battered the Santa Lucia Mountains, causing landslides that have buried and broken the road in four places.

The Rocky Creek closure on California Highway 1 is seen March 31, 2024, in Monterey County, Calif., following heavy rain in the area. / Credit: Caltrans District 5 via AP

Magnus Toren, who runs the Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big Sure, said, "When the bridge fell north of here and we had a big landslide to the south, we lived in what we call the island. So, we were essentially closed off."

Toren lives just a few miles from where Highway 1 comes to an abrupt end  closed to the south for nearly two years. Asked if he is concerned that the situation will become more precarious in the future, Toren replied, "Of course. I mean, who wouldn't be? I've asked the question, can we continue to keep this highway open forever when it gets so assaulted by landslides and also fires?"

Scientists say climate change is fueling more frequent and intense wildfires, and more powerful winter storms, a potent mix that increases the risk of landslides in an area already prone to them.

In the past five years, California has spent nearly $230 million repairing just this stretch of Highway 1.

In 2021 a landslide caused by heavy rains collapsed the Rat Creek section of Highway 1 in Big Sur, California. / Credit: Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

"That is real money, absolutely, but it's an important roadway for California," said Tony Tavares, director of California's Department of Transportation. "Climate change is something that I think nationally we talk about in the distant future. Here in California, we're experiencing it every day."

Further up the coast, erosion forced Caltrans to move sections of Highway 1 four hundred feet inland. But along Big Sur, with mountains on one side and the Pacific on the other, there's nowhere to go.

Tavares said the DOT is doing its best to keep Highway 1 open: "We believe it's possible. I can tell you right now we're not abandoning this roadway."

Tracy asked, "Is Highway 1 simply too big to fail?"

"I would say it is too important to fail, absolutely," Tavares replied.

And while there are certainly easier places to live, Magnus Toren says there are none more beautiful.

Tracy said, "For so many of us who come through here on a road trip, this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing; this is your everyday."

"It is, yeah," said Toren. "I sometimes pinch myself and think, how could I have been so lucky? Yeah, so I'm very grateful."



For more info:

Highway 1 conditions in Big Sur (Big Sur Chamber of Commerce)California Department of TransportationNepenthe Restaurant, Big Sur, Calif.Henry Miller Memorial Library, Big Sur, Calif.



Story produced by John Goodwin. Editor: Ben McCormick.

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(FOX40.COM)  San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall was shot near Union Square on Saturday during a robbery gone bad, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

The robbery reportedly happened as Pearsall, the teams first-round draft pick this year, was headed to a signing on Geary and Market Street. Police said Pearsall struggled for the gun and both he and the suspect were shot.

It was initially believed that Pearsall was shot in the arm, but reports further clarified that he was shot in the chest. According to SFPD, he is in stable condition.

Pearsalls mother, Erin Pearsall, gave praise to God for her sons survival.

First and far most I want to thank GOD for protecting my baby boy, Erin Pearsall said in a statement. He was shot in the chest and it exited out his back. Thanks to God it missed his vital organs.

She added, My son was spared today by the Grace of God. Please pray for my baby.

San Francisco mayor London Breed said SFPD was on the scene immediately and an arrest of the shooter was made.The suspect was identified by law enforcement as a17-year-old boy resident of Tracy. His condition was not immediately disclosed.

My thoughts are with Ricky and his family at this time, Breed said.

The San Francisco 49ers also weighed on the shooting.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was the victim of an attempted robbery and shooting this afternoon, the 49ers organization said in a statement. He sustained a bullet wound to his chest and is in serious but stable condition. We ask that you please respect his privacy at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ricky and the entire Pearsall family.

On Sunday afternoon, officials said Pearsall continues to recover, but was released from the hospital.





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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
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On Aug. 18, 2024, Rocket Lab delivered the two spacecraft for NASAs ESCAPADE mission to the Astrotech Space Operations Facility in Titusville, Florida, in preparation for launch this fall. | Credit: NASA/Norman Phelps

Two Mars-bound smallsats that will fly on the highly anticipated debut of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket have arrived at their launch site in Florida.

The satellite duo, known as ESCAPADE ("Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers"), are set to launch atop New Glenn no earlier than Oct. 13 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. They'll arrive in Mars orbit in September 2025, on a NASA mission to study how incoming charged particles from the sun interact with and alter the planet's magnetic environment.

The two coordinated robotic explorers could paint a more detailed picture of how Mars' interaction with the solar wind influences the leaking of the planet's thin atmosphere , and how its climate evolved over time to lose what scientists think was once a plentiful reserve of liquid water on the surface.

two shiny silver spacecraft sit inside a large white-walled clean room

On Aug. 18, the twin ESCAPADE spacecraft arrived at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility in Titusville, Florida, to prepare for launch. At the facility, which is owned by Lockheed Martin, teams will check various aspects of the satellites in a dedicated cleanroom, including their electrical circuits and potential leaks in their tanks before carrying out the final assembly.

The spacecraft will be fueled next month, NASA said in a recent statement .

Related: New Glenn: Blue Origin's big new reusable rocket

"The successful delivery of the spacecraft marks a significant milestone and the culmination of over three years of dedicated teamwork from individuals across the project," ESCAPADE Principal Investigator Rob Lillis, of the University of California, Berkeley, said in the NASA statement. "Now, we're thrilled to embark on this first step of our journey to Mars!"

The two small satellites were built by California-based Rocket Lab and UC Berkeley, which is leading the mission and has dubbed the satellites "Blue" and "Gold" after the school's traditional colors. Each probe weighs under 198 pounds (90 kilograms) and carries three science instruments. The total cost for the mission is less than $80 million, according to the mission website .

The value of the launch contract that NASA signed with Blue Origin is $20 million, SpaceNews reported .

ESCAPADE is among a wave of low-cost, high-risk NASA missions to other planets, which otherwise typically demand over a decade of development and exceed $1 billion in costs. "Sending two spacecraft to Mars for the total cost of $80 million is just unheard of, but current NASA leadership is taking the risk," Lillis said in a previous press release . "Instead of spending $800 million for a 95% chance of success, can we spend $80 million for an 80% chance? This is what NASA is trying to find out with these missions, and we are lucky to be one of the guinea pigs."

The satellites were initially scheduled to piggyback on the same SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket that would loft the Psyche asteroid mission in August 2022. They were removed , however, after delays to the Psyche mission resulted in a new trajectory that didn't support dropping ESCAPADE off at Mars. (Psyche ended up launching successfully in October 2023.) The satellite duo then became the primary payload onboard Blue Origin's first orbital rocket, New Glenn , which is a two-stage heavy-lift rocket named after NASA astronaut John Glenn , who in 1962 became the first American to circle Earth.

New Glenn is 322 feet (98 meters) tall, roughly the height of a 30-story building, and is capable of launching roughly 45 metric tons into low Earth orbit. Its maiden flight will come after more than a decade of development by Blue Origin , which was founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos , and over three years later than the company hoped for.

RELATED STORIES:

 See Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket come together at Florida space coast factory (photo)

 Blue Origin video shows off updated design of huge New Glenn rocket

 Mars: Everything you need to know about the Red Planet

Once the ESCAPADE satellites reach Mars in September 2025, "the mission team will need several months to configure their orbits for science observations," NASA said in the recent news release. Their orbit will be adjusted over several months such that by early 2026 they'll follow each other in a "string of pearls" formation, which will allow them to gather data on Mars' rapidly changing response to the solar wind .

They will later break into different orbits such that they can observe both the solar wind and Mars' upper atmosphere in real time, according to the space agency. The science mission is designed to last 11 months in Mars orbit, until March 2027.

Meanwhile, the New Glenn first stage is expected to return to Earth shortly after liftoff, demonstrating its reusability. Blue Origin has said that the first stage will operate like a commercial airliner but with cleaner fuel, leading to less waste and lower launch costs.

In recent weeks, portions of other New Glenn rockets scheduled for future flights have suffered damage, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 21. In one incident, the top of Blue Origin's second New Glenn rocket crumpled "like a crushed Coke can," partly due to an error by factory workers who had moved the section into a chilled storage hangar but didn't monitor the hardware afterward. In the second incident, a part of the third New Glenn rocket failed during stress testing and exploded inside a building.

No injuries were reported in either incident, according to Bloomberg, which first broke the news about the recent failures. The issues haven't affected New Glenn's planned debut launch in October, a Blue Origin spokesperson told GeekWire's Alan Boyle .
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Worst Augmented Reality (AR) Stocks According to Short Sellers. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Xerox Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XRX) stands against the other AR reality stocks that short sellers do not recommend.

Augmented Reality (AR) has been an exciting development within the broader tech sector. AR offers a partly immersive experience to users through which they can interact directly with a 3D overlay onto the external reality in real-time. There are several interesting examples of AR usage in todays tech sector, such as AR projections from phone devices, AR windshields on cars, and, perhaps most commonly, AR glasses. Suffice it to say this is a growing area within tech with immense potential, and theres a lot of excitement surrounding AR players in the market today.

In our previous articles on AR stocks, weve covered some of the key players in this space, including notable tech titans. However, if youve kept up with developments in the AR space, youd know that many investors are still considering this area to be a risky investment overall and are not convinced that the billions of dollars that are going into developing AR tech are justified. Because of this type of sentiment in the market, one of the major businesses in AR/VR today, Reality Labs, is undergoing loss upon loss and is unable to really make it back.

Investors Are Worried About the Future of AR Companies

On April 25, Rob Sanderson, managing director at Loop Capital, joined CNBCs The Exchange to discuss Mark Zuckerbergs increased spending in AR/VR. He noted that the company had been spending about a quarters worth of earnings on Reality Labs to build up the vision of the Metaverse, but theres not a great return on investment for this spending, and nor are there any ways to justify it. Another interesting factor here is that despite the immense spending on Reality Labs and presumably the Meta Quest 2 headset, most tech experts who have gotten the chance to try out this headset believe that it loses out in competition with another, pricier headset  the Vision Pro. According to Joanna Stern, Wall Street Journals senior personal technology columnist, the Vision Pro is just not comparable with the Quest 2. The Vision Pro is winning in this race because its lighter, offers more seamless operability, and is just more user-friendly in terms of its features  all this despite the hefty price tag.

With the way things are, its unsurprising that investors are beginning to lose faith in Reality Labs and really cant wrap their heads around the immense spending being done there. This type of concern is actually rampant across the board for many AR stocks in the market today, with several of these companies having the same issue of increased spending, which tends to throw investors in a panic because many of the companies operating in the AR space right now are actually quite small, and still have to prove their worth in the market. Considering this widespread concern, weve compiled a list of some of the worst AR stocks according to short sellers, so investors looking to buy into this space know where to put their money and which companies to absolutely avoid, at least for the time being.

Our Methodology

We first compiled a list of 20 AR stocks by sifting through ETFs and online rankings. We then selected the 10 stocks with the highest short interest and ranked them in ascending order of this metric. We have also mentioned the number of hedge funds holding stakes in each stock, as per Insider Monkeys hedge fund data for the second quarter.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletters strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here).

A line of top-of-the-line digital printing presses, churning out documents with precision and accuracy.

Xerox Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XRX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 28

Short Interest: 11.8%

Xerox Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XRX) is an information technology company based in Norwalk, Connecticut. It integrates hardware, services, and software for enterprises. The companys main AR offering is CareAR, which enables service teams anywhere in the world to instantly provide remote visual AR support for customers, employees, and field workers.

Investors interested in the AR space should avoid Xerox Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XRX) though, since the companys financial position is far from strong. In the second quarter, its revenue decreased by 10% in actual and constant currency. Sale and profit margins for the company have also been down in 2024, and the stock has been taking a hit since its earnings report and is down 38.9% year-to-date.

The company is engaging in cost-cutting moves such as selling its assets and leaving unprofitable markets, mainly in South America, but whether these moves will have a positive impact on Xerox Holdings Corporations (NYSE:XRX) financial position is uncertain at this time. Earlier this year, the companys COO, John Bruno, said he expected revenue for the company to fall in 2024. All in all, now does not seem to be a good time for investing in this stock.

Xerox Holdings Corporation (NYSE:XRX) had 28 hedge funds long its stock in the second quarter, with a total stake value of $67.1 million. SG Capital Management was the most prominent shareholder, holding 11,011,702 shares.

Overall XRX ranks 8th on our list of the AR reality stocks that short sellers do not recommend. While we acknowledge the potential of XRX as an investment, we believe that AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than XRX but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ NEXT: $30 Trillion Opportunity: 15 Best Humanoid Robot Stocks to Buy According to Morgan Stanley and Jim Cramer Says NVIDIA Has Become A Wasteland.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) has amended its proposed rate increase, dropping it 12 percentage points.

According to a filing with the Public Service Commission of Utah, RMP made a new proposal to the commission, dropping the residential class down from 30% to 18%. The plan for the 30% increase drew sharp criticism from Gov. Spencer Cox on X. He called the proposal unacceptable.

Rocky Mountain Power pitches rate hikes to lawmakers during special session

I will do everything I can to make sure a rate increase of that magnitude never sees the light of day, Cox said on X/Twitter in June.

According to the amended filing, this reduction in the increase would result in a 41% drop from the original filing which was submitted on June 28. The company stated that changes are being made for two reasons. One is to eliminate the second step of that proposed rate increase which was set to take place Jan. 1, 2026.

In previous coverage, ABC4 broke down year over year what the previously filed two-year hike would look like. The hike would be ten dollars in the first year. The second year would be the steepest of the hikes, totaling $13.

The Companys discrete amendments are to further mitigate the impacts on customers of the proposed rate change and to provide the updated cost of insurance, the filing stated.

However, it still marks an increase of per-month costs that are steeper than the two-step increase. If the hike is passed, the average customer will pay $14.28 more per month beginning next year.

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A woman from Roxbury, Vermont is due in court in Middlebury on Tuesday afternoon in connection with a reported gun assault.

Hillary Barcomb, 45, was on Buffalo Farm Road in Granville shortly after 6:30 Friday evening. Vermont State Police accuse her of both attacking someone, and making threats, using a firearm. Investigators didnt offer any information about the nature of these allegations.

Troopers have arrested Barcomb for aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, criminal threatening and resisting arrest. Shes been released on an appearance ticket until her court date.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The Rochester Police Departments homicide unit is seeking the publics help in locating Walter Balkum Jr., 49. Hes wanted for a murder on Aug. 27 in the area of Hazelwood Terrace in Rochester.

Womans death in Hazelwood Terr. home under investigation

According to police, that night, a 43-year-old woman was found dead in her home after being stabbed. She has since been identified as Malikah Bruner.

Officers say Balkum, the suspect, stands about 62 and weighs roughly 180 pounds. He has a scar under his right eye.

If you see Balkum, youre asked to call 911. Those who have information on his whereabouts are asked to call (585) 428-9910. Police said, a cash reward may be available for anyone with information leading to his arrest.

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Russia intends to change its nuclear doctrine based on an analysis of the conflicts of recent years and the "escalation course" of the West.

Source: Sergei Ryabkov, Russias Deputy Foreign Minister, in a comment to TASS, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "As we have repeatedly stated, the work is at an advanced stage, and there is a clear determination to make a correction, which is due in large part to the study and analysis of the experience of conflict development in recent years, including, of course, everything related to our Western opponents' escalation course."

Details: Ryabkov explained that now the process of finalising the relevant document is underway, but it is too early to talk about the specific timing of its completion.

"The time of completion of this work is a rather complicated issue, given the fact that we are talking about the most important aspects of ensuring our national security," he said.

Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin's leader, stated that the Russian nuclear doctrine is a living document that may be updated as needed. As he underscored, Moscow assumes that an exchange of nuclear strikes will never occur.

Earlier, Ryabkov stated that the West's actions raise the matter of bringing the Russian Federation's nuclear doctrine into line with its needs. He stated that the acts of the United States and its allies have significantly exacerbated the foreign policy situation, and Moscow is continuously assessing how its nuclear deterrence documents respond to these difficulties.

According to the 2020 "Foundations of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Area of Nuclear Deterrence," Russia's use of nuclear weapons is possible if the adversary uses this or other types of weapons of mass destruction against the Russian Federation and its allies, receiving reliable information about the launch of ballistic missiles to attack Russia and its allies, the impact of the enemy on objects necessary for the response of nuclear forces, as well as in the case of aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons, when the very existence of the state is threatened.

Background:

In March, US President Joe Biden signed a confidential nuclear strategy plan that, for the first time, refocused the deterrence strategy on China in order to prevent it from expanding its nuclear arsenal.

Earlier, the media stated that Russia, even before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, was preparing its navy to hit targets deep in Europe with nuclear-armed missiles in the event of a military clash with NATO.

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Russia could occupy whole of Donbas and threaten Dnipropetrovsk region in spring 2025  The Times

Michael Clarke, visiting professor in defence studies at Kings College London, has forecast that Russian troops could capture the whole of Donetsk Oblast and threaten the Dnipropetrovsk region in the spring of 2025.

Source: an article by Clarke in British media outlet The Times

Quote: "The defenders are short of men, of ammunition and of sleep. They are giving ground, while Moscow seems ready to sacrifice an unlimited number of troops for Pokrovsk. As in Mariupol, Severodonetsk, Bakhmut and Avdiivka, Russian forces seem intent on flattening the city so as to take possession of the rubble.

The minor strategic prize for Moscow in this battle will be to take over the transport hub of Pokrovsk and the high ground at Chasiv Yar, then use them as jumping-off points for a bigger offensive north and west to seize the rest of the Donbas and threaten the Dnipropetrovsk region in the spring next year."

Details: Clarke notes that neither side is expecting a decision on the battlefield this year. They are both playing for a "big push" in the ground war in 2025.

"And they each hope that this bout of arm-wrestling will improve their chances in those battles to come, while also persuading their respective backers in the rest of the world that military success really is within their grasp. Only one of them will turn out to be right," the article says.

Clarke says Ukrainian strategists are likely hoping that the offensive in Russias Kursk Oblast will increase the political pressure on Russian ruler Vladimir Putin as the price of his long aggressive war becomes clearer to the Russian public.

"Attractive as that goal is to Kyivs leaders, they may have to accept that, in the process of achieving it, they could lose Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar. In that case, both President Zelenskyy and Oleksandr Syrskyi, his military chief, might find themselves under political pressures of their own," The Times says.

Michael Clarke is visiting professor in defence studies at Kings College London and a Distinguished Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

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Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have pointed out that the Ukrainian defence forces' operation in Kursk Oblast has put pressure on Russian operations in every sector of the combat zone and that Russia has likely relocated reserve units from the Pokrovsk front to Kursk Oblast.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Quote from ISW: "The Russian military command may have redeployed limited elements intended to reinforce Russia's priority offensive operation in the Pokrovsk direction to defend against the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast  suggesting that operational pressures from the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast are impacting Russian operations in every sector throughout the theatre."

Details: The ISW recalls that Russian sources, including social media users, claimed on 14 and 17 August that at least a company of the Russian 15th Motorised Rifle Brigade (2 Combined Arms Army, Russian Central Military District) had moved from Pokrovsk to Kursk Oblast.

Some Russian and Ukrainian open sources also claimed that unspecified elements of the 15th Motorised Rifle Brigade had been redeployed to Kursk Oblast. At the same time, elements of the Russian 15th Motorised Rifle Brigade have been involved in Russian offensive operations on the Pokrovsk front.

ISW has noted reports that elements of this brigade have been operating east of Pokrovsk since mid-August to date.

On 19 August, a volunteer-led OSINT organisation, Evocation.info, stated that Russia had also moved elements of the 1st Slavic Motorised Rifle Brigade (1st Army Corps of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic) from the Donetsk front to Kursk Oblast. In late July and August 2024, ISW recorded statements that elements of this brigade were operating on the Toretsk and Pokrovsk fronts.

Quote from ISW: "ISW has observed no indications that these redeployed elements were previously engaged in frontline combat in Russia's assessed priority Toretsk and Pokrovsk direction, and the Russian military command likely remains extremely averse to pulling combat effective units from frontline areas in these directions. The redeployed units were likely reserve units that the Russian military command intended to use to reinforce the Russian grouping in these directions and stave off the threat of pre-mature operational culmination, however.

The Russian military command's decision to redeploy limited elements to Kursk Oblast instead of committing the elements to the operation to seize Pokrovsk or Toretsk suggests that the Russian military command has not been able to fully insulate its priority offensive operations in Donetsk Oblast from the manpower demands brought about by the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast."

Details: Analysts note that the Russian military command has so far avoided redeploying forces intended for offensive operations in the Toretsk or Pokrovsk fronts to participate in defensive operations in Kursk Oblast and has so far mainly relocated forces from lower priority areas  the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast, the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, and the western part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The relocation of limited elements of the 15th and 1st Motorised Rifle Brigades will not immediately impact the situation on the Pokrovsk or Toretsk front, as these are small forces. It remains unclear whether the Russian military command has already deployed or will deploy additional reserve forces intended for Russian offensive operations on the Pokrovsk and Toretsk fronts to counter the Ukrainian operation in Kursk Oblast.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 1 September:

The Russian military command may have redeployed limited elements intended to reinforce Russia's priority offensive operation on the Pokrovsk front to defend against the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast  suggesting that operational pressures from the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast are impacting Russian operations in every sector throughout the theatre.

Ukrainian forces continued to conduct assaults in Kursk Oblast on 31 August, but there were no confirmed or claimed Ukrainian advances.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umierov reported on 30 August that Russian forces continue to use airfields in Russia within Ukrainian ATACMS range  further highlighting how US restrictions against Ukraine's use of US-provided weapons to strike military targets in Russia are allowing Russia to leverage sanctuary space in deep rear areas to support military operations against Ukraine.

The Russian military command reportedly reorganised the Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republics (DNR and LNR) 1st and 2nd army corps (AC) to create two new combined arms armies (CAA): the 51st CAA and 3rd CAA, respectively.

The Kremlin continues efforts to define Russia's traditional and cultural values as part of ongoing efforts to codify a Russian state ideology.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces Center for Strategic Communications (StratCom) announced on 31 August that Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi officially appointed Captain First Rank Roman Hladkyi as the Chief of Staff of the newly created Unmanned Systems Forces.

Russian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar, Pokrovsk, and the city of Donetsk.

Russian forces are reportedly unable to fight in Ukraine at full strength due to manpower and equipment shortages that resulted from the Kremlins ineffective wartime policies.

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Russian attack on Kharkiv: prosecutor's office gives details of aftermath and missiles used  video

Russian forces deployed Iskander-M and S-300/400 missiles in their attack on the city of Kharkiv on Sunday, 1 September. The number of casualties now stands at 47.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office on Telegram; State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Facebook

Quote: "Prosecutors and police investigators have established that [Russian forces] deployed two Iskander-M ballistic missiles in the attack on the shopping mall in the Saltivksyi district of Kharkiv.

The Palace of Sport building in the Nemyshlianskyi district took a direct hit from three Iskander-M missiles; three S-300/400 missiles also struck a nearby area."

Details: The prosecutors office said that as of 17:40 (Kyiv time), the number of casualties has risen to 44, including seven children. A three-month-old baby is receiving medical treatment. Earlier, it was reported that another three-month-old suffered an acute stress response following the Russian attack.

The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office also reported that the following damage was caused by the Russian missile strike on Kharkiv on the afternoon of Sunday, 1 September:

An area near a metro station and a shopping mall in the Saltivskyi district was hit;

A private residential neighbourhood was struck in the Kyivskyi district;

The Palace of Sport in the Nemyshlianskyi district was destroyed;

Civilian infrastructure facilities, including shops, pharmacies, cafes, administrative buildings, cars, post offices and banks, were damaged.

Update: At 18:46, Ukraines State Emergency Service said that the number of casualties of the Russian strike on Kharkiv has risen to 47, including seven children.

Three civilians have been rescued from the rubble of the destroyed buildings. Search and rescue operations are still underway.

Background:

On 1 September, Ukraines Energy Ministry reported that Russian forces had attacked Kharkivs energy infrastructure.

Russian forces delivered about 10 strikes on Kharkiv on the afternoon of 1 September, leaving more than 40 people injured, including 7 children. Emergency workers and doctors responding to a call after the initial Russian attack on Kharkiv were injured in a repeat strike.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed world leaders in response to the latest Russian strike on Kharkiv, which injured more than 40 civilians.

The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office said that Russian forces launched Iskander-M missiles from Russian territory to strike Kharkiv.

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Overnight Russian attacks on Sumy, Donetsk, and Kherson oblasts left three dead and nine injured, local authorities reported on Sept. 1.

According to the Sumy Oblast Prosecutor General's Office, a missile struck a convoy of grain trucks in Sumy, killing a 23-year-old truck driver and injuring four other drivers. One truck caught fire and around 20 others were damaged, the office reported.

One resident was killed and four others injured in Donetsk, Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin wrote on Telegram, while many homes and other local buildings were as well.

Another person was killed and one injured in Kherson, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin wrote in a Telegram post.

"The Russian military targeted an educational institution; living quarters of residential areas in the region, including 3 private houses. The occupiers also damaged an economic structure and private cars," Prokudin wrote.

Eight people were also injured in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts overnight, the regional governors reported.

Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine in the recent days after a brief lull during the summer, in particular targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Russian drones and missiles have reportedly damaged about 50% of Ukraine's pre-war power generation capacity, based on government estimates.

Read also: Ukraine to receive $800 million from US for its energy sector

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UK Defence Intelligence notes that the advance of Russian forces towards the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast has accelerated.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 1 September on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: UK intelligence reports that Russia's Ground Forces (RGF) have accelerated their advance towards Pokrovsk over the past week.

UK Defence Intelligence indicates that the RGF is within 10 km of the city's outskirts.

"The rate of advance is likely to slow as Russian ground forces enter Pokrovsk's built-up areas," the review says.

UK intelligence notes that Pokrovsk is a crucial logistical hub for Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast. If captured, it could significantly lengthen and disrupt Ukrainian supply lines.

"This will likely make it more difficult for Ukrainian Armed Forces to resupply and manoeuvre resources quickly to several key strongholds between Chasiv Yar and Vulhedar," the review notes.

The review added that the operational tempo of hostilities on all other fronts in Ukraine's east and south remains low, with no significant changes in territorial control.

Background:

Estonian intelligence noted 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.

Czech President Petr Pavel believes that the advance of Russian forces on the Pokrovsk front is unrelated to the actions of Ukraine's Armed Forces in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

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Hvaldimir, whose name is a combination of 'hval', Norwegian for whale, and 'Vladimir', after the Russian president, was wearing a harness marked 'equipment St Petersburg' - Jorgen Ree Wiig/AFP

A beluga whale suspected of being a Russian-trained spy has been found dead in Norwegian waters.

Sebastian Strand, who worked to protect the 14 foot-long whale, known as Hvaldimir, said he found the dead mammal floating near Risavika in south-western Norway on Saturday.

Its heartbreaking, Mr Strand, who runs Marine Mind, a non-profit organisation, told the New York Times. Hes touched thousands of peoples hearts just here in Norway.

Cause of death unclear

Mr Strand said his team will now send Hvaldimir to a facility where his body can be preserved in order to determine a cause of death, which was not immediately clear.

However, the dead whale was found with markings which could have been caused by birds or other marine animals.

Hvaldimir, whose name is a combination of the word hval, the Norwegian word for whale, and Vladimir, after Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, was first spotted by fishermen in Norway in 2019.

He had been wearing a harness marked equipment St Petersburg as well as what appeared to be a camera mount.

Incredibly friendly to humans

It fuelled rampant speculation that Hvaldimir was being used by Moscow as a spy, though Russia never claimed ownership of the whale.

Adding to the intrigue surrounding Hvaldimir was the fact that he was incredibly friendly to humans and even exhibited signs of domestication.

He was completely acclimatised to human culture, Mr. Strand said, potentially owing to the fact that Hvaldimir had been in captivity for a lot of his life.

Scientists concerned

But scientists quickly became concerned by the fact that Hvaldimir was found swimming in waters considered to be too busy for beluga whales.

Mr Strand and his non-profit began working to protect Hvaldimir as the whale continued to live outside of its natural habitat, while also trying to educate locals and tourists about his species.

In 2023, Hvaldimir was spotted off the coast of Sweden, which was even further away from natural food sources and instead towards more industrial, and therefore dangerous, harbours.

Im not sure whats happened, Mr. Strand added. But well find out.

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Russian troops partially go on defensive near Lyptsi in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine's military says

Russian forces have partially shifted to defense near the village of Lyptsi in Kharkiv Oblast, Vitalii Sarantsev, the Kharkiv group of forces' spokesperson, said on Sep. 1 on national television.

Lyptsi is located 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of the Russian border. The village was under Russian occupation from February to September 2022, and was again targeted during Russia's renewed offensive against Kharkiv Oblast in 2024.

Russian troops partially withdrew from the area at the end of June, according to Ukraine's military.

The Russian military is now trying to hold its positions in the Lyptsi area and regain the ones it has already lost, suffering quite significant losses in this sector of the front line, Sarantsev said.

"Some (Russian) soldiers of the units located on the front refuse to perform combat missions. In this section (of the front line), we partially improve our tactical position, and in case of favorable conditions, we counterattack the enemy," Sarantsev said.

The spokesperson said that, at the same time, Russia also keeps a considerable number of personnel near this area of Kharkiv Oblast.

"Of course, we are preparing for all possible actions of the enemy in order not only to deter it effectively but also to advance and regain our territories under favorable conditions," Sarantsev added.

The Kharkiv group of forces said earlier that Russian troops being transported into the embattled town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast were forced to retreat after suffering losses.

While initially gaining ground in May, the Russian offensive in northern Kharkiv Oblast has quickly bogged down, with Russian troops reportedly suffering heavy losses.

The intensity of fighting has decreased somewhat compared to other sectors, though several reports of Russia preparing new attacks have emerged since then.

Read also: Russia attacks Kharkiv, injuring at least 41, including medics, children

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The aftermath of the latest Russian attack on Kharkiv. Photo: SES of Ukraine in Kharkiv Oblast

Energy infrastructure in Kharkiv was hit during the massive Russian bombardment of the city on Sunday, 1 September.

Source: a statement from the press service of Ukraines Ministry of Energy

Quote from the statement: "An energy facility was attacked during the latest missile strike on Kharkiv."

The Energy Ministry said work was underway to deal with the aftermath of the attack. Information on casualties is being ascertained.

Background:

A branch of the private courier company Nova Poshta was also damaged in the massive Russian attack on Kharkiv. So far no one there is reported to have been injured.

On the afternoon of 1 September, the Russians launched around 10 strikes on Kharkiv, injuring 41 people.

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Russians attack village in Kharkiv Oblast twice overnight, pregnant woman is among 6 injured

The Russians attacked the village of Slatyne in Kharkiv Oblast twice during the night, injuring six people, including a pregnant woman.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "Around 02:50, the occupiers struck the village of Slatyne, Kharkiv district.

As a result of the attack, a car and a house caught fire.

Five people were injured, one of them is a pregnant woman. She was taken to hospital."

Details: Syniehubov added that as a result of the repeated attacks, an agricultural facility was on fire.

A 67-year-old man was injured and taken to hospital.

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The site of the Russian attack on Sumy. Screenshot: video by Suspilme Sumy

Russian troops have launched a missile attack on a centre for the social and psychological rehabilitation of children and on an orphanage in Sumy. Thirteen people are reported to be injured, including two children.

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration; Head of Sumy City Military Administration Oleksii Drozdenko; Suspilne Sumy, a local branch of the Ukrainian public broadcaster; Sumy City Council

        . :   pic.twitter.com/LJ9gSGlaA0     (@ukrpravda_news) Septmber 1, 2024

Quote: "Tonight, on 1 September, the enemy launched a missile attack on the premises of a Sumy educational institution where the Centre for the Social and Psychological Rehabilitation of Children and an orphanage are located.

The building is located in the middle of a residential area.

All necessary services are working at the scene. People are being provided with medical assistance. The full extent of the effects of the [Russian] attack has yet to be confirmed."

Photo: Suspilme Sumy

Details: The head of Sumy City Military Administration, Oleksiy Drozdenko, reported that "all the casualties are being provided with the necessary assistance".

Photo: Suspilme Sumy

"The headquarters will be in operation at school no. 22 tomorrow morning at 08:00. Admissions will be carried out from 09:00," Oleksiy Drozdenko added.

Photo: Suspilme Sumy

Update: Suspilne Sumy reports that they are currently aware of two people injured in the Russian strike on the educational institution - a boy aged 7 and a girl aged 13.

Sumy City Council reported that, according to preliminary information, there were no casualties, and four injured had been taken to hospital. Up to 400 windows in the buildings were damaged.



Later, Sumy City Council reported that there were 13 injured.

Four were taken to hospital, the same number received medical assistance on the spot, and five will be treated on an outpatient basis.

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The aftermath of the Russian attack on Kurakhove on 1 September. Photos: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration

Russian forces struck Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast on the afternoon of 1 September, killing at least four people and injuring eight.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration on Telegram; Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office

Details: The Russians deployed BM-27 Uragan multiple rocket launchers to target the private housing area and apartment buildings in the city centre.

Police and rescue workers are responding on the site.

The actual number of casualties has yet to be reported.



Update: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office has updated the information, reporting that four people have been killed and eight more injured as a result of the attack.

As a result of the attack, three civilians sustained fatal injuries and have died on the spot. Another person has died in hospital.

Additionally, five women and three men have sustained injuries of varying degrees of severity.

In the city, apartment buildings, private houses and cars have been damaged.





The aftermath of the Russian attack on Kurakhove on 1 September

Photo: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration

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Russian troops accelerated their advance toward Pokrovsk over the past week and are likely within 10 kilometers from the edge of the town, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its daily intelligence report on Sept. 1.

The eastern front near Pokrovsk has been the scene of fierce fighting for several months and a focal point of Russia's offensive in Donetsk Oblast. The city is an important logistical hub for Ukrainian forces.

On Aug. 15, the military administration of Pokrovsk urged residents to evacuate after Russian forces reached about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the town's outskirts.

Responding to a question from the Kyiv Independent, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 27 that the Russian advance on Pokrovsk had slowed in tempo compared to before the Kursk incursion began.

According to the crowd-sourced monitoring website DeepState, Russian troops have been advancing towards Pokrovsk throughout the three weeks of the ongoing Kursk operation.

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged that one of the objectives of Kursk incursion was to divert a significant number of Russian forces from other sectors, primarily from the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions.

Syrskyi said on Aug. 29 that fighting at the front near Pokrovsk was "exceptionally brutal."

"The enemy throws everything that can move and advance into the battle, trying to break through the defenses of our troops," the general said after visiting the eastern front.

According to the U.K. Defense Ministry, the speed of the advance is "likely to slow as Russian ground forces reach Pokrovsk's built-up areas."

"The operational tempo of military activity has remained low on all other front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine," the Defense Ministry added.

As of Aug. 28, around 38,000 people remain in Pokrovsk, according to the local authorities.

Read also: Silent killer: Russia boosts grinding Donbas advance with chemical warfare

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At least one person was killed and four people were wounded in a Russian attack on the Sumy district community on Aug. 31, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.

The attack has damaged grain trucks that would have been used to harvest and transport the crops, the administration said. No further information was immediately available on the aftermath of the strike.

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 communities 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

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(Inside California Politics)  San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan joined Inside California Politics co-host Nikki Laurenzo to discuss his support of Proposition 36.

That measure, which voters will decide on in November, aims to reform 2014 voter-approved Proposition 47. Prop. 36 would also strengthen theft and drug laws if approved.

Mayor Mahan is among a handful of Democratic mayors in California who support the measure, which Republican leaders and law enforcement mostly support.

Mahan also responds to criticism from Governor Gavin Newsom, who is against Prop. 36 and has accused the Democrats of supporting the measure for political positioning.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Schiff on hostage deaths: Sons of bes who did this must be brought to justice

Schiff on hostage deaths: Sons of bes who did this must be brought to justice

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the leading Senate candidate in California, said Sunday that Hamas must be hunted down and brought to justice after recent news that six hostages, including California native Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were killed this weekend.

Schiff called the news devastating in an interview Sunday on CNNs State of the Union with Dana Bash.

When I heard the news last night, I felt sick. I am just heartbroken for Hershs family, for the families of these other hostages that were butchered by these Hamas terrorists. And it just is hard to wrap your head around, Schiff said. I think we all came to know Hersh through his family, and its just, its just devastating.

And these sons of bes who did this ought to be hunted down and brought to justice, no matter how long that takes, Schiff added.

Schiff said he hopes for a negotiated end to the nearly 11-month war in Gaza following the news.

I hope and pray  I think, as we all do  that there is a negotiated end to this war and soon and that not another innocent person loses their life, and I just cant imagine how his family must feel right now, he added.

The interview comes after the Israeli military announced Sunday that six hostages were killed by Hamas shortly before forces reached them in an underground tunnel in Rafah.

The bodies of those recovered included Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Almog Sarusi and Alex Lobanov, military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing. Their bodies were brought back to Israeli territory for identification before their families were informed.

Goldberg-Polin was taken along with four of the other hostages during a music festival in southern Israel during Hamass Oct. 7 assault, The Associated Press reported.

His family has become among the most outspoken hostage families calling for their son to return home.

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time, the family said in a statement Sunday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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(Bloomberg) -- Chancellor Olaf Scholzs ruling coalition was punished in two regional elections in eastern Germany on Sunday, with populist parties on the extreme right and left taking more than 60% of the vote in Thuringia and almost half in Saxony.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Alternative for Germany is on course for a clear victory in Thuringia on 32.8%, according to projections for public broadcaster ARD. It represents the first triumph for a far-right party in a German state ballot since World War II, even if its highly unlikely to be able to form a government as its shunned by the other parties represented in parliament.

The three members of Scholzs alliance  his Social Democrats, the Greens and the Free Democrats  between them got less than 15% in each of the two states. The FDP got nowhere near the 5% threshold for getting into either regional parliament and the Greens fell short in Thuringia. The only mainstream party to do relatively well was the conservative CDU, which is projected to win narrowly in Saxony ahead of the AfD and finish second in Thuringia.

The results deal another bitter blow to Scholz and his deeply unpopular government and highlight the risk it faces ahead of the next national election due in just over a year. The picture looks equally dire for another state ballot in three weeks in Brandenburg  the region that surrounds the capital Berlin and is home to Scholzs Potsdam constituency.

With Germanys economy stagnating and migration topping voters concerns, nationwide support for the three ruling parties has dwindled to record lows. Backing for the conservative CDU/CSU alliance is on around 32%  roughly the same as the SPD, Greens and FDP combined  and the AfD, which has tapped into concern among some voters about impact of rising numbers of refugees, is in second place on about 18%.

Optimism that Germany would rebound in 2024 from two years of almost zero growth has faded as an anticipated jump in consumer spending failed to materialize and the countrys industrial sector continues to struggle. A lack of investment in basic infrastructure in recent decades has left a legacy thats increasingly impossible to ignore.

Bickering within the ruling coalition over how to tackle the challenges facing the worlds third-largest economy, apparently without being able to offer effective solutions, has prompted many to reject the three governing parties.

Although not unexpected, the battering for the ruling parties in Saxony and Thuringia could prompt renewed calls for an early general election. It may also fuel debate about whether Scholz is the right man to lead the Social Democrats into the ballot next September.

Lars Klingbeil, a co-leader of the SPD, said Scholz retains the partys full backing, while Kevin Kuehnert, the SPD general secretary, acknowledged that the results in the two regions also send a message to the national government in Berlin.

We need to explain and communicate our policies more and much better, this applies not only for Saxony and Thuringia but for Germany as a whole, Kuehnert said in an interview with ZDF television.

We must become more self-confident within the ruling coalition and show much clearer to voters what the SPD stands for, he added.

Despite its victory in Thuringia, the AfD  which authorities have classified as right-wing extremist in both regions that voted Sunday  has no clear path to forming a government.

In Sundays voting, a new far-left party, the Buendnis Sahra Wagenknecht, was on 15.5% in Thuringia and 12% in Saxony, according to early projections. Founded only in January after Wagenknecht split from the Left party, its likely to play a key role in attempts by mainstream parties to keep the AfD out of power in Thuringia.

All other political groups, including the BSW, have ruled out cooperating with the party  a firewall similar to the one that thwarted Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally in France after President Emmanuel Macron called a snap legislative election in June.

That should limit any possible impact on financial markets, which were unsettled by the rise in popularity of French fringe parties. Germanys DAX index hit a new record last week, topping its previous peak of May 15.

Wagenknecht, whose partys policies include stopping aid for Ukraine and curbing immigration, again ruled out any cooperation with the AfD in Thuringia. She indicated that she was ready to govern in a coalition with the CDU, which will likely need the Left party to secure a majority of seats.

I dont think that were seen by voters as an AfD light, she told ZDF. We are simply closing a representation gap in the political spectrum.

Alice Weidel, a co-leader of the AfD, called the partys performance historic and a requiem for the coalition in Berlin and said voters clearly want the AfD in government as the strongest party in Thuringia.

Scholzs coalition should be asking itself if it can even continue in office, Weidel told ARD. While its unlikely to be able to convince any other party to join it in coalition, with more than a third of the seats in the state parliament it could potentially block major decisions such as judicial appointments.

The CDUs solid performance Sunday could also impact the process of choosing a conservative chancellor candidate.

As things stand, the leader of the party, Friedrich Merz, seems likely to secure the nomination and can claim some credit for the success in Saxony.

However, a number of other hopefuls cant yet be ruled out, including North Rhine-Westphalia Premier Hendrik Wuest and Bavaria Premier Markus Soeder, who leads the Christian Social Union, the CDUs sister party in the southern region.

Merz has said the CDU and CSU will decide on their joint candidate after the Brandenburg vote. The final state election before the next national ballot is at the beginning of March in Hamburg, the port city where Scholz used to be mayor and his SPD rules in coalition with the Greens.

Some 3.3 million people were eligible to vote in Saxony, which borders Poland and the Czech Republic, and about 1.7 million in Thuringia.

(Updates with economic outlook from the fifth paragraph.)

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Scientists Say New System Can Recycle Plastic Indefinitely Without Degrading Its Quality

Fantastic Plastic

Plastic is really hard to recycle, despite repeated assurances from manufacturers that it's possible, and most of it just ends up in landfills. And the stuff that does get recycled decreases in quality during the process.

Figuring out a way to effectively recycle plastic without degrading its quality would be an extraordinary feat. And now, it seems that a group of scientists in Switzerland may have cracked the code using some clever chemistry.

In a new paper for the journal Nature Chemical Engineering, researchers at ETH Zurich detailed a process in which they break apart the chemical bonds in long polymer chains that make up plastic into smaller molecules.

These resulting molecules can serve as base ingredients for more products, such as jet fuel or more plastics, without losing quality.

"Its every chemical engineers dream to have a formula like this at hand for their process," ETH Zurich professor of catalysis engineering and the study's principal investigator Javier Perez-Ramirez said in a statement about the research.

Garbology

Plastic makes much of modern life possible, but it can also be pernicious  as vividly illustrated by the Great Pacific Garbage Patch  as it breaks down into ever-smaller pieces such as microplastics and nanoplastics.

These infinitesimal pieces of plastic are found everywhere, migrating into sediment not touched by humankind or even inside human brains and semen.

Many scientists think microplastic is even responsible for the increase in cancer rates among relatively young people due to the complex interplay between the molecules in our bodies and the chemicals that microplastics release.

The production of plastic, derived from fossil fuels, also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change.

So if this experiment from ETH Zurich becomes a viable commercial method, it could stand to address a huge range of ills.

More on plastic: Woman Disgusted When She Uses Tracker to See Where Her Plastic Recycling Really Ends Up
Scientists warn Americans to brace for a continuing active hurricane season: 'Have a plan if asked to evacuate'

The Atlantic hurricane season quieted down late this summer, but it is far from over. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is expecting an active end to the hurricane season.

What's happening?

The first five tropical cyclones of the Atlantic hurricane season all became named storms. A storm earns a name when it reaches tropical storm strength with maximum sustained winds of at least 39 mph.

Three of the storms became hurricanes, with maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph. Every named storm so far this season made landfall; two of them made landfall in the United States.

Hurricane Beryl struck the southeast coast of Texas when it came onshore in late June, causing nearly $5 billion in damage. (That was for damage on the ground, but the storm also caused damage underwater.) Hurricane Debby pounded northern Florida when it moved onshore in early August. It is estimated that Debby caused $1.4 billion in damage.

In an announcement from early August, the NOAA suggested that the country can't let its guard down despite a lull in tropical activity in late August. The NOAA expects a "highly active season" is likely to continue.

Their updated forecast calls for 17-24 named storms, 8-13 of which would strengthen to hurricane status, including 4-7 major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or stronger). These numbers represent totals for the hurricane season spanning the six-month period of June 1 through November 30.

Why is the forecast for an active Atlantic hurricane season important?

The NOAA cited unusually warm water in the Atlantic Ocean basin as one reason for a hurricane season that could be among the busiest on record. Heat-trapping gases in our atmosphere are warming our climate.

One of the key indicators of our overheating planet is a rise in sea surface temperatures. Those temperatures have risen at an average rate of 0.14 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1901.

Scientists say our warming world will likely make hurricanes more intense and increase their potential for destruction. Extreme rainfall is more likely, and rising ocean levels mean higher storm surges that can cause more damage.

What's being done about an expected increase in hurricane activity?

The NOAA's latest announcement recommends "everyone to know their risk; prepare for threats like damaging winds, storm surge and inland flooding from heavy rainfall; and to have a plan if asked to evacuate."

Our warming world is powering up hurricanes. Reducing our reliance on dirty energy sources can help cool our planet.

Making your next car an electric vehicle, installing solar panels, and adapting smart home technology are some of the ways to move away from dirty energy sources and bring about a cooler future for our planet.

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.
Thanks to the conservative Supreme Court, thousands of Veterans Affairs Department rules and regulations are now vulnerable to court challenges, a scenario that could be ignited by a new Trump administration.

As a young political staffer, one of the first hard lessons I learned was that in politics, there are no coincidences. During Donald Trumps term as president, his administrations push to expand private health care for veterans through the VA Mission Act sparked significant controversy.

Although Trump framed the law as fulfilling his campaign promise to offer veterans more choice in their health care, many major veterans service organizations saw it as a step toward privatizing the VA. They feared that the expansion of private care, which was estimated to cost billions, would drain resources from the VAs facilities and degrade the quality of care veterans relied on.

This clash between Republicans and the veteran services organizations, centered around ensuring the law was implemented in line with congressional intent, aiming to protect the integrity of the VA system from being overshadowed by the private sector.

Seven years after the VA Mission Act was passed, reviews have been mixed from veterans, and the VA Office of Inspector General has been critical. Between October 2023 and April 2024, the number of new patients waiting more than 20 days for primary care dropped by 19 percent, reflecting the VAs efforts to improve access to timely health care services. Additionally, the number of new patients waiting longer than 20 days for mental health care saw a 9 percent decrease. While these are improvements, they fall far short of what the MISSION Act promised.

Many veterans have voiced their frustrations with the MISSION Act, citing a lack of quality providers in their communities and the VAs strict rules  such as canceling more than one appointment leading to outright denial of claims. Some providers can be miles from where veterans live, or even in other states.

In April, the VAs inspector general found significant shortcomings in the Veterans Health Administrations process for identifying health care providers who were removed due to policy violations related to safe and appropriate care. This failure led to both the inclusion of ineligible providers and the exclusion of eligible ones from the VA Community Care Program, prompting the inspector general to recommend a review of the criteria and processes used for such exclusions.

Now, with a Trump-dominated Supreme Court overturning its past Chevron deference, the VA faces a second major blow to its status as the only public health care system in America. This decision fundamentally alters the way federal agencies operate. The Chevron doctrine, established in 1984, allowed agencies to interpret ambiguous laws within their jurisdiction without constant judicial interference. Its removal is far more than a legal technicality  it carries immediate and severe consequences, especially for the millions of veterans who rely on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for their benefits and health care.

The VA, like many other federal agencies, was empowered by Chevron to interpret complex and often ambiguous laws passed by Congress and translate them into actionable policies and health care doctrines. Chevron allowed the agency to adapt to new challenges and ensure veterans received the support they needed. Without Chevron, every interpretation the VA makes is now open to judicial review, paving the way for an avalanche of legal challenges that could overwhelm the system and delay or deny services to veterans. This legal uncertainty threatens the VAs ability to fulfill its mission to provide specialized health care to veterans.

This shift in the legal landscape also plays directly into the hands of private health care interests, which have long sought to privatize the VA and its $325 billion budget, and $222 million in mandatory spending for fiscal year 2025. The VA is specifically designed to serve those who have served our country, and address their unique needs  from combat-related injuries to mental health issues. A VA health care system that is prevented from making its own rules and regulations is useless to veterans and undermines the Americas promise to care for those who have borne the battle.

With backing from a second Trump administration, private health care companies will no doubt see an opportunity. They no longer need to battle organizations like the American Legion or VFW for control of the VA  they just need to convince the courts that the VA doesnt have the legal authority to care for veterans. With thousands of rules and regulations interpreted by the VA on behalf of Congress open to challenge, the VA could be stopped in its tracks. The legal chaos following this would end the VA as we know it.

The third and final blow to the VA would come if, as the Chevron ruling suggests, the department loses its legal authority to make new rules altogether. Given the varying timelines for passing veterans legislation  ranging from 50 years for something as comprehensive as the PACT Act to help veterans exposed to toxic chemicals, to months for cost-of-living adjustments  Congress simply wouldnt be able to draft bills and regulations quickly enough to keep pace with the VAs daily demands.

The future of the Department of Veterans Affairs hangs in the balance. A second Trump term, coupled with the dismantling of Chevron deference, could cripple the VAs ability to serve those who have sacrificed for our nation.

The agencys capacity to interpret and implement laws is essential for meeting the unique and complex needs of veterans. Without this authority, the VA could become entangled in endless legal battles, leaving veterans caught in the crossfire of privatization efforts and regulatory paralysis.

This is not just a legal issue  it is a profound moral and ethical challenge. The VA stands as the nations promise to its veterans, and that promise must be upheld. The question we face is whether that promise will endure, or whether it will be sacrificed in the name of deregulation and privatization, leaving millions of veterans without the care and support they have earned.

Michael Embrich is a veteran, former member of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans, and former congressional staffer.

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Paul D. Millers recent Dispatch Faith essay makes a number of salient, thoughtful, and accurate points regarding the stewardship of voting responsibilities for Christians. I appreciate his care to differentiate the need to vote according to our convictions while also resisting the temptation to oppress or coerce others. This kind of commitment is essential for maintaining Christian principles in a pluralistic environment.

Yet a few places in Millers analysis could use some correction, or at least some additional development. Miller invokes the natural law to aid in his differentiation between the Two Tables of the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments. In broad strokes, the natural law refers to the transcendent moral order that obtains for all human beings in all times and places. Millers treatment of the natural law manifests in an inadequate account of the proper relationship between religious and civil institutions, leading to the unfortunate (and mistaken) conclusion that any form of public posting of the First Table is tantamount to an establishment of religion that would violate not only the Constitution but proper Christian approaches to earthly citizenship.

Most fundamentally, it is necessary to understand the relationship and distinction between the Two Tables, and Gods revelation of the natural law given to the Hebrew exiles after their escape from slavery in Egypt. Miller is right to point to the traditional distinction between the First Table, summarized by Jesus in the commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 23:37), and the Second Table, love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 23:39). But his sharp division between the Two Tables as it relates to the church and civil government obscures the fundamental unity of the entire Decalogue and the natural law itself.

It isnt the case that the Second Table is simply and straightforwardly fully within the jurisdiction of civil government while such authorities have nothing at all to do with the First Table. The Christian tradition has always held that the entirety of the Decalogue, not just the Second Table commandments, are an expression of what Miller calls a universal natural law. Pagans as well as Jews and Christians have recognized the fundamental duties of religion relate first to the divine and secondly to humanity. As Cicero put it in the first century B.C., There is a true law, a right reason, conformable to nature, universal, unchangeable, eternal, whose commands urge us to duty, and whose prohibitions restrain us from evil. These duties and prohibitions certainly concern human interrelations, but they also (and fundamentally) involve duties toward God, who, as Cicero observes, is this laws author,its promulgator,its enforcer.

This basic relationship and ordering of the Two Tables is attested to by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans. He argues first that human beings know things about God and their duties toward him. And then he observes that their rejection of those responsibilities also manifest in all kinds of injusticenot only toward God but also toward human beings and indeed, the entirety of the created order: Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done (Romans 1:28).

So there is an inherent and inviolable relationship between the Two Tables. But they do differ in important ways, not only with respect to the primary object of the duties enjoined and the things prohibited, but also in terms of how they are to be enforced. Most fundamental to recognize here is that adherence to all of the commandments of the natural law are matters of internal as well as external obedience. External conformity to the law is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for fulfilling its requirements. We might refrain from stealing another persons property, but when we look on their possessions greedily, we still are in violation of the commandment against theft. The same is true of murder as well as all of the other commandments. Adherence to the moral law requires internal as well as external obedience.

Miller is right to point out that one of the key differences between the tables has to do with their primary referents. The First Table has to do with vertical obligations toward God, and what might typically be called religious duties, while the second has to do with our horizontal obligations toward others, and what is often called moral duties. And the interrelationship, as well as the differences, between the tables does have implications for how we order our law, civic, and religious institutions. This is a challenge for a diversity of institutions, from families, churches, businesses, schools, and governments to rightly relate to both tables, and depending on the kind of institution and its particular expression, that relationship might rightly vary widely.

So, it is true that church and state do indeed have different but complementary responsibilities toward the Two Tables. In the American constitutional order, we might say, the government is primarily focused on Second Table matters, but even here only in a limited way. The government does not justly concern itself with moral violations of the Second Table commandments except insofar as they come to external expression. And it doesnt rightly punish even all external violations of the Second Table, but only those that are judged in positive law to rise to the level of civic prohibition. The natural law obtains everywhere and always, but it is also always expressed legally in concrete situations. Thus the positive lawthe law enacted in a particular placeis dependent on and is an expression of the natural law. And the positive law is not as comprehensive or as intensive as the natural law itself. A lie is necessarily immoral, but it isnt necessarily illegal. The fifth-century church father Augustine taught rightly that although every crime is a sin, not every sin is a crime. There is some distance between the natural law in its unchangeable and ultimate nature and the positive law in its transitory and partial expression in different times and places.

And we might also say with Miller that the church primarily has to do with realities enjoined in the First Table. We come together corporately to worship God, to keep our loyalty to him first, to love him above everything else. But of course the church also teaches responsibilities with respect to the Second Table as well as to the civil government. The church proclaims love your neighbor and honor the emperor (1 Peter 2:17) as well as praying for kings and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).

But does the civil authority have any responsibility toward the church and First Table responsibilities, reciprocating those that the church has toward the government and Second Table realities? Perhaps so. Miller is right to note that the mainstream of the Christian tradition from Constantine through the 18th century emphasized a very robust role for the government in promoting and protecting true religion. At the same time, however, there was always a minority view in Christianity that objected to this robust role for civil power. This voiced objection was sometimes louder, sometimes quieter, and often marginalized and persecuted. In the American Founding, a version of this Christian view was enacted in the constitutional order, including the federal disestablishment of religion.

A version of this minority position acknowledged that the civil government has First Table responsibilities, but primarily meets them by creating and maintaining space for the church to do its own proper work. This is arguably reflected in the words of Paul quoted above, that we pray for civil authorities that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2:2). It may indeed be true that the state has no legitimate authority or ability to coerce religious belief or compel confessional adherence.

But it does not follow that the state must therefore be entirely silent about divine matters.

Indeed, Millers claim that posting the entirety of the Ten Commandments equates to a violation of the Constitutions establishment clause flies in the face of more than two centuries of American civic practice and jurisprudence. It would indeed be strange if the posting of a text given to the Hebrews and from the Jewish Scriptures were somehow tantamount to the establishment of Christendom. It is true that the Lemon test, which seemed to require that religion and government be kept radically and distantly apart, held sway to a greater or lesser extent for the past half-century. But as recent Supreme Court decisions and reasoning has indicated, the Lemon tests reign of terror might finally be over. From its decision on the Bladensburg Cross in 2019 (The American Legion v. American Humanist Association) to the 2022 Kennedy v. Bremerton School District decision, the court has looked more deeply and appreciatively at the history and tradition of religious practice and expression, by private citizens as well as public officials. Public reference to God, whether all Ten Commandments, the nations motto In God We Trust, or the Pledge of Allegiance and its conditional under God, is certainly not in itself a violation of the Constitution.

Political scientist Hunter Baker has persuasively argued that the institutional separation of church and state need not (and indeed ought not) come to expression in a more robust, expansive, and totalizing secularism. We can and should affirm the former without falling into the trap of the latter. Christians in a democracy are not called to withdraw and cede the public square to others, nor to take over and resurrect Christendom, writes Miller. He is right about that. But there is more than one way to avoid those two extremes, and some of those ways might well involve public posting of the Ten Commandments as well as public prayer, invocation of God in public and even political settings, and more. The naked public square is itself a kind of tyranny and the institutional separation of church and state does not equate to Lemon-esque or laicite secularism. As Richard John Neuhaus presciently observed 40 years ago, The truly naked public square is at best a transitional phenomenon. It is a vacuum begging to be filled. When the democratically affirmed institutions that generate and submit values are excluded, the vacuum will be filled by the agent left in control of the public square, the state. In this manner, a perverse notion of the disestablishment of religion leads to the establishment of the state as church.

Public display of the Ten Commandments by governments or government agents isnt necessarily a violation of the establishment clause or a corruption of Christian conviction. But as Mark David Hall perceptively points out, merely posting the commandments isnt the same as teaching them either, and it really does matter how such public displays, mandates, and expressions are used. They can be used appropriately as well as inappropriately. This certainly calls for a kind of civic wisdom that is sorely lacking in our times.

And if it is true that there are indeed many possible and legitimate ways to avoid the extremes of Christendom and secularism, then the American federal system is a major strength in discovering ways to live together in a pluralistic world. We can enjoy a diversity of experimentation and expression of religious faith in public in different ways in different jurisdictions. What works for Louisiana (or some places in Louisiana) might not work elsewhere, just as what works in San Francisco might be wrong for Sacramento, Spokane, or Sarasota. The American experiment in ordered liberty manifests in these different laboratories of democracy rightly constituted as open and free to such exploration. This is something to be celebrated rather than squashed under a mistaken commitment to a mythical secularist neutrality, especially as conceived of as the only alternative to a stifling Christendom.

The reasons that atheism, or even skepticism about divine matters, is deemed worthy of greater public standing than moral anarchism or skepticism about moral responsibilities are worth more consideration. But as the unity of the natural law and the Two Tables of the Ten Commandments teach us, there is a connection between these realities that we ignore at our peril.

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See inside the Airbus A400M Atlas military plane made famous by Tom Cruise that can carry helicopters and land on beaches

See inside the Airbus A400M Atlas military plane made famous by Tom Cruise that can carry helicopters and land on beaches

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a military aircraft featured in a Tom Cruise stunt.

The UK's Royal Air Force has used it to send humanitarian aid to Gaza and evacuate civilians from Kabul.

The versatile aircraft can also transport helicopters, land on beaches, and refuel in the air.

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a military aircraft used by 10 countries, mostly in Europe.

A versatile airlifter, it competes with Lockheed Martin's C-130J Super Hercules.

For some the Atlas might be most recognizable as the plane Tom Cruise hangs off during a stunt in "Mission: Impossible  Rogue Nation."

However, there is much more to it than that. The A400M can transport helicopters or more than 200 people, as in the 2021 Kabul evacuation. It can land on beaches or short runways and, thanks to air-to-air refueling, fly across the world.

At July's Farnborough Airshow, Business Insider had the chance to learn more about the A400M with a tour led by a pilot from the UK's Royal Air Force.

An Airbus A400M operated by the UK's Royal Air Force was on display at the Farnborough Airshow.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The heavy airlifter has received 178 orders from 10 nations. Germany's 53 orders top the list, followed by France's 50. The UK and Spain have also ordered more than 20.

It's the same type of plane that Tom Cruise hung off during a fearsome stunt for "Mission: Impossible  Rogue Nation."

Tom Cruise at the film's Times Square premiere in 2015. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic via Getty Images

In the scene, Cruise's character jumps onto the plane as it's taking off and hangs on to the side. He then gets inside in midair before parachuting away while attached to the antagonists' shipment of nerve gas.

"I was responsible for what happened if he got hit by a bird  it was pretty nerve-racking," the film's director, Christopher McQuarrie, told USA Today.

The RAF has used it for missions like sending humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

In April, British armed forces used the A400M to airdrop humanitarian aid into Gaza. AS1 Niran Lewis/Courtesy of UK Ministry of Defence

From Cyprus, it flew 11 missions and dropped a total of about 110 metric tons of aid to civilians in Gaza.

The RAF also used the A400M during the 2021 Kabul evacuation.

It's also capable of air-to-air refueling and fighting fires.

Tornado and Typhoon fighter jets line up behind an A400M to refuel. Christophe Gateau/picture alliance via Getty Images

The A400M is not only capable of refueling other jets, but also being refueled itself.

Lawrence Sutton, a flight lieutenant in the RAF and an A400M pilot, told reporters that on one mission, the aircraft flew 20 hours over the Arctic from England to Guam.

"Fundamentally, your classic limit, which is fuel, stops being a problem," he said. "This took a route that should be potentially two days, minimum probably three, down to one day to deliver on an exercise."

With a 20-metric-ton payload, the A400M can fly 3,450 nautical miles.

The A400M's ramp. Pete Syme/Business Insider

By contrast, the C130-J Super Hercules favored by the US Air Force can only do 1,800 nautical miles with a payload of 15 metric tons.

Stepping on board, I was taken aback by the sheer size of the Atlas.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The A400M can transport helicopters like the Chinook, Puma, and Wildcat.

Fitting these aircraft inside requires less dismantling than on the C-130J. For example, for an A400M, only the Puma's rotor blades need to be taken off.

It can transport a payload of up to 37 metric tons and has a volume of 12,000 cubic feet.

The interior of an A400M. Pete Syme/Business Insider

It's versatile and can carry nine pallets of cargo along with 54 passengers.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The floor has rails and rollers to move cargo, and tie-down rings to secure payloads.

A close-up of rollers on the floor. Pete Syme/Business Insider

We were specifically warned not to step on the rollers because they're designed to send payloads out the back of the plane.

Seats are attached to the sides of the plane.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

In situations like Operation Pitting, the 2021 Kabul evacuation, far more people can be carried.

British forces during Operation Pitting. Leading Hand Ben Shread/Courtesy of UK Ministry of Defence

During Operation Pitting, 3,538 people were evacuated in 30 successful missions  a maximum of 218 in one flight.

Sutton said that the military would attach straps normally used for cargo across evacuees' laps to give some form of protection.

"They will be taken out in relative comfort," he added. "It's not British Airways at that point, but they get out."

Underneath the cockpit at the front of the plane is the loadmaster's station.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

The loadmaster is in charge of loading and unloading cargo, and their job involves calculations to keep the aircraft within its center-of-gravity limits.

For me, the highlight of the tour was seeing the flight deck upstairs.

The stairs leading up to the cockpit. Pete Syme/Business Insider

Technology here includes a heads-up display and fly-by-wire controls.

A first-person view from the A400M pilot seat. Pete Syme/Business Insider

Fly-by-wire replaces mechanical flight controls with computer-controlled systems to process the pilots' input. It's considered safer because there are fewer points of failure, plus it's easier to fix.

FBW is also used in Airbus' commercial jets.

Flt Lt Lawrence Sutton praised the flying experience of the A400M.

An overview of the A400M flight deck. Pete Syme/Business Insider

"The aircraft makes it easy," he said. "All pilots have to do is think about the mission, not the flying, which is a beautiful thing."

"You can take this jet fast or you can take it low; you can be tactical with it," he added. "We prefer it that way. It's safer for us to be down doing that kind of work, and it's just a pleasure to fly."

The A400M has 12 landing gears that provide huge capabilities.

Pete Syme/Business Insider

"The stopping power of this aircraft, at weight, is incredible, and it allows that safety, the risk mitigation, and the delivery of whatever it is the commanders need, into whatever theatre it needs to go," Sutton said.

These allow the plane to land on worn-out runways or even beaches.

An A400M landing at Pembrey Sands beach in Wales. Cpl Aaron J Stone/Courtesy of UK Ministry of Defence

The RAF conducts training drills at Pembrey Sands in Wales.

"We close it off to the public, the tide goes out, and that is where the aircraft lands," Sutton said. "That is a soft surface with an aircraft that is potentially up to 123 [metric tons] in weight. We don't train at that, but we are capable of that."

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How the capture of a serial killer father led to a breakthrough in his own daughters separate murder case

The case of Melissa Wolfenbarger, a 21-year-old married mother-of-two, has been a mystery for years (Supplied)

When working on a cold case, there is no guarantee that a murder will be solved  and even if it is, it often takes years or even decades.

In the case of Atlanta mother Melissa Wolfenbarger, it took 25 years  with the help of a podcast, and in a bizarre twist, her serial killer father.

The 21-year-old was last heard from by her family on Thanksgiving 1998. Her dismembered remains were found five months later, in close proximity to her husbands place of work.

It was 2003 before the remains were identified as Melissa  only after her father Carl Patton was arrested for a string of unrelated killings from the 1970s known as the Flint River murders.

His arrest is what finally identified her remains, Melissas mother Norma Patton told The Independent. If he had never been arrested, we might have never known.

Melissas death was not at the hands of her father, who had been cleared in her murder, but what happened to her and the identity of her killer has remained a mystery for decades.

The 21-year-old was last heard from by her family on Thanksgiving 1998. Her dismembered remains were found five months later, in close proximity to her husbands place of work (Provided)

Her case only began to gain some traction in 2017 when Crime Scene Investigator Sheryl Mac McCollum got her hands on it when Melissas mother came to her for help.

You cant give up. You just keep going. Talk to anyone who will listen, because you dont know who that person might be to help, Norma said. Thats what Sheryl did for us. She opened the door and helped us walk through it.

Melissas case was the first one to be featured on McCollums podcast Zone 7, when it launched in February 2023.

In a stunning turn of events, over a year later in April 2024, a listener who heard the episode reached out to McCollum and shared a crucial bit of information.

I had a gut feeling, McCollum said, recalling the moment she received the tip.

She told The Independent that the person had witnessed behavior between the couple, but said she could not give further details.

Melissas case was the first one to be featured on Zone 7, McCollums podcast, that was launched in February 2023 (Zone 7)

McCollum sent the information to the lead detective and, after more than two decades of no answers, the case picked up steam and shot through the next few months at lightning speed.

Three months later in August 2024, Melissas husband Christopher Wolfenbarger was arrested and indicted by a grand jury for her murder.

I was just tickled pink. We waited so long for this, Norma told The Independent. Its been a long, hard road. But it finally happened.

What happened to Melissa Wolfenbarger?

Melissa was last heard from on Thanksgiving 1998 when she called her family to make plans for Christmas that year. But she never showed up.

There was no phone call, and she never showed up, Norma explained about her daughter missing the holidays. I immediately panicked. But she was an adult. Married with kids. Not much we could do.

But when my birthday came and went with no call, I knew something was very wrong, she added.

After Normas missed birthday in Februrary, they drove to Melissas house in Atlanta from their home in Locust Grove, Georgia.

But the Wolfenbarger family was gone. Neighbors told them they had moved away but their address was unknown.

The family reported Melissa missing and authorities tracked down her husband Christopher Wolfenbarger to question him.

The remains found in 1999 were not identified as Melissa until 2003 (Atlanta Police Department)

He told police that Melissa had left on her own to pursue her dream of starting a new life in California, the Atlanta Police Department told Dateline in 2021.

On April 29, 1999, a severed human head was found in a black trash bag in close in proximity to Wolfenbargers place of work. At the time, officials misidentified those remains as belonging to another missing person, a man.

But then on June 3, 1999, more dismembered human remains were discovered in black trash bags near to where the first remains had been found. A torso was never found.

The remains were not identified until 2003  only after Melissas father Carl Patton was arrested in connection to an unrelated murder.

DNA testing led to Patton being convicted for the killings of Fred Wyatt, Liddie Matthews Evans, and Evanss boyfriend Joe Cleveland in Georgia, in the 1970s, known as the Flint River Murders. He pleaded guilty and was given a life sentence.

He was also a suspect in Melissas murder, but Tina said her father would have never hurt Melissa, according to 11Alive. Dad loved us, she said. He was devastated. Just like us. He broke down and cried.

But it was his arrest that led to answers for the family.

My mom was able to convince him to say something about my sister, Tina said, according to local outlet 11Alive. And somebody in Atlanta saw it in the paper the next day and said, Wait a minute, theres some remains over here in the morgue. And the address, the vicinities are kind of close to where this girl lived. So lets go get DNA.

Melissas father Carl Patton is serving life in prison for the Flint River murders. His arrest in 2003 led to the identification of Melissas remains (Dodge State Prison)

DNA positively identified the remains as belonging to Melissa and cleared Patton of her murder.

But Melissas killer was still out there. And Norma continued to put all her time and effort into getting justice for her daughter.

In 2017, she met McCollum  and everything changed.

My daughter was beheaded and I need your help

McCollum remembers the exact moment she first saw Norma Patton.

It was at a formal dinner for a Wine and Crime event she was hosting.

McCollum, who is the founder and Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), often hosts the popular program that takes an in-depth look at unsolved cold cases.

While McCollum was on stage talking, she noticed a woman walking into the event wearing Bermuda shorts and a hat looking like she had literally walked in off the beach.

After the event, McCollum said the woman came up to her and said: My daughter was beheaded and I need your help.

Without any hesitation, McCollum agreed to hear her story.

And Norma certainly had one to tell. Armed with binders full of information, she was ready to talk.

But there was a twist.

She touched both binders, looked me in the eye and said, My husband is in prison for murder and I helped him.

Norma had testified against him, which played a substantial role in the case, testified Lt. Col Bruce Jordan of the Fayette County Sheriffs Department.

Crime Scene Investigator Sheryl Mac McCollum featured Melissas case on her podcast Zone 7 -- which later brought in a tip from a witness (Provided)

It is my opinion she saved the taxpayers a lot of money, Jordan said, adding that he requested the "deal" that gave Norma immunity from any murder charges relating to the four killings, according to local outlets at the time.

After hearing Normas admission, McCollum was not alarmed.

Melissas case is separate from the sins of her father, she told her.

But McCollum said she needed to speak with Patton to do a complete victimology. In 2021, they started corresponding by writing letters.

What became clear to me was their loyalty, McCollum said. Their loyalty to Carl, their loyalty to each other and their loyalty to getting justice for Melissa.

In the letters, one man is clearly named as the suspected killer: Melissas husband  Christopher Wolfenbarger.

Through McCollums own investigation, her correspondence with Melissas family, and the letters, she had her own theories, but told The Independent that it was time to bring in the experts.

Because at the end of the day, who cares what I think, but if I have Nancy Grace, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dr Angie Arnold telling me its Wolfenbarger, McCollum said. And theyve done their own independent research, theyve looked at the case file by themselves. I will stake my reputation on it.

Carl Patton wrote to McCollum and in the letters, one man is clearly named as the suspected killer. Melissas husband  Christopher Wolfenbarger (Provided)

At that point, a new district attorney was coming to the fore  Fani Willis. She launched a task force and McCollum was on it. One of the first cases on the agenda was Melissas.

The first thing McCollum did was take Assistant District Attorney Adriane Love to the area where Melissas head had been found and the close proximity of it to the front door of his business.

That is critical, she said. Youve got to show them, theyve gotta walk it.

But working the case took time.

Justice for Melissa

Melissas husband Wolfenbarger was arrested earlier this month, on Tuesday August 6.

A press conference was planned for the next day where his arrest would be announced to the public.

The original lead detective on Melissas case wanted to contact her father himself, but the inmate would not have phone privileges until Thursday.

McCollum told The Independent that Detective Calhoun did not want him finding out on the news.

Back in 2003, Det Calhoun made an effort to tell Patton himself that his daughters body had been identified.

Christopher Wolfenbarger, pictured in a booking photo, was arrested for the 1999 murder of his wife. The arresting officers found him hiding behind a dryer in his home (Fulton County Sheriffs Office)

He drove to the prison to tell Carl in person  daddy to daddy, McCollum said.

So this time, the detective went out of his way to call the warden and have someone deliver the news to Patton.

He had been devastated when he found out she had been murdered, Norma said about her husband. But he was deliriously happy as soon as he found out Chris had been arrested.

At the press conference last month, Det Shephard, who took over the case several years ago, said Wolfenbarger had been a person of interest from the beginning, and that probable cause is how they were able to finally make the arrest.

Norma Patton (left) and Tina Patton (right) pictured at a press conference on Wednesday wearing shirts honoring Melissa Wolfenbarger (Fox 5 Atlanta)

When asked what specifically linked Wolfenbarger to the murder, he said, I want to protect the integrity of the case going forward, so I cant disclose certain evidence, but we look at everything when it comes to a cold case.

Melissas sister told the media that day that their family always believed Wolfenbarger was responsible for her murder.

From day one, we knew it was Christopher, she told reporters. There was never, ever any doubt in our minds, who did this. My mom has said I dont know how many times, that when she first met him, there was just evil in his eyes, she continued.

Both Norma and Tina said they never heard from Wolfenbarger again after Melissas disappearance.

Melissa had left her husband the summer before she disappeared, according to her sister, after saying her husband hit her and dragged her by the hair down a sidewalk.

But when [Wolfenbarger] went in front of the judge, he asked the judge to let him talk to her alone, and she went back to him, her sister said.

Norma told The Independent she hopes Melissas story will help other women in domestic violence situations.

Its always been a domestic violence issue from day one, Norma said. She had already left because of his abuse. I think she went back to him but at one point said, Im gonna call mom and Im going home. And maybe thats when he lost it.

Norma said she hopes Melissas story will help other women in domestic violence situations (Atlanta Police presser screenshot)

You dont know what the final straw was  that caused him to do what he did to her, she said.

Hes the only one who has the real answers.

Wolfenbarger is currently being held in Fulton County Jail on murder charges.

Norma tearfully told the crowd that she will finally, after all these years, stop watching the news.

I dont have to watch the news anymore, because we got him, she said. Hes in jail and, Lord help me, he stays there.
Vince Bzdek, executive editor of The Gazette, Denver Gazette and Colorado Politics, writes a weekly news column that appears on Sunday.
At least six people were injured, including a pregnant woman, overnight on Sept. 1 in Russia's attack on Kharkiv Oblast, regional governor Oleh Suniehubov reported.

Several buildings were damaged and a fire was reported following the attack, according to the governor.

Meanwhile, several Russian drones targeted Dnipropetrovsk Oblast overnight. Governor Serhii Lysak said that two drones were downed over the region and two people - a 72-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man - were injured in the attack.

Fires were reported following the attack that damaged power lines in the region, a gas station, an enterprise, several high-rises, close to a dozen homes, and a warehouse.

Ukrainian cities endure frequent Russian attacks that often result in civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure, including energy systems.

Following a brief lull over the summer, which allowed Ukraine to restore some of its energy capacity, Russia has renewed its attacks in recent days, once again forcing restrictions on energy consumption. Russian drones and missiles have reportedly damaged about 50% of Ukraine's pre-war power generation capacity, based on government estimates.

Read also: Russias attack on Sumy Oblast leaves 1 killed, 4 injured

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A cat visitor prepares to have its photo taken in front of a statue depicting the cat goddess Bastet at Shanghai Museum's "Meow Night\

A cat visitor prepares to have its photo taken in front of a statue depicting the cat goddess Bastet at Shanghai Museum's "Meow Night\

By Casey Hall and Xihao Jiang

SHANGHAI - Shanghai Museum has pulled in crowds this summer for an exhibition of ancient Egyptian relics including cat statues and other feline imagery, and which on Saturday nights allows up to 200 visitors to bring along their own four-legged friends.

Inspired ancient Egyptians' worship of Bastet, the goddess of protection - often depicted as a cat - the museum has given cats the chance to interact with part of the exhibition called "The Secrets of Saqqara".

"Egyptian archaeological teams discovered a cat temple in Saqqara and unearthed many cat mummies and cat statues. So when we were planning the event, we had cats as a theme, and then came the idea for 'Meow Night'," said Shanghai Museum Deputy Director Li Feng.

The "Top of the Pyramids: Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition" began on July 19 and runs until Aug. 17, 2025, with "Meow Night" planned for at least 10 Saturdays. It has held six so far with tickets, including 200 bring-a-cat tickets, selling out each time.

Visitors bring their cats in carriers or pet strollers and can take them out only at designated areas, such as for a photo opportunity next to a statue of Bastet.

The cats are checked on entry to ensure up-to-date vaccinations and for signs of illness or stress. There are veterinarians onsite and rest areas for cats in case the stimulation from their night at the museum gets a bit much.

"It's very special that you can bring a cat with you," said visitor Qiu Jiakai who was attending "Meow Night" with one-year-old puss An Mao.

"I listened to the narrator's introduction saying ... many of today's pet cats are related to the cats domesticated in ancient Egypt. So I thought I would have to bring my cat here to see its ancestors and the cat goddess," she said.

(Reporting by Casey Hall and Xihao Jiang in Shanghai; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
At a school that was accustomed to having one of the largest enrollments in Michigan, this woman was known for her very personal connections with students, parents and staff.

This same woman, who also was a member of the first African American Greek-Letter organization for college-educated women in the United States, carried out her work with a natural style and grace that often was capped off by a warm smile, a hearty laugh, and long hug for the person she was pouring into at any particular moment.

That woman was the late Alfredine Jordan Wiley (Sept. 13, 1940-Feb. 19, 2024) and on the evening of Aug. 28, Wiley was on the mind and heart of Detroiter Doris Walls. Walls talked joyfully from her University District home about the dear friend and big sister who never failed to inspire her during the many years they were together at Cass Technical High School and beyond.

Alfredine Jordan Wiley has been described as a "golden" human being by many people that were inspired by her. Two of the institutions and organizations where Wiley did her best work were Cass Technical High School, where she headed the counseling department, and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which provided many opportunities for Wiley to lead, including as president of the Alpha Rho Omega chapter from 1992-95. Wiley's daughter Jennifer says her mother's passion for her sorority and Cass Tech was matched by her love for Detroit, a love affair which began when Wiley was a student at Wayne State University.

Alfredine created a haven for excellence, says Walls, a longtime counselor at Cass Tech, who met Wiley in September 1978, when Wiley arrived from Southwestern High School to head the counseling department at Cass. She called me 'baby counselor' because I had only been a counselor for a year and a half before she came, and there was quite a bit of difference between my age and the other counselors. But Alfredine said she saw something in me and she became my mentor.

Her motto was: You get what you expect, so lets expect the best. She did not like mediocrity.

The people that knew her best say that Alfredine Wiley wanted school to feel like a second home for students, which included her office at Detroit's Cass Technical High School, where she served as the head of the counseling department from September 1978 until 2001.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Northwest Campus of Wayne County Community College District, there will be a memorial celebration to honor the life of Wiley, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina. Wiley spent short parts of her life in other areas of the country, too, including Atlanta in her later years. But her considerable impact in her adopted city of Detroit lives on, especially through past recipients of scholarships provided by the Alfredine J. Wiley Scholarship Fund, which was officially created in 2003 following her retirement from the Detroit Public Schools in 2001.

Alfredines vision for the students of Cass Tech was infectious, recalled Walls, who pointed to countless calls and visits made to universities, and precisely coordinated career days utilizing Cass Tech parents, as examples of how the schools counseling department carried out her vision of further establishing Cass as a school synonymous with college scholarship recipients and distinguished graduates. It wasnt just a job for her. Alfredine thought about the student as a whole person. She would say: These are my babies and Im working for everyone. And the parents felt very comfortable coming to the school as well because Alfredine would say: I know your baby.' 

When Alfredine Wiley arrived at Cass Technical High School in September 1978 to head the counseling department, Doris Walls, left, was the "baby counselor." Walls was mentored and nurtured by Wiley beginning that year, which was the start of a lasting friendship and sisterhood that produced many special moments, including a warm embrace they shared during June 2023.

Walls says, to know Wiley is to know someone who gave her absolute all to three things: Family, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Cass Tech, which no doubt will be hot topics for emotional discussions and fellowship when Wileys loved ones gather on Sept. 14.

Aunt Alfredine had the uncanny ability to make everyone feel like they were her favorite, said Dr. Rhonda Smith, who, while not related by blood to Wiley, got an early jump on favorite-niece status even before she entered Cass Tech (Class of 1987). Smith is the daughter of Santranella Anderson, who met Wiley in a dance class at Wayne State University in the fall of 1958, then became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha with Wiley in February 1961 at Wayne, where Wiley also spearheaded a campaign to raise awareness for sickle cell anemia. When she was with you, you had her full attention. For students and young women she mentored, Aunt Alfredine was really proud but never boastful. Thats why she poured into them the way she did. It brought her joy because she was really serious about inspiring young people.

"Aunt Alfredine had the uncanny ability to make everyone feel like they were her favorite," says Dr. Rhonda Smith, left, who is shown sharing a moment at an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority event with Alfredine and Jennifer Wiley.

While speaking during the afternoon of Aug. 26, Smith explained how her life has changed since she graduated from Cass. The full plate she carries today includes homeschooling her children, serving as an executive assistant at a Detroit church, providing care as a board certified doctor of natural health, and being the founder and CEO of Soul Delights LLC. But the added responsibilities that Smith has taken on to help plan the celebration of Wileys life do not appear to stress her in the least. Perhaps that's because Smith is channeling the energy she felt when Wiley mentored her within their sorority.

"It was electric to be with her because Aunt Alfredine was an AKA rock star," explained Smith, whose then-21-year-old self soaked in everything around her when she attended sorority conferences with Wiley, where the focus often was on alleviating problems that touch girls and women through study and action. "Everyone knew her because she did the work. She was serious about making a difference in people's lives."

After retiring from Detroit Public Schools in 2001, Alfredine Wiley (seated in pink) turned her attention to elevating Detroit students in another way through the creation of the nonprofit Alfredine J. Wiley Scholarship Fund, which provided scholarships that supported the education and development of high school graduates throughout metropolitan Detroit.

Carolyn Hafner also was touched by Wiley's unique approach to making a difference in the lives of others. Like Walls, Hafner  then Carolyn Whidby  was at Cass when Wiley made her arrival. Hafner viewed Wiley's entrance from the vantage point of a ninth grade student, and Wiley commanded her attention immediately.

"I was scared to death the first time I saw her; you knew you better not get in any trouble with this lady because she wasn't going to take any stuff," remembers Hafner, who was voted president for the Class of 1982. "She just commanded that role in a strong but loving way."

And Hafner says the longer she was a student at Cass, the more love she felt from Wiley, which she often experienced during long chats in Wiley's office.

"Over in the old building, there were like 5,000 students at Cass. But you had her attention. She was 100% present and very interested in your life," said Hafner, who today is associate vice president and chief human resources officer at Wayne State University. "And then, after high school, when I got married (to high school sweetheart Mikehl Hafner Sr.) and had children (Mikehl, a recipient of a scholarship from the Alfredine J. Wiley Scholarship Fund, and Adam) and started talking to her about being a wife and mother, our relationship transitioned into a different kind of friendship and we would talk and laugh for hours. But she was still pouring into me. To have Alfredine Wiley in your life is to be blessed. She had a light and I was connected to her until the day she died."

In high school and throughout her adult life, Carolyn Hafner received "positive affirmations" from Alfredine Wiley. Today, Hafner is associate vice president and chief human resources officer for Wayne State University. "At Cass, Mrs. Wiley used to say: 'Ms. Whidby, you're going to rule the world,' recalls Hafner, who was president for the Class of 1982, when she was known as Carolyn Whidby.

During the evening of Aug. 29, the two people that had to share their mother and her light with the rest of the world, came together by phone. While speaking from two different time zones, their message was often the same throughout the talk.

"My mother knew her purpose," 52-year-old Jennifer Wiley, a human resources talent coordinator at Wayne State University, said. "She could pinpoint your strengths and help you to be your best self. And because she helped so many people, it doesn't feel like an ending. It's really a living legacy and there's comfort in that."

For sure, Lillian Samuel, Jennifer Wiley's big sister, often had to wait her turn to speak with her mother during school hours when Samuel was a Cass Tech student (Class of 1985). It was a situation that Samuel says she has always handled with grace. She said she looks forward to seeing students from her school days and more at the Wayne County Community College District Northwest Campus Welcome Center at 8200 W. Outer Drive on Saturday, Sept. 14 to celebrate the "life, legacy and love" of Alfredine Jordan Wiley. It is scheduled to begin at noon.

Lillian Samuel, left, and Jennifer Wiley have spent their lifetimes sharing their mother, Alfredine Wiley, with the world. It is a reality that the two daughters have handled gracefully, and on Saturday, Sept. 14, Lillian and Jennifer look forward to sharing special memories with many people that were also touched by their mom during a memorial celebration at the Northwest Campus of Wayne County Community College District.

"It is my hope that everyone who attends the memorial celebration for my mother can experience the essence of who she was," said the 56-year-old Samuel, the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area, who proudly shared a story during the evening of Aug. 29 about a time when her mother was stopped by a nearly 60-year-old woman at a Farmer Jack in Southfield who remembered being taught by Wiley as an elementary student in North Carolina. "My mother was all about youth and young people. And she did it with so much kindness, and integrity ... and love."

Scott Talley is a native Detroiter, a proud product of Detroit Public Schools and a lifelong lover of Detroit culture in its diverse forms. In his second tour with the Free Press, which he grew up reading as a child, he is excited and humbled to cover the citys neighborhoods and the many interesting people who define its various communities. Contact him at stalley@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @STalleyfreep. Read more of Scott's stories at www.freep.com/mosaic/detroit-is/. Please help us grow great community-focused journalism by becoming a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: By expecting the best, Alfredine Wiley worked magic with young people
A man was killed and two others were injured early Sunday when a fight broke out at a large gathering in suburban Pittsburgh and gunfire erupted, police said.

The shooting victim who died was discovered in a car that crashed while attempting to flee the scene, according to the Allegheny County Police Department.

The violence unfolded just before 4 a.m. Sunday when 911 callers notified police about a large disturbance on State Street in Clairton, about 15 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, authorities said.

PHOTO: Police investigate a shooting on Sept. 1, 2024, in Clairton, Pennsylvania that left one man dead and two others injured following what police described as a large fight. (WTAE)

When first responders got to the scene, they found numerous people fighting in the streets, police said.

"Multiple local police departments responded to the area to assist Clairton Police. Upon arrival they heard multiple shots fired in the crowd at 4:10 a.m.," the Allegheny County Police Department said in a statement.

MORE: 49ers' Ricky Pearsall shot in 'attempted robbery' in San Francisco: Police

PHOTO: Firefighters on the scene of a shooting on Sept. 1, 2024, in Clairton, Pennsylvania, that left one man dead and two others injured following what police described as a large fight. (WTAE)

During the barrage of gunfire, one man who suffered a gunshot wound attempted to flee in a car but ended up crashing on State Street, police said.

Two other victims were found shot at the scene. One man was shot in the leg while the other suffered a bullet wound to the arm, according to police.

MORE: 1 dead in shooting at Michigan State Fair, police say

The injured victims were treated at a local hospital, where they were both in stable condition, police said.

One person was detained at the scene, but no charges were announced.

PHOTO: Firefighters on the scene of a shooting on Sept. 1, 2024, in Clairton, Pennsylvania, that left one man dead and two others injured following what police described as a large fight. (WTAE)

The name of the man who was killed was not released.

Homicide detectives from the Allegheny County Police Department were investigating the shooting.

It was not immediately clear what prompted the fight that turned deadly.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call detectives at the Allegheny County Police Department at 833-ALL-TIPS.

ABC News' Jessica Gorman contributed to this report.

Shooting, car crash leaves 1 dead, 2 injured in Pennsylvania following large fight: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
UINTA COUNTY, Wyoming (ABC4)  One person is dead and two are in custody after a shooting at a residence in Uinta County, Wyo., on Saturday, according to the Uinta County Sheriffs Office.

At around 5:50 p.m. on Aug. 31, authorities responded to a shooting at a home just east of the Fort Bridger Rendezvous  a mountain man rendezvous in celebration of the Fur Trade Rendezvous Era that occurred in the Rocky Mountains between 1825-1840  in Uinta County.

Cast members of controversial Secret Lives of Mormon Wives ask viewers to give show a chance

One individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Two suspects were taken into custody after the incident. The names of those individuals, as well as the deceased, have not yet been released.

This was an isolated event and there is no threat to the Fort Bridget Rendezvous or the community of Fort Bridger. All events will go on as scheduled, the Uinta County Sheriffs Office stated. The Uinta County Sheriffs Office would like to thank all the agencies who responded to assist. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim who lost their life.

No further information is 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.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man died after he refused to drop his gun and tried to take an officers weapon outside of a McDonalds in Southeast Sunday.

MPD posted about the shooting in the 2500 block of Marion Barry Ave. SE on the X platform at 7:03 a.m.

In a news conference, Chief Pamela Smith said officers received a call about a car crash at the McDonalds restaurant at the location shortly after 5 a.m. When police arrived, they found that a car hit the building, causing minor damage to it.

Row house porch partially collapses in Southeast

The driver of the car, a man, was inside it, unconscious. Officers saw that he had a gun, and they called for other police. The man began moving. Smith said the officers, who had their guns extended, gave him commands, including telling him to drop the gun.

While that was taking place, Smith said the man grabbed an officers gun. At that point, two officers opened fire, hitting the man.

DC Fire and EMS, which was already at the scene of the crash, tried to keep the man alive, but he died.

Smith said MPD recovered the mans gun. They were in the process of identifying him and notifying his family about what happened.

A photo of the suspects weapon. (Courtesy: @DCPoliceDept)

No officers were hurt.

Smith said MPD Internal Affairs agents were working with criminal investigators in looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident. She added that the United States Attorneys Office would conduct an independent review.

Smith said the officers who used their guns were on administrative leave, per department policy. She said that their body cameras were activated during the encounter with the driver.

This is yet another reminder of the daily dangers that our officers face, and the residents and the visitors across the District of Columbia, said Smith.

Nico Spence, a resident of Anacostia who has lived there most of her life, told DC News Now that the crime in the area has made her feel unsafe.

I really am considering moving away just because I dont feel safe anymore, said Spence. We deserve to live in a community that is safe; we deserve to live in a community that is free of 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Situation in main area of Russian offensive is challenging  Ukraine's commander-in-chief

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has reported that the situation is difficult in the "main area of the enemy offensive", which appears to be in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Syrskyi on social media

Quote: "The situation is challenging in the main area of the enemy offensive.

However, all necessary decisions at every level are being made promptly."

Details: Syrskyi added that Russian forces are continuing to suffer heavy losses even though they have the advantage in terms of weapons and personnel.

Background: On 30 August, Ukrainian and Russian forces clashed 183 times across the war zone, with 30 combat engagements taking place on the Pokrovsk front, 28 on the Kurakhove front and 25 on the Kupiansk front.

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Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American taken hostage in the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks, is among six hostages whose bodies were recovered Saturday. President Joe Biden said the bodies of Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages held by Hamas were recovered in a tunnel under Rafah. "I am devastated and outraged," Biden said in the statement. "Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes."

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Much like July this year, August presented contrasting temperature patterns between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. In San Luis Obispo County, temperatures were warmer than normal, while in Santa Barbara County, they were average.

At the Paso Robles Airport, the mean temperature for July was 75.2 degrees. The typical mean at the airport is 73.7 degrees. Meanwhile, the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport recorded a mean of 71.4 degrees, which is 4.2 degrees above normal. Unofficially, this August mean temperature may be the hottest on record in San Luis Obispo, besting the previous record of 71.1 degrees in 1998.

In contrast, Santa Barbara County experienced cooler conditions. The Santa Maria Airport had a mean temperature of 64.6 degrees, compared to its historical average of 64 degrees. The Santa Barbara County Airport reported a mean of 66.7 degrees, about 0.3 degrees warmer than normal.

Historically, August is the warmest month in the inland areas, while September is the warmest month in the coastal valleys and beaches.

An upper-level low-pressure system off the Northern California coastline will continue to produce persistent northwesterly winds and extensive marine low clouds with pockets of mist and drizzle overnight and early in the morning.

Fresh to strong (19 to 31 mph) northwesterly winds will develop along the coastline during the afternoon through Monday. These afternoon winds should be strong enough to mix out the temperature inversion layer, leaving behind sunny skies throughout the Central Coast.

Inland valleys (Paso Robles) temperatures will reach the mid-90s, while the coastal valleys (San Luis Obispo) will range between the high 70s and low 80s. The beaches will warm up to the 60s, except for Cayucos, Avila Beach and Shell Beach, which will reach the high 70s and perhaps even the low 80s through Labor Day.

High pressure will build over California starting Tuesday and will continue through Friday. This condition will create warmer temperatures away from the coastline, with the inland valleys reaching triple-digit levels while the coastal valley will reach the high 80s to low 90s.

Along the coastline, the northwesterly wind will decrease to gentle to moderate (8 to 18 mph) levels, and a stubborn marine layer will continue to hug the coastline, producing mostly overcast skies throughout the day and cooler beach temperatures.

In other words, expect August Fogust with large temperature differentials between the beaches and inland valleys.

During the following week, we should see strong to gale-force (25 to 38 mph) northwesterly winds, mostly clear skies and cooler temperatures.

Surf report

A 3- to 5-foot northwesterly (300-degree deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 14- second period) is forecast along our coastline through Monday, becoming a 3- to 5-foot northwesterly (290-degree deep-water) swell (with an 8- to 12-second period) on Tuesday through Friday. Increasing northwesterly seas are forecast on Saturday through the following week.

Surface seawater temperatures will range between 56 and 60 degrees through Monday, warming to 57 to 62 degrees on Tuesday through Friday. Seawater temperatures are expected to cool the following week with increasing amounts of upwelling.

On this day in weather history (Sept. 1)

The first day of September has historically experienced record-breaking weather from blazing hot days to recurring lightning and a devastating typhoon.

1955: The temperature in Los Angeles, California, soared to an all-time high of 110 degrees during an eight-day string of 100-degree weather

1979: A home in Centerville, Tennessee, was hit by lightning and destroyed. It marked the third time that the house had been hit by lightning since being built in 1970.

2006: On the other side of the Dateline was Typhoon Ioke, the strongest Central Pacific hurricane in more than decade. Classified as a Category 5 super typhoon, it knocked out Wake Islands weather sensors as it lashed the isle with 155 mph winds with gusts up to 190 mph. Ioke was the first Category 5 typhoon to develop in the central Pacific since record keeping began in the early 1960s.

2017: The high temperature in Paso Robles reached 109 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 107 degrees set in 1998. It was the fifth time in six days a heat record had been set in Paso Robles. A strong temperature inversion layer had once again developed that morning. SLOWeather.com in western San Luis Obispo reported 62 degrees at 6 a.m, while just a short distance away, but at 1,200 feet of altitude, Tims place in the Irish Hills reported 88 degrees.

This weeks temperatures

LOWS AND HIGHS, PASO ROBLES

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 55, 94 54, 95 57, 98 59, 100 61, 102 62, 104 60, 100 58, 97

LOWS AND HIGHS, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND COASTAL VALLEYS

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 56, 78 57, 81 58, 84 62, 85 64, 89 61, 88 60, 85 59, 84

John Lindsey is a retired PG&E marine meteorologist. Email him at JohnLindseyLosOsos@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @PGE_John.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender attend a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the victims of the knife attack at the Solingen town festival. In the suspected Islamist attack in Solingen, an attacker killed three people with a knife at a city festival and injured eight others. Christoph Reichwein/dpa

Germany should continue to value the right of asylum but must take steps to limit irregular migration, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Sunday at a memorial service for victims of a suspected Islamist attack last week in Solingen.

Germany "for good reason" has offered a refuge and safety to those fleeing warfare and oppression, as many Germans only managed to survive the Nazi regime because other countries opened their doors, Steinmeier said.

"We want to remain that country. And we can only remain so in the end if we are not overwhelmed by the number of those who (come) without the right to this special protection," Steinmeier told roughly 450 gathered mourners.

A 26-year-old Syrian man who was living in a nearby refugee residence was arrested in the wake of the stabbing rampage, which killed three people and injured eight others at a local festival in the western German city.

He is being held on suspicion of murder, suspected membership in the Islamic State terrorist group and other charges.

The Islamic State is claiming responsibility for the attack, but German authorities are still investigating the claim.

The suspected attacker is believed to have evaded a deportation order in Germany, something that has helped fuel a bitter debate in the country over asylum and migration policy.

"And we will only remain this country if those seeking protection abide by the laws of our country. Only then will we be able to maintain acceptance among the population," Steinmeier said on Sunday.

The president called for the government and the political opposition to work together to achieve the "huge task" of enforcing immigration laws and creating workable rules to manage migration and asylum claims.

Attack hit 'core of our national identity'

Steinmeier said that the act of bloodshed strikes at the heart of "a friendly, open and diverse country," he said.

"It strikes us at the core of our national identity in which people live together peacefully despite all differences and want to live together - people who have lived here for generations as well as those who have arrived later," Steinmeier said at the service in the city's performing arts theatre.

In his eulogy, the German president said the perpetrator was targeting, with his hatred, just as others have before him, this way of life.

In his eulogy, Steinmeier acknowledged that the German state had failed to keep "its promise of protection and security" in Solingen, and that any mistakes or shortcomings that failed to prevent the attack must be dealt wiht comprehensively.

Steinmeier, who had spoken privately to the relatives of those killed and injured, said he could hardly imagine what the families and friends "are going through, what you must be suffering, what hell you are going through."

He charged that "fanatical Islamists want to destroy what we love" including an open society. While he acknowledged that people "feel fear and uncertainty," residents must not allow themselves to be paralysed with fear.

Scholz: Germany must 'learn lessons'

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who also took part in the memorial service, said in a post on X afterwards that the crime "hits us in the heart, it makes us angry."

"We owe it to them [the victims] and their families to learn lessons from this," Scholz wrote. "We mourn the dead of Solingen. We mourn with their families, with everyone in this city, with everyone in Germany."

Scholz's government proposed stricter rules on weapons, tight new limits on benefits for some asylum seekers and greater police powers to address suspected Islamist threats in the wake of the attack.

On Friday - for the first time since the Taliban retook power - a deportation flight to Afghanistan took off from Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport with 28 convicted Afghan criminals on board.

Also attending the memorial services were the president of Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, Barbel Bas; the state premier of North Rhine Westphalia, Hendrik Wust; and the state's Interior Minister Herbert Reul.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier lays a wreath at the Fronhof, during a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the victims of the knife attack at the Solingen town festival. In the suspected Islamist attack in Solingen, an attacker killed three people with a knife at a city festival and injured eight others. Christoph Reichwein/dpa

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (C), his wife Elke Budenbender, and Hendrik Wust (lCDU), Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, commemorate the victims of the knife attack at the Solingen city festival at a wreath-laying ceremony at Fronhof. In the suspected Islamist attack in Solingen, an attacker killed three people with a knife at a city festival and injured eight others Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
The 2024-24 Texas hunting and fishing season starts Sept. 1. Shannon Tompkins/Houston Chronicle

The 2024-25 Texas hunting and fishing season starts Monday.

That means both a lot and a little for hunters and fishers across the state. Sure, it means new season passes need to be purchased but most of what happens stays the same.

But not everything stays the same. There are new rules coming into effect Monday that will change things for some hunters and fishers.

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Here are some of the rules being introduced for the 2024-25 season.

New rules for hunting mountain lions

Canned hunts for mountain lions are now banned. A canned hunt is when an animal is captured and then released later for the point of hunting it. Trapping standards have also changed as mountain lions are not allowed to be in a trap for more than 36 hours. The lone exception is for vertical snares that are 10 inches or less.

The passage of these regulations is an important step toward better management of mountain lions in the state, Richard Heilbrun, Wildlife Diversity Program Director, said in a statement. The regulations support ethical hunting and trapping practices while continuing to provide flexibility for landowners to manage mountain lions.

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New oversized spotted seatrout tag system

People with a saltwater fishing license or endorsement are allowed to harvest one spotted seatrout of 28 inches or greater. An additional oversized spotted seatrout can be harvested with the purchase of a $3 Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag and a $3 Exempt Angler Tag.

Chronic wasting disease containment and surveillance zones updates

Voluntary testing measures for chronic wasting diseases will be enforced at containment zones 1-6 and surveillance zones 1 and 3-6. Surveillance Zone 2 is a mandatory testing zone.

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Surveillance zones have also been eliminated in Uvalde County and Limestone County.

"Containment zones refer to areas where CWD has been detected and confirmed. Surveillance zones identify areas where, based on the best available science and data, the presence of CWD could be reasonably expected," reads a June press release.

HUNT PACKAGES: Big Time Texas Hunts packages announced for new season

New deer carcass disposal regulations

Those zone updates are not the only changes made due to chronicle washing disease. New regulations for disposing of deer carcasses have been instituted to help mitigate the spread of the disease.

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Hunters are now allowed to debone deer carcasses on site, "provided proof of sex and tags are maintained until the hunter reaches the final destination," reads a press release from June.

Meat taken from the deer must be kept together.

"These disposal measures apply only to unused carcass parts from native deer (i.e. white-tailed deer and mule deer) harvested in Texas that are being transported from the property of harvest," the press release says. "If carcass parts from native deer species are not being transported from the property of harvest, these carcass disposal rules would not apply."

Desert bighorn sheep, light goose among hunting seasons with schedule changes

Multiple dates are changing for different seasons within the overall hunting year. This includes desert bighorn sheep. The hunting season for the sheep will be Nov. 15  Sept. 30 instead of Sept. 1  July 31.

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The regular goose season for light geese will increase by 19 days in the areas labeled as the Eastern Zone.

In select counties, the wild turkey hunting season will be decreased.
Colorado Republicans who want to depose state party chairman Dave Williams can proceed with a meeting called for that purpose, a district court judge ruled late Friday.

Arapahoe County District Court Judge Thomas W. Henderson said in a five-page order that the court lacks jurisdiction to decide the party's internal dispute over attempts to oust its elected leaders, including Williams, citing Colorado law and prior court rulings.

In response, El Paso County Vice Chair Todd Watkins told Colorado Politics that organizers plan to move ahead with a meeting scheduled for Aug. 24 at a church in Brighton, where Williams' detractors plan to vote on whether to replace Williams and his lieutenants, state Vice Chair Hope Sheppelman and party Secretary Anna Ferguson.

"We always knew we were right. Now, we have a court behind us. A court that Dave brought in to try to quash us," Watkins said in a text message. "Daves arguments were not only tangled and warped, they were fallacious. Dave tried to confuse and mislead the court. Weve been honest and straightforward from the outset."

Added Watkins: "Dave has tried every bully tactic against us, up to and including lawfare. He has been losing at every turn. We will hold a perfectly legal and legitimate meeting on Aug. 24 and conduct the business we said we would conduct."

Williams said Saturday the party plans to appeal the decision and fired back at Watkins in a statement issued by the state GOP.

"Watkins clearly seeks to sow chaos 80 days before an important election by creating another Party entity designed to drive a wedge between our members and disrupt election operations," the party's statement said. "Please know this: Any actions taken at Watkins' fraudulent meeting will NOT settle whatever dispute exists, and their invalid and divisive efforts will only ensure the conflict continues for months to come"

The party's statement said that Williams and other state party leaders will "only respect" actions taken at a central committee meeting it has called for Aug. 31 at a church in Castle Rock, which it characterized as "the only legitimate meeting."

Watkins and Jefferson County GOP Chair Nancy Pallozzi have been organizing an effort to remove Williams since June, when the state party enraged Republican candidates and county party officers with repeated attacks on the LGBTQ community's Pride Month, including a call to "Burn all the #Pride flags."

Other Williams opponents derided the former state lawmaker for diverting party resources to support his failed congressional candidacy and a Williams-led move to endorse candidates in Republican primaries, most of whom lost.

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Williams and the Colorado GOP sued last month to prevent Watkins and Pallozzi from convening a meeting of the party's state central committee to consider whether to remove its leadership team.

Initially, the same judge granted a temporary restraining order sought by the state party to block a meeting called for July 27, but last week Henderson reversed his earlier ruling and lifted the restraining order, suggesting that Williams' attorney had misrepresented the state party's bylaws in court filings.

After dissolving the restraining order he'd issued on Aug. 6, Henderson told Williams and Watkins to submit written arguments on the state GOP's original lawsuit, which asked the court to enforce a decision made by the state party's executive committee that determined Watkins had improperly called a meeting to remove Williams.

After considering the briefs, the judge sided with Watkins and Pallozzi  who was also named in the lawsuit  in dismissing the state party's complaint.

In part, the decision rests on the distinction between the state party's roughly 400-member central committee, which includes elected Republican officials and county party officers from throughout the state  and the executive committee, a much smaller body with about two dozen members, many appointed by the state party chairman.

Under Colorado law and the state GOP's bylaws, the state central committee has the final say on internal party disputes, contrary to arguments made by Williams and his Broomfield-based attorney, Dave Piggot, a former legislative candidate, the judge ruled.

In a virtual hearing and court documents, Piggot repeatedly maintained that a decision made by the state executive committee quashing the meeting called by Watkins was the "Final Decision," but the judge said the party's own rules clearly stated otherwise.

"To the extent Plaintiff argues that any decision regarding internal party disputes by the EC, or by him in his capacity as Chairman, is 'final', the Court disagrees. The CRC has not yet decided any of the internal party disputes now before this Court," Henderson wrote in Friday's order dismissing the party's lawsuit.

Citing the executive committee's decision, Williams and Scheppelman described any central committee meeting convened by Watkins as "invalid and illegal," while Watkins has long maintained that the July 27 and Aug. 24 meetings he's called  under party bylaws that allow 25% of the committee's membership to convene a meeting over objections from the party chair  meet the state party's requirements and will be authorized to conduct business.

Williams and Scheppelman, however, insisted that the state central committee meeting they called for Aug. 31  the Saturday before Labor Day  is the "properly called meeting" and have urged Republicans not to attend Watkins' meeting a week earlier in Brighton.
The crash happened after Spain's Guardia Civil began pursuing eight speedboats that entered the Guadalquivir river early on Sunday morning - Jose Lucas/Alamy Stock Photo

A high-speed boat chase near the Spanish port city of Cadiz left one alleged drug trafficker dead and four injured.

The crash occurred after Spains Guardia Civil, backed by a helicopter, began pursuing eight speed boats that entered the Guadalquivir river early on Sunday morning.

During the chase, one boat loaded with drugs managed to dock next to another that the crew then used to flee, the civil guard said in a statement.

Head-on crash at full power

The police continued to pursue the boat carrying the suspected traffickers, which then accelerated before crashing head-on at full power into the riverbank.

The boat overturned, resulting in the death of one person, while four others were injured to varying degrees, the statement said.

At least 47 bales of hashish were left behind on the abandoned vessel and another 74 bales of hashish were recovered around the accident site, police said.

Some of the bales of hashish found

It is the latest in a series of recent confrontations on the water involving Spanish authorities.

The incident comes after the death of two police officers whose vessel was hit by a drug traffickers boat during another chase in the province of Cadiz, close to the port of Barbate, in February.

Main entry point for drugs

The region regularly sees drug seizures by Spanish customs agents and the civil guard, with Spain being among the main entry points of drugs into Europe.

There have also been recent clashes at sea between Spanish police patrols and migrant ships.

Last week, a Guardia Civil speedboat ran over a boat believed to be carrying migrants trying to reach the Spanish territory of Melilla in North Africa.

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Footage showed the police officers chasing the vessel and trying to block the path before slicing it in half, sending its passengers flying into the water.

Moroccan authorities said they were investigating the collision, which left one injured, but Spains interior ministry said it would not.

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We spoke to hundreds of prison gang members  heres what they said about life behind bars

The United States incarcerates a larger proportion of its citizens than any other developed country in the world, with around 1.5 million people serving time in prison. But to anyone who doesnt work or live in a facility, life behind bars largely remains a mystery. The public gets a glimpse of life on the inside only when there are riots, executions or scandals.

As criminologists, we spent nine months interviewing over 800 prisoners in Texas in 2016. They told us about their lives before and during prison, as well as their impending return to the community, a journey shared by over 600,000 people each year.

We also learned about a significant reality in prisons: gangs.

Our book, published in 2020, pulls back the curtain on how gangs compete for control and structure prison life. Gangs wield power behind bars, but they are more fractured and have less control than people believe.

Getting in, getting out

Despite fairly extensive research on street gangs, there is little research on gangs in prison.

Conducting research in prisons is rare because it is hard to gain access. Prison officials tend to be risk-averse and loathe to let outsiders inside the walls. Even if researchers get inside, theres the possibility that prisoners will not participate in interviews. When the topic is gangs, these issues are even bigger.

That was not our experience. About half of the people we interviewed were affiliated with gangs. Gang and nongang prisoners told us, Id rather talk to you than sit in my cell. They saw the interview as cathartic; they were able to get things off their chest to a neutral party.

The war years

Prison gangs exploded across the U.S. with the rise of mass incarceration in the 1980s. Texas prisons were mostly gang-free until bloody battles broke out in 1984-85 between the Mexican Mafia and Texas Syndicate as well as the Aryan Brotherhood and Mandingo Warriors. Fifty-two prisoners were murdered in a 21-month period that became known as the war years.

Over 50 different gangs were represented in our study. Most of these gangs were active in prison and on the street. All of the 12 security threat groups, or STGs as they are termed by prison officials, fit the classic view of prison gangs: organized, conspiratorial and violent. The remaining gangs are called cliques. If security threat groups are like criminal organizations, cliques are like a band of criminals without clear leadership, direction or structure.

Race and ethnicity mattered to all gangs. Geographic proximity is the great social sorter for street gangs; it is race and ethnicity for prison gangs. Nearly all of the prison gangs were composed of a single race or ethnicity.

The people we spoke with made it clear that prison gangs in Texas are not what they used to be. Prison gangs were described as watered down, no longer having the teeth to enforce rules, especially the security threat groups. Few prisoners, including gang members, believed that gangs brought order to prisons or made prisons safer, a claim often made about prison gangs. The perception of power is stronger than its reality.

Wielding power

While gangs may not have iron-fisted control over prison life, it would be wrong to think they lack influence. If gang members compose only a minority of prisoners, around 20% in Texas according to our research, how do they wield power?

Violence.

Gangs use violence to resolve disputes, discipline members and protect their interests. Stories of violence are passed down across generations to ensure the memory lives on. The war years occurred more than 30 years ago, yet still loom large in the minds of the people we interviewed.

Gangs bring a different flavor to prison violence. There is a multiplier effect. A violent incident involving a gang member expands the pool of future victims and offenders because of the collective gang identity. Being in a gang means assuming these liabilities.

Joining the gang

For the uninitiated, prison is scary. People are stripped of their identity, roles and status from the outside. About half of the prison population is convicted of a violent offense. Joining a gang would seem like a pretty good decision.

Our research reveals that about 10% of inmates in Texas joined a gang for the first time in prison, while another 10% imported their gang affiliation from the street. Status and protection were common reasons for joining a gang in prison, much like on the street. But ideology was also important, such as race supremacy or vigilantism, which we rarely observe in street gangs.

Still, most prisoners dont end up in gangs. Thats true even though avoiding gangs is harder in prison than on the street. Nongang members get their affiliations checked and are often recruited when they step onto a prison unit. Those that want to avoid gangs cite their religion, homosexuality or even status as sex offenders  most gangs ban inmates convicted of sex crimes  as reasons to not to join.

Blood in, blood out

It was once believed that once you join a gang you could never leave. Criminologists have dispelled this myth among street gangs; young people leave gangs regularly, and usually without repercussions like violence. We also found this to be the case in prison, even for the security threat groups.

Disillusionment is the leading reason for leaving. Gang members eventually realize they are sold a bill of goods on gangs. Snitching, victimization, solitary confinement and delayed parole crystallize discontent with gang life.

Leaving a gang is more difficult in prison. Walking away is not a credible option. Gang members sought permission or gave notice of intentions to leave, or enrolled in the prison systems two-year exit program.

Block the on-ramps, open the off-ramps

Despite decades of effort, breaking the grip of gangs on prison has been unsuccessful. The silver bullet simply doesnt exist.

Placing gang members in solitary confinement is thought to be a solution, but thats a management approach. It applies a Band-Aid to a bullet wound that could hurt more than help. And one-size-fits-all approaches to rehabilitation ignore the baggage of gang affiliation. [Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.]

To compete for control, gangs need numbers, which is why focusing on points of entry and exit offers hope for reducing the power of gangs in attracting new members and encouraging current members to leave.

Doing nothing only allows the problem to fester and grow. Prisoners today will eventually become the neighbors, religious congregants and employees of tomorrow. We want people to leave prison in a condition better than they arrived. That means effective responses to gangs.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: David Pyrooz, University of Colorado Boulder and Scott H. Decker, Arizona State University

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David Pyrooz has received research grant funding in last five years from the City of Denver's Department of Public Safety, the National Institute of Justice (US Department of Justice), the Charles Koch Foundation, and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Scott H Decker has received funding from the National Institute of Justice and the Arizona State University Foundation.
Staff at scandal-hit CBI must ask permission to drink at summer party

Rupert Soames, the CBI's new president, has been working to restore its reputation - Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg News

Staff at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) have been told they need permission from their line manager to drink alcohol at the groups summer party, after it was rocked by claims of misconduct last year.

The CBI, once Britains biggest lobbying group, is imposing strict rules on its summer reception this year. It follows allegations of sexual assault and a toxic culture last year.

Any staff who want to drink alcohol at the evening event will need explicit line manager approval to do so and those given the go-ahead must not drink to excess, an insider said.

CBI rules state that staff-only events can only involve alcohol if food is served. The rules are stricter for outward-facing events such as its upcoming London summer reception, which plans to bring together more than 100 leaders in business and politics.

For external events involving members, the lobby group has told staff that they may not drink alcohol during working hours. If the event takes place outside of working hours, line manager approval must be sought in advance.

Staff have also been warned that the provision of free alcoholic drinks by the CBI or any third-party organisation is not intended to encourage or facilitate anyone to drink excessively.

The CBI has been battling to move on from a harassment scandal that erupted in early 2023, when claims included the alleged rape of a female employee at the CBIs 2019 summer boat party emerged.

Rain Newton-Smith, director-general, was brought in alongside Rupert Soames to recover the CBI's reputation - Darren Staples/Bloomberg

The allegations also included claims of inappropriate touching, sexualised remarks, the propositioning of female colleagues while drunk and widespread cocaine use.

The CBI insisted last year that it had found no evidence or record of the alleged rape. At the same boat party, another manager was accused of attempted sexual assault, which the CBI investigated. An independent review by law firm Fox Williams found that the CBI had failed to sack toxic sexual predators and lost the confidence of female staff members.

The scandal led to an exodus of large corporate members that battered the groups finances, although it received a vote of confidence from its remaining members at an extraordinary general meeting last June.

Rupert Soames, former Serco chief and Sir Winston Churchills grandson, was hired as the CBIs new president late last year and has been working to restore its reputation alongside Rain Newton-Smith, who was brought in as director-general.

Following a major governance overhaul, drastic cost cuts and a huge push to win back support in the City, The CBI has now renewed membership with a number of large companies, including Unilever and GSK.

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WHITEWATER, Wis. (WFRV)  A 21-year-old Illinois woman, who was a standout gymnast at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was shot and killed at an off-campus apartment on Friday, leading to officers arresting a 23-year-old man who was known to the victim.

According to the Whitewater Police Department, officers were first called to an apartment in the 100 block of West Whitewater Street around 11:55 p.m. on Friday, August 30. Officers arrived to find 21-year-old Kara Welsh dead with multiple gunshot wounds.

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Deputies: Alcohol believed to be factor in Marinette County ATV crash that killed Neenah man

Officers say that a 23-year-old man who was reportedly known to Welsh was at the apartment when officers arrived. The release notes that there had allegedly been an altercation between Welsh and the suspect before the shooting happened.

The 23-year-old was subsequently arrested and taken to the Walworth County Jail on the following charges:

First-Degree Intentional Homicide

Endangering Safety by the Use of a Dangerous Weapon

Disorderly Conduct while Armed

Welsh, who was from Plainfield, Illinois, was a standout member of the Warhawk gymnastics team, winning an individual national title on the vault in 2023.

Appleton Police Department investigating shooting on citys southside

We know the news of Karas death is heartbreaking for our close-knit university community. It is a time when we are all called upon to support one another, to process, and to grieve. Please know that counseling services are available to you. For students, please contact the University Health and Counseling Services. For faculty and staff, please contact Acentra, the Employee Assistance Program. Since learning of this tragedy, our colleagues across Whitewater have come together to respond and to engage in layers of support for our students, faculty and staff. UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey King

Chancellor Kings full statement can be read here.

No additional details have been released. Local 5 will update this story when more information is 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.
State premier Kretschmer says CDU willing to govern again in Saxony

Incumbent Minister President of Saxony and leading candidate of Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU ) Michael Kretschmer waves on stage after the announcement of the first projections. State elections were held in Saxony on Sunday. Robert Michael/dpa

The premier and lead candidate of Germany's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) in the state of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, believes his party is capable of continuing to lead the state government, following regional elections on Sunday.

"It won't be easy," Kretschmer said at the CDU's election night party in Dresden, after initial projections from public broadcasters ARD and ZDF gave the CDU a razor-thin lead ahead of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

"But one thing is certain: with many discussions and the will to do something for this state, we can succeed in using this election result to give Saxony a stable government that serves the state and leads the way with humility," Kretschmer added.

He said that the CDU is ready to continue taking responsibility for the state.

Kretschmer's CDU has been governing in a coalition with the Greens and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) in Saxony.

Incumbent Minister President of Saxony and leading candidate of Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU ) Michael Kretschmer waves on stage after the announcement of the first projections. State elections were held in Saxony on Sunday. Robert Michael/dpa
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.

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.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Springfields annual Stone Soul Festival is New Englands largest African American festival, and Saturday began with a celebratory, vibrant parade.

Recent phone scheme costs Hampden County resident $1,000

This parade of local businesses, local politicians, and local businesses started at State Street and ended at Blunt Park for a day of festivities celebrating African American culture.

Marchers gathered at Rebecca M. Johnson Elementary School to step off at 11 a.m. and included the Hampden County Sheriffs Department, members of the Richard Allen Lodge #30, Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools Sonia Dinnall, the NAACP, African American fraternities, and more.

State Representative Bud Williams told 22News the importance of this day for the African American community.

It just marks the legacy of Springfield, Williams said. It keeps us going and were so happy that we have a beautiful day today. Its just a culmination of our history. You know, you tie Juneteenth in with that, and youve got a beautiful celebration.

This year marks the 35th Stone Soul Festival, and there will be music, food, local artists displaying their work, and activities to enjoy at Blunt Park through Sunday.

This years parade Grand Marshal, Justin A. Petty, encouraged all to join in this celebration of history, culture, and unity.

I hope the community come out and have a wonderful time, Petty said. And we hope that they enjoy themselves, and everyone stays safe and taken care of.

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.
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

The strike at the Lufthansa Group's holiday subsidiary Discover Airlines was due to end on Sunday evening after six days, according to the German pilots union Cockpit.

The union is satisfied with the results, a spokesman said after last week's joint decision with the UFO flight attendants union to stage a four-day walkout by pilots and cabin crew operating out of Frankfurt and Munich.

"What we see is that many flights have been returned to the parent company Lufthansa. This is causing operational problems, and that is what we want to achieve," the spokesman told dpa.

The strike, which began on Tuesday, was originally due to end on Friday. On Thursday, the union prolonged the action into the weekend as a demonstration of resolve in the current wage dispute.

According to Lufthansa, the strike had only a minor impact on operations on Sunday, the sixth day of the walkout.

"Overall, the cancellations are at the low level of the past five strike days," a spokeswoman for the airline group said.

Five of 20 short-haul flights from Frankfurt had to be cancelled and another flight was to be taken over by a partner airline. Twenty long-haul flights from Frankfurt and Munich could take place without any changes, Lufthansa said.

The conflict stems from talks with Germany's large services union Verdi, which has secured the first collective agreements for pilots and flight attendants of the relatively new airline Discover.

Cockpit and UFO work closely together to bypass existing pay agreements struck between Lufthansa and Verdi, which they see as a competitor union.

The unions argue that Verdi lacks sufficient membership within the airline's operations and was established as a bargaining partner by Lufthansa management.

Founded in 2021, Discover Airlines currently has 27 aircraft that fly to holiday destinations in Europe and overseas. It has a staff complement of almost 2,000, including 500 pilots and 1,400 cabin crew, with the remainder in administration. The exact number of unionized employees is unknown.
Hotel workers on strike chant and beat drums while picketing outside the Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Rodrique Ngowi)

With up to 17 rooms to clean each shift, Fatima Amahmoud's job at the Moxy hotel in downtown Boston sometimes feels impossible.

There was the time she found three days worth of blond dog fur clinging to the curtains, the bedspread and the carpet. She knew she wouldn't finish in the 30 minutes she is supposed to spend on each room. The dog owner had declined daily room cleaning, an option that many hotels have encouraged as environmentally friendly but is a way for them to cut labor costs and cope with worker shortages since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unionized housekeepers, however, have waged a fierce fight to restore automatic daily room cleaning at major hotel chains, saying they have been saddled with unmanageable workloads, or in many cases, fewer hours and a decline in income.

The dispute has become emblematic of the frustration over working conditions among hotel workers, who were put out of their jobs for months during pandemic shutdowns and returned to an industry grappling with chronic staffing shortages and evolving travel trends.

Some 10,000 hotel workers represented by the UNITE HERE union walked off the job Sunday at 24 hotels in eight cities, including Honolulu, Boston, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego and Seattle. Hotel workers in other cities could strike in the coming days, as contract talks stall over demands for higher wages and a reversal of service and staffing cuts. At total of 15,000 workers have voted to authorize strikes.

We said many times to the manager that it is too much for us, said Amahmoud, whose hotel was among those where workers have authorized a strike but have not yet walked out.

Michael DAngelo, Hyatts head of labor relations for the Americas, said the company's hotels have contingency plans to minimize the impact of the strikes. We are disappointed that UNITE HERE has chosen to strike while Hyatt remains willing to negotiate, he said.

In a statement before the strikes began, Hilton said it was committed to negotiating in good faith to reach fair and reasonable agreements. Marriott and Omni did not return requests for comments.

The labor unrest serves as a reminder of the pandemic's lingering toll on low-wage women, especially Black and Hispanic women who are overrepresented in front-facing service jobs. Although women have largely returned to the workforce since bearing the brunt of pandemic-era furloughs  or dropping out to take on caregiving responsibilities  that recovery has masked a gap in employment rates between women with college degrees and those without.

The U.S. hotel industry employs about 1.9 million people, some 196,000 fewer workers than in February 2019, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly 90% of building housekeepers are women, according to federal statistics.

It's a workforce that relies overwhelmingly on women of color, many of them immigrants, and which skews older, according to UNITE HERE.

Union President Gwen Mills characterizes the contract negotiations as part of long-standing battle to secure family-sustaining compensation for service workers on par with more traditionally male-dominated industries.

Hospitality work overall is undervalued, and its not a coincidence that it's disproportionately women and people of color doing the work, Mills said.

The union hopes to build on its recent success in southern California, where after repeated strikes it won significant wage hikes, increased employer contributions to pensions, and fair workload guarantees in a new contract with 34 hotels. Under the contract, housekeepers at most hotels will earn $35 an hour by July 2027.

The American Hotel And Lodging Association says 80% of its member hotels report staffing shortages, and 50% cite housekeeping as their most critical hiring need.

Kevin Carey, the association's interim president and CEO, says hotels are doing all they can to attract workers. According to the association's surveys, 86% of hoteliers have increased wages over the past six months.

"Now is a fantastic time to be a hotel employee, Carey said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press.

Hotel workers say the reality on the ground is more complicated.

Maria Mata, 61, a housekeeper at the W Hotel in San Francisco, said she earns $2,190 every two weeks if she gets to work full time. But some weeks, she only gets called in one or two days, causing her to max out her credit card to pay for household expenses

It's hard to look for a new job at my age. I just have to keep the faith that we will work this out, Mata said.

Guests at the Hilton Hawaiian Village often tell Nely Reinante they dont need their rooms cleaned because they dont want her to work too hard. She said she seizes every opportunity to explain that refusing her services creates more work for housekeepers.

Since the pandemic, UNITE HERE has won back automatic daily room cleans at some hotels in Honolulu and other cities, either through contract negotiations, grievance filings or local government ordinances.

But the issue is back on the table at many hotels where contracts are expiring. Mills said UNITE HERE is striving for language to make it difficult for hotels to quietly encourage guests to opt out of daily housekeeping.

The U.S. hotel industry has rebounded from the pandemic despite average occupancy rates that remain shy of 2019 levels, largely due to higher room rates and record guest spending per room. Average revenue per available room, a key metric, is expected to reach a record high of $101.84 in 2024, according the hotel association.

David Sherwyn, the director of the Cornell University Center for Innovative Hospitality Labor & Employment Relations, said UNITE HERE is a strong union but faces a tough fight over daily room cleaning because hotels consider reducing services part of a long-term budget and staffing strategy.

The hotels are saying the guests dont want it, I cant find the people and its a huge expense, Sherwyn said. Thats the battle.

Workers bristle at what they see as moves to squeeze more out of them as they cope with erratic schedules and low pay. While unionized housekeepers tend to make higher wages, pay varies widely between cities.

Chandra Anderson, 53, makes $16.20 an hour as a housekeeper at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor, where workers have not yet voted to strike. She is hoping for a contract that will raise her hourly pay to $20 but says the company came back with a counteroffer that felt like a slap in the face.

Anderson, who has been her household's sole breadwinner since her husband went on dialysis, said they had to move to a smaller house a year ago in part because she wasn't able to get enough hours at her job. Things have improved since the hotel reinstated daily room cleaning earlier this year, but she still struggles to afford basics like groceries.

Tracy Lingo, president of UNITE HERE Local 7, said the Baltimore members are seeking pensions for the first time but the biggest priority is bringing hourly wages closer to those in other cities.

That's how far behind we are, Lingo said.

-

This story has been updated to correct that Unite Here is now saying that workers at 24 hotels are on strike, not 25.

______

Associated Press Writer Jennifer Kelleher in Honolulu contributed to this story.

____

The Associated Press women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Montana State University is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights for discrimination. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

I spent three years working at MSUs VOICE Center  the only confidential and 24/7 office on campus that supported survivors of sexual violence, relationship violence and stalking  and I have immense concerns with MSUs decision to quietly eliminate this essential resource.

At the beginning of July, Montana State University announced that during the course of the summer, The VOICE Center and the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) would combine to become the Campus Civil Rights Office (CCR). OIE was a Title IX office that investigated reports of discrimination, harassment and sexual violence. MSUs administration has framed this transition as a benefit to civil rights, however, breaking down this change reveals that MSU is simply rebranding OIE to Campus Civil Rights and dissolving The VOICE Center. By transitioning all services to Campus Civil Rights, survivors of sexual violence no longer have access to essential confidential support and resources because this Civil Rights office operates within Title IX, just as OIE did, and is therefore unable to be confidential. The silent removal of The VOICE Center is a disservice to survivors and demonstrates MSUs inability to listen to students at a time when the university is already under numerous civil rights investigations.

The core of The VOICE Center was confidentiality, and without confidential services within CCR, many survivors will not feel comfortable coming forward and seeking support. While hurting survivors, this could further benefit MSU if the university falsely correlates fewer students seeking support with a decrease in the occurrence of sexual violence on campus. In practice, the loss of The VOICE Center will likely lead to an increased caseload for confidential resources for survivors within the Bozeman community such as Haven and The Sexual Assault Counseling Center. For instance, without The VOICE Center, all hospital calls from MSU students seeking support from a trained advocate during Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exams are now the responsibility of The Sexual Assault Counseling Center.

VOICE Center advocates and certain staff positions are being moved over to CCR. However, these advocates who trained to work with survivors are now being reassigned to different roles within CCR. This could force advocates into new roles that provide support to offenders of interpersonal violence, as part of CCRs Title IX requirements is to provide information to accused perpetrators. Safety and confidentiality were The VOICE Centers greatest assets for survivors, but combining resources for sexual violence survivors and offenders into the same office will almost certainly leave survivors feeling unsafe and distrustful of CCR.

MSU chose to push forward with this Civil Rights office even after VOICE Center advocates expressed concerns with this change. Additionally, MSU claims that the switch to CCR is in response to student leaders requests for centralized services. However, when speaking with an involved student leader, they insist that MSU is misrepresenting their words. Student requests included broadening The VOICE Center, which was viewed as a supportive resource and one that was best kept separate from OIE, an office that often let students down. This is showcased with the multiple federal investigations against the university related to alleged civil rights violations. Rather than meaningfully addressing the requests and complaints, MSU rebranded OIE to Campus Civil Rights and effectively dismantled The VOICE Center, one of the few campus resources that students felt safe with.

It remains to be seen whether this new office improves MSUs responses to civil rights cases, but it is clear that this change creates more barriers for survivors of sexual violence to access support and obtain the resources they need to heal. I have spent many hours supporting survivors at The VOICE Centers office, over its support line, and in hospital visits. It is clear that students utilized and trusted this resource. For MSU to dismantle The VOICE Center, sweep the implications under the rug, and then say it is what students asked for is extremely concerning to me, and should be a concern for anyone who cares about students.

If you or someone you know have been affected by interpersonal violence, there are confidential options available to you. The Sexual Assault Counseling Center and Haven are confidential community resources in Bozeman with 24/7 support lines for survivors of sexual violence. If you are a student looking to get involved at MSU, Students Against Sexual Assault (SASA) is a club on campus that works to bring recognition to these issues. The number for the Sexual Assault Counseling Center is (406.586.3333) and fHaven (406.586.4111) Both are confidential community resources in Bozeman with 24/7 support lines for survivors.

Grace Zabrocki was a Survivor Advocate at The VOICE Center for three years while attending Montana State University (Bozeman).

Editors note: This column was updated at 5:35 p.m., to correct a name and add resources for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE)  A pair of bills were signed into law in Sacramento to help address whats described as a homelessness crisis in the state of California. We hear from city leaders in Fresno about how these bills, along with other measures, will help address the problem locally.

We also sit down for a one-on-one with Fresno County Supervisor Sal Quintero to discuss his upcoming election against current Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chavez.

Click here for more Sunday Morning Matters

And a pair of Central Valley school districts are coming up with a plan to address political discussions on school campuses as the election season heats up in the valley and around the nation.

All of that is on this weeks Sunday Morning Matters.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Suspect charged in connection to deadly shooting in east Charlotte

A suspect has been charged in connection to an east Charlotte shooting that happened in May.

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, 28-year-old Christian Daniel Sosa was located and arrested on Sunday.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man killed in east Charlotte shooting, CMPD says

The department says Sosa is charged in connection to the murder of 31-year-old Ramirez Fuentes.

On May 12, emergency crews were called to Kilborne Drive around 5 a.m., where they found Fuentes. He was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries.

Fuentes next of kin have been notified of the arrest.

CMPD has not released what led to the shooting.

This is a developing story; check wsoctv.com for updates.

WATCH: CMS bus driver accused of driving while impaired, authorities say












Election rights in the crosshairs

Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells is once again going after Crystal Mason, a distressed Black woman who was already cleared of illegally voting on a provisional ballot that wasnt even counted. (Aug. 22, 1A, Appellate court to review Tarrant County illegal voting case) Appealing the cases dismissal is unnecessary, unethical and unkind. After five years, hasnt Mason been tortured enough?

This is a mean-spirited fishing expedition that does not make me feel better about voting in Tarrant County. Instead, it scares me. And maybe that is the point. It scares me that my vote or someone elses could be threatened, that someone trying to register to vote might be scared away from voting.

Do us all a favor and drop the case.

- Penny Baxter, North Richland Hills

Scapegoat for a lack of proof

Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells laser focus on Crystal Mason is easily explained. There is so little evidence that our elections are not watertight that he has latched onto this single case.

My tax dollars should not be wasted on this.

- Sandra Soria, Fort Worth

Public libraries offer great value

Mayor Mattie Parkers call to action challenging the Fort Worth school district is welcome news. (Aug. 29, 10A, Mayor, other leaders call out school crisis. Is board listening?) However, school districts need the support of government, community leaders and philanthropy for success.

Public libraries are vital resources in an educated, thriving community, from pre-kindergarten to post-graduate. But in 2021, the city closed the Seminary South library branch, the only one serving southside neighborhoods. Fort Worth must reopen it so the community can take advantage of all the programs our public library system has to offer.

The city should also expand free Wi-Fi service to all Neighborhood Improvement Program communities. And finally, imagine what our libraries could do if they had a dedicated endowment.

City leaders: Walk the walk.

- Rosemary Galdiano, Fort Worth

Abbott must fund our schools

After reading the Aug. 28 front-page story Mayor calls on FWISD leaders to boost test scores, it occurs to me that our local leaders seem unwilling to look to Austin and ask why our districts arent being given the funding they need. The yearslong slog toward a dead-end voucher scam is leading us nowhere, and Gov. Greg Abbott seems intent to hold our children hostage for his own schemes.

As a parent of a student in Fort Worth public schools, I can say my child has had nothing but dedicated, hardworking teachers who love what they do and want to make a difference, if only our elected leaders would let them.

Lets start asking the right people the right questions. Wheres our money, Governor?

- Erin Hurst, Fort Worth

Parents have most important role

Fort Worths mayor is looking for the reason so many students in the Fort Worth school district cant read adequately. It isnt that the hardworking teacher isnt doing his or her job. Nor is it the fault of the school board. And it isnt lack of funding.

Children are performing poorly because their parents dont care. When parents are more interested in whether their children can hit, throw or kick a ball than read or do math, you can see the results.

Folks may scream at the school board, make demands and protest, but until parents get to work mentoring their own children, the failure rate will not improve. That is, assuming the parents can read or do math at a grade level above that of their children.

- Jesse D. Johnson, Crowley
Social media giants are fighting an attempt by the UKs technology regulator to stop children receiving friend requests from strangers over the internet.

Ofcom has urged technology companies to ban children from being presented with lists of suggested users to add, known as network expansion prompts. The proposals are designed to tackle illegal harms such as grooming under the Online Safety Act.

Snap, the $15bn owner of messaging app Snapchat, has pushed back against the proposals. The Californian company has argued in a response to the regulators plans that there are strong benefits of such friend recommendation tools for children, including helping to tackle the UKs loneliness epidemic.

Online safety campaigners said Snapchats submissions were an effort to water down the regulators protections for children and called the companys decision to invoke a loneliness epidemic cynical.

Ofcoms proposals, announced in November, said children should not be presented with network expansion prompts, or included in network expansion prompts presented to other users.

Such prompts see social media users presented with lists of potential friends and mutual contacts, including people they may never have met in person.

In its response to the regulator, Snap said the proposals went too far and said such prompts should be allowed when they had been designed responsibly and enable connections to people the child is likely to know in real-life (as opposed to strangers).

It claimed such digital connections helped to support feelings of belonging and happiness in young people and could tackle the UKs loneliness epidemic.

The social network said that older children between the ages of 13 and 17 should be included in network expansion prompts and be presented with network expansion prompts by default.

It suggested limiting such prompts to instances where there are multiple mutual contacts, or where the child already has the phone number of a potential contact on their smartphone.

Snapchat added: This ensures that there are clear parameters in place so that the teen is very likely to know the other user in real life (whether another teen or an adult).

Scattergun friend requests

Online safety campaigners said Snapchats proposals were an effort to weaken protections for children.

Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, said: Snapchats attempt to water down the regulators proposals shows the company continues to prioritise its revenue over childrens safety.

Its particularly cynical to see Snapchat invoke a so-called loneliness crisis as it seeks to continue with high-risk design choices that are seemingly driven far more by a concern for its bottom line than child wellbeing.

He added Snaps proposal would fail to address the risks of teenagers being encouraged to add users they dont know and seem focused on the platforms growth rather than minimising the risk of malign or dangerous contact.

Ofcom has been preparing to enforce its new powers under the Online Safety Act, consulting with industry figures and child safety campaigners.

The full measures come into force in spring next year and would grant the regulator the power to levy fines on tech giants worth billions of pounds for failing to tackle online harms.

Announcing its proposals last year, Ofcom warned that scattergun friend requests are frequently used by adults looking to groom children.

Research from the regulator found that three in five secondary school-aged children had been contacted online in a way that made them uncomfortable.

One in six had been sent naked or half-dressed photos or been asked to share ones of themselves.

Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcoms chief executive, said such abuse cannot continue.

The regulators proposed measures included blocking children from lists of suggested contacts, not presenting users with suggested friends lists and not making their connections visible to others.

Snapchat suggested children should be offered a prompt to block a connection request from someone they did not appear to know.

The company said it believed the risks of responsible network expansion prompts were relatively low and should not be disabled for younger users.

Freedom of information data from the NSPCC published last year revealed there had been 34,000 online grooming offences against children in the last six years.

Where the means of communication involved in the offence was disclosed by police, 26pc of cases  or 3,692 instances  involved Snapchat.

An Ofcom spokesman said it was considering all responses to its consultation.

A Snap spokesman said: Snapchat helps connect people to their friends and family, and we are committed to the safety of our community. We have extra protections for under 18s to make it very difficult for them to be contacted by people they dont know.

This includes keeping friends lists private, and we dont allow any users to be messaged by someone they havent added as a friend or dont already have in their phone contacts. We continue to roll out enhanced safety measures to support our community, including expanding our in-app notifications to ensure teens are in touch with people they trust and in some cases, preventing friend requests altogether.

These measures have been recognised by Ofcom as examples of best practice to help protect children, and we continue to work closely with Ofcom to support the implementation of the Online Safety Act.

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18-year-old in custody after deadly shooting of 16-year-old in Hermitage

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  One teenager died and another was arrested following a Saturday evening shooting in the Hermitage area, officials said.

According to Metro Nashville dispatch, the incident was reported just after 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31 from the 4000 block of Hallborough Way.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) told News 2 that neighbors said they heard about five gunshots.

Zepplenin Phillips, 16, was reportedly found on the ground near his home with three gunshot wounds to the neck and chest and was brought to Vanderbilt by neighbors.

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Raphael Jobehdari (Source: MNPD)

Authorities initially told News 2 the teen had life-threatening injuries, but officers at the scene later said the hospital told them he was pronounced dead.

MNPD announced on Sunday, Sept. 1 that 18-year-old Raphael Jobehdari  who was identified as a suspect after detectives learned Phillips communicated with him about buying a gun and sent him money  had been arrested.

SWAT officers helped execute a search warrant at Jobehdaris home along Carl Miller Drive, where authorities said they also located and impounded the car that Phillips approached on Hallborough Way just before he was shot. Three firearms were reportedly seized during the search.

Jobehdari is being charged with Phillips murder, officials said, adding that the motive appears to involve the alleged anticipated sale of a gun.

RELATED: Teen dead, another injured after shootout at Bellevue shopping center

This marks the second time Jobehdari has been involved in a fatal shooting this year, according to MNPD.

On Jan. 31, when Jobehdari was 17, he and 18-year-old Gavin Dauzart exchanged gunfire during a drug-related robbery in the parking lot at the Kroger shopping center in the 7000 block of Highway 70 South in Bellevue, police said.

Authorities said Dauzart died from his wounds, but Jobehdari was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he spent several days recovering after being shot in the abdomen and leg.

According to officials, Jobehdari claimed he shot Dauzart in self-defense. Following a review of the investigative file with the District Attorneys Office, no charges were filed against Jobehdari at the time.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

No additional details have been released about Saturdays deadly shooting.

Meanwhile, a vigil was held in Phillips honor at his familys home along Hallborough Way on Sunday, Sept. 1. Hampton Hall neighbors gathered with flowers and cards, praying for healing.

News 2 spoke with Troy, who recalled hearing noise following the shooting. He said he tried to give Phillips CPR, adding that several neighbors also jumped in to assist.

Violence is huge. I feel like its really, its sad to say, almost common in the Nashville area. [You] just hear so many stories and to be a part of it is just surreal. Theres a lot of disbelief. Its scary As a nurse, I take care of patients always just fighting for their lives and just to do it outside of work was just very uncomforting to react, butyou dont have much time in a critical situation, Troy explained.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Phillips family with funeral expenses.

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 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.
MAURY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  David Golden remembers the day in great detail.

It was around 11 a.m. in mid-March when the 54-year-old father of six and grandfather of two was working in a pit in Hampshire, a community about 60 miles southwest of Nashville. He was loading up some chert rock for a friend, the construction worker explained to Nexstars WKRN.

David said he was close to the wall of the pit when, all of a sudden, the dirt came crashing down on him and his backhoe, breaking the seat off the floorboard of the machine.

Thats when the darkness set in.

Golden became immobilized from the neck down with only a small space around his face. He couldnt see, he could barely move, but he was still able to breathe.

PREVIOUS: Man rescued after being trapped under landslide of dirt for 15+ hours in Hampshire

David said he had no idea how much dirt was on top of him as he tried to dig his way out with his right arm. However, every time he moved some dirt, more fell into his face, causing him to fear that he would be smothered.

The roof of the backhoe had been smashed but was still protecting him from being completely crushed, David recounted to WKRN. With no idea how long he would be stuck, David said he began to pray.

He described himself as a religious man who had not been reading his Bible and praying as much as he could have, but in that moment, he believed God was communicating with him, urging him to get back on the path.

I said, Youre going to die right here today, so I started praying, David recalled.

About 12 hours later, Melody  Davids wife of 33 years  came to the pit, finding the dump truck David had been using was still running. She hadnt heard from him all day.

Once she noticed the collapse that had buried her husband, Melody feared the worst.

Meanwhile, David remained buried under the dirt. He could still hear his dump truck running, and when it suddenly shut off, he believed it had finally run out of fuel.

NFL rookie shot during attempted robbery in San Francisco, teen arrested: police

Above him, it was Melody and her brother who had moved and shut off the truck. Melodys brother then jumped into the chert pit, combing through the dirt to search for any signs of life.

He was able to find a small metal piece of the backhoe protruding from the dirt.

If it wasnt for my little brother, they would not know where to dig, Melody told WKRN.

I heard him holler. He said, Hes right here. Hes alive,' David remembered.

Davids wife and brother-in-law called 911 and told an army of first responders exactly where to start digging. By then, David had been buried alive for roughly half the day.

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

(Courtesy: Maury County Fire Department)

Multiple agencies from Maury County were called in to find David.

The moment he saw the first flashlight and another human face, David said he knew he was saved.

I knew right then that I was Gods child, he told WKRN, explaining that he continued praying for forgiveness for his sin as more rescue teams arrived.

Crews said they started digging with their hands and shovels and formed a bucket brigade to remove the dirt from the immediate area. After more than three hours, a skid steer and another backhoe joined the effort to move larger amounts of dirt, allowing the buried backhoe to be revealed. At that point, personnel decided to cut the roof off the buried backhoe to reach the trapped man.

Then, nearly 16 hours after first becoming trapped, David was free.

Video from that night shows David in a stokes basket as a human chain passed him down the hill to a waiting ambulance, which took him to a Vanderbilt University Medical Center LifeFlight helicopter.

I prayed three times for the good Lord to take me home because I was in so much pain, David said. I had the feeling come over me that someone was coming, that someone would be there.

Mega den of hundreds of rattlesnakes grows as births captured live

David didnt sustain any broken bones or internal injuries, but because of the immense pressure his lower body experienced for hours upon hours, he is currently wearing a brace and still has a lot of numbness in his legs.

The Goldens want every person who helped save Davids life to know how thankful they are.

The good Lord was with me, and I was ready to go, David explained. When you think youre going to die and you have peace and the presence of God with youI told them when I come out, I said Id do it again for that feeling.

David told WKRN he will start driving his dump truck again as soon as he is able to do so. He is also excited to get behind the controls of another backhoe and even dig in the chert pit.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Editor's note: The letters below reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to the bottom to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree. We welcome diverse viewpoints.

Hagerty is in the tank for Donald Trump

Re: "Harris-Walz ticket promises more freedom. Give me a break!" by Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty, Aug. 16.

I suggest that in the future The Tennessean fact check any article written by Tennessee's junior U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty.

His attempted gaslighting of Tennessee's citizens in his August 25 guest opinion column about our economy shows the senator's total disregard for the facts and for the intelligence of his state's vast citizenry.

Sixteen Nobel Prize winners in Economics in June of this year jointly signed a letter warning of the economic risks in a second Trump term including reheating inflation, Trump's promise to make permanent his first term tax cuts for the wealthy and for corporations, Trump's promise to impose universal tariffs on all imports, and pressuring the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates.

In addition, Hagerty's full throated support for his friend and for all things Trump, the convicted felon and sexual abuser ex-President, has not gone unnoticed by men and especially women across the state.

Furthermore, Hagerty had publicly announced he was prepared to vote for the decertification and overturning of the 2020 presidential election. He stated he changed his mind on decertification of the election after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

The attack on the truth and the disregard for facts has been the hallmark of Donald Trump and his sycophants like Bill Hagerty. Tennessee deserves much better from our U.S. Senators.

Ken Maynard, Franklin 37064

Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., speaks during the Tennessee Republican Partys Statesmens Dinner at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, June 15, 2024.

How does Trump reflect Tennessee values?

I noticed in that Senator Hagerty disparaged the Democratic Party, in the most negative terms.

However he failed to mention any of his preferred candidates issues, like being a 34-time convicted felon, a man found liable for sexual assault, a man who has been married three times and committed adultery on all three women, who was great friends with a child molester, stole classified documents, led an attempted overthrow of a duly elected government , etc., etc.

Can he please answer why he supports a man so criminal to head our country? These values are not Tennessee Values and certainly not mine.

Robert Law, Nashville 37211

Republicans do what they accuse Democrats of doing

Tennessee U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty dares to call out the Kamala Harris campaign for a new low of propaganda and gaslighting when his own party of Trumpers have sunk far lower.

He says Democrats think Americans can't be trusted to raise their own children, but it's Republicans that made a law prohibiting parents from doing what they think is best for their transgender child.

Hagerty claims Democrats want to get involved in your medical decisions, but it's Republicans who overturned Roe v Wade and want to criminalize abortion. As to the remark about discerning the truth, the truth is just that. Nothing to discern, only need verification.

There is no such thing as alternative facts, Mr. Hagerty. I expected a better critique of the Harris campaign coming from our state senator, not more drama garbage and big government propaganda.

L. Barrett, Portland 37148

Look in the mirror when blaming the other party

All l want to say is how in Gods Creation did Bill Hagerty become a Senator? He has to be one of the most out-of-touch men l have ever heard of. His article in The Tennesseans Aug. 25 Insight  section is so out sight out of mind.

Who was president when COVID hit the U. S.? His defending of a convicted ex-president is disgraceful, just like he is.

Lets put the blame where it belongs, Hagerty. The article that was written by you is blaming the wrong people in government.

Sounds like you are trying to win brownie points from the GOP  which just shows how disgusting and shameful you are.

Ruth Kindrat, White House 37188

Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., speaks during the Tennessee Republican Partys Statesmens Dinner at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Trump cast a spell on Hagerty and his MAGA supporters

With all due respect to Tennessee U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, I'd like to respond to his article entitled "Harris-Walz ticket promises more freedom. Give me a break!" (Aug. 16).

Senator Hagerty covered many topics that he believes in fact lessen our individual freedoms and then ended with the statement, "If this election is about true American-style freedom, Donald Trump is the only choice."

Give me a break! Something is being overlooked here, and that is unfortunately there are some, maybe a lot of Republican leaders who appear to be under a Trump spell.

I don't call that freedom by any stretch of imagination. Knowing what we know it would be good to take a step back and do some reflection for the good of all.

Belinda French, Columbia 38401

Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty gaslights citizens with pro-Trump stance
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) made an unannounced policy change Friday, modifying its requirements for Texans seeking to change the sex marker on their birth certificates.

The DSHS website previously said the agency would accept a certified court order to change a persons sex marker on their birth certificate, according to an archived version accessed via the Wayback Machine. That is no longer listed as an accepted document for VS-170, the DSHS form required to make such a change.

OutLaw: What a birth certificate change means to transgender Texans

Trans Texans no longer have an option to amend their birth certificate to reflect their gender identity. We are still working with our legal partners to understand these changes, read a social media post from the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT).

KXAN reached out to the DSHS for comment on the change, and whether it was directed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to make the change. Previously, Paxton directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to refuse court orders that require the agency to allow Texans to change the gender marker on state-issued IDs.

That policy change by DPS also included a directive for DPS employees to submit the court orders to the Attorney Generals office for its records. It is unclear if the DSHS policy change also includes a similar directive.

Court orders cant be used to change gender on Texas licenses, DPS email says

Texas law permits changes to birth certificates if proven by satisfactory evidence to be inaccurate. However, it doesnt allow state agencies to make substantive policy changes without 30 days notice and a public comment period.

In order to obtain a court order for a sex marker change, transgender Texans have to submit evidence to a family court judge. In Travis County, this includes a letter from a medical professional or therapist.

In 2023, the Texas House declined to pass Senate Bill 162, which would have prevented changes to the sex marker on a minors birth certificate but still allowed an adult Texan to update their own.

DSHS will still accept a court order for changes to sex on a death certificate, according to the 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 KXAN Austin.
A star of the 2024 Miss Hooters International Pageant hails from Mason.

Sophia Zullo, an employee of the Hooters restaurant in the Cincinnati suburb, was crowned first runner-up and Miss Photogenic in the 27th annual contest among Hooters girls across the country and beyond.

The pageant took place in front of a public audience on Aug. 22 in Fort Worth, Texas, at the live music venue Billy Bobs Texas.

"I am so grateful for this experience and the fact that Ive accomplished so many things within the short 2 years Ive been with the company," Zullo said in a Facebook post. "I am absolutely honored and blessed."

Zullo was one of 30 contestants selected from the 18,000 Hooters girls employed worldwide to compete for the Miss Hooters International Crown and a $30,000 grand prize. Her competitors came from various states, as well as Canada and England.

The event featured "iconic moments," including a choreographed opening number, swimsuit competition and Q&As posed by a panel of judges, according to a release from Hooters.

The women were evaluated on their responses to these interview questions, uniform and swimsuit rounds, personality and "overall contribution" to the Hooters brand.

Zullo is described on the Hooters website as having a "bubbly personality." She can be seen "traveling the country, volunteering or exploring new cuisines," the description reads. She is currently studying sonography to become an ultrasound technician.

According to her Instagram page, she is a 2020 graduate from Oak Hills High School, where she was a cheerleader. She also cheered at the University of Cincinnati during the 2020-21 season.

Zullo is also "Miss March" for the 2024 Hooters calendar. She placed third at last year's Miss Hooters International Pageant.

The winner of the 2024 competition was Cassidy Welch, a Dallas Hooters girl who finished first runner-up in last year's pageant.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati-area woman earns 2nd at Miss Hooters International Pageant
BROOKLYN (PIX11)  The streets of Brooklyn came alive with vibrant colors and pulsating rhythms as over a thousand young participants showcased their Caribbean culture and talent at the annual Junior Carnival Parade.

This years event, held at the Brooklyn Museum, marked a significant shift in focus, emphasizing self-expression and individual talents.

More Local News

Jelanie DeShong, West Indian Day Carnival Board Director, described the transformative approach for this years celebration. Historically, we only focused on the pageantry, and this year, we wanted them to express themselves and show their talents, DeShong explained.

The parade featured a sensory feast, from the aroma of authentic jerk chicken to eye-catching costumes. Local food vendor Kelsey Lopez boasted about their unique jerk chicken, saying, The flavor is different. Its out of this world. You try it. Trust me, you will come every year.

For many families, the event served as a cultural bridge. One mother shared, What it does for the kids is bring back home to New York. For them to get a taste of what their parents experienced growing up.

Beyond the spectacle, the parade demonstrated its commitment to the community with a Back to School giveaway for over 2,000 kids. A volunteer explained, We have different organizations that we asked for help to donate backpacks, plus our members donated stuff.

The NYPD advised attendees to use public transportation for the weekend festivities and assured that safety measures were in place for all events.

This vibrant celebration not only showcased the rich Caribbean heritage but also provided a platform for the younger generation to connect with their roots while expressing their unique talents and creativity.

PIX11 News is the proud broadcast partner of the West Indian American Day Carnival parade, which will be held on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. You can watch the celebrations live on PIX11, PIX11.com, and PIX11+.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that the best way to stop Hamas from killing more Israelis was to meaningfully threaten Iran.

Speaking on ABC's "This Week," the South Carolina Republican was responding to news that six Israeli hostages had been found dead in Gaza, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose parents had spoken at the Democratic National Convention in August.

"If you want the hostages home," Graham told host Jonathan Karl, "which we all do, you have to increase the cost to Iran. Iran is the great Satan here. Hamas is the junior partner. Theyre barbaric, religious nazis, Hamas."

The senator had a specific set of targets in mind.

"I would urge the Biden administration and Israel to hold Iran accountable for the fate of remaining hostages and put on the target list oil refineries in Iran if the hostages are not released," he said.

Israel said the six hostages, seized on Oct. 7, were killed shortly before they were about to be rescued. In response to the news, President Joe Biden said: "It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages."

Graham has long been an ardent supporter of Israel and an assertive foe of Iran and its allies in the Middle East.

Addressing Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Graham said: "If you want to really change things when it comes to the hostages, tell the Ayatollah what he values is on the target list. Until that happens, nobodys coming home."

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, the parents of Goldberg-Polin, had been among the most vocal proponents urging for the Israeli hostages to be released. Both Biden and Graham spoke of them by name.

"I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable," Biden said in his statement.

Graham said on ABC: "Jon and Rachel have done everything in their power to help their son be released from captivity."
Three Israelis have been killed in a suspected Palestinian attack in the southern West Bank, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Sunday.

Two of the victims, both around 30 years old, were killed in the incident near Hebron, according to the Israeli rescue service Zaka. A third individual was later pronounced dead in hospital, according to media reports.

The Israeli military reported that the assailants opened fire on a vehicle in which the three victims were travelling at a military checkpoint. Security forces are currently searching for the attackers in the southern West Bank, it said.

Israel launched a military operation in the northern West Bank on Wednesday, citing a significant increase in attacks on Israelis as the justification for the action. The operation is aimed at targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants.

The situation in the West Bank has deteriorated significantly since the outbreak of the Gaza war which was triggered by the Hamas-led terrorist attack in Israel on October 7.

Since then, according to the Health Ministry in Ramallah, 648 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations, confrontations or their own attacks in the West Bank.
Three rescued from overturned boat on Connecticut River

HADDAM, Conn. (WTNH)  The Haddam Volunteer Fire Company assisted in the rescue of three individuals whose boat overturned on the Connecticut River.

Photo provided by the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company.

Photo provided by the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company.

Photo provided by the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company.

Just after 7:00 Saturday night, firefighters were called to the river for people stranded in the water. The fire company says good samaritans aided the victims before marine units were deployed to retrieve the overturned boat.

All victims were transported back to shore, where they were medically evaluated. The Chester Hose Company provided mutual aid by securing the overturned boat to a dock.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is investigating.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Three tropical areas to monitor in the upcoming week

There are no big changes to the three areas that were watching.

Channel 9s Kassandra Crimi tracks some movement near the coast of Texas, where there is an area of disorganized showers and storms.

It should linger near the coast through most of next week.

Heavy rain and flash flooding are possible.

Read: He didnt protect her: family remembers 9-year-old after father was arrested for her death

We could see some slow development, but only a 20% chance over the next seven days.

Another tropical wave off the coast of Africa will move very slowly into the upcoming week.

If any development happens, it will happen very slowly.

Read: Warm and muggy Sunday in Central Florida

The area that currently has the potential to develop into something tropical is nearing the Caribbean.

Theres a 40% chance of development over the next seven days.

We could see our next tropical depression form next week once it moves past the Lesser Antilles.

Follow our Severe Weather team on X for live updates:

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Tim Walz hosting campaign event in Erie this week

(WJET/WFXP) The Democratic Vice Presidential nominee is coming to Erie.

The Harris-Walz Campaign said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will be hosting an event in Erie on Thursday, September 5 from 3 to 8 p.m.

Harris-Walz campaign announces bus tour in western Pennsylvania

The Harris-Walz Campaign said the venue and event guests will be announced at a later time after delaying a visit to Erie due to scheduling conflicts with CelebrateErie.

This comes just days after Republican VP nominee J.D. Vance held an event in Erie highlighting the economy, the border crisis and the trucking business.

Anyone interested in attending the event must sign up in advance online here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Sen. Tom Cotton, who served in The Old Guard at Arlington Cemetery for 16 months starting in 2007, has no problem with Donald Trump using veterans graves to promote his campaign. He even parroted Trumps response to the controversy, blaming Gold Star families for the controversial photo.

He didnt take campaign photos there, Cotton said on Meet the Press of the image that later appeared on Trumps TikTok. These families, Gold Star families, whose children died because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harriss incompetence, invited him to the cemetery. And they asked him to take those photos, because this is their one chance to have a memory of their children to commemorate their service and honor their sacrifice. They wanted President Trump there. They wanted to take those photos.

Tom Cotton dismisses the concerns of a gold star family who is offended their family member's headstone is visible in the Trump Arlington Cemetery propaganda photos and attacks the New York Times for reporting about it pic.twitter.com/Db3ggEgose  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 1, 2024

Last week, Trump visited Section 60 of the cemetery, where many veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried. His campaign took photos of Trump posing and giving a thumbs-up beside family members of Staff Sergeant Darin Hoover at his grave and later published them on Trumps social media. When a cemetery employee tried to stop Trumps team from taking photos because only cemetery staff are allowed to take photos or film in that area, a member of Trumps campaign staff abruptly pushed the employee aside. According to the Army, Trumps staff were made aware of federal laws  which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds.

I gave my permission, Hoovers mother told NBC News. My son was murdered under the Biden-Harris administration.

Even with the Hoovers permission, the photo violated cemetery rules, especially when it was used for campaign purposes as the Trump campaign did when they posted it on social media.

Meet the Press host Kristen Welker asked Cotton about another Gold Star family who spoke out against Trumps photo in Section 60, where their relative is buried and whose headstone was depicted in Trumps photo with the Hoovers.

Let me ask you about what were hearing from another family, the family of Master Sergeant Andrew Marckesano. He was a Green Beret. His family was concerned that his grave was actually shown in a photo that was posted on social media. A statement from the Marckesanos sister Michelle said, quote, We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly. Did the Trump campaign fail to honor her wishes, their wishes?

No, Kristen, they honored the wishes of the 13 families whose children died at Abbey Gate. Those families wanted the photos, Cotton replied. They told me yesterday that they specifically asked President Trump for the photos. Obviously, headstones at Arlington are close to each other. When you take a photo of your loved one then other headstones are going to be present as well.

The senator went on to attack The New York Times for reaching out to the Marckesanos. Frankly, I think its pretty disappointing that The New York Times went and found a family whose headstone was featured in that photograph of another Gold Star family and then went to them to try to embarrass the Gold Star families who wanted President Trump there, he said.

Again, the issue is not that Trump visited the cemetery with Gold Star families. Its that he leveraged images of it for his presidential campaign. Even Cotton himself wrote about the sacred ground and proper conduct there in his 2019 memoir.

Over the years, I have noticed something about Arlington. Although a sign welcomes visitors to our nations most sacred shrine, no rules are posted. Yet visitors somehow understand a proper code of conduct, Cotton wrote, according to The Daily Beast. Arlington elicits instinctive reverence from citizen and soldier alike because this land is more than a cemetery Arlington truly is sacred ground for our nation.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A transient camp fire in Southeast Portland that spread into a 3-story apartment building displaced the residents of all six units, Portland Fire & Rescue told KOIN 6 News.

The fire in the 10000 block of SE Division was reported shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday. The fire started outside the building and spread into the attic space of the building, officials said.

No injuries were reported. The Red Cross is working with those people who are now without a place to stay.

3 die as Cessna crashes into Fairview townhouse

KOIN 6 News will have more details as they become known.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The National Hurricane Center is continuing to monitor a tropical wave in the central Atlantic, as it makes its way westward.

In a Sunday morning update, the system is showing signs of organization as it approaches the Lesser Antilles and Caribbean Sea.

Storms increase, but timing stays the same

With slow development possible, the wave has a 10% chance of development over the next 48 hours and a 40% chance over the next seven days.

According to the NHC, the system is expected to move into the western Caribbean Sea, with a chance for a tropical depression to form.

In the far eastern Atlantic, there is a 20% chance of a wave developing after moving off the African coast with the possibility of slow development, but it doesnt appear that it will impact the United States.

There are a couple of areas we are watching in the tropics. One in the northern Gulf isnt expected to strengthen as it brings rain to the Texas coast. It will linger through next week, but will not impact Florida. This system has a 20% chance of development through the end of next week, Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Eric Stone said.

A more impressive tropical wave in the south-central Atlantic is expected to develop into a depression sometime next week as it moves through the Caribbean. Forecast models take this system into the Gulf and it is expected to become the next named storm, but it appears to have little or no impact on our weather. This system has a 40% chance of development over the next seven days, he added.

A third tropical wave is located southwest of the Cape Verde Islands and is not expected to develop any further as conditions will not be conducive for development.

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.
Donald Trumps campaign adviser Corey Lewandowski grew testy with Fox News anchor Shannon Bream on Sunday when he was questioned about the dispute over mics in the upcoming presidential debate and was corrected over his false claims about infanticide.

Following much back and forth, Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump have both finally agreed to a September 10 debate.

On Saturday, the Democratic candidate publicly called for Trump to agree that the mics be kept on at all times throughout the event.

Donald Trump is surrendering to his advisors who wont allow him to debate with a live microphone, Harris said in a tweet on Saturday. If his own team doesnt have confidence in him, the American people definitely cant. We are running for President of the United States. Lets debate in a transparent waywith the microphones on the whole time.

According to ABC News, Trumps campaign has agreed to the following rules: no audience members; no opening statements; two minute closing statements; no props or pre written notes on stage; candidate microphones will be live only for the candidate whose turn it is to speak, and muted when time belongs to another candidate, and candidates will not be able to ask questions of each other. Harris team has not yet agreed to the rules, the outlet reported.

On Fox News Sunday, Lewandowski hit out at Harris, saying that the parameters of the debate had been agreed back when President Joe Biden was still the Democratic partys nominee  and that Harris, as the VP pick, was part of that.

Kamala Harris wants hot mics during the upcoming presidential election. President Donald Trump wants them off (REUTERS)

Lewandowski said she knew of the debate rules ahead of time because they are the same for the vice presidential debate.

After she has been coronated to be the presidential nominee for the Democrats, what shes done is come back and said I dont like that criteria anymore, he claimed.

I want to be seated so I can be the same height as Donald Trump, he said.

Bream interjected, saying: Okay, her team denies that.

Lewandowski grew visibly frustrated and launched into a rant hitting out at Harris and her team.

Weve been part of the negotiation back and forth for many, many days here and I dont understand why once again Kamala Harris and her team are changing what their positions have been, he said.

Elsewhere in the interview, Lewandowski also pushed the false claim that Democrats are in favor of abortion after a baby is born, also known as infanticide.

Kamala Harris  has had a radical position on the issue of abortion, Lewandowski said. Many Democrats believe that you can have an abortion not only on up until the last week, but also in some cases after the babys been born.

Bream fact checked Lewandowski on his statement.

To be clear, in a number of states, there is abortion allowed through pregnancy. And that includes a measure that Governor Tim Walz signed in Minnesota, she said.

But Democrats say they absolutely disavow the idea of infanticide or of a baby that does survive an abortion somehow their life being taken at that point. We can continue that debate, because there are a number of states that do allow it through pregnancy. But I think everybody agrees infanticide is illegal and wrong.

The Independent has emailed both the Trump and Harris campaigns for comment.
I last visited Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 23, 2022, for the interment of my grandfather. Eighty years earlier, hed gotten his first taste of combat as a line officer at the Battle of Midway. We were there to bury him in Section 31, alongside my grandmother. The sun was shining, and a bagpiper played Going Home. There were no thumbs up from anyone.

When I read the accounts of Donald Trumps outrageous photo-op at Arlington, and his campaign staffs altercation with a cemetery employee, I thought of my grandparents and the anger theyd have for a political candidate trampling on their graves for a campaign ad. I also thought of the cemetery employee, who according to The New York Times declined to press charges out of fear of retaliation from Trump supporters. (Politico likewise reported that the decision was due to concern over retaliation.) That employees fear is even more chilling if you consider Arlingtons history.

What would become a national shrine to our countrys military heroes began as the estate of George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of the nations first president. When he died in 1857, the property passed to his daughter Mary, whose husband was a U.S. Army officer named Robert E. Lee. Four years later, in the early weeks of the Civil War, the Union Army seized the Arlington estate for use as an artillery outpost. By then, Lee was already a Confederate general, stationed well south of Washington, and his wife ordered the people enslaved on the property to pack up the familys silver and papers before she abandoned the property ahead of Union troops.

By 1864, according to Smithsonian magazines Robert M. Poole, Washingtons cemeteries were running out of room for the war dead. Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs  who had served under Lee before the war but now believed he should be executed if caught  suggested Arlington. He oversaw the burial of thousands of soldiers at the estate and continued doing so after the guns fell silent. He did so not just to ease the burden on other cemeteries, but also to make Arlington uninhabitable for the rebels most prominent general at wars end.

Yet, even as Meigs did his part to make sure the Confederacy never rose again, the freedoms and rights Arlingtons dead had fought for were being undermined. Key to this effort was the use of intimidation. Within a year of Lees surrender at Appomattox Court House, a group of Tennesseeans founded the Ku Klux Klan. They and other armed whites embarked on a reign of terror throughout the South against Black people and their white allies. We are intimidated by the whites, Black residents of Vicksburg, Mississippi, told the states governor in 1875, We will not vote at all, unless there are troops to protect us.

The troops did not come. After the disputed 1876 presidential election and the subsequent Compromise of 1877, federal troops withdrew from the South entirely. Reconstruction was over, replaced by Jim Crow segregation. Intimidation and retaliation were this toxic stews most important ingredients.

Which brings me back to Trumps visit to Arlington and the subsequent fallout. The Army told NBC News on Thursday that a Trump aide abruptly pushed aside a cemetery employee who was trying to enforce the cemeterys restrictions on photos and videos. But the employee refused to press charges. Military officials told The New York Times, she feared Mr. Trumps supporters pursuing retaliation. If this isnt intimidation, what is?

The employee wasnt acting arbitrarily: As the cemetery noted in a statement, Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending. And Trumps campaign dispelled any doubts about the purpose of the visit when its TikTok account used footage from Arlington in a post.

The womans fear is entirely reasonable, and not just because an aide to a former president felt emboldened to push her in the first place. Even without her identity being public, Trump campaign's press secretary Steven Cheung accused her of suffering from a mental health episode. Trump senior adviser Chris LaCivita, best known for leading the smear of 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerrys military service, called her a despicable individual. And at a Thursday rally, Trump linked the cemetery staff with the prosecutors of the multiple indictments against him  that is, he linked her to people he says have it out for him.

More broadly, intimidation has been an essential feature of Trumps campaigns. In his first run, he excused and even applauded when his supporters roughed up protesters. His second run culminated in his incitement of the Jan. 6 insurrection. And in his third run, with staffers like LaCivita and Cheung in key positions, he has done nothing but double down. Now he and his campaign are bullying a woman who merely followed the law protecting the countrys war dead from being exploited as campaign props. Its a campaign of thugs, led by a thug.

The events at Arlington and the way Trump maligned the character of the woman doing her job epitomize one of the key stakes of this election: whether a man who embraces intimidation over law returns to power. Recent decades have seen America tilt away from the idea that might makes right. But that principle reigned during much of our countrys history, and defeating Trump is a way to help keep this dangerous idea from roaring back.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
In September 2021, Hillbilly Elegy author J.D. Vancethen still a long shot candidate for the Republican Senate nomination in Ohiomade an appearance on Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tonight. In a crisp white button-down and navy blazer, no tie, he laid out a proposal to use the powers of the federal government to punish private universities and nonprofits for promoting "radical left-wing ideology."

"Why are we allowing the companies that are destroying this country to receive tax preferences?" he asked. "Why don't we seize the assets of the Ford Foundation, tax their assets, and give it to the people who've had their lives destroyed by their radical open-borders agenda?"

The questions were part of Vance's effort to endear himself to former President Donald Trump in the only way that seemed available to him at the time: by launching a culture-war offensive against progressives, rule of law be damned. His bet paid off this summer when Trump chose Vancenow a first-term senator from Ohioas his vice presidential running mate.

Vance was initially a fierce critic of Trump, tweeting in 2016 that the thenpresidential candidate "makes people I care about afraid. Immigrants, Muslims, etc. Because of this I find him reprehensible." Responding to the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump bragged about his ability to grab women "by the pussy," Vance lamented: "Fellow Christians, everyone is watching us when we apologize for this man."

He would delete those tweets, and others critical of the 45th president, while bidding for Trump's endorsement in the 2022 primary. His bid succeeded, and the endorsement helped him secure the GOP nomination and later the Senate seat.

Vance's "America First" economic and foreign policy leanings are assumed to appeal to blue-collar voters in the swing states that have determined the victor in the last two presidential elections. In a post announcing Vance's selection on Truth Social, Trump explicitly declared that his running mate would be "strongly focused onthe American Workers and Farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond."

Vance, a U.S. Marine turned venture capitalist, has a troubling history of articulating illiberal views about the use of government power. He argued on the Senate campaign trail that conservatives should "seize the administrative state" and use it "for our own purposes." He then floated the idea that a Republican president could simply ignore court rulings he doesn't like.

Like any good authoritarian, Vance has also fostered enmity toward disfavored subsets of the populationin his case, leftists and members of the coastal elite. In 2021, he told The American Conservative that his supporters "hate the right people." When Reason followed up, a campaign spokesperson reiterated that Vance "strongly believes that the political, financial and Big Tech elitesdeserve nothing but our scorn and hatred."

The post Trump Doubled Down on Authoritarianism by Selecting J.D. Vance appeared first on Reason.com.
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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.
Trump and Harris spar over Arlington cemetery visit as he posts video messages from Gold Star family members

The war of words over Donald Trumps visit to Arlington National Cemetery continued over the weekend with his campaign issuing a statement and sharing videos from the Gold Star military families that the former president had joined at the memorial on Monday, when they marked three years since 13 service members were killed during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In the statement shared on Sunday, the Gold Star families  who have lost a loved one in military service  defended the Republican presidential nominee and insisted that Vice President Kamala Harris was the candidate politicizing fallen US service members.

Some family members also recorded video messages that the former president posted on Truth Social, saying Trump was honoring their loved ones when he came to Arlington.

The Republican presidential nominee has been facing fierce backlash over Mondays visit, where campaign staffers allegedly physically shoved a female worker and then disrespected fallen soldiers and veterans families by defying the rules to film and take photos in a banned area.

On Saturday, Harris accused Trump of staging a political stunt that disrespected sacred ground where many Afghanistan war dead are buried when his campaign released images of his visit  including the Republican nominee standing giving thumbs up by the graves of fallen soldiers. Partisan activity is prohibited on cemetery grounds.

The same day, President Joe Biden told reporters when asked about the incident: I dont want to answer because I might tell you what I think.

Donald Trump at Arlington National Cemetery (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

To deflect from the furor, the former president has ramped up his rhetoric in recent days seeking to directly link Harris to the Biden administrations handling of the USs exit from Afghanistan in 2021 after 20 years of occupation.

The service members who died on August 26 2021, were killed by a suicide bomber at the Abbey Gate of Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Trump and the families of some of those killed in the bombing blame Harris, as they did Biden before he ended his reelection bid, for their loved ones deaths, slamming her role in foreign policy decisions, and highlighting a statement she made that she was the last person in the room before Biden made the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.

President Trump was invited by us, the Gold Star families, to attend the solemn ceremonies commemorating the three-year anniversary of our childrens deaths, said the relatives joint statement. He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.

Trump laid wreaths last Monday in honor of Sgt Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt Darin Hoover and Staff Sgt Ryan Knauss.

He posted video testimonials from their family members and thanked them for their statement via social media: Thank you for saying you wanted me to stand with you ... and take pictures, that it was your request, not mine.

Donald Trump gave the thumbs up at the grave of a soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (Utah Governor Spencer Cox)

Christy Shamblin, Gees mother-in-law, said in a 90-second message that Trump and his aides were respectful and a a comfort to the families who gathered at Arlington. Then she directly addressed her remarks to Harris.

Why wont you return a call and explain how you call my daughter-in-laws death a success? Shamblin said. Why would you take a day where we celebrated the deaths of our loved ones and use it to disparage not only them, but us.

Shamblin was among the several family members who also spoke at the Republican National Convention in July on Trumps behalf. Others have joined Trumps running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, on a conference call with media.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden went to Dover Air Force Base in 2021 for the ceremony returning the service members remains to US soil and met privately with the family members there.

Allies of the former president also jumped to defend him in appearances on the Sunday morning political shows, with Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina telling ABC News: You know what really is unfortunate? That these families had to go visit their fallen loved ones at Arlington due to incompetence by the Biden administration.

Trumps visit to the cemetery is controversial because defense officials said his campaign was warned about not taking photographs. There was also an altercation between Trump aides and a cemetery employee when the staff member tried to tell them not to film or take photos.

Officials have said since that an employee whom two Trump campaign staff members allegedly verbally abused and pushed aside has declined to press charges.

In response, the Trump campaign lashed out at Pentagon officials, with top campaign adviser Chris LaCivita referring to military spokespersons as hacks and claiming the campaign had prior permission to film at the site.

The Afghanistan withdrawal came in respect to a commitment and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban in 2020.

A 2022 review by a government-appointed special investigator concluded decisions made by both Trump and Biden were the key factors leading to the rapid collapse of Afghanistans military and the Taliban takeover.

With reporting from the Associated Press
Donald Trump praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, but some Republicans have deep concerns about Orbans influence over the former president.

Viktor Orban I mean hes strong. They consider him strong. Its a good thing, not a bad thing. Runs a strong country, Trump said in a Fox News interview that aired Saturday night.

Trump: Viktor Orban.. I mean hes strong. They consider him strong. Runs a strong country pic.twitter.com/rI2nP2Y1RN  Acyn (@Acyn) September 1, 2024

Given their shared ideology, including affinity for Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin and opposition to arming Ukraine, its no surprise that Trump is cozying up to Orban, whose country currently occupies the rotating role of European Union president. As EU president, Orban adapted Trumps campaign phrase, promoting an agenda to Make Europe Great Again.

But as Politico reports, some Republicans are worried about Trump and Orbans deepening relationship. Orban has visited Trump twice this year in Florida, and the prime minister has spent billions of dollars funding Hungarian conservative foundations and paying U.S. journalist influencers, hoping they will influence policy in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. In 2022, Hungary partnered with the Conservative Partnership Institute and distributed materials with clearly pro-Russian talking points.

Russia has the will, strength, and patience to continue war, a document obtained by a participant who shared it with Politico. U.S aid to Ukraine must be severely constricted and Ukrainian President Zelensky should be encouraged by U.S. leadership to seek armistice and concede Ukraine as a neutral country.

In July, Orban bragged that he was involved in writing Trumps policy proposals.

They [Orban allies] say things people want to hear about issues they care about. Its woke this and woke that, and then they pressure them with what they really want, a source in government told Politico. And what they really want is the end the war in Ukraine with a victory for Putin. The source added that many in GOP foreign-policy circles are worried that Orban is using the MAGA ethos to achieve pro-Russia goals.

Orban has boasted about his influence on Trump, saying in a speech last month that Hungary has deep involvement in the programme-writing system of President Donald Trumps team.

Speaking of Orbans influence, Kristofer Harrison, former adviser in the George W. Bush administration, told Politico, I think of [Orban] as a super-lobbyist, with the kind of influence that a K Street lobbyist could only dream to have.

This post has been updated.

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Donald Trump shared statements from the relatives of 13 soldiers killed during the chaotic US evacuation from Kabul as they hit out at Kamala Harris after she criticized the former presidents involvement in a ceremony honoring the service members.

The dispute over the ceremony at Arlington national cemetery, during which Trump campaign aides allegedly shoved a cemetery worker so they could film Trump laying a wreath, contravening rules against political activity at the site, escalated after the vice-president said Saturday that Trump disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt.

But eight members of the Gold Star families who lost relatives posted messages on Trumps Truth Social platform Saturday saying they had invited Trump to the ceremony and criticized the Biden-Harris administration for the Afghanistan pull-out three years ago.

Why did we want Trump there? It wasnt to help his political campaign, Mark Schmitz, father of Marine lance corporal Jared Schmitz, said in one video. We wanted a leader. That explains why you and Joe didnt get a call.

Darren Hoover, the father of Marine staff Sgt Taylor Hoover, said Harris lacks empathy and basic understanding about the event, and emphasized that Trumps appearance was respectful.

The army said this week that a cemetery official was abruptly pushed aside while interacting with Trumps staff.

On Saturday, congressional Democrats called on the army to deliver a report on what had taken place at the cemetery on Monday. Harris later posted on Twitter/X that the military burial site is not a place for politics.

Related: Kamala Harris says Trump disrespected sacred ground on cemetery visit

Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt, Harris added, and said she would never politicize such an event.

The dispute continued on Sunday, when former Democratic congresswoman and Iraq veteran Tulsi Gabbard, now a member of Trumps transition team, told CNNs State of the Union that she was at the ceremony and saw a very grave and somber remembrance and honoring of those lives that were lost.

Gabbard said she saw Trump spending time at the invitation of these Gold Star families with them and did not see or hear about any kind of altercation until something came out in the news later on.

Gabbard rejected Harriss statement saying she stood with the veterans families. Gabbard told CNN: President Biden and Harris, I heard, were invited by some of these family members. They not only didnt come  they didnt even respond to that invitation.

Senator Tom Cotton continued the Republican pushback, telling NBCs Meet the Press that the Gold Star families had invited Trump, but also Joe Biden and Harris, and he disputed that photos and video were meant for political purposes.

Joe Biden was sitting on a beach. Kamala Harris was sitting in her mansion in DC ... She was four miles away. Ten minutes. She could have gone to the cemetery and honored the sacrifice of those young men and women, Cotton said.

A White House official and a Harris aide disputed Cotton and Gabbards account that the president and Harris had been invited to the ceremony, according to NBC News.

As the political fallout from the Arlington ceremony continues, it has drawn in Utah governor Spencer Cox, a moderate Republican who kept his political distance from the Republican presidential candidate until the attempted assassination on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July.

Cox, a Latter-day Saint, later said he believes God had a hand in saving Trumps life, even calling it a miracle.

Cox attended the controversial ceremony and published photos from the event on his official account. Coxs re-election campaign later issued an apology.

Honoring those who serve should never be political, it read, adding that the campaign was committed to ensure that we run the best campaign possible and well accomplish that by not politicizing things that shouldnt be politicized.
Trump surrogates will hold town hall in Milwaukee Thursday, the same day Biden visits

Surrogates for former President Donald Trump's campaign will hold a town hall event in Milwaukee Thursday evening, the same day President Joe Biden is set to visit southwestern Wisconsin.

The event is billed as part of the Agenda 47 Policy Tour, which refers to Trump's official campaign platform. Democrats have seized on Project 2025, a conservative blueprint created by the Heritage Foundation, which Trump has tried to distance himself from.

Participants in the town hall include North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who was once considered a potential running mate for Trump.

North Dakota Republican Governor Doug Burgum speaks to the California Republican delegation on Sunday before the state of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, who represents southeastern Wisconsin, will also attend, along with former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson. Monica Crowley, a former Trump administration official and conservative commentator, is also listed in the announcement.

The town hall is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Jan Serr Studio, located within the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Kenilworth Square East building. Tickets are available at this link.

The time and exact location of Biden's visit on Thursday has not yet been announced. Trump also plans to hold a rally in Mosinee on Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump surrogates will hold town hall in Milwaukee Thursday
Donald Trumps allies and surrogates are quickly falling in line to defend the former presidents controversial visit to Arlington National Cemetery after Kamala Harris accused the GOP candidate of disrespecting sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt.

During a Sunday appearance on CNNs State of the Union, former Democratic congresswoman and current Trump acolyte Tulsi Gabbard described Trump's trip to the cemeteryand Section 60 specifically as a very grave and somber remembrance and honoring of those lives that were lost.

Tom Cottons Staggering, Shameful Hypocrisy Over Trumps Arlington Debacle

The Republican presidential nominee was invited to a wreath laying ceremony by the family of fallen Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover to mark the third anniversary of a suicide bombing at Kabul airport during the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021. Hoover was one of 13 American service-members killed in the attack on Abbey Gate at the airport's perimeter, where evacuees were being processed.

Trump was accompanied by a photographer and other staffers. He was pictured giving a thumbs up and recording footage that was later shared on social media, behavior that upset other Gold Star families.

(The former president took to TruthSocial on Sunday to defend these actions, posting a statement from the families that invited him to the cemetery which said they had asked his campaign to take photos and videos.)

How Bidens Big Blunder Left the Taliban Stronger Than Ever

Electioneering and other partisan political activity at Arlington is against federal law; the former presidents campaign was made aware of this in advance of their visit. Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants, a spokesperson for the memorial said.

Gabbard, however, claimed Trump campaign was approved to bring a camera there to document this historic and momentous day. She did not specify who gave the alleged permission.

Dodging questions about disgruntled families and cemetery policies, the former lawmaker pivoted to criticizing Trumps opponent. I know President Trump wanted to share (the anniversary) with others, especially given the fact that President Biden and Harris, I heard, were invited by some of these family members. They not only didnt come, they didnt even respond to that invitation, she claimed.

Neither Harris nor Biden have addressed allegations that they were invited to the ceremony on Aug. 26.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) echoed Gabbards criticisms, slamming the Vice Presidentand current presidential candidatefor politicizing Trumps visit to Arlington, and pinning the blame on her for the soldiers deaths.

When the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, the Biden administration was following a withdrawal commitment and deadline negotiated by the Trump administration with the Taliban.

She was the last person in the room advising Joe Biden, and yet theyre criticizing Donald Trump's invitation from those families at Arlington, Stefanik said on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. Kamala Harris is a disgrace, and we need to make sure she never becomes commander in chief.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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BOYNTON BEACH  Two people were killed and four others injured Friday afternoon in a two-vehicle collision west of Boynton Beach in which one of the cars violently rolled over, police said Sunday.

Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office investigators said a 2004 Toyota Corolla driven by 25-year-old Mariela Alfaro of Lake Worth Beach was traveling west on Armone Place approaching the intersection with State Road 7 at about 3:42 p.m. Friday. Four people were riding in the car with her, deputies said.

Alfaro crossed all the northbound lanes of SR7, then drove through the center median break into the south lanes of the road. Traveling in the center southbound lane at the time was a 2016 Toyota RAV4 driven by Santiago Zazquez-Durand, 20, of Coral Springs. Alfaro violated [the RAV4s] right of way  causing the ensuing collision, a sheriffs report said.

After the crash, the Corolla rotated and traveled to the shoulder of the road, where it immediately tripped and rolled over violently, the report said, coming to rest upside-down. Two passengers in the Corolla, Roben Desarmes, 52, of Boynton Beach, and Yulissa Medrano Perez, 40, of Lake Worth Beach, were ejected from the car and came to rest in the swale on the shoulder.

Desarmes and Medrano Perez, who were not wearing seatbelts, were pronounced dead at the scene by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, deputies said.

Zazquez-Durands SUV also rotated as a result of the crash and ended up on the SR7 shoulder. He sustained minor injuries. Alfaro and two other passengers, a 25-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man, both from Lake Worth Beach, were taken to Delray Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.

Charges are pending in the accident, sheriffs deputies said.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Two killed in Boynton-area rollover wreck that injures four others
Two men injured in serious head-on crash in Kalaeloa

HONOLULU (KHON2)  A severe head-on collision on Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue near Essex Road late Friday night left two men hospitalized, one in critical condition.

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At around 10:45 p.m. on August 30, 2024, a 42-year-old man driving northbound crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a 21-year-old man traveling southbound.

Emergency Medical Services rushed both drivers to a nearby hospital.

Police investigating an attempted murder in Ewa

The older driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, is in critical condition, while the younger driver is in serious condition.

Initial reports suggest alcohol may have played a role in the crash.

Investigators are still looking into whether speeding was also a factor.

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The Honolulu Police Department is 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 KHON2.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Hussam al-Masri

CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -The United Nations, in collaboration with Palestinian health authorities, began to vaccinate 640,000 children in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, with Israel and Hamas agreeing to brief pauses in their 11-month-old war to allow the campaign to go ahead.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed last month that a baby was partially paralysed by the type 2 polio virus, the first such case in the territory in 25 years.

The campaign began on Sunday in areas of central Gaza, and will move to other areas in coming days. Fighting will pause for at least eight hours on three consecutive days.

The WHO said the pauses will likely need to extend to a fourth day and the first round of vaccinations will take just under two weeks.

At the end of the first day, the territory's health ministry said at least 72,611 children had taken the vaccine.

Children, escorted by members of their families, crowded a UN-run clinic in the central Gaza city of Deir Al-Balah, where around one million people were sheltering, according to Palestinian officials. Medical staffers marked children who got the drops with a pen on their fingers.

"I came to the UNRWA clinic today to vaccinate my daughters against polio and God willing we won't see any more diseases other than the diseases we are already experiencing. I hope we will go back to our homes safe and sound," said Gaza mother Afnan Al-Muqayyad.

Polio was just one of many of Al-Muqayyad's concerns.

"Skin diseases are widespread, there are no detergents, detergents are very expensive and we cant afford them. Also, the food is very expensive, everything is expensive, and the children's weight is dropping, they were fine before but now they're becoming very thin. I hope God will set things straight," she said.

'COMPLEX' CAMPAIGN

Juliette Touma, communications director of UNRWA, the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, said the vaccination campaign was massive and "one of the most complex in the world."

"Today is test time for parties to the conflict to respect these area pauses to allow the UNRWA teams and other medical workers to reach children with these very precious two drops. It's a race against time," Touma told Reuters.

Israel and Hamas, who have so far failed to conclude a deal that would end the war, said they would cooperate to allow the campaign to succeed.

WHO officials say at least 90% of the children need to be vaccinated twice with four weeks between doses for the campaign to succeed, but it faces huge challenges in Gaza, which has been largely destroyed by the war.

"Children continue to be exposed, it knows no borders, checkpoints or lines of fighting. Every child must be vaccinated in Gaza and Israel to curb the risks of this vicious disease spreading," said Touma.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued to battle Hamas-led militants in several areas across the Palestinian enclave. Residents said Israeli army troops blew up several houses in Rafah, near the border with Egypt, while tanks continued to operate in the northern Gaza City suburb of Zeitoun.

On Sunday, Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in southern Gaza, saying they were killed not long before Israeli troops reached them.

The war was triggered after Hamas militants on Oct. 7 stormed into southern Israel killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages by Israeli tallies.

Since then, at least 40,691 Palestinians have been killed and 94,060 injured in Gaza, the enclave's health ministry says.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by Hussam al-Masri and Ramadan Abed in Gaza; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Philippa Fletcher)
(Bloomberg) -- Even in the UKs most Conservative constituency, the former governing partys contest to choose a new leader is failing to set pulses racing.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Six former ministers have jostled for the past month to succeed ex-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the helm of the Tory Party. But with their battle confined largely to closed-door hustings among party faithful and op-eds in the national press, voters in Harrow East  where more than 53% of those who turned out at the general election on July 4 voted Conservative  showed little enthusiasm for the proceedings when approached by Bloomberg.

I dont think the Tories will win again, said Patricia Tubbritt, a pensioner who was en route to the supermarket with a trolley bag in tow. After abandoning the Conservatives last month in favor of Reform UK, an insurgent party to its right, she professed herself uninspired by the six candidates and spoke of her nostalgia for former premier Boris Johnson, who was ousted in 2022 by his own party after a series of scandals, and no longer sits in Parliament. Hes the only chance of good leadership, she said.

The views in Harrow underscore the challenge facing whichever contender emerges victorious on Nov. 2. Their task is to rebuild Britains self-styled natural party of government from the ruins of its worst ever defeat and make it electable once more. And they have to achieve that when even voters in their most loyal constituency arent certain theyve got the right diagnosis of the countrys ills.

Why would voters care? The Tories were pummeled in the election, said Rob Ford, a professor of political science at the University of Manchester. When you are the opposition, it is a daily struggle to get people to pay attention to you at all.

The bookmakers favorite is former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, whos been joined in the starting line-up by former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, ex Home Office Minister Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel  a former home secretary, Mel Stride, who held the work and pensions brief under Sunak, and former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat.

But in Harrow East, the contest has failed to invigorate the sort of voters the Tories must win back nationwide to rebuild their fortunes.

Dotted with retirement villages, Hindu temples, farms, and a generous helping of curry houses, the leafy district at the end of the London Undergrounds Jubilee Line was the only constituency in the country where more than 50% of votes cast last month went to the Tories.

Of 25 people interviewed by Bloomberg in Harrow, including eight who voted Tory on July 4 and 10 who said theyd previously opted for the party, just one signaled any interest in the outcome of the leadership race, saying they favored Tugendhat. The others either declined to pick a favorite candidate or saw little prospect in any winner reviving a party that led successive UK governments for the past 14 years and for more than 60 years over the past century.

One  who like all eight Tory voters asked not to be named airing their political views  said they didnt think any of the candidates had what it takes. Another, who was tending to some greenery near Harrow Easts Conservative Association, likened the Tories to a boat without oars. A woman who described herself as a lifelong Conservative said she didnt think the party would ever win the keys to 10 Downing Street again.

Those sentiments reflect the scale of rebuilding required by the Tories, who won just 121 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons on July 4  eclipsing previous nadirs of 156 in 1906 and 165 in the Tony Blair landslide in 1997.

The leadership contest is about to step up a gear, with launch speeches expected from Badenoch, Cleverly and Tugendhat this week after Patel delivered hers on Friday. Tory MPs will whittle the candidates down to four before the partys annual conference this month and then to two, who will go to a wider vote among grassroots members.

The winner must choose whether to pivot right to win back voters who defected to the populist anti-immigration Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage, or toe a more moderate line to appeal to the 46% of UK voters who opted for Liberal Democrat or Labour on July 4.

That tug of war could be summed up in the views of two Harrow voters: The Tugendhat supporter, who described the former security minister as the only viable option because of his centrist views, and Jenny Lawrence, a lifelong Conservative in her 50s who switched to Reform this year, calling Farages outfit the only alternative. The Tories, she said, have no future if they continue to fail to match their actions to their rhetoric.

Its not just those who switched parties who the Tories must win back by the next election, but also those who didnt vote. Turnout was the lowest in almost a quarter of a century, at 59.8%, as voters who didnt think the Conservatives deserved another term, but were uninspired by Labour, switched off.

James Baxter, a 76-year-old former airline worker, said he considers himself a Conservative, but this year, stayed at home on election day. I was uninspired, he explained. I dont think any of them know what theyre talking about.

Harrow East was successfully defended by Bob Blackman  a Tory whos represented the area since 2010. He took the highest vote share of any Conservative, and his 11,680 majority is the partys third safest, bettered only by Sunak in Richmond and Northallerton and former City Minister Andrew Griffith in Arundel and South Downs.

Blackmans campaign manager, Matthew Goodwin-Freeman, sees opportunity for the next Tory leader in the nature of this Julys election. Thats because Keir Starmers Labour Party took just 33.7% of the vote while sweeping to huge win in terms of seats.

In five years time when we have the general election, the whole Im fed up with the Conservatives will be over because they wont have been in power, Goodwin-Freeman said. Dont think this is a decade of Labour by any stretch of the imagination.

Starmers Labour showed what is possible in modern British politics by sweeping to a huge victory just five years after sinking to its worst defeat since the 1930s.

If the Tories get back on the pitch, those big swings are possible, said the University of Manchesters Ford. These are volatile political times.

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Ukraine should become an EU member despite disagreements over Volyn massacre, says Polish parliamentary speaker

Ukraine should become a member of the EU despite historical disagreements with Poland over the mass killings of Poles in Volyn in the 1940s, Speaker of the Polish Parliament Szymon Holownia said on Aug. 31.

Holownia was responding to a question from a journalist from Radio Liberty at the Globsec security conference in Prague, the news agency reported.

"If you ask me whether Ukraine should be a member of the EU, despite certain things, then yes, Ukraine should be a member of the EU. But we will continue to have some disagreements between us and Ukrainians regarding Volyn, about our history. And we will discuss them in the future, but already in the safe ecosystem of the European Union," Holownia said.

The Volyn massacre occurred in 1943, when members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) massacred tens of thousands of Poles in Nazi-occupied Volyn, a formerly-Polish region that is now part of Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainians were killed in retaliation.

Holownia's statement contradicts comments from Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz made in July, when the minister said Ukraine would not join the EU until the disagreements are resolved.

Former Polish Foreign Ministry's Undersecretary of State Pawel Jablonski made similar comments last year, stating Ukraine "cannot dream of joining the European Union" without resolving the issue of the exhumation of Volyn massacre victims' remains on Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine opened accession talks with the European bloc last June, but a consensus of all members will be necessary to finalize the entry.

In 2017, Ukraine placed a moratorium on exhuming Volyn victims, in reaction to destruction of UPA memorials in Poland. Ukraine and Poland have not yet reached an agreement on the issue, and the subject continues to be a point of contention between the two allies.

Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy, director of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University, estimates that the number of Polish victims of the massacre varies from 60,000 to 90,000.

The number of Ukrainians killed by Poles in Volyn ranges between 2,000 and 3,000, according to Polish historian Grzegorz Motyka.

Read also: Russia has not provided a humanitarian corridor from Kursk, says Ukrainian official

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine to receive $800 million from US for its energy sector

Ukraine is set to receive $800 million from the U.S. to help stabilize its severely damaged energy infrastructure, Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister, announced during her visit to Washington on Aug. 31.

The announcement comes amid local media reports that Kyiv is considering the dismissal of Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, head of Ukrenergo, the state-run company managing Ukraine's power grid, due to dissatisfaction with the quality of power protection.

According to Svyrydenko, the funds will be allocated to essential equipment for immediate repairs to Ukraine's power facilities, which have been heavily damaged by nearly two years of Russian airstrikes.

Russia has repeatedly launched mass attacks on Ukraine's energy grid to cripple the country's ability and resolve to resist the invasion. These assaults began during the fall-winter period of 2022-2023 and resumed in the spring of 2024.

Following a brief lull over the summer, which allowed Ukraine to restore some of its energy capacity, Russia has renewed its attacks in recent days, once again forcing restrictions on energy consumption. Russian drones and missiles have reportedly damaged about 50% of Ukraine's pre-war power generation capacity, based on government estimates.

"Ukraine's energy infrastructure urgently requires restoration, and in this context, our U.S. partners play a crucial role," Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's presidential office, said on Telegram.

Read also: EU allocates nearly $110 million to restore, protect Ukraines energy system

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FILE PHOTO: Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces Syrskyi attends an in interview with Reuters in Kharkiv region

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Sunday the situation was "difficult" around Russia's main attack, which is focused in eastern Ukraine, but that all the necessary decisions were being taken.

Syrskyi did not give the exact location of the main Russian offensive, but earlier both he and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russian forces were targeting the strategically important city of Pokrovsk.

"The situation is difficult in the direction of the enemy's main attack. But all the necessary decisions at all levels are being made without delay," Syrskyi said on the Telegram messaging app.

Syrskyi said last week he spent several days on the eastern front near Pokrovsk and described fighting there as "exceptionally tough".

Russia, which has captured swathes of eastern Ukraine since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022, continues to inch forward there in heavy fighting.

The gains have continued since Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into Russia's west Kursk region on Aug. 6, apparently aimed at diverting Russian resources and strengthening Kyiv's position in any future negotiations.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Toby Chopra and Mark Potter)
The News

Ukraine apparently targeted Russian power plants and oil refineries in an overnight drone attack, Russias Defense Ministry said Sunday.

Russia said its military shot down 158 drones  including 11 over Moscow and the surrounding area. The tally suggested this was one of Kyivs largest drone attacks since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. No deaths or injuries were reported in Russia.

The attack came after an intense week of heavy Russian bombardment in Ukraine targeting energy infrastructure, an assault that has exacerbated the power blackouts that now plague the country. Moscow has upped its strikes on Ukraines infrastructure since Kyiv began its incursion into Russias Kursk region last month; Kyiv claims it has captured 500 square miles of Russian territory and hundreds prisoners of war.

Know More

The incursion and other attacks on Russia remain a massive gamble for Ukraine, which risks losing both military resources and manpower as Russia pushes its own offensive in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces are now just a few kilometers away from the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a crucial logistics hub for Ukraines military, the BBC reported.

Kyiv said it can slow Russia if its Western allies give the green light to use their long-range weapons to strike inside Russian territory  a move that Moscow has warned against  and a Ukrainian delegation is in Washington this week to try and secure that permission.
Ukrainian police officer killed in Russian drone attack on police car in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast

The aftermath of a Russian attack on a police car. Stock photo: Ukraine's National Police

Oleksandr Popovych, a captain serving in the National Police of Ukraine (NPU) in Kharkiv Oblast, died in hospital on 31 August due to severe shrapnel injuries sustained during a Russian drone attack.

Source: NPU in Kharkiv Oblast

Details: A Russian First-Person View drone attacked a police car carrying three police officers in the city of Kupiansk at around 19:30 on Saturday, 31 August.

All of them sustained shrapnel wounds and were taken to hospital. One of them died despite the efforts of doctors.

The NPU reported that Oleksandr, 44, had served in the police for about 20 years. He joined a humanitarian mission in one of the most dangerous districts of Kharkiv Oblast during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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Earlier this month, we reported on the Balinese government's plan to build a concrete seawall around the base of Uluwatu cliffs, in an effort to save the Pura Luhur temple from one day sliding into the ocean.

"The threat of the Uluwatu temple first arose in 1992 when a significant crack was discovered in the cliff after a major earthquake," wrote Ben Mondy. "However, in the intervening years, the Balinese governments only response was to limit visitor numbers. The iconic Hindu temple has been perched at the cliff's edge for centuries, but as more cracks in the cliffside appeared below, the government was forced to act."

Saving the temple makes all the sense in the world. But was this really the only way to do it?

The government's approved plan is to excavate a large swath of earth and burrow deep into the cliffside north of the temple, in order to build an access road and ultimately a concrete breakwall that wraps the base of the cliff below the temple. As you'll see in the video update above, it's a huge  and heartbreaking  development. Not only are they destroying a huge area of untouched natural beauty (and paving right over it), but a project of this size and scale threatens the inshore reef environment, and potentially even some of the waves in Uluwatu, as nobody knows how the flow of sand (or lack thereof once a section of the coastline is paved over) contributes to the waves.

Even worse, is that fact that many are skeptical that a concrete seawall will even work. Remember, the crack appeared after an earthquake in 1992, not a big swell. And many are pointing out that the saturation of the cliff from rainwater is a bigger contributor to the cliff's crack/collapse than waves are, making this solution all the more frustrating.

Nobody is arguing the importance of the temple. But destroying the cliff to protect the cliff? It makes no logical sense, which is why the project appears to be opposed by everyone, including the entire Balinese surf community. We reached out to one prominent surfer in Uluwatu and he told us he was basically shut down when he went to ask the hard questions. That's the most frustrating part: This plan has supposedly been in the works for 10 years, but was ultimately green-lit without any community input. It appears that nobody knew this was the plan until it was already in place.

The Pura Luhur Temple is a sacred place and means so much to so many. The sad thing is, we're not sure anyone to which it means the most are happy about "protecting" it in such a destructive way. And while it seems highly unlikely the excavators get called off at this point, it's not too late until the concrete is poured. Until then, we can hold onto a tiny shred of hope.

Related: Save The Waves Sounds the Alarm on Uluwatu Construction Project

Related: Construction of Concrete Seawall Has Begun at Uluwatu Cliffs
Video provided by the Philippine coast guard showed the confrontation involving the Chinese(left) and Philippine vessels on Saturday - Philippine Coast Guard/Shutterstock

The US has condemned the dangerous and escalatory actions of China following another confrontation at sea between Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels.

Both countries on Saturday accused each other of intentionally ramming into the others vessel in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

The incident took place near the Sabina Shoal, which is claimed by both countries and has emerged as a flashpoint in one of the worlds most critical waterways.

It is located about 90 miles off the Philippines, and more than 700 miles from Hainan island, the nearest major Chinese landmass.

However, China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, and Beijing has become increasingly assertive in pursuing its claims.

The US took the side of the Philippines, which it is bound by treaty to defend in the case of attack.

Jeopardising the safety of the crew

A China (PRC) coast guard vessel deliberately collided three times with a Philippine coast guard vessel exercising its freedom of navigation in the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ), causing damage to the vessel and jeopardising the safety of the crew onboard, Matthew Miller, a spokesman for US state department, said in a statement.

The PRCs unlawful claims of territorial sovereignty over ocean areas where no land territory exists, and its increasingly aggressive actions to enforce them, threaten the freedoms of navigation and overflight of all nations, he added.

To assert its claims over Sabina Shoal, the Philippine coast guard has anchored its largest ship, the 318ft BRP Teresa Magbanua, there since April.

Officials in Manila said the Chinese coast guard rammed the ship three times, damaging its bridge wing and freeboard and creating a hole.

Acts of provocation, nuisance and infringement

But Liu Dejun, a spokesman for Chinas coast guard claimed it was the Philippine ship that had deliberately collided with the Chinese vessel.

The Chinese coast guard called on the Philippines to immediately withdraw from the Sabina Shoal and pledged to resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance and infringement.

It marks the fifth confrontation at sea between China and the Philippines in a month.

On Tuesday, Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, said the US was open to consultations with Manila over escorting their ships in the area.

Such a move would risk putting US naval ships in direct collision with Chinese vessels.

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By David Lawder and Katharine Jackson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Several U.S. Democratic lawmakers renewed calls for an Israeli-Hamas ceasefire on Sunday in reaction to the killing of six hostages in a tunnel under Gaza, while Republicans criticized President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for not giving stronger support to Israel.

Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza where they were apparently killed shortly before its troops reached them, triggering Israeli protests on Sunday and planned strikes over the failure to save them.

The military said the bodies of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who is an Israeli-American citizen, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino have been returned to Israel.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Goldberg-Polin's parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, who appeared at the Democratic National Convention last month, to offer condolences, a White House official said.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held a virtual meeting on Sunday with the families of the American hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Sullivan discussed the ongoing diplomatic push to drive towards a deal that secures the release of the remaining hostages, the White House said.

Democratic U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said in a post on X that he was "heartbroken and devastated" by the news of Goldberg-Polin's death, echoing sentiments of other U.S. officials and lawmakers.

"A ceasefire must be reached immediately that allows all remaining hostages to be released, humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, and an elusive and neglected long-term vision for peace and stability to become a reality," said Durbin, the second-ranking Senate Democrat.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son Sagui is another hostage with American citizenship, said the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to engage in negotiations with Hamas to bring hostages home and time was running out.

He said the "entire senior military establishment and intelligence community has been saying publicly and openly for weeks and months that the time has come to end the fighting in Gaza, get our hostages home, as many alive as possible," Dekel-Chen told the CBS "Face the Nation" program."

BLAMING BIDEN

Republican lawmakers on Sunday did not urge a stronger push for ceasefire negotiations, with some blaming the Biden-Harris administration for not supporting Israel strongly enough.

"They continue to encourage and embolden Hamas," with calls for a ceasefire, said Republican Senator Tom Cotton.

Asked what Netanyahu's government should do in the face of growing protests in Israel, Cotton said: "I would urge him to finish the job against Hamas, which is exactly what Kamala Harris and Joe Biden should have done from the very beginning."

In a statement released by the White House just before midnight on Saturday, Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, did not call for a ceasefire and condemned Hamas for the deaths.

"Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas' continued brutality, and so must the entire world," Harris said.

Harris later posted on X that she and her husband Doug Emhoff spoke to Goldberg-Polin's parents "to express our condolences following the brutal murder of their son by Hamas terrorists."

Republican senator Lindsey Graham called for more pressure on Iran, Hamas' main sponsor, telling ABC's "This Week" that the Biden administration and Israel "should hold Iran accountable for the fate of remaining hostages and put on the target list oil refineries in Iran if the hostages are not released."

(Reporting by David Lawder and Katharine Jackson; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Diane Craft)
When the US left Kabul, these vets tried to help Afghans left behind

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 worlds 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.

Green Beret veteran Thomas Kasza founded the 1208 Foundation, a group that helps Afghans who worked with special forces to detect explosives to come to America. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)

This informal network was born in August 2021 when the Taliban assumed control of the country and U.S. forces pulled out. Past and current members of the U.S. military, the State Department and U.S. intelligence services were all besieged by Afghans theyd worked with begging for help.

Thomas Kasza was just leaving active duty where he'd spent a decade with U.S. 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 hes 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.

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.

Faraidoon

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 then.

But more are still waiting. There are about 135,000 applicants to a special immigrant visa program for Afghans who worked with the U.S. government and another 28,000 waiting on other U.S. refugee programs for Afghans.

The Biden administration has taken steps to streamline these processes. The State department says in fiscal 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 U.S. military in Afghanistan. Using the SIV program, he left Afghanistan in 2016 for America and enlisted in the U.S. Army a year later. Abdullah said hed 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 program he did. Hes 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.

Three years after Abbey Gate, Air Force nurse receives Bronze Star

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 ones conscience by the things theyve had to do or witnessed or failed to prevent  things that violate their own values.

It is a concept Kate Kovarovic feels passionate about. She was the director of resilience programming for #AfghanEvac, a coalition of organizations 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 realizing 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 #AfghanEvacs website. And she helped create a Resilience Duty Officer support program 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.

Army veteran Mariah Smith housed an Afghan family who fled Kabul and needed a place to live when they first arrived in America. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)

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 theyre 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 Virginias 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 whod had everything taken from them in their home country: It felt like being a part of, I guess, the fabric of America.
Very bright fireball lights up Appalachia and vanishes over North Carolina, NASA says

A particularly bright fireball recently lit up Appalachia as it streaked across the night sky before vanishing over North Carolina, according to NASA.

The very bright fireball was first spotted 45 miles above Piney Flats, Tennessee, at about 1:15 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, the space agency said in a Facebook post. It was moving eastward at 31,300 mph, NASA said.

The fireball was also detected by several cameras in the region, as well as the Geostationary Lightning Mapper aboard the GOES-16 spacecraft, NASA said.

Plenty of people on the ground also saw the object burning brilliantly overhead, according to reports submitted to the American Meteor Society. The AMS received 175 witness reports from 10 states, including Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia  though the majority of sightings were clustered within the Appalachian states.

We had just gotten home and before I even stepped out of the vehicle I saw blue and our skin started to glow, a Tennessee resident said. It quickly turned to green and was right with the tree line on our property and then it passed where we were standing in observation and I saw the most beautiful orange sparkling tail.

Videos shared with AMS show just how bright it was for homes in the fireballs path.

Another witness in Tennessee said they were sleeping when the sudden light from outside woke them up.

A West Virginia resident was awe-struck by what they saw.

It was just there, a brilliant green with a well defined white tail. Like a celestial emerald, the said. I froze and waited for it to explode like a huge firework but it just continued through the horizon. Incredibly bright and well defined. Completely surreal.

The object was an asteroid fragment, according to NASA, small but extremely dense, estimated to be just 2 feet in diameter but weighing 1,000 pounds.

It traveled a distance of roughly 60 miles, crossed from Tennessee into North Carolina and disintegrated above the town of Altapass.

The breakup produced an energy of 10 tons of TNT, which generated a pressure wave that propagated to the ground, causing the booms heard by many of the eyewitnesses, NASA said.

Nearly 50 people reported hearing a sound like an explosion after the fireball passed by  the sound made as it violently broke apart.

It was loud enough (that) dogs got scared, a witness reported. Another said the pressure wave produced a sound and sensation that reminded them of an earthquake.

It is likely there are meteorites on the ground in the Spruce Pine, Ingalls, Altapass area, NASA said.

Altapass is about 110 miles northwest from Charlotte.

Fireball bursts like 60 tons of TNT, leaving smoke trail above Midwest, NASA says

Very wild reverse storm funnel forms over Lake Michigan, meteorologist says. See it
Speaking on Polish television in late July, Polands Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz reminded Ukrainians that even his countrys overwhelming support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia has its limits.

Ukraine could never expect Polands backing in joining the EU if it didnt resolve the historical issue of the mass killings of Poles in Ukraine during WWII, he said.

Similarly, last fall, Polands Undersecretary of State Pawel Jablonski said that Ukraine shouldnt even dream of joining the EU before it solved the problem of exhuming the victims bodies remains on Ukrainian territory.

But later on Sept. 1, Speaker of the Polish Parliament Szymon Holownia at the Globsec security conference in Prague seemed to walk back these statements, saying that despite the disagreements over the events, the matter would be discussed with Ukraine a member of the EU and in the "safe ecosystem of the European Union."

The Polish officials were referring to the events known as the Volhynia Massacre. During this tragic period in Polish-Ukrainian history, tends of thousands of Poles were murdered by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (known by its Ukrainian acronym UPA) in the Nazi-occupied region of Volhynia, which was then a part of Poland and is nowadays a region in western Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainians were killed by Polish military formations in retaliation.

The killing peaked during the summer of 1943, reaching a climax on July 11, 1943, known in Poland as Bloody Sunday, when at least 99 localities were attacked.

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish President Andrzej Duda attend a ceremony commemorating the victims of the Volhynian Massacre in Lutsk, Ukraine, on July 9, 2023 (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Ukrainian villagers inspired and organized by UPA partisans slaughtered Polish civilians and burned their settlements to the ground. According to historians, despite the atmosphere of total violence and chaos, there were still Ukrainians willing to risk their lives to save their Polish neighbors. Modern Poland commemorates the victims of the Vollhynian Massacre on July 11.

The number of total Polish victims is estimated to be 100,000 by Polands Institute of National Remembrance. The number of Ukrainian civilians killed during these tragic events is estimated to be between 10,000 to 15,000.

Since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Poland has been one of Ukraines most prominent allies and supporters. But disagreements in the approach to the events still throw a shadow on relations between the states and continue to spark outrage among Poles and Ukrainians.

There are very few aspects on which Polish and Ukrainian academia agrees when it comes to Vohlynia, said Ola Hnatiuk, Polish-Ukrainian scholar and professor at the University of Warsaw and National University Kyiv Mohyla Academy.

There are very few aspects on which Polish and Ukrainian academia agrees when it comes to Vohlynia

The dispute sparks even around what to call these gruesome events.

The common name for the Volhynian Massacre in Polish is Rzez wolynska which translates to Volhynian Slaughter. Ukrainians call it the Volhynian Tragedy (Volhynska Trahediia in Ukrainian).

For Poles, the use of the word tragedy assumes the absence of an agent in the crime and absolves the UPA of its responsibility for what happened, according to Polish historian Lukasz Adamski.

But after the start of the full-scale invasion, during which Russian forces brutalized and executed Ukrainian civilians in then-occupied Bucha outside of Kyiv, Adamski said he has come to understand the word can be used to describe the killing of a targeted group.

I changed my attitude towards the word tragedy when I saw the Bucha Massacre being described as a tragedy in Ukrainian media, as I understood that this word has a different connotation in the Ukrainian language and can be used to describe any kind of crime, said Adamski, who spoke to the Kyiv Independent in fluent Ukrainian.

The debate around genocide

The controversy extends beyond the name of the events in Volhynia to how to classify the killings.

In July 2016, the Polish Parliament voted to recognize the mass killings of Poles in Volhynia as a genocide of Polish people committed by Ukrainian nationalists in 1943-1945. Leading Polish historian on the topic, Grzegorz Motyka, writes that the actions of UPA can be defined as genocidal ethnic cleansing.

According to Motyka, the word genocidal in this context describes not the number of victims but rather the motive of the UPA  to purge the territory of Volhynia and Galicia of Poles. Some Polish traditionalist historians claim that the massacre should be classified as a genocide carried out with extreme cruelty.

Neither Ukrainian nor Western historiography recognizes the events in Volhynia as genocide. According to Western historians, what happened between Poles and Ukrainians is better described by the term ethnic cleansing. Ukrainian historians insist that it was a mutual ethnic cleansing.

The word genocide in this context is used emotionally, mostly to ascribe hate to the perpetrators. I think to say it was a genocide is too much, Myroslav Shkandrij, professor of Slavic Studies at the University of Manitoba, told the Kyiv Independent.

The decision of the Polish Parliament is a step to blurring the unique nature of the term genocide, as the lawyers call it crime above all crimes According to the logic of Polish decision-makers, thousands of war crimes during the Second World War and after could be classified as genocides, Volodymyr Viatrovych, Ukrainian historian and a former head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance told Radio Liberty in an interview.

And these thousands will gradually disappear or dissolve, along with such truly egregious events, even for the cruel twentieth century, such as the Holodomor and the Holocaust, he said.

Polish traditionalist historians such as Jozef and Ewa Turowski and Wladyslaw Siemaszko, when describing the events in Volhynia, claim that Ukrainian nationalists set a clear task of purging the region of Poles. Before that, Ukrainians and Poles coexisted peacefully, they argue.

As such, they maintain that Ukrainian nationalists deliberately powered hatred towards the Polish minority in Volhynia. Some Polish traditionalist historians often justify the retaliatory actions against Ukrainians, although Polish historiography has a plurality of views regarding this matter.

On the other hand, Ukrainian traditionalist historians refuse to view the conflict in Volhynia as a phenomenon that occurred separately from the broader historical context of Polish-Ukrainian relations. Scholars such as Volodymyr Serhiichuk, Volodymyr Viatrovych, and Zalizniak point out that The Second Polish Republic obtained the territories of western Ukraine by occupying the Ukrainian Peoples Republic in 1918-1919. Ukrainians, they argue, were oppressed in the Polish state.

The interwar period was characterized not only by a deliberate assimilation policy but also a colonization policy (of Poles towards Ukrainians). Military sieges are one example of this. Polish authorities were trying to gain a foothold in these territories, said scholar Hnatiuk.

They (Poles) wanted to turn Volhynia into Poland. Ukrainians obviously were against it, Shkandrij said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish President Andrzej Duda after commemorating the victims of the Volyn Massacre in Lutsk, Ukraine, on July 9, 2023 (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Poland insists that the UPA is solely responsible for the genocide of the Polish people and condemns Ukraines historical policy that glorifies the UPA. Banderas popularity has significantly increased in Ukraine since the start of Russian aggression in 2014. Statues and portrayals of Bandera can be found in cities and villages across Ukraine, while songs about him gained popularity among Ukrainians.

There's a clearly established and black-and-white link between the massacre and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army for Polish society, said Kristof Veres, a senior researcher at the Hungarian Migration Research Institute and Andrassy national security fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, in Washington, DC.

Following the Euromaidan Revolution, Ukraine began implementing a series of policies centered around Ukrainian statehood, culture, and history. One move in 2015 recognized the OUN and UPA as organizations whose members were fighters for Ukraines independence. Polish officials and media were extremely critical of the decision, calling UPA fighters bandits and butchers.

Ukrainian historian Volodymyr Viiatrovych has said that the killing of Polish civilians by Ukrainian insurgents is a war crime to the same extent as the killing of Ukrainian civilians by Polish underground fighters. He also argues that these actions do not give grounds to call the UPA or the Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa) criminal as a whole.

Attempts at reconciliation

Multiple attempts for reconciliation over the massacre have not managed to settle the matter completely for either side.

On July 8, 2016, then-President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, arrived in Warsaw to commemorate the victims of the Volhynian Massacre. He knelt before the monument to Vohlynia victims. Despite the gesture, later that month, the Polish Parliament passed the resolution recognizing the massacre in Volhynia as the genocide of Poles committed by Ukrainian nationalists.

On July 9, 2023, the presidents of Ukraine and Poland, Volodymyr Zelensky and Andrzej Duda, went to Lutsk (the main city of the Volhynia region of Ukraine) together to commemorate victims of the massacre on both sides.

"Together, we honor all the innocent victims of Volyn (Massacre). Memory unites us! Together we are stronger!" Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

The wording all the innocent victims triggered criticism from Polish conservative media and the public.

(Zelenskys commemoration) was a very important step. However, from the Polish perspective, it was insufficient. Although there were innocent victims on both sides, from the Polish perspective, it is unacceptable to establish symmetry, Veres told the Kyiv Independent.

After a series of acts of vandalism against Ukrainian memorial sites in Poland, the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance put a moratorium on the exhumation of the remains of the victims of the Volhynian massacre for Polish institutions in 2017. Later in 2019, President Zelensky said he was ready to permit Polish institutions to resume the exhumation works on Ukrainian territory.

In 2022, Poland and Ukraine signed a memorandum on cooperation in national remembrance. The document implies collaboration between the countries in the search, exhumation, burial, legalization, reconstruction, and legal protection of places of honor and burial. The full realization of the memorandum will begin three months after the lifting of the martial law in Ukraine, implemented on the first day of the Russian full-scale invasion.

Acceptance of full responsibility for the massacre and lifting of the moratorium on exhumations are the two main demands from Poland to Ukraine. Recognition of mutual responsibility for the crimes from Poland is crucial for Ukraine.

Despite multiple attempts at reconciliation from both sides, Ukraine and Poland still have not managed to come to a solution that will satisfy both parties, and the controversy is likely to be a big sticking point in Ukraines EU ambitions.

We have carried out a sociological survey, and its results showed that the two main goals that Polish society sets for its politicians are support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and a solution to the issue of the Volhynia Massacre If, during Ukraines EU negotiations, Poland has a right-leaning government, the solving of the Volhynia issue could become a primary demand for Ukraines EU accession, said historian Adamski.

Read also: Holodomor: Soviet Unions man-made famine in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Voters need to prepare their voting plans now to prevent problems on Election Day | Opinion

Be prepared to vote

As Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, approaches, citizens who are eligible to vote need to make their voting plan.

Be clear on the rules for absentee voting and early voting.

Know that convicted felons may vote if they have fulfilled all their parole requirements and re-registered to vote.

Be certain that personal voter registration is current because a persons residential address determines where they vote.

Verify that the polling place is accurate because it can change.

Know who the candidates are and where they stand on the various issues.

Be ready to show the correct form of identification at the polling place.

Consult the voter registration office of the county in which the voter resides for questions or go to any of the following online sites: scvotes.gov; vote.org; ballotpedia.org; or an all-time favorite, vote411.org, also simply known as vote411 and maintained by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters.

Whether a person views voting as a right, a privilege, or a responsibility is a personal decision.

Exercising ones voting power honors those who laid their lives on the line so citizens may choose who will govern them.

Be prepared and vote.

Elizabeth Jones, Columbia

First-gen success

Note: The writer is an instructional designer with the USC Center for Teaching Excellence.

I would like to congratulate the University of South Carolina on their expanded support for students whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree (first-generation college students).

These efforts include a new First-Generation Center and new residence hall that will provide students with personal, professional and academic support.

These students may not have family that can help them navigate the complicated world of higher education. These programs help students understand what they need to do to be successful in college and where to get resources and opportunities. They emphasize the value of community by creating a sense of belonging and strong relationships with faculty, staff and other students.

Education should be transparent and helpful.

All students deserve to learn in an environment that helps them to thrive through encouragement, support and opportunities to develop their own sense of motivation and ability. All students need clarity and guidance to know exactly what to do in new situations and advanced classes.

The university and schools at all levels in South Carolina should continue to work to meet all students where they are so that we can have a strong population of educated people motivated to contribute positively to our communities.

Casey Carroll, Cayce

New low

The Aug. 26 Trump campaign stunt at Arlington National Cemetery is an outrageous and disgusting display of showmanship, dishonor and disrespect to veterans buried there, and their families.

For members of the public unaware, Arlington National Cemetery conducts 27-30 burials per day.

This event had the potential of disrupting the solemnity of those burials in process for family members and visitors paying their last respects to those whose lives and sacrifice were being memorialized.

The ensuing physical altercation between an Arlington staffer trying to enforce the rules of decorum, and a Trump campaign official, truly reflects a new low in the sad saga of a movement attempting through apparently any means to remain relevant.

Ill register my anger at the desecration of my parents final resting place in Arlington in November, and encourage all Americans to do the same.

Susan Sorensen, Beaufort
Hans-Juergen and Christa Tischer drop their ballot papers into the ballot box at the polling station in Fire Station 3 Ilmenau-Roda. The state election in Thuringia takes place on 01 September. Michael Reichel/dpa

Voters in the eastern German states of Thuringia and Saxony are casting their ballots on Sunday in state parliamentary elections that could upend the balance of power in both states and reverberate nationwide.

Polls ahead of Sunday's election had put the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the clear lead in Thuringia and narrowly trailing the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) in Saxony.

The election results will decide the balance of power in the state parliaments in Thuringia and Saxony, which each hold considerable power over regional matters.

Voter turnout in Saxony appeared strong as of midday on Sunday, while turnout in Thuringia was in line with the most recent state parliamentary elections in 2019.

Both states are in the former communist East Germany, where politics and voting patterns remain distinct more than three decades after reunification, and where outmigration and a lagging economy has helped fuel resentment.

Saxony and Thuringia are relatively small - together, the states account for only about 7% of Germany's population - but the surging popularity of extremists in the AfD there has drawn widespread attention across the country.

Fiery far-right challenge draws headlines

The leader of the AfD's state organization in Thuringia, the firebrand Bjorn Hocke, has become a household name in the country because of his fiery attacks on immigration policy and his extremist rhetoric. He was twice convicted this year of knowingly quoting a banned Nazi slogan in speeches.

Domestic intelligence agencies have labelled the AfD's state-level chapters in both Thuringia and Saxony as known far-right extremist groups, and Hocke as an extremist.

A breakthrough showing by the AfD would stun the country, but is unlikely to bring the radical right-wing party to power in either state. No other political party outside of the extremist fringes has expressed any willingness to even consider working with the AfD.

Tough coalition talks?

But the expected strong showings by the AfD could make cobbling together a functioning government difficult in either state. Another insurgent populist party, the self-described "left-conservative" newly launched Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), has also been polling well.

A miserable election for the three parties in German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's national coalition government, meanwhile, could further fuel bitter infighting among ministers with a year to go until nationwide parliamentary elections in September 2025.

Some polls have shown Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and main partner, the Greens, close to the 5% threshold needed to take seats in German elections. The free-market liberal Free Democrats (FDP), meanwhile, have polled so poorly in the two eastern states that they have generally been lumped in with "other" in results.

In Saxony, incumbent state Premier Michael Kretschmer's CDU have held a narrow lead in most polls. Kretschmer hopes to have the first crack at remaining in office at the head of a new government, though the results may require his CDU to consider some unexpected allies.

Kretschmer expressed confidence when casting his vote on Sunday morning in Dresden, the state capital: "We are here in Saxony, we will not be meddled with. We are going our own Saxon way."

The top SPD candidate, Petra Kopping, was less confident, saying she has a "queasy feeling. Now the voters have to decide."

In Thuringia, forming a new government may be particularly difficult. Bodo Ramelow of the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) has been leading a fragile minority government.

Ramelow remains personally popular with many voters in Thuringia, but Die Linke has fallen in the polls after Wagenknecht bolted the party to form the BSW.

The split, combined with increased support for the AfD, has further fractured politics in the state.

Barbara and Norbert Stein cast their ballot papers in the ballot box at the polling station in Fire Station 3 Ilmenau-Roda alongside polling station manager Stefan Sandmann. The state election in Thuringia takes place on Sunday. Michael Reichel/dpa

Mario Voigt chairman of the CDU in Thuringia and his party's lead candidate, receives his ballot paper for the Thuringia state election at the polling station. The state election in Thuringia takes place on 01 September. Hannes P. Albert/dpa

Participants in a demonstration under the slogan "Thuringia remains colorful. Fascists out of the parliaments" organized by the Auf die Platze alliance in Erfurt city centre. A new state parliament will be elected in Thuringia on September 1. Martin Schutt/dpa
CLEVELAND (WJW)  The National Weather Service warned swimmers away from Lake Erie on Sunday, due to the high risk of rip currents. That warning has since been canceled.

The National Weather Service of Cleveland issued two Beach Hazard Statements Sunday for two areas in Northeast Ohio.

Things to know about dangerous rip currents and how swimmers caught in one can escape

An alert for Ashtabula and Lake counties in Ohio and Northern Erie County in Pennsylvania went into effect at 2 p.m. and expired late Sunday night.

A second alert for Cuyahoga, Erie and Lorain counties went into effect at 6 p.m. on Sunday and expired at 8 a.m. Monday.

Wind and wave action will cause currents on the lakeshore. Swimmers should not enter the water. Currents can carry swimmers away from shore through a sand bar and along structures extending out into the lake, the notice said.

An 11-year-old boy drowned in June off the shore of Conneaut Township Park after being swept away by rip currents, FOX 8 News previously reported.

How can someone escape a rip current?

The most frequent advice from beach rescue teams and weather forecasters is to not panic and look for a chance to swim parallel to the shore until the swimmer is out of the rip currents grip, The Associated Press reported in June. It will eventually dissipate but might leave the swimmer out in deeper water.

Its nearly impossible to fight the current directly. Many swimmers who get in trouble tire themselves out trying to get back to the beach, lifeguards say. If possible, its best to swim near a lifeguard station.

Family, community calling for change after boy goes missing in Lake Erie

Flags with different colors are used to warn beachgoers of various hazards.

Three flags warn of surf and rip current conditions. Red means a high hazard, yellow means a moderate threat and green means low danger. Theres also purple for dangerous sea life, like jellyfish, and double red when a beach is closed for any reason.

The National Weather Service posts rip current risks on its websites around the coasts and has developed a computer model that can predict when conditions are favorable for their formation up to six days in advance for the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Guam.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The United States Coast Guard in San Diego rescued a woman in need of medical attention from a cruise ship in the Pacific Ocean just off the coast of Southern California this week.

A 26-year-old woman experiencing lower abdominal pain was rescued from a Navigator of the Seas cruise ship in the Pacific Ocean about 30 miles off the coast of San Diego just after midnight on Thursday, Aug. 29, the U.S. Coast Guard reports.

A Coast Guard Air Station San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew responded to the calls and as you can see in the video above a crew member was lifted down to the cruise ships helicopter pad and helped the woman into a basket to be lifted up to the medevac helicopter.

Carnival cruise ship responds to distress call, rescues 25 people stranded off Pacific Coast

The woman was rushed to emergency medical services personnel that were standing by at Coast Guard Air Station San Diego.

The Coast Guard says she was then taken to the Hillcrest Medical Center at the University of California, San Diego, where she was last reported to be in stable condition.

USCG Southern California posted on X this cruise ship rescue was one of the helicopter aircrew members first live hoist outside of training.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
This Week in Pennsylvania: State of Labor in Pennsylvania

This Week in Pennsylvania: State of Labor in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  On This Week in Pennsylvania, Rob Bair, president of the PA Building and Construction Trades Council discusses the state of labor in Pennsylvania ahead of Labor Day.

Brittany Crampsie of Brit Crampsie Communications and Christopher Nicholas of Eagle Consulting also join the show to discuss the past week in Pennsylvania politics.

Every week, This Week in Pennsylvania gives a comprehensive look at the weeks biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in the popular weight loss drug Zepbound, has been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in obese or overweight adults with pre-diabetes by a huge 94 percent.

The results reported on pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly's own phase 3 clinical trial follow weekly tirzepatide injections compared to placebo injections among 1,032 participants over the course of roughly three years.

Not only did the medication cut health risks, those on the 15 mg per week dose lost an average of 22.9 percent of their body weight across the course of the research period, compared to a drop of just 2.1 percent for those taking a placebo treatment.

"Obesity is a chronic disease that puts nearly 900 million adults worldwide at an increased risk of other complications such as type 2 diabetes," says Jeff Emmick, a senior vice president at Eli Lilly, which manufactures Zepbound.

"Tirzepatide reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 94 percent and resulted in sustained weight loss over the three-year treatment period."

Keeping in mind the study's details are yet to be peer-reviewed and published, the trial's results strongly suggest that tirzepatide could significantly reduce the chance of type 2 diabetes developing in those who are already at high risk.

The likelihood of developing diabetes from a pre-diabetes stage for people over the age of 45 varies depending on individual circumstances, but it's generally thought to be around 9 to 14 percent. We're potentially talking about tens of millions of people who could delay or prevent the onset of a serious metabolic condition.

Like similar weight loss drugs developed in recent years, tirzepatide mimics the effects of natural hormones: specifically GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). These hormones improve blood sugar control and help to suppress appetite.

Tirzepatide has already been attracting a lot of attention: previous studies have put it at least on par of the similar Ozempic drug in the weight loss stakes. What's more, there are indications that the health benefits of these treatments could go beyond weight loss.

These drugs aren't without their drawbacks though. While approved for use by regulators, tirzepatide can lead to some pretty serious side effects in certain people, including stomach and kidney problems, low blood sugar, and serious allergic reactions.

Questions also remain about the long-term effectiveness of the treatment. In the 17 weeks following the trial, participants who had stopped taking tirzepatide began to regain weight, and some progression to type 2 diabetes was recorded. With these 17 weeks included, the risk reduction dropped to 88 percent.

While drugs such as these  including Zepbound and the related diabetes drug Mounjaro  shouldn't be taken without professional advice, the research suggests that even more significant treatments are on the way to reduce type 2 diabetes risk.

"These data reinforces the potential clinical benefits of long-term therapy for people living with obesity and pre-diabetes," says Emmick.

The research is due to be presented at Obesity Week 2024 at San Antonio in November.

Related News
ST. LOUIS COUTY, Mo.  A Wellston, Missouri, man with prior felony convictions was arrested at his home last week after police discovered he was hiding 12 pounds of marijuana in his house, as well as a firearm.

According to the St. Louis County Police Departments probable cause statement, the incident happened on August 29 in the 6300 block of Wellsmar Avenue.

Police said they went to the home with a search warrant for a shooting investigation.

Texas gang members drive to OFallon, steal $94K from ATM: Police

Michael L. Griffin (age not provided) was home at the time of the search. Police said they found copious amounts of marijuana in the living room and in a bedroom. Officers also recovered a .45 caliber Stoeger Cougar 8045F pistol in Griffins closet.

At the time of his arrest, Griffin was already on parole for first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Griffin with unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon. Griffin was jailed on a $100,000 cash-only bond. Hes due in court on September 3.

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CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  Saturday was the second day of the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival. The food, parade, singing, and dancing were all back for this 45th edition of the festival.

Event organizers said they expect as many as 50,000 people from all around the region to celebrate Italian heritage in downtown Clarksburg this weekend.

West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival: Full 2024 schedule

Board Chairman Bill Boyle has been involved with the festival for the past 15 years and going to this festival since he was a kid.

[The original organizers] wanted to celebrate both people that got us here, Boyle said. We try to carry on those family traditions, the heritage of our Italian ancestors, and we bring it to the streets of Clarksburg.

Boyle started volunteering for the festival after his daughter was crowned the Regina Maria, or queen of the festival, many years ago. Coincidentally, on display for the first time in five years was an exhibit showcasing portraits and dresses of previous Regina Marias. Rose Mazza, a Board Member of the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, put on the Regina Maria Exhibit. She explained that the Regina Maria is determined through an interview process and is not necessarily a beauty pageant.

Its a heritage pageanthow much you love your Italian culture and how much you want to be the festival queen, Mazza said.

Some of the highlights of the day included the Grand Feature Parade as well as the Coronation Reception for Regina Maria XLV Antonia Nicole Folio. Unfortunately, a thunderstorm interrupted the festival during the afternoon, but the festival was eventually able to resume.

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Why is Rep. Kevin Kiley too chicken to debate his opponent? Is he afraid of her? | Opinion

Kiley dodges public forum

Want to join Kevin Kileys Cabinet? Donate big money, (sacbee.com, May 6)

As a public service to the community, the League of Women Voters of Placer County, alongside the leagues of Nevada, Plumas, El Dorado and Sacramento Counties, is attempting to organize a public forum between the candidates for U.S. Congressional District 3. Both candidates were given various dates to choose from via email, telephone and U.S. mail and were asked to respond in a timely manner as the election is just two months away.

Candidate Jessica Morses team has responded quickly, offering numerous dates that would work. We are still waiting for Congressman Kevin Kileys response.

We would like to host this forum as we believe the citizens of District 3 should be able to voice concerns and ask questions. The league has always provided this public service, and we hope to do so again this year.

Rosalie Wohlfromm

Auburn

Opinion

Curbing smartphone use

Newsom wants to limit smartphones in California schools, (sacbee.com, June 18)

A couple of years ago, at an education workshop, a middle school teacher shared her idea to curb the use of cell phones in the classroom: She brought in a plastic shoe holder and hung it on the back of the classroom door. She numbered each bag and gave each student a corresponding number. When students entered her classroom, they placed their cell phones in their numbered bags and sat down at their desks.

It worked because the students could see their cell phones, and know that it was there, but were able to concentrate on their classroom activities.

Elaine Lagge

Elk Grove

Double standards

California Native communities demand justice for MMIP, (sacbee.com, Aug. 23)

I read with great sadness about how the murdered and missing of our first people is so far down the list of priorities  that an Amber Alert can go out within hours for everyone except these people, and that a Feather Alert can be denied.

I have never seen a Feather Alert, and now wonder why. We seem to forget that Indigenous groups were here before we were, but we dont seem to give them respect, dignity or care.

Kathy Winkelman

Sacramento

Human destruction

Wildlife agency to initiate mass murder of barred owl in CA, (sacbee.com, Aug. 25)

I tend to agree with wildlife biologist Eric Forsman: Let the two species work it out.

The so-called invasive barred owls have simply expanded their range, thanks largely to our deforestation of the Pacific Northwest.

Humans are the single most over-populated, invasive, destructive and self-destructive species on the planet.

Eric Mills

Oakland

Chemerinskys proposal

Is it time to begin the process of thinking about a new U.S. Constitution? | Opinion, (sacbee.com, Aug. 22)

Erwin Chemerinskys call for a new constitution is so scary as to defy description.

Fifteen of my family members served in WWII. Thank goodness, they all returned home and died of old age. I also have two ancestors who earned Purple Hearts in defense of this great nation. They didnt serve this country in its times of need to have the system thrown out.

Yes, we can amend irrelevant, outdated parts of the constitution. But when will it be enough?

Robert Trygar

Redding
Professor William Rubinstein

Professor William Rubinstein, who has died aged 77, was a social and economic historian mainly known for his books on the modern history of the Jews, although he also charted the rise of the super rich in Britain and even contributed his pennyworth to the Shakespeare authorship question.

Born in the US, Rubinstein taught for many years in Australia, and subsequently, from 1995 to 2011, at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. In his work on Jewish history he focused on the experience of Jews in the English-speaking world, and in what was perhaps his most controversial work, The Myth of Rescue: Why the Democracies Could Not Have Saved More Jews from the Nazis (1997), he took on the argument that Jews were not merely victims of the Nazis, they were also victims of the wartime democracies who allowed them to be annihilated in the Holocaust.

As Rubinstein pointed out, before Hitler became master of Europe, he had not decided on the Final Solution. The annihilation of the Jews was not begun, or even planned, until he had defeated all his European enemies except Britain and Russia.

Myth of Rescue

Then he could do what he liked within Europe, and the Allies, who were losing the war until 1943, could do nothing to stop him. Some suggested they should have bombed Auschwitz, but the death camp was beyond the range of their aircraft by hundreds of miles.

As for the idea that Hitler might have swapped Jews for materiel (discounting the reluctance every country would have felt at helping him to prolong the war) Rubinstein argued that Hitler was not open to the offer: by 1943 he was hellbent on killing every Jew living under his power. The western democracies could do nothing until they had totally defeated the Third Reich.

Rubinstein argued that many of the so-called wartime plans for rescue were figments of postwar historians imaginations. There were few, if any, rescue plans mooted by anyone, even Jews. Those who tried to help were primarily concerned with accommodating Jews who somehow managed to escape, and western democracies, Britain in particular, had been extremely good about accepting refugees.

During the 1930s, as Hitler made life for Jews in Germany as difficult as possible, governments relaxed entry regulations and ordinary people welcomed the fugitives. By 1939 83 per cent of young German Jews, including children, had left, and 63 per cent of all Jews had emigrated. The Foreign Office allowed its consuls to issue 50,000 entry permits without reference to London and, despite the Arab revolt against further Jewish immigration, the government of British Mandate Palestine issued more entry permits than were taken up.

More than one sixth of those who left came to Britain. Unfortunately, many others found refuge in countries which were to come under German rule.

The Myth of Rescue drew angry criticism from some quarters, the Holocaust historian David Cesarani calling it a polemic that will quickly fade. Yet most reviewers were convinced by Rubinsteins analysis, John Fox, lecturer in Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at the London School of Jewish Studies, observing in the Evening Standard that Rubinstein reminds those who need reminding of one basic fact about the writing of history: write it as it was, not as people think it ought to have been.

Men of Property

William David Rubinstein was born in Brooklyn on August 12 1946 to a Polish-born father whose parents came from odz and were related to the great pianist Arthur Rubinstein. His American mothers maiden name was Rubenstein.

After Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, he spent a short time in London working on a Lancaster University history project before emigrating to Australia in 1976.

Settling in Melbourne, Rubinstein became a leading figure in Australias Jewish community, lecturing at the Australian National University in Canberra (1976-78) before taking up a personal chair in history at Deakin University, Victoria, where he remained until his appointment as Professor of History at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

As well as his work on Jewish history, Rubinstein was particularly known for his research on the super rich in modern Britain. In Men of Property: The Very Wealthy in Britain Since the Industrial Revolution (1981), he drew on data from tax, probate and other records to show that, from the early 19th century, most of the richest in Britain earned their fortunes in commerce and finance, especially in the City of London, rather than in manufacturing and industry, and there was a general subordination of industrial to commercial and financial wealth. The mid-Victorian manufacturing boom was an exception, and when the initiative in manufacturing moved elsewhere it was not symptomatic of an economy in decline.

He drove the point home in Capitalism, Culture and Decline in Britain, 1750-1990 (1991), a frontal assault on the cultural critique of the British economy and the decline of its manufacturing base espoused by Anthony Sampson, Corelli Barnett and others. Because Britains economy had always possessed a comparative advantage in commerce and financial services, Rubinstein argued, industrial decline or collapse can be seen, with greater accuracy, as a transfer of resources and entrepreneurial energies into other forms of business life.

Who Were the Rich?

He went on to comment favourably on Thatcherite policies of denying state support for manufacturing industry on the grounds that the results were likely to be quixotic and counter-productive.

Rubinstein found fewer takers for the theory expounded in The Truth Will Out: Unmasking the Real Shakespeare (2005, with Brenda James), that the true author of the Bards plays and sonnets was the little-known English politician and aristocrat Sir Henry Neville, on the basis of claims that the political content and geographical location of the plays were a perfect reflection of Nevilles known travels.

In later life Rubinstein returned to Australia, where he became an adjunct professor at Monash University in Melbourne.

He was involved in numerous Jewish and historical organisations in both Australia and in Britain, where he served as president of the Jewish Historical Society of England (2002-04) and was a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

In 2022 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to tertiary education and to Jewish history.

Rubinstein is survived by his wife and fellow historian Hilary and by their son.

Professor William Rubinstein, born August 12 1946, died July 1 2024

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WINCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Winchester woman is facing charges after hosting a birthday party for her son that 10 other high school students attended on Aug. 7.

KSP investigating: 17-year-old killed, 3 hurt in Nelson County crash

According to court documents, 48-year-old Rebecca Boyd was questioned at her home by authorities on the night of Aug. 7 into the early hours of Aug. 8 after all 11 high school students, including her son, had consumed significant amounts of alcohol.

Boyd allegedly told authorities she knew the students were drinking, and that she took most of their car keys, according to a uniform citation.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Authorities said videos were found from the night of Aug. 7 that showed high school students playing beer pong and at least one child passed out in the front yard of Boyds home.

Boyd was charged with 11 counts of third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor.

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Video above: The USS William P. Lawrence mooring at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu

The United States Coast Guard and Navy rescued a distressed woman, her daughter and their pets from a sailboat that had been beset by weather off the coast of Hawaii.

According to a news release from the USCG, at 12:33 p.m. on Aug. 25, watchstanders at Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu received a distress alert from an emergency radio beacon approximately 925 miles east of the island.

They immediately issued a SafetyNET broadcast  the primary means for disseminating maritime safety information  to all ships in the area, organized a query of vessels and launched an HC-130 Hercules airplane to search for the stranded boaters.

China, Philippines trade accusations after vessels collide again in disputed waters

The airplane was the first to sight the sailboat  a 47-foot French-flagged vessel named Albroc  and a mayday call was received from a 47-year-old woman aboard the boat who stated that she, her 7-year-old daughter and their pets needed to be rescued.

She also reported there was a deceased man onboard, the U.S. Coast Guard stated.

The Hercules crew could not establish direct communication with the woman but saw her light two distress flares and observed the sailboat drifting and taking waves over the beam, the coast guard said, adding that, at the time, on-scene weather conditions were 6-foot seas and 20 mile per hour winds.

USCG quickly requested the assistance of the U.S. Navys Pacific and 3rd fleets, which diverted the crew of the USS William P. Lawrence to the sailboats position. Watchmasters also requested the assistance of the Seri Emperor, a 754-foot Singapore-flagged liquid petroleum gas tanker that was approximately 290 miles south of the stranded boaters.

Camp Pendleton Marine last seen outside of bar missing since Sunday: family

At 9 a.m. Sunday, the Hercules arrived on scene and observed the woman and child waving their arms before retreating into the cabin. Crewmembers attempted to communicate with them by hailing them on radios and dropping message blocks, but to no avail.

Hours later, at 5:20 p.m., the Seri Emperor arrived on scene but was unable to rescue the passengers due to deteriorating weather conditions caused by Hurricane Gilma; the tanker crew remained by the stranded sailboat until 5 a.m. Monday, when the William P. Lawrence arrived.

With seas greater than 25 feet forecast within 12 hours of their position and the damaged condition of the [sailboat], the William P. Lawrence had a six-hour window to safely conduct small boat recovery operations, USCG said.

Eventually  and in spite of 10-foot seas and 15 mile per hour winds  a small boat crew was able to launch and rescue the woman, her daughter, a tortoise and a cat. Due to the adverse conditions, the crew could not safely recover the deceased man, officials confirmed.

11 killed, more than 30 injured after truck plows into bar in the Dominican Republic

After two more days on the water, the William P. Lawrence moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu, where representatives from the Coast Guard and the Honorary Consul of France in Hawaii received and provided care for the survivors.

While saddened by the loss of the sailing vessels master, I couldnt be prouder of the combined efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy who saved the lives of two passengers, said 3rd Fleet Commander Vice Adm. John Wade. Im particularly grateful for the professionalism exhibited by the crew of the USS William P. Lawrence, who executed the rescue flawlessly under extremely dangerous conditions.

We are grateful the crews of the Seri Emperor and William P. Lawrence were able to reach the mother and daughter, who were caught right in the path of Hurricane Gilma, added Kevin Cooper, JRCC Honolulu search and rescue mission coordinator.

The sailboat remains adrift approximately 1,000 miles east of Honolulu, USCG said.

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Woman dies after crash in Volusia County, troopers say

The Florida Highway Patrol said a 19-year-old woman has died following a crash on U.S. Highway 17 and Lake Winona Road on Sunday morning.

Troopers said the crash happened around 2 a.m. in Volusia County.

FHP said a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling southbound on U.S. 17 north of Lake Winona Road.

Read: Its good for business: local shops enjoy holiday weekend boost

A 2015 Jeep Wrangler was driving northbound on U.S. 17 North of Lake Winona Road.

The Florida Highway Patrol said for an unknown reason, the Chevrolet driver failed to maintain the southbound lane and entered the northbound lane in the direct path of the Jeep.

FHP said that, as a result, the front of the Chevrolet hit the front of the Jeep, causing the Jeep to run off the roadway, overturn, and become engulfed in flames.

Read: He didnt protect her: family remembers 9-year-old after father was arrested for her death

Troopers said the 22-year-old Chevrolet driver was airlifted as a trauma alert to Halifax Hospital in critical condition.

FHP said the 19-year-old Jeep driver from Deland was pronounced dead on scene.

FHP is still investigating the crash.

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Woman held captive in barn for four years and raped by man she met online

The disused barn where the victim was imprisoned for more than four years

A woman was held captive, tortured and raped in an old barn for four years by a male suspect who has been described as Polands Josef Fritzl.

The victim, who has been identified only as Malgorzata and is now 30, met Mateusz J, a labourer, on a dating website in 2019 and went to visit him in his small village near Glogow, western Poland.

She was then allegedly imprisoned in a disused barn for over four years, being regularly beaten, raped and later impregnated just four metres away from the suspects neighbours, myGlogow, a local news site, reported.

Her 35-year-old captor, who was described by locals as a loner and freak, was arrested this week and now faces up to 25 years in prison on charges of mental, physical and sexual abuse.

Prosecutors said the victim had no access to electricity, running water, a toilet or hygiene products in the stone room with a bricked-up window, where animals used to be housed.

The victim, identified only as Malgorzata, alerted doctors to her situation when she was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder

The victim revealed that, when she did not meet his sexual expectations, she was beaten, starved and tormented.

During the ordeal, she was reportedly impregnated by Mateusz J and taken to a hospital in the nearby city of Nowa Sol to give birth and then forced to give the child up for adoption.

I couldnt tell the doctors the truth. I was afraid, and he threatened me that if I complained it would get even worse, the victim said.

The case echoes that of Fritzl, one of Austrias most notorious criminals, who kept his daughter captive for 24 years in a dungeon beneath his home, fathering seven children with her.

Malgorzata was allegedly taken to hospital several more times over the course of the four years after the suspect broke her arm, then her leg, and last year when she was admitted to surgery with a damaged anus.

On Tuesday, she was in hospital once again with a dislocated shoulder and was able to alert doctors, who called the police.

Mateusz J, who was arrested on Aug 30, denies the charges.

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When Margaret Moore saw on Reddit that white nationalists were demonstrating in Tallahassee, she got in her car and headed downtown.

"Our city can't be used as a backdrop for recruitment and propaganda of something that has the potential to literally kill," Moore said.

Moore, a member of the Tallahassee Community Action Committee, used the videos the white supremacist hate group, called Patriot Front, posted on social media, including drone footage, to identify the route they walked.

"Knowing about what I know about hate groups, they leave their garbage everywhere. They leave their signage everywhere. So I thought to myself, we've got to retrace their steps," Moore said.

Madeline Kopka, left, and Margaret Moore, right, stand next to a light post in downtown Tallahassee. The women removed stickers from this lamp post and others after the white nationalist hate group Patriot Front placed them during a demonstration on Saturday.

Moore said she was maybe five minutes behind them and saw the stickers on College Avenue, in Cascades Park and on Duval Street. Light poles downtown were littered with racist propaganda that said slogans like"Nationalist Lifestyle" and "White N Radical."

At first she tried to peel the stickers off with her fingernails. Later, Moore and a friend came up with a way to soak the stickers with water from a water bottle and use a library card to scrape them off.

Moore's friend, Madeline Kopka, didn't think twice about taking the stickers down.

"I had my knife in my car, so I was like, 'Bye, that's not gonna stay up,'" she said.

On Saturday, members of the Texas-based white supremacist and neo-fascist hate group Patriot Front were spotted in Florida's capital city. The 20-or-so men were dressed in khakis and wearing white balaclavas covering their faces while toting their hate group's flag and the Confederate flag.

The group walked through the downtown market, then on Monroe Street and through Cascades Park and paused on the Cascades Connector bridge to hang banners that said "American spirit European blood" and "No more foreign wars."

Tallahassee resident Margaret Moore removed stickers placed on lamp posts downtown from white nationalist hate group Patriot Front, which walked through Florida's capital city on Saturday.

The men, taking drone footage of their walk, also stopped in front of the Old Capitol building for photos.

In a statement, Mayor John Dailey denounced Patriot Front and their demonstration downtown.

"I unequivocally condemn white nationalism in all its forms. Hate has no place in Tallahassee," Dailey said.

State Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell agreed.

"They can report back to their Trump-supporting founder that Tallahassee is a great town that represents a great state, and their ideas have no place here," she said.

A Tallahassee Police Department watch commander and Capitol Police officer said they did not make contact with Patriot Front. Capitol Police just monitored them as they took a photo in front of the Old Capitol, the officer said.

"It makes me uncomfortable that they were here," Kopka said

What is Patriot Front?

Patriot Front stems from another group, Vanguard America, and was created after 2017s Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which one woman was killed after a white supremacist plowed his car into a group of counter-protesters.

The group is known for holding flash demonstrations," where they hand out flyers and handbills in public, which they use for propaganda videos, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

"Patriot Front espouses racism, antisemitism and intolerance under the guise of preserving the ethnic and cultural origins of their European ancestors," ADL Vice President Oren Segal told USA TODAY in 2022. "They essentially believe that this is their country and they need to fight for the perception of what it was."

On Saturday, in videos posted on social media, a Patriot Front member describes what their experience was like walking in downtown Tallahassee.

"Handed out some flyers, had a warm reception, no hecklers, it's been a good day so far, reclaim America," says a man in a baby blue tank top wearing a white balaclava.

Patriot Front stickers found on posts in the Chesterfield Village area in southwest Springfield on Monday, March 18, 2024. The stickers promote a white supremacist hate group and have been found across town in recent days.

In another video, the man states they're in Tallahassee to "occupy a little bit of space."

The videos include drone shots of the group standing in downtown in front of the Larson Building, waving to cars that occasionally honk back and speaking with people, including one who gives them a thumbs up.

"That's my fear, that they feel welcome, and I want them to know they are not welcome, and there are more people who feel like us than feel like them," Moore said.

Patriot Front back in Tallahassee

Two years ago, videos were leaked of a dozen or so Patriot Front members practicing military-style drills at Williams Landing on Lake Talquin and routine calisthenics at Lafayette Park near Ingleside Drive and Gadsden Street.

Still image from video of Patriot Front members conducting drills near Williams Landing on Lake Talquin in western Leon County.

Patriot Fronts activities  and their private communications and videos  came to light after the alternative media collective known as Unicorn Riot published 400 gigabytes of data leaked from its chat servers. The data included nearly 50 hours of video footage from around the country, including dozens of files from the Tallahassee gathering, which happened Oct. 15-17, 2022.

This year, Patriot Front has been active across the country, holding demonstrations in West Virginia, New York, and most recently, Nashville, Tennessee.

The weekend after the Fourth of July, the hate group marched in downtown Nashville, shouting "Sieg Heil."

Patriot Front was responsible for 60% of the white nationalist propaganda recorded in the country in 2023, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

Patriot Front began adding more explicit antisemitic phrases into their propaganda, and the group distributed hate literature on at least 431 occasions in 2023, making up 38 percent of the years antisemitic propaganda incidents, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

Florida recently passed several bills cracking down on antisemitism. This year, the Legislature passed bills to increase security at Jewish day schools, require the state to observe "Holocaust Remembrance Day," and define antisemitism in Florida law with language developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

The local Democratic party condemned the demonstration.

The USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida reached out to the governor's office and Evan Power, the head of the Republican Party of Florida and the local party chapter, for comment. Power reposted a post on X on Saturday that alleged the Patriot Front members were fake.

"I see the Florida Democrats have resorted to fake and staged nazis again," wrote Brandon Leslie, founder of conservative media outlet Florida's Voice.

"That is the final nail in the 'Florida is in play' coffin," Power wrote with the repost, apparently referring to recent polls that show a tighter race between former Republican President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Sean Thomas, the chair of Leon County's Students for Kamala, fired back on X. "Don't you love party leadership that upholds conspiracy theories and does not speak out against such a hate movement but rather entertains it?"

Ana Goni-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network  Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Women remove racist 'garbage' after Patriot Front walks in Tallahassee
Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics.
Yankton man and partner in finals for the gold in Paralympic Badminton

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Teenagers Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon made a comeback Saturday to net their spot in the 2024 Paralympic finals in France.

Krajewski, of Yankton, and his partner are going for the gold this weekend.

Miles Krajewski practicing on a tennis court

SD native ready for Paralympics

Krajewski is attending USD this fall. He moved into his dorm shortly before leaving for the competition in France.

Ive always wanted to make the Paralympics

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that every day of the operation in Russias Kursk Oblast ensures that Ukraine is replenishing its exchange fund.

Source: President Zelenskyys video address on 1 September

Quote from Zelenskyy: "There was also a report today from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, focusing primarily on the Pokrovsk front. On our actions to repel Russian strikes there and to destroy as many of the occupier's forces as possible. Additionally, there was an update on the operation in Kursk Oblast  each day contributes to replenishing our "exchange fund." I thank every one of our units for this!"

Details: Zelenskyy also said that every Russian attack on Kharkiv and other cities and villages proves that Ukraine's tactics, particularly in Kursk Oblast, are correct: "We must push the war back from where it was brought to Ukraine, and not just into Russias border regions. The terrorist state must feel what war is."

Quote from Zelenskyy: "We are working to ensure that as many Russian military facilities, logistics hubs, and critical components of their war economy as possible fall within the reach of our weapons. Currently, our drones are making this possible, and I thank everyone in Ukraine who is involved in developing and producing drones, as well as those working on our missile programme. I also extend my gratitude to our states foreign policy team, who are persuading our partners that long-range capabilities are key to ending this war. "

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On the afternoon of 1 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed world leaders in response to the latest Russian strike on Kharkiv, in which over 40 civilians were injured.

Source: Zelenskyy on Twitter (X)

Quote: "Russia is once again terrorising Kharkiv, striking civilian infrastructure and the city itself. As of now, there are over 30 wounded. All necessary forces have been deployed for the rescue operation. But to stop this terror, all necessary global forces must be mobilised. Whats required isnt extraordinary effort, but the sufficient courage of leaders  the courage to give Ukraine everything it needs to defend itself."

Details: The Prosecutor's Office stated that Kharkiv was attacked by ballistic missiles launched from Russian territory. Eight missiles struck three different districts in the city.

The Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration has reported that more than 40 civilians were injured, including 5 children. People may also be trapped under the rubble.

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The Model 437 Vanguard, the latest experimental aircraft from bleeding-edge aerospace firm Scaled Composites, flew for the first time yesterday, and now we have received new details about it, and specifically why this stealthy drone concept has a cockpit, as well as how it was designed and constructed. The process of turning the Vanguard, which first emerged earlier this month, into a reality notably gave parent company Northrop Grumman a valuable opportunity to demonstrate new digital engineering and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

The War Zone delved into these techniques and much more about the crewed Model 437 in an interview with Colin Miller, Vice President for Engineering within Northrop Grummans aeronautics sector.

Scaled Composites

But before we get into that, in a press release yesterday, Scaled Composites provided the following general details about the Model 437 and its capabilities:

The Model 437 began as a conceptual design, based on the Model 401, exploring a multi-mission low-cost attritable aircraft. The Model 437 Vanguard is a crewed variant of the original concept powered by a single Pratt & Whitney 535 engine with approximately 3,400 pounds of thrust. The aircraft has a wingspan of 41 feet and is 41 feet long with a gross takeoff weight of 10,000 pounds. After completion of envelope expansion, the M437 Vanguard will have a range of approximately 3,000 nautical miles and an endurance of 6 hours. The aircraft can carry up to 2,000 pounds of payload in multiple locations including an internal weapons bay sized to accommodate two AIM-120s.

Scaled Composites

Now, with that aside, lets dive into the interview.

Tyler Rogoway: Whats the relationship between the Model 437 drone concept and the Model 437 manned technology demonstrator? And is this an optionally manned aircraft or a strictly manned aircraft?

Colin Miller: So let me start and Im going to give you a very carefully worded answer that actually perfectly captures what it [the Model 437 Vanguard] is.

It is purpose-built to support our strategy, and our strategy is centered on being a major contributor to what our customer needs in the autonomous, the man-unmanned teaming, and the optionally piloted vehicle space. We firmly believe that those areas are tremendously important to the defense portfolio. We have been developing, flying, and delivering autonomous capabilities for eight decades now, and we intend to continue to be a major contributor in that space.

Editors note: Miller expressly declined to speak specifically about the capabilities of a potential optionally-manned Model 437 Vanguard versus the unmanned Model 437.

A rendering Northrop Grumman put out in 2021 featuring a fully uncrewed Model 437 at center. Northrop Grumman/Scaled Composites via Steve Trimble/Aviation Week

Tyler Rogoway: What benefits came from going with a manned variant over an unmanned one?

Colin Miller: Having a vehicle that can be or is manned offers you the ability to rapidly move through test programs. So it allows you to experiment with new technologies and new ways of doing things with a backup that allows you to take more risk than you would if it were completely unmanned from the start. And Ill use a couple [of] examples.

One could be, just to do taxi testing on an unmanned platform, typically takes much longer than it takes on a manned platform. Because with the human in the loop, you can respond to unexpected events immediately, using judgment that you [would] have to account for, obviously in the design of your system, and for all possible cases, if youre doing it strictly unmanned. Another one would be, as you know, as we start thinking about tactical air-to-air applications, you always have to make sure you have safety of flight, that you can avoid mid-airs [mid-air collisions], that you can take over if you happen to be headed towards, lets say, restricted airspace. So having the ability to have a human in the loop allows you to move through test programs much more quickly.

Test Pilot Brian Maisler sits in the cockpit of the Model 437 Vanguard. Scaled Composites

Tyler Rogoway: Do you see a potential manned variant that could be sold or is this more just focused on the unmanned concept with a crewmember now to accelerate development?

Colin Miller: I cant say a lot about that, but I can say I do see potential for a manned variant.

Tyler Rogoway: We see this kind of lineage going back to ARES [Scaled Composites Agile Responsive Effective Support aircraft], you know, in the 1980s to the [Model] 401s, which have done a lot of work, it looks like, of all different types. What is the relationship there between the 401s and the 437 and how do you see them either working together, or is it just simply an evolutionary relationship at this point?

Scaled Composites Agile Responsive Effective Support aircraft. Scaled Composites

Colin Miller: I dont actually have the history to link those together for you accurately, so Im not comfortable really commenting on that. One thing I am happy to say is, or comfortable saying, is that these types of demonstrators  401, 437  we often find them grow into roles and applications that we hadnt foreseen when we first developed them. And thats one of the reasons we developed them the way we do, with the potential to participate in a lot of different mission sets.

Editors note: The War Zone has also reached out to Scaled Composites for more information on the Model 401 and Model 437 relationship.

One of the two Scaled Composites Model 401 demonstrators. Scaled Composites

Tyler Rogoway: The relationship between 437 and [the Digital] Pathfinder [project]  are they one and the same or is Pathfinder a larger initiative that 437 is a part of, or vice versa?

Colin Miller: So 437 was an idea before Pathfinder. Pathfinder was using the digital environment to build the wings. So, we built the wings fully in the digital ecosystem in St Augustine, Florida, and we shipped them to Mojave to join 437 at scale. And when they arrived, they fit perfectly the first time, which also speaks to the importance of the digital environment, the accuracy of the models that were using, and the integrity of our digital thread. But it was a combination of two efforts. The Pathfinder effort was using the ecosystem to build wings. 437 has evolved to use those wings to do a variety of things that, again, support our broader strategy.

We talked about exercising the digital thread from concept through the design, build, and test. In the build section, we experimented with and had great success with some advanced manufacturing techniques on Pathfinder, as well. And it includes using basically additive-type of techniques, I should say, robotic techniques, to build composites. We call that SCRAM, which stands for Scalable Composite Robotic Additive Manufacturing. And then we also developed and built structural titanium parts using an additive technique called plasma arc directed energy disposition to build a structural rib. And we believe that thats the first application [of that] in defense aerospace. And it really offers the opportunity, one to cut time, but also significantly cost for our customers. Because titanium, as you know, is, one, very expensive, two, its difficult to machine, and, three, generates a tremendous amount of scrap. So the ability to build up just what you need with titanium, using an additive technique, especially for a structural part, is a significant game changer. And thats something else that we did on Pathfinder that we found to be very effective that were excited to bring to our larger programs and to our customers as an advantage.

Scaled Composites employees work on one of the Model 437 Vanguards wings. Scaled Composites

Scaled Composites

The Model 437 Vanguards fuselage, or a test article representing it, seen during the production of the aircraft. Scaled Composites

Scaled Composites employees work on a composite structure as part of the construction of the Model 437 Vanguard. Scaled Composites

Tyler Rogoway: Attritable was in the statement from Scaled Composites, and, obviously, this is a broad term, right? What are you targeting for that? Obviously, theres probably not a dollar figure, Im sure, at this point, or at least that you can state, but what is in your mind at Scaled and Northrop Grumman, what do you think is attritable, because it seems like thats a very core part of this whole project?

Colin Miller: Youll notice its [the Model 437 Vanguard] got digital camo on the tails, right? And that is on purpose. And its not just because its cool, although I think it is, it is because the the main purpose of this effort, the Digital Pathfinder effort, was to build a set of wings for Model 437 stressing our digital engineering environment.

Our digital engineering environment is in the ecosystem that we have been making major investments in for over three years to provide an end-to-end digital engineering ecosystem that operates with a high-integrity, single source of truth that encompasses the whole workflow from concept development and derivation of requirements through design, build, test, and verification, validation of capability, and sustainment in the field. And it builds on the B-21 [Raider stealth bombers] success in digital engineering, but we have evolved to a single source of truth in a digital thread that goes through all of those elements of the life cycle. And what we did with Digital Pathfinder was we have found that the best way to learn the requirements and/or shortfalls of a system is by analyzing use cases. And so Digital Pathfinder offered us an opportunity to do a quick project, very short in duration project, using our digital engineering ecosystem to see what works well [and] what needs to be modified.

Scaled Composites

The purpose of the Digital Pathfinder effort really was to demonstrate and to learn more about our digital engineering environment in a rapid prototype fashion that would allow us to rapidly learn and improve our digital engineering ecosystem. And what we learned, as we did the project, was areas where we could improve usability of our digital engineering ecosystem, areas where we could improve training of our personnel that operate in our ecosystem, and, probably most importantly, really foster and accelerate adoption of [the techniques by] our team to get everyone working in the digital environment with a single source of truth across the system lifecycle. And that allowed us to shift left and do many of the things you do later in development right up front, which resulted in a drastic reduction in engineering rework. Our engineering rework or redesign was less than one percent compared to an industry average of about 15 to 20 percent. It cut our manufacturing rework by more than 50 percent and we got things built right the first time, which is exactly what we intend with our digital engineering environment, which offers a dramatic opportunity to reduce schedule and cost for our customers.

Tyler Rogoway: Based on that, when you say single source of truth, from what I understand that means is that everybody has, theres one basic, hard profile that everybody is attributing to continue the project forward. Is that correct? Like, its one design that everybodys sharing the same information. Its not federated and then combined later on, is that correct?

Colin Miller: Thats correct.. its a collection of models that fully define the air system that are coherent and discrete so that when you go to look at the design of a part, for example, whether youre doing it to do a loads analysis, a thermal analysis, or replicate it in a digital twin, everyone is using the same data and the same representation of that, to include our customer. So our customer has access and so that they can see not only model data, but they can see performance data by taking the model and simulating it in their environment, or in our simulated environments, and/or they can look at performance data in test and see how it links back to requirements in near real-time.

Tyler Rogoway: And when you say simulation, and weve actually done a big piece with Northrop Grumman on what youre doing in that space, when you say that that includes taking the design forward, or a presumptive design, an iteration, and actually simulating not just basic performance, but maybe applications tactically and that sort of thing in a kind of a sandbox environment. Is it as far as that, before you actually start cutting parts?

Colin Miller: One hundred percent. You got that exactly right, Tyler. So you know, in our digital environment, and all this is documented in the digital environment, the single source of truth with transparency with our customer, we have the concept of operations, [and] we have the basic capability requirements of the system as given to us by the customer. And then we derive a system basically, how are we going to build that at the system level, the subsystem level, [and] the component level. The model of that using a single source of truth can be, and we do upfront and early, simulated in tactical threat environments, and judge its performance and make design trades. So we do analysis of alternatives with a digital twin of the proposed design in the customers approved threat environment and we iterate that with the customer until we get to the design that meets the capabilities with the other trade-offs fully in view.

Like we could do this, but it might, you know, it may have a weight penalty that would affect this other parameter. Or we could do this, and it may offer more speed, but may have this trade-off. And by being able to look at that in an approved, representative environment where the airplane is going to be used with the customer, we can rapidly iterate on the design. And our tools, because its all in a digital thread, we can evaluate the impacts of designs in hours or days where it used to take months.

A graphic with a wireframe mesh overlaid on a picture of Northrop Grummans Bombardier CRJ-700 testbed aircraft. Northrop Grumman

Tyler Rogoway: Theres probably a value proposition, too. They get a better idea of an optimized product out of the gate, Id imagine, then.

Colin Miller: Right. And, again, Digital Pathfinder was intended to demonstrate that and let us basically test the system and learn how to improve it, but we iterated on the design [of the Model 437 Vanguard], and we actually redesigned the wing numerous times. And we could do it so fast that when it came time to build it the first time, we had less than one percent of redesign because we had already perfected it in the digital environment before we started cutting the first part or fastening the first pieces together.

Tyler Rogoway: So Scaled Composites is legendary for really rapid prototyping, in a way, before it was what we know today and experimental exotic aircraft that use pioneering composites. Have you seen the unique synergy between that already established culture and this digital engineering environment?

Colin Miller: Its a perfect marriage for something like this, and also offers [an] opportunity for great learning, because the ability to rapidly build, to do the things Scaled has done  which are, you know, not only legendary, but Im just very proud to be associated with that team when they do that  you know, typically, when theyre building something, its one of a kind, or maybe two of a kind, and its purpose-built for a certain thing and and that has its own capability for demonstration. But for many of the systems today that were being asked to build, we do need to demonstrate, we do need to test to make sure we have the right thing, but then we need to scale it for production. And thats where the power of digital comes in, right? Because if you hand-build something without having a model, and now its time to produce, youve got to back up and start over. So what this has taught us, and what were learning to do through this effort, is to rapid prototype in a digital environment so that when it comes time to scale, youve got the models, youve got the source of truth, youve got some representative operational data from your digital twin that you can then scale.

Similarly, if you want to modify it, once youve built it, youve got a digital model you can modify. And before you modify it, you can evaluate in the digital environment, the effects of that modification, and look at the effects on the requirements and the effects on your test evaluation plan, all before you go and make the modification. So theres a synergy there. I will add that, when youre doing that, when youre using digital in a rapid prototyping environment, you want to use a slightly different approach and different procedures. And learning how to do that, I think, is really critical for our ability to rapidly turn [out] new designs for evaluation and/or ready for production to the warfighter. And this effort has really helped us learn more about how to do that.

Tyler Rogoway: Is there a percentage or some sort of analogy you can use, how the B-21 was designed similarly to a certain point, or is this taking that to a new level?

Colin Miller: Its really taken it to a new level, but it builds on that tremendously great success on B 21 digitally. And I would say that, I think about the development cycle weve been talking about from concept all the way through validation. B-21 had major sections of that thread, but not yet all connected together. And really this evolution is bringing us to the point where its all connected. So a change in any area, everyone operating in the D[igital], which again, includes all stakeholders involved in the lifecycle of the airplane, can immediately see the effects of that change. So thats whats different, is really getting it all together for the first time.

The first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber. USAF The first B-21 in a hangar at Plant 42. USAF

Tyler Rogoway: We always hear great stuff about what digital engineering can do. Theres been some criticism, too, about the hype. What are the limitations? Like, you still have to build something. You do have hardware on the ramp right now to test. So what are the limitations and how do you build them into the process?

Colin Miller: Let me put it this way, [the] key to success is you want to make sure that you take a systems engineering approach to your digital engineering, meaning, what are the requirements of your digital engineering ecosystem? And sticking to those requirements and building a system that does that very, very well without necessarily doing everything that could possibly be done digitally. That keeps your costs down and keeps you focused on really focusing on the key tools that enable this schedule acceleration and this cost avoidance. And then you have to get everybody on the team trained up and adopting, so using the system as the way they do business. Once you get through that transformation where you have the right tools and you have them streamlined and set to the minimum of what you really need to do your core business to get everyone proficient and using them, its a real game changer. When you stray from that, thats where you start to see some limitations.

Matt Hartman/Shorealone Films

When it comes to how far can it go, we have an approach to using digital tools in lieu of real-world [ones] that is focused on model validation levels, and we believe this is a novel approach and unique to how we are implementing digital. A model validation level says, for any given model in your system, you look at it and you say, what is the uncertainty of the outcome? So we have some models that are very useful, but their output might be plus or minus 10 percent lets say. We have other models that are extremely accurate. And of course, at the end of this, the most accurate model is the real-world instantiation of the product, which you mentioned, right? So flight test is always truth data. But right below that, we have models that are almost that good. And what we do with our model validation levels is, we go, for this level of model, we can use it for these purposes. And so for a model thats almost as good as [a] flight test, but not quite, our intent, with our customers concurrence, is some of the test points, you know, with a good risk assessment, could be skipped using that model. But we still have to do some flight tests to make sure that everythings right.

So, as these digital ecosystems get more and more accurate, more and more real-world [work], especially testing, will be able to be avoided with confidence that were safe, compliant, and meeting objectives. And that will really streamline and accelerate time to market and getting it in the hands of our customer. The other thing is that theres a potential, based on the maturity of some of our models  we have some models that we have gone [and] done the real world test and validated the model, and we have been, you know, close to 1 percent on things like loads and stress  so the model is getting incredibly accurate, and theres a lot of interest in the community between us, our customers, and really the aerospace industry, of evaluating [and] deciding when we can start using these models to determine airworthiness. Were not there yet, but the models are showing the potential to be able to demonstrate that, which will be, again, a great unburdening of the process to allow us to reduce costs and get things to the warfighter faster.

Scaled Composites

Tyler Rogoway: Back to the attritable thing. So, cost is huge, right? So, and then, the attritable aspect is where you could potentially, depending on who defines it, it could potentially be lost on a mission, without it being a horrific financial loss and operational loss, right? How does that play into this? How does that change the dynamic, instead of building a new fighter jet that has to fly for 6,000 hours, and its a $100 million investment, how did that all play into the goals and how you approach this new platform?

Colin Miller: You know, its an exciting and very important time in aerospace, and particularly in defense aerospace. And we, together with our customers, and specifically the warfighter, we are very attuned to their requirements and what they see as the best approach, how we can support them, and addressing the rapidly evolving threat environment. And, right now, its not clear exactly what the next steps are, but it seems probable that its a high-low mix, and its also a mix of manned and unmanned, and its also a mix of manned-unmanned teamed and fully autonomous capabilities.

So our objective is to, and what 437 is going to help us do, is to be able to experiment and rapidly bring to market capabilities in each of those areas. Right now, Id say I dont think we have the dot on exactly what the next step is. And what really, I think, the definition of attritable [is] depends on the concept of operations and the mission set that youre discussing. And we intend to be able to address most, if not all of them, by being able to experiment up and down that spectrum of survivability to attritable, to even expendable for some vehicles, right, that are planned to not come back. We want to be able to provide each of those areas according to our customers needs, and we need the ability to experiment, demonstrate, and then rapidly develop into a product in each of those areas.

Scaled Composites

Tyler Rogoway: Pathfinder will probably evolve and expand now that its accomplished this, is that correct?

Colin Miller: It likely will. We may call it something different, but our experimentation and prototyping of our ecosystem will continue, because the fastest and best way to make sure  to your question earlier, Hey, you know, what do you get from digital and you know, what are its limits?  the fastest way to find out is to do something. And once you prototype, prototype, prototype, you know, test, test, test your ecosystem by doing things, then you figure out what your real requirements are and how to maximize the performance of that system while minimizing excess waste and non-value-added parts of that ecosystem. So were going to continue to experiment and stress it with these rapid projects to stay ahead of the best way to design an ecosystem to support our larger programs.

https://twitter.com/ShorealoneFilms/status/1829169922406265166

Tyler Rogoway: Final question and this goes back to the digital environment. Its all very impressive, and obviously its the future, or its the present. What do you see as the cybersecurity element of this? I mean, there has to be a major concern when you have all that data being pushed and centralized to a certain extent. Can you just talk even anecdotally about the cybersecurity element to it?

Colin Miller: Absolutely. I would tell you we have a weapon system cyber security team here at Northrop [Grumman] that I believe is really a differentiator for us. And they are involved in and evaluate all of our programs, and they are involved in new programs from day one, from starting with concept.  We have five different levels of cybersecurity certification that we manage internally with the company, driving all programs towards the highest level. And our approach to autonomy absolutely front and center includes cybersecurity. We believe that you need cost, schedule, performance, and cybersecurity. And if you dont have cybersecurity, thats really table stakes.  You gotta do that first before you really worry about the other three. So its central to our strategy, and we have a team that does just that, and I believe that were industry leading in that capability.

Northrop Grumman

Editors note: A big thank you to Northrop Grummans Colin Miller for sitting down to talk with us about the 437 and the Digital Pathfinder effort that could have further-reaching ramifications. Also, thanks to Eduardo Salinas, who made this interview possible.

Contact the author: tyler@twz.com
Scientists use new tech to break major record in quest for limitless energy: 'Peak power exceeding 80 trillion watts'

First Light Fusion, a startup based in the United Kingdom, has achieved a new record for nuclear fusion pressure using a novel new approach, Interesting Engineering reported.

The breakthrough could have major implications for the entire nuclear power industry, one of the most promising sources of clean energy.

First Light Fusion was able to reach 1.85 terapascals of pressure with its advanced pulsed machine, breaking the previous record of 1.5 terapascals achieved by the Z Machine at Sandia National Laboratories, located in New Mexico.

Unlike most existing forms of nuclear power generation, First Light Fusion's new machine uses something called "inertial confinement fusion" instead of lasers and magnetic confinement. For more detailed scientific info on how that works, you can check out this roughly 30-minute explainer video.

Interesting Engineering described First Light Fusion's method as being "analogous to, but different from" how fusion occurs in the sun.

Not only was this new method able to achieve more fusion pressure than ever before, but the company also said it could produce energy more cheaply and efficiently.

"This method is simpler, cheaper, and more energy-efficient than approaches requiring complex and expensive lasers, reducing the physics risk," First Light Fusion said, per the news report.

To test its machine, the company used the Z Machine, whose record it was breaking.

"With peak power exceeding 80 trillion watts, the Z Machine electromagnetically launches projectiles faster than any other facility globally," First Light Fusion said to Recharge News, per Interesting Engineering. That level of power was more than is currently generated by grids worldwide.

Although nuclear energy is often viewed negatively due to its associations with meltdown disasters like the ones at Chernobyl and Fukushima, its possibilities for generating huge amounts of energy with zero planet-overheating emissions are very exciting.

Experts say that it is much safer than people generally tend to believe  responsible for far fewer deaths and health problems than those caused by pollution from dirty fuels  and with the science around it being constantly advanced, it is only getting safer.

Also, as the International Atomic Energy Agency has noted, nuclear fusion is different from the nuclear fission process that produces energy today, and it does not have the same dangers. That said, nuclear fusion's availability for commercial power production is still considered to be a long way away.

The United States, China, and other countries are currently investing in nuclear power facilities that make use of various types of new technology in an effort to increase their capacity to provide clean energy to the grid.

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.
One of the two Colorado Republicans who lay claim to the title of state GOP chairman sued the other on Wednesday, escalating a battle for control of the party just weeks before ballots start going out to voters.
New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India on Sunday reported a 4 per cent year-on-year decline in total sales in August at 1,81,782 units. The company had dispatched 1,89,082 units in the same month last year, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said in a statement.

Total domestic passenger vehicle wholesales were at 1,43,075 units last month as compared with 1,56,114 units in the year-ago month, a dip of 8 per cent, it added.

Sales of mini segment cars, comprising Alto and S-Presso, declined to 10,648 units last month as against 12,209 units a year ago. The Sales of compact cars, including Baleno, Celerio, Dzire, Ignis and Swift, declined 20 per cent to 58,051 units as compared with 72,451 units in the year-ago month.

Utility vehicles, consisting of Grand Vitara, Brezza, Ertiga, Invicto, Fronx and XL6, clocked sales of 62,684 units last month as compared to 58,746 units earlier.

Sales of Eeco were at 10,985 units last month as against 11,859 units in the year-ago period, while that of light commercial vehicle Super Carry stood at 2,495 units as against 2,564 units earlier. MSI said its exports last month rose to 26,003 units as compared with 24,614 units in the same month last year.
New Delhi: Banks across the country will be closed for a total of 15 days throughout September 2024 including weekends and local holidays. However, you can still carry out your banking activities via mobile and internet banking even though many bank branches will be shut due to these holidays.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released a detailed list of bank holidays for September 2024, showing which states and days bank branches will be closed.

It's important to remember that banks won't be closed for all these days in every state or region. The 15-day closure refers to the total number of days banks will be closed across various parts of the country due to local holidays. For example, banks in Gangtok will close for Pang-Lhabsol but in Tamil Nadu they will remain open on that day.

Bank Holidays in September 2024

According to the RBI's list, bank branches will be closed on various days in September 2024 for different holidays across the country. Here are the key dates:

- September 4: Tirubhav Tithi of Srimanta Sankardeva

- September 7: Ganesh Chaturthi / Samvatsari (Chaturthi Paksha) / Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata / Vinayakar Chathurthi

- September 14: Karma Puja / First Onam (Also 2nd Saturday)

- September 16: Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e Milad (Birthday of Prophet Mohammad) (Bara Vafat)

- September 17: Indrajatra / Id-e-Milad (Milad-Un-Nabi)

- September 18: Pang-Lhabsol

- September 20: Friday following Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi

- September 21: Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi Day

- September 23: Birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji

Bank Closures for Weekends in September 2024

In addition to the holidays, banks will be closed on the following weekends:

- Sundays: September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

- Second Saturday: September 14

- Fourth Saturday: September 28

The Reserve Bank of India categorises its holidays into three groups: Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act; Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act and Real Time Gross Settlement Holiday; and Banks Closing of Accounts. However, it's important to note that bank holidays differ from state to state and are not observed by all banks. These holidays are often based on local festivals or specific occasions announced in those states.
BJP National President, Jagat Prakash Nadda, strongly criticized the Kerala government for its inaction on the Justice Hema Committee report, which highlighted severe issues within the Malayalam film industry. Speaking at an event in Palakkad, Nadda accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of deliberately stalling the implementation of the reports recommendations, implying that the involvement of Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) leaders could be the reason for the delay.

"I am very sorry to say that the Hema Committee report very specifically said that communist party people are involved. The Chief Minister should come out," Nadda asserted during his interaction with prominent personalities from various fields in Kerala's Palakkad district.

Allegations of Suppression and Corruption

Nadda further alleged that the Kerala governments reluctance to act on the report suggests a cover-up. "Why the delay in justice to the Hema Committee report? What is stopping them? What is haunting you? Because you are part and parcel of that. It is something you want to hide because your people are involved," he said, directly challenging the state administration's integrity.

Justice Hema Committee Report

The Justice Hema Committee, established to examine the working conditions of women in the Malayalam film industry, submitted its report in December 2019. The findings, which were only made public on August 19, 2023, paint a grim picture of systemic exploitation and abuse. According to the report, the industry is controlled by a powerful, all-male 'mafia,' and women who refuse to comply with demands for sexual favors face severe consequences, including harassment and career sabotage.

Widespread Sexual Harassment Allegations

Since the release of the report, at least ten cases have been filed against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry. These include directors VK Prakash and Ranjith, actors Siddiqui, Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, as well as Advocate Chandrasekharan and production controllers Noble and Vhich, all of whom have been accused of sexual harassment by various women.
Haryana police on Saturday arrested five members of a cow vigilante group and detained two boys in connection with the alleged lynching of a man from West Bengal. The migrant worker was suspected of eating beef and was allegedly beaten to death in Charkhi Dadri district. The incident has sparked strong reactions from opponents of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the state prepares for upcoming assembly elections in just over a month.

Sabir Malik, a 26-year-old man from North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, was living in Hansawas village, Charkhi Dadri, with his wife and 2-year-old daughter while working as a ragpicker. On August 27, he was killed by a group of men who lured him under the pretense of giving him plastic waste.

When questioned about the incident, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated at a press conference, "It is not right to use terms like mob lynching. We have passed a strict law in the state assembly to protect cows, and there will be no compromise on that."

He asserted that the August 27 incident is "unfortunate" but urged people to refrain from calling it lynching.

Saini further stressed, "In villages, the cow is revered so much, and if they (villagers) come to know that they are creating such a situation, who can stop them from reacting, and whatever happens afterward, happens. But I want to say that such incidents should not take place. These things are unfortunate," he said.

According to a senior police officer, on the day of the incident, the accused allegedly lured Sabir Malik to a shop under the pretense of selling empty plastic bottles and then assaulted him there. After bystanders intervened, the accused reportedly took Malik to another location, where they beat him again, resulting in his death.

Malik, who lived in a shanty near Bandhra village in Charkhi Dadri district, earned his livelihood by collecting waste and rags, the police said.

All five accused have been arrested, and two juveniles have also been apprehended in connection with the case. The police have sent a food sample for testing at a lab in Faridabad, the officer added.
Heavy rainfall continues to devastate Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, leading to severe flooding, tragic loss of life, and extensive disruptions. Both states have been enduring relentless downpours, resulting in swollen rivers and widespread inundation, including in major cities like Hyderabad and Vijayawada.

Emergency Meetings And Rescue Efforts

In response to the escalating crisis, the chief ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, A Revanth Reddy and N Chandrababu Naidu, respectively, convened emergency meetings to assess the situation and coordinate ongoing rescue operations. The situation in Telangana's Khammam district is particularly dire, with 110 villages submerged under floodwaters, and many residents stranded on hillocks and rooftops, awaiting rescue.

IMD Issues Red Warnings

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red warnings for several districts in Telangana, including Adilabad and Mahabubnagar, forecasting very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the coming days.

As a precautionary measure, the Telangana government declared a holiday for all primary and secondary schools in Hyderabad on Monday, September 2, to ensure the safety of children.

Railway Services Disrupted

The rainfall has severely impacted railway services, resulting in the cancellation of 99 trains, the partial cancellation of four, and the diversion of 54 others. Five trains are stranded in the Kazipet to Vijayawada section due to flooding and breaches in the railway tracks.

Rescue Operations and NDRF Deployment

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar reported that 119 people were stranded on hillocks and buildings in the Khammam district. In a social media post, he informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the critical situation and the need for urgent intervention. In response, nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed to Telangana to aid in rescue efforts. These teams, drawn from Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Assam, are actively working on the ground to evacuate those trapped by the floods.
Heavy rains continued to lash many parts of Telangana, including Hyderabad, on Sunday and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy held an emergency review with ministers, officials and elected members.

Reddy, who reviewed the situation in the rain-affected areas, spoke to ministers - Bhatti Vikramarka, N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Tummala Nageshwar Rao, Damodara Raja Narasimha and Jupalli Krishna Rao over the phone and enquired about the relief operations in the submerged areas.

In its weather warning, the Met Centre here on Sunday said very heavy to extremely heavy rain is very likely to occur at isolated places in Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Mahabubnagar, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet,

Jogulamba Gadwal, Mahbubabad, Jangaon

districts of Telangana from 8.30 am of Sunday till 8.30 am of September 2. It issued a red warning for this forecast.

Due to heavy rains and water logging over the tracks at several locations on South Central Railway (SCR), several passenger trains were either cancelled, partially cancelled and also diverted, a release from SCR said.

A portion of gravel under the railway track near Kesamudram in Mahabubabad district was washed away due to floodwaters, stranding passengers on a train at Kesamudram railway station.

Following the heavy rains, rivulets were in spate in some districts and the floodwaters disrupted road links between villages.

The Met Centre said heavy to very heavy rain is very likely to occur at few places in Komaram Bheem Asifabad,

Mancherial, Jagital, Jayashankar Bhupalapally,

Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Vikarabad, Sangareddy districts on Sunday.

Hyderabad also witnessed heavy rains and the continued overnight downpour led to waterlogging in many parts of the city.

The Met Centre said moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers accompanied with gusty winds upto 40-50 kmph are very likely for Hyderabad.

It also said of low to moderate flash flood risk over Ranga Reddy, Hyderabad, Medchal, Vikarabad and Sangareddy districts.

Moderate to heavy rains lashed many parts of Telangana on Saturday, leading to inundation of low-lying areas and disruption of road links between villages in some places.

The chief minister held teleconference with top officials and the Chief Secretary, DGP and the officials of State Municipal Administration, Energy, Panchayati Raj, HYDRAA, Irrigation departments were asked to be alert in the next 24 hours.

Reddy ordered district Collectors, SPs, Revenue, Irrigation and Municipal officials to conduct field visits in the flood-hit habitations.

Specific instructions have been issued to all officials of the important departments to cancel their leaves and join relief and rescue operations immediately in the rain ravaged districts, the release said.

The officials of the emergency wings have also been asked to send updates on heavy rains at the field level to the CMO office from time to time. The authorities are instructed to take immediate relief measures in the flood-hit areas.

The chief minister appealed to people not to venture out of their homes unless in an emergency. Citizens living in low lying areas are advised to be more vigilant and inform the authorities over the phone in case of an emergency or any assistance required, the release said.

The CM directed the ministers, MPs, MLAs and MLCs to stay in their respective areas and take up relief operations.

A control room was opened at state Secretariat to monitor heavy rains in the state, an official release said.
A laboratory technician at Howrah District Headquarters Hospital in West Bengal has been arrested on charges of molesting a 12-year-old girl. The alleged incident occurred on Saturday evening, leading to protests by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and calls for the resignation of the hospital superintendent. A laboratory technician has been arrested for allegedly molesting a minor girl at a state-run hospital in West Bengals Howrah district, police said.

The 12-year-old girl was admitted last week in the hospital. A family member of the minor claimed that she came out of the laboratory in tears, as the accused had touched her 'inappropriately' and threatened her with dire consequences if she mentioned about the matter to anyone.

The laboratory assistant has been arrested and an investigation is underway, an officer said. Meanwhile, members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the CPI(M), on Sunday demonstrated at the hospital, demanding the resignation of the hospital superintendent.
Kerala Lottery Results Sunday 01-09-2024 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "AKSHAYA AK-667" Lucky Draw Result today Akshaya AK-667, September 01, 2024. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2024 for "Akshaya AK-667" 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 Akshaya AK-667 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 Akshaya AK-667 results today.

Kerala Lottery Result 01-09-2024 September: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR AKSHAYA AK-667 Draw

LUCKY NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS: AF 267803

LUCKY NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKHS IS: AF 675470

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: AA 359745 AB 325061 AC 816366 AD 973715 AE 159474 AF 350055 AG 680796 AH 391532 AJ 424067 AK 326221 AL 678550

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: AA 267803 AB 267803 AC 267803 AD 267803 AE 267803 AG 267803 AH 267803 AJ 267803 AK 267803 AL 267803 AM 267803

(For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below)

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0311 0742 0831 0886 1653 2733 4215 5190 5774 5840 6714 7032 7927 9351 9558 9888 9913 9950

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: 1465 3383 3669 3771 4344 8358 8965

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0126 0786 1434 1500 1958 2057 2151 2379 3177 3374 3965 4062 4184 4238 4964 5462 5811 6037 6334 7011 7652 8058 8234 9006 9445 9512

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0102 0220 0436 0870 0911 0925 1136 1197 1315 1322 1652 1695 1700 1825 2160 2168 2260 2376 2467 2477 2553 2631 2803 2949 2968 2990 3378 3510 3804 4179 4410 4465 4469 4617 4632 4633 4635 4647 4934 5361 5621 5788 6150 6225 6327 6461 6897 7312 7377 7651 7730 7753 7771 7948 8405 8535 8557 8622 8854 8909 8919 9068 9099 9185 9205 9293 9316 9583 9631 9767 9816 9931

LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0005 0033 0106 0201 0285 0387 0396 0573 0856 1417 1419 1432 1733 1743 1756 1885 1899 1900 1948 2005 2067 2101 2174 2211 2215 2222 2288 2435 2509 2579 2582 2671 2673 2689 2719 2828 2930 2970 3201 3312 3348 3388 3591 3599 3718 3864 3870 3872 3886 3906 4191 4290 4295 4482 4524 4697 4816 4884 5014 5020 5044 5068 5103 5254 5324 5421 5474 5507 5534 5535 5938 5955 6049 6230 6231 6586 6663 6743 6794 6806 6907 7034 7065 7108 7130 7141 7142 7162 7233 7257 7396 7426 7596 7665 7865 8057 8070 8096 8180 8216 8294 8321 8417 8561 8743 8791 8851 8868 9007 9058 9077 9095 9223 9426 9474 9513 9531 9586 9724 9778 9878 9901 99711

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 01-09-2024 September TODAY: AKSHAYA AK-667 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS

1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs

2nd Prize: Rs. 5 lakhs

3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh

4th Prize: Rs. 5,000

5th Prize: Rs. 2,000

6th Prize: Rs. 1,000

7th Prize: Rs. 500

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.)
In a disturbing escalation of violence, suspected militants launched a gun-and-bomb attack on Koutruk village in Manipur's Imphal West district, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to nine others. The attack, which occurred on Sunday, involved the use of sophisticated weapons, including multiple RPGs using advanced drones.

Attack Details and Casualties

The militants, reportedly Kuki insurgents, fired indiscriminately from hilltop positions towards the valley areas of Koutruk and the neighbouring Kadangband village. The onslaught left two people dead, including a 31-year-old woman, Ngangbam Surbala Devi. Her 8-year-old daughter sustained injuries to her arm. Among the injured, five suffered bullet wounds, while the others were hurt by splinter fragments from explosions. The injured have been taken to local hospitals, and the body of the deceased woman has been sent to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for a post-mortem examination. The identity of the other deceased victim is yet to be confirmed.

Widespread Panic and Damage

The sudden and intense attack caused widespread panic in Koutruk and surrounding areas, prompting residents, including women, children, and the elderly, to flee their homes in search of safety. Several houses were also damaged due to the heavy shelling by the militants, further exacerbating the distress among the villagers.

Government Response and Security Measures

The Manipur state government has strongly condemned the attack on unarmed villagers, describing the use of drones, bombs, and sophisticated weaponry as an alarming escalation. In a statement, the Home Department emphasized that such acts of terror are seen as deliberate attempts to undermine the states efforts to restore peace and normalcy. The government has vowed to take immediate action to control the situation and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.

Increased Security and Ongoing Operations

In response to the attack, security forces, including both state and central units, have been deployed to the area to stabilize the situation. The Director General of Police (DGP) has instructed all Superintendents of Police (SPs) to remain on high alert, particularly in fringe areas. Combing operations are ongoing in Koutruk and surrounding regions to locate and neutralize any remaining militants.

The Manipur Police have appealed to the general public to remain calm and exercise restraint in the wake of the attack. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and further contingencies are being prepared to ensure the safety of the civilians in the region.
The Texas foster care system fails its clients. Ken Ellis illustration/Staff

In a hospital bed in Houston right now there is a child clinging to life, a child who narrowly escaped the cruel form of care at a facility licensed by the state of Texas that resembled nothing short of a drug den when a volunteer showed up a few months ago for a checkup.

The volunteer, a court-appointed special advocate, was greeted at the door of the facility not by staff, but by a child, according to a letter that the boys ad litem attorney sent Aug. 9 to the state and shared with the editorial board. Medicines were in unlabeled bins out in the open on the countertop. Feces painted the wall. Outside, urine-soaked mattresses were strewn in the backyard.

To the volunteers alarm, she found the child, a 15-year-old boy, zoned out and uncommunicative. She shared her concerns and prompted an emergency special hearing. The child, referred to in the letter only as M.R.F., was immediately removed from the facility operated by Maofu Home Health Services.

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But because this is Texas, he was immediately placed in another facility, owned by the very same franchise: Maofu Home Health Services. The company didnt respond to multiple requests for comment.

And the state? Well, the folks at the top, at least, seem annoyed that unsavory anecdotes such as this keep emerging, more than a decade after a class-action lawsuit revealed widespread abuse of children in the states foster care facilities. So tired are these Texas child welfare officials that they recently resorted to the nuclear option in trying to end the litigation once and for all: They asked an appeals court to kick the presiding judge off the case.

The record is replete with instances of hostile remarks and actions toward the state defendants and their counsel, the state argued in a June filing to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

How hostile, we wonder, is the senior federal judge, Janis Graham Jack, or any judge for that matter, allowed to be in the face of never-ending child endangerment? How sternly, we ask, should a judge respond to bureaucratic foot-dragging that callously prolongs child suffering?

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Americas system of justice demands a lot of our judges by way of ethics and fairness.

We dont think it requires any honest, feeling, thinking judge to look the other way in cases of rape or neglect or the years-long systemic overmedicating of children on psychotropic drugs.

And thats what our conservative state is asking of the conservative jurists on the 5th Circuit: Look the other way. Let us close the drapes to the drug dens we lump in with real community-based care facilities. Let us remove the best watchdog that Texas foster kids ever had: Judge Jack, a senior jurist who, rather than enjoy the full-time leisure of retirement, continues to preside over this one case for going on 13 years until she can be sure the kids have basic safety and recourse.

Theyre not safe, not yet. Its true that Texas has made real reforms over the years, particularly after Gov. Greg Abbott wrote to the Department of Family and Protective Services and the Health and Human Services Commission in 2020, telling them to stop fighting Jacks orders to avoid racking up more fines. Abbott even went on a Rio Grande Valley radio station, the Texas Tribune reported, and pledged that Texas would do exactly what Jack ordered.

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Wheres that tone, governor? Wheres that leadership? Wheres your attention? Its not with the kids being abused on your watch.

Its not with the thousands of forgotten children, as Jack described them in her 2015 landmark ruling, adding that they almost uniformly leave state custody more damaged than when they entered it.

We actually argue that Jack has been too patient with the state. At every turn, she has given Texas a chance to do better and, only occasionally, fined them when they havent. Three times she has found the state in contempt for its lack of progress. While Texas argues it has tried in good faith to comply, the state has spent far more time fighting the costly class-action lawsuit to reform its broken foster care system than it has actually fixing it.

The boy who was found in such deplorable conditions only got worse. At the urging of the court, DFPS found a potential new placement at a third facility. When the boys caseworker visited him the morning of Monday, Aug. 5, he had vomited earlier that morning and he then continued vomiting throughout the night.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6 the child was transported to a Sugar Land emergency room. Doctors took one look at his kidneys and liver and life-flighted him to Childrens Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston where he was admitted with a failing liver, a swollen brain and jaundice. Those are all clear signs of toxic ingestion. According to the letter, medical professionals and poison control suspect that the boys caretakers slowly and steadily over-medicated him. As of this writing, he remains in critical condition.

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In an emailed statement to the editorial board, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which oversees state-run facilities like group homes, said their top priority is protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of people served by the facilities and providers they regulate. They are actively investigating Maofu Home Health Services and said that if the provider did not follow all regulations, it will be cited for a regulatory violation and required to come into compliance.

Forgive us if were not exactly feeling confident in an agency with a dismal track record of slow and shoddy results. A few months ago, Judge Jack shared a 427-page contempt order that outlined in gut-churning detail how HHSCs botched investigations endanger foster children with disabilities, especially kids who require medication for mental illness.

From broken bones, to sexual assault and being shocked by Tasers, the evidence of abuse is ample and appalling. Yet, thanks to Texas convoluted system of investigations, many reports have gone ignored or disregarded, lost in a tangled mess of unclear jurisdiction. The investigations that do happen often take more than a year to complete and are remarkably careless. Victims, witnesses and alleged perpetrators are interviewed months after the fact, if at all, and evidence found in prior investigations is often ignored. Unlike DFPS investigators who delve deeply into a providers history, HHSC investigators dont conduct such background checks, the monitors report said. Under a new policy adopted in June, HHSC investigators also no longer put into their final reports an explanation of why they ruled a childs outcry to be inconclusive or unfounded.

Judge Jack has asked the state to cough up $100,000 per day for its violations. That is, until HHSC officials can certify that theyre promptly and competently investigating abuse allegations.

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Rather than helping an understaffed and underfunded HHSC come into compliance, the state is paying a Dallas lawyer $1,300 an hour to persuade the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that Texas is already doing everything right. The conservative court is poised to agree with the state on the sanction. But the state is going one step further, arguing that Jack isnt impartial enough and should be bumped from the case. The state attorney generals office did not respond to a request for comment.

For Paul Yetter, the Houston business attorney who has represented the plaintiffs pro bono since the case was filed in 2011, the recent harrowing case illustrates whats at stake should the court take Texas side.

Its a tragic example of why the reforms being enforced by Judge Jack are so critical, he told us. Over-medication is a chronic problem in the Texas system and puts vulnerable children at risk. Its just shocking.

The fines, he said, are a clear message. Whether or not you care about child safety, you at least have to act like you do.

If only Texas would spend as much energy and taxpayer money working to do right by the thousands of foster children under its care as it does trying to squirrel out of fines. Maybe then we wouldnt be here, 13 years later, still pleading for Texas to prioritize the lives and well-being of vulnerable children entrusted to its care. Maybe then a 15-year-old wouldnt be in a hospital bed in Houston, unable to swallow or communicate, and still reliant on feeding tubes.
New Delhi: The National Commission of Women (NCW) has requested the full Hema Committee report, which details sexual abuse and harassment allegations, as only portions of it have been made public. The document revealed the details on the widespread sexual abuse within the Malayalam film industry.

The top women's body, in an official statement, indicated that it has noted troubling findings in the report, highlighting "serious issues" such as "workplace harassment, gender-based discrimination, and other forms of exploitation negatively impacting women in the Malayalam film industry.

"The NCW has taken steps to seek the complete Hema Committee Report, as it appears that only parts of it are currently available in the public domain," it said.

In a statement, the woman's body said, "The Commission is committed to furthering its efforts in addressing these matters with the appropriate authorities to ensure that the rights of women are upheld and that a safe, equitable working environment is fostered within the industry," reported PTI.

The Kerala government established the Justice Hema Committee in response to an actress's assault case in 2017. The committee's report highlights widespread workplace harassment, gender-based discrimination, and other forms of exploitation within the Malayalam film industry. In light of recent sexual harassment and exploitation allegations against multiple actors and directors, the state government announced on August 25 the formation of a seven-member special investigation team to investigate the claims.
President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a new flag and insignia for the Supreme Court to commemorate its 75th anniversary in the national capital on Sunday.President Murmu graced the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary, organised by the Supreme Court of India.

She emphasised that there are many challenges before the judiciary that will require coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to be resolved, informed an official release. Addressing the gathering, the President said that since its establishment, the Supreme Court of India has made an invaluable contribution as a vigilant sentinel of the judicial system of the world's largest democracy.

Indian jurisprudence has a very respectable place because of the Supreme Court. She appreciated the contribution of all present and past people associated with the Indian Judiciary. She was happy to note that on the completion of 75 years of its establishment, the Supreme Court has organised many programmes that have increased people's trust and attachment towards our judicial system.

The President said that the feeling of faith and reverence towards justice has been a part of our tradition. She referred to her address on a previous occasion and reiterated that people consider every judge in the country as God. The President said that in recent years there have been significant improvements in the availability of infrastructure, facilities, training, and human resources of the judiciary at the district level, but a lot remains to be done in all these areas.

She affirmed confidence that the rapid progress would continue on all dimensions of reform.

The President said that pendency and backlog of cases are big challenges before the judiciary. She stressed the need to ponder the serious issue of cases remaining pending for as long as over 32 years. She emphasised that programmes such as special Lok Adalat week should be organised more frequently and said that this will help in tackling the pendency of cases.

President Murmu also expressed her happiness while noting that many aspects related to case management were discussed in one of the sessions of this conference. She expressed confidence that these discussions will yield practical results.

The President said that the Constitution provides for the power and responsibilities of the legislative and executive bodies at the local level through panchayats and municipalities.

She asked if we could think of a justice system at the local level equivalent to these and stated that making arrangements to provide justice in the local language and local conditions can help in achieving the ideal of taking justice to everyone's doorstep, the release stated.

The President said that when court decisions in a heinous crime like rape come after a generation has passed, the common man feels that the judicial process lacks sensitivity. She stated that it is a sad aspect of our social life that, in some cases, people with resources continue to roam around fearlessly and freely even after committing crimes, and those who suffer from their crimes live in fear, as if those poor people have committed some crime.

The President also expressed happiness at the fact that the Supreme Court has ordered the implementation of the provision of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita with retrospective effect. Under this, there is a provision to release first-time accused and those who have served one-third of the prescribed maximum imprisonment period, on bail, the release added.

She expressed confidence that by implementing the new system of criminal justice with this promptness, our judiciary will usher in a new era of justice.
Amazon Delivery Fail: A mysterious delivery has left social media in splits as a man recently got a pressure cooker from Amazon two years after he canceled the order. Taking to X, Jay said he ordered the cooker in October 2022, canceled it, and got a refund. Despite the efforts, the package showed up unexpectedly on August 28, 2024.

Jay humorously captioned his post, Thanks, Amazon, for delivering my order after 2 years! The post quickly went viral, with people jokingly suggesting it was 'delivered from Mars' and sharing their own delivery horror stories.

Thank you Amazon for delivering my order after 2 years.



The cook is elated after the prolonged wait, must be a very special pressure cooker! _ pic.twitter.com/TA8fszlvKK - Jay (@thetrickytrade) August 29, 2024

Interestingly, Amazon responded to the viral post, saying, Hi there, we're sorry to hear this. Please report this to our support team. Jay, confused, replied, Report what? The order was canceled and refunded. How do I even pay for this now?

Users had a field day with the post, with one commenting, You should be thrilledits a custom-made pressure cooker! and another quipping, Its the most prestigious cooker. Youre lucky to have it!

The post, which went live on August 29, has since racked up over 8.5 lakh views and a lot of amused comments.
Under the wing of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, farmers commenced a five-day protest on Sunday in Chandigarh. The farmers are pressing the Punjab government to fulfill their demands, including the swift implementation of a comprehensive agriculture policy.

Farmers from various parts of Punjab arrived in buses, tractor-trolleys and their personal vehicles and converged on the Dussehra ground in Chandigarh's Sector 34 to take part in the sit-in.

The administration allotted the ground for the protest. The farmers are protesting against alleged delays in the implementation of an agriculture policy, claiming that the Punjab government had not taken any meaningful step on it.

The AAP government assumed power two-and-a-half-years ago but the promised agriculture policy is yet to be implemented, they alleged.

The farmers' other demands include the promotion of chemical-free crops, compensation to the families of farmers who committed suicide, and curbing the drugs problem in the state, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union general secretary Lachhman Singh Sewewala said.

Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan said the farmers would march towards the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday and hand over a memorandum of their demands to the chief minister and opposition leaders.

A three-day session of the assembly will begin on Monday.
JAIPUR: Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar on Sunday announced that Mughal emperor Akbar will no longer be taught as a great figure in schools. He criticised Akbar, stating that he had plundered the country for years and asserted that no one would be allowed to praise the Mughal emperor as a 'great personality' in the future.

The Minister made these remarks while speaking during an event to mark the 28th state-level "Bhama Shah Samman Samaroh" at the Vivekananda Auditorium of Udaipur's Sukhadia University. The Education Minister lamented that Maharana Pratap, who sacrificed everything for the honour and dignity of Mewar, was never given the status of greatness.

He highlighted that education is the highest form of duty and that every penny contributed by Bhama Shahs for this purpose would be used appropriately. In January this year, Madan Dilawar referred to Mughal emperor Akbar as "a rapist" and called for the removal of references to him as a "great personality" from school textbooks.

His remarks were made in response to discussions about significant revisions to school textbooks following a change in the government. "We don't need to make any changes in the curriculum, but the contents that make any unethical statements or disrespect great men will be removed. There is a lot of misleading information included about our ancestors such as Veer Savarkar and Shivaji. Those statements will be fixed," he said during a press conference on January 30.

Dilawar further said, "In many textbooks, it was stated that Savarkar was not a patriot. While Akbar is considered a great man, Shivaji is referred to as 'Pahadi Chuha', and Maharana Pratap's role is overshadowed by the role of Akbar. Such statements are not acceptable and will be reviewed." Meanwhile, the Education Minister on Sunday praised Rajasthan for its tradition of Bhama Shahs, recalling that in 1997, former Chief Minister Bhairon

Singh Shekhawat initiated the practice of seeking cooperation from Bhama Shahs. He noted that Rajasthan is a land of sacrifice, austerity, valour, and heroism. He recounted how Bhama Shah donated his entire wealth to Maharana Pratap when the latter had to live in the forests.

He concluded by celebrating Rajasthan as a land of great men and heroic deeds, emphasising the inspirational legacy of Maharana Pratap, Bhama Shah, and the tribal leader Govind Guru.
Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of displaying arrogance when apologizing for the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra. During a protest organized by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Mumbai, Thackeray remarked that the people of Maharashtra would not accept the Prime Minister's apology, perceiving it as insincere and filled with arrogance.

Thackeray said, ''Did you notice the arrogance in the (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's) apology? It smacked of arrogance. One deputy chief minister was smiling. The mistake (collapse) cannot be forgiven."

"We have all gathered here to demand BJP get out of India. For what was the PM apologising? For the statue, he inaugurated eight months ago? For the corruption involved?", he added.

'Jode Maro' Protests

Thackeray made the statement while speaking to the crowd during the jode maro (hit with footwear) protests against the Mayahuti coalition government of Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP.

The protest march commenced at the historic Hutatma Chowk and proceeded towards the Gateway of India in south Mumbai.It aimed to highlight the perceived disrespect towards Shivaji Maharaj, a revered Maratha icon. The statue in question, located in Sindhudurg district, was unveiled by PM Modi on December 4, 2023, during Navy Day celebrations.

Sharad Pawar's Stand

Sharad Pawar, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP), also criticized the ruling party, stating that the incident had insulted Shivaji Maharaj and suggesting that there was a widespread belief of corruption in the statues construction. Pawar emphasized the symbolic importance of Shivaji Maharaj to the people of Maharashtra and condemned the shoddy work that led to the statue's collapse.

Chief Ministers Reaction

Maharashtra's Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, expressed his sorrow over the incident but cautioned against politicizing the matter. Shinde emphasized that Shivaji Maharaj represents more than just a political figure in Maharashtra; he is an icon of identity and faith. While condemning the statue's collapse as unfortunate, Shinde warned that turning it into a political issue would be a mistake, criticizing the opposition for exploiting the incident for political gain.

Shinde also condemned the recent vandalism of a Shivaji statue in Karnataka, asserting that those responsible should face severe consequences. He assured that the people of Maharashtra are observant and would deliver a fitting response in the upcoming elections.
Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, expressed profound anguish over the horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Describing the incident as a "painful" event, Dhankhar emphasized that it has deeply shaken the nation's conscience.

Dhankhar condemned certain political figures for trivializing the incident. His remarks were particularly directed at senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who also serves as the Supreme Court Bar Association president and is representing the Mamata Banerjee government in this sensitive case. Sibal had referred to the incident as a "symptomatic malaise" in a Bar Association resolution, a characterization that Dhankhar found deeply troubling.

"When humanity has been shamed, there are some stray voices that only exacerbate our excruciating pain. To say it mildly, they are adding salt to the wound of our collective conscience," Dhankhar stated. He further criticized Sibal, highlighting that as a Member of Parliament and senior advocate, such remarks carry an "extreme degree" of culpability. The Vice President called on these individuals to "revisit their thoughts" and publicly apologize, cautioning against viewing such heinous crimes through a political lens, which he described as "dangerous" and detrimental to objectivity.

Criticism Of NGO Silence

Dhankhar also took issue with the silence of certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that typically speak out on social issues. He suggested that their lack of response to this incident is even more damaging than the crime itself. "Certain NGOs, who are often quick to take to the streets at the slightest provocation, are conspicuously silent. Their silence is far worse than the culpable acts of the perpetrators of this heinous crime," he remarked.

The Vice President's comments reflect the widespread outrage across the nation, with protests demanding stronger measures to ensure the safety of women in India. Dhankhar urged those who are using this tragedy for political maneuvering to instead focus on the moral imperative to speak out against such atrocities.
New Delhi: Senior IAS officer Dharmendra was appointed as the new Delhi government chief secretary as the tenure of Naresh Kumar ended on Aug 31.

Naresh Kumar, an officer from the 1987 batch who had received two extensions previously, will complete his tenure on August 31.

Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order on Saturday saying Dharmendra, 1989-batch officer, transferred from Arunachal Pradesh to Delhi and appointed as chief secretary.

"With the approval of the competent authority, Dharmendra, IAS (AGMUT 1989), is hereby transferred from Arunachal Pradesh to Delhi and posted as chief secretary, GNCTD, wef 01.09.2024 or with effect from the date of joining, whichever is later," according to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs order, PTI reported.

Who Is Dharmendra

Dharmendra, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1989 batch of the AGMUT cadre, was previously the chief secretary of Arunachal Pradesh before being transferred to Delhi. As one of the top officials in the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre, as taking charge as the Delhi chief secretary ahead of the assembly election due in February.

During his earlier tenure with the Delhi government, Dharmendra, who is trained as a civil engineer, served in several roles, including as secretary in the departments of Revenue, Irrigation and Flood Control, and Industries.

Before he transferred to Arunachal Pradesh in April 2022, he was chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Council.

He has served in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and also held a position as Development Commissioner for Dadra and Nagar Haveli/Daman and Diu, and was the Resident Commissioner in Aizawl.
Ripun Bora Resignation: Assam Trinamool Congress President Ripun Bora has resigned from the party, highlighting a significant challenge for the TMC in Assam. In his resignation letter, Bora pointed out that the people of Assam perceive the Trinamool Congress as a 'regional party' of West Bengal, making it difficult for the party to gain acceptance in the state.

Despite offering several suggestions to TMC leadership to bridge this perception gap, Bora expressed frustration over the lack of implementation and the continued challenges in establishing the party's foothold in Assam.

In a letter to All India Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Bora, the former Rajya Sabha member, said he had offered many suggestions to party supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to make TMC acceptable in Assam, but those were 'not implemented'. "Assam TMC has great potential, but several recurring issues have hindered our progress, including the perception of TMC as a regional party of West Bengal. To counter this perception, we made several suggestions," Bora said in his resignation letter.

He claimed that he had suggested the need for an Assamese leader at the national level of TMC, declaring the residence of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika at Tollygunge in Kolkata as a heritage site and converting the Madhupur Satra in Cooch Behar to a cultural hub.

"Despite my repeated attempts over the past year and a half to secure an appointment with you and our chief Mamata Didi to address these concerns, I have been unsuccessful," said Bora, the former Assam minister and state Congress president. Bora said he has served as the state president of Assam TMC for over two years and during this period, he interacted extensively with people across the state. "Unfortunately, the issues mentioned above have led many people in Assam to continue viewing TMC as a regional party of West Bengal. The people of Assam are not willing to accept a party that they perceive as being from another state.

"In light of these challenges and the lack of an adequate resolution, I feel compelled to make a difficult decision and have decided to disassociate myself from TMC," Bora said.

He expressed gratitude to Mamata Banerjee for allowing him to lead Assam TMC. Bora lauded her for the "uncompromising fight against fascist and communal forces".

"My decision to resign is not borne out of grievances but rather due to circumstances beyond my control. I will continue to fight against communal and fascist forces on a personal level. Please consider this letter as my formal resignation from the party membership," Bora added.
New Delhi: Janata Dal (United) announced on Sunday that long-time spokesperson K C Tyagi, known for his outspoken views that often highlighted the party's differences with ally BJP, has stepped down. In his place, JD(U) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has appointed Rajiv Ranjan Prasad as the new national spokesperson. Although Tyagi has cited personal reasons for this move, his recent comments on the Israel-Palestine issue have stirred up debate over why he chose a sudden way out.

KC Tyagi, JD(U) Relations And BJP

Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) played a crucial role in supporting the third Narendra Modi government after the BJP failed to secure a majority in the recent general election. However, it is believed that Tyagi's frequent remarks on central government policies were perceived as detrimental to the relationship between the BJP and JD(U).

Reports indicate that the BJP has been urging its allies within the ruling NDA coalition to ensure continued coordination.

News agency ANI has released a letter from Tyagi to Nitish Kumar, dated yesterday. In the letter, Tyagi reiterated his previous request to be relieved of his organizational duties. "You must have noticed that I have kept myself from TV debates for the past few months. I am not able to do justice to the post as spokesperson due to other work. Please relieve me from this responsibility. I will be available to publicise about you and Bihar government's achievements," he wrote.

Why KC Tyagi Resigned

Tyagi's frequent public comments and outspoken views on sensitive issues like the Uniform Civil Code, Waqf (Amendment) Bill, and the Palestine issue likely created friction within JD(U) and with BJP.

On Indias aid to the violence-hit Gaza, the former JDU spokesperson said, "The Indian government is in favour of ending the war there. In the past few days, the Indian government has sent medical and food supplies to help Palestine. Hamas Hezbollah are different and Palestine is a separate nation which has been supported by Mahatma Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee as well.

While Tyagi's views often aligned with the party's ideological stance, a segment of JD(U) was uneasy with his willingness to express his opinions publicly, especially when other senior leaders tended to adopt a more cautious approach.

With two senior JD(U) leaders, including Union minister Lalan Singh and its parliamentary party leader Sanjay Jha, based in Delhi, party sources said there is a view that the two leaders should be left to shape the ties with the BJP without frequent public interjections of Tyagi.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
New Delhi: Deepika Padukone's baby is due this month, and social media is abuzz with speculation about the exact arrival date. The couple announced their pregnancy in February, revealing on Instagram that their baby is expected in September 2024. The actress has been showcasing her maternity fashion style over the past few months. Deepika's public appearances, where she proudly flaunts her baby bump, have been going viral.

Have A Look At Her Post:

Deepika - Ranveer Baby Due Date

According to a report by News18 Showsha, ''Deepika and Ranveer are eagerly waiting for the upcoming chapter of their lives and are busy setting up a space for their baby. If things go as per plans, she will deliver the baby on September 28 at a hospital in South Bombay. ''

The source also revealed that mom-to-be Deepika is currently on maternity leave. ''At present, the soon-to-be mother is enjoying every bit of the break that she has taken from work.''

Her maternity leave will last till March of next year. And after that, shell immediately get busy with filming the sequel of Kalki along with Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Prabhas. the sources added.

Whats Ranbir Kapoors Connection?

Following the headlines about Deepika and Ranveer's baby's due date, netizens quickly spotted a connection to Ranbir Kapoor. As the Bollywood heartthrobs birthday is on September 28, there's speculation that the baby might share the same birthday. Yes, you read that rightsame birthday!

After dating for six years, the star couple Deepika - Ranveer tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony at Lake Como, Italy, in 2018.

Moreover, on the work front, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh will soon be seen in Rohit Shetty's 'Singham Again,' which is set to release in November 2024.
On August 28, Katy ISD Board of Trustees took public comments about gender fluidity. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Open mind

Regarding Katy ISD board of trustees broadens book bans to include books on gender fluidity, (Aug. 27): Gender fluidity seems to be the issue. Interestingly, I had a conversation with my son about this. It seems their kids' elementary school hired a gender-fluid first-grade teacher. They live in a small rural town. He was very concerned and uncomfortable. His wife teaches at the school, and two of their three children are students there. Our conversation got pretty intense, as I stood up for the teacher. My argument, with little knowledge on the subject, rested on treating all people equally. His point was based on fear and concern for his children.

I think that maybe these school board members would benefit from educating themselves on this subject. Maybe by reading some of the books theyre banning and learning to not be so fearful.

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Robert Lange, Houston

Regarding Massive Sugar Land statue sparks Houston celebrations as one church group demonstrates against it, (Aug. 26): I am a practicing Roman Catholic who also practices yoga. I have studied the early roots of yoga and the Hindu and Yogic texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Vedas and the Yoga Sutras to understand this ancient faith. It is a beautiful and enlightening faith tradition that precedes Christianity by several thousand years. I see more connections and alignment between the moral tenets of Hinduism and Christianity than differences, and this has enhanced my Catholic faith.

I am angered and dismayed that so-called Christians can be this ignorant, mean-spirited and small-minded to disparage and disrespect the faith of another. The bitter irony of the cruel name-calling of a statue that was built to represent unity should not be lost on anyone.

Romans 12:18 says, If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Jesus taught, Love thy neighbor as yourself. Practice what your faith teaches you. Respect and appreciate difference.

Wendy Dominguez, Brookshire

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The only patriotic choice

Regarding Greg Abbott says Texas purged 1 million registered voters to fight fraud. The ACLU has questions, (Aug. 26): Despite virtually no evidence of illegal voting by anybody, the fear of noncitizens voting is on the national news almost daily. Now we learn that benighted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is busy spending our taxpayer money investigating wild assertions of illegal Latino votes. Texas Republicans seem to be just gaga over MAGA and its white Christian nationalist goals to cleanse the white electorate back to 1789 standards, a la The Heritage Foundations agenda.

Clearly, Texas Republicans are all in with the Project 2025 plan to destroy the administrative state. To vote Democratic in the upcoming elections is the only choice for true American patriots.

Britt D. Davis, Katy

Abortion ban consequences

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A new study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that after Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 8, which banned abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, into law in 2021, infant deaths in Texas, including from severe fetal anomalies, rose by 13% versus a 1.8% increase in infant deaths in the rest of the United States during the same period. Another study, by the University of Houston Institute for Research on Women, Gender and Sexuality, found that, in 2022, teen births in the state began to rise following 15 years of decline.

This data was collected before Texas abortion ban went into effect in 2022. What will these trends look like a year from now? The solutions being offered by state and local officials to discourage mothers from abandoning newborns in the trash or on the side of the road, such as baby boxes and the little-known safe haven law, are only Band-Aids as long as Texas draconian laws force women to carry unwanted or dangerous pregnancies to term.

Beth Shook, Houston

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Labor Day is Monday. Heres some background on how the holiday came to be.

Q: When and why did people first celebrate Labor Day?  W.C.

Answer: Labor Day is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.

The first Labor Day celebration in the United States was Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. It was organized by the Central Labor Union there, but its not certain who came up with the idea.

Some records indicate that it was Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, who suggested a day in honor of those who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.

Other records indicate that it was Matthew Maguire, a machinist. According to the Labor Department, recent research seems to support the contention that Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The initial celebration in 1882 was followed by a second one a year later, on Sept. 5, 1883. The first Monday in September was selected as the holiday in 1884.

The observance caught on relatively quickly.

According to the Labor Department, The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday  a street parade to exhibit to the public the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.

New York was the first state to introduce legislation for a state holiday, but the first state to pass a law was Oregon, in 1887, according to the Labor Department.

Congress designated the first Monday in September as Labor Day in 1894.

Today, many people see Labor Day as the final fling of summer, as indicated by an oft-cited quote attributed to Doug Larson, a Wisconsin newspaper columnist: If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day weekend.

To read more about the history of Labor Day, you can go to the U.S. Department of Labors article about the 1882 event, Labor Daze: Pride, Chaos and Kegs on Labors First Day at www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history-daze.

The article takes in-depth look at the events of that first Labor Day parade in 1882 when as a New York Tribune article described it, the massive parade marched through lower Manhattan, where The windows and roofs and even the lamp posts and awning frames were occupied by persons anxious to get a good view of the first parade in New York of working men of all trades united in one organization.
WIND LAKE  A 53-year-old Burlington woman has been accused of making fraudulent bank transfers of more than $56,000.

Paula Heyer was charged Aug. 23 with one count of theft using false representation in an amount between $10,000 and $100,000; one count of the unauthorized use of an entitys identifying information or documents; and one count of wire fraud against a financial institution.

Each charge is a felony, and the most severe penalty is attached to the theft charge, which, upon conviction, could result in $25,000 in fines, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.

According to the criminal complaint, Heyer allegedly transferred $56,409.97 last November from a bank account registered to Affinity Health Care LLC, an assisted living facility in Wind Lake at which she formerly was a business partner.

Heyer reportedly was not authorized to use the business funds after her departure in 2019. Bank records reportedly show three payments from the business account to three credit cards associated with Heyer.

According to court records, Heyer is scheduled to appear in Racine County Circuit Court on Sept. 24.
RACINE  James Jim Smith, Racines 55th mayor whose legacy includes Make a Difference Day and the citys intergovernmental sewer agreements, passed away Aug. 27 at age 84.

Smith died at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa with his wife, Joyce Smith, by his side, according to family members.

Mayor Cory Mason on Tuesday ordered flags at Racine City Hall to be flown at half-staff in Smiths honor, according to a Facebook post from Mason.

It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of former Mayor Jim Smith, Mason said. I was fortunate to count him as a friend. On behalf of the City of Racine, I extend deepest condolences to Joyce Smith and the Smith family. May he rest in peace.

Service as mayor

Smith served as alderman for Racines District 13 from 1985-95, before becoming the citys 55th mayor in 1995. He served until 2003, elected for two terms.

As mayor, Smith led the Executive Management Team City Plan Commission, Community Development, Economic Development, Housing and Neighborhood Partnership and Wastewater Commissions, according to family members.

Smith also received the John H. Batten Award for outstanding community service. As mayor, he brought Make a Difference Day, a national day of service, to Racine, for which the city was named one of the top 10 volunteer communities in the country with 9,000 volunteers.

Former alderwoman Lorna George, elected to the Common Council in 1994, worked closely with Smith during his time as mayor.

While George and Smith made opposite votes on most agenda items during their one-year overlap as Common Council members, George said she was impressed by Smiths commitment to an open-door policy and the support he garnered from a diverse array of residents during his campaign for mayor.

When we had one fundraiser for (Smith), then-Governor Tommy Thompson, who was Republican, came to the event and looked around and said, How did you create this rainbow coalition? Because it was that unique, she said.

Alder David Maack said Smith was the first mayor he served under as a Common Council member.

He served our city with distinction as an alderman, as a mayor, he said.

Smiths accomplishments include creating the intergovernmental sewer agreement between the city and surrounding municipalities; supporting downtown development; improving public safety, paramedic and other city services; and instituting a merit-based pay system for city employees, according to George.

He was a really good mayor, and I dont know that he ever got quite the due that he deserved, she said.

Work outside of city hall

Smith was deeply involved in his community, even outside of his time as alderman and mayor. According to family members, Smith always said, Life is not a spectator sport.

Prior to serving the city, Smith was a manufacturing manager at Twin Disc, Inc., where he worked for 33 years, according to family.

Following his time as mayor, Smith became an agent at Shorewest Realtors, where he partnered with his daughter, Amy Karegeannes, as a father-daughter team.

Karegeannes said that as Smiths only daughter, they shared a uniquely personal relationship, which expanded once they became real estate partners in 2003.

The two were a team for 13 years.

Today, I am overwhelmingly appreciative of our time together shared in real estate, she said. It was more than business  it was an opportunity to have a surplus of time with my dad. Thats really what every daughter wants.

Outside of work, Smith was a life-long member of Racine Christian Reformed Church, where he served as deacon, elder and chairman of committees; he served on the board of directors at Racine Christian School; and was personnel chairman and one of the founders of the Mens Booster Club.

He also was involved in Racine Neighborhood Watch, Racine Sesquicentennial Executive Committee, Governors Gang Violence Preventative Council, Racine Raiders Board and Downtown Rotary Club, according to family members.

A selfless, family man at heart

Past coworkers, friends and family alike described Smith as a big family man.

Maack said that while Smith had many accomplishments as mayor, what he remembers most isnt Smiths political accomplishments, but how devoted he was to his family.

Smith was born Nov. 13, 1939, to Dave and Eula Smith in Racine. He married Joyce Kuiper, who family members said was his high school sweetheart and best friend, on March 10, 1961, at Racine Christian Reformed Church.

Maack recalled a time when he and Mayor Smith, along with 77 public officials, attended a specialized training class for a disaster exercise that simulated a tornado hitting the City of Racine and required participants to react as if it were real.

The first call that Jim Smith made wasnt to the police chief or the fire chief or public works. It wasnt to me. It was to his wife, Joyce, Maack said. That really struck me that even in a crisis situation, his first concern was for his family.

Smiths daughter said that if she had to describe her father in one word, it would be selfless.

He lived generously while putting others before himself, placing his priorities in his faith, family and community, Karegeannes said. My dad often centered conversations around the idea of his legacy, and for him, it was his family.

Karegeannes said that apart from her fathers faith, the most valuable piece of his life was his marriage; Smith was altogether, unconditionally committed to loving, honoring, and serving his wife.

He loved my mom with a selfless love, Karegeannes said. A love so dedicated and so concerned with one another, that their marriage has been set apart in its own category of devotion and serves as a shining example to me.

Smiths visitation will occur from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road, Mount Pleasant. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at Racine Christian Reformed Church, 900 Illinois St., Racine, with visitation starting at 10 a.m.

The visitation and funeral services are open to the public.

Memorial donations can be made in Smiths name to the Racine Christian Reformed Church or Footprints Missions and Orphanage in Sierra Leone, Africa, c/o Kaitlyn Block, Executive Director, 3230 N. Reid Road, Alma, MI 48801. Footprints Missions and Orphanage was founded by Smiths son, Dr. Jeff Smith.

Smith is survived by his wife, Joyce Smith; his children Dr. Jeff (Kathy) Smith, Tom Smith and Amy (George) Karegeannes; grandchildren Dr. Josh (Savannah) Smith, Katie (Jordan) Block, Nate (Madeline) Smith, Olivia (Marshall) Nash, Sophia (Matt) Leppien, Ella Karegeannes, Jack Smith, Samantha (Micah) Carty and Nicky Smith; great-grandchildren James, Leo, Marie, Reagan, Macy, Bella, Cameron, Lillian and soon to arrive Carter and Asher; brother Gary (Ruth); brother-in law Harv Nichols; sister-in law and brother-in law Shirley (Dan) Petersen; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Smith was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, his brother Donald and his sisters Pat, Mary Ann and Kathy.
RACINE COUNTY  When Jovantae Phifer came home, his children told him they loved the recordings.

On video, Phifer read a book to each of his four kids and explained the books lessons.

It was a beautiful thing to have that feeling and to know that they enjoyed it, Phifer said. It just gave me a good, positive feeling.

Phifer is one of many people who have participated in Making Reading Memories, a Racine County Extension program that has operated at area correctional facilities since 2018.

Under the direction of Pam Wedig-Kirsch, Racine County Extension school readiness and family resiliency educator, the program is intended to connect children with parents who are incarcerated and improve childrens literacy skills.

I think most people as parents question, Am I doing this right? Is this the best thing for my child? Wedig-Kirsch said. Parents who are incarcerated are no different  (This) gives them that knowledge: I am doing things right, I am working to stay connected, Im staying involved in any way I can.

Giving parents a voice

Making Reading Memories is one of several The Literacy Link initiatives aimed at addressing relationships between incarcerated parents and their children. Depending on the relationship, the programs can create, maintain or grow their connections.

The Literacy Link is a statewide University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension project that includes Making Reading Memories and parenting workshops. It also aims to improve welcoming areas and visitation spaces at correctional facilities by adding toys and books for childrens visits.

Ronda Davis, justice-involved families state outreach specialist at Extension, said The Literacy Link programs provide parents with the chance to impact their families while behind bars.

They still have a voice, Davis said. It looks different to parent from a distance, but youre still a parent.

The Racine County Extension programs are mainly funded by Racine County and United Way of Racine County, in addition to The Literacy Link.

Jessica Safransky Schacht, UWRC chief operating officer, said the nonprofit has provided annual funding because Racine County Extension is an organized, data-driven entity that excels at identifying barriers to access and responding to community needs.

Something to live for

Wedig-Kirsch works with people at the Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility and Racine Correctional Institution on Making Reading Memories.

There is a screening process for incarcerated parents in the voluntary program, both by correctional facilities and Extension, and Wedig-Kirsch receives caregiver approval.

We want to be absolutely sure that this is in the best interest of the child, the parent, the caregiver, Wedig-Kirsch said.

Caregivers are adults taking care of children who have an incarcerated parent.

Parents in Making Reading Memories read books on video. The videos and books are sent home to children, along with information for caregivers about how to prepare children to watch the videos.

During in-person visits, parents can read books to their kids, who take the books home.

Videos are mainly for children ages 10 and under, and most last a few minutes.

Some parents read works like The I Love You Book or You Are Enough to affirm their affection for their children.

Other options include The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Cool Cuts, which is about hairstyles for Black boys.

The videos might be the first time children see their parents or the only recording of a parent a child has.

Wedig-Kirsch said some children watch the videos every night, and some sleep with the books that parents read to them.

The programs can provide hope and a sense of purpose for parents incarcerated.

It strengthens the family unit, Davis said. It gives individuals something to live for  It gives them a sense of agency, that sense of responsibility and accountability for their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

That was true for Phifer, who was engaged during the daily two-hour Extension sessions while incarcerated for a few weeks at the Racine County Jail, 717 Wisconsin Ave.

Time flew by during the lessons, which made incarceration easier to handle.

Phifer often reads to his kids and felt fine doing so on video.

He wanted to remain productive while in jail and show his children he cared during a challenging time.

You know when you do something good and it gives you that sense of accomplishment? Phifer said. It made me feel like I was doing something. Thats what I needed.

Wonderful way to stay connected

Wedig-Kirsch records videos every other month at RYOCF, where she mainly works with about 10 parents. She also records videos once per year at RCI, 2019 Wisconsin St., Sturtevant.

She had been recording videos monthly at the Racine County Jail, but that is on hold because of jail staff capacity, according to Wedig-Kirsch.

Making Reading Memories parents greet their children to start the videos and often end them with, I love you, and I miss you.

Readings can be emotional, and sometimes the video is paused while parents collect themselves.

Knowing the situation of the parent and the beautiful message that was sent and all the trauma that theyve gone through, and yet they can provide their child with this beautiful message, its just incredibly moving, Wedig-Kirsch said. Ive gotten teary on more than one occasion.

Parents are encouraged to be demonstrative while reading, such as using different voices for characters.

When Making Reading Memories began in Racine County, Corey Prince, Community Consulting owner, created a sample video by reading Jabari Jumps to his son.

Prince said the program is a wonderful way to stay connected.

Wisconsin in 2021 had the highest Black incarceration rate in the country at 2,104 inmates per 100,000 people, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

Black Wisconsinites were imprisoned in 2021 at about 12 times the rate of white Wisconsinites, the third-largest gap among U.S. states.

Prince said it is especially important for Black fathers to have the chance to provide discipline, be positive male role models to their kids and be reinstated into the family structure, into the Black community structure, into the Black hierarchy structure.

Parenting lessons

For about two years, Davis was the education coordinator at RYOCF, 1501 Albert St.

In that role, she attended a two-hour daddy-children special visit that an incarcerated father had in-person with his children.

Davis fought back tears a few times during the visit as she watched the father use parenting lessons he learned and have fun with his two kids under age 3.

At one point, the fathers son happily ran toward him yelling, Daddy!

That got right at (the fathers) heartstring, Davis said. He was able to, for a moment, escape that space of not having to worry about security, not having to worry about how others viewed him, but he was just able to be a dad in that moment. That was so special, such an amazing opportunity.

Terivia Tyler said those types of extended visits can help parents and kids.

If I can get a physical hug from you, and you can get a physical hug, and that child can feel that love, it matters, Tyler said. What a bond to build.

Tyler took part in a program similar to Making Reading Memories about a decade ago while incarcerated at the Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center in Union Grove.

Instead of video, the program involved audio of Tyler reading a book to her kids, which she said connected her with her children when she couldnt physically be there for them.

Maintaining relationships

Wedig-Kirsch said incarceration is often a shared sentence, meaning it affects an entire family, especially children.

In Wisconsin, about 88,000 kids have experienced separation from a parent who lived in the home and became incarcerated, according to a 2016 report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

When a parent is incarcerated, childrens lives are turned upside-down, so any way we can maintain that relationship is really important, Wedig-Kirsch said.

It can be hard to explain to young children why their parent is away, and The Literacy Link programs can play a role in that process, according to Lindsay Weymouth Olson, Extension family engagement and relationships program manager.

Sarah Bostic said the programs can help make up for time away from parents.

The people that are left behind still suffer, Bostic said. For a child  it could mean the difference between keeping a relationship fresh and alive and allowing a relationship to die because of non-contact.

Bostics mother participated in Making Reading Memories several years ago when she was at the Racine County Jail by reading The Kissing Hand via video to Bostics daughter.

Bostic said the program can also foster the love of reading among children, for whom books can be a means of positive escape.

Literacy is an escape for Tyler, who often read with her kids when they were young.

Reading allows one to go into somebody elses world, Tyler said. It absolutely just captures your mind and can take you somewhere else out of your reality.

Misconceptions

Wedig-Kirsch said families who participate in The Literacy Link programming are resilient and support each other through highly difficult situations.

Phifer said the parenting classes made him a more patient, empathetic father.

Several people said there is a misconception that incarcerated people particularly need a parenting workshop, when that is true of all parents.

Everybody could use a little help caring for the little people in their lives, Safransky Schacht said.

Phifer said many people have preconceived notions that people in jail or prison are solely bad.

What Phifer did to end up in jail did not reflect who I was, he said. You just never know. Thats why you reach out, you speak, you ask questions, or you just mind your business.

Safransky Schacht said people are more than a mistake that resulted in them being incarcerated.

Seeing their humanity and treating them with dignity, and giving people the opportunity to do right by their children and by their families, is really important, she said. Its an opportunity for people to start to make amends and to do positive things so that they are not solely defined by a particular incident in their lives.

One component of many

The Literacy Link has offerings in 13 Wisconsin counties, according to Davis.

Everyone interviewed hopes the programs expand.

Who doesnt want to give people the opportunity to be a good parent, show their child how important reading is and how important a connection with them is? Safransky Schacht said.

Challenges to expansion include funding and facility restrictions.

For incarcerated parents, Weymouth Olson said the programs offer new tools for their toolkit and help them reengage with their families.

Davis agreed and said programs can also ideally assist parents once they leave correctional facilities.

If individuals are coming back into communities, how do we want them to come back? Davis said. Do we want folks to come feeling supported, having made connections with their families? We are relational beings, and so we want to help individuals maintain and sustain strong relationships. This is one component of many that is important to the reentry journey.

Photos: Program eases toll of separation on incarcerated moms, kids
Amazon, SpaceX, Starbucks and Trader Joes have responded to allegations that they have violated labor laws with the same bold argument. The National Labor Relations Board, they assert in several ongoing legal proceedings, is unconstitutional.



SpaceX, for example, says the NLRB is engaging in an unlawful attempt  to subject Space X to an administrative proceeding whose structure violates Article II, the Fifth Amendment, and the Seventh Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

If these companies prevail, the entire process for holding union elections and for prosecuting employers who break labor laws  in place since the days of the New Deal  could collapse. That would leave U.S. workers more vulnerable to exploitation.

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the board nearly a century ago, soon after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the law that created the NLRB and made clear that workers have the right to organize and bargain collectively. Justices have also rejected similar arguments in cases involving other agencies.

As a law professor who researches labor law and constitutional law and a former labor organizer, I am deeply concerned, but not surprised, by these attacks on the federal agency that has protected U.S. workers right to organize unions and bargain collectively with their employers since the 1930s.

These corporations seem to believe that they will find a sympathetic audience before the conservative justices who occupy six of the Supreme Courts nine seats. In a series of prior cases, the conservative justices have already weakened administrative agencies and cut back on workers rights.

DR. LAURA MURILLO: Small businesses face big challenges  starting with child care

Growing support for unions

The corporate attack on the NLRB also seems to be a response to growing support for unions among Americans.

Workers at the companies that are challenging the NLRBs constitutionality have begun to organize unions in recent years, with numerous high-profile, union-organizing wins. Workers across numerous sectors, including auto, education, health care and Hollywood, have recently held successful strikes.

Whats more, the NLRB has been more assertive in prosecuting employers for violating workers rights, and it has been revising rules in ways that make it easier for workers to organize.

For example, it has made it possible for the unionization process to move faster and has sought to quickly reinstate workers who are illegally fired for organizing unions, rather than waiting years for litigation to play out.

EDITORIAL: Trump is no Labor Day hero. Working Americans deserve true allies in Republican and Democratic Parties

The Supreme Court and big business

This is not the first time that big business has tried to use constitutional law arguments in an effort to stop union organizing and limit workers rights.

From the 1890s to the 1930s, during what is known as the Lochner era, corporations argued that laws protecting workers rights, including the right to organize unions or be paid a minimum wage, violated their freedom to contract and exceeded Congress power under the Constitution.

Back then, the Supreme Court routinely sided with business.

It struck down hundreds of laws, including minimum wage laws, overtime laws and laws prohibiting child labor. It prohibited strikes, including in the railroad and mining industries. It allowed labor leaders to be jailed.

These rulings helped corporations grow wealthier and more powerful.

Only after mass uprisings by over 1 million workers, economic distress wrought by the Great Depression and overwhelming popular support for the New Deal did the Supreme Court finally change course, recognizing that it had made a mistake.

During the New Deal, the justices ruled that Congress has the power under the Constitution to pass minimum labor standards and to create agencies, such as the NLRB, to protect workers and consumers.
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

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A Wisconsin Dells Middle School counselor was arrested Tuesday for allegedly sexually assaulting a student, authorities said.

Cory Alfaro, 32, was arrested on a tentative charge of second-degree sexual assault of a child, Wisconsin Dells Police Chief Nicholas Brinker said in a statement.

Police determined that Alfaro and a student were having a sexual relationship during an investigation following a complaint last Friday, Brinker said.

Alfaro was taken into custody on Tuesday. Charges have not been filed, according to online court records, and the investigation is ongoing.

"I wish to emphasize the district's appreciation for the rapid response by our local law enforcement in working through their investigation," said Terry Slack, School District of Wisconsin Dells administrator, who added in a letter to district families and staff that district officials "take this situation very seriously and are cooperating fully with law enforcement officers."

Slack did not provide further comment, citing the ongoing investigation, including whether or not Alfaro remains employed with the district.

Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact Wisconsin Dells Police Det. Sgt. Brent Brown at (608) 253-1611, ext. 188 or bbrown@wdpd.com.
Roy Quiroz and his wife, Minda, cross a flooded section of The Strand near Kempner Street as rain from Potential Tropical Cyclone One continues, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in Galveston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Some Houstonians could see their flood insurance bills drop by hundreds of dollars next year as the city seeks additional discounts for policyholders for the first time in over 15 years.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers coverage to most of the countrys flood insurance policyholders through its National Flood Insurance Program. With rising rates causing many in Houston to drop their coverage in recent years, city officials said they are trying to convince FEMA to lower rates for Houston customers another 5% discount on their premiums.

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FEMA has a voluntary incentive program called the Community Rating System (CRS), which awards discounts to communities that take extra steps to reduce flood risks. Houston, with its large number of policyholders, is one of the biggest beneficiaries among the more than 1,500 communities participating nationwide.

Houston has been a Class 5 community since 2009, meaning local customers have been receiving a 25% discount on premiums. Since then, the city has already earned enough points to move to Class 4which would raise discounts to 30%and recently completed the last prerequisite for the reclassification. The plan is now under review by FEMA.

As the region continues to encounter extreme weather events, the Harris County Flood Control District has recommended that everyoneregardless of whether they live in a floodplainbuy flood insurance.

FLAWED INSURANCE SCHEME: How to prepare financially for a hurricane and why government insurance programs are in trouble

We're acutely aware of the risk of the hurricane season, said Tak Makino from Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, an engineering consulting firm that works with the city on its CRS rating. If we can reduce the cost of flood insurance, it's possible that people who are considering dropping their policies will retain those policies, and people who are on the fence about purchasing flood insurance may find that it's something they want to pursue now.

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Public Works officials said the city expects the new discounts to take effect next Spring. Heres what you need to know about how the process works.

How much of a discount should residents expect next year?

If the class change is approved, policyholders will experience a 30%rather than 25%reduction on their building and contents premiums. Other parts of the flood insurance bill will not be eligible for CRS discounts.

The discount amount will vary based on the specifics of the property and insurance plan. FEMA provides an example in its 2023 guidebook: A full-risk premium for a new policy on a primary residence could cost $3,364. In a Class 5 community like Houston, this would mean a discount of $680. In a Class 4 community, the discount would increase to $816.

Not all customers, however, are guaranteed to see a reduction in their bills, as overall rates are expected to continue rising.

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There are a few types of flood insurance premiums that will not see CRS discounts, according to Public Works spokesperson Erin Jones. For example, properties with floodplain management violations are ineligible for discounts. But these are unusual cases, Jones said.

Notably, all CRS discounts apply only to customers of the National Flood Insurance Program, not to the small but growing number of consumers who have opted for private market policies.

How significant is the reclassification?

The class change could lead to significant savings for Houston households by not only lowering insurance rates but also reducing future losses through improved mitigation efforts, according to Samuel Brody, a professor at Texas A&M at Galveston and director of the Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas.

Under the current scoring system, communities can earn points through a wide range of activities, from elevating buildings and preserving open space to public education and timely emergency responses. Brody found in previous research that meeting enough criteria to move down just one class in the CRS system could reduce future damage by more than 80%.

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This is a big deal, said Brody, who has worked with FEMA to improve the rating system. We keep building in flood-prone areas. We need to think seriously about how to better build our communities to deal with inevitable changes and impacts.

How does Houstons rating compare to other large metros?

The CRS program features 10 classes, with Class 10 posing the least mitigation requirements and offering the smallest discounts. Each time a community moves up a class, residents receive an additional 5% discount on their insurance premiums.

Nationally, Houston is one of 182 communities with a Class 5 rating. Only 26 of the more than 1,500 participating jurisdictions have achieved a better rating of Class 4 or higher. Most are in Class 7 or 8.

In Texas, Dallas leads with a Class 3 rating, followed by Grand Prairie with a Class 4. Houston shares its Class 5 status with four other cities.

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With a large population and higher-than-average percentage of insured homes, Houston has reaped the most benefits from the program in Texas. Of the citys 948,000 households, approximately 107,000 hold a policy. Collectively, they saved about $14 million last year through existing discounts. In comparison, Galveston, the second-largest beneficiary in the state, saw savings of less than $4 million.

Looking ahead, however, it might be challenging for communities like Houston to reach the very top levels, Brody said.

When you get to that level, the requirements are perceived as being too costly and sometimes not even possible because, say, a community is 90% built out, there is much less opportunity to protect open space because there's nothing left to protect, he said.

What do policyholders need to do to receive the extra discount?

The additional discounts are expected to automatically kick in next April, Jones said.

They will apply to both new and existing policies. Policies purchased or renewed before the class change will keep their current rates until the next renewal, at which point the higher discounts will take effect, she said.
Les noix de coco fraiches seront exportees officiellement vers la Chine

Le ministere vietnamien de lAgriculture et du Developpement rural et lAdministration generale des douanes de Chine ont signe le 19 aout un protocole daccord, ouvrant la voie a lexportation de noix de coco fraiches vers la Chine.
A village clerk in central Nebraska has resigned her position after the Nebraska State Auditor found she had paid herself for hundreds of hours of unnecessary overtime while mismanaging other public funds.

Julie Miller, who was hired as the village clerk in Litchfield in November 2022, resigned her position earlier this month ahead of a report from State Auditor Mike Foley detailing several financial improprieties during her tenure.

According to the audit report published Wednesday, Miller was responsible for the finances, including the processing of the employee payroll, for the village of 262 people in Sherman County.

The Litchfield village board hired Miller to work at a rate of $15 per hour for 20 hours per week, but in January 2023 agreed to pay $30 per hour for any time over the initial 20 hours  a move made to compensate Miller, who was also known as Julie Tyrrell, for wages lost at her hair salon business.

The audit notes the special pay rate was recorded as "overtime" in the village's payroll system, and while the arrangement was meant to be temporary, Miller was still receiving the special pay rate 8 months later.

Between Nov. 1, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2023, Miller was paid a total of $26,419, with $18,524 of that amount coming from 681 hours of reported overtime, according to the auditor's report.

On one pay slip, from August 2023, auditors found Miller paid herself $525 for one hour of overtime, which was $495 over the rate approved by the village board.

The overtime payments continued even after the village hired an assistant clerk to help Miller manage the workload, the auditor's report states.

The assistant clerk worked a reported 418 hours between May and September 2023, while Miller recorded working 881 hours, according to the auditor.

Other questionable payroll records were also found by Foley's team, including discrepancies in pay histories, duplicate time sheets for the same time periods but with different hours and days worked, as well as missing time sheets or documentation of hours worked.

"Specifically, time sheets were lacking for 1,035.85 hours paid to Ms. Miller from November 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, totaling $16,856.84 of her net pay," the report states.

Foley's office also found what it called "questionable expenditure of village funds" made by Miller using a Litchfield credit card.

On July 4, 2023, Miller made a purchase at Walmart for $97.89 but was unable to provide documentation to auditors upon their request, explaining the card had been used to buy cleaning supplies for the village office.

But, using Walmart's "Receipt Lookup" website, the state auditor was able to locate the receipt with a detailed list of the specific items purchased, finding that cleaning supplies were not among them.

Miller used the card to purchase women's clothing, charcoal briquettes, a kiddie pool and food and beverages  items the village board chair told auditors Miller had not been authorized to purchase.

According to the auditor's report, the issue gives rise to "serious statutory concerns  which are exacerbated by (Miller's) apparent attempt to deceive the (Auditor of Public Accounts) regarding the true nature of the purchases at issue."

The audit also found other issues, including purchases made for food using the village credit card while Miller was traveling to a work-related conference in Lincoln where meals were being provided.

In addition to the misuse of a village credit card, auditors found discrepancies in utility billing for Litchfield customers. Five customers were all underbilled for two different months, the report states.

The auditing team also found a lack of documentation for three checks that drew more than $1,000 from a village bank account, as well as a failure to remit payroll taxes withheld from wages paid to village employees.

Miller agreed to resign after a meeting with Litchfield board members and administrators, the village stated. Her resignation was accepted by the board during a special meeting on Aug. 20.

The report marks the latest in a trend of misdeeds by village clerks across the Cornhusker state, as well as the failure by local boards to notice their wrongdoing.

"For various reasons, proper financial control can sometimes be less rigorous among smaller political subdivisions," Foley said in a news release. "But the consequences of such insufficient fiscal oversight may be just as devastating, if not more so, to those less-populous communities and their local taxpayers."

A 2022 investigation by the Flatwater Free Press found village clerks have pilfered an estimated $1.7 million from 17 small towns across the state over the previous decade.

In every instance, auditors have determined a lack of internal financial controls were responsible for the financial mismanagement and, in some cases, criminal activity.

The audit into the village of Litchfield's expenses in 2022-23 is no different.

The report mentions the need for the village to adopt "good internal controls"  essentially set policies and standards of review  for a slew of activities at least a dozen times.

In a response, the village said it had engaged with the Dana F. Cole & Company accounting firm to conduct an audit for 2025, and planned to implement several controls in order to prevent further mismanagement.

Litchfield will implement a time clock to keep better track of the hours worked each day by employees, will review time cards prior to approval, and will set policies for reimbursement of expenses as well as for review of billing rates and taxes collected.

Foley said Litchfield "has a lot to do to right the ship" and improve the village's financial management.

"I have no doubt that it can be done, much to the benefit of the municipality as a whole and the taxpayers who pay for its operations, assuming sufficient determination to accomplish the crucial goal of sound fiscal stewardship and accountability," he said.

IMAGES: What Nebraska's newest prison being built in Lincoln will look like
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks along the southern border with Mexico, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Sierra Vista, Ariz. Rick Scuteri/AP

The claim:Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told union workers in Los Angeles that a Trump-Vance administration would harm unions and diminish workers paychecks.

Former President Donald Trump "cut overtime benefits for millions of workers," Walz said at the Aug. 14 convention of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

PolitiFact ruling: Mostly False. When contacted for comment, the Harris-Walz campaign pointed to news articles showing that former President Barack Obama proposed to extend overtime pay eligibility to more workers, but a judge blocked it in November 2016, just before it was slated to take effect. The Trump administration did not challenge the judges ruling and instead set its own overtime rule, which extended overtime pay to millions fewer people than Obamas rule would have done.

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The Obama rule was not in effect at the time Trump took office, so Trumps administration did not cut an existing benefit.

Discussion

Most employees are eligible for time-and-a-half pay if they work more than 40 hours a week. But there are exceptions for white-collar workers.

To be considered a white-collar worker by the federal government, an employee has to make more than $455 per week; be paid a salary rather than an hourly wage; and work in an administrative, executive or professional position.

The Obama administration sought to boost the baseline amount salaried white-collar workers could earn and still qualify for overtime. So, in 2016, the administration said it would extend overtime eligibility to white-collar salaried workers earning less than $913 a week, or $47,476 a year. This was about double the exemption level set in 2004 of $455 per week, or $23,660 a year. (Hourly workers were already guaranteed overtime pay regardless of their earnings level).

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The change would have extended overtime pay eligibility to 4.2 million additional Americans, the Obama administration said. (Economists generated their own estimates, lower or higher, but still in the millions.)

Republican-led states and business trade groups challenged the rule. A federal court in Texas halted Obamas rule in November 2016, a week before it was to take effect.

Because the judge threw out the rule, the overtime threshold annual pay reverted to $23,660, said Rachel Greszler, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation.

A few months after the judge struck down the Obama rule, Trump took office. Trumps administration did not defend the Obama-era rule change, dropping the governments appeal in 2017.

The Trump administration proposed its own rule in 2019, with an earnings cutoff lower than the Obama rule but higher than the status quo.

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The Trump Labor Departments overtime rule became effective Jan. 1, 2020, and raised the overtime pay eligibility to salaried workers earning $35,568 per year. The department estimated that 1.2 million additional workers would be eligible for overtime pay.

So it wasnt the case that millions of workers previously qualified for overtime pay and then Trump changed that. The Trump administration did not defend the Obama-era legal case.

"By abandoning the 2016 rule and eventually introducing a new one with a significantly lower salary threshold, the Trump administration excluded millions of workers who would have benefited from the 2016 rules new or strengthened overtime protections," said Jenn Round, director of Beyond the Bill, a program that advocates for labor standards enforcement at the Rutgers University Workplace Justice Lab.

The president of the Economic Policy Institute, Heidi Shierholz, who served in the Obama administration as chief economist at the Labor Department, wrote in 2019 that the Trump administrations rule left millions of workers behind.

"At its heart, the Trump administrations rule is based on the notion that someone making $35,568 a year is a well-paid executive who doesnt need or deserve overtime protections," Shierholz wrote. Rather than defend the Obama rule, "Trump has sided with the interests of corporate executives over those of working people."

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However, the notion that this represents a cut presumes that the courts would have upheld the Obama rule, which was far from a certainty.

"I cannot think of any way in which actions that the Trump Administration took could be construed as cutting overtime benefits," Greszler said.

After the judge threw out Obamas rule, the overtime threshold remained at $23,660, Greszler said. When Trump established a rule that increased the salary threshold to $35,568 "this increased the number of workers subject to overtime rules," Greszler said.

And the skirmish continues: The Biden-Harris administration set a rule, effective July 1, which initially raises the salary threshold for overtime pay to $844 per week, the equivalent of $43,888 annually. The threshold rises to $58,656 per year on Jan. 1, 2025. There are currently at least three lawsuits pending against that rule.
Are you getting sick of seeing bad faith attacks on the Idaho Republican Party and our upcoming Presidential Caucus? I know I am. Its quite frankly downright disgusting, and Im going to call out the bad actors who are behind it.

The power brokers of Idahos political establishment took a beating at the state convention in Twin Falls in 2022 and they havent recovered. They would rather destroy the party than see it led by myself and our current leadership, who actually listen to the grassroots. The last few weeks they have really ramped up their attacks on the Presidential Caucus because they think if it fails, then Ill take the blame and they can regain power.

There has been a concerted effort to spread lies, slander, and misinformation about me and the caucus.

They say I unilaterally got rid of the primary. Not true! The Secretary of State proposed a bill that removed the presidential primary, the Legislature passed it, and the Governor signed it.

They say that the Caucus disenfranchises those who cannot attend on Saturday. Not true! The Legislature disenfranchised everyone by removing the presidential primary, and the Caucus re-enfranchised as many Republican voters as possible.

They say that the caucus will be in backyards and barns, with no election security. Not true! The Caucus will be held in 210 locations, primarily churches, schools, and community centers across the state. We have worked hard to make sure your votes are secure and accurately counted with paper ballots, with multiple security features, and hand counted before the entire caucus assembly.

Its disappointing to see these groups intent on misrepresenting so many facts. They think theyre hurting me, but theyre really hurting the Idaho Republican voters, the grassroots, the salt of the earth folks who care about keeping Idaho a conservative state. Its unfortunate that these groups have been sending unauthorized and unsigned bulletins and flyers that seem designed to sow division and misinform rather than foster understanding. This intentional misrepresentation only serves to deepen animosity within the party. We encourage those sowing division to strive for clarity and honesty in their discourse, rather than smears and mudslinging as theyve been doing.

Frankly, this is all unconscionable. It borders on election interference, trying to confuse and disenfranchise voters a second time by spreading misinformation about the Caucus in the hopes that nobody will show up.

Just last week a new mailer went out accusing me of unilaterally disenfranchising veterans. It even purported to be Republican supported by quoting a former Republican legislator. Yet the man behind the mailer is not even a Republican at all, but a newly appointed Democratic representative named Todd Achilles. In addition to being a Democrat, he is also one of the activists behind the ranked choice voting initiative. Talk about wolves in sheeps clothing!

Remember that this whole situation came about because the Secretary of State, Legislature, and Governor chose to remove the March presidential primary without consulting the party. The Idaho GOP had worked together with the Legislature after the 2012 caucus to create the March primary.

Guess what?! Theyre back at it again, pushing a new bill to consolidate the presidential and legislative primary elections in April. Not only would this not solve the problem of making Idaho relevant in the presidential campaigns, it would also seriously impact sitting legislators who will have mere days to run their own campaigns once the session adjourns. This is a compromise that pleases nobody, which we could have told the sponsors had they bothered to ask.

This attempt to sabotage the Caucus will not succeed. Our team has been working hard to make this a great and successful event, as have the thousands of volunteers throughout the state. On Saturday, Republicans will come together to make their voices heard in a spirit of community to support their Presidential nominee.
Summer might have ended in the Philippines, but beach trips remain a year-round option, thanks to the countrys vast coastline.

While Filipinos are familiar with the best beach spots, Boracay and Cebu have been highlighted by Agoda, securing 9th and 10th places among Asias top beach destinations.

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This list, released ahead of International Beach Day on Sept. 1, is based on accommodation searches made on the platform for September and October.

Cebu takes the 10th spot on the list of top beach destinations in Asia

Leading the list is Indonesias Bali, which saw an 11 percent increase in related accommodation searches compared to the same period last year. Other notable beach destinations include Okinawa in Japan and Da Nang in Vietnam, which ranked second and third, respectively.

The Philippines joins Thailand and Vietnam in having two destinations each in the top ten. Thailands entries include Pattaya and Phuket, known for their lively beach scenes and vibrant nightlife. Vietnams Nha Trang also made the list, celebrated for its beautiful beaches and bustling coastal atmosphere.

Jeju, South Korea, and Penang, Malaysia, secured the sixth and seventh places, respectively.

Agodas data highlights the diverse preferences of travelers, showing that Asias beach destinations cater to a wide range of tastes, whether one seeks a tranquil escape or an active adventure. The conclusion of the monsoon season in many parts of Asia marks a time when travelers look forward to sunny beach holidays, keeping demand for these coastal getaways strong.

Kelingking Beach is one of the most scenic beaches in Bali

Andrew Smith, senior vice president of supply at Agoda, noted the significance of International Beach Day as an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Asias beaches, which continue to attract visitors from around the world.

Asia boasts some of the worlds most stunning beaches, and International Beach Day is the perfect time to celebrate these coastal treasures, Smith said in a statement adding that with a vast selection of properties, flight routes, and activities available on Agodas platform, planning a beach vacation has become increasingly accessible.
Power was restored across Venezuela on Saturday morning, after a massive 12-hour outage plunged the entire country into darkness.

The government has blamed sabotage by opposition forces protesting what they say was fraud in the widely disputed elections a month ago that left President Nicolas Maduro in charge.

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Blackouts are not uncommon in Venezuela  though many experts attribute them to official corruption and a lack of investment in distribution networks.

This weeks problem originated early Friday at the Simon Bolivar hydroelectric plant, Venezuelas chief source of power.

Maduro called it the father and the mother of all attacks against the facility. He accused fascists, as he calls the opposition, and the United States of being behind the outage, but offered no evidence.

The prolonged power failure revived memories of a massive 2019 blackout that lasted several days.

Electricity began returning to some states around 4:00 pm (2000 GMT) Friday and had been restored to nearly the entire country by Saturday morning, according to local media and users contacted by AFP.

Metro service in Caracas was back to normal, transport authorities said.

Internet connectivity was around 93 percent by dawn Saturday, according to the NGO VE Sin Filtro, which monitors internet connection levels.

Jose Aquilar, an expert in risk in the electrical utilities sector, said the outage likely stemmed from a breakdown of some kind in the countrys decrepit grid  not sabotage.

The failure should not have led to something major, but the Venezuelan electricity system is so precarious that one thing led to another, he told AFP, and the distribution networks were affected.

 Full of revenge 

The outage occurred a month after the July 28 elections, in which the government-aligned National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Maduro the winner, while refusing to release detailed data.

The opposition has published data from local election stations that it says shows Maduro was handily defeated by its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.

The United States and several Latin American and European countries have refused to recognize Maduros victory claim without seeing detailed vote tallies.

The Caracas government had warned even before the election of a possible attack against the electrical system.

The outage, Maduro said Friday, was an attack full of revenge from fascist sectors.

Prosecutors had summoned Gonzalez Urrutia to appear Friday over his claims that he was the rightful winner of the election. He faces charges in connection with the oppositions release of electoral data.

Gonzalez Urrutia, who has said he fears arrest, is in hiding and did not appear. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, similarly facing a threat of jail, is also in hiding.
The Philippine Navy announced on Saturday that Vietnam is slated to host a high level delegation exchange visit, the Staff-to-Staff Talks (STST), in October.

The 10th Philippine Navy-Vietnam Peoples Navy STST, according to Navy Spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos, is aimed at enhancing cooperation in intelligence sharing, joint training and other strategic areas.

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Vietnam Defense chief General Phan Van Giang visited the Philippine Navy on Friday and he was welcomed by Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr.

As close neighbors and partners in ASEAN, the Philippines and Viet Nam share a rich history of collaboration and cultural affinity grounded in a mutual commitment to regional peace, stability, and prosperity, he said.

We are indeed grateful for your visit today because it shows proof of the enduring friendship and cooperation between our nations, Adaci added.

Adaci also highlighted during the visit the deep-rooted relationship between the two ASEAN neighbors.

On behalf of the Philippine Navy, rest assured we will remain committed to pursuing closer ties with Viet Nam as we navigate the evolving security landscape, united in our shared vision for a secure, stable, and prosperous region, he ended.
ERFURT, Germany  Voters in two former East German states began casting ballots Sunday in elections expected to deal a blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholzs government and deliver big gains for the far-right AfD.

The contests in Thuringia and Saxony come just over a week after three people were killed in a suspected Islamist attack, which has fuelled a bitter debate over immigration in Germany.

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Opinion polls have the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead in Thuringia and a close second in Saxony, while also predicting a strong showing for the upstart far-left BSW.

The two parties have found a receptive audience in the eastern states for their criticism of the government in Berlin and of military aid to Ukraine.

An election victory for the AfD would be a landmark in Germanys post-war history and represent a rebuke for Scholz ahead of national elections in 2025.

In both states, Scholzs Social Democrats are polling at around six percent, while their coalition partners, the Greens and the liberal FDP, lag even further behind.

But even if the AfD does come out on top in the elections, it is unlikely to come to power because other parties have ruled out working with the far right to form a government.

Voting stations close at 6:00 pm , with the first exit polls expected shortly after.

Created in 2013 as an anti-euro group before morphing into an anti-immigration party, the AfD has capitalized on the fractious three-way coalition in Berlin to rise in opinion polls.

In Junes 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.

Saxony is the most populous of the former East German states and has been a conservative stronghold since reunification.

Thuringia meanwhile is more rural and the only state currently led by the far-left Die Linke, a successor of East Germanys ruling communist party.

A third former East German state, Brandenburg, is also due to hold an election later in September, where polls have the AfD ahead 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.

The AfD has found stronger support in the east where more voters identify with its nationalist and authoritarian positions and many are dissatisfied with the mainstream parties, Kneuer said.

At the partys last campaign meeting on Saturday in Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, Thorsten Haentzsche, a 52-year-old voter, said he was dreaming of an absolute majority for the AfD.

But we are realistic. A score of at least 33 percent would be great because it would give us a blocking minority in the (regional) parliament, he said.
King Mohammed VIs Initiative to enable Atlantic Ocean access for the Sahel States was praised by several officials taking part in the 50th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Yaounde.

In this vein, Nigers Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare said that this Royal Initiative is a win-win approach and a fine example of South-South cooperation.

There is no better solidarity than this and we appreciate the fair value of this unrivaled initiative, said the Nigerien Minister, who pointed out that the issues of infrastructure and access to the sea are the major difficulties facing the Sahel countries.

He added that this good initiative, aimed at facilitating access to the sea for these countries and putting Moroccos road and airport infrastructure at their disposal, will enable the Sahel States products to gain access to the international market.

Morocco is an important country for Niger and for the Alliance of Sahel States in general, stressed Nigers top diplomat, adding that the initiative would also help to diversify the supply ports of the countries in the region.

Highlighting the fruitful cooperation between Morocco and Niger, Sangare described the Kingdom as a strategic partner, particularly in the economic, banking, security and religious fields.

For his part, Malis Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, deemed the royal initiative to promote access to the Atlantic Ocean as an opportunity that was welcomed by the Sahel countries.

This initiative is an opportunity to set up infrastructures and means of communication that will enable the landlocked countries of the Sahel to connect to world trade, Diop said.

There is technical work in progress, and we hope that the infrastructures that will be put in place will benefit all the populations of the zone, and will strengthen trade between Morocco and our countries, as well as giving our countries access to Europe and other international markets, added Malis top diplomat.

For his part, Gambias Foreign Minister, Mamadou Tangara, said that the Royal Initiative would help promote prosperity in the Sahel region, noting that without prosperity, there can be no stability or peace.

Tangara also praised the exemplary cooperation between Morocco and the Gambia, expressing his gratitude to the King on behalf of the President and people of the Gambia for the considerable support Morocco had given to the success of the 15th OIC Summit, held last May in Banjul.

Head of the Moroccan delegation to the session, Mustapha Mansouri, Moroccos ambassador to Saudi Arabia and permanent representative to the OIC, also underscored in his address before the ministerial council the Kingdoms commitment to Africa, highlighting its sustained efforts to promote sustainable development and strengthen Islamic cooperation among African OIC member states.

He noted that Morocco is actively supporting African economies through regional development initiatives and concrete programs aimed at fostering prosperity and economic growth.

One such initiative is the Atlantic Initiative, which seeks to provide Sahara and Sahel countries with access to the Atlantic Ocean by leveraging Moroccos capabilities and expertise, he said.

Mansouri described this initiative as a promising endeavor that will contribute to the economic integration of these countries, improve living conditions, and promote values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

In addition, Morocco has expressed strong support for the upcoming OIC donor conference, set to be held in Saudi Arabia on October 26, 2024. The conference will focus on aiding refugees and displaced persons in northeastern Nigeria, the Sahel region, and the Lake Chad area.
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 one-month-old baby at an mpox isolation unit in South Kivu province, DRC. Credit: UNICEF

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that children, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk from the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Reports confirm that children under 5 account for 39% of all cases in the country, and babies as young as 2 weeks are being diagnosed with this viral illness.

Nadia Adjoa Sam-Agudu, an expert in pediatric infectious diseases, explains how mpox can be dangerous for children and what must be done to protect them.

Why is the DRC outbreak affecting children so badly?

Because of conflict, political instability and insecurity, large parts of the DRC have not had stable, consistent, sustained health responses or health prevention. As a result, it's hard to control infectious diseases like mpox.

In addition, children in any outbreak setting are already vulnerable given their immature and still-developing immune systems, especially under the age of 5.

In a paper on pediatric mpox, my colleagues and I reported that children in Africa were much more vulnerable to monkeypox virus infection than children elsewhere. About 2% of those infected globally were under the age of 18 years, while children in Africa constituted nearly 40% of cases.

These statistics are due to a combination of things: living in a country where mpox is consistently present (endemic), exposure through contact with animals, and not having the benefit of a vaccine. Smallpox vaccine is effective against mpox, but this was discontinued in 1980 after smallpox was eradicated, so anyone born after that in DRC or other African countries has not been vaccinated against mpox. This is still true, even after the global outbreak.

The new variant circulating in the DRCClade Ibhas genetic changes that have been linked to sustained human-to-human transmission, which is thought to be driving the current outbreaks in the DRC and east Africa. Furthermore, current WHO reports indicate that Clade Ib is also linked to sexual contact and is affecting mostly adults, especially men who have sex with men and sex workers.

It is Clade Ia, the previously known circulating virus, which is significantly affecting children. Of course, adolescents (those between 10 and 19 years) may be caught in the middle and represented in the case numbers for both Clade Ia and Ib.

But it's important to note that children have been susceptible to mpox since the first ever reported case in the DRC in 1970. That particular case was a 9-month-old boy.

In those days, animal-to-human contact was a more common means of mpox transmissionafter all, it is a zoonotic disease. Studies and reports suggest that, historically, children were more susceptible to mpox because of higher exposure to wild animals, for example, different species of monkeys and rodents in rural and forest areas.

Is this unusual? Are there other diseases that children are more susceptible to?

No, it's not unusual.

Children are born with immune systems that are still developing.

It's when they get to around five years of age that they have had enough time and disease exposure (or vaccines) to make their immune systems more robust and build adequate immune protection.

Children in the DRC are particularly vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases because the country has quite low child vaccination rates. In 2021, approximately 19.1% of children in the DRC between 12 and 23 months had never been vaccinated for diseases such as pertussis (whooping cough); the ideal vaccine coverage is 95%.

This also means that children in the DRC are more susceptible to highly contagious and dangerous diseases, like measles. An outbreak or rise in cases of measles infection is an early indicator that a health system is broken. This is because measles control needs a very high level of herd immunitywhen enough people in a population are immune to a disease, making it harder for the disease to spread to those who aren't immune. Once immunization levels droplike in the setting of conflict or other humanitarian emergencymeasles infections start popping up. Containing them requires immense catch-up vaccination efforts.

Chickenpox and malaria are other diseases that children are more susceptible to on account of their immature and still-developing immune systems.

What are the priorities to protect children in this outbreak?

First, children must be specifically targeted for protection. This is because they are a primary population of concern that can develop severe and fatal disease.

Second, the health system and health care workers must make it as easy as possible to get parents or caregivers to bring children in. This includes addressing the inconveniences of leaving their communities to seek care.

Third, the stigma connected to mpox must be addressed. Parents and caregivers may be reluctant to seek care because of the stigma and negative treatment they may receive. The skin lesions are quite noticeable for mpox and unfortunately draw negative attention and treatment by society and health workers. The media, including international media, have been feeding into thisespecially for African people with mpoxand it needs to stop.

Finally, a vaccination program focused on children needs to be rolled out to stem transmission. But there are major challenges.

First, the mpox vaccine approved for use by the WHO and in most countries with access during the global 2022 outbreak and to date is the MVA-BN vaccine (Jynneos), which is not approved for children under 18 years. MVA-BN makes up the vast majority of ongoing vaccine donations to African countries. Japan's LC16 vaccine has been used for children as young as 17 years, but it may require approvals for use or trials among children outside Japan.

In addition, children urgently need routine vaccines to protect them from other diseases such as measles, chickenpox, meningitis or polio. This will ensure that they aren't struck by multiple illnesses while they are still highly vulnerable. It gives their immune system a better chance at fighting mpox.

What steps should be taken if a child is infected with mpox?

This may be hard to do, especially in the home, but the child should be isolated to minimize human to human transmission. There has been some promise of drugs that directly treat mpox infection, but recent results from tecovirimat and Clade I mpox have been disappointing.

The next step is to treat the symptoms and prevent complications. The most common manifestations in pediatric mpox are rash, fever and enlarged lymph nodes, and the most common cause of complications is secondary bacterial infection.

It's particularly important that skin lesions are managed to prevent secondary infection. The danger is in mpox lesion infection. If left unmanaged, the infection can develop into sepsis. This is a potentially fatal bloodstream infection that can affect the function of one or more organs. The reports of mortality among children in the DRC are usually sepsis. Proper wound care and antibiotics are important preventive tools.

In parallel to this, steps must be taken to help improve the overall health and well-being of the child. For instance, if the child is malnourished, they need age-appropriate therapeutic nutrition so that they are better able to fight mpox and other infections.

Children in mpox-endemic African countries are facing outbreaks with little to no access to pediatric vaccines and effective antiviral treatments. In this context, the most important things are nutrition, completion of routine immunizations, and prevention of secondary infection. This requires convenient access to stigma-free, evidence-based care and support for children and their parents or caregivers.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Democrat John Driscoll opened a recent Billings forum between himself and Troy Downing, his Republican opponent in the eastern congressional district race, with an unconventional move.

I'm glad I finally had a chance to meet Commissioner Downing and to congratulate him. I think he's going to do very well in this election, Driscoll told a room full of Rotarians gathered for lunch at the Northern Hotel here. Eastern Montana is for Republicans what Butte has always been for Democrats, so I kind of know what to expect.

Downing, the state auditor, emerged from a nine-way GOP primary this June with 36% of the vote, a decisive victory that essentially secured him a seat in the U.S. House. That premise carried the exchange between the two candidates, as Downing spoke to the Rotarians more about what he wants to accomplish in Congress than spending time contrasting himself with Driscoll. The Democrat shared the ideas that are important to him, while acknowledging he very likely won't be governing to implement them.

Driscoll holds no false aspirations about his chances in this district  its as red as the regions clinker-capped hills. The Cook Partisan Voting Index ranks it a R+16. Last cycle, the first for the newly drawn region carved out of the state's previous at-large seat, an independent candidate pulled in 3,715 more votes than the Democrat and even their support combined came up 14.5 percentage points shy of the Republican who won.

That man, U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, bowed out of seeking re-election after a tumultuous spring. Hes long wanted to be a U.S. senator, losing to Democrat Jon Tester in 2018 and launching a bid seeking a re-match this March. But under immense pressure, including from Montanas junior Sen. Steve Daines and former President Donald Trump endorsing his primary opponent, Rosendale gave up on his Senate dreams after just six days. He later switched his candidacy to a re-election bid, but persistent rumors and an eventual death threat led him to drop out.

Like Rosendale before him, Downing will likely launch himself to Congress from his job as the state auditor. He told the Rotarians in Billings that if they want to know what he plans to do if elected, they should look at his track record in that position and the biography that led him there.

You hear a lot of politicians talk, but what's more important is not what they say, but look and see what they've done, because that's usually a clear indication of what to expect of them moving forward, Downing said. He then thanked Driscoll for participating in the friendly conversation and said in Congress hed like to engage in more aisle-crossing productive exchanges.

Most of us have the same idea of where we want to get, we just have different ideas on how to get there, Downing said. That doesn't mean that somebody on the other side is a demon or an enemy. I think that it's important to talk, and that's how I run my office. My office has had an open door. Everybody can come in, I don't care, a stakeholder on any issue, and state their case.  I'm in my office not to represent the party. I'm in that office to make sure I'm doing right by the people of Montana.

Downing told Rotarians he was raised by his mom, who was a checker in a grocery store, and that his family did not come from money.

Nothing was easy, nothing was handed (out to us). We didn't have family connections or family money or anything, Downing said. One of the things that became clear to me in my formative years is that if I wanted something, I had to work for it. You had to show up and do the work. And you know, God bless America, I mean there's more opportunity in this country than anywhere else in the world.  If you show up and do the work you can move mountains in this country.

Downing went to college and then got a research and teaching position at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University. He quit to found a startup company that later merged with Yahoo, something Downing called a life-changer. He used money from that to do what he described as angel financing and mentoring to help other people find a path to do what I did.

Then Sept. 11 came, creating what Downing called a moment of introspection for me. He went to a military recruitment office shortly before he was too old to join up and then spent eight years in the Air Force in a combat search and rescue squadron that included two stints in Afghanistan.

After leaving the military, Downing built nationwide insurance and real estate companies and lived in Gallatin Gateway and Big Sky.

You put your heart to something and put your nose to the grindstone, you can do incredible things here, Downing said.

His reason for seeking the U.S. House seat is that he feels the framework that allowed for his success is crumbling.

There's a lot that I care about. I think we need fiscal constraint in D.C. I think that American dream that was so good to me is farther and farther out of touch for our kids. I think we need to fight back. National security is big for me, making sure we're dealing with our southern border, energy security, international security, national security, Downing said.

Driscoll acknowledged his campaign is one of ideas, the list of priorities he sees as paramount for the district though he knows they wont gain the traction he feels they deserve.

Hes not raising money on his race, something that drew the ire of a fellow Democrat who has launched a write-in campaign in the race.

I've got $5,000 to spend to stay under the Federal Election Commission threshold for having to file (a campaign finance report), Driscoll told Rotarians. It's a real good discipline, and as of today, I had $1,866 (left).

His four-part Labor Day pledge begins with prioritizing ways to transition the skills of Montanans who work in industries threatened by changing times and climate, like logging, mining, energy and the railroad.

"The people that are out there bending metal and welding and driving trucks and running oil rigs and cutting trees, running locomotives, they're the important people, and if they feel stranded by all this razzamazoo they're seeing in the newspapers about climate change, that's really on us to figure out a way to transition them," Driscoll said. " ... Their skills are always going to be important. We just got to figure out the right place for them to be working and not lose them and expand and build on the base that we have now."

Driscoll's pledge then moves to a proposal that the U.S Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency develop a site in the Boulder Batholith, a mineral deposit swath between Butte and Helena, for a nuclear waste repository.

Thirdly, he told the Rotary members hell monitor the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions review of small modular reactors. His concern is the that Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions Order No. 120, which requires transmission providers to participate in a regional transmission planning process and right-size transmission lines, could be hamstrung by the U.S Supreme Courts recent Chevron decision.

Finally, he said hed ask Burlington Northern Santa Fe to consider electrification.

If I don't get elected, I wanted you to know the kinds of things I think are important, Driscoll said.

He grew up in Miles City and Hamilton and studied international affairs at Columbia University. He served in the Army National Guard for 28 years, doing strategic intelligence.

He later was in the state House of Representatives from 1972-78 and was on the Public Service Commission from 1981-1992.

Driscoll not raising any money to support his campaign has drawn the ire of former state lawmaker and past newspaper publisher Reilly Neill, who in August launched a write-in candidacy for the district.

"When a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in Montana feels funding a campaign in our state is meaningless, it disenfranchises voters and undermines the democratic process," Neill wrote in a letter sent to newspapers in the eastern district.

In her letter, Neill also called out Downing for hunting violations he pleaded guilty to in 2018. He was accused of buying resident licenses when he was not a resident with the state and ordered to pay $2,100 in fines.

"Voters deserve someone fighting for them. They deserve a Democrat on the ballot elevating important issues and supporting a robust democracy," Neill wrote.

In addition to a platform she said focuses on the agriculture economy, as well as rural infrastructure and public schools, Neill said her candidacy is also about trying to boost other Democrats running in the extremely Republican district and to raise awareness about the ballot initiative that will appear before voters this fall to clarify the explicit right to access an abortion to the state Constitution.

On the issues

Downing told Rotarians he thinks the national debt is one of the biggest things threatening the American dream, especially the risk he sees if Chinas yuan takes over as the global trading currency. He called for looking at discretionary spending and gathering good ideas for curtailing mandatory spending.

My point is we need to have smart people in the room talking about these out-of-the-box solutions, Downing said.   You talk about Social Security, they talk about raising the age that you can apply. ... That's probably something reasonable for somebody that works at a desk, but somebody that works with their hands, you get to an age where you can't actually can't do it anymore.

Driscoll said while he was focused on a balanced budget in the state Legislature, as required by Montana law, hes not a balanced budget person federally.

He said he supported a model similar to the Montana Legislatures of getting good ideas into a room and in front of a committee and picking the ones that have merit and support.

That's hard to do, because you got to pay for the roof on the prison and stuff like that. That's not at all politically elegant, Driscoll said. Balancing budgets is something that I've done, and then that's what I'm doing now with this campaign, he added, referencing his $5,000 budget.

As national messaging has dominated campaigns up and down the ballot in Montana, the southern border was also on the minds of Rotarians who asked the candidates how theyd tackle the issue.

Driscoll said he wants the government to look at who is entering the country and their bona fides and then decide what to do with them. He equated that to having people come in the front door and providing a bigger front door to enter through.

Downing started his answer by acknowledging that the United States is a nation of immigrants, but said the Biden administration has completely abandoned the southern border.

We have no idea who they are, what they want," Downing said of people seeking to enter the U.S. "Some of them, I understand, are economic refugees. I was down at the border three months ago, and just walking around the wall onto the U.S. side were West Africans, Middle Eastern, Chinese, in their 20s to mid-30s, and they just get let go.  In terms of national security, it's important that we know who was crossing our border and why."

Downing said the U.S. should also make sure it knows what it wants out of immigration policy and ensure there are enough workers to fill jobs through things like H-1A and H-1B visas for temporary employees.

There's industry that needs workers, and so we need to find that balance of making sure that business is surviving because they can hire employees, Downing said.

As for finishing the wall along the southern border, the answer was a quick yes for Downing and no for Driscoll. Downing saw a late endorsement in his primary race from former President Donald Trump, who wants to finish building a border wall if re-elected. During his 2018 run in the Senate primary, Downing faced attacks over his past criticism of Trump. Though his primary opponents this cycle raised that again, Downing has been a vocal backer of the former president in this race.

On the matter of trust in the election process, Downing said he felt Montana clerks and recorders and other election officials do a good job, though he said people need to be diligent and pointed to an issue caught in Butte-Silver Bow County in August where some ballots were initially miscounted.

My fear is that people are going to start saying it doesn't matter who votes, it matters who counts, and they're going to stop voting, Downing said.   Everything falls apart if we don't participate.

Driscoll said he wants to make sure people feel safe working in election jobs, and that not having those positions fully staffed makes running elections a challenge.

On energy policy, Driscoll raised concerns about power transmission adequacy, saying he's worried that the U.S. Supreme Court's recent Chevron ruling will open the door for an entity to sue to challenge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Order No. 1920, which directs regional transmission owners to "right-size" existing transmission lines and plan electricity transmission on a 20-year timeline.

Then they're going to ask people like Troy here or me maybe to fix it from Congress, Driscoll said.

Downing said the U.S. needs to innovate all of the above and really see what works when it comes to energy, but that right now its traditional oil and gas that meets base load needs.

What concerns me about the ideas of just flipping that switch and turning that off is nobody talks about the transitional costs, Downing said.

He called for continuing what we have done for reliable, cheap base load while we still explore alternatives.

When it comes to Ukraine, Downing said while nobody wants Putin to gain ground, he sees the biggest threat as China. He called for having NATO allies "step up" and "pay what they've agreed to in their treaties in terms of their national defense budget as a percentage of their GDP."

"I think (what) we need to do is really push on our allies and be clear, not waffle ... be clear that we're expecting them to be the tip of the spear," Downing said.

As their hour-long exchange wound to its end, Driscoll finished his remarks by pointing to the looming Labor Day holiday and saying he wanted to make sure workers in industries transformed by climate change aren't forgotten.

"When I see all the cars and trucks lined up in front of the bars in some small town, I know what they're talking about. And if they're worried, I can understand that," Driscoll said.

Downing again called for unity across party lines and said he wanted to make sure future generations were given the opportunities he was. He's worked to carve a path separate from Rosendale, who filled the role of a far-right firebrand in the House.

"This country has been really good to me. I want to make sure that it's good to my kids and my grandkids and your kids and your grandkids, because it's worth it. It's worth fighting for," Downing said.

The general election is Nov. 5.
The government is committed to extending social security benefits to gig and platform workers, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, said on Sunday, chairing a review meeting in New Delhi. Aiming to safeguard the welfare of gig and platform workers, Minister Mandaviya highlighted that the government is actively exploring various avenues to ensure these workers are covered under social security schemes. Ministry of Labour and Employment is working closely with all stakeholders to develop a robust framework that aligns with the evolving nature of work and provides adequate protection to gig and platform workers. "Our government is fully committed to the well-being of gig and platform workers, who form a crucial part of our workforce," the Minister stated, as per an official statement from his ministry. He added that they were working on a comprehensive strategy to provide them with the social security they deserve. To facilitate the implementation of social security measures, Mandaviya revealed that the registration of workers will be undertaken on the eShram portal. He emphasized that aggregators--companies that employ gig and platform workers--will be asked to take the lead in registering their workers on this portal. "An online window will be made available for aggregators to ensure a smooth and efficient registration process," Mandaviya noted, as per the statement. The Minister also underscored the importance of the Code on Social Security, which, for the first time, defines gig and platform workers in India. "This is a significant step towards acknowledging and formalising the roles of gig and platform workers within our economy," he noted. "We are determined to ensure that every worker in India, irrespective of their employment status, is granted the right to social security." Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment and senior officials of the ministry also attended the review meeting. (ANI)
Actor Jayasurya on Sunday morning finally spoke up on the sexual harassment allegations against him. The Malayalam film industry is currently embroiled in a controversy, in the wake of the Hema Commimtte Report, following sexual harassment allegations made by female actors against several prominent figures in the industry. Two actors have filed police complaints against Jayasurya. The actor on August 31 on the occassion of his 46th birthday took to social media Facebook to state that he was currently not in India and that he will initiate legal action. "To all of you who have wished me on my birthday today, to all of you who are extending your support and standing by me, thank you. Due to my personal commitments, my family and I have been in America for the past month, and during this time, two false allegations on the grounds of sexual harassment were made against me." He shared that he has decided to move forward legally. "Quite naturally, it has shattered me, my family and everyone who has held me close. I have decided to move forward with this legally. My legal team will be looking after the rest of the proceedings regarding this case. False allegations are easy to make for anyone who lacks a conscience. I only hope one realises that facing a false accusation of harassment is just as painful as the harassment itself," Jayasurya said "A lie always travels faster than the truth but I believe truth will prevail," the actor said. Asserting his innocence, the actor also stated, "I will be back as soon as I finish my work here. All the legal proceedings to prove my innocence will continue. I have complete faith in our judicial system. Thank you to those who contributed to making this birthday the most painful one. Let those who have not sinned throw stones; but only at those who have sinned." Actor Sonia Malhar who filed a complaint of sexual harassment against 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 August 30 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." 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)
Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra has withdrawn from the upcoming seminar in Kochi following her sexual harassment allegations against film director Ranjith. Mitra announced her decision on Sunday morning, citing the recent turmoil in her life and the intense media scrutiny surrounding the allegations as reasons for her break. In her Instagram post, Mitra detailed the emotional toll the situation has taken on her. "August has always made me feel it's 'august' presence..my birth month and the month of my mom's passing , my brother's birth month, and the month nd day of my very dear friend's passing. The 15th of August being our Independence Day and the day I moved out of my 'shashur bari' to start ( wasn't even sure how) afresh. This August too began with the #rgkarrapemurdercase infuriating all of us across territories, then the #jhargramelephantkilling to something I never felt would come out in the open after 15 odd years about the #malayalamfilmindustry incident and how I became an integral part of the entire #metoo movement .I had been hounded by press media across country narrating the said incident over n over n over again which took a heavy toll on me as it did back here when I took names of #bengalifilmindustry who's who ..REMEMBER?" she wrote. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_W9LagvXKQ/? She apologized for not being able to attend the seminar and expressed her intention to take time for herself. "Yes I took a break from everything and travelled to the mountains whose quiet would calm my soul .This was my birthday treat to myself and done giving any justification to anyone for my said act. Sorry I couldn't travel to Kerala for the seminar which had been cancelled becos of me . I needed a breather as I have my right to live My Life according to My Choice and have never ever bowed down to the misogynistic society and film industry by n large. .Again sorry Mr Joshy Joseph for declining your offer. Hopefully will come back in better times. I HAVE DONE MY BIT NOW LET ME BE," Sreelekha added. Earlier, Malayalam film director Joshy Joseph responded to the controversy. "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," Joshy Joseph had said while speaking to ANI. Earlier, Mitra lodged a complaint with the Kochi City Police against Ranjith on Monday, a day after he resigned as the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy. The complaint alleges that in 2009, during discussions about a film role, Ranjith made inappropriate physical advances towards her. In an email sent 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. She 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 discussion I was called to the flat in which Sri Ranjith was staying at Kaloor Kadavanthra, Kochi. During the course of discussion, he clutch hold of my hand and later on attempted to spread his hand to other parts of my body with sexual intention. Realizing that his intentions are not the discussion regarding the film and with sexual intent, I had to escape from the flat and returned to the hotel where I was staying. My bitter experience was shared on the next day to a script writer Sri Joshy Joseph. As I was not given the travelling ticket for my return journey, I was compelled to seek the help of Sri Joshy Joseph," the actress wrote in her complaint. Mitra also added that she initially did not pursue legal action since she was from Kolkata and unfamiliar with the local legal process but has now come forward. "As a person hailing from Kolkatha, West Bengal, I was unable to pursue this matter any further to prosecute Sri Ranjith for the offence attracting section 354 & 354 B of the Indian Penal Code at the time of commission of crime." 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 the public functionaries also were brought to my notice and the response would show that a written complaint is necessary to register a crime. As the conduct of Sri Ranjith constitute the commission of a cognizable offence, a written complaint is not a prerequisite, as I am told, following the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court. In view of the public stand taken by the public functionaries in the State of Kerala, that a written complaint is a prerequisite, I am lodging this complaint by way of e-mail addressed your goodself as the offence has been committed within your territorial limits at DD Flats, Kadavanthra, Kochi. This may be treated as a complaint and set the law in motion, as insisted by the State functionaries to initiate criminal action against an offender," she added in her complaint. 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 last month. (ANI)
Australian director Justin Kurzel's gripping crime thriller, 'The Order', garnered an impressive nine-minute, 23-second standing ovation during its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday evening. According to Deadline, the applause unfolded at the prestigious Sala Grande, marking a standout moment for the film in this year's festival competition. The film's stars, including Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, and Jurnee Smollett, were present at the screening and shared in the celebration, embracing each other amidst the prolonged applause. Jude Law, in particular, acknowledged the crowd's warm reception by waving to the audience, as the applause crescendoed with each cast member's name appearing in the credits. According to Deadline, 'The Order' is set against the backdrop of the 1980s Pacific Northwest and delves into a series of bank robberies and car heists that terrorized local communities. The narrative focuses on a lone FBI agent, portrayed by Law, who suspects that the crimes are linked not to financial gain but to a dangerous domestic terrorist group. This group, depicted in the film as the white supremacist gang 'The Order,' is led by Hoult's character. The film is adapted from the 1989 non-fiction book 'The Silent Brotherhood' by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt. At a press conference held earlier in the day, Hoult revealed that in preparation for their roles as adversaries, he and Law intentionally avoided interaction for the first four weeks of filming, according to Deadline. Law remarked, "Sadly, the relevance speaks for itself. It felt like a piece of work that needed to be made now." Kurzel echoed this sentiment, stating, "I think we live at a time now that was reflected in the film, where there is division, and there's a lot of conversation about the future and about ideologies. The film was about an ideology that's incredibly dangerous and how it can quickly take seed... I think that's a timeless thing, not only in America but in Australia too," according to Deadline. 'The Order' is set for a US release in December through Vertical, with international distribution handled by Amazon Prime Video. (ANI)
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the fast-track courts in just four to five districts of West Bengal. Speaking to the media on Saturday, he said, "The incident that has occurred in Bengal is very shameful. Everyone has expressed sorrow and criticised it. I do not know how CM Mamata Banerjee is taking it, but she has been countering the incident. She is asking why a fast-track court is not formed. It is already there, but you have not contributed to it." Further, he said that Mamata Banerjee has only done the work of the fast track courts in four to five districts and is blaming the Centre. "She has only done the work of the fast-track courts in four to five districts, and now she has been throwing the ball at the Centre. This is very unfortunate," Meghwal added. Notably, on August 22, Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the central government to set up fast-track courts for "sensitive" issues to ensure a fast speedy trial. Responding to CM's letter to PM Modi for setting up fast-track courts, Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi has lambasted the West Bengal government for its failure to implement essential safety measures for women and children in the state. In a letter written to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, the Union Minister said that 123 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) were allocated to the state, but none of them are functional yet. The brutal rape and murder of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sparked a wave of protests in West Bengal and other parts of the country. The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. Doctors have been holding protests in different states demanding justice for the victim and enhanced security laws for healthcare professionals. The case has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation from the local police following an order from the Calcutta High Court. Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer, at the hospital, has been arrested in connection with the incident. The incident has triggered a war of words between the BJP and the TMC. (ANI)
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Upendra Dwivedi, visited the Eastern Command Headquarters and was briefed on the operational preparedness and the prevailing security situation. During his visit on Saturday, Dwivedi emphasised the need for unwavering vigilance along the borders and a need for technological absorption in all fields. He also emphasised the need for contribution towards nation building across all the domains. Additionally, the COAS complimented all the ranks for maintaining professionalism and commitment towards their duty. ADG PI of Army took the social handle X and wrote, "#GeneralUpendraDwivedi #COAS visited Headquarters #EasternCommand and was briefed on the operational preparedness & prevailing security situation. During the visit, #COAS emphasised the need for unwavering vigilance along the borders, the need for technological absorption in all fields and contribution towards nation building across all domains. #COAS complimented all ranks for their professionalism & commitment towards duty." Earlier, on Saturday, the COAS had an interaction with the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, where they held discussions on wide-ranging issues, reaffirming the Army's commitment to nation-building and public welfare. The ADG PI on this occasion took to their social media X and posted, "#GeneralUpendraDwivedi #COAS had an interaction with the Hon'ble Chief Minister of #MadhyaPradesh, Shri Mohan Yadav, wherein, they held discussions on wide-ranging issues. #COAS reaffirmed that the #IndianArmy will always be committed towards #NationBuilding & well-being of the populace." Earlier, on Wednesday, General Upendra Dwivedi, in a remarkable show of solidarity and support interacted with India's inspirational para-athletes through a video call, extending his best wishes ahead of the much-anticipated Paralympics in Paris 2024. The heartwarming interaction is a testament to the Indian Army's unwavering commitment to fostering sportsmanship and excellence among its members, encouraging them to aim for the highest achievements on the global stage. (ANI)
The BRS Party has expressed deep concern over the conditions at Palamakula Gurukula in Shamshabad Mandal, Rangareddy District, where female students protested after allegedly being served contaminated meals. BRS Party Working President K.T. Rama Rao criticised the Congress government and alleged Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of lack of response to the situation. KTR stated that this incident highlights the government's neglect of student welfare. He contrasted the students' plight with the Chief Minister's focus on projects such as a new zoo in Hyderabad, questioning the government's priorities, KTR said in a press release. A BRS Party delegation, including MLAs Harish Rao and Sabitha Indra Reddy, visited Palamakula Gurukula to support the protesting students and their families. The delegation members provided their contact information to the students, pledging their support. KTR thanked party leaders for the timely visit to the students who are fighting for basic necessities. In a tweet, KTR challenged CM Revanth Reddy's priorities, stating, "While Telangana's students protest for basic dignity, the CM plans a second zoo in Hyderabad. CM Garu, please reassess your priorities. Why are students in government institutions facing such difficulties? When will the focus shift to improving their future rather than political manoeuvring? I commend our leaders, @BRSHarish, @BrsSabithaIndra, and @KarthikIndrAnna for their support of the Palamakula school students." KTR called for accountability from the Congress government, noting that this incident is part of a broader pattern of issues in state-run educational institutions. The BRS Party demanded a comprehensive review of all Gurukuls and state-run educational facilities to ensure they meet safety and health standards and immediate action against those responsible for the current situation. The BRS Party emphasises the need for swift corrective measures to address these concerns in the state's educational system, KTR said in a statement. (ANI)
The Mumbai police have tightened security in the area in response to the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) call for a protest march following the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue. The MVA will hold a protest march today from Hutatma Chowk to the Gateway of India on Sunday. Police and other security personnel have been deployed throughout the city. A 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district collapsed on August 26. It had been unveiled on December 4 last year as part of Navy Day celebrations, which were held in Sindhudurg for the first time. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray criticized the BJP-led Mahayuti government over the statue's collapse at Rajkot Fort last month. He added, "Two days ago, people saw how the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fell and the kinds of statements being made. Raj Bhavan is on the seashore, yet even the Governor's hat never flew off. They say the statue fell due to strong winds--how is this possible?" 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he bow his head and apologise to the people of Maharashtra who were hurt by the collapse of the Shivaji statue at Sindhudurg. "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 different. For us, nothing is bigger than our deity," PM Modi said. Earlier, Chetan Patil, the structural consultant of the Shivaji Maharaj statue that collapsed in the Malvan area of Sindhudurg, was arrested from Kolhapur. The FIR was registered under sections 109, 110, 125, 318, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as 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 one to investigate the collapse of the statue in the Malvan area of the state. A joint technical committee headed by the Indian Navy with representatives from the Maharashtra Government and technical experts is being formed to investigate the unfortunate damage to the Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg, subsequent to the exceptional weather conditions in the region, said an official release from the Indian Navy. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Minority Front has constituted a seven-member team to engage with the Muslim community regarding the Waqf Board Amendment Act 2024 and to gather their suggestions. The team is expected to submit its report to the BJP National President and the Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The seven-member team includes Shadab Shams, Chairman of Waqf Board Uttarakhand; Sanawar Patel, Chairman of Waqf Board Madhya Pradesh; Chaudhary Zakir Hussain, Administrator of Waqf Board Haryana; Mohsin Lokhandwala, Chairman of Waqf Board Gujarat; Maulana Habib Haider, National Executive Member of BJP Minority Front; Nasir Hussain, National Executive Member of BJP Minority Front; and Rajbali, former Chairman of Waqf Board Himachal Pradesh. This team was formed on Saturday, August 31. According to top BJP sources, the party's high command has instructed the Minority Front to appoint members to interact with the Muslim community regarding the Waqf Board Amendment Bill. The appointed members will engage in discussions with Muslim scholars to understand their concerns and gather suggestions regarding the bill. Additionally, they will explain the necessity of the amendment and how it will benefit the minority community. The committee will visit various states, interacting with Muslim scholars to understand their concerns and gather suggestions. They will also address any misconceptions and doubts that may exist within the minority community. Regarding opposition objections to the Waqf Board Amendment Bill, Jamal Siddiqui, National President of the BJP Minority Front, earlier told ANI that many Muslim religious leaders have been consulted about the amendment, and they have expressed no issues with it. He added that the BJP is working to free Waqf properties from illegal occupation and to ensure that the rights of poor Muslims are protected. Siddiqui emphasized that opposition parties are only engaging in politics by opposing the BJP. Meanwhile, the JPC has invited views and suggestions from the public, NGOs, experts, stakeholders, and institutions, as per a press release by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The release stated that those desirous of submitting written suggestions to the Committee can send two copies either in English or in Hindi to Joint Secretary of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Room No. 440, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi and also email to jpcwaqflss@sansad.nic.in. The suggestions should reach within 15 days from the date of the publication of the advertisement. The Joint Committee's meeting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was held in New Delhi on August 30 to seek views and suggestions from various stakeholders. The Committee, constituted under the chairmanship of Lok Sabha MP Jagdambika Pal, had invited views and suggestions from stakeholders, including the public, NGOs, experts, and institutions. The first meeting of the Committee was held on August 22. The 31-member committee consists of 21 members from Lok Sabha and 10 members from Rajya Sabha. On August 31, the chairman of the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Jagdambika Pal, posted on X that a delegation of religious leaders and Muslim scholars, led by Hazrat Syed Nasiruddin Chishti, successor of Ajmer Dargah and President of All India Sufi Sajjada Nashin Council, shared their views regarding the Waqf Board at his Delhi residence. On Saturday, the chairman of the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Jagdambika Pal, posted on X, "At my Delhi residence, a delegation of religious leaders and Muslim scholars, led by Hazrat Syed Nasiruddin Chishti, successor of Ajmer Dargah and President of All India Sufi Sajjada Nashin Council, shared their views regarding the Waqf Board." The next JPC meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill is scheduled for September 5 and 6. On September 5, Oral evidence of the representatives of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on the 'Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Oral evidence of the representatives of the following ministries on the 'Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; (ii) Ministry of Railways. On September 6, JPC meeting Oral evidence of the representatives of Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture on the 'Waqf (Amendment) Bill, onwards -do-To hear the views/suggestion/ oral evidence the following stakeholders on the 'Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024': Zakat Foundation of India and Telangana Waqf Board will take place. The 31-member committee was formed last month following the introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, which led to protests from the Opposition. (ANI)
Bye-elections for 10 assembly seats in UP are expected later this year.

"In the Lok Sabha elections, the people of Uttar Pradesh were misled by the opposition, which led to widespread dissatisfaction. We are confident of getting very good support in these by-elections and expect a strong performance," BJP MLA Jaiveer Singh said on Sunday.

He added that comprehensive preparations for the by-polls have been made at all levels.

"The Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party has ensured meticulous preparation at every booth and with every BLO (block level officer)," Singh pointed out.

The ten assembly seats scheduled for by-polls are Katehari (Ambedkar Nagar), Ghaziabad, Majhawan (Mirzapur), Sisamau (Kanpur Nagar), Karhal (Mainpuri), Milkipur (Ayodhya), Meerapur (Muzaffarnagar), Khair (Aligarh), Phulpur (Prayagraj), and Kundarki (Moradabad).

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya stated that the BJP is well-prepared for the by-polls and is confident of regaining its seats, as well as potentially capturing those held by the Samajwadi Party.

"BJP is preparing rigorously from the booth level to the Vidhan Sabha level across all 10 constituencies. We are confident of not only reclaiming our seats but also capturing seats currently held by the Samajwadi Party," Maurya said.

Earlier, the Samajwadi Party appointed election in-charges for six of the assembly by-poll seats.

Out of the ten seats going to the polls, five were previously won by the Samajwadi Party, three by the BJP, and one each by the Rashtriya Lok Dal and Nishad Party, both of which are NDA partners. (ANI)
The accused, Maloth Hussain Naik, is a divisional engineer at TGNPDCL in Jangaon district.

ACB officials said that Naik was caught when he demanded and accepted the bribe of Rs.20,000 from the complainant for doing official favour i.e., "to get the LC pertaining to the work of shifting 33 KV electricity line which is passing from complainant's land, and to instruct the private contractor and AE to complete the work at an early date."

The bribe amount was recovered from the upper right drawer of Naik's working table. The accused was to be produced before the Hon'ble Special Court for SPE & ACB Cases-cum-III Additional District & Sessions Judge at Warangal, according to the ACB.

The case is currently under investigation.

Further details are awaited.

In a similar trap on August 12, the Hyderabad unit of the ACB arrested an assistant engineer for accepting a bribe of Rs 6,000.

The accused, Guguloth Gopal, is an assistant engineer and special officer of Gudikunta Thanda Gram Panchayat in the Palakurthy Section, Irrigation Sub-Division, Jangaon district.

Gopal was caught red-handed near the SBI branch in Nakkalagutta.

The bribe was recovered from the dashboard of his car, and a chemical test confirmed its presence. (ANI)
The Army's Fire and Fury Corps offered its deepest condolences to the bereaved family.

https://x.com/firefurycorps/status/1829901514996949024

"GOC Fire and Fury Corps and all ranks salute Sep (DSC) Sukhvir Singh, the Braveheart, who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Ladakh on 31 Aug 2024 and offer deep condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of grief," Fire and Fury Corps said in a post on X on Saturday.

The Northern Command-Indian Army also expressed heartfelt condolences to Singh's family, recognizing his supreme sacrifice.

"#LtGenMVSuchindraKumar #ArmyCdrNC and all ranks of #DhruvaCommand solemnly salutes #Braveheart Sep (DSC) Sukhvir Singh, who made the supreme sacrifice beyond call of duty in #Ladakh," it said in a post on X.

https://x.com/NorthernComd_IA/status/1829943383940305313

"#DhruvaCommand stands resolute with the bereaved family in this hour of grief," it added. (ANI)
South Central Railway on Sunday cancelled over 20 trains and diverted more than 30.

Also, Railways has set up helpline numbers to ensure the safety and convenience of people.

The helpline numbers are; Hyderabad-27781500, Warangal-27782751, Kazipet-27782660 and Khamman-27782885.

Earlier, the railway cancelled six trains; 12713 Vijayawada - Secunderabad, 12714 Secunderabad - Vijayawada, 17201 Guntur - Secunderabad, 17233 Secunderabad - Sirpur Kaghaznagar, 12706 Secunderabad - Guntur, 12705 Guntur - Secunderabad, per the information shared by South Central Railway on X.

Additionally, nine trains were diverted, 20811 Visakhapatnam - Nanded, 12739 Visakhapatnam - Tirupati, 03241 Danapur - Bengaluru, 12642 Nizamuddin - Kanniyakumari, 11019 CST Mumbai - Bhubaneswar, 11020 Bhubaneswar - CST Mumbai, 18519 Visakhapatnam - LTT Mumbai, 12727 Visakhapatnam - Hyderabad,12759 Tambaram - Hyderabad, the post added.

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh on Sunday assessed the flood-affected areas in the Mangalagiri constituency and assessed the rescue and relief measures taken by the government.

Nara Lokesh toured the Ratnalcheruvu area in Mangalagiri town, which was severely affected by heavy rainfall, and interacted with the affected residents

Lokesh enquired about the relief measures provided by the government and whether they were reaching all the affected people.

Lokesh assured the residents that the government would provide all necessary assistance to those affected by the floods.

Meanwhile, following the heavy rain in the Palnadu district, the Pulichintala dam has overflowed.

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting and instructed officials to be vigilant and alert in the rain-affected areas, adding that the necessary assistance be provided to the people.

The Chief Minister on Friday directed officials to ensure that all departments are on high alert; declare holidays for schools in areas with heavy rainfall; install warning boards near overflowing streams and rivers to prevent accidents; and send alert messages to mobile phones of people in affected areas. (ANI)
Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva, along with other leaders of the party and workers, protested against the AAP-led Delhi government on Sunday, condemning it for the high electricity bills and not providing clean drinking water to the slum dwellers in Delhi. Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, BJP MP from the South Delhi constituency, was also present at the protest and condemned the Kejriwal-led government for the exorbitant bills received by the shopkeepers in various slums. "If you ask the slum dwellers, they themselves get a high electricity bill, they get anywhere between Rs 4000 to Rs 6000 bill every month. Those who have a house meter they get a bill anywhere from Rs 1200 to Rs 3000," said the BJP MP. The MP also claimed that the slum dwellers are complaining about not getting proper drinking water and that the people are not getting their ration cards or old age pensions. "From the last six years the Arvind Kejriwal government has stopped giving out ration cards. From the last six to seven years, the poor people, our old people are not getting their old age pensions from the government.", added the MP. The South Delhi further criticised the Delhi government for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme, where people are supposed to get free treatment upto 5 lakh in the country. "The people have also complained that if anyone gets sick then they get free treatment upto Rs 5 Lakh, whereas within Delhi the Arvind Kejriwal Government have not implemented this scheme properly. The Delhi government has not opened any dispensaries, nor opened any new hospital, or even a new primary school has been opened. I have been the representative of this area for over ten years, ask everyone we opened schools, made flyovers and those things are still being used by the people to this day", said Bidhuri. Sachdeva also spoke about the various grievances faced by people in Delhi and assured the people that they would try their best to solve the problems presented while he checked the high electricity and water bills presented by the people. (ANI)
As the Maha Vikas Aghadi's launched its protest march in Mumbai against the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Sindhudurg, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said on Sunday that the Aghadi would not sit quietly when such a big incident had happened and that the BJP has gone mad for holding a counter-protest against them. Addressing a press conference here today, Raut targeted Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and said that the latter is behind all of this. "This is the problem in Maharashtra. Devendra Fadnavis is the mastermind behind all this. The whole country knows this. Modi ji also knows this. Whether it is the Chief Minister or the Deputy CM, will the problem be solved by apologizing? Let the people of Maharashtra express their feelings. Will we sit quietly? Such a big statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj got broken, that too in the fort in seven months and we will sit quietly? Are the people of Maharashtra impotent? We must do some movement in a democratic way. It is a great quality of democracy that you can protest," he said. He further said that the police are stopping them from holding their protest march from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India. "We are being stopped. Still, all the workers of Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Nana Patole, Congress, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party will gather at the Martyr's Memorial and will go to the statue of Shivaji Maharaj near the Gateway of India. This is our right. You cannot stop us. You can arrest us as you have the police in your hands," he said. The BJP is also holding a counter-protest in Dadar area of Mumbai against the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Speaking on it, Sanjay Raut said that they have gone mad. "These people of Bharatiya Janata Party are protesting. These people have gone mad. Our movement will be in the honour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is not against any one government. And the crime that you have committed is that of bringing down the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and doing corruption in it. Can't the opposition raise its voice against them in a democracy? This BJP will completely destroy Maharashtra," the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP said. Raut also alleged that local trains have been stopped to stop the opposition protestors from reaching the protest site. "Today the local train has been stopped, how much fear is there in their minds in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. We are not being allowed to come, it will become difficult for our workers to reach the place of protest, that is why today the train was stopped. The bus through which our workers are going is being stopped. This is democracy in Maharashtra and you talk about West Bengal, you should be ashamed," he said. (ANI)
The NIA Special Court, Bengaluru, has sentenced one accused to 6 years of simple imprisonment (SI) in a fake currency seizure case of 2018, the NIA said in a statement. The NIA said that the accused, Sariful Islam @ Sarifulla @ Sharifuddin, a native of West Bengal, has also been fined Rs. 5,000 in the case RC-12/2018/NIA/DLI (Chikodi FICN Case). He is the seventh accused to be convicted in the case. NIA investigations in the case had revealed that the accused had conspired with 6 others in the trafficking of 41 Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNS), with a face value of Rs. 82,000, from the Bangladesh border to different parts of India. Sariful Islam had fraudulently obtained a SIM card to communicate with his co-accused for the procurement of the fake notes from West Bengal and its circulation across the country. Investigations further revealed a trail of several such transactions on the part of the accused, who had earlier delivered FICN of Rs. 10.30 lakh to the main convict, Dalim Mia, in West Bengal. The conspiracy was aimed at destabilising India's monetary situation and economic security. NIA is continuing with its investigation against two Bangladeshi nationals who had supplied FICN to the accused in the instant case, in which a total of three chargesheets had been filed so far by the agency. Earlier, ass part of a large-scale crackdown on CPI (Maoist), the NIA on Friday conducted search operations at seven locations in two districts of Bihar and seized a host of incriminating digital devices and documents along with live ammunition. The searches were conducted at five locations in Kaimur district and two in Rohtas district in Bihar in connection with the arrest of two key CPI (Maoist) leaders, Vijay Kumar Arya and Umesh Chaudhary, who were apprehended by the NIA from Rohtas district back in April 2022. Levy receipts, Naxal pamphlets of the banned terror outfit, and digital devices were seized from them during that time. (ANI)
Lokesh visited the Ratnalcheruvu area in Mangalagiri town, which was severely impacted by heavy rainfall, and interacted with residents to understand their situation. He also enquired about the relief measures and ensured they were reaching everyone in need.

He also assured residents that the government would provide all necessary assistance to those affected by the floods.

Following the heavy rains, the Pulichintala dam in Palnadu district has started overflowing.

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting, urging officials to remain vigilant and provide necessary assistance.

He directed that all departments be on high alert, schools in heavily affected areas be closed, and warning boards be installed near overflowing streams and rivers. Alerts were also to be sent to mobile phones in affected areas.

He also instructed officials to be prepared for any emergency and to provide necessary assistance to the people.

CM Naidu also warned of potential hazards, such as falling power lines and trees due to the severe weather conditions.

On Saturday, heavy rains caused waterlogging in parts of Vijayawada city and Warangal city.

The India Meteorological Department issued a warning that cyclone "Asna," a deep depression over the Arabian Sea, is expected to move West-Northwest away from the Indian coast in the next 24 hours. (ANI)
Harivansh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Members of Parliament and other dignitaries also paid floral tributes to the former speaker.

Sangma served as the 11th Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1996 to 1998. On 23 May 1996, he was unanimously elected the Speaker of the Eleventh Lok Sabha winning support across all political parties.

Born on 1 September 1947 in village Chapahati in the West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya, he was a man of many parts, having been, in the course of his career, a lecturer, a lawyer and a journalist before he joined politics.

He also served as the 4th Chief Minister of Meghalaya from 1988 to 1990.

According to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, as the Speaker, Sangma ensured that the rules were observed by the members even in the midst of stormy debates. Parliamentary democracy, he observed, meant free debate, objective deliberations, and healthy criticism, and it was for the Speaker to ensure that these objectives were achieved.

Besides nine terms in Lok Sabha, Sangma also served in the Union Cabinet in important ministries like Home Affairs, Commerce, Industry, Labour, Information and Broadcasting, and Coal. Sangma passed away due to cardiac arrest on March 4, 2016. (ANI)
Calling the Maha Vikas Aghadi protest 'political', Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Sunday that it is sad that the opposition is doing politics on the Shivaji Maharaj issue. He also asserted that in the coming elections, the people of Maharashtra will beat them (opposition) with shoes. "This is a very sad thing for us. Shivaji Maharaj cannot be a political issue for us, this is a matter of identity and faith for us. The incident that happened was unfortunate. Doing politics on it is a sad thing and the opposition is doing politics on this. Two JCBs were brought to break the statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Karnataka, and that statue was uprooted, those who did this should be beaten. Instead of doing this, they (MVA) are protesting here, but the people of Maharashtra are wise, they are seeing this. In the coming elections, the people of Maharashtra will beat them with shoes," he said. Earlier today, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that the Aghadi would not sit quietly when such a big incident has happened and that the BJP has gone mad for holding a counter-protest against them. "This is the problem in Maharashtra. Devendra Fadnavis is the mastermind behind all this. The whole country knows this. Modi ji also knows this. Whether it is the Chief Minister or the Deputy CM, will the problem be solved by apologizing? Let the people of Maharashtra express their feelings. Will we sit quietly? Such a big statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj got broken, that too in the fort in seven months and we will sit quietly? Are the people of Maharashtra impotent? We must do some movement in a democratic way. It is a great quality of democracy that you can protest," he said. Congress leader Bhai Jagtap said that the government had no shame even after the Shivaji Maharaj statue collapsed. "This land is known as the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, his statue collapsed, and they have no shame over this. They are saying not to politicise it, but if the BJP is protesting in support, then they should be ashamed. The people of Maharashtra will not forgive them. They that PM Modi apologised. You don't apologise in front of thousands of people by clenching your fist. Maharashtra is the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj...Why did he not go to Malvan in a chopper and visit the site where the state collapsed?" he said. NCP-SCP leader Rajesh Tope said, "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the pride and spirit of Maharashtra. I think this incident has hurt both of these. Our protest march is a part of democracy. Not granting permission is like strangling democracy. Government should not do it; they should grant permission." While the MVA's protest march, which started from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India, aimed to condemn the incident, the BJP staged a counter-protest against the MVA in the Dadri area of Mumbai, accusing the latter of politicising the issue. A 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district collapsed on August 26. It was unveiled on December 4 last year during Navy Day celebrations, marking the first such event in Sindhudurg. (ANI)
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) on Sunday wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) over concerns regarding electoral integrity and allegations of corruption within the association. In its letter, the FAIMA said that it has come to the notice of the Governing Body that large sums of money were collected from members for nominations, yet several key positions were filled unopposed, without any election being conducted. "As the Chief Election Commissioner, we urge you to investigate these matters thoroughly and take immediate action to rectify any irregularities. Additionally, we believe it is imperative to reconsider Dr. Ketan Desai's role as Chief Patron to preserve the integrity of the IMA," the FAIMA said. "The Indian Medical Association has long been a beacon of ethical conduct and professionalism within the medical community. It is crucial that we maintain the highest standards of transparency and democracy within our organization to retain the trust and confidence of the members," it added. Earlier, Dr Sandip Ghosh, former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, was suspended from the IMA. His membership was suspended on August 22 amid a CBI probe against him. In an order, the IMA said the committee constituted by IMA national president Dr RV Asokan suo-motu considered the rape and murder case of the postgraduate resident doctor and the subsequent developments at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Kolkata. The action was taken a day after Akhtar Ali, ex-Deputy Superintendent at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, filed a complaint against Sandip Ghosh in the Calcutta High Court on August 21, alleging a massive nexus involving various scams. (ANI)
As the Maha Vikas Aghadi's protested in Mumbai on Sunday against the collapse of the statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg, UBT Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray said on Sunday that Maharashtra's soul has been insulted and the people will never forget those who insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji. Addressing the protest rally, Thackeray also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that wherever he lays his hand, truth gets destroyed. "There is no excuse for this mistake. Shivaji Maharaj and Gateway of India is the gateway of our country. This anti-Shiva government is sitting in an unconstitutional manner. The Prime Minister of the country came four days ago. He apologized. Even while apologizing, he did not have anything on his face," he said. "Did you apologize for putting up the Maharaja's statue to cover up the corruption? This is Modi's guarantee, wherever he lays his hands, truth will be destroyed. Maharashtra's soul has been insulted, Maharashtra's religion has been insulted. Maharashtra will never forgive those who insult Shivaji," he added. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he bowed his head and apologised to the people of Maharashtra who were hurt by the collapse of the Shivaji statue at Sindhudurg. While addressing a gathering at Malvan in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Friday, the Prime Minister also criticised the opposition for not being apologetic as he extended his apologies for the incident. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said on Sunday that the Aghadi would not sit quietly when such a big incident had happened and that the BJP has gone mad for holding a counter-protest against them. The BJP is also holding a counter-protest in Dadar area of Mumbai against the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavais said on Sunday that the Aghadi's agitation is completely political and MVA or Congress, never respected Chhatrapati Shivaji. A 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district collapsed on August 26. It had been unveiled on December 4 last year as part of Navy Day celebrations, which were held in Sindhudurg for the first time. (ANI)
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday expressed his gratitude to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for donating Rs 5 crore to assist the flood victims in Tripura. The donation was presented by Assam's Minister of Tourism, Jayanta Malla Baruah, to the Chief Minister at his official residence in Agartala. "Deeply grateful to the people of Assam and Hon'ble CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for extending a helping hand to Tripura in its time of need! A cheque of Rs 5 Cr was handed over by Hon'ble Minister Jayanta Malla today, symbolizing the solidarity and support from the people of Assam. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and compassion. Your contribution will go a long way in helping us to overcome the challenges posed by the floods," CM Manik Saha said in a post on X. Financial contributions for flood relief were being deposited daily into the Chief Minister's Relief Fund from various sources, an official statement said on Saturday. Moreover, Chief Ministers of several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Arunachal Pradesh, have extended their support to Tripura. The central government has also announced a financial package, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledging financial assistance for the flood victims, the statement said. In recent days, individuals from various professions have been making contributions to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, and this trend continued Saturday as well. In a post on X CM Saha thanked various organisation for their generous donations, "We're thankful for the generous contributions to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, supporting flood-affected people: Indian Medical Association (IMA): Rs1,80,000, Kalika Jewellers, Agartala: Rs2,00,000, All India Punjab National Bank Officers Association: Rs2,00,000, Trek to Wild organisation, Agartala: Rs7,000, Swapan Chandra De (De Family): Rs3,00,000." Following continuous rainfall and unprecedented floods since August 19 in the state, 31 people have lost their lives, and over 72,000 people have been displaced so far, according to a press release by the State Relief, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Department. As per a government statement, a total of 492 relief camps had been set up by the district administration, providing shelter to the people displaced by the floods. Clothing has also been distributed to about 300 needy people in the Amarpur and Karbook sub-divisions. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary and Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) in-charge, Tarun Chugh, said on Sunday that the people of J-K have great respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while criticizing the regional leadership, including the National Conference, People's Democratic Party, and Congress, as being misguided and unpopular among the populace. "The people of Jammu and Kashmir hold Prime Minister Narendra Modi in high esteem. On the other hand, the leadership of the National Conference, People's Democratic Party, and Congress is misguided and is being rejected by the people," Chug told reporters after a meeting in Srinagar. Referring to recent statements by former Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, Chugh said, "They appear to be among the misguided leaders." He specifically labelled Omar Abdullah, the National Conference Vice-President, as an "established confused leader," claiming that Omar is uncertain about a pre-poll alliance with Congress and the number of seats they plan to contest. "He (Omar) is confused whether to contest the assembly elections or not," Chug added. Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, as announced by the Election Commission of India. The votes will be counted on October 8. J-K has 90 assembly constituencies, with 7 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (STs). According to the Election Commission of India, J-K has 88.06 lakh eligible electors. In the previous Assembly elections, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) won 28 seats, BJP secured 25, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference won 15, and Congress won 12. The PDP and BJP formed a coalition government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. However, in 2018, the BJP withdrew its support after Mehbooba Mufti took over following Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's demise. These upcoming elections will be the first in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh Human Resource Development minister Nara Lokesh on Sunday, commenting on the heavy rainfall crisis that created a flood-like situation in parts of the state, said that the government has been able to avert a crisis. Nara Lokesh also acknowledged that a permanent solution is needed to prevent inundation. "We have been able to avert a major crisis, otherwise if we didn't clean the drain we would be in a much worse situation. Last government did not do any activities, some areas go inundated, but as a government we responded, we were available, gave people food and water " Nara Lokesh said. Nara Lokesh was on a visit to Mangalagiri where he assessed the rescue and relief measures taken by the government. He asserted that the constituency needed a complete revamp to find a permanent solution to the drainage problem. "In Mangalagiri constituency we need to come up with a permanent solution. We need to remap the whole drainage system and ensure the water has a free flow. I don't know why the earlier government made 2 feet drain when we needed 10 feet to drain and solve the issue but we are not here to blame, we are here to improve," Lokesh said. During his visit, Nara Lokesh toured the Ratnalcheruvu area in Mangalagiri town, which was severely affected by heavy rainfall, and interacted with the affected residents. Nara Lokesh enquired about the relief measures provided by the government and whether they were reaching all the affected people. Lokesh assured the residents that the government would provide all necessary assistance to those affected by the floods. Meanwhile, following the heavy rain in the Palnadu district, the Pulichintala dam has overflowed. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party Jammu and Kashmir unit President, Ravinder Raina, said on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed the fortune and picture (political landscape) of Jammu and Kashmir in the last ten years. This comes as the party is gearing up for the Assembly polls in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to start in the third week of September. At a joint press conference, flanked by Union Ministers G Kishen Reddy, Jitendra Singh, and former Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, Raina said, "The BJP, with its full might, has joined the political fray in Jammu and Kashmir." He claimed that the party and its candidates are getting support from different parts of Kashmir ahead of the polls. "...The party candidates are gaining ground in Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama. I express my gratitude to the people of Jammu and Kashmir," the BJP leader added. Highlighting the work done by the BJP-led Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, Raina said, "Everywhere, the BJP is getting support from people, especially the work done by our PM. The way PM Modi has changed the destiny and picture of Kashmir in the last ten years has led every child of Jammu and Kashmir to sing profusely from his heart, "Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi." He also hit out at previous governments in Jammu and Kashmir. "During the era of Congress-National Conference and the People's Democratic Party, there was stone-pelting and the noise of bullets was heard, but today there is prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir, " he said, highlighting the initiatives of the Centre post-abrogation of Article 370. Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, according to the Election Commission of India. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. There are a total of 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 7 seats are reserved for SCs and 9 seats are reserved for STs. According to the Election Commission of India, Jammu and Kashmir has 88.06 lakh eligible electors. In the last Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP won 28 votes, the Bharatiya Janata Party won 25 votes, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference won 15 votes, and the Congress won 12 votes. The PDP and BJP formed a coalition government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. However, in 2018, the BJP withdrew its support from the alliance after Mehbooba Mufti took over following Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's demise. These are the first assembly elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. (ANI)
Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, GOC-in-C, Northern Command inaugurated "Gul-A-Seum" at Gulmarg. The "Gulmarg Army Museum" is an initiative to highlight the rich history and heritage of Kashmir along with the role of the Indian Army towards the security and development of Kashmir Valley. The Museum was conceptualized and constructed by the Dagger Division and its Himalayan Brigade. Other senior military and civil dignitaries were also present on the occasion. The Army Museum showcases the valour, sacrifice and enduring spirit of the Indian Armed Forces towards nation-building. This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to showcasing the Army's pivotal role in various wartime efforts, its contribution to national development and the rich cultural tapestry of Jammu & Kashmir. Col VN Thapar (Rtd) told ANI, "This museum is just not only a building or a tourist spot. It is a monument for those people who laid down their lives in different wars the country had fought." He said Kashmir saw the wars the country fought with Pakistan and China." This museum bears testimony to the bravery of soldiers and tales of battles." The museum would add another colourful feather to the beauty of Gulmarg and would provide an opportunity to the tourists visiting Gulmarg and help them enrich themselves with the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir. Terming the Museum an example, Chaudhary Nawab Nazir, a local, said, "The details of the India-Pakistan wars have been embedded in the museum. It is a huge thing. It will provide knowledge about the entire history of Jammu and Kashmir." The museum features an extensive collection of artefacts, documents and interactive displays through which visitors can explore the cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir, showcasing the region's unique traditions, art and historical milestones along with Army's engagement in Jammu & Kashmir with respect to its nation-building contribution. (ANI)
(CNS) -- Chinese culture, and Chinese peoples hard work are the two features that I want to share with South Africans, said Siyabonga Cwele, the South African Ambassador to China, in an exclusive interview with China News Service in Beijing.

Cwele has served as the Ambassador to China for more than three years and visited Zhejiang, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou provinces, as well as Chongqing Municipality, etc.

Siyabonga Cwele, the South African Ambassador to China, gives an exclusive interview with China News Service in Beijing, Aug. 15. 2024. (Photo: China News Service / Sun Xiang)

In his view, the bilateral relations between South Africa and China are continuously developing, with frequent exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation maintained at a high level.

"China maintains very good relations with African countries, including South Africa," said Cwele. He believes mutual respect is the key feature of China-South Africa relations, from which people of both sides can benefit.

The two sides are working together to advance a fairer and inclusive global governance, he said, making it a model for South-South cooperation.

According to statistics, China has remained South Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while South Africa has been China's largest trading partner in Africa for 14 consecutive years.

In the first five months of 2024, bilateral trade volume reached $23.5 billion. Among them, South Africas exports to China were $15.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of nearly 14 percent. South African wines, Rooibos tea, and aloe products are popular in China. Cwele has made multiple appearances in live-streaming sessions to promote South African products. China has been also Africas largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.

Cwele specifically noted that new measures for opening up proposed at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China have brought new opportunities for African countries. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to be held in Beijing is an important platform for African countries to further deepen cooperation with China.

We are very happy to see that China has further expanded opening up in high-tech, healthcare, and finance, etc," Cwele said. Many South African companies, including the largest South African pharmaceutical company Aspen, and media group Naspers, have already found huge opportunities.

He said that the FOCAC and other mechanisms have facilitated the continuous implementation of infrastructure investment from China in African countries, with new ports, airports, railways, and highways helping African countries to connect at home and abroad.

The modernization of agriculture through cooperation and the creation of green lanes help African products, particularly from the least developed countries, enter the Chinese market, lifting peoples livelihoods in African countries.

The cooperation in science and technology and education will bring a more profound impact to African countries, including South Africa.

Cwele said that Africa is a youthful continent, with the greatest proportion of its population is youth. Better education and training will enable more African youth to become globally competitive workers.

"South Africans are very fascinated with Chinese culture. We have introduced Mandarin to elementary school as an optional language, Cwele noted. More and more South Africans hope to deepen their understanding of China and learn from its development experience, he added. He hopes the culture of hard work will inspire them and empower them. You can be rich and prosperous only through hard work, he concluded.


North-Eastern Handicrafts under the North-Eastern Development Ministry has achieved a milestone by setting up North-Eastern India's first NABL-accredited textile testing laboratory at its head office in Guwahati and Handover to Development Corporation.

This prestigious accreditation marks a significant achievement in establishing rigorous standards for testing and quality assurance within the region's textile industry.

"We're proud to announce that the Textile Testing Laboratory at NEHHDC Head Office has become the first NABL-accredited facility in North East. This accreditation will raise the bar for textiles in Indian and global markets, unlocking endless possibilities for the region," the North East Council said in a post on X.

The newly accredited laboratory will play a pivotal role in ensuring the exceptional quality of textile products from the Northeast Region (NER).

Previously, weavers and producers had to send their products to Kolkata for testing due to the lack of such a facility in the region.

The establishment of this state-of-the-art testing lab in Guwahati, Assam marks a significant change, offering local weavers and manufacturers immediate access to high-quality testing services.

This advancement will prioritize and empower the NER, enhancing its position in the market.

Accreditation provides formal recognition of competent CABs, thus providing a ready means for customers to find reliable testing (including Medical), calibration, Proficiency Testing and Reference Material Producer services in order to meet their demands.

Accreditation enhances customer confidence in accepting testing/calibration reports issued by accredited laboratories. (ANI)
Assam Trinamool Congress President Ripun Bora on Sunday resigned from the party, citing perception of people of the state of TMC being a regional party. "I thought that from the platform of TMC, we could intensify our fight against the BJP in Assam... But subsequently, I experienced that the people of Assam are not inclined to accept TMC in Assam. The people of Assam view TMC as a regional party of Bengal... No doubt people have very deep respect for Mamata Banerjee. But the people of Assam do not want to accept the TMC. That is why I have decided if the people do not accept it, then how we can intensify the fight against the BJP through TMC... I decided that if I continue in TMC only I will get no result. It is a waste of my time and energy," Bora said while speaking to ANI. He further highlighted measures that could be taken by the party, such as need for an Assamese leader at the national level, declaring the residence of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika at Tollygunge as a heritage site and converting the Madhupur Satra at Cooch Behar into a cultural hub to counter the perception of the people of TMC being a regional party. "...Assam TMC has great potential but several recurring issues have hindered our progress, including the perception of TMC as a regional party of West Bengal. To counter this perception, we made several suggestions, such as the need for an Assamese leader at the national level, declaring the residence of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika at Tollygunge as a heritage site and converting the Madhupur Satra at Cooch Behar into a cultural hub," he wrote in a letter to TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. He revealed that he made numerous attempts to sit down with the TMC's National General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to address pressing concerns, but his efforts were met with silence. This lack of engagement is also a reason for his decision to resign from the party. "Despite my repeated attempts over the past year and a half to secure an appointment with you and our Chief Minister Mamata Didi to address these concerns, I have been unsuccessful," he added. He stated that the people of Assam are not ready to accept a party from the other state and view TMC as a regional party of West Bengal. "It has been my honour to serve as the State President of Assam TMC for over two years. I have interacted extensively with people across the state. Unfortunately, the issues mentioned above have led many people in Assam to continue viewing TMC as a regional party of West Bengal. The people of Assam are not willing to accept a party that they perceive as being from another state. In light of these challenges and the lack of an adequate resolution, I feel compelled to make a difficult decision and have decided to dissociate myself from TMC," he wrote in the letter. (ANI)
Hitting back at Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav over his comments on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi termed it "height of appeasement politics." Joshi asked if the state assembly, or the two houses of Parliament, were the places for offering Namaz. "Is Assembly, Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha, the place for offering Namaz? This is the height of appeasement politics...I am a minister and worship some god or goddess on Thursday, then give me rest on Thursday. Does the country run like this? What kind of a method is this, isn't this foolish?" Joshi told ANI. This comes after Tejashwi referred to CM Himanta as the "Chinese version of Yogi," while attacking him over the Assam Assembly's decision to end the 2-hour Jumma practice on Friday. "The Chief Minister of Assam deliberately keeps doing acts to harass Muslims, in an attempt to gain cheap popularity and become the "Chinese version of Yogi." The people of BJP have made Muslim brothers a soft target to spread hatred, attract the attention of Modi-Shah and polarize the society," Yadav stated. "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," he added. The former Bihar Deputy CM had also accused the Assam CM of seeking "cheap popularity" to stay in the news. "Assam Chief Minister (Himanta Biswa Sarma) wants cheap popularity and wants to remain in the news...(UP CM) Yogi Adityanath is using bulldozers, and he (Assam CM) is stopping namaz, the country belongs to everyone, there should be peace, but these people are only spreading hatred," Tejashwi Yadav told ANI. The Assam state assembly ended the practice of a two-hour adjournment for Jumma Prayers, every Friday that was introduced by the 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. Earlier on Saturday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the state assembly's decision to end the 2-hour break for Jumma prayers, saying that no other state assembly in India has a similar break. "The decision to end the Jumma break in Assam was also supported by the Congress. There is no such break in Bihar or any other state assembly in the country. I am surprised that people outside Assam are opposing it without thinking," CM Himanta said in a post on X. According to the previous rule, the sitting of Assam 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 society on a religious basis. (ANI) Responding to Yadav's statement against him, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said "Our work will not stop based on the comments of people. Our work is to keep going forward." (ANI)
Responding to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's demand for a nationwide caste census and inclusion of 65 per cent quota increase in Bihar in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha said, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ensured that caste census took place in Bihar. "CM Nitish Kumar ensured that caste census took place in Bihar. He took all affirmative actions regarding the same. They (Opposition) are such kind of people who did not even provide reservation in Panchayats when they were in power," said MP Sanjay Kumar Jha. Notably, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is holding a state-wide one-day sit-in protest with the demand for a nationwide caste census and the inclusion of the 65 per cent quota increase in Bihar in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. Leader of opposition in the state assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, also participated in the protest from the party office on Beerchand Patel Path. Similar demonstrations are being planned across various districts. Visuals from Patna showed party officials and workers gathered in large numbers at the protest site. Meanwhile, speaking on RJD's protest demanding 65% reservation for OBCs, SCs, and STs under Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav took on the JDU demanding the party make its stand clear "I just have a question for the JD(U) - whether they want reservation that was increased by the Mahagathbandhan government to be included in the 9th Schedule (of Constitution) or not?" Yadav told reporters in Patna. Earlier speaking at the protest rally Tejashwi Yadav said, "BJP wants the son of a garbage collector and the next generation to clean drains his entire life...Those who are beggars should be kept as beggars all their life. This is the mentality of the BJP...All the big socialist leaders, from time to time, talked about castes. The great men who were our leaders, all talked about reservation and talked about those sections which are at the bottom of the society, whether Dalit, tribal or backward. Even today, you will see that discrimination happens in society...Today when we talk of caste census, people say that we are trying to divide society... It should be found out what is the condition of people from different castes... Poverty is our enemy and we should work to remove it."(ANI)
The Delhi High Court is set to issue an order on a plea filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday. The plea challenges the ongoing defamation case proceedings in the trial court, which were initiated by BJP Delhi leader Rajeev Babbar. Babbar had accused Kejriwal and other AAP leaders of defaming the BJP by alleging that the party was responsible for removing a total of 30 lakh names of electors from the Delhi electoral rolls, with the people mainly belonging to the 'Baniya', Muslim and other communities. In February 2020, the Delhi High Court had stayed the proceedings in the defamation case against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders. AAP leaders had approached the Delhi High Court and sought the quashing of two court orders: the magisterial court's order dated 15 March 2019 and the sessions court's order dated 28 January 2020. Rajeev Babbar, through the defamation case, sought proceedings against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other Aam Aadmi Party leaders, naming Sushil Kumar Gupta, Atishi Marlena, and Manoj Kumar. Babbar alleged that they harmed the BJP's reputation by accusing the party of being responsible for the deletion of voters' names from the electoral rolls in Delhi. Earlier in July, AAP leader Atishi Marlena had a defamation case filed against her by BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor over allegations of 'poaching' AAP legislators. Delhi's Rouse Avenue court had granted the AAP leader bail on the matter. Rajeev Babbar claimed the statements of AAP party leaders were intended to damage the BJP's reputation by targeting specific voter groups, including Bania, Poorvanchalis, and Muslims, resulting in irreparable harm to the complainant's reputation. Arvind Kejriwal had moved the Delhi High Court in 2020 saying that the defamation complaint was not maintainable, given that it is vague and does not disclose who is the "person aggrieved" maintaining the complaint. The trial court, in February 2020 had observed that the allegations made by Kejriwal and others are prima facie defamatory and refer to the BJP. Babbar has contended that the voters' list is the prerogative of the Election Commission and not the BJP. (ANI)
Launching a scathing attack against the Congress, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday said that the Congress party will be unable to open its account in the Haryana assembly elections. "The Congress party will be unable to open its account in Haryana assembly elections...They do not come to provide facilities to the people but to do corruption," said the Chief Minister. "They try to garner votes by misleading the people. Congress was able to form their governments in Himachal Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka by misleading the public and they have not fulfilled the promises made to the public. Congress party has no policy, intention or leadership...Congress will get an answer from the public on 5th Oct...BJP will again form the government in Haryana..." he added. The Haryana CM alleged that during the Congress rule only a certain section of people would get benifits. , "... Big leaders of other parties have joined the BJP today. The BJP is going to form the government for the third consecutive time. People's faith in the double-engine government has increased... The BJP is giving jobs 'bina kharchi, bina parchi' and without any discrimination...During the Congress rule, only a certain section of the society benefitted... Congress comes to power by lying to the people. They did the same in Himachal," he said. Earlier on Saturday, the CM welcomed the Election Commission's decision to reschedule the counting of votes for the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assembly elections. Originally slated for October 4, the date has now been moved to October 8, 2024. The decision has been taken to honour both the voting rights and the traditions of the Bishnoi community, which has upheld a centuries-old practice of participating in the Asoj Amavasya festival celebration in remembrance of Guru Jambheshwar as per the ECI. The Election Commission in its statement also mentioned that the revised polling date would also resolve any concerns of a six-day holiday by taking a one-day leave on September 30, 2024. CM Saini stated that it is commendable that the Election Commission considered the feedback from various quarters and acted in the best interest of the democratic process. This decision will help ensure that voter turnout remains strong, and the integrity of the election process is maintained. The Commission said it had received representation from the National President, All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, Bikaner (Rajasthan) for rescheduling the date of polling set for October 1. (ANI)
Several leaders and workers joined PDP at the party headquarters in Srinagar, in the presence of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti. "What can we say? You remember that in my constituency also when I contested the election, they changed the date for no reason, so they have their own calculations of BJP and according to that they decide the date of the election. Everything works for the BJP and their proxy parties. I am happy that all the officers are local here. I hope that all the staff, whoever is associated with the election process, will play their role in conducting a free fair election..." said Mufti. Earlier on Friday, Mufti took a jibe at National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah and alleged that whenever they get power, elections become halal for the National Conference and when they lose power, elections become haram for them and this era of political convenience was started by them. She added that when Jamaat-e-Islami contested the polls in 1987, NC didn't want any competition and committed irregularities. Before this, National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah 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. 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. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tribute to the soldiers by garlanding their statues at Shaheed Sthal in Khatima and said that the people of Uttarakhand will always be indebted to these heroes. "These great souls have sacrificed both their present and future for our better future; the people of Uttarakhand will always be indebted to these heroes," CM Dhami said. He said that these great people had sacrificed themselves so that Uttarakhand could fulfil their dreams in the true sense only by becoming a separate state. "Even today, the hearts of the people of Khatima, including the people of the entire Uttarakhand, tremble remembering the Khatima firing incident. The first martyrdom for the creation of a separate state was given on the land of Khatima, and as a result of this martyrdom, we have been able to create our own identity as a separate state, which is a matter of pride for the people of Khatima," he said. The Chief Minister said that every moment of ours is dedicated to building the Uttarakhand of the dreams of the state agitators. "We are also committed to bringing the flow of development to the person standing at the last end of Devbhoomi," he added. He said that strict anti-copying law has been implemented in the state, under which now no one can stop the ability, talent and capability of the youth from moving forward. The Chief Minister, while paying tribute to the great sons of Uttarakhand, late Bhagwan Singh Sirola, late Pratap Singh, late Rampal, late Salim Ahmed, late Gopichand, late Dharmanand Bhatt and late Paramjeet Singh, who sacrificed their lives on the 30th anniversary of the Khatima firing incident, said that we can never forget the pain of the Khatima firing incident that took place on September 1, 1994. "They all wanted the development and upliftment of Uttarakhand and believed that Uttarakhand could fulfil their dreams in the true sense only by becoming a separate state. The true tribute to the sacrifice and renunciation of these great souls will be that we all together build the Uttarakhand of their dreams. Our government is making every possible effort to realize the ideals and dreams of the state agitators with full commitment. Every moment of ours is dedicated to building the Uttarakhand of the dreams of the state agitators," he said. The Chief Minister said that today we are working in every field to ensure the upliftment of the people through various schemes, from strengthening the infrastructure facilities of connectivity, education, health, and tourism in the state. "Employment generation and economic development are being accelerated by developing in the field of industrialization, tourism and agriculture," CM Dhami said. He said that we are working with innovation by bringing many new policies, including logistics policy, startup policy and service sector policy. Our government is moving forward with coordination between ecology and economy while working on the conservation of water, forest, and land. He said that our government has also implemented a 10 per cent horizontal reservation for the state agitators and their dependents while expressing gratitude to the state agitators. CM Dhami said that women's power has also played a big role in the state movement. "Paying tribute to Nari Shakti, our government has also done the historic work of implementing 30 per cent horizontal reservation for women, while on the other hand, the families of martyred agitators are also being given a pension of Rs 3000 per month. While jailed, injured, and active agitators are being given a pension of Rs 6,000 and Rs 4,500 per month, respectively," he said. He said that free education in schools and colleges to maximum two children of the state agitators, free travel in government buses, and pension facility to their dependents have also been provided. The Chief Minister said that the concept of a separate state also included the concern to preserve the demography of our state. "Our government is continuously working to protect the demography of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Along with implementing a strict anti-conversion law, we have freed 5000 acres of government land from land jihad by removing illegal encroachment. Along with this, our government has also done the historic work of implementing anti-riot law and uniform civil code with the aim of ensuring happiness, peace and equality in the state," the Uttarakhand CM said. He said that this year Uttarakhand has secured the first position in the country in the ranking of Sustainable Development Goals released by NITI Aayog, which reflects our efforts towards the development of the state. The Chief Minister said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new work culture has developed in the country, and new dimensions of development have been established. "With the inspiration of the Prime Minister, an Industrial Smart City will soon be established in Khurpiya of Udham Singh Nagar, which will create new employment opportunities in this area," CM Dhami said. He said that our government has given jobs to more than 16 thousand youth in the last three years. Under disaster management, an amount of 25 crores has been released to the district for the assistance of disaster-affected people, till now an amount of Rs 12 crore 68 lakh has been distributed to the disaster-affected people. He also thanked the Prime Minister and the Home Minister for relaxing the disaster construction standards and increasing the amount. The Chief Minister said that we are constantly striving to work for the development of the state with our basic mantra of "Vikalp Rahit Sankalp" to make Uttarakhand of the dreams of the state agitators. (ANI)
The individual, identified as Mohd Mijan Mia (49 years), is a resident of Sunamganj district, Bangladesh.

Acting on specific info, troops of 193 Bn BSF Meghalaya in a joint operation with local police, apprehended a Bangladeshi smuggler from the jungle area near the international border.

During initial questioning, the apprehended individual disclosed that he has been operating as a tout, facilitating the illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals into India and engaging in smuggling activities. The individual has been handed over to PS Dangar for further investigation and legal proceedings.

On August 26, acting on specific info, troops of BSF Meghalaya and local police, customs and LPAI, seized contraband items such as silver ornaments, sarees, mobile with accessories worth more than Rs48 lakhs in Dhaka-Shillong Maitri bus. 03 Bangladeshi bus staff members were also apprehended.

On August 22, the vigilant troops of BSF Meghalaya successfully thwarted an infiltration attempt by apprehending four Bangladeshi nationals along with two Indian facilitators on International Border of East Jaintia Hills district. (ANI)
Following the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) protest over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue collapse incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday accused Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray of doing politics in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj while emulating the deeds of "Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan." "Two years ago, the people of Maharashtra told Uddhav Thackeray to get out. He was thrown out of power and sent home. He is doing politics in the name of Shivaji Maharaj and doing the work of Aurangzeb and Afzal Khan. He came to power in the name of Shivaji Maharaj with the BJP and formed the government with others," CM Shinde told reporters in Nagpur. The Maharashtra Chief Minister called it "sad" and said that the opposition is doing politics on the Shivaji Maharaj issue. "This is a very sad thing for us...Shivaji Maharaj cannot be a political issue for us; this is a matter of identity and faith for us. The incident that happened was unfortunate. Doing politics on it is more sad thing, and the opposition is doing politics on this. Two JCBs were brought to break the statue of Shivaji Maharaj in Karnataka, and that statue was uprooted, those who did this should be beaten. Instead of doing this, they (MVA) are protesting here, but the people of Maharashtra are wise, they are seeing this. In the coming elections, the people of Maharashtra will beat them with shoes," Shinde said. Earlier today, Uddhav Thackeray said that Maharashtra's soul has been insulted and the people will never forget those who insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji. Addressing the protest rally, Thackeray also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that wherever he lays his hand, truth gets destroyed. "There is no excuse for this mistake. Shivaji Maharaj and Gateway of India is the gateway of our country. This anti-Shiva government is sitting in an unconstitutional manner. The Prime Minister of the country came four days ago. He apologized. Even while apologizing, he did not have anything on his face," he said. "Did you apologize for putting up the Maharaja's statue to cover up the corruption? This is Modi's guarantee, wherever he lays his hands, truth will be destroyed. Maharashtra's soul has been insulted, Maharashtra's religion has been insulted. Maharashtra will never forgive those who insult Shivaji," he added. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he bowed his head and apologised to the people of Maharashtra who were hurt by the collapse of the Shivaji statue at Sindhudurg. While addressing a gathering at Malvan in Maharashtra's Palghar district on Friday, the Prime Minister also criticised the opposition for not being apologetic as he extended his apologies for the incident. A 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district collapsed on August 26. It had been unveiled on December 4 last year as part of Navy Day celebrations, which were held in Sindhudurg for the first time. (ANI)
Union Minister of State and BJP MP Harsh Malhotra on Sunday hailed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying that it is the largest political party in the world and that because of people welfare schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party will have more members this time. "BJP is the largest political party in the world. After every 6 years, we reshuffle...last time there were more than 17 crore members and this time we will have more members because of the people welfare schemes of PM Modi...BJP is a party with a difference and for us nation is first..." said Malhotra. BJP Minority Front has intensified its preparations for the BJP Membership Campaign 2024 starting from September 2. Minority Front has a target of making 50 lakh members. In this sequence, the Morcha organised a membership campaign workshop with minority advocates on Saturday evening at Tis Hazari Court, which was chaired by Advocate Zeeshan, while BJP Minority Front National President Jamal Siddiqui gave his guidance as the chief guest in the workshop. On this occasion, a large number of minority advocates were present. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP has set a target to enrol 1 crore members within 45 days, by October 15, H Raja said, who is leading the party in the state while K Annamalai, the state president, is on a trip to the UK. The Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP has fixed a target of 1 crore members to be enrolled within 45 days up to October 15, said H Raja, who heads the committee to steer the party in the state till K Annamalai, the State president of the party, returns from the UK. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is set to launch a nationwide membership drive on September 2. Party sources said that Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024 will be launched in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 2 in the national capital. (ANI)
In her valedictory address at the National Conference of the District Judiciary to mark 75 years of the Supreme Court of India, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the recent advancements in timely administration, infrastructure, facilities, training, and manpower within the judiciary. President Murmu emphasised that significant progress is still needed across these areas, stressed the importance of accelerating reforms, and highlighted the need for a united effort from all stakeholders to overcome the numerous challenges facing the judicial system. Addressing the closing ceremony of the National District Judiciary Conference, President Murmu said, "I am told that in recent times there has been improvement in the availability of timely administration, infrastructure, facilities, training, and manpower. But there is still much to be done in all these areas. I believe that there should be rapid progress in all the dimensions of reform." "I am happy to note that the number of women in the selection committees has increased in recent years. This increase has led to a 50 per cent increase in the number of women in the selection committees," she said. "There are many challenges before our judiciary for which all stakeholders will have to make concerted efforts. For example, issues related to evidence and witnesses should be resolved jointly by the judiciary, government, and police administration," said the President. The President also noted that the plight of women victims is in bad condition due to the lack of support from society itself. "It is a sad aspect of our social life that even after committing a crime, the criminals roam around fearlessly. Those who are victims of their crimes live in fear as if their own thoughts have committed many crimes. The situation of women victims is even worse because even the people of society do not support them," said President Murmu. The Supreme Court of India organised a two-day National Conference of the District Judiciary on August 31 and September 1, 2024, that was attended by more than 800 participants from the district judiciary of all States and Union Territories. In the event, President Draupadi Murmu and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal echoed for finding a solution for the practice of deferment of court cases and to break the common perception of 'Tarikh par Tarikh culture regarding the justice system. In the meantime, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that they have skilfully laid out an action plan for reducing case pendency through case management. President Murmu also mentioned the black coat syndrome that poor people in rural India faced due to several barriers to accessing justice. Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, who addressed the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary at Bharat Mandapam, spoke on the action plan for reducing case pendency through case management 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. 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. (ANI)
Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, asserted on Sunday that the state is not facing a financial crisis but is instead implementing strategic financial management measures. Sukhu accused the BJP of politicizing the state's financial condition and assured the public that all promises and guarantees made to the people would be fulfilled. "The work I am doing will ensure that by 2027, Himachal Pradesh becomes self-reliant and the most prosperous state in the country. I have been saying this from the first day," Sukhu stated. He clarified that reports of a financial crisis are misleading, describing the situation as a reform rather than a crisis. "The restrictions we have placed on salaries are meant to inform all sections of society that we need to instil discipline for the future. There is a need to improve the system, and I am working on this. Our economy has already seen significant improvement due to these reforms" he said . The Chief Minister noted that the state faced a debt of Rs 85,000 crore and additional liabilities of Rs 10,000 crores owed to employees. "If there is even a slight downturn in the economy, it gets affected. I want to assure you that we will fulfil all the promises made," he added. Sukhu also mentioned the numerous subsidies provided by the state government. "We have given 14 types of subsidies. Some people, who are already paying high taxes, are willing to forgo these subsidies. Strict decisions are necessary, and we are taking them to ensure financial discipline," he emphasized. The Chief Minister defended his government's decision to implement financial austerity measures, stating that such measures are crucial for strengthening the economy. "If there is no capital expenditure, how will the economy be strengthened? Restoration work, road building, and other developmental activities must continue. Although we need to spend Rs 6,000 crore, we may not manage it all, but these expenditures will boost the economy. Our revenue is growing rapidly, thanks to these tough decisions," Sukhu explained. Sukhu called on all sections of society, including government employees, farmers, and the general public, to support the government's efforts. "Everyone deserves quality health services and education. The health and education systems have deteriorated, but we are committed to making improvements," he said, noting that the state has only been under his administration for 19 months. He further criticized the Union government for not providing Himachal Pradesh with its rightful shares, including Rs 100 crore for NPAs and Rs 9,300 crore for NPS. "We are awaiting our rights from the Centre. The Bharatiya Janata Party is indulging in political games, making baseless claims about drones hurting our interests or issues with liquor contract auctions. These are mere distractions," he remarked. Sukhu concluded by reiterating his commitment to reforming the state's financial system. "We are pursuing financial jurisprudence, instilling discipline, and working towards making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by 2027. Elections may come and go, but our reform agenda will continue," Sukhu added further. (ANI)
Congress MP Manickam Tagore claimed that the party was confident in winning more than 70 seats this time in the upcoming Haryana Assembly polls. "Haryana is in a very positive mood for Congress. We all expect more than 70 seats this time. We know that the momentum is on Congress' side. So, we want the process of selection of candidates as well as the combination of other things in the right way," said the MP. Earlier, Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan and LoP of Haryana Assembly Bhupinder Singh Hooda also attended the Haryana Screening committee meeting at Himachal Bhavan to discuss the upcoming elections. Tagore said that more than 2500 candidates have applied in the party to contest the elections, and in that regard senior leaders had a meeting about the process, he said "Senior leaders, all are having meetings about the same process. More than 2500 candidates have applied. So, Congress CEC will decide about winning candidates." Both Congress MP Manickam Tagore and AICC in-charge of Haryana, Deepak Babaria had criticised the decision of the Election Commission to postpone the Haryana assembly polls and accused the poll body of working for the BJP. "The unpopular government in Haryana which is led by BJP will be defeated with a huge margin in each constituency and the Congress government will be formed in Haryana with a clear verdict from the people," Tagore said. Babaria had also said that the delay will not affect the party's preparations for the polls. "...BJP had issues. They were running the government for 10 years through adhocism, they set the dates through the same adhocism...later the dates were changed. But in this process, the affected the entire administration, voters and timetable...This won't affect us at all. We see this as nothing else but their failure," Babaria said. The decision for postponement was taken to honour both the voting rights and the traditions of the Bishnoi community, which has upheld a centuries-old practice of participating in the Asoj Amavasya festival celebration in remembrance of their Guru Jambheshwar, as per the ECI. This year, the festival will take place on October 2, and thousands of Bishnoi families residing in Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Hisar will be travelling to Rajasthan on poll day, denying them their voting rights, the Election Commission of India said. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday, August 31, revised the polling day for Haryana Assembly polls from October 1 to October 5, as well as moved the counting of votes for both Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assemblies from October 4 to October 8. (ANI)
In the wake of reported leopard attacks, a Forest Department team visited the Bahli village in Dharamshala town, Kangra district. Speaking to ANI, Forest Range officer Sumit Sharma said that the information that two cows were attacked by leopards turned out to be false and was just a rumour. He said that the forest department officials advised the villagers to be alert and always go outside in groups. "The information that two cows were attacked by leopards turned out to be false. It was just a rumour. It's a very sensitive matter, and people are scared, so we are here to meet the villagers as well, and we are telling them how to coordinate in such circumstances," he told ANI. The Forest Range officer also said that a man had an encounter with the leopard while he was on the way to the market. "A man was going to the market on his bike when his headlight fell on the leopard. The big cat tried to come towards the biker, but he sped up and escaped from the scene," said the official. "The situation is not that dangerous, and if needed, we will try to track the movement of these leopards by using trap cameras, or we may set up trap cages. In CCTV videos, we saw the movement of two leopards. We have advised the villagers to be alert and always go outside in groups," said the Forest Range officer. Earlier in the day, the Rampur Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh successfully rescued a leopard in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district on Sunday. Uttar Pradesh Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Rajiv Kumar, said that the big cat was spotted near the area around the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, causing panic among the locals. "There is a doctor's panel available here for a medical examination of the animal. This is the sixth leopard that has been caught in Rampur," added the official. Meanwhile, in UP's Bahraich, officials said on Sunday that they have detected the presence of two killer wolves through drones and will capture them soon. 8 deaths have been reported and 15 injuries have been reported to alleged wolf attacks in the region. Police and forest officials have so far captured four wolves. Abhishek Singh, CO Forest, Bahraich Division, told ANI, "Our whole team is going to be here under the guidance of DFO. We detected the presence of wolves through drones. Both wolves have been traced in this area. We will capture them." Earlier on Saturday, the forest department team laid traps at Sisayya Chudaamani village, from where the fourth wolf was captured. In the wake of recent wolf attack incidents, the forest department is bursting firecrackers at night to protect the villagers from wolves. (ANI)
Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar launched a fresh criticism of Rajya Sabha MP and Supreme Court advocate Kapil Sibal on Sunday over his 'symptomatic malaise' remarks. "When humanity has been shamed, there are some stray voices, voices that cause concern. They only aggravate our excruciating pain. To put it mildly, they are adding salt to our injured conscience," the Vice President said. The Vice President said at a public event that someone who is a member of parliament and an advocate said that the Kolkata incident was a 'symptomatic malaise' and suggested that such incidents are frequent indecent. "What do they say? "it is a symptomatic malaise, a frequent incident," he said. The remark was aimed at Kapil Sibal, who was representing the Mamata Banerjee government in the RG Kar rape and murder case. "When it comes from someone who is a Member of Parliament, a senior advocate, then the culpability is of extreme degree. There can be no alibi for such kind of demonizing thoughts. I call upon such misguided souls to revisit their thoughts and publicly tender an apology. This is not an occasion where you should be looking through political prism. This political prism is a dangerous one, it kills your objectivity. It calls for searching within," Vice President Dhankhar added. He termed the RG Kar incident 'barbarity expressed in extremity', adding that it has shamed humanity. "What happened on August 9, 2024, was not just an incident. It was barbarity expressed in extremity, shaming humanity. The victim happened to be from a category that is ever devoted to saving lives", he added. He stated to bring revolutionary, secure, systematic mechanisms to save the health sector from any kind of threat. "We have to bring about revolutionary secure systematic mechanisms such that never in future will there be any kind of threat to the health sector that is in service of humanity," the Rajya Sabha Chairman said. Earlier on Friday, August 30 coming down heavily on Kapil Sibal, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that he was 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". (ANI)
A case was filed against the manager, waiter, and other staff of a hotel in Mumbai at the Malad police station. The case was filed after a customer found a cockroach in his coffee at a hotel in the Malad area of Mumbai. Pratik Rawat found a cockroach in his cold coffee while he was drinking it in a glass with a straw. When the coffee was about to finish, he noticed something unusual and, upon closer inspection, found a cockroach in the coffee. He immediately showed his friend the cockroach in the glass, then called the hotel waiter and showed him the cockroach, and took a photo of it with his mobile phone. Later,the hotel's owner arrived, took the glass with him to the kitchen, showed Pratik the strainer where the cold coffee is made, and explained that the cockroach could not have come from there. The owner then removed the cockroach from the glass, disposed of it in the basin, and poured water over it. 25-year-old Pratik Rawat, who works at an event company, went to a cafe located on New Link Road near a mall with his friend Ganesh. Both ordered cold coffee, which tasted bitter, so they asked the waiter to add a little sugar. The waiter took the cups to the counter, added sugar, and then served them. Pratik stated that he had already consumed about 70 percent of the coffee when he noticed the cockroach. He said that the scene replayed in his mind throughout the night, causing him to stay awake, vomit several times, and feel nauseated. The case has been filed at the Malad police station under sections 125, 274, 275, and 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code. (ANI)
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Delhi has sentenced three individuals in the 2020 Khaja Moideen ISIS case. The accused had indiscriminately fired at a police party to evade arrest. "The Special Judge, NIA, Patiala House Complex, New Delhi, on Saturday sentenced three accused in the 2020 Khaja Moideen ISIS case, in which they had indiscriminately fired at police party in order to evade arrest," as per an NIA press release. All three accused, Khaja Moideen, Syed Ali Nawas and Abdul Samad, had been convicted by the court in the case RC-5/2020/NIA/DLI on 6th August 2024. They had been arrested on 9th January 2020 from Delhi and were in judicial custody since then, NIA said in the release. "The main accused, Khaja Moideen, had absconded after being released on conditional bail in the communally sensitive murder case of K.P. Suresh Kumar in June 2014. He had conspired to revive the ISIS network in India and had motivated the other two to migrate to an Islamic country," NIA stated in the release. In a bid to evade arrest, the trio had, in January 2020, fired indiscriminately at police personnel and were subsequently apprehended from Wazirabad, New Delhi, as per the NIA. As per the NIA release, While Khaja Moideen and Syed Ali Nawas have been sentenced to 7 years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 7,500 fine, Abdul Samad has been sentenced for the imprisonment period already undergone. Meanwhile, the NIA Special Court Bengaluru, has sentenced one accused to 6 years of simple imprisonment (SI) in a fake currency seizure case of 2018, the NIA said in a statement. The NIA said that the accused, Sariful Islam @ Sarifulla @ Sharifuddin, a native of West Bengal, has also been fined Rs. 5,000 in the case RC-12/2018/NIA/DLI (Chikodi FICN Case). He is the seventh accused to be convicted in the case. NIA investigations in the case had revealed that the accused had conspired with 6 others in the trafficking of 41 Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNS), with a face value of Rs. 82,000, from the Bangladesh border to different parts of India. Sariful Islam had fraudulently obtained a SIM card to communicate with his co-accused for the procurement of the fake notes from West Bengal and its circulation across the country. Investigations further revealed a trail of several such transactions on the part of the accused, who had earlier delivered FICN of Rs. 10.30 lakh to the main convict, Dalim Mia, in West Bengal. The conspiracy was aimed at destabilising India's monetary situation and economic security. (ANI)
Former Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) leaders Anoop Dhanak, Ram Kumar Gautam, and Jogi Ram Sihag joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday ahead of the October 5 Haryana assembly polls. Earlier today, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini attended a Jan Ashirwad rally held at Jind. During the rally, he highlighted the various schemes and decisions taken by the Haryana government for the welfare of the people. "Our government has decided to provide tubewell connections to all farmers, so all who have applied for a connection till 2023 will be getting their tubewell connections released," said the Chief Minister. During the speech he also mentioned that the state government has decided to increase the annual income limit for the OBC creamy layer in the state from Rs 6 lakhs to Rs 8 lakhs. "On June 29, our government decided to increase the income limit for the people in the OBC creamy layer from Rs 6 lakhs to Rs 8 lakhs. The decisions have been made to keep it apart from the salary and agricultural income too," added the Chief Minister. The CM mentioned the decision to provide pension benefits for more than 75000 people in the state, and the decision to increase the salaries of various government employees by 8 per cent who have been serving the government for more than five years. The Chief Minister said that the government had also helped with the development of villages across the villages after consultations with various village heads. "From July 2, sarpanches of various villages complained that they couldn't carry out developmental work with just Rs 5 lakhs, so we had been in constant contact with them, so we called every sarpanch for a meeting and gave them the power to spend Rs 21 lakhs for development," he said He mentioned the steps taken for animal welfare, highlighting an MoU signed with the Medanta. "On July 11, we signed an MoU of Rs 100 crore with the Medanta group to build an animal hospital in Gurugram," he said. Other schemes which the Chief Minister highlighted were the plans to make around 4000 schools in the state, to increase the salaries and benefits of safai karamcharis, and also giving 10 per cent job reservations to agniveers. Notably, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday, August 31, revised the polling day for 90 member Haryana assembly from October 1 to October 5, this year, as well as moved the counting of votes for both Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assemblies from October 4 to October 8. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a new flag and insignia for the Supreme Court to commemorate its 75th anniversary in the national capital on Sunday. President Murmu graced the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary, organised by the Supreme Court of India. She emphasised that there are many challenges before the judiciary that will require coordinated efforts by all stakeholders to be resolved, informed an official release. Addressing the gathering, the President said that since its establishment, the Supreme Court of India has made an invaluable contribution as a vigilant sentinel of the judicial system of the world's largest democracy. Indian jurisprudence has a very respectable place because of the Supreme Court. She appreciated the contribution of all present and past people associated with the Indian Judiciary. She was happy to note that on the completion of 75 years of its establishment, the Supreme Court has organised many programmes that have increased people's trust and attachment towards our judicial system. The President said that the feeling of faith and reverence towards justice has been a part of our tradition. She referred to her address on a previous occasion and reiterated that people consider every judge in the country as God. The President said that in recent years there have been significant improvements in the availability of infrastructure, facilities, training, and human resources of the judiciary at the district level, but a lot remains to be done in all these areas. She affirmed confidence that the rapid progress would continue on all dimensions of reform. The President said that pendency and backlog of cases are big challenges before the judiciary. She stressed the need to ponder the serious issue of cases remaining pending for as long as over 32 years. She emphasised that programmes such as special Lok Adalat week should be organised more frequently and said that this will help in tackling the pendency of cases. President Murmu also expressed her happiness while noting that many aspects related to case management were discussed in one of the sessions of this conference. She expressed confidence that these discussions will yield practical results. The President said that the Constitution provides for the power and responsibilities of the legislative and executive bodies at the local level through panchayats and municipalities. She asked if we could think of a justice system at the local level equivalent to these and stated that making arrangements to provide justice in the local language and local conditions can help in achieving the ideal of taking justice to everyone's doorstep, the release stated. The President said that when court decisions in a heinous crime like rape come after a generation has passed, the common man feels that the judicial process lacks sensitivity. She stated that it is a sad aspect of our social life that, in some cases, people with resources continue to roam around fearlessly and freely even after committing crimes, and those who suffer from their crimes live in fear, as if those poor people have committed some crime. The President also expressed happiness at the fact that the Supreme Court has ordered the implementation of the provision of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita with retrospective effect. Under this, there is a provision to release first-time accused and those who have served one-third of the prescribed maximum imprisonment period, on bail, the release added. She expressed confidence that by implementing the new system of criminal justice with this promptness, our judiciary will usher in a new era of justice. (ANI)
Hitting back at the Bharatiya Janata Party in Haryana ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, former Delhi deputy chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia accused the BJP of "betraying" the people of the state. "The people of Haryana had chosen BJP with great expectations but BJP has betrayed the people of Haryana and has not done any work...The people of Haryana now want change," said Sisodia. He exuded confidence that the people of Haryana will give Arvind Kejriwal a chance and the Aam Aadmi Party will form government in Haryana with full majority. "When Arvind Kejriwal got a chance in Delhi, he worked a lot. On the same lines, today the Punjab government is working. On one side of Haryana is Punjab, and on the other side is Delhi. People on both sides are watching what kind of work Arvind Kejriwal does when he gets a chance. There is strong chance that Haryana will give a chance to Arvind Kejriwal this time," said Sisodia. Meanwhile, Congress MP Manickam Tagore also exuded confidence on his party's chances and said the party will win more than 70 seats this time in the upcoming Haryana Assembly polls. "Haryana is in a very positive mood for Congress. We all expect more than 70 seats this time. We know that the momentum is on Congress' side. So, we want the process of selection of candidates as well as the combination of other things in the right way," said the MP. Earlier, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini rubbished Congress' chance in the upcoming polls and claimed the party will be unable to open its account in the Haryana assembly elections. "The Congress party will be unable to open its account in Haryana assembly elections...They do not come to provide facilities to the people but to do corruption," said the Chief Minister. The elections in Haryana will be held in a single phase on October 5 and the counting of votes will happen on October 8. The Election Commission of India on Saturday, revised the polling day for Haryana Assembly polls from October 1 to October 5 and moved the counting day of both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assemblies from October 4 to October 8. (ANI)
Coming out heavily against the Trinamool Congress-led government in West Bengal over multiple incidents of sexual assault in the state, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the imposition of the President's rule in the state. Attacking TMC over the law and order situation, Adhikari alleged the state is in the hands of "goons and rapists." "There have been 7 incidents since yesterday...They are in contact with the TMC directly...Bengal is in the hands of goons and rapists...Mamata Banerjee is the root and the architect of this. Step Down, Mamata. She should resign. She is the main disease and virus in these types of incidents," Adhikari told ANI. "Mamata Banerjee is the real reason behind this. She should step down. Mamata Banerjee's resignation and President's rule is Bengal's ground reality...We BJP MLAs are ready to combat this situation. We will expose Mamata Banerjee," he added. Earlier in the day, Union Minister and BJP State President Sukanta Majumdar also attacked CM Mamata over the alleged molestation of a nurse in Birbhum, blaming her for the failure of the administration and police system. Majumdar added that she has no "moral right" to remain in office, and it would benefit the state if she stepped down. "The administration has completely failed and the police system here has completely broken down. If anyone is responsible for all this, it is Mamata Banerjee, so she has no moral right to remain in her post. It would be good for Bengal if Mamata Banerjee leaves her post," Majumdar told ANI. Reportedly, a nurse at a government hospital in Birbhum district, West Bengal, was allegedly molested and verbally abused by a male patient. Another case regarding the alleged molestation of a minor girl in the Howrah Government Hospital also came to light on Sunday. Superintendent of Howrah Government Hospital, Narayan Chattopadhyay, informed an FIR has been registered at Howrah Police Station with the subsequent arrest of the accused. State BJP Secretary Umesh Rai said that the incident happened on Saturday night when the victim, who was already admitted to the hospital, had to undergo a CT scan. The official also said they are providing security to the victim and her family members. Notably, these cases come amid the outrage over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. Doctors have been holding protests in different states demanding justice for the victim and enhanced security laws for healthcare professionals. The incident has triggered a war of words between the BJP, with the latter demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The case has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation from the local police following an order from the Calcutta High Court. Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer, at the hospital, has been arrested in connection with the incident. (ANI)
Two women were killed and many were injured in an attack on Sunday that was reportedly carried out by the Kuki militants against Koutruk villagers, said the Manipur government. "The State Government has learnt about the unfortunate incident of the attack on unarmed Koutruk villagers using drones, bombs and many sophisticated weapons on Sunday reportedly by Kuki militants causing the death of two persons including onewoman and injuries to many," said the Manipur government in a statement. "Such act of terrorising upon the unarmed villagers is viewed very seriously by the State Government when the State Government is putting all possible efforts towards bringing normalcy and peace to the State. Such an act of creating havoc among the unarmed villagers reportedly by Kuki militants is seen as an attempt to derail the efforts taken by the State Government to establish peace in the State," stated the Manipur government condemning the attack. "The State Government has already taken immediate action to control the situation and to punish those who were involved in today's attack on Koutruk Village, Imphal West," assured the Manipur government in a statement. The Manipur Police in its statement said the role of highly trained professionals with tech expertise in the attack cannot be ruled out. "In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged Kuki militants have deployed numerous RPGs using high-tech drones. While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfareA, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the civilians marks a significant escalation. The involvement of highly trained professionals, possibly with technical expertise and support, cannot be ruled out. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and the police are prepared to respond to any contingency that may arise. Further, 01 (one) civilian identified as Ngangbam Surbala (31 yrs) succumbed to bullet injuries sustained in the attack, while her 8 years old daughter was injured on her arm. Also 02 (two) police personnel and 03 (three) civilian sustained injuries in the ongoing incident. Police appeals to the general public to maintain restraint," the Manipur Police said in a post on X. Combing operations are ongoing to flush out any inimical elements, assured Manipur police. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has issued directions to the Road Construction Department to work on war footing against the damage to the highways following heavy rains in the state. According to an official statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the repair work is going on on war footing in Vadodara-Vapi, Rajkot-Jetpur, Chiloda-Himatnagar, and other roads. "After relief-rescue operations in the state due to heavy rains, the government has been working on war footing against the damage caused to the highways and focused on making the roads passable again, the necessary directions have been given to the system for this. Chief Engineers are continuously managing these operations from Gandhinagar under the guidance of Secretaries. A review of the ongoing operations in all talukas is being done by the local collectors, in-charge ministers/secretaries with the coordination of the department," the CM said in his post onX. The length repair work is being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India in liaison with the state government, it said. The teams working at the field level have been instructed to carry out the repair work on a war footing, but the matter is being continuously managed by the Chief Engineers from Gandhinagar under the guidance of the Secretaries. "The review of the ongoing operations in all taluks is being done by the local collector, in-charge minister, and secretaries with the coordination of the department. Permanent repairs will be carried out after excavation," the statement said. The statement noted that a total of 466 teams with approximately 6,487 workers are employed for this purpose. "Immediate diversions have been made to restore traffic flow where structures have collapsed. At such places, traffic has been diverted to alternative roads, and instructions have been given to install advisory boards for the same," it stated. Additionally, field offices have been instructed to re-verify all other structures and take necessary safety measures. "In the section where the work is in progress, the officers, employees, and workers of the department have been instructed to wear jackets as part of safety and keep a warning board like 'Work is in progress' to work," it added. Earlier on Friday, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited Devbhumi Dwarka district to review relief efforts after heavy rainfall. A review meeting was held at the Dwarka Collector's office with Chief Secretary Raj Kumar, where the Chief Minister received detailed updates on the damages, evacuations, and rescue operations in the district. The Chief Minister was briefed on the damage caused by heavy rainfall in Devbhumi Dwarka district, including damage to homes, loss of livestock, and human casualties. It was reported that 8 houses and huts were damaged, 25 animal deaths, one human death, and two others were injured. Following a request from the Gujarat government, 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. The Gujarat government had requested six columns of Army assistance for urgent relief operations across several districts affected by severe flooding on Tuesday, according to a press release. Earlier, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued 95 people. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and assured him of all possible support and assistance from the Central government. (ANI)
A Special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court at Patiala House, New Delhi, has recently granted two hours of custody parole to gangster Yogesh alias Tunda to meet his ailing father. Yogesh is an accused in a case related to an organised crime syndicate under the MCOC Act as well as in the murder of Tillu Tajpuria in Tihar Jail in May 2023. Special Judge (MCOCA) Chanderjit Singh granted two hours of custody parole to Yogesh Tunda to meet his ailing father, who is hospitalised in Sonipat, Haryana. The court directed the jail authorities to take Yogesh to meet his father on September 3 between 11 am and 1 pm under police security. The Court has also directed the jail authorities to take appropriate safety/security measures while taking the accused to custody parole. The jail authorities were directed to coordinate with the local police, the court said in an order passed on August 29. Advocates Virender Mual and Deepak Kumar moved an application for Yogesh seeking 8 hours of custody parole to meet his father, who is critically ill. Counsel for the accused stated that his father had been hospitalised in Sonipat, Haryana. It further stated that the father of the accused is a senior citizen and is suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) besides other old age diseases and was admitted at the Multispeciality Hospital in Sonipat, Haryana on August 23. "He has been getting treated for acute exacerbation of COPD and is still being admitted to the hospital and he was further provided mechanical ventilation by the doctors during the treatment," the counsel submitted. It was submitted that the present accused is the only son of his father and there is no one to look after him at this need of hour. "The health of the father of the accused is deteriorating day by day not only because of his bad health but also from the fact that he has neither met the accused nor talked to him for a long time. The father of the accused has only his last wish to meet his son," the counsel added to the submission. (ANI)
Senior journalist Umesh Upadhyay, 65, tragically passed away on Sunday morning after falling from a significant height at an under-construction building in Vasant Kunj in the national capital. The incident occurred around 10:30 am while Upadhyay was inspecting the renovation work at his residence in the C-8 block of Vasant Kunj, Delhi Police said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a statement condoled the demise of Upadhyay. Taking to his social media platform X, PM Modi said, "I am deeply saddened by the demise of senior journalist and writer Umesh Upadhyay ji, who made valuable contributions in the field of digital media and television. His demise is an irreparable loss for the world of journalism. I express my condolences to his family in this hour of grief. Om Shanti!" According to the Delhi Police, Upadhyay accidentally fell from the fourth floor to the second floor, sustaining severe head injuries and other critical wounds. He was immediately rushed to the Indian Spinal Centre by 11 am, where he succumbed to his injuries despite attempts by medical staff to save him. The police received information about his admission to the hospital at 2:48 PM, following which they initiated a probe into the incident. A post-mortem examination and further investigations are currently underway, with proceedings under Section 194 BNSS being conducted. The last rites of veteran journalist Umesh Upadhyay will be performed on September 2 at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi. Upadhyay had recently penned a book titled "Western Media Narratives on India: From Gandhi to Modi". Born in 1959 in Mathura, the veteran journalist with four decades of experience in print, radio TV and digital media. The Press Club of India has condoled the veteran journalist's demise. "We are shocked and saddened at the untimely demise of veteran journalist, Umesh Upadhyay. May the almighty give his family and friends enough strength to bear the irreparable loss. He will be missed by his friends in the media fraternity," it said in a statement. Upadhyay was an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the University of Delhi. He did his Masters and M Phil at the School of International Studies, JNU, and has served as a member of the Academic Council of Delhi University. (ANI)
Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer Satish Kumar took over as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board, Ministry of Railways, on Sunday. "Satish Kumar took over the charge of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Railway Board (Ministry of Railways) today. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had earlier approved the appointment of Satish Kumar as Chairman & CEO of Railway Board," an official release stated. Satish Kumar, a distinguished officer of the 1986 batch of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), has made significant contributions to Indian Railways throughout his illustrious career, spanning over 34 years. On November 8, 2022, he took charge as the General Manager of North Central Railway, Prayagraj, marking another milestone in his journey of public service. "His educational background is as impressive as his professional achievements; he holds the degree of B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur, and has further enhanced his knowledge with a Post Graduate Diploma in Operation Management and Cyber Law from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)," the release stated. Satish Kumar's career in Indian Railways began in March 1988, and since then, he has served in various pivotal roles across different zones and divisions, bringing innovation, efficiency, and safety improvements to the railway system. His initial postings included the Jhansi Division of the erstwhile Central Railway and the Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) in Varanasi, where he honed his skills in locomotive engineering and maintenance. He later served in the North Eastern Railway, Gorakhpur, and Patiala Locomotive Works, contributing to critical projects that enhanced the operational efficiency of these divisions. "One of the notable aspects of Kumar's career is his commitment to Total Quality Management (TQM). In 1996, he underwent specialized training in TQM under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This training played a crucial role in shaping his approach to railway management, focusing on continuous improvement and adherence to the highest standards of quality," the release stated. Kumar's application of TQM principles has been evident in various projects he has undertaken, leading to significant advancements in the safety and reliability of railway operations. A significant contribution of Satish Kumar is his work on the Fog Safe Device, an innovation that has proven to be instrumental in ensuring safe train operations during foggy conditions. This device has become a critical tool for Indian Railways, significantly reducing the risks associated with reduced visibility during the winter months, particularly in the northern regions of India. His efforts in improving this technology have earned him recognition and appreciation from various quarters, the release added. From April 2017 to April 2019, Kumar served as the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Lucknow Division on Northern Railway. His tenure as DRM was marked by a series of infrastructural developments that strengthened the railway network in the region. "One of his most commendable achievements was the successful handling of the Kumbh Mela in 2019, a massive event that required meticulous planning and coordination to manage the influx of millions of pilgrims. His leadership ensured the smooth functioning of railway services during this period, earning him accolades at all levels of the organization," the release stated. Before his appointment as the General Manager of North Central Railway, Kumar served as the Senior Deputy General Manager and Chief Vigilance Officer on North Western Railway, Jaipur. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the vigilance operations, ensuring transparency, and maintaining the integrity of railway operations. In recognition of his experience and contributions to Indian Railways, Satish Kumar was recently appointed as the Member (Traction & Rolling Stock) (MTRS), a key position that oversees the critical aspects of traction and rolling stock across Indian Railways. Following this, he ascended to the highest echelon of Indian Railways as the Chairman of the Railway Board (CRB), where he now plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the railway network in India. "His vision, expertise, and leadership are expected to drive significant improvements in passenger services, safety, and infrastructure development, ensuring that Indian Railways continues to serve the nation efficiently and effectively," the release added. (ANI)
The residents of the Subhas Pally area in Siliguri took to the streets on Sunday against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last month. The residents of the city held a protest march with firetorches showcasing their anguish over rape and murder case of the trainee doctor in Kolkata. Earlier in the day, people from different communities in Kolkata held a protest march starting from College Square and marching towards the Dharmatala area of the city. Protesters were seen holding a banner that stated, "I want justice for my sisters" while marching towards Dharmatala. TMC leaders and workers also held a protest in Kolkata over the rape-murder case. They demanded the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) disclose the progress in the investigation in the case so far and also for a provision for capital punishment in the Constitution for the culprits of such crimes. On August 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the inaugural event of the 2-day National Conference of District Judiciary at Bharat Mandapam, reiterated that many strict laws have been made in the country for the safety of women. "Today, atrocities against women, safety of children... are serious concerns of society. Many strict laws have been made in the country for the safety of women, but we need to make it more active. The faster the decisions are taken in cases related to atrocities against women, the greater assurance of safety half the population will get," PM Modi said. The sexual assault of the trainee doctor has sparked massive outrage and shaken the conscience of the country. The case has been transferred to the CBI from the Kolkata police following an order from the Calcutta High Court. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, at the hospital, has been arrested in connection with the incident. The alleged murder and sexual assault of a female trainee doctor on August 9 at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has triggered a war of words between the BJP, with the latter demanding the resignation of Mamata Banerjee. The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. (ANI)
The refugees from West Pakistan have expressed happiness at getting the opportunity to vote for the first time since India gained independence Notably, this is the first assembly election in the erstwhile state following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A). Speaking to ANI, the President of the West Pakistani Refugees Association, Labha Ram Gandhi, said that it was a very happy moment for the people of the West Pakistani Refugees and expressed his gratitude toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. "It is a very happy moment for the people of the West Pakistan refugees. After 75 years of independence, we will be able to vote in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly. Earlier, we used to get kicked out and called Pakistani whenever we used to go for voting. I want to thank the Indian PM and Home Minister for the abrogation of Article 370, because of which we are getting voting rights in Jammu for the first time," Gandhi stated. "Now after that, we can also vote in the panchayat election, or else earlier we used to be called second class citizens...The day of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A is the day of our independence...Earlier, none of the government schemes weren't utilised by us apart from the ration card, but now we can utilise all the government schemes like 'Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao'," Gandhi added. Another resident of the region who will be casting their vote for the first time said they want to elect a good leader for the UT. "We want a good leader. Since 1947, we have been wronged; there is nothing in our name. Earlier, when we used to go to any office, we were told to leave, saying that we were Pakistanis. Now, after the abrogation of Article 370, we got a position in the tehsil, but still, there is no improvement," he said. "We are feeling very good...We will push for the one who will help us...This is the first time we will vote for the first time. I have never voted, and I will choose a leader who will help to get our demands fulfilled," he added. Earlier, the Election Commission of India announced the election dates for Jammu and Kashmir in three phases. The polling dates are September 18, September 25 and October 1, with counting to be held on October 8. (ANI)
The leaders and members of the Sindhi Foundation in New York organized a protest outside the Pakistani consulate demanding the return of the abducted minor Priya Kumari, the Sindhi Foundation, a Washington-based human rights body, reported on Saturday. In a statement, Sufi Munawar Laghari, the Executive Director of the Sindhi Foundation, said, "The Pakistani military and ISI must leave Sindh and Balochistan. They immediately must stop the genocide and enforced disappearances of Sindhis and Baloch. Their time is over". As per the Sindhi Foundation report, the protest in New York was organised to commemorate the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Moreover, the protest mainly focused on the disappearance of Priya Kumari, a minor Hindu girl abducted on August 19, 2021, who is reportedly still missing. The protest saw the participation of the members of the Sindhi community and Intelligentsia living in New York City. During the protest, Laghari, who has been running a global campaign for the safe return of abducted Priya Kumari and against other gross human rights violations against Sindhis, also announced the next course of action of the Sindhi Foundation for the next six months. Laghari announced that a grand exhibition of photos, paintings, posters, and poetry showcasing the years-long movement of the Sindhi Foundation would be organized in November in Washington. Speaking on occasion, Laghari also stated, "We are done with the state of Pakistan. Consul General and other officials of the Pakistani state and ISI, you convey Sindhis' message to the generals that we are Sindhi and Baloch nationalists are done with your oppression in garb of brotherhood, shariah, Pakistani nationalism. We are up against it. Sindhis and Balochs now want freedom". While addressing the rally, Zafar Javed, a Canada-based Baloch nationalist leader and intellectual and another protestor from New York said, "Pakistan is committing crimes against the human rights of Sindhis and Balochs. It is committing crimes against humanity. Yet, Pakistan is the most important ally of the United States and European Union. So the United States and the European Union must be aware of the atrocities Pakistan continues to commit on Baloch, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Hazaras and other nations." "Power elites of Punjab, majority province of Pakistan, are exploiting Sindhis by plundering Sindh's resources. Punjab is a part of grand oppression against Sindhis and other oppressed nationalities with President Zardari as their puppet," Sindhi nationalist leader Shoukat Sanjrani said while addressing the protestors. Ghulam Nabi Unar, chairman of a New York-based Sindh Academic and Cultural Council also spoke at the protest rally and warned the Pakistani state that they should not think that Priya Kumari was merely a Hindu girl abducted in Pakistan. "She is Sindhi and Sindhis know how to protect their honor and human rights," he said. On this occasion, the poet and human rights defender Hasan Mujtaba also recited his famous poem 'Song of Missing Persons'. Prominent among participants were poet and novelist Jani Abro, Ali Khaskheli, the joint secretary of the Sindhi Association of Norther America, and Ghazanfar Rajpar and Zafar Rajapr. (ANI)
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday termed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav's remark on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa as "unfortunate" and racist. He said that Yadav's remark not only insulted Sarma but also disrespected the people of Northeast India and Assam. He also demanded that Tejashwi Yadav apologize for his irresponsible remark. "This is unfortunate, ...such a racist comment... He has not only insulted Himanta Biswa Sarma ji but also disrespected the people of Northeast India and Assam. He needs to apologize for this irresponsible statement," Shekhawat told ANI. Twjashwi had referred to CM Himanta as the "Chinese version of Yogi," while attacking him over Assam Assembly's decision to end the 2-hour Jumma practice on Friday. Earlier today, RJD MP Manoj Jha defended his party leader Tejashwi Yadav's "Chinese" remark for Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Jha said that the remark was against the dog-whistle politics of the BJP. "What Tejashwi Yadav said is something that people say daily. When we say that something is "Chinese maal", it means it is not durable," Jha told ANI "He said it in the context of dog-whistle politics, the politics of polarisation. As far as the dignity of words is concerned, where do you place 'bhains', 'mangalsutra' and 'mujra'?" he added. The Assam 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. 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 society on a religious basis. (ANI)
Vice President Kamala Harris has slammed Republican presidential rival Donald Trump for his campaign at Arlington National Cemetery, saying soldiers' burial site is "not a place for politics." The former US president on Monday took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery to honour the 13 US military service members killed during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. A video of the visit posted by the Trump campaign on TikTok showed him walking through Arlington and visiting grave sites, with audio of him criticising the Biden administration's "disaster" of the Afghanistan withdrawal, CNN had reported. It was further reported that two members of Donald Trump's campaign staff had a verbal and physical altercation with an official at the cemetery Sharing a post on X on Saturday, Harris said the cemetery is not a place for politics. "As Vice President, I have had the privilege of visiting Arlington National Cemetery several times. It is a solemn place; a place where we come together to honor American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of this nation." The post further added, "It is not a place for politics. And yet, as was reported this week, Donald Trump's team chose to film a video there, resulting in an altercation with cemetery staff. Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt." Intensifying her criticism, Harris referred to Trump's history of insulting army veterans. "This is nothing new from Donald Trump. This is a man who has called our fallen service members "suckers" and "losers" and disparaged Medal of Honor recipients. A man who, during a previous visit to the cemetery, reportedly said of fallen service members, "I don't get it. What was in it for them? This is a man who is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself," Harris said. The Democratic presidential candidate emphasised that all Americans share a common belief -- to hold veterans, military families, and service members in the highest esteem. "If there is one thing on which we as Americans can all agree, it is that our veterans, military families, and service members should be honored, never disparaged, and treated with nothing less than our highest respect and gratitude. And it is my belief that someone who cannot meet this simple, sacred duty should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States of America," Harris said on X. Reiterating her stance on the soldiers, Harris said that she honours their service and sacrifice and will never politicise them. "I will always honor the service and sacrifice of all of America's fallen heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our beloved nation and our cherished freedoms. I mourn them and salute them. And I will never politicize them," the post on X read. (ANI)
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to ongoing engagement with all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including the Taliban-led interim government, TOLO News reported. The remarks by Dujarric came while he attended a press conference on Saturday. The spokesman for the UN Secretary-General also called on the interim government of Afghanistan to open up more avenues for diplomatic engagement. During the press conference, Dujarric told reporters, "In terms of the contacts with the de facto authorities, I mean, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including the Taliban. And we've always done so following our mandate and I would say impartially and in good faith, always upholding the norms of the UN, pushing the messages of human rights and equality," according to TOLO News. The spokesman further said, "And we will continue our work as mandated by the Security Council. And I think we would urge the de facto authorities to, in fact, open more avenues for diplomatic engagement." Notably, the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan had expressed deep concern on August 25 regarding the new morality law imposed by Afghanistan's de facto authorities, which imposes restrictions on personal conduct, and said that the law is a distressing vision for Afghanistan's future. Taliban authorities had announced the ratification of a Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, with 35 articles detailing restrictions on the Afghan population with arbitrary and severe enforcement mechanisms. In a statement, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had said, "UNAMA is concerned by the promulgation by Afghanistan's de facto authorities of a morality law which imposes wide-ranging and far-reaching restrictions on personal conduct and provides morality police with broad powers of enforcement." "It is a distressing vision for Afghanistan's future, where moral inspectors have discretionary powers to threaten and detain anyone based on broad and sometimes vague lists of infractions," said Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNAMA. Otunbayeva emphasized that the law imposes intolerable restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls. "It extends the already intolerable restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls, with even the sound of a female voice outside the home apparently deemed a moral violation," she said. "After decades of war and in the midst of a terrible humanitarian crisis, the Afghan people deserve much better than being threatened or jailed if they happen to be late for prayers, glance at a member of the opposite sex who is not a family member, or possess a photo of a loved one," Otunbayeva had added. (ANI)
Baloch rights activist, Mahrang Baloch shared the pictures of a woman holding the pictures of her brothers who she alleges were forcefully detained by the Pakistani forces and demanded justice for them. Mahrang Baloch demanded the release of Asif and Rasheed, the two journalists who have disappeared. In a post on X, she said, "What can be more painful for a sister than to spend the day of her enforced disappearance every year instead of celebrating her brothers' birthdays, a protest and a placard in hand that represents a year's worth of pain and suffering? The increase is done, but the brothers do not come back!" https://x.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1829935797421674671 Earlier on Saturday, 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 in front of the Quetta Press Club." 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." Earlier the Baloch Yakhjeti Committee marked Enforced Disappearance Day on August 30 saying, " On this Day of the Enforced Disappeared, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) calls upon the global community and human rights organizations to stand in solidarity with the Baloch people. Together, we must combat the crime of enforced disappearances and defend the universal rights of individuals everywhere." (ANI)
Six of the 10 PLA aircraft detected, crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

In a post shared on X today, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence wrote, "10 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels, and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today."

"6 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," it added.

So far in August, Taiwan has detected Chinese military aircraft 535 times and ships 289 times. Since September 2020, China has intensified its use of gray zone tactics by increasing the number of military aircraft and naval vessels operating near Taiwan, according to Taiwan News report.

Gray zone tactics are considered "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force," the report 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.

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.

Earlier this week, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) criticised China for violating other countries' sovereignty and disrupting regional peace, Taiwan News reported.

The Taiwan MoFA said a Chinese Shaanxi Y-9 reconnaissance plane entered into Japanese airspace east of the Danjo Islands on Monday and added that Beijing's action "seriously violated Japan's sovereignty and raised regional tensions."

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.

It said that China collaborates with Russia in carrying out frequent military exercises in the East China Sea and South China Sea to attempt to use force to change the status quo. (ANI)
Three police stations in Pakistan's Karachi allegedly "illegally detained" an Associate Professor and syndicate member at Karachi University, Dawn reported. Riaz Ahmed was released on Saturday after eight hours in response to widespread outcry and protests, the Pakistan-based daily reported on Saturday. Ahmed had talked about "external pressure" on the syndicate. https://x.com/riazahmedis/status/1829745671651606998 Ahmed's colleague, Tauseef Ahmed, told Dawn that Ahmed left his home earlier on Saturday to go to the university. But, he did not reach there and no one knew where he might be. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Vice Chairperson Qazi Khizar told Dawn that Riaz was taken to Bahadurbad police station, but was released following protests. "He was detained for eight hours," he said. As per a statement issued by Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Ahmed was kidnapped after he spoke up about the pressures he was subjected to. "Dr Riaz Ahmed of Karachi University was abducted as he had expressed his views on how the university authorities were being pressured to declare that Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri's educational record from four decades ago is questionable. Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri is one of the six judges of the Islamabad High Court who wrote a letter to the Supreme Judicial Council revealing interference in the judicial process, blackmail, harassment, & torture by Pakistan's premier intelligence agency, the ISI, in cases related to Imran Khan & PTI." https://x.com/PTIofficial/status/1829930815792222391 The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the detention of Riaz. In a statement, the HRCP said, "HRCP is deeply concerned by reports that Karachi University academic and political activist Dr Riaz Ahmed was earlier taken into custody and then reportedly disappeared forcibly by unidentified persons. Strangely, he was brought back to the police station after the police denied that they had detained him. This is the second time Dr Ahmad has been disappeared. In this case, no FIR was lodged against him, begging the question as to why he was detained at all. The use of such tactics must cease." https://x.com/HRCP87/status/1829933890800439411 Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Karachi University Teachers' Association, Asad Tanoli announced that the teachers' body would boycott all the classes on Monday and expressed concerns over the "mysterious disappearance" of the professor. (ANI)
In a corruption case, Bukhari's repeated absence from hearings led to the accountability court designating him as a proclaimed offender.

In order to guarantee Bukhari's appearance in court, the NAB asked the judge to order the confiscation of his assets in the new plea.

Zulfi Bukhari reportedly owns 30 plots in Sector 16 of Islamabad, four pots in Sector 15, and 1,300 kanals of land in Attock Reason for Request, according to the NAB.

The court will now, review NAB's request and make a decision on freezing Bukhari's assets in the coming days.

Earlier, the Ministry of Interior on Wednesday gave its approval for the issuance of a red warrant against PTI leader Bukhari. The red warrant is an international notice sent to the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) seeking the arrest and extradition of an individual, ARY News reported.

The interior ministry instructed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in writing to get in touch with the French branch of the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) in order to get a red warrant for Zulfi Bukhari.

The red warrant was approved in connection with an attack on the Judicial Complex in Islamabad during the PTI Chairman's court appearance in the Toshakhana case (ANI)
US President Joe Biden said he was "devastated and outraged" over the recovery of six bodies of hostages, including that of an Israeli-American from the Gaza Strip. Terming the development as "tragic" and "reprehensible" Biden on August 31 unequivocally warned that "Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes" while vowing to keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of remaining hostages held by the Palestine group. The US President said Israeli forces had on Saturday recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas in a tunnel under the city of Rafah. "We have now confirmed that one of the hostages killed by these vicious Hamas terrorists was an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Biden said in a statement released by the White House. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) Spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, was cited by Times of Israel as saying that the six hostages recovered from southern Gaza's Rafah were "brutally murdered" by Hamas shortly before IDF troops arrived. Talking to reporters after leaving a church in Delaware, Biden said, "It's time this war ended." "We should end this war." Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement that Hamas "must be eliminated" and cannot be allowed to control Gaza. Harris extended her condolences to 23-year-old American citizen Goldberg-Polin's parents Jon and Rachel, and declared, "I have no higher priority than the safety of American citizens, wherever they are in the world. President Biden and I will never waver in our commitment to free the Americans and all those held hostage in Gaza." "Hamas is an evil terrorist organisation. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas' continued brutality, and so must the entire world. From its massacre of 1,200 people to sexual violence, taking of hostages, and these murders, Hamas' depravity is evident and horrifying," she said in a White House statement. Goldberg Polin was held hostage while he was trying to escape terrorists who infiltrated the Nova music festival and lost his hand in a grenade blast in the October 7 attacks. Israel President Isaac Herzog said in a statement that the "heart of an entire nation is crushed into pieces". He said the killing of the hostages "proves Hamas's readiness to carry out crimes against humanity." He added the country's "sacred goal" was to bring them home. Following Hamas attacks on October 7, Israel launched a war against the Palestinian group, in which more than 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities as per reports. (ANI)
Amid political turmoil, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has said that an across-the-board dialogue should be created, which would involve all major political parties, including Imran Khan-founded Tehreek-e-Insaf, according to ARY News. He said that the dialogue should also involve the state institutions to steer Pakistan out of crises. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attempted to woo their former ally, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), who had declared a solo flight against the government earlier this month, when they proposed to bring everyone on board. The top brass of the PML-N met at the Model Town headquarters on Saturday to discuss a wide range of topics, such as the recent relief provided to electricity users, the reforms being implemented by local authorities in Punjab, and the restructuring of the ruling party in Punjab, according to ARY News. The rival PTI, which is being targeted by the authorities in the wake of the May 9 riots, was the subject of discussion during the conference as well. Following the meeting, PML-N issued a statement, which quoted Nawaz Sharif as saying, "All political parties, governments, and institutions should join hands in decision-making. [They]...need to sit together to steer the country out of crises." The PML-N supremo's statement came amid reports that PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah has been tasked to approach Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai. Achakzai notably heads the PTI-dominated opposition alliance for constitutional supremacy for talks. He is the leader of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party is the head of the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain, comprising PTI, the SIC, the MWM, and the BNP-M. Imran Khan's party later proposed to include all opposition parties in this alliance. Meanwhile, Sanaullah clarified, saying, "I met Achakzai sahib as he is a veteran politician who stood with the PML-N leadership during testing times." "I relayed to him Nawaz Sharif's regard for him and asked him to get along with the PML-N," Sanaullah told Dawn. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif expressed his reservations against holding talks with Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan-based daily, The Express Tribune reported. Speaking at a party meeting in Lahore on Saturday, Asif said, "I am not in favour of talks with PTI." Asif added that he was not involved in any teams which are in talks with PTI through Mahmood Khan Achakzai. Earlier on August 25, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif asserted that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) decided to postpone its scheduled rally in Islamabad on August 22 due to concerns about a possible lack of public support. Notably, the PTI's decision to postpone its August 22 gathering in Tarnol at the last minute caused controversy within the party, with some leaders alleging that party founder Imran Khan, currently imprisoned in Adiala jail, was not consulted before the postponement. (ANI)
The Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), a Baloch organisation advocating for Baloch independence from Pakistan, staged a protest outside the British Prime Minister's official residence in London to raise awareness about enforced disappearances in Balochistan, a media outlet Balochwarna reported. According to the report in Saturday, protesters carried banners, placards, and pictures of the disappeared, chanting slogans against severe human rights violations in Pakistan. Balochwarna news report quoted Ibra Taj Baloch as saying, "August 30, is International Day of the Disappeared, and this day is dedicated to standing up and speaking out against this injustice." She mentioned that her father, Mir Taj Mohammad Sarparah, was abducted by the ISI on July 19, 2020, and even after four years, he is still in their custody. The gathering was also addressed by Shahvazar Baloch, Vice President of the FBM who stated, "The protest is being held today against the enforced disappearances in Balochistan because thousands of Baloch have been abducted in Pakistan and Iran, leading to severe hardships for their families." British activist Heather Joans, who participated in the protest, told Balochwarna news, "I am an ordinary citizen, and I am here today to express solidarity with the Baloch against the heinous crime of enforced disappearances. It saddened me deeply to learn that there is hardly a single household in Balochistan that hasn't been affected by abduction." He also urged that the British government take a strong position against the Pakistani authorities, making it clear that the genocide of the Baloch people is unacceptable and must be halted immediately. Alongside members of the Free Balochistan Movement, a considerable group of Baloch residents living in the UK and British human rights activists took part in the protest. The day saw a similar protest in Amsterdam, focusing enforced disappearances by the Pakistani Security forces. The demonstration also saw participation from members of the Baloch community and Pashtun human rights activist Zar Ali Khan Afridi. Latif Baloch, a participant in the protest, called on international organisations to address ongoing human rights abuses in Balochistan, highlighting daily mental and physical torture inflicted by Pakistani forces is unacceptable and unbearable. The report also stated that Obaidullah Baloch, a member of the Free Balochistan Movement's Executive Council, pointed to the occupation by Pakistan and Iran as the primary source of human rights abuses. He criticized Pakistan for exploiting Balochistan's resources while infringing on the rights of its people. Pashtun activist Zar Ali Khan Afridi linked the genocide of Baloch and Pashtun communities to Pakistani military operations, emphasizing the urgent need for international intervention to address and end these injustices. The Free Balochistan Movement called on international organisations to hold Pakistan and Iran accountable and to take immediate steps to protect the fundamental rights to freedom and sovereignty. (ANI)
The syndicate of the University of Karachi on Sunday cancelled the degree of a High Court Judge at the Unfair Means Committee's recommendation, Dawn reported, quoting its university sources. The announcement came after the alleged "illegal detention" of a syndicate member Raiz Ahmed by three police stations on Saturday, Dawn reported. Ahmed said that he objected to an agenda which involved Islamabad High Court judge Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri's degree which was issued 40 years ago, Dawn reported. After Ahmed was allegedly kidnapped on Saturday- probably to prevent him from attending the meeting- the meeting went ahead without him and the syndicate decided to cancel the judge's degree, reported Dawn. A statement by Karachi University, without naming anyone, said, "The members also approved the recommendations of the KU UFM [unfair means] Committee which has proposed cancellation of the degree and enrolment cards of the candidate(s) who were found in unethical and immoral acts." The fracas started after an application sought information on Jahangiri's LLB degree under Sindh Transparency Right to Information Act, 2016. The application stated that candidate Jahangiri obtained his LLB degree in 1991 under enrolment number 5968. But, one Imtiaz Ahmed enrolled in 1987 bore the same enrolment number as Jahangiri, while while the transcript for LLB Part I was issued under the name of Jahangiri. Jahangiri enrolled for LLB Part I under enrolment number 7124. The university deemed the degree invalid, claiming that they issue only one enrolment number per degree programme, making it impossible for a candidate to have multiple enrolment numbers, Dawn reported. Jahangiri had earlier complained to the Supreme Judicial Council about the Chief Justice and said that the Inter-Services Intelligence interfered in judicial affairs. He also said that spy cameras were detected in the bedroom and entrance of a judge's house and the matter was reported to Chief Justice but no action was taken in response, Dawn stated. (ANI)
Even though Cyclone 'Asna' has mostly left Sindh behind, Balochistan may still have thundershowers with heavy rainfall along its coastal districts until Sunday night, according to a senior official at the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Dawn reported. "The cyclone is moving away from both Sindh and Balochistan, though the latter's coastal parts are likely to experience rain-thundershowers with a few heavy falls till Asna dissipates at sea on Sunday before reaching Oman," Chief Meteorologist Dr Sardar Sarfaraz told Dawn. This is the same system that began to dump a lot of rain over Balochistan on August 26 and eventually developed into a cyclone. "At that time, it prevailed over east Rajasthan, India, in the form of a low pressure area, sending strong monsoon currents over Balochistan, where the conditions became critical due to flash floods and poor infrastructure," Sarfaraz said. He stated that it is currently too early to comment on this particular weather system because weather systems go through several phases of intensity before becoming cyclones, in reference to media claims that another low-pressure system is forming over the Bay of Bengal, Dawn reported, citing PMD. Cyclonic storm Asna is located approximately 370 kilometres away in the central Arabian Sea and is still moving westward, according to a PMD advisory issued on Saturday night. According to a PMD advisory released on Saturday night, cyclonic storm Asna over the Central Arabian Sea continued to move further westward and lies at a distance of about 370km southwest of Karachi, 250km southwest of Ormara and 260km southeast of Gwadar, reported Dawn. It is important to note that flash floods and heavy monsoon rains continued to wreak havoc in Balochistan on Saturday, destroying a large portion of the province's road infrastructure and forcing hundreds of families to flee as countless houses collapsed. Following immense destruction of the Quetta-Chaman route, Afghan transit trade has been suspended until things return to normalcy. Citing officials, Dawn reported that at least 13 people were swept away in flash floods that hit Loralai, Qila Saifullah, Duki, Harnai, and Jhal Magsi areas of Balochistan. In Loralai, seven family members were trapped in floodwater, but rescue workers and Levies personnel rescued them after a five-hour effort. PDMA officials said Bolan, Nari Gaj, Lehri, and Mola rivers, as well as other seasonal streams, were carrying heavy floodwater. (ANI)
Dubai [UAE], September 1 (ANI/WAM): The COP29 Presidency will officially launch a flagship initiative, the Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform (BTP), during the High-Level Dialogue (HLD) on September. HLD aims to sustain momentum for increased transparency action in the lead-up to COP29. This High-Level Dialogue will focus on building confidence among Parties, raising political awareness about the importance of universal participation in the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. The main objective of the BTP is to enhance confidence and support Parties in preparing and finalising their BTRs, as well as implementing the ETF beyond 2024, in particular, supporting the capacity-building efforts of developing country Parties along the way. The BTP will complement existing transparency platforms, including the #Together4Transparency initiative, aligning with and enhancing the existing transparency ecosystem. '' Our goal is to unite stakeholders committed to support developing country Parties in the preparation and submission of BTRs, promote collaboration and knowledge exchange amongst all Parties on the full spectrum of the ETF, and better mobilise capacity-building resources where they are needed. By doing so, we can help to ensure the effective implementation of the ETF and the success of the Paris Agreement,'' said Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President-Designate and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Republic of Azerbaijan, in a letter to Parties and Constituencies on Transparency. ''We are also keen to better understand how the BTP can support and meet the needs of Parties most effectively. I cordially invite you to participate in the HLD, share your feedback and contribute to further development cycles of the BTP as we mark this pivotal step towards enhancing global climate transparency together. I also encourage you to participate in our online survey by 30th September, so the COP29 Presidency can better understand the progress made on BTRs and how we can best support you.'' The COP29 Presidency encourages all Parties to involve civil society, Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and other key stakeholders in the transparency process. ''It is only by working in an inclusive manner that we can strengthen the trust and accountability required to raise our mutual ambition on climate action, achieve our collective climate goals and create a sustainable future for all,'' he added. (ANI/WAM)
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed concerns over the apprehension of Karachi University academician and political activist Riaz Ahmed. Reportedly, Ahmed was taken into custody by the police, and his location remained unknown for a short duration. In a post on X, the HRCP stated, "HRCP is deeply concerned by reports that Karachi University academic and political activist Dr Riaz Ahmed, was earlier taken into custody and then reportedly disappeared forcibly by unidentified persons. Strangely, he was brought back to the police station after the police denied that they had detained him." "This is the second time Dr Ahmad has disappeared. In this case, no FIR was lodged against him, begging the question as to why he was detained at all. The use of such tactics must cease," it added. https://x.com/hrcp87/status/1829933890800439411?s=46&t=nbusnwoIYo9hUrDuoWfhwQ Previously, the HRCP had also raised concerns over the human rights abuse and political dysfunction rampant in Balochistan. In its annual report released this month, the human rights group called upon the Pakistani administration over the alarming situation in Balochistan. A press statement by the HRCP on the release of the report emphasised that in recent years, the practice of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings remained a "particularly serious concern" in the province, with impunity for the perpetrators and indifference on the part of the government. In November 2023, young Baloch rights activists mobilized around the extrajudicial killing of a Baloch youth and marched from Turbat to Islamabad. They were subjected to harassment, and their right to freedom of peaceful assembly was continually violated in the form of violent police action. In Gwadar, the 'Haq Do Tehreek' continued to demand action against state-led rights violations, including enforced disappearances and hyper-securitization. The statement further added that freedom of expression remained curtailed, with journalists reluctant to speak out about press restrictions due to fears of retaliation from various actors, including security forces, separatist groups, and tribal leaders. HRCP highlighted that Balochistan continued to witness a high number of mining accidents: at least 36 mine workers were killed and 40 injured in the province in 2023. In a positive development, however, the Balochistan government decided to give the province's fisherfolk community the status of labour. (ANI)
Baloch rights activist Mahrang Baloch on Sunday, urged human rights organisations to take notice of the enforced disappearance of Baloch poet, Nadeem Bewas. She claimed that Bewas was forcibly disappeared from Nasirabad, Balochistan, on August 26, 2024 "Nadeem Bewas, a Baloch poet, was forcibly disappeared from Nasirabad, Balochistan on August 26, 2024. His family still has no information about his whereabouts. Human rights organisations must take notice of his illegal abduction. #EndEnforcedDisappearances," Mahrang said in the post. https://x.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1830174225971163468 Earlier in the day, Mahrang Baloch shared the pictures of a woman holding the pictures of her brothers whom she alleges were forcefully detained by the Pakistani forces and demanded justice. Mahrang Baloch also demanded the release of Asif and Rasheed, the two journalists who were forsibly disappeared. On August 29, in a post on X, Mahrang Baloch, expressed deep concerns about the mutilated bodies of enforced disappearance victims recovered from various areas of Balochistan and termed it "deeply alarming." She also alleged that the Pakistani state forcibly disappears people, holds them for years and then kills them or throws their mutilated bodies. Earlier this week, Mahrang Baloch, who is also the organiser of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, appreciated the UN's stand on the forced disappearances of Baloch members. "Finally, the UN takes a stand for the disappeared in Pakistan. Urging Pakistan to ratify the Convention against Enforced Disappearances. The UN's call for Pakistan to address enforced disappearances is a crucial step towards justice. We, the people of Balochistan, have waited too long for the world to see our plight. We are looking forward to more adequate pressure to meet the magnitude of the issue," she stated. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issued its findings on Pakistan, and called on the nation to take the necessary measures to investigate and prosecute reports of enforced disappearances, reported The Balochistan Post. The committee called on Islamabad to investigate and prosecute reports of enforced disappearances involving politicians, public officials, human rights campaigners, and leaders of ethnic and ethnoreligious groups, the report added. In Balochistan, the enforced disappearances of innocent Baloch individuals are a major issue in the area. Several Baloch activists, leaders, and Human rights groups have criticized that these disappearances are a collective punishment. They claim that such action not only affects the person but also causes significant distress to their families. (ANI)
A group of academicians and intellectuals in the United Kingdom have urged universities to be more open about donation sources after a report revealed that a Hong Kong-based donor has been funding a prominent China studies institute run under King's College at London, Nikkei Asia reported. Reportedly, the non-profit research organization UK-China Transparency, focusing on ties between the countries, in July released a report unearthing that 99.9 per cent of the donations totalling more than 10 million pounds or USD 13.2 million at the King's Lau China Institute at the King's College were donated by Lau Ming-wai, son of Hong Kong tycoon Joseph Lau and chair of property investor Chinese Estates Holdings. This Hong Kong-listed company was once a major shareholder in Evergrande, a major business entity in China involved in real estate. King's College, however, has refused to respond to Freedom of Information requests raised by UK-China Transparency seeking information about the donations received by Britain's largest China research centre. Notably, UK law permits anyone to seek information held by public bodies in the country, the Nikkei Asia report claimed. Academicians from the UK have criticized the decision of King's College, which had been ranked 6th in the UK and 38th in the world by Times Higher Education recently. Andrew Chubb, a senior lecturer in Chinese politics and international relations at Lancaster University in the UK, said, "King's decision was corrosive as far as trust in the institutional code". Sam Dunning, the director of UK-China Transparency, expressed his concerns on the matter, stating, "The point is the public should know. It's in the public interest for King's to be transparent about whether there was any influence by the donor over the institute's remit". Meanwhile, King's College in a statement claimed that its global institutes "operate completely independently from donors, who do not influence the focus of any research undertaken by the institutes," as reported by Nikkei Asia. Notably, Beijing has been internationally accused of committing human rights abuses against Uyghurs in East Turkistan, a southwestern region of China. Additionally, the US government has also accused the Chinese government of genocide. One of the factors Dunning mentioned about China's influence on academic work, is the UK's reliance on international students to fund British universities. According to Nikkei Asia, around 40 per cent of such international students were in deficit this year. Currently, Chinese students make up the biggest proportion of overseas students in UK universities. A local student pays just a mere 9,250 pounds per year as tuition fees, instead, an international student sometimes pays around 38,000 pounds for education in the country. "Many of our universities would face going bust in a matter of years without Chinese student fees. That is a systematic incentive for them (universities) not to promote Chinese studies academics who are going to upset Beijing," said Dunning. Additionally, over 120 academics, politicians, and campaigners had also signed an open letter in April coordinated by media platform openDemocracy, which expressed concerns over opaque university funding in the UK and the influence of major donors, according to Nikkei Asia. Previously, a study published by openDemocracy found that since 2017, over 281 million pounds have been anonymously donated to top British universities. The University of Oxford accepted 106 million pounds as donations by these anonymous donors. "There's no requirement to disclose names when challenged. It's an entirely non-transparent situation in the UK," explained John Heathershaw, professor of international relations at the University of Exeter. (ANI)
The United Nations, the European Union, and the Central Tibetan Administration, in a joint statement, expressed their concerns over the ongoing enforced disappearances orchestrated by China in the Tibetan region. The organizations strongly condemned the continued rampant cases of enforced disappearances of Tibetans in the region by the Chinese government's practice of torture and ill-treatment of Tibetans while in custody. The statement claimed that each year, the Chinese authorities arbitrarily arrest several Tibetans and subject them to enforced disappearances, including religious and community leaders, writers and musicians, and human rights and environmental activists, mainly for their expression of Tibetan national identity and opposing repressive policies. And in most of these cases, they often result in prison sentences based on trumped-up charges, whereas many who have been imprisoned continue to be unseen and unheard of. "The systematic practice of enforced disappearances at any time under any circumstances is a crime against humanity. The first Article of the UN Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance stipulates any act of enforced disappearance constitutes a violation of the rules of international law guaranteeing, the right to recognition as a person before the law, the right to liberty and security of the person, and the right not to be subjected to torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment," the statement read. The statement further mentioned that China, despite being a member of the UN, has consistently demonstrated a complete disrespect for international human rights law, systematically disregarding global standards in its treatment of Tibetans and people of other nationalities under its oppression. As per the statement, among the most prominent enforced disappearance cases is the abduction of Tibet's 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, one of the highest Tibetan Buddhist leaders. At just six years of age, the Chinese administration abducted the 11th Panchen Lama, along with his family and Chadrel Rinpoche in 1995. Despite repeated expressions of concern over the matter and intervention by various UN bodies to date, China has still withheld credible information about his whereabouts or well-being for the last 29 years, making him one of the world's longest-serving political prisoners, it added. The joint statement also claimed that just this year, several Tibetans have "disappeared" after Chinese authorities arbitrarily detained them for various reasons, from staging peaceful protests to publishing books. These cases include the enforced disappearances of Phuntsok, Pema, Samten, Zomkyi, Tamdin, and Lobsang Thabkhey, whose fates continue to remain unknown. One prominent case in recent years is Gendun Lhundup's arbitrary arrest in 2020. Even after more than three years since his arbitrary arrest, his whereabouts and well-being remain unknown to his family, the statement claimed. Enforced disappearance has an impact on the victim, but its paralyzing effects on the family members, who are left uninformed of the fate of their loved ones for extended periods, are horrid. Recently, news from Tibet reported the tragic death of Phude, a 53-year-old Tibetan mother of writer Tenzin Khenrab. Her 29-year-old son was arrested in 2023 for keeping a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his phone, along with several e-books. Despite her repeated attempts, the Chinese police refused to disclose any information about her son's whereabouts. After suffering from depression from worrying about her son's well-being for over a year, the mother Phude passed away earlier this year on 17 February, the statement added. The human rights organisations urged international governments and organizations, including the United Nations, human rights organizations, rights activists, and supporters around the world, to continue to press China to disclose information about the Tibetans arbitrarily arrested and disappeared, including the 11th Panchen Lama case. Enforced disappearance constitutes a grave violation of international human rights standards, and China is obligated to ensure that enforced disappearances are thoroughly investigated and that it provides integral reparations for those who have been subjected to this inhuman and illegal act by international standards, it added. (ANI)
Shukur Samsak, the interior minister of East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE), has urged the Scandinavian nations to urgently recognise and take decisive action over the genocide inflicted by China in the East Turkistan region He further claimed that these actions by Beijing have been severely affecting the Uyghur and Turkic populations of the region. In a post on X, Samsak said, "The failure of Scandinavian nations to confront China's ongoing genocide against Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples, and its occupation of East Turkistan, marks an unprecedented lapse in global ethical leadership and strategic foresight. This deliberate silence, despite overwhelming evidence and widespread international condemnation, signifies a monumental deviation from the core values of human rights and moral integrity that these nations have historically championed." https://x.com/Shukur_Samsak/status/1829952766921297975 He further mentioned that such inaction is not a mere diplomatic shortcoming on the part of the Scandinavian nations but instead is a "profound ethical betrayal" tacitly endorsing the systematic violence and oppression that millions of East Turkistan residents have to endure daily. "By not formally acknowledging and condemning these grave injustices, Scandinavian countries not only undermine their legacy as vanguards of human dignity but also embolden continued impunity," he stated. Samsak urged these nations to transcend conventional diplomacy and embrace an unprecedented level of moral and strategic boldness. "This includes a formal and unequivocal recognition of China's ongoing genocide against Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples, as well as its occupation of East Turkistan. They must spearhead a groundbreaking international coalition, impose stringent sanctions against Chinese officials, and provide robust support for the East Turkistani struggle for #independence," he stated. Samsak added, "Such decisive actions will not only challenge the status quo but will also reassert Scandinavian leadership on the global stage. By aligning their foreign policy with the highest standards of justice and human dignity, these nations have the opportunity to set a transformative precedent for global ethical responsibility. This is not merely a call to action but a profound redefinition of what it means to lead in the defence of human rights and international justice, reshaping the global order and affirming a commitment to universal values that transcend national interests." (ANI)
Last month, the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan announced that a new law on the "Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice," will be in force in the country. Issued on August 21 by Afghanistan's Ministry for Promoting Virtue and Preventing Vice, which the Taliban re-established when it retook power in August 2021, the new law orders women to cover their bodies and faces entirely and not speak or sing loud enough for non-family members to hear them. After severe criticism by the United Nations, the Taliban ministry of Vice and Virtue has urged the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) not to "compare Afghanistan with Western theories and non-Islamic societies," TOLO News reported. Further, the ministry said that it will no longer cooperate with UNAMA due to what it describes as "misleading propaganda" by the organization. Following this, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, stated at a press conference that the United Nations will continue to engage with all groups and countries involved in Afghanistan, including the interim government, according to the TOLO News report. "In terms of the contacts with the de facto authorities, I mean, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including the Taliban," Dujarric told reporters on Saturday. Hamidullah Fetrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, also stated that engagement is the solution to challenges and that countries and organizations should engage with the Islamic Emirate. The Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate told TOLOnews: "Engagement is the only way that plays an important role in resolving challenges and expanding relations. Countries and international organizations should engage positively with the Islamic Emirate." The document of the law published in the official gazette imposes its interpretation of the Islamic Sharia law. Women's voices, it says, are now considered as 'awrah', or intimate parts, and may only be experienced in cases of necessity. The orders related to hijab are described, and it is said that it is essential to cover the whole body of the woman and it is necessary to cover the face due to the fear of temptation. In addition, the law states, the ombudsmen are responsible to prevent the drivers from playing music, using drugs, transporting women without hijab, providing a place for women to sit and mingle with men who are not mahrams, and from being wise and mature. "It is haram for unrelated men to look at the bodies or faces of unrelated women, and it is haram for unrelated women to look at unrelated men," the law ratified by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada states. Punishment for these "crimes" will be carried out by the Taliban's Muhtaseebs or morality police who have the authority to detain individuals for up to three days. Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani has said the newly-adopted law "by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan cements policies that completely erase women's presence in public-silencing their voices and depriving them of their individual autonomy. The UN spokesperson addressing a press conference in the last week of August said the law effectively attempts to render women into "faceless, voiceless shadows." She said that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for "this egregious law to be immediately repealed." "The long list of repressive provisions that this law imposes on women reinforces a number of existing restrictions that violate their fundamental human rights, including their freedom of movement, their freedom of expression, and their right to live free from discrimination." "The law includes the requirement to wear clothes that completely cover their bodies from head to toe, including their faces; a ban for transport providers on transporting women unless they are accompanied by a male relative; and the prohibition on women's voices being heard in public," Shamdasani said. She said that "disempowering and rendering invisible and voiceless" half the population of Afghanistan will only worsen the human rights and humanitarian crisis in the country. "Rather, this is a time to bring together all the people of Afghanistan, irrespective of their gender, religion, or ethnicity, to help resolve the many challenges the country faces," the UN spokesperson said. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs of the UN, Rosemary di Carlo, said that the "morality law" recently promulgated by the de facto authorities further restricts human rights and freedoms, particularly of women. She added that this is unconscionable, and if maintained, the law can only impede Afghanistan's return to the international fold. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated that it is concerned by the promulgation of the "morality law." UNAMA has said that it is studying the newly ratified law and its implications for the Afghan people, as well as its potential impact on the United Nations and other vital humanitarian assistance for the country, and is seeking clarification from the de facto authorities on a number of articles and on plans for enforcement. UNAMA reiterated that Afghanistan as a state remains party to seven key international human rights instruments, and as mandated by the UN Security Council, it continues to monitor, report, and engage on human rights and women's rights issues, and has maintained direct discussions with the de facto authorities. In a statement, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Rosa Otunbayeva, said that the "morality law" extends the already intolerable restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls, with even the sound of a female voice outside the home apparently deemed a moral violation. Otunbayeva is expected to brief the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan on September 18. (ANI)
Baloch rights activist Mahrang Baloch asserted on Sunday, that negotiations and peace talks with Pakistan can only happen when the state abolishes the policy of 'enforced disappearances.' She had participated in a protest rally organised by the family of two Baloch journalists who allegedly disappeared, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee stated in a post. Speaking at the rally, Mahrang Baloch stressed the need to abolish the policy of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of oppressed people. The protest rally also witnessed the participation of the families of other forcibly disappeared Baloch individuals, as per the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. "Mahrang Baloch addressed the protest rally organized by the family members of the forcibly disappeared Asif and Rasheed Baloch on the sixth anniversary of their disappearance. Families of other forcibly disappeared Baloch individuals also participated," the Baloch Yakjehti Committee stated in the post. https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1830197740820971681 The rights activist categorically highlighted the worsening human rights catastrophe unfolding in Balochistan, where state authorities do not even allow Baloch people to peacefully protest the disappearances and extrajudicial killings of their loved ones. "She stated that negotiations and peace talks will only be possible when the state immediately abolishes the policy of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of oppressed peoples. Until then, claims of peacebuilding are merely a deception and a justification for more violence and bloodshed," the post added. Earlier, Mahrang Baloch shared the pictures of a woman holding the pictures of her brothers, whom she alleges were forcefully detained by the Pakistani forces and demanded justice. Mahrang Baloch also demanded the release of Asif and Rasheed, the two journalists who were forcibly disappeared. In a separate post on X, Mahrang Baloch earlier urged human rights organisations to take notice of the enforced disappearance of Baloch poet Nadeem Bewas. She claimed that Bewas was forcibly disappeared from Nasirabad, Balochistan, on August 26, 2024. The Baloch rights activist earlier this week appreciated the UN's stand on the forced disappearances of Baloch members. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issued its findings on Pakistan and called on the nation to take the necessary measures to investigate and prosecute reports of enforced disappearances, reported The Balochistan Post. The committee called on Islamabad to investigate and prosecute reports of enforced disappearances involving politicians, public officials, human rights campaigners, and leaders of ethnic and ethnoreligious groups, the report added. In Balochistan, the enforced disappearances of innocent Baloch individuals are a major issue in the area. Several Baloch activists, leaders, and human rights groups have criticized that these disappearances are a collective punishment. They claim that such action not only affects the person but also causes significant distress to their families. (ANI)
The US Embassy in India held an event at Wellham Girls' School in Dehradun, to present higher education opportunities for the students in the United States, and explain about the visa application process. Several US Education counselors and Visa Officers participated in the event by Education USA. Visa Officer at US Embassy, Pavan Rajgopal, said they want to encourage more Indian students to study in the United States. Speaking to ANI, Rajgopal said, "We really want to encourage Indian students to study in the United States. Last year, we approved 140,000 student visas for Indian students. That's the most we've ever done here. It's more than any other country in the world. And we think that the number of Indian students who will study for their undergraduate studies in particular in the US is only going to grow" "So we want to provide good information to the students so they can pick the school that is appropriate for their academic interests," he added. He further said that the embassy has received a very good response, adding that the US will provide great professional experience to these students. "We've gotten a great response. I think the US offers a very flexible course curriculum. There are many different kinds of universities, over 4,500 actually, that offer slots to international students. And I think that the students here have really appreciated the opportunity to study in a place that will give them professional experience and the development that they'll need to succeed in today's challenging job market," the Visa Officer said. Aastha Virk Singh, senior advisor at EducationUSA, said that the officials are providing all information about programs, scholarships and preparation for applying at US universities. She added that there are over 4000 colleges and universities accredited in the US. "EducationUSA is a US government program that helps students apply for US universities. So today we are standing in the Wellham Girls School. Today, we have a session with the students. We are going to talk to them about how to apply to US universities. Which programs are available? How do we apply for scholarships? What are the components in the application process? What do we have to prepare for? And today we have the officers of the US embassy with us from the visa section. Who will tell the students about student visas," Singh told ANI. "US universities have more than 4000 colleges and universities are accredited. That is why we are here in Dehradun for 3-4 days to meet the students, to explain them, to give them information about what is available in US universities and how they can get those opportunities. The response is very good," she added. (ANI)
It should not be a surprise that the entire Mississippi Election Commission, made up of Gov. Tate Reeves, Attorney General Lynn Fitch and Secretary of State Michael Watson, have joined a lawsuit trying to stop federal agencies from working to improve access to voting.

After all, Mississippi politicians have a decades-long history of opposing federal efforts to improve voter access in Mississippi.

Most of the Jim Crow provisions of the states notorious 1890 Constitution designed to deny Black Mississippians access to the ballot were not struck down by Mississippi politicians, but by federal courts and the U.S. Congress.

In the modern era, Mississippi is one of only three states without some form of no-excuse early voting and one of seven that does not allow online voter registration. And to vote by mail with an excuse, a Mississippian must get two separate documents notarized.

In the 1990s, Mississippi was the last state to conform to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, known as motor voter, and did so with some Mississippi politicians kicking and screaming.

The motor voter act required states to allow eligible citizens to register to vote at drivers license bureaus and some other locations where public assistance was offered.

For a period after the act was passed by the U.S. government, local election officials in Mississippi were forced to maintain two voter rolls  one for state elections where people who registered under motor voter could not vote, and another for federal elections where motor voter registrants could participate.

County circuit clerks and election commissioners who oversaw the elections said maintaining the two voter registration lists was a nightmare. Many of them urged the Legislature to change state law to conform to motor voter.

Then-Gov. Kirk Fordice opposed the change. He complained the law should have been named welfare voter instead of motor voter. He said allowing Mississippians to register to vote under motor voter could open the floodgates allowing, gasp, just about anyone to vote.

A majority of the legislators supported changing the law, but for a period the change was blocked by Fordice and the chair of the House Elections Committee.

Fordice said with no evidence that legislators who supported motor voter had won election through fraud.

Finally, the U.S. Department of Justice ordered Mississippi to adopt motor voter. The Legislature passed it, but Fordice vetoed it, saying he would not approve it unless it included a voter identification provision.

The Senate could not garner the two-thirds majority to override Fordices veto.

Finally in 2000 under Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, motor voter was approved.

This year Mississippi election commissioners  Reeves, Watson and Fitch  are arguing the Joe Biden administration has exceeded its constitutional authority by instructing federal agencies to develop strategies to improve voter participation and work with states to make voter registration easier in some locations, like military recruitment offices.

We fully support encouraging voter registration and promoting an engaged electorate, Fitch said in a news release. But putting the full weight of the Oval Office behind an effort first developed by partisan activist groups and then hiding the agency activities from public scrutiny goes too far. The law does not allow it. Mississippi will not stand for it.

But Lisa Danetz, an adviser for the Brennan Center for Justice, a national nonprofit which promotes voter access, said the Biden executive order is not nefarious. She said it directs federal agencies to provide access to voter registration application opportunities and reliable voting information when eligible citizens are already interacting with the federal government. The order also aims to improve access in other ways, such as by requiring the government to examine obstacles to voting for people with disabilities.

Mississippi has been accused before of making it difficult for people with disabilities to vote. In 2023 a federal judge threw out a portion of a Mississippi law saying it could curtail the ability of Mississippians with disabilities to vote.

Yet again, Mississippi politicians are carrying on a long standing legacy of working to make it more difficult for Americans to vote. Mississippi politicians have believed for decades that the harder it is to cast a vote, the better it is for them.

This analysis was produced by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news organization that covers state government, public policy, politics and culture. Bobby Harrison is Mississippi Todays senior Capitol reporter.
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.

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New hope in Rockledge man's long search for remains of American pilot in China

For 97-year-old Rockledge man Bob Willett, the decades-long search for his cousin Jimmie Browne feels like an open wound  one that will only heal once the remains of the 21-year-old "Hump Pilot," who disappeared during World War II over China, are recovered and brought home.

For China's Sun Chunlong, whose organization Shenzhen Longyue Charitable Foundation joined the search for Jimmie six years ago, the burden of locating Jimmie's remains and getting him home has become personal.

Jimmie, flying for CNAC (China National Aviation Corporation in partnership with Pan Am), was delivering much-needed supplies in 1942 to the Chinese military in an area not yet under Japanese rule but suffering from the severe Japanese blockade of materials. The only way for supplies to reach China and avoid the Japanese military was to fly from Burma to China over the Himalayan Mountains. This treacherous route became known as 'The Hump' affording the pilots the moniker "Hump Pilots.'

It is believed that Jimmie's plane crashed into the side of a mountain.

Jimmie Browne was 21 years old when his CNAC plane crashed into the side of a mountain in China in 1942. Efforts are underway to recover his remains.

"This is about humanity:" Search for America's remains stirs emotion

This week, the 8,781 miles between Shenzhen and Rockledge was bridged when Chunlong paid Willett a visit.

"Bob (Willett) was the first foreigner to come and ask for help from me. I feel like it is now my responsibility to look for Jimmie," Chunlong said, through interpreter Min Zhou. "This is for everyone, this is about humanity, that's why it's very important to bring every soldier home. For six years I have tried but haven't finished the mission Bob expects us to do, that's why I want to say 'I'm sorry," in person to Bob."

No, Chunlong didn't travel all that way simply to offer an apology that certainly was not needed. No, he also wanted to share the news that the Chinese government has eased restrictions about searching the mountain they believe is the location of Jimmie's remains, a protected nature reserve.

He is also filming a documentary and raising funding and awareness about his organization's efforts to reunite families with relatives lost to war.

The mountain range, or "Hump," wasn't the only thing treacherous about Jimmie's final journey. Winds often reached 100 mph at altitude, with severe and sudden updrafts and downdrafts that made it extremely difficult to fly the clumsy C-47s. There was little time to bail out if something went wrong and radio contact with the ground was near impossible.

Jimmie volunteered and started flying as co-pilot on Oct. 7, 1942. His pilot was John Dean, who had previously served in the Flying Tigers. Less than 50 days later, Jimmie was reported missing after his plane was believed to have crashed into the side of a mountain.

Now Chunlong's organization is the best bet for recovering Jimmie.

Chunlong's foundation's vision is to "safeguard peace and allow every life to live with dignity" and uses as its motto: "veterans return home, humanity returns home."

A cousin's obsession: Rockledge man refuses to give up

Screengrab of Sun Chunlong of Shenzhen Longyue Charity Foundation. He has vowed to bring the remains of missing "Hump Pilot" Jimmie Brown home.

When Jimmie's plane went down, there was no search and rescue conducted because he was technically a civilian and not military  a fact that would be corrected years later. There was very little information available when Willett started looking into his cousin's disappearance in 1991.

In 1992, the American government gave the CNAC pilots veteran status.

Willett made contact with the guy who ran the CNAC web site, he attended reunions of old CNAC pilots and Willett began compiling and processing data. In 2010 he organized a trip to China of former CNAC pilots, radiomen, engineers etc. It was on that particular trip that he met an author of a book.

"The entire book was in Chinese but there were only two names in English in the whole book: Jimmie Brown and his pilot John Dean," Willett said.

The book contained transcripts of the last two radio transmissions made from the plane including one that gave their location.

With that vital clue, the actual location of the aircraft was discovered and verified through the plane's identification number just a year later. Things stayed quiet the next few years as the Chinese government dragged its feet in approving a search.

A bust of Jimmie Browne outside a Chinese museum in a park called "Square of the Chivalrous Friends of China."

Then in 2018, a friend from China emailed Willett to say she had found a bust of Jimmie outside a Chinese museum in a park called "Square of the Chivalrous Friends of China." That prompted another trip to China.

And that's where Bob Willett met Sun Chunlong.

Bring every soldier home

Willett learned that Chunlong's organization is the only one in China that works to recover remains of fallen soldiers as well as offer general help to all Chinese veterans. Of course, Bob said yes when Chunlong asked for permission to try and recover Jimmie's remains.

"This has been years and years but this guy seems sincere and dedicated," Willett said. "We have faith it's going to happen."

Chunlong shared an emotional video taken from his group's previous attempt to find Jimmie. The terrain is very steep and rugged and the team was impeded by bad weather, communications failures and not having permission to enter the nature preserve.

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In the video, Chunlong and several others, gather mountain rhododendrons and place them by a waterfall.

He then calls out at the top of his voice: "Captain John Dean of Chinese Airlines Flight 60, Co-pilot James Browne, radio operator Yang Guangliu, today we visit you on behalf of your loved ones. Due to conditions, we cannot reach the site. The sacrifices you have made for the country will remain forever. May the high mountain rhododendrons accompany you. When conditions improve we will come again and bring you home."

Knowing now what to expect and with permissions granted, Chunlong sad they will make another attempt in the fall.

"I will continue my efforts and for Bob's family and all the Chinese people who have known the story, and who all expect Jimmie to come home," Chunlong said. "It's very important to bring every soldier home."

Willett said the toughest part is not knowing exactly what happened to his cousin but "every little step leads to other little steps," he said.

It's been more than 30 years of little steps. Maybe there are enough little steps now to make it up that mountain.

Contact Torres at jtorres@floridatoday.com. You can follow him on X @johnalbertorres or on Facebook at facebook.com/FTjohntorres.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Rockledge man working with Chinese group to find missing American pilot
Meyer promises to focus on people vs. special interests in Delaware governor's race

When it comes to how Delaware government currently operates, theres a focus on inputs rather than outputs, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer said.

If elected as the First States governor, the frontrunner in this years gubernatorial race said hed like to change that.

It takes elected leaders who understand that our job, and my job, is to represent the people who dont have a seat at the table, who dont have a moneyed special interest in some decision making, Meyer told Delaware Online/The News Journals editorial board on Wednesday.

Meyer is ahead of his Democratic challengers Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and former state environmental secretary Collin OMara in the latest polls as Delawares primary election draws near.

Delaware gubernatorial candidate New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer reacts during the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League debate on Monday, May 20, 2024, at Canaan Baptist Church in New Castle.

A poll paid for by the Citizens for a New Delaware Way PAC and completed by Slingshot Strategies the week of Aug. 8 shows Meyer polling at 27% ahead of Hall-Long's 23% and OMaras 11%. That poll showed 31% of respondents were still undecided.

A more recent poll shared with Delaware Online by OMara, which was conducted by Trailblazer Opinion Strategies on the governors race and released Aug. 27, shows Meyer at 33%, sweeping both Hall-Long's 19% and OMaras 17%.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Millions fueling Delaware governor's race make it one of most expensive in history

There are also three Republicans vying for the GOP line for governor: state House Rep. Mike Ramone, former New York City police officer Jerrold Price and lifelong Bridgeville resident Bobby Williamson.

Meyer, whose election to county executive in 2016 was his first foray into elected office, promised to tackle education reform; address affordability in health care, housing and child care; and pursue big, bold steps on a state-level, among other efforts.

Here are the takeaways on what a Meyer administration would look like if hes elected as Delaware governor:

A medical school in Delaware

Managing Delawares most populous county during a global pandemic taught Meyer something  areas with medical schools seemed to have a leg up in the health crisis, he said.

Its why early in his candidacy as governor he proposed creating a medical school in the First State.

We need a hub to attract and retain medical talent in our area, Meyer said. Im a strong believer in a medical school.

While its not something that could be completed on day one, Meyer said theyve priced out what a venture like this would cost and depending on budgetary considerations, the county executive believes, if hes elected, they could break ground within his first term.

Kent, Sussex counties getting a raw deal

As New Castle County executive, Meyer said he recognizes the development problems that can arise within a community.

While New Castle County has had growth issues in Middletown, he said those issues pale in comparison to what theyre seeing in Kent and especially Sussex County. He said the southern Delaware counties are getting a raw deal.

As Delaware governor, Meyer said hed want to develop a comprehensive plan thats inclusive of public views and has some enforcement mechanism.

A relatively new political action committee backed by Sussex County developers has popped up in this years elections, raising concern that special interests could sway local elections, according to Spotlight Delaware.

SUSSEX COUNTY ELECTIONS: Land use, affordable housing, infrastructure, oh my: Elections to watch in Sussex

The PAC, called Preserve Sussex, holds about $75,000 in its coffers ahead of the Sept. 10 primary election, which is nearly three times more than the leading county council candidate has raised, Spotlight reported Aug. 26.

We can't just let the deepest pocketed individuals control the future of our communities, Meyer said. We need smart growth.

Not beholden to any one donor

Even though Meyers campaign has far surpassed his Democratic opponents with nearly $1.6 million in his war chest, according to the latest campaign finance reports filed with the Delaware Department of Elections, the county executive said hes not beholden to any one donor.

New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer speaks to volunteers staging at the Hope Center near New Castle before departing on a count of people experience homelessness as part of an annual 'point-in-time' calculation, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.

Meyer has faced criticism for receiving donations from local developers and Republicans, but he pointed out that hes received nearly 10,000 contributions with about 80% of them from Delawareans.

Its not hard when you have 10,000 contributions to find one or two or three or five people and build a narrative, he said. But to say Im beholden to that person among 10,000 contributions in any way is kind of crazy.

Easier access to public records

If elected governor, Meyer said he would also look to expand and provide easier access to public records.

Delawares Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) law outlines how government and public entities must go about providing access to public information, but it also provides several exemptions that Delaware governments are fond of using to block access.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE ISSUES: Audit finds Hall-Long's campaign finances 'incomplete, inaccurate, misleading'

I think we need a FOIA-type open checkbook, Meyer said. I think theres a certain set of documents we should talk about and say we have an obligation to put (them out) just like meeting minutes.

Those records could include pertinent emails or letters from other department heads and government agencies, he said.

Its something that as a Delawarean really pisses me off, Meyer said about government transparency. Like the unavailability of data about lead exposure to our children in schools is absolutely unacceptable."

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting at 302-598-5507. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What a Matt Meyer administration would look like for Delaware
What an O'Mara administration would look like if elected as Delaware governor

As Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer go on the defensive, attacking each other in ads and interviews, the third Democratic candidate for Delaware governor asks: Who's looking out for Delawareans?

As the race for Delaware governor enters its final weeks before the primary election on Sept. 10, former state environmental secretary Collin OMara said hes trying to stay above the negativity and contentiousness that has absorbed this years gubernatorial election.

As theyre killing each other, whos actually looking out for you? OMara told Delaware Online/The News Journals editorial board on Wednesday. They're not serious people right now.

Differentiating himself from the other Democratic candidates  where Hall-Long has been dogged by campaign finance issues and Meyer has capitalized on that  has worked to OMaras advantage, the Bear resident said, pointing to recent polls showing Hall-Long's favorability dropping while OMara sees small gains.

Delaware gubernatorial candidate Former DNREC Secretary Collin O'Mara answers a question during the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League's debate on Monday, May 20, 2024 at Canaan Baptist Church in New Castle.

A poll paid for by the Citizens for a New Delaware Way PAC and completed by Slingshot Strategies the week of Aug. 8 shows OMara polling at 11%, behind Hall-Long's 23% and Meyers 27%. That poll showed 31% of respondents were still undecided, which OMara noted is high for being weeks away from the primary.

A more recent poll shared with Delaware Online by OMara, which was conducted by Trailblazer Opinion Strategies on the governors race and released Aug. 27, shows OMara polling at 17%, with Hall-Long at just 19% and Meyer at 33%. Those who are undecided remain at 31% in that poll as well.

There are also three Republicans vying for the GOP line for governor: state House Rep. Mike Ramone, former New York City police officer Jerrold Price and lifelong Bridgeville resident Bobby Williamson.

WHO IS O'MARA?: After decade in D.C., Collin OMara aims to build a legacy in Delaware in run for governor

OMara, who is the CEO of the nonprofit National Wildlife Federation, faces an uphill battle with voters knowing who he is. He has been out of Delaware politics and governance since his departure from the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control in 2014. OMara was appointed by then-Gov. Jack Markell in 2009 to be DNREC secretary.

These are the takeaways from Delaware Onlines recent editorial board meeting with the gubernatorial candidate:

Not a one issue candidate

It could be easy to dismiss OMara as being a one issue candidate given his decades of experience in the environmental and energy sectors.

But OMara, who has the backing of the Working Families Party and several environmental groups, stressed that his priorities go beyond one issue  starting first with education.

FIRST STATE EDUCATION: Gubernatorial candidates weigh in on reforming education in Delaware

"The funding recommendation for how were actually funding the schools, and the funding formula, those conversations have to start immediately, he said. If you do that, then all of a sudden, funding pre-K, funding free school meals, equal teacher pay, reduced class size, everything fits into that.

OMara said hed also focus on improving access to affordable housing; widening access to health care; expanding voting rights while also pursuing campaign finance reform; modernizing state infrastructure and economy; and supporting working families and older Delawareans.

Clean energy jobs

Collin O'Mara, National Wildlife Federation, listens to remarks at the Public Service Commission in Dover during the first meeting of a working group created by Gov. John Carney to formulate steps the First State can take to get an offshore wind project underway.

If elected, OMara would look to the clean energy sector to diversity the economy in Delaware, pointing out the fields typically offer well-paying jobs.

OMara is co-chair of the Mid Atlantic Hydrogen Hub (MACH2)  a federal push to grow the region into a hydrogen producer  which organizers aim to be completely emission-free by using renewable and nuclear energy sources to power the hydrogen plants.

Hydrogen power is seen as a boon for shifting energy-intensive industries, like DuPont, to cleaner, greener solutions.

HYDROGEN ENERGY: What to know about Delaware's hydrogen-powered future

OMara also supports Delawares plans to pursue offshore wind as an energy source.

We can be the first state to get to 100% clean electricity if we have a couple gigawatts of offshore wind off the coast, he said. Electrification is the first piece. The next piece is decarbonizing the industrial and agriculture sectors, which is where hydrogen energy comes in.

Natural defenses

OMara also emphasized a need for continued focus on restoring and protecting Delawares wetlands and beaches as strong storms hit the region causing flooding and erosion.

DNREC Secretary Collin O'Mara getting a close look on some of the storm damaged areas along Cedar Creek Friday. Federal officials are giving the state more than $6 million in Sandy relief money to build coastal resilience for future storms.

As DNREC secretary, he said the state spent a lot of time and money focusing on restoring the wetlands, shoreline, dykes and dams.

When Hurricane Sandy hit, those systems all worked, he said. So, we didnt have the level of devastation in Delaware that we had in New Jersey. Part of that was the storm track, but part of it is that these natural systems held a lot of the water back.

OMara said some communities will have to have hard conversations, especially to ensure equity and environmental justice within those neighborhoods, but solutions are out there.

I would much rather see the natural solutions that have that bladder capacity than sea walls and some things that have shown not to really work during strong storms, he said.

A hands-on governor

OMara opined on why legislation and progress moves slow in the First State, promising to take a hands-on, proactive approach that doesnt shy away from conflict or opposition.

Theres not a will to get it done here if theres pushback, OMara said. We dont look at the benefits, so everything looks more expensive but thats weaponized.

Former DNREC Secretary Collin O'Mara answers a question during the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League's debate on Monday, May 20, 2024 at Canaan Baptist Church in New Castle.

For example, legislation to create an Office of the Inspector General did not make it through this session, in large part because of a nearly $1.5 million annual cost for its creation and ongoing operation.

The office would provide an independent arm of government to examine issues of potential fraud, waste and abuse and restore the publics trust in Delaware transparency and accountability.

Gov. John Carneys view of governing is that you dont intercede early, OMara said. You kind of wait to see what comes out of the process. You wait to receive the sausage.

The gubernatorial candidate said hed approach things differently, instead including the funding in a proposed executive budget, thereby ensuring the fiscal note doesnt kill the legislation.

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting at 302-598-5507. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Who is Collin O'Mara? 4 takeaways on his run for Delaware governor
THEODORE, Ala. (WKRG)  Family has confirmed that a house explosion in southwest Louisiana Saturday morning killed a 16-year-old boy and injured his mother and sister, all from Theodore.

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The 16-year-old boy is Deuce Barrer. He died at the scene of the explosion.

His sister, Brooklyn, 18, and Mother, Katherine Danielle, 37, were severely injured.

Lexi Birmingham marks final days on WKRG

According to the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal, Fire Marshal deputies arrived at a home in Ragley, Louisiana, just before 10 a.m. that had exploded and was on fire.

Seven people were inside the home, including a toddler now cared for by relatives.

Five victims have been taken to the hospital for their injuries.

A family member sent News 5 a GoFundMe asking for any donations for hospital and funeral costs.

Katherine and Brooklyn medically have a long road to recovery as they both suffered multiple devastating injuries, Deuce sadly didnt make it and this family will need the community now more than ever in all aspects, the GoFundMe page said.

The family is also asking for prayers from the community.

The wait is over: Restaurant finally opens at Fairhope Pier

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

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TOKYO, Sep 02 (News On Japan) - A memorial service was held in Tokyo for the Korean victims who lost their lives in the Great Kanto Earthquake 101 years ago.

The ceremony, which took place on September 1, was attended by approximately 300 people, including former Prime Minister Fukuda, Komeito Party leader Yamaguchi, and South Korean Ambassador to Japan Park Chul-hee. They gathered to pay tribute to the Koreans who perished in the earthquake.

The Great Kanto Earthquake, which struck on September 1, 1923, caused widespread fires, especially during lunchtime, leading to an estimated 105,000 deaths and missing persons.

At the time, many Koreans living in Japan were not only victims of the earthquake and fires but also of unfounded rumors and misinformation, such as claims that Koreans were setting fires across the region. These rumors led to massacres, resulting in many additional deaths.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Park remarked, "There is a growing call from various sectors in Japan to acknowledge the truth of history and to face the fact that many innocent Koreans were victims. As many have pointed out, such tragedies must never be repeated."

Participants in the ceremony each offered flowers, and at 11:58 a.m., the time when the earthquake occurred, all attendees observed a moment of silence.

This memorial service has been held annually since 1946, not only in Tokyo but also in Chiba, Kanagawa, and other locations.

Source: ANN
YOKOHAMA, Sep 02 (News On Japan) - Two women died after a 17 year-old high school student jumped from the rooftop of a shopping complex connected to Yokohama Station on Saturday evening, landing on a pedestrian in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Around 6 p.m., a passerby called the police reporting, Two women are lying on the ground, bleeding. It looks like they jumped.

According to the police, a 17-year-old high school senior fell from the rooftop deck of a commercial facility on the 12th floor directly connected to Yokohama Station and collided with Chikako Chiba, a 32-year-old office worker who was walking with three friends.

Both women were transported to the hospital in cardiopulmonary arrest but were later confirmed dead.

The rooftop of the commercial facility was freely accessible, and police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the fall.

Source: TBS
Matawalle

By Kingsley Omonobi

Amid escalating terrorist and bandit attacks in the North West, particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi States, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has urged the military to relocate its command structure to the North West to address the worsening security situation.

Recent reports indicate that bandits have been invading villages in Sokoto and Zamfara states, abducting scores of people, and killing those who fail to pay ransom. A viral video has also surfaced, showing bandits seizing a Nigerian Army Mine-Resistant Armored Personnel Carrier (MRAP).

In a statement released on Sunday by the Director of Media and Public Relations for the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, Matawalle expressed deep concern over the activities of terrorists and bandits terrorizing Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi States.

The minister condemned the situation where criminal bandits circulated videos of a Nigerian military armored vehicle stuck in a waterlogged area.

The vehicle was left behind after officers were ordered to withdraw to avoid an ambush. The incident occurred in Kwashabawa, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Following this, the Minister of State directed the Chief of Defence Staff and other military leaders to relocate to Sokoto, the headquarters of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) for Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states, as part of an intensified effort by the Federal Government to eliminate banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism in the North West.

This strategic move underscores the governments unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security in the region. While in the North West, they will supervise operations and ensure that Bello Turji and his bandit gang are eliminated, the statement reads.

Matawalle emphasized that the continued circulation of videos showing Nigerian military vehicles in the hands of bandits is unacceptable, especially given the support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has provided to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The Federal Government is deeply concerned about the persistent threat posed by banditry and terrorism in the North West, and Matawalle assured that all necessary resources would be deployed to eradicate these criminal elements and restore peace to the affected communities.

We must act decisively against these terrorists to allow our people to live freely. The time is up for these bandits and terrorists as increased and consistent operations will weaken all their bases, Matawalle stated.

He called on the Armed Forces of Nigeria to intensify efforts to flush out the bandits and terrorists, assuring the people of Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kebbi states, as well as the entire North West region, that security forces would leave no stone unturned until peace is restored.

I will be on the ground in the North West with the CDS and other military chiefs, leading our brave men and women in uniform, Matawalle said.

He also urged the people of Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces. The minister reiterated the Federal Governments resolve to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians, emphasizing that the security and well-being of the people remain the governments top priority.
By Udeze Ekene

The former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has said Governor Godwin Obaseki and his wife Betsy Obaseki do not have love for children.

The Edo North Senator, Oshimhole said this on Saturday, in a press interview with some selected journalists. The interview was uploaded by Television Continental (TVC), on its X handle on Sunday.

Oshimhole stated this in reply to an alleged statement from Betsy Obaseki, in which she claimed that only the APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo does not have a wife, amongst the contenders in the state.

Reacting, the former All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman said Godwin and Betsy have been childless since they got married and have also refused to adopt any child because they do not love children.

I was shocked yesterday to see Mrs. Obaseki, the first lady, saying that our candidate has no wife. She is the most, Im sorry that she has to say that, because here is a woman who has no child. Between him and Obaseki, they have no child, they are childless.

They are even not ready to adopt. I mean, I dont blame, anybody should not have a child. But people who have love for children, they go to motherless home and adopt children.

They have not adopted, they are both in their 60s. So you married, I dont know whether its a contract or whatever it is, but they have no child, Oshimhole said.

He explained that the wife and children of the APC governorship candidate, Okpebholo, joined in the campaigns across the state.

Now our candidate not only have children, he has invested in the education of those children, such that you watch them on live television, covered by your media stations, where the first one that spoke is a lawyer, the second one is a medical doctor, and they had dressed the crowd in a Edo South, in a Edo Central, in Edo North, and their mother was there, he added.
Nigerias President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (R) arrives at Beijing Capital Airport ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Greg Baker / POOL / AFP)

African leaders descend on Chinas capital this week, seeking funds for big-ticket infrastructure projects as they eye mounting great power competition over resources and influence on the continent.

China has expanded ties with African nations in the past decade, furnishing them with billions in loans that have helped build infrastructure but also sometimes stoked controversy by saddling countries with huge debts.

China has sent hundreds of thousands of workers to Africa to build its megaprojects, while tapping the continents vast natural resources including copper, gold, lithium and rare earth minerals.

Comoros President Azali Assoumani waves as he arrives at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Andy Wong / POOL / AFP)

Beijing has said this weeks China-Africa forum will be its largest diplomatic event since the Covid-19 pandemic, with leaders of South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and other nations confirmed to attend and dozens of delegations expected.

African countries were looking to tap the opportunities in China for growth, Ovigwe Eguegu, a policy analyst at consultancy Development Reimagined, told AFP.

China, the worlds number two economy, is Africas largest trading partner, with bilateral trade hitting $167.8 billion in the first half of this year, according to Chinese state media.

Beijings loans to African nations last year were their highest in five years, research by the Chinese Loans to Africa Database found. Top borrowers were Angola, Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya.

But analysts said an economic slowdown in China has made Beijing increasingly reluctant to shell out big sums.

Gabons President Brice Oligui Nguema (R) arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Ken Ishii / POOL / AFP)

China has also resisted offering debt relief, even as some African nations have struggled to repay their loans  in some cases being forced to slash spending on vital public services.

Since the last China-Africa forum six years ago, the world experienced a lot of changes, including Covid, geopolitical tension and now these economic challenges, Tang Xiaoyang of Beijings Tsinghua University told AFP.

The old model of loans for large infrastructure and very rapid industrialization is simply no longer feasible, he said.

Stalled megaprojects

The continent is a key node in Beijings Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure project and central pillar of Xi Jinpings bid to expand Chinas clout overseas.

The BRI has channelled much-needed investment to African countries for projects like railways, ports and hydroelectric plants.

Togos President Faure Gnassingbe (C) arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Ken Ishii / POOL / AFP)

But critics charge Beijing with saddling nations with debt and funding infrastructure projects that damage the environment.

One controversial project in Kenya, a $5 billion railway  built with finance from Exim Bank of China  connects the capital Nairobi with the port city of Mombasa.

But a second phase meant to continue the line to Uganda never materialised, as both countries struggled to repay BRI debts.

Kenyas President William Ruto last year asked China for a $1 billion loan and the restructuring of existing debt to complete other stalled BRI projects.

The country now owes China more than $8 billion.

Recent deadly protests in Kenya were triggered by the governments need to service its debt burden to international creditors, including China, said Alex Vines, head of the Africa Programme at Londons Chatham House.

In light of such events, Vines and other analysts expect African leaders at this weeks forum to seek not only more Chinese investment but also more favourable loans.

Lack leverage

In central Africa, Western and Chinese firms are racing to secure access to rare minerals.

The continent has rich deposits of manganese, cobalt, nickel and lithium  crucial for renewable energy technology.

Malis interim president Assimi Goita arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on September 1, 2024. (Photo by Ken Ishii / POOL / AFP)

The Moanda region of Gabon alone contains as much as a quarter of known global reserves of manganese, and South Africa accounts for 37 percent of global output of the metal.

Cobalt mining is dominated by the Democratic Republic of Congo, which accounts for 70 percent of the world total. But in terms of processing, China is the leader, at 50 percent.

Mounting geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, which are clashing over everything from the status of self-ruled Taiwan to trade, also weigh on Africa.

Washington has warned against what it sees as Beijings malign influence.

In 2022, the White House said China sought to advance its own narrow commercial and geopolitical interests (and) undermine transparency and openness.

Beijing insists it does not want a new cold war with Washington but rather seeks win-win cooperation, promoting development while profiting from boosted trade.

We do not just give aid, give them help, Tsinghua Universitys Tang said.

We are just partners with you while you are developing. We are also benefiting from it.

But analysts fear African nations could be forced to pick sides.

African countries lack leverage against China, Development Reimagineds Eguegu said.

Some people think you can use the US to balance China, he said. You cannot.
The 50th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Yaounde, has recognized and praised the Atlantic initiative launched by King Mohammed VI. The initiative, which seeks to strengthen cooperation and integration among African countries along the Atlantic coast, was lauded as a significant step toward enhancing regional partnerships.

The Council highlighted that this royal initiative is in alignment with the ongoing Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, emphasizing its potential to bolster infrastructure development in OIC member states. The initiative is also expected to accelerate economic integration, foster complementarity among African economies, and increase intra-community trade.

The Foreign Ministers of the OIC expressed their strong support for King Mohammed VIs efforts to facilitate access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean. They noted that the initiative is designed to contribute to human development and to address pressing issues such as insecurity and poverty in the region.

In their closing remarks, the ministers underscored the strategic importance of this initiative, viewing it as part of Moroccos ongoing and effective solidarity with its fellow African nations, particularly those in the Sahel region.

Head of the Moroccan delegation to the session, Mustapha Mansouri, Moroccos ambassador to Saudi Arabia and permanent representative to the OIC,

renewed in his address the Kingdoms steadfast support for the Palestinian cause, a support that remains resolute and unaffected by any international changes or circumstances.

This support is not influenced by any changes or international circumstances, nor by political controversies or competitive posturing, Mansouri asserted. He noted that this unwavering stance is deeply rooted in the conviction and faith of all Moroccans.

The diplomat also highlighted the growing challenges in the Middle East, particularly the geopolitical tensions exacerbated by the tragic situation in Gaza. He reaffirmed Moroccos ongoing dedication to defending the Holy Sites, especially Al-Quds Asharif, which is of particular concern to King Mohammed VI.

The Kingdoms approach combines political and diplomatic efforts with practical work on the ground through the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency. This agency focuses on preserving the legal status of Al-Quds, safeguarding its cultural identity, and supporting the population of Al-Quds.

Mansouri referred to the speech delivered by King Mohammed VI, on the 25th anniversary of Throne Day, where the monarch outlined Moroccos position on the Middle East and the Gaza conflict. The Kings address reflected his deep personal interest and active involvement in the regions developments, he said.

Moroccos position, as explained by Mansouri, includes support for constructive initiatives aimed at finding practical solutions, achieving a sustainable and tangible ceasefire, and pursuing a definitive resolution to the conflict, rather than merely managing the crisis. The ambassador stressed the importance of initiating negotiations between the relevant parties to revive the peace process based on a two-state solution.

Beyond the Middle East, Mansouri also underscored Moroccos commitment to Africa, highlighting the Kingdoms efforts to promote sustainable development and strengthen Islamic cooperation among African OIC member states.

He noted that Morocco is actively supporting African economies through regional development initiatives and concrete programs aimed at fostering prosperity and economic growth.

One such initiative is the Atlantic Initiative, which seeks to provide Sahara and Sahel countries with access to the Atlantic Ocean by leveraging Moroccos capabilities and expertise.

Mansouri described this initiative as a promising endeavor that will contribute to the economic integration of these countries, improve living conditions, and promote values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

In addition, Morocco has expressed strong support for the upcoming OIC donor conference, set to be held in Saudi Arabia on October 26, 2024. The conference will focus on aiding refugees and displaced persons in northeastern Nigeria, the Sahel region, and the Lake Chad area.

During the ministerial council meeting, Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ), an institution operating under the Al-Quds Committee chaired by King Mohammed VI, presented a report on its recent achievements, highlighted the efforts of the Al-Quds Committee and detailed the outcomes of its initiatives aimed at supporting the Palestinian population.

The report reviewed key programs and projects implemented or planned in Al-Quds, including the local restoration program, which has already targeted over 100 properties in the historic city and surrounding neighborhoods, the launch of a digital strategy for 2024-2027, social assistance to vulnerable groups and individuals with disabilities in Al-Quds, as well as cultural and social programs targeting youth and children.

The report also noted the periods significant challenges, particularly the tragic events unfolding since October 7, 2023 and recalled that Morocco successfully transported food aid by land to the Palestinian residents of Gaza and the Holy City of Al-Quds.

The two-day session provided a platform for discussing key issues affecting the OIC member states and exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation.
Libyas central bank chief Sadiq al-Kabir said he and other senior bank employees had to flee the country to protect their lives from militias.

Few days ago, the bank suspended activity after a senior official was kidnapped by militias.

Disrupted central bank activity, which controls billions of hydrocarbons money, has forced oil production to shutdown in the divided country between two rival governments in the east and west.

According to the FT report, the Tripoli-based government attempted to remove Al-Kabir by sending a militia.

Al-Kabir had accused the prime minister in Tripoli of overspending and painting a misleadingly rosy picture of the economy in his speeches.

In reaction to the Tripoli governments attacks on the central bank governor, the Benghazi-based eastern government announced it was shutting down oilfields.

The UN and the US urged the warring parties to negotiate, adding that the conflict over the central bank undermines confidence in Libyas economic and financial stability in the eyes of Libyan citizens and the international community, and increases the likelihood of harmful confrontation.
The Lee County Commission has decided to renew its current trash collection system with Arrow Disposal Service.

The commission voted on Monday to renew its contract for residential solid waste collection and transport with Arrow Disposal Service, Inc. for another three years. The commission also voted to renew the contract with GFL Environmental for solid waste disposal for another three years.

County Administator Holly Leverette said there are no contract changes.

The decision comes over two years after Lee County officially moved away from county dumpsters to curbside trash pickup with Arrow. The move made the 15 public county dumpsters, which had been open since 1984, closed to the public.

The decision to close the dumpsters was made for a variety of reasons, primarily due to the issues of illegal dumping from residents from outside the county and even the state, as well as potential safety hazards. According to Lee County Environmental Services Director John McDonald, the original contract with Arrow was set to expire in February.

In August 2023 it was confirmed that the county saw a $1 million shortfall due to 6,818 residents not paying their bills. Leverette said that number has dropped significantly due to cleaning up accounts and other citizens choosing to pay for the service.

Leverette said there had been some discussions on changing the billing process, which is currently handled by the Commission Billing Office, but Leverette said they received no interest from other companies to handle it and by doing it themselves, the county is saving money.

Ahead of the meeting, the commission held public comments and John Sophocleus, a fixture at county commission meetings, voiced his issues with the current system, and he requested the copy of a customer contract that was sent to him.

"It's time for you to understand what we had in place worked if you disciplined wrongful dumping into our dumpsters. The sheriff, I promise you, is a competent man who can come up with a way to stop wrongful dumping and enforce it," Sophocleus said. "Instead of my commissioners getting a whole bunch of employees to collect bills for a private entity with my tax dollars, I would much more prefer you actually do things in a decent, righteous manner."

A short time later, Lance Farrar stepped up the podium and said he received his public records request that he filed over one year ago. He said the request was for the names of the 6,818 delinquent people that had not paid or never paid their bill for trash pickup. Farrar criticized the commission for the time it took to receive the request.

When it came to the vote on the contract with Arrow, District 5 Commissioner Richard LaGrand Sr. voted against it, but he did vote for renewing the contract with GFL Environmental.

More broadband expansion coming to Loachapoka

The Lee County Commission took another step on Monday toward addressing the needs of residents in the Loachapoka area who are still without broadband internet access.

The commission unanimously approved the ARPA Funded Broadband Expansion Grant Award Phase III to Spectrum Southeast LLC. for a project that will cover 9.1 miles and 89 households. The total amount awarded in the grant is $415,203 from America Rescue Plan Act funding, and Leverette said Spectrum's match would be $160,556. This comes months after the commission initially awarded the Loachapoka broadband expansion grant to Point Broadband, which was followed by Point exiting the project in May. Leverette said this new grant project is essentially the same as the previous one.

Leverette said that there are still unserved areas, but that is due to Rural Digital Opportunity Fund grants being awarded for those areas, meaning ARPA funds cannot be used.

Other commission business

The commission unanimously approved the FY2025 Lee County Transportation Plan, which Lee County Assistant Engineer Patrick Harvill explained was a priority list of roads to be addressed by the Lee County Highway Department.

"We try to match the projects in that worst list of roads to the funding we have available," Harvill said.

The CTP addresses 7.7 miles of roads in Lee County and has an estimated total cost of $2.8 million, according to the CTP document in the commission's agenda packet.

Lee County District Attorney Jessica Ventiere requested that the commission continue its appropriation supporting the position of a juvenile court assistant DA at a cost of $50,000 per year as well as $10,750 for the office's Juvenile Drug Intervention Program, truancy, and juvenile mental health support programs.

Ventiere said the program came from her office looking at specific ways to address the drug problems they have seen in the juvenile system. She said the program targets students who are at risk.

"We hope to divert them from the juvenile justice system because, to be perfectly honest, that is the worst place for a juvenile to end up is actually in the juvenile justice system or in our court system," Ventiere said. "Give them educational and training and resources. Educate the parents as well about the dangers of vaping, especially the vape cartridges that are not commercially produced."

No action was taken by the commission.

The commission approved allocating $328,520 to the Loachapoka Water Authority for a water pipe project at Lee County Road 061 that would upgrade the pipe to 12-inch lines, including two paved road crossings and all appurtenances necessary to connect to the current 12-inch water main.

The commission approved awarding the bid for two automatic payment kiosks to be installed at the Lee County Revenue Commissioner's Office to AdComp Systems Group on their low bid of $50,552. Revenue Commissioner Oline Price said this will make the office more available for people that need to pay their property taxes or renew their motor vehicle registration among other things.

Amanda Sides presented the new website for Lee County, which she said they hope will go online by Sept. 4.
Competition from U.S. and Russian crude oil in the international oil markets has grown in recent years.

International oil companies have reduced investments in Africa's traditional oil fields, focusing on offshore opportunities in regions like Namibi

Africa's largest oil producers, like Nigeria and Libya, have struggled to capitalize on recent high oil prices.

Oil producers in Africa havent seen in the past two years the fiscal benefits from the higher energy commodity prices.

Falling legacy oil output, domestic fuel subsidies and other price control policies, changing export markets, and a lack of investments in new field developments have led to Africas biggest oil producers failing to capitalize on the oil price surge in 2022 and in the sustained high prices in the following years.

As African oil production is on a decline, the regions petrostates do not have the resources to begin their energy transition, Zainab Usman, a senior fellow and director of the Africa program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, writes in an opinion piece in the Financial Times.

These countries must rely on external financing to achieve the UNs sustainable development goals and help the global fight against climate change.

Why Africa Missed Out on the Oil Boom

Saudi Arabia and other OPEC and OPEC+ producers generated huge revenues in 2022 when oil prices hit $100 per barrel after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Saudi Arabia, for example, received as much as $326 billion in oil revenues for 2022, its biggest oil sales haul in a year in the era of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

At the same time, Africas largest producers, including Nigeria and Libya, were left out on the sidelines as production was decliningor haltedand domestic policies and turmoil added more hurdles to African petrostates benefiting from the oil price surge.

Part of Nigerias oil income in 2022 was going to subsidize domestic fuel prices and Libya hasnt seen stability since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi more than a decade ago. Angola, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea have been lacking new investment in production.

International majors have scaled back investments in Africas legacy producers and have instead opted for exploration offshore Namibia, hoping it would be the next Guyana and the next major oil producer and exporter.

The most significant production drop was seen in Nigeria, where crude oil output fell by around 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in a decadeto about 1.5 million bpd in 2023 from 2.5 million bpd back in 2010.

Despite still being a major oil producer and the top oil-producing nation in Africa, Nigeria is currently going through its worst economic crisis in a generation as reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu last year have exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis.

Following a decade of falling output, raising oil production has been a key priority for the Nigerian federal government, which aims to thus boost revenues and foreign exchange reserves.

Oil theft and pipeline vandalism have long plagued Nigerias upstream oil and gas industry, driving majors out of the country and often resulting in force majeure at the key crude oil export terminals.

The combination of pipeline vandalism and oil theft with a lack of investment in capacity has made Nigeria the biggest laggard in crude oil production in the OPEC+ alliance. Due to the underproduction, OPEC even reduced last year the quota for Nigerias oil production.

Nigerias national oil company, NNPC Ltd, has declared a state of emergency on production in Nigerias oil and gas industry as Africas largest oil producer struggles to boost output.

NNPC believes that Nigeria needs to take urgent action to address the challenges that have plagued the oil and gas industry for years, NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, said in July.

An analysis of the oil and gas assets in Nigeria has found that the largest OPEC producer in Africa can easily pump 2 million bpd of crude oil without deploying new rigs, Kyari said.

On the supply side, Africas crude grades have also faced challenges, with growing competition from the U.S. crude on the Asian market and, more recently, cheap barrels of Russian oil, which India and China are snapping up while the West has banned imports of Russian crude.

Clean Energy Investment

As calls have grown in recent years for producers to leave oil in the ground to save the planet, African oil-producing nations still rely very much on income from oil sales, which have become the backbone of their economies.

Government income will also be needed for African countries to begin the shift to renewables, as investment levels in clean technology in the continent are woefully inadequate to meet development and climate goals.

Energy access is among the top priorities in Africa, where 600 million people live without electricity and about 1 billion people lack access to clean cooking, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its World Energy Investment 2024 report.

In addition, the high cost of capital is a major hurdle to scaling up clean energy investments in Africa, the agency advocating for fast energy transition says.

Burdened by significant debt repayments, financing for clean energy projects is scarce as the need for concessional support becomes increasingly evident, the IEA said about clean energy investment in Africa.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Gunman (File photo)

According to a report by TheCable, some unidentified gunmen have killed Saidu Kolaku, a leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Adamawa state.

The assailants were said to have invaded his home on Saturday at Sabon Pegi in Mayo Belwa local government area in the state and shot him dead.

Prior to his death, Kolaku was the zonal vice-chairman of the MACBAN (Adamawa south).

Sulaiman Nguroje, the state police spokesman, who confirmed the incident, said the victim died in the hospital.

Unknown gunmen stormed the resident of the Fulani leader located at Sabon Pegi in Mayo Belwa local government, shot him and left him in the pool of his blood, he said.

Following the incident, a distress call was forwarded to the police who rushed to the scene and took the victim to the hospital where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

The spokesman also revealed that the state commissioner of police has ordered personnel of the homicide department to investigate the circumstance that led to Kolakus death.

Indeed, police received the death of the slain man with shock because of his invaluable contribution towards fighting crime and criminality especially his gallantry in the fight against kidnappers, he said.

The command has launched manhunt for the fleeing culprits and Godswilling, they will be tracked down and brought to justice.

In his reaction, Muhammad Buba, public relations officer (PRO) of Miyetti Allah in the state, described Kolakus killing as a reprisal attack from persons who were provoked by his effort in fighting crime.

Efforts of Kolaku in fighting crime had made the police command to honour him on 17th July 2019, for his gallantry and valiant exploits in fighting kidnappers and cattle rustlers rampaging the state, he said.

Its unfortunate that the death of our zonal leader will seriously undermine the fight against crime and criminality in the state.

Adamawa is one of the states affected by insecurity, insurgency and periodic incidences of inter-communal killings.
File photo

Tragedy befell a 14-year-old Junior Secondary School Student in Bauchi, Bashir Salisu, when the belt of a grinding machine accidentally plucked-off his two testicles.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bashir, a student of Government Day Secondary School, Tudun Salmanu area of Bauchi metropolis, who had written his JSS examination (junior WAEC), preparatory to seeking admission to Senior Secondary School, engages in the grinding of grains under the tutelage of a man at the Muda Lawal market, Bauchi.

Narrating his ordeal to NAN in pains at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH) Bauchi, Bashir said the sad event occurred on Friday around 10am when, in the course of running the engine, the rotating belt mistakenly got in contact with his baggy trouser and pulled him.



When my trouser got entangled as a result of the fast rotating belt, it instantly severed my testicles and inflicted grave injuries on my private part.

The pain was unbearable and I was rushed to the hospital, where medical personnel started treating me.

 Unfortunately, the testicles had gone and can no longer be replaced; the doctors confirmed that the situation is irredeemable, said the student in tears.

Bashir, who looked downcast, said he engaged in grinding to learn trade that he could rely on in good time as jobs were not easy to come by these days.



I was engaging in the trade after school hours and during holidays to enable me become self-reliant during and after my studies as white collar jobs are not easy to come by.

My parents are poor and I need to prepare myself, not only to be self- employed, but also help them and my younger brothers and sisters, he said.

Father of Bashir, Malam Salisu Mohammed, a farmer, said when the accident occurred, he had to struggle to contain himself.



I felt highly disturbed initially but was able to console myself later, believing that tragedies are ordained by God and must therefore, be accepted when they happen.

We have intensified prayers for his quick recovery, even though we have been made to understand by medical experts that his testicles are gone for good.

We thank God that he survived the accident; he could have been dead by now and we must appreciate such luck.

Our major challenge now is footing the bill of his treatment; we are therefore seizing this opportunity to appeal for assistance from the government, individuals and organizations, he said.

On her part, mother to Bashir, Mrs Aisha Salisu, told NAN that she was traumatized by the ordeal of her son.
Former Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, has withdrawn a case he filed in court challenging his Senate reelection loss. His lawyer, Sunday Ameh, announced the withdrawal in court in Abuja on Friday. He did not give reasons for his decision.

Also on Friday, the judge, Valentine Ashi, denied restraining INEC from issuing certificate of return to the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Chris Ekpenyong, who defeated Akpabio.
Fidelity Bank, Ghana's largest privately-owned indigenous bank, has concluded its inaugural GreenTech Innovation Challenge (GTIC) 2024 with an outstanding impact, awarding over GHS 1.4 million in grants to groundbreaking businesses that address key challenges in the agriculture sector using technology. Launched earlier this year in partnership with Innohub, the GTIC aimed to empower young entrepreneurs and support the development of sustainable solutions for Ghana's agricultural industry.



Initially, Fidelity Bank committed to awarding GHS 1.2 million in grants across three categories: Ideation, Scale-Up, and Commercialization. However, due to the exceptional quality and innovative nature of the participating businesses, the bank exceeded its funding commitment, demonstrating its dedication to fostering innovation and sustainability in the agricultural sector.



"By launching this challenge, we aimed to identify and support young entrepreneurs who are courageously making a difference in their communities through innovative solutions," stated Julian Opuni, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, during the banks annual Sustainability Conference. "We are providing not just financial support, but also technical assistance to help these businesses thrive. The winners have gone through rigorous selection process, boot camp, and pitch sessions, and they represent the future of agriculture and sustainability in Ghana."



After a rigorous evaluation process, 17 exceptional participants from 197 applicants and 33 shortlisted AgriTech startups that participated in the GTIC were recognized. They were selected based on their innovative business ideas and the impact they are making in their communities.



Ideation Stage Winners



Ten winners in the Ideation Category, who demonstrated groundbreaking ideas poised to revolutionize agriculture using technology, were awarded GHS 50,000 each to further develop their concepts. The winners include AgriSupport, Chan-Tico, Agricom, Monger Foods, Fresh Aura, Sunify,Enactus UMAT, Verte Tower, AgriEase Limited, and Farmitecture. There is also GHS100,000 dedicated to incubation and business service for these 10 ideas to transition them in fully registered businesses.



Scale-Up and Commercialization Stage Winners



Four businesses in the Scale-Up Category were awarded GHS 100,000 each for their ability to expand and positively impact their communities. The winners were Agrimercarb, Freshline, Nastech Power Solutions, and Wobil Technologies Ltd.



In the Commercialization Category, Skin Gourmet emerged as the winner, receiving the top cash prize of GHS 200,000 for their innovative solutions that demonstrated market readiness and significant potential for societal impact.



Unexpected Recognition and Additional Grants



In a surprise announcement, Fidelity Bank went beyond expectations by awarding additional grants to two other outstanding businesses. Despite not initially qualifying for the top prizes, Axis Drone Services and Farm 360 were each awarded GHS 100,000 for their exceptional contributions to advancing agricultural technology.



"We have gone through a lot to get here, and Fidelity Bank has made all our efforts worthwhile," said Derrick Annan - Co-Founder and CEO of Axis Drone Services. "This unexpected support will significantly impact our ability to scale our operations and continue to innovate in using drone technology to solve challenges in agriculture."



Mr. Opuni emphasized Fidelity Banks commitment to monitoring the impact of these grants. "There will be a strict monitoring process for the awardees. They have been very clear about how they plan to use the funds, and we will ensure that the money goes exactly where they said it would. We also want to see the promised growth, and we intend to assist and walk alongside them on this journey. We are not just giving out money and moving on; we are deeply invested in ensuring that these innovations achieve their full potential."



A Vision for a Sustainable Future



The GreenTech Innovation Challenge has unveiled a wealth of talent and innovative ideas within Ghana's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The unprecedented level of support from Fidelity Bank demonstrates a strong commitment to nurturing these entrepreneurs, fostering a thriving GreenTech ecosystem, and contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural sector.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Ghana Police Service on Saturday 31 August 2024, arrested suspect Newwel Gavu for causing damage to a monument and some sign posts at the Airport roundabout in Accra.



According to the police, the suspect is currently in custody and will be taken through the due process of the law. We would like to commend members of the public and the Airport security for their vigilance which led to the arrest of the suspect, the police said in a statement on Facebook.



Watch video below:

At 3am this morning, a man was spotted vandalizing the statue of the Big Six at the Airport Roundabout, near Airport Shell.



Although the Police Patrol team was prompted, he did serious damage until he was apprehended. People are not happy with Ghana  pic.twitter.com/7CHyDUtKCb  WithAlvin  (@withAlvin__) August 31, 2024









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Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the Director of Local Government Services at the Office of the President, on Joy "Newsfile" programme, whipped the Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress, Sammy Gyamfi, after the latter labeled the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party a "liar".



Sammy Gyamfi, commenting on the show, recounted some promises that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia made to Ghanaians but, to him, he has failed to fulfill them, therefore making him a liar.



He cited Dr. Bawumia's pledge to build an airport in Cape Coast in the Central Region but the Region is yet to see the project in fruition.



Sammy Gyamfi further fired shots at the NPP flagbearer, asking Dennis Miracles "why would you come and sit here and lie that we have stolen your promise or policy when it was contained in our 2020 manifesto at the time Bawumia was not even contesting for President?"



"If they are so lazy that they can't read our manifesto before they come and lie, at least what about checking on the internet? You come and sit here, this is your stock-in-trade", he emphasized.



Dennis Miracles, who is also the Head of Communications of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's campaign team, rebutted Sammy Gyamfi's claims by rather exposing his lies.



To him, Sammy Gyamfi and his cohort deliberately frame stories and will do anything to mislead the public so far as it will help them to achieve their aim of tarnishing Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's image.



He found it demeaning for Sammy Gyamfi to call Dr. Bawumia a "liar".



"This gentleman has consistently been lying and lying about so many things in this country. He's done it without...blinking and then he comes back, has the effontery to call the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana names and call him a liar and he goes back to his bureau, sits down with his group and they orchestrate, scheming the algorithm online to actually plant and make the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana a liar.



"This is the person but he sits on TV and lies without even blinking and he fabricates stories and I think sometimes he is not speaking to us. I think usually he is speaking to his followers. He speaks to them; they cut videos, put it online and then it is exciting", he replied.



Dennis also pointed out that Sammy Gyamfi had claimed the NDC introduced National Health Insurance Scheme, therefore setting the record straight, said; "And so let's put it on record, completely lied when he said they introduced National Health Insurance Scheme. That is a falsehood and I've quoted their own budget statement to buttress the point."



He further rebuked the NDC stating "you dont call the Vice President a liar when you have no basisI have just showed you 280 promises made by the President of the Republic of Ghana in 2012, John Mahama His Excellency that, as President, he was going to fulfill these things. Out of the 280, he did not do 191 of them...For whatever reason, the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has never been President. Even him, you call him a liar.



Dennis cautioned them to desist from the personal attacks stressing "I am very hesitant in calling the former President because I am an Akuapem guy but I take complete exception from him and his followers by the consistent denigration of the Vice President of the Republic without provocation".

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Nana Takyi Poku Gyimah, Chief of Yefri in the Nkoranza North Constituency of the Bono East Region, has taken a swipe at critics of the double track system that was witnessed during the early stages of the introduction of Free SHS.



He described the criticisms as baseless and senseless particularly when the same people are now struggling to convince Ghanaians with a 24-hour economy proposal.



The Chief, who is a renowned educationist with the Ghana Education Service, noted that following the introduction of the Free SHS policy, school enrollment has increased overwhelmingly compelling government to think outside the box and come out with a stopgap measure to deal with the challenges.



This, he explained, occasioned the double track system as a way of making maximum use of scarce resources.



Nana Takyi made these remarks when the NPP Vice Presidential Candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh paid a courtesy call on him at his palace on Saturday, August 31, 2024.



Despite the utility of this measure, critics bastardized the double track system and claimed it was evidence of ill-preparation on the part of the policymakers and implementers.



These critics, however, now propose to implement a 24-hour economy policy where the citizens will work day and night but having a shift system.



According to the Chief, it makes no sense that people who do not appreciate the ingenuity in the double track system to now lead the "24-hour economy" crusade.



"It is therefore not surprising that they have, till date, not been able to explain to Ghanaians what they really mean by a 24-hour economy."



The Chief also used the occasion to eulogize the NPP government for bringing development to his area.



He singled out the partys 2024 Running Mate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, for his courage and boldness in spearheading the Free SHS under this leadership as Education Minister.



He commended Dr. Opoku Prempeh, popularly called NAPO, for introducing the double track system stressing such boldness on the part of a political leader is what is required to resolve the myriad challenges of the country.



Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh thanked the Chief for appreciating the good works of the NPP government and urged him and his subjects to continue reposing their confidence in the NPP.



He rallied support for Dr. Bawumias bold solutions for Ghana and implored them to vote massively for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the partys parliamentary candidate for Nkoranza North Constituency, Jacqueline Boatemaa Bonsu.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The increasing momentum of Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumias campaign went another level this Sunday when two Christian congregations gave him a rousing reception.



Dr. Bawumia continuing his campaign tour in the Greater Accra Region was in the Weija Constituency and paid a visit to the Holiness Pentecostal Church located at New Gbawe, the Church of Pentecost (Mandela Assembly) at New Weija, Presbyterian Church of Ghana (Jerusalem Assembly) and the Church of Pentecost in the Kasoa area of Ayigbe Town.



He was greeted by enthusiastic people who offered him a warm reception amidst singing songs of praises and offering prayers for him.



At the Holiness Pentecostal Church, the Head Pastor prayed for the Lord to "remember his son (Dr. Bawumia) and let what he has ordained for him come to pass".



At the Church of Pentecost, Mandela Assembly, they thanked God for the life of Dr. Bawumia while chanting "our incoming President.



Speaking at the various congregations, Dr. Bawumia underlined the significance of God's will, particularly, in his endeavour to lead the country.



"Unless the Lord build the house, we will labour in vain. This is why I put God first in everything I do because as Jesus Christ said with God, all things are possible.



"I believe that with God's hands in what we are doing, things will be possible. That is why my campaign slogan is it is possible, Dr. Bawumia said.



Dr. Bawumia called for prayers for peaceful elections to preserve the nation saying this election is very important for the future of our country but the most important is the peace of this country".



He continued; "So, it is important for all of us to run our campaign in a manner that will preserve the peace of this country. We also need the prayers of all of you, the pastors and all of you for the peace of this country."



"I also request the prayers of all of you for special favours from the Lord so that victory will be ours, myself and Jerry, the parliamentary candidate."

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government will reintroduce the public tribunals system in accordance with the 1992 constitution, the partys flag bearer, John Dramani Mahama has said.



He also said the next NDC government will appoint an Attorney-General who will be a true Minister of Justice and not a political party wing director.



Speaking at the closing of the 4th annual NDC Lawyers Conference in Ho, Mr Mahama said Ghanas democracy was now "fragile" and must be protected with utmost intelligence.



About 200 lawyers attended the conference which was on the theme: Keeping a legal eye on the prize; The NDC lawyers role in ensuring victory 2024.



Mr Mahama said the past eight years had seen unimaginable regression in Ghanas democracy, during which institutions had weakened, and the peoples liberties taken for granted and abused.



The NDC flag bearer said corruption and bad governance had become a cancerous tumour eating away at the foundations of solid institutions built between 2009 and 2016.



We cannot build a prosperous and democratic Ghana anchored on the principles of freedom and justice, providing equal opportunities for all, without recognising the crucial role of the legal profession, he said.



Mr Mahama re-affirmed NDCs recognition for the essential role lawyers played in upholding the rule of law, protecting and defending the interest of the party and operationalising its manifesto of hope, and "resetting Ghana".



In that regard, he said, the NDC was committed to encouraging, supporting, and empowering the legal profession and all lawyers dedicated to the values of democracy to ensure justice prevailed in all facets of the society, and to realize the vision of a prosperous and democratic Ghana.



A lawyer who identifies with the values and ideals of the NDC believes in and stands for the ideals of social democracy, including social justice, transparency, probity and accountability, Mr Mahama added.



Meanwhile, the former President announced the NDC was also committed to reintroducing the public tribunal system in line with the dictates of the 1992 Constitution.



Pursuant to that, the current constitutional anomaly that existed as result of the institution's decision not to activate the regional tribunals, despite their recognition in the Constitution, must be corrected, he said.



He said the NDC, as true democrats did not believe institutions created by the Constitution should be jettisoned at the whim of individuals.



For that matter, the NDC would obey the constitutional injunction in Article 125 (2), which mandated popular participation in the admiration of justice through the institutions of public and customary tribunals and the jury and assessor system.



Mr Mahama said, as a party, the NDC believed the reintroduction of the public tribunals and the role of lay panel members in the admiration of justice would rekindle public confidence in the judicial system.



He urged the participants to educate the public on the NDCs policies as outlined in the partys manifesto, saying let the people understand that those policies were not just campaign promises.



Our policies are grounded in sound legal and democratic principles that aim to foster a just and equitable society, said the NDC flag bearer



He entreated the lawyers to stay ahead of the new legal developments and be abreast of the laws on the electoral process and system to effectively defend the NDC at all times in such matters.



Your knowledge and preparedness are our first line of defence against acts of injustice, voter suppression, and intimidation that may arise before, during and after this years presidential and parliamentary elections, Mr Mahama said.



A spokesman for the NDC flag bearer, Joyce Bawa Mogtari said the rate of unemployment in the countrys history was dreadful and that was one of the main issues the 24-Hour Economy policy of Mr Mahama was seeking to address.



The conference topic included: The role of lawyers in election 2024, Future directions in Ghanaian electoral laws  Insights from the 2020 presidential election petition judgment, and Election security and election fraud.



They also included: Challenging the validity of a parliamentary election  Grounds, timing forums and procedure; and the Legal implication of the 24-Hour economic policy.

Source: graphiconline.com









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The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has reminded persons threatening not to hand over power in the December elections that they have no such choice.



According to the Speaker, the national constitution is clear on who owns power- the people- whose choices at the polls must be respected.



Speaker Bagbin told journalists in Tamale on Friday that, Those, who make utterances that they wont hand over power, will have no choice but to do so because the Constitution says so, and the power is with the people,"



He was responding to questions from journalists during an engagement with the Northern Region branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to discuss Parliaments role in ensuring peaceful elections and legislative challenges.



The Speaker assured them of Parliaments commitment to a peaceful electoral process.



The engagement preceded a public lecture on Saturday organised by the Office of the Speaker to celebrate 30 years of Parliament and the countrys democracy.



He also touched on the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill, explaining the rigorous processes behind passing controversial bills, which include scrutiny, stakeholder engagement, and budget approvals.



He underscored the legislative process and said it considered diverse perspectives, even on contentious bills.



The Northern Regional Chairman of the GJA, Yakubu Abdul-Majeed, commended Speaker Bagbin for his commitment to press freedom and support for journalists in the country.



He called on journalists to prioritise the countrys peace and play their roles in a manner that will ensure peaceful elections this year.



Many individuals and groups, including some civil society and the main opposition National Democratic Congress party, have called attention to veiled threats that the ruling New Patriotic Party may not relinquish power.

Source: GNA/myjoyonline









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President Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed the New Patriotic Partys (NPP) unwavering commitment to democratic principles, declaring that election rigging is fundamentally incompatible with the partys core values.



Critics have questioned the credibility of the Electoral Commission (EC) accusing the election management body of attempts to compromise the elections to favour the governing party.



Speaking at the 51st Methodist Church Conference in Kumasi on Thursday (29 August) the president touted the governing partys historical roots which have consistently opposed one-party rule in Ghana.



He also assured Ghanaians that his government is fully dedicated to ensuring that the elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.



As far as the ruling NPP is concerned, the party is borne from the noble Danquah-Busia-Dombo political tradition which spearheaded the national resistance to authoritarian one-party ruleRigging is not part of our DNA.



The Akufo-Addo-led NPP government is clear about its obligation and duty to ensure that the impending election is conducted in an atmosphere of peace and security and enforce transparency and respect for the electoral laws of our country, he stated.



The president further dismissed fears of election manipulation, asserting that the free will of the Ghanaian people will prevail and not the desires of any political entity. He also expressed confidence in the security agencies, emphasizing their role in maintaining order during the elections.



I am confident that the security agencies will be allowed to bear their responsibilities and will ensure that the free will of the Ghanaian people in their choice for national leadership will be manifest, free of violence and intimidation.



I am certain that the behaviour of the Ghanaian people and the government of public authorities will put to shame all the naysayers, all the Jeremiahs, including, unfortunately, some persons of the cloth who, instead of preaching peace, are bent on raising election-rigging. They will be disappointed. The 2024 elections will be conducted peacefully, Nana Akufo-Addo said.

Source: Asaaseradio.com









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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

We all imitate one another in conversation. We use similar gestures, our accents converge, our tones of voice align, and we mirror each other's facial expressions.

But, as my team's recent study showed, subtle differences in the way we mirror each other can reveal a lot about our identities and even divides between classes.

Specifically, our research found British people from the corporate world, higher education, and neighboring fields adopt more similar speech patterns than they used to in the 1990s. And this might have something to do with the growing importance placed on inclusivity in corporate workplaces.

Unlike most other animals, we are hard wired to imitate each other. Some special neurons in our brain, called mirror neurons, make us simulate what others do.

We often imitate to conform socially and engage with others. This means that the more we are surrounded by certain people, the more likely we are to behave like them, dress like them, andguess whattalk like them.

But we are not parrots. When we re-use words said by others, we often do it creatively to make them feel heard. This form of linguistic imitation is called resonance. When we resonate with others, we cite their speech in a conversation and show our involvement with them.

Think of someone telling you, "I have just been in Venice for a week." And you respond, "Great!" That would not be as engaging as saying "Really? I was also in Venice last year, but only for two days."

In the latter case, you would be resonating. You would be repeating the phrase "in Venice," re-formulating the auxiliary "was" as "have been" and the phrase "for a week" in the new form of "for two days." You would show that what you heard is relevant and "rely" on it to continue the conversation.

This social skill varies across cultures and between speakers. Chinese people tend to do it much more than the British, for instance.

When people don't resonate much in conversation, they can appear more detached and less engaged with what others are saying. Research has shown this is particularly evident in autistic speech. But people with autism often simply have different ways of listening than neurotypical people.

My team and I looked at how resonance has changed over time, by analyzing 1,600 spontaneous conversations among British speakers of different social grades, ages, genders, and regions in 1994 and 2014.

We looked at many factors, but what really makes people resonate more is the kind of job they do. But if you work in a corporate organization, you probably resonate with others much more than if you worked in an independent cafe, for instance. But why?

Corporate communication has changed since the 2000s. In 2002, the UK government established the UK sustainable development commission, which called for greater transparency, internal engagement and accountability in business practices.

Companies started producing reports on corporate social responsibility and values like equality, diversity and inclusion. Inclusivity became more important in middle-class workplaces, at least on a surface level.

In our study, we showed people in these sectors started to use a more inclusive conversation style and resonate much more with what others say. But resonance in working-class conversation style doesn't seem to have changed much.

Do we resonate 'enough?'

We all know that sounding different contributes to social bias. Linguistic expressions valued within lower income groups or different regions might be viewed negatively by others and lead to stereotyping.

Working-class speech patterns in Britain are often characterized by regional accents and colloquial language. This is in contrast with a much more standardized speech of the middle-class.

Some linguists have argued these differences reinforce class distinctions, as middle-class people are more likely to adopt language that aligns with mainstream societal norms and educational standards.

Similarly, the way people acknowledge and re-use each other's words can also widen class gaps and social biases. The extract from our data below is from a conversation among managers operating in logistics, Lynda and Chris, talking about a consignment:

Chris: We will probably have to prove that we have not been paid for the consignment.

Lynda: Interesting.

Chris: Interesting possibility. But it, it, it's not covering from factory to airport or anything of that sort. It is definitely covering

Lynda: Right, covering part of the risk.

Chris: Yes.

In the exchange, both speakers actively resonate with the words and expressions that they just heard from each other (highlighted in bold), showing that those words are relevant and worth re-using for continuing the conversation.

Social class can also influence early language development and performance at school. A 1977 study of five year olds' speech showed working-class children made greater use of verbs and pronouns, whereas the middle-class children made greater use of subordinate clauses.

And a 2008 study found that in a task where parents had to describe a picture to their children, middle-class parents provided more detailed descriptions than parents who identified as working class. In the study, middle-class parents used more diverse vocabulary than working-class parents, exposing their children to more linguistic information.

There also seems to be a divide whether people think differences in the way social classes use language matter. A 2006 study of UK students found that although students from different classes tended to talk about social class in similar ways, working-class students thought that these differences were significant, while upper middle-class students minimized its importance.

Our new research suggests conversation styles in British social sectors are becoming increasingly polarized. Conversing with a resonance style is today conventional among the middle class, but doesn't happen as much among other social grades.

This is something that may sharpen the divide across classes as it shows how certain ways of talking may be perceived as not "engaging" or "inclusive" enough in conversations across those communities, as if they didn't care.

But what these findings show is precisely that because someone doesn't talk like you, it doesn't mean they care less.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Agents with the Quad-City Metropolitan Enforcement Group arrested a Scott County parolee for allegedly possessing numerous weapons, including rifles, as well as a stolen firearm and methamphetamine.

John Randall Miller Jr., 45, of Moline, is charged in Rock Island County Circuit Court with four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Each of those charges is a Class 3 felony under Illinois law that carries a prison sentence of two to five years.

Miller also is charged with one count each of possession of a stolen firearm and possession of less than 5 grams of meth. Each of those charges is a Class 2 felony that carries a prison sentence of three to seven years.

He also is charged in Scott County District Court with parole violation.

Quad-City MEG Director Andrew Franzke said agents and the Rock Island Police Departments Emergency Response Team served a warrant on Millers home at 6 a.m. Friday to conclude a gun investigation. From the home they seized weapons and a quantity of methamphetamine.

Miller was booked into the Scott County Jail at 5:02 p.m. after waiving extradition to Iowa. He was being held there Saturday morning without bond.

Rock Island County Circuit Court electronic records did not indicate Friday if Miller has made a first appearance on the weapons and drug charges filed Friday.

During a hearing in Scott County District Court on Feb. 7, 2022, Miller pleaded guilty to charges of felony eluding while intoxicated, operating while intoxicated, and possession of meth. He was sentenced in that case to serve three years on probation.

On March 11, 2022, Miller was accused of violating the terms of his probation.

On Sept. 29, 2022, Miller pleaded guilty to the lesser included charge of possession with the intent to deliver less than 5 grams of meth, a Class C felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 10 years. The charge was reduced from a Class B felony that would have carried a prison sentence of 25 years. He was sentenced that day to 10 years in prison. He also was sentenced to five years in prison for violating his probation.

On July 1, 2023, Miller was released from the Iowa Department of Corrections and placed on parole. According to the Iowa Department of Corrections website, Miller was to be on parole until Nov. 4, 2026.

He is expected to make a first appearance on the charge of parole violation Saturday in Scott County District Court where a judge will schedule a preliminary hearing and possibly set bond.




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.




Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued the following statement regarding the murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose body was discovered by Israeli forces in a tunnel beneath the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip after he was held hostage by Hamas terrorists following the attack on Oct. 7:

After 330 agonizing days since the brutal terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th that left more than 1,200 dead and hundreds more held hostage, Johnathan Polin and Rachel Goldberg woke up to unimaginable news that no parent should ever receive.

"Suzanne and I are angered and heartbroken by the death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a senseless murder at the hands of terrorists.

"Today, Virginians, Americans, and the world join the Goldberg-Polin family and the Keneseth Beth Israel Synagogue in prayer.
Statement from President Joe Biden on Hersh Goldberg-Polin:

"Earlier today, in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas. We have now confirmed that one of the hostages killed by these vicious Hamas terrorists was an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

"I am devastated and outraged. Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7.

"He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas savage massacre.

"He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world. I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel.

"They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable. They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express.

"I know all Americans tonight will have them in their prayers, just as Jill and I will. I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible.
By Elnur Enveroglu

Deputy-Editor-in-Chief, AzerNews

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans statement to the press every time causes another crisis in the context of peace negotiations. Although it is not easy to grasp the PMs true intention, it is clear from the statements of the Armenian Prime Minister that all the issues included in his agenda are prepared with the special instructions of the Western allies.

Unfortunately, in his press statement, Nikol Pashinyan dealt another blow to the negotiation plan with Baku, while reading the proposal for peace talks prepared on the basis of the instructions of his patrons.

The Prime Minister of Armenia inappropriately tried to use Azerbaijan as an example to justify the processes related to Yerevans speedy armament, which lead to danger in the South Caucasus. Pashinyan, who imported lethal weapons from France and India to Yerevan, allegedly presents Azerbaijan as a country that receives weapons from Italy. However, the agreement signed by Azerbaijan with the Italian company Leonardo is not about the sale of lethal weapons, but only about the C-27J NG Spartan aircraft carrying military ammunition.

Since the Prime Minister of Armenia could not find a valid excuse, he resorted to false allegations about Azerbaijan and tried to dramatize the issue. However, it is unnecessary for Armenia to buy lethal weapons from France, the United States, India, and other countries.

Pashinyan goes deeper and reveals the secret of Armenia's dangerous games

Pashinyan's next lie was his false statements about Azerbaijan's budget expenditures. He noted in his claim that Azerbaijan spends 17 percent of its GDP on military purposes.

However, in Azerbaijan, this number is around 4 percent, and in Armenia it is much higher. Moreover, Armenia also has invisible budget resources, for which purposes it is spent is a subject of discussion. So, let us take a closer look at the issue:

Some exaggerated figures shown in Armenias economy and the dazzling results of the rapidly growing shadow economy in the country have always been a focus of interest. Although landlocked Armenia shares a land border with 4 countries, the country's international strategic capabilities are very limited. The main reason for this is that Armenia occupied the territories of Azerbaijan starting in 1993, and because of this, the borders with Turkiye and Azerbaijan remain closed to this day.

Given this, Armenia has relations with only Georgia and Iran, and although these relations are used for commercial purposes, they are not able to bring further surpluses to the economy of this country.

For example, if we just look at the statistical figures for 2022, we can say that the volume of exports from Armenia to Iran was approximately 111 million US dollars. About 59.6 percent of this was electric energy, 20 percent was rolled tobacco products, and the remaining 20 percent was made up of non-ferrous metal, glass, and other products. In addition, in Armenia, the internal market of the country has not been formed due to the fact that factories and companies bringing large-scale investments do not operate.

However, there is a fact that everyone already knows, which is the fact that despite heavy Western sanctions on Moscow, Armenia's exports to Russia are increasing day by day.

For example, Armenia's exports to Russia increased three times in 2022 alone. Armenia, which joined the Eurasian Economic Union led by Russia in 2014, for some reason, began to strengthen its trade with Russia precisely after the Ukrainian war.

For example, the trade turnover between Armenia and Russia in 2023 has grown by 43 percent, reaching $7 billion and 306 million, according to data from the National Statistical Committee of Armenia for 2023.

The specific weight of Russia in Armenia's total foreign trade remained at about the same level (decreased from 35.6 percent to 35.3 percent) compared to 2022, according to the statistics.

Exports from Armenia are up by almost 39 percent to a total of $3 billion and 418 million. This means that the share of exports and imports in trade with Russia is almost the same (47 percent to 53 percent).

Now let us get back to the answer to the main question. According to the indicators of the International Monetary Fund for 2024, the GDP of Armenia is 8.58 thousand US dollars. Of course, since the country prefers more exports, the latest indicators of the country's GDP have fluctuated with a growth rate of about 3% to 5%.

But what has not changed is the general living conditions of the population in Armenia. Experts emphasise that Armenia either overestimates the economic figures or that the country's income is used for different purposes. Certainly, one of them is the rapid armament policy of Armenia, especially after its defeat in the Second Garabagh War in 2020.

According to the latest statistics of this year, the Armenian government even increased the defence budget and allocated 557 billion drams (approximately $1.38 billion). In addition, in 2021, Yerevan allocated about $600 million from the state budget for military purposes, and in 2022, the country increased military spending by more than 10%, reaching $750 million. As regards Armenia's 2023 national budget for military expenditures, this reached a record $1.28 billion, and this number was around a 46% increase in military expenditures in comparison with a year ago.

So, Pashinyan's claims about Azerbaijan's budget backfired again. Unable to find a possible excuse, Nikol Vovayevich says, "Why not Armenia to get armed while Azerbaijan does so?"

Answer: Azerbaijan and Armenia should be distinguished. Armenia is an occupying state and occupied the lands of Azerbaijan for 30 years. After the Second World War, there are few states that invaded the territory of other countries, one of them is Armenia.

For example, after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, an arms embargo was imposed on Iraq. If Armenia develops its military potential, there is no guarantee that it will not use it later. Therefore, there should be some control mechanism over Armenia's acquisition of military equipment. The countries that arm Armenia are also responsible for this.

PM Pashinyan whitewashes threatening aspects of the Armenian constitution

Pashinyan's claims about the Constitution of Azerbaijan are barely a lie, and he himself knows very well that Azerbaijan has no territorial claims against anyone. In general, there is no legal basis for what he said, and it is clear that Armenia uses manipulative methods.

The Constitution of Armenia defines miatsum as a target for the Armenian people.

When Azerbaijan says the need to change the Constitution of Armenia, it means that the Armenian people should put an end to the miatsum issue through a referendum and accept that the Garabagh issue is over once and for all.

Even the claims of the Armenian Prime Minister regarding the non-abolition of the Minsk Group of the OSCE have a manipulative character and hide his real intention in his hypocritical nature.

In general, what has the OSCE Minsk Group done so far, what was its role in the past conflict?

For Azerbaijan, the issue of the Minsk Group has already gone down in history, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev has stated this many times, and the other day he voiced it again while receiving the delegation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye in Baku.

Because if the conflict is in the past and the Prime Minister of Armenia expresses support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, then what is the need to keep the Minsk Group, a remnant of the past?!

Communications should now be opened

In addition to demarcation and delimitation of the borders, communication with other territories of Azerbaijan should be ensured. Because when it comes to the issue of Zangazur, only one issue comes to mind: Armenia's leaving Nakhchivan under a blockade for more than 30 years. The blockade continued even after Pashinyan came to power. Now Armenia is talking about unblocking communications within the framework of its interests, which is nothing but hypocrisy. First, Armenia should show goodwill, and create an opportunity to open communication between the main part of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan AR, and then other transport issues can be considered. Azerbaijan cannot leave its citizens to the hope of Armenia, because everyone knows how Armenia behaves in this case.

Baku has set its demands before Armenia and Yerevan has no chance to take a step back after that.
40 minute immigration processing time for international travelers at Tulum airport

Tulum, Q.R.  It takes less than 40 minutes for international travelers to get through Mexican immigration at the Tulum airport. On Sunday, Governor Mara Lezama reported from the airport during the arrival of three international flights.

During a work tour, she said that tourists get through immigration (INM) in less than 40 minutes. The faster timing is due to the speed of attention and new technology, she said adding that Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM) officers processed a planeload of travelers in less than 40 minutes.

During her visit to the Tulum International Airport, Lezama confirmed the efficiency with which tourists arriving to visit the center and south of the state are served. Lezama was present when, within minutes of each other, three international flights arrived and she witnessed the speed with which the passengers were attended to by the Immigration Department, she said in a statement.

The INM area of Tulum International. Photo: Gobierno de Quintana Roo September 1, 2024.

New technology, great service, Lezama reported Sunday from the baggage claim area. A short time to enjoy more of Quintana Roo, welcome, she added.

The Tulum International Airport currently receives flights from Houston, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, in the United States, and from Montreal, Canada.
Roanoke police have identified the officers involved in the fatal shooting of a man who had cut a woman with a knife early Thursday.

In a statement released Sunday morning, Roanoke police said the following officers were placed on administrative leave as Virginia State Police investigate the incident:

Officer D. Gilliam, almost two years of service.

Officer R. Germ, two years of service.

Officer A. Longenecker, almost two years of service.

Officer T. Buquor, five years of service.

Sgt. T. Landes, 10 years of service.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragic event, Chief Scott Booth said in a news release. We are committed to a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the facts surrounding this incident, and we will continue to work with the Virginia State Police to ensure a complete and unbiased review. As always, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability to our community. Any community member who is in need of resources or support is encouraged to contact our Rapid Engagement of Support in the Event of Trauma (RESET) Team for assistance, and can do so by calling our RESET Coordinator at (540) 853-5304. I have the fullest confidence in the Virginia State Police team working this incident, and know that this will be a fair process for all involved.

Releasing the names of officers involved in shootings within 72 hours of an incident is the Roanoke departments practice, as is releasing only a first initial for a first name.

On Thursday, police said the incident started with a 12:53 a.m. 911 call about a disturbance involving an armed person in the 700 block of 29th Street Northwest. When officers arrived, they encountered a woman with a serious cut outside the residence. Inside, they found a man armed with a knife and ordered him to drop the weapon. When he did not do so, officers used a taser, and when the armed man continued to advance toward them, officers fired their weapons while retreating, police said. Bodycam video has not been released.

The 29-year-old domestic violence suspect died at the scene. Police have not released his identity, and there were no other new updates issued on the investigation on Sunday.

Thursdays incident marked the fourth time city police have fatally shot an individual since Booth took command of the department late last year.
JOHNSTON  Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said Friday she plans to propose amending the Iowa Constitution to offer protections for children who testify against alleged abusers.

Birds proposal comes in the wake of an Iowa Supreme Court ruling that overturned an Iowa mans child abuse or neglect conviction because two witnesses, his 8-year-old and 11-year-old sons, gave their testimony via closed-circuit television and not in person.

By a 4-3 vote, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled June 28 the video testimony violated the mans constitutional right to face his accuser. Prosecutors in the case had argued that the video testimony satisfied that right because the defendant could watch the childrens testimony. The Iowa Supreme Courts majority said that was not sufficient because the video was one-way  the defendant could see the children, but they could not see him.

As a result of the ruling, any Iowa children who testify in state court could be required to do so in the courtroom, potentially in front of a defendant accused of assaulting them.

The ruling makes Iowa the only state in the country to not follow a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows closed-circuit television testimony by children in abuse cases.

Advocates for child victims have expressed concern with the ruling and its potential impact. They say children often are traumatized by testifying in court where they can be seen by their accused abuser.

Bird, after recording her appearance on this weekends episode of Iowa Press on Iowa PBS, told reporters she plans to introduce a constitutional amendment that would offer some protections for Iowa children who testify in trials.

Birds office said later Friday that the proposed constitutional amendment will ensure that victims, including children, are not forced to testify while being stared down by their abuser.

As a prosecutor who works with child victims, I know just how harmful that is to kids, Bird said. I am working in my office to draft a constitutional amendment to solve this problem, because we have to protect children.

Bird said child victims often are scared to appear in court, and that she would sometimes advise child victims  and adult victims  that they do not have to look at the defendant during trial proceedings.

Its hard for kids to testify in court. Not to mention theyre kids: it would be hard for them to testify in court about something good that had happened, much less something really bad and awful that has happened. So its tough, Bird said.

Bird indicated she plans to introduce it for state lawmakers consideration when they convene next year.

To amend the Iowa Constitution, a proposal must pass two sessions of the Iowa Legislature separated by an election, then a popular vote on a general election ballot.
For almost all my life, I identified as being extroverted. I loved being around people, and absorbed energy from hanging out. Looking forward to weekend social activities kept me going through hard work weeks, especially in my psychiatry residency training. My friends even used to joke that I had an address book of namesId say Filofax but that dates meand Id just go down the list asking people to do something with me until someone said yes. To feel recharged, I just needed to do something, with someone.

Thats how it used to be. Now, I am perfectly content being home and alone. I no longer need to make plans to hang out with friends to motivate me to make it to Friday. When I do go out, its not very long before I feel spent. I even left a wedding recently before most of the reception because Id had enough socializing.

This version of me feelsdifferent, uncomfortable even. Like my personality changed entirely. There might be a loneliness crisis going on right now, but I find that, for me personally, I just like being alone so much more than I used to, and often I even prefer it. Talking with friends, other mental health experts, and even some of my own patients, I know Im not alone. I actually see this in a lot of people, says Nikki Lacherza-Drew, a therapist who runs a practice called Vici Psychological Care. Theres no hard data that I could find on the phenomenon, but it seems that some of us are just more introverted now.

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Part of it is that we have emerged from a pandemic, which provided us with so very much time to be alone. Some people may have not only become more accustomed to itthey may have realized they actually enjoy solitary time, developing an appreciation for its benefits they didnt previously have a chance to explore, says Nikhita Singhal, a child and adolescent psychiatry subspecialty resident at the University of Toronto. Becoming more introverted during that time also could have been a bit of a protective measure: In a study of college students, more extroversion was related to lower mood as the pandemic progressed. Sessions with my therapist necessarily focused on how I could sustain my own mental health without the help of others. Maybe realizing I could enjoy being by myself happened because I had to be by myself. I ended up liking my own company more than I could have imagined.

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Something also has happened in the past five years to me and my friends: As much as I wish time had simply stopped during the COVID years, we have, in fact, gotten older. I have often heard that people become more introverted over time and have seen some hypotheses that this has to do with evolution and no longer needing to be out and about and talking to people to find a mate. (And of course, if youre coupled up and have family responsibilities, youll probably be going out less whether you like it or not.) While the evolutionary explanation feels slightly oversimplistic, there is some data showing the trend is at least generally true: There is a linear decrease over time in extroversion as a trait. One study found that while scores measuring extroversion dropped after age 30 and continued to drop to age 90, the drop was most profound after the mid-50s. I started the pandemic at 32, and am now 36. So maybe age is a contributing factor, too.

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And then theres the fact that my vision of myself as an extrovert was probably too simplistic in the first place. Psychologists have long described introversion and extroversion as extremes, with most of us falling somewhere in the middle. Indeed, the vast majority of people are ambiverts, according to an article that ran in Scientific American this spring, with their preferences varying from situation to situation, even if they tend to lean in one direction or the other. And its possible to very purposefully shift where you fall, too, as writer Olga Khazan described in the Atlantic in 2022, and Glen Powells fictional character in the movie Hit Man demonstrated more recently. In those cases, though, Khazan and Powells Gary Johnson made themselves become more extroverted.

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I do feel a little self-conscious about my turn inward. When I say no to plans, I wonder if I am now less fun, or even boring. I am curious if my friends will notice that Im spending more time alone and if they will wonder if something is wrong with meparticularly as isolation or change of behavior can be signs of depression. (I hang out with a lot of mental health types.) In many ways, society favors extroversion. Descriptors such as outgoing and sociable may be perceived as having a more positive connotation than terms we use to describe introversion, Singhal tells me. Both introverted and extroverted tendencies can come with upsides and challengesthat doesnt really mean one is better than the other, says Lacherza-Drew. I think social media for a person who is more extroverted can be a slippery slope, she points out. Just like isolating, spending too much time chasing socialization in the form of engagement online can be difficult for mental health, too.

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Related From Slate Most Parents Get Here Eventually. I Finally Figured Out Why I Hate the Term for It So Much. Read More

Still, a part of me wants to just force myself to return to my pre-pandemic extroverted self again. It feels on some level like it would be positive to go back to being a social butterfly. But I know I should embrace my new self-awareness, as well as listen to my body and its energy supply. To find the balance, even. That is, of course, what I would tell any patient of mine to do if they were worried about a shift toward introversion in themselves.

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Im not done shifting, though. It takes intention and experimentation to figure out the right routine, Kasley Killam, the author of The Art and Science of Connection, tells me. She suggests journaling at the end of a day or week, and in writing, asking myself about different interactions throughout my day, my energy level after them, and the amount and depth of my socializing throughout. The answers will be individualized to me, and maybe even that day or week, but actively paying attention to my interactions and how I feel can help me find the right balance. It can be beneficial to focus on quality over quantity, Killam adds, to prioritize the relationships that are most important to you, such as with close friends and family, rather than socializing for the sake of it. It can also be valuable to dedicate time to connecting with yourself.

Imagine that: actually allowing time to connect to myself. To ask myself how I am feeling and what those feelings mean. To be a little bored, even in the busy world of work and a social life. Instead of extroverted, or introverted, perhaps now Ill strive to simply be intentional.
Jana Rajcovas exhibition will open at the Iowa museum in late September.

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Mark Dillon, a fourth-generation Slovak-American and author, is chair of the Board of Directors of the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International.

Just three days after Russias invasion of Ukraine upended countless lives, Bratislava-based photographer Jana Rajcova resolved to channel her expertise in documentary photography into a project that would make an impact.

A London University of Westminster alumna with a background in photojournalism, Rajcova began her journey on March 2, 2022, when she first met Masha, a refugee sheltered by a friend. What started as an ad hoc effort to document the refugee experience soon evolved into a mission of storytelling.

I wanted to restore the dignity of these people in my photographs, she told The Slovak Spectator.

Rajcovas self-financed project, Exodus.Report, encompassing almost 100 portraits and stories, reflects her growing realisation of the projects significance and her commitment to capturing the resilience and humanity of those displaced by the conflict.

Its goal is to evoke empathy in viewers and be a memento for all, she said about her documentary evidence.

As of August 25, nearly 126,000 Ukrainians have crossed into Slovakia seeking temporary protection since Russias invasion in February 2022, according to the Slovak Interior Ministrys website. This influx ranks among the highest in the European Union.

The Slovak photographer expressed her honour at the refugees willingness to open their hearts to a stranger, despite the language barrier and their unfamiliarity with her.

I feel a tremendous responsibility for the trust they placed in me, she said.

Having presented Exodus.Report to audiences in Bratislava, Slovakias capital, Rajcovas perspective on Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia is now coming to the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Opening on September 19, Exodus.Report will be the first solo US showing for the photographer, and she will be visiting the Midwest for the event.

Evzenia, 38; Artem, 12; and Rostislav, 1, appear in Rajcovas project. (Source: Courtesy of J. R.)

Counterbalance to Russian propaganda

Reached at her home in Virginia, Katarina Skladony, a long-time volunteer at Friends of Slovakia (FOS), a Washington-based organisation co-sponsoring the Cedar Rapids exhibition, told The Slovak Spectator that her group learned of Rajcovas work in May 2022 when they sponsored a global webinar about Slovaks initial responses to Russian aggression in Ukraine and the inflow of Ukrainian refugees.

The stories she gathered and presented were very, very moving for all of us. She put her commercial career on hold to document what was happening, said Skladony.

Rajcovas work also brought back memories for Skladony. As a child in Trnava, a town just a 40-minute drive from Bratislava, she said she witnessed the brutality of the Soviet-led 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, which ended the communist countrys democratisation efforts and returned it to oppressive rule.

I saw how those times impacted the lives of my family and the whole country, said Skladony.

After the 2022 webinar, fellow FOS board member Cecilia Rokusek, president and CEO of the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library, along with Thomas W. Skladony, a founding member of FOS and Katarinas husband, got the ball rolling to bring Rajcovas work to America.

The exhibition in the Iowa museum will run through late January 2025.

However, FOS is already trying to arrange additional exhibits of Rajcovas work in Washington and New York, and Katarina noted that the organisation is open to exploring opportunities in other US cities if co-sponsors and venues can be found.

For example, in Minneapolis and Chicagotwo US cities with large Ukrainian diaspora and refugee populationspublic photo exhibits focused on war refugees were held this past February 24 and July, respectively. These were sponsored by the Fulbright organisation and the Lithuanian community, with Lithuania being another European Union member state where Ukrainian refugees have settled.

Cultural leaders such as the Skladonys, who have ties to both the USA and Slovakia, see visual documentary works like Rajcovas as crucial counterweights to the pervasive Russian and Russophile propaganda about Ukraine that inundates both countries. Slovak genealogist Michal Razus, who presented a May 2022 webinar titled Helping Families in Time of Crisis for the US-based group Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International, shares the perspective.

It is good to realise who is the attacker and who is the victim, said Razus, who lives in the eastern Slovak town of Presov and has been assisting Ukrainian refugees since the war began.

Alla is a 64-year-old Ukrainian woman who features in Rajcova's "Exodus.Report" project. (Source: Courtesy of J. R.)

Refugees lives in photos and words

With the war now two and half years old, Rajcova has also been devoting time to keeping in touch with her photo subjects, learning about their evolving lives, and simply sharing coffee, listening, and appreciating their perspectives.

She admires their determination, even as their families are torn apart by the war.

You stay in touch with your husband or your parents in Ukraine, and every day you are hoping that your phone calls will be answered, your messages will be read, and in that way you know your loved ones are okay, she explained.

Rajcovas project, Exodus.Report, includes not only photos but also hundreds of hours of recorded interviews. Therefore, the photographer is considering publishing her subjects stories as a book, allowing readers to follow how the war developed and, hopefully, experience the profound impact of faith and unceasing hope.

Rajcovas display is said to be the first uniquely Slovak photography exhibit on Russias war in Ukraine in the USA, though that does not seem to impress her.

I only wish for one thing, she said, that these photos and stories be seen and read by as many people as possible, so we can learn and never forget.
When people dont know where they came from, their future is easier to manipulate.

PM Robert Fico addresses the crowd at the SNP celebrations in Banska Bystrica, with the image of the SNP museum in the background. (Source: Sme - Marko Erd)

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Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. Soldiers and politicians paraded in Banska Bystrica to mark the 80th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising. Fico misses no opportunity to pick on the EU. And a story about the most disastrous mission by US wartime military intelligence.

If you have a suggestion on how to make this overview better, let me know at michaela.terenzani@spectator.sk.

Historical unconsciousness

A man-made hill rises above the meadow of Blonia in the Polish city of Krakow. Like the highest peak in Australia, it bears the name of Polish national hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko. His story, including his participation in the American War of Independence and his later victory over Russian troops at the Battle of Raclawice, can be experienced in the museum beneath the hill, which, based on a peculiar Krakowian tradition, was built in Kosciuszko's memory.

You will find the story of his childhood in bits and pieces tucked away behind many miniature doors, his first love Ludwika Sosnowska will tell you her story, and then you will set sail with Kosciuszko across the Atlantic at the helm of a sailing boat, where the peaceful passage of time in the Polish countryside is replaced by the roar of the sea. Later comes a scene from the Krakow square where Kosciuszko, already a seasoned military commander, takes a solemn oath and assumes command of the anti-Russian uprising.

The adventurer becomes a hero, a model patriot. With that, we leave the fortress in which the museum is located and climb the green hill looming over it, wreathed in white gravel paths. Below Kosciuszko Hill is the beautiful city of Krakow, and looking at it one can understand why anyone would want to fight for it.

You may experience a similar feeling when you look down from Bradlo hill at the rolling hills in which Milan Rastislav Stefanik, the future adventurer who would also later become a hero and model patriot, roamed as a boy. More than a century after Kosciuszko, a story began in those western-Slovak hills that is no less cosmopolitan, thrilling and inspiring than that of the Polish hero. In his native village of Kosariska, a guide will tell that story to you in the museum, show you a replica of a room in his Paris apartment, souvenirs from Tahiti and astronomical instruments  but you will not feel that you have met Milan Rastislav Stefanik.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240901/drone-shot-down-near-moscow-refinery-no-casualties-1119978766.html

Drone Shot Down Near Moscow Refinery, No Casualties

Drone Shot Down Near Moscow Refinery, No Casualties

Sputnik International

A drone was shot down near the Moscow Refinery (MNPZ), Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday, adding the refinery's operation was not compromised.

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"A drone was shot down near the MNPZ. There are no damages or casualties, there is no threat to MNPZ operation," he said on Telegram. A total of nine drones that tried to attack Moscow were shot down by Sunday morning, Sobyanin added. The drone that was shot down over the Moscow refinery fell on a free-standing utility building at the MNPZ compound, causing a fire. Firefighter were sent to the site. The blaze was taken under control hours later. "After Moscow firefighters arrived at the site, the fire was promptly taken under control. There is no threat to the workers or the operations of the plant. The situation is calm. There is no open fire. Media reports to the contrary are false," the Russian Emergency Ministry said in a statement. As many as 158 Ukrainian drones were intercepted by air defenses across Russian regions overnight.Russian officials repeatedly slammed Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240901/durov-arrest-first-salvo-of-final-battle-in-the-30-year-war-on-privacy-1119974550.html

Durov Arrest First Salvo of Final Battle in the 30-Year War on Privacy

Durov Arrest First Salvo of Final Battle in the 30-Year War on Privacy

Sputnik International

The arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov is not the beginning of a global surveillance state, but rather the culmination of a three decade war on internet privacy.

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The 90sIn late January 1991, a then 48-year-old senator from Delaware named Joe Biden, introduced Senate Bill 266: the Comprehensive Counter-Terrorism Act of 1991. Buried in the last third of the proposed bills text was a section on electronic communications that imposed requirements for providers of electronic communication services.Essentially, SB266 would have required companies to create backdoors to enable the government to snoop on their customers, making it impossible to have truly private conversations digitally. That may seem relatively mundane in the post-Snowden leak world we live in, but this was the birth of the digital age and the standards we enjoy online today did not yet exist.Emails, for example, were sent through the internet unencrypted, in plain text. Any malicious actor with the right hardware and know-how, not just the government, could intercept email and even send emails appearing to come from someone else. Developing a secure and private way to send information online wasnt just a civil rights issue; it was a hurdle that needed to be solved before the internet could go mainstream. Had Senator Biden gotten his way, the internet would be a very different place right now.Today, encryption is used to both hide the content of emails and verify the sender. But even in 1991, it was clear encryption would become a big part of how people communicated digitally and Senator Biden wanted to ensure the government had keys to a backdoor - literally and figuratively.PGP and Phil ZimmermannWhile the bill gathered three co-sponsors, including then Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), it never got out of committee. Terrorism and the internet were not concerns most people, even Congress, had in 1991. But, it was enough to frighten the privacy advocates that populated the early internet, including one young computer scientist named Phil Zimmermann.Zimmermann was already working on his encryption software when SB266 was introduced, but it sounded an alarm in his head that would push it from a hobby to an obsession. He would later say he missed five mortgage payments while working on it.Congress might not have seen the coming fight over privacy in the digital age, but some, like the relatively young Biden, had started to wake up to it. The war might not have started, but the battle lines were being drawn.On June 5 of that year, Zimmermann sent the first release of PGP 1.0, an acronym for Pretty-Good-Privacy, to a few of his friends to upload to the internet. It first appeared on a newsgroup called Peacenet, a gathering place online for activists worldwide. A day later, it was on Usenet, the largest collection of newsgroups and a service that still exists today.PGP used a technique called public key encryption, a method invented in the 1970s by a group at Stanford MIT led by Martin Hellman. Previously, if two parties wanted to communicate using encryption, a key to decode those messages was required. That presented a problem because, unless the two parties were physically in the same space, that key would have to be shared before encryption took place. The key would go through either an insecure channel, where it could be captured, or through a secure channel which likely meant the physical transfer of a key, which again could be intercepted.Public key encryption works by giving each user two keys: a public key and a private key. The public key, as the name implies, is shared publicly. Anyone who wants to send the user a message uses the receivers public key to encrypt the message, which can only be decoded with the receivers private key. Not even the messages author can decode it once it is encrypted. It also allowed users to sign messages using their private key, proving they authored the message without revealing the private key. That and a later innovation by PGP developers called Web of Trust are still part of how emails are validated today.Their invention essentially allows us today to perform operations on information in our desktop computers that introduces no noticeable overhead whatsoever. The additional amount of time required to encrypt a message with this technology is basically negligible, explained Dr. James Bidzos, then the president of RSA Data Security, during a discussion on internet security held by the Commonwealth Club of California in 1995. It is essentially free and it's unbreakable and this presents a problem for the government.PGP soon took off and by September 1992 it was ported to virtually every platform besides Mac. But that grabbed the government's attention, and they werent happy about powerful encryption being released for free and for everyone.Computer encryption, at that time, was almost exclusively the domain of governments. It was, after all, originally used to send - and crack - military messages during World War II. By the 1990s, there were a few commercial options, but they were expensive, licensed and crucially, controlled. PGP was free, it was available to everyone and it used a more secure encryption method than anything commercially available at the time.The US government considered encryption a weapon, and its export was prohibited by the United States. It announced a criminal investigation into Zimmermann, accusing him of violating the Arms Export Control Act - that he was an arms dealer - because his software was downloaded outside of the United States. He was eventually searched by US Customs agents while traveling multiple times. What was soon called The Crypto Wars had begun. By that time, PGP was already being used by human rights organizations around the world, including Amnesty International.The investigation was ultimately dropped in 1996, four and a half years after PGP was first posted to Usenet. The move came down as the Clinton administration changed weapon export laws, removing encryption software from its munitions list. Every Western democracy soon followed. Today, PGP lives on as OpenPGP and can be downloaded for free by anyone in the world. It is still considered the gold standard for private communications.The Clipper ChipZimmermann was not the only focus of the Clinton administrations war on privacy and encryption. In 1993, it announced another front in the Crypto Wars. It claimed that it developed a chip with key escrow functionality that provided encryption while enabling government access; privacy and patriotic security in one neat package.Officially named MYK-78, but colloquially known as the Clipper Chip, the Clinton administrations proposal set off a firestorm of outrage not only among the internet community but the telecommunication and burgeoning data security industries as well. The New York Times called it the first holy war of the information superhighway.The Clipper Chip was created in response to AT&T announcing the launch of the TSD-3600, a device that allowed users - for the relatively low price of $1,295 - to have fully encrypted phone calls. The Clipper Chip was designed to be inserted into devices, enabling encrypted phone calls but could be unlocked by keys that the government held. Its sister chip, Capstone, was designed to do the same thing with data, including internet and fax transmissions. AT&T announced an upcoming modified version of the TSD-3600 with the Clipper Chip, but the rest of the industry was less enthused.The plan was vehemently opposed by the left and the right: everyone from the American Civil Liberties Union to conservative radio talk show firebrand Rush Limbaugh railed against it. More than 50,000 people responded to the governments request for petitions on the plan, with the vast majority opposing it, according to media accounts from the time.The Clipper Chip plan came crashing down when the government gave it to Matt Blaze, a computer scientist working for Bell Labs, in the hopes of clinching his stamp of approval. Within a day, he found flaws that made it unusable, including one that eliminated the backdoor the government wanted to use. Had that version of the Clipper Chip been implemented, the criminals the government hoped to catch could have modified it to give them more security than they would have had without it.But the flaws werent the reason the chip was a bad idea, it was a bad idea because of the premise of the chip itself, as Blaze detailed in a later interview. Its good that Clipper was killedand Im glad that I helped kill itbut it was sorta killed for the wrong reasons, Blaze told Gizmodo. The bug I found wasnt why it was a bad idea. The stuff I found could be fixedbut there were all these other problemsthe fact that it involved a secret algorithmthe fact that it included the key escrow mechanism that could be compromised."The US Government was the only customer to buy the Clipper Chip. While exact numbers are hard to find, it was reported they ordered it in bulk, attempting to build demand. In 1996, the same year the Zimmermann investigation was dropped, the Clipper Chip was officially canceled.The timing of those two events was likely not a coincidence. 1996 was an election year, and the Republican nominee for president, Bob Dole, was slamming the Clinton administration on their online privacy policy.Bill Clinton Wants to Put Big Brother in Your Computer, a subheadline of Doles campaign website read. Within his first 100 days as president, Bill Clinton proposed the Clipper ChipSince then, Bill Clinton has released updated versions of encryption proposals which insist that the government hold a key to individual's private data communications."Bob Dole believes Americans should have the right to guard themselves using encryption."Clinton won the election, but the pressure from the public, buoyed by his political opponent, encouraged his administration to back off. Their ideas just werent popular; Americans still valued privacy in 1996.From the War on Terror to TelegramBut the desire to eliminate privacy online never went away, it just shifted. In the 1990s, the debate was if the public should have access to tools that enable privacy. The government lost that battle and so they started building systems to snoop on everyone who didnt use those tools purposefully, slowly eroding the expectation of privacy the public had.After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, massive spying operations were launched, both in public and in secret. Slowly, either due to fear of terrorism or apathy, the American people started to lose their appreciation for privacy, which started to be portrayed as the exclusive domain of criminals and the paranoid.In 2014, in the wake of the Snowden leaks, former CIA Deputy Director John McLaughlin, who also served as acting director for just over two months in 2004, wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Post to assure the American public that the US National Security Agency (NSA) wasnt really spying on Americans (they were) and even if they were, it wasnt a big deal.According to McLaughlin's upside-down perspective, those who want to know what our government is doing are Stepford Wives blindly following society and giving aid to our enemies. Those who remain willfully ignorant, according to McLaughlin, are the realists who know the NSA is not perfect, but the real problem is the broad distrust of government that has taken root in the United States in recent decades.The Snowden leaks did not lead to any real reforms. The government claimed they took measures to protect the privacy of citizens, but those were internal changes around the margins and the new rules are routinely ignored anyway. No one was fired. No one was arrested. No mass protests hit the streets. The public had been conditioned to expect the government was watching them. This year, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was renewed for another two years, a massive blow for privacy and civil rights advocates.The only vestige of privacy left online is through encryption. For years that was a fairly complicated process, public key cryptography made it far easier than it was before, but few in the mainstream were using tools like PGP. Yes, email had become secure from spoofing, but most of the encryption was handled by email providers. Google may use encryption to keep users safe from man-in-the-middle attacks, but if they have access to your decrypted emails (and they do if you use Gmail), then there is nothing preventing them from handing that information over.That changed with apps like Telegram and Signal, which have true end-to-end encryption that not even the owners can crack. Now, more than ever, normal people are using apps that enable their privacy by default. Its not perfect, devices themselves are still vulnerable to government intrusion, but it is far more difficult to gain access to than simply sending a subpoena to a service provider. The government could tolerate encryption when it was limited to a few hundred thousand geeks posting on message boards, 950 million Telegram users is a much bigger issue.On Wednesday, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was charged with a litany of crimes accusing him of not doing enough to prevent abuse of his platform. The critical charge however, the one that all the others rest on because without it he couldnt be blamed for their actions is once again  as it was with Zimmermann in the US decades ago  with providing tools that enable encryption, which is the only vestige of privacy left on the internet in a post-Snowden world.Durov is out on 5 million bond and is barred from leaving France because, according to the indictment, he was providing cryptology services aiming to ensure confidentiality without certified declaration," as well as providing a cryptology tool not solely ensuring authentication or integrity monitoring without prior declaration. And, thirdly, because he was importing a cryptology tool ensuring authentication or integrity monitoring without prior declaration.The charges nearly mirror what Zimmermann was investigated for.Instead of the crime being the export of cryptology tools, it is the import of cryptology tools. In the 1990s, the US government argued they didnt want foreign adversaries to gain access to the privacy that cryptology enables. They may have had ulterior motives, but that was the basis of their investigation. French authorities are arguing it is a crime to give their citizens the ability to communicate privately. They are adding charges related to what Durovs users did to lessen public sympathy by associating him with the most horrible crimes, which would be like blaming AT&T because someone used a telephone to order a hitman. However, the cryptography charge is the heart of the case.One may argue that the French are not the Americans, and so these are separate fights by different governments on different populations with different expectations about their freedoms, but that would be the height of naivete. The attacks on internet privacy and freedom of speech have spread across the West. People and journalists are being arrested in the UK and Australia for social media posts. The US government is abusing the Foreign Agents Registration Act to attack any critics of its policies and has been pressuring social media companies to ban content and users. In Brazil, a censorship-happy judge is opening investigations on his critics, and then ruling in those same cases. That same judge just shut down X inside the country and imposed a fine worth roughly $8,900 for anyone who attempts to circumvent the ban. Just because Durov was arrested in France does not mean it is unrelated to the rest. The prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and whistleblower Edward Snowden are a part of it as well. Their work would have been impossible without reliable encryption.[The French are] part of the [Five] Eyes network of NSA-type agencies. And you can bet that the French have not done this rogue, that they have been talking to their American and, I would imagine, also British and maybe Israeli and other counterparts. I'm sure that's happening," Ted Rall, a political cartoonist and host of Sputnik Radio's Final Countdown, said on fellow Sputnik program The Backstory.The West is systematically removing free speech from the public square of the internet. When that is complete, they will come for the speech in the private corners of it and that is why they need to end truly secure encryption.When I look at what happened with Durov, Critical Hour co-host and former law enforcement officer Garland Nixon said on Wednesday, You know what term comes to mind? Extraordinary rendition. We cant quite get away with [arresting Durov] here, so well lock you up if you land in one of our colonies.On October 11, 2020, the Public Affairs Office of the US Justice Department released an international statement on end-to-end encryption, making clear that they believe tech companies have a responsibility to install backdoors in their software.End-to-end encryption that precludes lawful access to the content of communications in any circumstances directly impacts these responsibilities, creating severe risks to public safety in two ways:As in the 1990s, the government is arguing that innocent people cannot be afforded privacy, because criminals would have it as well. But, privacy isnt just for criminals. Everything from financial transactions to sending your address to a relative so they can ship a present for your child is something that should be encrypted before you do it. Any backdoor is susceptible to being hacked and abused. Eliminating encryption will make the world not only less private but less secure. In the digital age, a private conversation is not as simple as going to the backyard. Never forget that privacy is supposed to be the default in free societies, government snooping is supposed to be the exception.Writing in 2021 on the 30th anniversary of PGPs release, Zimmermann warned that his old enemies were coming again and pleaded for the public to take the threat seriously.It is time for a new generation of digital freedom fighters to take center stage from our dial-up and Usenet-using forefathers. Users of TikTok, Twitter, Telegram and Signal, unite! You have nothing to lose but your digital chains.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240829/telegram-ceo-durov-left-paris-court-in-private-car-says-telegram-complies-with-the-law-1119945039.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210302/fbi-pushing-tech-firms-to-write-own-backdoors-into-encrypted-messaging-apps-director-tells-congress-1082236593.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240831/french-party-leader-warns-telegram-ceos-life-may-be-in-danger-1119973143.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240821/journalist-medhurst-arrest-is-the-assange-effect-continued-1119852811.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240901/hamas-holds-israel-responsible-for-hostage-deaths-in-gaza-strip-1119977982.html

Hamas Holds Israel Responsible for Hostage Deaths in Gaza Strip

Hamas Holds Israel Responsible for Hostage Deaths in Gaza Strip

Sputnik International

Hamas holds Israel responsible for the deaths of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, Izzat al-Risheq, a member of the Palestinian movement's political bureau, said on Sunday.

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"The one who bears responsibility for the deaths of the hostages held by the resistance is the occupation [Israel], which insists on continuing the war of genocide," al-Risheq said in a statement. The Israeli military has released the names of six hostages whose bodies were found in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip. They include Russian citizen Alexander Lobanov and US citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. They were captured by Hamas during the October 7 attack. The Hamas official argued that hostages were dying in the enclave due to Israeli bombings. He urged US President Joe Biden to stop supporting Israel with money and weapons and pressure it into ceasing attacks on Gaza. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip, followed by an incursion. Hamas fighters opened fire on military and civilian targets, and captured more than 250 hostages. Israel estimates that 1,200 people were killed.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240828/the-lies-of-the-us-empire-will-be-its-undoing-1119944710.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240901/polio-vaccination-underway-in-central-gazas-nuseirat-refugee-camp-1119980572.html

Polio Vaccination Underway in Central Gaza's Nuseirat Refugee Camp

Polio Vaccination Underway in Central Gaza's Nuseirat Refugee Camp

Sputnik International

A campaign to vaccinate Palestinian children against poliomyelitis, a severe and potentially deadly infectious disease, began in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Sunday, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

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Some 1.2 million polio vaccines have been delivered to central Gaza ahead of the campaign, underway at the primary health care center in the camp. "Today is the first day of the polio vaccination campaign. The campaign is necessary for children as young as one day old and is absolutely harmless," a campaign organizer told Sputnik. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that polio vaccination in the Gaza Strip would take place from September 1-12. It will be carried out in the city of Deir al Balah from September 1-4, in Khan Yunis and Rafah from September 5-8, and in Gaza City and the northern part of the Gaza Strip from September 9-12. In July, the Gaza Health Ministry declared the enclave a polio epidemic area, citing the months-long fighting as the main reason for the spread of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) called for a humanitarian pause in the enclave to allow for vaccination. Palestinian movement Hamas said it supported the humanitarian pause. Israel confirmed on Saturday that it would open a humanitarian corridor for medical personnel and designate safe areas for administering the vaccines during a short period.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240901/putins-remarks-about-biden-true-for-vp-harris---kremlin--1119978387.html

Putin's Remarks About Biden True for VP Harris - Kremlin

Putin's Remarks About Biden True for VP Harris - Kremlin

Sputnik International

Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent remark about the predictability of US President Joe Biden also applies to his vice president turned presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.

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Asked whether Russia would prefer to see Joe Biden or Donald Trump as the next US president, Putin described Biden as more preferable because he was more experienced and predictable. Peskov lamented the state of US-Russian relations, saying tensions between the two were at their highest, having reached a breaking point under the Biden administration. When asked about the future of Democrats' policy on Russia and the European Union, Peskov said it was also easy to predict. US Involvement in Ukrainian ConflictThe United States is directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict, despite numerous statements to the contrary, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added.The spokesman accused Washington of "an undisguised hostile attitude" toward Russia. He said the US had spent decades piling pressure on Russia and trampling on its interests.Trump Won't Solve All Problems OvernightRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump will not be able to resolve all problems overnight if elected, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.Trump has repeatedly promised during the presidential campaign to settle the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in 24 hours after coming into the White House.The Kremlin spokesman rejected as impossible speculations that a new US president could announce an end to US military support for Ukraine and call on the parties to sit down at the negotiating table in their inaugural speech in January 2025.Peskov said relations between Russia and the United States had hit rock bottom under Biden and looked unsalvageable for the time being.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240726/trump-versus-the-deep-state-will-next-president-shift-us-foreign-policy-1119509608.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240901/ukrainian-attack-on-russias-belgorod-suburbs-leaves-9-civilians-hurt-1119979235.html

Ukrainian Attack on Russia's Belgorod Leaves 11 Civilians Injured

Ukrainian Attack on Russia's Belgorod Leaves 11 Civilians Injured

Sputnik International

Nine civilians, including two children, were injured on Sunday in a new Ukrainian attack on the Russian border city of Belgorod and its suburbs, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

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"Today's attack by the Ukrainian armed forces on Belgorod and its district left 11 civilians wounded, including two children," Gladkov said on Telegram.Gladkov said earlier that eight people had been injured. Ten of the injured were taken to hospitals in Belgorod and one was treated on the spot.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240814/ex-pentagon-analyst-ukraine-couldnt-launch-kursk-terror-attack-without-us-support-1119771399.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240901/unhealed-wound-of-beslan-terror-attack-russia-commemorates-20th-anniversaryof-tragedy-1119970707.html

Unhealed Wound of Beslan Terror Attack: Russia Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Tragedy

Unhealed Wound of Beslan Terror Attack: Russia Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Tragedy

Sputnik International

On September 1, Russia commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Beslan school terror attack, which claimed the lives of 334 people, including 186 children.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the memorial of the Beslan victims on August 20 and knelt in solemn tribute. The terror attack in Beslan, a city in Russia's Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, occurred on the morning of September 1, 2004. Over 30 Islamist militants seized School No. 1 during a holiday assembly, taking over 1,200 people hostage and placing explosives in the building. Most of the hostages were children, who were forcibly held in the building for three days without food or water. Units of the FSB Special Purpose Center were immediately dispatched to Beslan to free the hostages. On the third day of the siege, two powerful blasts inside the building forced the counter-terror units to launch an assault, during which the hostages were released, and the terror group was eliminated. One Islamist militant, Nurpashi Kulaev, was captured and later sentenced to life in prison.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20170901/beslan-anniversary-homage-1057013884.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240901/us-military-officials-doubt-f-16-crash-in-ukraine-caused-by-friendly-fire---reports-1119976978.html

US Military Officials Doubt F-16 Crash in Ukraine Caused by Friendly Fire - Report

US Military Officials Doubt F-16 Crash in Ukraine Caused by Friendly Fire - Report

Sputnik International

US military officials do not believe the official story by the Kiev regime that the loss of a F-16 fighter was due to friendly fire, US media has reported.

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On August 29, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces acknowledged the loss of the F-16 fighter transferred to Ukraine; a special commission is investigating the causes of the crash. The Wall Street Journal previously wrote that the F-16 crashed due to pilot error. Ukrainian lawmaker Maryana Bezuglaya said that the F-16 had been shot down by the Patriot air defense system of the Ukrainian Armed Forces due to a failure in coordination between the units. Two high-ranking US military officials said that friendly fire was probably not the cause of the F-16 crash, the newspaper said. The publication did not specify what this statement was based on, nor did it mention the versions of the destruction of the fighter put forward by these officials. At the same time, the US military told the newspaper that US and Ukrainian investigators were considering many different possible reasons for the loss of the F-16 by Kiev. An unnamed active pilot of the Ukrainian forces complained to the publication about problems in the Ukrainian Air Force, noting the entrenched bureaucracy and obsolescence of the structure. According to the obituary of Ukrainian pilot Oleksiy Mes, he died on August 26 while performing a combat mission. At the same time, the coordinator of the pro-Russian underground, Sergey Lebedev, said on August 27 that the strike on the area of a military airfield in Starokonstantinov, Khmelnytsky region, had hit a facility where Ukrainian pilots had been stationed for training with foreign instructors. On August 30, Volodymyr Zelensky fired the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk. The reasons for the resignation were not given, but on August 31, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov commented on the dismissal, calling it a "rotation" unrelated to the crash of the F-16 fighter.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240831/ukraine-losing-air-force-commander-in-blame-game-highlights-f-16-drawbacks-1119973266.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240901/zelensky-sees-4-difficult-directions-of-front-for-ukrainian-forces-1119976619.html

Zelensky Sees 4 Difficult Directions of Front for Ukrainian Forces

Zelensky Sees 4 Difficult Directions of Front for Ukrainian Forces

Sputnik International

Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that there are four difficult fronts for Ukrainian forces due to Russian gains, with the top being in the Krasnoarmeysk sector.

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"Today I spoke with the Commander-in-Chief. The Pokrovsk direction faces the highest number of assaults. The situation is also difficult in the Kramatorsk, Toretsk, Kupyansk directions. Nearly two hundred battles are baing fought daily along the entire front," Zelenskyy said in a video message on Telegram. On August 21, retired SBU Col. Oleg Starikov stated that a tactical crisis had already occurred for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Pokrovsk and Toretsk directions, which could develop into an operational one. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky previously stated that the situation along the entire front line was difficult. According to Syrsky, the Russian army has an advantage in the air, missiles, and artillery ammunition. Last week, the General Staff of the Ukrainian troops reported a tense situation in the Kupyansk and Seversk directions. Earlier, the head of the Russian administration of the Kharkov region, Vitaly Ganchev, said that the Russian Armed Forces were liberating the road connecting Kupyansk and Svatovo, and several villages along it had already come under the control of Russian troops. According to Ganchev, the Russian Armed Forces are slowly but surely advancing toward Kupyansk. On Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Yug ("West") group of forces had liberated the settlements of Stelmakhovka in the LPR and Sinkovka in the Kharkiv region. On Saturday, August 31, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Yug group of forces had defeated units of four Ukrainian brigades and repelled a counterattack, with the enemy losing up to 780 servicemen.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240901/russian-defense-ministry-congratulates-russian-forces-on-liberation-of-2-villages-1119976247.html

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Driver Scott Zeron enjoyed a sensational night at the office in a return to his old stomping grounds, winning the finals of both the 2024 Canadian Pacing Derby and Maple Leaf Trot on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Its My Show put on a brilliant show in a thrilling edition of the $540,000 Canadian Pacing Derby on Saturday evening, Aug. 31 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

El Rey (Louis-Philippe Roy) showed the way early, popping to the front soon after the starting car zipped away from the field of 10 (Ruthless Hanover was scratched) as Scott Zeron, in rein to Its My Show, settled the four-year-old gelding into second. Huntinthelastdolar (Yannick Gingras), Voukefalas (Jordan Stratton) and mutuel choice Abuckabaett Hanover (Dexter Dunn) rounded out the top five through an opening quarter in :26.

Voukefalas took aim at the leader and struck front ahead of a lively :53.4 half, with El Rey in second, Its My Show, under a patient drive from Zeron, along the rail in third, and Abuckabett Hanover in fourth and on the move.

Voukefalas was clinging to a precarious lead after the third quarter mark in 1:21.1, as Abuckabett Hanover amped up the pressure to his outside. El Rey was still in the hunt and Oakwood Ardan IR (Andrew McCarthy) looked to enter the fray.

Zeron, meanwhile, was searching for a seam midway down the lane.

After finding daylight, Its My Show powered through along the inside and bested a game Abuckabett Hanover by a nose for all the spoils in 1:48.1. Oakwood Ardan IR was third with El Rey fourth and Hemsworth N (Jody Jamieson) closing from last at the half to round out the top five finish order.

Winning a big race together at Woodbine Mohawk Park is nothing new for Zeron, trainer Linda Toscano and the son of Sweet Lou-Put On A Show, who teamed to take last years Pepsi North America Cup by a head.

"I was sitting where I wanted to, I just needed to have a little luck to get loose, said Zeron, who earned his first Canadian Pacing Derby crown. And you know, anybody in the grandstand could drive this horse. He's so handy. And when he zipped through, he got excited. So, it was a great start and an amazing finish from him.

Toscano wasnt certain Its My Show got to the wire first.

I really thought that he was coming hard. It would have been an awful tough beat because he was really pacing hard to the wire. But I didn't think we got there, admitted Toscano.

She was happy to be wrong.

He does love this track. He likes everything about it up here. He's relaxed. He just sits about his business and he likes a long stretch.

With the win, his first since a victory at Oak Grove on May 6, Its My Show is now 11-8-3 from 35 starts, to go along with more than $1.7 million in career earnings for owners and breeders Richard Young of Boca Raton, Florida and Joanne Young of Coconut Creek, Florida.

Zeron lauded the bay pacer for his grit and gumption.

Sometimes, he just tells me, Hey, ease up a little bit and give me a little caretaking trip. And when you do something like that, he gives me a result like that.

A $2 win ticket on Its My Show returned $16.30.

One race after guiding Its My Show to Canadian Pacing Derby glory, Zeron changed gaits and delivered another sterling steer to take all the spoils as Periculum powered home with authority to win the $600,000 Maple Leaf Trot.

Logan Park (Doug McNair) blasted off the wings and drove to the front, followed by the trio of Fashion Frenzie (Roy), Osceola (Trevor Henry), and M Ms Dream (David Miller) into the first turn.

Logan Park was on top by 1-1/2 lengths through an opening panel in :26.3, but M Ms Dream, unable to find a seat, drove on and challenged the leader, who refused to yield and took his rivals to the half in :54.1. Zeron and Periculum, the 3-5 choice, patiently tracked the pacesetters from seventh, even without having seen the pylons.

Hitting three-quarters in 1:22.4, Logan Park looked to dash away from his foes, as Hillexotic (Jody Jamieson) and Periculum arrived on the scene.

A game Logan Park dug in along the rail, but five-year-old Periculum was in full flight and full of trot, going on to secure a two-plus length score over stablemate Oh Well (Dexter Dunn). Logan Park was third and Hillexotic took fourth.

I really didnt want to get in a speed duel up front, explained Zeron. Not being on the pylons wasnt the end of the world. It was more about trying to get some nice flow, and obviously it was a hot tempo up front, so I was happy where it was in the last turn.

I had a great post [five], so, I felt like I had options no matter what. And you know, I could see the writing on the wall a little early. Theres going to be a lot of speed. And I just didn't want to have to be that one, or the one that was first up early. I was happy with where I was situated.

The evening was about as good as it gets for Zeron.

This is where I grew up racing, to come here and do this with some good horses and for good connections, its a fun experience.

As it was for all those associated with Periculum.

Owned by Brixton Medical Inc. and Holly Lane Stud East Ltd. and trained by Marcus Melander, the bay breezed into the Maple Leaf Trot final off a similarly strong score in his elimination last week, with Zeron in the sulky for the first time, when they won by 4-3/4 lengths in 1:51.2.

On this night, Periculum was once again at the top of his game.

He had no cover there for a while, and it helped that it was :54 to the half, and good tempo up there, but he looked like he did it easy, said Melander, who also won the 2018 Maple Leaf Trot with Crazy Wow.

He feels like he's in a really good form, actually. He had a really good week, and I wasn't surprised that he raced good.

Bred by Order By Stable AB out of Boras, Sweden, the well-travelled trotter, who competed in the Scandinavian country last year, was a $340,000 purchase at the 2020 Lexington Select Yearling Sale.

With the Maple Leaf victory, the biggest of his career to date, the son of Muscle Hill-Amour Heiress is now 11-4-6 from 43 starts, to go along with over $863,000 in lifetime earnings.

He paid $3.30 for the victory.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(With files from Woodbine)
Five was the magical number in the fourth Gold leg of the Ontario Sires Stakes for two-year-old pacers on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Rookie pacing filly Chantilly ($2.20; pictured above) stayed perfect in five career starts, winning her $140,000 Gold assignment in career best fashion.

Sent off as the 1-9 choice, Chantilly settled into fourth from post eight behind Wickedpace (Jody Jamieson), Macapelo Seelster (Tyler Borth) and Millie May Hanover (Todd McCarthy). Wickedpace tripped the opening timer in :27, then yielded to Millie May Hanover. Her lead was short-lived as driver James MacDonald followed that move and brushed Chantilly to the lead by the :56 half.

Pick Me Up Hanover (Dexter Dunn) came to call with a first-over attempt, but Chantilly wasn't answering that call. In fact, it was a message of do not disturb. After a 1:23.3 third quarter, Chantilly gave the Ron Pierce wave to her rivals and opened up a quick four by the head of the lane. The official win margin was 5-1/2 lengths, and the win time was 1:50.3. Wickedpace and Millie May Hanover rounded out the top three.

Now five-for-five with $257,500 in earnings, Chantilly (Big Jim - Shiraz Seelster) is a Millar Farms homebred trained by Nick Gallucci.

"She's just so gifted, and Nick's done a great job," MacDonald said after the win. "Like you said, she was a little warm her first couple starts, and now she's kind of matured into just a little race car. Lord knows, sky's the limit. She's a gifted animal with a ton of potential, and I just hope she sees it through, because she's a lot of fun."

Jody Jamieson found Fifth And Five ($8.90) a seam just in the nick of time as the rookie male pacer notched his first Gold victory in the $140,000 fourth leg.

Jamieson pocketed up early in the Gold tilt behind Century Lucifer (Borth) while even money choice Boxer Seelster (Trevor Henry) forged forward from post nine to cleat to the lead after a :26.4 opening quarter.

Fifth And Five and Boxer Seelster then took turns on the lead down the backside. Jamieson moved Fifth And Five from third, and he touched down on top through a :55.2 half. Henry hustled Boxer Seelster back out of the pocket and fronted the field through a 1:23.2 third station. The backfield started to threaten, but Boxer Seelster maintained his advantage heading for the wire. His main threat was Fifth And Five, locked in behind him. Jamieson kept Fifth And Five angled to the inside, and Boxer Seelster drifted just enough for Jamieson to squeeze through power past for the 1:52 tally. Boxer Seelster was a length back in second. Century Lucifer finished third but was placed sixth due to interference in the stretch. That placing bumped Sterling Choice (Dexter Dunn) from fourth to third.

"I think the race in Grand River (the Battle of Waterloo final) took a little bit out of him," surmised Jamieson. "He should have been an easy winner, I thought, in the last Gold, and I got picked up down the stretch. But it just worked out where I was sitting that I could try to make a shot at the lead there, and then when Trevor came back to cover me up, it was even better for me, because my horse will track a helmet.

"And we were talking off air, he's been unlucky. He arguably could have won every Gold this year. He was caught in [for] the first two, and then got picked up his last start...He just loved this trip tonight. It took a little wiggling, and Trevor's horse was running out, luckily, and I had enough room, and he shot through there like a gunshot. He was back to himself tonight."

Trainer Carl Jamieson trains and co-owns Fifth And Five (Bettors Delight - Filou Fly Fast) along with 1140545 Ontario Ltd. of Guelph and Trevor Edwards of Kirkton, Ont. The brown colt, now a two-time winner with $147,110 in earnings, was bred by Darryl Kaplan of Toronto, Roy Sproxton and Harbhajan Singh Dhillon of Brampton, Ont.

For the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Campbellville, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(Standardbred Canada)
Its being billed locally as the Clash of the Titans when Light The Torch goes against Frozen Hanover in the 10th race feature pace on Sunday, Sept. 1 at Hippodrome 3R in Trois-Rivieres, Que.

Racing fans will have to wait until the very last race on Sunday to witness this battle royale, pitting two of the best pacers currently in the province. The duel promises to be interesting, especially since it features two of the best stables, Marc-Andre Simoneau and Maxime Velaye and two of the best drivers at 3R in Pascal Berube and Stephane Brosseau.

Light The Torch (pictured above) has the biggest advantage starting from the one post position with Berube in the sulky. The four-year-old Always B Miki gelding, trained by Marc-Andre Simoneau and co-owned with Jean Fontaine, has six wins this season and just last week won at Rideau Carleton Raceway in 1:54.2.

Frozen Hanover has a big disadvantage having to start from the far outside in post eight for driver Stephane Brosseau.

Trained by Maxime Velaye for owner Guy Corbeil of Mirabel, Frozen Hanover is a five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere stallion with two wins this season. It was last week that he was able to lead from start to finish atH3R in 1:56.

There are seven other opponents in the race. Light The Torch races as an entry with Mickeymaksomespeed (post eight) with Jocelyn Gendron driving. Newcomer No Time At All (post two) has Simon Delisle in the bike.

Doc Houston (post seven) and driver Jessica Turenne has shown they can overcome outside posts and be right in the hunt their last three starts and GA Speed Gaby (post three) for driver-trainer Alain Carrier has won two of his last three starts, the fastest in 1:57.1.

First race post time on Sunday at 3R is 12 noon. For Sunday's entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.

(Quebec Jockey Club)
There were two $111,487 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) contested on Saturday evening, Aug. 31 at Saratoga Casino Hotel. Three-year-old colt and gelding trotters took center stage at the Spa and Sir Pinocchio was the star of the show.

The Ed Hart-trained sophomore is in the midst of a sensational season and came into Saturdays try with six wins and four seconds in 11 starts and more than half a million dollars in earnings in 2024. Jason Bartlett is the regular driver for Sir Pinocchio, who drew post five in his five-horse division.

The gelding surged out to the early lead and cruised unopposed for the majority of the mile in his division and had plenty left in the stretch to draw away for a victory of close to four lengths. Sir Pinocchio stopped the timer in 1:55.1 over a track labelled sloppy. Favourite Wild Ticket (Brett Beckwith) finished second with Keep Asking (Tyler Buter) well back in third.

Sir Pinocchio paid $4.50 to win as the races second choice in the wagering.

An Excelsior Series champion as a freshman, Sir Pinocchio now has four NYSS victories under his belt this year to go along with his Dexter Cup and MGM Yonkers Trot stakes triumphs. The homebred son of Mets Hall out of Lady Cromwell is owned by Carolyn Atherton of Scarsdale, New York.

The other division of the NYSS went the way of Mister Mellby, who sprung the upset with Tyler Buter driving for trainer Ake Svanstedt.

Mister Mellby utilized his early speed to secure an easy lead into the first turn and maintained that lead throughout before clocking a 1:56.1 victory to pull off the upset at odds of 9-1 in the five-horse Sire Stakes event. The Chapter Seven-Personal Paradise colt held off Super Duper Cooper (Wally Hennessey) by half a length, with Victor Laszlo (Mark MacDonald) two lengths back in third. The favoured Fly By (Jason Bartlett) was a non-factor when he broke stride early on.

Mister Mellby earned his second win in eight tries this year after going winless in three starts as a freshman. The first-time stakes winner is owned by Mellby Gard Inc. of Delray Beach, Florida. He returned $20 for a $2 win ticket.

Live harness racing resumes on Saturday, Sept. 7 with a first post time of 5 p.m. There will be a Pick 5 carryover of $1,242 beginning in the evenings first race.

(With files from Saratoga Casino Hotel)
The Scottsbluff City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday as it nears finalization of its 2024-25 budget.

A special meeting is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 3, noon, at the Scottsbluff City Hall in council chambers. The public hearing is the time designated for the public to give its feedback on the proposed budget before the council will convene for its regular meeting that evening.

In information presented as part of a report outlining this years budget request, Scottsbluff City Manager Kevin Spencer outlined that this years budget, as did the prior year, shows a reduction in the citys proposed levy.

The City of Scottsbluff is expected to set its property tax levy at .204133 per $100 of valuation, which means a resident with a home valued at $100,000 will pay $204.14 in property taxes. The levy request is down from that requested to support the 2023-24 budget, which was .206 per 100.

Scottsbluffs total operating budget is down by a slight .4%, proposed at $54,554,520, compared to $54,775,313 last year.

The citys proposed budget allocates an estimated $12.7 million to its general fund. Scottsbluffs total property tax request will be $2,285,034.10, below its total base property tax request authority of $2,338,732.40.

The City of Scottsbluff is able to increase its budget without an increase in its levy due to an increase in property valuations. Valuations in Scottsbluff increased to $1,119,383,268 in 2024, up $28,9555,106 or 2.66% from last year. Also, city ordinance outlines that a limit of $175,000 in property taxes to support the general fund so Scottsbluff largely relies on property taxes to support its budget. Its remaining property tax revenues are allocated to debt service and capital improvement funds.

Due to maintaining its property tax request as the same as last year, Scottsbluff wont be required to participate in the joint public hearing outlined in Nebraska state statute, commonly called the pink postcard hearing referring to the brightly-colored postcards that are sent out to taxpayers.

In its budget packet, finance officials broke out the sources of revenue for the city, noting that utility fees make up the biggest percentage of revenues at 30%. Sales tax are the second highest source of revenue, at 23%. Property taxes are among the lower revenue sources at 7%. The general fund is the largest recipient of the revenues generated, at 33% of total revenues attributed.

The local option sales tax  which voters will consider renewing in the upcoming election  makes up 82% of the revenues that fund the general fund. Since 2019, the City of Scottsbluff has seen a regular increase in funds generated by sales taxes, growing from about $6 million in fiscal year 2019 to an expected $8 million in fiscal year 2024. For fiscal year 2025, the city of Scottsbluff is projecting sales tax revenues slightly more than $8 million.

During the regularly-scheduled council meeting, slated for 6 p.m., the council will have first reading of an ordinance adopting its budget, as well as first reading of an ordinance allowing the city to exceed the allowable growth and basic allowable growth limits of 1% as set out in statute.

As the budget is proposed, the city would exceed the allowable growth and basic allowable growth limit of 1%, which must be approved by 75% of the council.
Rothschild Investment LLC bought a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEARCA:RSP  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 14,999 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,464,000.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of RSP. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $1,051,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF during the 4th quarter worth $5,228,000. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF during the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Savant Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 13.0% during the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 8,245 shares of the companys stock worth $1,301,000 after buying an additional 946 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Howe & Rusling Inc. bought a new position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF during the 4th quarter worth $26,000.

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Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of RSP traded up $1.35 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $175.87. 4,635,830 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,229,496. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF has a 52 week low of $133.34 and a 52 week high of $175.96. The companys 50 day moving average is $168.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $165.67. The company has a market capitalization of $58.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.44 and a beta of 0.90.

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Company Profile

Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, formerly Rydex S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, seeks to replicate as closely as possible, the daily performance of the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index (the Index). The Index is a capitalization-weighted index covering 500 industrial, utility, transportation and financial companies of the United States markets (mostly NYSE Euronext issues).

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WP Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 3.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,364 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 43 shares during the quarter. WP Advisors LLCs holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $754,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 318.2% during the 2nd quarter. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC now owns 46 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Northwest Financial Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 1,275.0% during the 4th quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 55 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the period. New Millennium Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Stephens Consulting LLC raised its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 116.0% in the 2nd quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 54 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.23% of the companys stock.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Performance

NYSE TMO traded up $3.39 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $615.07. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,058,979 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,507,778. The company has a current ratio of 1.72, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $578.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $575.77. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a 52 week low of $415.60 and a 52 week high of $622.30. The stock has a market cap of $234.96 billion, a PE ratio of 39.45, a PEG ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.77.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Announces Dividend

Thermo Fisher Scientific ( NYSE:TMO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The medical research company reported $5.37 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.13 by $0.24. The company had revenue of $10.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.50 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 18.22% and a net margin of 14.69%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $5.15 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 21.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.25%. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 10.01%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on TMO shares. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research report on Tuesday. They issued an overweight rating and a $670.00 target price on the stock. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $615.00 to $600.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $600.00 to $615.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Raymond James raised their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $650.00 to $660.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a $650.00 target price (up from $600.00) on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $630.41.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Thermo Fisher Scientific

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Michael A. Boxer sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $600.85, for a total transaction of $1,201,700.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 13,083 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,860,920.55. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Michael A. Boxer sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $600.85, for a total transaction of $1,201,700.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 13,083 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,860,920.55. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $567.28, for a total value of $5,672,800.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 123,816 shares in the company, valued at approximately $70,238,340.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 33,084 shares of company stock valued at $19,767,092. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Aptus Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE:AMH  Free Report) by 24.2% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 88,887 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 17,337 shares during the quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in American Homes 4 Rent were worth $3,303,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in American Homes 4 Rent in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new position in American Homes 4 Rent in the 4th quarter worth about $44,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in American Homes 4 Rent in the 2nd quarter worth about $54,000. Quarry LP increased its position in American Homes 4 Rent by 216.3% in the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,923 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 1,315 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new position in American Homes 4 Rent in the 4th quarter worth about $91,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.87% of the companys stock.

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American Homes 4 Rent Stock Performance

NYSE:AMH traded up $0.63 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $39.77. 2,098,356 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,012,752. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $37.36 and a two-hundred day moving average of $36.44. American Homes 4 Rent has a 12 month low of $31.36 and a 12 month high of $39.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.32 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

American Homes 4 Rent Announces Dividend

American Homes 4 Rent ( NYSE:AMH Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by ($0.18). American Homes 4 Rent had a return on equity of 4.89% and a net margin of 21.83%. The firm had revenue of $423.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $422.46 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.41 EPS. American Homes 4 Rents revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that American Homes 4 Rent will post 1.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a $0.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.62%. American Homes 4 Rents dividend payout ratio is currently 106.12%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have weighed in on AMH. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on American Homes 4 Rent from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, May 13th. Barclays dropped their target price on American Homes 4 Rent from $43.00 to $42.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. StockNews.com upgraded American Homes 4 Rent from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 10th. UBS Group upped their price target on American Homes 4 Rent from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on American Homes 4 Rent from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, June 17th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Homes 4 Rent has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $40.47.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on American Homes 4 Rent

About American Homes 4 Rent

(Free Report)

AMH (NYSE: AMH) is a leading large-scale integrated owner, operator and developer of single-family rental homes. We're an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing and managing homes as rental properties. Our goal is to simplify the experience of leasing a home and deliver peace of mind to households across the country.

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Aptus Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB  Free Report) by 168.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 55,359 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 34,725 shares during the period. Aptus Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $5,899,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth $999,000. Simplex Trading LLC grew its position in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 40.1% in the 4th quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 3,897 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $422,000 after purchasing an additional 1,116 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $207,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,084,000. Finally, New York Life Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $297,000.

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iShares National Muni Bond ETF Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF stock traded down $0.17 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $107.67. 3,349,511 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,434,267. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a 12-month low of $100.78 and a 12-month high of $108.82. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $107.40 and a 200-day simple moving average of $107.12.

iShares National Muni Bond ETF Company Profile

iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index).

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Baillie Gifford European Growth Trust plc (LON:BGEU  Get Free Report) shares traded up 0.3% on Friday . The company traded as high as GBX 92.88 ($1.22) and last traded at GBX 92.40 ($1.22). 514,057 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 7% from the average session volume of 550,889 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 92.10 ($1.21).

Baillie Gifford European Growth Trust Stock Up 0.3 %

The firms fifty day moving average is GBX 94.55 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 96.50. The company has a market capitalization of 326.54 million, a P/E ratio of 1,320.00 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.89, a quick ratio of 4.20 and a current ratio of 4.16.

About Baillie Gifford European Growth Trust

(Get Free Report)

The European Investment Trust plc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Edinburgh Partners AIFM Limited. The fund is co-managed by Edinburgh Partners Limited. It invests in public equity markets of Europe, excluding the United Kingdom. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US Department of State has imposed visa restrictions on individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining and impeding a sustainable peace in South Sudan
Blue Fin Capital Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 5,779.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 11,407 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 11,213 shares during the period. Blue Fin Capital Inc.s holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $715,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Riverview Trust Co grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% in the 2nd quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 400 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 392 shares during the last quarter. RiverPark Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% during the 2nd quarter. RiverPark Advisors LLC now owns 400 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares during the last quarter. Steph & Co. purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, M&R Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% during the 2nd quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. now owns 500 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 490 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.31% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

CMG has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $69.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and set a $67.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and set a $58.00 price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Thursday. Argus increased their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $73.36 to $77.76 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, June 18th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $72.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.36.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

Shares of CMG opened at $56.08 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.80 billion, a PE ratio of 59.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.24. The companys fifty day moving average is $120.35 and its 200 day moving average is $80.54. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $35.37 and a fifty-two week high of $69.26.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 business had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.94 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $12.65 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 18.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total value of $951,103.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 358,300 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,591,844. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.02% of the companys stock.

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.

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Canaccord Genuity Group started coverage on shares of Braemar (LON:BMS  Free Report) in a research report report published on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating and a GBX 410 ($5.41) price objective on the stock.

Braemar Stock Performance

BMS opened at GBX 302 ($3.98) on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.61, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 300.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 285.08. Braemar has a 1-year low of GBX 230 ($3.03) and a 1-year high of GBX 317.64 ($4.19). The firm has a market cap of 92.29 million, a P/E ratio of 2,323.08 and a beta of 1.16.

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Braemar Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 1st will be given a dividend of GBX 9 ($0.12) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 1st. This represents a yield of 3.19%. This is a positive change from Braemars previous dividend of $4.00. Braemars dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 10,000.00%.

Insider Activity

About Braemar

In other Braemar news, insider Tristram Simmonds sold 12,425 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 300 ($3.96), for a total transaction of 37,275 ($49,156.01). In related news, insider Tristram Simmonds sold 12,425 shares of Braemar stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 300 ($3.96), for a total value of 37,275 ($49,156.01). Also, insider James Christopher Duchar Gundy bought 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 298 ($3.93) per share, with a total value of 29,800 ($39,298.43). Insiders own 51.46% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Braemar Plc provides shipbroking services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Chartering, Investment Advisory, and Risk Advisory. The Chartering segment provides shipbroking services for deep sea tankers, specialized tankers, dry cargo, and offshore; cost-saving solutions; freight consultancy; and a vessel database.

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CCG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,465 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $221,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Interchange Capital Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 59.3% in the 2nd quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC now owns 8,895 shares of the companys stock worth $566,000 after buying an additional 3,310 shares during the period. Essex Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 24.9% in the 2nd quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 95,520 shares of the companys stock worth $6,126,000 after purchasing an additional 19,042 shares during the period. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Coca-Cola by 21.8% during the second quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 8,863 shares of the companys stock valued at $564,000 after buying an additional 1,588 shares during the period. Cook Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Coca-Cola during the second quarter valued at approximately $870,000. Finally, Shoker Investment Counsel Inc. raised its position in Coca-Cola by 7.0% in the second quarter. Shoker Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 40,375 shares of the companys stock worth $2,570,000 after acquiring an additional 2,625 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.26% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have commented on KO. BNP Paribas initiated coverage on Coca-Cola in a research report on Monday, June 24th. They issued an outperform rating and a $72.00 price target for the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Coca-Cola from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Coca-Cola has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $70.73.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Coca-Cola news, EVP Nancy Quan sold 19,304 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.44, for a total transaction of $1,224,645.76. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 223,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,168,055.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO James Quincey sold 42,397 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.02, for a total value of $2,968,637.94. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 442,546 shares in the company, valued at $30,987,070.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Nancy Quan sold 19,304 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.44, for a total value of $1,224,645.76. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 223,330 shares in the company, valued at $14,168,055.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 1,074,910 shares of company stock worth $585,972,318. 0.97% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Coca-Cola Stock Performance

Shares of KO stock traded up $0.42 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $72.47. The company had a trading volume of 18,624,227 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,806,061. The Coca-Cola Company has a 52-week low of $51.55 and a 52-week high of $72.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $66.66 and its 200 day simple moving average is $63.13. The stock has a market cap of $312.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.99, a PEG ratio of 4.05 and a beta of 0.59.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.03. Coca-Cola had a net margin of 22.92% and a return on equity of 43.62%. The company had revenue of $12.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.78 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.78 EPS. Coca-Colas quarterly revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Coca-Cola Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.485 per share. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.68%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. Coca-Colas payout ratio is 77.60%.

Coca-Cola Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores.

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Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its holdings in Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB  Free Report) by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 257,863 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,982 shares during the quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLCs holdings in Kimberly-Clark were worth $35,637,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of KMB. CX Institutional grew its position in Kimberly-Clark by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 5,968 shares of the companys stock worth $825,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Capital Investment Counsel Inc grew its position in Kimberly-Clark by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Capital Investment Counsel Inc now owns 10,019 shares of the companys stock worth $1,296,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Kimberly-Clark by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,755 shares of the companys stock worth $227,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Comprehensive Financial Consultants Institutional Inc. grew its position in Kimberly-Clark by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Comprehensive Financial Consultants Institutional Inc. now owns 5,093 shares of the companys stock worth $659,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services grew its position in Kimberly-Clark by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. First National Bank of Mount Dora Trust Investment Services now owns 4,817 shares of the companys stock worth $623,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.29% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Kimberly-Clark news, insider Gonzalo Uribe sold 1,780 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.84, for a total value of $250,695.20. Following the sale, the insider now owns 7,377 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,038,976.68. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Gonzalo Uribe sold 1,780 shares of Kimberly-Clark stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.84, for a total transaction of $250,695.20. Following the sale, the insider now owns 7,377 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,038,976.68. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Jeffrey P. Melucci sold 37,699 shares of Kimberly-Clark stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.42, for a total transaction of $5,331,392.58. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 19,935 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,819,207.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.62% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on KMB shares. BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a research report on Monday, June 24th. They issued a neutral rating and a $146.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $138.00 to $134.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $167.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Argus raised shares of Kimberly-Clark to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $136.00 to $135.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $145.67.

Read Our Latest Report on KMB

Kimberly-Clark Stock Performance

Kimberly-Clark stock opened at $144.66 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $140.70 and its 200-day moving average price is $133.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.59, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.85. The stock has a market cap of $48.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.37. Kimberly-Clark Co. has a fifty-two week low of $116.32 and a fifty-two week high of $145.68.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.96 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $5.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.10 billion. Kimberly-Clark had a net margin of 11.28% and a return on equity of 223.55%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.65 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 7.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kimberly-Clark Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be given a $1.22 dividend. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.37%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. Kimberly-Clarks payout ratio is presently 89.71%.

About Kimberly-Clark

(Free Report)

Kimberly-Clark Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets personal care and consumer tissue products in the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Care, Consumer Tissue, and K-C Professional. The company's Personal Care segment offers disposable diapers, training and youth pants, swimpants, baby wipes, feminine and incontinence care products, reusable underwear, and other related products under the Huggies, Pull-Ups, Little Swimmers, GoodNites, DryNites, Sweety, Kotex, U by Kotex, Intimus, Thinx, Poise, Depend, Plenitud, Softex, and other brand names.

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Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The technology company reported $1.89 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.40, Briefing.com reports. The business had revenue of $25.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $24.14 billion. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 4.32% and a negative return on equity of 182.71%. The businesss revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.44 EPS. Dell Technologies updated its FY25 guidance to $7.55-8.05 EPS and its Q3 guidance to $1.90-2.10 EPS.

Dell Technologies Stock Up 4.3 %

Shares of DELL opened at $115.54 on Friday. Dell Technologies has a 52-week low of $53.62 and a 52-week high of $179.70. The company has a market capitalization of $81.95 billion, a PE ratio of 23.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.92. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $120.21 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $122.22.

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Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were paid a $0.445 dividend. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 23rd. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.33%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

In other Dell Technologies 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 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 approximately $108,986,536.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . In related news, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 389,189 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.79, for a total transaction of $61,799,321.31. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 731,612 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $116,172,669.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 16,434 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.16, for a total value of $2,221,219.44. Following 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 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 insiders.

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on DELL. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their target price on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $140.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Citigroup increased their target price on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Dell Technologies from $150.00 to $140.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Raymond James decreased their target price on Dell Technologies from $166.00 to $160.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, Evercore ISI reiterated an outperform rating and set a $140.00 target price on shares of Dell Technologies in a research report on Wednesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $132.88.

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Dell Technologies Company Profile

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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).

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Enel Chile S.A. (NYSE:ENIC  Get Free Report) crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $2.80 and traded as low as $2.73. Enel Chile shares last traded at $2.74, with a volume of 1,598,149 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Enel Chile from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th.

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Enel Chile Stock Performance

The company has a fifty day moving average of $2.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $2.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.85. The company has a market cap of $3.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.27 and a beta of 1.17.

Enel Chile (NYSE:ENIC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter. Enel Chile had a net margin of 18.01% and a return on equity of 61.15%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Enel Chile

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Enel Chile during the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Inspire Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Enel Chile during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC increased its stake in shares of Enel Chile by 1,114,700.0% in the 2nd quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 11,148 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 11,147 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Enel Chile during the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Janiczek Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Enel Chile by 161.9% in the first quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 14,344 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 8,868 shares in the last quarter. 3.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Enel Chile

(Get Free Report)

Enel Chile SA, an electricity utility company, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Chile. The company operates through Generation, and Distribution and Networks Segments. It generates electricity through various sources, such as hydroelectric, thermal, wind, solar, and geothermal power plants.

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Epwin Group Plc (LON:EPWN  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 89 ($1.17) and traded as high as GBX 93 ($1.23). Epwin Group shares last traded at GBX 90.20 ($1.19), with a volume of 92,608 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Shore Capital reaffirmed a house stock rating on shares of Epwin Group in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th.

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Epwin Group Price Performance

About Epwin Group

The stock has a market cap of 126.53 million, a P/E ratio of 1,503.33 and a beta of 1.14. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 89 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 85.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 115.28, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.22.

(Get Free Report)

Epwin Group Plc manufactures and sells building products in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Extrusion and Moulding, and Fabrication and Distribution segments. It also offers windows, doors, cavity closers, and curtain walling products; wood plastic composite and aluminium decking products, and panels; glass reinforced plastic building components.

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Montag A & Associates Inc. lowered its stake in shares of Equifax Inc. (NYSE:EFX  Free Report) by 0.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 54,083 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 288 shares during the quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc.s holdings in Equifax were worth $13,113,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. EntryPoint Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Equifax in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new stake in Equifax in the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Crewe Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Equifax by 138.2% in the second quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 131 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the period. First Community Trust NA purchased a new position in shares of Equifax during the second quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Equifax by 271.4% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 156 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 114 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.20% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on EFX. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Equifax from $260.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Equifax from $263.00 to $304.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on Equifax from $272.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Equifax from $265.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price target on Equifax from $255.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $292.00.

Equifax Trading Up 1.1 %

NYSE EFX traded up $3.30 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $307.13. The companys stock had a trading volume of 798,014 shares, compared to its average volume of 819,233. The firm has a market capitalization of $38.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 68.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.79. Equifax Inc. has a 52-week low of $159.95 and a 52-week high of $307.69. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $270.58 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $255.45.

Equifax (NYSE:EFX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The credit services provider reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by $0.09. Equifax had a net margin of 10.67% and a return on equity of 18.88%. The firm had revenue of $1.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.42 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.71 EPS. The firms revenue was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Equifax Inc. will post 7.32 EPS for the current year.

Equifax Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be issued a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.51%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. Equifaxs dividend payout ratio is presently 34.74%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Equifax

In other news, EVP Carla Chaney sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $281.85, for a total transaction of $845,550.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,875 shares in the company, valued at $3,065,118.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.57% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Equifax

(Free Report)

Equifax Inc operates as a data, analytics, and technology company. The company operates through three segments: Workforce Solutions, U.S. Information Solutions (USIS), and International. The Workforce Solutions segment offers services that enables customers to verify income, employment, educational history, criminal justice data, healthcare professional licensure, and sanctions of people in the United States; and employer customers with services that assist them in complying with and automating payroll-related and human resource management processes throughout the entire cycle of the employment relationship.

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Essex Financial Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE:KKR  Free Report) by 0.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,713 shares of the asset managers stock after buying an additional 132 shares during the quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc.s holdings in KKR & Co. Inc. were worth $1,654,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in KKR & Co. Inc. in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in KKR & Co. Inc. by 622.9% in the second quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 253 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. boosted its holdings in KKR & Co. Inc. by 371.4% in the second quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 264 shares of the asset managers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. American National Bank grew its position in KKR & Co. Inc. by 202.6% in the 2nd quarter. American National Bank now owns 351 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 235 shares during the period. Finally, Missouri Trust & Investment Co lifted its position in KKR & Co. Inc. by 408.9% in the 4th quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 458 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 368 shares in the last quarter. 76.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at KKR & Co. Inc.

In other KKR & Co. Inc. news, major shareholder Kkr Alternative Assets Llc acquired 1,956,182 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $25.56 per share, with a total value of $50,000,011.92. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 9,688,618 shares in the company, valued at approximately $247,641,076.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Kkr Alternative Assets Llc purchased 1,956,182 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 4th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $25.56 per share, for a total transaction of $50,000,011.92. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 9,688,618 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $247,641,076.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Kkr Group Partnership L.P. sold 2,554,644 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.85, for a total transaction of $48,155,039.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 39.34% of the companys stock.

KKR & Co. Inc. Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of KKR & Co. Inc. stock traded up $1.60 on Friday, reaching $123.77. The company had a trading volume of 2,849,322 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,146,846. The firms 50 day moving average price is $114.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $105.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.07 and a current ratio of 0.07. KKR & Co. Inc. has a 52-week low of $53.72 and a 52-week high of $128.79. The firm has a market cap of $109.84 billion, a PE ratio of 27.75, a PEG ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.62.

KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE:KKR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The asset manager reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.20. KKR & Co. Inc. had a net margin of 17.99% and a return on equity of 5.05%. The company had revenue of $4.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.07 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.58 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that KKR & Co. Inc. will post 4.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

KKR & Co. Inc. Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 12th were issued a dividend of $0.175 per share. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.57%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 12th. KKR & Co. Inc.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.70%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on KKR. StockNews.com raised shares of KKR & Co. Inc. to a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of KKR & Co. Inc. from $115.00 to $113.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 9th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on KKR & Co. Inc. from $112.00 to $117.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $144.00 price target (up previously from $125.00) on shares of KKR & Co. Inc. in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, JMP Securities raised their price objective on shares of KKR & Co. Inc. from $115.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, KKR & Co. Inc. has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $124.93.

View Our Latest Report on KKR

KKR & Co. Inc. Company Profile

(Free Report)

KKR & Co Inc is a private equity and real estate investment firm specializing in direct and fund of fund investments. It specializes in acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, credit special situations, growth equity, mature, mezzanine, distressed, turnaround, lower middle market and middle market investments.

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Boston Properties (NYSE:BXP  Free Report) had its price objective raised by Evercore ISI from $76.00 to $77.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. Truist Financial upped their target price on Boston Properties from $67.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $62.00 target price on shares of Boston Properties in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. Barclays dropped their target price on Boston Properties from $66.00 to $65.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 24th. Wedbush upped their target price on Boston Properties from $63.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their target price on Boston Properties from $74.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $71.92.

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Boston Properties Stock Performance

Shares of Boston Properties stock opened at $75.22 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $11.81 billion, a PE ratio of 61.66, a P/E/G ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90, a quick ratio of 4.77 and a current ratio of 4.83. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $67.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $64.08. Boston Properties has a one year low of $50.64 and a one year high of $75.73.

Boston Properties (NYSE:BXP  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.72 by ($1.21). Boston Properties had a net margin of 5.01% and a return on equity of 2.05%. The company had revenue of $850.48 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $819.49 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.86 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Boston Properties will post 7.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Boston Properties Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 28th were given a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 28th. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.21%. Boston Propertiess dividend payout ratio is presently 321.31%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Peter V. Otteni sold 4,785 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.44, for a total transaction of $351,410.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.35% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in BXP. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Boston Properties during the 4th quarter worth approximately $15,810,000. CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of Boston Properties by 16.1% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,200 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $435,000 after buying an additional 862 shares during the period. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Boston Properties during the 4th quarter worth approximately $234,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Boston Properties by 8.8% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 53,875 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,829,000 after buying an additional 4,353 shares during the period. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in shares of Boston Properties by 15.6% during the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 61,800 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,336,000 after buying an additional 8,360 shares during the period. 98.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Boston Properties

(Get Free Report)

Boston Properties, Inc (NYSE: BXP) (BXP or the Company) is the largest publicly traded developer, owner, and manager of premier workplaces in the United States, concentrated in six dynamic gateway markets  Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. BXP has delivered places that power progress for our clients and communities for more than 50 years.

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Focused Wealth Management Inc purchased a new stake in DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund purchased 10,093 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $193,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Mather Group LLC. lifted its holdings in DXC Technology by 55.0% in the second quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 1,637 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 581 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its holdings in shares of DXC Technology by 40.1% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,954 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 559 shares during the last quarter. Family Firm Inc. bought a new stake in shares of DXC Technology in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in DXC Technology during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in DXC Technology during the 4th quarter worth $49,000. 96.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at DXC Technology

In other DXC Technology news, EVP Mary E. Finch sold 31,047 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.36, for a total transaction of $601,069.92. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 325,665 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,304,874.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on DXC shares. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on DXC Technology from $17.50 to $22.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of DXC Technology from $15.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 12th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of DXC Technology from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on DXC Technology from $21.00 to $18.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 17th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price objective on DXC Technology from $22.00 to $18.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 21st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $20.50.

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DXC Technology Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:DXC opened at $20.67 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $19.39 and a 200-day moving average of $19.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The firm has a market cap of $3.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 55.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.73. DXC Technology has a twelve month low of $14.78 and a twelve month high of $25.14.

DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $3.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.14 billion. DXC Technology had a net margin of 0.60% and a return on equity of 19.20%. As a group, analysts anticipate that DXC Technology will post 2.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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).

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Foyston Gordon & Payne Inc cut its stake in American Express (NYSE:AXP  Free Report) by 21.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 47,135 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 12,985 shares during the quarter. American Express comprises approximately 2.7% of Foyston Gordon & Payne Incs investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest position. Foyston Gordon & Payne Incs holdings in American Express were worth $10,914,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of AXP. Sawgrass Asset Management LLC grew its stake in American Express by 0.4% during the second quarter. Sawgrass Asset Management LLC now owns 10,384 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $2,404,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the period. Spire Wealth Management increased its holdings in American Express by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 4,315 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $983,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Ignite Planners LLC raised its position in American Express by 0.9% in the second quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 4,682 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,103,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. Willner & Heller LLC lifted its stake in shares of American Express by 4.1% during the second quarter. Willner & Heller LLC now owns 1,087 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $252,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of American Express by 18.9% in the second quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 271 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $63,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.33% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Barclays raised their target price on American Express from $221.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Monness Crespi & Hardt boosted their target price on shares of American Express from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of American Express from $225.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of American Express from $265.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on American Express in a research note on Monday, June 10th. They set a neutral rating and a $250.00 target price for the company. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $230.70.

American Express Stock Down 0.5 %

NYSE:AXP opened at $258.65 on Friday. American Express has a 52 week low of $140.91 and a 52 week high of $261.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $183.88 billion, a PE ratio of 21.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $242.42 and a 200-day moving average of $232.75.

American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The payment services company reported $3.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.23. American Express had a net margin of 15.53% and a return on equity of 32.94%. The firm had revenue of $16.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.60 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.89 EPS. American Expresss revenue was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that American Express will post 13.12 EPS for the current year.

About American Express

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services.

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Great Wall Motor Company Limited (OTCMKTS:GWLLY  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 400 shares, an increase of 33.3% from the July 31st total of 300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.5 days.

Great Wall Motor Stock Up 6.3 %

Shares of OTCMKTS GWLLY opened at $14.14 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $14.28 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $14.01. Great Wall Motor has a twelve month low of $9.69 and a twelve month high of $18.65.

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About Great Wall Motor

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Great Wall Motor Company Limited researches and develops, manufactures, and sells automobiles, and automotive parts and components in China, Europe, ASEAN countries, Latin America, the Middle East, Australia, South Africa, and internationally. The company offers SUVs, sedans, pick-up trucks, multi-purpose vehicles, and energy vehicles primarily under the Haval, WEY, ORA, Tank, and Great Wall Pickup brand names.

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Hudsons Bay Co (OTCMKTS:HBAYF  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $8.19 and traded as low as $8.19. Hudsons Bay shares last traded at $8.19, with a volume of 2,900 shares traded.

Hudsons Bay Stock Performance

The companys 50 day moving average is $8.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.19.

About Hudsons Bay

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Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates department stores in Canada and the United States. Its stores offers fashion apparels, accessories, cosmetics, and home products. The company operates its stores under the Hudson's Bay, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Find @ Lord & Taylor, Home Outfitters, Galeria Kaufhof, Galeria INNO, and Sportarena names.

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IFG Advisory LLC lessened its position in shares of JP Morgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF (BATS:BBUS  Free Report) by 18.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 111,861 shares of the companys stock after selling 24,775 shares during the period. JP Morgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF makes up about 0.7% of IFG Advisory LLCs holdings, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. IFG Advisory LLC owned 0.33% of JP Morgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF worth $10,976,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its stake in JP Morgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF by 31.3% in the 1st quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 1,566,681 shares of the companys stock worth $147,942,000 after buying an additional 373,321 shares in the last quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. grew its stake in JP Morgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF by 22.2% in the 4th quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. now owns 696,762 shares of the companys stock worth $59,845,000 after buying an additional 126,803 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. grew its stake in JP Morgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF by 19.7% in the 4th quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 673,909 shares of the companys stock worth $57,882,000 after buying an additional 110,790 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in JP Morgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF by 6.9% in the 2nd quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 648,223 shares of the companys stock worth $63,604,000 after buying an additional 41,607 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its stake in JP Morgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF by 14.1% in the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 366,867 shares of the companys stock worth $35,997,000 after buying an additional 45,331 shares in the last quarter.

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JP Morgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF Trading Up 0.9 %

BBUS stock opened at $101.76 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $3.47 billion, a PE ratio of 25.65 and a beta of 1.02. The business has a 50 day moving average of $98.99 and a 200 day moving average of $95.47.

JP Morgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF Profile

The JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF (BBUS) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of US equities, selected and weighted by market cap. BBUS was launched on Mar 12, 2019 and is managed by JPMorgan Chase.

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Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:KSANF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,032,600 shares, a drop of 10.4% from the July 31st total of 1,152,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently  days.

Kansai Paint Price Performance

OTCMKTS:KSANF remained flat at $16.00 during mid-day trading on Friday. Kansai Paint has a one year low of $13.93 and a one year high of $16.95. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $16.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $15.91.

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About Kansai Paint

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Kansai Paint Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells paints and coatings in Japan, India, Asia, Africa, Europe, and internationally. The company offers decorative coatings for protecting exterior and interior of buildings; automotive refinish coatings for dents and scrapes; and industrial coatings that are used in agricultural machinery, special-purpose vehicles, exterior building materials, metal products, beverage cans, and precoated metals used in metallic building materials and home appliances.

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Kinross Gold Co. (TSE:K  Get Free Report) (NYSE:KGC) has been given an average rating of Buy by the six brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$13.33.

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on K shares. Cormark raised Kinross Gold from a market perform rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from C$11.00 to C$13.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Eight Capital increased their price objective on Kinross Gold from C$11.00 to C$15.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. National Bankshares lifted their target price on shares of Kinross Gold from C$13.75 to C$16.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price target on shares of Kinross Gold from C$13.50 to C$16.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd.

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Insider Activity

Kinross Gold Stock Performance

In other news, Senior Officer William D. Dunford sold 6,076 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$10.76, for a total value of C$65,377.76. In related news, Senior Officer William D. Dunford sold 6,076 shares of Kinross Gold stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$10.76, for a total value of C$65,377.76. Also, Senior Officer Claude J.S. Schimper sold 4,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$12.31, for a total value of C$55,395.00. Corporate insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock.

Kinross Gold stock opened at C$12.18 on Friday. Kinross Gold has a fifty-two week low of C$5.91 and a fifty-two week high of C$13.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.89, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.27. The stock has a market cap of C$14.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.60 and a beta of 1.23. The firms fifty day moving average price is C$11.94 and its 200-day moving average price is C$9.96.

Kinross Gold (TSE:K  Get Free Report) (NYSE:KGC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported C$0.19 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.18 by C$0.01. The firm had revenue of C$1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$1.39 billion. Kinross Gold had a return on equity of 7.81% and a net margin of 10.91%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Kinross Gold will post 0.8104994 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kinross Gold Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 6th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.041 per share. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.35%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 22nd. This is a positive change from Kinross Golds previous quarterly dividend of $0.03. Kinross Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.91%.

About Kinross Gold

(Get Free Report

Kinross Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of gold properties principally in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Canada, and Mauritania. The company operates the Fort Knox mine and the Manh Choh project in Alaska, as well as the Round Mountain and the Bald Mountain mines in Nevada, the United States; the Paracatu mine in Brazil; the La Coipa and the Lobo-Marte project in Chile; the Tasiast mine in Mauritania; and the Great Bear project in Canada.

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Klingman & Associates LLC purchased a new stake in shares of GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV  Free Report) in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 2,109 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $362,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new stake in GE Vernova during the 2nd quarter valued at $336,000. Abacus Planning Group Inc. bought a new position in GE Vernova in the 2nd quarter worth $463,000. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of GE Vernova during the second quarter worth about $250,000. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of GE Vernova during the second quarter valued at approximately $1,054,000. Finally, Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co bought a new stake in GE Vernova in the 2nd quarter valued at $795,000.

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GE Vernova Stock Up 5.0 %

GE Vernova stock opened at $201.00 on Friday. GE Vernova Inc. has a twelve month low of $115.00 and a twelve month high of $201.37. The businesss fifty day moving average is $175.93.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

GE Vernova ( NYSE:GEV Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $8.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.42 billion. Analysts anticipate that GE Vernova Inc. will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on GEV shares. William Blair assumed coverage on shares of GE Vernova in a research report on Thursday. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Citigroup started coverage on GE Vernova in a report on Tuesday, June 11th. They set a neutral rating and a $183.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $180.00 target price on shares of GE Vernova in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of GE Vernova from $174.00 to $202.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of GE Vernova to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, GE Vernova currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $189.83.

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GE Vernova Profile

(Free Report)

GE Vernova LLC, an energy business company, generates electricity. It operates under three segments: Power, Wind, and Electrification. The Power segments generates and sells electricity through hydro, gas, nuclear, and steam power. Wind segment engages in the manufacturing and sale of wind turbine blades; and Electrification segment provides grid solutions, power conversion, solar, and storage solutions.

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Klingman & Associates LLC lessened its position in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Free Report) by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,625 shares of the companys stock after selling 90 shares during the quarter. Klingman & Associates LLCs holdings in Novartis were worth $279,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of Novartis by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 4,746,599 shares of the companys stock worth $479,264,000 after purchasing an additional 54,683 shares during the last quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC lifted its holdings in shares of Novartis by 0.6% during the first quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 2,568,728 shares of the companys stock worth $248,473,000 after buying an additional 16,015 shares during the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Novartis by 0.6% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,523,334 shares of the companys stock valued at $244,082,000 after acquiring an additional 14,686 shares during the period. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD grew its stake in shares of Novartis by 40.1% in the first quarter. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD now owns 2,065,739 shares of the companys stock worth $199,819,000 after acquiring an additional 590,830 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Magnetar Financial LLC increased its position in Novartis by 53.7% during the first quarter. Magnetar Financial LLC now owns 1,906,046 shares of the companys stock worth $184,372,000 after acquiring an additional 666,104 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.12% of the companys stock.

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Novartis Stock Performance

NYSE:NVS opened at $120.89 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $111.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $103.86. The firm has a market capitalization of $247.10 billion, a PE ratio of 16.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 0.57. Novartis AG has a 12-month low of $92.19 and a 12-month high of $120.92.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Novartis ( NYSE:NVS Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The company reported $1.97 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.87 by $0.10. Novartis had a return on equity of 34.56% and a net margin of 33.76%. The business had revenue of $12.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.24 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.83 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Novartis AG will post 7.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

NVS has been the subject of a number of research reports. Barclays raised shares of Novartis to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Novartis in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $120.00 target price for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Novartis from $121.00 to $122.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $118.13.

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About Novartis

(Free Report)

Novartis AG engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology.

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Lundin Gold Inc. (OTCMKTS:LUGDF  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,242,200 shares, an increase of 15.8% from the July 31st total of 1,072,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 57,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 21.6 days.

Lundin Gold Stock Down 0.4 %

Lundin Gold stock traded down C$0.08 during trading on Friday, hitting C$20.07. The company had a trading volume of 34,531 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,563. Lundin Gold has a 1-year low of C$10.24 and a 1-year high of C$20.79. The companys 50 day simple moving average is C$17.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$14.86.

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Lundin Gold Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 11th were issued a $0.1003 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2.72%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 10th. This is an increase from Lundin Golds previous dividend of $0.10.

About Lundin Gold

Lundin Gold Inc operates as a mining company in Canada. The company holds interests in 28 metallic mineral concessions and three construction material concessions covering an area of approximately 64,454 hectares located in Southeast Ecuador. It primary holds 100% interests in the Fruta del Norte gold project that comprising seven concessions covering an area of approximately 5,566 hectares located near the city of Loja in Ecuador.

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Mandatum Life Insurance Co Ltd lowered its position in shares of Carrier Global Co. (NYSE:CARR  Free Report) by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 41,975 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,450 shares during the period. Carrier Global accounts for about 0.9% of Mandatum Life Insurance Co Ltds holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Mandatum Life Insurance Co Ltds holdings in Carrier Global were worth $2,648,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Telos Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Carrier Global by 3.0% during the second quarter. Telos Capital Management Inc. now owns 114,418 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,217,000 after purchasing an additional 3,300 shares during the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. bought a new stake in Carrier Global during the second quarter valued at approximately $242,000. Massachusetts Wealth Management lifted its position in Carrier Global by 42.4% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Wealth Management now owns 16,375 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,033,000 after purchasing an additional 4,875 shares during the last quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Carrier Global in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $206,000. Finally, Interchange Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Carrier Global in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $330,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.00% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on CARR shares. Baird R W upgraded shares of Carrier Global from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Carrier Global from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $55.00 to $72.00 in a report on Monday, July 29th. Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on shares of Carrier Global from $70.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $72.00 price objective on shares of Carrier Global in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded shares of Carrier Global from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $65.00 to $74.00 in a report on Monday, June 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $67.08.

Insider Buying and Selling at Carrier Global

In related news, VP Ajay Agrawal sold 62,382 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.55, for a total value of $4,026,758.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 103,066 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,652,910.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 6.95% of the companys stock.

Carrier Global Stock Up 2.4 %

Carrier Global stock traded up $1.69 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $72.78. The stock had a trading volume of 3,251,053 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,992,739. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $66.33 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $62.00. Carrier Global Co. has a one year low of $45.68 and a one year high of $73.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The company has a market capitalization of $65.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.90, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 1.32.

Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.85 by $0.02. Carrier Global had a net margin of 14.27% and a return on equity of 23.68%. The firm had revenue of $6.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.05 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.79 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Carrier Global Co. will post 2.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Carrier Global Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 21st were issued a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 21st. Carrier Globals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 53.15%.

About Carrier Global

(Free Report)

Carrier Global Corporation provides heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation technologies in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through three segments: HVAC, Refrigeration, and Fire & Security.

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Mirova US LLC grew its position in shares of Aptiv PLC (NYSE:APTV  Free Report) by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,667,362 shares of the auto parts companys stock after acquiring an additional 48,393 shares during the quarter. Aptiv comprises 2.3% of Mirova US LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Mirova US LLCs holdings in Aptiv were worth $187,836,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Aptiv during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky acquired a new position in shares of Aptiv during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Aptiv in the first quarter worth about $28,000. Crewe Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Aptiv by 94.7% in the second quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 442 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Aptiv during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. 94.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Aptiv Price Performance

Shares of APTV opened at $71.53 on Friday. Aptiv PLC has a 52 week low of $65.13 and a 52 week high of $104.72. The company has a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The firm has a market cap of $19.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.74, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.79. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $69.97 and a 200-day moving average of $75.07.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Aptiv ( NYSE:APTV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The auto parts company reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.42 by $0.16. Aptiv had a net margin of 18.46% and a return on equity of 13.19%. The firm had revenue of $5.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.30 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.25 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Aptiv PLC will post 6.28 EPS for the current year.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler cut Aptiv from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $78.00 to $63.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Aptiv from $104.00 to $107.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Aptiv from $105.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on Aptiv from $118.00 to $101.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Bank of America cut their price target on Aptiv from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $96.64.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on APTV

Insider Activity at Aptiv

In other Aptiv news, Director Nancy E. Cooper sold 394 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.98, for a total value of $30,330.12. Following the transaction, the director now owns 13,636 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,049,699.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Aptiv Profile

(Free Report)

Aptiv PLC engages in design, manufacture, and sale of vehicle components in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, South America, and internationally. The company provides electrical, electronic, and safety technology solutions to the automotive and commercial vehicle markets. It operates through two segments, Signal and Power Solutions, and Advanced Safety and User Experience.

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Mizuho Markets Americas LLC reduced its position in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST  Free Report) by 46.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 15,923 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 13,705 shares during the period. Mizuho Markets Americas LLCs holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services were worth $5,245,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in West Pharmaceutical Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Crewe Advisors LLC boosted its position in West Pharmaceutical Services by 322.7% during the 2nd quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 93 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. Quarry LP increased its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services by 155.3% in the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 97 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. purchased a new position in West Pharmaceutical Services in the first quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new position in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services during the first quarter worth about $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.90% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other West Pharmaceutical Services news, SVP Silji Abraham sold 1,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $330.78, for a total value of $595,404.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 2,860 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $946,030.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, VP Charles Witherspoon sold 1,029 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total transaction of $308,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 1,478 shares of the companys stock, valued at $443,400. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Silji Abraham sold 1,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $330.78, for a total transaction of $595,404.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 2,860 shares in the company, valued at $946,030.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of WST stock traded down $1.16 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $313.63. The company had a trading volume of 590,457 shares, compared to its average volume of 457,249. The company has a market capitalization of $22.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 11.15 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 2.34. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $265.00 and a twelve month high of $415.73. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $309.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $343.43.

West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.74 by ($0.22). West Pharmaceutical Services had a net margin of 18.25% and a return on equity of 19.17%. The firm had revenue of $702.10 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $729.36 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.11 EPS. The firms revenue was down 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. will post 6.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About West Pharmaceutical Services

(Free Report)

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products.

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National Presto Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NPK  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 88,100 shares, a decrease of 17.2% from the July 31st total of 106,400 shares. Approximately 1.7% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 45,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.9 days.

Institutional Trading of National Presto Industries

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Point72 DIFC Ltd raised its stake in National Presto Industries by 264.9% during the 2nd quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd now owns 737 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 535 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of National Presto Industries during the second quarter worth $68,000. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new position in National Presto Industries during the first quarter valued at $137,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC purchased a new position in National Presto Industries during the first quarter valued at $152,000. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new stake in National Presto Industries in the 4th quarter valued at $209,000. 58.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded National Presto Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th.

National Presto Industries Trading Up 1.6 %

NYSE NPK traded up $1.21 on Friday, reaching $78.29. 37,729 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 25,787. National Presto Industries has a one year low of $69.58 and a one year high of $86.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $555.86 million, a PE ratio of 17.28 and a beta of 0.58. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $74.32 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $77.16.

About National Presto Industries

(Get Free Report)

National Presto Industries, Inc provides housewares and small appliance, defense, and safety products in North America. The company's Housewares/Small Appliance segment designs, markets, and distributes housewares and small electrical appliances, including pressure cookers and canners; heat control line of skillets, griddles, woks, and multi-purpose cookers; slow cookers; deep fryers; air fryers; waffle makers; pizza ovens; slicer/shredders; electric heaters; hot air, oil, and microwave corn poppers; dehydrators; vacuum sealers; rice cookers; microwave bacon cookers; egg cookers; coffeemakers and coffeemaker accessories; electric knife sharpeners; and timers under the Presto Control Master brand.

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North European Oil Royalty Trust (NYSE:NRT  Get Free Report) released its earnings results on Friday. The energy company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, reports. The company had revenue of $2.46 million for the quarter.

North European Oil Royalty Trust Price Performance

NYSE:NRT opened at $5.68 on Friday. North European Oil Royalty Trust has a twelve month low of $4.77 and a twelve month high of $12.67. The companys 50 day moving average is $6.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $6.34.

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North European Oil Royalty Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th were given a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 14.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 16th. This is an increase from North European Oil Royalty Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. North European Oil Royalty Trusts payout ratio is currently 64.12%.

Institutional Trading of North European Oil Royalty Trust

About North European Oil Royalty Trust

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in North European Oil Royalty Trust stock. Comerica Bank raised its holdings in shares of North European Oil Royalty Trust ( NYSE:NRT Free Report ) by 141.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,304 shares of the energy companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,518 shares during the period. Comerica Banks holdings in North European Oil Royalty Trust were worth $26,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Institutional investors own 6.97% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

North European Oil Royalty Trust, a grantor trust, holds overriding royalty rights covering gas and oil production in various concessions or leases in the Federal Republic of Germany. The company also has rights under contracts with German exploration and development subsidiaries of ExxonMobil Corp. and the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies.

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Picton Mahoney Asset Management lowered its holdings in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (NYSEARCA:EWU  Free Report) by 11.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,190 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,470 shares during the quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Managements holdings in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF were worth $390,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 95.9% during the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 13,101 shares of the companys stock valued at $457,000 after purchasing an additional 6,412 shares in the last quarter. Private Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $52,000. Values Added Financial LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $201,000. Bricktown Capital LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF in the second quarter valued at $17,776,000. Finally, Innealta Capital LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 25.1% during the second quarter. Innealta Capital LLC now owns 106,191 shares of the companys stock worth $3,704,000 after acquiring an additional 21,294 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA EWU traded down $0.04 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $37.53. 866,532 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,552,010. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF has a 12 month low of $30.14 and a 12 month high of $37.68. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $35.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $34.97. The firm has a market cap of $2.93 billion, a PE ratio of 12.86 and a beta of 0.68.

iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF Profile

The iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI United Kingdom index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of British companies. It covers the top 85% of British companies by market cap. EWU was launched on Mar 12, 1996 and is managed by BlackRock.

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StockNews.com downgraded shares of Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report issued on Wednesday.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on POR. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Portland General Electric from $44.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Mizuho increased their target price on Portland General Electric from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, May 16th. Finally, KeyCorp raised Portland General Electric from a sector weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $44.86.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Portland General Electric

Portland General Electric Stock Up 0.9 %

POR opened at $48.11 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.33, a current ratio of 1.00 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 0.58. The business has a 50-day moving average of $45.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of $43.55. Portland General Electric has a 12 month low of $38.01 and a 12 month high of $48.62.

Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The utilities provider reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.62 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $758.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $716.43 million. Portland General Electric had a return on equity of 9.15% and a net margin of 9.24%. The firms revenue was up 17.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.44 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Portland General Electric will post 3.09 earnings per share for the current year.

Portland General Electric Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 24th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.16%. Portland General Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 76.63%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Portland General Electric

In other Portland General Electric news, VP John Teeruk Kochavatr sold 1,100 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.25, for a total transaction of $50,875.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 22,606 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,045,527.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, COO Benjamin Felton sold 1,886 shares of Portland General Electric stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.00, for a total value of $90,528.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 30,142 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,446,816. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP John Teeruk Kochavatr sold 1,100 shares of Portland General Electric stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.25, for a total value of $50,875.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 22,606 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,045,527.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.54% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Portland General Electric by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 120,518 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $5,211,000 after acquiring an additional 1,883 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of Portland General Electric by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 56,066 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,424,000 after acquiring an additional 3,233 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in shares of Portland General Electric in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $7,459,000. Quarry LP grew its position in shares of Portland General Electric by 962.3% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,636 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 1,482 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Systematic Financial Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Portland General Electric by 83.4% in the 2nd quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 424,701 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $18,364,000 after purchasing an additional 193,164 shares during the last quarter.

About Portland General Electric

(Get Free Report)

Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 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.

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Privium Fund Management B.V. acquired a new stake in shares of SandRidge Energy, Inc. (NYSE:SD  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 23,300 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock, valued at approximately $299,000. Privium Fund Management B.V. owned about 0.06% of SandRidge Energy as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of SandRidge Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Klein Pavlis & Peasley Financial Inc. grew its position in shares of SandRidge Energy by 4.5% during the 2nd quarter. Klein Pavlis & Peasley Financial Inc. now owns 89,852 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock valued at $1,162,000 after buying an additional 3,884 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in SandRidge Energy by 48.9% in the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 82,369 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock worth $1,065,000 after purchasing an additional 27,037 shares during the last quarter. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in SandRidge Energy in the 2nd quarter worth about $243,000. Finally, Caxton Associates LP grew its position in SandRidge Energy by 690.0% in the 1st quarter. Caxton Associates LP now owns 118,492 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock worth $1,726,000 after purchasing an additional 103,493 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 61.84% of the companys stock.

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SandRidge Energy Stock Down 1.1 %

NYSE SD traded down $0.15 on Friday, hitting $13.28. The stock had a trading volume of 239,309 shares, compared to its average volume of 248,507. SandRidge Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $11.51 and a one year high of $16.92. The stock has a market cap of $493.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.22 and a beta of 2.15. The companys 50-day moving average is $13.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $13.52.

SandRidge Energy Dividend Announcement

SandRidge Energy ( NYSE:SD Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The oil and natural gas company reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter. SandRidge Energy had a net margin of 31.47% and a return on equity of 9.88%. The firm had revenue of $25.98 million during the quarter.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th were paid a $0.11 dividend. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.31%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. SandRidge Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 33.85%.

About SandRidge Energy

(Free Report)

SandRidge Energy, Inc engages in the acquisition, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States Mid-Continent. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Privium Fund Management B.V. purchased a new stake in shares of Sibanye Stillwater Limited (NYSE:SBSW  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 34,040 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $145,000.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cadence Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Sibanye Stillwater by 10.6% during the 2nd quarter. Cadence Wealth Management LLC now owns 92,209 shares of the companys stock valued at $401,000 after buying an additional 8,845 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its position in Sibanye Stillwater by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 151,725 shares of the companys stock valued at $660,000 after buying an additional 11,708 shares during the period. BCGM Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Sibanye Stillwater by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. BCGM Wealth Management LLC now owns 387,035 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,684,000 after buying an additional 19,647 shares during the period. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co purchased a new stake in shares of Sibanye Stillwater in the 2nd quarter worth about $64,000. Finally, Atomi Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Sibanye Stillwater in the 2nd quarter worth about $72,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 34.93% of the companys stock.

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Sibanye Stillwater Trading Down 5.8 %

Shares of NYSE:SBSW traded down $0.24 on Friday, hitting $3.89. The company had a trading volume of 10,808,911 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,255,865. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $4.39 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $4.65. Sibanye Stillwater Limited has a 1 year low of $3.85 and a 1 year high of $6.99.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Sibanye Stillwater from $7.00 to $6.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $5.67.

View Our Latest Report on SBSW

About Sibanye Stillwater

(Free Report)

Sibanye Stillwater Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a precious metals mining company in South Africa, the United States, Europe, and Australia. The company produces gold; platinum group metals (PGMs), including palladium, platinum, rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium; chrome; nickel; and silver, cobalt, and copper.

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Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new stake in Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED  Free Report) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm purchased 28,937 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $2,588,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in ED. Truist Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Consolidated Edison by 12.3% in the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 59,557 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $5,418,000 after purchasing an additional 6,520 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. lifted its position in Consolidated Edison by 8.5% in the 4th quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 6,194 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $563,000 after purchasing an additional 484 shares during the last quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its position in Consolidated Edison by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 6,184 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $563,000 after purchasing an additional 242 shares during the last quarter. Certuity LLC lifted its position in Consolidated Edison by 22.6% in the 4th quarter. Certuity LLC now owns 3,350 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $305,000 after purchasing an additional 618 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mission Wealth Management LP lifted its position in Consolidated Edison by 24.8% in the 4th quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 5,589 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $508,000 after purchasing an additional 1,111 shares during the last quarter. 66.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

ED has been the topic of several recent research reports. Argus upgraded shares of Consolidated Edison to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 7th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $92.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Consolidated Edison from $97.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $97.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a sector underperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $92.65.

Consolidated Edison Stock Up 0.7 %

ED stock opened at $101.56 on Friday. Consolidated Edison, Inc. has a 52-week low of $80.46 and a 52-week high of $105.99. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $95.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $92.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.49, a P/E/G ratio of 3.43 and a beta of 0.34.

Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) 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 8.67%. The business had revenue of $3.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.08 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.61 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Consolidated Edison, Inc. will post 5.3 EPS for the current year.

Consolidated Edison Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th will be paid a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 14th. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.27%. 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.

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AstraZeneca PLC (OTCMKTS:AZNCF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 9,200 shares, a decline of 20.7% from the July 31st total of 11,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.4 days.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:AZNCF opened at $175.00 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $160.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $148.56. AstraZeneca has a one year low of $118.16 and a one year high of $175.00.

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AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be issued a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 7th. AstraZenecas payout ratio is 343.14%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AstraZeneca

About AstraZeneca

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in AstraZeneca stock. Kennedy Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in AstraZeneca PLC ( OTCMKTS:AZNCF Free Report ) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 37,554 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,068,000. 40.87% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

(Get Free Report)

AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of prescription medicines. The company's marketed products include Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Lynparza, Calquence, Enhertu, Orpathys, Truqap, Zoladex, Faslodex, Farxiga, Brilinta, Lokelma, Roxadustat, Andexxa, Crestor, Seloken, Onglyza, Bydureon, Fasenra, Breztri, Symbicort, Saphnelo, Tezspire, Pulmicort, Bevespi, and Daliresp for cardiovascular, renal, metabolism, and oncology.

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Kansas City Life Insurance (OTCMKTS:KCLI  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 800 shares, a growth of 14.3% from the July 31st total of 700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Kansas City Life Insurance Stock Performance

KCLI stock traded up $0.45 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $36.45. The companys stock had a trading volume of 300 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,608. Kansas City Life Insurance has a 12 month low of $25.00 and a 12 month high of $39.01. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $36.77 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $36.44.

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Kansas City Life Insurance (OTCMKTS:KCLI  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.49 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $122.51 million during the quarter. Kansas City Life Insurance had a net margin of 10.73% and a return on equity of 10.79%.

Kansas City Life Insurance Dividend Announcement

Kansas City Life Insurance Company Profile

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 1st were given a $0.14 dividend. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 1st. Kansas City Life Insurances dividend payout ratio is 9.09%.

(Get Free Report)

Kansas City Life Insurance Company provides insurance products and services in states and the District of Columbia. It operates through three segments: Individual Insurance, Group Insurance, and Old American. The Individual Insurance segment consists of individual insurance products for Kansas City life, Grange life, and the assumed reinsurance transactions.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR  Free Report) in a research note published on Wednesday morning. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the aerospace companys stock.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating on shares of Spirit AeroSystems in a research report on Monday, July 8th. Benchmark reissued a hold rating on shares of Spirit AeroSystems in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. Truist Financial increased their target price on Spirit AeroSystems from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Susquehanna reissued a neutral rating and set a $37.00 price target (down previously from $40.00) on shares of Spirit AeroSystems in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Robert W. Baird restated a neutral rating and issued a $37.25 price objective (up from $36.00) on shares of Spirit AeroSystems in a report on Friday, July 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seventeen have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $34.65.

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Spirit AeroSystems Stock Performance

SPR stock opened at $35.21 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $34.51 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $32.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.10 billion, a P/E ratio of -4.05 and a beta of 1.84. Spirit AeroSystems has a one year low of $14.65 and a one year high of $37.08.

Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 5th. The aerospace company reported ($2.73) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.98) by ($1.75). The firm had revenue of $1.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.57 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($1.46) earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Spirit AeroSystems will post -4.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Spirit AeroSystems

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its stake in shares of Spirit AeroSystems by 1.5% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 22,001 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $723,000 after acquiring an additional 332 shares in the last quarter. MCF Advisors LLC grew its stake in Spirit AeroSystems by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 41,228 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,487,000 after purchasing an additional 343 shares in the last quarter. Mystic Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Spirit AeroSystems by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Mystic Asset Management Inc. now owns 52,847 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,906,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina raised its position in shares of Spirit AeroSystems by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 46,362 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,473,000 after purchasing an additional 460 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ensign Peak Advisors Inc boosted its stake in shares of Spirit AeroSystems by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 35,466 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,166,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.59% of the companys stock.

About Spirit AeroSystems

(Get Free Report)

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc engages in the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of commercial aerostructures worldwide. It operates through three segments: Commercial, Defense & Space, and Aftermarket. The Commercial segment offers forward, mid, and rear fuselage sections and systems, floor beams, nacelles, struts/pylons, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, flaps and slats flight control surfaces, wing structures, and wing systems.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS  Free Report) in a report released on Wednesday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Credit Suisse Group Stock Performance

Shares of CS stock opened at $0.89 on Wednesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $0.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.53. Credit Suisse Group has a 1 year low of $0.82 and a 1 year high of $6.36. The firm has a market cap of $2.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.27.

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About Credit Suisse Group

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Further Reading

Credit Suisse Group AG is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following four divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Bank, Swiss Bank and Asset Management and four geographic regions: Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, and Americas.

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Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in The Buckle, Inc. (NYSE:BKE  Free Report) by 60.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 84,000 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 31,500 shares during the quarter. Buckle accounts for approximately 0.9% of Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest holding. Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. owned 0.17% of Buckle worth $3,103,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Buckle by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 13,927 shares of the companys stock worth $514,000 after purchasing an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its stake in Buckle by 2.8% in the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 14,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $550,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Buckle by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 21,719 shares of the companys stock valued at $802,000 after acquiring an additional 410 shares during the period. Hancock Whitney Corp increased its position in Buckle by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp now owns 15,094 shares of the companys stock valued at $608,000 after acquiring an additional 533 shares during the period. Finally, TFO Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in Buckle by 60,000.0% in the 4th quarter. TFO Wealth Partners LLC now owns 601 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 53.93% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Buckle

In related news, CEO Dennis H. Nelson sold 24,666 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.44, for a total value of $1,046,825.04. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,924,811 shares in the company, valued at approximately $81,688,978.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Dennis H. Nelson sold 24,666 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.44, for a total transaction of $1,046,825.04. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,924,811 shares in the company, valued at $81,688,978.84. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Dennis H. Nelson sold 900 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.33, for a total value of $36,297.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,949,477 shares of the companys stock, valued at $78,622,407.41. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 63,893 shares of company stock worth $2,610,352. 39.80% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Buckle Stock Up 0.2 %

Buckle Announces Dividend

Shares of Buckle stock traded up $0.07 on Friday, hitting $41.90. 361,933 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 377,073. The stock has a market cap of $2.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.88 and a beta of 1.14. The Buckle, Inc. has a 52-week low of $30.31 and a 52-week high of $48.15. The firms 50-day moving average is $39.77 and its 200 day moving average is $38.70.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 26th. Investors of record on Friday, July 12th were paid a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 12th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.34%. Buckles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 33.02%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BKE has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Buckle from $32.00 to $31.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 26th. StockNews.com downgraded Buckle from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd.

Check Out Our Latest Report on BKE

Buckle Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Buckle, Inc operates as a retailer of casual apparel, footwear, and accessories for young men and women in the United States. It markets a selection of brand name casual apparel, including denims, other casual bottoms, tops, sportswear, outerwear, accessories, and footwear, as well as private label merchandise primarily comprising BKE, Buckle Black, Salvage, Red by BKE, Daytrip, Gimmicks, Gilded Intent, FITZ + EDDI, Willow & Root, Outpost Makers, Departwest, Sterling & Stitch, Reclaim, BKE Vintage, Nova Industries, J.B.

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Natixis Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 17.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,220,601 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 182,580 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC owned about 0.07% of Charles Schwab worth $89,946,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Charles Schwab by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 120,963,133 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $8,750,473,000 after purchasing an additional 1,042,823 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its position in Charles Schwab by 4.2% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 72,306,560 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,230,657,000 after purchasing an additional 2,946,327 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in Charles Schwab by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 30,994,967 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,132,454,000 after purchasing an additional 1,219,015 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its position in Charles Schwab by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 18,623,505 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,281,297,000 after purchasing an additional 292,155 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter valued at about $950,192,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.38% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Charles Schwab from $85.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 8th. TD Cowen reiterated a hold rating and issued a $71.00 price objective (down previously from $88.00) on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Barclays dropped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $77.00 to $68.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $80.00 price objective on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Piper Sandler downgraded Charles Schwab from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $80.00 to $64.00 in a report on Monday, July 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Charles Schwab currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $74.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Walter W. Bettinger purchased 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of $66.26 per share, with a total value of $1,656,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 827,377 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $54,822,000.02. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Walter W. Bettinger purchased 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was bought at an average price of $66.26 per share, with a total value of $1,656,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 827,377 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $54,822,000.02. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Bernard J. Clark sold 8,164 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total value of $612,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 121,666 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,124,950. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 107,800 shares of company stock valued at $7,145,364. 6.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Charles Schwab Stock Performance

Charles Schwab stock traded up $0.17 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $65.10. 6,549,183 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,391,682. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $67.41 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $70.10. The firm has a market cap of $115.78 billion, a PE ratio of 27.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.99. The Charles Schwab Co. has a twelve month low of $48.66 and a twelve month high of $79.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.42.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $4.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.68 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 18.14% and a net margin of 26.30%. Charles Schwabs revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.75 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.54%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is presently 41.84%.

Charles Schwab Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, July 17th, RTT News reports. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of 0.47 per share by the insurance provider on Wednesday, October 2nd. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 3rd.

The Hartford Financial Services Group has raised its dividend by an average of 10.3% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 11 consecutive years. The Hartford Financial Services Group has a payout ratio of 16.2% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect The Hartford Financial Services Group to earn $11.51 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.88 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 16.3%.

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The Hartford Financial Services Group Stock Down 0.0 %

Shares of NYSE HIG opened at $116.10 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $34.02 billion, a PE ratio of 13.19, a P/E/G ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.92. The Hartford Financial Services Group has a 12-month low of $68.82 and a 12-month high of $116.51. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $106.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $101.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The Hartford Financial Services Group ( NYSE:HIG Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The insurance provider reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.24 by $0.26. The Hartford Financial Services Group had a net margin of 11.44% and a return on equity of 21.20%. The business had revenue of $6.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.02 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.88 earnings per share. The Hartford Financial Services Groups revenue was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that The Hartford Financial Services Group will post 10.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of research firms have weighed in on HIG. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $109.00 to $107.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Citigroup lowered shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the company from $116.00 to $114.00 in a research report on Friday, June 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $104.00 to $116.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Bank of America dropped their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $113.00 to $111.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of The Hartford Financial Services Group from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $110.88.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on HIG

The Hartford Financial Services Group declared that its board has authorized a share repurchase plan on Thursday, July 25th that allows the company to repurchase $3.30 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the insurance provider to repurchase up to 10.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Michael R. Fisher sold 4,088 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.47, for a total value of $414,809.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,818 shares in the company, valued at $1,503,582.46. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About The Hartford Financial Services Group

(Get Free Report)

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, accident, health, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers.

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IFG Advisory LLC raised its position in Toyota Motor Co. (NYSE:TM  Free Report) by 0.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 24,532 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. IFG Advisory LLCs holdings in Toyota Motor were worth $5,028,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Toyota Motor by 21.4% in the 2nd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,204 shares of the companys stock valued at $247,000 after buying an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new position in Toyota Motor in the 2nd quarter valued at about $306,000. Americana Partners LLC boosted its position in Toyota Motor by 78.8% in the 2nd quarter. Americana Partners LLC now owns 4,964 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,017,000 after buying an additional 2,188 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Toyota Motor by 32.8% in the 2nd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 1,214 shares of the companys stock valued at $249,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new position in Toyota Motor in the 2nd quarter valued at about $516,000. 1.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Toyota Motor Stock Performance

Shares of TM stock opened at $189.80 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.18. Toyota Motor Co. has a one year low of $159.04 and a one year high of $255.23. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $191.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is $215.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $255.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.48, a PEG ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 0.68.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Toyota Motor ( NYSE:TM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $6.35 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.01 by $2.34. Toyota Motor had a net margin of 10.70% and a return on equity of 14.28%. The business had revenue of $75.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $72.48 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $7.05 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Toyota Motor Co. will post 17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Separately, Erste Group Bank reissued a hold rating on shares of Toyota Motor in a research report on Friday, June 14th.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TM

About Toyota Motor

(Free Report)

Toyota Motor Corporation designs, manufactures, assembles, and sells passenger vehicles, minivans and commercial vehicles, and related parts and accessories in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East. It operates in Automotive, Financial Services, and All Other segments.

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WR Wealth Planners LLC lessened its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV  Free Report) by 4.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,961 shares of the companys stock after selling 147 shares during the quarter. WR Wealth Planners LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $249,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in USMV. Raymond James & Associates raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 0.9% during the second quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 16,095,735 shares of the companys stock worth $1,351,398,000 after acquiring an additional 146,632 shares during the last quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp raised its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 3,947,820 shares of the companys stock worth $329,959,000 after purchasing an additional 167,538 shares during the last quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,658,707 shares of the companys stock worth $307,185,000 after purchasing an additional 182,050 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake 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 valued at $268,843,000 after purchasing an additional 31,625 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position 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 worth $158,465,000 after buying an additional 1,384,833 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Trading Up 0.7 %

USMV stock traded up $0.63 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $91.32. The stock had a trading volume of 2,171,271 shares. The firm has a market cap of $26.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.30 and a beta of 0.59. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $86.58 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $83.71. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a 1-year low of $47.44 and a 1-year high of $55.45.

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Company Profile

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.

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Vietnam retail majors reap rewards for persistence, perseverance

By My Ha, Minh Hue Sun, September 1, 2024 | 3:30 pm GMT+7

After years of making losses, the significant investments made by major retailers like Masan Group, Mobile World Investment and FPT Retail are coming good.

They are beginning to see substantial returns from their consumer goods and pharmaceutical retail chains.

The reward for their perseverance amidst evolving market trends has come in the form of entrenched consumer bases for retail chains WinMart/WinMart+, Bach Hoa Xanh and Co.opmart/Co.opfood in consumer goods and fresh food; and Long Chau, Pharmacity and An Khang in pharmaceuticals.

A Long Chau pharmacy. Photo courtesy of the company.

To build such extensive retail networks, investors have had to pour in large sums of money, accept long-term losses to establish their brands, and make strenuous efforts to find out optimal operation methods.

At the end of Q2 this year, these major investors have reported positive outcomes from their flagship retail chains.

Masan Group, listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) as MSN, announced that its retail chain, WinMart/WinMart+, operated by WinCommerce (WCM), was showing signs of sustainable profitability after a prolonged period of losses.

In December 2019, Masan Group made headlines with its acquisition of VinCommerce (now WinCommerce) from private conglomerate Vingroup, which owned the VinMart and VinMart+ chain (now WinMart and WinMart+).

Before the acquisition, VinMart and VinMart+ had around 3,000 outlets, making it the largest consumer goods chain in Vietnam. However, the chain had not reached break-even point when it was sold. A Vingroup report showed that retail operations contributed significant annual losses to the parent company.

Following restructuring efforts that involved closing numerous stores and optimizing services, WinCommerce began reporting positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in Q4/2020, albeit modestly at VND16 billion ($643,345).

In the next three years (2021-2023), it generated hundreds of billions of VND in EBITDA for the group (VND1,100 billion or $44.22 million in 2021, VND804 billion in 2022, and VND694 billion in 2023), though it did not achieve net profitability.

In the first half of this year, the retail chain reported total revenues of VND15.8 trillion ($635.2 million), an 8.8% increase year-over-year, and an EBITDA of VND421 billion ($16.92 million), up 88%.

Notably, WinCommerce recorded positive net income in June. Masan Group sees this as an indication of sustainable profitability in the near future.

Ten years on

Like Masan, Mobile World, listed on the HoSE as MWG, is beginning to reap gains from its flagship Bach Hoa Xanh consumer goods chain.

Since investing in the chain in 2015, MWG saw cumulative losses reach VND8.76 trillion ($352.2 million) by the end of Q1/2024.

However, after persistent efforts to restructure, optimize the system and upgrade services, Bach Hoa Xanh reported profits of VND6.9 billion ($277,386) in Q2/2024, marking the beginning of a journey bringing money to the parent company.

MWG chairman Nguyen Duc Tai noted that with average revenues of VND1.8 billion ($72,362) per store per month, the chain has reached its break-even point after deducting all costs.

From December 2023, the chain has recorded average monthly revenues of VND1.8 billion per store, which increased to VN2.1 billion this June.

The chain earned H1/2024 revenues of VND19.4 trillion ($779.9 million), up 42% year-on-year. In June along, it earned VND3.6 trillion ($144.72 million), up nearly 5% over the previous month. The growth was primarily driven by fresh produce and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) segments

Successful operational model

In the pharmaceutical sector, FPT Long Chau stands out as the only chain with a successful operational model, delivering profits to its parent company, FPT Retail (HoSE: FRT), while Pharmacity and An Khang are still reporting losses.

In the first half of the year, FPT Retail's technology business, FPT Shop, saw declining revenue and incurred a loss of about VND113 billion ($4.54 million). In contrast, FPT Long Chau recorded a 67% surge in revenue to VND11.52 trillion ($463,117) and a profit of over VND200 billion ($8.04 billion).

With this success, FPT Retail saw a 22% rise in revenue to VND18.28 trillion ($734.9 million) and a net profit of VND109 billion ($4.38 million), a significant improvement from a loss of VND213 billion in the same period last year.

Expansion plans, IPOs

With the retail chains turning profitable, the focus is shifting to their expansion plans and potential initial public offerings (IPOs) or stock exchange listings.

For over a year, Bach Hoa Xanhs leadership has concentrated on optimizing operations and improving service quality rather than expanding its store count. In the first half of this year, the chain added just three outlets, bringing the total to 1,701.

Pham Van Trong, CEO of Bach Hoa Xanh, said the primary goal for this year was to increase revenue per store. Plans for expansion into central and northern Vietnam will be considered at the year-end, he added.

Last year, MWG established a new entity, Bach Hoa Xanh Technology and Investment JSC, to operate the chain. In April, the corporation completed the sale of a 5% stake in this new company to CDH Investments, a Chinese asset management firm.

Nguyen Duc Tai, chairman of MWG, said they had no plans for additional fundraising beyond the 5% stake sale. The company was focusing instead on growing to a scale sufficient to list on the stock exchange, as promised to shareholders and the Chinese investor, he said.

Meanwhile, FPT Retail chairwoman Nguyen Bach Diep has announced a plan to raise up to 10% in charter capital through a private placement to support expansion of FPT Long Chaus reach from provision of medicines to meeting all healthcare needs including preventive medicine (vaccination) diagnostics, treatment, homecare and insurance.

FPT Long Chau has already made major strides in preventive healthcare with the development of Long Chau immunization centers and pharmacies. Upcoming services will include LC247 for homecare and drug guarantee services in collaboration with major insurers like Bao Viet and PVI.

To facilitate the fundraising, FPT Retail has decided to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary that will manage its investment in FPT Long Chau.

Masan Group is also pushing forward with expansion plans for the WinMart/WinMart+ chain. In the first half of this year, the chain added 40 new stores, bringing the total to 3,673.

The group plans to accelerate store openings in the second half, aiming for approximately 100 new stores per quarter, with particular focus on expanding the WinMart+ Rural model in rural areas.

Strategically, the group intends to make an IPO of CrownX, which manages its food, beverage, retail and agriculture segments. With the retail chain turning profitable, CrownXs valuation is expected to become more attractive, expediting the IPO process.
(TBTCO) - Gia xe SH moi nhat thang 10/2024 tai ai ly ang giam soc, mot so phien ban ang uoc ban re hon gia e xuat, ay la ieu hiem co cua dong xe Honda. Trong khi o, gia xe Vision tai ai ly ang o muc thap chua tung co, tinh trang oi gia cao gan nhu a khong con.
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Kooheji Contractors has announced that it has once again demonstrated its engineering prowess with the completion of the largest concrete pour in Bahrain for 2024. This achievement is part of the ongoing construction of the Onyx Skyview, a landmark development that is set to redefine luxury living in the heart of Bahrain Bay.

The Onyx Skyview project, currently at 15 per cent completion, reached the critical milestone with the pouring of 6,977 cu m of concrete for the raft foundation.

This massive volume of concrete was placed in a single operation that spanned 32 hours, making it the largest concrete pour of the year, a spokesman for the company told Gulf Construction . This achievement underscores the meticulous planning and strategic execution that Kooheji Contractors is renowned for, setting a new benchmark for construction projects in the region.

The projects success was the culmination of months of detailed planning, rigorous quality control, and the tireless efforts of a dedicated team. This engineering triumph was made possible through a series of joint inspections conducted by Kooheji Contractors and MSCEB engineering teams, he said. Every aspect of the structural and architectural details were well coordinated, and all QA/QC requirements were scrutinised to ensure that the foundation would meet the highest standards of safety and durability.

The success of this operation hinged on the meticulous planning and impeccable quality control procedures implemented by the Kooheji Contractors team in coordination with our readymix concrete supplier. Led by the QA/QC manager, the team ensured that every phase of the concrete pour was executed with precision. One of the most critical challenges during this huge operation was to maintain the top levels for various areas of the raft, as it ensured the structural and architectural integrity of the entire foundation. This level of attention to detail is a hallmark of Kooheji Contractors approach to construction, where quality is never compromised, he added.

The logistics of the pour were equally impressive. The operation involved 874 readymix agitator trucks, which supplied the concrete needed to complete the pour uninterrupted. These trucks worked in tandem with nine concrete-placing pumps, which operated continuously to place the concrete to the site. The entire operation required 2,750 man-hours, a testament to the scale and complexity of the task.

The coordination required to manage such a large workforce and fleet of vehicles was no small feat, and it is a credit to Kooheji Contractors project management capabilities that the pour was completed without any major incidents, the spokesman pointed out.

Kooheji Contractors commitment to innovation played a pivotal role in the success of this project. Advanced construction techniques and technologies were employed to ensure that the concrete pour was executed efficiently and safely. The use of modern equipment and machinery, coupled with the expertise of the Kooheji Contractors team, allowed the project to progress smoothly despite the challenges inherent in such a large-scale operation.

Elaborating on the challenges of the operation, the spokesman said: One of the key challenges in any large concrete pour is ensuring that the concrete sets evenly and that there is no honeycombing or segregation which results in weaknesses in the foundation. To address this, Kooheji Contractors utilised state-of-the-art concrete pumps and mixers, which were capable of delivering the concrete at a consistent rate and pressure, which was well reinforced with up-to-date vibrating techniques. This technology, combined with the skill of the operators, ensured that the concrete was placed evenly across the entire foundation.

In addition to the mechanical aspects of the pour, Kooheji Contractors also employed advanced monitoring and control systems to track the progress of the operation in real-time. These systems provided valuable data on the temperature, flow rate, and pressure of the concrete, allowing the team to make adjustments as needed to maintain the quality of the pour. This level of control was critical in ensuring that the pour was completed to the highest standards.

The scale of this concrete pour presented numerous challenges, both logistical and technical. However, Kooheji Contractors experience and expertise in managing large-scale construction projects allowed the company to overcome these challenges with ease. One of the primary challenges was coordinating the delivery of such a large volume of concrete to the site.

With 874 truck loads involved in the operation, timing and logistics were crucial to ensure that the concrete was delivered on schedule and at the right temperature.

Another challenge was managing the sheer number of workers on site. With 2,750 man-hours required to complete the pour, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the workforce was a top priority. Kooheji Contractors commitment to safety was evident in the rigorous training and safety protocols that were in place throughout the operation. As a result, the pour was completed without any major safety incidents, a remarkable achievement given the scale and complexity of the task.

The completion of this concrete pour marks a significant milestone in the construction of Onyx Skyview, a project that is set to become one of Bahrains most iconic developments. Once complete, Onyx Skyview will offer residents a blend of luxury and convenience, with state-of-the-art amenities and stunning views of the Bahrain skyline.

The project is a testament to Kooheji Contractors commitment to excellence and innovation in construction, and it is set to raise the bar for future developments in the region.

But the impact of this project extends beyond the boundaries of the Onyx Skyview site. The successful completion of the largest concrete pour of 2024 in Bahrain has set a new standard for the construction industry in the kingdom. It has demonstrated what is possible when meticulous planning, advanced technology, and skilled craftsmanship come together in pursuit of a common goal. For Kooheji Contractors, this project is not just a milestone; it is a showcase of their capabilities and a reaffirmation of their position as a leader in the construction industry, he concluded.

With the foundation now in place, the focus of the Onyx Skyview project will shift to the construction of the superstructure. This next phase will be equally challenging, as it will involve the erection of the buildings core and shell, which will ultimately define the architectural character of the development. However, given the success of the foundation phase, there is every reason to be confident that the remaining phases of the project will be completed with the same level of excellence, said Kooheji Contractors.
Baynunah Watergeneration Technologies-owned Emirati brand, Ma Hawa, that produces sustainable water-from-air hydration solutions, has launched its groundbreaking sustainable drinking water bottles in the UAE, available at Adnoc and Union Coop.

This strategic step marks a significant step forward, providing consumers with a convenient, eco-friendly, and high-quality water source.

Beginning September, Ma Hawas revolutionary bottles will be available at select Union Coop branches in Al Wasl, Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Barsha, Midriff and Al Warqa and in 10 premium Adnoc outlets across the country.

The product will subsequently be expanded to an additional 90 Adnoc locations, ensuring wider accessibility for consumers. Customers can also enjoy exclusive discounts and complementary product samples during the launch.

Ma Hawas water from air technology represents a paradigm shift in the drinking water sector in the region, which is the most water-scarce in the world, with about 83% of the population exposed to water stress caused by climate change.

The company addresses critical environmental challenges by extracting pure water from the air while providing an entirely renewable water source, redefining sustainable hydration.

Commenting on the retail launch of Ma Hawa sustainable drinking water, Ahmed Assim, Head of retail sales at Ma Hawa, said: By providing consumers with a high-quality, eco-friendly hydration option, we aim to empower individuals to make conscious choices that benefit both themselves and the planet. Ma Hawa is more than just a product; it's a step towards a greener future."

Ma Hawa's revolutionary technology transforms atmospheric humidity into refreshing water, and the company offers solutions that can provide drinking water to homes, commercial facilities, and even towns.

One of the leading sustainable drinking water brands in the UAE, Ma Hawa is hugely invested in building awareness among people on water security and R&D efforts to further develop AWG technology in the region, with the ultimate goal of reaching every household in the UAE.  TradeArabia News Service
By SA Commercial Prop News

Barloworld Automotive CEO Martin Laubscher, Dr Richard Maponya of the Maponya family, and Dr Johan van Zyl at the sod-turning ceremony for the creation of Soweto Toyota, a joint venture between Barloworld Automotive and the Maponya family



Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) said it is currently constructing a R40 million facility in Soweto.

The new facility, a joint venture between Barloworld Motor Retail and the well-known Maponya-family was scheduled for completion in November and would have the capacity to retail in excess of 30 new vehicles and 25 approved used Automark vehicles every month.

"The development of Soweto Toyota, as the new facility will be known, has both emotional and economic underpinnings," said Dr Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of TSAM and a managing officer of Toyota Motor Corporation.

"Emotionally we have had a long relationship with Dr Richard Maponya and his family, stretching back more than 20 years, and we share his passion for the vibrant city of Soweto.

"Economically the new dealership is situated in a city that is the physical and spiritual home to more than five million people with a healthy economy estimated to be in excess of R16 billion annually. With this in mind it was no challenge to find board approval for the new dealership."

Speaking at the official sod turning event held on site on July 6 Dr Maponya shared the excitement of the Soweto community at the opening of the new facility.

"The people of Soweto are very excited indeed about the news of these world class products that will be coming to Soweto. I also believe that this new investment will succeed in providing employment and addressing the poverty concerns in our city," Dr Maponya said.

Martin Laubscher, CEO of Barloworld Automotive, said that the new Toyota facility and that of another vehicle brand to be developed by the joint venture in Soweto was a serious statement of commitment.

"The new operations emphasise four key goals that we have set. Firstly it is a major commitment to the people and economy of Soweto. Secondly it will offer employment in the area, with an estimated 100 people to be employed by the third year of operation.

"Thirdly it will introduce two automotive global super brands to Soweto and finally it will offer the people of Soweto a complete vehicle ownership experience on their doorstep."

Soweto Toyota was being developed as a full service operation, which implied that it would be able to sell and service all Toyota vehicles, while also offering a full complement of parts and maintenance equipment.
The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (Adscc) has successfully performed the UAE's first ovarian preservation procedure on a seven-year-old Emirati patient diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, in collaboration with ART Fertility Clinic.

The young patient, battling a relapsed and refractory form of leukaemia, faced a challenging medical condition after her disease proved resistant to initial chemotherapy and conventional treatments.

Her condition later stabilised with targeted therapy. To ensure a definitive cure, Adsccs paediatric haematologists went ahead with a bone marrow transplant, with the patient's half-matched brother serving as the donor.

Recognising the potential fertility risks associated with the high-dose chemotherapy and total body irradiation required for the transplant, Adscc medical experts, with the consent of the patients parents, proactively opted for ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) in collaboration with ART Fertility Clinic.

In a surgical procedure, the ovary of the young girl was removed and transferred to ART Fertility Clinic in Abu Dhabi for processing and preservation.

This advanced technique process involved cutting the ovarian tissue into thin strips, which were then treated with cryoprotective agents to protect the cells from damage during the freezing process.

The tissue is then slowly cooled and stored at very low temperatures, typically in liquid nitrogen at around -196C (-320.8F) for at least 20 years, with the potential for future reimplantation to restore the patients fertility.

OTC represents one of the latest techniques worldwide that offers promising potential for preserving fertility in the future if the ovaries are affected by chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

The ovarian preservation procedure was integrated into the patient's overall treatment plan, which included the necessary high-intensity chemotherapy and radiation treatments prior to her bone marrow transplant procedure that was crucial for curing her leukaemia.

Now, three months post-transplant, the young patient is in remission, and her fertility options are preserved for the future.

Dr Rashid Obaid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Healthcare Workforce Sector at the Department of Health  Abu Dhabi (DoH) said: Abu Dhabis healthcare sector has made significant strides in enhancing the health and well-being of the Emirate's community and beyond.

Due to the sectors pioneering strategies, advanced infrastructure and talented workforce, it has enabled us to achieve remarkable milestones such as the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre latest accomplishment.

These achievements are a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Emirates healthcare facilities, who are dedicated to delivering comprehensive and timely healthcare services to the community in line with international standards and best practices.

Dr Maysoon Al Karam, Chief Medical Officer at Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, said: We are proud to have successfully performed this procedure by our multi-disciplinary team of paediatric haematologists, paediatric surgeons and gynaecologists; in collaboration with ART Fertility Clinics fertility specialists and embryologists.

This incredible milestone not only represents the advancements in paediatric oncology and fertility preservation but also aligns with our vision to lead in cutting-edge medical practices and patient-centred care within our Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Programme (AD-BMT).

By providing our paediatric cancer patients with fertility preservation options as they grow older, such as ovarian cryopreservation, we are offering solutions for female cancer patients, both pre- and post-puberty, whose treatments may impact future fertility.

Additionally, for post-puberty male patients, we continue to explore alternative options while scientific studies advance our understanding of suitable solutions for pre-puberty male patients.

The Department of Health  Abu Dhabi recently designated the Adscc as a Center of Excellence for Bone Marrow Transplantation in the emirate.

The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and provides high-quality services for bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, adhering to the best global practices based on scientific evidence.

Led by a specialised and internationally accredited team, the centre ensures the best therapeutic outcomes for patients both within the emirate and beyond.

This achievement highlights Adsccs pivotal role in advancing regional healthcare capabilities, notably in cellular therapy research and applications across various medical fields, including oncology, haematology and reproductive health.

Dr Human Fatemi, Group Medical Director at ART Fertility Clinics, said, Our collaboration with Adscc on this young girls treatment plan showcases the importance of combining expertise from different medical specialties to achieve the best outcomes for our patients.

By working together, we were able to not only address her immediate health needs but also consider her future well-being and quality of life.

Using the latest technologies at our IVF laboratories for ovarian preservation, this procedure marks a significant step forward in fertility preservation for paediatric cancer patients in the UAE, and we are committed to continuing our work with Adscc to provide innovative and compassionate care to those in need.  TradeArabia News Service
A new Cigna Healthcare study reveals a significant disconnect between employer intentions and employee perceptions regarding health and well-being benefits in the UAE.

While HR leaders rank international health insurance as the most preferred employee value proposition (EVP) for boosting productivity and attracting talent, only seven in 10 employees believe their employers proactively support their health and well-being.

The report, titled Harnessing Health  Measuring the Impact of Employee Health and Well-being Benefits, is based on a survey of 1,000 managers and directors in HR and Benefits functions in the UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, UK and US.

A compelling 98% of UAE employees agree that a robust health and well-being programme significantly boosts productivity and creates a more positive workplace.

Reflecting this sentiment, the study reveals that UAE companies offer more health benefits than their global counterparts, underscoring the emphasis HR leaders place on employee well-being.

However, despite these efforts, many benefits remain underutilised, indicating a critical need for improved access and awareness among employees.

Leah Cotterill, CEO of Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa (outside KSA), said: Our survey results clearly demonstrate that health and well-being benefits are powerful drivers of workplace performance and talent attraction.

While it's promising to see that the UAE companies are offering more health benefits than their global counterparts, there's still work to be done in bridging the gap between availability and utilisation.

To truly maximise the potential of these benefits, employers need to adopt a more strategic approach. This means not only offering comprehensive packages, but ensuring they're well-communicated, easily accessible, and aligned with local cultural values.

This is crucial for fostering a healthier, more satisfied, and ultimately more productive workforce, giving businesses a competitive edge in today's global market.

Key findings in the UAE include:

Strong Preference for Health Benefits: International health insurance is not only a key part of the EVP but also the most favoured by employees, ranking higher locally compared to its fifth place globally. This preference is also shared equally with flexible time off and working arrangements. The UAE presents more companies offering health benefits than the global average.

Employer Priorities: Employee health and well-being are top priorities for HR leaders, on par with succession planning and leadership development (15%). Over half of these leaders believe that robust health insurance plans promote a positive company culture and enhance employee loyalty while effectively reducing absenteeism. UAE employee rankings are amongst the highest in being proactively supported and valued for their health and wellbeing.

Gap in Benefit Utilisation: Despite the widespread availability of health benefits  offered by 93% of companies there remains a significant underutilisation issue, with preventive health tools being the least utilised. This points to a potential gap in how these benefits are communicated and understood by employees which could be a result of insufficient awareness, cultural resistance, or limitations in support.

Impact on Business Outcomes: More than half of HR leaders acknowledge the positive impact of health benefits on key business metrics, particularly employee loyalty and fostering a good company culture. While they see health insurance as beneficial in reducing absenteeism, their confidence wanes when it comes to its effectiveness in decreasing turnover, suggesting a need for targeted strategies to address specific local challenges.

Mental Health Support: There is still a gap in mental health support, as it is the least offered benefit in the UAE (48%) among all markets surveyed. Additionally, only seven in 10 employees in the UAE feel that their employers proactively support their health and well-being.

Health and Well Being: 98% of employees in UAE agree that robust health and well-being programme leads to better productivity and more positive work environment overall.  TradeArabia News Service
The federal government wants to vastly expand access to public lands for industrial-scale solar projects.

The final proposal for the Western Solar Plan promises to entrench solar power at the heart of the American energy transition in the wider goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Issued by the Bureau of Land Management, the plan would make more than 31 million acres of public lands across 11 western states available for possible utility-scale photovoltaic development, including millions of acres in Wyoming, which is considered to be among the top ten states for solar potential.

Although it may conflict with other federal priorities, and some believe it puts renewables on a collision course with habitat conservation and vulnerable wildlife.

I think they are giving developers way too much leeway. Theyve made this incredibly permissive for development at the expense of habitat, said Randi Spivak, policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity.

The initial draft set aside roughly 22 million acres for potential development, required projects to be sited on already degraded land, and limited developments to within 10 miles of existing or planned transmission lands. The final draft increases the acreage by 50% and allows projects to be 15 miles from transmission while loosening other siting requirements, which raises red flags for conservationists.

It comes at a moment when solar energy is already advancing at a speedy clip. As much as 36 gigawatts of solar capacity will hit the grid in 2024, increasing its share by 42% and helping push renewable generation past coal-fired power for the first time on record, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Spivak and others say the Western Solar Plan is too aggressive and will undermine Wyomings sage grouse, a species uniquely sensitive to development and whose populations are in spiraling decline. Juxtaposing the solar plan with the BLMs Greater Sage Grouse Land Use Plan shows how both general and priority sage grouse habitat are subject to potential industrial development.

The agencys sage grouse preferred alternative would allow industrial-scale solar on priority habitat management areas determined unsuitable or that does not provide important connectivity between habitat areas, the plan states. Among other caveats, these determinations will be made by wildlife biologists within the agency.

Even as certain habitat areas may be unsuitable now, opponents argue, allowing development will prevent currently unsuitable areas from becoming ecologically viable in the future. There is a lower bar for development in general habitat management areas.

General habitat is going to be really hammered, and I think there are big question marks about priority habitat, Spivak said.

The proposal has called attention to another Wyoming-specific stipulation in which energy developments are constrained by a disturbance cap of 5% in sage grouse habitat areas. Spivak says this is an arbitrary figure that doesnt align with the best science.

The data pretty much shows that sage grouse start avoiding areas at 1.5% disturbance. Wyoming has a scientifically unjustified disturbance allowance of 5%. Nothing in the literature whatsoever supports that disturbance cap, Spivak said, adding that solar is merely one of a growing list of development pressures pushing vulnerable wildlife to the margins.

The agency insists that sufficient guardrails are nonetheless in place. One of the reasons its made so many acres eligible is to allow for flexibility. Currently, the agencys reasonable foreseeable development area is less than 1 million acres, and proposed projects will still undergo site-specific environmental review and public comment periods.

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, said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning in a statement.

To date, the Biden-Harris administration has approved 40 renewable energy projects on public lands  9 solar, 13 geothermal, and 18 generation facilitation projects, like transmission lines.

Even as Spivak and other conservationists agree in principle with the need to increase renewable energy, they believe the proposal fails to strike a balance.

In our transition to renewable energy, we cannot sacrifice biodiversity and habitat. There is tension here, and we need to be mindful of it and plan better for it. I dont think this proposal fully does that, Spivak said.
THE theme for this years World Sight Day: Love your eyes, kids, is a call to action, says co-founder of the Trinidad Eye Hospital (TEH) and Hummingbird Medal Gold recipient, Dr Ronnie Bhola.

One of the main problems affecting our young population that is causing concern among health care professionals like Bhola is myopia  a condition in which people can see close objects clearly but objects farther away appear blurred.
The ornate entrance to San Xavier Mission will soon get a much-needed facelift, thanks to a $749,000 grant from the National Park Service.

Conservators for the late-18th-century church plan to spend the next two to three years carefully stabilizing and restoring the buildings decorative facade, which dates back to the late 18th century and features statues of five saints guarded by a pair of lions.

The Park Service announced funding for the project on Aug. 22 as part of its Semiquincentennial Grant Program, a multi-year initiative leading up to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026.

The grant-funded work at the mission should help the church survive for another 200 years, Park Service officials said.

Its the single largest grant in the 46-year history of Patronato San Xavier, the nonprofit that oversees preservation and fundraising for Arizonas oldest intact European structure.

Weve had some in the quarter-of-a-million-dollar range, but this one certainly beats the band, said Patronato executive director Miles Green.

This will be the first large-scale restoration of the missions facade in more than 70 years. One of the primary goals of the project is to undo some of the damage done by that previous work.

During the 1940s and 1950s, San Xaviers stewards covered the entire building, including the facade, with concrete plaster made from Portland cement in hopes of strengthening the structure and protecting it from the elements. Though the work was thoughtfully done by the standards of that time, Patronato officials said the plaster used back then ended up trapping moisture and damaging the centuries-old adobe material beneath it.

The first phase of the new project, set to begin in October, involves removing those incompatible repair materials and stabilizing the decorative surfaces to retain as many of the original finishes and paint as we can, said Starr Herr-Cardillo, conservation project manager for Patronato.

Careful copies

In future phases, the conservation team wants to reconstruct and replace key pieces of the facade that have been lost over time, including the decorative columns and the central mesquite-wood balcony.

The retablo surrounding the front doors of the church originally included 10 columns with distinctive designs, but the harsh desert climate  and a powerful earthquake in 1887  gradually reduced them to rubble.

Only two columns remained by 1942, when they were wrapped in plaster jackets like the ones used to protect dinosaur fossils and removed for safekeeping. After 10 years in storage, though, the original material inside the jackets had dissolved into a crumbly mess, Herr-Cardillo said, so plaster forms were used to create the replica columns that are seen on the building today.

Patronato plans to use historic photos of the facade to create new, more accurate replicas of all 10 original columns.

Green said the project could also include preservation work on the churchs original wooden front doors, which date back to 1797 and are still in use today.

There is even some preliminary discussion of trying to recreate the statue of the churchs patron saint, which once graced the top of the facade before losing its head and torso and being modified into a flagpole decades later. But that idea could prove tricky, since the statues head was already missing when some of the earliest surviving photos of the mission were taken in the early 1870s.

Then there is the still-unsettled question of which patron saint once stood atop the church. Some scholars believe the statue depicted Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order whose followers built the mission. Others are convinced it was Saint Francis Xavier, one of the original Jesuits for whom the mission is named.

If the statue ever was to be replaced, Green said, the decision about which Saint Francis could be left open to interpretation. It may just be Frank, he said.

The Catholic church along the Santa Cruz River was constructed between 1783 and 1797 with kiln-fired adobe bricks and Oodham labor.

The flags of four nations have flown over it, Green said  Spain, Mexico, the U.S. and the Tohono Oodham Nation.

Because of the prominence of the facade, Patronato officials said all of the work on it is being done with caution, sensitivity and in consultation with church members and the surrounding community.

Slow going

Though many of the weathered or missing decorations on the front of the mission cant be restored to their original appearance, Green said the conservation team hopes to improve the legibility of the facade overall so visitors can get a sense of what it might have looked like.

Theres a lot of great photo documentation, added Herr-Cardillo, but even that has its limits.

They simply dont have enough detailed information to allow for a wholesale recreation of the original work. And even if they did, she said, they would never jeopardize whats left of the historic material to attempt such a thing.

I think its the job of any historian to be clear about what they know and what they dont know, Herr-Cardillo said.

As part of their final preparations for the restoration project, conservators spent about a month early this year cautiously removing the Portland cement from the lower section of Saint Lucys skirt in the alcove to the right of the missions front door.

The dress rehearsal, so to speak, focused on an area roughly the size of the front page of the Arizona Daily Star.

We wanted to know how bad it is under there, Herr-Cardillo said. It was very eye-opening.

During the 1950s restoration, workers nailed chicken wire to the original statue, coated it with a new layer of plaster and painted it using a color scheme that bore little resemblance to what had been there a century before.

Underneath that plaster, conservators found bits of the original paint, but removing the newer stuff to get to the old proved to be no easy task. It was a helpful reality check in terms of how slow the work is going to be, Herr-Cardillo said. Were going to have to proceed with caution in the heavily amended areas.

The facade represents the last sizable patch of Portland-cement-based plaster left at San Xavier. The stuff has already been removed from the rest of the building and replaced with traditional lime-washed plaster mixed with cactus juice to allow the walls to breathe and dry out.

Ongoing mission

The restoration work will be done seasonally to lessen its impact on worshipers at San Xavier as much as possible. Herr-Cardillo said the scaffolding will go up in October and come down in March, clearing the way for Easter festivities at the church.

Its too hot during summer to be working outdoors on the south-facing side of the building anyway, Green added.

The work is expected to last into 2026, but the exact scope and schedule for the project will depend on what the conservation team finds as it goes. We dont want to hem ourselves in with unrealistic expectations, Green said.

Years of research, collaboration and outreach have already gone into the development of the restoration plan for the facade.

In 2021, scaffolding was erected in front of the church so the conservation team could perform the first-ever close-up inspection of the entire retablo.

Patronato had previously secured about $573,000 for the facade improvements, which are expected to cost approximately $1.4 million. The Semiquincentennial Grant grant should cover most of the rest, Green said.

In its announcement of the grant, the Park Service described San Xavier as one of the finest examples of Mexican baroque architecture in the United States and one of just a few mission churches in the country that is still ministering to the descendants of the Indigenous community that built it.

The historic site also draws more than 250,000 tourists each year.

San Xavier was among the first sites to be designated as a National Historic Landmark when the Park Service took over that program in 1960. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

As the new grant demonstrates, the White Dove of the Desert is more than just a place of local or regional significance, Green said. Its always been seen as a core piece of American history.

Photos: San Xavier Mission in 1940 and 2015
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

Richard Gephardt is worried. The former Congressional Majority Leader and presidential candidate believes the usual menu of issues like the economy and foreign policy are outweighed this time by the very survival of the American system. Gephardt is joined by former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and business leaders on a board aptly named Keep our Republic, in reference to Ben Franklins famous observation that we have a republic if we can keep it.

In a recent interview for this column, Gephardt issued this warning: So many candidates asserting today that our electoral process is corrupt, without factual proof, is causing millions of Americans to mistrust our electoral process. If enough citizens believe the process is corrupt, self-governance is doomed. The only option then is authoritarianism, which Donald Trump has delivered to our doorstep.

If the past is prologue, we know what lies ahead if Trump and his January 6th thugs lose the election. Across the country, and especially in swing states like Arizona, they are busy constructing roadblocks to a clean election. And threatening violence as the price of losing.

In an earlier column, I described the MAGA strategy. First, Republican-dominated Legislatures, under the guise of protecting the vote, have taken steps to make voting harder by requiring voters to carry unnecessary paperwork and sharply limiting the use of drop boxes. Second, they planted Trump acolytes on election boards and, in the case of Georgia, empowered each member to raise illegitimate concerns about the count to delay unfavorable results. Third, they have employed hundreds of lawyers and bullies to occupy voting sites to intimidate non-white voters and slow the lines, a practice I encountered and fought decades ago in a heavily Hispanic precinct in South Phoenix. Fourth, they will flood the courts with lawsuits in the hope that a friendly judge somewhere will validate a claim, throwing rocks into the election machinery. The endgame is either to send the election to the House of Representatives, where the small states will prevail, or to put the result, as in 2000, in the hands of an outspokenly partisan Supreme Court.

The American Conservative Union recently claimed that monitoring drop boxes with off-duty sheriffs deputies would simply assure that collection points are not fraudulently employed. Not according to Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. The whole thing is an absurd sham to cover up direct efforts to intimidate voters by a bunch of CPAC-recruited vigilantes, he said. He pointed out that drop boxes in Arizona are located in public buildings or polling locations that are carefully monitored. Against this tornado of lies and electoral destruction, there are four responses.

First, the Democratic Party must nominate, as it has, a winning ticket.

Second, we must call upon American voters to exercise the franchise with courage and commitment. Like schoolyard bullies, they only win when we fail to confront them.

Third, election officials must stand their ground in the face of unprecedented intimidation tactics.

Already earning our respect are two Arizonans  Fontes and Kris Mayes, the remarkably effective Attorney General who recently indicted 18 in the 2020 election interference case. Finally, if we have the time and resources, we should support the bipartisan Keep Our Republic (keepourrepublic.org) that is organizing in all the swing states to fight election interference. Congressman Gephardt sees it as a bipartisan group of citizens in local communities to be a citizens firewall against unconventional threats to having valid, trusted elections.

Winston Churchill famously said that America always does the right thing, after exhausting every other possibility. Churchill was a keen observer of American culture and politics and there is no doubt he would have been on needles and pins with respect to what is happening to our country now. Lets hope that the America Churchill esteemed and pulled for turns out to vote in November and reveals itself closer to Gephardts vision than the toxic alternative. History hangs in the balance.
An evidence marker is seen on a building where San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery nearby, in San Francisco, Sept. 1, 2024. Pearsall, the teams first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital where he is in serious but stable condition while the 17-year-old suspect was apprehended at the scene. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was released from San Francisco General Hospital less than 24 hours after being shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in Union Square on Saturday afternoon.

Its a lucky outcome for people shot in the chest, doctors say  and a reflection, in part, on the course of the bullet, which avoided major organs.

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The bullet went through his chest and out the back, according to a since-deleted Facebook post by the athletes mother Erin Pearsall. Thanks be to GOD it missed his vital organs, she wrote.

It appears Pearsall managed to escape injury to the heart and spine, two of the most serious injuries from gunshot wounds to the chest. In a video from the scene on Saturday, he was seen clutching a large bandage on the right side of his chest as he walked to the ambulance. A responding SFPD officer helped keep him calm and covered the wound in the minutes after the shooting. He was in serious but stable condition when admitted to the hospital, according to the 49ers.

Surviving a gunshot wound to the chest involves several critical factors. These include the bullets trajectory, the firearm used, the speed of medical response, and the victims overall health. Injuries to the chest can damage crucial structures such as the heart, lungs or major blood vessels, making timely and effective trauma care essential.

With gunshot wounds to the chest, doctors are most concerned with three major categories of life-threatening injuries, said UCSF emergency physician Dr. Jahan Fahimi, who did not treat Pearsall and was speaking about gunshot wounds in general. Those are: injury to the heart or major arteries, which is often immediately fatal; injury to the spine, which can result in nerve damage or paralysis; and injury to the lungs, which can be fatal if not immediately treated.

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If youve managed to avoid those three major anatomical areas, there are some more minor muscular or skeletal injuries that can occur that can cause significant damage, Fahimi said. But thatd be considered extremely lucky. If youre shot in the chest and you walk away without injury to those big three structures, Id consider that patient very fortunate.

The National Trauma Data Bank indicates that patients who receive treatment within the golden hour  the first hour following a traumatic injury  experience significantly better outcomes.

Police are seen Saturday outside San Francisco General Hospital, where 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall and his suspected assailant were both admitted with gunshot wounds. Pearsall left the hospital less than 24 hours later despite being shot in the chest. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Dr. David Turay, a trauma surgeon at Mayo Clinic, emphasizes that immediate care during this period can drastically enhance survival chances.

Indeed, surviving long enough to make it to the hospital, as Pearsall did, is a good prognostic indicator.

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Pearsall, the 49ers first-round draft pick this year, was attacked around 3:30 p.m. near Geary Street and Grant Avenue while carrying shopping bags. The suspected assailant, a 17-year-old from Tracy, allegedly attempted to rob Pearsall, leading to a violent struggle.

Police said the suspect, who was also injured by his own weapon, was apprehended by nearby officers and taken to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment alongside Pearsall.

Californias firearm violence statistics highlight the gravity of shooting incidents. In 2020, the state reported 3,449 firearm deaths, with half classified as homicides, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Recovery time from gunshot wounds can vary greatly and is difficult to predict without knowing details about Pearsalls case. In general, being a young person who is physically fit and has cardiopulmonary reserve is more likely to make for a speedy recovery, said Fahimi, the UCSF emergency doctor.

Youth is probably the biggest factor, he said. My hope would be he has minor injuries and hell be able to make a full recovery. Its certainly possible someone could make a complete recovery with no long-term damage.

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Most gunshot injury victims who survive experience mental health impacts, which can include an acute stress reaction or post-traumatic stress disorder, Fahimi said.
Imagine a quilt made from not only fabric but also vinyl, paper, chain and paper clay. Now imagine 18 artists from around the world  Hong Kong, Uruguay, Brazil, Austria, Germany, Peru, United States  each creating their own quilt square to express what the word home means to them.

Homeward is the brainchild of Teleportal, an international art collaborative founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to J.P. Morrison Lans, a Tulsa mixed-media artist who splits her time between Australia and Tulsa.

Teleportal started as an offshoot of an artists residency program at the School of Visual Arts in New York, but it soon a formed a group of its own. Eighteen members, or porters, of Teleportal each contributed one or two squares to Homeward, and a master fiber artist in Milwaukee is connecting the squares.

Through this collaborative and vulnerable process, the Teleportal members shared memories of loss and love, protection and pain, family dinners and new relationships, split identities, and homes spread across the globe. At a time when it is easier to find things that divide us, Homeward accepts the differences and embraces similarities to share in this universal experience of home.

Morrison Lans said each porter was asked to express what home meant to them in their quilt square. The squares were to be any measurement under 3 feet by 3 feet. The quilt will be suspended from the ceiling of the TAC gallery so viewers can see both sides.

Other Teleportal members contributing to the quilt are Tulsans Katherine Hair Eagle, Dan Rocky, Destiny Jade Green and Michelle Kenny. Other American contributors are two artists from New York and one each from New Jersey, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Florida.

Along with the quilt, gallery visitors will get to peruse or purchase a zine or catalogue with information and photographs of all the artists who contributed to Homeward and their quilt squares.

Homeward will be at the Tulsa Artists Coalition starting with an opening Friday, Sept. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. and will be on display through Saturday, Sept. 28. The TAC Gallery is at 9 Reconciliation Way in Tulsas Arts District.



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Felix Clary Tulsa World Indigenous Affairs Reporter Follow Felix Clary 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

To recover the language and culture lost during the boarding school era, the Cherokee, Osage and Muscogee nations are using both federal and tribal dollars to fund immersion schools and language courses.

The federal Indian boarding schools that operated during 1860 to 1978 had an assimilation policy that forbade Native students from speaking anything other than English.

Students were often punished or beaten for speaking their Native language  in our case, Mvskoke, said Elizabeth Eli Rowland-Chang, director of Muscogee Nation language revitalization. Not only could our children not speak their language, but they couldnt be active in their culture without being attacked, as well. Anything that was Indian was punishable.

A recently completed federal report on the Indian boarding school era revealed how assimilation policies eliminated some Native languages, and authors suggested federal funding be dedicated to Native language revitalization efforts. The report includes guidance that investments should be made available to tribes, community organizations, schools and universities in a way that supports language learning and usage by people at all ages and stages of development.

The Cherokee Nation on Aug. 13 celebrated the groundbreaking for an immersion middle school, with hopes of a spring 2026 opening. All classes  math, English, science, even physical education  will be taught exclusively in the Cherokee language. This school will serve as a secondary school to the already-existing Cherokee immersion school serving pre-K through elementary students. Adult language learning programs are also available for Cherokee citizens.

The Cherokee Nations Cherokee Language Master/Apprentice Program that opened in 2014 graduated eight students this week during a special commencement ceremony at the Chota Center. A total of 57 graduates have now completed the adult language learning program.

This group of graduates stands as a powerful testament to our dedication to preserving and advancing the Cherokee language, said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. at the ceremony. They join the ranks of many who have completed this program and are now poised to live, speak, and apply their knowledge in service to our people.

The Cherokee tribe was awarded a grant from the Interior Department at the beginning of the year for $900,000 for its revitalization efforts.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said in a press release that the tribe would dedicate $30 million, some of which comes from federal funding, to build the new two-story, 66,000 square foot immersion middle school in Tahlequah.

The Cherokee Nation loses 75 fluent speakers per year, according to the release, while it graduates 25 second-language speakers a year. The goal is that by 2032, the tribe will have replaced as many speakers as were lost.

The Muscogee Nation has worked to recover the language lost during the boarding school era since 2007 with a revitalization program and language website. During COVID-19, Rowland-Chang said that as elders died, so did their language and cultural knowledge. This inspired the tribe to push revitalization efforts even harder by looking into federal grant applications.

Rowland-Chang said that in the past four years, the tribe has received three different federal grants that have allowed the program more staff and more projects, like their language website and virtual courses.

One of the most important ways to produce more second-language speakers is immersion, said Rowland-Chang. She said the Muscogee Nation hopes to one day offer the extensive language immersion school experiences that the Cherokee Nation offers. For now, they have a weeklong immersion program every summer. This year was the first year they held an immersion camp for adults, and Rowland-Chang said this will become an annual event.

Braxton Redeagle, director of the Osage Nation language department, said that a bilingual or immersion school is like the pie in the sky goal for a tribe.

In 2016, the Osage Nation received a $1.6 million federal grant to fund language revitalization efforts.

The Osage Nation now offers an Osage language course for various levels. The Osage Nation Wahzhazhe Early Learning Academy allows children to be immersed in the Osage language and culture.

We dont actually have anybody left that would be able to perform their daily activities and routines exclusively in the language, Redeagle said. But we also dont really have the environment to try and interact that way, meaning we dont really know where someone is at with their level of speaking. So I would say we have dozens of people that are emerging speakers, but not fully fluent.

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Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Society

-- Vietnamese doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, who dedicated her life to the research of the impact of Agent Orange on the health of Vietnamese people, is among the five awardees of the 66th Ramon Magsaysay Award, internationally-recognized as the Nobel Prize counterpart of Asia.

-- The administration in Ben Tre Province in southern Vietnam has submitted to the relevant ministries the prefeasibility reports for three bridge projects worth a total VND11.2 trillion (US$450.4 million) connecting the province with three neighboring provinces.

-- The Hanoi Peoples Court on Saturday handed down jail terms on 135 defendants involved in the provision of usury services with annual interest of 1,570 - 2,190 percent. Zhang Min, of Chinese nationality, received a prison term of 15 years, the highest among the defendants.

-- Vietnam's conglomerate Vingroup on Friday broke ground on the national exhibition center project in Hanois outlying district of Dong Anh in the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

-- Rescuers found five students from Ho Chi Minh City who got lost on Langbiang Mountain in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on Friday.

Lifestyle

-- Thousands of residents and tourists in Da Nang City in central Vietnam flocked to the bank of the Han River to enjoy a street dance program on Saturday night.

World News

-- At least six people were dead as Typhoon Shanshan crept eastward through Japan on Saturday, drenching large areas with torrential rain, triggering landslide and flood warnings hundreds of kilometers from the storm's center, according to Reuters.

-- Seven people, including a six-year-old and 16-year-old, were killed when a bus overturned east of Vicksburg, Mississippi, early Saturday, Reuters reported, citing Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey.

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Flights departing from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City experienced significant delays due to increased flight frequency and foul weather on Saturday afternoon and evening, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers for Vietnams National Day holiday.

Heavy rainfall between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm on Saturday reduced visibility and delayed flights from the airport to popular destinations in central Vietnam like Vinh, Hue, and Da Nang by around two hours.

Vietravel Airlines flight VU780 on the Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi route was delayed by one hour and 45 minutes and at risk of further delays.

Another one that was initially scheduled to leave Ho Chi Minh City for Da Lat, a tourist hotspot in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, at 5:25 pm but was cleared for takeoff at 6:20 pm.

Flight delays also caused frustration among passengers taking flights bound for Hai Phong, Phu Quoc, and Da Nang, after local airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Bamboo Airways repeatedly changed departure times from 7:00 pm to 8:50 pm.

Many passengers elaborated that they had received multiple delay notifications throughout the afternoon.

Among the affected passengers, Nguyen Thanh Quan, hailing from Phu Nhuan District in Ho Chi Minh City, and his wife arrived at the airport at 4:00 pm the same day for a flight to Phu Quoc, an island destination off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam.

The married couples flight was delayed until 8:00 pm the same day.

The man factored in the flight time and wait time for baggage claim, estimating that they would reach their hotel in Phu Quoc after 9:30 pm and have no time for exploring the island that day.

Another impacted passenger named Thanh Vy, who planned to fly to Da Nang City, suggested that airlines need to provide clearer information and better support so that passengers can adjust their travel plans.

The delays not only frustrated passengers but also put considerable pressure on travel agencies, forcing them to handle disgruntled customers and disrupted schedules.

As of Saturday evening, local airlines had yet to release any specific information about flights disrupted by the bad weather, even though information boards constantly featured a host of delayed flights.

Many passengers expressed their frustration of receiving continuous delay notifications without accurate information about when they would finally depart. Photo: Tuoi Tre Contributor

An airline official told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the foul weather on Saturday afternoon forced many flights to keep circling when waiting to be cleared to land, causing a chain reaction of more delays.

The airlines were trying to cope with the situation, the official said.

The official gave an example of the impact of one delayed flight on the entire flight operations in a day.

A flight was initially scheduled to leave Hanoi for Da Nang at 1:00 pm but was delayed by 1.5 hours. It then departed at 2:30 pm, causing over 150 passengers on that flight to experience delays.

This change also affected the Tan Son Nhat Airport, causing three other flights to have their departure times adjusted, resulting in an additional 30-minute delay per flight and impacting hundreds of other passengers.

The official pointed out that a 45-minute delay in one flight could cause a total of 4 to 5 hours of delays across subsequent flights, affecting hundreds of passengers throughout the day.

An aviation expert said that delays are undesirable for both airlines and passengers.

Airlines sustain financial losses due to increased costs and endure the pressure of dealing with dissatisfied customers and travel agencies.

Meanwhile, passengers suffer long waits at the airport and have to adjust their holiday plans.

The expert recommended that airlines should provide timely updates and support to passengers, offer adequate customer services, and provide reasonable compensation for affected passengers.

The Southern Airports Authority, under the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, stated that it would tighten supervision of airlines with frequent delays and propose corrective measures to ensure passengers rights.

Data provided by the Tan Son Nhat airport indicated that it expected to receive 644 flights with around 100,000 passengers on Saturday, the first day of the countrys four-day National Day holiday.

The airport is set to serve approximately 120,000 passengers on September 2 (National Day) and more than 125,000 on September 3.

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The 'Illuminating the Route to Net Zero' competition, initiated by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, is seeking proposals and contributions green and sustainable lighting, with a view to building environmentally friendly urban spaces in Ho Chi Minh City.

On Thursday, the competition kicked off at the residence of the Dutch consul general in the southern city as part of the activities under the framework of Vietnam Green events.

The competition is jointly organized by Tuoi Tre and Signify, with support from the Dutch Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ho Chi Minh City, and the Dutch Business Association in Vietnam.

Its goal is to reduce environmental emissions and work toward building a green and sustainable Ho Chi Minh City.

To achieve the green transformation, we seek international collaboration by welcoming partnerships with national, regional, and local governments, businesses, and knowledge institutions to pave the way for a resilient, future-ready approach across sectors, Dutch Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Daniel Stork stated at the opening ceremony.

According to Stork, the Netherlands has a long tradition in the lighting industry, with global giants such as Philips and Signify.

Reflecting on the Netherlands' green lighting transition experience, Stork noted that the main transition involved shifting from traditional lighting to LED lighting.

It is important for citizens to have examples and information to help them develop good habits regarding green lighting, the diplomat added.

I think it takes some time for people to realize the connection between the lights they use and their impact on the climate. Its up to journalists, the media, and politicians to provide good examples and tell stories about how these elements are connected, Stork told Tuoi Tre News.

Also at the event, Le Xuan Trung, deputy editor-in-chief of Tuoi Tre and deputy chairman of the Vietnam Green Journalism Club, encouraged individuals and businesses to contribute ideas and methods for transitioning to energy-efficient lighting.

The competition is open to all Tuoi Tre readers, including students, civil servants, experts, engineers, architects, entrepreneurs, diplomats, and others, both domestically and internationally.

Participants have the option to present their proposals in two formats: either through a design, which can include PowerPoint presentations, graphics, images, or video clips under five minutes, or through written submissions of up to 1,000 words, or through illustrative PowerPoint slides.

Innovative submissions, proposals, and contributions will be compiled by the organizing committee and sent to the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and relevant departments.

These contributions will aid in discussions and efforts to shape Ho Chi Minh City into a green city of the future.

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A countless number of visitors opted for express boat services to explore Hon Son, Nam Du, and Phu Quoc, popular island destinations off Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam in celebration of the countrys National Day holiday.

A boat station in the provincial city of Rach Gia was packed with holidaymakers from early Saturday morning, the first day of the four-day holiday.

Nguyen Thi My Dung, hailing from Can Tho City, southern Vietnam, shared that her family chose to spend this holiday on Hon Son Island.

This place boasts natural and stunning beauty.

Its a perfect spot for relaxation, Dung elaborated on why she decided to visit Hon Son for the second time.

A tourist poses with a smile at a boat station in Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam before visiting local islands, August 31, 2024. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Ly Thua Loi, deputy director of Golden Tourism Kien Giang Company, a travel firm based in Rach Gia, said that lodging facilities in his area were fully booked by guests opting for Hon Son and Nam Du, both located in Kien Hai District, as their vacation destinations.

However, the majority of visitors preferred independent travel over guided tours, resulting in the lower-than-expected demand for fishing and snorkeling activities, which are included in guided tours.

This holiday, more than 30 express boat and ferry rides are operated daily to transport thousands of passengers from the mainland to these three islands.

Tourists wait for their express boat rides at a boat station in Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam, August 31, 2024. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

To ensure tourist safety during the holiday, the provincial Department of Tourism had asked local tourism businesses to thoroughly inspect their facilities and enhance service quality, said Bui Quoc Thai, head of the department.

Companies that offer speedboat and boat tours must avoid taking tourists to risky coastal areas.

He noted that tourist sites need to set up instruction signs to provide guests with a safe, seamless, and enjoyable experience.

A staff member of Phu Quoc Express JSC offers a cup of morning coffee to a passenger at a boat station in Rach Gia City, Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam, August 31, 2024. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

More than 30 express boat and ferry rides are operated daily to transport thousands of passengers from the mainland to Hon Son, Nam Du, and Phu Quoc, three island destinations off Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

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Pope Francis' Crazy Gamble: His Historic Visit to Iraq

In the ruins of the former capital of ISIS in Iraq, on Sunday, March 7, 2021, a man in white stands in silent meditation. Seven years earlier, in this same city of Mosul, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had proclaimed the return of the caliphate, unleashing a furious new era of hatred and violence stretching far beyond the Middle East.

In the middle of the ruined square where the crowd has gathered stands a cross made from the wood of a destroyed church. Beside it stands Pope Francis. At 84, the Argentine pontiff has not shied away from bad security signals. A month earlier, Baghdad had been hit by a suicide bomber. And three weeks earlier, rockets had fallen in the Erbil region, east of Mosul.

But the head of the Catholic Church had no intention of reliving the disappointment of his predecessor, John Paul II, who reluctantly had to abandon his historic trip to Iraq to inaugurate the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 in the land of Abraham, the father of believers.

A journey of compassion

For a land devastated by the American invasion of 2003, for a traumatized Iraqi people and a million exiled Christians, the Pope is determined to carry out his journey of compassion, whatever the cost.

"How cruel it is that this country, the cradle of civilization, should have been afflicted by so barbarous a blow, with ancient places of worship destroyed and many thousands of people -- Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, who were cruelly eliminated by terrorism, and others -- forcibly displaced or killed!" the Pope said indignantly that morning in Mosul.

"Today, however, we reaffirm our conviction that fraternity is more durable than fratricide, that hope is more powerful than hatred, that peace is more powerful than war. This conviction speaks with greater eloquence than the passing voices of hatred and violence, and it can never be silenced by the blood spilled by those who pervert the name of God to pursue paths of destruction," added the Pope who had signed his encyclical Fratelli tutti ("All brothers") five months earlier at the tomb of Francis of Assisi.

Restoring not just buildings, but human bonds

After Mosul, the Pope flew by helicopter over the Nineveh plain, this fertile land that saw more than 100,000 Christians flee with the sudden invasion of ISIS in the summer of 2014. In Qaraqosh, a martyred city where the Syriac Catholic cathedral served as a shooting gallery for the Islamists, the Pope was welcomed like a messiah.

"I have looked forward to this time together," said the pontiff, who had closely followed the ordeal of the inhabitants, forced to abandon their homes in the summer heat. To these men and women, who have all experienced this exodus, the Pope proposed to "restore not just buildings but also the bonds of community." And to encourage them to forgive.

Later, in the stadium of Erbil, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, the Pope warned against the "temptation to seek revenge."

A historic meeting with the Grand Ayatollah

The Pope's trip was not just a consolation for Christians. It was also seen as a gesture of friendship to Shiite Muslims.

After his 2019 trip to the United Arab Emirates to sign a declaration on human brotherhood with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the Sunni Ahmed el-Tayeb, Pope Francis now visited the 90-year-old Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani in his modest home in Najaf, the holy city of Shiite Islam that houses the mausoleum of Imam Ali.

"This meeting did my soul good," said the pontiff soberly on his return flight, at which point the photo of the ayatollah in black and the pope in white had already gone around the world.

A few minutes after the meeting, Pope Francis found himself in the heart of the plain of Ur for an interfaith ceremony. There, in the middle of the desert, the cradle of Abraham, he fulfilled the dream of John Paul II, and cried out:

From this place, where faith was born, from the land of our father Abraham, let us affirm that God is merciful and that the greatest blasphemy is to profane his name by hating our brothers and sisters. Hostility, extremism and violence are not born of a religious heart: they are betrayals of religion. We believers cannot be silent when terrorism abuses religion.
Striking hotel workers picket outside the Hilton Union Square on Sunday to demand higher wages and better workloads. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle

Nearly 2,500 hotel workers at four of downtown San Franciscos largest hotels, two in San Jose and one by San Francisco International Airport went on strike for three days starting Sunday in the citys biggest walkout since 2018.

In San Francisco, 2,080 Unite Here Local 2 union members are seeking better wages and benefits after labor contracts expired in August and the Bay Areas cost of living has continued to soar. But the citys hotel occupancy remains below 2019 levels in the wake of the pandemic, leading to job cuts and numerous property owners defaulting on mortgages and surrendering hotels to lenders.

Housekeepers, hosts, bellmen, servers, cooks, dishwashers and market assistants are striking at the 1,921-room Hilton Union Square, the citys biggest hotel, as well as the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, Grand Hyatt at SFO, Palace Hotel and Westin St. Francis. An additional 380 workers from Unite Here Local 19 were on strike at DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose and Signia by Hilton San Jose.

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A tourist bus passes a protest led by hotel workers demanding higher wages and better workloads outside the Hilton Union Square in San Francisco. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle

Hotel workers are fighting for their economic lives, Liz Tapia, president of Unite Here Local 2, said in a statement. The hotel industry is making massive profits, but wages just arent enough to support our families.

Michael DAngelo, Hyatts Americas head of labor relations, said in a statement that hotel operator was disappointed that the strike was occurring and remains willing to negotiate.

Our colleagues are the heart of our business, and Hyatt has a long history of cooperation with the unions that represent our employees, including Unite Here, he said in a statement. We look forward to continuing to negotiate fair contracts and recognize the contributions of Hyatt employees. Hyatt hotels have contingency plans in place to minimize impact on hotel operations related to potential strike activity,

Hilton and Marriott representatives couldnt immediately be reached for comment.

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The labor dispute adds another challenge for the citys hospitality industry, one of its largest employers. It comes just over two weeks before the 45,000-person Dreamforce, the citys biggest conference of the year, arrives at Moscone Center.

Workers are mostly on strike at hotels around Union Square, which has struggled with public safety concerns compounded by Saturdays shooting of San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall at Grant Avenue and Geary Street.

Disagreements over pay, staffing schedules and workloads are fueling the dispute, the union said.

San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, a mayoral candidate, joins striking hotel workers at the Hilton Union Square. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle

Workers from the same union also went on strike in San Diego, Honolulu, Kauai, Seattle, Boston and Greenwich, Conn. Last week, United Airlines flight attendants voted overwhelmingly to authorize a potential strike, a sign of greater unrest in the travel industry. United Airlines is the biggest carrier at SFO.

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Im on strike because I struggle to pay my bills, said Hannah Lin, a housekeeper at Hilton Union Square for 10 years, in a statement. I used to work full-time every week, but now some weeks I get only two days or even no days, as the hotel has cut down on room cleaning.
After its makeover, the house of Swiss-French doctor and bacteriologist Alexandre Emile Jean Yersin on Hon Ba peak in the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa became more attractive to travelers, especially on national holidays.

Particularly, throngs of tourists are visiting the place during the ongoing National Day (September 2) holiday.

Public workers in Vietnam are enjoying four consecutive days off from Saturday to Tuesday to mark the 79th anniversary of Vietnams National Day.

Hon Ba Mountain, over 50 kilometers from Nha Trang City, is located in Khanh Vinh and Cam Lam Districts at an altitude of 1,578 meters above sea level.

The mountain boasts year-round cool weather.

The house was built on Hon Ba peak 110 years ago, so it degraded seriously.

Therefore, the house was then renovated to serve tourists.

In March last year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism designated Dr. Yersins house as a national cultural relic site.

To visit the house, tourists must register for a tour offered by Kong Forest Adventure Park, which was approved to tap the house for tourism purposes by the provincial Peoples Committee.

According to historical documents, it was a wooden house with two floors and a solid water tank.

Dr. Yersin used it as a shelter to live and do research when he climbed Hon Ba peak for his work.

Swiss-French doctor and bacteriologist Alexandre Emile Jean Yersin is closely associated with Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

Tourists take a look at the biography of Dr. Alexandre Yersin at his house, located atop Hon Ba Mountain. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Van Dao, deputy chief executive officer at Kong Forest Adventure Park, said that before the provincial administration permitted the unit to rehabilitate the house, its side walls and the roof deteriorated badly.

The renovation work on the dilapidated house began in early 2024, and was completed nearly six months later.

Crowds of tourists have made visits to the site.

Nguyen Trung Minh, a 27-year-old tourist from Tien Giang Province, southern Vietnam, shared that he and his family decided to visit Khanh Hoa Province in celebration of this years National Day.

The house of Dr. Yersin was their first stop of their trip.

It is very cool here (Hon Ba Mountain) and the natural landscape on the mountain is wonderful.

Inside the house are various unique exhibits, he said, revealing that he will return to the place with his friends in the future.

A portrait of Dr. Alexandre Yersin on display at his house, located atop Hon Ba Mountain. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

A corner of the house where Dr. Alexandre Yersin worked. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

Tourists visit Dr. Alexandre Yersins bedroom. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

Born in Switzerland, Yersin (September 22, 1863 - March 1, 1943) studied medicine at prestigious institutes in his hometown, Germany, and France.

He came to Vietnam in 1891 and spent nearly 50 years of his life working in Khanh Hoa.

According to the Vietnam News Agency, the scientist is best known as the co-discoverer of the bacillus responsible for the bubonic plague in 1894.

He discovered the Liang Biang Plateau, the site of the city of Da Lat now, in 1893 and founded the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang in 1895.

Tourists offer incense to tribute Dr. Alexandre Yersin. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

A water reservoir built near the house of Dr. Alexandre Yersin for his daily activities. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

The house of Dr. Alexandre Yersin is located atop Hon Ba Mountain at an altitude of 1,578 meters above sea level. Photo: Nguyen Hoang / Tuoi Tre

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Seven News has announced further presentation changes with Sydney anchor Mark Ferguson to be joined by Angela Cox from Sundays to Thursday bulletins.

It follows recent changes under Seven Network Director of News and Current Affairs Anthony De Ceglie.

Since December 2020, Cox has co-anchored Sydneys weekend bulletins alongside Michael Usher. She will continue to anchor live news coverage and special reports for the network. Both started their careers in Tamworth, collectively accruing 70 years of experience between them.

Mark Ferguson said: Im really looking forward to it. Ange will add so much extra to the bulletin each night; more experience, more energy and it will allow us to be much more versatile when that big stories break.

In some ways its a fresh start for me, Ive never really co-presented before so Im hoping Ange can teach this older dog some new tricks. She is a talented journalist, a great presenter and an even greater person. Very honest and very positive with real drive and energy.

We have a fantastic team in the Sydney newsroom focused on covering what matters most to Sydney each and every night. This move will only help.

Angela Cox said: I am thrilled to be sitting alongside Mark Ferguson as we embark on an exciting new era for Sevens 6.00pm Sydney news.

Marks warmth, integrity and authority behind the news desk has rightfully earned him a loyal following. Hes also a great bloke, always professional, very funny and a great husband and family man.

The news landscape has changed so much. The way we consume news is radically different now than even 10 years ago and 7NEWS is evolving too. Exciting times ahead.

Anthony De Ceglie, added: This is a new and fresh approach for Sevens flagship Sydney 6pm news. Mark Ferguson is an institution and deservedly one of the most trusted news voices in Australia.

This new co-anchor approach brings a new sense of dynamism, innovation and flexibility to the hour-long program and I am incredibly excited to see Mark and Angela Cox work together.

Both will present their first bulletin together on Sunday, 8 September, with Ferguson on assignment all this week filming a special series of reports.

Seven is yet to announce changes to its weekend bulletin, with media speculation Angie Asimus could join Michael Usher.
Oct 7 Attack and Testimony of Ex-Israeli PM Yair Lapid

The testimony of present-day leader of the opposition and former Prime Minister of Israel Yair Lapid has added to the already fierce controversy on whether at the highest levels in the country there was foreknowledge of the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

Sunday September 1, 2024 11:37 PM , Bharat Dogra

The testimony of present-day leader of the opposition and former Prime Minister of Israel Yair Lapid has added to the already fierce controversy on whether at the highest levels in the country there was foreknowledge of the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

Recently the former PM has testified before an independent commission that has been set up at the initiative of groups representing survivors and victims of the Hamas attack.

Yair Lapid stated before the Commission, It is not true that the political system was not alerted to the October 7 disaster. For months the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) and Cabinet Ministers received a series of severe and unprecedented warnings, and did nothing.

He further stated, From the middle of 2023 there were more and more voices within the terrorist organizations who said that the moment they had been waiting for has arrived, and these voices appeared in the intelligence assessments, and in discussions in the IDF, Shin Bet and Mossad. Of course this important information was also taken to the higher levels, to the PM and others.

The Israeli PMs office has denied these allegations, as is understandable.

A little earlier Yair Lapid had told The Times of Israel in an interviewall the signs, all the red flags, all the warnings were there but Netanyahu ignored them all. (see report by Sam Sokol titled Lapid says Netanyahu knew for months before that a violent eruption was looming , The Times of Israel, August 31).

This is certainly of great significance.

Commenting on this testimony of the former Prime Minister and present opposition leader, Yossi Vertner wrote in the Haaretz dated August 31, 2024 (see article titled Netanyahus lies laid bare: How Israel ignored the roadmap to the October 7 disaster), It is hard to overstate the importance of opposition leader Lapids statement before the civil commission of inquiry investigating the states failures on October 7. He lists briefing after briefing he received, piece after piece of intelligence he saw, warning after warning he heard, conversations he had with relevant sources, all in the relatively brief period of the summer of 2023.

These statements must be seen together with a lot of other evidence.

WARNINGS OF SURVEILLANCE SOLDIERS

An important role in the Israeli security system is assigned to Israeli women surveillance soldiers who are on duty at the long fence with Gaza. They are called tatzpitaniyot. They use security cameras and sensors to monitor the area on and around the fence carefully to look for any signs of unusual activity on 24X7 basis.

Several of these surveillance soldiers were killed in the October 7 attack, while some were also taken hostage.

Soon after the attack several of them spoke to Israeli media, including TV and print media, such as Kan News, Channel 12, Haaretz and others. What they stated is very important to understand what happened prior to October 7.

For about three months preceding the attack, these surveillance soldiers stated, they had started noticing highly unusual activities near the fence, most particularly relating to training by Hamas or persons similar to them.

They would create a replica of the fence wall, then breach it, then make it again and breach it again.

One of the surveillance soldiers Yael Rotenberg reported concentrated activity at two stretches on the section of the fence she was monitoring. On October 7 the fence was breached at both these places (among others). This shows how important such sightings were for real intelligence.

Another training activity related to preparing replicas of the observers who guarded the posts, and then attacking them. Observers were attacked in a similar way on October 7.

Replicas of tanks used by Israel were prepared and attacked or captured in the training. Holes were dug and explosives were put in them. Drones were being used and landing quite close to the fence.

One surveillance officer Amit Yerushalmi told Israeli media, People went down to the fence and detonated an outrageous amount of explosives, the amount of explosives was crazy.

She stated, The training went from once a week to twice a week, from every day to several times a day.

Another surveillance soldier Maya Desiatnik told something very similarthe training was first once a week, then once a day, then constantly. She stated her understanding then was that now it is only a matter of time before something big will happen.

These activities being observed by the women surveillance soldiers were being regularly sent to their seniors, which means that these dispatches were being regularly read by their seniors for several weeks almost on daily basis, with more activities or more intense activity being reported with the passage of time.

In any country this would have led to a state of very high alert and all possible actions would have been taken to go to the depth of what exactly is the implication of all this training activity near the border fence. All possible steps would have been taken to eliminate or minimize any threat posed by such activities. Steps would also have been taken to improve the security for the women surveillance soldiers themselves. While such action would be expected in any country, this would be expected even more in Israel which is known to have a very strong security and intelligence force which is reputed for its high levels of alertness and efficiency. What is more this alertness would have increased further in view of the warning of increased militant training activity coming so close to the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war (6 October 2023).

However from all available evidence, all the high alert dispatches sent by the women surveillance officers were almost entirely ignored as far as taking action on them to strengthen security is concerned. In fact one of the women surveillance soldiers in media reports has been quoted as saying while describing the situation on the day of the attackhalf of the force was home for Sukkot (a religious event). This indicates that security was exceedingly weak on the day of the attack, much below what is available in normal times, instead of security being strengthened.

It is important to give careful consideration to these statements as these can help to improve the understanding of what was happening prior to October 7 and also what happened on October 7. These surveillance soldiers are after all in government service and may not be able to speak so freely later, although immediately after the tragedy in their distress they spoke to the media.

VIDEOS OF TRAINING

After the October 7 attack on Israel there was a lot of interest of various media organizations in the various videos of military training by Hamas and related organizations, particularly those related to more recent times. Quite a few of these were in fact available on the internet and in social media as these were being rather freely shared. Hence various media organizations including reputed organizations could get a lot of these videos together to analyze these.

One important fact revealed by this analysis is that these videos often show the kind of military training which resembles what happened actually on October 7, or something very close to what happened.

Thus there are videos of breaching the formidable fences and tackling the surveillance systems (in fact three of the surveillance balloons had been sent for maintenance on the day of the attack and hence were not operational anyway) and even of hostages being taken.

As these videos were rather openly available in the weeks before the attack (also keeping in view the fact that several other warnings of planning of such attacks had been received), what would have been the most predictable response and role of the Israeli security forces in this context? As these forces are known to be very alert and aggressive, the most predictable response would have been to search where such trainings are being held and to take a very aggressive position to prevent such trainings. Secondly, even if they could not achieve this, the least they could be expected to do was to widely publicize these videos, such as those which depict hostages being taken, to tell the entire world regarding the dangerous plans of the Hamas as revealed by their own training, as a part of their propaganda against the Palestinian militants. Thirdly, on the side of caution, they should have taken further steps to strengthen the fencing and the surveillance to avoid these getting breached.

However none of this was done, from all available evidence. Amazingly, these videos of military training were simply ignored, as far as any effective action being taken on them is concerned.

When questioned regarding this were asked by journalists of reputed US media organizations whom they cannot ignore entirely, Israeli security officials have generally stated that we will examine all such things after the war is over. This is unlikely to happen anytime soon, and by the time the war is actually over so much more would have happened that it would be relatively easier to ignore such matters. Hence it is important to examine such issues now only, because such understanding would be very helpful in better comprehension of the wider reality that has been evolving in this volatile part of the world in recent weeks, happenings which increasingly have wider and very worrying implications for world peace and stability. It appears that deliberate efforts are being made to widen the conflict by some powerful persons and forces.

SUSPICIOUS PROFITS

The Washington Post reported on December 5, 2023 under the title Traders earned millions anticipating October 7 Hamas attack, study saysInvestors earned millions of dollars by short-selling Israeli stocks days ahead of Hamas October 7 attack, apparently profiting of foreknowledge of the bloody intrusion. This is based on a study by Prof. Robert J. Jackson of New York University School of Law and Prof. Joshua Mitts of Columbia Law School. This has also been reported by the Economist and other media.

It is important to find out how such profit-making based on foreknowledge could have been possible in the context of an event that has been generally and officially seen as completely a surprise attack.

Some people may say that this could have been a guess based on the fact that 6 October 2023 was the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war but if this explanation is relevant then it would also follow that security should have been extraordinarily strict on and around this date while the reality was that it was found to be extraordinarily lax on and around October 7, with the bulk of the security force missing (diverted to other positions) and three surveillance balloons out of action too.

EGYPTS WARNING

Representatives of some Arab countries such as Egypt as well as Michael McCaul, Chairman of US House Foreign Relations Committee, have stated that warnings of the attack were provided to the Israeli government days before the attack.

HAMAS QUIETLY HELPED EARLIER BY ISRAEL

At least in early days creation and growth of Hamas was helped by Israel. Israeli authorities wanted to foster Hamas as a militant religious force to counter the secular Palestinian force of PLO, or the Palestinian Liberation Organization, as PLO had much greater chances of gaining international recognition. The thinking of the more aggressive elements among the Israeli authorities, with Netanyahu as their leader, was that if an organization which can be condemned as a terrorist organization internationally emerges in a leadership role of Palestinians, then it will be easier to keep denying to them equal rights and statehood. Of course today this may be denied by some Israeli spokespersons or Hamas spokespersons or their supporters, but this reality can be seen historically from the help given by Israel for the early form of Hamas to get established as a charity and then to emerge as a much bigger political force. Israel helped with money and also looked the other way as Hamas fought and ultimately ousted PLO and Fatah to become the number one political power in Gaza.

While all this is well-known, what may be more difficult is to try to find till what time precisely this support continued. It is true that Hamas and Israel fought each other many times in recent years, but there were also other instances of collaboration. In particular it has been mentioned in several reports that Israel facilitated the availability of a lot of money from Qatar or elsewhere reaching the Hamas. This would not be surprising as the basic reasoning of the Israeli constituency represented by Netanyahu remained that the two state solution could be best thwarted by ensuring firstly that the Palestinian leadership in Gaza remained in the hands of an organization which could be described in the international community (particularly the USA) and the UN as a terrorist organization, and secondly, a gulf could be maintained between Gaza led by Hamas and the West Bank led by the Palestinian Authority.

Thus there are quotes from as late as 2019 with Netanyahu telling a Likud Party meetinganyone who wants to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state has to support bolstering Hamas and transferring money to Hamas. Further he said that this is part of a strategy to isolate Palestinians in Gaza from the Palestinians in the West Bank. In the same year a senior officer supportive of Netanyahu stated that the strategy of Netanyahu is to prevent the two states solution and towards this end openly Hamas is an enemy, covertly Hamas is an ally. Finance Minister Smotrich has been quoted to have said that Hamas militancy, and hence its illegitimacy on the world stage, was a boon for the political strategy of his government.

Now a question that needs to be explored further is that if the support of the Israeli deep establishment for the Hamas in some form had continued in the more recent years too, when apparently it was fighting Hamas, then what form this had taken and what kind of intermediaries were used for this purpose.

In this context also what former PM Yair Lapid, who was Prime Minister for approximately the last six months in 2022, has stated recently is important. He said that suitcases filled with money had been coming in from Qatar but when he was PM he saw to it that these were diverted to the UN and could be used for food vouchers.

However Lapid was PM only for a short time, and so what happened after he went out and Netanyahu came in?

Facilitation of money from Qatar reaching Hamas till the recent past suggests that some kind of linkage had existed till very recently, and one question worth exploring is to what extent the linkage was between the more aggressive elements (only a few, of course) of the two sides.

In addition Lapid has also stated that the past efforts of Israel to be helpful to Hamas constitute the most serious political and security error in the countrys history.

NEW YORK TIMES REPORT

The next point of discussion is that about one year before the attack the Israeli authorities came in possession of a document which has been called the Jericho Wall, as reported in the New York Times (report by Ronen Bergman and Adam Goldman titled Israel knew Hamass attack plan more than a year back in NYT in December 2023). The actual 10/7 attack was very much in accordance with what has been mentioned in this document. So clearly Israel had sufficient advance information about this. Why did they not take adequate actions and precautions based on this? The reason given has been that in the perception of Israeli officials the plan in the document was considered to be too ambitious compared to what the Hamas is capable of. This appears to be a highly unlikely response. Even if Israeli officials considered this to be genuinely overambitious, they could have used it to propagate the high aggressiveness of the Palestinians in general and of the Hamas in particular, instead of entirely ignoring such an important 40 page document.

One must also keep in mind, as mentioned in the NYT article, that in July 2023 an Israeli intelligence analyst had sent one more warning to her seniors that Hamas had organized a very similar type of military exercise recently ( similar to what is mentioned in the plan). This too was, at the more apparent level, dismissed without taking the necessary actions and precautions. What is more likely is that both the Jericho Wall document and the July warning were actually known to very high level leaders including Netanyahu.

WEAPONS AND TRAINING

Another important point is that the October 7 or 10/7 attack needed the kind of weapons, equipment and training which were not possible to arrange without getting detected. As Gaza is a very small region where the presence of the Israeli intelligence agencies, generally known for high efficiency , is very high and this is in addition to the presence of other intelligence agencies which are friendly to Israel and share intelligence with it. Hence both keeping in view this factor as well as the prior availability of the Jericho document, it seems highly unlikely that the Israeli intelligence and leadership were not aware of the preparations being made for 10/7 over a fairly long period.

LAX SECURITY

The next point is the one made by leading journalist Seymour Hersh quoting insiders that a significant part of the soldiers guarding Gaza-Israel border were removed just before the attack for providing security for a festival so that the region which was attacked was left with a very small security force around the time of the attack, probably just a third of the regular security force. Was this just a remarkable co-incidence, sudden luck for Hamas and sudden misfortune for Israelis, or was there something more to this?

STRANGE RESPONSE

Finally, we have increasing evidence that several of the Israelis killed in the 10/7 attack were actually killed by Israeli forces, including by tank and helicopter gun firing which caused the kind of damage to cars and buildings that Hamas weapons could not have caused, the official explanation being that these killings took place in the process of crossfire, rescue effort and to prevent hostages being taken (the Hannibal doctrine has also been mentioned in this context). Whatever the explanation, the fact remains that the tragedy of loss of lives of innocent persons became bigger because of some killings caused by Israeli firing (in addition to those killed by Hamas attack). Lastly, there have also been reports of cars crushed and having blood on them being hastily removed or even buried citing religious reasons, while others have alleged that this amounts to removing evidence relating to an attack or a crime.

If we add all these points then the conclusion appears to be different from the official narrative of a very sudden unexpected attack mounted by the Hamas on its own after making long preparations with all this remaining completed undetected from Israel authorities.

EVENTS AFTER OCTOBER 7

The extremely disproportionate response of Israel first in Gaza and subsequently also in West Bank has raised the question whether Netanyahu, as a highly aggressive leader but also a leader chased by serious corruption charges and attempts of weakening judiciary, facing serious risk of imprisonment, wanted a way out of the mess by launching huge attacks on Palestinians but needed a pretext for this.

If this is a possibility, then two alternative explanations of 10/7 are possible.

One is that Hamas (plus any allied organization) was independently planning an attack. Keeping in view the usefulness of this for a much bigger counter-attack later, Netanyahu and company turned a blind eye to whatever warnings they got so that after the attack they can launch a much, much bigger counter-attack, perhaps aimed at driving out as many Palestinians as possible from their present homes, and creating such terror for them that they agree to leave.

The second possibility is that there was some sort of understanding between the most aggressive elements on the two sides, known only to very few, that a terror attack at a certain time on Israel up to a certain time limit, say a few hours, would go relatively less defended and there would be lower than normal security arrangements in place.

RAPID MOBILIZATION OF WEAPONS

For its highly disproportionate response Israel quickly needed additional huge imports of many more weapons. In the case of one important supplier Germany it has been reported that weapon supply to Israel increased by as much as about ten times in 2023 compared to 2022, with most increase taking place after 10/7, but some increase even before this. As it is difficult to increase weapon supplies on such a massive scale in so short a period, questions arise regarding whether Israel had sounded the main weapon suppliers well in advance regarding the huge increase, and if this was indeed the case, then this would indicate that there was foreknowledge of the 10/7 attack and the planned counter-attack. Again a question arises whether at least a hint of any such foreknowledge was shared with the most important weapon suppliers and friends.

Hence alternative explanations of 10/7 should also be considered, also in view of the increasing domestic problems of Netanyahu as well as the extremely disproportionate response from Israel resulting in a hugely tragic and distressing situation. In addition, it is also very worrying that possibilities of a widening of the conflict have emerged at a time when the world really needs peace.

Of course only a well-resourced and proper unbiased investigation can provide the most reliable answers but there appears to be adequate reason at least to raise these questions. These issues are worth exploring in detail not just for the sake of it, but because if there is a significant element of truth here, then this can provide a powerful means of strengthening the forces of peace and isolating the forces of extreme aggression. It is sometimes seen that the most aggressive elements on two sides of a conflict feed on each others aggression and hence may be maintaining some links to advance their mutual interests, not always of course but in certain stages . It is best that such links, if any, are exposed and forces of peace with justice are strengthened on both sides.

[The writer, Bharat Dogra, is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril, Protecting Earth for Children, Man over Machine and A Day in 2071.]



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Rahul Gandhi: Modi govt giving free hand to those attacking Muslims

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunday accused the Narendra Modi government of giving free hand to the miscreants involved in mob lynching and those attacking Muslims and people from other minority communities in different parts of India

Monday September 2, 2024 0:37 AM , ummid.com News Network

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunday accused the Narendra Modi government of giving free hand to the miscreants involved in mob lynching and those attacking Muslims and people from other minority communities in different parts of India.

"These miscreants have got free hand from the BJP government, that is why they have got the courage to do this", Rahul Gandhi said.

"Attacks on minorities, especially Muslims, are continuing and the government machinery is watching as a mute spectator", the Congress MP said.

Rahul Gandhi's condemnation of the Modi government came after a Muslim man was beaten to death in Haryana and an elderly Muslim man was beaten and abused in a train near Nashik in Maharashra .

The senior Congress leader also accused the BJP of establishing a "reign of fear" across the country and using hatred as a "political waepon".

"Those who have climbed the ladder of power by using hatred as a political weapon are continuously establishing the reign of fear across the country", Rahul said.

"Hateful elements hidden in the form of mobs are openly spreading violence, challenging the rule of law", Gandhi said.

Calling the attacks on Muslims, an attack on the unity and Constitution of India, Rahul asked authorities to take action against anarchists.

"Any attack on the communal unity of India and the rights of Indians is an attack on the Constitution, which we will not tolerate at all. The authority of law must be established by taking the strictest action against such anarchic elements", he said.

Directly blaming the ruling BJP of spreading hatred, Rahul said, "No matter how much effort BJP makes, we will win this historic battle to unite India against hatred."

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HA NOI  Viet Nam was the second largest supplier of white fish (mainly tra fish or pangasius) to the United States in the first half of 2024.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) cited data from the International Trade Center (ITC) which showed Vietnamese white fish export turnover to the US in the first half of 2024 reaching US$184 million, accounting for 21 per cent of the total.

Latest data from VASEP also shows Viet Nams pangasius export turnover to the US in July 2024 reached $31 million, up 69 per cent year-on-year. The surge brought the value in the first seven months of 2024 to $190 million, up 20 per cent over the same period last year.

The US is currently the second largest export market for pangasius of Viet Nam (behind mainland China and Hong Kong). Vietnamese pangasius products exported to the US include frozen fillets, value-added products from pangasius, dried pangasius and other frozen products.

Frozen pangasius fillets have remained the main product exported to the US with a turnover of $29 million in July 2024, up 61 per cent over the same period last year. The export turnover of this item to the US in the first seven months of this year reached $185 million, up 19 per cent over the same period.

Meanwhile, the export turnover of value-added products from pangasius to the US in the first seven months of 2024 was more than $3 million, 14 times higher than the same period last year and accounted for 14 per cent of the proportion of this item's export from Viet Nam to the world.

According to VASEP, pangasius exports from Viet Nam to the US recovered since the beginning of this year because the inventory in this market in 2023 has decreased significantly. In addition, preparations for festivals and year-end holidays have also increased consumer demand. It is forecast that pangasius export orders to the US will increase in the last months of the year.

VASEP reports that in the first seven months of 2024, Viet Nam's pangasius export turnover reached more than $1.1 billion, up 9 per cent over the same period last year. Mainland China and Hong Kong continued to be the largest export markets with $313 million, but down 4 per cent year-on-year. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)s market was the third largest pangasius export market with $155 million, up 15 per cent year-on-year, followed by the EU with $99 million, down 2 per cent year-on-year.  VNS
A NANG  Citilink Indonesia, in cooperation with PT UOS Travel, plans to launch chartered flights connecting Jakarta, Indonesia and the central city as an expansion of the tourism market by December 2024.

The plan was included in a working session among Garuda Indonesia, a national flag carrier airline, Citilink Indonesia and representatives of a Nang Citys Peoples Committee in Indonesia.

At the meeting, a Nang urged the two airlines from Indonesia to open direct flights as part of the citys tourism promotion programmes.

a Nang International Airport welcomed 3.1 million international passengers  a 31 per cent growth  in the first half of 2024.

The port authority said it had signed with 35 international airlines for international flights to a Nang Airport.

According to a Nang International Terminal Company (AHT), a Nang Airport currently hosts 16 international routes including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Korea and Japan with an average of 50 flights per day.

a Nang International Airport is designed to handle 28 million passengers and 200,000 tonnes of cargo by 2030.

The construction of a new cargo terminal at the airport would begin later this year for soon operational in the third quarter of 2025.  VNS
HA NOI  The agro-forestry-fishery sector ran a trade surplus of US$11.8 billion in the first eight months of this year, representing a rise of 68.4 per cent over the same period last year, according to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Exports of most agricultural products saw increases in January  August, bringing the total export value to $40.08 billion in the period, up 18.6 per cent.

Major export products included timber from wood products, with a total export value of $10.24 billion, up 20.6 per cent; coffee $4.03 billion, up 36.1 per cent; rice $3.85 billion, up 21.7 per cent; cashews $2.77 billion, up 21.7 per cent; fruits and vegetables $4.63 billion, up 30.6 per cent; shrimp $2.41 billion, up 9.5 per cent; and tra fish $1.2 billion, up 8.2 per cent.

Average export prices of many agricultural products also increased significantly, including rice up by 14.8 per cent to $625 per tonne, coffee up 54.5 per cent to $3,805 per tonne, rubber up 16.6 per cent to $1,567 per tonne, pepper up 47 per cent to $4,810 per tonne and tea up 2.2 per cent to 1,756 per tonne.

Only cashew price saw a slight drop, by 1 per cent to $5,701 per tonne.

The US, China and Japan remain the three largest export market for Viet Nams agro-forestry-fishery products. Exports to the US accounted for 21.4 per cent of Viet Nams total agricultural export value, up 23.5 per cent. China accounted for 20.4 per cent, up 10.2 per cent and Japan accounted for 6.7 per cent, up 4.6 per cent.

The agriculture ministry said that the focus will be on accelerating domestic consumption and promoting exports in the remaining months of this year, taking advantage of trade deals and enhancing negotiations for official exports to China, the US and the EU.

Efforts will also be made to strengthen and expand potential markets such as Muslim countries, the Middle East and Africa, the ministry said.

In August, Viet Nam and China signed three protocols for the official exports of fresh coconuts, frozen durian and crocodiles to China, opening significant opportunities for farming.

Viet Nam and the US also in August reached an agreement on technical requirements for passion fruits to be exported to the US and initiated reviews for some other fruits including seedless lemons, guava and jackfruit.  VNS
HA NOI  Banks will have to gradually reduce the credit limit for large customers over the next five years to meet regulations under the new Law on Credit Institutions.

Under the Law on Credit Institutions, which took effect last month, over the next five years, a customer's credit limit will decrease by 1 per cent every year and 2 per cent for a customer and his/her related parties.

Specifically, over its first year of implementation, the credit limit for a customer will fall from the current 15 per cent to 14 per cent of equity and for a customer and his/her related parties from the current 25 per cent to 23 per cent of equity.

The credit limit will then be gradually reduced until 2029, when it will be 10 per cent for a customer and 15 per cent for a customer and his/her related parties.

According to the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the credit limit regulation for customers and their related parties have been clearly defined according to the roadmap, in order to control risks and maintain financial stability in the banking system.

In addition, the new policy will also promote the accumulation of equity capital, contributing to the sustainability and development of the banking industry.

According to experts, banks which have the credit limit to customers exceeding the allowed ratio under the new regulation will face pressure to restructure loans for this customer group.

The banks outstanding loans may also decrease because this customer group must find other capital sources to pay off existing loans to meet the ratio under the new regulations.

According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Huan, a lecturer at HCM City University of Economics, banks with high outstanding loans for large customers will have to reduce these loans and find other customers to compensate.

Meanwhile, large corporations must accept a reduction in outstanding loans. It means they will have to shrink business activities, or seek additional capital from other banks, Huan said.

Despite the impacts of the policy, Nguyen Quoc Hung, general secretary of the Vietnam Banks Association, believes the five-year roadmap from 2024 to 2029 for banks to reduce credit limits is appropriate.

He expected that banks would unite to deploy lending so that all people and enterprises could have access to bank loans and there would be no fear of lack of capital for large projects.  VNS
PARIS  Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Natural Sciences Lidia Arthur Brito has commended Viet Nam for its significant contributions to UNESCO's natural science initiatives while meeting in Paris with Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to UNESCO.

Brito is scheduled to visit Viet Nam from September 9-12. During her trip, she will attend the 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network for the Asia-Pacific region, taking place in the northern province of Cao Bang from September 5-17.

At the August 30 meeting, highlighting Viet Nam's eagerness to welcome Brito next month, Anh said the country is committed to collaborating with UNESCO in the fields of natural sciences and oceanography.

Viet Nam appreciates UNESCO's support and advice on programmes related to the environment, climate, and water security, she said.

The diplomat also expressed her hope for strengthened future cooperation with UNESCO and called for continued assistance to Viet Nam's dossier-compiling efforts to establish new global geoparks and biosphere reserves.

For her part, Brito praised the efforts of the Viet Nam National Commission for UNESCO and Cao Bang in preparing for the upcoming conference.

On this occasion, the UNESCO official said she wishes to meet with leaders of relevant Vietnamese ministries and localities to discuss current collaboration programmes and new cooperation orientations.

The conference in Cao Bang is expected to host nearly 1,000 domestic and international delegates. Held biennially across the Asia-Pacific region, it aims to share experiences, effective models, and measures serving the development of UNESCO-designated geoparks, facilitating the exchange of best practices among network members.  VNS
Deputies from the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office seized more than 80 firearms from a home after receiving a gun violence restraining order from a judge, the agency said. San Mateo County Sheriff's Office

San Mateo County sheriffs deputies seized more than 80 firearms from a home, including many that the agency said were owned illegally.

The weapons were taken Friday from a home in San Mateos Eichler Highlands neighborhood, according to the sheriffs office. The collection included several ghost guns, self-built and hard-to-trace firearms whose possession is heavily restricted, as well as assault rifles and suppressed handguns, the agency added. Some were also found to be stolen.

Investigators discovered the firearms after receiving a report of a 51-year-old man experiencing a mental health crisis at his home, the sheriffs office said.

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Deputies were able to deescalate the situation and safely detain the man, who had said he intended to harm himself, before transporting him to a local medical center, the agency added.

San Mateo County deputies seized more than 80 firearms from a home, including many the agency said were owned illegally. San Mateo County Sheriff's Office

Authorities confiscated the firearms from the mans home after receiving a gun violence restraining order from a judge, officials said.
HCM CITY  The Viet Nam Publishers' Association is hosting an exhibition on books and publications about President Ho Chi Minh in HCM City to mark 55 years of implementing the Presidents testament.

The showcase includes nearly 3,000 book titles, publications, and audiobooks published by leading publishers such as the Tre (Youth) Publishing House, HCM City General Publishing House, and the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House.

All books highlight the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh, and the movement of studying and following the Presidents thoughts, morality and lifestyle.

The highlight is a collection of 62 books featuring President Ho Chi Minhs revolutionary career and national salvation journey, and the implementation of his testament called Tu Sach Di San Ho Chi Minh (A Bookshelf of President Ho Chi Minhs Legacy).

Published by the Tre Publishing House, the books are written and compiled by prestigious historians, authors, and educators such as Tran Van Giau and Ha Minh Hong.

The Su That National Political Publishing House presents five publications written and compiled by President Ho Chi Minh, which are recognised as national treasures, such as Nhat Ky Trong Tu (Diary in Prison), a collection of 133 poems written in 1942-1943; and the Presidents testament in 1969.

The exhibition also features dozens of audiobooks about the President released by Vietnamese audiobook and podcast publisher Voiz FM.

According to the organiser, the exhibition aims to promote publications on President Ho Chi Minh, and the movement of studying and following the Presidents thoughts, morality and lifestyle.

It is expected to help today's generations, especially youth, to review and learn about the last words of the beloved leader, the Vietnamese hero of national liberation and the great man of culture, and educate them about the countrys revolutionary traditions, patriotism and national pride.

Readers can see the books at the community library The Wiselands Coffee, 216/1 ien Bien Phu Street in District 3 until September 14.

In addition, another exhibition on books and documents featuring an overview of President Ho Chi Minhs life and career is available on the website Book365.vn.  VNS
HA NOI - A hugely successful German musical duo will be touring Viet Nam along with bringing some master classes to students of music.

The Karlsruhe duo will be performing in Ha Noi and Thua Thien-Hue and Binh Duong provinces from September 3 to 6, with free entry to all the dates.

Founded 1999, the pair are cellist Reinhard Armleder and pianist Dagmar Hartmann, who are very successful and much in demand both at home in Germany and abroad.

For their repertoire, the two musicians concentrate on classical-romantic literature and 20th century music.

The concerts will take place at the Viet Nam National Academy of Music (VNAM) in Ha Noi on September 3, at the Hue Music Academy on September 5 and at the auditorium of the German-Vietnamese University in Binh Duong on September 6.

The classical concert tour will appeal to a wide audience and include music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Robert Schumann, Cesar Franck, Maurice Ravel and Manuel de Falla.

All these composition will be well known to music lovers, but also as part of their ensemble they are particularly interested in the rediscovery of lesser-known composers and works, along with music of the modern age.

In addition to the performances the musicians will hold three master classes for the students of the VNAM on September 4, thus making a significant contribution to the musical education of young Vietnamese talent.

The duo has won several international competitions in Italy and France.

They have won first prize at various international competitions such as the Lorenzo Perosi Competition in Biella (1999), in Moncalieri (1999) and at the Racconigi Competition (2001). In France, the Karlsruher Konzert-Duo won the Concours Pierre Lantier in Paris (2000) and the U.A.F.M. competition in Chaville (2003).

The attention which followed these successes brought the two musicians a great deal of notice and opened up engagements on national and international stages, setting the stage for concerts worldwide.

Today their concert calendar includes regular tours throughout Europe, as well as North, Central and South America, the Middle East, Asia and countries of southern Africa.

They have performed in more than 80 countries, on all continents and have enjoyed success at prestigious stages and concert series including for the Beethoven Society in Washington, the Schubert Society in London and at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland.

This year the duo undertook concert tours to Belgium, the Netherlands, Kenya and Uganda, Portugal, Cape Verde, Malta and Namibia, where they performed Beethoven's Triple Concerto as soloists with the Namibian National Symphony Orchestra.

All the concerts in Viet Nam will be free to attend. - VNS
VIENTIANE  The Vietnamese-funded Thong Nhat secondary school was inaugurated on August 31 in Khammouane and handed over to the association of Vietnamese in the Lao central province.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Vu ai Thang, member of the Vietnamese Party Central Committee and secretary of the Quang Binh Province Partys Committee, said the school is a gift from the Vietnamese Government with the central province of Quang Binh working as the project's investor. The project aims to preserve and promote Vietnamese cultural identity within the Vietnamese community in Khammouane, while providing better educational opportunities for local students.

Thang expressed his hope that, alongside the Laos-Viet Nam Friendship School, Khammouane-Quang Binh, the Thong Nhat secondary school would become a symbol of the two provinces special solidarity and comprehensive and enduring cooperation.

Nguyen Van Hung, president of the Vietnamese Association in Khammouane, extended heartfelt gratitude to leaders and people of Quang Binh for their generous support in building the fully equipped and modern secondary school.

He said that the school would serve as a hub for preserving and promoting Vietnamese cultural identity in Khammouane. Addressing the legitimate needs of the Vietnamese expatriate community, it will focus on teaching, learning, and the preservation of Vietnamese language for their children and local Lao students.

The construction of the school, with a total investment of VN25 billion (US$1 million), began in April last year on an area of nearly 3,500 square metres provided by the Lao province to the association. The school has a three-story classroom building with a total floor area of over 1,400 square metres, including 19 rooms, fully equipped with resources for 11 theory classrooms, one practical classroom, a library, and additional facilities.

On the occasion, Quang Binh donated VN150 million to the school for purchasing teaching and learning materials. Following the handover ceremony, its students and teachers began their first classes of the 2024-25 academic year.  VNS
PHNOM PENH / PRAGUE The Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia held a ceremony on August 30 to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and the National Day of Viet Nam (September 2).

In his speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang highlighted great achievements made by Viet Nam in the past 79 years of struggle for national independence as well as in the cause of national construction, development, and renewal.

Viet Nam is stepping up industrialisation and modernisation, aiming to build a prosperous, strong, democratic, equitable, and civilised nation, achieving upper-middle income status by 2030 and becoming a high-income developed country by 2045, he said.

The ambassador expressed his optimism about Viet Nam-Cambodia robust economic ties, citing that two-way trade reached US$8.6 billion in 2023 and nearly $7 billion in the first eight months of this year. The figure is expected to exceed $10 billion again in 2024, with cooperation in other areas also continuing to flourish.

Tang believed that the Viet Nam-Cambodia relationship, guided by the motto of Good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability, will continue to advance and grow stronger for the benefit of their people, the ASEAN Community, and beyond.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea, for his part, said Cambodia highly evaluates and continues to cherish the partnership built by leaders of both countries, noting that mutual trust and understanding have been further consolidated through state and local visits.

The two countries should not only maintain this momentum but also strive to further solidify it, he said.

On the occasion, President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet sent congratulatory messages to NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and PM Pham Minh Chinh, reaffirming their commitments to cooperate closely with Viet Nam to further foster the fraternal ties for the mutual benefit of both countries, and a shared vision for a peaceful, stable, harmonious, and prosperous ASEAN Community and beyond.

Viet Nam's National Day was also marked in Laos as the Vietnamese Embassy hosted a banquet on the occasion.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Charge d'affaires Phan Minh Chien highlighted the continuous development of the Viet Nam - Laos great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation over the past year.

The diplomat also emphasised the wholehearted support and assistance of the Lao Party, State, and people to Viet Nam's cause of national construction and defence.

Also on August 30, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Pakse in the southern Lao province of Champasak held a ceremony to celebrate Viet Nam's National Day.

Meanwhile, Lao Ambassador to Russia Shiphandone Oybuabuddy, along with officials from the Lao Embassy in Moscow, came to the Vietnamese Embassy in Moscow to offer their congratulations.

The Vietnamese Embassies in the Czech Republic and Brazil on August 29 also held ceremonies to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Viet Nam's National Day (September 2, 1945  2024).

The celebration in Prague saw the attendance of approximately 500 guests, including representatives from Czech agencies, business community, diplomatic corps, and Vietnamese expatriates.

Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Hoai Nam delivered an opening speech, highlighting the significance of Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh's Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945. He affirmed that the fundamental values of life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness, as articulated in the declaration, continue to be safeguarded today.

The diplomat lauded the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Viet Nam and the Czech Republic, which are based on mutual respect and common interests.

Expressing his optimism that high-level bilateral exchanges will continue on the occasion of the 75th founding anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations in 2025, Nam also highlighted the valuable contributions of the Vietnamese community in the European nation, noting their role as a crucial bridge between the two countries.

President of the Czech Senate Milos Vystrcil praised Viet Nam's storied history and the growing bilateral relations despite geographical distance and cultural differences.

Czech Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduard Hulicius described the relations between Viet Nam and the Czech Republic as a model of mutual respect among nations. He also commended the Vietnamese community's contributions to Czech society and the expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.

In Brasilia, more than 250 guests, including officials from various Brazilian ministries and diplomatic corps, attended the ceremony hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy.

In his remarks, Ambassador Bui Van Nghi reviewed Viet Nam's foreign achievements, including establishing diplomatic ties with 193 countries, expanding economic relations with 230 countries and territories, and participating in 16 free trade agreements. He highlighted Viet Nam's active and proactive role in multilateral forums, contributing to development goals, human rights protection, and global peace.

The diplomat went on to praise the positive development of the Viet Nam-Brazil relations. Bilateral trade exceeded $7.11 billion last year and neared $4.6 billion in the first seven months of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 19 per cent.

Ambassador Tarrago, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Special Envoy for ASEAN, stressed Viet Nam's inspirational role in the struggle for national independence and the development of countries worldwide.

He acknowledged the strong partnership between the two countries and emphasised that Viet Nam is an important partner of Brazil and has played a key role in expanding the Latin American nation's relations with ASEAN members.  VNS
At the Fourth World Conference of Overseas Vietnamese held last week in Ha Noi, Vietnamese Party and State leaders unanimously acknowledged the valuable insights and policy recommendations from the overseas Vietnamese community. These contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping domestic policies and legal frameworks in Viet Nam.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said that these efforts led to the issuance of numerous new policies in areas such as identification, land, housing, and real estate. These policies were designed to facilitate the return of overseas Vietnamese to live, work, invest, and conduct business in the homeland, ensuring their rights are equivalent to those of any Vietnamese citizen.

Son emphasised that, in recent years, the overseas Vietnamese community had become a significant resource in the nation-building and development process. Over the past 30 years, their remittances sent home totalled approximately US$230 billion, a figure on par with the disbursed foreign direct investment during the same period. By the end of 2023, overseas Vietnamese had invested in 421 foreign direct investment projects with a total registered capital of $1.72 billion, alongside thousands of businesses backed by overseas Vietnamese.

"These are quantifiable contributions," Son said. "But there are also countless unmeasurable contributions in terms of intellectual resources."

The year 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the Politburo's Resolution 36 on overseas Vietnamese affairs. Son said that this milestone offered an opportunity to draw valuable lessons and elevate the work on overseas Vietnamese to a new level, aligning with the nations development needs.

President call for greater contributions

President To Lam, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee, expressed hope that the 6 million Vietnamese abroad would unite with shared trust, willpower, and effort to realise the aspiration of building a strong, prosperous and happy nation.

As President Ho Chi Minh once told the overseas Vietnamese community during his visit to France in 1946: "Each overseas Vietnamese should be an ambassador of the people of Viet Nam, striving together to contribute to the common cause of the entire nation."

Affirming that the Party and State have always regarded overseas Vietnamese as an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation and a vital resource for the country, President Lam called on Vietnamese experts, intellectuals, and scientists abroad, who have access to modern technology and advanced knowledge, to continue contributing their intellect, experience, and expertise to the development of the homeland.

He expressed his hope that overseas Vietnamese would not only return to invest in the country but also play a vital role as bridges to bring Vietnamese goods and brands to the world, promote Vietnamese cultural identity, and share the nations rich traditions with international friends.

Noting that many overseas Vietnamese are scientists, including young scientists, President Lam said that the countrys development would be closely linked to advancements in science, technology, digital transformation, AI, quantum technology, and biotechnology, which are also the paths the world is taking.

He expressed his pleasure that young people were going abroad to seek knowledge, study, and conduct research, contributing to the nation's development.

President Lam encouraged overseas Vietnamese to strengthen their ties with their families and homeland, to build a strong overseas Vietnamese community that actively contributes to their host countries and stands by the nation, especially during the critical phases towards achieving the countrys goals to 2045.

President Lam reminded them of President Ho Chi Minh's words: "The Vietnamese language is the soul of the nation. Even when living far from the homeland, you must preserve the Vietnamese language and cultural traditions so that future generations do not forget their roots."

He stressed that despite differences, the 100 million Vietnamese at home and the 6 million overseas all shared the same origin and love for the nation. He urged everyone to seize opportunities, overcome difficulties, and together build a bright future, making Viet Nam increasingly prosperous and realising the aspirations of President Ho and the entire nation.

"The Party, State and people of Viet Nam always welcome and create favourable conditions for overseas Vietnamese to return home for visits, tourism, investment, economic production, and business," Lam said.

Moving forward, he said the Party and State would continue to develop and streamline policies to attract and utilise talent, fully harnessing the potential and valuable resources of the overseas Vietnamese community in the cause of national construction and defence.

Viet Nam, he said, would strengthen cooperation with other countries to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the overseas Vietnamese, support them in stabilising their lives, and ensure they can confidently integrate and thrive in the social life of their host countries.

Integral part of the nation

According to Le Xuan Dung, PhD, from the Military College 1, in recent years, the Vietnamese Party and State have issued numerous guidelines and policies to facilitate visits, investment, and business activities for the overseas Vietnamese community.

In the face of efforts by hostile forces to distort the Party and State's policies towards Vietnamese people living abroad, and create divisions between the overseas Vietnamese and the homeland, Dung emphasised the need to combat such distortions.

Throughout the struggle for national liberation and the cause of national building and development, especially during the period of oi moi (policy renewal), industrialisation, modernisation, and international integration, the Party and State have consistently paid attention to overseas Vietnamese affairs.

Significant milestones include the Politburos Resolution No 08 dated November 29, 1993, on policies and measures concerning Vietnamese people abroad, followed by Resolution No 36 dated March 26, 2004, and many other directives and decisions.

These documents affirm that the State always creates every possible condition to support overseas Vietnamese in stabilising their lives, engaging in business activities, and integrating into the social life of host countries, while maintaining a close connection with the homeland. They also contribute to perfecting policies to attract and utilise overseas Vietnamese talents, encourage investment and business activities by overseas Vietnamese, and foster activities directed towards the homeland, in accordance with the laws and customs of host countries.

Alongside these sound policies and guidelines, many legal documents have been issued by the National Assembly and the Government covering most areas related to the overseas Vietnamese community, such as nationality, civil matters, housing, land, residency, investment, and business. These regulations are designed to ensure that the rights of overseas Vietnamese increasingly align with those of citizens at home.

Commendable results

Currently, with approximately 6 million people living in over 130 countries and territories, 80 per cent of whom reside in developed countries, the overseas Vietnamese community is growing stronger, affirming its role, status, and reputation. During visits, meetings, and contacts with leaders of other countries, the Party and State leaders consistently propose local administrations implement specific measures to support the overseas Vietnamese, facilitating their stable life and integration in host countries.

Additionally, efforts to care for and support the community to enhance their legal status, as well as the protection of citizens, are always given high priority.

Overseas Vietnamese have been provided with opportunities to contribute their opinions on the nations important issues, such as providing feedback on Party Congress documents, draft laws, and major policies.

Annual activities have been held by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, such as the Homeland Spring festival, the organisation of overseas Vietnamese delegations attending the Hung Kings Commemoration Festival, visits to soldiers and people on Truong Sa islands, and summer camps for young overseas Vietnamese.

In preserving the Vietnamese language and promoting national cultural identity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with both domestic and international agencies, has supported the provision of Vietnamese-language textbooks and teaching materials, conducted training for overseas Vietnamese teachers, and proposed that host administrations include the Vietnamese language in school and university curricula.

Notably, the Day for Honouring Vietnamese Language in Vietnamese Communities Abroad (September 8) has helped spread the love for the Vietnamese language and, more broadly, the bond with the homeland among the younger generations of Vietnamese overseas.

In recent years, the country's development achievements and increasingly elevated position have helped the overseas Vietnamese community gain better status and development conditions in host countries. The community has also gained greater awareness of the connection between the home country's status and their own development, which creates greater motivation for them to contribute to the homeland. A clear example of this was the significant assistance provided by the overseas Vietnamese community to the homeland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Proposals for national and community development

The State should make breakthrough decisions that would make it easier for overseas Vietnamese to regain Vietnamese citizenship while retaining their foreign citizenship and to determine the nationality of children of mixed heritage. Additionally, regulations should be adjusted to allow overseas Vietnamese to run for and vote in National Assembly elections, and to enable Vietnamese associations abroad to become members of domestic political and social organisations.

There also needs for the establishment of an effective mechanism to receive, process, and respond to feedback from overseas Vietnamese, making administrative procedures more streamlined, transparent, and efficient, enhancing the connection among overseas Vietnamese experts and intellectuals, and supporting the preservation of Vietnamese culture and language.

The Government should develop a strategy to attract overseas Vietnamese students and young people to intern, start businesses, and participate in community projects in Viet Nam to help them connect with their roots and bring new initiatives to contribute to national development.

Viet Nam should create special incentives for national data infrastructure projects, AI development, semiconductors, and high-quality human resource training programmes, while also implementing special mechanisms to encourage technology incubators. Developing policies that encourage overseas Vietnamese to participate in tourism development and retail investment is also crucial.

Viet Nam should focus on robustly developing AI applications in various fields such as public healthcare, transportation, and many others, and setting ambitious national goals.

Once we have invested in human resources, we need to find ways to leverage this high-quality workforce. The best approach to achieving this is by investing in an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Experience shows that in every revolution, there are winners and losers, and the most effective way to identify the winners is by creating a diverse and robust startup ecosystem. Viet Nam should also establish a high-level advisory council on chips and AI. These are rapidly developing fields, and such a council would help make swift and accurate decisions in these critical areas. VNS
DES MOINES  A baby girl born July 30 was surrendered through Iowas Safe Haven Law and is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the state announced Friday.

It is the fifth Save Haven Baby in Iowa this year. Under the program, the infant will be placed with foster families until a permanent home is determined.

Iowas Safe Haven Law allows parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old to relinquish the infant to the state. Designated safe havens include hospitals and police and fire stations. Health and Human Services then works to place relinquished infants in approved foster homes while the child awaits adoption.

Ten infants were relinquished to the state under the law in 2023; there have been 71 infants relinquished since the laws creation more than two decades ago, according to the department.

More information on Iowas Safe Haven Law is available at hhs.iowa.gov. Iowans interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child can visit iowafosterandadoption.org.

SUPREME COURT CALENDAR SET: The Iowa Supreme Courts 2024-2025 term has been scheduled, and will run from Sept. 1 to June 30.

The Supreme Court has scheduled seven special sessions at locations throughout the state, with five of them in the evening to better allow the public to see the court in action.

A full listing can be found at the Iowa Supreme Courts website at iowacourts.gov.

FINANCIAL COMPANY INVESTIGATED: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced her office is investigating the New York-based financial company MSCI for allegedly targeting companies that do business with or in Israel.

Citing news reports, Bird accused MSCI of participating in the antisemitic movement to boycott, divest, and sanction companies for doing business with Israel or because they are Israeli companies.

After the barbaric terror attacks on Oct. 7, it is more critical than ever that we support our allies in Israel and root out antisemitic hate, Bird said in a statement. MSCIs silence when asked whether it is targeting companies for doing business in or with Israel is deafening. I am launching an investigation to get to the bottom of MSCIs concerning practices and to prevent companies from polluting the corporate world with anti-Semitism.

MSCI, in a statement to the Des Moines Register, denied the allegations.

MSCI does not engage in or support in any way the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement in any of our business practices or product offerings, according to the companys statement. Our products are free from political influence or other biases and do not incorporate any BDS considerations or penalize companies for operating in Israel or for contributing to Israels defense against terrorism.

Post childbirth without paid leave, teachers leave their own children to teach others' Post childbirth without paid leave, teachers leave their own children to teach others'
From left, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott, Mayor London Breed and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins take part in a news conference at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center on Saturday after San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in a robbery attempt in Union Square. Pearsall was rushed to General Hospital, where he was being treated for his injuries and was expected to survive. The robbery suspect was immediately apprehended and arrested by police. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Mark Farrell, who is running for mayor in San Francisco, criticized Mayor London Breed for her public safety record after 49ers player Ricky Pearsall was shot during a robbery attempt in Union Square. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle San Francisco mayoral candidate Ahsha Safai praised the police for their quick response to Saturdays shooting in Union Square but emphasized the need for safer streets. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle San Francisco mayoral candidate Daniel Lurie tweeted well wishes for 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who was shot in Union Square on Saturday. He added: Ive said it before and I will say it again. Public safety will be my number-1 priority, 365 days a year. Camille Cohen/Special to the Chronicle San Francisco mayoral candidate Aaron Peskin said that mayoral candidate Mark Farrells tweets that placed blame on Mayor London Breed for Saturdays shooting in Union Square were immature, crass and not a sign of the kind of leadership San Franciscans want. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Mayoral candidate Mark Farrell blasted Mayor London Breed in the aftermath of the shooting of San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in Union Square on Saturday, seeking to thrust the incident to the forefront of a heated mayoral race in which public safety is a major concern for voters.

Enough is enough, Farrell tweeted. If we want public safety in San Francisco, then we need change in City Hall.

Farrells opponents soon responded, calling his move a case of gross and crass political opportunism.

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Statistics show crime is down in the city this year, but a recent Chronicle poll revealed public safety is the top concern of 34% of likely voters. Many voters remain unconvinced by the 31% drop in reported crimes through July, as frequent break-ins and open-air drug use and sales persist.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed provides an update at San Francisco General Hospital on the shooting that wounded 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall during an attempted robbery in Union Square on Saturday. Santiago Mejia The Chronicle

Farrell doubled down on his messaging Sunday in a campaign email, criticizing Breed for police funding and staffing decisions.

Her failures are impacting public safety across San Francisco, Farrell wrote. This is why we need change.

Farrell also sought to blame Breed for two violent incidents: the shooting of a Galileo Academy of Science & Technology student on Thursday near Ghirardelli Square  while Breed partied in Chicago (during the Democratic National Convention), he wrote  and the apparent shooting of a girl who was severely injured in San Franciscos Crocker-Amazon neighborhood Friday.

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Breed defended her administration.

Robberies and any violence like this will not be tolerated in our city, she stated during a Saturday evening news conference. San Francisco has a lower violent crime rate compared to most major cities in the country. But statistics dont matter when incidents like this occur. What matters is supporting the victim and holding those accountable who break our laws and endanger the lives of others.

In a statement later Saturday, a Breed spokesperson called Farrells tweet gross and inconsiderate.

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His campaign is so desperate for attention that hes trying to politicize tragic incidents of gun violence for his own political gain. Mayor Breeds focus was supporting the victim first and foremost, and working with the police, DA, and first responders to manage this incident, said campaign spokesperson Joe Arellano.

Reached by phone, mayoral candidate Aaron Peskin called Farrells tweet immature, crass and not a sign of the kind of leadership San Franciscans want.



Real leaders decry this violence and express sorrow for the victim and support the San Francisco police department for their good work rather than capitalizing on this as a political opportunity, Peskin said.

But Farrell did not back down.

We need a Mayor who truly makes public safety their top priority, he said. We cannot afford another four years of Mayor Breeds failed leadership.

Another leading candidate, nonprofit founder Daniel Lurie, tweeted well wishes for Pearsalls recovery while more subtly highlighting the issue of lawlessness on San Franciscos streets during Breeds administration.

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Ive said it before and I will say it again. Public safety will be my number-1 priority, 365 days a year, he tweeted.

About two hours after the incident, Lurie appeared and talked briefly to the press at the scene of the shooting.

No one  whether they live, work, or visit our beloved city  should ever have to fear for their safety in San Francisco, he stated. This senseless violence must end.

Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who is also running for mayor, praised the police for their quick response but emphasized the need for safer streets. He told the Chronicle he agreed with Farrell that Breed needs to acknowledge that people feel unsafe in the city.

Violence like this has no place in our city, Safai said. You can throw all the numbers you want, but at the end of the day, the perception and how people feel is that crime isnt down. The mayor has tried every step of the way to say that things are better, but she hasnt been able to acknowledge that in San Francisco at 3 oclock on a Saturday, somebody can go up and rob somebody in broad daylight.

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Breed has recently gained ground in the mayoral race, according to polling by the Chronicle, and is voters first-choice pick in the rank-choice election. But the poll showed a very close race with Farrell and Lurie in strong contention.

Farrell, a former supervisor and interim mayor, has frequently criticized Breeds crime record. He has also promised to replace Police Chief Bill Scott and requested armed National Guard troops in the Tenderloin.

Pearsall, the 49ers first-round draft pick this year, was shot in the chest in the citys bustling shopping district during an attempted robbery, police said. He was taken to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment and then released Sunday.

The 17-year-old suspect in Pearsalls shooting was immediately arrested and was also being treated over the weekend at San Francisco General after being wounded during the incident.

Chief Scott said, I am extremely shocked and saddened about the shooting of 49ers player Ricky Pearsall today in Union Square. This kind of violence has no place in our city and will never be tolerated.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, meanwhile, reiterated his call for increasing the police budget.

We can and must do more now with our police force. And finally allow police to do their actual job, not be mired in paperwork or be afraid of being fired, or arrested themselves, when dealing with dangerous felons, Benioff tweeted.

Even as Breed touts San Franciscos lower crime statistics as evidence that shes getting the city back on track, she acknowledges that public safety is a dominant issue in her reelection bid.

One reason for the disconnect between the crime data and the electorates feelings might be the common scenes of disorder marked by public drug use, vending of apparently stolen goods and erratic behavior from people struggling with addiction and mental illness on the streets of the Tenderloin, South of Market and other neighborhoods.

Breed has responded to concerns by steering more funding to city police, trying to grow the ranks of law enforcement and pushing to give officers more tools and expanded authority.

Peskin, who represents Union Square, questioned why Benioff and others were calling for more police presence. He said Union Square is one of the most heavily patrolled parts of the city, with six to 10 officers under special command often patrolling the neighborhood.



The police department currently has more than 300 vacant positions and many officers must work overtime.
Celebrated South Beach restaurant Saison has added not one but two wine bars to the family.



Saison Cellar & Wine Bars, cobalt bluepainted fraternal twins, occupy two distinct corners of the Bay Area. The San Francisco sibling is the chic one, with vibes that are part rustic European, part vintage Victorian. Her Scotts Valley sister, a few months older than the brand new city kid, is more laid back, with both lounge seating and tables.

They may not look exactly alike but they overlap where it counts, in a love of wine and a menu of decadent French bar bites.

Saison Cellar & Wine Bars are the offspring of Mark Bright, who is both Saison Hospitalitys cofounder, and the winemaker at Saison Winery . Youd be forgiven if you didnt know that Saisonwhich also operates the Michelin-starred Angler and the barbecue pop-up Smokehousemade wine. Although Bright, who began his SF career as a sommelier for Mina restaurants flagship wine program, has been crafting it for a while, the Saison label is only a couple years old. The winery, which specializes in French varietals grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains, emerged in 2022 along with a tasting room in Los Gatos.

Saison Cellar & Wine Bar in Scotts Valley. (Elliott Alexander)

These ventures in SF and Scotts Valley arent just new showcases for Brights winemaking, however. They are, instead, exhibitions for the wines that inspire the wines I make, says Bright. As such, the list leans Old World, with 20 pages that are heavy on Burgundian chablis and Beaujolais but also feature exceptional expressions from closer to home.

The food menu, which includes some gorgeous signatures from Nicolas Delaroques Maison Nico , channels Brights love of French fare, too. Some of the dishes are delightfully over the top, like the delicious caviar parfait a la Mina, a savory layer-cake of hashbrowns, horseradish creme fraiche, smoked salmon, and eggs frosted with salty black pearls of caviar. But mostly the menu is more approachable, with croque monsieurs, cheeses and charcuteries, and fries dusted with shaved summer black truffles. You can come here for an afternoon aperitif as easily as for a celebration.

Saison Cellar & Wine Bar's delicious caviar parfait a la Mina. (Adahlia Cole)

In addition to Saisons public-facing wine bars, the South Beach location also has The Cellar, a members-only club located two doors down. It's here where well-to-do wine lovers will find their home away from home with founders membership perks that include personal wine storage, private consultations with Bright, first or exclusive access to wine events, tastings and classes, thousands of dollars in annual dining credits, and the ability to host up to six guests at a time.

Saisons Cellars can still be your go-to wine shop even if you dont buy into founder level membership. They stock everything from $15 bottles of 2017 Nimble Pink rose from Sonoma to $490 Vincent Dancer Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot 2021 chardonnay from Burgundy. Buy them a bottle at a time online or in house, or become a wine bar club member at the Scotts Valley location, which will get you two bottles selected monthly by Bright, discounts, and exclusive invitations for an average of $48 to $78/month.

// Saison Cellar & Wine Bar is open 2pm to 10pm Tuesday through Saturday nat 234 Townsend St. (South Beach), and 2pm to 9pm at 222 Mt. Hermon Rd., Ste. I (Scotts Valley), saisonwinebar.com .


Accomplished Mining Leader Strengthens Board

Perth, Sep 2, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to announce changes to its Board of Directors.



Experienced mining executive and director, Mr Warren Hallam, has agreed to join the Horizon Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director effective 1 September 2024. Mr Hallam is currently a Non-Executive Director of St Barbara Limited and Poseidon Nickel Limited, and Non-Executive Chairman of Kingfisher Mining Limited.



Mr Hallam has a built a strong track record over 35 years in operations, corporate and senior leadership roles across multiple commodities. This includes previous Managing Director roles at Metals X Limited, Millenium Metals Limited and Capricorn Metals Limited. Mr Hallam is a metallurgist who also holds a Masters in Mineral Economics from Curtin University.



The Company also advises that Mr Jon Price has tendered his resignation as Non-Executive Director to focus on other business commitments, effective from 31 August 2024. Mr Price joined the Board of the Company in January 2016 as Managing Director and has guided Horizon through a transformational period of substantial resource growth prior to stepping down as Managing Director in June 2023.



Commenting on the Board changes, Non-Executive Chairman Mr Ashok Parekh said:



"We are delighted to welcome Warren to the board of Horizon as we transition the Company from an explorer to producer. We look forward to his guidance during this exciting growth phase.



On behalf of the board and broader Horizon team, I would also like to acknowledge and thank Jon for his significant contribution to the Company over many years and wish him well in his future endeavours."





About Horizon Minerals Limited





Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed.

Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline.

Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage.

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Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev are seen outside Good Morning America in 2023. Garcia was spotted on Saturday boarding a private jet with their son Matteo in Oakland after Chigvintsevs arrest on domestic violence charges. Raymond Hall/2023 GC images via Getty

Nikki Garcia and her 4-year-old son, Matteo, were seen boarding a private jet at San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport on Saturday, Aug. 31, marking her first public appearance since her husband, Artem Chigvintsev, was arrested on domestic violence charges.

Photos shared on TMZ show Garcia, 40, better known as Nikki Bella from the WWE duo the Bella Twins, leaving the couples Yountville home and stopping at Starbucks on the way to the airport. Notably, she was not wearing her wedding ring.

Garcia was slated to host Netflixs eating competition series Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef in Las Vegas on Monday, Sept. 2, and still appeared at the event despite the recent turmoil.

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Russian-born Chigvintsev, 42, a professional dancer on Dancing With the Stars, was taken into custody at approximately 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at the couples home.

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

He was 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 the same day after posting $25,000 bail.

The police have not specified whether Garcia was the alleged victim but mentioned that injuries were reportedly involved. The victim has asked for total confidentiality.

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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.

In a recorded 911 call obtained by TMZ, Chigvintsev alleged that Garcia had thrown shoes at him after an argument. He later called off the paramedics. The dispatcher noted that a child was at the residence and that Chigvintsev and Garcia were physically separated at the time of the call.
Dear Eric: Im a comfortably retired, single only child who is fortunate to have relatives nearby. We are in each others lives often and in supportive ways. Im there for celebrations, emergencies and other events both joyful and sad.

My health care proxy, power of attorney and other legal papers are with them. Weve had conversations about my wishes at the end of life and for some time Ive felt settled in that regard.

Recently they shared they plan to move to a different region of the country upon retirement, which will be within four years. There has been no acknowledgement of the impact of their move on me.

Ill be in my late 70s by then and the thought of navigating the challenges of advancing age pretty much alone is frightening. I am conflicted about what to do here. Do I just come out and ask, Have you given any thought to the impact of your move on me and other members of the family? I hate this feeling; they are entitled to enjoy their retirement wherever they choose.

 Distressed About the Future

Dear Distressed: You trust them enough with your power of attorney and care, not to mention your joys and celebrations, so trust them with this tender emotion as well. Tell them that youre happy for them and also that youre scared about your own future. The two emotions arent in conflict.

Ask them to help you think through what this means for you. Perhaps theyve already given it some thought. Youre not a burden.

Together, youve done so much of the important work that we all need to do regarding elder care and end-of-life planning. Keep those communication channels open. It will help you feel more secure and help you make changes if you need to.

Read more Asking Eric and other advice columns.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission and several companies it selected for business licenses have asked a judge to clear the way to begin work on getting products to patients.

Montgomery County Circuit Judge James Anderson will hold a hearing Tuesday on those requests and other issues in a lawsuit involving more than a dozen companies competing for a limited number of medical marijuana licenses.

It has been more than three years since the Legislature passed a bill to make Alabama the 36th state (there are now 38) to legalize medical marijuana. The law, called the Compassion Act, created the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) to oversee the intrastate industry, from cultivating plants to selling products.

The AMCC has tried three times since June 2023 to issue licenses. But lawsuits and challenges to the agencys procedures have stalled the process.

Lost in the interminable medical cannabis litigation are the thousands of patients for whom the Compassion Act was enacted, lawyers for the AMCC wrote in a motion asking Anderson to lift or modify a temporary restraining order issued on July 11 and allow the licensing process to resume.

The Legislature determined that medical cannabis will not only benefit patients by providing relief for pain and other debilitating symptoms, but also provide opportunities for patients with these debilitating conditions to function and have a better quality of life, the AMCCs lawyers wrote in the motion.

Three companies, all awarded licenses by the AMCC that are blocked by the temporary restraining order, support the AMCCs request. They have also filed motions asking the judge to lift or revise his order to let the process resume.

The Compassion Act, passed in 2021, allows companies to make gummies, tablets, capsules, tinctures, patches, oils, and other forms of medical marijuana. Patients who receive a recommendation from a certified doctor will get a medical cannabis card that will allow them to buy the products at licensed dispensaries.

The law allows the products to be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, weight loss and nausea from cancer, depression, panic disorder, epilepsy, muscle spasms caused by disease or spinal cord injuries, PTSD, and others.

But the production and availability of the medications is on hold.

The AMCC has issued licenses to cultivators, processors, secure transporters, and a state testing lab. Cultivators are growing the plants.

But licenses to integrated companies, which will cultivate, process, and dispense medical cannabis and will be the largest in the new industry, are on hold. More than 30 companies applied for integrated licenses, but by law, the AMCC can issue no more than five.

The AMCC awarded the five licenses on Dec. 12. But the agency distinguishes between awarding licenses and issuing licenses. It cannot issue licenses because of the court order.

Lawyers for three companies - Flowerwood Medical Cannabis, Specialty Medical Products of Alabama, and Sustainable Alabama - filed motions in July and August that are largely aligned with the AMCC, asking the court to let the process resume while the litigation continues.

This equitable relief is needed to protect all parties having an interest in establishing the medical cannabis program ... most importantly, the citizens of Alabama who desperately seek and anxiously await the medical relief promised to them by this Act, lawyers for Flowerwood Medical Cannabis wrote.

Licenses for companies that intend to operate only as dispensaries are also on hold because of the court order.

The competition for the integrated licenses has sparked most the litigation.

Alabama Always, a denied applicant for an integrated license, has repeatedly sued the AMCC. The company built a cultivation and production facility in Montgomery at what it said was a cost of about $5 million. It claims that the AMCC has not followed the law, including the Alabama Administrative Procedures Act, in awarding licenses.

In the ruling on July 11 granting the temporary restraining order, Anderson wrote that Alabama Always had at least a reasonable chance of succeeding on its claims against the AMCC.

Again, the court is sympathetic to the public interest in getting medicine in the hands of patients, Anderson wrote. That said, the December 12 awards are the Commissions third round of licensing awards at issue, and the prior two award rounds remain the subject of ongoing litigation - meaning that the Commissions effort to issue licenses now, based on the third round, is already on uneven ground.

On the other side of the fight is Sustainable Alabama. It was selected for an integrated license by the AMCC during all three rounds of awards - in June, August, and December of last year but awaits the issuance of a license before it can start cultivation and production. In the meantime, the company has to continue spending money to maintain readiness. That is not sustainable, the company said.

At some point the potential of profits will never overcome the mounting losses this legal quagmire has created, Sustainable Alabama told the court in its motion to revise the temporary restraining order. If the Court does not provide more equitable relief through some type of modification of the restraining order, it will virtually guarantee that the qualified awarded businesses make a business decision to walk away.
By Brian Slodysko and Dan Merica, Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Italo Medelius was leading a volunteer drive to put Cornel West on North Carolinas presidential ballot last spring when he received an unexpected call from a man named Paul who said he wanted to help.

Though Medelius, co-chairman of Wests Justice for All Party, welcomed the assistance, the offer would complicate his life, provoking threats and drawing him into a state election board investigation of the motivations, backgrounds and suspect tactics of his new allies.

His is not an isolated case.

Across the country, a network of Republican political operatives, lawyers and their allies is trying to shape Novembers election in ways that favor former President Donald Trump. Their goal is to prop up third-party candidates such as West who offer liberal voters an alternative that could siphon away support from Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.

It is not clear who is paying for the effort, but it could be impactful in states that were decided by miniscule margins in the 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden.

This is money Wests campaign does not have, and he has encouraged the effort. Last month the academic told The Associated Press that American politics is highly gangster-like activity and he just wanted to get on that ballot.

Trump has offered praise for West, calling him one of my favorite candidates. Another is Green Party candidate Jill Stein. Trump favors both for the same reason. I like her very much. You know why? She takes 100% from them. He takes 100%.

Democrats are exploring ways to lift Randall Terry, an anti-abortion presidential candidate for the Constitution Party, believing he could draw voters from Trump.

But the GOP effort appears to be more far-reaching. After years of Trump accusing Democrats of rigging elections, it is his allies who are now mounting a sprawling and at times deceptive campaign to tilt the vote in his favor.

The fact that either of the two major parties would attempt financially and otherwise to support a third-party spoiler candidate as part of its effort to win is an unfortunate byproduct of current election laws that facilitate spoilers, said Edward B. Foley, a law professor who leads Ohio State Universitys election law program. This phenomenon is equally problematic whichever of the two major party engages in it.

One key figure in the push is Paul Hamrick, the man on the other end of the call with Medelius in North Carolina.

Hamrick serves as counsel for the Virginia-based nonprofit People Over Party, which has pushed to get West on the ballot in Arizona, Maine, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as North Carolina, records show.

In an interview, Hamrick declined to say who else besides him was orchestrating the effort and he would not divulge who was funding it. He vigorously disputed any suggestion that he was a Republican, but acknowledged that he was not a Democrat, either.

His history is complex.

Hamrick was chief of staff to former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, a one-term Democrat who was booted from office in 2003 and later was convicted and sentenced to prison on federal bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud charges. Hamrick was charged alongside his former boss in two separate cases. One was dismissed and he was acquitted in the other.

Though he insists he is not a Republican, Hamrick voted in Alabamas Republican primary in 2002, 2006 and 2010, according to state voting records maintained by the political data firm L2. He was tapped briefly in 2011 to work for the Alabama state Senates Republican majority. And since 2015, according to federal campaign finance disclosures, he has contributed only to GOP causes, including $2,500 to the Alabama Republican Party and $3,300 to Georgia Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican who has trafficked in conspiracy theories.

Hamrick denied that he voted in any Republican primaries, suggesting that the voting data was inaccurate.

For years, he was a consultant for Matrix LLC, an Alabama firm known for its hardball approach.

Matrix LLC was part of an effort in Florida to run ghost candidates against elected officials who had raised the ire of executives for Florida Power & Light, the states largest utility.

Daniella Levine Cava, the current mayor of Miami-Dade County, was a target. As a county commissioner, Levine Cava had fought with FPL. When she ran for reelection in 2018, Matrix covertly financed a third-party candidate they hoped would siphon enough votes to tip her seat to a Republican challenger, The Miami Herald reported in 2022.

Hamrick was deeply involved. A company he created paid the spoiler candidate a $60,000 salary and rented a $2,300-a-month home for him, according to the newspaper and business filings made in Alabama. Hamrick said the candidate worked for him to help recruit business. Hamrick denied having anything to do with the mans campaign.

Either way, it did not work. Levine Cava was reelected before winning the mayors seat in 2020.

Now Hamrick is playing a prominent role to place Wests name on the ballot in competitive states. Hamrick surfaced in Arizona two weeks ago after a woman told the AP that a document was fraudulently submitted in her name to Arizonas secretary of state in which she purportedly agreed to serve as an elector for West. She said her signature was forged and she never agreed to be an elector.

After the AP published her account, Hamrick said he spoke to the womans husband, trying to rectify the situation and gave some information. Hamrick declined to say what information was shared. He also tried to persuade another elector who backed out to recommit to West, according to interviews and voicemails.

The next day, with the deadline to qualify for the Arizona ballot just hours away, Brett Johnson, a prominent Republican lawyer, and Amanda Reeve, a former GOP state lawmaker, made house visits to each as they tried to persuade both to sign new paperwork to serve as West electors.

Johnson and Reeve work for Snell & Wilmer, which has done $257,000 worth of business for the Republican National Committee over the past two years, campaign finance disclosures show.

Hamrick declined to comment on the role of Johnson and Reeve. They did not respond to requests for comment.

West did not qualify for the Arizona ballot.

Other Republican-aligned law firms also have been involved in the national push, opposing Democrat-backed challenges to Wests placement on the ballot:

 In Georgia, Bryan Tyson, a partner at the Election Law Group, represented the state Republican Party as it tried to keep West on the ballot. The firm has collected $60,000 in payments from the RNC since April, campaign finance records show. Tyson did not respond to a request for comment.

On Thursday, Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger overruled an administrative law judge and placed West, Stein and Party for Socialism and Liberation nominee Claudia De la Cruz on the ballot. Tyson did not respond to a message seeking comment.

 In North Carolina, Phil Strach, a member of the Republican National Lawyers Association, successfully challenged in court a North Carolina State Board of Elections decision to bar West from the ballot. Strach did not respond to a message left for him.

 In Michigan, John Bursch, a senior lawyer for the Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative legal group that helped overturn Roe v. Wade, successfully fended off a challenge to Wests placement on the ballot. Burschs firm, Bursch Law PLLC, was paid $25,000 by Trumps campaign in November 2020 for RECOUNT: LEGAL CONSULTING, according to campaign finance disclosures. Bursch did not respond to a request for comment.

 In Pennsylvania, a lawyer with long-standing ties to Republican candidates and causes, unsuccessfully argued in August for West to stay on the ballot. The attorney, Matt Haverstick, declined to say in an interview who hired him or why. People Over Party, the group Hamrick is affiliated with, had tried to get West on the ballot.

None of these actions was funded by Wests campaign, though he and his Justice for All party have coordinated at times with Hamricks People Over Party, according to legal filings, a news release and social media posts.

In North Carolina, People Over Party, worked with Blitz Canvassing and Campaign & Petition Management  two firms that routinely work for the GOP  to gather signatures for West. Hamrick later responded in writing on behalf of workers for the two companies after the state election board opened its inquiry.

Jefferson Thomas, a longtime Republican operative from Colorado, submitted petition signatures that his firm, The Synapse Group, gathered on behalf of Stein in New Hampshire, records show. He did not respond to requests for comment.

In Wisconsin, Blair Group Consulting oversaw Wests petition signature drive to qualify for the ballot, as previously reported by USA Today. David Blair, the firms president, was a the national director of Youth for Trump during the 2016 campaign and was a spokesman in the Trump administration. Blair declined to comment.

Mark Jacoby, whose signature gathering firm Let the Voters Decide often works for Republicans, was involved in the failed Arizona push to get West on the ballot. The California operative has was convicted in 2009 of voter registration fraud, court records show. Jacoby did not respond to a message left at a phone number listed to him.

Medelius, the North Carolina co-chairman of Wests Justice for All Party, said the partisan battles over third-party candidates amounted to a gang war.

If they want to use us for cannon fodder, theres not much I can do about it, he said.

Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix, Farnoush Amiri in Chicago and Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.
Two Republican senators on Sunday news talk shows were at odds in their support of a vague proposal by former President Donald Trump that under his administration insurance companies would be required to cover in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.

IVF became a national issue after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law. This ruling triggered Alabama clinics to pause services and the state legislature to pass a law protecting IVF providers against liability if something happened to an embryo in their care.

Asked if he would support Trumps proposal of mandating insurance companies to cover IVF, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on Sundays ABC This Week: No, because theres no end to that.

Graham instead suggested a tax credit for people who use IVF and other treatments to become pregnant.

We have tax credits for people who have children. Maybe we should have a means tested tax credit for people using IVF and other treatments to become pregnant, Graham told ABC. I would support a tax credit, means tested, kind of like we do with children. That makes sense to me, to encourage people to have children.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), appearing on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, said he and most other Republicans are open to supporting Trumps plan.

Its something Im open to, that most Republicans would be open to, Cotton said during an interview with NBC News. I think wed have to evaluate the fiscal impact, whether the taxpayer can afford to pay for this, what impact it would have on premiums.

Cotton said he believes supporting couples who are trying to get pregnant through IVF or other fertility treatments is not controversial.

Two months ago, Cotton and other Republicans voted against a Democratic led Senate bill that would have protected and expanded IVF access.

Last week, Trump floated the idea that he supports the government paying for the expensive IVF treatments and requiring insurance companies to cover 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, Trump said at an event in Michigan. Because we want more babies, to put it nicely.

The announcement comes as Trump has been under intense criticism from Democrats for his role in appointing the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion.

Supporting the mandated payment of IVF is expected to be a motivator for Democrats for the presidential election as Trump continues to adjust to the new race against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

I happen to believe in the exceptions Ronald Reagan did for life of the mother, rape, incest, Trump said last week about his support of a proposed ballot measure to change Floridas heartbeat bill to give pregnant people more than six-weeks to get an abortion. Trump is a resident of Florida.

Trump, a day later, walked back the comments after conservative backlash.
This is a guest opinion column

With the end of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions in Chicago and Milwaukee, now comes time for both action and historical reflection. In 1960, Chicago native Bob Moses travelled from the Midwest to Mississippi. A leader within the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Moses met with local leaders to reignite the struggling movement work. These leaders, including Amzie Moore and Medgar Evers, acknowledged that the Montgomery Bus Boycotts and lunch counter sit-ins were essential to the Movements progress. In 1961, SNCC and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) began the Freedom Rides, facing extreme violence when they arrived in Alabama. In early 1963, Fred Shuttlesworth and a whole generation of young people, supported by Dr. King, led the successful Birmingham Campaign and Childrens Crusade to challenge the system of white terror. That fall, the world heard a four-word call: Six killed in Birmingham. The September 15th bombing of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church killed four little girls. Many across the country thanked God that they were not in Alabama.

With the spotlight on Alabama, Moses and a sea of SNCC workers from across the country flooded Mississippi in 1964 to confront voter disenfranchisement, promote voter education and registration. By the end of the summer, over 60,000 Black Mississippi residents and a multi-racial mobilization of volunteers risked their lives to participate in local meetings, candidate selections and a mock election known as the Freedom Vote that ran parallel to the 1964 elections. Though full voter enfranchisement was ultimately unsuccessful, Freedom Summer empowered the masses to renew their demands for equal citizenship. Bob Moses promised to return to continue the job even in the face of great danger. On June 21, 1964 James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman were sent to investigate the bombing of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, a hub of voter registration activity in Neshoba County. They were abducted and murdered by Mississippi members of law enforcement and the Ku Klux Klan before the investigation could even begin. It took 44 days for the FBI to find the men. Eight other lynching victims were found in the process. Some in Alabama made their own four-word call: Thank God for Mississippi. This time, the high-profile violence was elsewhere.

After Freedom Summer, SNCC workers and others made their way to Selma and the Black Belt to begin voter registration alongside Alabamas leaders. They filled the jails. More were victims of violence. Many murders went unsolved but the workers continued. Foot soldiers challenged white supremacy with every step, conversation, and finally, in 1965, every ballot. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Mississippi Freedom Summer and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that was rooted in and connected the work of the Alabama movement. The dedicated work that produced the Voting Rights Act of 1965 emerged from the seed beds of Selma, Tuscaloosa and across the state. But it did not come without commitment through the darkest times.

In 2024, we should remember that seeds emerge from the darkness. 60 years later we must continue to agitate, educate, organize and vote with our memories set in the past and hopes tracked to the future. As we move forward, we should reflect upon another four-word call of remembrance: Thank God for Alabama.

Jessica OConnor is the Public History Director of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium (AAACRHSC). Learn more about Freedom Summer in the AAACRHSCs Stayed on Freedom podcast episode, Thank God for Mississippi! Revisiting Freedom Summer 1964.
Press-gang is a term used to describe the use of troops working to round up and press free men into military service. Looking at the work of Dana Bash at CNN and the entire Washington Post staff, I think we need another definition: People posing as journalists working to bend our minds to untruths designed to fluff up the Democrats. From the absurd Dana Bash interview of Kamala Harris, her first since being nominated to the highest office without ever having received a single vote, to the slavish coverage in the Post, its clear they cannot defend the Democrats unpopular policies. Instead, they work to hide them, and treat the entire presidential campaign as if it were the selling of new and improved laundry soap. (Maybe theyre just auditioning for the ad agency jobs they hope to get when readers and viewers permanently tune them out and their jobs are abolished.)

Its not a particularly new development. Years ago, a friend was an editor at Time when it was substantially more prestigious and influential than it is today. He told me senior editors bet they could make anyone they chose elected president. They chose Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer, made him the second coming in their pages and it worked. Today, I doubt that any single publication or television news staff has that degree of power, but working in tandem they still try.

Washington Post

(1) Tonga Drag Show

There must be no news of interest to readers this week, because a fourth of the front page and two full pages in the first section were about a drag show in Tonga.

Two reporters had been assigned to cover this story. The drag show is important and its participants brave, we are told because (a) while Tonga has long had strict laws against homosexuality and cross dressing,( b) nevertheless it has a long tradition  of men acting like women, (c) as in the United States, the growing influence of the Mormon Church and the evangelical ministries has led to a backlash against LGBTQ+ rights [unnamed] experts said.  Tonga is a socially conservative country and criminalizes male homosexuality and cross dressing though the law is apparently rarely enforced. I seriously doubt this long-standing tradition was much influenced by Mormons or evangelicals from the U.S. or Tongans with ties to them. Quite simply the story is not important because Tonga and its culture are important to Post readers; it gets prime coverage to disparage some culturally conservative religions and overestimate their reach here and abroad in an effort to normalize behavior which in most places around the world is still considered unacceptable. Most Islamic countries, to take one significant example, are extremely hostile to homosexuality, often resulting in imposition of the death penalty, which is why it is astonishing to see Gays for Gaza, a place where theyd be tied up, blindfolded, and tossed headfirst from the highest building. When the Post finds the same amount of space to cover that I will be astonished, for its something they cannot blame on the West or conservative Christians.

(2) Walzs Tater Tots

The feature sections of this and most newspapers are characterized by soft appeals to those who guide their lives by feelings, so it is not surprising that Democrat reporters manipulate readers very obviously there. Wives of Republican figures are criticized if their clothing choices are too conservative (Laura Bush) or, alternately, too costly (Ann Romney), or simply ignored altogether (Melania Trump), and Democrats and wives of Democrat officials find their fashion choices uniformly praised no matter how gauche, pedestrian, or expensive. Even the recipe section gets into the act. This week, Tim Walzs rather disgusting hotdish tater tots were featured in a very long piece with pictures of the dish and Walzs head with tater tots swirling halo-like around it.

The point of giving this play is not because hotdish tater tots is so wonderful a dish. Its to show readers how down to earth and self-effacing the serial liar and far-left vice-presidential candidate is -- at the same time allowing the sophisticates to confirm their superiority over the rubes in the Midwest:

The instructions call for you to make a roux, but they dont call it a roux. They ask you to add milk and half-and-half to the roux to create a bechamel, but they dont call it a bechamel. They ask you to add cheese to the (admittedly enhanced) bechamel to turn it into a mornay sauce, but they dont call it mornay. Tucked into Walzs Upper Midwest hotdish, in other words, are techniques that would not be foreign to anyone with a copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Im loath to make pronouncements about a dish I knew so little about three weeks ago, but based on conversations with food-writing peers and my own spasmodic Googling, I think its fair to say that hotdish, at least historically, has leaned more into manufactured foods than into Mmes. Child, Bertholle and Beck and their authoritative cookbook.

So, in a section which lately features recipes for tofu, kale, and quinoa, and yammers about highly processed food, can you think of a reason to feature this garbage except to promote Walzs candidacy?

(3) The Arlington Cemetery Hoax

I can fully understand why Biden and/or Harris wanted to avoid appearing at a ceremony honoring 13 U.S. servicemembers who were murdered in the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, a decision Harris admits she played a key role in. But the fact that Donald Trump, at the invitation of the families of the fallen, did show up at the ceremony in Arlington makes them look even worse. So NPR and then the Post did their part in suggesting Trump did something wrong, to bury the real story -- that the architects of their slaughter hadnt the guts to show up. Some functionaries at Arlington cemetery had decided Trump couldnt be there and Speaker Mike Johnson had to intervene to enable him to participate in the ceremony. Of course, in an effort to bury any reminder of the Afghan fiasco and the fact that the families wanted Trump because he always was supportive of them, the press distorted the event into a claim that Trump was politicizing their deaths and got into a made-up contretemps with a cemetery employee about having a private photographer memorialize the laying of the wreath

Gold Star families had invited Biden and Harris on July 28th and August 9th and received no response.

And just to keep the record of Arlington Cemeterys rule on photos straight, here is a photo Biden took there in 2010 overlooking a tombstone which was republished in his 2020 campaign literature.

As reported by the Post:

LaCivita posted video on X on Monday of Trump laying flowers at the grave of Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, a soldier killed in the explosion, and speaking to his family on the phone.[snip] The campaign also defended itself with a joint statement from the two injured Marines who appeared with Trump and the families of some of the service members killed, saying they wanted Trump and his cameras there. Darin Hoover, whose son, Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, died in the bombing, reaffirmed that in an interview Wednesday. We invited him. He didnt come to us, Hoover said. He has shown nothing but sincerity to all of us and for what happened to our children, and for anybody else to try to take that away from the ceremony -- both at the wreath-laying and at the graveside -- is unconscionable. Hoover and some of the other grieving families also participated in the Republican National Convention and said Biden has not granted multiple requests to meet with him. They have grown closer to Trump over the years after bad interactions with Biden, who has offended some Gold Star families by discussing the death of his son Beau, who died of brain cancer after returning from serving in Iraq, in a meeting with them.

See how this works? The story in the mediaverse bubble is not that 13 soldiers died in the Afghan withdrawal or that Biden and Harris are responsible and afterwards disrespected the fallen and their families and failed to show up at the memorial, which makes it worse; no, the story is that Trump, who would never have left Afghanistan as Biden and Harris did, and would never have ignored these men or their families, was politicizing their deaths.

CNN

Theres little more to be said about the CNN tandem Harris-Walz interview that hasnt already been said. An interview by Dana Bash, a Democrat partisan who asked softball questions, volunteered suggested answers to the tongue-tied Harris, failed to follow up vague answers with clarifying questions, and kept a neutral straight face when Walz blamed his decades of lying about his military record on bad grammar or Harris whiffed an inquiry about her supposed policy flipflops by saying her values remain the same. Viewers can, I suppose, be expected to discern those values themselves. A supposed 41-minute interview was cut to 18 minutes, no transcripts will be released, and if what was released is any indication what was cut, it was more ridiculous than what was not. Sections of the most memorable of the exchanges can be found here.
The Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection of 2022 is an international agreement of 22 countries (the Americas) that created an international cooperative framework for organized "migration" across the U.S. southern border. "Migrants" are being processed in approximately nine or ten U.S. cities via U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services through implementation of the Credible Fear and Asylum Processing Interim Final Rule, among other recently issued U.S. federal policies and procedures issued by the Biden Administration for the orderly migration into the U.S.



It is quite clear now that the immigration crisis that significantly escalated under the Joe Biden administration is not merely an invasion of the U.S. southern border as the media has feigned it to be but, rather, a planned international government cooperative agreement to facilitate national, regional, and hemispheric efforts to create the conditions of safe, orderly, humane, and regular migration, and to strengthen governmental frameworks for international protection of migrants and cooperation.



This international declaration from 2022 had long been negotiated behind the scenes of this prevailing migration escalation at the southern border. The U.S. hosted the ninth in an ongoing line of successive Summit of the Americas in 2022 ahead of this Los Angeles Declaration. Why hasnt mainstream media covered this border surge that dramatically escalated under the Biden Administration as official government policy? It should infuriate American voters that open borders migration has been escalated through international government policy over and above long prevailing U.S. immigration laws. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 and other public laws governing U.S. immigration law have been circumvented by international law through this Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. Through an international agreement rather than a bipartisan consensus of both parties in Congress, the Biden Administration has opened our southern border to tens of millions of migrants.

This Los Angeles Declaration is essentially an "agreement" and not a treaty -- it did not go through the constitutionally mandated process of advise and consent from the U.S. Senate as treaties are required to be ratified. Conveniently, since there has been no formal Senate vote, this agreement has given our elected representatives in the Senate an excuse to turn their heads the other way and not take responsibility for this border invasion during this, a critical election year. And while the Senate dodges responsibility, the Biden Administration has been pushing forward a more permanent and binding solution to granting a path to citizenship for certain undocumented individuals, H.R.3194 - U.S. Citizenship Act is presently working its way through the legislative process.



Exactly how binding is this Los Angeles Declaration for the U.S.? At a bare minimum, this declaration is a politically binding matter. Former President Trump has campaigned steadily about swiftly reversing prevailing Biden Administration immigration policy if re-elected. As this Los Angeles Declaration is an international "agreement" and not (presumably) a treaty it should be reversible, if Donald Trump were to get elected, via mere executive order. The ramifications of doing so, however, would conflict with the cooperative effort of the 22 countries who have signed onto the declaration. A policy of deporting illegal immigrants wont play so well publicly in the media, as all angles of that inhumanity would be visually strapped onto Americas conscience. On the other hand, through choosing not to reverse this horrific Biden Administration policy, whereby tens of millions of migrants have stormed into the U.S. since 2022, the Trump administration would risk ostracizing his voter base who are fed up with this immigration crisis and whose views on immigration havent been effectively represented.



More maddening to U.S. voters as the November election looms, is the fact that this Biden Administration migration policy is being funded with U.S. taxpayer dollars. Federal government agencies have been retooled to accommodate the massive directives required to see this migration through. Since 2003, the budget of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB), which includes both the Border Patrol and operations at ports of entry, has more than tripled, rising from $5.9 billion in FY 2003 to a high of $19.6 billion in FY 2024. And, considering this is official government policy, U.S. taxpayers will financially shoulder whatever ongoing financial burdens the federal government has created with this policy initiative for years to come.



We must carry forward to their logical outcomes the civic and social changes this horrific Biden Administration immigration policy will have: 1) upon future (and present) U.S. elections; 2) upon changes to Congressional representation (House seats) district-by-district once these tens of millions of migrants have been processed and effectively dispersed throughout the country upon their legal status being formally secured; 3) upon the already strained Social Security, Medicare, and broader healthcare marketplace; and 4) upon the public school system. There are so many other potentially unbearable outcomes ahead that dont meet the time constraints of this writing.



Voters in November must hold their politicians accountable. The consequences are profound for our nation when those whom we elect to run our administrative state operate outside the framework of the will of the people they represent and those long-vetted laws that protect us. The Biden Administration has placed the will of international governments, and one partys vision for Americas future, ahead of the will of the greater majority of his own U.S. citizens.



Mark W. Petro is a private citizen of the United States and is an independent financial advisor and President of Lakeland Investor Services, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. He is a dedicated husband and father of three full-grown daughters.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
Those running the campaign for the back-door selected Democrat candidate are doing their best to keep voters unaware of several primary aspects about their candidate, such as: Her voting record as senator, her positions on key issues, as well as her disastrous performance as part of the Biden-Harris Administration. That is not all they do not want the voters to know. Here are seven more items they are doing their best to keep under wraps:

HOMETOWN: BERKELEY VS. OAKLAND -- Harris was born in Oakland, California, a large city that borders the smaller, radical city of Berkeley. Having lived in the Bay Area, and driven through sections of both cities, it is hard to tell where one starts and the other begins. However, when one reaches the center of both communities, you know for sure where you are at. Berkeley, long known as Bizerkley is likely one of the most radical cities in the country. Harris in fact grew up within walking distance of the Campus of Cal, where her mother taught and participated regularly in campus demonstrations. So why the silence on this point?

FORMATIVE YEARS IN CANADA -- In 1976, Kamalas mother accepted a position at McGill University in Montreal, moving Kamala and her sister to Canada. Kamala spent the next eight years in Canada, from age 12 to 19. Those years, middle school through freshman year at Vanier University, are key years in the development of a maturing adolescent. This could be spun as an advantage, giving Kamala claim to a better understanding of the world and a deep respect for Canada. Yet, she rarely speaks of this period of her life. The reasons are unknown, but the silence is telling.

HER FATHER: DONALD HARRIS -- Kamalas parents divorced when she was seven, engaged in an apparently divisive custody battle for the kids, with her mother being granted sole custody of both children. Her father remained at Stanford and Kamala lived with her mother in Canada. A 1976 article in the Stanford Daily student paper described him as a Marxist scholar, and said detractors felt he was too charismatic, a pied piper leading students astray from neo-classical economics.

Harris was also described as a leading figure in the small group of economists who posited alternative visions to neo-classical mainstream thinking about markets, and focused on the importance of income distribution long before income inequality became a widespread concern. Knowing that, one would think the two of them would get along like Marx and Engels.

The relationship between father and daughter was distant and often strained. He did not attend her swearing in as VP, preferring to not be involved in politics. The subject of their relationship is rarely discussed, being purposefully avoided in the media. The parallel in their political thoughts regarding state control resulting in equality for the masses is likely a subject she would prefer to avoid as she pretends to be a political moderate.

WILLIE BROWN  Once the most powerful politician in California, Brown, age 60 at the time, had lost some of his power when he and then 29-year-old Kamala developed a relationship. However, he still had the power to ensure that the young Harris was appointed to two well-paying (about $250,000 per year in 2024 dollars) patronage positions in state government. There is always two sides to a story and the truth often lies in the middle. But the fact that the Democrats wish to avoid this apparent corruption tells us that the elements of truth in the story are potentially damaging to Kamala and are best kept under wraps.

ETHNIC HERITAGE  Half East Indian, half black Jamaican is the real ethnic makeup of Kamala Harris. No reason to be embarrassed or ashamed of either side of her heritage. But, using her mixed identity, to garner votes from one side or the other is rather distasteful, and this she has done over the years. She was raised by an Indian mother after the divorce. One example of her racial pandering is her Kwanza story. The holiday and celebratory Kwanza period was developed in the mid 60s, but did not gain wide recognition until years later. We are asked to believe that as a child, raised in Canada by an Indian mother, with no father in the house, made this an important part of her life? No, not buying it. The deceptions and mixed messages of Black Kamala vs. Indian Kamala are not helping her with either community. This subject is another one that that the powers that be wish they could sweep under the rug.

HER -- Elections are decided not by those who are well informed on the issues and have an honest difference of opinion on what is best, but by that curious group in the middle: those who are either uninformed or misinformed and fall into that undecided category. Thus, elections can turn not on facts, but on perceptions. Today we see a campaign for Harris being run by a collection of former Obama acolytes who are working to create a perception of Harris, one not based on the facts of her life, but on what they want that curious group in the middle to believe. In an effort to increase their probability of success they have to make sure that the American electorate does not find out who and what she really is: an advocate for a political system in which the state has substantial centralized control over social and economic affairs. Succinctly stated, she is a statist. Yes, there are elements of Marxism, socialism, and communism in her approach and support for various bills and changes. But all those fall under the umbrella defined for a statist. She and those on the radical left want absolute power over the people because they feel they are the only ones deserving of that power.

The key to understanding their abject hatred for Trump is to come to the realization that they recognize he is the only one truly standing in their way.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
JetBlue started with such promise: a feisty new entrant offering low fares and convenient flights. Above all, JetBlue marketed innovative service to customers. It resulted in a beloved airline, rewarded with loyalty and rapid growth, David besting airline Goliaths in a notoriously difficult industry.

Fast-forward to JetBlues current effort to raise $2.8 billion in debt. On the day of the recent announcement, JetBlue suffered its largest one-day stock decline of 20%, now at less than $5/per share, testing all-time lows, as it was simultaneously downgraded by the major ratings agencies. To put the debacle in perspective, JetBlue since October 2003 has lost more than 80% of its market value, while over the same period the S&P 500 increased by 400%. That is a good working definition of wealth destruction.

How it happened and why it matters are both important stories.

At bottom, the airline business is about funding new aircraft, an incredibly expensive proposition. Globally, there are approximately 34,000 planes in service. Over the next ten years, the industry will require some 2,000 to 2,400 new planes annually, where each plane costs $100 million to $300 million, depending on size. The need to upgrade fleets is unending, to meet rising demand and enhance customer comfort, for fuel economy, green initiatives, and fleet and route optimization. All must ultimately be funded out of meager airline profits.

In 2023, for example, McDonalds generated nine times the U.S. airline industrys pre-tax profit, which is roughly 25% relative to all U.S. companies. Even for the top-tier U.S. carriers, it is a tough task. United Airlines has a current fleet just under 1,000 planes, the third largest globally, yet it is committed over the next ten years to the purchase of 800 new planes. Thats wonderful for customers but not so great for United shareholders; Uniteds current share price is unchanged since 2006.

Now look at JetBlue, which by comparison operates 284 smaller, less costly narrow-body and regional planes. In a dooming move, JetBlue embarked on a growth plan into Latin America, Europe, and unprofitable U.S. markets. As a result, it has sustained capital and operating losses that now imperil the airlines viability.

New management is retrenching as fast as possible, by abandoning unprofitable routes, reducing costs everywhere it can, and most notably cancelling or deferring 44 Airbus planes to avoid $3 billion in aircraft orders. Management believes that its JetForward plan can eventually generate $900 million in sustainable annual profits.

Time will tell, but the damage has been done. JetBlue is unable to fund a new fleet, beyond the run-off in deliveries through 2026. While competitors steadily modernize, JetBlue customers will be flying an aging, shrinking fleet, without a new plane order in sight for at least five years. Instead, the $2.8 billion it seeks to raise will be used to cover negative free cash flow, projected by Moodys at a combined $3.6 billion in 2024 and 2025, to pay for planes ordered before the spigot could be turned off.

The loans are secured with JetBlues last unencumbered asset: its loyalty program. Having eaten the harvest, and now the seed corn, JetBlue is reduced to survival mode, with no remaining borrowing power, in an insanely capital-intensive business.

Although management believes that it has a program to restore operating profitability, the plan will take time to execute, it does not account for a recession, and JetBlue is still stuck in uber-competitive East Coast routes and the after-effects of its expansion in the U.S., Latin America, and across the Atlantic. Added to its woes, and yet another tipping point, JetBlue is suffering the ongoing impact of Pratt & Whitney engine failures, which will force the idling of aircraft.

It is the execution failures where JetBlue is perhaps most to be faulted. Although it garners support for its premium service products, in the 2024 J.D. Power airline survey, JetBlues core economy and premium economy now score only average customer satisfaction, far from the customer lovefest heyday built by JetBlue founder David Neeleman and his famous, now interred, promise to bring humanity back to air travel. For many travelers, the J.D. Power survey understates customer dissatisfaction, as the methodology ranks satisfaction against other unpopular airlines. And this is before JetBlue embarks on its draconian cost-cutting program.

Shockingly, JetBlue has lost control of its boarding process, where passengers have learned from experience to crush forward to board. JetBlue compounds the problem by assigning priority boarding to anyone with disabilities. Instead of restricting pre-boarding to those who legitimately need extra time and assistance, JetBlues customers by the dozens seize on unmonitored disabilities. When asked, the disability answer from a passenger was allergies. Turning a blind eye, JetBlue aids and abets such behavior. As a result, even for JetBlue priority customers, the overhead bins are already filled when boarding well back into the cabin.

The in-flight experience is devolving as well. Instead of customer care, passengers are cautioned that failure to follow crew instructions can result in fines, arrest, and no-fly restrictions. In former days, the system worked well. Not so well when crew wear Palestine emblems, belatedly banned, and refuse to reseat an Orthodox man in an ongoing lawsuit. The messaging, and the new reality, is clear: talk to crew members at your own risk.

Incredibly, for an airliner fighting for its survival, the management conference calls ritually have every member of senior management thank the incredible crew members. This reflects life in a unionized environment, with a dollop of political correctness. At JetBlue, customers have become the afterthought, attended to as allowed by crew members.

It is part and parcel of the new-age belief that corporations are tasked with serving all stakeholders, including Mother Earth, larded with ESG and DIE obligations. Witness JetBlue even in calamitous times proudly announcing its meaningless purchase of biofuels.

The larger lesson is the cost of mismanagement. Business is a brutal undertaking, in all industries, and thankfully so. It is the engine for innovation, growth in services, reduced cost, efficiency, and merit-based opportunity.

JetBlue is the flip-side of the coin, the casualty of its unthinking growth hubris, customer neglect, and capture by its unionized employees.

It is fair to say that JetBlue is now damaged goods  not as an airline, but as an equity investment. At some point, creditors will control JetBlue in a reorganization, the airline will be purchased, or it will linger as a marginally public stock. American Airlines is the most likely acquirer, but it is an open question whether JetBlue, even at a rock-bottom stock price, is worth the assumed liabilities, an aging fleet, and the enormous managerial and strategic effort, including anti-trust scrutiny.

It is a story worthy of consideration.

Image: Fletcher via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
The present estimates for the rebuilding of Gaza are roughly $50 billion, and that is probably lowballing it. That amounts to roughly $25,000 per Gazan. There is no way that Israel will allow that much money to go into the strip  not if the end result in another Islamic dictatorship to set itself up.

It would be better to pay them to leave. And that is what should be done.

Only do not send them to Europe, Canada, or America, which are already overloaded with Islamic immigrants. Send them to Muslim countries.

But the Muslim countries will not accept them, one might say.

They will if enough diplomatic arm-twisting is enforced, such as a break in diplomatic relations and economic trade. And dont worry if China tries to pick up the slack. The last thing China needs is more Muslim trouble.

Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Yemen should be required to take in 200,000 individuals each. Egypt, too.

This will cost. Israel floated a plan last autumn, and that was a start on the right path.

As Israels brutal military assault on Gaza escalates, reports continue to swirl about a big Egyptian trade-off in the works: the absorption of large numbers of displaced Palestinians from the Strip in exchange for easing Cairos massive debt load  which surpasses $160 billion.

One hundred sixty billion dollars, to pay off Egypts debt, would amount to around $80,000 per Gazan. That is a lot of money, but the alternative is worse.

I remember suggesting similar numbers with some Jews I knew on the internet, years ago, and they furiously rejected the idea. I tried to warn them that Israel was going to pay in money or blood. Now it appears to be both.

And not just me. Martin Sherman, an Israel academic, arrived at similar numbers.

Let us assume that 100 times the current Gazan GDP per capita per family is not an unreasonable point of departure. This would amount to about $250300,000 per family. With the estimated number of families in Gaza around 400,000, the total cost would amount to about $100 billion or about one third of Israels total annual GDP.

I floated similar numbers about eleven years ago here at American Thinker, though I focused more on Judean and Samarian Arabs. The principle remains the same.

The present Gazan War will cost Israel enormously.

JERUSALEM, Nov 5 (Reuters)  Israels war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip will cost as much as 200 billion shekels ($51 billion), the Calcalist financial newspaper reported on Sunday, citing preliminary Finance Ministry figures. The daily said the estimate, equal to 10% of gross domestic product, was premised on the war lasting between eight to 12 months; on it being limited to Gaza, without full participation by Lebanons Hezbollah, Iran or Yemen; and on some 350,000 Israelis drafted as military reservists returning to work soon. Calcalist described the ministry as deeming 200 billion shekels an optimistic estimate. But the ministry said it does not stand by Calcalists data.

One can see that the costs for Israel will be much, much higher than the November estimate.

Many pro-Israel, pro-Jewish advocates probably share no sympathy for the Gazans right now, and understandably so. But that will not get rid of the problem.

What is to be done with the Palestinians?

It astounds many Jewish/Zionist advocates that the world pays so much attention to the plight of the Gazans but ignores the larger plights of others, such as the Sudanese or the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. And they have a point.

But it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

Ironically, this parallels Hitlers rhetoric before WWII.

Why is the world so concerned about a few Jews, when other, larger tragedies are occurring? Hitler would say. And though I find the Jews to be of far higher civilization, it is amazing how many parallels can be drawn between the Jews and the Palestinians.

In A.D. 70, the Romans threw the Jews into a world that did not want them. In 1948, the Palestinians  for whatever reasons  were sent into their own diaspora, not to be welcomed.

The diaspora Jews got violent, which lead to the Kitos War (115-117), where it is debated among historians if Jews might have committed atrocities.

In Artemions Rebellion on Cyprus, for instance, Jews were reportedly responsible for 240,000 deaths. After that, they were banished from the island forever.

Diaspora Palestinians have gotten violent everywhere since 1948.

Some Jews were allowed to return to the Holy Land after the Kitos War in order to calm down the conflict. Some Palestinians were allowed to return after Oslo in order to calm down the conflict.

But the Jews would still not accept Roman rule, and the Bar Kokhba revolt erupted in 132. Likewise, the Arabs still reject Jewish rule, hence the current violence.

Although a comparison might seem absurd to the Western mind, be assured that it does not seem so to the Third World. The Palestinians brought it on themselves is the Western cry, and although there is truth to it, it sounds eerily similar to what antisemites said about the Jews in the 1930s.

The Roman answer was removal of the Jews altogether. In this present farce, removal of the Palestinians may be the only answer.

As expensive at is may be, and infuriating as it may be, paying the Palestinians to leave may be cheaper than continued war to evict them.

Oh, and by the way, there is one country in the West that might accept them happily: Chile. Chile should be given $10 billion to accept 100,000 Palestinians. And I pointed that out six years ago.

Image via Pixabay.
The construction of a new office building at the state Capitol is shrouded in secrecy, has been delayed and no one really knows what it will cost. Andri Tambunan/Special to the Chronicle

At the very center of state government, youll find a hole in the ground demonstrating that the people who make California laws cant live by them.

That hole is the Capitol Annex Project. The project is supposed to replace a 72-year-old office wing of the Capitol building  the annex where governors and legislators had offices  with a 21st-century building. The new annex, like the 1952 annex, would connect to the 19th-century main Capitol building.

Like much of California, the previous annex needed renovation. Decor was drab. Rooms were cramped. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger complained the bathrooms lacked enough space to pull his pants down. Lawmakers wanted additional space for hearing rooms and committee staffs; governors wanted a bigger suite for ceremonies and staff meetings.

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A renovation and expansion might have met those needs. But in 2018, the state Legislature and then-Gov. Jerry Brown decided to tempt fate, approving a plan to give itself a whole new building.

Six years later, the old annex is gone, but nothing has risen in its place. There is no public date for completion.

Why? People around the Capitol offer different reasons  the pandemic, the care needed to take down a historic building  and the unusual secrecy surrounding the project. Those involved in the annex project were required to sign confidentiality agreements. The project bypassed the Historic State Capitol Commission, which is supposed to oversee the annex and Capitol Park.

As a result of secrecy and delays, no one really knows what the annex will cost. The initial price tag of $445 million has soured to over $1.2 billion in recent, nonpublic estimates.

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No single entity is in charge. A project memorandum of understanding divides up responsibilities between the state Department of General Service and the Legislatures Joint Rules Committee. People around the Capitol will tell you that the projects greatest champion, former Assembly Member Ken Cooley, is the real decision-maker even though he left office two years ago. (Cooley told me that he believes strongly in the annex project but is not running it.)

The publicly available details of the project do not inspire confidence. The design is ahistorical and could be dangerous. The all-glass facade offers no protection from gunfire and allows terrorists to see where the CHP is taking the public or the Legislators, wrote Dick Cowan, a former chair of the Historic State Capitol Commission, who resigned in 2020 to protest the annex project.

But whats most galling about the project is the way that the state government has sought to exempt itself and the project from the rules that govern construction in California.

In 2022, as opponents were making progress in a court challenge to the annex project for violating historic preservation laws, the Legislature slipped a last-minute trailer bill into the budget to exempt the project from having to consult the states historic preservation officer. The judge hearing the legal challenges to the annex declared that this legislative maneuver gutted the case like a fish.

This year, the Legislature acted again after an appeals court found that the annex project violated the California Environmental Quality Act, known as CEQA.

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Interest groups have long abused CEQA to block housing, renewable energy projects and other construction in the state. But for decades, the Legislature has defended the law and mostly opposed efforts to reform it. When it came to their own annex, however, state lawmakers brazenly bent the rules.

Their tool was, again, a budget trailer bill that specifically exempted the annex from CEQAs provisions and from public scrutiny and judicial review. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill, which included $700 million in funding for the project, earlier this summer.

Save Our Capitol!  an unincorporated group opposing the project (and funded by a local preservation entity that has remained anonymous)  declared: Politicians are not above the law, and they should not be permitted to simply undo environmental protections that inconvenience their pet projects.

Despite the exemptions, construction so far has been limited. In recent weeks, there does seem to have been some concrete foundation work. Privately, state officials tell me the annex will eventually be built.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

I wonder if retreat might be the wiser option. In tough budget times, many other state infrastructure programs could make better use of the $1 billion-plus dedicated to a new annex. And the Capitol does not require an annex. Lawmakers have been working in nearby office space since 2021. They can stay there, or find other offices among the empty commercial buildings of the Sacramento area. One project supporter suggests reducing the budget back to the original $445 million and pursuing a more modest building at that price.

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U.S. officials, including President Joseph R. Biden (D), and presidential wannabe, currently Vice President Kamala Harris (D) put out their usual meaningless, after-the-fact puffery following the news that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) found the brutalized body of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other innocents slaughtered Israeli hostages in some Hamas tunnel hideout in Gaza.

On the one hand, Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Israel to accept yet another ceasefire deal with the terrorist Hamas government in Gaza, blithely ignoring that a "ceasefire" agreement was in place on the Jewish holiday of Succot (Oct. 7, 2023) when Gazan Muslims slaughtered hundreds of Israelis attending a music festival plus many more in adjacent towns and kibbutzes.

And that a "ceasefire" agreement was in place over the past years -- and also ignored -- as Gazan Muslims routinely unleashed bombs across the border to civilian Israeli towns and the UN routinely condemned ... Israel ... yes, Israel, for complaining and defending itself while its own personnel were found to be part of the official Hamas Muslim Gazan terrorist army.

Remember this? IDF Discovers Command Room and Weapons in UNRWA Gaza Headquarters The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed on July 12 that Israeli commandos discovered a Hamas command room and weapons at the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza City, in a further example of the UN agency collaborating with or turning a blind eye to Gazan terrorists operating in their midst. The raid was part of the IDF 99th Infantry Divisions renewed operations in the western and southern neighborhoods of Gaza City, which began on July 8. After evacuating civilians, IDF troops engaged in battles with terrorists inside the compound, capturing Hamas operatives who attempted to flee, according to The Times of Israel.

Oh.

Israel for bombing these " The UN was also silent when the Muslim Hamas Gazan government routinely disguised their headquarters as hospitals but now condemnsIsrael for bombing these " hospitals ."

Hamas Used Gaza Hospital as a Command Center, U.S. Intelligence Says Israeli forces stormed the site in November, drawing intense international scrutiny and criticism. Oh again. And again. So do what you have to do Israel. After seeing the horror that is in Israel from the Gazan Muslims and that Europeans are experiencing on a smaller scale from their brethren, for example in Germany Syrian man arrested over deadly attack in Germany; Islamic State group claims responsibility or England 27% of Prisoners in London Jails are Muslims

Trump says Israel needs to finish what they started and said war with Hamas is taking a long time Many Americans, who understand what is happening in Europe and other parts of the world, agree with Trump because they understand that Israel is also protecting them. They are repelled by Biden's, Harris's, and the others' empty words. And lies. Because they also know -- they are next!
As a late great Californian (with initials R.R.) might say: there they go again.

Because of course they do.

Not satisfied with recently voting to grant illegal aliens interest-free, no down-payment home loans, California lawmakers recently passed a law banning voter identification requirements in local elections.

Senate Bill 1174, authored by State Sen. Dave Min, was passed after the City of Huntington Beach, which remains one of the few areas of Los Angeles that leans Republican, approved a voter ID requirement for municipal elections going forward.

This legislation will simply, sadly, override and supersede the will of Huntington Beach residents.

People must provide an ID to cash a check, purchase a beer, open a bank account, rent a car, adopt a pet, get married, buy a fishing license, visit a casino, pick up a medical prescription, donate blood, board a plane, or any of a myriad other things.

Yet Democrats dont want anyone to have to produce an ID to vote for the president of the United States/Leader of the Free World, though one is needed to do virtually everything else!

Every honest person knows the reason for this seeming anomaly: illegal aliens, other noncitizens, fictional folks, and dead people are among Democrats most reliable voting blocs  and ID requirements would preclude all of their votes from being counted.

Legislation like California Senate Bill 1174, on the other hand, allows for the election of politicians like Dave Min, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris.

And the destruction of the formerly United States of America.

Image: Donald Graeme Kelley, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed
When Californias legislature mandated that schools include ethnic studies in the curriculum, Jewish groups and those supportive of them warned that it would lead to antisemitic teaching in the classroom. When the bill was passed, they tried (and, so far, have failed) to add language preventing antisemitic teaching. Now, Santa Ana school district in Southern California has been caught red-handed using its ethnic studies as a vehicle for virulent antisemitism.

In October 2021, Californias legislature passed, and Governor Newsom signed, a bill requiring Ethnic Studies to graduate from high school. As the Model Curriculum shows, the goal was pure DEI/CRT Marxism. Just look at the definition of race they use:

Within the field of ethnic studies, race is defined as a (neo)colonial social construction. It is viewed as a master category based upon a Eurocentric biological fallacy that is central to inequitable power relations in society. As a social and historical construct, the idea of race is primarily filtered through physical traits (phenotype), including pigmentation (skin color) and other physical features; where peoples ancestral origins are from (precolonial geographic ancestry); cultural traits; and sometimes economic class. Since race produces material impacts, it also produces racial consciousness and facilitates the process of racialization and racial projects, including both the oppositional projects of racism/colorism/anti-Blackness/ anti-Indigeneity and anti-racism/racial justice. The People of Color Power movements that emerged in the 1960s (Black Power, Red Power, Brown Power, Yellow Power) are key examples of how race has also been embraced and leveraged in the resistance against racism; they are the movements that Ethnic Studies rose from. In the United States today, races very broadly break down as people of color (POC) and white people. (R. Tolteka Cuauhtin, Miguel Zavala, Christine Sleeter, and Wayne Au, eds. 2019. Rethinking Ethnic Studies. Milwaukee, OR: Rethinking Schools.)

It was already clear in 2019, when the bill was still being debated that anything coming from the left would be hostile to Israel:

Californias proposed curriculum guide in ethnic studies is being sent back for substantial revision after a pileup of criticism that its anti-Semitic and freighted with jargon and political correctness.

Nothing had changed two years later when the bill was on the verge of passing:

Jewish groups strenuously objected to the first draft of the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, or ESMC, saying it did not reflect the American Jewish experience and even advanced some forms of anti-Semitism.

While some people were happy with the third version of the model curriculum, not all were. From the same article in the leans-left Times of Israel:

Not everyone is happy with the latest draft: On Wednesday, the authors of the original curriculum disavowed the project in protest of the revised versions, which they feel silenced the voices of Ethnic Studies teachers/educators, who are all from racially and politically underrepresented groups. And other Jewish activists say that regardless of how the project discusses Jews, its basic ideology is unacceptable. They see this as the latest front in an ongoing battle over critical race theory, an approach to education that views race and racism as embedded in, and central to, society and its institutions. Opponents of critical race theory see it as a threat to open debate and a return to classifying people based on their race, which they see as a danger to Jews.

Once the bill went into effect. rumors about antisemitic curricula started cropping up. Concerned people, therefore, tried to get a bill passed to stop that developmentbut the bill failed:

A California bill designed to prevent mandated high school ethnic studies courses from veering into antisemitism has been delayed a year amid opposition from teacher and university faculty unions and an Islamic civil rights group who call it censorship.

Well, some things should be censored.

Enter Santa Ana, California, a mid-size community in once-conservative Orange County, California. The people in charge of Santa Anas public schools are virulent antisemites, something they dress up in the politically correct garb of anti-Zionism. We know this because of the results of discovery in a lawsuit against the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) for violating Californias open meeting laws.

The suit began a year ago when Jewish groups became concerned that the SAUSD was putting antisemitic content into its ethnic studies program. However, this was based on rumors because SAUSD refused to release any information about its planned ethnic curriculum. By keeping this secret, SAUSD was violating the states open meeting law, which mandates that matters of public concern must be available to the public.

The ADL has just announced via a press release that discovery revealed that the concerns were valid because SAUSD employees who were working on the ethnic studies steering committee were hostile to Jews and doing everything they could to hide that fact:

When members of SAUSDs Ethnic Studies Steering Committee were apprised of the Jewish communitys concerns about antisemitism in ethnic studies plans, they noted in an official agenda that they would need to address the Jewish question.

Senior officials mused about using Jewish holidays to approve courses at the Board level to prevent Jews from attending.

The Steering Committee hired an external consultant whose writings equate Israel with settler colonialism and who uses social media to actively promote anti-Israel bias with antisemitic tropes, including a post about Zionist control of the CA Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum and a comment that the Legislative Jewish Caucus needs to stay in their lane, claiming the Zionist CA Jewish Caucus hijacked Ethnic Studies, as well as a small white minority should not dictate a curriculum that is not about them.

A Committee leader referred to the only Jewish member as a colonized Jewish mind and a f---ing baby for expressing concerns over antisemitism on the Committee.

An SAUSD Board member suggested that Jewish Americans do not belong in ethnic studies because they are racialized as under the White category.

A Committee leader referred to the Jewish Federation of Orange County as racist Zionists and suggested SAUSD should not cave to their representatives.

Members of the Steering Committee reportedly said, Jews are not a disadvantaged ethnic group in the U.S. because they were never slaves, that Jews greatly benefit from white privilege, so they have it better, and we don't need to give both sides. We only support the oppressed, and Jews are the oppressors.

Jewish staff members at SAUSD wrote about how they were sick of the thinly veiled antisemitism coming from Committee leaders and were hurt by some of things they said about Jews.

In other words, everything that Jews feared would happen with the ethnic studies program has come to pass in Santa Anaand currently, theres nothing in California law to stop other school districts from doing the same. Theoretically, this violates the Civil Rights Act, but nobody seriously believes that, if Democrats retain the White House, Merrick Garland, or any successor, will address this problem.

Christian antisemitism lingers in certain pockets of America, but the reality is that its a spent force. If you want to see virulent antisemitism, look to the unholy alliance of leftism and Islam, which exists at the heart of the Democrat party in politicians such Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Andre Carson, Al Green, Summer Lee, Jamaal Bowman, and Cori Bushthe last two of whom got the boot in their primaries in part for embracing this anti-American attitude. Kamalas Middle East policy advisor is also relentlessly hostile to the worlds only Jewish state, as is her Jewish liaison.

This is the modern Democrat party. We also know where this alliance leads (hint: It rhymes with Mazis).

Image: A lesson from a Nazi textbook instructing students how to identify a Jewish nosecoming soon to California classrooms. (United States Holocaust Museum.)
Whether it's allegations of bribery, conspiracy, rape, wire fraud, or other serious charges, many U.S. politicians seem to beat their charges and avoid federal convictions. Many people speculate that politicians simply pay off people in the legal system, and while that may be true in some cases, theres another explanation: they pay well for a highly-skilled lawyer.

The lawyers politicians hire arent typical

It takes an exceptional attorney to get a politician out of serious charges, especially when it seems like theres a lot of evidence against them. However, the lawyers politicians hire arent just regular lawyers with a strong track record for winning; theyre powerhouses who often have backgrounds in government positions as federal agents and Justice Department officials.

For example, Attorney Nick Oberheiden and his legal team have experience working for the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, HHS-OIG, and the Secret Service. This type of experience gives them an incredible advantage in the courtroom.

Thats not to say that corruption doesnt exist. However, the attorneys politicians hire tend to be more forceful, and they know exactly how to get what they want. Below, lets look at some of the politicians who have escaped serious charges over the years, while keeping in mind that they may have just had a really good lawyer.

Donald Trump got partial immunity

Well start with Donald Trump, since hes currently running for president (again) and seems to always be in the news. In July 2024, the Supreme Court granted Trump immunity for some of his conduct in the case filed against him for interfering with a federal election.



Its not a complete win, but it is a big deal. All the charges against him for trying to overturn the 2020 election are not being dismissed, but some of his actions cant be questioned. This ruling has been highly controversial, and it wouldnt have happened without an incredibly good lawyer.

Bill Clintons 1998 sexual harassment lawsuit was settled

After Paula Jones sued Bill Clinton for sexual harassment, the lawsuit settled for $850,000. However, Jones didnt see much of that payment, since most of it went to her attorneys. Clintons attorney said the suit was settled to get it over with and that the claims were baseless. However, Jones account isnt that far-fetched. She claimed that when Clinton was still the governor of Arkansas, she was working as a state employee and was escorted to his room, where he exposed himself to her and propositioned her.

Thats not the most interesting part of the story. While being deposed in the Jones suit, Clinton said he had never had sexual relations with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Later, during his impeachment proceedings, he was accused of lying under oath, as evidence surfaced that confirmed he and Lewinsky had been sexual with each other. However, Clinton was later acquitted in a Senate trial before completing his term in office.

Obama won the lawsuit filed by an immigration officer

An immigration officer sued President Barack Obama, claiming his new immigration policies forced him to violate the law. However, in 2014, a federal judge dismissed the case. Under Obamas executive order, nearly five million illegal immigrants were granted permission to stay in the country and receive a work permit if they had lived in the U.S. for at least five years, and have children who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.



The order also allowed illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S. if they were brought over at a young age. The argument was that these policies should be enacted by Congress, not the president, but the judge disagreed and dismissed the case.

Andrew Johnson was acquitted after his impeachment

Despite the Tenure of Office Act prohibiting the president from firing cabinet members, in 1868, President Andrew Johnson did it anyway. He was subsequently impeached by the House of Representatives, but fell one vote short of a conviction in the Senate and was therefore acquitted. While this example is far back in history, and its not clear whether or not Johnson had a lawyer, he clearly defied the law intentionally and got away with it.

Politicians know how to work the system

Whether through bribery or just having an amazing lawyer, politicians know how to work the system to get what they want. While it doesnt always work out in their favor, they often avoid serious federal charges.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
If were to believe Kamala Harris, shes the most immigration hawkish immigration hawk that ever lived. Sure, she denies she was ever the Border Czar, though googling the termif Google hasnt scrubbed ityields more than 30,000 references to Kamala as the Border Czar, but thats surely disinformation or Trump or something.

Graphic: X Screenshot

Anyway, Kamala told us in her CNN dumpster fire of an interview she thinks there are immigration laws and there ought to be consequences for people that violate them. Oddly, she didnt specify what those consequences ought to be. Free cell phones? Free room and food? Free college tuition? Amnesty? Free bus or plane rides to anywhere in the interior? Consequences like those?

Graphic: X Screenshot

She has also said shes going to build a border wall, but that was after she said she absolutely wouldnt build one and its a waste of money. Unfortunately, she has also said, on camera, she wants to abolish ICE, shut down all immigrant detention centers, and wants to decriminalize illegal immigration.

Shes going to unleash her border hawkishness on day one, and do all the illegal immigration stuff she has sworn she really wants to do, because as she told us in the CNN interview debacle, her values absolutely havent changed. So O.K., her values havent changed but doing all that promised day one immigration stuff will absolutely require changing all her polices. Apparently ones policies are no longer reflective of ones values, or at least that will be the case on Jan. 20, 2025 if shes elected.

See? Kamala really is the transformative candidate. She can transform not only the definitions of words, but reality itself!

Sadly, those nasty Normal Americans  Republicans and some others  come along and lie about Kamala by replaying video of her expressing her values. The fiends. Worse they lie by asking questions like: if those are her values, if thats what she really intends to do when shes elected, why hasnt she done any of that in the last nearly four years? Why does she have to wait for January? Why doesnt she just do all that stuff right now? She could just tell Joe thats what he wanted to do, hand him an ice cream cone and he wouldnt know the difference.

As it turns out, the Harris/Biden administration has been doing something about illegal immigration. They want to do more of it and right now!

I refer, of course, to the parole policy that has enforced severe consequences on about a half million illegals by preventing them from walking across the border and forcing them to endure oppressive questioning by the Border Patrol, like this:

BP Agent: Whats your name?

Immigrant: Jose Gonzales.

BP Agent: How about yours?

Second Immigrant: Jose Gonzales.

BP Agent: Are you all Jose Gonzales?

Crowd of thousands: Si!

BP Agent: No ID?

Crowd of thousands: Si!

BP Agent: You dont intend to commit crimes or terrorist acts in America, right?

Crowd of thousands: Si!

BP Agent: You all speak fluent English, right?

Crowd of thousands: Si!

BP Agent: Right. Line up over there for your free cell phones, debit cards, bus and plane tickets.

To spare illegals that kind of brutal treatment, Harris/Biden have been paroling them across the border in free  well, taxpayer-funded  flights directly into America, avoiding all that unpleasantness. Until, that is, those flights were recently exposed, and temporarily suspended. But now, apparently so Kamala can point to something reflecting her values shes doing about illegal immigration right now, she wants to parole more illegals via jet transport:

In a quintessential case in point, the Biden-Harris Department of Homeland Security's citizenship agency has put out an urgent call for volunteers to help process applications to restart a fraud-filled program that allows unauthorized illegal aliens (by existing U.S immigration law definition) from some Latin American nations  including Cuba  to skip the border farce and fly directly into the United States.

See what a border hawk Kamala is?

The program that shuttled more than a half-million illegals  who lack legal visas  into the U.S. was abruptly halted several weeks ago after an internal review found massive fraud. I know; try to control your shock and amazement. Now, without explanation, Citizen and Immigration Services is looking for a quick restart.

And Kamala really wants to get this done right now, before January, just in case the worst happens, like Donald Trump gets reelected:

This will be a full-time, remote detail for 180 days. No prior experience is necessary. Training will be provided, and overtime may be available.

I wonder what sort of training is involved? Will it be as rigorous as the Border Patrol questioning I outlined, and will everyone newly paroled also be Jose Gonzales? Si!

Graphic: X Screenshot

But at least we can be certain of Kamalas values, which is valuable in and of itself.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
According to Google Maps, I live 39 miles from The White House. Looking at the region around the White House, Ive thought about what might be a mascot for what Donald Trump and his supporters call The Swamp. How about Polyphemus, the one-eyed Titan from Homer? Another contender might be Medusa, the snake-haired hottie who turns those who look at her into stone. A more modern contender for The Swamp mascot might be Jabba the Hut from the Star Wars series.

A vote for Donald Trump this November is a vote to drain the swamp. For those of you unfamiliar with this term, I offer Wikipedia.

Drain the swamp is a phrase which has frequently been used by politicians since the 1980s and in the U.S. often refers to reducing the influence of special interests and lobbyists. The phrase can allude to the physical draining of swamps which is conducted to keep mosquito populations low in order to combat malaria, prevalent during the time in Washington, D.C., on supposed swampy grounds. [End notes omitted.]

A vote for Kamala Harris, however, is a vote to pour Miracle Gro on the swamp.

It is a shame that we dont have Dante around to describe The Swamp because he did such a good job in The Inferno describing Hell. I will try.

Many decisions about the United States governments conduct are made in DC, aka, The Swamp. The military-industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned us about resides in The Swamp. The intelligence servicesthe FBI, CIA, NSA, and myriad other intelligence entitiesall are located near The Swamp. The lobbyists on K Street connive in The Swamp. The Wizard of The Swamp, former President Obama, lives and meddles in the middle of the Swamp.

DC is supposed to be the home of the government of the people, for the people, and by the people. It is now of the elites, for the elites, and by the elites. President Harry Truman wrote once, Show me a man that gets rich by being a politician, and Ill show you a crook.

I would love to see a C-SPAN forum of Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell, and Barack Obama discussing that quote because all of them have made fortunes as elected leaders in Washington. It seems the richer they get, the less responsive Washington is to the citizens from sea to shining sea.

Donald Trump did not make his fortune sucking the mammaries of the Swamp Beast like the denizens of The Swamp. Unlike the C-SPAN panelists mentioned above, he is not beholden to the legion of special interests that make slime the streets of DC every day. Trump wants to attack the corruption that DC has become. This upcoming election is a referendum on the Swamp.

Image by AI.

Ned Cosby, a frequent contributor to American Thinker, is a former pastor, veteran Coast Guard officer, and a retired English high school teacher. His novel OUTCRY is a love story exposing the refusal of Christian leaders to report and discipline clergy who sexually abuse our young people. This work of fiction addresses crimes that are all too real. Cosby has also written RECOLLECTIONS FROM MY FATHERS HOUSE, tracing his own odyssey from 1954 to the present. For more info, visit Ned Cosby.
Who knew that wed be talking about an outgoing Mexican president and judicial reforms? Well, thats where we are. In fact, Mexicans are deeply divided about it. There are marches expected next, as a Mexican friend told me over breakfast.

So whats going on? Why are foreign investors worried about this? Lets take a look:

US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar has warned that the changes would threaten a trade relationship that relies on investors confidence in Mexicos legal framework. The reforms, under which judges would be elected by popular vote, could pose a major risk to the functioning of Mexicos democracy, he told journalists last week. In particular, they could make it easier for cartels and other bad actors to take advantage of politically motivated and inexperienced judges, Salazar said. Canada, also a member of the major free trade partnership with the United States and Mexico, has for its part said investors are worried. My investors are concerned, they want stability, they want a judicial system that works if there are problems, Canadian Ambassador Graeme Clark said. Salazars remarks in particular irked Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who announced Tuesday a pause in dialogue with the US diplomat, with whom he usually has close ties. At the same time, the leftist leader clarified that he did not mean there would be a break in relations with US President Joe Bidens government. It came days after Lopez Obrador said his government had sent a diplomatic note to Washington to protest its interventionist statements on the matter.

So whats the big deal? Well, there is a free trade agreement that calls for judicial transparency. Also, Mexico wants to attract lots of international companies to move from China to Mexico. And those companies want proof that Mexico wont turn into Venezuela. It does not help that President Lopez-Obrador has a super-majority to get whatever he wants...sort of like California Democrats. How is that super-majority working out in California?

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Image via Pixabay.
Since its launch, 5G networks have remained in constant evolution, going through some stages. The most recent iteration is 5G Advanced, also known as 5G Enhanced. However, there are already researchers working on different approaches that could enable the 6G networks of the future. Recent research yielded promising results for possible implementation in 6G networks, achieving record data transmission speeds.

Researchers at the University of Adelaide with international funding have been experimenting with a tiny chip capable of managing terahertz waves. These waves work at an optimal point in the electromagnetic spectrum, between microwaves and infrared light. With the right technology, communication systems based on terahertz waves have the potential to greatly exceed current transmission speeds.

Terahertz waves-based 6G networks may bring record data speeds

The benefit of terahertz waves is that they can transmit large amounts of data without problems. While 4G and 5G networks are already powerful on their own, terahertz-based technology is like implementing wider, more spacious roads in crowded areas. In other words, it can make the data transmission we think of as rapid today seem slow.

The basis of the research is a small chip made from a 250-micrometer-thick silicon wafer. The chip also requires high electrical resistance as a key property. The team subjected it to various tests of data transmission using terahertz waves. The chip, called polarization multiplexer, was able to effectively address some of the main obstacles to working with terahertz technology.

First, these types of waves are difficult to manage efficiently. However, the polarization multiplexer was able to act as traffic cop, directing the orientation and oscillation of two waves with minimal signal loss. This is critical for a potential telecommunications standard implementation. The small chip had an average signal loss of about 1 decibel.

Up to 190 gigabits per second with minimal loss

The team demonstrated the incredible properties of their chip in real-world tests by streaming two video signals simultaneously over a terahertz link. The results doubled the current data transmission capacity over a conventional channel. As for transmission speeds, the chip reached up to 64 gigabits per second. The speed was even higher using a more complex modulation scheme (16-QAM), reaching 190 gigabits per second.

This tech breakthrough could revolutionize telecommunications and remote interactions as we know them. While many people may concentrate on data transmission speeds, we should not overlook the resulting extremely low signal loss. Imagine a future with lag-free wireless networks for online gaming or powering remote surgeries with lag-free connections and ultra-high-resolution images. It would also be especially useful for more realistic and immersive VR-based experiences. The latter could become especially important after Samsung and Apple launch new VR headsets in the future.

Challenges to overcome before a mass implementation

Of course, implementing terahertz technology across entire telecommunications networks is not without its challenges. For example, these waves exhibit low range and high interference with obstacles in the way. In this sense, its similar to the 5 GHz band on your WiFi router. More efficient systems are also required for creating and detecting terahertz waves. The studio tested a tiny chip, but it needs efficient scaling methods to meet the demands of much larger platforms.

Still, its not like youre going to see terahertz-powered 6G networks with record data speeds tomorrow. Meanwhile, 5G networks continue to evolve and deploy. However, the research teams expectations are high. Within a decade, we foresee widespread adoption and integration of these terahertz technologies across various industries, revolutionizing fields such as telecommunications, imaging, radar, and the Internet of Things, Prof. Withayachumnankul of the University of Adelaide predicts.
A rumored slimmer version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has been in the talks for months now. Recent reports suggest that the device will bear the name Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. This will further differentiate it from the Z Fold 6 and allow for drastic differences in some aspects. Now, a recent report suggests that Samsung will implement S Pen support without a digitizer on the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition.

Rumors about the device mention thinness as one of its key selling points. Samsungs foldable smartphones were lagging far behind devices from other brands. For instance, theres the HONOR Magic V3 that will soon hit the global market. The Xiaomi MIX Fold 4 will be another tough rival for the South Korean giant.

The Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition would not get rid of the S Pen, only the digitizer

Some reports claimed that Samsung would get rid of the S Pen support to achieve the thinness of the foldable. The decision would also be to reduce costs on a product that is already quite expensive. However, its possible that the tipsters misinterpreted the information from their sources. According to recent reports, the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition will indeed support the S Pen, but it wont have a digitizer.

For context, smartphones can have two types of stylus support: passive and active. Passive support means that there is no intermediate component between the screen and the stylus that enables advanced features. Basically, passive styluses mimic the touches of the human finger, but with a bit more precision. Meanwhile, devices with active stylus support include a digitizer that allows for more complex functions, such as multi-level pressure detection, physical buttons with shortcuts, and more. Plus, unlike a passive stylus, an active stylus has its own battery to keep everything working properly.

A potential big tech breakthrough for stylus implementation

Well, according to reliable industry tipsters Ice Universe and Ross Young, Samsung is developing an active S Pen technology that does not require a digitizer. This would be a groundbreaking development for the industry, as it would allow foldable smartphones to be thinner. So, those devices that are already thin could be even thinner if they employ this technology.

According to reports, Samsung will begin producing the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition in September. It would feature a larger foldable display and a thickness of 10.6 mm when folded. It would also inherit the 200 MP main camera from the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Sadly, the company would only launch the device in China and South Korea.
Attendees walk through a muddy desert plain on September 2, 2023, after heavy rains turned the annual Burning Man festival site in Nevada's Black Rock desert into a mud pit. Tens of thousands of festivalgoers were stranded Sept. 3, in deep mud in the Nevada desert after rain turned the annual Burning Man gathering into a quagmire, with police investigating one death. Julie Jammot/AFP via Getty Images

Burning Man started in 1986 as a small gathering on Baker Beach, where Larry Harvey and Jerry James built effigies of a man and dog out of scrap wood to burn down  an act of what they called radical self-expression.

Nearly 40 years later, that San Francisco beach party has turned into an unrecognizably huge gathering in the Nevada desert  one thats in desperate need of reinvention to reclaim the spirit of Harvey and James original vision and purpose.

As an artist and performer, I have deep gratitude for the arts and culture that Burning Man has inspired. But now seems like an important time for self-proclaimed burners to be asking themselves: Is this really the right place to be putting my time, energy and resources right now?

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I attended Burning Man in 2015 and was shocked by the environmental irresponsibility even back then.

Part of my work is upcycled fashion and costume design  and I went to the desert to understand my customers, who were asking for elaborate custom costume orders for the event. All around me, I saw synthetic fake furs and cheap LED-lit costumes, which were meant for a good time, not a long time. After the event, dumpsters in the small towns surrounding Black Rock City overflowed with fast fashion, single-use food packages, abandoned tents, sleeping bags and even huge couches.

I wasnt surprised that after last years catastrophic event, when heavy rains trapped attendees for days, Burning Man would confront shockingly low advance sales  to the point where the festival started selling tickets in person, something organizers havent had to do since 2011.

Additionally, the resale market for tickets collapsed  those who bought tickets but changed their mind arent getting anywhere near face value in return. Burning Man didnt even have a reselling marketplace set up because it barely needed one until this year. Now, those trying to unload tickets have resorted to haggling and name-calling in Facebook groups.

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As this years event started, rains again forced a temporary closure of the entrance gate, wreaking more havoc on the playa that was already heavily damaged by last years rain. And on Sunday, a woman died for unknown reasons, putting yet another black mark on Burning Mans recent history.

The reality is that Burning Man is bordering on being out of control. And this problem has been years in the making.

Burning Man claims radical self-reliance as a principle. Another is leave no trace.

But Burning Man barely received its U.S. Bureau of Land Management permit this year because of the scramble it took to restore the grounds after last years flooding (where there is likely still tons of debris buried below the dried mud).

And it doesnt feel very self-reliant when you consider the fossil fuels needed to travel to the event and power the big recreational vehicles and air-conditioned orgy domes.

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According to the Washington Post, Burning Man organizers estimated that more than 54,200 metric tons of carbon were released by the festival in 2019, the equivalent of burning 27,215 metric tons of coal, while Black Rock Labs, a nonprofit tech incubator, put the amount at 100,000 tons. About 91% of the emissions were from transporting 80,000 people and equipment into and out of the desert.

Thats largely cars and recreational vehicles, but its also planes. Attendees visit from more than 5,500 cities across the world and the event sets up its own airport, the Post reported.

Were living on a burning Earth, literally and figuratively. Climate chaos is resulting in flooding, fires and heat waves that only seem to grow more severe with every passing season. Staging an incredibly expensive and environmentally damaging festival in light of this state of the world just feels wrong.

I am not proposing that all gatherings must end and all fun be canceled. I am calling for people to focus their resources and attention locally and take the inspiration and principles of Burning Man into their communities.

The nonprofit that organizes Burning Man also organizes a global network of regional events, where Burners can connect on a smaller scale, expending fewer resources.

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Burning Man organizers should learn from this years failures and scale down the Nevada event. In exchange, they should redouble their efforts to support the regional Burning Man events, making them every bit as special and inspiring, on a scale that inflicts far less environmental damage and requires fewer resources to stage.

Rather than desecrating grounds, regional Burning Man events can make ecological repair their focus: restoring the Earth, cleaning lands and taking environmental and community action. They can educate the world about making responsible choices in everything from fashion to travel, to preserve the resources we have left, while theres still time to do so.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

Finally, thank you, Burning Man, for what you showed us was possible. The creativity and sheer imagination on display in the Nevada desert were inspiring and jaw-dropping in scale and originality.

But the old ways arent working and havent been for some time. So, lets burn them down.
Irelands President has called for an end to the killing in Gaza as he expressed sympathies with the families of six murdered Israeli hostages.

Michael D Higgins was commenting following the discovery of the bodies of the six hostages in Rafah, in southern Gaza, on Saturday.

The Israeli authorities said they were killed shortly before its forces reached the tunnel in which they were found.

The hostages have been named as Carmel Gat, 40, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Alexander Lobanov, 33, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25.

Israel said the six hostages were killed shortly before its forces reached them (The Hostages Families Forum/AP)

In a statement, Mr Higgins said: As images appear in the media of the six hostages whose bodies have been recovered in Gaza, ones heart can only go out to their families who now have to carry what must be an unbearable grief in addition to the agony which they have faced since their abduction 11 months ago.

All of this killing must stop. Piling the dead upon the dead is a hopeless strategy when what is needed is an engagement with current and long-neglected issues that will enable life to be made possible for all in the region.

As the international community looks on, they must insist that it is time for all remaining hostages to be released by Hamas, for an immediate ceasefire, for a serious exchange of prisoners to take place, and for all necessary aid to be provided to those who need it.

The Taoiseach described the murders as an outrage.

Taoiseach Simon Harris (left) and Tanaiste Micheal Martin (right) have reiterated their calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (PA)

Simon Harris reiterated his call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire

The news from Israel on the deaths of six hostages is heartbreaking and an outrage, he said.

These innocent people were abducted and held by Hamas for nearly 11 months. Reports they were murdered in recent days are sickening.

This is the latest outrage and atrocity in a year of bloody inhumanity. This violence and death cannot continue and every life that can be saved must be saved.

We need an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Ireland calls on Hamas and the (Israeli) Netanyahu government to make this a reality.

All remaining hostages should be returned to their families and aid needs to flow freely to Gaza before the humanitarian catastrophe deepens.

Irelands solidarity and sympathy are today with the families and the communities of the six innocent hostages confirmed dead.

May their memories be a blessing.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin called for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic news from Israel of the killing of six Israeli hostages held by Hamas in captivity, he said.

My thoughts and solidarity, and those of the Irish people, are with the families of the six people who have been so brutally murdered, and with their communities and the Israeli people as a whole as they confront this terrible news.

The taking and holding of hostages is reprehensible and unconscionable in any and all circumstances.

Ireland has repeatedly condemned Hamas and others who have taken and continue to hold hostages for nearly 11 months. The suffering endured by these innocent captives and their families is difficult to imagine.

We have called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. I repeat this call again today.

The past 11 months have brought unspeakable death and suffering to the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

Too many families continue to face violence, death and destruction. It is past time for the killing and suffering on all sides to end.

We urgently need to see a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages. Only this can bring an end to the violence and death, and enable the urgent and massive supply of aid to Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is truly catastrophic.

Even in this dark moment, I urge all involved to redouble their efforts to reach such a deal.
Labour MP Jas Athwal said he has dismissed the agent charged with managing his rental properties after tenants claimed they were living with black mould and ant infestations.

Mr Athwal said he was shocked and sickened by the series of problems, and he was furious not to have been made aware of them earlier.

The MP for Ilford South in east London owns a rental portfolio including 15 residential and three commercial properties in the capital, according to Parliaments register of MPs interests.

I am shocked and sickened by the series of problems that have come to light. I had not been aware of these issues until this week, for which I am furious. I have immediately dismissed the managing agent of my properties. (1/3)  Jas Athwal MP (@Jas_Athwal) September 1, 2024

A BBC investigation found black mould in some of the 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.

In a statement posted online on Sunday, Mr Athwal said: I am shocked and sickened by the series of problems that have come to light.

I had not been aware of these issues until this week, for which I am furious. I have immediately dismissed the managing agent of my properties.

As the landlord, the buck stops with me, and I unreservedly apologise to my tenants for the unacceptable experiences they have endured.

I will be reimbursing every tenant that is out of pocket for repairs or renewals they have had to undertake.

I will be conducting a survey of my tenants, so that all issues are uncovered and I am confident each one is living in secure, comfortable homes.

According to the register of interests, Mr Athwals rental properties are co-owned with (a) family member.
Maisie Summers-Newton won her second gold in Paris before Brock Whiston stormed to a maiden Paralympic title on another triumphant evening for Great Britains swimmers.

Summers-Newton, who retained the SM6 200 metres individual medley title on Friday, became a double champion for the second successive Games by successfully defending the SB6 100 breaststroke crown.

Whiston then battled back to win the SM8 200m individual medley in two minutes 40.37 seconds, having trailed compatriot Alice Tai by more than 10 seconds at the halfway point.

Tai secured bronze behind Russian Viksoriia Ishchiulova to add to the 100m backstroke gold she claimed on Saturday.

Summers-Newton, who touched the wall in a Paralympic-record time of one minute 31.30 seconds, said: My self-belief is quite low sometimes but Im so happy to get another gold medal and so chuffed, so pleased. Its what dreams are made of.

When I was watching Ellie (Simmonds) in London 2012, never ever would I have thought I would come away with one Paralympic medal, let alone four.
Doctor attends patients at an Mpox treatment centre north of Goma in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Photograph: Guerchom Ndebo/AFP/Getty Images

None of the African countries affected by the outbreak of a new variant of mpox have received any of the promised vaccine, pushing back a rollout that had been planned for last week.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been at the centre of an outbreak of the new clade 1b variant, with 18,000 suspected cases and 629 deaths this year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The variant has also been found in Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Sweden and Thailand.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday that the first doses should arrive in the DRC within days but similar statements were recently made regarding donated shots from the US, which did not materialise on time.

There has been no coordinated response, with Spain pledging as many as 500,000 doses while France and Germany have promised 100,000 each and the US said it will donate 50,000. None of the pledges have so far been delivered.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Wednesday that the $245m (187m) it had requested to tackle the outbreak was only 10% funded.

Despite mpox being first identified in humans in the DRC in 1970, African nations vulnerable to its spread are reliant on donations of vaccines from the stockpiles of richer nations.

Dr Dimie Ogoina, an infectious disease physician at the Niger Delta University teaching hospital, said neglect both internationally and by African governments meant that, decades after mpox was first identified, there were still not enough vaccines or even treatments available to the affected countries.

He said it was only during the global outbreak in 2022, which saw the virus spread to Europe and North America, that there was a wider international reaction to the disease.

Related: Mpox screening stepped up globally as more cases emerge outside Africa

Ogoina said it was important for African countries themselves to invest in protecting against diseases such as mpox to ensure they are not reliant on donors.

The manufacturers are not based in Africa, he said. They tend to favour, knowingly or unknowingly, the global north. So if theres a list of people to procure, Africa is always last in the list, and we are always the last to get supplies.

The WHO declared a public health emergency in mid-August in response to the spread of clade 1b, a recently identified variant that spreads through close physical contact, including sexual contact but also within households.

Concern has been raised about high numbers of children dying, with a mortality rate of up to 8% for under-15s, according to the WHO. The latest update from Africa CDC on Tuesday showed a sharp rise in cases of almost 4,000, compared with 1,200 the previous week.

Last week, civil society groups published a letter to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, urging it to push for lower pricing of the vaccine produced by pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic, which currently costs between $50 and $75 a dose.

The continuously unfolding injustice of mpox owes to long indifference and inequity, stigma, slowness, anaemic use of public power and yes, greed, said Peter Maybarduk, access-to-medicines director at US-based campaign group Public Citizen, which signed the letter.

He said that while the US government had invested in the development of the Jynneos vaccine used against mpox, the production and outrageously high prices were now being controlled by Bavarian Nordic.

Victorine de Milliano, policy adviser at Medecins Sans Frontieress wing for campaigning for fair medical treatment, MSF Access, said there was a systematic issue that meant that lower-income countries struggle to access medical tools in public health emergencies, which was highlighted during the Covid pandemic, when richer countries were able to stockpile vaccines, tests and treatments.

Its a real feeling of deja vu. You would have thought that we would draw some lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, but we see the same patterns again, she said. Low- and middle-income countries are also now reliant on those donations from high-income countries who do have access to the vaccines. And we also see a vaccine monopoly, [where they are] sold to the highest bidder.

Bavarian Nordic has told Africa CDC that it can provide 2m doses this year if it gets approval for orders, allowing it to reallocate resources from other production lines.

A spokesperson for the company told the Guardian it had donated 55,000 doses and would provide an update when an agreement was made to start delivering more widely.

The company also said it was open to using tiered pricing so that countries with smaller economies would be charged less as well as those who were able to order more vaccines and over longer periods of time.

Ogoina said there were promising signs of political leaders in Africa showing vigilance in response to the public health emergency and discussing how they can invest in tackling it, as well as pledges of support from outside the continent, but it would have to be sustained.

[There have been] a lot of commitments, pronouncements, promises, but what happens after three months? What happens after six months? What happens after one year? Will people still be interested, or will they lose interest? he asked.
The lidded silver vessel from the Galloway Hoard. Photograph: National Museums Scotland

It is a star object of the Galloway Hoard, the richest collection of Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland, buried in AD900 and unearthed in a field in Scotland. Now a lidded silver vessel has been identified as being of west Asian origin, transported halfway around the world more than 1,000 years ago.

When it emerged from the ground a decade ago, the vessel was still wrapped in its ancient textiles, whose survival is extremely rare. Its surface could be seen only through X-ray scans. Since then, the textiles have been partially removed and preserved and the vessel has had laser cleaning to remove green corrosion over much of its silver surface. It has also undergone scientific analysis.

Details of a remarkable design that includes crowns, fire altars and creatures including leopards and tigers can be seen for the first time.

The imagery is linked to the iconography of Zoroastrianism, the state religion of the Sasanian empire, the last Persian empire before the early Muslim conquests from AD632. Scientific analysis shows that the silver from which it was made came from a mine in modern-day Iran.

The hoard was discovered in 2014 by a metal-detecting enthusiast on what is now Church of Scotland land at Balmaghie, Kirkcudbrightshire. Described as one of the centurys most important UK archaeological finds, it contained more than 5kg of silver, gold and other materials, with objects ranging from a Christian pectoral cross to brooches.

It was allocated to the National Museums Scotland (NMS), which will announce its findings about the vessel this week before its first-ever display, on loan to the British Museums forthcoming Silk Roads exhibition.

Dr Martin Goldberg, the NMS principal curator of early medieval and Viking collections, told the Observer: Seeing those tigers for the first time is really an amazing thing.

Although the technology is so advanced, the 3D scans dont give you the colour. They dont really give you the response that you get from this newly emerging thing.

Noting that they had suspected its origins in central or western Asia, he added: I had some trepidation that we wouldnt get the answers we needed from the lead isotope analysis, but then I was just blown away when we got the perfect results.

The central icon is what they call a fire altar. This was a motif used on Sasanian imperial coinage. Its central to their religious practice. But this has a crown emerging from the flames. That probably says this is an object intended for or used by royalty.

Sasanian emperors were often shown hunting leopards and tigers.The vessel is about 14cm high. It contained many of the hoards unique curios, including a rock crystal jar. Goldberg believes that this was an heirloom filled with the memories and the heritage of an incredibly high-status and well-connected family.

Related: Extraordinary restoration of Roman rock crystal jar from Galloway hoard

He said: It travelled thousands of miles to reach south-west Scotland. Its very hard to think what a Christian living in the area might have made of this object unless they knew how it had got here, who had brought it. They might have had their own stories about this object. We know that people were certainly making pilgrimages to the Holy Land at this point. Once youve travelled that distance, youre not actually that far away from the origins of where this vessel came from.

Dr Jane Kershaw, an expert on Viking-age silver from the University of Oxford, with whom the NMS has worked on the project, said: The vessel is an alloy of silver and relatively pure copper, which is typical of Sasanian silver, but not contemporary European silver.

In addition, the isotopes of the lead contained within the silver metal and niello match ore from Iran. We can even go so far as to say that the niello derives from the famous mine of Nakhlak in central Iran. Its fantastic to have scientific confirmation for the distant origins of this remarkable object.

The Galloway Hoard will eventually go on long-term display at the NMS in Edinburgh, with a significant portion also displayed long term at Kirkcudbright Galleries.
The judge in Roxanne Tickles case found sex is changeable and also went a step further, finding that how a person identifies and is recognised socially is enough to access gender identity protections. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

For more than a decade, it has been illegal to discriminate in Australia on the basis of gender.

Now a series of cases at the federal level are testing that principle  and raising questions about what it means to be a woman.

Last Friday, in a landmark win for trans rights, a federal court justice ruled that transgender woman Roxanne Tickle had been indirectly discriminated against when she was barred from social media platform Giggle for Girls after the firm and its chief executive, Sall Grover, said she was a man.

And on Monday, the Victoria-based Lesbian Action Group (LAG) will ask the administrative appeals tribunal to overturn the Australian Human Rights Commissions October decision that it cannot exclude transgender or bisexual women from its events.

Both cases centre around the same part of Australias Sex Discrimination Act, and both cases raise the question: can gender discrimination ever be lawful?

Judges decision recognised law and norms have developed

The Sex Discrimination Act  which was created in 1984  was amended in 2013 to make it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status. However, the act does not include a definition of man, woman or sex.

There are provisions in the SDA that carve out space for lawful discrimination for the purpose of advancing equality. One example of this is affirmative action in workplaces and universities. Another example is the controversial religious discrimination laws that allow some schools to discriminate against LGBTQ+ students and staff.

During the three-day Tickle v Giggle trial in April, some supporters of Giggle wore purple, white and green of the suffragette movement and picketed the Sydney court house.

Related: What is a woman?: court asked to rule on definition in transgender womans case against Giggle for Girls platform

Giggle claimed the discrimination was lawful as a special space for women was needed to address historical disadvantage. Giggle and Grovers barrister asserted biological sex must prevail and, time and time again, Grover refused to address Tickle as a woman  part of what federal court justice Robert Bromwich later called an exercise in blanket denial.

Tickles counsel, on the other hand, maintained that sex and gender are social and psychological and that biological sex is relevant but not determinate. Tickle has lived as a woman since 2017, has undergone gender affirmation surgery and has a female birth certificate.

The judge found sex is changeable and also went a step further, finding that how a person identifies and is recognised socially is enough to access gender identity protections.

Its as broad an interpretation as the judge could have made, and thats why its really significant  its really beneficial for coverage against discrimination for the trans community, says Maria Nawaz, general counsel for the Grata Fund, which supported Tickle.

The judge has recognised the law and norms in society have developed  trans women are women and should have access to services on the same basis as all women based on their self-identification.

The Tickle decision is likely to pave the way for reforms in New South Wales, where gender-affirming surgery is required in order to update a birth certificate, according to Alastair Lawrie, director of policy and advocacy at the Justice and Equity Centre.

Freedom of speech and association, or transphobia?

On Monday, the tribunal is likely to look to the precedent set by Bromwich as it assesses the LAGs appeal.

The LAG argues that a special exemption from usual gender discrimination laws would help them to substantively improve equality  and that freedom of speech and freedom of association are essential for the advocacy and wellbeing of lesbians. They maintain that a trans woman is male and so cannot be a lesbian.

They do not explain how they would police their female-only events.

In October, the Australian Human Rights Commission found it was impossible to tell who is born female and who is not without intrusion on an individuals privacy, bodily integrity, and dignity. The commission found trans lesbians would be disproportionally negatively affected by an exemption, referencing studies that found transgender and gender diverse people reported high levels of harassment and social exclusion.

Ultimately, it was not persuaded it is appropriate and reasonable to make distinctions between women based on their biological sex at birth or transgender experience.

Carole Ann from the LAG said the decision, forcing the inclusion of male-bodied people who identify as women and think they are lesbians, was authoritarian and oppressive.

Anna Kerr, principal solicitor with the Feminist Legal Clinic, which is representing the Lesbian Action Group, says the finding against Giggle means freedom of speech and association protections for lesbians are more important than ever.

Women want to be able to meet and say, Well, what do we think about this? What does it mean for lesbian groups? What does it mean for young lesbians? What does it mean for womens spaces and services and sport and womens jails, womens domestic violence refuges? she said.

Eloise Brook, the incoming CEO of AusPATH, the national peak body representing trans health, rights and wellbeing, cautions that lesbians are not a monolithic group  and that the rights of one minority group must not come at the expense of the rights of another group.

Its only a very small section of lesbians who have a problem with trans women, she says.

Related: History shows Australian laws have left minorities marginalised. A Human Rights Act would help fix that | Michael Kirby

The Equality Australia CEO, Anna Brown, agrees. Our trans sisters fought alongside us to ensure many of the freedoms and rights we enjoy today.

Transphobia has no place in our community and we roundly reject attempts to sow division and fuel hate by groups seeking to exclude people who dont fit into their narrow concept of womanhood.

They do not represent the vast majority of lesbians, feminists or women more generally.

Grappling with the ossified binary of the law

Karen OConnell, an expert in discrimination law with the University of Technology Sydneys law faculty, says jurisdictions around the world are confronting the entanglement of sex and gender, with laws based on an inflexible sex binary often not sufficient to protect trans people.

Sex is so often seen as an ossified binary with a set meaning that everyone agrees on, and with a clear scientific underpinning that is also not contested. All of that is just not accurate, she says.

Were not the only jurisdiction that is grappling with this. Around the world, lawyers and activists and advocates are watching to see how these cases proceed.

It is likely many more similar cases will reach Australian courts  the cost protection bill, currently before the Senate, aims to remove the cost risk in all discrimination claims at the federal level.

Perhaps it is telling that while Tickle sought an apology from Grover, Bromwich decided it was futile to order an inevitably insincere apology.

I brought my case to show trans people that you can be brave, and you can stand up for yourself, Tickle said after the judgment. I know that I can now get on with the rest of my life.
Wendy Sinclair-Gieben said rehabilitation in Scotlands prisons was not in a million years sufficient. Photograph: Paul Faith/PA Media

The prison system is broken, with inmates returning to the community bored and angry and set up to fail, according to Scotlands outgoing chief inspector.

Wendy Sinclair-Gieben highlighted a succession of failings in a service she described as the underdog of the criminal justice system, as she stands down as HM chief inspector of prisons for Scotland at the end of August.

The prison service is underfunded and underresourced for what the public and judiciary expect of it, yet its a very big organisation having to deal with the most marginalised, violent and mentally ill in society, she said.

She said rehabilitation in Scotlands prisons was not in a million years sufficient. Fundamentally, progression  which is the convicted prisoners journey through prison out to the community  is broken. The system is broken.

Sinclair-Gieben, who worked in prison leadership in Scotland, England and Australia before her appointment in 2018, described despairing inmates unable to take their next steps towards parole because of huge waiting lists for the offending behaviour programmes they are required to undertake.

And she criticised the inadequacy of planning for prisoners who have served their sentences, citing individual cases of reoffenders she had spoken to during her six years in the role.

I met a young woman who had gone out on to a bed and breakfast where she wasnt allowed to stay during the day. She was lonely, nothing to do, no money and inevitably she went back to her friends who got her back into crime and drugs, so she came back into prison. What are we playing at? Thats setting someone up to fail.

Lack of meaningful activity in prison, be that exercise, rehabilitation programmes or work  all of which have been further affected by overcrowding  means that inmates are dangerously bored. It means that people come out angry and bored, while inside they turn to drugs.

Overcrowding is as significant a problem for the Scottish estate as for the rest of the UK, with more than 470 prisoners nearing the end of their sentence released early over the summer to ease pressures.

Sinclair-Gieben said that although better community alternatives would gradually reduce numbers in prison, we need to recognise that the population is unlikely to change in the short term because of better policing of organised crime and sexual abuse cases dating back decades, which attract long sentences.

She also warned against further delays in opening the replacement for Glasgows notorious HMP Barlinnie, which is running at 140% capacity according to its governor, after the completion date was pushed back to 2027.

She said Barlinnie, which was ruled no longer fit for purpose in 2020, was at risk of catastrophic failure, though not from prisoner insurrection but the plumbing.

I worry that the money wont go through for [completing the new prison], she said. We know how cash-strapped the Scottish government is. I can imagine if the pressure comes on for potholes, that theyll think, Well, Barlinnie can cope for another 10 years.

She also reflected on her absolute delight that the Scottish government has confirmed no more under-18s will be kept in prison. Her repeated appeals were eventually enacted in legislation, but not before Jonathan Beadle, 17, killed himself at Polmont young offender institution near Falkirk in July.

She pointed out that staff in secure care units, where younger offenders are now accommodated, undergo years of appropriate training as opposed to weeks for a prison officer. Its a very much more intensive therapeutic environment with a considerably higher staff custody ratio, she said.

As well as the moral argument against imprisoning children, there was a real victim imperative, she added.

If someone is a serious offender at 17  theyre going to be coming out in their 40s, and a real danger to society. In-depth assessment and therapeutic intervention early in their prison career is essential.

Sinclair-Gieben said she hoped that a more trauma-informed and therapeutic model  gradually being introduced in womens custody units  could be applied to people aged 18-25, given the significant evidence that the young adult brain continues to develop and mature during those years.
'It feels like the shortest long film ever made': The Brutalist - Universal

In 1998, it was meteors. In 2003 and 2004, computer-animated fish. Whether through common inspiration or commercial rivalry, films with matching themes sometimes come along in pairs. And in 2024, cinema really seems to have a thing for visionary architects.

Mere months after the premiere of Francis Ford Coppolas Megalopolis in Cannes, Venice has served up The Brutalist  a splurgily vast and absorbing period piece about a fictional 20th century draughtsman, Adrien Brodys Laszlo Toth, who embarks on the sort of grand design that would make Kevin McCloud wake up with a shriek.

Directed by 36-year-old Brady Corbet, of The Childhood of a Leader and Vox Lux, the obvious critical move would be to liken Toths crazed, career-defining project  a rural Pennsylvanian community centre that resembles a 15-storey concrete spaceport  to Corbets own towering third feature. After all, The Brutalist is three and a half hours long (not counting a 15-minute intermission), spans two continents and three decades, and was shot in VistaVision, the luxuriously vibrant 1950s widescreen format beloved of Alfred Hitchcock.

But to do so would get Corbets film completely backwards. Toths building is daunting, unwieldy and often inscrutable, but The Brutalist flies along seemingly effortlessly: both during and afterwards, it feels like the shortest long film ever made. As a state-of-the-US historical epic, it boasts all the thematic heft of Once Upon a Time in America or There Will Be Blood. (How did the wave of postwar immigrants remake America in their image  and how did America remake them in return?) But its also acted with the colour and fizz of a classical Hollywood comic drama, and shot with the loose, rangy energy of a 90-minute indie cult hit. The tonal mix feels completely unique, but it works.

Brody is tremendous as Toth, a dolorous Hungarian Jew who arrives in New York as an immigrant in the films opening scenes. An architect by trade, he finds work refurbishing the private library of one Harrison Lee Van Buren, an East Coast industrialist played by a never better nor more dapper Guy Pearce. Van Buren loathes the result until a glossy magazine writes about it favourably  so he then employs Toth to build a lavish public building in memory of his mother, on a hilltop close to the town that adjoins his estate.

The structure  part church, part library, part labyrinth  is wildly ambitious, soaring off towards sublimity and insanity at once. But even as the narrative spirals and cast swells (Felicity Jones, wonderfully moving as Toths wife, arrives from Europe in the second act) the film maintains a steely grip on its own ornate schemes. Its cinema as monument  but also teeming human enterprise.

Screening at the Venice Film Festival. A UK release has yet to be announced
Angus Lapsley was moved from the Ministry of Defence to the Foreign Office after losing the 50-page classified dossier - Muhammet Faruk Alagas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

A former civil servant who left dozens of top secret documents at a bus stop in Kent in 2021 has been appointed to help carry out a review of the UKs defences.

Angus Lapsley, who was moved from the Ministry of Defence to the Foreign Office after losing the 50-page classified dossier, was asked by the Government to join the project.

He left the Civil Service in 2022 to help develop Natos nuclear plans and will now assist with the Governments Strategic Defence Review, which aims to shore up Britains security at home and abroad.

The root and branch review will look at troop numbers and technological capabilities in the context of an increasingly volatile world.

It comes amid fears that the Government could scale back or scrap several major military projects including Tempest, the next generation stealth fighter programme, and the new drone killer radio wave weapon.

Rishi Sunak had promised that defence spending would increase to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, up from the current figure of around 2.2 per cent, citing a more dangerous world.

Sir Keir Starmer has also said 2.5 per cent is his target but did not commit to that timeline, meaning it is not known when and how military spending will rise in the years ahead.

The documents Mr Lapsley lost three years ago  at least one of which was marked Secret UK Eyes Only  referred to the locations and numbers of British forces in Afghanistan and the Royal Navys actions around the Crimean peninsula.

Despite the security breach, he kept his job in the Civil Service and was not prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act. Before it, he had been tipped to become the UKs ambassador to Nato, and currently serves as assistant secretary general for defence policy and planning.

At the time of Mr Lapsleys Nato appointment in 2022, Col Richard Kemp, who commanded British forces in Afghanistan, told The Telegraph: It is very concerning that Lapsley has been appointed to such a senior position within Nato and could now have access to highly classified information again.

Its wrong that Lapsely faced so few sanctions for his actions, especially when more junior officials have faced prosecution for much lesser breaches.

A former senior minister in the Ministry of Defence said the latest appointment was a very poor show, while Greg Smith, the Tory MP for Buckingham, said: Labour have never been strong on defence, but I guess well now know just how weak they are by reading about it on a train seat. Could not make it up.

The Strategic Defence Review is being led by Lord Robertson, a former Nato secretary general and ex-defence secretary, along with Fiona Hill, a former Donald Trump adviser, and Gen Sir Richard Barrons.

Lord Robertson said Britain 'must be clear-eyed about the defensive capabilities we need for the future' - Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph

The Government announced on Sunday that six people, including Mr Lapsley, had been appointed to assist the lead reviewers. They also include Sir Jeremy Quin, a former Tory defence minister who lost his seat at the general election, and Grace Cassy, who served as Sir Tony Blairs national security adviser.

Jean-Christophe Gray, a former private secretary to the Prince of Wales, Robin Marshall, of Bain Capital, and Edward Dinsmore, who has worked on previous defence reviews, will also be on the team.

Lord Robertson said: As the threats facing Britain continue to evolve, we must be clear-eyed about the defensive capabilities we need for the future. The work of our review is already under way and will deliver a clear vision for UK defence.

I am delighted this expert team have agreed to make time to consider the profound challenges facing our country and how they can be countered. They provide an incredibly valuable range of experience across the defence and security sectors, both in the UK and internationally. Their role in this review process will be invaluable.

A No 10 source said they had full confidence in the highly experienced and extremely qualified team that had been put together for the Strategic Defence Review.

An MoD spokesman said: Angus Lapsley brings a huge amount of experience from his time at the FCDO and as the Nato assistant secretary general for defence policy and planning. As Lord Robertson has said, the review team provide an incredibly valuable range of experience across the defence and security sectors, both in the UK and internationally.
Berkeley-born Hersh Goldberg-Polin was killed along with five other hostages in Gaza, the Israeli military reported. Associated Press

Berkeley-born Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American held hostage since Hamas Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, has been killed on the Gaza Strip along with five other hostages, the Israeli army reported.

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh, his family said in a statement issued early Sunday, hours after the Israeli army said it had located bodies in Gaza. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.

Goldberg-Polin, who lived in Berkeley until he was 7, was one of an estimated 200 hostages taken to Gaza during Hamas attack on Israel believed to have killed at least 1,100 people.

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He lost an arm when Hamas militants invaded the open-air music festival he was attending on the eve of an important Jewish holiday, his parents told the Chronicle last year. At least 260 festivalgoers were killed, according to the Associated Press.

His funeral is expected to be held Monday at Har Hamenuchot, the largest cemetery in Jerusalem, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, speak onstage during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

Goldberg-Polins family last saw him on Oct. 6 as he left a Shabbat dinner with close family friends at about 11 p.m. He was carrying a backpack and sleeping bag and was going camping somewhere with his best friend, his mother, Rachel Goldberg, told the Chronicle in October. She kissed her son goodbye, she recalled, and he headed off.

As a mother, I can just hope and pray that Hersh is still alive, she said from Jerusalem days after the kidnapping.

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A vigil for the 23-year-old drew hundreds of people to a Berkeley highway overpass last Sunday, with supporters dancing and waving Israeli and American flags as cars sped by, with some drivers honking their approval. The group played Goldberg-Polins favorite music, served his favorite chocolate chip cookies, and prayed for his safe return and that of the remaining hostages.

Goldberg-Polins parents became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage. They met with President Joe Biden, Pope Francis and others and addressed the United Nations. On Aug. 21, they addressed a hushed hall at the Democratic National Convention, where the crowd chanted: Bring them home.

A Hamas-issued video in April showing Goldberg-Polin clearly speaking under duress sparked new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others freedom.

Six hostages held by Hamas have been killed. From top left: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino and Eden Yerushalmi. From bottom left: Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov and Carmel Gat. Associated Press

The Jewish community in the Bay Area, in Israel, and around the world is in a state of deep mourning today, said Tyler Gregory, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Bay Area. Our heart breaks for our heroes Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose depth of love for Hersh knows no bounds. Their tireless advocacy for their son and the remaining hostages, from the halls of Congress to their moving address at the Democratic National Convention, is truly remarkable.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who met with Goldberg-Polins family during a visit to Israel last year, said: Held captive under brutal conditions, Hershs story and the plight of other hostages was shared with the world through the brave and tireless advocacy of his family. We keep in our prayers all the victims and loved ones impacted by this heartbreaking tragedy.

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union, one of the largest Jewish organizations in the nation, said in a statement Sunday that Goldberg-Polins parents have carried themselves with unimaginable dignity and grace and have relentlessly stirred our hearts and stoked our conscience. In the presence of monstrous actions and inexcusable silence, theirs was a calm, firm, and consistent voice of humanity, of loving parents who would do anything for their son  or for ours.

The army identified the other slain hostages as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33; who were also taken from the music festival. The sixth, Carmel Gat, 40, was abducted from the farming community of Beeri.

Our hearts are shattered over Hamas cruel murders of the six hostages, Hauer said. What they and their families have endured over the past eleven months of their captivity is unimaginable. In the wake of this crushing news, we pray that God grant strength to their loved ones.

Friends and loved ones hold a public vigil in Berkeley last Sunday for Hersh Goldberg Polin, who had been held hostage by Gaza militants. He was killed along with five other hostages. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

The Israeli military said Sunday that all six had been killed shortly before they were to be rescued by Israeli forces and that their bodies have been recovered, according to the Associated Press.

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Their recovery sparked calls for mass protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom many families of hostages and much of the wider Israeli public blame for failing to bring them back alive in a deal with Hamas to end the 10-month-old war. Negotiations over such a deal have dragged on for months. The Israeli leader has said military pressure is needed to win their release as cease-fire efforts falter.

Before Israels announcement, Israel said it believed 108 hostages were still held in Gaza and about one-third of them were dead.

Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, pressured the government by calling a general strike for Monday, the first since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that started the war. It aims to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care and the countrys main airport.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
As well as being the MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, Peter Prinsley is an eminent ENT surgeon. Photograph: Joshua Bright/The Guardian

It is a sunny day in Norfolk and Peter Prinsley, the first Labour MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, is about to look up the nostrils of a 90-year-old man. But before he can get out his microscope to look for the cause of the mans chronic nosebleeds, his patient has something to say.

Congratulations on your appointment! says Tony Wilkin, as he lies down on the examination bed in Prinsleys consultation room at James Paget university hospital in Great Yarmouth.

Wilkins wife, Vera, has a question: does Prinsley  an eminent ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon  really have the time to be in parliament when the orifices of East Anglia need him? Her husband was declared an urgent case in May, and he is only now being seen, in August.

Prinsley never really expected to be fielding questions from his patients about why it would now be even harder to get an appointment with him.

The honest truth is that I was hoping to win, but in my heart of hearts, I didnt really expect to win, because [Bury St Edmunds] was, I think, the third safest Conservative seat in England, he said shortly after his shock victory.

Related: Fresh faces: meet the UKs 10 MPs from generation Z

Some may think Prinsley would be of more use to society in the NHS than in parliament, since he also trains the next generation of ENT surgeons and runs a genetics programme at the University of East Anglia.

But both of these roles have their uses, he says, with mischievous eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses. Ive been in that group of doctors who have often been moaning about the situation that were in. And a lot of people have said to me: Well, if youre moaning so much, why dont you go and get elected and try to change things?

Prinsley didnt even apply to be the candidate in Bury St Edmunds, which had been solidly Tory for 150 years. He wanted to represent Great Yarmouth, but Labour chose someone else (a decision the partys decision-makers may now regret, after their chosen candidate ended up losing to Reform UK).

The day after Rishi Sunak called the election, Prinsley received a phone call from Labour HQ saying: Congratulations, youve been selected as the candidate for Bury St Edmunds.

With minimal help from Labour high command, Prinsley credits a gaggle of indefatigable local ladies for delivering his historic victory. He bought an old Post Office van, decorated it with photographs of himself in surgical scrubs, and spent the six-week campaign knocking on doors with the guaranteed conversation starter: Im Peter from the hospital.

Bury St Edmunds last Tory MP, Jo Churchill, retired with a majority of almost 25,000, the seat deemed so safe that Sunaks deputy chief of staff, Will Tanner, was parachuted in at the 11th hour. And yet Prinsley defeated Tanner by 1,452 votes.

At 66, Prinsley is one of the older first-timers in a parliament where 335 out of 650 MPs are new. You know, when you go to the Houses of Parliament, the most amazing thing is how young everybody looks, he tells his nosebleed patient. You walk in there and you think: who has put the children in charge of the country?

He names no names, but one of his young colleagues is 24-year-old Josh Dean, a student who was still living at home with his mother when he became the first Labour MP for Hertford and Stortford.

Moving out is a priority, says Dean, clutching his new parliamentary iPad on the Commons terrace, shortly after winning a surprise majority of 4,748. Not only does he want his independence, but he has concerns about his mother and younger brother.

Obviously, Im worried, because theres security things that go along with being an MP. My brothers 15. Hes just at an age where hes hanging out with his friends, and his friends will all have had my leaflet through their letterbox, so I know that they know who I am, and I worry about the effect that will have on him and on my mum, he says.

Dean left school at 17, directionless, and went to work in his local Starbucks, before finding his way back to education as a mature student.

He was in his final year of a politics and international relations degree at the University of Westminster when the election was called and he cannot graduate until he finishes his dissertation  a comparative study of the technologies of control used in the war on terror and the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

He insists most constituents do not remark on his age  though one woman told him: God, you look about 12!  and that he has enough life experience to be an MP.

I didnt go the traditional route into parliament, or through school or through work. And I think that diversity of experience is really valuable, actually.

While Dean and Prinsley made history as the first Labour MPs for their constituencies, Abtisam Mohamed, the new Labour MP for Sheffield Central, was breaking different records. As the first Arab woman to be elected to parliament, as well as the first Yemeni, her victory made headlines far beyond the Steel City.

One of the first calls she fielded after winning an 8,286-majority came from Yemens answer to 10 Downing Street, with the countrys president, Rashad al-Alimi, ringing to offer his congratulations.

When the Guardian meets Mohamed in parliament, she is rushing between induction sessions, trying to get her head around the arcane traditions of the place. She is itching to give her maiden speech and cannot quite believe that, to give it, she isnt simply given a date and time slot, but has to bob up and down to catch the speakers eye.

Not quite 5ft tall, she is at a distinct disadvantage, and has not yet managed to speak in the chamber, despite frantic bobbing: The first time I did it, I felt really silly doing it. You just feel like a bit of a child, but its process, and apparently, if you dont do it, youre not going to get called.

Her main priorities in parliament will be the climate agenda, supporting public sector workers and improving regional transport, she says.

Born in Yemen in 1980, Mohamed was brought as a toddler to Sheffield, where her father and grandfather worked in the steel industry.

She herself worked in the voluntary sector and as a teacher before going on to do a law degree and opening her own human rights and asylum practice in Sheffield.

She spent the summer recess closing down her office, after Starmer banned his MPs from having second jobs  with a few exceptions, such as medics, which is why Prinsley will still be doing the odd surgery alongside his new day job.

He hopes to be able to influence health policy, but disagrees with the health secretary, Wes Streeting, who declared on his first day in the job that the policy of this department is that the NHS is broken.

Prinsley sees it as a bit broken, but its not really completely broken. I think that is something of a hyperbole.

The new Labour intake faced their first official test of party loyalty just days into the job when the Scottish National party introduced an amendment to the kings speech that called on the government to scrap the two-child welfare limit.

Seven Labour MPs defied the Labour whip and were immediately suspended by Starmer. None of our three newcomers were among them, though Mohamed says she too has strong feelings on this particular issue.

She is one of eight children, and says: When tax credits were introduced, they were introduced by the Labour government, and it benefited families like mine.

Would she, in her heart, have liked to have rebelled? She dodges the question like a seasoned politician: Im far too new to be thinking about that, and I probably wouldnt understand the structure at this stage to be able to do it.

On Monday, she will file back into the House of Commons after the summer recess, and bob until the speaker finally gives her the chance to speak.

Will she and her new colleagues retain their shiny optimism for changing the world? Or will they sit frustrated on the backbenches, voting for things they dont believe in because they are frightened of what will happen if they dont? Only time will tell.
The six hostages killed by Hamas in southern Gaza: (Top row from left) Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, and (Bottom row from left) Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov and Carmel Gat - Hostages Families Forum via AP

The execution in cold blood of six Israeli hostages by Hamas fighters in southern Gaza could topple Israels fragile coalition government and finally force a deal that ends the 11-month war.

Certainly, it will create tremors in Israel that reverberate for many years to come.

Rather than surrender their prisoners and hand Israel another victory, it seems that Hamas shot them one at a time, leaving their corpses to be found by advancing IDF forces some 20 metres underground.

The fear and despair they must have experienced in those moments after being held hostage in Gaza for more than 10 months is scarcely imaginable.

The tragedy  which in some respects recalls the Munich massacre of 1972, in which 11 Israeli Olympians were executed by cornered Palestinian terrorists during a botched rescue attempt  may yet mark an inflection point.

Family and friends mourn during the funeral of hostage Almog Sarusi - Amir Levy/Getty Images

At the time of writing, a one-day general strike was in the offing, while hostages families, opposition politicians and even Yoav Gallant, the defence minister, blamed Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, for sabotaging the ceasefire talks.

As with Munich, the latest tragedy is made worse by the fact that the release of the hostages was so tantalisingly close.

Three of the six, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a young US-Israeli who survived losing an arm in the Oct 7 assault, had been slated for immediate release as part of the ceasefire negotiations.

The Munich rescue was botched by the Germans and led to an unwritten social contract being adopted in Israel: that no Israeli held hostage would ever again be left behind.

On Sunday, the Hostages Families Forum demanded that Mr Netanyahu make a public appearance to take responsibility for the deaths of the hostages, rather than hide behind the IDF.

Mr Gallant, meanwhile, called on the security cabinet to reverse the decision made last week to continue an Israeli presence along the Gaza-Egypt border  a decision that is widely seen as having sunk the hostage release talks in Cairo.

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages taken captive by Hamas militants block a major road during a protest in central Jerusalem on Sunday - Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images

Announcing a general strike on Monday, Arnon Bar-David, the chief of the Labor Federation, said that a deal is more important than anything else.

Channelling the spirit of Israels unwritten social contact, he added: We are no longer one people; we are camp against camp  we need to bring back the State of Israel. We are getting body bags instead of a deal.

Yet despite mounting pressure, Mr Netanyahu remains resolute.

He has long preferred to emphasise a second, less noble, lesson that Israel took from Munich: that terror should be met with terror through extrajudicial assassination of those responsible.

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But the political rope Mr Netanyahu is walking is horribly thin. He has kept his fragile governing coalition going by pandering to the hard-Right.

If Mr Gallant were to resign, or significantly larger numbers of people took to protesting on the streets  as some are calling for  it could collapse overnight.

Polls also show an overwhelming majority of Israelis want a ceasefire that sees the remaining hostages returned alive.

After the latest killings, the pressure is now so high that Mr Netanyahu may be forced to reconsider his position and reaffirm Israels social contract.

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Demonstrators supporting the families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza stand near six mock coffins

The brutal murder of six Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 last year exemplifies the horror engendered by that atrocity. The fact that much of Gaza lies in ruins is down to the actions of the terror organisation in starting a war by massacring around 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping more than 200.

Yet the international narrative continues to be overwhelmingly anti-Israeli, even as special forces extricate the bodies of innocent people dragged from their homes. Their fate hardly bears thinking about: kept in tunnels for months on end, tortured and starved only to be killed as help arrived.

The sheer mercilessness of their captors does not appear to exercise the same people around the world so eager to join pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Where are the mass protests against the inhumanity of Hamas?

Just as the October 7 pogrom was carried out to scupper a rapprochement between Israel and Arab states under the Abraham Accords, so these murders are designed to undermine peace talks in Cairo aimed at a ceasefire.

Hamas wants Israel to keep pounding away at its structure, happy to sacrifice as many Palestinians as it can to turn international opinion. That it has partly succeeded in doing so is a blot on the people unable to make a moral distinction between those who perpetrated this violence and those responding to it. Where was the outrage of the United Nations secretary-general, who is so quick to denounce Israels counter-offensive?

If Hamas hoped to derail the ceasefire talks by murdering the hostages, it was confounded by the statement of Benjamin Netanyahu that his government remained committed to achieving a deal that would bring the remaining 97 captives home, including 27 presumed dead. But he added: Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal.

Nonetheless, a temporary humanitarian pause of the conflict began yesterday in parts of Gaza while a polio immunisation programme takes place among 600,000 children under 10, which could be the basis for a wider cessation.

Mr Netanyahu is under even greater pressure to agree to a halt as he was accused by the families of the murdered hostages of abandoning them. A group representing them said the delay in reaching a ceasefire agreement had contributed to their deaths. Israeli president Isaac Herzog apologised for the failure to bring them home and a general strike is being planned to bolster ceasefire demands.

But amid the outpouring of grief and political denunciations it should not be forgotten where the real culpability lies.
Former Labour leader Tony Blair with Sir Keir Starmer during the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change's conference in London, 2023. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Tony Blair has urged Keir Starmer to ignore vicious social media platforms during his time as prime minister, saying that poring over the inevitable criticism that will rain down on him will trigger psychological problems.

You know, you start scrolling through social media thats written about you, its going to do your head in, Blair says in an interview with the Observers chief political commentator, Andrew Rawnsley, about his new book, On Leadership, Lessons for the 21st century.

In one section of the book, Blair, who went from enjoying sky-high approval ratings early on in his premiership to a position in which he faced mass protests on the streets over the Iraq war, addresses the whole issue of how to deal with torrents of criticism and constant attacks. DONT READ IT! is his advice.

When Rawnsley points out that it is surely important for leaders to know what voters think of them, even when it is unpleasant, Blair adds: Of course. And, by the way, theres no leader that isnt aware of public opinion, and youve got to listen to sensible criticism.

But what Im really saying is that, if youre not careful, you can become completely psychologically derailed by critics. And you cant allow that to happen, youve got to carry on, youve got to realise it just comes with the territory.

Blair, who early on in Starmers leadership seemed less than convinced of his chances of reaching Downing Street, is full of praise for the new PMs achievement in taking back power after 14 years in opposition.

I thought pulling it off was massive, but I have to say he has. And one of the best things hes done, by the way, is the quality of the candidates that have come in. I know quite a lot of the new young MPs, and theyre good, theyre really good, says Blair.

In particular, the former Labour leader, who served as prime minister from 1997 to 2007, praises the way Starmer dealt with the recent far-right riots on Britains streets: I think Keir handled it as well as it could be handled. I give him full marks for it. It was obviously difficult, but he took tough action and that ended it.

Blair says the key to whether the new PM prospers or fails will be whether or not his government consistently delivers for voters. Its always the same thing, he says. The challenge of democracy is delivering its efficacy. The reason for the rise of populism is all to do with the fact that people dont believe governments are delivering for them.

With Starmer already warning of the tough decisions that his government will have to take to mend the economic and societal damage left by the Tories, Blair says in the book that it is vital not to put off the hard decisions. In retrospect, I would have reformed earlier, faster, he tells Rawnsley.

He says that Shimon Peres told one of his successors as Israels PM, who could not make up his mind what to do: Do you want to be in the history book or the visitors book? Blairs advice is Go to it. It will be tough but if you dont step up to the challenge, the visitors book is where you will end up.

While he insists his book is not intended as advice to the UK prime minister, he cautions Starmer against thinking that reform of the civil service will reap dividends and make his government more efficient: My experience is that there is no reform of the system that is going to deliver you big change.

Instead, he favours bringing in outside expertise to government, praising the way Singapore, a city state of about 6 million people, has brought 1,600 engineers into the centre of government to push technological innovation. That gives you an idea of how much expertise youre going to require from outside government in order to transform government.
Jeremy Clarkson says 'after 36 years of talking about cars on television, I'm packing it in' - Alamy

Jeremy Clarkson has said he is too old and fat to get into the cars I like ahead of the final episode of The Grand Tour.

After 36 years of talking about cars on television, Im packing it in, because Im too old and fat to get into the cars that I like and not interested in driving those I dont, the 65 TV presenter said.

What this means, of course, is that my 22-year partnership with James May and Richard Hammond is now over, he added.

You can see our final road trip together on Amazon Prime very soon. Its emotional, he told The Sunday Times.

Clarkson, Hammond and May have been immortalised in TV history and British popular culture alike through Top Gear, described by Clarkson as schoolboy naughtiness.

There was another reason why we chose Zimbabwe, though, he continued, revealing: We would drive across it from east to west, as usual, but then we could cross the border and finish up where we began all those years ago: the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana.

Top Gear featured the trio travelling the world in various eye-catching cars while playing pranks on one another. The format was copied by Amazon after the BBC fired Clarkson in 2015 when he threw a punch at a producer, prompting his co-presenters to leave the corporation.

It was the show that sat in the BBC schedules like a big blue skid mark. It became a dartboard for the left. Ill be honest with you, said Clarkson, who related that in its BBC days the show refused to subscribe to what was then called political correctness.

Clarkson has enjoyed a 22-year partnership with James May and Richard Hammond

One of Top Gears memorable incidents involved a 2014 trip to Argentina with a Porsche 928 registered H982 FKL.

The stars were forced to flee Argentina under police escort when a rampaging mob of furious locals noted the number plate of the Porsche and assumed it was a deliberate provocation about the Falklands War.

Clarkson said on Sunday that the selection of the number plate really was an accident and said: I wish Id thought of it.

The three were forced to flee their hotel and head for the airport when the lobby was invaded by angry war veterans.

The offending Porsche was abandoned at the border by the shows production crew, with local police later finding another set of plates reading BE11 END in the vehicle.

The rare vehicle is assumed to have been destroyed, despite the manual gearbox 928 being a rare model that is sought after by collectors.

Classic car dealer Mark Waring, of Surrey-based Rennsport classics, told The Telegraph later in 2014 that he had no idea what the vehicle was going to be used for.

If people approach me to sell a cherished car, I endeavour to sell it to someone who will continue to look after it in a way the previous owner had, he said.
Noel Widdifield, far right, and Jim Sullivan with their wives after the airmen made their record-breaking flight in 1974. Photograph: Central Press/Getty Images

On 1 September 1974 two men made the fastest ever journey between New York and London. The astonishing trip  at three times the speed of sound  took less than two hours and set a record that still stands 50 years later.

Even the mighty Concorde, which set the record for the fastest commercial transatlantic flight in 1996, straggled in almost an hour behind.

The US air force Lockheed Blackbird SR-71 jet had a crew of two  pilot James Sullivan and reconnaissance systems operator Noel Widdifield  who completed the journey between the two cities in one hour, 54 minutes and 56 seconds before triumphantly landing to a fanfare welcome at the Farnborough air show in Hampshire.

Widdifield, now 83, splits his time between Virginia and Florida in the US. In a way, this was a standard flight for us, he said, reflecting on the momentous day. There was nothing different about it or the way we flew the plane. But we had been told in July 1974 that we would attempt the world record for flying between New York and London, which had previously been set by Royal Navy pilots. There was a lot of media interest.

It wasnt just air force bragging rights at stake. America was undergoing something of an international public relations crisis  just three weeks earlier, the disgraced president Richard Nixon had resigned after the Watergate scandal and Gerald Ford had been sworn in to the White House. There was still a hangover from their disastrous involvement in the Vietnam war. The country needed something to cheer on.

There were other machinations, too. Widdifield told the Observer: We didnt know anything about this at the time, but behind the scenes there had been negotiations between the US and the UK to base Blackbird SR-71s on British soil.

There were concerns about this in Britain because it was considered the move might ruffle a lot of feathers, especially in the Middle East. But after we broke the record and flew into the Farnborough air show, that seemed to seal the deal, and the UK allowed SR-71s to be based there.

Widdifield was 33 years old when he made the historic flight. He had originally wanted to be a train driver, but after seeing a USAF jet fly low over his house when he was 12, he decided he would be a pilot.

After his training and flying B-52 bombers, Widdifield joined the Blackbird SR-71 programme at Beale air force base in California from 1971 to 1975, after which he stopped flying and became involved in the US space programme until 1982.

Flying the Blackbird was akin to being an astronaut. The crew wore space suits and flew at an altitude of 80,000ft (the maximum approved altitude for most commercial aircraft is 42,000ft). Widdifield said: Its just black sky up there. You see the stars, and either the moon or the sun, depending on what time of day it is.

Their plane took off from Beale and had to fly around the coast to New York to avoid causing a sonic boom over populated areas and extensive damage to property. High above the city was an invisible gate, which would mark the start of the journey. Reaching speeds of Mach 3.2  three times the speed of sound and about 2,455mph  the Blackbird tore through the gate, and the record attempt was under way.

The aircraft had to take on fuel twice: when it took off, linking with a refuelling plane above California to fill it to capacity, and partway during the journey near to Greenland.

There was also an incident which would have looked terrifying from the outside but which the crew took in their stride. The Blackbird began to suddenly yaw  moving swiftly from side to side  after losing thrust.

The Blackbird took in air from the front to give thrust to the engines, and it was common for a device in the inlet to become displaced, causing one engine to lose much of its power momentarily.

Widdifield said: The automatic restart systems kicked in, repositioning this cone that had become misplaced, and the engine restarted. It wasnt particularly a worry other than wondering what effect it might have on the record speed run.

Related: Supersonic flight: will it ever rise out of the ashes of Concorde?

The plane crossed over the London gate without further incident and the Blackbird came into Farnborough, where there was a huge crowd waiting and a press conference was held, during which Widdifield and Sullivan were connected by phone to the new president. There was a lot of international coverage for a year afterwards, says Widdifield, who has six scrapbooks of cuttings. One thing Jim and I always tried to emphasise, though, was that although it was the two of us who got the glory, there was a huge team behind every flight.

When you take into account all the support staff and admin workers and everybody who does their bit to get us in the air, youre talking about a thousand people. They need as much credit as Jim and me.

Widdifield, who has been married to his wife, Ann, for 63 years and has two children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, mourns the loss of both his co-pilot Jim Sullivan, who died in 2021, and the Blackbird SR-71 itself, which was officially retired from service in 1998.

He said: Jim and I stayed in touch, but later on we only saw each other a few times at SR-71 reunions, as we lived so far apart.

I was sad, of course, when the SR-71 programme ended. And am I surprised that nobody has beaten our record in 50 years? No. Because theres been no other aircraft developed since that could beat it.
Composite image of the six Conservative leadership contenders

As Labour reveals the face it hid from the public before the election, some Conservatives see the possibility of a faster political recovery. From lies about the economy to questionable appointments, putting up taxes to handing out cash to the unions, jeopardising energy security to surrendering to illegal immigration, reversing successful school reforms to cutting pensioners incomes, this is an awful government.

We cannot kid ourselves, however, that what is bad for a party of government must be good for a party of opposition. While it is true that Labour won almost two thirds of the seats in Parliament with a little more than one third of the vote, its unusual unpopularity as a new government, with its honeymoon ending almost as soon as it began, says nothing about the Conservatives. The story of the election is that in most constituencies, voters chose to do whatever it took to kick us out. We need to confront the reasons why.

Even if Labour unpopularity did simply return us to power next time, we would still need an analysis of the countrys challenges, an account of what can be done about them, and a credible plan of action  and that means an honest assessment of our own shortcomings. The economy has not grown enough since at least the financial crash. Public services, especially the NHS, are under pressure. The rate of immigration is a disgrace. Young people are too often priced out of housing. In government, we spent too much time complaining about the state and not enough time reforming it.

We need to change not only because the public did not want us, but because the scale of the challenges faced by our country are so immense that more of the same simply will not do.

This is the context in which the Conservatives start the process of choosing our new leader. The candidates are attractive and high-quality politicians. Kemi Badenoch has argued cogently about the culture wars. Robert Jenrick understands the significance of the Tory failure to meet its immigration promises. James Cleverly is a great communicator who has served in two great offices of state. Priti Patel has experience of high office and is popular with party members. Mel Stride was one of the stand-out performers of the last Conservative government.

But as one of the 121 Conservative MPs taking part in the rounds of voting this week and next, my vote will be for Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister.

First off, when we decide who should be leader, we must judge the candidates not only on their beliefs and principles  vital though these are  but on their ability to do the job and lead. For we should be realistic about how hard opposition can be: the government dominates the news agenda, the public pays you little attention, and there are fewer proof points to show change when you are not running departments and services. And we are, of course, more than 200 seats away from winning a Commons majority next time.

I know Tom has the leadership qualities to change the party, get the job done and become prime minister. He served with distinction in the military, and I saw first-hand, when I was asked to review the operational effectiveness of the Home Office 18 months ago, how officials there responded to his leadership. He has charisma, a sense of humour, and a strong ability to communicate  which, according to the polls, is something members and the electorate have noticed. Of the leading candidates, Tom has the strongest approval ratings.

Second, he has substance. Like the other candidates, he has spent the summer travelling the country and addressing meetings of Conservative members. But he has also sought to address the wider public. Instead of taking refuge in social media clips, he has delivered thoughtful speeches. During the riots, he pressured Keir Starmer to lead and convene the emergency committee, Cobra. After the riots, he gave a speech reflecting on the lessons for the police and criminal justice system, and setting out the kind of society we need to become.

And this brings us to the third reason. Tom has made clear he understands the need for change, not just in one particular way, but across the board. He has pledged a legally binding cap on non-British annual net migration of 100,000. He will seek changes  on a strict timescale  to the European Convention on Human Rights, and if change is not forthcoming, he promises we will leave.

He is prepared not just to talk about culture wars and the rusty machinery of government, but to change the laws and policies that lie at the heart of the problem.

Popular frustration with the party is not limited to immigration and the failure to resist the culture wars. Last week, in a speech about the need for the party to rediscover its zeal for public service reform, Tom defended the Tory education policies that left English schools among the best in the world, while giving a brutally honest appraisal of the partys record with the NHS. He presented a Conservative vision for the future of public services that should excite voters across all ages.

And Tom has shown the intellectual ability to ask some of the deepest questions about the future of our economy. He says security of supply and industrial competitiveness come before decarbonisation in the energy trilemma. He wants to build more houses, and reshore jobs and industry. He has articulated how fiscal and monetary policy have combined to kill investment and innovation in our economy, through the distinction he draws between dead money, meaning investment in government bonds, and live money, meaning investment in equities that spur innovation and growth.

We learnt from the last Tory contest that cosplaying successful leaders from our history, rather than understanding and learning from their example, can be disastrous. The foundations already established by Tom set us up to recover from the worst election defeat in our history  appealing to those who defected to Reform, Labour and the Lib Dems, and to those who stayed at home  and offer once more the vision and leadership our country desperately needs.
Campsfield House immigration removal centre in Kidlington, Oxfordshire. Labour has said it plans to reopen the centre, which was closed in 2019. Photograph: Tim Ockenden/PA

Your report on the escalating violence and deteriorating conditions at Gatwick immigration removal centre should send shockwaves through anyone with a conscience (Gatwick immigration removal centre getting less safe for detainees, says watchdog, 29 August). The fact that nearly a year after the Brook House inquiry revealed a culture of abuse, the government has allowed these horrors to persist  and worsen  is beyond appalling.

As someone who has survived the nightmare of immigration detention, I know first-hand the toll that it takes on the human soul. The governments response? To expand this inhumane system by planning to reopen the Haslar and Campsfield House centres in Hampshire and Oxfordshire respectively, ignoring the mountain of evidence that detention inflicts profound harm. This isnt just a misstep, its a blatant betrayal of human dignity.

This is why a coalition of more than 40 organisations and 20 individuals, including local residents, human rights groups and those with lived experience, have issued a public statement demanding an immediate halt to the reopening of the Haslar and Campsfield House centres. Our statement is a call to action, urging the government to pivot towards community-based alternatives that uphold our values of humanity and justice. If nothing else, at least listen to those of us who lived through these horrors.

If the government continues down this path, it will be a policy failure and a moral catastrophe.

Gee Manoharan

Co-director for policy and influencing, Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees

 Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Pure graft: chef/owner Rob McIntyre at Little Dumpling King, Stoke-on-Trent. Photograph: Fabio De Paola/The Observer

Little Dumpling King, 50 Piccadilly, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1EG. 01782 286 113. Littledumplingking.co.uk.

All dishes 4 - 14. Wines from 25 a bottle. Beers from 4 a bottle.

At Little Dumpling King in Stoke-on-Trents Hanley, they make their own crispy chilli oil, which is much more crispy chilli than oil. This is a smart move, partly because it indicates a commitment to doing things properly and partly because they use so much, theyd go bust if they had to buy it retail. There are fat piles of the stuff across the dumplings, and in drifts around the deep-fried chicken wings, and as part of the gnarly seasoning on the sticky rice. The curious thing is that it doesnt get repetitive, this clash and batter of heat and toastiness. It ends up feeling more like a signature; a mark of the place and its determination to beat you into happy submission with plate after plate of huge, banging flavours.

The overwhelming sense is that the people who work here give a damn, about quite a lot of things

Not every restaurant is for everyone. Initially, I wasnt convinced Little Dumpling King would be for me. They make much of their reasonably priced natural wine list. They are enthusiastic about their loud music. After lunch I asked about their playlist. 2000s indie, owner and head chef Rob McIntyre told me. A bit of heavy metal. Some American sad Midwest emo. I asked if the latter is an actual genre. Rob said it was and I decided not to check, because Im 58 and have no business knowing one end of a sad Midwestern emo from another. In the evenings, its loud depending on mood. At lunchtime, its just a dull roar. The music helps with my anxiety said Rob, who has dark, twinkly eyes and the kind of beard that probably saves time in the morning. The floors are bare. The chairs are red. The walls are black and, according to the framed posters hung upon them, The working class strikes back and We hate the fucking government. The menu carries the legend pure graft.

The overwhelming sense is that the people who work here give a damn, about quite a lot of things. When the knuckle-dragging, spittle-flecked racist thugs kicked off in Stoke in August, the team at Little Dumpling King were ferocious on social media. They denounced the bastards  thats a technical term, accurately used  and stuck up for the multi-ethnic community of which they are a part. They serve a menu that wanders Asia with the enthusiasm of fans who have bought every album and know every lyric. What they do and what they love is a celebration of inclusiveness; of migration and influences from elsewhere. And they werent bloody having it. On principle, therefore, I had already decided I loved the place before Id even stepped inside. Then I ate their food, leaned into it and over it, and I fell in love with them all over again.

At the top of the ever-changing menu are big fat steamed pork dumplings, full of depth and meatiness. Better still are the steamed haggis dumplings, which sound like a night out in Glasgow gone very right. The shiny, translucent skins give way to a peppery filling, with just the right hint of inner animal. There is the heavy mess of crispy chilli, with sesame seeds and the green fleck of sliced spring onion, to help you feel youre getting your vegetables. The chicken wings, four muscle-bound three-part specimens for 7.75, are described on the menu as dead good. We should probably be suspicious of a kitchen marking its own homework, but dont argue, because they are. The batter is thick, crisp and deeply savoury. Lumps of it, like chip shop scraps, give heft to the surrounding mounds of crispy chilli.

Dishes like this can look as if theyre engineered to bludgeon you. But hidden behind the bravado and the noise is an attention to detail. Thick slices of salmon crudo, in a soy and green herb oil dressing that shines under the lights, come sprinkled with popping, bursting wild garlic buds, picked and pickled months ago. The most expensive dish, at a mighty 14, is a generous serving of steak tartare, minced and correctly seasoned and laid with a raw egg yolk so you can mix it in yourself. Its finished with something they did not need to add: a thick grating of cured egg yolk. Scoop it away with golden shards of what they call wonton skin poppadoms.

Its not all meaty. There are jackfruit dumplings and a mung bean hummus. Theres a rice bowl topped with pumpkin croquettes and hot sauce, alongside various bao. One houses a slab of tofu, battered and deep-fried to create a layer of crunch beneath the soft bun, which in turn gives way to creamy bean curd. Its tiled with slices of gherkin and dribbled with hot sauce. We also have a huge bowl of mussels, big soft plump ones, in a rust-coloured tom yum broth with just a little coconut milk, so it stays light and invigorating. It would be restorative if we needed restoring, but we dont. We are reeling a little now because we have over-ordered. Partly, weve done this because the prices are so damn reasonable. Afterwards, I will tell them I worry a little about their profit margins; they will tell me they do, too, sometimes. But also, its because ordering all of this is a way of showing enthusiasm for their efforts. Usually, I just want a restaurant to look after me. Theres something so gentle about Little Dumpling King that makes me want to look after them.

There is just one dessert today and in keeping with the haggis dumplings at the start, it is a deep-fried Mars bar. Well, of course it is. Theres a right way to deep fry confectionery and a wrong way. Leave the bar bobbing in the fat for too long and you end up with a dissolved mess, only just held in place by the batter. It barely resembles its origins. Get it right and you have a stratified fritter. In short, if its possible to deep fry a Mars bar sensitively thats what they do. And then, a genius move this, they sprinkle it with brilliant white flakes of sea salt. Its a cheffy touch, but a fabulous one. McIntyre tells me that the business emerged out of various lockdown projects. Having cooked in a couple of restaurants in the northwest, he started making the sort of food he wanted to eat. Theres not a lot of reasons to be thankful for Covid. But at least it gave us Little Dumpling King.

News bites

Royal China on Londons Baker Street, part of the well-known Chinese restaurant group of the same name, has lost its liquor licence and been fined 470,000 after 20 illegal workers were arrested there during inspection visits between 2018 and 2024. During the most recent raid in May, almost a third of the staff on duty at the time were found to be working there illegally. There were also questions over pay, with one employee reported to be earning just 6 an hour for a 66-hour week, far below the minimum wage of 11.44. One immigration officer described the restaurant as the worst licensed premises in the borough of Westminster. The company has not commented.

Chef Aiden Byrne and his wife, Sarah, who recently departed the Church Green pub in the Cheshire village of Lymm after 16 years, have announced their next venture. They are moving to Knutsford to open a tasting menu-only restaurant called Li-Ly by Aiden Byrne. It will have around 35 covers and be open for lunch and dinner four days a week. Shortly, Byrne will be launching a crowdfunder to help with renovation of the building. Follow him on Instagram for more @chefaidenbyrne.

London is to become home to what is claimed to be the first dedicated Japanese cookery school in the UK. The Tokyo College of Sushi and Washoku, an off-shoot of a similar school in the Japanese capital, will open this autumn in White City. It will offer both full-time and part-time courses, as well as customised sessions for industry professionals. It does not come cheap, however. The full-time six-month professional diploma costs more than 12,000 (sushicollege.co.uk).

Jay Rayners cookbook, Nights Out at Home: Recipes and Stories from 25 Years as a Restaurant Critic (Penguin, 22), is available from guardianbookshop.com at 19.80

Email Jay at jay.rayner@observer.co.uk or follow him on X @jayrayner1
Maria Sibylla Merians Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium. Photograph: Rijksmuseum

More than three centuries after she made a perilous transatlantic voyage to study butterflies, a rare copy of the hand-coloured masterwork by the great naturalist and artist Maria Sibylla Merian is returning to Amsterdam.

The Rijksmuseum, which holds more than half-a-million books on art and history, last week announced it had acquired a rare first-edition copy of Metamorphosis of the Insects of Suriname (Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium), described as a high point of 18th-century book production when the Dutch Republic was the bookshop of the world.

More than half-a-metre tall and illustrated with 60 richly coloured plates, Metamorphosis revealed to a wider public the transformation of tropical insects from egg to adult.

Merian and her daughters produced about 200 copies from 1705, but today only an estimated 67 remain, and few with colour illustrations.

Its one of the most fascinating books in natural history that we know, Alex Alsemgeest, curator of library collections at the Rijksmuseum, told the Observer. Also quite exceptional, he said, was that Merian took the entire book production process into her own hands, from the voyage to Suriname to the commercialisation of the work, which was sold to merchants and scientists across Europe.

With its beautiful, sometimes disturbing images, rendered with pinpoint precision, Metamorphosis is a work of art and scientific scholarship, from a time when there was no rigid division between disciplines. It is also part of the story of Dutch colonialism. Merian recorded the local names of plants and insects she studied. In contrast to other European naturalists, she credited local people with helping her discover the colonys wildlife, although didnt name individuals.

Finally, there is the fascinating life of Merian herself. As a 52-year-old divorcee, she embarked on a self-funded voyage to Suriname in 1699, driven by relentless curiosity about the lives of insects.

Born in Frankfurt, Merian learned to paint in her artist stepfathers workshop, and became fascinated by silkworms, moths and butterflies. She married one of her stepfathers apprentices and had two daughters. Ensconced in a comfortable life in Nuremberg, she bred and sketched caterpillars, publishing celebrated books about the plants and insects around her.

At this time, many people still believed that insects spontaneously generated in the dirt. While Merian was not the first to show the transformation from egg, through larva and pupa, to adult insect, her artistic talents helped to bring this message to a wider audience Alsemgeest said.

Described by the late historian Natalie Zemon Davis as curious, wilful and a harder person to pin down than other notable contemporaries, Merian left her husband to join a strict Protestant sect in Friesland, before eventually setting up a business in Amsterdam.

It was in the Dutch city she discovered in cabinets the vivid butterflies of Suriname, a Dutch colony until 1975, on the northern coast of South America. Having moved there with her younger daughter, Dorothea, she criticised Dutch settlers who only cared for sugar, ignoring the fertile potential of the soil for other crops.

While she wrote little about human behaviour, Merian noted the cruelty meted out to enslaved women. In a passage about a plant that induced abortions, she described them telling her that abortions would mean their children could be born free in their own country.

Her book depicted the beauty and savagery of the natural world, as well as some wincingly realistic creepy-crawlies. The first image shows cockroaches crawling over an unripened pineapple, a fruit then celebrated in Europe as a status symbol. In another illustration, a tarantula attacks a hummingbird. Merian is credited with giving the creature its Dutch name, vogelspin, meaning bird-spider.

Her image would be dismissed as a fantasy. Alsemgeest said: In the 18th century, people responded: thats what you get when you send a woman to tropical places. She probably made that up. But scientists later confirmed her findings, he added.

The spider plate, he said, was a very good example of how Merian worked. She was a really good observer.
Emmanuel Macron (front left) is set to meet with Bernard Cazeneuve (front right) - Getty/Philippe Wojazer

Emmanuel Macron will hold talks on Monday with Francois Hollandes former prime minister on Monday in a possible breakthrough to finally form a government.

Bernard Cazeneuve has been touted as a possible compromise candidate after demands from the hard-Left to appoint its candidate to the position of prime minister was rebuffed by Mr Macron.

If tapped to replace outgoing Gabriel Attal, Mr Cazeneuve would reprise the role he played under the Socialist government of Mr Hollande for a brief five-month stint between 2016-17.

Bernard Cazeneuve is not asking for it, but if he does so, it is out of duty and to avoid additional difficulties for the country, an unnamed member of Mr Cazeneuves team told Le Monde.

In 2022, Mr Cazeneuve quit the Socialist Party in protest at the groups alliance with the far-Left party France Unbowed (LFI), part of the Leftist bloc dubbed Nupes (New Ecological and Social Peoples Union), ahead of the legislative elections that same year.

Today, a similar Leftist coalition includes the Greens, France Unbowed, the Socialists, and the Communists operates under the name New Popular Front (NFP). Mr Cazeneuves former boss, Mr Hollande, is also part of the new Leftist bloc.

Zombie government

In 2023, Mr Cazeneuve created a new political party he named La Convention, which failed to gather momentum or gain support from senior Leftist lawmakers.

France enters its ninth week of being led by a so-called zombie government after Mr Macron called a snap election in June that delivered a hung parliament and dealt a major blow to his own centrist coalition.

While the NFP won the most seats, it fell short of an absolute majority.

Earlier this week, Mr Macron rejected Lucie Castets, its candidate for prime minister, saying both she and the partys costly programme would be unable to create consensus in the National Assembly and be quickly struck down by the opposition.

In recent days, the Elysee Palace has been pushing Mr Cazeneuves name and arguing he is likely to be one of the only political figures not immediately dismissed in a vote of no confidence.

However, the prospect of reinstating Mr Cazeneuve as prime minister has divided opinions, with former Socialist colleagues such as Anne Hidalgo, Paris mayor, expressing support, and others doubling down on threats to submit motions of no confidence for his nomination.

With him, we would have real cohabitation, and that is what is needed, unless we want to ignore the French vote, Ms Hidalgo told regional paper Ouest-France.

She added: He will be able to bring together political leaders from sides other than his own, notably from the Republican Right, the centre or ecology, around priority issues that are useful to the French.

Return to the old world

But Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialists, refused to support anyone other than Ms Castets, while Manuel Bompard, LFI coordinator, said his party would submit a motion of no confidence if he is named.

Eric Ciotti, Republican leader, also denounced the possible appointment of Mr Cazeneuve, saying it would become a return to the old world.

The country is waiting to be governed from the Right, he added.

Mr Macron will also meet with former presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Mr Hollande on Monday as part of his consultations before naming a prime minister.
Animal justice party MP Emma Hurst says hundreds of sharks, dolphins, stingrays and turtles become entangled in shark nets every year. Photograph: Robert Harding World Imagery/Alamy

Experts, marine conservation groups and an MP are all urging the New South Wales government to ban anti-shark nets, which kill large numbers of turtles and dolphins, after 51 nets were installed along the states coastline.

Last summer more than 90% of marine animals caught in shark nets were not sharks, while more than half of the 208 non-target species caught  such as turtles, dolphins and smaller sharks  were killed, data showed.

Australian Marine Conservation Society shark scientist Leonardo Guida said the nets, which are installed from Newcastle to Wollongong, were redundant because there were more effective and less lethal options available for keeping sharks away from swimmers and surfers.

The government literally has solutions in their hands  technologies such as drone surveillance, personal shark deterrents and their leading SharkSmart education program are improving safety without harming marine life, he said.

Related: Where do sharks hang out?: the race to find safe spaces for the Galapagos ocean-going predators

Animal justice party MP Emma Hurst said hundreds of sharks, dolphins, stingrays and turtles became entangled in the nets every year, costing taxpayers millions of dollars and creating a false sense of security for beachgoers.

We know they dont work. We know that sharks can swim under them or around them, she said.

The shark nets were installed at beaches under the states management program and will remain in place until 31 March. The NSW government had already brought the end date forward by a month in response to concerns about turtle activity in April.

Announcing the governments shark management approach on 31 July, the state agriculture minister, Tara Moriarty, said the NSW governments priority is the safety of beachgoers, at the same time we are committed to protecting our states marine life.

In addition to the shark nets, the $21.5m management program included smart drum lines, drone surveillance and community education.

Prof Robert Harcourt, marine ecologist at Macquarie University and the Sydney Institute for Marine Science, said NSW had already mastered a system involving smart drum lines where the animals were caught, tagged and released, with the data made publicly available via an app.

The smart drum line system combined with surf life-savers using drones to spot sharks, made for a very comprehensive, effective shark protection system, which doesnt involve killing anything, Harcourt said.

More than 1,000 white sharks had already been tagged in NSW, he added, making them the best tagged population anywhere in the world.

He said the situation was a wicked problem for governments responsible for protecting people and threatened species. I think you could certainly reduce the shark nets without much risk to the politicians of being blamed for endangering swimmers at the beach, Harcourt said.

Dr Brianna Le Busque researches attitudes towards sharks at the University of South Australia.

She has found the majority of surfers were not afraid of sharks and did not want measures that affected the marine animals.
Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in cities across the country to call for a ceasefire - Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Israel faces a nationwide general strike over the deaths of six hostages found with gunshot wounds to the head in a Gaza tunnel.

The countrys biggest unions said they would shut down the entire economy on Monday to force the government to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

The six hostages are believed to have been killed by Hamas terrorists as Israeli troops closed in on their locations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Three were on a list to be released under a possible ceasefire deal.

The killings piled pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, who has been accused of blocking the latest proposed deal in recent weeks.

On Sunday, Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, called on Mr Netanyahus security cabinet to drop its veto of a peace deal.

Click here to view this content.

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in cities across the country, chanting: Now! Now! in reference to a possible ceasefire.

A deal needs to be reached  a deal is more important than anything else, Arnon Bar-David, the leader of the union that called a general strike, said on Sunday night.

Mondays strike  the first since the Oct 7 attacks  was set to begin at 6am local time. Ben-Gurion Airport will halt all flights, starting at 8am.

Nurseries, universities and a number of large shopping centres will be closed. The Israel Bar Association alled on lawyers to join the one-day strike.

On Sunday night, demonstrators blocked the main way in to Jerusalem, while hundreds protested outside the prime ministers office in the city.

In Tel Aviv, thousands took to the streets following a call by the Hostages Families Forum earlier in the day to make the country come to a complete halt. The forum said the killing of the six hostages in Gaza was a direct result of the government delaying the ceasefire.

Thousands protested outside the defence ministrys headquarters in Tel Aviv, with demonstrators carrying mock coffins and signs saying: End the criminal abandonment.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, joined calls for both sides to agree an end to fighting in Gaza, piling further pressure on Mr Netanyahu.

Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering, he said.

Joe Biden, the US president, said: It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

He later spoke to the family of one of the killed hostages, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli.

Mr Netanyahu is accused of torpedoing a US-led peace initiative that would have led to the release of some hostages.

He refused to accept Hamas demands that Israel gives up control of the Philadelphi Corridor, which runs along the border between Gaza and Egypt.

Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, called on the security cabinet to reverse a decision to veto the deal made on Thursday.

He said: Its too late for the abductees who were murdered in cold blood. The abductees who remain in the captivity of Hamas must be returned home.

The six hostages who were killed. Top from left: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi. Bottom from left: Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov and Carmel Gat. - The Hostages Families Forum

Yair Lapid, the opposition leader, accused Mr Netanyahu of doing everything to stay in power insead of saving the lives of hostages.

On Sunday night, hundreds of people attended the funeral of Almog Sarusi, 27, who was among the hostages killed.

Mr Sarusis mother, Nira, said her son was abandoned, an ongoing abandonment that went on with every day, every hour, for 331 days. You were sacrificed at the altar of destroying Hamas  a reference to Mr Netanyahus primary goal of the war.

She added: Enough. No more. Only a hostage deal. Only return the remaining hostages  those to be rehabilitated and those to be buried.

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06:58 PM BST

Thanks for following todays live blog

Thank you for following todays live coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict.

06:16 PM BST

Protest in Tel Aviv

Israeli protesters have taken to the streets of Tel Aviv, calling on Benjamin Netanyahus government to agree to a ceasefire deal.

Protesters gather in Tel Aviv, Israel - Getty Images Europe

06:13 PM BST

Pictured: Killed hostages mourned

Mourners gather for the funeral of slain hostage Alexander Lobanov - AP

People attend a candlelight vigil accompanied by prayers for killed Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin - AFP

Mourners pay respects to killed hostage Eden Yerushalmi - REUTERS

05:26 PM BST

All schools to close in strike, says union

The teachers union in Israel, linked to the wider Histadrut movement, has announced that K-12 schools will only open until 11.45am on Monday, with exceptions for children with special needs.

Similarly, all kindergartens will close completely, with the same exceptions in place, the union added.

Meanwhile, a high school teachers strike which began on Sunday, unrelated to the national strike, will continue on Monday.

Mondays national strike is only expected to last one day, though could be extended further.

05:19 PM BST

German chancellor joins calls for ceasefire

The German chancellor has joined calls for a ceasefire in Gaza following the death of six Israeli hostages who were found dead on Saturday.

Olaf Scholz said: The news of six hostages found dead in the Gaza Strip fills us with sadness and anger. Hamas terrorists are responsible for the deaths of these women and men, with one of them having a connection to Germany.

At the same time, it is once again clear that a ceasefire that paves the way for the release of all Hamas hostages must now have top priority. Other considerations should stand back.

It follows a similar statement from Sir Keir Starmer earlier on Sunday.

The news of six hostages found dead in the Gaza Strip fills us with sadness and anger. Hamas terrorists are responsible for the deaths of these women and men, with one of them having a connection to Germany.  Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) September 1, 2024

05:09 PM BST

Six Israeli hostages shot at close range

Six hostages whose deaths were announced on Sunday were shot at close range shortly before their bodies were recovered from the Gaza Strip, Israels health ministry has confirmed.

The six hostages were murdered by Hamas terrorists with several close-range gunshots, a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the forensic examination, the hostages deaths are estimated to have occurred approximately 48-72 hours before their examination (between Thursday and early Friday morning).

05:00 PM BST

Biden speaks with parents of murdered hostage

Joe Biden spoke with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, parents of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, on Sunday morning to offer his condolences for the death of their son at the hands of Hamas, a White House official said.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was one of the six hostages found dead inside a Gaza tunnel over the weekend - AFP

04:52 PM BST

Pictured: Israeli protesters take to streets of Jerusalem

Israeli protesters have taken to the streets of Jerusalem once again on Sunday, calling on Benjamin Netanyahus government to agree to a ceasefire deal.

It follows similar protests on Saturday.

Protesters block a main road to show support for the hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly Oct 7 attack - REUTERS

Israel security forces move people attending a demonstration calling for the immediate return of hostages held in Gaza - REUTERS

04:24 PM BST

Watch: Netanyahu says Hamas does not want ceasefire

Those who kill hostages do not want an agreement for a Gaza truce, Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday, before telling Hamas leaders that we will hunt you down, we will catch you and we will settle the score.

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04:09 PM BST

White House to speak to hostages families

The White Houses national security adviser will hold a virtual meeting on Sunday with families of American hostages held by Hamas, American officials said.

It follows the death of six Israeli hostages, including the dual Israel-US citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

Joe Biden said earlier that he was devastated and outraged by their deaths.

03:45 PM BST

Pictured: Mother of killed Israeli hostage speaks at sons funeral

Nira, the mother of Israeli hostage Almog Sarusi, has been pictured speaking at her sons funeral in Raanana in central Israel.

Nira, the mother of killed Israeli hostage Almog Sarusi, reacts as she speaks during the funeral of her son in Raanana on Sunday - AFP

03:21 PM BST

Israel must leave Gaza-Egypt border to achieve ceasefire, Hamas demands

A Hamas official has told the Telegraph that Israel has to leave the Philadelphi corridor totally if a ceasefire is to be agreed.

When it comes to the corridor, there is no compromise. There will be no (ceasefire) deal without solving this problem, Basem Naim said.

Protest groups, including families of hostages being held by Hamas, have also called on Mr Netanyahu to change his stance on keeping troops on the Gaza-Egypt border, which they believe is currently preventing a ceasefire deal from being agreed.

03:08 PM BST

Entire Israeli economy to go on strike

Arnon Bar-David, the head of Israels Histadrut labour union, called on all civilian workers to join the national strike and said Ben Gurion, Israels main international airport, would be closed from 8am (6am BST).

He said: We are getting body bags instead of a deal. I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention might move those who need to be moved.

Therefore, I have decided that starting tomorrow, the entire Israeli economy will go on strike. I call on the people of Israel to go out to the streets tonight and tomorrow and for everyone to take part in the strike, he added.

03:05 PM BST

Israels largest labour union announces strike

Israels largest labour union, General Federation of Labour, has announced a general strike will take place from 6am on Monday.

A (hostage) deal is more important than anything else, said Arnon Bar-David, the chief of the Histadruth labour federation.

It comes as pressure grows on Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas after the murder of six Israeli hostages over the weekend.

02:48 PM BST

Israeli military kills suspect involved in triple police officer shooting

The Israeli military said it had killed the suspected attacker who carried out a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank on Sunday that left three police officers dead.

Israeli forces encircled a house where the alleged attacker was hiding in the city of Hebron, the military said in a statement, adding that he was eliminated at the scene.

Israeli police search the area where a vehicle opened fire to an Israeli police car and killed 3 policemen at Tarqumiyah district of Hebron - Anadolu

02:32 PM BST

Netanyahu apologises to parents of murdered hostage

Benjamin Netanyahu has apologised to Oxana and Grigory Lobanov, the parents of Alexander Lobanov, who was murdered while being held hostage by Hamas.

I would like to tell you how much I regret and request forgiveness for not succeeding in bringing Sasha back alive, the Israeli prime minister told them, marking the first time the prime minister spoke so explicitly about his failure to bring back hostages since Oct 7.

Mr Netanyahus office said that the Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman returned this morning from a visit to Moscow where he discussed Mr Lobanov and the other hostages in an attempt to advance the ceasefire deal.

02:09 PM BST

Tel Aviv to join nationwide strike, says mayor

The mayor of Tel Aviv has announced the city will join a nationwide strike on Monday in support of hostage families who have called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Tomorrow, beginning in the morning until midday, there will be no reception of the public [at our offices] and we will allow all employees to go out and support the families struggle, Ron Huldai said.

The mayor of Givatayim, located east of Tel Aviv, has also said his city will take part in a strike on Monday.

It followed calls by Yair Lapid, the opposition leader, for a strike in response to the death of six Israeli captives whose bodies were found in a Gaza tunnel on Saturday.

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,                   (@Ron_Huldai) September 1, 2024

02:02 PM BST

Hostage killings horrific and senseless, says Starmer

The Prime Minister has said he is completely shocked by the killing of six hostages who were captured by Hamas on Oct 7 and found by Israeli forces inside a Gaza tunnel on Saturday.

Sir Keir Starmer said: I am completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time.

Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.

I am completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time.



Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.  Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 1, 2024

01:32 PM BST

Israeli defence minister urges deal to return hostages

Israels defence minister has called for a ceasefire deal in Gaza in order to facilitate the return of the hostages still being held by Hamas.

Yoav Gallant said: Its too late for the abductees who were murdered in cold blood. The abductees who remain in the captivity of Hamas must be returned home.

Mr Gallant also called for the reversal of a decision to keep troops in the so-called Philadelphi corridor, along the southern edge of Gaza, which is seen as a major obstacle in facilitating a ceasefire deal.

Mr Gallant has clashed repeatedly with Mr Netanyahu and hardline religious nationalist ministers over the need to reach a deal to halt the fighting in Gaza.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and others at the 'pit' at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv - Maayan Toaf

01:13 PM BST

Israeli mayor declares strike in blow to Netanyahu

The mayor of Givatayim, an Israeli city located east of Tel Aviv, has declared that a general strike will take place on Monday in a fresh blow to Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Israeli prime minister has been under increasing pressure to agree to a ceasefire deal that would see the return of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas.

The idea that military pressure will return hostages has collapsed, Ran Kunik said.

It followed calls by Yair Lapid, the opposition leader, for a strike in response to the death of six Israeli captives whose bodies were found in a Gaza tunnel on Saturday.

12:58 PM BST

Watch: Israeli forces at scene of triple killing

Dozens of Israeli troops were seen at the site where three police officers were killed in a shooting on Sunday.

Arik Ben Eliyahu, Hadas Branch, and Roni Shakuri were killed near the Palestinian city of Tarqumiyah in the southern West Bank.

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12:48 PM BST

Murdered hostages were due to be released

Several of the Israeli hostages who were found dead in a Gaza tunnel were due to be released in a proposed prisoner exchange deal, a senior Hamas official said on Sunday.

Some of the names of the captives announced as found by the (Israeli) occupier... were part of the list of hostages to be released that Hamas had approved in a potential exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, the anonymous official said.

It comes after a senior Israeli official told the Telegraph that at least three of the hostages were due to be exchanged in a ceasefire deal that recently collapsed.

Hersh, Carmel and Eden were all on the list of hostages set to be released in the July 2 ceasefire proposal presented by Biden. We could have saved them, the official said.

Israel said the captives were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before being found by Israeli troops - potentially only one or two days before being found.

But Hamas has so far denied responsibility for their deaths, saying the hostages were killed by Zionist bombing.

Six hostages captured by Hamas who were found by Israeli forces inside a Gaza tunnel were killed within the last 48 hours - REUTERS

12:41 PM BST

Hostages killed by Hamas shot in the head

Six hostages abducted by Hamas who were found dead in a Gaza tunnel were found with gunshot wounds to the head, a source familiar with the subject told the Telegraph.

Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported that autopsies showed they were murdered in the last 48 hours.



12:16 PM BST

Israeli police officers killed in West Bank attack named

Three police officers who were killed in a shooting attack in the southern West Bank on Sunday have been named as Arik Ben Eliyahu, Hadas Branch, and Roni Shakuri.

The fatal shooting was carried out near the Palestinian city of Tarqumiyah in the southern West Bank, according to Israeli officials.

The three fallen Israeli Police officers. https://t.co/GDPy4TkS6C pic.twitter.com/o3sjPLC5AZ  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) September 1, 2024

11:52 AM BST

Death toll in Gaza reaches 40,738, says health ministry

The death toll in Gaza has risen to 40,738 since the war began on October 7, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said.

It said that 94,154 have also been injured during that time.

Health authorities do not differentiate between civilians and fighters in their death toll count.

Members of the Israeli military operate in what they say is the Jenin Area - REUTERS

Israeli security forces and rescue services check the scene of a shooting attack in the West Bank city of Tarkumiya - AP

11:36 AM BST

Explosions and gunfire in West Bank in Hamas fightback

Three Israeli police officers were killed on Sunday in a shooting attack which Hamas said its fighters carried out near the Palestinian city of Tarqumiyah in the southern West Bank.

Magen David Adom, Israels medical emergency service, said on Sunday that two men and a woman had been killed in a very severe attack as explosions and gunfire were heard across the West Bank.

We saw a vehicle with bullet marks on a mound beside the road, the emergency service said in a statement, quoting two of its paramedics at the scene.

Hamas has claimed responsibility for the attack, which the terror group described as a natural response to the war of genocide in the Gaza strip and Zionist crimes in the West Bank.

The shooting comes as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue a widespread operation across the northern West Bank, which was launched on Wednesday.

At least 22 Palestinians have been killed in a series of counter-terror raids across four West Bank cities, including 14 fighters from Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups.

A member of Israel's security forces takes position in the area of a shooting attack against Israelis near the Tarqumiya crossing in the West Bank - AFP

11:30 AM BST

Israeli finance minister warns of second Oct 7

Israels finance minister has warned another Oct 7-style attack could happen unless Israel carries out a preemptive strike against terrorism.

We are a step away from October 7 in Judea and Samaria and the center of the country, Bezalel Smotrich said on Sunday.

We need to do now what we didnt do that cursed night and launch a preemptive strike and strike terror hard. Gazan, West Bank, and Lebanese terror are one part of the Iranian choke ring. We are committed to eliminating terrorism on all fronts.

10:58 AM BST

Gaza hostages found dead approved for potential swap

Hamas had approved the release of several of the six Israeli hostages who were found dead in a Gaza tunnel, an official claimed on Sunday.

Some of the names of the captives announced as found by the (Israeli) occupier... were part of the list of hostages to be released that Hamas had approved in a potential exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, the official told AFP.

"Hamas still holds 101 hostages in Gaza, including women, children, and the elderly. We will not stop until every hostage is brought home."



The IDF International Spokesperson, @LTC_Shoshani , regarding the recovery of the bodies of 6 hostages: pic.twitter.com/JXKFJRZbQc  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 1, 2024

10:53 AM BST

Israeli hostages sister injured in protest against Netanyahu government

The sister of a hostage being held in captivity by Hamas was injured after being hit by a police officer riding a horse during protests in Tel Aviv on Saturday.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Israeli capital to call for a hostage deal and protest against Benjamin Netanyahus government.

Natalie Atedgi, the sister of hostage Matan Zangauker, was taken to hospital following the incident.

The Department for Internal Police Investigations (DIPI) has said it has launched an investigation into the incident.

Israeli people stage a protest demanding a hostage swap deal and a ceasefire in Gaza - Anadolu

10:41 AM BST

Biden devastated and outraged by hostage killings

Joe Biden said he was devastated and outraged by the deaths of six Israeli hostages, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a dual Israeli-US citizen.

I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to [his parents] and am heartbroken by the news of his death, the US president said.

It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages, he added.

10:24 AM BST

Instead of freeing terrorists, shoot them in the head

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israels national security minister, called for terrorists to be shot in the head on Sunday as he visited the area of the deadly attack on three Israeli police officers.

Right to life (of Israelis) is more important than freedom of movement of PA (Palestinian Authority) residents, he said.

Instead of freeing terrorists, shoot them in the head.

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's national security minister, during an interview in his office at the Knesset in Jerusalem - Bloomberg

10:08 AM BST

Polio vaccination campaign begins in Gaza

The United Nations and Palestinian health authorities began a campaign on Sunday to vaccinate 640,000 children against polio following the diseases reemergence for the first time in 25 years.

Israel and Hamas agreed to brief pauses in their 11-month war in Gaza to allow the campaign to go ahead.

It is not clear how the strain arrived in Gaza but genetic sequencing showed that it resembles a variant found in Egypt that could have been introduced from September 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

The UN health body said that a drop in routine vaccinations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, likely contributed to its re-emergence.

A Palestinian child is vaccinated against polio in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip - REUTERS

A health worker administers the Polio vaccine to a baby in Zawayda in the central Gaza Stri - AFP

10:00 AM BST

Hostages found dead in tunnel were brutally murdered by Hamas

The bodies of six hostages were found by Israeli special forces in a tunnel in Gaza on Saturday.

Israel said the captives were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.

The hostages were all kidnapped on Oct 7 and were found in Rafah roughly one km from the tunnel from where Qaid Al-Alkadi, another hostage, was found earlier this week.

Among those found on Saturday was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli, who was seen alive with a hand missing in a proof-of-life video published by Hamas earlier this year.

The others discovered were Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Carmel Gat, and Eden Yerushalmi.

A senior Israeli official told the Telegraph that at least three of the hostages were due to be exchanged in a ceasefire deal that recently collapsed.

Read the full story here.

A woman walks next to the poster depicting Alexander Lobanov, whose body was retrieved from Gaza, displayed together with the posters of other hostages kidnapped by Hamas - REUTERS

09:49 AM BST

Netanyahu vows to settle score with Hamas

Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday to settle the score with Hamas after the military recovered the bodies of six hostages from a Gaza tunnel.

Those who kill hostages do not want an agreement for a Gaza truce, the Israeli prime minister said in a statement, telling Hamas leaders that we will hunt you down, we will catch you and we will settle the score.

Mr Netanyahu also accused Hamas of carrying out a shooting attack earlier on Sunday near the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

We are fighting on all fronts against a cruel enemy who wants to murder us all. Just this morning, he murdered three policemen in Hebron, he said.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, vowed to "hunt down" Hamas fighters - GPO

09:44 AM BST

Welcome to our live coverage

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage.

Were bringing you the latest updates from the Israel-Hamas war.


Exquisite variations: bars from Pump Street. Photograph: Matthew Hague

Perhaps it was best I didnt find any chocolate on my recent trip to Zakynthos (not the party part of the island as that life is behind me). The heat was intense  39C at certain times, in certain places  making me sweat so profusely I looked like a smuggler trying to clear customs. I eyed up the Toblerone at the airport (I always eye up Toblerones in airports), but resisted. As for the uniform for the flight home, I didnt get the memo: pastel neck pillows, seersucker shorts, cami tops and eyelashes that looked like plough trucks.

Pump Street choices range from a 40% Brown Bread to a 75% Jamaican with some yummy inclusions in between

I did have the most exquisite chocolate mousse made with olive oil and brandy, top-hatted with whipped cream and the finest of candied orange zest slithers at the Old Windmill. I had something called milk pie at Skinos, which came with a blob of chocolate ganache and was all-round excellent. And I found some wonderful ice-creams called Chillato (the best!), but the chocolate version wasnt great (pistachio was). Otherwise I was disappointed to find nothing exciting to tell you about, chocolate-wise.

So it was back home to Suffolk to hear that my local chocolatiers, Pump Street, have updated their excellent mini bars. Perfect little 20g bars (from 2.80), which they say are to be enjoyed as a single portion  you cant argue with that instruction. Choices range from a 40% Brown Bread to a 75% Jamaican with some yummy inclusions in between  six bars in total.

Also, to get you back into the work/school grind after the holidays: a superb new bar from Lumi: the Colombian Crunch. Colombian cocoa 40% chocolate and coffee beans mixed with crunchy wafer (7.50/100g).

Follow Annalisa on X @AnnalisaB
Making a splash: desirable destinations in 1986 included Kenya and Cairo. Photograph: Stevie Hughes

On 5 January 1986, the Observer packed its bags for a travel special, first stopping to ask some seasoned travellers what always went in theirs. Adventurer Christina Dodwell took a 2oz hammock and family photos, but never a gun: In a lot of places life is cheap and guns are valuable. Tight-jeaned travel journalist Michael Wood took a Swiss Army Knife (Mainly for pulling wine corks) and august travel writer Eric Newby a hat from an imperial hatmakers in Venice.

Tight-jeaned travel journalist Michael Wood took a Swiss Army Knife (Mainly for pulling wine corks)

Destination-wise, there were some curveballs, particularly Katharine Whitehorn, dispatched to take part in a murder-mystery weekend in a Quaker-run guest house in New York state. As Joslyn Frank, a journalist in Tirolean headgear, she evaded suspicion when Kurt Kraus, dreaded drama critic collapsed into his dinner in suspicious circumstances. Instead, she watched the detectives, whod paid $600 for such nonsense.

Joanna Lumley went on a pony safari in Kenya, swimming across a hippo-infested river and showering under a watering can. Simon Hoggart was sent on a no wimps white water rafting trip in Maine: What you feel is a wall of water hitting you, covering you, making you feel wetter than you had ever conceived possible. In photos, Hoggarts smile was so Cheshire Cat broad, a fellow passenger asked: Excuse me, are you running for public office?

In a beautifully evocative piece, Claudia Roden returned to Cairo after 30 years. The charmed, cosmopolitan annexe of Belle Epoque Europe she had known as a child was gone: Cairo was one big construction site; the villas where she had grown up and socialised had become embassies; vestiges of grandeur and poetry rubbed shoulders with filth and squalor. Still, her return was a sensory transport to childhood: jasmine, the call to prayer, her parents names still familiar in the Greek pastry shop. I recognise the trees and the flowers, the balcony where an aunt used to paint, another where cousins had a hammock. Everything is familiar.
Dame Priti Patel

Dame Priti Patel is a long-time ally of Boris Johnson, having served as his home secretary throughout his time in No 10.

As a one-time supporter of the death penalty, she was regarded as a hard-liner when she took on the role, and went on to oversee the creation of the ill-fated Rwanda scheme.

Tipped as a grassroots favourite for the Tory leadership, this is her first tilt at the top job, having initially backed Mr Johnson, and then Rishi Sunak, in the contest to replace Liz Truss in 2022.

Making her pitch to the party, she said the Conservatives were in need of oven-ready policies to get match-fit to win the next election  two phrases borrowed from Mr Johnsons successful election campaign in 2019.

However, Dame Priti was eliminated from the race during the first voting round on Sept 4 after receiving 14 votes.

What does she stand for?

Dame Priti has cited Margaret Thatcher as her political heroine, commending her ability to understand what made people tick.

A prominent figure on the Right of the party, she was once compared to a modern day Norman Tebbit, referring to the Tory grandee and Thatcherite who was strong on law and order and personal responsibility.

She prides herself on being tough on crime, pointing to her record of increasing prison sentences for violent offenders.

She is also known for taking a hard line on immigration, having presided over the transition away from free movement during the Brexit years. One of her biggest tasks was to oversee the crafting of a new points-based migration system, which aimed to end the UKs reliance on low-skilled workers.

She also launched the highly controversial Rwanda scheme, designed to crack down on illegal Channel crossings by deporting migrants to the east African nation.

Dame Priti has said the Tories must reflect honestly on what went wrong, while avoiding a soap opera of finger-pointing and self-indulgence. She has vowed to let Conservative members choose their own chairman as part of a package of reforms to address the democratic deficit in the party.

What is her political background?

Dame Priti joined the Tory Party as a teenager in the 1990s, when Sir John Major was prime minister.

After graduating, she became an intern at Conservative Central Office, before heading up the press office of the Referendum Party, a single-issue Eurosceptic party, in the mid-1990s.

She was first elected as the MP for Witham in 2010, having tried and failed to win in Nottingham North five years earlier. She started off with a stint on backbench committees, before launching her ministerial career in 2014.

Dame Priti is known for taking a hard line on immigration - Stefan Rousseau/Getty Images

Dame Priti rose to prominence after Lord Cameron secured a Tory majority in 2015, winning her first Cabinet-level post in the Department for Work and Pensions.

Having backed Theresa May for the leadership after Brexit, she was promoted to international trade secretary in 2016. However, she was forced to resign a year later over secret meetings with Israeli politicians.

She returned to the political frontline as Britains first female Asian home secretary in 2019, a post she held until Ms Truss took over from Mr Johnson in 2022.

What is her family background?

Dame Priti was born to Ugandan-Indian parents in London in 1972, and was raised in a Hindu household.

The family moved to Radlett, Hertfordshire, in the early 1980s, where her father, Sushil, and mother, Anjana, ran a newsagents on the high street.

Boris Johnson and Dame Priti Patel visit Neasden Temple during Diwali in 2021 - Andrew Parsons

She is married to Alex Sawyer, a marketing adviser and Conservative councillor, and the pair have a teenage son, Freddie.

In a candid interview with The Telegraph in 2022, she said: He and my husband are the anchors in my life  they are the two most understanding people.

How does she feel about Brexit?

Dame Priti has described herself as a lifelong Brexiteer, as opposed to someone who suddenly decided it might be in their political favour at an opportune moment.

A former staffer for the Referendum Party, she was a leading light in the Vote Leave campaign, fronted by Mr Johnson and Michael Gove. She went on to be a fierce critic of Mrs Mays Brexit deal, which was rejected by Eurosceptics as too soft.

Dame Priti has described herself as a 'lifelong Brexiteer' - Andrew Parsons/i-Images

In an article endorsing Mr Johnson for the Tory leadership in 2019, she accused the previous administration of failing to deliver the Brexit we promised in our manifesto, warning this had grievously hurt our country and the party.

She has since argued Britain will be a safer country to live in now it has left the EU, as the Brexit deal agreed by Mr Johnson gives our police and security services the tools and partnerships to help keep the public safe.

What scandals has she been involved in?

The first major scandal of Dame Pritis political career came when she failed to disclose meetings she held with senior Israeli politicians while on a personal holiday to the country in 2017.

She was forced to resign as international development secretary when the details surfaced three months later, having been summoned back from a visit to Africa to face the prime minister.

She went on to be accused of bullying members of her staff in the Home Office, with an investigation by Sir Alex Allan, then the prime ministers ethics adviser, finding she unintentionally breached the ministerial code on behaviour.

The inquiry was prompted by the resignation of Sir Philip Rutnam, the former Home Office permanent secretary, over what he claimed was a vicious and orchestrated campaign against him, alleging Dame Pritis conduct had led to a climate of fear in the department.

However, its conclusion that she had broken the ministerial code was rejected by Mr Johnson, who said he retained full confidence in her.

Dame Priti said she was absolutely sorry for anyone that I have upset but consistently denied all allegations of bullying.
Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Sunday night and a general strike was called amid an eruption of public outrage over the governments handling of the war in Gaza after the deaths of six hostages being held deep underground by Hamas.

The discovery of the hostages bodies in Gaza over the weekend threatened to bring deep divisions over the war to breaking point. An estimated 100,000 protested in Tel Aviv, while others demonstrated in Jerusalem as pressure on the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to reach a ceasefire deal to bring the remaining hostages home reached a new peak.

The first general strike since March last year is expected to bring large parts of Israels economy to a halt on Monday. Government and municipal offices were due to close, as well as schools and many private businesses. Israels international airport, Ben Gurion, is due to shut down at 8am local time (0600 BST) for an unknown period.

On Sunday night, demonstrators cut off the Ayalon highway, the motorway running through the heart of Tel Aviv. They filled the road and lit a bonfire in the middle lane near Hashalom, drumming and singing. A few dozen police officers tried to contain the protest but were unable to push it back.

Officer, officer, who are you protecting? the crowd chanted, and then: Bibi [Netanyahu], youre killing the hostages.

On Sunday, Israels far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote to attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara asking her to seek an injunction against the strike, arguing that it would harm the economy and had no legal basis as its main aim was to influence government policy on state security.

These issues are  not the subject of a strike by labour organisations and there is no connection between them and labour relations in Israel, he wrote in his letter to Baharav-Miara.

Related: Who are the six Israeli hostages whose bodies were found in Gaza?

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the bodies of Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino were found in tunnels dozens of metres underground during fighting in Rafah in southern Gaza. The six were seized during Hamass 7 October attacks on Israel.

Israels health ministry said a forensic examination of the bodies showed the hostages had been murdered by Hamas terrorists in a number of shots at close range 48 to 72 hours before they were found.

However, the findings pointing to Hamas executions did little to deflect widespread fury towards Netanyahu and his rightwing coalition for failing to agree a US-backed hostages-for-peace deal with Hamas, which has been on the negotiating table since late May.

In a statement mourning the six hostages, the prime minister blamed Hamas for refusing to accept the deal.

Whoever murders abductees does not want a deal, Netanyahu said. We, for our part, did not let up. The Israeli government is committed, and I am personally committed, to continue striving for a deal that will return all our abductees and guarantee our security and existence.

Netanyahus claims were undermined by anonymous briefings to the press by security officials on Sunday, blaming his insistence on retaining strategic territory inside Gaza, particularly a strip along the Egyptian border called the Philadelphi corridor, for the failure to reach a breakthrough in the hostage negotiations.

The defence minister, Yoav Gallant, was the only government member to vote against Netanyahus stance on the corridor last week and he called on Sunday for the cabinet to reverse its position.

It is too late for the hostages who were murdered in cold blood, Gallant said, adding: We must bring back the hostages that are still being held by Hamas.

A senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, blamed the hostages deaths on Israel and the US, pointing to Israels failure to agree to a ceasefire deal he said Hamas had accepted. Rishq did not make any claims about how the hostages had died and did not comment on IDF suggestions that they had been executed.

An unnamed Hamas official was quoted by Agence France-Presse as saying the hostages had been killed by the [Israeli] occupations fire and bombing, a claim denied by the IDF and contradicted by the Israeli health ministrys findings.

Announcing the general strike, the leader of the Histadrut trade union federation, Arnon Bar-David, said: It is impossible to stand by any more and look the other way as our children are murdered in the tunnels of Gaza.

We are no longer one country. This must be stopped. The state of Israel must be returned to normal. We are getting body bags instead of a deal. I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention might move those who need to be moved.

Israeli schools are expected to send pupils home in late morning on Monday, and a large number of Tel Aviv restaurants and other private enterprises said they would close in solidarity with the public sector and the hostages.

At Sunday nights demonstration, many protesters were hoping that the country had reached a tipping point.

Today I woke up and just felt something changed, said Danielle Galber, a 30-year-old PhD student in neurobiology. I was heartbroken and angry, and felt: its been enough. Our country is falling apart.

But Galber and her friend, Aaron, thought Mondays planned general strike would put more pressure on Netanyahu than mere protests. Their workplaces, and those of everyone they knew across the private and public sectors, would be shutting down, but they did not know for how long. Theres a chance, Aaron said. It depends on the strike. That might just push him towards a hostage deal.

The strike call was welcomed by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, a group of relatives of the abductees who have led the protest movement and calls for a ceasefire deal.

Starting tomorrow the country will tremble. We call on the public to prepare to bring the country to a standstill, the forum said. These six individuals were taken alive, endured the horrors of captivity, and were then coldly murdered  A deal for the return of the hostages has been on the table for over two months. Were it not for the delays, sabotage and excuses those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive.

The last time Histadrut called a general strike, in March last year, it was triggered by Netanyahus sacking of Gallant for his opposition to the prime ministers plans to limit the power and independence of the supreme court. The strike paralysed much of the economy but ended after a few hours when Netanyahu announced he would put his judicial changes on hold and about two weeks later he reversed his decision to sack Gallant.

While tens of thousands gathered to protest in Tel Aviv on Sunday night, thousands more joined the families of hostages in Jerusalem to protest outside Netanyahus office during a cabinet meeting. The demonstrators then marched to Chords light railway bridge and tried to block one of the main entrances to the city until they were forcibly dispersed by police.

Sigi Cohen, whose 26-year-old son, Eliya, is among the hostages still in Gaza, said: Im fed up. I want my son at home. Enough already. Enough with this policy.

Eliya, if you hear me, take care of yourself and be strong. You wont be there for more longer.

Funerals began for the hostages on Sunday, adding more fuel to the popular anger.

You were abandoned on and on, daily, hour after hour, 331 days, Nira Sarusi said at the funeral of her son, Almog, whose body was wrapped in an Israeli flag. You and so many beautiful and pure souls. Enough. No more.

Hamas killed 1,200 people in its surprise attack on Israel in October. In the war in Gaza that followed, 40,691 Palestinians have been killed, according to the latest estimate by the Palestinian health ministry.

Of the 250 Israeli hostages seized on 7 October, eight have been rescued and more than 100 were released in an earlier temporary ceasefire deal in November. The discovery of the six bodies leaves 101 hostages still unaccounted for in Gaza. The IDF has confirmed 35 of them are known to have died during the more than 10 months of captivity.

Dalia Cusnirs two brothers-in-law, Eitan and Yair Horn, were abducted that day and are still in Gaza.

Were done talking, Cusnir said. Our family members who are being held hostage cannot wait any more, and the government is clearly not doing anything to promote a deal.

Cusnir welcomed the general strike, but also called for millions of Israelis to come out in the streets to support a ceasefire, and for members of Netanyahus government who do not agree with his policies to stand up to him and threaten the viability of his coalition.

She was dismissive of the governments claim that keeping hold of the Philadelphi corridor was a strategic necessity for Israel.

All the security chiefs say that in the worst-case scenario, the army knows how to take it back, Cusnir said. They say its a strategic thing, but Judaism tells us that theres only one strategic thing and thats life. This is the only thing we cannot lose: ourselves, our values and our essence.
An unannounced inspection in August found decrepit conditions, violence, self-harm and drug use, with little training. Photograph: PA Images/Alamy

A Kent prison has become the first of its kind to be issued with an urgent notification after a decade of systemic failure and decline, the chief inspector of prisons has confirmed.

HMP Rochester is the seventh prison to have received such a notification since November 2022, but has become the first category C prison, which focuses on training and resettlement, to receive one. The urgent notification process was introduced in 2017 and is a means of raising immediate concerns following an inspection and requires a response and action plan from the secretary of state within 28 days.

In a letter to the justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, on Friday, Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons for England and Wales, set out a long list of identified failings after a damning unannounced inspection from 12 to 22 August found decrepit conditions, rising violence and self-harm, widespread illicit drug use and a dearth of activity to prepare men for release. It was the latest in a series of poor and declining inspections over the last decade.

Related: Fresh UK prisons crisis as riots lead to fears of overcrowding

HM Inspectorate of Prisons found Rochester was fundamentally failing to get inmates into education, work and training to increase their chances of employment on release, with fewer than a third of those it held being engaged in such programmes, and a woeful provision of public protection work. The offender management unit was ineffective and critically short of trained probation staff to manage high-risk prisoners.

Conditions at Rochester were squalid, with decrepit buildings and infestations of rats and mice in the older buildings. Prisoners made cardboard barriers to fill gaps under cell doors to try to keep vermin out of their cells.

Wings were chaotic and inspectors found that safety was deteriorating. The rate of prisoner assaults had increased by 67% in the past year and there was more self-harm and two self-inflicted deaths. Use of force was also high and inspectors found some instances that were inappropriate.

Related: Prisons sleepwalking into crisis as inmates forced to share single cells

Drugs were endemic, with 42% of prisoners testing positive in random tests and more than half of men telling inspectors that it was easy to get drugs, including those prescribed to other prisoners. More than half of the prisoners posed a high or very high risk of serious harm, but just under half of those released in the last 12 months were sent to sustainable accommodation.

Taylor said: Rochester has been a prison of concern for many years, with consistently poor outcomes which stem from failures in leadership, both locally and nationally, and a lack of investment in a crumbling institution. This decade of decline, which has accelerated in the past 18 months, shows a shocking level of neglect.

It is particularly concerning that a category C prison, the workhorse of the Prison Service, should require an urgent notification for our concerns to be taken seriously.

The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment.
Nic Emery of Fifth Point Diving Centre by St Mary's Lighthouse during a regular Dive Against Debris. Photograph: Phoebe Smith

On the outer side of Britains Farne Islands, off the Northumberland coast, is the Longstone lighthouse, which was home in 1838 to a reluctant heroine called Grace Darling. She was the lighthouse keepers daugher, and at the age of just 22, she jumped into a rowing boat in the midst of a violent storm and successfully saved nine people from drowning after a paddlesteamer ran aground in the night.

Now, 186 years later, Im looking out at the same North Sea she faced  whitecaps crashing over rocks, herring gulls circling overhead  with an equally bashful north-eastern champion. Nic Emery is co-founder of Fifth Point Diving, the first dive shop in Britain to be classed as an eco-centre by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (Padi) and owner of the Honest Diver, an online business that sells eco-friendly scuba kit, but what she is fighting to save is the sea itself.

I join Nic for a Dive Against Debris session in Whitley Bay, just over 10 miles from the centre of Newcastle. A certification that can be taken by divers of any level, it teaches people how to identify, safely remove and log any rubbish found on the seabed during their time underwater.

Seventy per cent of all marine debris sinks to the bottom of the ocean, so divers are best placed to survey sites to paint a picture of common waste issues which could influence local management plans, says Nic as we walk down to the causeway at St Marys Lighthouse. So rather than just encouraging people to dive here, I want to encourage them to be eco-divers, with a keen awareness of ways they can help save our seas.

She tells me more about what it takes to be a greener diver  beyond doing her course. On her list are: honing buoyancy skills to avoid damaging ocean flora with a misplaced fin or arm (dive courses for mastering buoyancy abound); using kit made from recycled ocean plastic; and considering giving money to marine charities, such as the nearby volunteer-run Tynemouth Seal Hospital.

I want to encourage people to be eco-divers, with a keen awareness of ways they can help save our seas Nic Emery, Dive Against Debris

At our chosen dive site a sudden change in the weather means we have to abandon our plans, but Nic has a plan B. You can always do a beach clean, she says, so we can give back on land as well as in the sea. We wander the shore collecting rubbish  mainly drinks cans and food wrappers  while the calls of nearby grey seals seem to voice their approval.

Word of Fifth Points eco-diving efforts has already spread. Aquanorth, a South Shields company that runs seal awareness courses (rather than simply seal dives), make Dives Against Debris part of every underwater session they do and last year removed tonnes of marine debris in and around the Farnes. Marine biologists run the seal courses, says owner Janet Nettleton Parker, and they cover the animals ecological importance, so divers understand the challenges they face and learn about responsible interaction and how to minimise their impact on the seals habitat. Further south still, Stellar Divers in Lincoln now teaches customers to prioritise environmental conservation over all else in its training programmes. Both are working towards Padi eco-centre certifications.

Leaving Nic at Whitley Bay, I head further north for the night to Trees at Tughall, on the way to Seahouses. Farmer Wim Stevenson has sustainability at the centre of his business plan, too. He offers three wooden cabins, all built using carbon-neutral construction methods. Inside each is a wood burner powered using trees from the surrounding woodland that have fallen or were felled because of ill health, and for each one used, 10 are planted. Huge picture windows make the outside feel part of every room.

The next day, inspired to put the greener diving tips Ive picked up into action, I depart early from Seahouses Harbour with a skipper called Ron from family-run charter company Sovereign. Im joined by local divers including Steve and Jim, who have worked with Nic and subscribe to the eco-diving ethos.

We are bound for the Farne Islands themselves, and our first dive is at Gun Rocks, where 15 canons are said to lie on the ocean floor. They cant be seen because, happily, nature has taken control of the site: it is festooned with a healthy kelp forest that glistens like gold in the dappled light. Red-tipped dahlia anemones cover rocks that are lined with bryozoan moss, while huge crabs and lobsters scuttle below our perfectly buoyant bodies.

While we eat lunch, Ron expertly navigates our small boat around the cliffs of nearby Staple Island. Kittiwakes call out noisily, puffins fly in and out of their nests with beaks full of sand eels, and guillemots, razorbills and terns vie for our attention.

Hang out calmly in the kelp and let the seals find you, he advises as we reach the site of our next dive  Big Harcar, a skerry on which hundreds of grey seals are bathing in the sunshine. Fittingly, its from here that Grace Darling set out on her heroic rescue mission.

We descend into another towering forest of carbon-capturing seaweed. At first I am captivated by a huge moon jellyfish, but realise something is tugging at my fins.

I look over my shoulder to see the silver-and-black spotted fur of a young seal. As instructed I slowly turn to face it, and soon its whiskered cheeks approach my mask. We play a game of hide and seek for nearly half an hour, until it disappears into the distance like a fading shadow.

As we begin to ascend I notice a fellow diver is holding a piece of rubber  debris from one of the lobster pots left in these waters by fishers. Beneath the waves of the island that was home to brave Grace Darling, here in the north of England a small army of heroes and heroines is growing, on a mission to save the seas, one dive at a time.

Fifth Point Diving is currently on a break from teaching but will post details of upcoming dates for dive trips on its eco-dive shop the Honest Diver soon. Stellar Divers in Lincoln holds its next Farne Island dives on September 4-6 from 295 for two days, including accommodation. Aquanorth offers the Dive Against Debris course and the Seal Awareness speciality in September and October (call 0191 266 6626 to register). Trees at Tughall cabins sleep two from 300 for two nights
Cecilia Payne Gaposchkin showed stars were primarily made of hydrogen and helium. Photograph: Astronomical Society of the Pacific, courtesy AIP Emilio Segre Visual Archives

Eighty-five years ago, several dozen eminent astronomers posed for a photograph outside the newly constructed McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis in Texas. All were men  with one exception. Half-concealed by a man in front of her, the face of a solitary woman can just be made out in the grainy black and white image.

This is Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, whose impact on our understanding of the cosmos was profound. She showed stars were primarily made of hydrogen and helium, contradicting the scientific orthodoxy of the 1920s, which held that they were made of an array of elements. Her claims were suppressed and her work obscured, like her image on the McDonald Observatory photograph.

You can see what she was up against from that picture taken in 1939, said Meg Weston-Smith, a family friend of the Gaposhkins. Astronomy, like so much else, was a mans world.

In the end, the ideas of Payne-Gaposchkin  who was born in Britain and married a Russian scientist, Sergei Gaposchkin  prevailed, though not without considerable opposition from male colleagues, as revealed in a new play, The Lightest Element, by Stella Feehily, opening this week at the Hampstead Theatre.

Essentially she was up against a mens club, says Feehilly. Astronomers, virtually all of them male, all agreed that the stars and the universe must be made of the same elements as we find on Earth. Being a woman and outside the group, she was free to be more radical in her thinking. She was right and they were wrong. The cosmos is 98% hydrogen and helium.

Nor was Payne-Gaposchkin alone in being initially disparaged for being a female astronomer and only now being recognised for her brilliance. Annie Maunder and Alice Everett, who in the 19th century were among the first women to earn a living in astronomy, recently had asteroids named after them.

In addition, the biggest camera in the world  to be unveiled in Chile and used to image the entire visible sky every three to four nights beginning next year  has been named the Vera C Rubin Observatory. Rubin, who was American, played a critical role in revealing that our universe appears to be permeated with mysterious, undetectable particles. This is dark matter and it has played a key role in the evolution of the universe.

Like all female students at Cambridge until 1948, Maunder and Everett were not awarded degrees despite passing their examinations with honours; during her education and career, Rubin suffered widespread discrimination. Even after she acquired fame, she was blocked from using the great Palomar Observatory to continue her groundbreaking research because it had no bathrooms for women. Rubins solution was to tape a piece of paper in the shape of a skirt on top of the mens symbol on the bathroom door.

Rubins name regularly topped lists of potential Nobel winners, but to the Nobel committee, she was invisible matter, notes Shohini Ghose, in her book Her Space, Her Time: How Trailblazing women scientists decoded the hidden Universe.

Rubin received some compensation when she was eventually awarded the Gold Medal by the Royal Astronomical Society in 1996. However, the only other woman to receive the award before her was Caroline Herschel  in 1828. As Ghose puts it, the 168-year gap in recognising female astronomers was a ridiculously long stretch.

Since the turn of this century, more women have been following careers in astronomy, although the profession still remains predominantly male, says Sue Bowler, journals editor of the Royal Astronomical Society. When you go to meetings about related subjects such as atmospheric physics you find the audience is 50-50 male-female. But at some astronomy meetings, it can be as low as 10% women. I dont really know why that is.

Other signs suggest some movement towards recognising female astronomers. In 2020, the American scientist Andrea Ghez became the first female astronomer to win a Nobel prize for physics for her work on the discovery of a supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. Given that only four other women have ever won the physics Nobel, this could scarcely be described as trend-setting.

By contrast, there is a lengthy list of female astronomers who campaigners feel should have won Nobels but were denied them. Examples include Vera Rubin as well as Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who played a key role in identifying the first pulsar stars but who was denied a Nobel, which went instead to her Cambridge colleagues Antony Hewish and Martin Ryle. The decision still causes controversy.

That was the first Nobel prize ever to be awarded for astronomical observations and Bell Burnell should have got a share, I have no doubt about that, says Feehily. Having done my research on this, what surprises me is not that things have changed but how, in so many ways, they have not changed enough.

In the end, Payne-Gaposchkin prevailed. We now know, thanks to her, that most of the matter in the universe is hydrogen and helium. She was the first person to prove that  though it took a long time before her work was recognised for its remarkable quality. She still had to fight to get her due recognition and it is important to remember the battle she had to endure.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has cancelled the appointment of General Gwyn Jenkins as national security adviser - Getty

When President Franklin Roosevelt knocked on the door of Winston Churchills suite during the prime ministers first visit to the White House in December 1941, he was somewhat taken aback to find Churchill stark naked, a drink in one hand, a cigar in the other. Roosevelt offered to leave but Churchill said there was no need: You see, Mr President, I have nothing to hide.

The relationship between the UK and the US is a famously special one. But quite how special fluctuates over time. One of the key variables, as this anecdote from Robert Schmuhls new book, Mr Churchill in the White House, illustrates, is the chemistry between the respective inhabitants of No 10 Downing Street and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

With the moving vans having just left one address and being booked at the other, it is understandable that trans-Atlantic diplomacy is currently in a degree of limbo. Some foreign policy experts believe this may be part of the reasoning behind the strange and perplexing case of General Gwyn Jenkinss recent defenestration.

Keir Starmer has cancelled the appointment of Jenkins, the former vice-chief of the Armed Forces and one of the UKs top generals, as national security adviser. The widely respected military man had been picked for the role by Rishi Sunak in April. However, Starmer has reportedly chosen to rerun the application process.

General Gwyn Jenkins was selected for the national security adviser role by Sunak, but Starmer has since cancelled the appointment  a move that has raised eyebrows in military circles - Justin Ng / Avalon

The move certainly conforms to Starmers modus operandi and propensity to surround himself with loyalists since taking over as Labour leader. He first worked assiduously behind the scenes to purge his party of Left-wing Corbynistas. A group of centrists loyal to the party leader were then handed plum seats ahead of the general election, in a move dubbed the march of the Starm-troopers by Labour insiders.

Since gaining power, the Prime Minister has made a number of unusual appointments to Civil Service positions, including Ian Corfield, a Labour donor, as a director in the Treasury and Jess Sargeant moving from the Starmer-aligned think tank Labour Together to the Cabinet Office.

According to some reports, Jenkins may also have been blocked from assuming the role because he failed to pass on evidence of extrajudicial executions by members of the SAS in Afghanistan to the military police. However, its also possible that No 10 wants a more politically loyal figure holding such a key position at the heart of government. Potential candidates to replace the four-star Royal Marines general include Labour figures such as Lord Mandelson and David Miliband.

Lord Mandelson, who held several cabinet positions during his parliamentary career, is a potential candidate for national security adviser... - Getty

... while former foreign secretary David Miliband is also said to be in contention for the role - Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo

The move has been met with some incredulity in military circles. Jenkins was vice-chief of the Defence Staff until June and previously served as military assistant to then-prime minister, David Cameron, and deputy national security adviser with responsibility for conflict, stability and defence from 2014 to 2017.

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a retired British tank unit commander and expert in chemical, biological and nuclear warfare, argues that Jenkins was ideally suited and qualified for the role. With the potential for escalation of the Ukraine conflict into a European war not only possible but likely, the defence and security of this country should be No 10s number one priority, he says.

Asked last week why he had cancelled Jenkinss appointment as his security adviser, Starmer refused to say. There will be an open and transparent process [to find a new security adviser], said the prime minister. And, no, Im not going to publicly discuss individual appointments.

However, foreign policy and military experts, adept at assessing the terrain beneath the ever-shifting geopolitical sands, believe they can discern the contours of another possible motivation. It has been suggested that Starmer might delay a final decision until after the November US presidential election, wary of potential diplomatic complications should Donald Trump return to office.

Starmer has said he is keen to reset relations between the UK and both Europe and the US following a period in which Brexit has tended to eclipse all other considerations. However, for the first time since 1993, the UK general election took place only a few months before a presidential election in the US, leaving Starmer unsure who he will be dealing with in the White House for the bulk of his term.

The Government has repeatedly emphasised that the UK will work with whomever ends up winning the election. As Tony Blair and George W Bush demonstrated, the relationship between prime minister and president is based more on personalities than ideological affinity.

Nevertheless, Labour has strong links to Kamala Harriss party and undoubtedly has its fingers crossed for a Democrat win. Starmer and Harris are both former public prosecutors who have promised voters you can always trust me to put country above party. Jonathan Ashworth, the head of Labour Together, Morgan McSweeney, No 10s political strategist, and a number of Labour MPs attended the Democratic national convention in Chicago earlier this month.

Labour has shared values with the Democrats and will be hoping for a Harris presidency - AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton

Labour appears keen to wait and see what happens in the US before making decisions on a number of key positions, including the national security adviser and the UKs ambassador to Washington, among others. This is part of broader consultations among European governments about ensuring that Nato, Western support for Ukraine and the security of other individual countries will endure should Trump regain the White House in November.

Some have taken to calling these measures the Trump-proofing of Nato and the broader Western alliance. During the presidential debate last month that ultimately resulted in Joe Biden ending his campaign for reelection, the president asked Trump: Youre going to stay in Nato or youre going to pull out of Nato? By way of an answer, Trump tilted his head in a shrug.

However, de Bretton-Gordon argues that such ambivalence makes it all the stranger to leave the position of national security adviser vacant when the teams in the Ministry of Defence, Foreign Office and Home Office are all new: With US elections now very much in view, Starmer must plan for the defence and security of this nation, possibly without the overwhelming support we have become used to from the US.

There are many in Europe who share concerns about the concept of Trump-proofing the security agenda. Europeans have to get rid of the fixation on the US election date in November, says one senior Nato source. We have to strengthen European defence no matter who will win. Its not just that we would wake up in November without Trump as president and the whole problem would be off our shoulders.

The mood music at the Natos 75th anniversary summit in July was gloomy. Publicly, the 32 European and North American allies who are committed to defending one another from armed attack, stressed the importance of strength through solidarity. But their messaging was soured by Russian advances in Ukraine and the Trump-allied congressional Republicans delaying US funding to Kyiv.

Conversations on the fringes of the summit focussed on countries preparing for any lessening of US support in matters related to defence and security. At the time, Rachel Rizzo, a senior fellow on Nato at the Atlantic Council think tank, said: Freaking out about a second Trump term helps no one.

A second Nato insider agrees that European countries must be prepared to increase funding for their own armed forces. The message is clear: Europeans need to spend more on defence. [That is what will] secure the commitment of any American president to the security of the European continent.

The second thing we can do is spend more on Ukraine, or at least make clear we can spend more in the future. And the third area is to ensure we open up our agenda to discuss things that the American president feels are important.

'Freaking out about a second Trump term helps no one,' says Rachel Rizzo, a senior fellow on Nato at the Atlantic Council think tank - Shutterstock

The main means by which Europe can ensure they are pulling their weight is by consistently hitting or exceeding the target of investing at least 2 per cent of gross domestic product in defence. In 2024, 23 Nato allies are on track to go past this threshold compared to just three in 2014. However, Nato allies are pushing to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP and many countries, including the UK, are having to weigh such suggestions against other demands on the public purse.

Foreign policy experts say European countries must also prove they are serious about addressing concerns over China and the Pacific, which is currently the item at the very top of the geopolitical and defence planning agendas in Washington.

The idea of Trump-proofing sounds good, but when you look at it, its things that Nato should be doing anyway, says Ed Arnold, a research fellow for European Security at Rusi. We know where the US is looking, that the US wants to do less in the Euro-Atlantic and more in the Indo-Pacific that does mean slightly less within Nato.

Arnold points out that, although a Harris presidency may well be the preferred option in the chancelleries of Europe, it would not necessarily spell the end of their problems. US reluctance to play its traditional, post-war role as the worlds policeman arguably began under Barack Obama, who sensed there were limits to American power in an increasingly multipolar world and in the wake of his predecessors misadventures in Iraq.

While Trump is the most dangerous option for Nato, if the Democrats win, [Nato allies] will still need to do more to mitigate for a lack of US engagement and attention, it might just be less severe under a Harris presidency, says Arnold. There is precedent with Bidens withdrawal from Afghanistan. That was a Nato operation, but it was not a Nato withdrawal, he basically just pulled the carpet from under the Europeans with no consultation.

Europeans must, Arnold argues, rebalance their relationship with the US and shoulder more of the responsibility for Western security regardless of who is in the White House. The first step for the UK in this regard would be the appointment of a well-qualified national security adviser. Without one, Starmer may very quickly start looking a little naked.
The removed picture portrayed Margaret Thatcher just after the Falklands War in 1982 - EPA/BRITISH GOVERNMENT

The portrait of Margaret Thatcher that was removed from her former study in No 10 has been hung in a meeting room after a public backlash.

The painting was taken down from its place in the Thatcher Room weeks after the Prime Minister took office, provoking anger from Conservatives.

The decision to remove it was revealed by Tom Baldwin, Sir Keirs biographer, who claimed Sir Keir found it unsettling and opted to get rid of it. He later said: I believe its hanging somewhere else in the building now, or thats whats planned.

It has now been confirmed that the painting has been moved to a first floor meeting room regularly used by visitors and guests at No 10.

Baroness Smith of Malvern, a Labour education minister, defended Sir Keir, saying: He 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.

The resurrection of the portrait has not, however, stopped criticism from Tories including Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, whose father attended the paintings unveiling by Gordon Brown in 2009.

The portrait should be returned to its rightful place in the study where she worked. It was a spiteful, petty decision by Sir Keir, which he should have the grace to reverse as quickly as possible, he said.

The work by Richard Stone, one of Britains leading portrait artists, depicts Lady Thatcher in the immediate aftermath of the Falklands War in 1982.

Sir Keir has previously praised her for effecting meaningful change in Britain and setting loose our natural entrepreneurialism. Those comments prompted a backlash from Left-wing MPs, who accused him of a Mandelsonian ploy to woo Tory voters.
Donald Trump at a Moms for Liberty event in Washington DC, on Friday. Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Donald Trump shared statements from the relatives of 13 soldiers killed during the chaotic US evacuation from Kabul as they hit out at Kamala Harris after she criticized the former presidents involvement in a ceremony honoring the service members.

The dispute over the ceremony at Arlington national cemetery, during which Trump campaign aides allegedly shoved a cemetery worker so they could film Trump laying a wreath, contravening rules against political activity at the site, escalated after the vice-president said Saturday that Trump disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt.

But eight members of the Gold Star families who lost relatives posted messages on Trumps Truth Social platform Saturday saying they had invited Trump to the ceremony and criticized the Biden-Harris administration for the Afghanistan pull-out three years ago.

Why did we want Trump there? It wasnt to help his political campaign, Mark Schmitz, father of Marine lance corporal Jared Schmitz, said in one video. We wanted a leader. That explains why you and Joe didnt get a call.

Darren Hoover, the father of Marine staff Sgt Taylor Hoover, said Harris lacks empathy and basic understanding about the event, and emphasized that Trumps appearance was respectful.

The army said this week that a cemetery official was abruptly pushed aside while interacting with Trumps staff.

On Saturday, congressional Democrats called on the army to deliver a report on what had taken place at the cemetery on Monday. Harris later posted on Twitter/X that the military burial site is not a place for politics.

Related: Kamala Harris says Trump disrespected sacred ground on cemetery visit

Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt, Harris added, and said she would never politicize such an event.

The dispute continued on Sunday, when former Democratic congresswoman and Iraq veteran Tulsi Gabbard, now a member of Trumps transition team, told CNNs State of the Union that she was at the ceremony and saw a very grave and somber remembrance and honoring of those lives that were lost.

Gabbard said she saw Trump spending time at the invitation of these Gold Star families with them and did not see or hear about any kind of altercation until something came out in the news later on.

Gabbard rejected Harriss statement saying she stood with the veterans families. Gabbard told CNN: President Biden and Harris, I heard, were invited by some of these family members. They not only didnt come  they didnt even respond to that invitation.

Senator Tom Cotton continued the Republican pushback, telling NBCs Meet the Press that the Gold Star families had invited Trump, but also Joe Biden and Harris, and he disputed that photos and video were meant for political purposes.

Joe Biden was sitting on a beach. Kamala Harris was sitting in her mansion in DC ... She was four miles away. Ten minutes. She could have gone to the cemetery and honored the sacrifice of those young men and women, Cotton said.

A White House official and a Harris aide disputed Cotton and Gabbards account that the president and Harris had been invited to the ceremony, according to NBC News.

As the political fallout from the Arlington ceremony continues, it has drawn in Utah governor Spencer Cox, a moderate Republican who kept his political distance from the Republican presidential candidate until the attempted assassination on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July.

Cox, a Latter-day Saint, later said he believes God had a hand in saving Trumps life, even calling it a miracle.

Cox attended the controversial ceremony and published photos from the event on his official account. Coxs re-election campaign later issued an apology.

Honoring those who serve should never be political, it read, adding that the campaign was committed to ensure that we run the best campaign possible and well accomplish that by not politicizing things that shouldnt be politicized.
Former Page Three model Samantha Fox has been cleared of assaulting her wife on a British Airways flight after prosecutors dropped the charge.

Fox, 58, had been due to stand trial at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Monday after denying assaulting Linda Olsen by beating her at Heathrow on December 3 2023.

The incident reportedly stopped the London to Munich flight from taking off.

It is understood the assault charge was discontinued after changes to the evidence meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.

Fox had pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and using threatening behaviour, causing harassment, alarm or distress to a police constable during a court hearing in April.

She will now be sentenced for the two charges at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Monday.
The Scottish Government will need to work harder and smarter to deliver for the people in the face of Westminster cuts, First Minister John Swinney will warn today.

But with ending child poverty one of his key priorities, he will tell how his Government will tailor support better to families so they can get the help they need.

While this will not have the same immediate impact as ending the two-child cap on some benefits  something Labour has said it does not have the money to do  Mr Swinney will describe the move as an an example of the sustained, smarter policy-making we are delivering in government.

He will make the remarks as he addresses the SNP conference in Edinburgh on Sunday  making his first keynote conference address since becoming SNP leader and Scottish First Minister back in May.

The conference is John Swinneys first since taking over as SNP leader and Scotlands First Minister (Jane Barlow/PA)

The conference, however, comes in the wake of a bruising general election for the SNP, which saw its tally of MPs drop from 48 in 2019 to just nine.

Mr Swinney has already accepted it was a bad election for his party.

But he will use his closing address to the conference to set out his priorities for the Scottish Government.

With MSPs returning to Holyrood this week, the First Minister will formally set out his legislative plans for the coming year in the programme for government on Wednesday.

Ahead of that, he will use his conference speech to set his focus on delivering what he sees as the peoples priorities: ending child poverty; reaching net-zero; delivering strong public services; and boosting the economy.

Heading out for the start of three busy days #SNP24. This is our opportunity to come together, build trust with the people of Scotland and set out a bold agenda to put Scotlands future in Scotlands hands. pic.twitter.com/5whLylSW7B  John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) August 30, 2024

However, Mr Swinney will say: In an era of Westminster cuts, we are going to have to work harder, and smarter, if we are to deliver on our ambitions for Scotland.

He will promise to, next week, set out how we can tailor support better to families ensuring they get the help they need, when they need it, to lift those families out of poverty.

The First Minister will concede that this support  this whole-family support  will not have the immediate impact of ending the two-child cap.

But he will state: It is an example of the sustained, smarter policy-making we are delivering in government.

He will also promise that even in the toughest of financial circumstances, the SNP will do everything we can to give every single child the best possible start in life.

Mr Swinney will also restate his desire for politics to be less polarised as he commits again to work to bring our country together and to serve everyone who chooses to make Scotland their home.

While parts of England saw riots in the wake of the killing of three young girls in Southport, Mr Swinney will say those events were the result of far right, Islamophobic and racist thugs trying to stoke division.

As a result, he will say how people fleeing oppression overseas feared for their lives in the United Kingdom  adding that while the expected and deserved sanctuary they had ended up under attack.

Mr Swinney will say: People applying for asylum should never have to face that  they should feel safe  they should not feel fearful.

He will tell how in the wake of the riots he reached out and I heard first hand from leading figures in various religious communities.

The SNP leader will go on the pledge: This party will never denigrate people who honour us by choosing to make Scotland their home.

Migrants have enriched our country in so many ways. Refugees are welcome here.

And whether it is anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or any form of prejudice, the SNP will always stand up for a country free of hatred and intolerance.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: John Swinney is right when he says the Scottish Government should serve all those who make Scotland their home but, while NHS waiting lists grow, our school children struggle and he cuts funding to frontline local services, he is failing them.

She insisted: After almost two decades of SNP misrule our NHS is on its knees and our public services are at breaking point.

Quite simply, the SNPs stewardship is failing Scotland.

This is a Government that has completely lost its way and we are all paying the price for its incompetence.
Sir Ian McKellen says he is looking to take the rest of the year off from acting following a fall on stage.

The two-time Oscar nominee, 85, lost his footing during a plays fight scene in June at the Noel Coward Theatre and has since been suffering from wrist and neck injuries.

He told the Big Issue that he has been left feeling weak physically from the Player Kings fall and is doing exercise to treat the issue.

Sir Ian added: Of course, its emotional. We all trip all our lives, its just when you get to my age you cant always get up again.

Sir Ian McKellen is the Big Issues cover star (Big Issue/PA)

The Burnley-born actor suggested he is concerned that the fall, which left him with injuries including a chipped vertebrae and fractured wrist, could have been the result of him getting old.

Im just trying to convince myself it was an accident, he added.

Im usually working or preparing to work, Ive been doing a little bit of that, wondering what might be the best plan. Im going to take the rest of the year off. Not because I need to, just because I want to.

Sir Ian, who played John Falstaff in the play, a production adapted by Robert Icke from Shakespeares Henry IV, parts one and two, previously said a fat suit worn for the production is believe to have saved his ribs and other joints.

It has already been reported a new swathe of The Lord Of The Rings films is in the works with Andy Serkis directing and starring in the first instalment called the The Hunt for Gollum as the corrupted character of the same name as the title, also known as Smeagol.

McKellen seemed to point to him returning as the wizard Gandalf, the character he played in the first three films and The Hobbit trilogy, all directed by New Zealand film-maker Peter Jackson.

Enthusiasm for The Lord of the Rings shows no sign of abating, he said. I may even be going back to play Gandalf again.

Graham McTavish, Adam Brown, James Nesbitt, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Sir Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage and Andy Serkis, who were part of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Ian West/PA)

He added: I cant tell you any more than that. Ive just been told there are going to be more films and Gandalf will be involved, and they hope that Ill be playing him.

When? I dont know. What the script is? Its not written yet. So, they better be quick.

Sir Ian also spoke about how the US presidential election has been progressing as Vice President Kamala Harris takes on former president Donald Trump.

He said: Though were not Americans, we have a right to be interested and concerned. Its not an internal affair. The president in the United States can be a force for good and not good.

Asked if he supported Ms Harris, he said: Theres no choice, is there? Oh dear, Trump is so blatantly what he is, which is slightly reassuring.

Other wicked politicians have disguised themselves, its all on display with Trump: his prejudices, his ignorance, his stupidity, his incompetence, his lack of experience in matters that matter.

One impressive message to come out of Chicago has been saying we must listen to each other. Nothing wrong with having a good argument but lets hear what the disagreements are. You discover that your differences may be huge but, actually, there are a lot of similarities that bring people together.

Read the full interview with Sir Ian in this weeks Big Issue, out now.
The Prime Minister has labelled the killing of six Israeli hostages in Gaza horrific and senseless.

The Israel Defence Forces said the bodies of Carmel Gat, 40, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Alexander Lobanov, 33, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25, were found and recovered on Saturday.

The Israeli army said the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around half a mile from where another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, was rescued alive last week.

Sir Keir Starmer posted on social media site X: I am completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time.

The six were found dead on Saturday (The Hostages Families Forum/AP)

Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on X: The UK condemns Hamas appalling murder of 6 innocent hostages in Gaza in the strongest terms. I offer my deepest condolences to those grieving at this awful time.

Hamas must release all the hostages immediately, and all sides must accept the deal on the table to end this war.

Shadow home secretary James Cleverly posted: The heartbreaking news of the murder of these hostages serves as a brutal reminder of the ongoing suffering Hamas are causing since October 7th.

Everything must be done to get all hostages out of the hands of Hamas.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Hamas must release the rest of the hostages immediately (PA)

Nivi Feldman, co-chair of The Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK, said a gathering will take place later on Sunday to mourn and pray together.

She said: We are devastated to learn that these hostages have been murdered so brutally.

We are calling for a deal to be made today.

We will come together later to mourn and pray together for their souls.

Were devastated that such pure souls were taken out of parties, they were taken out of homes, its just devastating.

The community is in shock, the community is in mourning, the community wants their suffering to end.
The suffering of people on all sides in the Middle East has gone on for far too long, Scotlands First Minister has said as he described a ceasefire in Gaza as essential.

John Swinney addressed his first party conference since taking on the role from Humza Yousaf earlier this year on Sunday, with the conflict among the first topics to be raised in his speech.

Praising his predecessors outspoken support for a ceasefire since the outbreak of hostilities last year, Mr Swinney told members: Let the message from this conference be heard loud and clear, the killing of innocent men, women and children must end and it must end now.

He added: Sadly, and perhaps even more dangerously, the conflict is now spreading to the West Bank and weve heard today the awful loss of life amongst hostages that have been taken.

The suffering on all sides has gone on for far too long, so a ceasefire is essential, the sending of UK arms must stop, all hostages must be returned, Israelis and Palestinians must be able to live in peace.

That peace must be based on a two-state solution and a viable, sovereign Palestinian state.

The issue of the conflict has been a consistent undercurrent at the Edinburgh conference, with a smattering of vocal protesters assembling outside the venue on Friday and again on Sunday.

The demonstrators were critical of Scottish External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson after a recent meeting with an Israel diplomat.

Appearing on the conference stage on Sunday, Mr Robertson again apologised for the meeting.
BRASILIA (Reuters) - A five-member panel of Brazil's Supreme Court will vote on Monday whether to uphold Justice Alexandre de Moraes' ruling to shut down social media platform X in the country.

Moraes, whom X owner Elon Musk has labeled a "dictator," has called a virtual session of the court's first chamber - of which he is a member - so peers can review his decision.

Brazil's Supreme Court has 11 justices split between two chambers of five members each, not including the chief justice. They can vote to maintain or reject decisions by a single judge.

Justices Carmen Lucia, Luiz Fux, Cristiano Zanin and Flavio Dino sit on the first chamber alongside Moraes.

X was taken down in Brazil, one of its largest markets, in the early hours of Saturday following a decision by Moraes, who has been locked in a months-long feud with Musk.

The popular social media platform missed a court-imposed deadline on Thursday evening to name a legal representative in Brazil as required by local law, triggering the suspension.

The dispute over X has its roots in a Moraes order earlier this year that required the platform to block accounts implicated in probes of alleged misinformation and hate.

Musk has argued that Moraes was trying to enforce unjustified censorship and closed the X office in Brazil in August, without appointing a new representative. The judge has insisted that social media needs hate speech regulations.

Moraes' latest decision was backed by Chief Justice Luis Roberto Barroso.

"A company that refuses to name a legal representative in Brazil cannot operate in Brazilian territory," Barroso said in an interview with newspaper Folha de S.Paulo published on Sunday.

(Reporting by Ricardo Brito; writing by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis



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Emily Ratajkowski may not have an extensive acting career, but she stole the scene while arriving at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.

Done up in a vintage green gown, the model stepped out on Saturday at the premiere of Italian drama Campo di Battaglia (Battlefield). She turned heads on the red carpet with a dress from Guccis 2004 Fall/Winter Ready to Wear collection, taking care to spotlight all the details of the Tom Ford design.

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis

The most notable feature of her body-hugging dress was the plunging neckline that extended toward the middle of her midriff. Stripes of transparent fabric, layered in between lines of glossy green satin, added to the gowns sultry appeal. Meanwhile, the bottom of the skirt brought a playful feel to the look with fringe accents, which bounced with every step the model took.

Ratajkowski complemented her archival ensemble with jewelry from Pasquale Bruni, including delicate stacks of silver rings and a pair of dangling diamond earrings. She opted to go without a necklace to let the deep neckline of the dress speak for itself.

As for her makeup, the model leaned into the glamourous feel of the film festival with smokey brown eyeshadow, a light dusting of pink blush, and a glossy mauve lip. She wore her brunette locks in a tousled style with a dramatic side part, and extended the natural look to her nails, which flaunted a nude manicure. The understated glam allowed her vintage gown to be the star of her look.

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Passengers prepare to board a train bound for Beijing at Tianjin West Railway Station in Tianjin, north China, July 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

China's railways have handled 872 million passenger trips, as of Friday, during this year's summer travel rush, up 6.2 percent from one year earlier, data showed on Saturday.

The average daily number of railway passenger trips reached 14.29 million between July 1 and Aug. 30, according to data released by the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the country's railway operator.

The demand for student travel during the summer vacation, tourism and family visits was strong, keeping railway passenger flow at a high level, according to the company.

This year, the summer travel rush lasts from July 1 to Aug. 31.

According to separate data from the Ministry of Transport, a total of 37.99 billion inter-regional trips were made in China during the first seven months of the year, an increase of 6.6 percent from one year earlier.
Stretched thin in a year marred by flood disasters, severe weather events, tornado outbreaks and historic wildfires, the nations Federal Emergency Management Agency is being pushed to its financial limits, facing a shortfall in disaster relief funds.

FEMA is pausing funding for some of its relief programs for non-life-saving and life-sustaining activities to ensure the agency can respond to immediate disasters.

It's of concern that the funding continues to run out, said Chloe Demrovsky, who was appointed to the FEMA National Advisory Council in 2023. I think that there does need to be a hard look at what is within FEMA's mandate to respond to what constitutes an emergency.

The council advises FEMA on all aspects of emergency management, preparedness, response and recovery for national emergencies.

RELATED STORY | No calm after the storm for families fighting for FEMA aid

Through August, FEMA has issued 115 disaster declarations for 2024. The majority of those disaster declarations were issued for wildfires and severe weather events.

FEMA released a statement to Scripps News, reading in part:

FEMA has taken proactive steps to ensure the DRF has sufficient funding for lifesaving and life-sustaining activities for ongoing disasters and new disasters that may arise. This includes sufficient funding for FEMAs individual assistance program. All of FEMAs work is important to strengthening our nations preparedness, response and recovery, and we will resume funding paused projects as soon as the DRF is replenished.

Demrovsky said the lack of adequate funding for FEMA coupled with increasing disasters is creating a vicious cycle.

A lot of these kinds of disasters, hurricanes, wildfires, they reoccur in the same communities in the same locations. So, if we delay those projects, that means that we are less prepared for future disasters, more vulnerable to them, said Demrovsky.

FEMA officials are hoping lawmakers will replenish the Disaster Relief Fund when Congress returns to session in September.

RELATED STORY | Costco's emergency food bucket that has 25-year shelf life raising eyebrows

The question many are asking is how the Disaster Relief Fund got so

depleted?

I think FEMA gets yelled at a lot, but you gotta remember FEMA does not appropriate these funds.FEMA did not design the programs the way that Congress set them up, said Craig Fugate, who served as head of FEMA from 2009 to 2017.

Fugate said while the U.S. is seeing more and more billion-dollar disasters, more people are also uninsured or live in areas where insurance isnt available, making the need for federal assistance even greater when disaster strikes.

We're seeing more disasters, but we're also seeing in many parts of the country insurance becoming unaffordable or not available, said Fugate.

Fugate said that while this is the second year the Disaster Relief Fund has been pushed to a critical threshold, the agency will be prepared to respond to the next disaster.

FEMA has never run out of money. Congress either through the, the appropriations process or through a supplemental has provided funding, said Fugate.

I'm hoping that there will be increased funding for FEMA, and I think that there needs to be, there are just so many threats, said Demrovsky.

As the perils of extreme weather become more evident, the pressure will be on lawmakers to help the agency meet the demands of a changing climate.
Celsius Holdings (NASDAQ: CELH) is probably best described as a fad stock, even though it is classified as a consumer staples company. PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) is a consumer staples stock that would likely be thought of as a boring industry giant. But if you compare the performance of these two stocks, PepsiCo looks like the better choice for investors. And that's before considering its incredible long-term gains.

What does Celsius do?

Celsius makes energy drinks. Energy drinks are an attractive segment of the beverage sector, and the company's products have largely been well received. But step back and look at the broader beverage sector, which is far larger than just energy drinks. Essentially, Celsius is a one-trick pony.

To be fair, that trick is pretty good right now. The company claims that its products accounted for 47% of all energy drink category growth in the second quarter of 2024. It held the No. 3 position for market share in the period, as well. While this is all notable, it doesn't take into account the inherent limitations of selling into just one niche of a much broader market.

When the company's performance ebbs or investors simply move on to the next big investment idea, the stock is likely to be dropped quickly. Case in point: The stock has fallen more than 50% from its 52-week highs. It's worth noting that the peak was in May, which means there has been a very steep decline in a very short period of time.

CELH Chart

CELH data by YCharts.

There's nothing inherently wrong with Celsius, per se. But if you believe this is the stock that will make you a quick million, you may end up disappointed. A far better choice would be to get rich "slowly" with a larger, more diversified consumer staples company like PepsiCo.

PepsiCo is beating Celsius?

The very first thing to consider when comparing PepsiCo to Celsius is the stock gains each company has produced. From Celsius' IPO in early 2007, the stock is now up around 90%. That includes the steep share price drop over the last few months. Over that same span, PepsiCo stock is up 170%. Although PepsiCo stock has fallen over the last few months, too, the decline hasn't been anywhere near as dramatic.

PEP Chart

PEP data by YCharts.

But what happens when you look further back? Since mid-1972, PepsiCo's stock has risen over 10,000%! That said, PepsiCo pays a dividend, unlike Celsius. The yield is currently around 3% and is backed by over five decades of annual dividend increases (making PepsiCo a highly elite Dividend King).

PepsiCo is clearly no flash-in-the-pan company -- it has proven its ability to adjust and grow along with the world around it. To really understand investor returns here, you need to look at total return, which assumes dividend reinvestment. PepsiCo's total return since mid-1972 is an incredible 25,000%!!!

PEP Chart

PEP data by YCharts.

Although that's historical performance, it is important to understand the benefits of being an industry leader in the consumer staples sector. PepsiCo has a stable of iconic brands, a global distribution system, and powerful marketing chops. It is hard to compete with PepsiCo, particularly for small start-ups. And, here's the key: When a smaller company does make vital inroads, PepsiCo is large enough to pursue that company as an acquisition target. This allows PepsiCo to adjust its business over time so it remains relevant with consumers. That's probably one of the biggest reasons why diversified PepsiCo is likely to end up being a better long-term investment than Celsius.

Slow and steady wins this race

It is completely possible that Celsius will regain investor favor and the shares will rocket higher again, perhaps getting back to, and even above, their 52-week highs. That would lead to some pretty attractive short-term gains. However, over the long term, companies need to execute and grow over time, and Celsius is still a relatively small one-trick pony.

PepsiCo, on the other hand, has deftly managed to become an industry leader in the beverage niche and the broader consumer staples sector. With its industry-leading position, it has the wherewithal to keep growing, albeit slowly, and to buy up smaller competitors like Celsius that have attractive brands.

Trying to get rich quickly by riding hot stocks higher opens you up to steep drawdowns like the one Celsius has experienced. It's far less risky to build a million-dollar portfolio if you fill it with dominant industry leaders like PepsiCo.

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Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii)  who ran for president as a Democrat in 2020 but has since left the party  said Vice President Harris is not to be underestimated on the debate stage this month when she will face off against former President Trump.

I think Kamala Harris has a lot of experience. She is not to be underestimated, Gabbard said in an interview on CNNs State of the Union, when asked about Harriss campaign team calling Trump a formidable opponent and asked whether she sees the Democratic candidate the same way.

Gabbard, who has been huddling with the GOP presidential candidate in recent weeks in his debate prep, said the upcoming debate will be an opportunity for voters to compare records of the current and former administrations.

President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have very different records. This is a unique situation where we have two candidates who have served at the highest offices in the land, President Trump four years as president, Kamala Harris now almost four years as vice president, working alongside President Biden, she continued.

Gabbard endorsed Trumps 2024 presidential bid Monday, making the announcement at a National Guard Association gathering in Michigan where Trump was also speaking.

Gabbard ran an unsuccessful presidential campaign in the Democratic primary in 2020. In the years since ending her bid, she has exited Congress, left the Democratic Party and appeared at events such as the Conservative Political Action Conference. She has become a regular presence in conservative media.

Arguably the most notable moment of Gabbards unsuccessful 2020 White House bid was when she attacked Harris on the debate stage over her record as a prosecutor.

If I can be helpful to President Trump in any way, it really is just in sharing experience that I had with her on that debate stage in 2020, and frankly, helping to point out some ways that Kamala Harris has already shown that she is trying to move away from her record, move away from her positions, and how that contradicts the positions and statements that she is making now that she is the Democratic nominee, Gabbard said in the interview.

The Harris campaign shot back against attacks about the vice president changing her position on some issues, noting she addressed the changes in her recent CNN interview and noting Trump has, too, changed his mind on several issues.

On issue after issue, Trump is saying one thing after having done another, a memo from the Harris administration said on Saturday, pointing to issues including child tax credits, IVF and marijuana legalization.

Donald Trump has a long, nearly ten-year record as a presidential candidate, president, and now a presidential candidate again. With his back against the wall, he is suddenly pretending to be a completely different candidate, desperately attempting to memory-hole his past positions and rhetoric. It wont work. Voters will see right through Trumps lies over the next 66 days, the memo added. Trump must be held accountable for his brazen flip-flops wholly at odds with how he governed as president.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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For the first time since 1945 a German far-right party is projected to win in regional elections, exit polls show.

Founded in 2013, far-right Alternative fur Deutschland  or Alternative for Germany (AfD) - is on track to claim victory in state parliamentary elections in the countrys eastern region of Thuringia, initial exit polls by German state broadcaster ZDF show.

AfD is projected to get 33.5% of the vote, well ahead of the conservative party Christian Democrats (CDU) with 24.5%, according to ZDF.

In Saxony, which also held a regional election Sunday, the two parties are neck and neck, according to state broadcaster ZDF.

Newly founded left-wing party, the Sarah Wagenknecht alliance  or BSW  looks to be coming in third in both Thuringia and Saxony, where roughly 1.7 million people and 3.3 million were eligible to vote, respectively.

Top candidate of the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD) for regional elections in Thuringia Bjoern Hoecke arrives at the State Parliament in Erfurt on September 1. - Ronny Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images

German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democratic Party (SPD) is projected to get disappointing results in both states.

The local elections results in Thuringia and Saxony are seen by many as a litmus test for Scholz and his coalition partners ahead of next years general elections. While the AfD has put immigration front and center of its agenda, the coalition built by Scholz is creaking, with infighting, disagreements about policy and accusations that elected officials no longer represent the values they were initially elected for.

AfD co-chair Alice Weisel called the results in Thuringia a historic success, reflecting the peoples rejection of Scholzs coalition government.

This is an even stronger result than in the last elections and, accordingly, we will of course emerge stronger from the elections, she said.

It is a rejection of this coalition and they should ask themselves whether they can continue to govern at all. The question should be raised for new elections. Because it cant go on like this, she added.

AfD would very unlikely be able to form a regional government, struggling to find allies in other parties.

Branches of the AfD are classified as suspected right-wing extremist by Germanys intelligence agency and the partys top candidate in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke has been fined twice for using a Nazi slogan.

Regional elections take place every five years in Germany and each state can have their election at various dates. The German state of Brandenburg is set to head to the polls on September 22.

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One day after the Israeli army recovered the bodies of six hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets in Tel Aviv on Sunday to demand the Israeli government negotiate a deal to bring the remaining hostages home.

The Israel Defense Forces identified the six, all of whom were taken hostage in the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, as Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sgt. Ori Danino.

President Joe Biden said the bodies of the hostages were recovered in a tunnel under Rafah.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin in an undated family photo.

I am devastated and outraged, Biden said in the statement.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, said Hamas killed the six shortly before Israeli forces reached them. Their bodies were found less than a mile from a tunnel where hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was rescued this week, he said. A spokesperson for Israels Health Ministry said the six were killed sometime Thursday or Friday.

"Since Farhans identification, the forces have been instructed to act with extra caution, even more so than usual, understanding that there might be additional hostages in the area," he said. "We did not have information on the exact location of the hostages."

Carmel Gat.

Hagari extended his condolences to the families of the hostages.

"It is impossible to put into words what the hostages have endured in Hamas captivity since October 7th, now 331 days, and what their families have been going through," he said. "This morning, this news shakes us all."

Hostages were taken from festival and homes

Goldberg-Polin, 23, who was among those taken during the attack on the Supernova music festival in the Israeli desert, lost his arm in a grenade blast.

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time, a family representative said.

His parents have been visible and outspoken advocates for bringing the hostages home, including having made an impassioned plea for his release at the Democratic National Convention

Eden Yerushalmi.

They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express," Biden said. "Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages."

Gat, 40, was kidnapped from her parents' home in kibbutz Be'eri. She was an occupational therapist from Tel Aviv, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. The group said returned hostages described her as "their guardian angel" who taught them meditation and yoga in captivity.

"She loved solo travel, meeting new people, live rock music concerts, and was particularly fond of Radiohead," the forum said.

Alexander Lobanov.

Yerushalmi, 24, of Tel Aviv, was working as a bartender at the Nova music festival, according to the forum. She loved her family, Pilates, animals and dancing, according to a video posted to an Instagram account dedicated to advocating for her return home.

Lobanov, 33, and Sarusi, 27, were also kidnapped from the music festival, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

Lobanov was working as a bar manager at the festival. His wife gave birth to their second child while he was being held captive, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. He was from Ashkelon.

Almog Sarusi.

Sarusi, from Ra'anana, was a "bright, humorous person, who is friendly towards all," a post from the X account Bring Them Home Now said. He was at the music festival with his girlfriend of five years, who was killed. He "stayed with her, trying to help when she was wounded, and was subsequently captured," according to the forum.

Danino, 25, of Jerusalem, was also kidnapped at the festival, according to the Israeli Embassy to the U.S., which said he "helped others escape before being captured himself." He was the eldest of five siblings and planned to begin studying electrical engineering, according to the forum.

Hamas condemned

Messages of heartbreak and outrage from Biden administration officials and politicians began pouring in late Saturday after Goldberg-Polin's death was announced.

Vice President Kamala Harris mourned Goldberg-Polins death, saying in a statement that her prayers are with his parents and everyone who knew and loved Hersh.

She strongly condemned Hamas, calling it "an evil terrorist organization" that now has "even more American blood on its hands."

Ori Danino.

"The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israeland American citizens in Israelmust be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza," she said in the statement in her official capacity as vice president, not as a presidential candidate.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, invoking a phrase Jews use to mourn the dead, said, Our hearts break for Jon, Rachel, and their entire family, as well as the other families who found out today their loved ones wont be coming home. May their memory be a blessing.

Goldberg-Polins parents, along with the families of other hostages, have relentlessly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government, as well as the international community, to focus on the plight of their loved ones.

In July, Goldberg-Polins parents joined the families of other American hostages during Netanyahus visit to Washington to share their message: Bring the hostages home now.

At the Democratic National Convention, his parents again pleaded for his return.

Since then, we live on another planet, Rachel Goldberg-Polin said about her sons abduction. Anyone who is a parent or has had a parent can try to imagine the anguish and misery that Jon and I and all the hostage families are enduring.

Pressure on Netanyahu

Netanyahu faces mounting pressure in Israel and around the world to reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas that would secure the release of the hostages and end fighting in Gaza.

In a statement on X Saturday, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Netanyahu had "abandoned the abductees! This is now a fact."

"Starting tomorrow the country will tremble. We call on the public to prepare. We are blocking the country," the statement said.

On Sunday, the protesters  300,000 of them, according to the forum  called for the Israeli government negotiate a deal to bring the remaining hostages home. NBC News was unable to verify that number.

Around 100 hostages remain in Hamas custody.

Family members of some of the hostages spoke at the protest, making critical statements about the Israeli government and specifically Netanyahu.

One speaker, the brother of German Israeli citizen Ohad Ben Ami, talked about the hope he had for a deal before he heard about the six killed hostages. After hearing the news, he said he is now broken.

Let every citizen in Israel know that if theyre kidnapped in their underwear, the prime minister will abandon them to die, without the values we grew up on, without human dignity, without regard for human life, Kobi Ben Ami said.

Aviva Siegel, 63, who was rescued in a prisoner swap last year, told NBC News that news of the hostages' deaths made her "just so sad. I was broken up into pieces. I could not stop crying and shaking. ... It just seems the cruelest thing that could happen.

Her husband, Keith Siegel, 65, an American like Goldberg-Polin, remains in captivity. She spoke about how she had been looking forward to meeting Goldberg-Polin after spending so much time with his family.

It should not have happened, Siegel said of the hostage deaths.

She said she is keeping hope that her husband is strong and will make it out alive because, if I dont, I wont be able to survive.

His daughter, Elan Tiv, 33, said she wishes her father could see all of the people coming out to demand the hostages be brought home.

I want to ask the Biden Administration to see that Netanyahu is not doing his job. Netanyahu is killing my dad. Netanyahu is killing the hostages, she said. She is asking Biden to use his good power to be a leader.

She called on Netanyahu to let someone else do the most important mission and bring the hostages home and get this war to a finish.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid blamed the government for not securing a hostage deal "even though the circumstances allowed it."

Lapid primarily blamed Hamas for the deaths of the six hostages, but said "Hamas is not responsible for our children. The Israeli government is and they should have done the hostage deal," which he said was "doable" and "should have happened a month ago."

Netanyahu said Sunday he was "shocked to the depths of my soul by the terrible cold-blooded murder of six of our abductees" and mourned their deaths.

I say to the Hamas terrorists who murdered our abductees and I say to their leaders  your blood is on your head. We will not rest and we will not be silent. We will pursue you, we will catch up with you and we will bring you to account.

Netanyahu accused Hamas of refusing to conduct cease-fire negotiations. Both sides have repeatedly accused the other of obstructing a deal.

Earlier Saturday, Biden said: We should end this war. I think were on the verge of having an agreement. And its just time to end it. Its time to finish it.

Over 1,200 people were killed in Israel and around 250 others were taken hostage during Hamas' terrorist attack on Oct. 7.

The devastation and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where health officials said more than 40,000 people have been killed in Israel's military offensive, has drawn international condemnation and isolated Netanyahu on the international stage.

In the 10 months since the attack, some hostages were released through diplomatic agreements, some were rescued in IDF operations, and some were killed or died in captivity. The plight of the hostages has roiled Israeli society, sparking protests and anger that Netanyahu has not reached a cease-fire agreement that would bring them home.
Meghan Markle has been investing in female-run companies since the 2020 pandemic lockdown and estimated that her portfolio now includes five to 10 brands.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, the Duchess of Sussex described her investing stance as "dolphin tank" instead of Shark Tank.

"These are friendly waters," she added.

Her first investment was in vegan instant latte company Clevr Blends, and her latest investment is in Cesta Collective, which sells bags that are handwoven by women in Rwanda and finished in Italy.

She wouldn't disclose details about her investment, but Cesta cofounders Erin Ryder and Courtney Weinblatt Fasciano told the Times that it's a minority stake.

woman holds bag on boat

A representative for Meghan and Prince Harry's Archewell Foundation didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Cesta declined to say more about the investment. In a statement to Fortune, Cesta said Meghan is the company's first equity investor and strategic partner.

"The quality of a brands products, the supply chain, ethical standards and practicesthese are all things that I consider before making an investment," Meghan said in the statement. "With Cesta, I really started to understand how many women's lives were being impacted and uplifted through their work. That was incredibly important to me. Erin and Courtney have a great pedigree from their careers working in fashion and have created beautiful products that equally help so many others. That was something I could get behind and support."

She told the Times that she spends a lot of time "just Googling, looking for brands" and discovered Cesta while online shopping. After she wore a Cesta bag in May 2023, the company noticed a spike in sales, leading Fasciano to send Meghan a thank-you note that began a relationship with the duchess.

The founders told the Times that Cesta's annual revenue is about $1 million and that the company prioritizes responsible production and fair wages over profit margins. With Meghan now on board, they hope to expand into other categories and work with women in other developing countries.

"Our shared sensibilities made this partnership a natural fit and were excited to work together to further expand our impact," Ryder said in the statement.

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 15: Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, visit Delia Zapata Art Center in Bogota, Colombia on August 15, 2024. (Photo by Juancho Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Meghan is launching her own lifestyle brand and debuted an Instagram account in March for American Riviera Orchard.

That comes after ventures in the media industry. Her Archewell Productions company is adapting the novel Meet Me at the Lake into a Netflix film.

But the company parted ways with Spotify less than a year after the debut of their Archetypes podcast, sparking a backlash in the industry.

As for her latest ventures, Meghan told the Times, "Investing in them has helped me line up for this chapter where Im investing in myself."

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
By Joe Cash and Duncan Miriri

BEIJING/NAIROBI (Reuters) -China will urge a summit of 50 African nations in Beijing this week to take more of its goods, before Western curbs kick in on its exports such as electric vehicles and solar panels, in exchange for more pledges of loans and investment.

But the dozens of African leaders arriving in the Chinese capital for the three-yearly event may not be easy bait. They will want to hear how China plans to meet an unfulfilled pledge from the previous summit in 2021 to buy $300 billion of goods.

They will also seek assurances on the progress of incomplete Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, such as a railway designed to link the greater East African region.

"The prize is going to go to those countries who have carefully studied the changes in China and align their proposals with China's new slimmed-down priorities," said Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project.

"That's a big ask for a continent that generally has very poor China literacy."

Africa's biggest two-way lender, investor and trade partner is moving away from funding big-ticket projects in the resource-rich continent, preferring instead to sell it the advanced and green technologies Chinese firms have invested in heavily.

As Western curbs on Chinese exports loom, Beijing's top priority will be finding buyers for its EVs and solar panels, areas where the U.S. and European Union say it has overcapacity, and building overseas production bases for emerging markets.

China has already started tweaking conditions for its loans to Africa, setting aside more for solar farms, EV plants and 5G Wi-Fi facilities, while cutting back on bridges, ports and railways.

Last year, China offered 13 loans of just $4.2 billion to eight African states and two regional banks, data from Boston University's Global Development Policy Centre showed, with about $500 million for hydropower and solar projects.

GEOPOLITICAL JOSTLING

When President Xi Jinping opens the ninth Forum on China-Africa Co-operation Summit on Thursday, he is expected to pitch plugging into China's burgeoning green energy industry to leaders from Gambia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

In attendance will also be delegates from every African state except Eswatini, with which Beijing has no ties.

To avoid losing market share, China's geopolitical rival, the United States, has started to host African leaders.

Britain, Italy, Russia and South Korea have also held Africa summits in recent years, recognising the potential of the region's young people and its 54 U.N. seats.

China's outsized role as a financial and trade partner makes its meetings a far bigger deal, however.

"There is no other development partner that does that much," said Hannah Ryder, founder of Development Reimagined, an African-owned consultancy.

"But are African leaders able to push China to really dig in so that the balance of the 'win' is way more towards the African side?"

MATCHING WANTS AND NEEDS

China will want to talk up boosting trade and access to minerals like copper, cobalt and lithium in countries such as Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

But it could be cautious about more funding commitments following debt restructuring bids in economies such as Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana and Zambia, since the 2021 summit.

"We are likely to see a continued prudence in terms of financing mega projects," said Lina Benabdallah, of the Centre for African Studies at Harvard University, adding that Beijing would push for technology transfers instead.

"I am most certainly keen to understand how many new finance commitments may come out of this, and how they're going to deal with existing debt to African countries," said Yvette Babb, portfolio manager at asset management firm William Blair.

But China's enthusiasm to lend might be dampened by security concerns, such as a spat between Niger and Benin that killed six Nigerien soldiers guarding a PetroChina-backed pipeline, or deadly protests in Kenya over tax hikes.

(Writing by Joe Cash; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
by Muhammad Wasama Khalid





Germany has recently deported 28 Afghan asylum seekers with criminal records, a move aimed at addressing security concerns following recent violent incidents involving asylum seekers. This marks the first deportation of Afghans to the country since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021.





A flight has taken off from an airport in eastern Germany deporting individuals to Afghanistan. It is the first deportation of Afghans since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021. A Qatar Airways charter jet on August 30, 2024 carrying 28 Afghan offenders brought from various German states left Leipzig, the biggest city in the eastern state of Saxony, for Kabul at 6:56 am (0456 GMT). Germanys federal Interior Ministry organized the operation.









Afghan nationals walk along a fenced corridor after crossing into Pakistan through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing point in Chaman on August 28, 2021 following the Taliban's military takeover of Afghanistan. [Photo: AFP]





In the wake of the deadly knife attack in Mannheim at the end of May, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that the deportation of the most dangerous criminals and terror suspects to Afghanistan and Syria would be possible again.





On the contrary, The Government of Pakistan has provided shelter and safety to over 4 million Afghan refugees many of them with terrorism and criminal record, for more than 40 years, despite facing its own economic and security pressures. The generosity, hospitality, and compassion of Pakistanis towards Afghan sisters and brothers is highlighted by the support the refugees have received. Their registration and identity documents have facilitated their access to free and public primary education, health care, subsidized food and non-food items, water, electricity, livelihood opportunities, and other essential services.









Different vocational and skills development programs have been launched for the refugees in Pakistan. Thousands of refugees  male and female  have been given training in trades such as embroidery, tailoring, computing and IT, masonry, plumbing, electrics, and beauty treatment, among others. Afghan refugees are granted scholarships under government programs to attend college and university courses such as medicine, engineering, and IT, and also to pursue doctorates in some disciplines.





The Government of Pakistan has allowed all registered Afghan refugees to open bank accounts to ensure their earnings are safeguarded and to give them economic stability. Afghan refugees have always been helped to run their own businesses throughout the country. They have engaged in business activities, such as carpet weaving, transport, beekeeping, etc.









After food distribution in camps was discontinued in 1995, thousands of Afghans moved to urban settlements built as an urgent measure to ease pressure on local communities and resources. The government has provided them with basic facilities such as education and health services. For this, the documentation of refugees has assisted in forecasting and future planning.





The Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan, through bilateral and regional approaches, have agreed to create an environment conducive to voluntary repatriation and reintegration through a reliable registration process. Under this approach, both governments have identified areas for safe and dignified return. Under various agreements, the Government of Pakistan shares data about Afghan refugees with the Government of Afghanistan to strengthen the re-integration process and sustainable voluntary repatriation.





With assistance from UNHCR and the international community, the Government of Pakistan has launched a joint program called Refugees Affected and Hosting Areas. So far, more than 4,000 projects have been implemented in refugee-hosting areas to ensure social cohesion between the two communities. Under this program, various sectors were addressed, especially Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (WASH), health, education, livelihoods, agriculture, etc. An assessment study by UNHCR showed that considerable social cohesion has been achieved.









In the grand tapestry of international relations, the divergent paths of Germany and Pakistan offer a stark contrast. Germany, grappling with security concerns, has chosen to repatriate Afghan asylum seekers with criminal records. This decision, while rooted in domestic needs, raises questions about international obligations and the treatment of vulnerable populations.





Meanwhile, Pakistan, a nation itself facing economic and security pressures, has extended a lifeline to millions of Afghan refugees for over four decades. Its generosity and compassion stand as a testament to its commitment to humanitarian principles. Despite the challenges, Pakistan has strived to provide refugees with essential services, education, and opportunities for economic stability.





As the world grapples with issues of migration, asylum, and security, the experiences of Germany and Pakistan offer valuable lessons. While Germanys focus on domestic security is understandable, Pakistans enduring hospitality serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and international cooperation. In a world increasingly divided, these two nations approaches to refugee resettlement highlight the complexities of balancing national interests with humanitarian obligations.





Muhammad Wasama Khalid is a Correspondent and Researcher at Global Affairs. He is pursuing his Bachelors in International Relations at National Defense University (NDU). He has a profound interest in history, politics, current affairs, and international relations. He is an author of Global village space, Global defense insight, Global Affairs, and modern diplomacy. He tweets at @Wasama Khalid and can be reached at Wasamakhalid@gmail.com
A protester who interrupted former President Donald Trump's rally Friday in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, will face misdemeanor charges, local police confirmed to NBC News on Saturday.

The man, whose identity has not yet been released, will face charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and disrupting a meeting or procession, Police Sgt. Evan Dabbs said.

Security and police apprehend a man who jumped onto the media platform Friday at a campaign rally for Donald Trump in Johnstown, Pa.

The charges have not yet been filed. Dabbs said they are expected to be filed early next week.

It is unclear what the protester's views of Trump were.

The man jumped over a barricade and hopped onto a media riser and yelled to Trump as he was speaking. It was unclear what the protester was saying.

Trump reacted from the stage, saying, He is on our side.

Donald Trump speaks at the rally in Johnstown.

The protest came shortly after Trump criticized journalists, comments that are a routine part of his rallies. Trump has for years sharply criticized the media and tried to undermine its credibility. Often, supporters at his rally turn around and boo reporters when he unleashes on journalists.

Security handcuffed and removed the protester. He was processed and released Friday, Dabbs said. Dabbs said he was not involved in the arrest and did not know the protester's motive.

No bystanders or members of the media or law enforcement were injured, said Greg Neugebauer, the district attorney in Cambria County, where Johnstown is located.

"There were no further incidents reported at the event," Neugebauer told NBC News.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the expected charges.
By Mark Trevelyan

LONDON (Reuters) -Russia will make changes to its doctrine on the use of nuclear weapons in response to what it regards as Western escalation in the war in Ukraine, state media quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying on Sunday.

The existing nuclear doctrine, set out in a decree by President Vladimir Putin in 2020, says Russia may use nuclear weapons in the event of a nuclear attack by an enemy or a conventional attack that threatens the existence of the state.

Some hawks among Russia's military analysts have urged Putin to lower the threshold for nuclear use in order to "sober up" Russia's enemies in the West.

Putin said in June that the nuclear doctrine was a "living instrument" that could change, depending on world events. Ryabkov's comments on Sunday were the clearest statement yet that changes would indeed be made.

"The work is at an advanced stage, and there is a clear intent to make corrections," state news agency TASS cited Ryabkov as saying.

He said the decision is "connected with the escalation course of our Western adversaries" in connection with the Ukraine conflict.

Moscow accuses the West of using Ukraine as a proxy to wage war against it, with the aim of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on Russia and breaking it apart.

The United States and its allies deny that, saying they are helping Ukraine defend itself against a colonial-style war of aggression by Russia.

'RED LINES'

Putin said on day one of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that anyone who tried to hinder or threaten it would suffer "consequences that you have never faced in your history".

Since then, he has issued a series of further statements that the West regards as nuclear threats, and announced the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

That has not deterred the U.S. and its allies from stepping up military aid to Ukraine in ways that were unthinkable when the war started, including by supplying tanks, long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets.

Ukraine shocked Moscow last month by piercing its western border in an incursion by thousands of troops that Russia is still fighting to repel.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the operation made a mockery of Putin's "red lines". He is also lobbying hard for the U.S. to allow it to use advanced Western weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview published on Sunday that the West was "going too far" and that Russia would do everything to protect its interests.

Ryabkov did not say when the updated nuclear doctrine would be ready. "The time for completing this work is a rather difficult question, given that we are talking about the most important aspects of ensuring our national security," he said.

Russia has more nuclear weapons than any other country. Putin said in March that Moscow was ready for the eventuality of a nuclear war "from a military-technical point of view".

He said, however, that he saw no rush towards nuclear confrontation and that Russia had never faced a need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

(Additional reporting by Lucy PapachristouEditing by Gareth Jones)
University of Pittsburgh police arrested a person suspected of attacking a group of Jewish students with a bottle Friday night, the school announced on its website.

The incident occurred near the Cathedral of Learning on campus. Two students were treated at the scene. The suspect, who has no known affiliation with the school, was immediately arrested and was in custody, the university said.

Upon learning about this incident, Pitt leadership contacted Hillel University Center to offer support to our students and also connected with our partners at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, the university said. We are grateful to our Pitt Police officers for their swift action, and our Student Affairs team for their ongoing student support.

There was no ongoing threat to the public, the school said.

It said, To be clear: Neither acts of violence nor antisemitism will be tolerated. Local and federal partners are supporting Pitt Police in this ongoing investigation.

The fall semester began Monday.

The safety of our Jewish students remains a priority, and we will continue to be a home away from home for them, providing them with care, support and community, Hillel University Center said in a statement.

University police said the incident was not connected to an earlier shooting at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, across the street from the Cathedral of Learning. Pittsburgh Public Safety shared on X a man had been shot in the leg around 5:30 p.m. and was in stable condition.

CNN has reached out to university police requesting additional information about the incident but has not received a response.

On October 27, 2018, a man burst into the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and shot people with an AR-15-style rifle. Eleven people were killed and six others, including four responding police officers, were wounded. It was the deadliest ever attack on Jews in the United States.

A federal jury sentenced him to death last year after prosecutors said the attack was motivated by the mans hatred toward Jews, immigrants and particularly the non-profit organization Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.

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Starting tomorrow, the apostolic journey will take the pontiff to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. This morning he prayed and entrusted the trip before the icon of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani in Romes Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The cry of the wounded Earth is becoming increasingly alarming, he noted citing the upcoming World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  After praying the Angelus this morning, first Sunday of September, Pope Francis said, Tomorrow I will begin an Apostolic Journey in several countries in Asia and Oceania. Please, pray for the outcome of this journey! The latter will last until the 13th of the month and will see him visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.

This morning, before coming to the window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Pontiff went to the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome, as he usually does before apostolic journeys, to pray before the icon of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani, entrusting to her what will be the longest trip of his pontificate.

Following the Marian prayer, the Holy Father spoke against about peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. I once again turn my thoughts with concern to the conflict in Palestine and Israel, which risks spreading to other Palestinian cities. I appeal for the negotiations to continue and for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, he said.

Francis also stressed the urgency of helping the people of Gaza, haunted by so many diseases, like polio. May there be peace in the Holy Land, may there be peace in Jerusalem! he insisted. May the Holy City be a place of encounter where Christians, Jews and Muslims feel they are respected and welcomed, and no-one questions the Status Quo in the respective Holy Places.

The pontiff also expressed his closeness to the tormented Ukrainian people, hard hit by attacks on the energy infrastructure. In addition to the deaths and injuries, these actions have left over a million people without electricity and water, noted the Bishop of Rome.

Let us remember that the voice of the innocent is always heard by God, who does not remain indifferent to their suffering!

The pope asked for a round of applause from the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for Jan Havlik, who was beatified yesterday in Sastin, Slovakia.

The young seminarian at the Congregation of the Mission founded by Saint Vincent De Paul was killed in 1965, during the persecution against the Church by the regime in what was then Czechoslovakia.

May his perseverance in bearing witness to faith in Christ encourage those who still suffer similar trials. A round of applause for the new Blessed!

Francis learnt with sorrow" about the massacre on Saturday, 24 August, in the municipality of Barsalogho, Burkina Faso. [H]undreds of people, including women and children, were killed and many others injured in a terrorist attack, the pope lamented.

In condemning these heinous attacks against human life, I express my closeness to the nation as a whole, and my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. May the Virgin Mary help the beloved people of Burkina Faso to regain peace and security, Francis said.

The pontiff also called for prayers for the victims of an incident yesterday at the shrine of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao in the city of Recife, Brazil, when food baskets were being distributed among the poor, with two deaths and 22 injuries. May the Risen Lord console the injured and the relatives of the victims, he said.

The pontiff also mentioned World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which is celebrated every year on 1 September, an observance rooted in the deep traditions of the Eastern Church, for whom this day is a reminder of the worlds creation.

The day provides an opportunity both to celebrate the divine act of creation and reflect on the way we have safeguarded the precious gift of creation.

I hope that everyone, institutions, associations, families and every person, may make a concrete commitment to our common home. The cry of the wounded Earth is becoming increasingly alarming, and calls for decisive and urgent action.

Commenting on today's Gospel (Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23) before the recitation of the Marian prayer, Pope Francis pointed out that Jesus addressed the theme of purity, criticising the external ritualism of the Pharisees.

Purity, Jesus says, is not linked to external rites, but is first and foremost linked to inner dispositions, Francis explained.

Indeed, washing one's hands is not enough, if one feeds evil feelings like greed and pride in one's heart. Hence, Francis warns against leading a "double life", showing piety in church but behaving differently outside. Instead, We are made for the purity of life, for tenderness, for love.
by Giorgio Bernardelli

Originally from Flores Island and the Verbite superior general until a few weeks ago, Mgr Paulus Budi Kleden began his term as archbishop of Ende on 22 August. On the eve of the pope's arrival in the country, he talked to AsiaNews about expectations surrounding the visit, as well as the missionary face of the Indonesian Church, which currently has its own priests and nuns serving evangelisation in dozens of countries around the world.

Milan (AsiaNews)  He began his episcopal ministry a few days ago after leading the Verbites (Society of the Divine Word, SVD) for six years, the second Asian to do so. The missionary congregation founded in 1875 in Germany by Fr Arnold Janssen has one the largest presence in Asia with many vocations in Indonesia.

Last May, Pope Francis chose Fr Paulus Budi Kleden, 58, to lead the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Ende on Flores Island, the heart of Indonesian Catholicism.

Originally from Larantuka, a rural area on Flores, he became a priest in 1993, teaching systematic theology for a long time at Ledalero, the great seminary on the island, before holding the position of superior general of the Verbites from 2018 until last July.

On 22 August, he was ordained bishop in Ende, choosing as his motto Keep the brotherly love in you, from the verse that opens Chapter 13 of the Letter to the Hebrews.

It is with him that AsiaNews, on the eve of Pope Franciss departure for Indonesia, reflects on the significance of this trip for this great Asian country and the whole world.

What do you expect from Pope Francis' visit to Jakarta?

First, to strengthen Catholics in Indonesia in their identity as Catholics and their contribution to the nation. Though few in numbers, Indonesian Catholics have been playing a key role in the development of the country. This should be strengthened and continued.

Second, to foster interreligious dialogue in Indonesia. To help Indonesians of other religions understand that the Catholic Church is concerned about the problems of humanity as a whole and it is open to collaborate with others to face challenges.

Third, to encourage the Indonesian government in its commitment to serve Indonesians, helping them live peacefully with differences, including the difference of religion that exist among them, to see these differences as richness to help us grow.

Fourth, I hope that with this visit the Indonesian government will make it easier for expatriate Catholic missionaries to come and work in Indonesia.

Do you think that during this visit, Indonesia's experience can offer the whole world an example of dialogue between Christians and Muslims?

That is my big hope, that the reality of Indonesia of mutual enrichment by religious communities be an example and inspiration for the world. People should see this. I am myself very inspired and proud of the participation of my Muslim brothers and sisters and [members] of other religions during my ordination and on other occasions. At the same, this is an appeal for all Indonesians to safeguard this spirit of living and working together.

In the homily of your installment in Ende you stressed the need for social harmony in Indonesian society. What most endangers this harmony today?

Yes, I did. Social harmony is endangered, for instance, by certain politicians who use religious issues or religious identity to gain votes. The insensitivity to putting up religious buildings where there are just a few believers from that religion is also another factor. The other is economics. When locals who are believers of one religion see that their neighbours from other religions are given more privileges and support to start and run their business, that creates tensions.

Based on your previous experience as SVD general superior, how do you see the contribution of Indonesian foreign missionaries to the global Church today?

We can be proud as Indonesian Catholics that we have become a missionary sending country; for decades we were only a receiving country. From the SVD, there are more than 500 Indonesian missionaries working in 50 countries.

Indonesian missionaries are characterised by their simplicity and readiness to work in remote places. Their experience of living together with other religions, especially with Muslims, is helpful for other local Churches.

(Mathias Hariyadi contributed to this article, photo by Hanafi Jo)
August 31, 2024: Back in mid-2023, NATO members agreed to work with Ukraine to achieve defensive capabilities that can deter future Russian aggression once the current war with Russia is over. In early August 2024, Ukraine sent several thousand troops and hundreds of vehicles into Russia. This incursion into the Kursk region, which borders northern Ukraine, was meant to demonstrate, especially to the Russian people, how weak the Russian military had become.

The Russian military was very slow in reacting and after eleven days, the Ukrainians managed to seize 1,150 square kilometers of Russian territory with 82 towns and villages. This included the town of Sudzha. Russian leaders promise to halt the Ukrainian offensive and push them out, but that has not happened yet and may never happen. Russia is losing the war that it started in early 2022 by invading Ukraine. Captured documents revealed that the Russian government believed that victory would be quick because the Ukrainians lacked the will to resist. That turned out to be a major mistake. The Ukrainians not only fought back but largely destroyed the Russian force that was heading for Kiev, the Ukrainian capital. Russia withdrew the remnants of that force and sent them to eastern Ukraine where Russian and Ukrainian forces had been facing and skirmishing with each other since 2014.

Currently Russia has another major offensive underway in eastern Ukraine and it is not making much progress. The Ukrainians have become very good at defeating these offensives and doing so in a way that gets a lot of Russian attackers killed or disabled. Typically the Russian attackers suffer three to four times as many casualties as the Ukrainian defenders. Since early 2022, Russian forces have suffered nearly half a million soldiers killed, wounded or missing. A growing number of Russian troops are surrendering to the Ukrainian forces. Morale among Russian troops is low and getting worse while the Ukrainians have lost far fewer troops since 2022, and many Ukrainian soldiers have been in action for over two years and are far more experienced and better trained than their Russian counterparts. Captured Russian soldiers are surprised at how well off the Ukrainian troops are and how well they treat the Russian prisoners. The Ukrainians observe the Geneva Convention rules for the treatment of prisoners, including allowing prisoners to let their families know they are safe and well. Russia tries to prevent Ukraine from notifying families of prisoners, but in the age of widespread internet use, its impossible to block all of those messages.

Over two years of this have demoralized Russian military age men to the point where Russia cannot recruit many Russians to serve in Ukraine. Increasingly, Russia is trying to hire foreign mercenaries, or pay very high cash bonuses to reluctant Russians to fight in Ukraine. Neither is working. The sustained support Ukraine has provided for its forces is in sharp contrast to the dearth of support for Russian troops.

International economic sanctions imposed on Russia after the invasion have gradually reduced the support the Russian economy could provide for the war effort. That support is now reduced to a trickle while NATO support for Ukraine never faltered. The current Ukrainian incursion into Russia convinced doubters that Russia was no longer able to fight effectively. Inside Russia, business and political leaders are openly and privately calling on their President Vladimir Putin to get out of Ukraine and get the Russian economy free of the crippling sanctions. The pressure on Putin is now very visible but he still refuses to quit. That has led to more rumors from inside Russia that Putins political, economic and military advisers are urging their president to back down before the situation inside Russia gets out of control.
1 September 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans statement to the press every time causes another crisis in the context of peace negotiations. Although it is not easy to grasp the PMs true intention, it is clear from the statements of the Armenian Prime Minister that all the issues included in his agenda are prepared with the special instructions of the Western allies.

Unfortunately, in his press statement, Nikol Pashinyan dealt another blow to the negotiation plan with Baku, while reading the proposal for peace talks prepared on the basis of the instructions of his patrons.

The Prime Minister of Armenia inappropriately tried to use Azerbaijan as an example to justify the processes related to Yerevans speedy armament, which lead to danger in the South Caucasus. Pashinyan, who imported lethal weapons from France and India to Yerevan, allegedly presents Azerbaijan as a country that receives weapons from Italy. However, the agreement signed by Azerbaijan with the Italian company Leonardo is not about the sale of lethal weapons, but only about the C-27J NG Spartan aircraft carrying military ammunition.

Since the Prime Minister of Armenia could not find a valid excuse, he resorted to false allegations about Azerbaijan and tried to dramatize the issue. However, it is unnecessary for Armenia to buy lethal weapons from France, the United States, India, and other countries.

Pashinyan goes deeper and reveals the secret of Armenia's dangerous games

Pashinyan's next lie was his false statements about Azerbaijan's budget expenditures. He noted in his claim that Azerbaijan spends 17 percent of its GDP on military purposes.

However, in Azerbaijan, this number is around 4 percent, and in Armenia it is much higher. Moreover, Armenia also has invisible budget resources, for which purposes it is spent is a subject of discussion. So, let us take a closer look at the issue:

Some exaggerated figures shown in Armenias economy and the dazzling results of the rapidly growing shadow economy in the country have always been a focus of interest. Although landlocked Armenia shares a land border with 4 countries, the country's international strategic capabilities are very limited. The main reason for this is that Armenia occupied the territories of Azerbaijan starting in 1993, and because of this, the borders with Turkiye and Azerbaijan remain closed to this day.

Given this, Armenia has relations with only Georgia and Iran, and although these relations are used for commercial purposes, they are not able to bring further surpluses to the economy of this country.

For example, if we just look at the statistical figures for 2022, we can say that the volume of exports from Armenia to Iran was approximately 111 million US dollars. About 59.6 percent of this was electric energy, 20 percent was rolled tobacco products, and the remaining 20 percent was made up of non-ferrous metal, glass, and other products. In addition, in Armenia, the internal market of the country has not been formed due to the fact that factories and companies bringing large-scale investments do not operate.

However, there is a fact that everyone already knows, which is the fact that despite heavy Western sanctions on Moscow, Armenia's exports to Russia are increasing day by day.

For example, Armenia's exports to Russia increased three times in 2022 alone. Armenia, which joined the Eurasian Economic Union led by Russia in 2014, for some reason, began to strengthen its trade with Russia precisely after the Ukrainian war.

For example, the trade turnover between Armenia and Russia in 2023 has grown by 43 percent, reaching $7 billion and 306 million, according to data from the National Statistical Committee of Armenia for 2023.

The specific weight of Russia in Armenia's total foreign trade remained at about the same level (decreased from 35.6 percent to 35.3 percent) compared to 2022, according to the statistics.

Exports from Armenia are up by almost 39 percent to a total of $3 billion and 418 million. This means that the share of exports and imports in trade with Russia is almost the same (47 percent to 53 percent).

Now let us get back to the answer to the main question. According to the indicators of the International Monetary Fund for 2024, the GDP of Armenia is 8.58 thousand US dollars. Of course, since the country prefers more exports, the latest indicators of the country's GDP have fluctuated with a growth rate of about 3% to 5%.

But what has not changed is the general living conditions of the population in Armenia. Experts emphasise that Armenia either overestimates the economic figures or that the country's income is used for different purposes. Certainly, one of them is the rapid armament policy of Armenia, especially after its defeat in the Second Garabagh War in 2020.

According to the latest statistics of this year, the Armenian government even increased the defence budget and allocated 557 billion drams (approximately $1.38 billion). In addition, in 2021, Yerevan allocated about $600 million from the state budget for military purposes, and in 2022, the country increased military spending by more than 10%, reaching $750 million. As regards Armenia's 2023 national budget for military expenditures, this reached a record $1.28 billion, and this number was around a 46% increase in military expenditures in comparison with a year ago.

So, Pashinyan's claims about Azerbaijan's budget backfired again. Unable to find a possible excuse, Nikol Vovayevich says, "Why not Armenia to get armed while Azerbaijan does so?"

Answer: Azerbaijan and Armenia should be distinguished. Armenia is an occupying state and occupied the lands of Azerbaijan for 30 years. After the Second World War, there are few states that invaded the territory of other countries, one of them is Armenia.

For example, after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, an arms embargo was imposed on Iraq. If Armenia develops its military potential, there is no guarantee that it will not use it later. Therefore, there should be some control mechanism over Armenia's acquisition of military equipment. The countries that arm Armenia are also responsible for this.

PM Pashinyan whitewashes threatening aspects of the Armenian constitution

Pashinyan's claims about the Constitution of Azerbaijan are barely a lie, and he himself knows very well that Azerbaijan has no territorial claims against anyone. In general, there is no legal basis for what he said, and it is clear that Armenia uses manipulative methods.

The Constitution of Armenia defines miatsum as a target for the Armenian people.

When Azerbaijan says the need to change the Constitution of Armenia, it means that the Armenian people should put an end to the miatsum issue through a referendum and accept that the Garabagh issue is over once and for all.

Even the claims of the Armenian Prime Minister regarding the non-abolition of the Minsk Group of the OSCE have a manipulative character and hide his real intention in his hypocritical nature.

In general, what has the OSCE Minsk Group done so far, what was its role in the past conflict?

For Azerbaijan, the issue of the Minsk Group has already gone down in history, Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev has stated this many times, and the other day he voiced it again while receiving the delegation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye in Baku.

Because if the conflict is in the past and the Prime Minister of Armenia expresses support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, then what is the need to keep the Minsk Group, a remnant of the past?!

Communications should now be opened

In addition to demarcation and delimitation of the borders, communication with other territories of Azerbaijan should be ensured. Because when it comes to the issue of Zangazur, only one issue comes to mind: Armenia's leaving Nakhchivan under a blockade for more than 30 years. The blockade continued even after Pashinyan came to power. Now Armenia is talking about unblocking communications within the framework of its interests, which is nothing but hypocrisy. First, Armenia should show goodwill, and create an opportunity to open communication between the main part of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan AR, and then other transport issues can be considered. Azerbaijan cannot leave its citizens to the hope of Armenia, because everyone knows how Armenia behaves in this case.

Baku has set its demands before Armenia and Yerevan has no chance to take a step back after that.

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1 September 2024 09:42 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Today, extraordinary elections to the Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan of the VII convocation are held in the entire sovereign territory of Azerbaijan. A press conference was held at the Central Election Commission (CEC) regarding the holding of early elections, Azernews reports.

Mazahir Panahov, Chairman of the CEC, who spoke at the event, which began with the singing of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said that all polling stations were fully prepared for voting. He noted that after the elections were announced, all necessary measures were taken by the CEC. CEC and district election commissions have taken all steps in accordance with the requirements of the Election Code.

The chairman said that the elections have become a big event in Azerbaijan. Parliamentary elections will be held for the first time in the entire sovereign territory of our country.

Mazahir Panahov said that parliamentary elections are held in 6478 polling stations in 125 constituencies. Emphasizing that 10 of the 125 constituencies created in connection with the elections are IDP constituencies, the CEC chairman added that 397 thousand 862 IDPs will be able to vote in 574 polling stations. Currently, 54 polling stations are operating in the liberated areas.

In order to ensure transparency, web cameras have been installed in 6,478 stations.

6 million 516 thousand 567 ballot papers were distributed to precincts.

The chairman noted that 6 million 421 thousand 960 citizens will be able to vote in today's parliamentary elections.

The CEC chairman pointed out that 990 candidates will fight for the deputy mandate in the parliamentary elections. 305 of those registered were nominated by political parties. "There is great international interest in the elections held in Azerbaijan. Most of the international observers have extensive experience in elections and their opinions are important," he added.

M. Panahov emphasized that international observers were widely represented in the elections. 598 international observers will be able to monitor the elections. In addition, 112,749 local observers will monitor the elections.

It was pointed out that 22 international media representatives will be able to cover the extraordinary elections to the Milli Majlis.

According to him, three organizations have been registered with the Central Election Commission to conduct an "exit poll" in connection with the parliamentary elections - the League for the Protection of Citizens' Labor Rights, the "Progress" Public Association for Social Research, and the "Center for Sociological Research". Two of them have established their activities together with foreign partners.

Mazahir Panahov noted that about 65,000 local observers who will monitor the elections are representatives of 25 political parties.

M. Panahov said that since 2008, the practice of web cameras has been used in the observation of the elections, and stressed that an interested party from any country can visit the website of the Central Election Commission and observe the elections. He said that this is an example of transparency in elections.

The chairman of the CEC called on voters to be active. He said that the preliminary results received will be delivered to the public today. All requests are answered promptly.

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1 September 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

The Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, Mazahir Panahov, has announced that the commission will provide regular updates on the voting process and voter turnout during the countrys snap parliamentary elections, Azernews reports citing Trend.

According to Panahov, the CEC will release information five times throughout the day at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, and 7:00 PM.

Speaking at a press conference, Panahov emphasized that the protection of voters rights is paramount, stating that no one is permitted to take actions that could infringe upon these rights.

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1 September 2024 09:55 (UTC+04:00)

Extraordinary Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan start with the enthusiasm of voters in polling station No. 46, established in Shusha city of Shusha-Aghdam-Khojavand electoral district No. 124.

Azernews reports, citing Azertag that Shusha observed the start of voting in the polling station No. 46 in the building of secondary school No. 1 of the city. At 7:50 a.m., the polling station was opened with the presence of observers, and ballot boxes were locked, and at 8:00 a.m. voting was announced.

Voters who go to the polling station in the morning exercise their constitutional rights and vote for the candidates they want. Both voters working in Shusha and residents of Shusha who have moved to their homeland take an active part in voting.

As regards the elections in liberated Lachin there are 6 polling stations for voters to vote in connection with the early elections to the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Residents of Lachin went to the stations in high spirits starting from the morning hours.

There are 110 polling stations in District No. 121. Of these, 6 polling stations are located in Lachin, which was liberated from occupation. Polling station No. 105 and 106 are located in the city center of Lachin, polling station No. 107 in the village of Zerti, polling station No. 108 in the village of Zabukh, polling station No. 109 in the village of Gorchu, and newly created polling station No. 110 in the village of Sus.

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1 September 2024 10:37 (UTC+04:00)

Today, snap elections are being held for the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, and their daughter Leyla Aliyeva cast their votes at polling station No. 1 of the Sabail constituency No. 7 in Baku, located at secondary school No 6.

President Ilham Aliyev entered the voting booth and cast his ballot.

Subsequently, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and Leyla Aliyeva cast their votes.

Polling station No. 1 of the Sabail constituency No. 7 has 579 registered voters, with 8 candidates competing for parliamentary seats in this constituency.

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1 September 2024 11:12 (UTC+04:00)

The first official update on the parliamentary elections has been released, Azernews reports citing AZERTAG.

Farid Orujov, Chief of the Seckiler Information Center of the Central Election Commission Secretariat, reported that 9.92% of voters (636,842) had cast their ballots as of 10:00 AM.

The elections are being held across 125 constituencies in Azerbaijan, with polling stations opening at 8 AM and set to close at 7 PM. A total of 990 candidates are vying for 125 seats in the Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan's parliament.

Azerbaijan has a total of 6,421,960 registered voters, and 6,478 polling stations have been set up nationwide, including 54 in the territories liberated from occupation.

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1 September 2024 11:50 (UTC+04:00)

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the occasion of the country's Independence Day, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"Dear Shavkat Miromonovich,

Dear Brother,

I am delighted, both personally and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and, through you, to the entire brotherly nation of Uzbekistan, along with my best wishes on the occasion of September 1st  Independence Day.

Under your decisive leadership and multifaceted efforts, Uzbekistan has made significant strides on the path of socio-economic development, achieving remarkable successes and accomplishments. This is a testament to your tireless work, the deep trust your people have in the state policies you lead, and their support for these policies. We take great joy in the achievements of your brotherly country, its economic progress, and its growing influence in both the region and the world, and we are proud of it.

The recent state visit I made to your beautiful country has given new momentum to the development of Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations. I greatly appreciate your determination to further deepen our bilateral cooperation, and I am confident that we will swiftly realize the plans we discussed.

It is a matter of pride to note that Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations, built on a strong foundation of friendship and brotherhood, are steadily advancing and being enriched with new dimensions. The expansion and deepening of our bilateral relations in all areas are based on strong political will, mutual trust, and confidence.

The important agreements reached through intensive mutual visits and high-level meetings, the new partnership directions outlined, and the numerous signed documents are clear evidence of the comprehensive development of our strategic partnership on an upward trajectory.

I am confident that we will successfully continue our joint efforts to further strengthen the friendship and brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, and to expand our cooperation.

On this festive day, I wish you good health, happiness, success in your noble and responsible endeavors, and continuous peace, prosperity, and well-being to the brotherly people of Uzbekistan."

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1 September 2024 12:00 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations, built on a strong foundation of friendship and brotherhood, are steadily advancing and being enriched with new dimensions, said President Ilham Aliyev in a congratulatory letter to President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Azernews reports.

"The recent state visit I made to your beautiful country has given new momentum to the development of Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations. I greatly appreciate your determination to further deepen our bilateral cooperation, and I am confident that we will swiftly realize the plans we discussed.

It is a matter of pride to note that Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations, built on a strong foundation of friendship and brotherhood, are steadily advancing and being enriched with new dimensions. The expansion and deepening of our bilateral relations in all areas are based on strong political will, mutual trust, and confidence.

The important agreements reached through intensive mutual visits and high-level meetings, the new partnership directions outlined, and the numerous signed documents are clear evidence of the comprehensive development of our strategic partnership on an upward trajectory.

I am confident that we will successfully continue our joint efforts to further strengthen the friendship and brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, and to expand our cooperation," the letter reads.
1 September 2024 13:34 (UTC+04:00)

On September 1, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received Marko Djuric, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Azernews reports.

FM Marko Djuric conveyed greetings from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to the head of state.

Wishing success for the snap parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan, Marko Djuric hailed Azerbaijans achievements under President Ilham Aliyevs leadership.

The Foreign Minister of Serbia extended congratulations on Azerbaijan hosting COP29 and highlighted that Azerbaijan has established new partnership networks and relationships on the global stage.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for Aleksandar Vucics greetings and asked Marko Djuric to pass on his own regards to the President of Serbia.

Fondly recalling his meetings with President Vucic in both Azerbaijan and Serbia, the head of state emphasized that his friendship and partnership with the President of Serbia provide a significant impetus to the development of bilateral relations.

Describing Serbia as a friend and strategic partner of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev noted that sincere relations have been established between the two countries and peoples. He highlighted that these bonds are evident in the development of cooperation across all areas. The President emphasized that the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia are crucial not only from the perspective of bilateral relations but also in terms of promoting cooperation between the Balkan and Caucasus regions on a regional level.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan has faced double standards, injustice, and approaches contrary to the norms and principles of international law in the process of ensuring its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Despite all this, Azerbaijan has successfully ensured its territorial integrity and sovereignty through its own will.

They expressed satisfaction with the development of cooperation in the energy sector between the two countries. They noted that Serbia is already playing a transit role in the export of Azerbaijans energy resources to other European countries, including the Balkan countries. The support both countries provide to each other within international organizations, especially their principled positions on issues of territorial integrity and sovereignty, was reiterated at the meeting.

The discussion included an exchange of views on various areas of cooperation.

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September 1, 2024: Hong Kong has become the major source for supplying sanctioned nations with weapons and munitions. A current customer is Russia. Hong Kong does this by allowing Russian tankers and cargo ships, operating with fake credentials to disguise their Russian affiliation, to bring in Russian oil and other raw materials. The Russian ships then leave Hong Kong carrying weapons for their war in Ukraine.

This is not a new activity for Hong Kong, which has been in the smuggling business for decades. Since 2004 Hong Kong firms have been using their port city to smuggle Chinese-made weapons to foreign customers who are sanctioned and unable to obtain weapons legally.

Meanwhile China has been increasing its military hold on Hong Kong. In 1997, Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese control, after the 99-year lease Britain had on the territory was not renewed by China. Hong Kong was allowed to maintain some economic and administrative autonomy but the police and military garrison were now under the control of China.

Initially, the Chinese Hong Kong garrison consisted of one infantry brigade of four battalions plus support units. The garrison is there to defend the city against internal unrest, rather than external threats. For the troops, it's a choice assignment, as Hong Kong is a cool place to live if you are young. Most of the Chinese troops are young. Duty in Hong has other advantages as the Chinese troops took over the old British barracks and then upgraded and expanded those facilities.

The Chinese garrison is there to protect economic activities and maintain order. The Hong Kong smugglers are considered an important part of the local economy and worth protecting.
1 September 2024 15:10 (UTC+04:00)

Elections are held in very high spirits, said Igor Karpenko, Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Belarus, during his meeting with Mazahir Panahov, Chairman of Azerbaijans Central Election Commission (CEC), Azernews reports.

Panahov reported that 598 international observers and over 112,000 domestic observers are monitoring the electoral process. To ensure transparency, webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations across the country, allowing for direct and continuous online observation on Election Day without requiring registration.

The CEC Chairman highlighted that 6,421,960 voters are eligible to cast their ballots, with 990 candidates competing for parliamentary seats.

Of the approved candidates, 305 were nominated by 25 political parties.

Panahov noted that the media outlets are independently and freely covering the electoral process.

He also mentioned that three organizations have applied to conduct exit polls for the snap elections.

A total of 6,478 polling stations have been set up nationwide, including 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary ones.

The CEC Chairman also noted that this election marks the first time parliamentary elections are conducted across Azerbaijan's entire sovereign territory.

Karpenko expressed his enthusiasm for observing the snap elections to the Milli Majlis and emphasized his commitment to actively monitoring the process. He noted that voters have been arriving at polling stations since morning and reported no unfavorable or unlawful incidents at the stations he visited.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on various election-related issues.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
1 September 2024 18:25 (UTC+04:00)

The next statistical update on the voting progress for the Milli Majlis elections has been announced.

By 5:00 PM, voter turnout in Azerbaijan's extraordinary parliamentary elections had reached 33.82%, according to Farid Orujov, head of the Information Center at the Central Election Commission's Secretariat, Azernews reports.

Voting for the Azerbaijani parliamentary elections began at 8:00 AM today, with polling stations opening across the country.

A total of 6,478 polling stations are operating in 125 constituencies, including 54 in the recently liberated territories, where over 42,000 eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots.

The Central Election Commission has made provisions for 6.4 million registered voters, distributing more than 6.5 million ballot papers to polling stations. A total of 990 candidates are competing in this snap parliamentary election, with 305 representing political parties, 684 running independently, and 1 nominated by an initiative group.

To ensure transparency, 598 international observers from 69 countries and 51 international organizations have been accredited, alongside 112,749 local observers. Additionally, webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide, providing live streams on official websites (www.msk.gov.az, www.cec.gov.az, www.infocenter.gov.az).

The Central Election Commission will provide latest updates on the election throughout the day, with voting set to conclude at 7:00 PM.

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1 September 2024 18:45 (UTC+04:00)

A panel titled "COP 29 and Green Horizons: Navigating Climate Change" was organized by the AIR Center in partnership with GLOBSEC 2024 in Prague, Azernews reports.

Moderated by Sofiia Shevchuk, the founder of the VONA & The Tide and GLOBSEC Young Leader 2024, the panel highlighted the importance of urgent actions against climate fluctuations and the inevitability of regional synergies in order to tackle the undesirable scenarios worldwide. Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chief Executive Officer of COP29, Elnur Soltanov, briefed the audience about negotiation and action tracks, as well as the works implemented by Azerbaijan so far. He said that creating synergies between negotiating and action items is of crucial importance. Speaking about the 14 proposals, he said that 3 of the issues out of them will be about finance, and 4 or 5 points will address the energy, cleaning, and green transition issues.

Soltanov also underscored that this year's COP 29 will be the time for truce: "We also have a COP truce idea. We will be making a call on everybody to observe a ceasefire. Because even an hour of ceasefire is important for us. Wars are the major source of greenhouse emissions."

He also noted that water shortages are more alarming compared to heatwaves, wildfires, which have knock-on effects on agriculture, food systems and tourism.

Regarding the engagement strategy, he said that Azerbaijan is working with all the parties on the bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral levels, as well as the governments and international organizations. Highlighting the role of finances in dealing with climate change, he said that without the basic means, the entire climate architecture can collapse. Thus, active interaction between developed and developing states must be carried out.

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1 September 2024 19:33 (UTC+04:00)

Voting in Azerbaijans extraordinary parliamentary elections concluded at 7:00 PM, as reported by Azernews.

The polls, which opened at 8:00 AM, were part of an election scheduled after President Ilham Aliyev dissolved the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament on June 28, setting the stage for the September 1 vote.

With 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on election day, Azerbaijan had 6,478 polling stations, of which 54 were established in territories liberated from occupation. Additionally, 574 polling stations served 397,862 internally displaced persons (IDPs), allowing over 42,000 voters in liberated areas to cast their ballots.

Exit polls were conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations by three international organizations, including the Citizens Labor Rights Protection League and Oracle Advisory Group (US). A total of 112,749 local observers, along with 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries, monitored the election. Among the 990 registered candidates, 676 were affiliated with political parties.

Webcams were installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide to ensure transparent observation of the voting process, while portable ballot boxes were utilized across all polling stations.

Portable ballot boxes were used across all polling stations for the parliamentary election on September 1.

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1 September 2024 19:55 (UTC+04:00)

The U.S. Congress-funded "Radio Liberty" is broadcasting materials aimed at manipulating public opinion regarding the early parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, and we regret to note that these reports are published under the title "journalistic notes," the Media Development Agency reported in its statement, Azernews.

The statement notes that all foreign media outlets accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan have received approval from the Central Election Commission to cover the elections, in accordance with the law. However, "Radio Liberty" did not submit any such request.

The dissemination of biased and unverified information under the anonymous label of "journalistic notes" by "Radio Liberty" is a misuse of journalism and clearly violates media ethics.

The agency strongly condemned these attempts to manipulate public opinion through misleading media tactics.

---

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1 September 2024 22:00 (UTC+04:00)

During his observation of the snap parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, Lord Qurban Hussain, a member of the UK House of Lords, commented on the striking similarities between the election processes in the UK and Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

Invited by Azerbaijans Ambassador to the UK, Elin Suleymanov, Lord Hussain remarked on the positive atmosphere among the Azerbaijani people, particularly noting the joy following the liberation of Karabakh after 30 years.

My experience here has been very pleasant, and I observed a high level of voter participation, Lord Hussain stated, adding that he observed the elections in the cities of Shusha and Fuzuli. He also noted that the election system in Azerbaijan is nearly identical to that of the UK, and despite this being his first time observing an election abroad, he found no surprises in how the process was conducted.

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1 September 2024 23:15 (UTC+04:00)

The Social Research Center (SRC) has released the results of the exit poll conducted during Azerbaijans snap parliamentary elections on September 1, Azernews reports.

According to SRC Director Natalya Isayeva, the exit poll surveyed 146,520 voters across 150 polling stations in 75 constituencies.

Preliminary results suggest that the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) secured a decisive victory, winning the majority of seats in parliament. The SRC exit poll indicates that YAP received the most votes in 45 out of the 75 constituencies surveyed, accounting for 60% of the total constituencies included in the poll.

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1 September 2024 12:25 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Russia has made sweeping advances in recent days that threaten to outweigh the gains made by Ukraine in its cross-border attack into the Kursk region, Azernews reports citing BBC.

Russian forces are just a few kilometres from the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a crucial logistics hub used by the Ukrainian military.

Home to a key railway station and major roads, Pokrovsk is an essential supply and reinforcement point for Ukraines troops on the eastern front line.

Critics in Kyiv fear that the country's military has made a serious miscalculation.

By sending troops into Kursk instead of reinforcing the eastern frontline, the military has left Pokrovsk and other important Ukrainian towns exposed, these critics say. On a visit to the front line, Ukraine's armed forces chief Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi said Russia was throwing everything that can move into its assault.

The situation is extremely difficult, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conceded on Wednesday.

If we lose Pokrovsk, military expert Mykhaylo Zhyrokhov warned, the entire front line will crumble."

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1 September 2024 15:50 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Turkish security forces have "neutralized" 17 PKK/YPG terrorists in recent operations in northern Iraq and northern Syria, as reported by Anadolu Agency, citing the Turkish National Defense Ministry.

According to the ministry, 15 of the terrorists were targeted in the Gara and Metina regions, as well as in the Claw-Lock operation zone of northern Iraq. The remaining two terrorists were neutralized in Manbij, northern Syria.

The ministry reiterated that Turkish forces will persist in their operations against terrorist groups, stating, The breath of Turkish soldiers will continue to be on the necks of the terrorists wherever they may be.

The term "neutralize" is used by Turkish authorities to indicate that the terrorists were either killed, captured, or surrendered.

Northern Iraq has been a frequent hideout for PKK terrorists who plot attacks against Turkiye. In response, Turkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in 2022 to target PKK strongholds in the Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US, and the EU, has been responsible for more than 40,000 deaths over its 40-year campaign, including those of women, children, and the elderly. The YPG is recognized as the PKKs Syrian branch.

---

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A 23-year old American hostage in Gaza held by the terrorist group Hamas has been murdered in cold blood, along with five young Israeli hostages. Hersh Goldberg-Polin was shot in the head, execution style, within the last 48 hours along with the five other hostages. Their bodies were recovered by Israeli Defense Forces.

This apparently happened shortly after Israel rescued an Arab MusliM Israeli citizen who was being held hostage by Hamas, and many think these hostages were murdered to prevent their rescue. It also happened in Rafah where Kamala Harris declared Isreal must not go. Clearly, that is where hostages were being held and Harris did not care if they were rescued or not.

There have to be consequneces when terrorists murder Americans. The useless Biden-Harris regime has NEVER at any point demanded the return of the American citizens being held hostage by Hamas, even though Biden-Harris were building a pier to send supplies to Gaza. If Hamas supporters get in the way of retaliation, that should not be a concern.

Biden and Harris are weak as water and Biden-Walz would be even worse. American needs President Trump back.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13801263/hersh-goldberg-polin-hamas-hostage-dead.html

https://nypost.com/2024/09/01/opinion/feckless-white-house-failed-to-fight-terror-proxies-and-now-six-more-hostages-are-dead/

Even worse when Tim Walz was asked by a reporter about the murder of the six hostages when he was campaigning at the Minnesota State Fair, he just said "Thank you" and walked away.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13802549/Tim-Walz-minnesota-state-fair-hostages-israel.html
September 1, 2024: A major weapon employed against the Russian war effort in Ukraine has been sanctions imposed by NATO countries. Thats because the combined GDPs of NATO countries is $46 trillion. That is nearly half the global GDP of $105 trillion. The combined peacetime armed forces of NATO are more than three times that of Russia. There is also a qualitative factor. NATO nations have superior weapons and better trained troops than Russia. The only protection Russia has against NATO is that it is a defensive organization. NATO will not attack unless someone attacks a NATO member first. Russia admits it attacked Ukraine because the Ukrainians were preparing to join NATO. Once it is a member, Russia will not attack Ukraine because the combined military power of NATO is far more than Russia can handle.

One offensive weapon NATO can wield against Russia is economic sanctions. Given how much of the global economy NATO nations possess, sanctions by the NATO alliance have materially damaged Russias economy. While Russia can continue to produce weapons and military equipment in the short term, the cumulative impact of the sanctions decreases the Russian ability to manufacture the most effective weapons. These are the systems that depend on components imported from NATO countries. After 2022 Russia had to get by on stockpiled components and the few it could smuggle in. By 2025 Russia will be out of items needed to keep its war time economy going. Russia doesnt plan on withdrawing from the war in Ukraine but will have to continue with fewer and less effective weapons and military supplies. Since Russian military efforts in Ukraine have been stalled for nearly a year, the looming shortages mean sustained stalemate.

The Ukrainians have already started to take advantage of this with their August 2024 invasion of the Russian Kursk region. This is not only a major embarrassment to the Russian leadership, but the Ukrainians are also doing substantial damage to the Russian war effort in Ukraine because they have captured critical parts of Russias north-south railroad network. This greatly lengthens the rail distance Russian supply trains must travel to the southern and southeastern portions of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces. This means more of those supply trains, locomotives and rail cars are needed to carry the same supplies a greater distance. At the same time Russia now has a desperate need to move existing troops from near and far to fill the gaping hole in its lines at Kursk. At this point Russia just doesnt have enough locomotives and rail cars to move everything it needs to move immediately.

At the same time Russia now has a desperate need to move existing troops from near and far to fill the gaping hole in its lines at Kursk. At this point Russia just doesnt have enough locomotives and rail cars to move everything it needs to move right now! One result of this is that the Russian 7th Guards tank division is being moved by its own vehicles from the Kherson area in southwest Ukraine 900 kilometers to Rostov and then another 900 kilometers north to Kursk. Given Russian truck drivers and roads, the 7th Guards will be incapable of combat when it arrives. But it will likely be immediately thrown into combat and lose most of its combat vehicles for lack of the fuel and ammunition which its clapped-out trucks cant immediately deliver.

The destruction of several Russian bridges also makes it far more difficult for Russia to move supplies or armored vehicles into Ukraine from the Kursk region. Now that Russia knows what Ukraine is capable of, they fear Ukrainian incursions into other Russian regions that border Ukraine.

Russia will cope, but they wont win and because of the impact of sanctions on their economy, the Russian people will soon face a situation where either the war stops or Russian civilians begin to suffer from catastrophic shortages.
People at a protest at the Lough Protector statue in Antrim (David Young/PA)

Campaigners have accused Stormont to failing to prioritise an environmental crisis that is killing Lough Neagh.

Environmental activists from the Save Lough Neagh group gathered at the shores of the lough in Antrim on Sunday to demand a step change in the political response, as they criticised the contents of a Stormont action plan aimed at tackling the issue.

Noxious blooms of blue-green algae covered large parts of the lough last summer and also affected other waterways and beaches in the region.

The algae returned this summer.

Blue-green algae on the River Bann where it meets Lough Neagh near the village of Toome (Niall Carson/PA)

The UK and Irelands largest freshwater lake provides more than 40% of Northern Irelands drinking water and supports Europes largest commercial eel fishery.

It also drains around 40% of Northern Irelands land, of which three-quarters is agricultural.

Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertiliser running off fields is believed to be a major contributory factor in the blue-green algae blooms.

The spread of the invasive zebra mussel species is also understood to have played a role in the blooms, as they have made the water clearer, allowing more sunlight to penetrate, stimulating more algal photosynthesis.

Climate change is another factor cited

In July, Stormonts Environment minister Andrew Muir secured Stormont Executive approval for a 37-point action plan for Lough Neagh.

At the time, Mr Muir said the approval was the first step on a journey towards the long-term rehabilitation of water quality in the lough.

Sundays demonstration took place at the Statue of the Lough Protector outside Antrim town.

A series of speakers addressed the event.

Among them was a fisherman who said he put down 40 nets in the lough in recent weeks and only caught six fish.

People at a protest at the Lough Protector statue in Antrim on Sunday (David Young/PA)

Padraig Cairns from the Save Lough Neagh group said dead animals had been washing up along the shores of the lough throughout the summer.

He said the immediacy of the catastrophe at Lough Neagh cannot be ignored any longer.

Mr Cairn said there was a need for enforcement and deterrents to prevent further pollution.

Its in total collapse, he said of the lough.

Weve seen it last summer, weve seen it this summer.

When the algae disappears from sight and it sinks over the colder months, it doesnt mean that the damage has been undone somehow.

Were basically seeing the lough being killed before our eyes.

We cant stress enough how urgent this crisis is really.
NIFRS said nine appliances attended the incident last night

Firefighters deal with a church fire on Station Road in Greenisland on September 2nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

Firefighters deal with a church fire on Station Road in Greenisland on September 2nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

Firefighters deal with a church fire on Station Road in Greenisland on September 2nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

Firefighters deal with a church fire on Station Road in Greenisland on September 2nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

Firefighters deal with a church fire on Station Road in Greenisland on September 2nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

A fire which has gutted parts of a Co Antrim church is being treated as arson.

On Sunday evening, nine firefighting appliances  including an aerial appliance  and 49 firefighters attended the blaze at Greenisland Church of Ireland in the Station Road area of the town

Photographs from the scene show substantial damage to the church hall, where a section of the roof was destroyed in the blaze, which began around 9pm on Sunday night.

"We are devastated" - Greenisland Church gutted in overnight blaze

In a statement, police confirmed they are treating the blaze as arson and are appealing for information.

Inspector Knowles said: At approximately 9.10pm, we received a report of a fire at the property on the Station Road.

Officers along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire Service attended and the blaze was extinguished.

"The Church was celebrating its 70th anniversary this week, and last night was busy in particular. Thankfully no one was injured, however a significant amount of damage was caused to both buildings.

We are treating this as arson and I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anyone suspicious in the area or to anyone with CCTV, doorbell or other footage that could assist with enquiries, to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1437 of 01/09/24.

"Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/

Firefighters attending the incident in Greenisland. Pic: Kevin Scott

Speaking about the fire, Reverend Issy Hawthorne-Steele said: "Its absolutely devastating, its a shock. Most of the people are all in shock.

"Unbelievable that we have had such a weekend of celebration and then to hear that the church is on fire has been unspeakably awful, hard to take in.

NIFRS was advising members of the public to avoid the area where possible last night and for nearby homeowners to keep their windows and doors closed.

Police said the road was closed while emergency services dealt with the fire and advised road users to seek alternate routes.

In an update at 2am, a NIFRS spokesperson said the team was scaling down attendance at the incident to three pumps and would remain throughout the night.

They added that the cause of fire was not yet determined

In a statement issued via its Facebook page last night, the church said nobody had been hurt during the incident.

Alliance Councillor Aaron Skinner reacts to Greenisland Church Fire

"Folks we have awful news. Theres a terrible fire at the church, said a spokesperson.

"It started at the back of the building and as I write the fire crews are desperately trying to stop it from spreading to the whole building. Please pray.

"We are just so thankful that the building was empty and nobody has been hurt.

In a further update, the church said the roof of its hall and parish centre was gone.

East Antrim MLA John Stewart said news of the fire was deeply concerning.

"I truly hope that no one has been injured and that damage will be limited but the scenes are very worrying indeed, he said.

My thoughts are with all those connected with the church or affected by the fire and also the emergency battling the fire.

This is truly awful to see.

Alliance Councillor Aaron Skinner, who was at the scene last night, said the fire service was doing a fantastic job of stopping the fire spreading.

"It does look like the hall has been completely destroyed, unfortunately. There was a big community fun day and services throughout the weekend... so its just a horrible end to a fantastic weekend.

News Catch Up - Monday 2nd September
The start of the week will be wet

It is to be a wet start as children get back to school on Monday, while the weekends warmer weather is set to come to end.

Showers and clouds are to be expected first thing on Monday morning, marking a wet start to September.

The afternoon is set to brighten with a changeable forecast, with Tuesday set for similar scattered showers and cloud cover.

Wednesday is projected to be drier with some remaining cloud.

It will be comparatively colder this week compared to Saturday, where highs of 22 degrees were recorded.

This week, temperatures will remain mild in the mid-teens, though a high of 18 is projected for Friday.

Read more NI teacher facing sex charges against schoolboy unmasked after failed legal bid to keep identity secret

Operational Meteorologist from the Met Office, Tom Morgan said: It has been a reasonable weekend, Saturday was nice and sunny with very warm temperatures. It reached up to 22 degrees.

This week may be a little bit cooler. There will be some rain around first thing on Monday morning, but it is not going to be too bad a picture by the afternoon, it will be a bit brighter.

The week ahead is looking quite changeable, with a few scattered showers and sunny spells on Tuesday, with only isolated showers for the second half of this week. It is looking dry with high pressures settling things down.

This will bring some sunshine by day, a lot of dry weather is expected to stay on Friday and possibly for next weekend as well.

It is a relatively reasonable story, there will be a lot of dry weather later this week.

There are no thunderstorm warnings currently expected for Northern Ireland. The thunderstorms will stay east near northern England and southern Scotland, added the Met Office spokesman.
A local councillor and MLA have hit out at those responsible

Watch: UDA thugs tell mum she has 24 hours to get out of north Down

Paramilitary attempts to intimidate a woman out of her home in Co Down are nothing short of repugnant, a councillor for the area has said.

It comes after a video posted online revealed masked UDA members had threatened the young mother and ordered her to leave her home in Bangor.

In a series of clips uploaded to TikTok, the woman claimed to have been persecuted by loyalist paramilitaries.

Despite the threats, the defiant mum-of-two angrily insisted she would not be leaving her home in Bangor.

In one of the videos, masked men can be seen at the front door of a house, making threats against her and the property.

One thugs barks she has 24 hours to get out, before adding: Youve got (her) here. (She) is not to be in north Down.

Weve been told to pass a message to you that youve got 24 hours to get out, and if youre back in north Down, the house is getting it.

Read more Police rescue dog from car in Co Down after owner left to get ice cream

The incident is understood to have taken place in the Rathgill estate on the outskirts of Bangor.

Alliance Party councillor for the area, Alex Harbinson, said those responsible should be challenged.

"The behaviour displayed in the footage backing up these reports, targeting a mother with two young children, is nothing short of repugnant, he said.

This is not who we are in Bangor, and does not in any way represent the views of the vast majority of local people in the community.

This is never acceptable. The perpetrators must be challenged robustly, and unequivocally, by all across society, and we will work together with police to ensure they are held to account.

Cllr Alex Harbinson

Mr Harbinsons party colleague, North Down MLA and Stormont minister Andrew Muir, said he was engaging with the PSNI over the matter.

"There is absolutely no place for such sinister attempts at intimidation against anyone in our community for any reason.

It is the bare minimum that everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes. Those involved must be isolated, all they offer is fear and distress.

We must do everything in our power to stand up to this kind of senseless intimidation.

Andrew Muir MLA

In videos posted online after the incident, the woman said she would not be leaving.

Ive been tortured for the last three years over nothing. (They) put a threat on me two years ago to leave my home, she said.

"Now (they) have put another threat on me, but Im not leaving Bangor because why would I?

This is the last straw. Ive had to literally put my kids first this moment in time.

(They) have taken everything away from me. My kids wont leave Bangor, so Im not leaving Bangor.

This is my home town and I dont know how these criminal gangs get away with this.

Torturing women and children... my children have been through enough. Leave me alone. This is what it looks like to be broken. You broke me.

The PSNI said: We do not discuss the security of individuals and no inference should be drawn from this.

"However, we want to reassure the public that we will take the appropriate action when made aware of anything that may put an individual at risk.
John Swinney will publish his Programme for Government on Wednesday (Jane Barlow/PA)

Scotlands First Minister has pledged to set out plans to grow the economy, deliver net zero and eradicate child poverty in his legislative programme this week despite a challenging financial backdrop.

John Swinney is expected to address the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday as he unveils his first Programme for Government.

He said there were tough decisions ahead but his Government plans to improve peoples lives by focusing on clear priorities that make the biggest difference.

Scottish Labour called for the SNP to wake up to the scale of the challenges facing Scotland while the Scottish Greens called for bold climate action to be central to the legislative plans for the next 12 months.

Mr Swinney said: Against a challenging financial backdrop, this years Programme for Government will set out clear actions to deliver real change for the people of Scotland.

The Prime Minister was clear last week that the UK Budget, to be delivered in October, will be painful and the reality is that the UKs finances will inevitably affect the funding available to us here in Scotland. Their decisions mean tough decisions ahead for Scotland.

Yet, despite this, the Scottish Government will continue to prioritise action to eradicate child poverty, to grasp the opportunities of delivering net zero and to grow the economy by investing in public services and infrastructure.

While we will work with the UK Government wherever we can, we will continue to urge them to drop the damaging cuts and set new spending rules that support investment.

He said his Government has a strong track record of improving lives in challenging circumstances.

He added: Even when faced with unprecedented budgetary constraints, our aim will be to improve peoples lives by focusing on clear priorities that make the biggest difference.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: Its time for the SNP to wake up to the scale of the challenges facing Scotland on its watch  from record NHS waiting lists to a stagnant economy to a growing attainment gap.

Scottish Labour Party deputy leader Jackie Baillie said the SNP has to wake up (Jane Barlow/PA)

Year after year we have heard the same warm words from the SNP, but the spiral of decline continues.

Instead of looking to deflect blame and make excuses, the SNP should set out a real plan to fix the mess it has made.

The Scottish Greens published a policy paper on Monday with proposals to expedite climate action, including scrapping the plan to reintroduce peak rail fares, diverting funds from the A96 dualling into public transport and creating a real and urgent transition plan for the energy sector.

With the Programme for Government and the new Climate Bill only days away, we need to see the kind of bold climate action that will make a difference, the partys co-leader Patrick Harvie said.

Particularly over recent months there have been very worrying signs of the Scottish Government moving away from its climate commitments.

The SNP spent an election trying to face both ways on oil and gas, then they hiked up rail fares and asked councils to raid the nature restoration fund. These are not the actions of a government that is doing all it can for our climate.

We cannot underestimate the scale of change that is needed, or the importance of the decisions that will be made in the weeks and months ahead.

The UK Government has been contacted for comment.
The first category C prison has been issued with an urgent notification to improve after a decade of decline resulting in a shocking level of neglect, the prisons watchdog said.

Decrepit conditions, rising violence and self-harm, widespread illicit drug use and a lack of activity to prepare men for release were found at HMP Rochester in Kent during the inspection, HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) said.

The Chief Inspector of Prisons has written to the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to invoke an urgent notification for improvement at the prison, which requires a response and action plan from the Justice Secretary within 28 days.

HMP Rochester, which is a training prison, was inspected between August 12 and 22.

The inspection was the latest in a decade of successively poor and declining inspections of the jail, despite the prison having been warned about inspectors concerns following an independent review of progress in 2022, HMIP said.

As a training and resettlement prison, Rochesters focus should be on getting men into education, work and training to increase their chances of employment on release as well as delivering work to reduce prisoners risk of reoffending.

But Rochester was fundamentally failing in this, with inspectors finding less than a third of those it held being engaged in education, work or training and a woeful provision of public protection work, HMIP added.

The offender management unit was ineffective and critically short of trained probation staff to manage high-risk prisoners.

Conditions at Rochester were squalid with decrepit buildings and infestations of both rats and mice plaguing older buildings, the inspectorate said.

This meant prisoners resorted to creating barriers from cardboard to fill gaps under cell doors to try and keep vermin out of their cells.

They were some of the worst conditions inspectors had seen in recent years, the report said.

Leaders were not visible enough around the jail, and inexperienced staff lacked confidence and were not sufficiently supported to enforce basic rules and standards.

Wings were chaotic and safety was deteriorating, HMIP said. The rate of prisoner assaults had increased by 67% in the past year and there was more self-harm, it added. There had been two self-inflicted deaths since the last inspection.

Use of force was also high, and inspectors found some instances that were inappropriate.

The inspectorate also found that drugs were endemic, with 42% of prisoners testing positive in random testing and more than half of men telling inspectors that it was easy to get drugs, including those prescribed to other prisoners.

Relationships between staff and prisoners were poor, with significantly fewer prisoners saying that staff treated them with respect than at other comparable prisons, and inspectors finding significant evidence of disrespectful treatment of visitors by staff.

Inspectors also identified failings in healthcare provision. Medicine administration and supply arrangements were poor, meaning patients either missed or faced delays in receiving important medicines. Clinical appointments were cancelled too frequently, leading to considerable risk for patients.

The regional prison group director was aware of the many problems at Rochester and had appointed a new interim governor to try to address them, HMIP said.

However, the new governor had also been tasked with the additional challenge of reopening and managing the Cookham Wood site in response to national population pressures, with prisoners starting to be transferred to HMP Cookham Wood during the inspection. This created a potential distraction from the pressing issues in Rochester itself.

Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said: Rochester has been a prison of concern for many years with consistently poor outcomes which stem from failures in leadership, both locally and nationally and a lack of investment in a crumbling institution.

This decade of decline, which has accelerated in the past 18 months, shows a shocking level of neglect.

It is particularly concerning that a category C prison, the workhorse of the prison service, should require an urgent notification for our concerns to be taken seriously.

Rochester is the seventh prison to be issued with an urgent notification since November 2022. The other prisons are Exeter, Woodhill, Bristol, Bedford, Wandsworth and Cookham Wood YOI.

Prisons and probation minister Lord Timpson said: This is a deeply concerning report and yet another example of the dire state the last government left the prison system in.

We owe it to our staff, doing their best in squalid conditions and under the threat of violence, to drag the system out of this chaos. This started with the immediate action the new Lord Chancellor took to end the overcrowding crisis in our prisons in July.

In the 20 years Ive worked with the prison service, Ive never seen things so bad. This new government will grip this crisis and ensure that prisons like Rochester, that have been left to decay, stop breeding crime and start cutting it.
Bjorn Hocke (AfD) after the publication of the first forecasts for the state election in Saxony and Thuringia (Michael Kappeler/AP)

The far-right Alternative for Germany won a state election for the first time in the countrys east, and was set to finish at least a very close second to mainstream conservatives in a second vote, projections showed.

A new party founded by a prominent leftist also made an immediate impact, while the parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholzs unpopular national government obtained extremely weak results.

Projections for ARD and ZDF public television based on exit polls and partial counting showed Alternative for Germany winning 32-33% of the vote in Thuringia , well ahead of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union, the main national opposition party, with about 24%.

In neighbouring Saxony, projections put support for the CDU, which has led the state since German reunification in 1990, at 31.5-31.8% and AfD on 30.7-31.4%.

An openly right-wing extremist party has become the strongest force in a state parliament for the first time since 1949, and that causes many people very deep concern and fear, said Omid Nouripour, a leader of the Greens, one of the national governing parties.

Other parties say they will not put AfD in power by joining it in a coalition.

Even so, its strength is likely to make it extremely difficult to form new state governments, forcing other parties into exotic new coalitions.

The new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, or BSW, took up to 16% of the vote in Thuringia and 12% in Saxony, adding another level of complication.

This is a historic success for us, Alice Weidel, a national co-leader of AfD, told ARD.

She described the result as a requiem for Mr Scholzs coalition.

An election campaign poster of the far-right Alternative for Germany (Markus Scheiber/AP)

The CDUs national general secretary, Carsten Linnemann, said that voters in both states knew that we wouldnt form a coalition with AfD, and it will stay that way  we are very, very clear on this.

Ms Weidel denounced that as pure ignorance and said that voters want AfD to participate in a government.

Deep discontent with a national government notorious for infighting, anti-immigration sentiment and scepticism toward German military aid for Ukraine are among the factors that have contributed to support for populist parties in the region, which is less prosperous than western Germany.

AfD is at its strongest in the formerly communist east, and the domestic intelligence agency has the partys branches in both Saxony and Thuringia under official surveillance as proven right-wing extremist groups.

Its leader in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, has been convicted of knowingly using a Nazi slogan at political events, but is appealing.

Mr Hocke bristled when an ARD interviewer mentioned the intelligence agencys assessment, responding: Please stop stigmatising me.

We are the No. 1 party in Thuringia.

You dont want to classify one-third of the voters in Thuringia as right-wing extremist.

He said he felt a great, great deal of pride in Sundays result for his 11-year-old party and the old parties should show humility.

Mr Scholzs centre-left Social Democrats were at least set to remain in the two state legislatures with single-digit support, but the environmentalist Greens were set to lose their seats in Thuringia.

The two parties were the junior coalition partners in both outgoing state governments.

The third party in the national government, the pro-business Free Democrats, also lost its seats in Thuringia.

It had no representation in Saxony.

A third state election follows on September 22 in another eastern state, Brandenburg, currently led by Mr Scholzs party.

Germanys next national election is due in a little over a year.

Thuringias politics are particularly complicated because the Left Party of outgoing governor Bodo Ramelow has slumped into electoral insignificance nationally.

It lost nearly two-thirds of its support compared with five years ago, dropping to around 12%.

Sahra Wagenknecht, long one of its best-known figures, left last year to form her own party, which is now outperforming the Left.

Ms Wagenknecht celebrated that partys success, underlined its refusal to work with AfDs Mr Hocke and said she hopes it can form a good government with the CDU.

The CDU has long refused to work with the Left Party, descended from East Germanys ruling communists.

It has not ruled out working with Ms Wagenknechts BSW, which will probably be needed to form any government without AfD at least in Thuringia.

BSW is also at its strongest in the east.

AfD has tapped into high anti-immigration sentiment in the region.

The August 23 knife attack in the western city of Solingen in which a suspected extremist from Syria is accused of killing three people helped push the issue back to the top of Germanys political agenda, and prompted Mr Scholzs government to announce new restrictions on knives and new measures to ease deportations.

Ms Wagenknechts BSW combines left-wing economic policy with an immigration-sceptic agenda.

The CDU has also stepped up pressure on the national government for a tougher stance on immigration.

Germanys stance toward Russias war in Ukraine is also a sensitive issue in the east.

Berlin is Ukraines second-biggest weapons supplier after the United States; those weapons deliveries are something both AfD and BSW oppose.

Ms Wagenknecht has also assailed a recent decision by the German government and the US to begin deployments of long-range missiles to Germany in 2026.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the hostages had been killed in cold blood by Hamas (Julia Nikhinson/AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed sorrow over the deaths of six hostages, saying the killings prove Hamas does not want a ceasefire deal.

He said he was heartbroken to hear the news of the deaths of the hostages, who the Israeli military earlier said had been cruelly murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.

The Israel Defence Forces said the bodies of Carmel Gat, 40, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Alexander Lobanov,33, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25, were found and recovered on Saturday.

The hostages were killed shortly before Israeli forces reached them, according to the military (The Hostages Families Forum/AP)

Mr Netanyahu accused Hamas of killing them in cold blood and said Israel would hold the group accountable. He also accused the group of scuttling ongoing ceasefire efforts.

Whoever murders hostages doesnt want a deal, he said.

The Israeli army said the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around half a mile from where another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, was rescued alive last week.

All six were abducted by Hamas on October 7, Ms Gat from the farming community of Beeri and the others from a nearby music festival.

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, pictured on screen, speak during the Democratic National Convention (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

Critics in Israel have accused Mr Netanyahu of dragging his feet in ceasefire talks  a charge he denies.

Israels Channel 12 reported he got into a shouting match last week with his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, who accused him of prioritising control over a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border  a major sticking point in the talks  over the lives of the hostages.

Hamas has offered to release the hostages in return for an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, blamed the hostages deaths on Israel and the United States, saying they would still be alive if Israel had accepted a ceasefire proposal that Hamas said it had agreed to back in July. He did not mention the hostages by name.

The family of Mr Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American hostage, confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday, hours after the Israeli army said it had located bodies in Gaza.

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh, it said.

The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.

The deaths of the hostages has sparked calls for further mass protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Israels mostly ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, said: The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces.

Defence minister Mr Gallant said: In the name of the state of Israel, I hold their families close to my heart and ask forgiveness.

US President Joe Biden said he was devastated and outraged by the news.

He added: It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Vice-President Kamala Harris also released a statement, saying her prayers are with the Goldberg-Polin family and condemning Hamas.

Mr Goldberg-Polin was among the hostages seized by militants at a music festival in southern Israel on October 7. He lost part of an arm in the attack.

His parents became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage, meeting with Mr Biden, and Pope Francis and addressing the United Nations.

On August 21, they addressed a hushed hall at the Democratic National Convention, where the crowd chanted: Bring them home.

A Hamas-issued video in April showing Mr Goldberg-Polin clearly speaking under duress sparked new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others freedom.

Before the news of the deaths, Israel said it believed 108 hostages were still held in Gaza and about one-third of them were dead.
Sinn Fein has trapped itself in a hopelessly illogical position... and this time it cant just blame the DUP

As a general election looms in the Republic of Ireland, and as Sinn Feins nervousness about votes intensifies, the party should brace itself for more disappointment

Sinn Fein has managed to erect a puberty blocker border on the island

Sam McBride Sun 1 Sep 2024 at 08:00

To govern is to choose, as Frances former PM Pierre Mendes once observed. Though for years, Sinn Fein appeared to defy this maxim.
exclusive | UVF bomber who turned to God after losing best friend Billy Wright, wife and son due to paramilitary activities snaps up Kremlin

Bomber turned born-again Christian has stake in company which acquired NIs top gay venue for 5million

Keith Packer Woods is a co-director of the company that last week bought The Kremlin, Northern Irelands biggest gay bar based in Belfast city centre

Ciaran Barnes Sun 1 Sep 2024 at 08:00

A company linked to an ex-loyalist prisoner who was best man at the wedding of murdered LVF leader Billy Wright now owns the 5m Kremlin nightclub.
How to get away with murder: The 1922 killing of a Catholic pub owner that shocked Belfast... and may now be solved
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MOUNT WASHINGTON  State foresters say their project to tackle invasives and pests and cut some trees here will help the land and help curb the effects of climate change.

They also say that a weed killer containing glyphosate used in July near the headwaters of Egremonts water supply does not pose a threat to the community.

But some environmentalists, climate scientists, town officials and a growing number of residents dont agree, and want the land largely left alone. One petition asks that the entire 816-acre tract that contains what is now known as the Cattle Barn Lot be placed into the Mount Washington Forest Reserve for protection from such a project.

Now, the two opposing sides may be able to meet somewhere near the middle. The concerns prompted three Healey administration officials to tour the land on Tuesday and meet with state Department of Conservation and Recreation foresters, local officials and environmentalists.

I think were all leaving feeling very encouraged about the possibility of going back and thinking about how we might find a compromise position, said Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, at the site, and how we might take the good work that's been done by DCR and by the people in the town and see if we can figure out a way to make something work.

Hoffer said that, despite some disagreement among the forestry and climate science experts about whats best for forests in the era of climate change, they are directionally in agreement with the states position that forests are "climate solutions."

So I think you know now, Hoffer added, our jobs will be to do a little thinking on both sides.

The state will also think about the benefits of other potential acquisitions of conservation land, Hoffer said, and how we might be able to be responsive to some of the concerns that we heard today.

The visit stems from some unrest in the community over the DCR's Forest Restoration Prescription and Forest Cutting Plan within 178 acres of the 362-acre lot. It is part of 816 acres donated for preservation by a late resident. The project has not been put out to bid yet, and is set to begin in late December.

The DCR says the project involves killing invasives like barberry that are running amok, and preparation to cut dead and dying trees that are infested with pests like the emerald ash borer and spongy moth. It also involves cutting that will open up areas of the forest for new trees so there is variation in future that the DCR says will help sequester carbon.

The agency's forest cutting plan says it will yield 458 Mbf, or thousand board feet, from a variety of trees including sugar maple, as well as 350 cords of wood.

'STRUCTURAL DIVERSITY'

Hoffer was joined with other top administration officials including Undersecretary for the Environment in the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Stephanie Cooper, DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo, Director of Forest Stewardship Peter Church and other state officials.

The work, DCR officials explained, is meant to keep the forest healthy so that the trees over time will continue to hold carbon. Its a project based on the "latest climate science," they say, that involves creating structural diversity in the forest.

You'll see there are smaller trees, there are bigger trees, there are little seedlings, said Jennifer Fish, DCRs deputy director of forest stewardship. There's nothing in between, so [the cutting is] making these little pocket openings where lots and lots of trees can come in.

The more you increase this diversity, she said, the more you're hedging your bet against climate [and] the more you're increasing habitat value.

This is what DCR Management Forester Tom Ryan is working on. Ryan, who developed the Cattle Barn project, so named after an old cow shed on the lot, said both he and the project have been misunderstood and wrongly maligned. He says he lives in the Berkshires and cares about the impact of the project, and is aware that such work can set off an "emotional" response.

Ryan said he has made extensive outreach into the community, trying to explain his work and the parts of it that no one sees. It involves long-term goals that create a desired condition in a forest. It involves projecting far into the future.

He spoke to all the various concerns. These include the accusation that this is a high-grading project meant to take the most valuable trees to sell at market. He said that while there are some valuable trees being cut, if value was the only reason then only those trees would be marked.

It is the healthy and large sugar maples marked for cutting that has alarmed environmentalists and at least one renowned climate scientist. But that area of the forest, Ryan explained, is healthy in part due to earlier forest management.

'GLYPHOSATE IS A TRIGGER WORD'

Environmentalists say the network of streams around Karner Brook  the headwaters for Egremonts water supply station 1.5 miles downstream  should make this a no-go zone for this work. Another reason is that the lot falls in a state designated Area of Critical Environmental Concern for its significance as a resource.

Eleanor Tillinghast, a Mount Washington resident and co-founder of Green Berkshires also met with the officials earlier. She said later that she is open to a give-and-take that could include selective cutting to the west of Karner Brook but wants no logging done east of it due to streams, steep slopes and sugar maples. The nonprofit has contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey to do a Lidar map of the watershed that will show all the underground features.

Ryan noted that his plan involves meticulous care to reduce stream crossings and minimize damage. And he said while glyphosate use was not his first choice to kill the invasives, it was applied in a targeted way so as not to affect other plants. He and the DCR rely on science that they believe makes its use safe if used properly.

Glyphosate is a trigger word for folks, Ryan said. And Fish, hearing that, added that invasives also present a risk. I see water supplies that are getting desperate, Fish said, because the vines are coming up the trees, the trees aren't regenerating."

Ryan and Fish and the other officials have found themselves caught up in two elements that are disputed and controversial  even among experts: whether to cut trees in an effort to sequester carbon in future, and the true behavior and health effects of glyphosate.

But after walking and talking in the woods together, as Hoffer put it, the compromise may be close. Even Mount Washington Select Board Chair Brian Tobin, who has expressed opposition to the project, said: We do have a lot of common ground, and we can work together on this.
BOSTON  There's little competition in next week's state primaries, and Secretary of State William Galvin expects voter turnout of around 15 percent.

Based on ballots cast so far by mail and in early-voting hours, Galvin on Thursday forecast that the Tuesday primary election will see more than 500,000 Democratic votes and more than 250,000 Republican votes.

About 750,000 total votes would translate to a turnout rate of nearly 15 percent, surpassing the 8.8 percent in 2016 and the 12.4 percent in 2012. Galvin suggested those two years are the best comparisons because they also had presidential races.

Turnout was much higher in 2020 at 36.6 percent, or more than 1.7 million votes cast. In that election, there was a contested Democratic primary against Sen. Edward Markey, a crowded primary for the U.S. House seat that former Rep. Joseph Kennedy III gave up to run for Senate, and an ongoing pandemic, which likely increased interest in mail-in voting.

Interest so far in 2024, Galvin told reporters, is "remarkable in light of the fact that there are really few contests."

None of the nine Democrats that represent Massachusetts in the U.S. House face a primary opponent, nor does U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Voters will get a chance to pick the GOP challengers that will go up against Warren and Congressman Stephen Lynch.

In the Legislature, only about one in six districts feature any kind of contested primary, leaving the vast majority of voters with no options on Beacon Hill besides the status quo. Still, Galvin said he believes local races are driving most of the voter engagement this cycle.

The turnout forecast, Galvin said, "also speaks to the fact that vote by mail is becoming not just accepted, but enthusiastically accepted by our voters."

"It speaks to the effectiveness of vote by mail that voters, when they get a ballot that they know is postage pre-paid and is secure, even if the races aren't particularly intense for them, they're going to participate," Galvin said. "Most of the legislative districts in Boston do not have contests, but we do have at least two county clerk races, which normally wouldn't be a big reason, but it's a reason, so people participate."

Most of the participation so far has been via mail-in votes. Through Thursday afternoon, voters cast about 21,000 ballots at in-person early voting  only about 4.6 percent of the total cast so far. The rest were submitted by mail.

Asked if he would prefer as elections administrator to see more races contested, Galvin replied, "I was an incumbent for a long time and I never was enthused about having opposition."

"Clearly, from the point of view of getting a turnout, with more intense contests, especially local legislative races with people likely campaigning door to door, getting everybody you know to participate  that tends to intensify the turnout," he said. "When it's not that, you're relying on civic goodwill."

Galvin added that he expects even more enthusiasm in November. More voters typically participate in general elections, and turnout surpassed 70 percent in each of the past five presidential election years.

Although he extolled mail-in voting as a big factor in participation, Galvin on Thursday urged Bay Staters who have not yet shipped their ballots back to hand it off to their local elections officials or a drop box. Problems with the U.S. Postal Service are "well-documented," he said, and there's no guarantee at this point that a ballot mailed Thursday or later will arrive before the 8 p.m. deadline Tuesday to be counted.

The secretary said he does not think the election taking place the day after Labor Day slows down the delivery of mail-in ballots or "has any adverse effect on the primary" more broadly.

Galvin's office must have general-election ballots finalized for overseas and military voters by Sept. 20, which leaves little wiggle room in case any primary races require a recount.

"My concern ... is that we have some of these larger county races, Governor's Council races, that affect a lot of ballots, and if we were to have a close race in one of those situations or a recount requested, that could slow us down," Galvin said. "If it was an individual legislative race, [there are] not as many ballots to recount in a short period of time, not as big a problem."

Massachusetts has one of the latest statewide primaries in the country, and some voting reform advocates and lawmakers have been unsuccessful in their push to move it up in the calendar.

Galvin said he's supported the idea of an earlier state primary in the past, but urged legislators considering the idea to keep in mind that any change would also shorten the amount of time for candidates to jump into races and complete nomination papers.

While he downplayed any effects of the day-after-Labor-Day primary, Galvin said he thinks a summertime primary should be off the table.

"In New England  not just Massachusetts, but in New England  because of our weather history, winter and spring and summer, people go away in the summer," he said. "Especially when kids get out of school, they don't participate in anything for a period of time."

Galvin said the June 25, 2013 special election for U.S. Senate, ultimately won by Ed Markey, had "very low turnout." (The News Service reported at the time that the 27 percent turnout fell short of Galvin's worst-case forecast.)
ARCHIVE - Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, during a press conference. Photo: Efrem Lukatsky/AP/dpa Keystone

Following the recent Russian airstrikes against Ukrainian cities, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has renewed his appeal to the West to allow attacks far into the Russian hinterland.

SDA

The Russian airstrikes could only be stopped with attacks against Russian military airfields deep in Russian territory "and the logistics of Russian terror", said Zelensky in his evening video address.

To this end, a Ukrainian delegation is holding talks with those responsible in Washington. According to Ukrainian media reports, the American side was even presented with a list of potential targets of these Ukrainian attacks with long-range weapons of American or other Western production.

"Clearing Ukrainian airspace of Russian guided bombs is an important step towards forcing Russia to seek an end to the war and a just peace," said Selenskyj. According to the latest Ukrainian figures, six people died in Kharkiv alone and a further 99 people were injured in the Russian airstrike, which hit a multi-storey residential building. "And this is just in Kharkiv, and this is just one day of Russian attacks," emphasized Zelenskyi.

"I appeal to the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany: we must be able to truly and comprehensively protect Ukraine and the Ukrainian people," Selensky continued. "We need long-range authorizations, and we need your long-range missiles and rockets."

Western partners have so far denied Ukraine permission to attack targets on Russian territory with the heavy weapons supplied. The Ukrainian military is therefore reliant on attacking these targets with combat drones of its own production. However, the explosive power of these drones is relatively low.

Ukraine is waiting for more air defense systems

For the upcoming new school year, Ukraine is urgently waiting for additional air defense systems that have already been promised. According to Selenskyj, these are necessary "to give our Ukrainian children more security in schools, in our cities and in our energy sector". He therefore hoped that the agreements already reached would be implemented quickly. However, Selensky did not provide any details.

Many battles on the fronts in Ukraine

Ukrainian defenders and Russian attackers have fought numerous battles along the fronts in eastern Ukraine. In the early evening, the General Staff in Kiev spoke of a total of 109 armed clashes over the course of the day.

The focal point of the fighting was once again the area around the city of Pokrovsk on the edge of the Donbass. There, Russian units stormed the Ukrainian defense lines 23 times with artillery support. The attacks were reportedly repulsed. Russian attacks were also reported from the vicinity of the nearby town of Kurakhveh. This information could not be independently verified.

According to these reports, heavy Russian artillery attacks also shook the Sumy region. At least 15 different settlements were shelled. The supply lines for the Ukrainian troops that have invaded the western Russian region of Kursk run through Sumy. There was no information from the Ukrainian side about the progress of this offensive.

Massive Russian artillery attacks were also reported from the Ukrainian-occupied city of Sudzha in the Kursk region. Ukrainian media commented that the Russian military was systematically destroying its own town, in which around 200 of the original 5,000 inhabitants still lived. "Even though Sudzha is already in the rear of the front line, the town is being razed to the ground by the Russians," wrote the Unian agency. Ukraine has declared Sudzha the seat of its military command for the Kursk region.

SDA
German police take people out of a church in Schwerin on December 20, 2023, who have resisted their planned deportation. KEYSTONE

Germany deports criminal foreigners back to Afghanistan. Syrian offenders are to follow. Now center-right politicians are calling for the federal government to take a different approach.

Philipp Dahm

No time? blue News summarizes for you There are 4,500 people living in Switzerland who should actually leave the country. But 2500 of them do not have a passport.

Germany now wants to deport criminal foreigners from Syria and Afghanistan back to their home countries.

Now the GLP, FDP and centrists are calling for Switzerland to follow suit.

They argue that restraint is not appropriate in the case of serious crimes. Show more

Figures from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) show that there are around 4,500 foreign nationals in Switzerland who should actually have to leave the country. Around 2,500 of them do not have a passport. The others come mainly from Algeria, Morocco, Eritrea, Iraq and Iran.

If no passport is available, the authorities begin their detective work: "It is not always possible to verify an identity beyond doubt or the identification process takes a very long time, depending on the quality of cooperation with the country of origin in question," writes the SEM in response to an inquiry from the SonntagsZeitung.

Another obstacle to deportation is the location of the country from which the person comes: on August 30, Germany deported criminal foreigners to Afghanistan for the first time in many years. 28 criminals were flown from Leipzig to Kabul. Syrian offenders are now also threatened with deportation back to their home country.

"... then the person has to bear the consequences"

The SEM has "taken note" of the new German course: Switzerland is also in contact with Damascus and Kabul. However, there is still a war in Syria, which makes repatriations impossible. In addition, the safety of the accompanying police officers must be ensured.

However, the situation is being constantly monitored, according to the SEM: "We will examine at the appropriate time how a readmission application can be submitted to the competent authorities," Beat Jans' office wrote in the SonntagsZeitung.

GLP National Councillor Martin Baumle should like that. "If someone commits a serious crime, they have forfeited their right to stay in Switzerland and must bear the consequences of deportation," he says, with the proviso that there must be a "crime against life and limb".

International law must be interpreted in a more contemporary way: Baumle believes that deportations to Syria and Afghanistan are possible. Marianne Binder, Member of the Council of States in the center, and her FDP colleague Petra Gossi expressed similar views. "In the case of foreign criminals, the federal government must take action and deport them," the Councillor of States told the SonntagsZeitung. "Switzerland urgently needs to defend its interests more vigorously and demand its rights."
Matt Smith is worried that stories and art is dialled and dumbed down in favour of simpler and less challenging narratives.

The British actor, along with Ralph Fiennes, have both previously called for the scrapping of trigger warnings, which let audiences know that there can be upsetting or traumatic themes in a production.

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Smith is known for playing the morally dubious Prince Daemon Targaryen in the spin-off Game Of Thrones series House Of The Dragon, as well as previously taking on the role of the main character in Doctor Who, and portraying the Duke of Edinburgh in The Crown.

Matt Smith admitted that he likes to play polarising people in an interview with the Sunday Times (Ian West/PA)

When asked if he likes to play polarising people by the Sunday Times, the Northampton-born actor said 100%.

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He added: Thats the f****** point. We should be telling morally difficult stories, nowadays in particular.

Its OK to feel uncomfortable or provoked while looking at a painting or watching a play, but I worry everythings being dialled and dumbed down. Were telling audiences theyre going to be scared before theyve watched something.

He also said: isnt being shocked, surprised, stirred the point?

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Matt Smith and Claire Foy, who played the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen, in The Crown (Ian West/PA)

Smith said: Too much policing of stories and being afraid to bring them out because a climate is a certain way is a shame. Im not sure Im on board with trigger warnings.

I used to go to a local video shop and get Slither, Basic Instinct, Disclosure, all these erotic thrillers. I was way too young to be watching them. I watched Friday The 13th when I was nine Actually, that scarred me. Absolutely ruined me.

Smith also called being in the hit Netflix royal drama The Crown, which documents the reign of the late Queen, a grey area.

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He added: Because its about real people and it must be shit if youre in that family. I get that.

Smith has previously revealed that the Duke of Sussex walked up to him at a polo match, by calling him granddad.

He added: He (Harry) watched the show. Well, I cant claim to know if he watches it currently, but he watched a bit of it then.
NOKWANE  With reports that he received death threats recently, one many wonder how acting Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), Dr Andile Metfula has been coping.

However, he has come out to say that, while he did not take the threats lightly, the vision of the RSTP has kept him going. He mentioned that the RSTP vision was not small, meaning it superseded the personal challenges he was going through. Yes the death threats have changed my life a bit, because now I have to be careful but the fear I have now is that this might make me forget about the vision that RSTP and the country has. I cannot do that. This vision is bigger than me, he said. He assured that he will not allow personal feelings to interfere with his work. When asked if his life was still the same even after the death threats, he responded to the negative. In jest, he said when someone said they wanted to kill another; it was different from wishing them a happy Christmas.

But at the end of the day, the vision at hand, which needs to be attained is bigger and is expected to grow even beyond our borders so that is what I am focused on right now, the acting CEO said. On another note, the acting CEO emphasised that, while the Special Economic Zones was the baby of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, he was of the belief that supporting it is crucial as such a concept will bring many gains for the Kingdom of Eswatini. He said the RSTP is responsible for implementing the concept and that there are many investors who are showing interest in coming to the country to take up space and do business. Furthermore, he emphasised that the Kingdom of Eswatini will benefit a lot in the newly-introduced project known as Government in Your Hand. The project, he said, was going to prioritise the youth as the leaders of tomorrow.

Acting RSTP CEO talks radical transformation, income generation

NOKWANE  He has been given a huge task of leading a parastatal, which when established brought many hopes and high expectations, but a decade later; nothing concrete has come out of it. Instead, it has scored itself a front seat in the golden circle of parastatals that have become a burden to government, as they have made losses and continued to survive on subventions. But acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), Dr Andile Metfula is confident that the fortunes of the parastatal can be turned around. Dr Metfula said one of the strategies that RSTP needed was to become a revenue generating entity.

Money making machines

He said technology parks in other countries were money making machines. The acting CEO made an example of one such entity in Taiwan which he said made over US$30 billion (approximately E540 billion) per year. We have seen it in Europe and other parts of the world, the parks generate a lot of revenue. When His Majesty King Mswati III opened Phocweni in 2018, he gave a directive of a target of E10 billion a year. It is supposed to be a money-making machine and our strategy is centred around that, he said. According to Metfula, for the entity to be a success, there was a need for the staff to come together and work as a team.

After that, he said, they have to go out there and engage all stakeholders to work with them. What we need to do is go out there and engage all stakeholders including government, the private sector plus those outside the borders and encourage them to come and work with us. For RSTP to work there is a need to understand that it exists in an ecosystem. It is a nucleus of the ecosystem. If it becomes a success, all the other sectors of the ecosystem will spend their money here, he said. Metfula mentioned that the RSTP needed partners all over the world, as that was where its impact was supposed to be felt. He said Eswatini had a population of around 1.2 million and that it is a benefit in that the standards of a small country are high, as it will be looking at exporting its products and services. Elaborating, he said they still believed that achieving the target set by His Majesty King Mswati III was possible in the long-term.

He said after the directive issued by the King, they sat down as an entity and discussed how they could start by attaining at least E1 billion and then in the long-term reach the E10 billion.

The acting CEO was asked to shed light on what plan was in place to foster the culture of working together among the staff of the RSTP. He responded by saying that in any institution, it was crucial to build a strong team.

Serious team building

Basically, we need a serious team building so that we all subscribe to the vision. Also, we need to develop a culture of business unusual. This means that our culture has to change. We need to make sure that everyone who is inside subscribes to the vision. The units also have to work together so that they see the vision the same way, he said. On another note, the acting CEO emphasised that the RSTP is working closely with the ministry in terms of implementing the strategies. He said the RSTP depended on the ministry and was in existence, because of the legislations and regulations developed by the latter.

We are in sync and are improving the relationship on a daily basis. Most importantly, we have this big vision as a country and it can only work if we have a good relationship, he said.

He said one of the things the RSTP needed to do was improve the data centre so that clients can be happy with the service. The good thing is that we have a minister who has connections all over the work and that is an advantage, because it means that we can attract as many investors all over the world who will come to keep their data with us. We believe that international investors and come and use our data centre, he said. The acting CEO said they were working together with other parastatals such as the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC), an entity he said was crucial since data centres consumed a lot of electricity. He said currently, the RSTP was trying to obtain a dedicated line from EEC through the Ministry of ICT.

Cooling and power

As you may be aware, data centres survive through connectivity, cooling and power, otherwise there will be challenges. Without stable power, data centres cannot operate efficiently, he said. Also, he said the RSTP was working hard to deal with issues of cyber security. According to Metfula, for clients to trust the RSTP with their data, they had to be guaranteed of safety.

He said they were working with Taiwan in dealing with cybersecurity. Detailing the challenges that have affected the parastatal over the years, Dr Metfula said, while he could not dwell much on what had been happening in the past, the RSTP had a mandate to promote innovation. He said succeeding on such a mandate was not about having beautiful structures and infrastructure but there was more.

He said the innovation in the country was a crucial aspect and that if RSTP was to be a success, there was a need for every liSwati, company and government to come on board.

What I am trying to say is that if you look at the system that we have, there are a few companies that will confidently say that they want their systems to be developed locally. Here I am talking about start-ups. The truth is that it will take time. For example, if a company wants to develop a system, they will call a South African entity. Through that, we do not realise that the more such happens, the more our own entity gets weakened, he said. He said even consultants believe in going outside the country and that currently, even if the Biotechnology Park could produce medicines, there would be less interest, all because it was produced locally.

We want to export

Charity begins at home and we are only around 1.2 million in Eswatini and now and again we argue that we want to export but that is not happening. For us to export, we must produce the products here. So basically, we need to ask ourselves if we are pro-Eswatini products, he highlighted. He made an example of countries like China saying the products they exported were more like surplus as they ensured that they consumed their own. Same thing with data centres, when people want to keep their data, they use the cloud and not here. It is all about the ecosystem, that for us to make this thing work, we have to understand that this is for us as emaSwati to come together and say that we will support this thing no matter what.

... redeployment, change of staff not personal

NOKWANE  Days after Dr Andile Metfula was appointed as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Royal Science Technology Park, reports surfaced that some staff members have been removed from the positions they held previously.

This was said to have caused some division among the staff members at the parastatal. During the engagement with the media on Friday, the acting CEO stated in no certain terms that the changes were personal or malicious. Instead, he said the decision was all about the vision and that RSTP was a machine like many others. Whenever you make such decisions, you do so in such a way in the end, your machine delivers. It was all about ensuring that we are able to deliver efficiently and that staff members are placed in positions where they have the right skills and will be able to deliver, Dr Metfula said. Worth noting is that for years, there have been concerns that the parastatal was slow in terms of hiring qualified staff for key positions.

One of the positions that have been vacant was that of chief financial officer (CFO).

However, the post was recently advertised and this will help address a glaring anomaly that has existed ever since the parastatal was established in 2012. The Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), located in the Kingdom of Eswatini on the continent of Africa, is a public enterprise established through an Act of Parliament in 2012. The sole objective of RSTP is not only to be the leading oasis of science and innovative technologies for wealth creation, but also to promote the development of information technology (IT) and research and development.

Divided into two divisions

It is divided into two divisions, which are the Nokwane (headquarters) Site and the Phocweni Site. The Nokwane site is responsible for biotechnology, while the Phocweni site is liable for information technology (IT). RSTP manages a total of 317.7 hectares of land, of which its master plan comprises 159 hectares for industrial development ideally located in close proximity to import and export routes through highway access to the Republic of South Africa and Republic of Mozambique and a dry port railway leading to Maputo Sea Port (Mozambique) and Richards Bay (South Africa).

The entity has now been designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and this was implemented through the SEZ Act of 2018. The head of State is still the brains behind the SEZ Act initiative targeted at attracting foreign direct investment into the Kingdom of Eswatini.The SEZ drive is designed to help promote export-oriented growth, generate employment with the intention to ensure technology transfer among the Eswatini populace, and subsequently stimulate economic growth. Currently, at least 80ha of the industrial development land at Nokwane is serviced and readily available for the potential targeted investments to set up shop.

Despite its potential, the RSTP has been found to be heavily reliant on government finances, which it unsustainable. Also, the Office of the Auditor General, Timothy Matsebula, has in recent years decried that the entity also has a huge wage bill, that is 87.4 per cent of the subvention received from government and that it also witnessed significant increases in its operating costs. The public enterprise only generated income of around E2 miliion from its operations, and government was pushed to increase the shareholder loan to keep the entity running, which is not sustainable.






Health authorities in the Gaza Strip confirmed the first case of polio in the Palestinian enclave in 25 years in August.

On Sunday, the United Nations, in collaboration with Palestinian health authorities, began vaccinating some 640,000 children. Israel and Hamas agreed to brief pauses in their 11-month war in Gaza to allow the campaign to go ahead.

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Where did the injection 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.

It is not clear how the strain arrived in Gaza but genetic sequencing showed that it resembles a variant found in Egypt that could have been introduced from September 2023, the WHO said.

The UN health body says that a drop in routine vaccinations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, has contributed to its re-emergence.

Polio vaccination coverage, primarily conducted through routine immunisation, was estimated at 99 per cent in 2022 and fell to 89 per cent in 2023.

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Health workers say the closure of many hospitals in Gaza, often because of Israeli strikes or restrictions on fuel, has contributed to lower vaccination rates.

Israel blames Hamas, saying they use hospitals for military purposes. Aid workers say poor sanitation conditions in Gaza where open sewers and trash piles are commonplace amid the war, have created favourable conditions for its spread.

How is the vaccination programme organised?

Israel's military and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have agreed to three separate, zoned three-day pauses in fighting to allow for the first round of vaccinations.

The campaign began in central Gaza on Sunday with three consecutive daily pauses in fighting, and was due then move to southern Gaza, where there would be another three-day pause, followed by northern Gaza. There is an agreement to extend the pause in each zone to a fourth day if needed.

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The vaccines, which were released from global emergency stockpiles, have already arrived in Gaza and are due to be issued to 640,000 children under 10 years of age.

They will be given orally by some 2,700 health care workers at medical centres and by mobile teams moving among Gaza's hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the war, UN aid workers say.

The World Health Organisation says that a successful roll-out requires at least 95 per cent coverage.

The Israeli military's humanitarian unit (COGAT) said that the vaccination campaign would be conducted in coordination with the Israeli military "as part of the routine humanitarian pauses that will allow the population to reach the medical centers where the vaccinations will be administered".

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A second round is planned in 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 Gaza's neighbours Egypt and Israel.

The World Health Organisation 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.
Support for Sinn Fein has fallen again as two of the main government coalition parties have seen their popularity increase.

The latest Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll shows Sinn Fein is down one to 18 per cent, with support halving since October 2022.

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Fine Gael is the most popular party in the country on 25, up one, while Fianna Fail has also gained one to 21 per cent.

The Social Democrats drop by one to 4 per cent alongside Labour and the Green Party who are unchanged.

Aontu has fallen by one to 3 per cent, Solidarity People Before Profit is unchanged on 2 per cent and Independents and Others are up one to 19 per cent.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has fallen by 2 per cent in her approval rating, to 31 per cent.

She is now below Aontu's Peadar Toibin, whose approval rating stands at 32 per cent.

Taoiseach Simon Harris had a drop of 1 per cent, to 53 per cent. However, he is still the most popular party leader in the country, ahead of Tanaiste Micheal Martin on 50 per cent.
Waterford City and County Council has pledged to continue with a nine per cent rates discount for businesses if they become cleaner and greener.

As part of the councils roadmap to delivering a carbon-neutral Waterford by 2040, the local authority is introducing its business pledge for A Cleaner, Greener Waterford on Monday.

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The scheme, formerly known as the Commercial Energy Discount Scheme, was launched in 2022 and has supported thousands of businesses across the city and county in transitioning to carbon neutrality.

Businesses are invited to take the Business Pledge to strive towards a cleaner, greener Waterford, and commit to completing at least two actions in the next 12 months that would reduce the carbon footprint of their business. Businesses who make the pledge will be able to avail of a nine per cent discount on their rates, providing their rates have been paid in full.

The council is working towards meeting its own climate goals and the Business Pledge is an opportunity for Waterford businesses to play their part and be rewarded in their efforts to make Waterford a sustainable place to do business.

Last year, 800 businesses took advantage of the scheme by identifying opportunities for reducing energy usage and costs, exploring the potential of renewable energy while availing of a discount on their commercial rates.

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Climate Action Coordinator with Waterford City and County Council, Grainne Kennedy said the local authority is currently the only local authority delivering such an initiative in Ireland, and by working with local businesses we can collectively make Waterford the most sustainable place in Ireland to do business.

Ms Kennedy continued: We have reached out to local ambassadors who are making day-to-day changes that will have a positive, far-reaching impact on the environment, on their costs and on the future.

Dooleys Hotel in Waterford City is making changes in how the family-run hotel uses ingredients, serves food and operates its in-house laundry service, to become more energy efficient and reduce waste.

While Cantec Groups efforts in reusing packaging and pallets, upgrading its vehicle fleet to EVs, and supplying clients with re-manufactured machines with an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions very much align with the objectives of the Business Pledge.

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Ms Kennedy added: By being more aware of energy saving opportunities and exploring renewable energy options, businesses can not only save money, but they can affect real change by adopting a sustainability strategy and reducing carbon emissions. Collectively, these changes have the potential to achieve a positive impact for businesses across Waterford.

The scheme is open to businesses whose annual rate bill is less than 10,000 or who operate in the hospitality and leisure industries. These businesses will be eligible to receive a rates energy discount of nine percent once they have provided details of the actions they will take to become more sustainable in the coming year.

Submissions open tomorrow and to avail of the rates discount, accounts must also be fully paid by 23:55pm on October 18, this year or are in an agreed direct debit payment plan. The credit will be applied after the deadline once the requirements have been met.
A dog thought to have run off a cliff on a Co Donegal island has been found more than two weeks after she disappeared, standing on a narrow ledge halfway down the cliff face, having apparently survived by drinking rain water.

Mali, a Bernese Mountain dog, had run away from her German owners near the lighthouse on Arranmore Island on August 16th last, sparking a huge search by islanders which lasted for days.

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The fear was that Mali, who will turn two at the end of October, had run straight off the imposing cliffs near the lighthouse.

But in what has been described as a miracle rescue, she was spotted halfway down the cliffs on Saturday night by a group out fishing.

Dramatic video shows locals managing to walk the dog back to safety from the cliff face.

Malis owner, Sarah Recinos Ralda, who livers in Trier in Germany, said her dogs discovery and rescue after more than two weeks was mind boggling.

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We are overwhelmed, Sarah said. We are stunned. I had already kind of let her go. I just thought that if she had gone over the cliff, if she was dead, I hoped that it had been quick and that she hadnt suffered.

Sarah, who has been spending the summer in Ireland with her husband and their two children, said the period following Malis disappearance had been emotional and pretty heavy.

In regular messages to the community on Facebook as the search continued, she outlined the different efforts to locate Mali and by August 22nd had concluded that three scenarios were likely: lost on the island, which she described as very unlikely; that Mali had fallen into the sea; or that she was stuck on a ledge, adding, not all cliff was searched so maybe theres a chance. No barking was ever heard but with that weather  who knows.

On Saturday night, she initially cancelled the call to tell her Mali had been found as she was in a noisy pub in nearby Kincasslagh, before going outside to take the call, describing the situation as mind boggling.

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On Facebook she later wrote: Shes been found and saved from below the lighthouse by a group of amazing people. Shes not dehydrated, pretty alert, has lost a little bit of weight and overall just acts veeerryyy hungry. We still cant believe it and are overwhelmed."

The man who alerted the authorities to Mali on the cliff was John Paul Baska, who also shot the footage of the dramatic rescue.

John Paul, who owns North West Charters, based in nearby Burtonport, spotted the dog while out fishing near the lighthouse on Arranmore on Saturday evening and then following the rescue, reunited Mali with its owner on the pier at the other side of the island.

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Mali after her rescue on Saturday night.

I was out fishing, we were out past the lighthouse and one of the lads [on the boat] said I think I can hear a dog barking, John Paul said. "I thought he was joking.

John Paul had already taken part in the extensive search effort for Mali in the days after the dogs disappearance.

On finally spotting her on the cliff face he called Glenn Head Coast Guard station, who then contacted the lifeboat.

John Paul then directed the crew to the area and filmed the rescue.

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He said Mali was first spotted at around 7.30pm and the rescue took place just 20 minutes later. He then made himself available to carry Mali around the island to the pier, where Mali was reunited with Sarah at around 9.15pm on Saturday.

John Paul said Malis lead had been trapped on the cliff face, which may have prevented her from climbing to safety but which may also have prevented her from falling further. The narrow ledge did have an area of cover and both

John Paul and Sarah said they thought pools of rain water on the ledge meant the dog was able to stave off dehydration.

Asked if there were tears when the dog was reunited with her owner John Paul said: There was, and there was a lot of locals down as well to see the dog.

As for Mali, he said she was in great form.

Sarah and her family are due to return home in two weeks and she said Mali was fine despite her ordeal, with no fever and a hearty appetite that they were now trying to properly manage after her going so long without food.

Sarah said the past few days were the first days of fine weather in the area for weeks and that this likely increased the chances of Mali finally being spotted.

She was so happy to be rescued, Sarah said.
A good morning routine, a balanced lunch, and comfort in uniforms are three key things for children starting, or returning to secondary school, according to a mental health advocate who has opened up about his eating disorder.

Keith Russell suffers with body dysmorphia, and since his diagnosis in 2020 he has looked to spread awareness about the condition.

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Body dysmorphia, also called body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health disorder that leads to distress over your appearance.

People who suffer with BDD may feel certain parts of their bodies are defects. Other people may not be able to see the things those with BDD perceive as flaws.

BDD is complicated by the fact it is closely related to anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder.

After years of suffering in silence, Mr Russell was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) in 2018, and BDD in 2020.

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After finding blogging was therapeutic and a release for him, Mr Russell set up a podcast called The Endless Spiral. In it, Mr Russell speaks to people from various fields about their mental health struggles, as well as mental health professionals.

Mr Russell has learned tools to cope with BDD, and looks to help others who may be suffering.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Mr Russell said he has been thinking about how starting, or returning to, secondary school can have an impact on people with his son starting this year.

"When my body issues started, it was around that time," he explained.

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He recalled the stress of becoming conscious of his body, and comparing it to others, at a time when there was very little understanding of mental health issues, or support available.

While there is more awareness and support now available, Mr Russell pointed out that children now have the added pressures brought on by social media.

The return to school can bring a lot of pressure for both parents and children. While it can be difficult sometimes, Mr Russell said a good morning routine is very important.

"Secondary school can be overwhelming, especially going into first year.

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"Having a good morning routine is a big help... to start their day off on a good note. It's not always possible, but not rushing around can help, so kids don't go out the door already anxious and stressed.

"What someone suggested to me was taking your child to school beforehand. If they have to get public transport or whatever, to do the run with them so they know what to expect.

"Going to school with a good breakfast is very important so they're not getting to lunch starving, and obviously your mood will drop then.

"Not naming foods as 'bad' or 'good' is another tip. A healthy, balanced lunch with a mixture of everything is the most important thing."

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Keith Russell suffers with body dysmorphia, and since his diagnosis in 2020 he has looked to spread awareness about the condition.

If a parent suspects a teenager is struggling with body issues, or other mental health problems, it can often be difficult to get them to open up.

He said being available for them when they are ready to talk, and looking out for signs such as being withdrawn, are two of the things parents can do.

"With teenagers it's often hard to get anything out of them, but it's important to be available for them to talk. They often won't automatically open up.

"Take your time, don't be forceful or make the child feel judged. The BodyWise website has a lot of information on how to deal with these conversations.

"If there are no signs, just keep an eye the best you can and let them know you are there for them.

"In the evening, let them have time to themselves but look out for signs; if they're withdrawn, if their mood has dropped, if they're not talking or eating. In short, just check in with them and offer them a safe space to talk and let them know you're there if they need it."

He reiterated the importance of having a clean and well-fitting uniform prepared.

"It's vital that a child is comfortable in their uniform. Being comfortable in it during the day takes off so much pressure.

"For parents, it's having the uniform ready and clean, making that a priority... even though that can be hard with everyone so busy.

"If their jumper is too tight, or their shirt is itching, it can have a negative impact."

Sports can be another area of pressure for children.

Mr Russell said it can help to recognise some people just aren't into sports, but helping children finding another activity they may be interested in, or an alternative form of exercise, can help.

"Some children don't like sports, but encouraging them to do other bits of exercise, even walking to school, is good."

Another step he recommends, while acknowledging it can be the most difficult, is limiting screen time.

"Screen time in the evenings is also an issue. It's difficult with a teenager, but it's important to manage that, social media can be toxic. Limiting screen time is important."

Keith Russell speaking on Ireland AM.

While some of these steps "may seem obvious", he said they can have a positive impact when followed consistently.

"I know these things like a morning routine sound obvious, but it's easy to fall out of the habit.

"I was speaking to an expert on young people and eating disorders, and she was saying to avoid labelling foods 'good' or 'bad'.

"I do talks in schools and I try to emphasise this is a male and a female issue. I did two talks in a secondary school recently, and I had guys come up to me after. I always say come up to me at the end if you have any questions. During it, the girls have no problem putting up their hands to ask questions, but boys won't.

"Letting kids know it's OK that their bodies are growing and changing is important. Looks don't define you."
The bodies of six hostages taken by Hamas have been recovered from Gaza, according to the Israel Defence Forces.

In a statement posted on social media site X, the IDF said the bodies of Carmel Gat, 40, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Alexander Lobanov,33, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25, were found and recovered on Saturday.

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Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, said on Sunday that they were cruelly murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.

The Israeli army said the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around half a mile from where another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, was rescued alive last week.

All six were abducted by Hamas on October 7th, Ms Gat from the farming community of Beeri and the others from a nearby music festival.

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Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, pictured on screen, speak during the Democratic National Convention (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

Their recovery has sparked calls for mass protests against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who many families of hostages and much of the wider Israeli public blame for failing to bring them back alive in a deal with Hamas to end the 10-month-old war. Negotiations over such a deal have dragged on for months.

The family of Mr Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American hostage, confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday, hours after the Israeli army said it had located bodies in Gaza.

With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh, it said.

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The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.

Mr Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed and says military pressure is needed to bring home the hostages.

Israels Channel 12 reported that he got into a shouting match last week with his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, who accused him of prioritising control over a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border  a major sticking point in the talks  over the lives of the hostages.

Hamas has offered to release the hostages in return for an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

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Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, blamed the hostages deaths on Israel and the United States, saying they would still be alive if Israel had accepted a ceasefire proposal that Hamas said it had agreed to back in July. He did not mention the hostages by name.

The deaths of the hostages has sparked calls for further mass protests against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Following the recovery of the bodies, there was no immediate comment from Mr Netanyahu, but Israels mostly ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, said: The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces.

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Defence minister Mr Gallant said: In the name of the state of Israel, I hold their families close to my heart and ask forgiveness.

US president Joe Biden said he was devastated and outraged by the news.

He added: It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Vice president Kamala Harris also released a statement, saying her prayers are with the Goldberg-Polin family and condemning Hamas.

Mr Goldberg-Polin was among the hostages seized by militants at a music festival in southern Israel on October 7th.

He lost part of an arm in the attack.

His parents became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage, meeting with Mr Biden, and Pope Francis and addressing the United Nations.

On August 21st, they addressed a hushed hall at the Democratic National Convention, where the crowd chanted: Bring them home.

A Hamas-issued video in April showing Mr Goldberg-Polin clearly speaking under duress sparked new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others freedom.

Before Israels announcement, Israel said it believed 108 hostages were still held in Gaza and about one-third of them were dead.
Israels largest trade union has called a general strike on Monday following the deaths of six hostages in the Gaza Strip.

The Histadrut, which represents some 800,000 workers in such areas as health care, transport and banking, said the strike would begin on Monday morning.

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It is aimed at stepping up pressure on the government to reach a ceasefire that would bring home the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

This would be the first general strike since the Hamas attack on October 7.

A general strike last year during prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus judicial overhaul helped lead to a temporary delay in the plan.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but census night thrills me. The bold idea of taking a snapshot of the lives and homes of every person in Australia is deeply compelling to me, and I have always loved the feeling of playing a small part in that hopeful project.

Census data helps us understand and anticipate changes in how we create families, secure work, sustain households, pursue education, practise faith and more, including among disadvantaged groups. But to keep this data relevant, we need to be asking the right questions.

All families count, but how do we count them? Credit: Getty Images

It is no small thing to make changes, which is why years of consultation have been invested in the development of a simple set of questions on sex, gender, innate variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation. Their inclusion would ensure everyone in Australia can complete the census accurately, including my household.

I still remember the feeling of being part of census night with my mum and dad as a kid. I could see myself embedded in the place I knew best at that time: as the eldest child of a two-parent household, with a sister and a brother, my world in one.
Brisbane City Council has destroyed bike jumps made by children in a suburban park in the citys south over safety concerns, angering parents.

Residents complained to the council about holes being dug and timber palings installed at Johnston Street Park in Bulimba that had created dangerous and uneven surfaces, the councils chair for environment and parks Tracy Davis said.

Parents are angry the council destroyed bike jumps created by children at Johnston Street Park in Bulimba. Credit: Google

Makeshift jumps and drops can be incredibly dangerous for people and can also impact the environment and wildlife, which is why these holes were filled and educational signage installed at the site, Davis said.

There are 32 parks across Brisbane that offer BMX facilities for riders of all ages, and a new pump track will also open in Victoria Park at Herston later this year.

But Bulimba parent Julie Ritchey told the ABC rules and regulations were creating barriers for children who wanted to play outside.

What I see when I see those boys out here is creativity, collaboration, theyre working together, listening to each others ideas and building something bigger than themselves, she said.

The council received 11 compensation claims for injuries caused by playground-related equipment, uneven surfaces and slippery surfaces in the last financial year.

Two of those were report only, meaning no money changed hands.

In the past six years, across 2100 playgrounds, there have been 12 reported injuries.

Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Victims of crime advocate Russell Field has been chosen by the LNP to run for the seat of Capalaba in next months election.

Field has been an outspoken advocate for crime victims since his son, Matthew, was struck and killed alongside his pregnant fiancee, Kate Leadbetter, by a teenager in a stolen car in Alexandra Hills, east of Brisbane, on Australia Day in 2021.

Russell Field  pictured with wife Ann  will take on Labor MP Don Brown in next months election. Credit: Nine News

The former builder and project manager will take on Labor MP Don Brown, who labelled Queenslands youth crime crisis a media beat-up.

My familys loss has opened our eyes to the youth crime crisis and injustice for victims in Queensland, Field said.
MBABANE  If things went according to His Majesty King Mswati IIIs wishes, the contract for the construction of the strategic oil reserve facility would be signed next week.

This, he communicated yesterday when he toured the Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC) stand at the Eswatini International Trade Fair 2024 held at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre. When he arrived at the ENPC stand, the King was welcomed by Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhonkhela. The prince then introduced ENPC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nhlanhla Dlamini, who presented to the King how the parastatal planned to executive the project t of constructing the strategic oil reserve.

Dlamini explained that the number of litres the facility will carry and the King was seen smiling.

Enough funding

The CEO then explained that negotiations were already underway, to ensure that there was enough funding for the project. He gave assurance that the negotiations will be concluded soon so that the project could start. In particular, the CEO said they were awaiting the Ministry of Finance and the Republic of China on Taiwan to finalise engagements regarding the project.

His Majesty then asked when exactly the contract would be finalised. In jest, the King had everyone in stitches when he started that he was aware that Ambassador Jeremy Liang was present and ordered that he should be called so that he could confirm the news that the contract negotiations were close to being finalised.

The ambassador, who was standing a few metres from His Majesty walked to the front and stood next to the CEO. Come and tell us the good news that I am hearing. The good news that the contract for the construction of the strategic oil reserve will be finalised next week, the King said. Then, the ambassador was seen smiling and the King went on to say that all those involved in the project should discuss the issue and give him feedback next week.

Pending capital projects

Worth noting is that when presenting the Speech from the Throne in February this year, the King highlighted that there was a need to prioritise some pending capital projects, one of them being the strategic oil reserve. The King made it clear that he wanted the project to be kick-started in six months time. In terms of background, it was in September last year that Taiwan agreed to help Eswatini, its only African ally, by building the new oil tank in the country, according to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked between the two sides. Overseas Investment and Development Corporation (OIDC), a Taiwanese company focused on carrying out government overseas aid projects, was contracted to build the strategic oil facility.

It was said that the Kingdom of Eswatini had hoped to construct an oil tank that could store at least 30 days of oil reserves.

Milestone for relations

Former President Tsai Ing-wen, who was on a four-day visit to Eswatini, lauded the agreement as a milestone for relations between the two countries. The former president remarked that both countries had been in talks about the construction project for some time, adding that the planned facility would help to ensure the security of the countrys energy supply. It is understood that since Eswatini imports most of its oil products from South Africa, it is, therefore, susceptible to volatile international crude oil prices, according to the countrys government website. As a result, government mandated its national oil company, ENPC to build and operate the oil reserve facilities as part of the effort to address the issue and better ensure energy security. The MoU was signed by OIDC General Manager Jeff Chung and ENPC CEO Nhlanhla Dlamini.

His Majesty King Mswati III and President Tsai witnessed the signing of the MoU. OIDC was established in 1995 by several State-run and private companies in Taiwan to undertake aid and infrastructure projects launched by the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in its allied nations. It was not immediately clear if it had undertaken a fuel storage facility. It is said that the oil reserve facility will enable security of fuel supply and significantly contribute towards the socio-economic development of the country through infrastructural development and job creation.

Build and operate

On its website, the ENPC states that it is the countrys national oil company established by the Petroleum Act No.18 of 2020 and has been mandated by government to build and operate a Strategic Oil Reserve Facility at Phuzumoya. The company says the facility will enable security of fuel supply and significantly contribute towards the socio-economic development of the country through infrastructural development and job creation. In November 2023, ENPC invited companies for pre-qualification of contractors for the proposed construction of the Strategic Fuel Reserve Facility at Phuzumoya. This was referred to as Tender No.10 of 2023/2024. According to the project background as relayed by the ENPC, the public entity is planning to construct a Strategic Oil Reserve Facility at Phuzumoya that will be central to the countrys goal of having security in energy supply and mitigate fuel supply disruptions.

Petroleum products

Currently, Eswatini sources petroleum products from the international markets through the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique. Most of the products are distributed from the commercial storage facilities in Matsapha. The company said the stock was, however, generally limited to approximately two to three days storage, despite the Petroleum Act of 2020 mandating the Oil Companies to hold 14-days commercial stock. As a result, the Government of Eswatini, through ENPC, intends to develop a Strategic Oil Storage Facility.

The facility will hold up to 80 million litres of fuel stock, which is equivalent to 60 days consumption for the country. It will also offer blending for all its 95-ULP.

Proof that Eswatini was determined to see the project start was evident when Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini visited Taiwan in March this year to pitch for investment in the African kingdom and discuss details of the fuel storage facility. During his visit, the PM gave feedback to the effect that he had an engagement with President Tsai Ing-wen and that they then proceeded to tour Taiwans leading engineering company, CECI Engineering Consultants. Also, the PM shared that ambassadors from both countries presented a progress report of the project at Phuzumoya and its designs.

Secure its fuel supply

The PM highlighted that the facility will help the country secure its fuel supply, guarding against the economic impacts of fuel supply disruptions from the market. He said currently, Eswatini held no fuel stock reserves, and bulk fuel storage infrastructure in our country is very limited. This makes us economically vulnerable should any disruption occur in the supply chain outside or inside our borders. Thus, this facility is a critical need. During our tour, we encouraged CECI to set up in Eswatini, as a reputable company that already employs about 2 300 in Taiwan and in other countries. Their footprints are in the construction industry, and they are popular for building railway lines, bridges and hospitals, among others, the PM said.



Meanwhile, the Kings tour of the various stands at the Trade Fair yesterday went on smoothly. As has been the case in previous years, the King would visit each stand, be welcomed by staff members and then receive feedback on the operations of that particular entity. On most of the exhibitors, he would pose different questions, mostly related to feedback on certain projects.
Do you want the government to ask about your sexuality? What about your gender identity? Or whether your genitalia varies from the norm? These were all census questions which were considered by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 2026 census, but which were (initially) rejected last week for inclusion by the Albanese government.

Defending the governments abandonment of the questions, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles offered the rather weak excuse that weve seen how divisive debates have played out across our country and said the last thing we want to do is inflict that debate on a sector of our community right now.

Who counts? And wholl be counted? The 2024 Sydney Mardi Gras. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone

Guess what? We got a divisive debate. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the questions shouldnt be included and that they represented a woke agenda. There was robust criticism of the government from the LGBTQI+ community and many of Labors own MPs, and then the prime minister relented.

Anthony Albanese said on Friday that one new question about sexual orientation would be included in the 2026 census, provided ABS testing of the question was successful. Other potential questions about trans and intersex identity would not be included.
But its not just me. Andrew Norton from the Australian National University is widely acknowledged as one of Australias foremost gnostics on education policy. His mild summary is that this one is deeply flawed. The conclusion a reader might infer from his longer analysis is that this is a policy which has missed every possible opportunity to make sense.

I should take a moment here to declare an interest. I am a non-executive director on the board of a higher education provider which enrols international students. And Im a small business owner, who hires university graduates. I am also, as readers might remember from previous columns, concerned about poorly managed immigration . Its rare good fortune for an opinion columnist to have so many areas she has thought about in depth messed up so comprehensively in a single policy. Boy do I have thoughts on this.

In fact, if you started with the needs of either the education or the immigration portfolio and worked back from the question of what success might look like, youd never in a million years land on the bill which is now slouching its way towards the Senate.

Politics is bad, but policy can be worse. Its where good intentions too often go to die. That is the case with the new cap on international students proposed by the government and not meaningfully opposed by the opposition. Its an immigration policy dressed up as a higher education policy, which is rotten as one or the other.

Lets start with a concern that university academics have been raising for some time now: graduate quality. In a 2019 episode of ABC Four Corners titled Cash Cows, academics from different universities came forward to claim they were being compelled to pass students who had not, in their professional opinion, met the requirements of the course in which they were enrolled. As this episode pointed out, this is an issue for domestic students, who suffer when course quality is reduced. Thats a horrendous betrayal of the student who has paid for an education. It is also a betrayal of the Australian taxpayer who has subsidised their education and the loan, if any, that was taken out to fund it.

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As the Four Corners episode notes, it can be a problem for international students as well, because they have often sacrificed everything to be here [but] are not getting the education they have been promised. A degree should be a certificate of proficiency in the course material. When it isnt, its useless to the student, to employers, and to society more generally.

But the bill the government is hoping to pass in early September has nothing to say about the quality of degrees being earned or handed out in Australia. It is in essence not a higher education policy but an immigration policy.

As such, it simply caps the number of international students who will be allowed into the country at 270,000 to help the government meet its objective of reducing total immigration numbers for 2025. In practice, the total will actually be a bit less, because, as Norton points out, the policy currently envisages counting students when they enrol in a new course, and yet many students start at one institution and complete at another. So they enrol more than once. Norton looks for incentives: he believes institutions will prefer to enrol students in longer degrees because they will generate more years of revenue without counting as a new enrolment. Whether the qualifications provided by those longer degrees are what the student needs or, with an eye to our own skills shortages, what Australia needs, is by the by.
A McLaren 720s that was leased by luxury car dealer Andreas Triantafyllos, then used as security for a $250,000 loan, but has since vanished. On September 16, Triantafyllos signed another contract to sell the McLaren for $250,000 to a Sydney-based pawnbroker operating under the name Prostrength. Under the deal, he retained an option to purchase the luxury car back after three months. The vehicle was never delivered to Prostrength and the defendants [Cast Group and Triantafyllos] have not repaid the $250,000, according to court documents. The car has since been re-registered in NSW and transferred to a Sydney woman without the knowledge or consent of the original owner in Melbourne. The owner of Prostrength launched legal action against Triantafyllos in October. A freezing order was subsequently approved by the court to stop Triantafyllos from disposing or diminishing the value of his assets by up to $350,000.

Triantafyllos was also instructed by the court to provide an affidavit regarding the purchase, ownership or sale of the McLaren and what he had done with the $250,000. He failed to provide the court with an affidavit, but was also found to have drained more than $694,000 between October 23 and November 10 from three bank accounts linked to Cast Group but not declared to the court. One of Triantafyllos payments was for items purchased at the front desk of the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. County Court Judge Suzanne Kirton said in her ruling on February 27 that Triantafyllos had wilfully and persistently breached the freezing order since 21 October 2023. It is impossible to think of any explanation for this conduct other than it is the most egregious flaunting of the courts orders.

Triantafyllos will face court again on Wednesday over the contempt finding and could face a term of imprisonment over his failure to comply with its orders. When contacted by The Age, Triantafyllos said he was the victim of an ongoing extortion plot, following an arson attack on his Essendon home in May and separate firebombings of two car wash businesses and a restaurant he owns. Andreas Triantafyllos home was firebombed in May. Credit: Paul Rovere Triantafyllos said the threats had prevented him from appearing before the court or providing affidavits. I could not give names, I could not give evidence because my life is threatened, he said.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed it was investigating the alleged extortion and executed search warrants at properties in South Yarra, South Melbourne and Essendon on August 29. A 30-year-old Essendon woman and a 34-year-old South Yarra man were arrested by police and interviewed, but no charges have been laid. The contempt finding is not the first time Triantafyllos has failed to comply with a court order. In 2022, he was fined $4250 after refusing to provide evidence as required by two statutory notices issued by Consumer Affairs Victoria.

CAV had issued a warning in 2018 regarding his former luxury car hire company after receiving 46 complaints about security deposits that were not returned in a timely manner, or at all. You should be very cautious before dealing with Melbourne Luxury Car Hire, former CAV director Simon Cohen warned at the time. Andrew Triantafyllos outside his previous home in Strathmore in 2018. Credit: Daniel Pockett They had previously taken court action against Triantafyllos and another company, VIP Executive Car Rentals, in 2005, when he was ordered to pay back almost $300,000 in deposits. Despite the occasional court appearance, Triantafyllos has continued to rort unsuspecting clients and several investors in his businesses.

Former BHP chief executive John Prescott. Credit: Philip Gostelow His victims include former BHP chief executive John Prescott, overseas visitors, couples hiring prestige cars for their weddings, and the parents of a boy suffering from a terminal illness. He was recently linked to a new scam involving the purchase of luxury vehicles that are often under finance to non-bank lenders. In February, Triantafyllos purchased a BMW M3 from a Melbourne panel beater and purportedly paid $150,000 to a company that financed the car. The finance company initially confirmed receipt of the funds, but the transfer subsequently bounced. The panel beater, who asked not to be identified after reporting the matter to police, said he was given a string of excuses.
Jerusalem: Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in southern Gaza where they were apparently killed not long before Israeli troops reached them, the military said on Sunday. Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among them.

According to our initial estimation, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short time before we reached them, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters in a briefing.

Families and friends of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza display 107 pictures of hostages as they protest outside the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus residence in Jerusalem. Credit: AP

News of the discovery spurred renewed calls by Israelis demanding a hostage release deal and claims that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had abandoned the hostages. Fresh protests are likely.

The bodies of Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino had been found underground in the city of Rafah and returned to Israel, he said.
Putin invites CIS leaders to BRICS outreach summit in Kazan 08 Oct 2024 | 9:24 PM Moscow, Oct 8 (UNI) Russia will be happy to see the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) at the BRICS outreach meeting, which will be held on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan in October, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday. see more..

iPhone 16 not yet allowed to enter Indonesian market 08 Oct 2024 | 8:02 PM Jakarta, Oct 8 (UNI) Indonesian Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said Tuesday that the Southeast Asian country had yet to allow Apple's newly-released mobile phone product, iPhone 16, to enter the market as the U.S.-based company had not met the import requirement. see more..

Two scientists win Nobel Prize in Physics 08 Oct 2024 | 6:00 PM Stockholm, Oct 8 (UNI) The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics went to two scientists, John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton, for their foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on Tuesday. see more..

France to conduct 1st test of new generation Aster missile on Tuesday 08 Oct 2024 | 5:39 PM Paris, Oct 8 (UNI) France will test a new generation of Aster missiles developed for the SAMP/T anti-aircraft missile systems for the first time on Tuesday, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said. see more..
Shipments of Russian oil to India declined by 14 per cent in August from July, after a prolific run of three months of near record purchases by Indian refiners, as savings on the crude declined to record lows after Russian traders refused to offer higher discounts, according to industry sources and ship tracking data.

Iraq, India's biggest oil supplier prior to Russia's inroads, improved its market share in India at the expense of Russia on the back of lower rates.

The share of Russian oil in Indias crude basket also dipped by more than three percentage points
Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli also said thanked the Election Commission for deferring the poll by a few days | File image | (Photo: PTI)

The Bishnoi community has thanked the Election Commission for deferring the Haryana Assembly poll date to October 5 from October 1 in view of the centuries-old festival of the community. The ruling BJP has also welcomed the EC's decision. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The Election Commission on Saturday deferred the Haryana assembly poll date, saying the decision was taken keeping in mind the Bishnoi community's festival. Som Prakash Bishnoi, Akhil Bhartiya Bishnoi Mahasabha's vice president, said the entire community thanks the Election Commission for its decision to defer the poll date.

ALSO READ: Haryana Assembly polls rescheduled to October 5 from October 1: EC Lakhs of members of the Bishnoi community take part in the festival and it takes 15-20 days to organise it, he said.

"Earlier, we were worried what if people (Bishnoi community) cannot vote as they would be travelling or if they are not able to take part in the event too. Now, with the new poll date, our problem has been solved and we thank the EC for this," he said.

Before the revision of the date, the Haryana polls were to be held along with the third and last phase of the Jammu and Kashmir elections.

The decision to postpone the Haryana elections has been taken to honour both the voting rights and traditions of the Bishnoi community which has upheld a 300-400-year-old practice in remembrance of their Guru Jambheshwar, the EC said on Saturday.

It said it had received a representation from the national president of the All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, Bikaner, Rajasthan for rescheduling the Haryana assembly polls.

Generations of families from Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana visit their native village Mukam in Rajasthan on 'amavas' in the month of 'Asoj' for the annual festival in Bikaner in memory of Guru Jambheshwar, according to the EC.

This year, the festival falls on October 2 and thousands of Bishnoi families residing in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar will be travelling to Rajasthan, with many families from these districts expected to start their journey a day before.

Separately, the ruling BJP and the opposition INLD in Haryana had urged the EC to revise the polling date keeping in mind the long weekend which might result in poor voter turnout as people tend to go out on extended weekends.

Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli also said thanked the Election Commission for deferring the poll by a few days.

When asked about the remarks of Congress leaders that the saffron party has accepted defeat by seeking deferment of the polls, Badoli said, "The Congress has always worked to weaken the democracy.They imposed the Emergency...They never had this thinking that more and more people should be able to exercise their franchise".

"When I wrote the letter, I specified the reasons for deferment. Now, we welcome the Election Commission decision," Badoli said.

Haryana BJP leader and former Home Minister Anil Vij also welcomed the EC's decision to defer the poll.

The BJP is eyeing a third consecutive term while the Congress is looking to wrest power from the ruling outfit.

The Haryana unit of the ruling BJP had last month written to the Election Commission seeking a brief postponement of the assembly poll slated for October 1, saying holidays before and after the election date could lead to a lower voter turnout.

State BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli, in his letter, had said that on 'Asoj Amavasya' on October 2, several members of the Bishnoi community of Haryana will leave for Rajasthan to participate in an annual fair held on the occasion. This too can affect the voting percentage, he had said.
"This is a non-political front and the movement was conceived on social media. It is set to register a turnout of thousands, a protester said. (Photo: PTI)

Numerous rallies and demonstrations are scheduled to be held in Kolkata on Sunday, demanding justice for the trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and killed at the RG Kar hospital here last month. The ruling TMC and opposition BJP, as well as civil society members, are slated to hold street protests in the metropolis and across West Bengal during the day. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Women members of the TMC will stage demonstrations at different blocks, demanding amendment in laws for capital punishment of rapists, even as the BJP continues its sit-in at Esplanade that started on August 29.

Union minister and BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar had earlier said that the protesters want Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to step down over the medic's rape-murder.

The West Bengal government has convened a special assembly session on Monday to table and pass a bill, which would provide for capital punishment to convicted rapists.

A Maha Michhil' (mega rally) consisting of people from different professions is also scheduled from College Square in central Kolkata to Esplanade on Sunday afternoon.

"This is a non-political front and the movement was conceived on social media. It is set to register a turnout of thousands, a protester said.

On Saturday, students and alumni of different city schools had participated in various rallies in the southern and northern parts of Kolkata.

The alleged rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee has triggered nationwide outrage. The CBI is investigating the case upon directions of the Calcutta High Court.
Philipp Kortum, Chief Financial Officer of TUV Rheinland, a renowned German testing and certification service provider, was astounded by the swift completion of its Phase II laboratory in Taicang, a county-level city in east China's Jiangsu Province.

Completed six months ahead of schedule, the Yangtze River Delta Operation Hub in Taicang, now TUV Rheinland's largest lab, encompasses a wide array of businesses, from photovoltaics and new energy vehicles to textiles.

Neighboring Shanghai, the city of Taicang, spanning approximately 800 square kilometers, is known as the "hometown of German enterprises" in China, with over 530 German enterprises flocking here.

Beginning in the early 1990s, Taicang spent 14 years attracting its initial 100 German investors, but it only took the city a mere two years to log another 100 German enterprises, from the 400th to the 500th.

This photo taken on April 22, 2024 shows the booth of Taicang, a city in east China's Jiangsu Province, at Hannover Messe 2024 in Hannover, Germany. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

In the second quarter of this year, foreign direct investment from Germany into China reached 4.8 billion euros (about 5.3 billion U.S. dollars), nearly double the amount recorded in the first three months, bringing the total for the first half to 7.3 billion euros. By comparison, the total investment stood at 6.5 billion euros in 2023, as reported by the Financial Times, citing data from Germany's central bank.

A German Economic Institute (IW) study shows that over half of the 19 billion euro profits earned by German companies in China last year are reinvested locally.

In April, BMW announced an additional investment of 20 billion yuan (about 2.81 billion U.S. dollars) in its Shenyang production base, following two decades of rapid expansion in the northeastern Chinese city. In 2023, the BMW Group delivered over 820,000 BMW and BMW MINI vehicles in the Chinese market.

This investment will be allocated to upgrading and technologically innovating BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd's Dadong plant.

"The planned investment not only reflects our confidence in China's long-term economic prospects but also in the innovation capabilities of our Chinese partners," said Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG.

"German companies approach investment decisions with a strong focus on market potential and profitability, carefully analyzing global markets to identify regions with the highest opportunities and growth potential," said Zheng Chunrong, director of the German Studies Center at Tongji University.

Michael Schumann, chairman of the Board of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, emphasized that what previously had to be imported from Germany or other parts of Europe is now sourced from China. This shift has led to the creation of production models such as "In China, For China" and "In China, For the World."

"Over 90 percent of German leading global companies have partnerships with China. Any company aspiring to lead in the global market must collaborate with China," said Walter Doring, chairman of the Academy of German Hidden Champions, adding that German firms embedded in the Chinese market face bright prospects and continued growth opportunities that will enhance competitiveness worldwide.

According to Wang Xiangyuan, Party chief of Taicang, over 500 German companies have chosen to settle in the city. To accommodate the foreign talent, Taicang has specially built a German-style street, allowing Germans to feel the warmth akin to their homeland.

"In our many years of working with German companies, we have found that they place great importance on the stability of China's business environment and prefer to formulate their own development plans based on the long-term planning of the Chinese government," Wang said, adding that this requires the local government to maintain a high degree of policy consistency.

Eased visa policy has helped facilitate business travel between China and Germany. "German employees can now easily travel to China for business," said Willi Riester, Chiron Machine Tool (Taicang) Co., Ltd's chief technology officer. "Our German engineers can swiftly travel to China to repair equipment and return to Germany within a week, significantly improving company efficiency."

"German entrepreneurs generally have a very clear sense of reality, are guided by facts rather than fiction, and make sober decisions after weighing up all advantages and disadvantages," said Schumann.

"Many of them still see their future in China and are not blinded by the ideologically motivated statements of some who are calling for the German economy to withdraw from China. We need more engagement and more cooperation instead of withdrawal and confrontation," he added.
by Mary Hrovat

Mission to Earth: Landsat Views the World, Nicholas M. Short, Paul D. Lowman, Jr., Stanley C. Freden, William A. Finch, Jr. (published 1976)

I found this book in a library at Indiana University when I was a student in the mid-1980s. I spent hours fascinated by the beauty of the photographs and the quiet, precise poetry of the geographical and geological terminology in the accompanying text.

Satellite images were not as readily available back then, and this book provides a rich banquet of them. Maps in the front of the book show where to find images of each part of the planet. First I looked up places I knew or had visited, and then I looked up places I wanted to visit or was curious about, and finally I just browsed. Id always been interested in maps, with their place names and the history behind them. This book expanded that experience by giving me the geological, ecological, and human context of each image. It was endlessly interesting.

The book also expanded my horizons in another way. I had no theological qualms about the age of Earth or the universe, but Id been shown a narrow world, growing upa world centered on sin and redemption, where Earth is ultimately a way station between two eternities. Id been a homebody as a child, caught up in my parents religious scruples and anxiously examining my behavior for not only sinful tendencies but also insufficient devotion to the divine.

This book was one of the things that released me to a wider view of life; it nurtured an enchantment with Earth, its dynamic intricacy and complex history, its reality as a thing in itself rather than a divine stage set. It absorbed me in the features and processes of the living planet. I didnt realize it at the time, but I can see now that it sowed the seeds of a view of Earth itself as sublime and holy, in a completely natural sense.

I loved the patterns that appear when you look at Earth from a satellite: sand dunes, watersheds, the features left behind by glaciers. I was excited to learn how legible the landscape is when you look at it in terms of geological processes and how Earth can be seen as a set of interlocking systems. The crops and plant species that grow in a particular location, and the reasons they grow there, are linked to Earths history at each particular place. The beautiful descriptions of each image drew me gently out of myself, in the best possible way.

At the same time, I was becoming fascinated by space exploration. I sought out images of Jupiter and Saturn and their moons from the Voyager missions. I also read about the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, and about the possibilities for humans to live on other planets or moons or in space colonies. The images in the Landsat book left me craving a view of Earth from space. It seems somewhat paradoxical to me now, but at the time I thought it might be possible and even desirable to leave my home planet behind, at least for a while.



The Firmament of Time, Loren Eiseley (published 1960)

I found this book in a very small library on a 9200-foot peak in a tiny community called Sunspot, in southern New Mexico, in the summer of 1987. I was at the Sacramento Peak Observatory, part of the National Solar Observatory, as a research assistant. Id just returned from a brief visit to Phoenix for my maternal grandmothers funeral.

Granny had lived with us throughout my childhood, and she was the first person close to me to die. Id left my parents religion several years earlier and didnt believe in heaven and hell, but I didnt have much of a sense of the meaning of death in the absence of the concept of eternal life. While I was in Phoenix, I responded to Moms religious statements supportively; I didnt share her beliefs, but I knew they comforted her. As I drove back to New Mexico, I began to consider how I might be consoled and reconciled to Grannys death.

One night shortly after I returned to the observatory, I felt restless and unsettled. As I often do when at a loose end, I sought the company of books, in this case those in the observatorys library, a very informal setup in the house across the street from where I was living. The books appeared to be a random and interesting assortment rather than a curated collection. The wonderful title of this book caught my attention, and I pulled the book from the shelf, leafed through it, and carried it off to read.

The Firmament of Time is a set of six lectures on how a natural, or secular, view of life emerged. When I first read it, I was most interested in how we could understand human life in terms of nature rather than as part of a religious story, and how humans are related to nature. (The second essay is called How Death Became Natural.) I feel fortunate to have found the book at that moment, and it gave me much to think about.

What stays with me most indelibly is a passage I happened across while I stood alone in the library leafing through the book. It put my familys grief into a much larger context. In the fourth lecture, Eiseley quotes from a talk he had given earlier, about a Neanderthal burial site discovered in a French cave near La-Chapelle-Aux-Saints in 1908: Here, across millennia of time, we can observe a very moving spectacle. For these men  had laid down their dead in grief. Massive flint-hardened hands had shaped a sepulcher and placed flat stones to guard the dead mans head. A haunch of meat had been left to aid the dead mans journey. Worked flints, a little treasure of the human dawn, had been poured lovingly into the grave.

Eiseley goes on to describe these as human actions, essentially the same as those we perform today when we grieve a loss. When I first read them, I remembered how we had dropped roses gently onto my grandmothers casket after it was lowered into the ground, a symbolic, fruitless, essential gesture. Its hard to articulate why, but Eiseleys words comforted me then and comfort me now.



The History of Earth: An Illustrated Chronicle of an Evolving Planet, William K. Hartmann and Ron Miller (published 1991)

I was given this book as a Christmas present in the early 1990s. I had graduated by then and was working at the university library in Bloomington, not in astronomy. My mental model of the universe had expanded sufficiently to encompass a more complete view of Earths history, and still my mind was stretched and boggled as I came to grasp it in the pages of this book. I knew the names and the rough order of various geological periods, but mostly Id learned about the more recent ones. I hadnt understood how recently (in geological terms) life had emerged on Earth. This book might have given me my first inkling that the term habitable should be qualified when applied to planets: habitable for certain types of organisms, at certain times in its history, over some of its surface.

I spent hours with this book, absorbing stories I hadnt known and thrilling at the illustrations, which consist of artists conceptions of events in Earths history. The chapters about the earliest stages of Earths history were the most interesting to me on my first reading. I was floored by a painting of Earth halfway through its history: eroded volcanic features without a hint of vegetation.

I also learned about more recent events. For example, I learned that five to six million years ago, during the Miocene, much of the Mediterranean basin dried out, leaving vast salt beds at the bottom of the basin. A land bridge connected Europe and Africa where the Strait of Gibraltar is now located. A painting in the book envisions one of the waterfalls that were thought to periodically refill the basin with dramatic rapidity between 6.5 and 5 million years ago. (This episode is called the Messinian salinity crisis. It still fascinates me.)

Because this book is over 30 years old, Im sure that some of the scientific research it describes has been superseded by more recent work. I still browse through it sometimes, though. It reminds me that the familiar Earth I see every day has been many other Earths. The Landsat book introduced me to the idea that the geological landscape is a palimpsest. This book revealed the depth of layers in that palimpsest and showed that much of Earths history happened so long ago that every trace of it has vanished.



Rare Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe, Peter D. Ward and Donald Brownlee (published 2000)

I read this book shortly after it was published because I was curious about the various factors that affect Earths habitability. Reading this book enhanced my appreciation for Earth, its systems and processes, its beauty and its vulnerability.

Ward and Brownlee describe in detail 18 factors that affect Earths habitability. These factors include the characteristics of Earths larger contextthe size of the Milky Way and the solar systems location in the galaxy, as well as the size of the sun and Earths distance from it. They also include characteristics of the solar system and Earth itself, such as the presence of other planets and the composition of Earths atmosphere. You perhaps will have gathered how much I enjoy seeing the big picture, and a book that traces Earths history back to the origin of the chemical elements is wondrous reading indeed. I hadnt known that plate tectonics, tides, and even the presence of Jupiter contribute to making Earth habitable.

The authors assumed that animal life on other planets would be broadly similar to that on Earth; I wonder whether there are other kinds of complex life that we cant easily imagine and that dont require the conditions that complex life on Earth does. However, stability is a key factor in Earths habitability, and the development of complexity likely requires stable conditions.

Again, this book is more than 20 years old, and some of the science has undoubtedly changed. But at least one factor, the presence of plate tectonics, seems to be gaining recognition as a feature, possibly an uncommon one, that influences the habitability of a planet. In any event, this book gave me a greater appreciation of the sweet spot we occupy in space and time, and also of the brevity, in geological terms, of habitable periods on Earth. It brought home to me the complexity of the environmental systems we tinker with so heedlessly.

For various reasons, Id become much less enamored of human space travel by the time I read this book. The book itself strengthened my growing sense that I wouldnt want to live in space even if I could. I no longer think humans should colonize the solar system or establish space colonies, and I doubt that theyd succeed if they tried. Instead, rather than bring our bad human habits to untouched worlds, I think we should care for and appreciate the planet weve been given, and learn to live within its limits. (Sorry, younger space-obsessed self.)



I didnt seek these books out as guides for the long, convoluted process of leaving the religion in which I was raised. I didnt even recognize at the time that they were part of that process. I was drawn to them by the exhilaration of learning about complex systems and deep history and expanding my mental model of the universe. Its such a heady thing when a short-lived human mind comprehends, however partially and incompletely, the larger processes of which its life is a part.

But Ive received even more than that. Only now can I trace the ways that these books, and others like them, have drawn me toward an appreciation of immanence over transcendence, a sense of the richness and depth of the present moment, a love of the details of quotidian events and the everyday things that surround me. And the journey continues.



You can read more of my work at MaryHrovat.com.

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Vendors will be penalised if complaints are not attended to or resolved within the stipulated time, the statement said

The Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), the technology arm of the state General Education Department, has introduced a comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) for 1,85,114 high-tech devices in government and aided schools across Kerala. This move ensures the smooth functioning of these devices, which are essential for effective digital education. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The AMC, which commenced Sunday, covers 79,571 high-tech devices installed in 11,226 primary and upper primary schools under the High-Tech Lab project implemented in 2019, an official statement said here. Similarly, 62,677 laptops and 42,866 projectors in government and aided high schools, higher secondary and vocational higher secondary schools, installed during the 2018-19 period, have been under AMC since April 2023, it said.

K Anvar Sadath, CEO, KITE said that school principals should register any hardware-related complaints on the new portal - www.kite.kerala.gov.in/support.

Vendors will be penalised if complaints are not attended to or resolved within the stipulated time, the statement said.

Additionally, KITE has also introduced insurance coverage for damages caused by natural disasters, theft and so on besides the AMC. This is the largest AMC/insurance scheme for IT devices in India, the KITE statement further said.

A recent IT audit conducted by KITE revealed the loss or permanent damage of 806 laptops (1.43 per cent) and 187 projectors (0.77 per cent) after the completion of their five-year warranty, it said, adding that these devices will be utilised for hardware clinics.
Urban development and construction is the source of almost 40 per cent of global carbon emissions. Increasingly, technology is coming to the aid of the construction industry under pressure to adopt sustainable practices.

A recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) explained how technology can help. A robust system for tracking, evaluating and sharing data throughout the building value chain is imperative for collaboration and evaluating progress of decarbonisation efforts. Technologies are rapidly developing to offer more solutions for the buildings of tomorrow, according to the report. These technologies include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday said seat-sharing talks for the assembly polls between the ruling allies will conclude in 10 days.



Chances of winning and not the number of seats contested will be the criteria, he told reporters in Nagpur. "The seat-sharing talks in Mahayuti will conclude in 10 days. We have decided that seats will be allotted on the basis of winnability. We will leave some seats for our allies. How many each will contest is not important. What is important is to have double engine government to ensure continuity of welfare schemes," he said.



Bawankule also said directives have been issued to all BJP functionaries to not make comments that could cause discord in the alliance, which also comprises Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Those violating this diktat will face strict action from the party, Bawankule added.



Earlier, on Saturday, CM Shinde, and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar held seat-sharing talks in Nagpur for the upcoming state assembly polls, which are likely to be held in October-November. Sources said the final seat-sharing formula would be arrived upon after two to three more meetings. Sources from the NCP said consensus has been arrived for 173 seats, with BJP getting the maximum share, followed by Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led party.



The remaining 115 seats will be finalised soon in a meeting of Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule, CM Shinde as well as senior NCP leaders Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel, these sources added.
Janata Dal (United) spokesperson K C Tyagi, whose stand on various issues often highlighted his party's differences with ally BJP, has resigned.

The JD(U) said in a statement on Sunday that its president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has appointed Rajiv Ranjan Prasad as its national spokesperson.

Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp It attributed Tyagi's resignation to "personal reasons".

In his letter to Kumar, the former MP and socialist leader said he has been unable to do justice as a spokesperson due to his involvement in other works.

He said he had made the request earlier as well.



Tyagi, party leaders said, will continue in his another role as "political advisor".



It is believed that frequent comments of Tyagi, who is based in Delhi and enjoys an unlikely high profile in the national media for a regional party leader due to his experience and articulation, on central government's policies were seen by many within his party as unhelpful to the BJP-JD(U) ties.



Be it on the Uniform Civil Code, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, lateral entry to high-level Central government jobs or even the Palestine issue among a number of other matters, his articulation of the JD(U)'s stand different from the BJP created ripples and left the saffron party less than amused.



He was the only member of the ruling National Democratic Alliance in the August 25 meeting, which included several opposition party members, with Mohammad Makram Balawi, Secretary General of the League of Parliamentarians.



Israel was accused of "genocide" on Palestinians and the Indian government was urged to stop the sale of arms to the country by the participants in a joint statement.



The JD(U) retained him as spokesperson and political advisor in the party on August 23 when the party distributed organisation work among its leaders.



Though his views often, though not always, echoed the party's ideological position, a section of the JD(U) was uncomfortable with Tyagi's readiness to air his opinions when its senior leaders mostly played it safe.



His seniority meant that few leaders barring Nitish Kumar, who has of late been relying more on other party colleagues to helm organisational matters, could direct his stand.



With two senior JD(U) leaders -- Union minister Lalan Singh and its parliamentary party leader Sanjay Jha -- representing the party in national politics, sources said there is a view that both leaders should be left to shape the ties with the BJP without frequent public interjections of Tyagi.



It may be noted that the BJP has been reaching out to allies to maintain coordination and harmony in the ruling National Democratic Alliance in its bid to quell reports of differences in the bloc.
By David Young, PA

The President has called for an end to the killing in Gaza as he expressed sympathies with the families of six murdered Israeli hostages.

Michael D Higgins was commenting following the discovery of the bodies of the six hostages in Rafah, in southern Gaza, on Saturday.

The Israeli authorities said they were killed shortly before its forces reached the tunnel in which they were found.

The hostages have been named as Carmel Gat, 40, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Alexander Lobanov, 33, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25.

Israel said the six hostages were killed shortly before its forces reached them. Photo: The Hostages Families Forum/AP.

In a statement, Mr Higgins said: As images appear in the media of the six hostages whose bodies have been recovered in Gaza, ones heart can only go out to their families who now have to carry what must be an unbearable grief in addition to the agony which they have faced since their abduction 11 months ago.

All of this killing must stop. Piling the dead upon the dead is a hopeless strategy when what is needed is an engagement with current and long-neglected issues that will enable life to be made possible for all in the region.

As the international community looks on, they must insist that it is time for all remaining hostages to be released by Hamas, for an immediate ceasefire, for a serious exchange of prisoners to take place, and for all necessary aid to be provided to those who need it.

The Taoiseach described the murders as an outrage.

Taoiseach Simon Harris (left) and Tanaiste Micheal Martin (right) have reiterated their calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Photo: PA

Simon Harris reiterated his call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire

The news from Israel on the deaths of six hostages is heartbreaking and an outrage, he said.

These innocent people were abducted and held by Hamas for nearly 11 months. Reports they were murdered in recent days are sickening.

This is the latest outrage and atrocity in a year of bloody inhumanity. This violence and death cannot continue and every life that can be saved must be saved.

We need an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Ireland calls on Hamas and the (Israeli) Netanyahu government to make this a reality.

All remaining hostages should be returned to their families and aid needs to flow freely to Gaza before the humanitarian catastrophe deepens.

Irelands solidarity and sympathy are today with the families and the communities of the six innocent hostages confirmed dead.

May their memories be a blessing.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin called for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic news from Israel of the killing of six Israeli hostages held by Hamas in captivity, he said.

My thoughts and solidarity, and those of the Irish people, are with the families of the six people who have been so brutally murdered, and with their communities and the Israeli people as a whole as they confront this terrible news.

The taking and holding of hostages is reprehensible and unconscionable in any and all circumstances.

Ireland has repeatedly condemned Hamas and others who have taken and continue to hold hostages for nearly 11 months. The suffering endured by these innocent captives and their families is difficult to imagine.

We have called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. I repeat this call again today.

The past 11 months have brought unspeakable death and suffering to the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

Too many families continue to face violence, death and destruction. It is past time for the killing and suffering on all sides to end.

We urgently need to see a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages. Only this can bring an end to the violence and death, and enable the urgent and massive supply of aid to Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is truly catastrophic.

Even in this dark moment, I urge all involved to redouble their efforts to reach such a deal.
James Cox

A good morning routine, a balanced lunch, and comfort in uniforms are three key things for children starting, or returning to secondary school, according to a mental health advocate who has opened up about his eating disorder.

Keith Russell suffers with body dysmorphia, and since his diagnosis in 2020 he has looked to spread awareness about the condition.

Body dysmorphia, also called body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), is a mental health disorder that leads to distress over your appearance.

People who suffer with BDD may feel certain parts of their bodies are defects. Other people may not be able to see the things those with BDD perceive as flaws.

BDD is complicated by the fact it is closely related to anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder.

After years of suffering in silence, Mr Russell was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) in 2018, and BDD in 2020.

After finding blogging was therapeutic and a release for him, Mr Russell set up a podcast called The Endless Spiral. In it, Mr Russell speaks to people from various fields about their mental health struggles, as well as mental health professionals.

Mr Russell has learned tools to cope with BDD, and looks to help others who may be suffering.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Mr Russell said he has been thinking about how starting, or returning to, secondary school can have an impact on people with his son starting this year.

"When my body issues started, it was around that time," he explained.

He recalled the stress of becoming conscious of his body, and comparing it to others, at a time when there was very little understanding of mental health issues, or support available.

While there is more awareness and support now available, Mr Russell pointed out that children now have the added pressures brought on by social media.

The return to school can bring a lot of pressure for both parents and children. While it can be difficult sometimes, Mr Russell said a good morning routine is very important.

"Secondary school can be overwhelming, especially going into first year.

"Having a good morning routine is a big help... to start their day off on a good note. It's not always possible, but not rushing around can help, so kids don't go out the door already anxious and stressed.

"What someone suggested to me was taking your child to school beforehand. If they have to get public transport or whatever, to do the run with them so they know what to expect.

"Going to school with a good breakfast is very important so they're not getting to lunch starving, and obviously your mood will drop then.

"Not naming foods as 'bad' or 'good' is another tip. A healthy, balanced lunch with a mixture of everything is the most important thing."

Keith Russell suffers with body dysmorphia, and since his diagnosis in 2020 he has looked to spread awareness about the condition.

If a parent suspects a teenager is struggling with body issues, or other mental health problems, it can often be difficult to get them to open up.

He said being available for them when they are ready to talk, and looking out for signs such as being withdrawn, are two of the things parents can do.

"With teenagers it's often hard to get anything out of them, but it's important to be available for them to talk. They often won't automatically open up.

"Take your time, don't be forceful or make the child feel judged. The BodyWise website has a lot of information on how to deal with these conversations.

"If there are no signs, just keep an eye the best you can and let them know you are there for them.

"In the evening, let them have time to themselves but look out for signs; if they're withdrawn, if their mood has dropped, if they're not talking or eating. In short, just check in with them and offer them a safe space to talk and let them know you're there if they need it."

He reiterated the importance of having a clean and well-fitting uniform prepared.

"It's vital that a child is comfortable in their uniform. Being comfortable in it during the day takes off so much pressure.

"For parents, it's having the uniform ready and clean, making that a priority... even though that can be hard with everyone so busy.

"If their jumper is too tight, or their shirt is itching, it can have a negative impact."

Sports can be another area of pressure for children.

Mr Russell said it can help to recognise some people just aren't into sports, but helping children finding another activity they may be interested in, or an alternative form of exercise, can help.

"Some children don't like sports, but encouraging them to do other bits of exercise, even walking to school, is good."

Another step he recommends, while acknowledging it can be the most difficult, is limiting screen time.

"Screen time in the evenings is also an issue. It's difficult with a teenager, but it's important to manage that, social media can be toxic. Limiting screen time is important."

Keith Russell speaking on Ireland AM.

While some of these steps "may seem obvious", he said they can have a positive impact when followed consistently.

"I know these things like a morning routine sound obvious, but it's easy to fall out of the habit.

"I was speaking to an expert on young people and eating disorders, and she was saying to avoid labelling foods 'good' or 'bad'.

"I do talks in schools and I try to emphasise this is a male and a female issue. I did two talks in a secondary school recently, and I had guys come up to me after. I always say come up to me at the end if you have any questions. During it, the girls have no problem putting up their hands to ask questions, but boys won't.

"Letting kids know it's OK that their bodies are growing and changing is important. Looks don't define you."
Sean McCarthaigh

A road safety group had expressed concern at new figures which show the number of fixed charge notices issued to motorists for road traffic offences has decreased by 14 per cent over the past three years at a time of rising road fatalities.

New figures published by the Department of Justice show almost 48,000 fewer fines were issued by gardai last year compared to 2020 when a total of 331,410 motoring offences were detected.

The overall downward trend has been criticised by road safety campaign group, PARC, who noted the peak level of detections occurred at a time when traffic levels were greatly reduced due to travel restrictions imposed to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

PARC chairperson, Susan Gray pointed out that the annual number of road deaths had risen over the same period from 145 in 2020 to 184 last year  a 27 per cent increase.

So far this year, 126 people have died on Irish roads  one more than over the corresponding period in 2023.

The figures on motoring fines also reveal wide variations between different Garda divisions in the number of motorists caught for road traffic offences in recent years.

Detection rates have decreased across 17 of the 22 divisions nationwide since 2020 with the reductions most pronounced in Wexford/Wicklow where the number of fines issued has fallen by 41 per cent over the period.

Other divisions where the detection of offences has declined significantly include Dublin East (-39 per cent); Cork North (-39 per cent); Dublin West (-29 per cent) and Mayo/Roscommon/Longford (-29 per cent).

The number of fines for motoring offences issued by garda in the Clare/Tipperary division has risen by 51 per cent in the past three years, although the increase is understood to be largely due to the introduction of average speed cameras on a section of the M7 motorway in Tipperary in 2022.

The total number of 30,484 offences recorded in Clare/Tipperary was more than in any other Garda division last year.

The only other divisions where the number of motoring fines increased last year were Kerry, Dublin South Central, Sligo/Leitrim and Cork City.

The figures, which were provided in response to a parliamentary question from Aontu leader, Peadar Toibin, relate to offences detected by both gardai on mobile patrols and speed cameras.

Last years total of 283,516 fines being issued for road traffic offences was the lowest annual figure for a decade.

Over 34,000 motorists were caught using a mobile phone when driving in 2014 but the figure had fallen to just over 19,100 last year and is down 22 per cent since 2020.

The number of drivers fined for speeding in 2023 was 154,534  down 15 per cent since 2020.

The figures show that the number of individuals fined for not wearing a seat-belt reached their lowest level for a decade last year at 5,477  down 38 per cent since 2020.

However, the number of learner drivers caught driving unaccompanied peaked last year at 14,729  up 20% over the same period.

Figures for more serious road traffic offences not dealt with by fines revealed the number of motorists caught for driving while intoxicated decreased by 13 per cent since 2020 to 6,754 last year

According to An Garda Siochana, any variation in trends can be due to many factors including overall traffic volumes, road user compliance levels and the number of garda in Roads Policing Units.

Other factors include enforcement levels, weather conditions and particular Garda operations.

However, Ms Gray said the trend identified by the latest figures suggested the decrease in the number of fines was linked to the increase in road fatalities over the same period.

Enforcement really is the key thing in improving road safety but we had figures published recently which showed numbers in Roads Policing Units are at their lowest level in years, said Ms Gray.

The latest available figures show the total number of gardai in such units fell to 620 in May  the lowest level since 2009.

Ms Gray said 75 additional gardai had been promised for Roads Policing Units this year, but there was no sign yet of any being appointed.

The Taoiseach, Simon Harris, claims road safety is a priority for his government, but we still have to see hard evidence of that as the lack of urgency in boosting the numbers attached to Roads Policing Units is alarming, she added.

Preliminary figures for this year show 150,499 fixed charge notices were issued to motorists up to July 15th 2024  which would indicate a similar overall number to last year.

However, they reveal a sharp increase in the number of motorists caught for using bus lanes and parking on clearways and in disabled parking bays

Other offences where there have been significant increases in the issuing of fines include unaccompanied learners driving, breaking traffic lights, parking too close to corners and not having tax or insurance.

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, said road safety was a shared responsibility which the Government takes very seriously.

We have all been shocked by the recent loss of life on our roads and concerned by the recent worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer, said Ms McEntee.

The Minister said road traffic legislation was enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of gardai as well as through a programme of high visibility road safety and enforcement operations in order to make roads safer for all.

She pointed out that all frontline gardai and not just those attached to Roads Policing Units played a role in enforcing road traffic legislation and that all gardai have been required to carry out 30 minutes of high visibility roads policing per shift since April.

The aim of this activity is to increase Garda visibility which has the effect of moderating driver and road user behaviour, said Ms McEntee.

She noted there was a 27% increase in breaths tests over an eight-week period as well as a 69 per cent increase in drug tests since the change compared to a similar timeframe just before the direction to gardai to increase roads policing enforcement levels.

Ms McEntee said there had also been a 29 per cent increase in fixed charge notices for using a mobile phone while driving and a similar five per cent increase for speeding.
For the first time since 2018, a rare and endangered wildcat called the Canada lynx has been spotted in Vermont. A local resident named Gary Shattuck recorded a video of the male cat walking along the side of a road in Rutland County.

Canada lynx are endangered in Vermont and threatened nationally, said Brehan Furfey, a wildlife biologist from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. That makes any verifiable lynx sighting in our state important. This newest sighting is especially exciting because the cat was spotted in Rutland County, far south of most confirmed lynx reports in Vermont.

Usually, reports of lynx sightings to the department end up being a false alarm. Of 160 reports of lynx sightings since 2016, the department has only been able to confirm seven. There are so many false reports because lynx closely resemble bobcats, which are common in the area.

Both cats have short tails with black tips and black tufts of fur on their ears. However, lynxes have longer legs and larger feet.

In addition, their ear tufts are longer, and the tips of their tails are a solid black color. Meanwhile, the underside of bobcats tails are tipped with white.

Residents are encouraged to snap a photo or take a video of a possible lynx and send it to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. It helps out biologists and reduces the chances of missing the appearance of a Canada lynx.

Shattuck caught sight of the lynx on a Saturday evening at around 6:30. The 73-year-old man had been driving not too far from his house when he noticed the feline walking in the same direction he was headed. He said that the animal looked malnourished and didnt react at all when he pulled up next to it.

Wildlife biologists say that the lone male was likely just passing through the region, searching for new territory. Vermont is on the southernmost edge of the Canada lynxs range.

The northeast corner of the state, known as the Northeast Kingdom, supports the best habitat, climate, and food sources for lynx in Vermont.

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Home News Over 16,000 Christians killed in 4 years as violence in Nigeria continues unabated: observatory

More than 16,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria in four years between 2019 and 2023 as more followers of Christ were victims of violence than adherents of other religions, according to data collected by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa.

ORFA released a four-year data project Thursday documenting 55,910 fatalities from 9,970 attacks, including both civilians and combatants, across Nigeria. Of those killed, 30,880 were civilians. Christian victims totaled 16,769, significantly outnumbering the 6,235 Muslim fatalities  the ratio of Christian to Muslim deaths being 6.5:1. Radicalized Muslim Fulani herdsmen were responsible for 55% of the Christian deaths.

"For over a decade atrocities against civilians in Nigeria have been downplayed or minimized. This has proved a major obstacle for those seeking to understand the violence," the researchers wrote in the 136-page report shared with The Christian Post.

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"Misleading euphemisms, such as 'armed herdsmen' and 'cattle grazers' are used to describe continual waves of invasion, torture and killing in rural communities. Descriptions of attacks as 'ethnic clashes,' 'farmers-herders clashes' or retaliatory attacks are seriously misleading."

Another frequent term used to describe militias that carry out mass kidnappings and enforce "serfdom" on communities is "bandits," the report warns, adding that "a policy of concealing the religious identity of victims" is distorting the reality of the situation.

"Fulani Ethnic Militia are targeting Christian populations, while Muslims also suffer severely at their hands," notes Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, an observatory partner and analyst, said in a statement.

"Millions of people are left undefended," Frans Vierhout, senior analyst at the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa, added. "For years, we've heard of calls for help being ignored, as terrorists attack vulnerable communities. Now the data tells its own story."

Across Nigeria, over 21,621 people were abducted in 2,705 attacks, with some incidents overlapping. The observatory recorded 11,610 distinct attacks where individuals were killed or abducted. Of these, 8,905 involved only killings, 1,065 included both killings and abductions and 1,640 involved only abductions.

Of the 21,532 civilians abducted, 11,185 were Christians, and 7,899 were Muslims, according to ORFA.

Researchers stated the religious identity of victims significantly influenced their treatment by captors, with Christian captives often facing harsher conditions and higher risks of execution compared to their Muslim counterparts.

On average, eight attacks involving killings or abductions occurred daily over a four-year period in Nigeria. Fear of violence has gotten so bad there were reports of children sleeping in trees to avoid nighttime attacks.

The data showed a large geographic spread of violence, with 65 different Local Government Areas affected. The majority of civilian fatalities occurred during attacks on communities, particularly during the farming season's peak months between April and June. The North West, North Central and North East regions were identified as epicenters of such attacks.

People were most vulnerable in their homes, with the majority of civilians  25,312 killed and 16,761 abducted  suffering attacks in their communities, according to the report. This contrasts with other locations where 5,568 civilians were killed and 4,771 abducted.

The report pointed to the Fulani Ethnic Militia and other less-known groups as primary aggressors.

Armed Fulani herdsmen, part of FEM, and various terrorist groups were responsible for most killings and abductions, overshadowing the more internationally recognized threats from Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province. For instance, armed Fulani herdsmen were responsible for the deaths of 11,948 civilians, while other terror groups were responsible for 12,039 deaths. Armed Fulani were responsible for over 6,000 civilian abductions, while other groups were responsible for 13,000.

Armed Fulani were responsible for 9,153 Christian deaths during that timespan; Other terrorist groups accounted for 29% or 4,895 deaths. Combined, Boko Haram and ISWAP were responsible for 8% of the Christian deaths, which amounts to 1,268 fatalities.

The report criticized the Nigerian government's focus away from these areas, suggesting that the lack of adequate security response has allowed these groups to operate with near impunity.

"The Nigerian government should wake up to its responsibility of securing the lives and properties of Nigerians. Impunity has allowed targeted attacks against innocent people to continue unabatedly," the report concludes. "The government has [a] responsibility to maintain law and order, therefore, providing protection for lives and properties will reassure citizens and endear trust in the government. If the people cannot trust the government to deliver justice, more militant groups and sub state actors could rise up to the State against its citizens."

The observatory urges the Nigerian government to prioritize peace and coexistence, reevaluate its security strategies and enhance support for affected communities.

Key suggestions include reorienting national values towards justice and reconciliation, enhancing security measures to protect civilians and promoting interfaith dialogue to mitigate religious biases and tensions.

The report called for a concerted effort also from international bodies to address the violence in Nigeria.

The European Union member states, along with the United States and United Kingdom governments, should allocate more aid resources to Nigeria's North Central Zone and Southern Kaduna, which are experiencing a displacement crisis, the report said, explaining that in areas where internally displaced persons can return to their home communities, they often find their houses and communities in ruins.

ORFA added that the U.S. and U.K. governments should use their positions on the United Nations Security Council to pursue a resolution aimed at enhancing the security of communities in Nigeria that are vulnerable to attacks.

The U.S. government continues to face pressure from advocates and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to again label Nigeria as a country of particular concern for international religious freedom after it was removed from the list during the first year of the Biden administration.
Home News Robert Morris son, James Morris, preparing to plant his own church after Gateway Church exit

Just over a month after stepping down as leader of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, in the wake of his father Robert Morris scandalous resignation, James Morris is preparing to pursue his long-held dream of leading his own church.

On a newly launched website, jamesandbridgettemorris.com, James Morris and his wife, Bridgette, revealed they are just waiting on God to tell them when, where, and how to plant a church as they recover from the Gateway Church debacle.

We are excited to announce the beginning of an extraordinary journey that started as a dream in our hearts to be pastors of a vibrant church passionate about the presence of God and filled with people who love God and love people. We believe God gave us this dream and many prophetic words, beginning when we were young, for such a time as this, the couple said on their website. We are taking time to rest, pray, and hear from the Lord after this last season. We are filled with anticipation, expectation, and hope as we hear from God about when, where, and how to plant a church.

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James Morris and his wife experienced being at the helm of Gateway Church for several weeks after his father resigned on June 18 amid allegations of child sex abuse.

Cindy Clemishire, 54, reported that Robert Morris began sexually abusing her on Christmas Day in 1982 when she was just 12 years old. She says the abuse continued for four-and-a-half years before others found out. But Morris was later allowed to return to ministry.

When questioned about the allegations by The Christian Post, Morris only confessed to being involved in "inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady" more than 35 years ago. He said he repented and was restored to ministry.

Clemishire insisted to CP, however, that she was no young lady when Morris abused her.

"I was 12 years old. I was a little girl. A very innocent little girl. And he was brought into our home. He and his wife, Debbie, and their little boy, Josh, trusted and preached at the church that my dad helped start and then began grooming all of us to do this, which took me decades to wrap my brain around as an adult," she said.

Gateway Church has commissioned an independent investigation into the allegations against Morris.

Weeks after James Morris stepped into his fathers role in June, Gateway Church elders announced in late July that the church would be better served by severing ties with the Morris family based on the "advice of many well-respected pastors and ministry leaders."

"We as elders affirm and believe that God has placed a desire in both Pastors James and Bridgette's hearts to serve as senior pastors of a church at some point in the future," the elders said in their statement. "We love Pastors James and Bridgette and their children. We deeply care about them and sincerely thank them for investing their lives here at Gateway Church. They have faithfully and honorably served our congregation and this community through all the years that they have been part of Gateway Church."

James Morris and his wife are now collecting contact details from those interested in joining them on their new adventure to plant a church.

This journey is not just about reaching a destination but about embracing the profound experiences and growth along the way. We are confident that God is good and in control, the couple said.

We invite you to join us in this adventure by walking alongside us or supporting us from afar. Together, we can experience the remarkable impact God's goodness has on the world around us.
Home News Pakistani officials attempt to ban rights march organizers under pressure from extremist Islamist party

LAHORE, Pakistan  Sindh Province officials are trying to impose a ban on organizers of a minority rights march under pressure from an extremist Islamist party opposed to any changes in Pakistans harsh blasphemy laws, sources said.

In an official letter to the Commissioner of Karachi Division on Aug. 23, the Sindh Home Department stated that the organizers of the Minorities Rights March held on National Minorities Day, Aug. 11, had violated their responsibility to uphold religious harmony and respect interfaith boundaries.

The SSP [Senior Superintendent of Police] has recommended that the NOC [No Objection Certificate] granted to Mr. [Luke] Victor and his associates may be prohibited from organizing any future events for violating the said code of conduct to prevent any potential law and order issues, states the letter viewed by Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

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Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and other Islamist parties, including the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Sunni Tehreek, had earlier threatened the Sindh government with unrest if it allowed the minorities rights march on Aug. 11. The government initially withdrew the NOC granted to march organizers in Karachi but later allowed them to hold a gathering after protests against the decision.

Hundreds of TLP workers on Friday (Aug. 23) clashed with police outside the office of the Sindh Police Inspector General, demanding that a case be registered against march organizers for allegedly spreading fake propaganda against Section 295-C of Pakistans widely condemned blasphemy statutes. The law carries a mandatory death penalty for disrespecting Islams prophet Muhammad.

The TLP workers attacked policemen with stones, injuring several officers, and were dispersed only after senior police officials vowed that NOCs for such marches would not be given in the future.

Attorney Luke Victor, one of the organizers of the Minorities Rights March, said surrendering to illegal demands from extremist forces would not bode well for Pakistan.

The TLP and some other Islamist parties had begun a campaign to stop the minorities march on the false pretext that we were demanding the abolition of the blasphemy laws, Victor told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News from Karachi. This is a blatant lie, because nowhere in our social media campaign and in the rally itself any such demand was made. Our demand has always been to stop the abuse of the blasphemy laws and the violence perpetrated against religious minorities in its name.

The lawyer-activist rejected the propaganda that the march organizers were anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan.

We are as much Pakistanis as they are, and we have never said or done anything that undermines Islamic teachings, he said. Our objective is a pluralistic Pakistani society where citizens belonging to all faiths, caste or creed can live freely. We are opposed to the abuse of the blasphemy laws against any citizen and have always urged the state to look into this issue with due seriousness.

Victor said that march organizers and participants believed all religions preach peace and tolerance.

This is the reason why many Muslims endorsed and participated in the gathering to show support for the just demands of the religious minorities, he said. We are demanding protection for vulnerable communities from societal discrimination and persecution, including abduction and forced conversion of underage Christian and Hindu girls, and their fundamental right to quality education, health and other privileges enjoyed by the majority community.

Pastor Ghazala Shafique, another organizer of the minority rights march, lamented that some in the local Christian community were colluding with extremist groups for their vested interests.

They have tagged me as an Ahmadi and are falsely propagating that Im promoting a Qadyani [derogatory term for Ahmadis] agenda in the church, Pastor Shafique said. This is a very dangerous attempt to disrupt peace and interfaith relations and damage the church. The government should take strict notice of this propaganda which is strengthening extremist elements.

The Ahmadis consider themselves a branch of Islam but are considered heretical by Pakistani Muslims, and Ahmadi worship places are often attacked by Islamist groups.

On Aug. 22, the Supreme Court of Pakistan was forced to dilute its verdict in a case pertaining to bail it granted to an Ahmadi after TLP activists called for the murder of the Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Under immense pressure and threats, the Supreme Court announced that it was ready to review its verdict for a second time, a first in the countrys judicial history.

I dont want to say [it] but am helpless; I pray in every prayer that may God prevent me from making any wrong decisions, Isa said as a three-judge bench headed by the chief justice ordered the exclusion of the controversial paragraphs from the verdict, including one related to freedom of religion in which the court had cited Article 20 of Pakistans Constitution.

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year.

Originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News
Home News Pastor who obtained $3.5M in COVID relief funds, bought Tesla sentenced to prison

Rudolph Brooks, a 48-year-old pastor from Cheltenham, Maryland, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining over $3.5 million in COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program loans and using part of these funds to purchase a Tesla.

The sentencing also includes two years of supervised release and mandates the forfeiture of significant assets, including properties in Maryland.

Investigations revealed that from April 2020 to September 2021, Brooks, founder and senior pastor of the Kingdom Tabernacle of Restoration Ministries in Washington, D.C., exploited the PPP by submitting falsified documents to obtain loans for businesses under his control, including a car dealership and a ministry, Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, said in a statement.

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Brooks fraudulent activities centered around his businesses, Cars Direct by Gavawn HWD Bobs Motors, Kingdom Tabernacle of Restoration Ministries, and Madaro, LLC. He inflated employee numbers and payroll expenses on PPP loan applications, securing millions, which he then misused for personal expenses.

Notable purchases included a 2018 Tesla Model 3, a property in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and lavish spending on groceries, retail items and restaurant meals.

The CARES Act, under which Brooks committed the fraud, was enacted in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans impacted by the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.

Brooks pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering, as per court records from the sentencing Tuesday. As a result, he was ordered by Judge Deborah L. Boardman to forfeit over $2 million, the Tesla vehicle and the real estate purchased with the fraudulently obtained funds.

The case against Brooks involved several federal agencies, including the FBI and the IRS.

Brooks was prosecuted by the District of Maryland Strike Force, one of three nationwide initiatives aimed at combatting pandemic-related fraud.

In an interview with The Impacts Robin Dorsey on WBGR in 2018, Brooks said he knew he was called by God when he was about 4 or 5 years old. He further noted that he was raised in the church and his father was a minister.

His churchs website describes him as a man after Gods own heart and has a passion for Gods people.

Pastor Brooks desires to see believers grow spiritually and desires to see the church function according to the word of the Lord. His intense love for the Lord, relentless spirit and ability to tap into the very heart of God make him a memorable speaker. With his love for God and lively preaching style, which can hold even the skeptics attention, Pastor Brooks speaks and shares the heart of God with compassion and conviction, the church notes.
Home News Travel: Postcard from Plymouth, England

I first visited Plymouth six years ago in the lead up to the quadricentennial of the Mayflowers voyage from this historic English port city to the New World.

Back then, there was much excitement  and not just here, but in every other place that had some connection to the Pilgrims who settled what later became Massachusetts and the New England region of the United States. Then the coronavirus pandemic struck, effectively canceling much of the planned commemorations.

As I learned during a return visit this summer, the real draw in Plymouth is the centuries of maritime history. It goes well beyond the Mayflower, whose sailing from here 424 years ago on Sept. 16 was a historical fluke. The Pilgrims were hundreds of miles out to sea when a second ship experienced problems, forcing their docking in Plymouth. The modern equivalent is an airliner making an emergency landing.

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My guide, the highly recommended Hannah Pooley of Plymouth Walking Tours, emphasized that the New World was hardly new by the time of the Pilgrims in 1620. Sailors certainly would have been familiar with stories of North America since John Cabot discovered present-day Newfoundland (quite literally, new-found-land) in 1497 and Sir Francis Drake sailed from Plymouth on his epic voyages nearly a century later. Even Jamestown in Virginia was settled a full 13 years before the Pilgrims.

For those interested in the full story of the Pilgrims a visit to the Mayflower Museum is a must. The museum is surrounded by the Barbican and Sutton Harbor. Here, the narrow cobblestone streets and one-time warehouses  many converted to pubs and restaurants  of Plymouths old town would surely be familiar to the 102 souls who embarked on their voyage to America.

Later chapters in maritime history, including how important this port was in the age when Britain ruled the waves, can be discovered at The Box, a free museum that reopened in 2020 after extensive, multi-year renovations.

About 10 miles outside the city is Buckland Abbey, Drakes one-time house. Dating to the late 13th century when it was a Cistercian monastery, it was transformed into a country house after Henry VIIIs dissolution of the monasteries during the English Reformation. Descendants of Drake, who as part of his circumnavigation of the world between 1577 and 1580 landed in California and held the first Anglican service in the New World, remained owners of the house until 1946. Today, Buckland is carefully preserved and features, among other things, a museum with artifacts, art and exhibits.

Back in Plymouth, one of the most visible reminders of all things maritime is Royal William Yard. Facing Plymouth Sound, this former Royal Navy depot was where the ships that arguably made and maintained an empire were armed, outfitted and supplied. In more recent years, the 16-acre complex of 19th century buildings, designed by acclaimed engineer Sir John Rennie, was redeveloped into residences, offices, shops and places to eat, including the notable restaurants Bistrot Pierre and Hook & Line.

If you go

Getting here will require a rental car, unless you want to waste considerable time on busses and trains. Londons Heathrow Airport is 200 miles away. The drive takes just under four hours.

A visit to Plymouth could also be part of a road trip across England to other places with a connection to the Mayflower and Pilgrims. I did such a road trip in 2018, staying in Harwich, Lincoln and Worcester.

The Moxy  one of Plymouths newest hotels and flagged under the Marriott chain  is conveniently located and within walking distance of major sights, including Royal William Yard. Alternatively, consider spending a night or two at a cottage on the estate of Buckland Abbey.

Dennis Lennox writes a travel column for The Christian Post.
Home News Trump tells Moms for Liberty he's for parental rights, likens school boards to dictatorships

Former President Donald Trump voiced strong support for parental rights at a conference organized by the conservative group Moms for Liberty, blasting school boards for their policies and declaring that, as president, he would have the authority to make significant changes.

In a conversation with Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, Trump addressed various educational policies, expressing his disapproval of the policies of some school boards, which he likened to dictatorships.

The parents truly love the kids, Trump said. Some of these people on the boards, I think they dont like the kids very much.  You have to give the rights back to the parents.

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He affirmed his support for Moms for Libertys efforts to promote vouchers for private school tuition and other initiatives to enhance parental control over education.

Trump criticized the policies of Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, particularly those related to gender identity and school curricula. Walz, a former teacher and advocate for LGBT ideology, recently signed legislation providing free school lunches and access to so-called gender-affirming care in Minnesota.

Justice queried Trump on the federal actions he would pursue to strengthen parental rights, such as school choice  a system that allows parents to use public funding to enroll their children in any school of their choosing.

Trump responded, [the] president has such power. Im for parental rights all the way. I dont even understand the concept of not being.

House Republicans have passed a bill promoting school choice, but Democrats hold a majority in the Senate. Trump said he was looking forward to a debate next week with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who he labeled a Marxist, on ABC News.

Trump also opposed the inclusion of gender identity discussions in school curricula.

Referring to the recently concluded Olympics, Trump said, All of these things were talking about, no men in womens sports, no gender operation, I mean  its these operations, its crazy.

Everyones afraid to talk about it, he said. Not me, Justice responded. Not Tiffany, the former president said to resounding applause. Were going to fight to keep our girls safe, president  to make sure that our girls have privacy and safety in their bathrooms, she said.

Its also very demeaning to women, Trump continued. I dont know how they get away with it.

Over 1,000 school districts in the U.S. allow or advise staff to withhold information from parents about their childs desire to identify as trans or nonbinary, according to the advocacy group Parents Defending Education. The policy has been met with backlash and led to legislative responses in several Republican-majority states aiming to protect children from irreversible gender-affirming surgeries.

For instance, in Alaska, the Anchorage School Districts policy titled Working with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students and Employees states that schools can conceal a students confusion about their sexual identity from their parents. The district argues that, for some students at the secondary education level, notifying the parents can present a risk to the student if their parents dont support the transition (changing their name while at school, or secretly taking puberty blockers and opposite-sex hormones).

Prior to notification of any parent or guardian regarding the transition process, school staff should work closely with the student to assess the degree to which, if any, the parent/guardian will be involved in the process, considering at all times the health, well-being, and safety of the transitioning student, reads the policy.

Federal courts have recently upheld decisions that prevent parents from intervening in how schools handle gender identity issues among students.

Moms for Liberty has warned of an anti-parent, extremist government under Harris and Walz.

Moms for Liberty, a group that began in Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic, has grown significantly, boasting over 130,000 members across 300 chapters in 48 states. The organization has been influential in promoting policies that align with conservative values.
Home Opinion How abortion corrupted the Democratic Party

At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Planned Parenthood offered free abortions and vasectomies in an RV parked outside of the convention hall. According to CBS News, this abortion clinic on wheels served between 20 and 30 patients in just the first two days and also distributed abortion pills and emergency contraception. The point of the RV, according to a Planned Parenthood spokeswoman, was to fill healthcare gaps for people who had traveled to the convention from states that had restricted abortion since the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision.

Attendees to the convention were also greeted by a 20-foot-tall inflatable intrauterine device named Freeda Womb. It was placed in the entrance hall of the convention center by the group Americans for Contraception, in order to bring awareness to the threat to contraception and abortion access in the country following the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade.

In a cartoonish-yet-ghoulish display, the Democratic Party of 2024 has proclaimed an absolute fealty to abortion. While Republicans are guilty of gutting their partys platform on issues of life and marriage this year, theres no question which party is committed, with a religious zeal, to the most extreme, liberal positions on these issues. After all, the partys presidential candidate is the most stridently pro-abortion politician ever to run on a major party ticket.

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It wasnt always like this. Commenting on the DNC abortion RV, Bishop Robert Barron noted the remarkable evolution of leading Democrats on abortion in recent decades. According to Bishop Barron, When I was a young man, Democrats as prominent as Sen. Edward Kennedy, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and yes, Joe Biden were enthusiastic pro-life advocates.

Even those not old enough to remember when those men changed their views might remember Bill Clintons admonition, somewhere in the 90s, that abortion ought to be safe, legal, and rare. However, when his wife ran for president in 2016, she supported state-funded abortion up to the moment of birth. Former New York governor Mario Cuomo reportedly claimed to have wrestled mightily with his Catholic conscience over abortion, but his son Andrew lit up skyscrapers in New York City to celebrate so-called reproductive rights. Weve come a long way, baby.

And where are we, exactly? Last year, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill into law to remove the longstanding requirement that doctors offer life-saving treatment to babies born alive after botched abortions. In other words, he legalized infanticide. Walz is now, of course, the Democratic candidate for vice president of the United States.

According to Bishop Barron, this years Democratic National Convention represents the appalling declension of a party that once admitted that abortion was tragic or at least regrettable. No more. Abortion is to be celebrated, even given away like candy at a parade.

This decline has been awful to watch, but the journey to that awful should be noted. In the first chapter of Romans, Paul described how human beings suppress the truth through unrighteousness. As a result, they become futile in their thinking. Their foolish hearts are darkened, which leads to more unrighteousness. The moral descent continues with humans practicing even more unspeakable things and, in the end, giving approval to those who practice them. Put differently, they not only commit evil, they celebrate it.

This is the story of the Democratic Party on sexuality and abortion. Practicing abortion led to accepting it, not as a regrettable choice but as a celebration of absolute bodily autonomy. Once politicized, the idea that human beings are detached, self-determining individuals without natural duties or dependence on others corrupted sex, turning it into a zero-sum power struggle between men and women, and between women and children. Bloodshed was always inevitable in this way of thinking.

However, human beings arent detached bundles of rights in an eternal power struggle with each other. We are interdependent, never more so than in the radically asymmetrical bond between a mother and her preborn child. Babies, in and out of the womb, remind us of this truth about who we are, but the only way to maintain absolute autonomy is to suppress that truth. In the end, the prevention and disposal of babies becomes a kind of political sacrament, celebrated to a cartoonish degree.

Clearly, a corner has been turned on abortion in this nation. Of course, there is much good news to report of good work being done in so many places to protect and preserve innocent lives. Praise God for that. But we should not so quickly turn away from the ghoulish display in Chicago last week. Not only is it a reminder of all that is at stake in this issue, but it also reveals what happens to people and to parties and to nations that suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

Originally published at BreakPoint.
Home News Nicaragua churches, Evangelical alliance among 169 civil society groups closed in latest regime crackdown

Scores of Protestant churches and the Nicaraguan Evangelical Alliance are among 169 civil society organizations that have been stripped of their legal status in the latest regime crackdown, as announced by the Nicaraguan government. This comes just weeks after the cancellation of the legal registration of 1,500 nonprofit organizations, including churches.

This sweeping move, announced Thursday and led by President Daniel Ortega and Vice-President Rosario Murillo, brings the total to 5,552 organizations cancelled since 2018, said the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Historic Protestant denominations such as the Episcopal Church of Nicaragua and the Moravian Church of Nicaragua are among those affected. Both churches, with roots going back as far as 1612 and 1847, respectively, have been pillars in the South Caribbean Autonomous Region, providing education and other community services in areas predominantly populated by indigenous and Afro-descendent people, CSW said.

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Further, the First Baptist Church of Managua, established in 1917 and known for its extensive community services, including schools, a seminary, a hospital and a radio station, also had its legal status revoked, according to the Gazette.

Lesser-known religious entities like the Shalom First Presbyterian Church of Nicaragua, the Gospel Eternal Message of the Three Angels Adventist Church, and the Christian Reformed Church of Nicaragua, all established within the last few decades, have similarly faced cancellation.

The government has declared that all properties associated with these organizations, including buildings and land, will now be transferred to state control, continuing a pattern of property seizures that have previously benefitted the Nicaraguan Army and the Nicaraguan Social Security Institute.

CSWs Head of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl expressed serious concerns about these developments, urging the international community to do the same.

The arbitrary cancellation of historic and diverse religious associations is, in many cases, leaving their members with nowhere to gather for religious purposes, but they are not the only people who will be affected, she said. We are also highly concerned about the impact on the thousands of children and adults who interacted with the schools, and other institutions, like hospitals, run by these organizations.

Traditionally, the Ortega government primarily targeted the Roman Catholic Church, particularly in regions where church leaders openly criticized human rights violations. The recent closures, however, mark a notable broadening of this policy to include Evangelical churches, which had previously been minimally engaged in political activities.

A June report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom detailed increasing repression, including surveillance and threats at church services. High-profile cases like the exile of seven Catholic priests to Rome reflect the tense relationship between the state and religious leaders, particularly those like Bishop Rolando Alvarez of Matagalpa, who has been a vocal critic of the government.

The United Nations Human Rights Office has described the actions of the Nicaraguan government as deeply alarming, with significant concern over the erosion of civic space and religious freedoms in the Central American country.

The ongoing crackdown is part of a pattern under President Ortega, who secured a controversial fifth term in 2021. The ruling regime of the far-left Sandinista National Liberation Front has been marked by the suppression of opposition, with numerous political candidates, journalists and activists arrested under ambiguous national security laws.
Between spooky Dracula and a saintly woman who helped found Christianity in England: contradictions and contrasts at the seaside town of Whitby

St Hilda might turn in her grave if she saw the modern Yorkshire town she helped to put on the map in the 7th Century, but there is still enough light to inspire a pilgrimage.

Pottering around the quaint streets of Whitby, a visitor's senses are bombarded: the beautiful little old houses, the sound and the smells of the sea and the majestic cliffs that contain it, crowds of British holidaymakers at varying stages of drunkenness, and an awful lot of images of Dracula.

The fictional vampire's entry to the UK via Whitby in Bram Stoker's late Victorian novel has made this small Yorkshire town into a haven for goths and seekers of the supernatural.

It probably wasn't the author's intention to create such a fascination and interest in darkness  he said the name "Dracula" meant "devil" and his intentions were probably to warn rather than entice.

With all the occult imagery that exists today, it's hard to imagine that this was once an important centre in the foundation of Christian England. Yet towering over the town is evidence: the impressive ruins of Whitby Abbey, and the Anglican church next door, which is still active, though only just. On the Saturday I visited, there had been just nine worshippers attending that morning.

Whitby Abbey's demise was caused by the nemesis of all of our ancient abbeys: Henry VIII and his desire to get divorced and so create his own church to allow it. But the visible stone ruins were built in the 13th Century and so are not the remnants of the site's most important era. For that, we have to return to a much earlier time in Anglo Saxon England that occurred even before destructive Viking raids caused a hiatus in worship there  to the 7th Century and the very beginnings of Christendom in this land.

This era is associated with a woman whose name has been adopted by both CofE and Catholic churches in the North Yorkshire town: St Hilda. We don't know much about her, not because of a patriarchal conspiracy, as some might like to believe, but because our historical sources from that time are limited. We rely on the monk Bede and his "Ecclesiastical History of the English People" - written in 731 and preserved through the ages - to learn about her and the early spread of the faith in England. He spends a lot of time discussing Hilda, and he clearly values her influence on the church that he inherited just a generation later.

St Hilda was born in 614 into royalty, Bede writes, in the kingdom of what is now known as Northumbria, although borders changed and merged regularly in this turbulent time in the country's history. Her life spanned the 7th Century as various kings and kingdoms were converted to Christianity - or not. Her faith was sparked by her relative King Edwin of Northumbria, who married a Christian woman and then converted along with all his court. They were baptised at a site near today's York Minster, well before the grand stone cathedral was built.

But an invasion by a pagan rival forced them to flee south. Hilda was therefore influenced by the mission from Pope St Gregory the Great in Rome, led by the first Archbishop of Canterbury, Augustine, in 597, to convert the pagans here. When she became a nun at the age of 33, she came under the authority of St Aidan, the Irish monk who founded a monastery on Lindisfarne and helped to spread the faith in the North. She then ran a monastery in Hartlepool called "Heruteu" which had been set up by another woman who had been the first nun in the area, according to Bede.

The historian continues:

"Hilda, the handmaid of Christ, being set over that monastery, began immediately to order it in all things under a rule of life, according as she had been instructed by learned men; for Bishop Aidan, and others of the religious that knew her, frequently visited her and loved her heartily, and diligently instructed her, because of her innate wisdom and love of the service of God."

She was then asked to start a monastery in Whitby, where she would lead until her death at 66-years-old, and influenced many towards Christ. Bede writes:

"[She] taught there the strict observance of justice, piety, chastity, and other virtues, and particularly of peace and charity; so that, after the example of the primitive Church, no one there was rich, and none poor, for they had all things common, and none had any private property. Her prudence was so great, that not only meaner men in their need, but sometimes even kings and princes, sought and received her counsel; she obliged those who were under her direction to give so much time to reading of the Holy Scriptures, and to exercise themselves so much in works of justice, that many might readily be found there fit for the priesthood and the service of the altar."

Bede writes that five Bishops originally came from her monastery under her influence, and she encouraged the hymn writer Caedmon too. As she became ill and suffered in the last years of her life, she never failed to show thanks to God.

Perhaps it was this stellar reputation that led her monastery to become the site of one of the most important events of the Christian faith in 664.

England had been blessed by both the Roman Christian mission from the south and a Celtic mission from the north  originally from Ireland, which itself was evangelised by the British St Patrick.

It is the contrast between these two church traditions that led to Whitby taking its place in the history of Christian England. The Synod of Whitby  then known as "Streanaeshalch" - was the meeting that decided for adopting Roman traditions such as the dating of Easter in England rather than the Celtic way. Our modern perceptions of this historical event are somewhat tainted by whichever 'side' we sit on the post-Reformation acrimonious divisions of Christianity. But in reality it was a practical matter of making Christian practice uniform in this country.

The names of these ancient saints are still regularly evoked in the names of churches, streets and Christian schools throughout the area and they are still venerated by both the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches today. Perhaps if the churches recover St Hilda, St Augustine, St Patrick and St Aidan's desire for holiness, unity and the conversion of pagans, we might see a new transformation in this land, as they worked for so long ago?

Seeking God at Whitby today

There are a number of monasteries in the area that receive visitors, though only one in Whitby itself, the Anglican community at St Hilda's Priory. The relatively new Orthodox monastery St Athanasius is not too far away, nor are Christian communities in Scarborough and York.

Most visitors to Whitby will traipse up the 199 steps that lead to the Abbey, though you can reach it by car, too. Adjacent is the Anglican church with gift shop, some houses, a caravan site and a brewery.

English Heritage owns the site of the Abbey itself, and like at Rievaulx, charges adults 15 to enter unless you are a member. However it's possible to walk around the walls of the site and get a good view of the majestic ruins. The Abbey's gift shop mostly sells Dracula memorabilia, wine and revisionist histories  but there was at least a copy of Bede's history, in which pilgrims can be inspired by the dedication of the faithful missionaries who converted England.
Phone theft is 'getting out of hand' according to locals.

Australian actor Naarah captured the moments before someone tried to rob her. Source: Tiktok

An Australian expat inadvertently captured the terrifying moment a balaclava-clad thief attempted to snatch her phone on a busy London street.

Naarah, who moved to the UK last year to study musical theatre, was jubilantly strolling down the road after seeing a show when a masked motorbike rider came up behind her and knocked her phone out of her hand.

Filming as she walked, Naarah said she was "so happy" before the sweet moment took a dark turn as the brazen rider came up behind her and attempted to grab her phone. Remarkably, because the phone was attached to a strap, the thief was unsuccessful.

"I can't believe I caught that on camera," she said. "If you're coming to London, small crime is so common here. Don't take it for granted, because it literally can happen to you at any point."

Naarah suggested those visiting the English city get themselves a phone strap, which she says she "never" leaves her home without and acts as an extra layer of protection against thefts.

Phones stolen 'every six minutes' in London

According to official figures obtained by the BBC, a phone is stolen in London every six minutes.

"Phone theft is not a minor crime, it strikes at the heart of how safe people feel in their own communities," His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services Chief Inspector Andy Cooke said last year.

"There needs to be a concerted drive to address this because it directly affects the public's confidence in the police's ability to keep them safe."

Responding to Naarah's video, many were quick to report similar experiences.

"I was in London last week and saw the same thing happen to a tourist in broad daylight," said one viewer.

"It's getting out of hand in London now," said another.

Aussies warned about visiting the UK

Naarah's video, which has been viewed over a million times online, comes after Australian authorities issued a warning about travelling to the United Kingdom.

Towns and cities across England and Belfast have been shaken by a spate of riots following the murder of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed event in a seaside town in England's northwest.

The suspected killer was wrongly identified as an Islamist migrant on social media, and subsequently rioters have targeted mosques and the accommodation of refugees and asylum seekers.

The unusual warning for the UK  a hugely popular destination for Australians  means travellers will need to "pay attention" if they are currently in Britain or are planning on travelling there, according to on expert in terrorism and violent extremism.

It wasn't the only country the Australian government was warning citizens about. France, Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and Israel as well as Bali were also countries of concern.

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It's not the first time Chinese actions in space have created a dangerous situation and experts are demanding answers.

China's space program has created thousands of pieces of space junk floating around the Earth. Source: Slingshot Aerospace/X/@CNSA Watcher

China has been accused of trashing humanitys future in space. Just one rocket launch last month injected more than 700 pieces of space junk into one of Earths busiest orbital highways and they will stay in place for decades - if not centuries.

But China's planning dozens of similar launches.

And the rocket it is using has a growing history of failure.

US Space Command first confirmed the rocket breakup, initially saying it was tracking more than 300 pieces of debris larger than 10cm (the smallest orbital objects its radars can detect). Its already keeping tabs on about 46,000 other items of space junk.

International space awareness operator LeoLabs says its Western Australia radar array had observed at least 700 objects related to the Chinese rocket.

It adds that it expected this number to rise to more than 900 as the debris cloud is more closely examined over the next six months.

China's satellite constellation set to compete with Starlink

Its a high environmental price to pay for the launch of just 18 out of thousands of satellites destined to form a Chinese mega constellation to compete with Elon Musks SpaceX Starlink space-based internet service.

And its by no means the first time Chinas Long March 6A delivery rocket has disintegrated in such a damaging fashion.

The August 6 launch was the first in an ongoing series designed to deliver 14,000 Qianfan (Thousand Sails) satellites to a relatively high low Earth orbit (LEO) of about 1160km.

China is launching thousands of satellites into the atmosphere to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink internet program. Source: X/@CNSA Watcher

The rocket did the job.

But it didnt clean up afterwards.

The upper stage broke apart at an altitude of 810km, about 13.5 hours after liftoff.

At this altitude, it will take decades - perhaps centuries - for the thin whisps of Earths upper atmosphere to drag the fragments back down. And as they gradually drift lower, they will enter other orbital space lanes - including those used by the International Space Station and thousands of other satellites.

Our first visual observations of some of the CZ-6A upper stage debris from the launch of the 18 G60 satellites. It is a widely scattered debris field. Many thanks for publishing orbital data to @sling_shot_aero. @shell_jim pic.twitter.com/x3xPfp1Zu3  s2a systems (@s2a_systems) August 8, 2024

All will be put at risk of collision.

And each collision will only add to the amount of dangerous junk cannoning about in space.

The European Space Agencys Space Debris Office reports there are already about 40,500 debris pieces larger than 10cm in orbit.

It estimates there are 1.1 million between 10cm and 1cm. And 130 million between 1cm and 1mm.

A simple fleck of paint is believed to be responsible for punching an alarming divot into an armoured glass window of the space shuttle Challenger in 1983.

China is already responsible for thousands of pieces of debris in the Earth's atmosphere. Source: X/@CNSA Watcher

China's contribution to space debris explodes

While Russia and the US have improved their 'rocket body abandonment behaviour' over the last 20 years, the relative contribution by other countries has grown by a factor of five and China by 50x, LeoLabs states.

These breakup events demonstrate why its critical we continue to track abandoned rocket bodies.

"Today, there are nearly 1000 abandoned rocket bodies averaging 1,500 kg each in LEO  and that number continues to grow, posing a significant risk to the space environment.

'Qianfan Constellation' to deploy 15,000+ satellites for low-orbit internet coverage, led by Shanghai Yuxin Satellite Technology. Qianfan Polar Orbit 01 group of 18 satellites launched successfully, marking a significant milestone. Full HD:https://t.co/ClSPRmSk0i pic.twitter.com/GJKmrVN0zw  CNSA Watcher (@CNSAWatcher) August 6, 2024

The Long March 6A class of rocket is intended to be Chinas workhorse for delivering up to 4.5 tonnes of cargo into the LEO.

It has so far launched seven times since being introduced to service in 2022.

Its since established a track record of disintegrating in orbit instead of entering a controlled fall into the atmosphere where it should safely burn up.

The first such incident was seen in November 2022. The rockets upper stage fragmented, creating a debris cloud of more than 700 objects.

Some 21 months after the 2022 event, 93 out of the 793 pieces cataloged by @US_SpaceCom have decayed (ref animated Gabbard) pic.twitter.com/vusjK0Zs0l  Space Domain Awareness (@shell_jim) August 10, 2024

Several other smaller breakups have been detected in subsequent launches.

Why the Long March 6A has repeatedly exploded remains unknown.

China's space junk sparks slammed: 'Demand some answers'

The continuing incidents have been met with criticism.

If China plans on leaving 100s of upper stages at these altitudes w mass > 1000 kg, that is... really, really, really bad, space awareness analyst Dr Jim Shell posted to social media.

Such recurring events demand some answers. What say you China? (Yes, the kettle is a bit black, but the silence is still not commendable).

China's satellites will create a network around the Earth. Source: X/@CNSA Watcher

Beijing insists it is doing nothing wrong.

As a responsible major country, China attaches great importance to space debris mitigation, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said a week after the event.

Weve made it a rule to always take space debris mitigation measures after satellites and carrier rockets complete their missions, in order to help protect the environment of the outer space and ensure the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.

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Locals have erupted over the little-known fine, but council has defended its stance.

A pet owner is calling out his local council for issuing a hefty $309 fine for a simple mistake with his dog  as more than 700 fellow Aussies were slugged with the same offence.

Queensland local Peter Morris copped the 'savage' infringement notice after failing to renew his cavoodle Rigby's annual registration with Noosa Council. The dog owner claims that he was only sent one final notice before being issued the fine.

While rules vary from state to state across Australia, in Queensland, it's state law that all dogs must be registered with their local council. Noosa takes the rule a step further and requires pet owners to renew their registration annually. For a desexed dog in Morris' council area, it costs $48.50 each year while a non-desexed dog is $193.50

Morris told Yahoo News Australia that his little cavoodle "barely leaves the house" and alleges the $48.50 registration renewal is a "cash grab" from council.

"Dog owners have 100 per cent been targeted," he told Yahoo News. "We've got a little cavoodle that barely leaves the house. At most he goes out the front on the street and does a wee and comes back in the house. It's a savage revenue raiser, it's just a cash grab. What on earth are you getting for this dog registration?"

Rigby the cavoodle's owner copped a $309 fine for failing to renew their council registration. Source: Supplied

Morris claims he had no idea he could be slugged with the fine and has since warned fellow neighbours who have branded the rule "ridiculous" and "greedy".

"There are a lot of people doing it tough," Morris said, believing that dogs should have a one-time council registration fee. "People will buy new dogs and just not register them so there's no record of i. You'd think council would want to maintain their register."

Council defends 'last resort' effort to notify residents

A Noosa Council spokesperson told Yahoo that under state law, all dog owners had been reminded to renew their registration  and that it was only a "last resort" measure that council issued fines. Noosa Council Environmental Health & Local Laws Manager Rob Smith said more than 10,000 Noosa Shire residents did the right thing and renewed their dog registrations last year.

It is a legal requirement for dog owners to let Council know about any changes which are relevant to their dog ownership," he said. "This includes if a dog is no longer at the registered address. This also ensures that Council has the most up to date information and can keep dog owners informed about their obligations.

Council recently issued 729 fines in relation to outstanding dog registrations. These fines were issued as a last resort, after numerous formal reminders and follow-up phone calls were provided to owners.

They add that dog registrations help council provide "community wide services" including dealing with noise complaints, aggressive dogs, as well as undertaking patrols and reuniting lost dogs with their owners quickly.

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Lee, who prefers to go by her middle name, spun her interest in hair into a six-figure career.

This story is part of CNBC Make It's Ditching the Degree series, where women who have built six-figure careers without a bachelor's degree reveal the secrets of their success. Got a story to tell? Let us know! Email us at AskMakeIt@cnbc.com.



In the middle of getting a tattoo, Sess Lee Cannon had an epiphany: She was stuck in the wrong career. As a tattoo artist put the finishing touches on her ink  her son's name, Elijah, scrawled across her left shoulder  he made small talk with Lee (who goes by her middle name professionally) and her friend. The artist complimented her friend's haircut, which Lee had given her with a pair of kitchen scissors just hours earlier. "He said, 'Where's your salon?' and I told him I didn't work at one, that I just did hair for fun," Lee, 37, recalls. "And I'll never forget, he said, 'Well, you might want to reconsider what you're doing for a living. It's clear you have a gift.'" The unsolicited advice gave Lee, then 20, pause. She loved doing her friends' hair and experimenting with new hairstyles on her curly locks but considered it more of a hobby than a vocation. It was 2007, two years after Lee graduated from high school and one year after she dropped out of Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, after finding out she was pregnant. In the months leading up to Elijah's birth, Lee moved into a small apartment in her hometown of Peoria, Illinois, and found a customer service job she loved at Maui Jim, a sunglasses company. She trained and got promoted to be an accounting clerk within her first year at the company. "Math always came easy to me, and I thought, by working in finance, I'd never be poor again," says Lee. But something was missing in her corporate career. "I craved the creative freedom I felt doing hair," she adds. "I guess I just needed encouragement from a stranger to go for it." She decided to switch careers on the drive home. "I had no clue if it would work out, but I knew I would regret not trying," she says. By all measures, the risk has paid off: Lee owns Flourish Curls Salon in Arlington, Texas, a business that brought in $1.1 million in revenue last year, according to financial documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. After deducting business expenses and taxes, Lee's take-home pay is between $100,000 and $150,000 a year (she declined to share her exact salary). Here's how Lee spun her interest in hair into a six-figure career.

Becoming a hairstylist

The morning after getting her tattoo, Lee stopped at a building she had driven past countless times: Regency Beauty Institute, a cosmetology school in Peoria. She registered for classes and quit her job at Maui Jim as soon as she paid her first deposit. The cosmetology program, which took Lee about 18 months to complete, cost $22,000 and required her to be in classes five days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. When she wasn't in school, Lee, who is a single parent, waitressed at a local steakhouse to pay her tuition and other bills. Her grandparents watched Elijah. The requirements to become a hairstylist vary by state, but generally, prospective stylists must complete a cosmetology program at an accredited school and obtain a state-issued license by passing a written and practical exam. Many states also require prospective stylists to complete an apprenticeship or work as an assistant in a salon first. Once Lee finished the requirements for her license in 2009, she started taking on clients at home and working part-time at a salon that specializes in natural hair in Peoria. In her first year as a stylist, Lee made close to $30,000 a year. She continued to work part-time as a waitress for the next two years to cover her bills. At the time, Facebook was becoming more popular, and Lee decided to take full advantage of the platform's free advertising opportunities: She created a business page, sent friend requests to potential clients, and started documenting her work with photos and videos. She quickly garnered a reputation for working with different curl patterns and clients who were biracial like herself. "My mom is white, my dad is Black and I always had curly hair, but my mom had bone straight hair, so she just had no idea how to style it for me growing up," she says. That childhood experience inspired Lee to start dyeing, highlighting, trimming and straightening her hair when she was a teenager until she found styles she liked. "I wanted to learn how to make my hair look good, feel confident in my own skin, and I want to inspire that same confidence in others," she says.

Lee (pictured here, third from the left) with some of her employees at Flourish Curls Salon. Photo: Sess Lee Cannon

Starting a business in a new state

For the next five years, Lee continued to work at the salon and build her following on social media. She says she loved the people she worked with and felt settled in her career. But in 2015, Lee  then pregnant with her fourth child  started feeling "the itch to move." She had spent most of her life in Illinois and craved a change of scenery and warmer weather. A friend invited her to spend a long weekend together in two of Texas' biggest cities, Austin and Dallas. Lee says she was instantly smitten with the southern hospitality and wide-open spaces. She toured apartments for her and her four children that same weekend. The family of five relocated to Arlington, a city between Dallas and Fort Worth, in January 2016. Moving to a different state emboldened Lee to chase another dream that had been percolating in the back of her mind: Opening a salon. Lee spent 10 months and $50,000 of her savings to open Flourish Curls Salon, which started taking customers in 2017.

'I've been able to build a six-figure career from working three days a week'

To Lee's relief, word spread quickly about the salon  within months of opening, she had a waitlist of customers. Lee attributes Flourish Curls' popularity to the audience she cultivated across Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. She started posting hair tutorials, client testimonials, style how-to's, product recommendations and more online in the early 2000s. Her YouTube channel has nearly 60,000 subscribers. "Having a strong social media community helped a lot," Lee adds. "There's also not a ton of salons that specialize in curly and natural hair in our neighborhood  many cosmetology schools and salons still don't train their stylists to work with those textures." Flourish Curls' services include hair cuts, twists, scalp exfoliation and styling that cost anywhere from $150 to $375. Last year, 2023, was the first year Flourish Curls broke $1 million in annual revenue. The salon has 11 stylists including Lee, who only sees a few clients each month. She says building up her staff and hiring two virtual assistants has helped her stave off burnout and resist the urge to "always be on," a common challenge for business owners. Lee front-loads her workweek, taking on meetings and appointments Monday through Wednesday so she can spend more time with her children, now ranging in age from 8 to 18. "In my 20s, I thought that to be successful, I'd have to work 50-plus hours a week," says Lee. "But I've been able to build a six-figure career from working three days a week most weeks." As an entrepreneur, Lee has enjoyed the autonomy and flexibility of designing her work schedule. However, the most fulfilling aspect of running her own salon, she says, has been the positive difference she's been able to make in people's lives by showing them how to be comfortable and confident with their natural hair  a community she wishes she had access to as an "insecure, frustrated" teenager. Adds Lee: "Nothing's better than helping people feel beautiful."
A Bitcoin automated teller machine (ATM) at a gas station in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Bitcoin steadied after snapping a rare 14-day winning streak as a mood of caution supplanted the risk appetite that drove up a variety of assets at the start of the year. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In many of the incidents the FTC identified, fraudsters contact a victim  or the victim inadvertently connects with them  claiming to be a customer service representative flagging an attempted identify theft or an account breach.

The machines are banned in some countries, including the U.K. and Singapore, but they're legal in the U.S. According to one estimate , there are nearly 32,000 nationwide today, up from just over 4,000 at the start of 2020. The kiosks can now be found in high-traffic locations like convenience stores, gas stations and supermarkets  something that has helped fuel the fraud uptick, federal authorities say.

Bitcoin ATMs look like traditional ATMs and operate similarly, in that they can be used for both deposits and withdrawals, but the transactions involve cryptocurrencies.

"Scammers are using these machines as a way to take money from people more than we've seen in the past," Emma Fletcher, a senior data researcher at the FTC, told NBC News.

And older people are getting roped in the most. The agency said consumers over age 60 were more than three times as likely as younger adults to say they were duped out of cash in these schemes.

Data the Federal Trade Commission provided to NBC News show the amount of money consumers have reported losing to scams involving Bitcoin ATMS rose nearly tenfold since 2020, topping $110 million in 2023.

Call it a diabolical new twist on an old scam: ATM fraudsters are turning to bitcoin.

They eventually text their targets a square-shaped QR code  like the ones diners frequently use to pull up restaurant menus  connected to a digital wallet. The victim is typically directed to scan the code and deposit cash into the Bitcoin ATM, which converts it into bitcoin that immediately gets transferred to the scammer  all while the victim thinks they're protecting their assets.

Scammers have a number of ways to concoct a successful ruse. There are sometimes multiple fraudsters in on a given heist pretending to be employees of a government agency or business, including major tech firms like Microsoft or Apple, according to the FTC.

A scam often begins when bad actors get their hands on a victim's phone number  many of which are increasingly available on the "dark web," the part of the internet that typical browsers and search engines can't reach, like certain chatrooms, and that has helped enable illegal activity.

Fraudsters will often contact victims claiming to flag an urgent problem with an account, sometimes through a message that looks like a legitimate alert, like a pop-up notification.

"They're trying to create a situation that is really hard to ignore," Fletcher said. "From there, people are convinced that the problem is actually extremely serious."

Indiana resident Marilyn LoCascio, 76, says she lost $31,500 to a fraud group that included people posing as an Apple tech support specialist, a bank representative and two government officials. It began when she received what looked like a security alert on her iPad, which led her to a fraudster who informed her she'd been hacked, with a payment to an online porn website from her account made in her name.

"I just called the number without thinking. ... It would be anything other than Apple," LoCascio said. "A gentlemen answered the phone who was supposedly a tech, and he even gave me a case ID, and then it just sort of mushroomed from there."

As her interactions with the scammers dragged on, LoCascio sensed something was wrong. But after being brought into a conference call with someone posing as a U.S. Treasury official, she was persuaded nothing was amiss. She added that she'd never even heard of Bitcoin, but the apparent urgency of the situation made it seem prudent to follow instructions to protect herself.

Scams involving cryptocurrency have surged alongside the price of Bitcoin, which today is worth about $60,000, roughly double its value a year ago. But Fletcher said that while many of such frauds, like shady investment schemes, are more likely to victimize younger people, roughly $2 out of every $3 lost in a scam involving a bitcoin ATM belonged to someone near or over retirement age.

"These Bitcoin ATMs seem to have opened up sort of a gateway for scammers who are after cryptocurrency to target older adults," she said.

Bitcoin ATM operators say they have guardrails to fend off fraud and illicit activity.

"We provide numerous scam warnings at our machines in nearly every stage of a consumer transaction to prevent individuals from falling victim to frauds and scams," Scott Buchanan, the chief operating officer of Bitcoin Depot, said in a statement.

The company, which describes itself as the largest bitcoin ATM provider, said its operations are heavily regulated and involve extensive compliance and consumer protection policies. "We also have live customer support over email, chat, text and phone calls and encourage consumers concerned about a potential scam to contact our customer support team prior to transacting," Buchanan said.

Bitcoin Depot has not been charged with any crime, though it is currently the subject of at least one lawsuit from a user who alleges she was victimized by a fraudster at one of its kiosks. The company has denied responsibility.

"Unfortunately, like all financial institutions, we cannot prevent every instance of fraud that occurs using our services," Buchanan said.

Fletcher said some people have caught on to the scam fast enough to alert the ATM operator and eventually recover their money, but such instances are rare. The best move, she said, is to take a breath and think twice before sending money through a Bitcoin kiosk at anyone's behest.

"It's natural for people to want to respond rapidly to such a message, but because these scams are so prevalent, it's really important that people slow down and check it out," Fletcher said.
Rachel Goldberg and Jonathan Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin who was taken hostage in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, attend a demonstration by the families of people taken captive calling for their release, near Kibbutz Nirim in southern Israel by the border with Gaza on Aug. 29, 2024. Jack Guez | AFP | Getty Images

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American taken hostage in the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks, is among six hostages whose bodies were recovered Saturday. "With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time," a family representative said. President Joe Biden said the bodies of Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages held by Hamas were recovered in a tunnel under Rafah. "I am devastated and outraged," Biden said in the statement. The Israel Defense Forces identified the hostages as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sgt. Ori Danino. The IDF and Shin Bet recovered the bodies from the tunnel and brought them back to Israeli territory, the IDF said. More from NBC News:

Far-right group that invokes Nazi past on the verge of state election success in Germany

Threats of mass violence against one of the world's most persecuted minorities are growing

Polio vaccinations arrive in Gaza, but the sanitation crisis remains "Since Farhan's identification, the forces have been instructed to act with extra caution, even more so than usual, understanding that there might be additional hostages in the area," he said. "We did not have information on the exact location of the hostages." Hagari extended his condolences to the families of the hostages. "It is impossible to put into words what the hostages have endured in Hamas captivity since October 7th, now 331 days, and what their families have been going through," he said. "This morning, this news shakes us all."

Hostages were taken from festival, homes

Goldberg-Polin, 23, was among those taken hostage during the attack on the Supernova music festival in the Israeli desert, and lost his arm in a grenade blast. His parents have been visible and outspoken advocates for bringing the hostages home, including an impassioned plea for his release during the Democratic National Convention "They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express," Biden said. "Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages." Gat, 40, was kidnapped from her parents' home in kibbutz Be'eri. She was an occupational therapist from Tel Aviv, according to the Hostage Families Forum. The group said returned hostages described her as "their guardian angel" who taught them meditation and yoga in captivity. "She loved solo travel, meeting new people, live rock music concerts, and was particularly fond of Radiohead," the forum said. Yerushalmi, a 24-year-old from Tel Aviv, was taken from the Nova music festival, where she was working as a bartender, according to the forum. She loved her family, pilates, animals and dancing, according to a video posted to an Instagram account dedicated to advocating for her to be returned home. Lobanov, 33, and Sarusi, 27, were also kidnapped from the music festival, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Lobanov was working as a bar manager at the festival. His wife gave birth to their second child while he was being held captive, according to the Hostage Families Forum. He was from Ashkelon. Sarusi, from Ra'anana, was a "bright, humorous person, who is friendly towards all," a post from the X account Bring Them Home Now said. He was with his girlfriend of five years at the music festival, who was killed. He "stayed with her, trying to help when she was wounded, and was subsequently captured," according to the forum. Danino, a 25-year-old from Jerusalem, was also kidnapped at the Nova festival, according to the Israeli embassy to the U.S., which said he "helped others escape before being captured himself." He was the eldest of five siblings and planned to begin studying electrical engineering, according to the forum.

Hamas condemned

Messages of heartbreak and outrage from Biden administration officials and politicians began pouring in late Saturday after Goldberg-Polin's death was announced. Vice President Kamala Harris mourned Goldberg-Polin's death, staying in a statement that her prayers are with his parents and "everyone who knew and loved Hersh." She strongly condemned Hamas, calling it "an evil terrorist organization" that now has "even more American blood on its hands." "The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israeland American citizens in Israelmust be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza," she said in the statement, which was in her official capacity as vice president, not her presidential campaign. "Our hearts break for Jon, Rachel, and their entire family, as well as the other families who found out today their loved ones won't be coming home. May their memory be a blessing," said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, invoking a phrase Jews use to mourn the dead. Goldberg-Polin's parents, along with the families of other hostages, have relentlessly urged Netanyahu and the Israeli government, as well as the international community, to focus on the plight of their loved ones. In July, Goldberg-Polin's parents joined the families of other American hostages during Netanyahu's D.C. visit to share their message: Bring the hostages home now. At the Democratic National Convention last week, his parents again pleaded for his return. "Since then, we live on another planet," said Rachel Goldberg-Polin about her son's abduction. "Anyone who is a parent or has had a parent can try to imagine the anguish and misery that Jon and I and all the hostage families are enduring."

Pressure on Netanyahu

In a statement on X, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum pointed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who it said "abandoned the abductees! This is now a fact." "Starting tomorrow the country will tremble. We call on the public to prepare. We are blocking the country," the statement said. The Forum said it will share more details Sunday morning.

watch now
Japan lodged a protest with China after one of its naval survey vessels entered Japanese waters on Saturday, the second incursion into its territory by the Chinese military in less than a week.

An uptick in Chinese military activity near Japan and around Taiwan in recent years has stoked concerns in Tokyo. Japan has responded with a defense buildup that it says aims to deter Beijing from using military force to push its territorial claims in the region.

The ship was detected off the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture, in Japan's southwest, at around 6 a.m. local time (2100 GMT Friday), and departed within two hours, the country's defense ministry said.

Tokyo registered its "strong concern and protest over this incident" with a Chinese embassy official, the foreign ministry said in a statement that also referenced the first airspace intrusion by a Chinese military plane on Monday.

Tokyo told Chinese diplomats earlier this week that Monday's violation of it airspace was "utterly unacceptable."
It's time for some drivers to take a U-turn on their self-entitlement, writes Adam Lucius.

If you think it's ok to reserve parking spots like this it's time to take a good, hard look at yourself, writes Adam Lucius. Source: Facebook/Supplied

Finding a parking spot in our congested cities and towns can sometimes feel like hand-to-hand combat. So few spaces and so many cars. Only the strongest and shrewdest survive.

And when you have a victory wow, the euphoria is palpable.

You turn all George Costanza as you throw your left arm over the passenger's seat and reverse park your way into a two-hour zone just metres from the shops.

Or you might be at the beach when you see those beacons of hope  another driver's white reverse lights  kick in, allowing your vehicle to cruise into the most desired of resting places.

It's a game of parking Lotto many of us tackle regularly, accepting some days you win and some days you lose.

What is not acceptable is sending someone out to physically "reserve" a parking spot on your behalf, while you make your away around the block before being beckoned into position.

Your accomplice is not an air marshal directing planes around the tarmac or at a company AGM acting as your proxy.

Bystanders were outraged by someone reserving a spot by standing in it recently in New Zealand. Source: Stuff

Nor are they a seat filler at the Academy Awards, taking up any vacancy to ensure the auditorium always looks full even when half the audience is in the toilet.

Having someone "bags" a parking spot makes you no better than the people who race to the resort pool at 7am to place a towel over a sunbed before returning four hours later.

Reserving a parking spot can land you a $78 fine

"Guarding" a space until the car arrives is not only uncool, its completely unethical. And it's also illegal.

In Australia, the law states: "Pedestrians must not cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a driver" or "unreasonably obstruct the path of any driver".

Offenders can be fined $78, which is probably cheaper than the parking fee at some joints.

If a spot does not present itself while you're behind the wheel, bad luck. The unspoken rule is everyone does their best when it comes to finding a park  and its on a first in, best dressed basis.

It's a system that has served us welluntil now.

Common decency seems to have gone out the window

In this age of looking out for number one, it seems common decency has gone the same way as common sense.

Its turned some of us into suburban savages, looking to get one up on our fellow man or woman no matter the cost.

The Hunger Games has nothing on two drivers fighting over a bit of vacant asphalt. There's competition at every turn, especially if it's a left into that one spot on ground level at the local shopping centre.

So, for those claiming squatters' rights over parking spots, here's some free advice.

The parking gods will either grant you access or they won't. Call it egalitarian randomness at its finest.

It's time to park the arrogance and take a U-turn on the self-entitlement.

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PDD 's tumble of nearly 30% last week on disappointing quarterly results is a reminder that China's consumer has largely moved on from its years of double-digit growth. The slowdown shows few signs of turning around soon. That doesn't mean it's a sell across the board. PDD's revenue grew by nearly 90% from a year ago, while profit more than doubled, pointed out Charlie Chen, managing director, head of Asia research, at China Renaissance Securities. "The reaction of its stock price is out of touch with its fundamentals," he said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC. "The entire Chinese consumer market is weak, yes, [but] PDD management's very peculiar comments caused the share price decline," he said. Chen Lei, chairman and co-CEO of PDD, warned multiple times on the earnings call about future declines in profit. But analysts point out that despite price target cuts, the stock remains attractively valued . Other earnings have painted a less-dire picture. Chinese food delivery company Meituan on Wednesday reported second-quarter revenue and earnings that significantly beat FactSet expectations. Revenue grew by 21%, while adjusted earnings nearly doubled from a year ago. Morgan Stanley upgraded the Hong Kong-listed stock to overweight from equal-weight, while JPMorgan raised its price target to 140 Hong Kong dollars ($17.95) with an overweight rating, according to FactSet. That's 18% upside from where Meituan shares closed Friday, up by nearly 10% for the week. The delivery company, which also owns China's version of Yelp, said its in-store, hotel and travel business maintained "strong growth." Management did not comment much on consumer sentiment, beyond a clear preference on value-for-money. "Under the current macro environment, demand for low-star hotels has increased," CEO Wang Xing said on an earnings call, according to a FactSet transcript. Chinese booking site Trip.com , listed in the U.S. and Hong Kong, on Aug. 26 reported a mild beat on the top and bottom line, according to FactSet. Trip.com said reservations for travel out of China recovered to 100% of the pre-Covid level in the second quarter of 2019. That's despite international flight capacity that's only 75% of pre-pandemic levels, the company said. Trip.com's Hong Kong-traded shares rose by nearly 12% last week. "I think people also now are switching a little bit more into experience consumption than goods consumption, because goods, you can only have that much," said Liqian Ren, leader of quantitative investment at WisdomTree. She pointed out that there's more pent-up demand for travel, and expects it to persist for another year or so, since people could buy goods via e-commerce platforms during the pandemic. However, Ren pointed out the real estate slump and general uncertainty about income is constraining consumer spending. Retail sales grew by 2.7% in July from a year ago, after a 2% increase in June. Ren said an effective way for China to support the economy could be to take proactive, rather than reactive, measures: removing all restrictions on house purchases and allowing all people living in cities access to the same benefits. People who just move to a city to work can't necessarily enroll their children in the local schools without obtaining what's called a "hukou." Many cities, including Beijing, still restrict the number of properties people can buy. "As long as the Chinese government realizes it has a number of tools to get ahead of the market, then it will stop this slow grinding of people not wanting to spend," Ren said. Other companies, such as Yum China , are using new business strategies to grow profit despite slower consumer spending. In early August, the operator of KFC and Pizza Hut in China reported second-quarter earnings grew 19% to 55 cents a share, beating the FactSet estimate of 47 cents. About 80% of those Pizza Hut stores have automatic fried machines, and 50% have robotic servers, according to CEO Joey Wat, noting overall automation of tasks from labor scheduling to inventory management. U.S.-traded shares of Yum China were up more than 1% last week. In the meantime, the tepid environment has generally supported a more conservative tilt by investors. Banks are one of the few sectors in Hong Kong's Hang Seng index that is up double-digits so far this year, according to Wind Information. Hong Kong-listed Postal Savings Bank of China is Morgan Stanley's new top pick in the sector, analyst Richard Xu and a team said in a mid-August report. "We think the shifting monetary policy framework, moderating loan growth window guidance, and PBOC support for long-term bond yields will create a favorable environment for bank [net interest margin] to stabilize and rebound," the report said. "Among all the banks, we think PSBC is one of the best positioned to leverage this trend." Morgan Stanley is expects Chinese bank stocks could see their fourth-straight year of outperformance this year. "We think the inventory on the property market will go down to a more reasonable level by mid-2025. That means, the drag will be a lot less on a low economy from the property market correction or slowdown," Xu said in an interview. He is also watching whether pressure to expand industrial capacity eases, helping business profit margins. "If those factors started to moderate over time, then some other sectors could perform better than the banks."
As Australia grapples with rising egg prices amid a national shortage, one woman's discovery may put you off setting up a backyard chook pen.

A woman's gross discovery has sparked horror among chicken owners, as well as concern for the hen. Source: Getty/Facebook

As a national egg shortage inspires many Aussies to set up their own backyard chook pens, one womans horrifying discovery may put you off your homegrown omelette. While collecting eggs from her chicken coop, she found one with a meat consistency in the laying box, which also appeared to have been pecked at.

She shared the photo on social media and asked her fellow poultry enthusiasts what had caused the egg-shaped nightmare and was inundated with hundreds of comments suggesting the answer was everything from staph, to salmonella and Ecoli.

Wash up and scrub out the whole coop, one wrote. You have a very ill chicken and hopefully you wont get ill also. Several described it as a "horror" sight and said they'd never seen anything like it.

However, Professor Bob Doneley, from the University of Queenslands School of Veterinary Science, told Yahoo News Australia the lash egg shown in the photo had been caused by either an infection or inflammation in the chickens uterus, neither of which were contagious to other birds or humans, but the hen needed to see a vet.

Its basically a very hard-boiled soft egg or a big lump of pus, he said. Both of these things are described colloquially by people as being lash eggs.

The disturbing find was described as a 'ball of nope' by one person online. Source: Facebook

What is the cause of lash eggs?

Doneley said the chickens oviduct carried the yolk, which was formed in the ovaries, and added on the egg white and shell membrane before reaching the uterus where it sat for around 23 hours until it was ready to be laid.

With lash eggs, for some reason it does not get a shell put on before it sits in the uterus, meaning you end up with a hard-boiled egg, he explained.

Or it could be a big lump of pus coming from infection or inflammation in the oviduct. The inflammation is the problem and infection is the thing that causes it.

Doneley said inflammation could be the result of a bacterial infection which in turn can cause caseous pus, which was Latin for cheese-like, and may result in reproductive problems.

Over the last 100 years, chickens have generally been selected to mature at a young age to lay eggs prolifically. Nature did not intend a bird to do that, he added.

What should you do if you find a lash egg in your coop?

Dr Jose A. Quintero, from Sydney Universitys School of Veterinary Science, said lash eggs were produced when a hen suffers from salpingitis, which can be caused by bacteria entering into the shell gland before the shell was formed, thereby infecting the egg.

The meaty appearance comes from the decomposition and caseous material, with or without the presence of shell membrane and egg content, he told Yahoo News.

Quintero suggested using gloves to put the lash egg into a plastic bag and disposing of it in the bin before washing your hands.

While the condition cant be transmitted to other hens, he advised disinfecting the coop, replacing the bedding material and taking the infected bird to the vet for a course of antibiotics.

In the comment section of the woman's post, many people correctly identified her discovery as a lash egg and offered their advice, while one person wrote: New fear unlocked and another added, Thats called a ball of nope.

Aussie avian flu outbreak saw one million birds culled

In total, Australian farm chickens produce 18.3 million eggs each day to feed the nation, with the average commercial hen laying between 260 and 300 a year.

A two-pack limit and empty fridges show the extent of the Aussie egg shortage after more than one million birds were culled. Pictures: NewsWire

The recent avian flu outbreak saw more than one million birds culled to prevent the infection from spreading, while Woolworths and Coles customers in some states were restricted to a two-pack limit on egg purchases and supermarket fridges were left bare for days.

As farmers grapple to recover their losses, one supermarket boss has warned Aussies they may be forced to pay more for the popular brekkie staple during an already tough cost of living crisis.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Cafe Show China 2024, an international coffee expo, concluded Sunday at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing.

The three-day event attracted companies from top coffee-producing regions, including Honduras, Ethiopia and Colombia, as well as from burgeoning markets like China. Participants showcased their latest coffee products with varied tastes, quite appealing to coffee enthusiasts.

Much like the first sip of a perfectly brewed morning coffee, Cafe Show China pulsed with energy, showcasing a vibrant exchange of global coffee cultures and emerging opportunities.

International exhibitors target China's thriving coffee market

A Honduran exhibitor at the country's embassy booth during Cafe Show China 2024 in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

Carlos Estevez of Honduran coffee brand ASOPROSAN saw huge market potential at the expo, as Chinese attendees sampled Honduran coffee at the country's embassy booth.

This year marked the first participation of Honduran enterprises at the expo, following the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras in March 2023.

Fredis Cerrato, Honduran minister of economic development, said at an August China-Honduras business trade conference in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, that trade between the two countries has rapidly developed since establishing diplomatic ties, opening the potential for the export of Honduran products like coffee to China.

Estevez said his company, already established in European and American markets, is eager to promote Honduran coffee in China and build long-term partnerships. He expressed great pride in their products, highlighting their commitment to environmentally friendly and sustainable production practices.

A visitor learns to operate a hand-press coffee maker during Cafe Show China 2024 in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

The expansion comes as China's coffee consumption shows robust growth. Statistics from 2023 reveal that the country's annual per capita coffee consumption stood at 16.74 cups, with coffee-related imports reaching a record 7.8 billion yuan ($1.1 billion).

Estevez said the expo provides a platform to introduce Chinese consumers to premium Honduran coffees. He plans to conduct market research and identify cooperative models that accommodate local preferences and economic conditions, including pricing strategies.

He said he was eager to develop connections with more Chinese importers during the event, aiming to enhance trade relations and foster mutual economic growth between the two countries.

First-time exhibitors from Uganda were also targeting the Chinese market. A spokesperson for Star Cafe said, "Our future plan is to open stores here for people to taste our coffee."

The spokesperson emphasized mutual interests between China and Africa, expressing excitement for deeper cultural and commercial exchanges.

Chinese coffee, tech innovations featured at expo

Exhibitors from Yunnan province host a coffee cupping event during Cafe Show China 2024 in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

Yunnan coffee enterprises' booths drew crowds at the expo. The province, a key coffee-growing region in China, is known for producing high-quality beans with distinct flavors that have won over many coffee enthusiasts. Pu'er, a city in Yunnan, is often called China's "Coffee Capital."

Ye Hong, business manager of Golden Mountain, a coffee brand based in Yunnan, said, "Veteran coffee enthusiasts often seek out more premium varieties."

Yunnan's coffee producers are collaborating with research institutes to develop superior varieties as China's coffee market grows and international exchanges increase, according to Ye.

She added that the brand is expanding into overseas markets, including Australia, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, and expressed optimism about local coffee's growth potential.

A coffee enthusiast joyfully presents an array of empty cups from various tastings at Cafe Show China 2024 in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

During the expo, Miss Wu, a keen coffee lover, participated in a cupping activity run by Yunnan's exhibitors. "I'm surprised by the range of unique flavors," Wu said. "They even showcase Yunnan specialty coffees with distinctive names, like 'Peacock Princess' hanging ear coffee."

Wu expressed confidence that Yunnan coffee will gain recognition in larger markets, both domestically and internationally.

The expo featured a wide and varied range of displays. In addition to coffee and its derivatives, an impressive array of related technology was showcased, including coffee machines and roasters.

Li Cheng, an exhibitor from Beijing Xiaoyuan Technology Co. Ltd., demonstrated the company's latest innovation: an intelligent beverage machine. During a live presentation, he enthusiastically showed how the device, preloaded with ingredients, can swiftly produce an extensive selection of drinks.

According to Li, the machine effectively addresses common issues in the traditional beverage sector, such as low efficiency, high operating costs, and potential food safety risks.

Li Cheng of Beijing Xiaoyuan Technology Co. Ltd. introduces the company's smart beverage dispenser during Cafe Show China 2024 in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]
Browsing for a pair of shorts in Marks & Spencer for my upcoming holiday, I felt something wet and rough on my bare leg. A small, sandy-coloured dog (dont ask me the breed, I dont know or care) was licking my calf. I moved away but it followed me  a bit too closely, sniffing at my ankles with its cold, slimy nose.

I didnt think it was either sweet or cute and I didnt bend down to pet it. It was a disgusting sensation and I moved away fast, more infuriated by the dogs owner than its antics.

She seemed oblivious to what was happening at the end of the very long leash she held as she searched through a rack of skirts.

Somewhat disgruntled, I headed to a high street cafe. There, another dog  this one was possibly a spaniel  started yapping away incessantly. It was up on a chair  the floor wasnt good enough apparently  while its owner was also yap-yap-yapping away with her phone.

It made me wonder if a dogs behaviour is an extension of its rude and entitled owner.

2024 is surely The Year of the Dog. Our four-legged friends no longer restricted to our parks  but everywhere, including in shops, restaurants, pubs, on trains and at airports (file photo)

Demi Moore and her dog Pilaf at the Cannes Film Festival

People moan on about how the country is going to the dogs, but I didnt think they were being literal  until now: 2024 is surely The Year of the Dog.

They are no longer restricted to our parks  but everywhere. In shops, restaurants, pubs, on trains, at airports

Recently, a complaining tweet by a British man called Kevin at a pub went viral. Just sat down for a nice meal with family. Ten minutes in, a couple come in with three dogs, he wrote. One yapping the whole time, the woman laughing about it, but no control, can hardly hear ourselves talk. Much prefer the days when it was the norm for them to be kept outside.

I think he meant the dogs, not the owners  but Kevin clearly struck a nerve. The post has been viewed nearly three million times, racking up thousands and thousands of comments. Dog lovers, of course, responded in sanctimonious force, incredulous that anyone could be critical of their precious pets, however badly behaved they are in public and however bothersome to others.

Id rather eat in a restaurant full of dogs than people that dont like dogs, one person thundered. Go somewhere that isnt dog-friendly, retorted another. And then that old chestnut: Cant trust anyone that doesnt love dogs.

I beg to differ.

Why should we  the pooch refuseniks  have to share our space with creatures we arent interested in, or accommodate their besotted owners who wont countenance that not everyone feels the same way about little Max or darling Luna as they do?

Sharon Osbourne and her daughter Aimee take their dog for a walk in west Hollywood in 2016

Britain is a nation of proud animal-lovers, but things have gone too far. I blame the Covid pandemic. That was when people, stuck at home, thought their lives would be better with a dog  not least because they had a legitimate reason for walkies in lockdown should the authorities check up on them.

Now, about a third of households have a dog, and too many of them are treated like family members to be taken everywhere.

My bugbear is seeing dogs poking out of handbags or wheeled around in pushchairs as if theyre babies. Celebrities havent helped  and, yes, I mean you, Paris Hilton, Demi Moore, and Sharon Osbourne, posing on red carpets or on the streets of Los Angeles and New York with your tiny canine accessories for your fans to ooh and ahhh over.

Why should I have to sit next to a slobbery dog while dining out, or see one sprawled across the floor on a train blocking access to my seat? And I definitely dont want one sniffing me over in the street or in the shops.

Why cant I go for a stroll in the park without worrying about some overexcited hound hounding me? And as for dog mess  if you go to the trouble of carrying a poo-bag on a walk and actually using it, why cant you finish the job by putting it in a bin? Why, instead, just discard it on the grass or in the street  or worse, leave it hanging on a tree branch?

Heres the thing: Dote on them all you like, but the truth is that most dogs are dirty and whiffy  despite their owners best efforts at the doggy salon.

Many have bad breath or fleas, and they all seem to shed hair.

Also, I cant bear the doggy smell that lingers on carpets and upholstery which no amount of air freshener can conceal. And as for people who allow their animals to roam upstairs or  heaven forbid  enter the bedroom

Simon Cowell with his dogs, Squiddly, Diddly and Freddy

Friends who see my utter indifference to their irresistible new cockapoo pup or lovable labradoodle inevitably ask me: Are you dead inside?

Meanwhile, a common theme on internet forums is, Dont trust people who dont like dogs. Its as if we are serial killers. But Im not a heartless monster. I just dont like dogs.

Dont get me wrong, I understand the appeal. They are deserving of their status as mans best friend; theyre loyal, obedient and can enrich a familys life.

They can also fill an emotional void, particularly for those who are lonely or dont have children. But they arent children and shouldnt be treated as such. That is the problem. So, keep a dog, by all means, and love it to bits  just dont inflict it on the rest of us.
Swedish Princess Sofia stuns in elegant ensemble at royal wedding in Norway

Princess Sofia of Sweden looked the epitome of autumn chic when she stepped out for Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Shaman Durek Verrett's wedding on Saturday.

The 39-year-old linked arms with her husband Prince Carl Phillip as she arrived at the lavish event wearing a flowing ombre yellow dress.

Sofia oozed elegance in the sweeping long-sleeve silk gown with a nipped waist by Swedish fashion designer Lilli Jahilo.

The dress's bright, warm colour and long sleeves were a fitting choice for the chilly summer day in the Norwegian town of Geiranger where temperatures averaged only 14C.

Sofia was seen carrying a fluffy white jumper under her arm into the wedding ceremony in case she needed an extra layer of warmth.

Princess Sofia of Sweden looked stunning in a flowing ombre yellow and white gown as she attended Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek's royal wedding in Norway

Sofia oozed elegance in the sweeping long-sleeve silk gown with a nipped waist by Swedish fashion designer Lilli Jahilo

Peeking out from her long brown tresses which were pulled back in a half-up do were a pair of $24,000 earrings from Copenhagen jeweller Ole Lynggaard

She paired the vibrant dress with a pair of nude platform pumps by Gianvito Rossi and a pale gold Susan Szatmary Port Dore Clutch.

Peeking out from her long brown tresses which were pulled back in a half-up do were a pair of $24,000 earrings from Copenhagen jeweller Ole Lynggaard.

Sofia added an extra touch of sparkle to her stylish ensemble with a 5,700 Bigli jewels ring on her left middle finger.

This isn't the first time the Swedish princess has worn the Lilli Jahilo gown.

No stranger to outfit repeating, Sofia also wore the ombre outfit back in December 2022 for the Nobel Laureates Dinner at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

Princess Sofia was one of 350 guests at the wedding of Norwegian Princess Martha Louise, 52 to Durek Verrett, 49, who claims to be a sixth-generation shaman from California.

Sofia was seen carrying a fluffy white jumper under her arm into the wedding ceremony in case she needed an extra layer of warmth

She paired the vibrant dress with a pair of nude platform pumps by Gianvito Rossi and a pale gold Susan Szatmary Port Dore Clutch

Martha Louise and Princess Sofia have been good friends for years thanks to the close-knit relationship between the Swedish and Norwegian royal houses.

The newly weds tied the knot in the picturesque Geiranger, one of Norway's major tourist attractions located on a fjord with stunning views.

Guests left the marriage ceremony tent shortly after 3pm local time, walking along a red carpet to the nearby hotel reception.

One of the American guests revealed that the wedding was 'absolutely beautiful', adding that he 'loved it'. According to the attendee, the event featured gospel music, as well as some hymns.

Durek announced in June that Parish Priest Margit Lovise Holte would be officiating their marriage.

Reverend Michael Beckwith, who has appeared on Oprah Winfrey's Super Soul podcast was also involved, with the guest noting that the Los Angeles-based reverend had come to Norway to give an 'American style sermon'.

The newly weds tied the knot in the picturesque Geiranger, one of Norway's major tourist attractions located on a fjord with stunning views

Guests left the marriage ceremony tent shortly after 3pm local time, walking along a red carpet to the nearby hotel reception

Princess Mette-Marit, Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus were all smiles as they donned traditional Norwegian dress called Bunads

One of the American guests revealed that the wedding was 'absolutely beautiful', adding that he 'loved it'

The King and Prince Haakon sported dapper suits while the Queen, Princess Mette-Marit, Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus were all smiles as they donned traditional Norwegian dress.

The red carpet saw a slew of fashionable guests showing off their stylish gowns and suits as they entered the ceremony then later the hotel reception which went long into the early ours of Sunday morning.

Well-wishers came from across Norway to give their blessing to the controversial marriage of Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek.

Well-wishers came from across Norway to give their blessing to the controversial marriage of Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek

Martha, who describes herself as 'spiritual' and claims to be a clairvoyant, got into a relationship with Durek after overcoming the loss of her first husband

Today is the final day of the couple's three-day wedding as they wrap up the festivities with a brunch.

Martha, who describes herself as 'spiritual' and claims to be a clairvoyant, got into a relationship with Durek after overcoming the loss of her first husband, Ari Behn, who died by suicide in 2019.

But things have not been easy for the princess, as she was forced to leave her role as a working member of the royal family because of her fiance's controversial views.

Durek stated that he believed that childhood cancer is caused by unhappiness in a book he wrote.

He published 'Spirit Hacking' in 2019 in the US, but publishers banned it in Norway over the unsubstantial claims.

After reading a translation of the book from its original English, the publishing house said at the time they were shocked by a number of unproven statements made by Durek in the book.
At 61, actress Demi Moore looks as youthful as she did at 30, but a top plastic surgeon suggests this isn't just the result of naturally 'incredible bone structure'.

The Hollywood actress made her name in St Elmo's Fire in 1985, starred in smash hit Ghost in 1990 and Charlie's Angles in 2003.

Now the A-lister is playing a youth-obsessed character in her new sci-fi blockbuster, The Substance.

But what cosmetic operations are behind her age-defying face?

Here, MailOnline explores a few possibilities  from subtle face lifts to lift procedures and even laser therapies.

Demi, pictured in 1993, (left) has long been known for maintaining incredibly youthful looks, having been in the spotlight since the early 90s. It's also rumoured that demi, pictured here in January 2021, (right) that the star has sagging skin removed from her knees

The Hollywood actress is rumoured to have undergone 250,000 worth of surgery, including having her breast implants and her nose straightened, according to widespread reports that circulated in the early 2000s.

But she shut down the reports as nothing more than speculation, insisting in 2007 that she had 'never' had any cosmetic surgery.

Experts, however, disagree.

Plastic surgeon Dr Mark Solomos, of Channel 4's 10 Years Younger, told Hello! magazine that he believes she started getting surgery young and kept up her youthful appearance with minor interventions.

Praising her 'incredible bone structure', he suggests she may have had a lip lift, a youth-enhancing procedure that reduces the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip.

This also irons out some of the creases between the nose and the upper lip that appear as the face ages.

He also said it was possible she may have had a face and neck lift or laser resurfacing surgery  a popular anti-aging treatment that works by destroying the first layer of skin, which allows fresh, youthful skin cells to grow underneath.

The Hollywood actress made her name in St Elmo's Fire in 1985, starred in smash hit Ghost in 1990 and Charlie's Angles in 2003. Now the A-lister is playing a youth-obsessed character in her new sci-fi blockbuster, The Substance

Demi, pictured in January 2021 in Paris (left) and in 1996 (right) has long been known for maintaining incredibly youthful looks, having been in the spotlight since the early 90s.

Her youthful look could also be down to anti-wrinkle injections like Botox around her eyes, Dr Solomos said, which relaxes the muscles in the face to smooth out lines and wrinkles.

He suggests she may have also had an eyelid lift, which is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess skin, fat, and muscle from the eyelids to change the shape and get rid of any droopiness.

Dr Solomos suggests the actor has 'overdone' her cheeks. He says they look a 'bit too big' for her proportions, with either fillers or fat transfer used to give the plumper look.

Few actresses understand the demand to look 'perfect' than Demi Moore.

The Substance is released in cinemas on September 20th. The film centres around Elisabeth Sparkle, the star of a popular aerobics show who has enjoyed decades of success.

But the icon faces a devastating blow on her 50th birthday as her boss fires her.

Amid her distress, a laboratory offers her a substance which promises to transform her into an enhanced version of herself.

Speaking to Interview magazine for their September issue she confessed she was 'moved' by the script.

She said: 'Such a unique way to be exploring this issue of aging, of societal conditioning, of what I also see as the pressure of the male-idealized woman that we as women have bought into.'
It's a breakthrough dementia drug that has, perhaps surprisingly, left the medical profession divided. For some doctors, lecanemab  the first Alzheimer's treatment to be developed in more than 20 years  represents 'the beginning of the end' for the devastating degenerative disease that affects almost a million Britons.

For others, it's simply false hope  a treatment that could do more harm than good. Approved by Britain's medicine safety regulators last week, it was immediately rejected by the NHS.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) spending watchdog ruled that 'the relatively small benefits it provides to patients means it cannot be considered good value'.

Not that the drug was too expensive  after all, in recent months NICE has approved drug treatments costing in excess of 1million a dose.

But it just wasn't worth the estimated 20,000 per year.

For some doctors, lecanemab represents 'the beginning of the end' for the Alzheimer's, for others, it's simply false hope since it was rejected by the NHS

This means that lecanemab, also known by the brand name Leqembi, will only be available privately.

Campaigners and patient groups reacted with huge disappointment  and David Thomas, of the charity Alzheimer's Research UK, added that it meant the 'game-changing' drug would probably be out of reach for 'all but the very most wealthy individuals'.

The drug, which is given twice a month, removes proteins called amyloid plaques  thought to cause cognitive decline in Alzheimer's sufferers  from the brain.

Clinical trials also suggest it may slow the rate of deterioration among patients in the early stages of the disease by nearly a third.

Some doctors claim that taking it could delay needing a care home by as much as two years.

Given the average annual cost of care is roughly 60,000, this could make a private prescription for lecanemab a sound investment.

Meanwhile, other experts have warned of frightening side-effects, including deadly brain bleeds.

Those considering paying will understandably be wondering whether it is worth the cost.

The Mail on Sunday has spoken to some of the country's top Alzheimer's experts to answer these questions and more, and paint a clearer picture for patients and their loved ones.

The NHS says lecanemab isn't worth it  but doctors are calling it a wonder drug and clinics are still offering it privately. I'm not sure what to think?

The diverging approaches of the drug safety watchdog the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and NICE have left many confused.

The key to making sense of it, says Dr Robert Howard, professor of old-age psychology at University College London (UCL), is understanding the different criteria of each organisation.

'The MHRA are looking to see that the benefits of the treatment exceed its risks,' he explained. 'And they decided that, on balance, they do.

'But NICE has to look at how many people could benefit, as well as the value of the treatment if it was offered on the NHS.

'They're asking whether the improvement this treatment provides for patients is worth the expense of buying the drug, administering it and monitoring the product.

'As the NHS only has a finite amount of money, any new treatment inevitably means that there is less funding for other NHS medicines. The decision isn't just based on cost  it's based on value. And NICE decided lecanemab wasn't worth it.'

But I've heard that lecanemab could mean extending the time before needing nursing home care from five to seven years  surely that's valuable?

Professor John Hardy, of UCL, honorary vice president of Alzheimer's Research UK and the scientist who first discovered the role of amyloid in the disease, is responsible for this claim.

'It's an extrapolation from the 18-month and two-year data from recent clinical trials, but I believe that the drug will give you more time and reduce your nursing home costs,' he said.

'After 30 years, this is the first drug that has worked. It slows Alzheimer's by an average of 25 per cent. I don't think the NICE decision is for all time  they want more long-term data.'

Those considering going private face a tough decision, he said, adding: 'There are similar drugs in the pipeline which may have fewer side-effects, and one doesn't know how they may work out. But if I was in the early stage of the disease, I would take the drug.'

Others disagree. 'Pitching it as a delay of up to seven years oversells it,' said Professor Dennis Chan, neurologist and Alzheimer's expert, also at UCL. 'It's not a wonder drug, and when I see people saying that, it makes my heart sink a little bit.

It's a fact!

Women over 65 are twice as likely as men to develop Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Society. Advertisement

'We don't have enough information about how the medication works as people progress, and to package it in that way is misleading.

'It's the first drug found to have a clinical benefit and I don't want to downplay that, but the risk-benefit ratio is on the edge for me.'

So what does this 25 per cent reduction in Alzheimer's symptoms actually mean?

This figure is where the disagreement arises  it's not quite as simple as dementia lessening by a quarter. In fact, says Dr Sebastian Walsh, public health researcher at the University of Cambridge, lecanemab's effect is so small that doctors working on the study were unable to tell who was on the drug and who wasn't.

'To get this figure, the researchers checked in with patients every six months  having them take a cognitive test and chat with a doctor,' he explained.

'The test was roughly scored out of 144 points. On average, the group who had been given the drug declined by ten points and the placebo group declined by 13.

'That's where the 25 per cent number has come from  because the amount of decline over a year and a half is still quite small, any percent sounds like a lot. But this difference in decline still wasn't considered clinically meaningful  meaning the clinicians checking in with the patients throughout the trial couldn't pick it up.'

Dr Howard agrees: 'It's a difference you can measure with a scale, but you probably couldn't see in real life.

'If your loved one was taking lecanemab, they certainly wouldn't get better. It would slow the deterioration, but perhaps not in a way that you'd be able to detect.'

If it's not that effective, why have so many people claimed it's changed their lives?

This may be because lecanemab is only given to people in the very early stages of Alzheimer's, when they've just begun experiencing its cognitive impact.

'We picture people with the condition as dependent on their carers or in wheelchairs, unable to function,' said Dr Walsh.

'So when people get a diagnosis, they assume that's where they're heading very rapidly. But that's not how early Alzheimer's works  and it may mean that when people have it in their heads that that's where they'll be in 18 months, they're shocked when they're not and will attribute it to the drug.'

It also may simply be the placebo effect, explained Dr Howard. 'We can only really go by the trial to say how well the medication works,' he added.

Are there any positives at all?

While lecanemab may not be a 'wonder drug', that doesn't mean it has no benefit for Alzheimer's patients.

Perhaps most importantly, the fact that the drug slowed the progression of the disease at all proves that targeting amyloid plaque in the brain could eventually lead to an even more effective treatment.

'As a researcher, I'm excited because, after 30 years, this is the first drug that has worked,' said Professor Hardy.

'The analogy is that, from when the Wright Brothers got the first plane  which was basically a modified bicycle  off the ground in North Carolina, it only took ten years before flights were travelling between London and Paris.

'Once someone has showed something is possible, it's easier going forward. So, at the risk of sounding like Churchill, I do believe that this is the beginning of the end of Alzheimer's.'

And progress seems nearer than a decade away. A similar drug, donanemab, is just months from being approved for Alzheimer's  although it's also unlikely that NICE will allow it on the NHS.

While showing slightly better results than lecanemab, donanemab also has a higher risk of side-effects.

But the drug's trial process revealed two things, explained Dr Walsh. Unlike lecanemab, the trial split patients who were given donanemab into two further groups  those with more plaque build-up and those with less.

Those with less build-up  in an earlier stage of the disease  did better. Dr Walsh added: 'It showed that if you take this drug before your disease has progressed, you have some sort of increased benefit, which would suggest it's actually addressing the cause of Alzheimer's rather than just treating its symptoms.

'So by extension, it may mean that if we can get people at an early stage of the disease, we may be able to halt its progress more effectively in the future.

'Both the lecanemab and donanemab trials also signalled that the drugs helped to lower neurodegeneration  stopping brain cells from deteriorating.

'This is further indication that these drugs are affecting the underlying progression of the disease, not just causing small cognitive change  which is good news for similar Alzheimer's medications in development.'

There are other options for treating Alzheimer's  although there is no cure. 'If people want to slow the progress of early dementia and don't want the infusion, the best is look at their lifestyle,' said Professor Chan.

OK, I feel like I understand the facts and figures. But would I even be eligible?

Before being given lecanemab, patients will need an extensive screening process  checking their amyloid levels, neurological health and genetic profile.

The drug has only been proven to benefit people at an early stage of the disease  before a significant amyloid build-up in the brain.

But many won't have even received an Alzheimer's diagnosis at this point  particularly as the NHS screening system has a serious bottleneck.

MHRA approval also only extends to patients without certain genetic characteristics.

Those with two copies of the hereditary APOE4 gene variant are not eligible because it raises their risk of side-effects. This is significant because having two copies of this gene also greatly raises the risk of developing Alzheimer's. Those with vascular dementia, as well as those with two other types of the disease called Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia, cannot take lecanemab either.

Patients seeking it privately, therefore, will need to be in the right spot in terms of disease progression, genetic profile and general neurological health  as medications such as blood thinners can dramatically increase the likelihood of side-effects.

Remind me, what are these side-effects that worry experts?

Around one in ten participants in the clinical trial had swelling in the brain after taking the drug, and one in six had small brain bleeds, which in rare cases led to life-threatening symptoms. Three patients out of 1,800 died of these suspected side-effects.

'With some people there are complications called Aria  amyloid-related imaging abnormalities,' explained Professor Hardy.

It's a fact!

Regularly doing the crossword may delay the onset of memory decline in Alzheimer's patients, an American study showed. Advertisement

'This is when the medication causes an inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain. Usually it has no symptoms and is caught on scans before it eventually goes away. But occasionally it can cause a brain haemorrhage.'

Professor Chan says that if a patient came to him desperate to take the drug  and eligible for it  he would encourage them to look for a private provider as long as they had a full understanding of potential side-effects. 'It all comes down to an individual's perception of risk and what they're willing to take,' he explained.

'I'd advise them to make sure they have a contingency plan sorted out with whichever clinic they go to.

'You don't want to wake up on a Sunday with a terrible headache that might indicate a brain bleed or swelling and get your private clinic's out-of-office message when you call.'

If the drug provides a slight improvement, surely that's better than nothing?

There are other options for treating Alzheimer's  although there is no cure. 'If people want to slow the progress of early dementia and don't want the infusion, the best is look at their lifestyle,' said Professor Chan.

'Don't smoke or drink too much alcohol, eat well and stay socially and physically active. We've known these things can help lower the risk and effects of dementia for years  and they're free.

'It costs nothing to see friends and family, but it has a significant impact on one's quality of life.'

It's also important to remember that most people eligible for lecanemab are still relatively young and early on within the progression of their disease.

Professor Chan added: 'Every person wants to kick the proverbial can down the road. But I would advise anyone interested in the drug to speak with a specialist who will give an unbiased opinion and explain the benefits and risks.'
Artificial intelligence could help GPs identify those at the most risk of deadly heart conditions, new research shows.

A Leeds University team developed the tool, which scans GP medical records and alerts doctors to high-risk patients. They can then be called into the surgery to get potentially life-saving treatment.

About eight in ten people with heart and circulatory diseases have at least one other health condition  or so-called co-morbidity.

Scientists trained the programme to look for conditions linked to heart deaths, using health records from 2 million patients.

It identified 400,000 people as being at high risk of dying from a cardiovascular condition such as heart attack or stroke  with three quarters of them dying during a ten-year follow-up.

Artificial intelligence could help GPs identify those at the most risk of deadly heart conditions (stock photo)

For the trial, the AI scanned the records of 82 high-risk patients for symptoms of conditions that lead to heart-related death, including kidney disease and diabetes, by highlighting tell-tale signs, such as breathlessness.

Researchers found the tool identified patients earlier stage and more accurately than current methods, which could lead to improved management of risk factors, ultimately preventing conditions from worsening and reducing the likelihood of heart-related death.

It found many who had undiagnosed conditions or had not received medication that could cut their risk of developing them.

One in five received a diagnosis of kidney disease that would not have been picked up otherwise, according to the findings presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress in London.

More than half of those with high blood pressure were given different medication to better manage their risk of heart-related death.

Dr Ramesh Nadarajah, of the University of Leeds, who co-authored the study, said: 'Heart-related deaths are often caused by a constellation of factors.

A Leeds University team developed the tool, which scans GP medical records and alerts doctors to high-risk patients (stock photo)

'This AI uses readily available data to gather new insights that could help healthcare professionals ensure that they are providing timely care for their patients.

'We hope our research will ultimately benefit patients with heart and circulatory diseases, as well as helping relieve pressure off our NHS systems, as prevention is often cheaper than treatment.'

Researchers said they planned to conduct a larger clinical trial, but hoped the AI tool could be available in the next two years. They anticipate GPs could use it twice a year to monitor patients.

Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the study, said: 'A quarter of all deaths in the UK are caused by heart and circulatory diseases. This exciting study harnesses ever-evolving AI technology to detect the multitude of conditions that contribute to it.

'Early diagnosis is key to reducing hospital admissions and heart-related deaths.'
More Americans are likely to get sick from the listeria-contaminated Boar's Head products which have already killed nine people this summer, a lawyer has warned.

Seattle-based food safety attorney Bill Marler said the deadly disease has an incubation period of two months, meaning some customers who consumed tainted deli products may not yet have developed the illness.

Nine people have died across 18 states and 57 have needed hospital treatment after millions of spoiled products from the supermarket mainstay triggered America's biggest listeria outbreak in over a decade.

Boar's Head began recalling meats on July 26, and it expanded the list again in early August. It has since emerged that the Virginia plant at the center of the outbreak has been crawling with black mold, mildew and insects.

'It's crazy. Not only was this plant better at producing listeria than it was at producing meat, but also, what were the inspectors doing?' Marler told USA TODAY.

More Americans are likely to get sick from the listeria-contaminated Boar's Head products which have already killed nine people this summer, a lawyer has warned

Pictured above is the plant in Jarratt, Virginia, at the center of the Listeria outbreak

Reports from the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service at the Jarratt plant revealed that inspectors noted a trail of ants crawling up the walls, mold and mildew on surfaces, and 'ample blood' covering the floor along with a 'rancid smell'.

Food safety lawyer Bill Marler has warned more people are likely to get sick from the Boar's Head listeria outbreak

'This is the worst set of inspection reports I have ever seen,' Marler said.

The reports revealed that the USDA noted 69 violations over the past year at the $1 billion company's Virginia plant.

Boar's Head has released a list of 57 recalled products - everything produced at the Jarratt factory - from smoked hams and turkey to the liverwurst pate and olive terrine loaf, totaling more than seven million pounds of food.

The listeria outbreak has triggered deaths in 18 states so far, including Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and South Carolina.

It marks the biggest food-borne disease incident to hit the US since the cantaloupe outbreak in 2011, when cantaloupe contaminated with listeria sickened 147 people and led to 33 deaths.

Boar's Head supplies meats to deli counters at stores including Walmart, Kroger's, Target and Save-a-Lots.

Gunter 'Garshon' Morgenstein, a father-of-three from Newport, Virginia, is pictured above with his wife Peggy. He died after suffering from a listeria infection after eating Boar's Head deli meats

Morgenstein had eaten a Boar's Head liverwurst in the day's before falling ill. This meat is now included in the multi-state recall for listeria contaminated products

Among the victims was father-of-three and Holocaust survivor Gunter Morgenstein, 88, who had regularly consumed the company's liverwurst because it reminded him of his native Germany.

Days after consuming a Boar's Head product in July this year, Morgenstein became fatigued and began to have trouble breathing before being rushed to hospital.

Doctors said he was infected with listeria, and had developed meningitis as a result, causing deadly brain inflammation.

He died on July 18 this year, just ten days after he was admitted.

Revealing his father's story, his son Garshon told DailyMail.com: 'I think that is one of the biggest things, you know, that my mom and me are in most shock over  that he survived the Holocaust only to die from deli meats years later.

'It is kind of ridiculous when you think about it. That's part of the irony of the whole thing.'

Sue Fleming, 88, and her husband Patrick, 76, are suing deli meats manufacturer Boar's Head and the shop where they purchased the meat after Ms Fleming became 'deathly ill' from listeria

Boar's Head is bracing for a slew of lawsuits from sickened customers.

They include Missouri-based Sue Fleming, 88, who launched a lawsuit against the manufacturer after falling 'deathly ill' after eating a deli sausage in July.

Fleming, who lives with her husband Patrick, 76, in High Ridge, ate a Boar's Head liverwurst late last month after buying it from her local grocery store.

But in the days that followed she says she developed nausea, diarrhea and stomach cramps, before suffering from shaking and whole-body aches.

She was rushed to hospital, where tests confirmed a listeria infection  according to the lawsuit. She spent nine days in intensive care and 11 in rehab, but claims she still suffers from neurological symptoms and is yet to regain her full strength.

The couple are now suing Boar's Head for more than $25,000 to cover medical and legal costs, and damage to 'enjoyment of life' and their marital relationship.

This is the outside of the plant, which Boar's Head said has now been closed for cleaning

At least two people have died and 34 have been sickened in the multi-state listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meats  with the CDC saying others are likely infected.

Boar's Head said in a statement: 'We deeply regret the impact this recall has had on affected families.

'No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for those who have suffered losses or endured illness.'

Boar's Head added that the Jarratt, Virginia plant at the center of the crisis has been shut down for cleaning.
Health leaders are urging Britons to get their flu vaccine this autumn as a report reveals uptake fell in every area of England last year.

Australia has been gripped by flu in recent months after an outbreak hit hard and early, with some regions reporting high rates of hospitalisation linked to the virus.

It has sparked fears the NHS could suffer a similar fate without action to boost uptake during this year's flu programme, which launches next month.

New analysis of official data by policy group Future Health shows 230,000 fewer people in England were vaccinated against flu in 2023/24 than would have been if the previous rates had been maintained.

Rates fell in all 42 integrated care boards, which control how NHS money is spent locally.

Britons are being urged to get their flu vaccine this autumn, amid data showing a fall in uptake for every area in England last year (file photo)

Seven ICBs even failed to meet World Health Organisation targets for having 75 per cent of eligible adults over 65 vaccinated against the virus.

The Association of Directors of Public Health described the decline in uptake as 'alarming' and said it needs 'urgent attention'.

It stressed it is vital the public receive information about the benefits of jabs from reputable sources, rather than relying not the 'misinformation often found on social media'.

And it warned more must be done to make it easier for people to travel to vaccination sites.

The highest flu vaccination rate of 83.5 per cent of eligible adults over 65 was recorded in Gloucestershire and the lowest in North West London with a rate of just 64.4 per cent.

The five ICBs with the lowest rates of flu vaccination were all in London, followed by Birmingham and Solihull and the Black Country, according to the Future Health report.

Richard Sloggett, programme director at Future Health and a former special adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said: 'Despite the success of the Covid-19 vaccine programme, this research shows that the NHS is struggling to deliver vaccinations to those who need them.

'Vaccinations save lives and reduce hospitalisations particularly during the busy winter months.

'The new Government should grip this and put raising vaccination rates across England at the centre of its winter planning.'

The Future Health report, commissioned by Pfizer, also examined regional variation in uptake of vaccines for Covid-19, pneumococcal disease and shingles.

The five integrated care boards (ICBs) with the lowest rates were all in London, followed by Birmingham and Solihull and the Black Country, according to the Future Health report (file photo)

The gap between the highest and lowest regional uptakes ranges from 9.6 per cent to 20.6 per cent.

Analysis suggests if ICBs with below average vaccination rates could reach the average for each of the four programmes, over 900,000 extra people would be vaccinated.

Getting to this level would reduce hospitalisations and ease pressure on the NHS as well as having wider economic benefits through reductions in sick days.

Greg Fell, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health, said: 'Vaccines are one of our most powerful tools to protect against serious illness and death; no infection in living memory has achieved population immunity without vaccination.

'Therefore, it is imperative that we make it as easy as possible for people to get vaccinated by bringing vaccines to people rather than creating barriers.'

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is expected to advise the government on who should receive the flu vaccine around mid-September, with the rollout starting later the same month or October.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'Flu is highly infectious and can have potentially serious health consequences, especially for people in high-risk groups: those aged 65 and over, pregnant women and very young children, or those with long term medical conditions.

'We'd absolutely encourage anyone in a high-risk group, or has regular contact with someone who is, to come forward for their vaccine when it is offered this year as it is the most effective way to protect yourself against influenza.

An NHS spokesperson said: 'Getting the flu, Covid or other vaccines are one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from serious illness during winter, and last year the NHS delivered millions of vaccinations to eligible people of all ages across England.'
A photographer who has taken photos of hundreds of vulvas is on a mission to show Aussie girls why they should never get surgery on their genitals for cosmetic reasons.

Ellie Sedgwick, from Byron Bay, is a former preschool teacher who has taken pictures of more than 500 vulvas since she set out seven years ago to promote body-positivity through her movement 'comfortable in my skin'.

She has now collated the photos and is about to publish a book called 'Flip Through My Flaps' which she wants distributed through Australian schools.

Ms Sedgwick told Daily Mail Australia her insecurities about her vulva started at a young age.

'I was 13 when a boy tapped me on the shoulder and passed me a note reading, Do you have an innie or an outie? And no, he wasnt asking about my belly button,' she said.

'At this age, I had never seen another vulva so I had no idea where I sat on the vulva spectrum. This is when my vulva anxiety began and I started to question, "Am I normal"?'

The photographer, originally from Sydney's Northern Beaches, said her 'vulva anxiety' grew over the years and eventually led her to have three consultations with surgeons about getting a labiaplasty.

Labiaplasty is when tissue from the labia (the folds of skin framing the vaginal opening) are either removed or altered.

Ellie Sedgwick started photographing vulvas to promote body positivity and has compiled them in a book titled 'Flip Through My Flaps' (pictured)

Over the last seven years, the Byron Bay resident has photographed 500 womens genitalia (pictured) as part of her 'comfortable in my skin' initiative

But it wasn't until Ms Sedgwick saw the third surgeon that she was put at ease.

'This surgeon, after seeing my vulva, said to me: "Ellie, have you ever seen another vulva?"

'He explained mine was completely 'normal' and encouraged me to head to Google.

'This consultation started my vulva self-love journey and eventually led to the idea for Flip Through My Flaps.

'Imagine if there was somewhere vulva owners could go and see the beautiful diversity of vulvas everywhere.'

Poll Do you think the book 'Flip Through My Flaps' should be put in schools? Yes No Do you think the book 'Flip Through My Flaps' should be put in schools? Yes 1796 votes

No 4829 votes Now share your opinion





The photographer said she never wanted women to feel 'alone and shameful about such a sacred part of their bodies' and wanted to stamp out self-hate.

Ms Sedgwick believes her book should be added to school curriculums, claiming that sex education in schools is too 'basic'.

'We only have to look as far as the recent data from Womens Health Victoria that found that labiaplasty is the fastest-growing surgery in Australia, to recognise that the current sex education in schools is flawed,' she said.

'School sex education is basic at best and there isnt enough being done to educate people, specifically women, about their anatomy and the true diversity of genitals.

'Flip Through My Flaps can help trained sex educators inform students about the vulva diversity that exists in the world, removing the shame and stigma around our body parts.'

The photographer, who has been addressing schools over the country about the importance of 'vulva diversity' - while making sure classes are age appropriate - wants to see sex education tackle deeper issues.

Many women have thanked Ms Sedgwick (above) and support her book

'Sexual education needs to be more than just putting condoms on bananas,' she said.

'I would love to see schools build a deeper curriculum that covers every topic related to sex education from genitalia to consent to tracking menstrual cycles and more.

'It should be considered as important as maths.'

Ms Sedgwick also stresses the importance of only trained sex educators teaching classes 'instead of PE teachers who do not have the correct training'.

But the idea of the photographer's vulva book being available to students proved divisive on social media.

'You have lost the plot! Seriously!' one man wrote on her Facebook post.

Another man said: 'Did I read this right? You are publishing a book of "people's vulva" aka women's genitalia and you're hoping the book to be distributed in schools?'

The man added: 'Can you enlighten me - privileged white male. How is that a decent support to teach diversity and body positivity... to kids!

'To be fair I wouldn't want a coffee table book about strictly penises either in my children's school library... even if they're all equally showing the spectrum of the human kind.'

But many women were supportive of the photographer - whose mantra 'happiness is flappiness' - with one woman even writing 'sign me up'.

'You are the change we need and Im so here for it,' one wrote.

'This sounds amazing - thanks for such an important and wise initiative!' another said.

Another added: 'I think this is great as it is de-sexualising & bringing beauty back to our Yonis!'
His mother is now raising awareness of the illness

Archie Read died of sepsis on his first birthday

The mother of a baby boy who tragically died of sepsis on his first birthday is urging parents to remember four simple words if their children are ever sick in hospital.

NSW mother-of-two Kylie Read, 36, wishes she had asked doctors 'could it be sepsis?' during a 12-hour hospital stay with her son, Archie, in 2022.

Archie died after a Group A streptococcal infection turned into sepsis which caused his organs to shut down just hours after his first birthday on August 23.

Mrs Read had rushed him to the emergency department after noticing he hadn't urinated in hours and was refusing formula and food.

While Archie was being processed at the triage desk, Mrs Read noticed a faint rash across his back and informed nurses who she said weren't 'overly alarmed'.

They waited in the emergency department for six hours before Archie was given a bed and Hydralyte through a syringe in the hopes it would make him urinate.

When nurses put a canular in the little boy's arm they praised his calm demeanour - not realising his lethargy was a crucial sign his organs were shutting down.

'That's why he wasn't weeing, the heart stops pumping blood to anywhere in the body that doesn't need it,' Mrs Read told Daily Mail Australia.

NSW mother-of-two Kylie Read, 36, wishes she had asked doctors 'could it be sepsis?' during a 12-hour hospital stay with her son Archie in August 2022

Mrs Read, 36, and her husband Gavin, 38, are pictured with Archie in hospital

'So his feet and hands were starting to turn blue.'

Concerns were flagged to the paediatric registrar at 8.30pm for an emergency review after Archie became 'completely floppy' and his rash worsened.

SEPSIS SYMPTOMS Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that happens when your body's response to an infection damages vital organs and, often, causes death

Symptoms include:

Getting very sick, very quickly

Difficulty breathing

Confusion

Not needing to urinate all day or less often than usual

A rash or blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin

Feeling your child is very sick - trust your instincts Source: NSW Health Advertisement

The registrar reviewed Archie two hours later and decided to transfer him to intensive care where he was sedated to allow his body to rest.

Mrs Read said she and her husband Gavin, 38, also rested before they awoke to 'what felt like 20 doctors and nurses around our little boy trying to bring him back to life'.

Archie went into cardiac arrest three times over the next 15 to 20 minutes.

His parents were told that if it happened one more time there was a 99 per cent chance that he would be brain dead.

'They told us his feet and hands would have to be amputated if his organs even recovered and it was his first birthday the next day,' Mrs Read said.

The couple begged the doctors to do anything they could to keep Archie alive long enough for family and friends to say their final goodbyes.

They filled the room with balloons and sung Happy Birthday. Mr and Mrs Read then spent the night in his hospital bed before his life support was switched off.

Kylie and Gavin are pictured with baby Archie and his older sister Charlotte

Archie sadly died after an infection turned into sepsis which caused his organs to shut down

The little boy celebrated his first birthday just hours before his life support was switched off

Five months later, the couple were handed a report which detailed the hospital's findings after a third party reviewed how they treated Archie.

It revealed that hospital staff at the NSW hospital had missed eight opportunities to classify the baby boy as critically ill and give him the appropriate care.

The report also revealed there had been some early signs that he had sepsis but a pathway to confirm or treat this was activated too late.

'It's horrible, it's been a real struggle to think "Did somebody have a bad day?" It wasn't one missed opportunities, it was eight,' Mrs Read said.

She said the triage nurses failed to pass on crucial information to the doctors when Archie finally got a bed, and that an emergency review that should occur 30 minutes after a patient is flagged as critically ill took staff two hours.

'Sepsis takes over the body so fast, time is so important' Mrs Read said.

'It's hard when I have a document put it front of me that says he should be alive.'

The mother-of-two is now encouraging parents to ask doctors if their children could have sepsis if they ever find themselves in a similar situation.

'I feel like if I had said those words to the doctor it would have been in the back of their mind. It was flagged somewhere that it could be sepsis but they didn't go down that path to rule it out,' Mrs Read said.

Archie's older sister Charlotte, now four, is pictured with nine-month-old Parker 'Archie' Read

'Walk for Archie' is an annual walk held to raise money for Sepsis Australia

More than 150 people attended the first walk in 2023 and raised $21,000 for Sepsis Australia

Archie is survived by his four-year-old sister Charlotte, who was two when he died, and his nine-month-old brother Parker whose middle name is Archie.

'There were days when you wanted to crumble in the corner and cry but I needed to be strong for Charlotte,' Mrs Read said.

'She knows the pain of losing a brother. I couldn't live through that pain again.'

The couple have organised an annual walk for Sepsis Australia which helps to raise awareness of the disease by visiting hospitals and educating parents.

Last year more than 150 people participated in Walk for Archie while wearing blue - Archie's favourite colour - and raised $21,000 for the organisation.

The couple plan to walk again on the day after World Sepsis Day, Saturday September 14.
For a number of years now, animal rights activists have slammed countries such as Russia and China for their daily torment of circus animals.

From being whipped and made to dance or hop over objects to even being electrocuted, there are a range of methods tamers use to degrade apex predators -so it's no surprise that sometimes performing animals lash out.

Earlier this week, a hoverboard-riding circus bear could be seen attacking a trainer in front of hundreds of watching children and parents in Russia.

The circus performer struggled to break free as the angry brown bear named Donut - weighing 35 stone - gnawed the stick he held in his hand to control her.

In 2019, costumed bears were forced to dance and perform leap-frogs in front of shocked tourists too frightened to complain at a North Korean circus.

Here MailOnline looks at some of the worst examples of raging animals turning on their handlers - who somehow lived to tell the tale.

Rollerskating bear finally flips

Circus trainer Oleg Krasov was seen in footage dragging female bear Dzhema to her hind legs after she had been sitting on a chair

After pulling her across the circus floor on her rollerskates, Krasov walked away before the bear launched her revenge attack

Earlier this year, a circus bear attacked its trainer in front of screaming children after he forcefully made the animal perform.

The roller-skating bear, a female called Dzhema, was being forced to perform tricks at the ironically named 'Happiness Show' at Mash Circus, Obnisk, Russia, on June 1.

Shocking footage captured by an audience member shows Dzhema leaping towards her cruel trainer while his back is to her.

Seeking her revenge, the bear charges towards Krasov until she strikes him, dragging him down onto the ground as he struggles to control the predator.

Chained bear leaps at trainer

A trainer was attacked by a bear after feeding it a treat during a performance

Footage captured the moment the animal ripped open the performer's shirt as he fought off the animal

At a circus in Zaporizhzhia city a performing brown bear suddenly staged a furious attack on a trainer in front of spectators.

The trainer had fed the bear a 'treat' before the beast turned on him.

Footage from an onlooker caught the moment the brown creature jumped up on its hind legs and lunged towards the handler in the shock attack.

The bear tore the man's shirt with its claws, leaving gaping holes in the material as the trainer fought to get the animal under control.

Tamer narrowly escapes caged lion's grasp

Shocking footage shows the dangerous stand-off between two lions and their tamer on a caged circus stage in Dongning City in northern China during a performance last week

The male lion attacked and jumped at the man (pictured) during the show on September 22, while the female lion stood by

Last year, a lion suddenly flipped and attacked his circus tamer as the audience screamed during the performance in China.

Shocking footage shows the dangerous stand-off between two lions and their tamer on a caged circus stage in Dongning City in northern China during a performance.

The male lion attacked and jumped at the man during the show while the female lion stood by.

The tamer managed to escape the lion's grasp and the video showed him running to the opposite site of the cage with the lions on his heels.

Raging bear attacks circus ringmaster in front of crowd

A raging performing bear attacked a circus ringmaster in front of a large crowd

The 'Soviet Circus' show was by the Zvezdny travelling troupe from Novosibirsk

A raging performing bear attacked a circus ringmaster in front of a large crowd of children and their parents.

The beast suddenly became agitated before going into the ring to show its tricks in Russian city Blagoveshchensk.

There were gasps from the audience as the ringmaster and a tamer struggled to control the brown bear, yanking its leash to force it to obey, as it tried to escape.

One is heard shouting: 'What's wrong? Damn.'

Lion 'claws and sinks his teeth' into evil trainer

A video shows the horrific moment a lion attacks a well-known circus performer in the circus ring in Black Sea resort Sochi

The drama began when two male lions started fighting during an act in the 1,200 seat arena, before turning on trainer Makarenko

Horrific footage captured the moment a lion attacked a well-known circus performer in Russia.

The beast 'clawed and sank its teeth' into Alexey Makarenko, 42, during a performance in front of children and their parents.

His wife Olga Borisova, 43, also a trainer, 'saved his life' in chasing away the predator when it forced him to the floor of the circus ring in Black Sea resort of Sochi.

The drama began when two male lions started fighting during an act in the 1,200-seat arena.
The National Trust has accused of putting money before nature over plans for an abhorrent new visitor centre at an acclaimed natural harbour.

The charity wants to erect the massive new building at Morston Quay in North Norfolk, claiming it will provide much-needed facilities for visitors, staff and volunteers.

But more than 150 formal objections have been lodged about the application over the threat is poses to one of the few relatively untouched places remaining along the coast.

Locals claim it is intended to generate more income and act as an administrative hub by introducing office space and adding retail space at the spot, which sits within Blakeney National Nature Reserve and is a vital haven for wildlife including ground-nesting birds and Englands largest Grey Seal colony.

One objector said: Morston Quay and the marshes beyond are a precious natural resource which need protection, not exploitation.

There have been over 150 formal objections against the National Trust plans for a new visitor centre in Morston Quay, Norfolk (Pictured)

Locals have bashed the 'abhorrent' plans, adding the area is vital haven for wildlife including ground nesting birds (Pictured: Morston Quay)

It is wild and beautiful and should not be regarded as an opportunity for the expansion of administrative facilities or opportunities for raising funds.

Another villager commented: It promotes unnecessary overdevelopment of what is one of the few relatively untouched places remaining along the coast.

But perhaps what is most important is the sheer contempt with which the community has been treated throughout the process.

The Quay is not just a space from further afield but also for the local residents that live and work there.

Morston Parish Council has also waded into the dispute, accusing the Trust of creating spurious arguments in favour of the visitor centre and its aim is simply to commercialise the spot.

There are no benefits to the residents of Morston from this plan, it wrote.

Almost everything about this proposal is abhorrent. It is the wrong building, in the wrong place, for the wrong purpose.

The existing visitor centre is a modest grey and white wooden building with steps up to a viewing room topped by a weathervane.

Toilet facilities are provided in two portacabins, which would be removed under the plans for the proposed structure - a huge single-storey building made from natural wood cladding with a glass side that would be 85ft long and 27ft wide.

This would house a new visitor welcome point and space for staff and volunteer welfare, while the Lookout building would continue to offer food and drinks.

The new plans (Pictured) aim to introduce a new administrative hub and to generate more money for the area

Morston Parish Council has also waded into the argument, accusing the Trust trying simply to commercialise the location (Pictured)

The trust insists it is not about making money but making visiting and working there a more pleasant experience.

But its planning statement says: Through the provision of a new visitor welcome space that is more accessible and enables better orientation of the site, NT will be able to increase the existing second-hand book offer that shares the space occupied by the current visitor welcome within the Lookout building.

This current use provides valuable donations that help to fund the charity cause and conservation work on-site and across North Norfolk and is an activity that NT want to increase to maximise the benefit they can achieve for conservation across the local area.

Only three comments in favour of the development have been received, two of which referred to improved accessibility for people with disabilities.

In its objection, the parish council adds: We have been presented with an enormous and unnecessary new development which will fundamentally change the character of Morston Quay and seems designed to create a full-time visitor and administrative hub for the National Trust as a priority, introducing office space and adding retail space, while also providing new toilets.

Matthew Rice, a Norfolk painter, designer and writer to contributes to Country Life magazine, warned the introduction of a new centre with delineated parking spaces and bonded surfaces would place a barrier between people and the areas natural beauty.

He said: There are no tall forests, craggy rocks or mountains to absorb the impact of new buildings or to dilute the suburbanising effect of bonded surfaces.

The whole appeal of this wild place is its lack of boundaries and its apparent unplanned layout. Imposing a one-size-fits-all National Trust solution can destroy all this at a stroke.

The trust has remained steadfast that their plans are not about money making but making it a better visiting experience

The coast line is home to largest seal colony in England (Pictured in 2020: Seals bobbing along the waves)

The desire for neatness, street furniture and lighting in the name of safety is all around us and, if great care is not taken in delivering improvements, it can suddenly make Norfolk look like everywhere else.

Earlier this year, the Trusts application for a food truck at the beauty spot was blocked by councillors who questioned why it was needed when there was already a cafe in the Lookout.

Another objector to the visitor centre plan said: The vast majority of visitor traffic is generated by the local, family-run businesses on Blakeney Point. These families offer a fantastic welcome and expertise on the local flora, fauna and history.

The presence or otherwise of NT staff and facilities, other than toilets, is wholly incidental to these visitors  the fact that the NT has chosen to charge them to park and to sell them food, both from their building and from a burger van, is a commercial exploitation, not a charitable amenity.

The Trust has also faced anger from locals at nearby Brancaster, who have accused it of trying to monetise the harbour there with new rules and charges, including 60 fees for mooring dinghies.

One local claimed The National Trust applied for a burger van on the beauty spot which was denied by councillors

The uproar comes after a turbulent few years for the organisation, amid complaints it adopted a woke agenda by forcing staff to wear gay pride badges and listing nearly 100 properties with links to slavery and colonialism.

A spokesman said: Morston Quay receives well over 100,000 visitors a year. The current toilet facilities, which include two temporary portacabins, are inadequate for this, and their permissions will soon expire.

We want to replace the existing facilities with a new single-storey toilet block that includes an accessible toilet and changing places facility, so that people with accessibility needs can also enjoy this part of the Norfolk Coast.

As part of our design proposal, we have included a small welfare and office space for staff and volunteers who support our conservation work in the area. At the moment, there is no such space available.

There will be no commercial gain for the National Trust from this new development.
An American woman has shared the five things she believes that the United States does better than the UK.

Posting to her account on TikTok under the handle @mortonsmunchies, where she has more than 43,000 followers, the vlogger listed the experiences she finds to be superior in the US compared to the UK.

Revealing the first item she felt was superior in the US compared to the UK, she found the quality of pancake syrup to be markedly superior.

The content creator commented: 'The pancake syrup here in the UK is very thick like honey and in America it's nice and thin and it spreads so well.

'I am not against the [style of pancake syrup] in the UK but I do think the one in the US is better'.

An American woman has shared the five things she believes that the United States does better than the UK

Next up, she found the quality of air conditioning in the UK to be lacking in comparison to how efficient she felt it was Stateside.

The American noted: 'The air conditioning in America [is much more widely available] while here in the UK you just have to live with the heat'.

Third on the list, @mortonsmunchies said that she was not a fan of street layouts in the UK compared to the US.

She remarked: 'In the United States, everything is in a block system but in the UK it looks like a child put a house down randomly on a map. It makes America a lot easier to navigate around'.

Her penultimate pick of things she felt the US to do better than the UK was the quality and availability of food seasonings.

Elaborating on why, she stated: 'There is a wider variety of choice in America for what type of seasoning you can use to accompany your meal and I think they are generally better than those in the UK'.

Lastly, the vlogger said that she felt Halloween to be a much more enjoyable experience in the US than the UK.

She said: 'I'm sorry but in America Halloween is out of this world and absolutely amazing while here in the UK it's not so enjoyable.

'This year we are literally flying back to America so my children can experience Halloween there because it's on a totally different level than it is here in the UK'.

Reacting to the video, a number of upset Brits took to the comments section to voice their displeasure with the American's choices

Reacting to the video, a number of upset Brits took to the comments section to voice their displeasure with the American's choices.

Seething in reply, they wrote: 'The UK were doing Halloween before the US existed.'

Another said: 'Air conditioning? It exists here, if you want it pay for it. I hate driving in America those blocks are so boring with traffic lights on every intersection. it's also got no character at all'.

One more wrote: 'Seasoning? What seasoning are you not able to get in the UK.'

Another posted: 'What seasonings does the US have that the UK doesnt? We have so many we have aisles in shops dedicated to them.'
Kamala Harris provoked Donald Trump into taking an ultra-liberal stance on abortion that has angered some of his conservative supporters, it is claimed.

Trump was apparently so 'bothered' by Harris' speech at the Democratic National Convention that he rushed to blast out his newfound position on social media, according to the New York Times.

'My Administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights,' Trump declared in a post on Truth Social.

The latest twist from Trump exemplifies his vacillating position on the topic. The man who once called himself 'the most pro-life president' in history has said the issue should be left to the states.

Trump has long been cagey when it comes to the subject of abortion

After the Democratic National Convention, the former president was privately reported to be 'bothered by Ms. Harris's assertions that a second Trump term would further imperil abortion rights

Trump was also angered by other DNC speeches that linked him with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint that promises to further restrict reproductive measures.

When Harris accepted the nomination, she said Trump would limit access to birth control, ban medication abortion, and enact a nationwide abortion ban.

The speech compelled Trump to issue a declaration that was so unabashedly pro-choice, the Times observed it 'sounded as if it could come from the head of Planned Parenthood.'

When asked to comment on the reversal, Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt insisted that he 'has long been consistent in supporting the rights of states to make decisions on abortion.'

She added that Republican nominee has 'been very clear that he will not sign a federal ban when he is back in the White House.'

But it was only the latest chapter in the long and complicated history Trump has with abortion, an issue he routinely waffles on.

Trump was vexed by other speeches at the DNC , several of which linked him with the controversial Project 2025

In 1999, Trump, then 53, told NBC's Meet the Press that he was 'very pro-choice.'

By 2011, however, he had changed his stance and told attendees at a conservative conference that he was 'pro-life.'

When he first ran for president in 2016, he further heightened his opposition to abortion, telling MSNBS host Chris Matthews that he would be in favor of punishments for women who received the operation.

The former president understands that abortion is an incredibly invidious and delicate issue.

The former president understands that abortion is an incredibly invidious and delicate issue

According to the New York Times, in 2022, when the Supreme Court was on the verge of overturning Roe v. Wade, Trump told allies that the 'move would hurt his party.'

The Republicans' lackluster performance in the midterms seemed to bear out the former president's prediction.

'Mr. Trump has been privately emphatic with advisers that in his view the abortion issue alone could kill their chances of victory in November,' the New York Times reported.

As a result, Trump's views on reproductive rights have oscillated wildly in recent months, much to the chagrin of some social conservatives.

The former president has further distanced himself from the issue by reportedly ordering the party to tone down abortion language at the Republican National Convention

Erick Erickson, the founder of the conservative website RedState, told the New York Times: 'It almost seems to me like this is improvisational politics.' He continued: 'There's not really a plan- he's "Live at the Improv," which is a problem for this.'

Trump further frustrated social conservatives by adopting a more progressive line on IVF, or in vitro fertilization.

This week, he declared that he would make the expensive procedure free for Americans, which the New York Times noted would be 'an initiative that would put him to the left of many Democrats.'

The former president has further distanced himself from the issue by reportedly ordering the party to tone down abortion language at the Republican National Convention.

Earlier this spring, Trump told his advisors that he was leaning toward endorsing a 16-week national abortion ban with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother, according to the New York Times.

However, he reportedly reversed course after looking over some polling and started saying that abortion was something that should be decided at the state level.

Also, the former president has repeatedly voiced his objection when state's have ruled too harshly on the abortion question.

On Friday, Trump revealed that he would vote no on the measure that would preserve the six-week ban in Florida

He has denounced Florida's 6-week ban, calling it a 'terrible mistake,' and during an interview with NBC on Thursday. He added that women in Florida needed more time in order to determine whether or not they wanted an abortion.

This prompted outcry from some conservatives, including those at the National Review, where they published an article entitled 'Trump Stabs Florida Pro-lifers in the Front.'

In an effort to clean up the situation, Ms. Leavitt told the New York Times that the former president 'simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short.'

On Friday, Trump revealed that he would vote no on the measure that would preserve the six-week ban in Florida.

As the final weeks of the presidential campaign grind on and Trump tries to regain some of the losses he has incurred since Harris took over for President Joe Biden, he will face the immense challenge of winning over new, more liberal, voters while placating his base.
Flying taxis could be the future of aviation  and they're coming to Derby, Stoke and Leeds.

Investors are already betting billions that airborne cabs will one day whisk travellers around global cities such as New York, London and Dubai.

Now one of the sector's leading firms is planning routes across parts of England as it plots a British launch, The Mail on Sunday has learned.

'The UK is an incredible opportunity  not just in the south but also being able to network underserved parts of the country,' said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and boss of Joby Aviation.

Quiet and electric-powered, the aircraft are designed to carry small groups of passengers on short distances, avoiding clogged roads and railways.

Joby has developed an aircraft, with room for a pilot and four passengers, that can cruise at 200mph and has a range of 100 miles

Investors are already betting billions that airborne cabs will one day whisk travellers around global cities such as New York (pictured), London and Dubai

Although they are known as 'taxis', they will not operate in the traditional sense of the word by taking passengers to whichever destination they choose. Instead, they will ferry people between fixed points  for instance, between city centres  like a train or a bus.

According to Mr Bevirt, flying taxis could offer a means of transport to and between northern towns that are not on high-speed train lines.

Passengers will use an app to book a ride, similar to using an Uber. Joby is on course to start flying its aircraft in Dubai from next year with the US and Britain to follow  subject to approval by regulators.

There is no firm launch date for the UK but it is seen by the company as a key market. Mr Bevirt believes his fares will ultimately compete with rail travel.

The infrastructure needed to operate flying taxis is cheap and simple to install. Due to the fact that they take off vertically, they do not need a runway  just a concrete pad known as a 'vertiport' similar in size to a helipad. Meanwhile, they are cheaper and less noisy than helicopters, and the chargers are similar to those used by a Tesla or other EVs.

Founded in 2009 in California, Joby has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 2021 and is now valued at 2.7 billion.

It has already started delivering some of its aircraft to the US Air Force under a multi-million dollar deal with the Pentagon.

Rivals include Britain's Vertical Aerospace, America's Archer Aviation, China's EHang and Germany's Volocopter as well as projects backed by established aviation giants Airbus and Boeing.

Quiet and electric-powered, the aircraft are designed to carry small groups of passengers on short distances, avoiding clogged roads and railways

Joby has developed an aircraft, with room for a pilot and four passengers, that can cruise at 200mph and has a range of 100 miles, which was test flown among the skyscrapers of New York last autumn. 'We want this to be something that's broadly affordable,' said Mr Bevirt.

It could mean an alternative for those in the north of England abandoned by the decision not to extend the high-speed HS2 rail line beyond Birmingham.

Joby has mapped out a possible network across the North that includes Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds as well as Stoke, Derby, Nottingham, Hull and York.

A typical journey from Leeds to Manchester Airport will take 22 minutes compared with 66 minutes in a car and 92 minutes by train. A walk-on single fare at rush hour for the same journey costs 36.70. A standard Uber fare would be more than 100.

The expectation for Joby's flights is that passengers would arrive for a journey and have a quick check-in at a small building before boarding the taxi.

The company has been developing software to match aircraft with passengers.
Asked if he should quit and start homeschooling them instead

The Barefoot Investor has warned a father to not quit his $400,000-a-year job after he admitted he had been contemplating leaving to spend more time with his family.

Ned wrote in to Scott Pape asking whether he should quit his lucrative job to spend more time with his kids by homeschooling them in rural Tasmania.

The father said he was reflecting on 'what I do and why' after recently turning 40 and realising his job had pulled him away from his kids while 'ironically, trying to provide a better life for them'.

He described his career as 'high-risk, high-responsibility, high-time requirement ... that have dragged my wife and four kids around the world'.

While the job has helped the family own two homes outright and a 'decent share portfolio', Ned said he was contemplating quitting to be more present.

'Am I crazy to want to throw this job (and possibly their property futures) away to homeschool and be part of the best years of their lives?' he asked Mr Pape.

'Should I be earning and saving as much as possible to help them get established later ... Are some things worth more than security?'

Mr Pape warned Ned not to quit his job to homeschool his kids, but instead urged him to talk to his employer and figure out a better work life balance.

A father has asked the Barefoot Investor Scott Pape (pictured) if he is crazy to quit his $400,000 a year job to spend more time with his kids

The Barefoot Investor told Ned that his salary indicated he was a 'very valuable' person to his employer and that he needs to 'start acting like it'.

'Tell them that you want to be able to come home and be present with your kids and not be stressed out,' he wrote in his weekly Newscorp column.

'Now that may mean you take on less responsibility and earn less money. Thats okay.

'Twenty years from now, the only people wholl remember you worked back late will be your kids.

'Remember, youre a valuable person to your organisation, but you are most valuable to your family.'

Mr Pape added he had come to the same conclusion years prior and explaiend it was the reason why he hadn't expanded his business into more 'lucrative' ventures.

He said that he was experiencing his family's 'good old days' that pass by far too quickly.

While the job has helped the family to become financially independent, the dad said he realised he had missed large chunks of his kids' lives (stock image)

Mr Pape also shared some poignant advice to Ned about prioritising 'just hanging out' with his kids instead of just taking them on 'holidays to Disneyland'.

But to do that, Ned would have to 'be at home and not at the office' while also being 'mentally present ... not on your phone or worrying about what's happening at the office'.
Fired former Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci claims Melania Trump wants Kamala Harris to win the November election.

Scaramucci, who infamously worked for President Trump for just 11 days, made the eye-catching claim on the MediasTouch podcast, claiming 'nobody wants [Harris] to win more than me.'

But the man who served as White House Communications Director then tempered his assertion - claiming Melania is even keener for a Kamala victory than him.

'Maybe Melania Trump. That could be the only person I think of. Because she hates (Trump),' Scaramucci told host Ben Meiselas.

Trump's former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, 60, claimed that Melania Trump 'hates' her husband and hopes that Kamala Harris wins the election

'The Mooch' went on to say that, for example, the host of the podcast hates the GOP leader 'slightly less than Melania'

'I judge the hatred of Donald Trump by the Melania standard,' he continued.

'The Mooch' went on to say that, for example, the host of the podcast hates the GOP leader 'slightly less than Melania.'

'My wife hates Trump as much as Melania,' Scaramucci said.

'I've met one person that actually hates Trump more than Melania,' the former Communications Director said, raising his hand to indicate the intensity of the hatred.

'That's General Milley. He's the only guy I've met so far that actually hates him more than Melania,' he claimed.

Donald Trump has long rubbished Scaramucci's claims about him and Melania, suggesting that his former aide is bitter and that he has an ax to grind.

Melania was rumored to have been a reluctant first lady during Donald's 2017-2021 White House term. But she was a popular one, with her low-key presence, diplomatic behavior and elegant style winning her fans on both the left and right.

The former first lady has kept a low profile since Trump left the White House in January 2021. But sources insist she fully supports her husband's re-election bid.

'My wife hates Trump as much as Melania,' Scaramucci said

Scaramucci was appointed as the White House Communications Director on July 21, 2017

Scaramucci was appointed as the White House Communications Director on July 21, 2017, and later that same day, Press Secretary Sean Spicer resigned, reportedly over objection to his hiring.

Only a few days later, the newly minted Trump official found himself at the center of a P.R. crisis when he launched an expletive-laden rant on a phone call with a New Yorker reporter, which he thought was off the record.

By July 31, the president had dismissed 'the Mooch,' on the advice of his new chief of staff, John Kelly, who doubted that Scaramucci was credible enough for the role.

When he was sacked, his total tenure of eleven days became tied for the shortest in the history of the position.

Scaramucci has since embarked on a one-man war against his former boss and was an avowed Joe Biden supporter in the 2020 presidential election.

By July 31, the president had dismissed 'the Mooch,' on the advice of his new chief of staff, John Kelly

Along with Matt Borges and other high-profile Republicans, he created the Right Side PAC in June 2020, which was a super PAC that aimed to prevent another Trump presidency and supported Biden.

The former Trump appointee doubled down on his support for Biden in 2024, contributing $30,000 to his campaign in June.

When the president announced on July 21 that he would no longer be seeking re-election, Scaramucci wrote on social media: 'President Biden is an American Patriot, phenomenal career.'

He added: 'Time to defeat Trump and the menace he represents.'
An Australian mother and her son have been killed in a freak car crash in the US.

A white Toyota Tacoma ute allegedly careered down the wrong side of Highway 85 in San Jose, California, before it crashed into a Tesla carrying Rebecca Olsen, 47, and her son Charlie, 14, at about 3.40pm on Monday.

The pair died in the horrific collision.

California Highway patrol said the collision between the pairs Tesla and the Toyota Tacoma had closed the highway.

Ms Olsens ex-husband and Charlies father, Cameron Olsen, said hed been left with a void in his life which can never be filled.

He remembered his ex-wife as a loving mother - the pair met as 20-year-olds in Australia - and Mr Olsen said they were the best co-parents together.

The trio moved to Silicon Valley 12 years ago as Mr Olsen followed work opportunities with a local tech company.

'Rebecca was an incredible motherloving and deeply committed to nurturing our sons future,' he wrote in a social media post.

Charlie Olsen, 14, and mother Rebecca Olsen, 47, (above) died in a head on collision in the US

The horrific crash saw a large ute, travelling the wrong direction, plough into the pair's Tesla

'She believed in the power of education and was passionate about travel, always encouraging Charlie to broaden his horizons.'

Charlie was born in the United Kingdom and had traveled to more than 30 countries, his father said.

'Charlie was a bright light in our lives. He had an insatiable curiosity and a passion for the world around him,' Mr Olsen said.

'Whether traveling to new places, getting lost in a good book, learning yet another language, or solving complex math problems, learning brought him joy.

He was my best friend, my travel buddy and the only person I ever truly at home with.

'I want my son back beyond comprehension.

Mr Olsen left a link for donations to be made to Summit Tahoma High School to help others childrens to enjoy school trips his son was looking forward to.

Many of you have asked how best to honour their lives and legacy  if you are inclined to donate in memory of Charlie and Rebecca, please consider directing you gift to Summit Tahoma High School, he wrote with a link to the donation site.

Mr Olsen told news.com.au his son had passed an exam to skip ahead a year in maths, but that he didn't find out until after his son passed.

He last saw his son three days prior to the accident on Friday, saying he was 'super happy'.

'Charlie was remarkable. Spoke multiple languages. Knew politics systems inside out. Went to 7 continents by 13,' Mr Olsen said.

He also said the days have passed slowly since the accident, while he grieves his losses.

'I feel like every minute is an hour and every hour is a day and every day is a week. Its a daze,' he said.

'I had formally identify Charlie today at the coroners (via photo). The crash badly damaged him and I havent stopped crying since.'

The crash closed three lanes of Highway 85 on Monday and a Florida man was taken to hospital

According to US media outlets, California Highway Patrol had received reports of a white Toyota Tacoma driving in the wrong direction along Highway 85 on Monday before the collision.

The driver of the Toyota has been identified as Duncan McQuarrie from Orlando, Florida, according to CBS news.

He reportedly sustained major injuries and was taken to a hospital.

No charges have been laid.
Survivalist had been camping on 'Skull Island'

A survivalist has sent pulses racing after accidentally capturing an eerie figure stalking his campsite late at night.

Jack 'Strick' Strickland set himself a challenge of camping at Skull Island, off the north coast of Queensland, for 24 hours.

The island has drawn its name from its dark and bloody history that involved cannibalism.

Mr Strickland was filming inside his tent at night when he heard a concerning sound come from outside.

'I've got crazy goosebumps at the moment, I heard someone outside,' he said in a video posted to his YouTube account Back 2 Basics Adventures.

'My fire is now going again that I put out hours ago and I heard foot prints straight unmistakably outside my swag, it woke me up.'

The following morning he goes on to share that overnight his camera picked up footage of a faceless ghost-looking-figure scurrying away in the distance of his tent.

'These trail cameras only start filming when two things happen if there is movement in front of it or if there is a heat source in front of it,' he said.

Strick from Back 2 Basics Adevtnures shared bone-chilling footage of a suspicious ghostly figure while camping on Skull Island

'The crazy thing, this starts filming when I reckon I heard the noise and 10 seconds later you see me then turn the torch on and filming inside the swag and then I come outside.

'But there is no obvious movement, a heart source of something has triggered this.'

However, online critics have hit back question why he was on the island.

'You never got permission from traditional owners to camp thats why you were disturbed,' one wrote.

'These are sacred islands that you camped on without permission.'

Other social media users questioned whether the ghostly figure was real and merely a reflection from his head lamp.

'Lense flare. It's literally the headlights reflection in the lens,' one wrote.

'I think that was either a reflection off the lense or a dust mote/bug. I'm curious to know why there weren't any tracks in the sand,' another added.

Mr Strickland explained the island had a dark history and labelled it one of the 'most remote, but haunted places' in the country.

The figure was caught on a trail camera that only starts filming from movem,ent

Jack 'Strick' Strickland set himself a challenge of camping at Skull Island, off the north coast of Queensland, for 24 hours

'This place has the craziest history of cannibals, head hunting and unlikely survival that I have ever heard,' he said.

Skull Island is among the Torres Straight, off the northern coast of Queensland.

According to Strick, the island's eerie past of cannibalism comes after a boat became shipwrecked in 1843 when it hit an isolated reef.

Native island inhabitants rescued the shipwrecked crew, bringing them to land only to organise a coordinated attack where they decapitated their heads to feast on.
One of the Royal Navy's most sophisticated warships has achieved the dubious distinction of spending more time being repaired than it has carried out operations at sea.

HMS Daring, a Type 45 destroyer, has spent six years and nine months on manouevres but by comparison has spent a total of seven years and three months undergoing repairs - primarily due to engine problems.

The Type 45s which cost over 1bn were described as 'the backbone of the Royal Navy' when the ships were first launched.

But it quickly became apparent that problems with the destroyers' Rolls Royce engine cooling system meant that the ships were prone to losing power in hot climates, such as the Persian Gulf and the Caribbean.

The 1bn warships are essential to the defence of British waters and are equipped with Sea Viper missiles capable of shooting down energy aircraft missiles and drones

HMS Daring, a Type 45 destroyer, has spent six years and nine months at sea, but has spent over seven years undergoing repairs

HMS Daring, the first Type 45 to be launched, spent four years docked in Portsmouth before being towed to Birkenhead for a multi-million pound engine refit.

All Type 45s will have to undergo a refit known as the Power Improvement Programme at a cost of more than 160m. The repair work involves replacing two existing diesel generators with three new ones and modifying the high voltage system on each ship.

In 2016, a Defence Select Committee report attacked the MoD for 'extraordinary mistakes' in the Type 45 destroyers' design, after it emerged they had faulty engines unable to operate continuously in warm waters.

A serving Royal Navy officer wrote that 'total electric failures are common' on the ships, according to an email seen by the BBC at the time.

Defence Commentator Col Phil Ingram said the problems with the Type 45 were typical of the dysfunctional procurement process within the Ministry of Defence.

He said: 'The fact that you have a ship which has spent more time being repaired than it has on operations illustrates the problems with defence. The Type 45 engine problems have been known about for years and it is completely unacceptable that they have still not been resolved.'

The Royal Navy has also been embarrassed by mechanical issues suffered by HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

In February this year HMS Queen Elizabeth was due to lead Exercise Steadfast Defender  the largest Nato exercise since the Cold War  but this was cancelled at the last minute after a problem with her starboard propeller shaft was spotted during final checks.

Two months later, the Royal Navy Flagship was also forced to undergo additional repairs after a fire onboard which caused damage to the crews' sleeping quarters.

HMS Daring leaving Portsmouth harbour in 2010. In 2016, a Defence Select Committee report attacked the MoD for 'extraordinary mistakes' in the Type 45 destroyers' design after it emerged they had faulty engines unable to operate properly in warm water

Two years ago, HMS Prince of Wales broke down as she was heading out for joint exercises with the US Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the US Marine Corps.

The carrier came to a halt off the Isle of Wight and was brought back under tow into Portsmouth harbour for the problem to be identified.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: 'Given the challenging environment that ships operate in and need for upgrades as technology advances, all Royal Navy ships rotate through periods of maintenance, as well as operational cycles.

'Maintenance periods can include routine repair, training, essential modification and upgrades and ships will, therefore, be at varying levels of readiness.'
Australians have been warned the 'windiest spell' in the country's bout of wild weather is still to come, while residents of one state will swelter through temperatures in the mid-30s on the first day of spring.

Much of the country has been blasted with wild weather over the past week, with power cut, trees smashing through homes and rogue backyard items being tossed away by severe winds.

Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharp said another front was set to move through the country's southeast on Sunday afternoon into Monday, bringing the 'windiest spell'.

'I would think that for many places, this could be the windiest spell that we see for the entire event,' he said.

'It's been an exceptionally windy week for southeastern parts of the country and it's finishing off in a big way as we start the new season.'

In NSW, a severe weather warning for damaging winds has been issued for the Snowy Mountains and parts of Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes and Australian Capital Territory Forecast Districts.

Victoria has been warned to brace for damaging, locally destructive wind warnings in Central, East Gippsland, South West, North Central, West and South Gippsland, Wimmera and parts of Northern Country, North East and Mallee Forecast Districts.

The Mount Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island, Upper South East, Lower South East and parts of Lower Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North and Murraylands districts in South Australia has been issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds.

Aussies have been warned to be prepared for potentially deadly winds pushing further up the East Coast this week after demolishing parts of Victoria

Tasmania has also been issued a severe weather warning for damaging, locally destructive winds for King Island, Furneaux Islands, Western, Upper Derwent Valley, North East, North West Coast, Central North, Central Plateau and parts of South East, East Coast and Midlands Forecast Districts.

However, the windy weather is set to ease for the southeast on Tuesday.

Along with damaging wind warnings, Tasmania has also been slapped with a series of flood warnings, with a flood watch in place for the west, north, northwest and parts of the northeast rivers.

A major flood warning has been issued for the River Derwent while a minor flood warning has been announced for the River Ouse.

Warnings are also in place for the Styx and Tyenna Rivers, with a moderate warning for the Meander River, North Esk River, South Esk River.

Minor flood warnings have also been issued for the St Patricks River, Forth River, Huon River, Macquarie River, Isis River, Lake River, Brumbys Creek and Mersey River

One man died and a woman was critically injured after a falling tree crushed their car (file image) in Victoria's Gellibrand on Wednesday

While some might be bunkering down, millions of other Aussies are expected to swelter through unseasonably high temperatures

In terms of temperature, Monday is set to be the 'coldest day of the week' for the southwest, with the cold air set to move up to Queensland on Tuesday.

However, more heat is forecast to filter down into the country's south on Tuesday and Wednesday.

'When you look at the coming week as a whole, you can see warmer than usual weather is prevailing again for much of the country, especially through the middle, just like the last couple of weeks, but not quite as extreme,' Mr Sharp said.

'I'm not expecting records to be broken, but it is going to be a hot start to spring for many parts of the country.'

Sydney is tipped to reach a high of 28C on Thursday while Melbourne is set to reach a top of 22C despite showers.

Brisbane is expected to reach a high of 34C on Monday, with Perth's warmest day also appearing to be Monday with a top of 25C.

Adelaide is forecast to reach 25C on Wednesday while Hobart is tipped to reach a top of 19C on Wednesday while showers are set to persist throughout the week.

Canberra is set to reach a high of 23C on Friday while Darwin is tipped to reach 36C on Wednesday.

Tasmania has also been slapped with a series of flood warnings, with a flood watch in place for the west, north, northwest and parts of the northeast rivers

Sydney

Monday: Sunny. Winds northwesterly 30 to 45 km/h turning west to southwesterly 35 to 55 km/h in the late morning and afternoon. Min 16C Max 26C

Tuesday: Sunny. Winds southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon. Min 10C Max 18C

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Min 8C Max 23C

Melbourne

Monday: Partly cloudy. Very high chance of showers, contracting to eastern suburbs during the evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Damaging winds and small hail possible. Winds northwesterly 35 to 50 km/h turning westerly 35 to 55 km/h before dawn then decreasing to 30 to 45 km/h in the late afternoon. Min 10C Max 14C

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower about eastern suburbs in the morning. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds westerly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light during the day. Min 8C Mac 17C

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Winds northerly 25 to 35 km/h increasing to 30 to 45 km/h during the morning. Min 9C Max 20C

Brisbane

Monday: Sunny. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day then tending west to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the late afternoon. Min 19C Max 34C

Tuesday: Sunny. Winds south to southeasterly 25 to 35 km/h becoming light during the evening. Min 17C Max 25C

Wednesday: Cloudy. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then tending easterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day. Min 14C Max 23C

Perth

Monday: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the early afternoon. Min 9C Max 25C

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds becoming westerly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning. Min 13C Max 22C

Wednesday: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. Winds westerly 25 to 35 km/h. Min 14C Max 20C

Adelaide

Monday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the early morning. Winds west to southwesterly 30 to 45 km/h tending south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the late afternoon then becoming light in the late evening. Min 11C Max 17C

Tuesday: Sunny. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then tending northeasterly during the afternoon. Min 7C Max 20C

Wednesday: Sunny morning. Slight chance of a shower in the evening. Winds northerly 25 to 35 km/h. Min 11C Max 25C

Hobart

Monday: Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the early morning. Possible small hail. Winds northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning westerly 25 to 35 km/h early in the morning then increasing to 30 to 45 km/h in the morning. Min 7C Max 12C

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds westerly 25 to 35 km/h decreasing to 20 to 30 km/h during the morning then tending northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Min 7C Max 15C

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h. Min 8C Max 19C

Canberra

Monday: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Damaging winds possible in the morning and afternoon. Winds northwesterly 30 to 45 km/h tending westerly 35 to 55 km/h in the morning then decreasing to 15 to 25 km/h in the late evening. Min 8C Max 14C

Tuesday: Sunny. Patches of morning frost. Winds westerly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the morning. Min 0C Mac 16C

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Patches of morning frost. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day. Min 0C Max 18C

Darwin

Monday: Sunny. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then tending north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the evening. Min 23C Max 35C

Tuesday: Sunny. Light winds becoming northeast to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then tending north to northeasterly during the afternoon. Min 23C Max 36C

Wednesday: Sunny. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning then turning north to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon. Min 23C Max 36C
A F-16 fighter pilot ace who died in an airbase attack is believed to have been downed by friendly fire from a US-made anti-aircraft gun, Ukraine has revealed.

The loss of Lt-Col Oleksii Mes, 31, was confirmed in a social media obituary by the mayor of Lutsk - who said he died 'while performing a combat mission to protect the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine'.

Known by his callsign 'Moonfish', the airman was the first Ukrainian fighter qualified to fly the Fighting Falcon, and was instrumental in the beseiged country's successful bid for Nato and the US to supply the jets, worth more than 50million each.

Hundreds attended the solemn funeral in the pilot's home town of Shepetivka, where he was laid to rest draped in the Ukrainian flag.

A pair of MiG-29s, captained by his comrades, honoured the service with a flypast as he was posthumously given the rank of colonel.

While the exact cause of Lt-Col Mes' death are unclear, it currently appears that his craft was shot down by a US-made Patriot anti-aircraft defences during a Russian attack.

The rite of burial of Ukrainian F-16 pilot Oleksiy Mest, on the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Heroes

The loss of Lt-Col Oleksii Mes, 31, was confirmed in a social media obituary by the mayor of Lutsk

Hundreds attended a farewell ceremony for the deceased tactical aviation pilot in the central square of Shepetivka

Ukranians weep at the coffin of downed F-16 pilot Oleksiy Mest, who is believed to have been downed by friendly fire

Mest died 'while performing a combat mission to protect the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine'

A pair of MiG-29s, captained by his comrades, honoured the service with a flypast as he was posthumously given the rank of colonel

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky fired the commander of the country's air force over the death of the pilot on Friday, after Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk launched a tirade against a lawmaker who claimed he was downed by their own missiles.

Mariana Bezuhla, deputy head of the Ukrainian parliament's defence committee, 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 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.

It comes as Russian shelling in Ukraine's Donetsk region killed five people yesterday, forcing the governor of the town of Chasiv Yar to urge remaining residents to evacuate.

The attack struck a high-rise building and a private home, said regional governor Vadym Filaskhin, who said the victims were men aged 24 to 38.

Known by his callsign 'Moonfish', the airman was the first Ukrainian fighter qualified to fly the Fighting Falcon

Mest was instrumental in the under-siege country's successful bid for Nato and the US to supply the jets, which are worth more than 50million each

Hundreds attended the solemn funeral in the pilot's home town of Shepetivka, where he was laid to rest draped in the Ukrainian flag

While the exact cause of Lt-Col Mes' death are unclear, it currently appears that his craft was shot down by a US-made Patriot anti-aircraft defences during a Russian attack

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky fired the commander of the country's air force over the death of the pilot on Friday

Former Air Force boss Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk launched a tirade against a lawmaker who claimed Mest was downed by their own missiles

He said anyone left in the eastern front-line town, which had a pre-war population of 12,000, should leave.

Mr Filaskhin wrote on social media: 'Normal life has been impossible in Chasiv Yar for more than two years. Do not become a Russian target  evacuate.'

A further two people were killed by Russian shelling in the Kharkiv region. One victim was pulled from the rubble of a house in the village of Cherkaska Lozova, said governor Oleh Syniehubov, while a second woman died of her injuries while being taken to hospital.

While Ukraine's forces continue their incursion into the Kursk region, Russia's ministry of defence said its troops had captured the town of Pivnichne, in Ukraine's Donetsk region.

Pilots were training in the West for two years to fly the F-16 multi-role fighters which began arriving in Ukraine in recent weeks.

Russia has offered 124,000 cash rewards to its armed forces for downing the first elite F-16 Western aircraft.

Earlier footage showed Mes abroad in NATO state Denmark when he trained on the F-16s, having previously been a MiG-29 pilot.

The mayor described him as deputy commander of a special operations support group, and said: 'Our sincere condolences to the family and friends. Eternal memory, honour and respect to the Heroes!'

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

A woman cries as she touches Mest's coffin, before it was buried by his comrades

Oleksiy advocated and contributed significantly to the transfer of modern F-16 aircraft to Ukraine

Ukranians dig the grave of hero pilot Mest, who died while his air base was under attack

One friend, Tetiana Shevchik, wrote: 'Oleksiy was an exemplary pilot. Always an excellent student, always the first, always the best.'

Ukranian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko paid tribute to a hero whose death is seen as a tragedy in his homeland.

He told The Sunday Telegraph: 'He was one of those who promoted the idea of providing Ukraine with modern aircraft,

'And eventually he was one of the first Ukrainian pilots to be trained on the F-16. This is a truly heavy loss for the entire Ukraine and the Air Force in particular.'

The loss comes as Zelenskiy increased pressure on the United States to let Kyiv strike deeper into Russian territory after his representatives met senior U.S. officials in Washington on Saturday.

Washington has provided Ukraine with more than $50 billion worth of military aid since 2022, but has limited the use of its weapons to Ukrainian soil and defensive crossborder operations.

'Clearing the Ukrainian sky of Russian guided aerial bombs is a strong step to force Russia to seek an end to the war and a just peace,' Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

Appealing to the United States, Britain, France and Germany, he said, 'We need the capabilities to truly and fully protect Ukraine and Ukrainians.

A soldier is comforted as he cries at the funeral of his fallen comrade

Pilots were training in the West for two years to fly the F-16 multi-role fighters which began arriving in Ukraine in recent weeks

Russia has offered 124,000 cash rewards to its armed forces for downing the first elite F-16 Western aircraft

Earlier footage showed Mes abroad in NATO state Denmark when he trained on the F-16s, having previously been a MiG-29 pilot

The mayor described Mest as deputy commander of a special operations support group

'We need both the permissions for long-range capabilities and your long-range shells and missiles.'

Without providing specifics, he said his representatives had 'provided all the necessary details' to Ukraine's partners.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, in Washington with a delegation on Friday and Saturday to meet U.S. officials and experts, said in an interview broadcast by CNN that Kyiv was showing Russian airfields used to hit Ukrainian cities were within range of deep strikes.

'We have explained what kind of capabilities we need to protect the citizens against the Russian terror that Russians are causing us, so I hope we were heard,' Umerov said in the interview late on Friday.

Zelenskiy is expected to deliver a similar plea in person next month, when he will present a plan for victory to President Joe Biden near the end of his time in the Oval Office, and attend United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York.

Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who headed Kyiv's delegation, said in a post on X that she had discussed the steps needed to restore Ukraine's energy system, including a 'significant contribution' being made by an $800 million energy sector financing package that was announced in June.

Russian air strikes have affected more than half of Ukraine's power infrastructure, she said.

The president's chief of staff Andriy Yermak joined Umerov in briefing U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about the situation on the battlefield in the first meeting of their visit on Friday, the presidential office said in a statement.

A young man holds a portrait of hero air ace Mest, while his coffin lies in the background

Mest was posthumously given the rank of colonel for his heroic actions as a pilot

A soldier casts flowers into Mest's grave as the force give him a hero's burial

The loss comes as Zelenskiy increased pressure on the United States to let Kyiv strike deeper into Russian territory

Huge crowds gathered for the airman's funeral, with many holding bouquets for the doomed ace

Ukraine launched an overnight drone attack targeting Moscow and several other Russian regions last night, Russian officials said.

A drone flying towards Moscow was destroyed in the region surrounding the Russian capital, Moscow's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

At least 12 Ukraine-launched drones were also destroyed over the border region of Bryansk in Russia's southwest, the region's governor, Alexander Bogomaz, said on Telegram.

Two of the unmanned attack vehicles were also downed over the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, acting governor of the region that has been partially taken over by Ukraine's incursion, said on Telegram.

There were no injuries or damage as a result of any of the attacks, according to preliminary information, the officials said.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Russian officials rarely disclose the full extent of damage inflicted by Ukraine's air attack, especially when it concerns the countryas military or transport infrastructure.
Traffic was at a standstill along Florida's interstates this morning after officials in the Tampa Bay area warned residents to 'flee or die' as Hurricane Milton closes in. However, some residents have claimed they cannot follow evacuation orders because it could be 'more dangerous' to hit the roads, alleging traffic is too congested and gas stations in their communities are 'out of fuel'. Other concerned locals have said they are unable to afford the cost of either driving or flying their way out of the state ahead of the storm, which is expected to be massive and bring devastation to Florida's Gulf Coast. Milton's centre could come ashore Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area, which has not endured a direct hit by a major hurricane in more than a century. Mayor Jane Castor issued a stark warning to residents that if they don't evacuate, 'you are going to die'.
When the low-budget soap opera Crossroads originally aired on British TV, the only warning viewers might have needed was that it contained wooden acting, dodgy scripts and wobbly sets.

But 60 years on from the first episode, TV bosses have issued a caution that the long-running show, which originally aired in a teatime slot, may cause offence.

Some classic episodes of the serial, set in a fictional Midlands motel, have been released on the streaming service ITVX, but they come with a content warning which states the programme 'contains broadcast standards, language and attitudes of its time'.

But the decision has been slammed as 'pathetic' and condescending.

Among those criticising the warnings was actress Fiona Curzon, who played motel temptress Faye Mansfield between 1975 and 1977.

Paul Henry, as Benny Hawkins in 'Crossroads' - a British ITV soap opera which ran from 1964 to 1988

She said: 'I just think it is absolutely pathetic. I am so sick of all of this. You cannot say boo these days.

'I don't think anyone sitting down and watching Crossroads would be shocked by anything. On the contrary I think they would think, 'what is the matter with the people who are issuing these warnings?' The point is we were very moderated in those days.'

And Professor John Sutherland, the author of Triggered Literature said: 'The implication of the warning 'contains broadcast standards and language and attitudes of the time' is we are the supremely enlightened generation capable of judging, from our eminence, all our deluded predecessors. You think so? Look around you.'

Crossroads, which ran from 1964 to 1988 with a brief revival in 2001, created some of the most popular characters in soap history including matriarch Meg Mortimer played by Noele Gordon, the dim-witted Benny played by Paul Henry and gossiping cleaner Amy Turtle (Ann George).

It was praised for having a major character in a wheelchair  Meg's son Sandy, played by Roger Tonge  and for its high-profile black characters.

Although one of the most popular programmes on British TV, it was made quickly and with low production values, which inspired Victoria Wood's parody Acorn Antiques.

ITVX declined to comment but an insider said a content warning 'is standard practice to allow viewers to make informed choices'.
The policing watchdog and former chief constable has claimed the criminal justice system is 'undoubtedly dysfunctional' and the lack of prison places is a 'nightmare'.

His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke told The Sunday Telegraph that 'too often' police officers are 'getting the basics wrong', such as failing to answer the phone quickly or respond to incidents at pace.

Mr Cooke told the newspaper: 'None of the organisations can hold their head up high and say: 'We're doing all we can'. The entire criminal justice system is dysfunctional, undoubtedly dysfunctional.'

It comes after it was revealed that British prisoners could soon be housed in Estonian jails after the number of criminals imprisoned in England and Wales hit a record high of 88,350.

Mr Cooke's comments come amid growing concerns over the capacity of prisons, with the Government introducing an early release scheme which will see thousands of prisoners released after serving 40% of their sentence.

His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke said that 'too often' police officers are 'getting the basics wrong'

Since taking office, Labour has cut the proportion of a sentence inmates must serve behind bars from 50 per cent to 40 per cent

The prison population of England and Wales hit a record high earlier this week, with 88,350 people in prison as of August 30, according to the Ministry of Justice.

An estimated 5,500 offenders are expected to be released earlier than was planned in the coming weeks under the Government's temporary measures to ease overcrowding.

The scheme will not apply to those convicted of sex offences, terrorism, domestic abuse or some violent offences.

The Government has said that those who are released will serve the rest of their sentence under strict licensing conditions.

On prison places, Mr Cooke said: 'It is a nightmare. There's no easy option because there are not enough prison spaces.

'The Government had no choice other than to release people early, but it does put a strain on the rest of the system, because probation are understaffed and underfunded.'

Sir Keir Starmer said that more prisons will be built in response to overcrowding once the Government has got its 'hands on the planning laws'

It has been reported, under an electronic tagging scheme known as Home Detention Curfew, that some prisoners are set to be freed after serving just a fifth of their sentence

Speaking to journalists while on a trip to Berlin earlier this week, Sir Keir Starmer said that more prisons will be built in response to overcrowding once the Government has got its 'hands on the planning laws'.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister said: 'We've got to change the planning regulation so we can build the prisons we need, because they're taking far too long, it's far too slow, and that's amongst the reasons we're in the position we are.

'And, as you'd expect from an ex-chief prosecutor, people do need to go to prison, and they need to know that the law is effective.'

He added: 'We need to build those prisons, and we will get our hands on the planning laws in order to do so.'
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.

Uber Technologies Inc. aims to expand its South Korean business and take the battle to dominant domestic rival Kakao, highlighting the importance of t

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 per cent of the market.

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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 per cent 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.

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.

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.

First Published Date:
Life in TV drama Happy Valley is rarely what might be called happy.

Now real-life discontent is brewing in Hebden Bridge, where the award-winning series was filmed, after cameras have returned to shoot another show.

The West Yorkshire market town has been the focus of attention since the success of the gritty police drama starring Sarah Lancashire.

But Happy Valley's writer Sally Wainwright's new series, Riot Women  which follows a group of middle-aged women who form a punk rock band in the town  is causing unease among locals.

They have become concerned over the rise in boozy stag and hen parties as a result of Hebden Bridge's new popularity.

Sarah Lancashire in the police drama Happy Valley. Filming for Sally Wainwright's new series Riot Women is causing unease amongst locals in Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire

One furious shopkeeper told the MoS they were contacted by programme-makers only a week before filming began, adding: 'What inflames the matter are emails and letters from the production company with statements such as 'Filming of this nature serves to bolster Hebden Bridge's global appeal as a front-running tourist destination.' But the only businesses that are really benefitting are the pubs. Violence, drugs and drinking is the reality.'

Another business owner, whose takings have 'significantly' dropped since filming began, said: 'I'm really proud of our town and delighted that, overall, it's benefitting from all the attention.

'However, it all really depends on what your business is. If you're a cafe, restaurant or pub then you're doing a roaring trade. It's the niche shops who cater for locals that are losing trade and income.'

Another added: 'The problem is that they are closing whole roads in the town and using up what few parking spaces we had to park their trucks and equipment.'

It also rankles with some that none of the affected businesses have been offered compensation for loss of earnings.

Locals have been further irked by the filming over-running into the end of September  and by the apparent lack of Northern acting talent. 'Is this going to be another drama that portrays the valley, and Hebden in particular, as a dystopian hellhole riddled with violent crime and gangs?' one asked.

Residents have hit out at the series' production company for closing roads in the town and taking up parking spaces, as filming has overrun into the end of September

But those who support Hebden Bridge being used as a film location point out that the town is thriving as a result  and say it has also led to an influx of new residents.

'Those who oppose the filming are a very vocal raging minority of people who have never left the town since they were born and would much rather see it as a stricken Northern wasteland than the vibrant place it now is,' said one.

Another added: 'Unfortunately, there is a group of people who take against what they see as 'outsiders'. 'They have a special word, Offcumdens, for people who were not born here.

'Any graffiti often has that word on it, so it begs the question: which is the bigger menace?'
A grandmother was killed when a suicidal man who jumped from a freeway overpass went through her windscreen and hit her.

Margarita Novela Galindo was in the passenger seat as her husband Florencio drove them along the 210 Freeway in Sylmar, Los Angeles, on August 9.

Bystanders called police at 7.17pm saying he was threatening to jump from the Roxford overpass, and he went over the edge before they could arrive.

The man hit the Galindos' car so hard that he went straight through the windscreen and hit Margarita as she sat in her seat. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and it is unclear if he survived. His name has not been released.

Margarita Novela Galindo was killed when a suicidal man who jumped from a freeway overpass went through her windscreen and hit her

Margarita struggled in the ICU in critical condition for about three weeks until she died on Wednesday, her family said

Margarita's injuries were initially believed to be non-live threatening, according to the LAFD incident report, but were later found to be far more serious.

She struggled in the ICU in critical condition for about three weeks until she died on Wednesday, her family said.

'She fought bravely for nearly three weeks, but on August 28th, the doctors told us that she wouldn't recover,' her son David Galindo said.

'Tragically, my mom passed away, leaving behind me, my brother, my sister, and her seven grandchildren. My dad is now alone without the love of his life.

The man hit the Galindos' car so hard that he went straight through the windscreen and hit Margarita as she sat in her seat

Margarita's injuries were initially believed to be non-live threatening, according to the LAFD incident report, but were later found to be far more serious

'It's incredibly unfair that her life was taken because someone else didn't want theirs.

'My mom was a loving and caring person, and our family is heartbroken and struggling to cope with this unimaginable loss.'

Florencio, incredibly, forgave the man who jumped even though his desire to end his own life caused her death.

'He doesn't know what problems he may have had to commit suicide, but he doesn't have any resentment,' he told ABC7 in Spanish
Says the fine was 'ridiculous' and 'greedy

A dog owner has slammed a local council after he was hit with an eye-watering fine most people wouldn't know about.

The Queensland resident, Peter Morris, was issued the $309 fine by Noosa Council after forgetting his cavoodle's annual registration.

While each state deals with registering dogs differently, Queensland allows individual councils to set their registration fees.

Mr Morris described Noosa Council's annual charges of $48.50 for de-sexed pets and $193.50 for non-desexed dogs as a 'cash grab'.

He said his pooch, Rigby, barely leaves the house and claimed to have only received a final warning to reregister him before receiving the fine.

'It's a savage revenue raiser,' he told Yahoo.

'What on earth are you getting for this dog registration?'

Mr Morris has since been warning other locals to make sure they are on top of the 'ridiculous' and 'greedy' rule.

A resident of Noosa, southeast Queensland, has slammed his local council after they fined him $309 for forgetting to renew his dog's annual registration (stock image)

The Noosa local said he only received one warning from the council before receiving the fine (pictured, mock up)

The dog owner added that the fees would only mean residents buying dogs would do their best to avoid it.

'There are a lot of people doing it tough,' Morris said.

'People will buy new dogs and just not register them so there's no record of it.'

A Noosa Council spokesman said they only fined residents after they had reminded them 'multiple' times to renew their registration.

The council's Environmental Health and Local Laws manager Rob Smith said more than 10,000 residents have paid the fee in just the last year.

'It is a legal requirement for dog owners to let Council know about any changes which are relevant to their dog ownership,' he said.

'This also ensures that Council has the most up to date information and can keep dog owners informed about their obligations.

'Council recently issued 729 fines in relation to outstanding dog registrations.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Noosa Council for comment.
An Australian couple are scrambling to scrape together money for a mother's surgery after she endured a heart attack at her son's wedding.

Danline Faye Canutal and her groom Gian Biduare had travelled to the Phillipines from Australia to celebrate their wedding with family in 2022.

However, the festivities took a dramatic turn when Mr Biduare's 59-year-old mother Joy started coughing and clenching her fists, 7News reported.

Despite the family's protests, Joy tried to insist her son and bride continue the wedding.

'I'm okay you guys just go on it's your wedding day,' she told them.

Finally, the family convinced her to go to hospital where doctors informed 'Mama Joy' she was suffering a heart attack.

Joy was told three different heart valves were damaged and that she required an angioplasty in order to open her blocked arteries  a surgery that would reportedly cost $25,000.

Ms Faye Cunatal revealed that financial restraints had stopped the mother from receiving the surgery at the time.

Gian Biduare's (left) mother (right) had a heart attack during her son's wedding celebrations

'Mama Joy' now faces serious complications after she had to delay costly life-saving surgeries

She continued to battle her problems in silence when the couple returned to NSW as newlyweds, despite her body 'shutting down'.

Her family claim her condition has spiralled over the following years and that she desperately needs the surgery.

'Since then, Mama Joy hasn't been the same. We are slowly losing our happy and driven mama,' Ms Faye Cunatal wrote in a GoFundMe.

'You can see in her eyes, she is really worried even though she doesn't tell us.'

The financial burden has fallen upon Mr Biduare as he is the oldest sibling, unable to secure support from his brother.

Joy is at risk of suffering a further, possibly-fatal, heart attack if she doesn't receive an angiogram and potentially three stents in her heart.

The stents could cost $13,000 each.

While Joy is a Filipino national with health insurance, the family say it would only cover five to ten per cent of the cost.

'I am knocking on your good hearts to help us with Mama Joy's much-needed procedure,' Ms Faye Cunatal said.
Officeworks has hired a top legal firm to respond to claims one of its managers discriminated against a Jewish man by refusing him service.

The pro-Palestine worker in Elsternwick, east Melbourne, was filmed on March 4 refusing to laminate an article from the Australian Jewish News.

The customer, who was wearing a yarmulke at the time of the incident, was seeking to laminate a piece titled, 'The indomitable spirit of our people'.

Famous religious leader Rabbi Daniel Rabbin wrote the article, which featured a photo of a group holding Australian and Israeli flags.

The female manager told the man she would not laminate the piece because she was 'pro-Palestine' and 'uncomfortable' with its contents.

It's understood she is refusing to offer the Jewish man a personal apology, the Herald Sun reported on Sunday, further intensifying the mediation process.

Despite calls for the worker to be fired, her employment was not terminated.

Instead, the manager was relocated to another Officeworks store.

A pro-Palestine Officeworks worker (pictured) in Elsternwick in Melbourne's east was filmed on March 4 refusing to laminate an article from the Australian Jewish News

In the absence an agreement between the office supplies giant and Jewish man, Officeworks has hired lawyers from Herbert Smith Freehills - a renowned international firm.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal is arranging a hearing date.

The Jewish man believed if the worker regretted her actions, she would have already apologised by now.

'It's seems that by Officeworks continuing to employ the individual, despite her having at least two anti-Semitic incidents within the span of only a few months, that Officeworks condones this kind of unlawful behaviour,' he said.

Officeworks has hired a renowned international law firm to respond to the discrimination allegations (stock image)

The man claimed that Officeworks had breached the Equal Opportunity Act by refusing him service.

'This will truly be a David and Goliath battle,' he said.

It's understood Officeworks staff are now undergoing 'training and education' related to discrimination.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Officeworks for comment.
A Michigan shipwreck hunter claims he's uncovered the remains of a haunted ship that disappeared in 1679 - but says bureaucrat officials are standing in the way of his sunken treasure.

Steve Libert, 70, believes that he has discovered the wreck of Le Griffin in Lake Michigan. It was the first full-size European ship to sail in the Upper Great Lakes.

For the past 43 years, the retired naval intelligence officer has been searching for the fabled vessel, but his recent claim to have found it is being dismissed by skeptical archaeologists and historians.

He recently swam by a heavy beam with moss-covered projecting ribs. He thinks that the structure bears certain attributes that fit the missing ship, including wrought iron fasteners and wooden pegs.

A Michigan shipwreck hunter is convinced that he's found the remains of a haunted ship that disappeared in 1679, but he claims his efforts to excavate it are being thwarted by small-minded state officials

'The Griffin has not been found,' Wayne R. Lusardi, the maritime archaeologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources bluntly told the Wall Street Journal.

He went on to characterize the 70-year-old's discovery as 'fantasy.'

But Libert said the proof is right in front of them.

'They don't look at evidence,' he argued. 'They think I'm this shady character.'

Valerie van Hees, the director of Michigan Shipwreck Association, was similarly unconvinced.

'From the '30s to the present day, there have been multiple "discoveries" of the Griffon,' van Hees said skeptically.

The fabled ship was once called the 'Holy Grail' for shipwreck hunters probing the depths of America's Great Lakes.

Steve Libert, 70, believes that he has discovered the wreck of Le Griffin, the first full-size European ship to sail in the Upper Great Lakes

The ship was once called the 'holy grail' for shipwreck hunters probing the depths of America's Great Lakes

It was built by the French explorer Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, with a view to finding a route through the lakes to China and Japan.

But the ship vanished while delivering a valuable cargo of furs, amid rumors that she had been cursed by a prophet from the Iroquois tribe.

'It's the first real shipwreck on the Great Lakes, and it's a great mystery,' Bruce Lynn, executive director of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, told the Wall Street Journal.

In 2001, after losing a protracted legal battle with the state of Michigan over another wrecked ship, Libert was diving in murky waters in pursuit of Le Griffon when he slammed into something that knocked his mask off.

He soon became convinced that he had inadvertently discovered a part of a ship, and imaging that revealed big mass on the lake bed seemed to corroborate his theory.

Libert was still able to recover a pole, which French archaeologists believe displays several features of a bowsprit- the long pole that juts out from the front of a ship

Libert petitioned the state for a permit to excavate and they denied him again, stymying his plans

Libert petitioned the state for a permit to excavate and they denied him again, stymying his plans.

This time, though, he called on the nation of France to claim the wreck as its own legal possession- a gambit that worked, temporarily.

By 2013, Libert had won his legal battle, and there was an expedition launched to explore the findings. But the site turned out to be misleading. It wasn't the Le Griffon. It was a 4-foot heap of zebra mussels.

Despite this embarrassing setback, Libert was still able to recover a pole, which French archaeologists believe displays several features of a bowsprit- the long pole that juts out from the front of a ship.

'What I suspected was a ship was confirmed by me during a dive in September 2018,' he said

Carbon dating analysis placed the object anywhere between 1670 and 1950, but the Michigan History Center dismissed the find as a commercial fishing stake, used sometime between the mid-1800s and mid-1900s.

Libert rejected this conclusion, countering that a stake would feature a pointed end, not a beveled one like the object in question possessed.

In 2014, Libert was perusing satellite images and saw a massive trident shape in the waters of Lake Michigan, which he speculated could be part of a ship. Four years later, he checked out the location and determined that it was the Griffon.

'What I suspected was a ship was confirmed by me during a dive in September 2018,' he said.

But the state of Michigan quickly intervened and put the kibosh on any plans to excavate.

In 2014, Libert was perusing satellite images and saw a massive trident shape in the waters of Lake Michigan, which he speculated could be part of a ship

'The state feels we are encroaching upon their sovereignty and feels we are nothing more than treasure hunters intruding on the rights of academia and archeologists.'

At the age of 14, he first became interested in the missing ship when his 8th grade teacher told the class about it. According to the Libert, his teacher touched his shoulder and said: 'Maybe someday someone in this class will find it.'

Now he wants to permission to excavate a group of rocks that he believes could be ballast stones concealing the Griffon's cannons. But he told the Wall Street Journal that the back-and-forth with the state over the years has left him tired.

'I'm 70 years old and not in the greatest health,' Libert observed. 'I don't want to have to wait another 10 years to get another permit- even if I could get one.'
Netflix and ITN have teamed up to create a documentary about Lucy Letby that will feature experts who doubt her murder conviction, it has emerged.

Producers have contacted a 'string of experts' who believe Letby may be innocent, including Richard Gill who has called her conviction as a 'major miscarriage of justice', requesting their involvement in the TV programme, insiders told The Mirror.

Letby, 34, was convicted of the murder charges and six attempted murders at the Countess of Chester Hospital last summer, and convicted of a further attempted murder last month following a retrial. She has received 15 whole life orders following her convictions at Manchester Crown Court.

However, doubts have been cast on the security of the evidence relied upon by prosecutors to convict the former neonatal nurse and last week a group of 19 nurses sent a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urging him to open a 'full forensic review' of the case.

Sources familiar with the proposed docuseries say it will be 'hugely controversial' and that the 'utterly devastated' families of the victims will 'desperately hope this programme treads extremely carefully'.

Netflix and ITN have teamed up to create a documentary about Lucy Letby (pictured) that will feature experts who doubt her murder conviction, it has emerged

Body worn camera footage issued by Cheshire Constabulary showing Letby's arrest in July 2018

Sources say an email was distributed to experts claiming Letby's 'story is complex and layered' and that producers 'firmly believe that her defence and point of view must be portrayed'.

'We must provide a full and cohesive documentary that explores everyone's point of view, whilst remaining completely impartial,' the email reads, according to The Mirror.

Producers have reportedly approached Mr Gill, 72, who has long campaigned for a retrial. The emeritus maths professor at Leiden University has alleged that the statistical evidence presented to the jury during Letby's trial was 'bogus'.

Mr Gill, along with Peter Green, a statistics professor and former president of the Royal Statistical Society, are sceptical of how a staff ROTA - which was a key piece of evidence during the trial - was presented to the jury.

The ROTA showed how Letby was on shift during 25 deaths or collapses between June 2015 and June 2016, but the experts allege the data may have been misinterpreted because it 'doesn't include events when Lucy was not on duty'.

Mr Green has claimed the jury were not informed of six other deaths that occurred during the 12-month period and that the chart presented in court did not reflect that Letby had worked extra shifts.

It is unclear from The Mirror's report if Mr Green was a recipient of the email requesting participation in the documentary. MailOnline has approached Netflix and ITN for comment.

Regardless of which experts opt to contribute to the programme, insiders warn that families of Letby's victims will likely be distressed by it.

'We would like [TV producers] to really think about what they are doing and saying  would they feel comfortable leaving their baby in [Letby's] care? I think not,' a grieving mother and father previously told the newspaper.

It is understood that ITN last year won exclusive access to Cheshire cops and prosecutors for its project.

ITN Production boss Ian Rumsey said at the time: 'We're confident of telling the whole story, with exclusive revelations, when the time is right.'

Increasing numbers of experts have expressed concerns about the case, and there is mounting disquiet about the possibility that Letby could have been scapegoated for NHS failings

Lucy Letby giving evidence during her trial at Manchester Crown Court on June 24, 2024

Meanwhile, increasing numbers of experts have expressed concerns about the Letby case, and there is mounting disquiet within the NHS and the legal profession about the possibility that she could have been scapegoated for NHS failings.

Former Brexit secretary David Davis has written to Lady Justice Thirlwall, the chair of the upcoming inquiry into events at the Countess of Chester Hospital, raising concerns that the terms of the probe depend on the presumption that Letby's conviction was safe.

In his letter, Sir David argues the terms of reference for the inquiry should be broad enough to consider alternative explanations for the deaths and admit evidence to address the concerns now being raised about the safety of Letby's conviction.

Explaining that he has had 'a multitude of experts contact me to express their concerns', Sir David writes: 'These experts range from Nobel laureates to heads of royal societies and royal colleges, and other prominent experts in medicine, statistics, forensic science and healthcare.

'At the very least I believe the terms of reference for your inquiry should be broadened so as to not depend on the presumption that Ms Letby's conviction was safe.'

He adds: 'The deaths may not have been caused by murder, but rather the result of a systemic failure in a unit that was overstretched and underfunded.

'Secondly, the deaths may have been caused by bad management of vulnerable neo-natal babies in the unit... thirdly, the deaths may have been caused by external factors, including infections such as a pseudomonas outbreak that the hospital was reported to be struggling to contain at the time of the deaths.'

Supporters of ex-nurse Lucy Letby demonstrate outside the High Court in London during her appeal hearing

Sir David is planning to spearhead a Commons campaign raising questions about the conviction.

Mail columnists Peter Hitchens and Nadine Dorries have highlighted that Letby was convicted of the murders of seven newborns and the attempted murders of six other infants at the Countess of Chester Hospital despite the fact that no one saw her kill, or attempt to kill, a baby and there is no forensic evidence to prove her guilt.

Two prosecution witnesses basing their views on a 30-year-old research paper suggested that Letby murdered babies by injecting them with air through their feeding tubes. But the academic who wrote the paper was not called as a prosecution witness and has since cast doubt on his work being used in the trial.

Similarly, a group of 19 nurses said in a letter to the Prime Minister that they are 'terrified' to continue working in the NHS in case they are blamed for future deaths of patients.

Some of the registered and retired nurses and medical and healthcare professionals behind the letter say they attended Letby's trials and are not confident in the security of the evidence.

As a result, they say, NHS workers are nervous about becoming the 'next' Letby - and being, in their view, unfairly convicted for a death in which they played no part.

Letby is now serving a whole life sentence - meaning she will die in prison.

'All of us are worried that this conviction is unsafe and as a result we and many of our colleagues are now terrified to continue working in the NHS as we believe that next time it could be one of us who is blamed for a failing system,' the letter reads.

They list nine areas of concern - including that a report prepared by the hospital trust after a spike in baby deaths that reported staffing shortages and a lack of expert consultants on the ward.

The letter also claims a staffing chart used to secure convictions against Letby by suggesting she was on shift for the majority of the deaths was 'misleading' and that the health of the babies who died under the nurse's watch was 'misrepresented'.

'With respect, we request a scientifically rigorous Royal Commission/Independent review where real experts... can conduct a detailed and meticulous forensic assessment to re-examine the evidence in this troubling case,' the letter reads.

'We believe this is crucial for nurses and healthcare practitioners alike, so that we can feel confident and safe in our work.

'We also encourage the formation of a specialised cross-party task force, dedicated to investigating the procedural irregularities that have been exposed by the media. We are unified as a country in our belief in a fair and open justice system.

'The trial of Ms Letby has undermined our collective faith, and we urge you to act now to restore the public confidence in the justice system. For now, many nurses and healthcare professionals do not have that confidence.'

The neo-natal ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital where Letby worked

A spokesperson for the anonymous group - who say they cannot be identified for fear of reprisals from their employers - told the Telegraph: 'After each case it became apparent that we were talking about babies born barely viable for life, with pre-existing congenital medical conditions as well as a lot of sub-optimal care.'

Nurses claim to be resigning in large numbers following the conclusion of the Letby trial for fear they will be accused of killing patients.

Letby denied killing and attempting to kill babies at trial, and sought to appeal her convictions after they were secured - a hearing that she was denied.

Evidence shown during the trial revealed she authored notes reading: 'I am evil,' 'I did this,' and 'I killed them on purpose because I am not good enough'.

But Dr Mike Hall, a neonatologist who provided expert opinion for Letby's defence during the trial, has previously said he does not believe the prosecution proved the nurse was guilty 'beyond reasonable doubt'.

He told the Guardian in July: 'I dont think she had a fair trial because no medical expert witness was called for the defence to challenge the prosecution expert medical evidence.'

And he later told The Times: 'I would have given different answers to those given by the prosecution's medical expert witnesses, and different interpretations for some of the cases.

'That's not to say that I know all the answers, or that I know that Lucy Letby is innocent. There were certainly some events which were difficult to explain.'

Letby wrote a series of notes - including one which reads 'I did this' - that were recovered by police during searches of her home

Letby, who worked at the Countess of Cheshire Hospital, giving evidence in court

The Crown Prosecution Service admitted last month that swipe card data showing when staff entered and exited the neonatal unit where Letby worked was incorrect.

Prosecutors said during the nurse's retrial that the data had been 'mislabelled' - and that a previous assertion that Letby had been alone in the ward on a particular date was in fact inaccurate.

In both trials, swipe data was used to show Letby was the only nurse in the unit at a time when babies' conditions deteriorated.

A spokesman for the Mersey-Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service told MailOnline last week: 'The CPS can confirm that accurate door swipe data was presented in the retrial.'

The open letter is published on the Science On Trial website.
A family night out at has ended in horror after a toddler was bitten by a snake.

A young boy attending the annual Gold Coast Show in Southport with his family on Saturday when he felt something climbing up his leg.

The boy told event staff he thought the snake was a stick and attempted to pick it up before he was bitten, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

He was treated for a suspected snake bite in the event's medical tent and was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital by ambulance at 7.09pm in a stable condition.

It remains unclear what type of snake bit the boy, with the Bulletin reporting it had simply been described as 'short'.

More than 120,000 revellers attended the popular event over the weekend.

The incident comes after Tony Harrison, from Harrison's Gold Coast and Brisbane Snake Catcher, revealed his business had received 10 calls relating to snakes on Friday as the weather heats up.

A Gold Coast toddler was rushed to hospital after he was bitten by a snake (stock image)

The toddler was attending the Gold Coast Show with his family on Saturday night

He told the Courier Mail it is 'crazy season' as mating season has kicked off, with snakes being found inside a Southport school, in the bedroom of a home and on the door handle of a Broadbeach shop.

'It starts now and ends in October. That's the crazy season,' he said.

'We start off with carpet pythons and green tree snakes now, then the eastern browns and all the other stuff. Then as the eastern browns finish, they're the last ones to go usually.

'The eastern browns mate for much longer for whatever reason.'
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has today vowed to clamp down on the 'absence epidemic' in Britain's schools, as she warned parents allowing their children to skip school are significantly diminishing their future earning potential.

It comes ahead of pupils' return to the classroom next week for the start of the academic year 2024-2025.

Ms Phillipson warned she will make no 'apologies' for fining parents with frequently absent children and said too many believe truanting is acceptable for the sake of 'cheaper holidays', to avoid 'unpopular subjects' or for 'birthday treats or even a runny nose'.

Writing in the Sunday Times, Ms Phillipson said her first priority is to create a welcoming environment for pupils in a bid to improve attendance, but warned 'where it does not work I am prepared to be tough'.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has today vowed to clamp down on the 'absence epidemic' in Britain's schools - she is pictured here leaving Downing Street, London

She pointed out that 150,000 children were recorded as frequently absent from school in 2022 to 2023 the last year for which there is full attendance data.

A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) published earlier this year said nearly two in five (37%) pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are 'persistently absent', meaning they miss at least one day of school per fortnight on average.

It noted a spike in absences compared with before the coronavirus pandemic, with students now missing 14 days of school per year on average.

Ms Phillipson vowed to 'act decisively' to curb what she described as an 'absence epidemic' and called on parents, schools and local authorities to play their part.

In an attempt to prevent truanting, the Conservatives previously announced fines issued to parents for unauthorised absences would rise from 60 to 80, rising to 160 if they were not paid within 21 days.

Steeper penalties are due to come into effect this week.

Statutory guidance, also due to come into effect this week, will make clear to schools and local authorities where they must consider issuing penalties.

And Councils are already beginning to act. In 2022 to 2023 they raised 19million from absence fines, almost double the 9.7million issued the previous year.

A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) published earlier this year said nearly two in five (37%) pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are 'persistently absent', meaning they miss at least one day of school per fortnight on average (file image)

Data shows the number of pupils who are frequently absent is 150 per cent higher than before the Covid pandemic when just 60,000 pupils were in this cohort.

During the general election, Labour promised to cut almost half a million days of school absence as part of its plan to deliver free breakfast clubs in primary schools in England.

In June, Ms Phillipson said breakfast clubs are proven to 'get those regularly missing class back into school  giving them a great start to their day and getting them ready to learn'.

The Commons has previously supported the School Attendance (Duties of Local Authorities and Proprietors of Schools) Bill, which would require local councils in England to promote regular attendance and reduce absences at schools.

But the Bill did not reach the House of Lords before the general election and failed to become law.

At the time, Conservative former minister Vicky Ford, who sponsored the Bill, raised concerns about the increase in absences after the pandemic and said 'over a million children or young children are persistently absent or worse'.
Shocking footage has emerged of the terrifying moment a brazen thief tried to steal an Aussie tourist's phone.

Indigenous Aussie Naarah was filming herself while walking down the street in central London after attending a show last week when the hooded thief tried to snatch the phone.

Footage of the brazen act, which was later uploaded to TikTok showed the chilling moment the person approached Naarah from behind on a motorbike.

The person knocked the phone out of her hand but were unable to steal the device because it was attached to a strap.

Naarah, who moved to London last year to study theatre and drama at the Royal Academy of Music couldn't believe she was able to record the dramatic moment on camera.

The expat, who grew up in Tasmania, urged travellers to keep an eye on and protect personal belongings on them at all times.

'Small crime is so common here. Don't take it for granted because it could literally happen to you at any point,' she said.

Naarah also urged tourists to wear a phone strap when out and about, which she never leaves home without with.

Naarah was walking down the street in central London after attending a show a few days ago when the hooded thief (pictured over her right shoulder) tried to snatch the device

The strap can be inserted into the jack at the bottom of a phone and can also be worn across the shoulders.

The video, which has since attracted more than one million views, was flooded with comments from viewers, who shared their own similar experiences.

'I was in London last week and [I saw] the same thing happen to a tourist in broad daylight,' one wrote.

Another added: 'Once happened to me in Manchester. They threw it [phone] back cause it was c**p and they didn't want it.'

Others revealed phone theft is common in the city and crowded places in the area.

'This has been going on in for over 10 years in London,' one viewer commented.

Another added: 'Happens so often outside my workplace in Southwark.'

A mobile phone was stolen every six minutes on average in London last year, according to The Metropolitan Police figures.

A massive 90,864 phones were stolen in 2022, which amounts to around 250 phone stolen a day.

Naarah (pictured) who grew up in Tasmania, urged travellers to protect their personal belongings at all times and encouraged them to invest in phone straps

Commissioner of The Metropolitan Police Sir Mark Rowley urged the heads of major mobile phone companies and manufacturers to combat the rise in phone theft.

The Australian government recently upgraded its travel advice to the UK following mass protests across Britain.

The protests erupted after three young girls died in a horrific stabbing attack in July.

The Smart Traveller website urged Aussies to 'exercise a high degree of caution' if they are visiting the UK.
Furious Oasis fans have taken to social media to vent their anger after they were kicked out of the mammoth queues for reunion tour tickets.

Thousands were left devastated after they failed to grab tickets in yesterday's general sale - with the band confirming all 17 of their shows had been sold out by 7pm.

But many blamed technical issues on Ticketmaster for their failures as they were forced into a queue just to join the waiting room, while others reported getting kicked out of the website as they got to the front having waited in the virtual line for several hours.

Some hopefuls also reported being 'suspended' by the ticket seller after it accused them of being 'bots'.

One teary-eyed fan posted a TikTok last night with the caption: 'A massive f*** off to all the people that will be watching oasis next year because some of us got accused of being robots and got suspended.'

One teary-eyed fan posted a TikTok last night d getting kicked out of the ticket selling website as they got to the front having waited in the virtual line for several hours

Another suggested she was a fool for waiting in the queues for so long, posting a TikTok in clown makeup

In a video posted on TikTok , one unlucky fan wept as she said: 'Seven hours I queued for the tickets on two devices and they both said "Oh, due to inactivity we cant process your order".'

Another suggested she was a fool for waiting in the queues for so long, posting a TikTok in clown makeup with the caption: 'POV: You thought you'd be able to get oasis tickets if you stayed in the queue long enough...'

Bookmakers put the odds of landing one of the 1.4million tickets at just 14/1 and 97 per cent of applicants have been left ticketless after yesterday's chaotic sale.

But the general sale, which followed a limited pre-release sale on Friday, was labelled a 'utter fiasco' by fans - as many were unable to access the websites of Ticketmaster, Gigs and Tours or SeeTickets.

In another video posted on TikTok, one unfortunate fan wept as she said: 'Seven hours I queued for the tickets on two devices and they both said "Oh, due to inactivity we cant process your order".'

Her devastation quickly turned to anger as she pointed at the camera and said: 'Now I wish they break up again.'

Standing tickets were originally listed from 151.25, and seated from 74.25 in London - but apparent screenshots from the Ticketmaster website offering In Demand standing tickets for 415.50 euros each, plus fees, equivalent to around 350.

Fans called for the boycott of Viagogo as greedy resellers began trying to flog reunion tour tickets for almost 7000.

Similarly on Friday evening, Oasis tickets for Wembley Stadium were listed on Viagogo for up to 5,909 while some tickets at the London venue, listed under 'Hospitality Club', were on sale for 10,578 on StubHub.

The first batch of tickets went on sale yesterday at 7pm for those lucky enough to get a pre-sale code.

But within minutes of the sale going live, tickets were being resold for up to 10,000 by greedy touts.

Noel and Liam Gallagher, pictured here in 2008, have reunited after 15 years apart

Noel and Liam Gallagher proved they had buried the hatchet on their 15-year feud as they met up this summer to pose for a photo together to mark the Oasis comeback tour

While the band assured measures to avoid resales of the tickets above face value, fans have criticised ticket selling websites over the pricing of their 'in demand' tickets online

Oasis soon assured on social media that tickets 'can only be resold at face value via Ticketmaster and Twickets'.

'Tickets appearing on other secondary ticketing sites are either counterfeit or will be cancelled by the promoters.'

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.

Noel, 57, quit the Manchester rock group on August 28 2009, saying he 'simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer'.

Fans have been pleading with the brothers to regroup since they disbanded, prompted by a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in Paris.

Reunion rumours have intensified recently after the brothers teased an announcement for 8am on Tuesday, amid reports they were ending their disagreement.

Confirming the Oasis Live 25 tour, they said: 'The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.'

The 17-date tour runs from July 4 to August 17, kicking off at Cardiff's Principality Stadium before heading to Manchester's Heaton Park, Wembley Stadium in London, Murrayfield in Edinburgh and Croke Park in Dublin.
Librarians in one Australian state have been encouraged to ask children as young as five about their gender pronouns, sparking outrage from parents and experts.

The Victorian Government on Friday unveiled a 'rainbow libraries toolkit' which has since been issued to more than 290 public libraries across the state.

Launched by the Jacinta Allan's government, the toolkit comes with a new set of guidelines that aim to help libraries become more inclusive spaces to LGBTQIA+ communities and families.

Some of the advice for inclusivity provided in the toolkit includes adding books on gender diversity to library collections, promote drag queen story-time and avoid using 'gendered language', Sky News reported.

A section titled 'Non-Gendered Interactions' urges librarians to not assume primary school children's pronouns.

'It is also important to recognise that, especially for young people, gender identity and sexuality can shift or evolve over time,' the toolkit states.

'Children in particular may want to experiment with different gender expressions through dressing up, and we can support them by avoiding mapping our expectations of gender onto them.'

The toolkit also urges library staff that even if they know a child who visits their library, it's best to 'leave room for them to express a change in their identity'.

Victoria's more than 290 public libraries have been advised to promote drag queen story-time and to not use 'gendered language' Pictured is a drag queen story time in Melbourne

This includes finding out if the child still continues to use the same pronouns they did in the past.

'Checking in casually about their pronouns ('Do you still prefer he/him pronouns?'; 'Do you still go by Sam, or is there something else you'd like me to use?') can let a young person in particular know that you are safe, accepting and flexible and that, by extension, so is the library,' the toolkit suggests.

'(This) can let a young person in particular know that you are safe, accepting and flexible and that, by extension, so is the library.'

Local government minister Melissa Horne said the library toolkit will make sure 'all Victorians' would belong in libraries 'regardless of identity'.

The 'rainbow libraries toolkit' was launched on Friday in Victoria with the aim of making libraries more inclusive (pictured the Victorian State Library in Melbourne)

Equality minister Harriet Shing said the toolkit was evidence the government would always support the LGBTQIA+ communities, and they were trying to make the state a place where people can live 'wholly and freely'.

The development of the toolkit was based on the feedback of 156 surveyed LGBTQIA+ families in addition to 80 library staff, sparking outrage from critics

Conservative education experts are among those who have slammed the state government initiative.

Australian Catholic University senior fellow Dr Kevin Donnelly described the toolkit and its guidelines as a 'dangerous' example of allowing activists to take the place of parents and said it can 'destroy the innocence of childhood'.

Director of the Foundations of Western Civilisation Program at the Institute of Public Affairs Dr Bella d'Abrera told Daily Mail Australia that parents should also be 'very concerned'.

LGBTQIA+ families and library staff, were surveyed (pictured a couple with the LGBTQIA+ rainbow flag)

'The government both supports and funds the indoctrination of children with fringe theories about sex and gender, years before it is appropriate,' Ms d'Abrera said.

'There is no single circumstance in which it is appropriate for a librarian to be having discussions about gender and sexuality with other people's children.

'It is incredible that families can no longer even visit a public library without staff members attempting to recruit children into the radical gender cult.

'Children should be left alone to be children.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted Dr Harriet Shing for comment.
A man found slumped over a table at a hospital coffee shop may have been dead for over three hours before alarm was raised, it has emerged.

The 36-year-old, from Birmingham, died in the coffee shop in the main reception area of Sandwell General Hospital, West Bromwich on July 10, The Times reported.

He reportedly went to the cafe after being discharged from the hospital around midday. He sat down and was not seen moving after 1.30pm.

A security guard, after noticing he had not moved, tried to wake him around 4.45pm, but he reportedly had no pulse. A&E doctors tried to resuscitate him, but hospital insiders told the newspaper that rigor mortis had already set in.

The NHS has now launched an investigation into the incident which, sources say saw hospital staff, including doctors and nurses, using the cafe as normal for several hours before anyone paid notice to the man.

A 36-year-old man, from Birmingham, died in the coffee shop in the main reception area of Sandwell General Hospital, West Bromwich on July 10 this year

The man had been treated by medical staff at Sandwell General Hospital before being discharged and referred to Hallam Street Hospital, an adult mental health facility located directly across the street.

The coffee shop is reportedly regularly used by homeless people, sources said, alleging that this 'could have been a factor in why he was not checked by passing staff'.

A spokesman for Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust told The Times it is 'investigating the circumstances around the sad, sudden death of a man on our hospital site' and that the 'coroner has been informed.'

A spokesman for the Black Country Healthcare Trust added: 'We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this situation, our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.'

MailOnline has approached both trusts for comment.

The Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital Trust care for roughly 25,000 emergency and urgent care patients each month.

It was reportedly last inspected by he Care Quality Commission in 2019, where it was rated outstanding for caring. It also required improvement in areas including safety and responsiveness of services.

The trust reported a 10million deficit in May this year, which is allegedly in line with many other NHS trusts across the country. The trust also wants to cut the equivalent of at least 150 full time staff.
Original Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll admitted last night that leaving the band was 'probably the biggest mistake of my life' as he hinted that he is keen to rejoin them on their 400million reunion tour.

The 53-year-old founding member of the group made the confession after being honoured with a blue plaque in the Irish village of Kinnitty, his mother's birthplace and where he himself spent time as a boy.

McCarroll is often dubbed 'the forgotten man of Oasis' after constant rows with Noel Gallagher, who felt his drumming wasn't good enough, saw him quit the band in 1995 as they were about to stage their meteoritic rise.

What followed was a bitter rift that ended with McCarroll suing Noel in the High Court, claiming he was owed 15 million in royalties  but eventually settling for 550,000.

Speaking at a Q&A after the plaque unveiling at the parish hall in Kinnitty, County Offaly, he recalled his fiery clash  one of many  with songwriter and guitarist Noel on stage in Paris that led to him being ousted.

He told host John McFadden: 'There was tension in the band  not only with me. The band was a tough place to be sometimes.

'I remember the Paris gig, drinking was involved, I ended up arguing with someone in the room next door to Noel and the next day Noel said, in front of the sound crew and everyone, 'don't ever keep me awake at night or I'll sack you'.

'I'd had enough. I'd had enough of the poking each other and this, that and the other, so I swept the kit out the way and went up to Noel  right up to his face  and said: 'Don't you ever talk to me like that.'

'It was probably the biggest mistake of life.'

Original Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll, 53, has been honoured with a blue plaque in the village of Kinnitty this weekend

McCarroll pictured with his family in the village of Kinnitty where he spent his summers and lived for two years attending school and playing for the local hurling club

McCarroll is often dubbed 'the forgotten man of Oasis' after constant rows with Noel Gallagher , who felt his drumming wasn't good enough, saw him quit the band in 1995

McCarroll (pictured second from the right) was the original drummer in the band. L-R Paul Arthurs (aka Bonehead), Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Tony McCarroll, Paul McGuigan

Last Tuesday, the band revealed they were reuniting after 15 years for a summer tour next year performing at Manchester's Heaton Park, Wembley Stadium and in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin

McCarroll revealed that his former bandmates had not yet been in touch with him - adding that he's not holding his breath

McCarroll was replaced soon afterwards by Alan White who remained with the band until 2004. Oasis split five years later when Noel and Liam fell out for the last time following a heated row before they were due to perform at a French rock festival.

But last Tuesday the band confirmed they were getting back together after 15 years for a summer tour next year performing at Manchester's Heaton Park, Wembley Stadium and in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin.

McCarroll said the 'energy' between the Gallagher brothers was what drove the band.

He said: 'I was the quiet one at the back, my stress was taking it out on the kit, but them two were fronting the band, from 8 o'clock in the morning to 8 o'clock at night, they were doing interviews, promotions, bringing the band to the next level.

'They were big personalities but the stress they must have enduredwe felt that backstage - we'd be like 'oh god they're arguing again.'

'But it was essential because they were the energy in that band.

McCarroll speaking at a Q&A over the weekend in Kinnitty, County Offaly

McCarroll joined the band in the 1980s when they were still performing under their old name The Rain, and neither Liam nor his elder brother Noel were members. Pictured left to right: Paul McGuigan, Noel Gallagher, Tony McCarroll, Liam Gallagher, Paul Arthurs (aka Bonehead)

McCarroll said the 'energy' between the Gallagher brothers was what drove the band. Pictured: McCarroll on the drums

McCarroll unveiled a plaque in his honour on the parish rooms where he played his first public appearance. With him are ( left) event organiser John McFadden and local Cllr John Clendennen (right)

McCarroll pictured with his mother Bridie who attended the plaque unveiling this weekend

McCarroll spent two years in Kinnitty, with the Slieve Bloom mountains as a backdrop, between 1979 and 1981 when his father moved the family there briefly for work

McCarroll said he had been going to the Irish town since he was a baby, and called the plaque a 'huge honour'

McCarroll attended the Kinnitty National School and played for the local Hurling club

'In many ways we needed each other, it was five lads against the world, that s how we saw it at the time.

'Now this big reunionwill they get there? I don't know. Maybe they'll put them on separate buses.'

In an exclusive interview with the MailOnline over the weekend, McCarroll said that he has yet to be approached by Noel or Liam Gallagher to take part in the 17-shows next July and August.

However, at the end of the Q&A session he appeared to suggest he was keen on a reunion with his bandmates.

Local Councillor John Clendennen, who helped organise the event, told the audience: 'We all know that a couple of men from County Mayo (the Gallagher brothers) will be playing Croke Park in Dublin next year and I hope that a man from County Offaly will be joining them'.

A smiling McCarroll answered 'me too' on the microphone prompting loud cheers.

More than 100 people flocked to Kinnitty Parish Hall to see McCarroll unveil the plaque at the site of his first rehearsed public performance  a 1980 school nativity in which he played drums.

Oasis fans shelled out 20Euros for the Q&A which took place in the hall immediately afterwards.

Oasis fans shelled out 20Euros for the Q&A which took place in the hall immediately after the unveiling. Pictured: McCarroll answering questions from fans

McCarroll (centre) pictured with ( left) event organiser John McFadden and local Cllr John Clendennen (right)

McCarroll pictured next to his plaque at Kinnitty Parish Hall

Poking fun at the chaos surrounding Oasis' much-anticipated reunion tour next year which has seen ticket websites crash under unprecedented demand, Councillor Clendennen, joked: 'We came up with the concept in early 2019 to acknowledge 25 years since the Definitely Maybe album and here we are five years later acknowledging 30-years.

'We put it on ice, but little did we think that we'd have this event on the day that tickets for Oasis' reunion tour would go on sale. We couldn't have picked a better day.

'Had we wanted to we could have sold 500 more ticketsbut our website didn't crash once!'

Ticketmaster went down yesterday morning on the opening day of sales after the site was flooded with hundreds of thousands of Oasis fans desperately trying to buy tickets.

The platform is the main provider selling the hotly-anticipated tickets but users reported constant crashes as thousands of fans were unable to access the queue.

Ironically, a question on the pre-sale ballot to get tickets was who was Oasis' original drummer?

On Viagogo, tickets for the show at the Principality Stadium on July 4 are being sold for between 817 and 2,969

McCarroll travelled to Kinnitty, in the centre of Ireland, last week. The village is where his mother Bridie hails from and where he himself spent two-years as a boy. He still has family here in abundance.

His blue plaque - which commemorates his time with Oasis and hails the band's debut album that he performed on  Definitely Maybe has been fixed to the front of the village's parish hall.

His father moved the family to Kinnitty, which is surrounded by the beautiful Slieve Bloom mountains, for work between 1979 and 1981 when they returned home to Levenshulme in Manchester.

While in Ireland he attended the Kinnitty National School and played for the local Hurling club.

Proud mother Bridie was among family who attended the unveiling yesterday evening along with McCarroll's wife Sue and their daughter Gemma.

Bridie said: 'I remember the nativity, he was here for a few years when he was a young boy. I'm so very proud of him. It's a proud moment for the family.'

Speaking about the plaque McCarroll said: 'It's a huge honour for me. I've been coming here since I was a baby. I spent two years here from when I was about eight or nine-year's old.

'When I was aged ten, a drum kit was set up on the right-hand side of the local parish hall for a nativity. I was playing with a guy called Seamus Bradley, who had a tin whistle, so we must have sounded ridiculous.

'We were probably playing things like Jingle Bells and Silent Night but in my head it was brilliant.'

McCarroll said the band had a dream of becoming successful, they worked hard, rehearsed frequently and managed to achieve their dream.

When asked about fans' frustration over the prices for reunion tour tickets, McCarroll agreed they were expensive and wondered if it was even down to the band.

He told a local newspaper: 'I've never seen prices like that. It isn't any of my business I suppose, but between promoters, this, that and the other, who knows what's going on behind the scenes.'

An estimated 14million people desperately vied to secure their spots at the gigs yesterday with many hitting out at Ticketmaster over its 'disgusting' 'In Demand' prices reaching as high as 350, plus fees.

Politicians accused Ticketmaster of 'fleecing' fans with its dynamic pricing

On Sunday morning, the reselling website Viagogo was listing tickets for the Wembley July 25 gig for between 761 and 5,369

Screenshots posted on X of the Ticketmaster website shows Standing Tickets costing 355

Meanwhile, for the Manchester July 11 gig, tickets on Viagogo cost between 687 and 9,041

Within minutes of the sale going live, tickets were being resold for up to 10,000 by greedy touts.

Politicians accused Ticketmaster of 'fleecing' fans with its dynamic pricing, and Irish MEP Regina Doherty called for an investigation into the pricing structure for tickets sold for the two Oasis gigs at Croke Park in Dublin.

McCarroll said he had a feeling 'there's going to be some amazing bands on that line-up' and believes the band is really on the side of fans when it comes to pricing.

'When tickets roll onto certain websites for triple, six times or more, I don't think that's fair. There really should be some control over that,' McCarroll added.

As of this morning, prices for tickets on the reselling website are still listed in the thousands, with the lowest being 761 and the highest 9,000.

Throughout the morning and the afternoon devotees fought to give themselves the best chance of seeing Noel and Liam Gallagher live 15 years after the warring brothers split.

Many posted pictures of their 'ticket stations' as they each used several laptops, iPads and mobiles.

The Ticketmaster website acknowledges dynamically-priced tickets based on demand

The 1996 Oasis gigs at Knebworth saw the largest ever demand for gig tickets in UK history

Others  who managed to get through to buy their tickets  raged after various sites hiked up their prices because the passes were 'in demand'.

Fans have called for the boycott of Viagogo as greedy resellers began trying to flog reunion tour tickets for almost 7000.

Tickets for Oasis's upcoming reunion tour were meant to start at 74.25 for seated tickets at their Wembley shows, with the most expensive ticket being a 506.25 pre-show party, exhibition and seated ticket package.

Standing tickets were originally listed from 151.25, and seated from 74.25 in London - but apparent screenshots from the Ticketmaster website offering In Demand standing tickets for 415.50 euros each, plus fees, equivalent to around 350.

A floor standing ticket for Oasis at Wembley in July 2009 priced at 38.10.

On Sunday morning, the reselling website Viagogo was listing tickets for the Wembley July 25 gig for between 761 and 5,369.

In Cardiff, original tickets were said to cost 73, but some X users posted screenshots of tickets costing 356 to 438.

On Viagogo, tickets for the show at the Principality Stadium on July 4 are being sold for between 817 and 2,969.

In the band's home city of Manchester, tickets were meant to start from 148.50, with only standing available alongside a number of hospitality and luxury offerings.

But screenshots posted on X of the Ticketmaster website shows Standing Tickets costing 355.

Meanwhile, for the Manchester July 11 gig, tickets on Viagogo cost between 687 and 6,710 - with VIP tickets being a whopping 9,041.

Some Oasis ticket hopefuls also reported being 'suspended' by Ticketmaster UK and Ireland after it accused them of being 'bots'.
Keir Starmer's popularity has plunged as Brits brace for tax 'pain' in the Budget and a potential ban on smoking outside pubs.

An Opinium poll showed that the PM's net approval rating has dropped by six points over the past fortnight, to stand at minus 13.

That is barely above his all-time low of minus 14 two years ago, with 51 per cent pessimistic that Labour will tackle the challenges the country faces.

The grim figures emerged on the eve of Parliament returning after its summer break - with ministers braced for a stormy ride.

However, despite the government already being battered on a range of issues, Tony Blair has urged Sir Keir to ignore backlash on social media.

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Keir Starmer 's popularity has plunged as Brits brace for tax 'pain' in the Budget and a potential ban on smoking outside pubs

The former premier admitted that leaders had to be aware of public opinion, but suggested that reading it would 'do your head in'.

'What I'm really saying is that, if you're not careful, you can become completely psychologically derailed by critics,' Sir Tony told the Observer.

'And you can't allow that to happen, you've got to carry on, you've got to realise it just comes with the territory.'

Sir Keir has endured a difficult start to his time in power, with riots blighting the summer and anger at his warning of 'pain' to come in the Budget in October.

Labour has splurged on a series of big pay deals for the public sector, but cut winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners.

The latest Opinium poll found 31 per cent approved of Sir Keir, while 43 per cent disapproved and 5 per cent said they did not know. A fortnight ago the PM's ratings were minus seven.

Some 51 per cent were pessimistic about the government's prospects of success, compared to 33 per cent who were optimistic.

James Crouch, head of policy and public affairs at Opinium said: 'While the public blames the previous government for the UK's current challenges, over half are pessimistic about the new government's chances of success.

Despite the government already being battered on a range of issues, Tony Blair has urged Sir Keir to ignore backlash on social media

'The government should also take heed that concerns about fairness and transparency are growing, with nearly half of voters doubting Labour's honesty during the election campaign and fearing that the upcoming budget will be unfair.'

The findings come as Rachel Reeves scrambles to ease the growing backlash over slashing winter fuel payments, insisting she did not 'want' to cut the handouts.

The Chancellor claimed the government had no choice about axing the payments for millions as she urged those on low incomes to sign up for pension credit.

The benefit is worth up to 3,900 a year on average, but estimates suggest up to 880,000 people are currently missing out.

Anyone in receipt of pension credit will retain the right to a winter fuel payment.
A shaven-headed Brazilian judge dubbed 'Voldemort' has taken on X owner Elon Musk and shut down the social platform over claims of misinformation.

Alexandre de Moraes' X ban began early on Saturday morning, making the app largely inaccessible on both the web and mobile app.

The Supreme Court judge initiated the nationwide shutdown after Musk refused to name a legal representative to the country, missing a deadline imposed by Moraes.

Moraes, 55, and Musk, 53, have been embroiled in a months-long feud over free speech, far-right accounts, and misinformation - with the new ban becoming the result of the escalating tensions.

Internet service providers across the nation, which is home to 215million people and was one of X's largest markets, completely blocked the platform yesterday and the country's main news sites stopped posting at the same time.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered an immediate ban on X in Brazil which started early on Saturday

X owner Elon Musk dubbed Moraes 'Voldemort' - likening him to the evil overlord in the Harry Potter series

A furious Musk took to X following the ban, saying: 'The tyrant de Voldemort is crushing the people's right to free speech,' likening de Moraes to the evil wizard in the Harry Potter series.

De Moraes said X will stay suspended until it complies with his orders, and also set a daily fine of 6,790 for people or companies using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access it.

The Brazilian Bar Association on Friday said in a statement that it would request the Supreme Court review the fines Moraes has imposed on all citizens using VPNs to access the platform.

'I've used VPNs a lot in authoritarian countries like China to continue accessing news sites and social networks,' Mauricio Santoro, a political science professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, said on the platform before its shutdown.

'It never occurred to me that this type of tool would be banned in Brazil. It's dystopian.'

The war between the two began to escalate earlier this year as Moraes demanded X block users that were seen uploading clearly fake or inflammatory posts.

Moraes ordered the social media platform to block certain accounts implicated on investigations of so-called 'digital militias' that have been accused of spreading fake news and hate messages during the government of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro.

After Musk challenged that decision and said he would reactivate accounts on X that the judge had ordered blocked, Moraes opened an inquiry into the billionaire in early April.

X representatives eventually reversed course and told the Supreme Court that the social media giant would obey the legal rulings.

The platform was suspended after Musk refused to name a legal representative to Brazil

In April, however, Moraes asked X to explain why it allegedly had not fully complied with his decisions and ordered fines of $20,000 per day for any account X reactivated.

In response, lawyers representing X in Brazil told the Supreme Court that 'operational faults' had allowed users who were ordered blocked to stay active on the social media platform.

Since then, the legal battle between the pair has become increasingly more tense, as last Wednesday Moraes warned musk that X would be banned if the company failed to notify the supreme court who its legal representative in Brazil was.

The platform declined to do so.

On Thursday, Moraes also froze the assets of the company Starlink Holding in Brazil, which Musk also owns, to ensure that fines applied by courts were paid, multiple Brazilian media outlets reported.

The Tesla CEO responded on X by saying that Moraes was 'an outright criminal of the worst kind, masquerading as a judge.'

In a separate post, he labeled the judge a 'tyrant' and 'dictator of Brazil' while adding that President Lula da Silva was his 'lapdog.'

Hours after the judge's decision, Musk said on X that Moraes 'has repeatedly broken the laws he has sworn to uphold'.

Moraes, who rarely gives interviews, and who in his most recent statements on the subject has avoided mentioning Musk or X by name, said on Friday: 'We have a right to defend fundamental rights.

'Those who violate democracy, who violate fundamental human rights, whether in person or through social media, must be held accountable.'
A university has removed the term Anglo-Saxon from module titles in a bid to 'decolonise the curriculum.'

The University of Nottingham is removing the expression from a number of courses, including History and English Literature, and replacing it with the more favoured 'Early Medieval English.'

Academics have been campaigning to replace Anglo-Saxon with 'Early Medieval English' due to concern the former suggests a distinct, native Englishness.

It follows concerns that Anglo-Saxon has become too associated in recent years with racists - particularly those in the US - who use it to describe white people.

The Russell Group University is also looking to 'problematize the term "Viking"' - according to The Daily Telegraph.

Examples of Anglo-Saxon people. The University of Nottingham is removing the term Anglo-Saxon' from a number of courses, including History and English Literature, and replacing it with the more favoured 'Early Medieval English'

The University of Nottingham's Trent Building. Academics have been campaigning to replace Anglo-Saxon with 'Early Medieval English' due to concern the former suggests a distinct, native Englishness

It is one of the only higher education institution in the UK to offer a Viking Studies course but now Nottingham wants to rename an English literature module 'A Tale of Seven Kingdoms: Anglo-Saxon and Viking-Age England from Bede to Alfred the Great' to 'Early mediaeval England from Bede to Alfred the Great.'

It is claimed this is due to concerns over the connection to Norse mythology and 'race, empire and Nazism'. For example the Nazis used Norse iconography such for organisations such as the SS.

The term Anglo-Saxon is used to describe the cultural group of people who emerged in the aftermath of the fall of Roman Britain and the before the Norman conquest in 1066.

It refers to three Germanic peoples- the Angles, Saxons and Jutes - who ruled what would become a united England.

In recent years, the term has become increasingly controversial.

Before the University of Nottingham announced this removal, in 2023 Cambridge University started teaching students that Anglo-Saxons did not exist as a distinct ethnic group.

The teaching aimed to explain that Anglo-saxon, Scottish, Welsh and Irish identities were not 'coherent.'

In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, Universities across the UK and around the world have begun a process of 'decolonise the curriculum.'

A man dressed-up as a viking. Nottingham is also looking to 'problematize the term "Viking"' - according to The Daily Telegraph. It is one of the only higher education institution in the UK to offer a Viking Studies course

According to the National Education Union decolonising education involves a full examination of British imperialism and racism. As well as understanding the history of inequalities and challenging historic racism.

These efforts to decolonise education have impacted multiple subjects including Philosophy where SOAS University of London - formerly the School of Oriental and African Studies - has sidelined classical Greek thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle in favour of new-age thinkers such as an Indian-American feminist, a Nigerian 'gender theorist' and a Japanese zen expert.

In 2022, the Quality Assurance Agency, which checks on course standards, incorporated critical race theory into its recommendations for degrees.

It urged courses to teach about colonialism. This included Computing - where courses such address 'how divisions and hierarchies of colonial value are replicated and reinforced within the computing subject.'

As well as Maths which the QAA said should 'present a multicultural and decolonised view of mathematics.'
Furious residents living close to where a film set exploded into a blaze near London's O2 Arena have told of their 'panic and stress' after the council appeared to warn locals the pre-planned filming event was taking place on a different date.

Huge flames erupted just across the River Thames from the iconic London venue last night, with residents likening the explosion to a 'bomb going off' and an 'earthquake'.

The London Fire Brigade said it was called to an open-air yard in Silvertown, Newham, to bring the blaze under control after the 'pre-planned' stunt went wrong and 'spread out of control'.

Footage showed thick black smoke circling above the 02 - with onlookers saying there were at least five explosions heard. A burning red lorry with the words 'BBC World News' was seen on fire, but the BBC said it had no involvement in the event.

The blaze has sparked mass confusion as the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council had warned residents that there would be a 'loud explosion' during filming on August 24.

MailOnline has asked the council why the pre-panned film set explosion, which ultimately raged out of control, took place on August 31 instead. Newham Council, which manages the Silvertown area, said it would be working with the film company, fire brigade and Greenwich Council to 'understand what led to the incident'.

Angry residents have since fumed at the council, with Kamila Pawlowska writing: 'Who will be responsible for miscommunication with local businesses?'

Kelly Anne posted: 'Local residents were not informed of this happening today and it caused a lot of panic and stress.

Videos from the scene showed flames and huge black clouds swirling above opposite the London 02 Arena

Thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky above the iconic music venue

The Royal Borough of Greenwich council had warned residents to expect a 'loud explosion' during filming on August 24

However, furious residents were left in a state of 'panic and stress' after the described explosion actually took place on August 31 - a week later

'The London Fire Service were quick to respond as well as helicopters and police boats on the river.

'This was not planned properly and scared a lot of people and wasted a lot of emergency services time.'

A third resident, Hannah Wray, asked: 'It was very loud on the East London side and lots of smoke. Was the filming delayed and did it go wrong?'

And similarly, Valeriya Booth wrote: 'I live nearby and had no idea this was happening today. It was pretty scary after hearing 4 big explosions and seeing smoke everywhere! How was this even allowed to happen? Or did something go wrong.'

London Fire Brigade said it responded to a fire - involving half of a car and a lorry - after they were called at 7.51pm.

Boat engineers working on the River Thames when the explosion happened said it sounded like a 'massive bomb going off'.

Michael Weston, 56, told MailOnline: 'It was incredibly loud. I thought it was going to burst my ear drums.

'Apparently a load of gas canisters exploded. I thought I was going to have a heart attack.

'It sounded like a bomb going off.'

Four fire engines and 25 firefighters rushed to tackle the blaze at an open air yard on Dock Road in Silvertown.

The brigade said last night: 'The fire in Silvertown followed a controlled explosion at a film set which spread out of control.

'Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire, which is now under control. Crews will remain on scene for the remainder of the evening.'

Onlookers said the lorry which caught on fire in central London near the city's O2 Arena was '100% a BBC World News' truck which 'exploded five times'.

An onlooker, 42, said he hoped it was a controlled intentional fire, which was part of filming near East India Dock in London at around 8pm last night.

The man, who works in set design, said filming often happens in the area for series like Married at First Sight.

'Loud bangs and explosions' have been heard near the O2 as videos show huge plumes of smoke pouring into the air

The blaze appeared to have broken out in warehouses on the Isle of Dogs - across the river from the iconic venue

But he said he noticed the BBC truck before it caught fire, because it was less common for the channel to film in the area.

He said he was certain the vehicle which caught fire and exploded was a 'red mobile editing' vehicle which said 'BBC World News' on the side.

He said: 'It was a BBC camera truck where they do the editing - the mobile trucks that follow the teams around.

'They were doing filming here. We saw them. The BBC doesn't do filming here usually, so I noticed it. I saw 'BBC World News' on the side of it and it was red.

'I'm 100% sure. At first I wasn't sure if it was an accident or part of something they are filming - I'm still not. It exploded about five times.'

BBC News confirmed that they were not involved. A spokesman said: 'There is no BBC News involvement in the events of this evening in docklands.'

A spokesperson for the Met Police confirmed it was a 'pre-planned filming event in the Canning Town area', and there was no risk to the public.

Ryan O'Sullivan, 44, who lives in a flat opposite, said it sounded like an 'earthquake'.

A spokesperson for the Met Police confirmed it was a 'pre-planned filming event in the Canning Town area', and there is no risk to the public

The Royal Borough of Greenwich council said that filming would take place last week on August 24, with a 'loud explosion' in the evening

The business manager said: 'We could have been warned there was going to be a controlled explosion.

'I thought it was a bomb. My flat was shaking. It was a huge shock. The smoke went right across the river. It was insane.

'I just thought the worst.'

Another local said: 'It was incredibly loud. I couldn't believe it. How on earth did it get like that? It was mad.'

The blaze appeared to have broken out in warehouses on the Isle of Dogs - across the river from the iconic venue.

But horrified locals - who were unaware of what was going on - took to social media to share their worry.

Lauren Gregory said that it was a 'relief' that the huge bangs and smoke were from a film set.

She told MailOnline: 'It was quite scary as the explosions were very loud and the smoke appeared quickly with more explosions heard shortly after with no one knowing what was going on.'

Chanel Bennett added that watching the scene was 'so, so scary'.

She said: 'Security were running around frantically and one of them told us it was a planned thing but he looked very uneasy and ran off.'

Christopher Golds, added: 'Some sort of huge explosion in East London on the opposite side of the Thames to the O2. Emergency services already there.'

Another, Sasha Stolp, said: 'There has just been a series of explosions opposite the O2.'

And Valley Fontaine posted: 'What were those two loud bangs and black smoke near O2?'
Millions of Aussies have been urged to work from home and avoid unnecessary travel ahead of another week of destructive winds that is set to batter large swathes of the country.

A cold front will sweep through parts of South Australia and Tasmania on Sunday night while Victoria will be hit by damaging wind gusts of up to 130km/h until Monday morning, bringing dangerous surf conditions.

The east coast of NSW, including parts of Sydney, the Illawarra and the Hunter won't be spared from the wild weather either, with wind gusts of up to 100m/h expected.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast that some parts of NSW could be hit by destructive wind gusts of up to 125km/h during the early parts of Monday.

Senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said the low pressure system will produce isolated showers for southern parts of Australia.

Ms Scully said the weather event may also create small hail and light levels of snow could also be possible.

'It [[cold front will] scoot across out into the Tasman sea clearing during Monday with an easing of the showers gradually as [a] high pressure system moves in,' she said.

'There's also a risk of locally destructive winds in excess of 125km/h about the west coast and central coast of Victoria, including the Bellarine Peninsula and south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

The recent spate of wild weather has brought down trees and power lines and several backyard items were tossed away from homes in Victoria (pictured)

'Also the north-eastern rangers of Victoria may also have the destructive winds as well as the north and west coast of Tasmania.

'Those winds are expected to east from the west as the cold front tracks eastwards.

'We're forecasting (the cold front) to move through the Melbourne area somewhere from 2am to 4am.'

Ms Scully said the unsettled conditions has also produced powerful waves and high tides.

'We're expecting seas to peak tomorrow afternoon between 7 to 9 metres off the west coast of Victoria and Tasmania,' she said.

The recent spate of wild weather has already brought down trees and power lines with backyard items tossed away from homes.

The latest weather alert promoted a warning from the State Emergency Service to tie down furniture and trampolines and ensure vehicles are parked well away from trees

'We are going to see more severe weather across the state of Victoria including damaging and locally destructive winds and isolated thunderstorms tonight and tomorrow morning,' Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent Nugent said.

'It is likely that the destructive and damaging winds are going to result in a lot more trees down and houses without power, building damage, road closures and possibly impacts on the transport networks.'

A number of Victorian state and private schools informed parents on Sunday night that they will be closed on Monday,

Roofs and other structures were torn apart (pictured) as a result of the destructive winds that has affected several parts of Australia over recent weeks

Tasmania SES crews are preparing for flooding. Picture: Tasmania SES

Across the Bass Strait, parts of northern and western Tasmania could be hit by up to 50mm of rain on Monday.

Flood warnings have also been issued for several rivers with catchments nearing capacity.

Several communities were ordered to evacuate with a major flood emergency warning remains in place for the Derwent and Styx Rivers.

The evacuate now warning was issued for Derwent River from Meadowbank to Macquarie Plains and Styx River from Bushy Park to Macquarie Plains and surrounds on Sunday night.

Authorities warned that properties will become isolated or inundated with floodwaters in the the next 12 hours.

Property, livestock, equipment, and crops are also likely to be threatened by flood waters.

A cold front will sweep through parts of South Australia and Tasmania on Sunday night while Victoria will be hit by damaging wind gusts of up to 130km/h (pictured)

Sydney is tipped to reach a high of 25C on Monday while Melbourne will reach just tops of 14C on Monday before warming up to 20C by mid-week.

A top of of 33C is expected in Brisbane on Monday before temperatures drop back into the mid-20s, with Perth's warmest day also appearing to be Monday with a top of 25C.

Adelaide is forecast to reach 25C on Wednesday and Thursday while Hobart is in for few cool days before warming up to 20C later in the week.

The Tasmanian capital will be hit by persistent isolated showers for much of the week.

Canberra is set to reach a high of 24C on Friday while in the Top End, Darwin is tipped to reach a scorching 36C on Wednesday.

Sydney

Monday: Sunny. Very windy. Min 16C Max 25C

Tuesday: Sunny. Min 10C Max 18C

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Min 10C Max 18C

Melbourne

Monday: Showers easing: Windy. Min 10C Max 14C

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Min 8C Max 17C

Wednesday: Becoming windy. Partly cloudy. Min 9C Max 20C

Brisbane

Monday: Sunny. Windy. Min 19C Max 33C

Tuesday: Sunny. Min 16C Max 25C

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Min 13C Max 23C

Perth

Monday: Sunny. Min 9C Max 25C

Tuesday: Shower or two. Min 12C Max 21C

Wednesday: Showers. Min 13C Max 20C

Adelaide

Monday: Possible early shower. Min 11C Max 17C

Tuesday: Sunny. Min 7C Max 20C

Wednesday: Possible shower developing. Min 12C Max 25C

Hobart

Monday: Showers easing. Windy. Min 6C Max 12C

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Min 7C Max 15C

Wednesday: Shower or two. Min 7C Max 19C

Sydney is expected to be mostly sunny despite a windy start to the week on Monday, with tops of 29C forecast on Friday

Canberra

Monday: Windy. Partly cloudy. Min 9C Max 14C

Tuesday: Sunny. Min 1C Max 16C

Wednesday: Early frost. Mostly sunny. Min 0C Max 19C

Darwin

Monday: Sunny. Min 23C Max 35C

Tuesday: Sunny. Min 23C Max 35C

Wednesday: Sunny. Min 23C Max 36C
A gang of burglars suspected of 'gassing' radio DJ Nick Grimshaw and his 81-year-old mother while they were sleeping in their luxury rented Ibiza villa have been arrested.

Spanish detectives sensationally admitted for the first time today knockout gas could have been used by the criminals as they linked the gang to 'at least' 22 raids across the island and released chilling footage of the masked suspects at work.

Three people accused of the burglaries, with the total value of items stolen exceeding half a million euros, are thought to have been operating in Ibiza since 2019.

The revelation opens up the possibility their targets could have included a number of millionaire famous faces.

Nick was targeted by criminals believed to have used sedative gas after renting a villa in Ibiza for his 40th birthday last month. His mother Eileen, dancer fiance Meshach Henry, 27, and niece, Liv Grimshaw, who appears with him on Celebrity Gogglebox, were also in the property.

Sources close to the investigation confirmed today the gang arrested are suspected of being behind the raid on Nick's villa.

Nick Grimshaw and his 81-year-old mother Eileen were sedated by a criminal gang in Ibiza (Pictured in London in February 2017)

Spanish police released footage of the suspects being arrested - as they linked them to at least 22 raids across Ibiza

Police also released chilling footage of the hooded burglars carrying out on of their raids in Ibiza

Police raided a property and found several objects related to the burglaries which had been reported missing, including designer watches, sunglasses, designer bags, mobiles and cash

The Spanish Civil Guard retrieved several items including huge amounts of cash and Apple devices

Sources close to the investigation have confirmed that the gang arrested are suspected of being behind the raid on Nick's Ibiza villa. Pictured: The DJ is pictured in London after the burglary

One said: 'Detectives believe the two men remanded in prison and being investigated over a series of break-ins on the island in which sedative gas could have been used were the same ones who targeted the property the British DJ had rented.'

The presenter and his loved ones were said to be unhurt, but lost some valuables, and have since returned home.

The revelation emerged as Spanish police released footage showing one of the criminals' burglary victims confronting a member of the 'knockout gas' gang after discovering them rifling through his valuables in a luxury Ibiza villa.

The thief, wearing black shorts and a T-shirt and looking as if he has just woken up, fights with the masked intruder before the robber manages to break free and flee the scene.

Separate footage showed the intruders walked casually through the grounds of a villa with stolen items in their hands before driving off in a getaway vehicle.

Binoculars and other tools they used for their break-ins, as well as some of the stolen items recovered including designer watches and phones, were exhibited by cops.

The operation that led to this week's three arrests was codenamed Operation Fonseca.

A well-placed source said: 'The two men that have been held are both Albanian and the woman is Romanian.'

Footage released by the Spanish Civil Guard shows the suspects being arrested by police

The gang are thought to have been operating in Ibiza since 2019, according to Spanish detectives. Pictured: Balaclava-clad thieves target an Ibiza villa

Grimshaw pictured with his niece, Liv, who he stars alongside on Celebrity Gogglebox, and his fiance, Meshach Henry, during a night out in Ibiza on August 16

Nick Grimshaw jetted out to Ibiza to celebrate his 40th birthday last month before falling victim to a horrific burglary

Grimshaw posted this photo of himself smiling and leaning back on a plastic chair on Instagram on his birthday with a caption saying: 'Waking up 40'

The gang waited for the gas to take effect then broke in wearing hazmat suits and turned the villa over (Grimshaw pictured enjoying a night out with friends in Ibiza last week)

The men are believed to be the ones remanded in prison on the orders of a judge and the woman is thought to be the one released on bail pending ongoing inquiries.

None of the suspects have yet been named. They have not been formally charged with any crimes but are under official investigation as part of an ongoing judicial inquiry that is likely to take months to complete.

It was not immediately clear today if any of the stolen items recovered belong to Nick and the friends and family.

Spanish police have not yet officially confirmed they believe the gang held were behind the raid or named other celebs they suspect could have been victims, but the criminals' identical modus operandi points to them being responsible.

Going public with the admission the gang could have used gas to incapacitate villa occupants, a spokesman for the Civil Guard confirmed: 'The Civil Guard has arrested three people belonging to a gang specialising in committing robberies in luxury properties on the island of Ibiza during the summer.

'They have been linked to at least 22 crimes with the total value of the items stolen exceeding half a million euros.

'The intruders entered the properties while the occupants were sleeping, always dressed in black and hiding their faces.

'If they were caught during the break-in, they fled the scene.

'Many of the victims told police they felt dazed when they woke up, as well as feeling discomfort with dizziness and vomiting, leading detectives to suspect the criminals were using some sort of gas that caused sleepiness.

'During the investigation detectives in Ibiza were able to track down the homes of the suspects thanks to the localisation of vehicles they were using to commit the crimes, vehicles which had previously been stolen.

In July, Grimshaw posted a slew of snaps from his trip, showing him partying and posing with friends

Sources previously said the gang would have had no idea who Grimshaw (pictured in Ibiza with his fiance) was but the villa was on a target list as it was known to be 'used by high net worth clients'

'This week a property was searched and several objects related to the robberies which had been reported missing, including designer watches, sunglasses, designer bags, mobiles and cash, were found.

'Officers also seized clothes the suspects used to perpetrate the crimes.

'The three people arrested are two men and a woman.

'They have already appeared before a judge in court and two of them have been remanded in custody and continue to be investigated for at least 22 robberies and thefts inside houses.

'The total amount of the items stolen has been estimated at around EUROS 548,500.

'Police information points to the gang being in Ibiza since 2019.'
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The BBC has been branded 'shameless' after providing a platform to a Palestinian politician who celebrated Hamas' October 7 massacre by calling it 'a glorious day'.

Mustafa Barghouti, the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative party made an appearance on BBC Radio 4's World at One on Wednesday after Israel launched a large-scale attack across the West Bank which left nine Palestinians dead.

But the news service has been blasted for interviewing him on national radio after Barghouti had made remarks on the day of the October 7 surprise attack, telling Al-Jazeera Qatar: 'Today is a glorious day for the Palestinian resistance and people'.

On the day of the mass offensive, Hamas gunmen stormed the Supernova music festival in southern Israel before claiming the lives of 1,200 and taking 251 civilians hostage.

'The resistance paid with interest for the attacks of the terrorist settlers and the attacks against the al-Aqsa mosque.

The BBC has been slammed for giving a platform to The General Secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative party Mustafa Barghouti (pictured) after he called the October 7 massacre 'a glorious day' on the BBC Radio 4 World at One show on Wednesday

Palestinians transport a captured Israeli civilian, center, from Kfar Azza kibbutz into the Gaza Strip on Saturday, October 7, 2023

Dramatic bodycam footage shows a terror squad wearing khakis as they ride motorbikes in a convoy on October 7

Gunmen in a pick-up truck enter southern Israel to kill civilians and take hostages in October

The aftermath of an attack on the Supernova music Festival by Hamas gunmen, October 9

'It paid with interest for those who normalise [their relations] with the occupation,' he continued.

During the World at One interview with BBC's Sarah Montague, she asked him: 'When you hear of attacks by Palestinians on Israelis, what do you think? Do you support those attacks?'

Barghouti responded: 'Look, you don't need to ask me this question because I am so well-known for being an activist calling always for non-violent resistance.

'And I don't want anybody to be killed but let me tell you, the war here is one-sided from one side or another'.

But following the BBC's decision to give the Palestinian chief a platform on their show, an Israeli official said the BBC should have done more to challenge Barghouti's claims that he had 'always' called for non-violent residtance.

'The BBC's failure in letting Barghouti get away with the claim that he is peaceful is shameless,' said the official.

'His celebration of the October 7 massacre was on public record and he should have been challenged over his views'.

A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: 'This was a robust and challenging interview with a veteran political activist about the current situation in the occupied West Bank and the programme featured a range of views.

'The BBC is committed to covering this polarising story impartially and independently.'

It comes as the bodies of six Israeli hostages were uncovered in Gaza on Saturday, after they were snatched from the festival 11 months ago and held in captivity.

Israeli military named them as Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, - an Israeli-American - Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Carmel Gat, 39, Almog Sarusi, 26, Alex Lubnov, 26, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino, 25.

On Sunday morning, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said: 'This morning, our hearts are broken'.

He went on to say that the military had informed the families of the deceased who had been located by IDF troops in an underground tunnel in Rafah.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, left, is among six hostages whose bodies were recovered Saturday. He and Eden Yerushalmi, right, were among victims taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 massacre

Almog Sarusi, 26, left, was enjoying the rave when Hamas terrorists attacked. Carmel Gat, right, was visiting her family in Kibbutz Beeri on October 7

Alex Lobanov, 26, left, was the head barman at the festival. Ori Danino, right, was taken captive by Hamas from the Nova Music Festival on October 7

'According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them,' he continued.

'They were abducted alive on the morning of October 7th by the Hamas terror organization. Their bodies were found during combat in Rafah in an underground tunnel, approximately one kilometer from the tunnel from which we rescued Farhan al-Qadi a few days ago'.

The IDF spokesperson confirmed the force have now been instructed to act with extra caution as there may potentially be more hostages in the area.

'We did not have information on the exact location of the hostages. Combat was ongoing above ground, and the troops eliminated terrorists even during the battles there yesterday. The troops are still operating in the field at this time,' he said.

'We share in the great sorrow of their families during this difficult time. It is impossible to put into words what the hostages have endured in Hamas captivity since October 7th, now 331 days, and what their families have been going through. This morning, this news shakes us all,' Hagari concluded.

Israel's President Isaac Herzog took to X, formerly Twitter, to pay tribute to those that devastatingly lost their lives.

'The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces... On behalf of the State of Israel, I embrace their families with all my heart, and apologize for failing to bring them home safely'.

Herzog also defiantly confirmed that Israel will continue to 'fight relentlessly' against Hamas.

'The blood of our brothers cries out to us. Our sisters and brothers are still there enduring Hell. The supreme covenant between the state and its citizens is to ensure their safety. We have the sacred and urgent mission to bring them home,' he ended the post.
Ryanair has set its sights on package holidays as the company battles to attract more tourists.

Michael O'Leary, the airline's chief executive, has long been opposed to selling package holidays, saying it would be a distraction from the company's main objective of dominating European short-haul travel.

But Mr O'Leary has this week revealed he would review the situation once Ryanair has established as much growth as possible from its Boeing aircraft fleet expansion.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: 'I wouldn't rule out setting up a holidays division.

'The holiday product is probably a reasonable way of charging higher fares and yields and for wrapping it into a package.'

It comes after the airline reported in July that profits had slumped by almost 50 per cent this summer.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said he would review the situation once Ryanair has established as much growth as possible from its Boeing aircraft fleet expansion

Ryanair is looking at a possible launch of package holidays as the company battles to attract more tourists (Stock photo)

Price-savvy customers delayed booking summer holidays with the budget carrier saying this had contributed to the 46 per cent drop in its profits to 360m (303m), compared with the previous year.

Average plane fares fell by 15 per cent to 42 (35) and Ryanair's typical fare in June was 41.93, down from 49.07 the previous year.

Meanwhile, rivals easyJet and Jet2 have been reaping the rewards of package holidays this year, highlighting the value of a package offering for customers.

Mr O'Leary added accommodation in Spain, Italy and Greece had become more expensive, which might have pushed more people towards opting for holiday packages.

He told The Telegraph easyJet Holidays had been 'reasonably successful' since its relaunch in 2019 under chief executive Johan Lundgren.

However, the Ryanair boss said easyjet had been forced into the move because of its focus on airports such as London Gatwick and Paris Charles de Gaulle, where operating slots are costly and hard to come by.

Mr O'Leary praised Jet2's operations, but said 'there is very little seat only or scheduled services' and 'they have no presence outside the UK'.

Despite the slump in profits, passenger numbers for Ryanair rose 10 per cent to 55.5million, resulting in its overall revenues falling just one per cent to 363billion.

Passenger numbers are predicted to increase by 8 per cent this year.
A female teacher has been charged with sexually abusing a schoolboy in Northern Ireland, it has emerged.

Judith Evans, who has been suspended from her teaching position at Belfast Boys' Model School, will stand trial for sexual offences she allegedly committed against a male student, The Belfast Telegraph reported.

Evans, 33, appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday to deny 11 charges against her relating to a variety of sexual offences including engaging in sexual activity with the minor, possessing an indecent photograph of a student, sexual communication with a minor, perverting the course of justice, and more.

She had tried to prevent being identified as the defendant in the case, with her lawyers citing mental health concerns, risk of identification of the pupil, risk of prejudicing the administration of justice and the fact that Evans herself had made a criminal complaint.

But the judge, citing the 'importance of open justice', declined to make any order concealing her identity, the newspaper reported.

Judith Evans (pictured) will stand trial for sexual offences she allegedly committed against a male student

Evans on Wednesday was arraigned on charges spanning from March 1 to May 17 this year, the court heard.

It is alleged that during this four-month period, Evans communicated with a pupil 'for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification'.

She was charged with two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of intentionally engaging in sexual touching involving penetration with a child.

She was also charged with one count of causing a child to look an at image of a person engaging in sexual activity 'for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification' and two counts of possessing an indecent image of the pupil.

Evans was also hit with a charge of perverting the course of justice between June 13 and 27, which pertained to allegedly making a false allegation of sexual assault against the boy.

She pleaded 'not guilty' to all charges and Judge Patricia Smyth set her trial for November 4. Evans was also released on continuing bail.

Evans, who has been suspended from her teaching position at Belfast Boys' Model School (pictured), had tried to prevent being identified as the defendant in the case, with her lawyers citing mental health concerns, risk of identification of the pupil, risk of prejudicing the administration of justice and the fact that she had also made a criminal complaint

Evans' solicitor Adrian Harvey, who accompanied her in the dock on Wednesday, previously told the court that his client claimed to be a victim in the encounters with the student, the newspaper reported.

Mr Harvey argued that Evans 'is also a complainant in relation to these proceedings'.

Her barrister Laura Ivers KC told the judge on Wednesday that the defence is seeking forensic and psychiatric reports ahead of the trial.
A couple who met on the crisp aisle of their local Waitrose have tied the knot.

Jessica Weston-Brown met her future husband Jaxom while they were both working as store assistants at a branch of the supermarket chain in Eastbourne, West Sussex.

Then on their wedding day last month, the newlyweds paid the store a visit after saying their vows in a nearby church.

In a world where it is becoming increasingly common to meet your significant other on a dating app rather than in real life - Mr and Mrs Weston-Brown's meeting has all the characteristics of a classic love story.

The couple were introduced to each other in September 2017. The then 20-year-old Jessica was asked by her manager to show Jaxom how to stack crisps on the shelf.

Jessica and Jaxom Weston-Brown were introduced to each other in September 2017. The then 20-year-old Jessica was asked by her manager to show Jaxom how to stack crisps on the shelf

A Waitrose supermarket (stock image). Jessica Weston-Brown met her future husband Jaxom while they were both working as store assistants at a branch of the supermarket chain in Eastbourne, West Sussex

She then invited the newbie to join her and other staff at a Halloween party. Jessica told the BBC that the pair hit it off and they 'talked all night.'

Jessica and Jaxom soon started dating and their relationship even survived a long-distance spell when Jaxom went to work at a Cambridge branch of the store.

Having joked about going back to Waitrose where their romance began, the couple went back to the same store after saying 'I do' at a local Eastbourne church.

In their full wedding attire, the bride and groom bought a packet of crisps and were presented with a bouquet of red roses by their former colleagues.

Jessica said: 'It was actually really funny. I thought I was going to be so embarrassed.'

On Social Media, Waitrose wished the couple well.

In a post on FaceBook which gained nearly 8,000 likes, the supermarket wrote:

'From Waitrose Partners to lifelong partners. Waitrose Eastbourne had a surprise visit from just-married Jess and Jax, who first met in the crisp aisle when working at Waitrose in 2017.

In a post on FaceBook which gained nearly 8,000 likes, the supermarket wrote: 'From Waitrose Partners to lifelong partners. Waitrose Eastbourne had a surprise visit from just-married Jess and Jax, who first met in the crisp aisle when working at Waitrose in 2017'

In a post on FaceBook which gained nearly 8,000 likes, the supermarket wrote:

'From Waitrose Partners to lifelong partners. Waitrose Eastbourne had a surprise visit from just-married Jess and Jax, who first met in the crisp aisle when working at Waitrose in 2017.

'Jess says: 'We met in September 2017 in the crisp aisle. When Jax started, I was asked to train him on stocking the shelves. We started dating in the November but Jax left in December to work in Cambridge, so we were long distance until I did my transfer to Cambridge in October 2019. And now, here we are in 2024...married!'

'Huge congratulations to the happy couple.'

A Waitrose spokesperson told MailOnline: 'From Waitrose Partners to lifelong partners - we're delighted to see Jess and Jax find their happily ever after. Sending huge congratulations to them both from everyone at the Partnership.'
A spell of thunderstorms is forecast for a number of Brits this weekend bringing with it threats of power cuts, flooding and disruption to travel.

The Met Office has issued a 24-hour yellow weather warning for thunderstorms for London and the South West between 4am on Sunday until midnight on Monday.

Meteorologists have said there is a 'small chance of disruption from heavy showers and thunderstorms' today which could cause road closures and disruption to bus and train services.

'There is also a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly', a Met Office spokesperson said, 'with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds'.

Fifteen flood alerts are in place across England, warning 'flooding is possible' in some areas. Land, roads and some properties may flood and there may be localised travel disruption.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris, said: 'Through Saturday night and into Sunday we'll see a gradual change in our weather across the UK with an increasing chance of heavy thundery showers developing, particularly across central parts of the UK.

A Manchester United fan braves the rain outside Old Trafford today

Two Man Utd fans share an umbrella as they get ready to watch the Premiere League match today

The Met Office has issued a 24-hour yellow weather warning for thunderstorms for London and the South West between 4am on Sunday until midnight on Monday

'Should they develop there is the risk of some local disruption from intense rainfall, gusty winds, lightning and possibly hail too. Not everywhere within the warning area will see thunderstorms, and confidence in any individual location being affected remains extremely low at this time.

'The risk of thunderstorms steadily transfers northwards through Sunday afternoon and into the early evening. If you have plans for Sunday, I'd recommend keeping up to date with the Met Office forecast and any updates to the warnings.'

A Man Utd fan puts her jacket over her head to try and keep herself dry in the heavy rain today

Two Man Utd fans try and dodge the heavy showers in Manchester today

Meteorologists have said there is a 'small chance of disruption from heavy showers and thunderstorms' today

Into next week, showers or longer spells of rain will persist across Scotland and northeast England.

The weather will remain changeable on Tuesday with a chance of showers and some longer spells of heavy rain, which should ease by Wednesday.
Airports across Europe are reintroducing the 100ml liquid limit after the new security scanners experienced a 'technical issue'.

Some airports in the European Union (EU) had scrapped the strict 100ml restrictions on liquids, but were today forced to reinstate their old policies, the BBC reports.

Officials say the 100ml rule has returned while they troubleshoot an undisclosed technical issue with the new scanners, which use CT X-ray technology that should enable larger volumes to liquids to go through security.

While specific details surrounding the issue have been withheld, reports suggest that the scanners were not accurate for some liquid containers that were being carried in travellers' hand luggage.

The Airports Council International (ACI) estimates that around 350 of the new scanning machines were in use across 13 EU countries. Most countries were still in the trial phase and had not yet relaxed their liquid restriction policies.

Some airports in the European Union had scrapped the strict 100ml restrictions on liquids, but were today forced to reinstate their old policies (stock image)

The new scanners use CT X-ray technology that should enable larger volumes to liquids to go through security

The 100ml rule was introduced in 2006 following a foiled terror plot to blow up planes flying from London to the US with home-made liquid bombs.

The restrictions required passengers to pack up to one litre of liquids or less in bottles of no more than 100ml.

Liquids, it was stipulated, had to be sealed in a clear, plastic bag and removed from bags before being scanned at security.

Some EU airports, including in Rome and Amsterdam, were already using the new scanners and had eased their liquids rules. But the EU in July reinstated the 100ml limit so it could address the equipment issue.

ACI Europe previously criticised the restriction as a 'setback for the passenger experience and a blow to major investments made by airports'.

Olivier Jankovec, director general of the organisation, said that security has a top priority but argued the airports that were 'been early adopters of this new technology are being heavily penalised both operationally and financially'.

He also claimed the restriction use of the scanners poses questions about the 'trust and confidence the industry can place in the current EU certification system for aviation security equipment'.

Officials say the 100ml has been reinstated while they troubleshoot an undisclosed technical issue with the new scanners, which use CT X-ray technology that should enable larger volumes to liquids to go through security (File photo of an advanced security scanner)

The restrictions required passengers to pack up to one litre of liquids or less in bottles of no more than 100ml. Liquids, it was stipulated, had to be sealed in a clear, plastic bag and removed from bags before being scanned at security (file photo)

The UK was predicted to scrap its 100ml rules this year, but many airports did not meet the previous Tory Government's deadline to have the required state-of-the-art scanning equipment installed by June 2024.

Smaller airports, including London City, Teesside, Newcastle, Leeds-Bradford, Aberdeen and Southend, successfully complied to the requirements and dropped the old liquids rules.

But bigger airports like Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester did not meet the deadline.

The Department for Transport (DfT) in mid-June re-introduced the 100ml policy at the few UK airports where it had been dropped, sparking outrage from airport bosses.

Neither the European Commission nor the UK Government have provided a timeline for when the rules will be relaxed again.

Confused about the 100ml rule? MailOnline reveals what liquid rules are in place and where - and which airports have installed the new scanners

By Sophie Foster, Deputy Travel Editor for MailOnline

Many UK air passengers are struggling to make sense of the rules around taking liquids in hand luggage through airport security as new scanners are rolled out.

Summer travellers were being met with long queues after airports that had launched the new scanners amid confusion over liquid restrictions.

But in June the Department for Transport (DfT) re-introduced 100ml restrictions on liquids being carried in cabin bags at six other regional UK airports with next-generation scanners.

Confused? We're not surprised. Here we explain all...

Presently - all UK airports are operating the 100ml liquid rule, regardless of the scanners in place.

But airports with new scanners have more flexibility around how cabin bags move through security.

Many UK air passengers are struggling to make sense of the rules around taking liquids in hand luggage through airport security as new scanners are rolled out. Currently, all UK airports are operating a 100ml liquids rule - meaning liquids can be placed in hand luggage but must be split into containers not exceeding 100ml

Long queues have been forming at Birmingham Airport (above) over the summer - which has launched the new scanners - amid confusion over liquid restrictions

UK AIRPORT LIQUID RULES UK airports and scanner status: Birmingham - new scanners / 100ml rule

Leeds Bradford - new scanners / 100ml rule

London City - new scanners / 100ml rule

Aberdeen - new scanners / 100ml rule

Southend - new scanners / 100ml rule

Teesside - new scanners / 100ml rule

Newcastle - new scanners / 100ml rule

Gatwick - old scanners / 100ml rule

Stansted - new scanners / 100ml rule

East Midlands - old scanners / 100ml rule

Manchester - new scanners / 100ml rule

Heathrow - old scanners / 100ml rule

Edinburgh - new scanners / 100ml rule Current liquid rules for airports with new scanners: Bottles to be no larger than 100ml Airports in control of amount of liquid in total (up to two litres) and whether they must be removed from bags or stored in clear pouches UK airports without new scanners operating liquid rules dating back to 2006: Bottles/containers to be no larger than 100ml Liquids must total under one litre Passengers must remove liquids from hand luggage at security Liquids to be kept in clear, plastic bags New-style liquid rules (to be introduced in future): Liquids may remain in luggage at security Bottles can be of any size and loose inside bags Liquids can total up to two litres Advertisement

London City, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, Southend and Teesside airports, have all installed new 3D CT- (computed tomography) based scanners in security halls and had scrapped the 100ml rule. Thanks to their new technology, passengers could bring up to two litres of liquids in any bottle size in carry-on luggage and not remove them at security.

However, on June 9, these airports were ordered to return to the 100ml liquid rule despite running the next-generation security checkpoints (NGSC), which create a 3D image of what is inside passengers' bags, allowing them to better identify objects.

Laptops and tablets, however, can remain in carry-on luggage.

A Department for Transport spokesperson told MailOnline earlier this year: 'From Sunday 9 June, 2024, 100ml restrictions on liquids will temporarily be reintroduced for passengers travelling from six regional airports where Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) are in full operation.

'This temporary move is to enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems and will only affect a small number of passengers.

'For most passengers, security measures will remain unchanged.

'Passengers should continue to check security requirements with their departure airport before travelling.'

Passengers who pack liquids in bottles of over 100ml will be subject to manual checks at the airport and those items will be at risk of being discarded.

At airports with new scanners, whether travellers are required to pack their liquids in clear, plastic bags, remove them from luggage or can pack more than one litre of liquid in multiple containers is up to the individual airport, the Department for Transport confirmed to MailOnline Travel.

What if you are travelling from a different airport than the six targeted by the Department for Transport?

A number of the UK's major airports have already installed some of the new checkpoints in security halls - however none have yet changed their liquid rules.

London Stansted, Manchester and Edinburgh all have at least some of the new 3D-scanners in place. However, as their new security halls are incomplete and some old scanners still remain none have changed their liquid rules.

This means you should still follow the 100ml rule, and other liquid restrictions, that have been in place for the past 18 years at all three airports.

London Gatwick, East Midlands Airport and London Heathrow have not yet introduced any new scanners and so their security halls are unable to comply with new restrictions and the 100ml rule remains in place for the foreseeable future.

What happened at Birmingham Airport?

The airport had installed the new scanners, but has been limiting liquids to 100ml 'due to an outstanding regulatory restriction', Nick Barton, CEO, told the BBC.

The airport blames passengers for the long queues, accusing them of incorrectly packing their bags.

The problem was exacerbated, a source told The Independent, by the new scanners misidentifying innocent items, such as sun cream, as 'threats'.

Travel expert Nicky Kelvin tested out London City Airport's 'fancy' new scanners in May

A passenger is pictured walking past an explainer about baggage rules at London City airport, which has installed new scanners

Why was the 100ml rule introduced?

The 100ml rule was introduced in 2006 following a foiled terror plot to blow up planes flying from London to the US with home-made liquid bombs.

The restrictions required passengers to pack up to one litre of liquids or less in bottles of no more than 100ml.

Liquids, it was stipulated, had to be sealed in a clear, plastic bag and removed from bags before being scanned at security.

Thanks to Nicky Kelvin at The Points Guy for permission to run his scanner image.
A cyclist who was killed when a car veered across two lanes and collided into him, has been remembered by loved ones as the 'rock' of the family.

Graham Steinmann, 42, was riding his bike home from work but had stopped at a medium strip near the Sunshine Avenue overpass of the Western Ring Road in Sunshine North in Melbourne's west last Monday.

His sister Jessica Steinmann told 7news.com.au that her brother was captured on dashcam footage waiting to safely cross the road.

But she claimed the driver, a 72-year-old woman from Kealba crossed two lanes and struck her brother before going across two more lanes and smashing into a pole.

Mr Steinmann couldn't be revived at the scene while driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

His sister said that it appeared the driver may have suffered a medical episode at the time, which is yet to be confirmed by police.

'It looked like they had no control of the car at all,' Ms Steinmann said.

'It just really seems like it was wrong place at the wrong time, like completely unavoidable.'

Graham Steinmann, 42, (pictured) had been on his bike waiting on a median strip to safely cross the road when he was struck by a car

The 42-year-old (pictured) who was described as an amazing uncle and a 'beautiful, kind soul' who had been supporting his mother and two siblings who are unable to work

The 42-year-old, who had travelled home on the same road hundreds of times, worked at a local junkyard.

Mr Steinmann lived with his mother and two siblings, who he helped support.

His grieving family don't blame the driver for his tragic death.

Ms Steinmann said it 'was a complete accident' and an ordeal the driver will live with for the rest of her life.

'The whole family is absolutely devastated at this unexpected loss,' Ms Steinmann wrote on a GoFundMe fundraiser set up.

'Graham worked hard to try to help support our Mum and two younger siblings at home going pay check to pay check and struggling to get by.

'Mum still works but our siblings who live at home cannot. Graham had no insurance policies or super.'

Ms Steinmann said her 'loving big brother' was the family's rock and always put his family above anything else.

'He had such an amazing sense of humour. He was always happy and trying to have a joke,' she said.

Ms Steinmann also described the 42-year-old as an amazing uncle who had a 'beautiful, kind soul'.

Mr Steinmann died at the scene (pictured). The 72-year-old driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries

Mr Steinmann comes just two years after his father died from cancer.

At the time, the family spent all their savings on his funeral - which has left them with nothing to pay for their brother and son's funeral costs.

Ms Steinmann said she wanted to help out her mother by raising money for a funeral or memorial service for her brother.

Almost $3,200 has been raised in recent days.

Police investigations into the fatal crash are ongoing.
The final words of a teen who was shot dead in her Arizona apartment two years ago have been released - as her parents double down on their mission to find her killer.

Rachel Hansen was 19 years old and engaged to be married when the suspect broke into her home and gunned her down in the early hours of June 4, 2022.

Now, her final words have been released in a redacted police transcript given to Arizona Family as part of an effort to bring the case back into the spotlight and track down the gunman.

'I've been shot. Someone broke in and shot me,' Rachel told a 911 dispatcher while bleeding out from a single bullet wound during her final moments.

'Please hurry, please hurry,' she said. 'I'm bleeding, I'm bleeding.'

Rachel Hansen (pictured) was killed in her Arizona apartment in June 2022. Police have released a transcript of her final words on a 911 call two years later in the hopes of resurrecting her case and finally tracking down her killer

Pictured: The Gilbert, Arizona apartment where Rachel Hansen was killed two years ago

The final words of 19-year-old Rachel Hansen (pictured) who was shot dead in her Arizona apartment two years ago have been released - as her parents double down on their mission to find her killer

A dispatcher urged Rachel to stay on the line, adding: 'Do you have any kind of clean cloth there that you can apply pressure to it? Is there anybody there with you?'

The teenager replied that she was alone and the gunman had left.

'Are you close to any kind of cloth or a shirt or a towel that you can use?' the dispatcher asks, to which the teen replied 'no'.

'There's nothing near you? Rachel, I need you to talk to me, OK?' the dispatcher said.

'I can't,' the teenager said, before succumbing to her injuries.

Police and fire responders can be heard scrambling to locate Rachel's address, before they arrived around four-and-a-half minutes later.

Rachel Hansen was just 19 years old and engaged to be married when the suspect broke into her home and gunned her down in the early hours of June 4, 2022

Rachel's devastated parents, Todd and Kim Hansen, have launched a fundraiser to take matters into their own hands and hire a private investigator

Gilbert Police responded to the call from Rachel's apartment in a gated complex on the outskirts of south-east Phoenix at 2am on June 4, 2022.

The department said in a news release at the time that she suffered a single gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the Chandler Regional Medical Center.

Rachel's heartbroken family has been waiting for answers ever since.

On the second anniversary of her murder this year, they launched a fundraiser to take matters into their own hands and hire a private investigator.

'Rachel did not deserve what happened to her, and her family and friends now feel helpless with limited options,' the fundraiser reads.

'We are concerned that the Gilbert Police Department has exhausted all its resources, as it was turned over to Silent Witness with no results.'

Rachel's family said she was an animal lover and a keen horseback rider

Silent Witness is also offering a reward of up to $7,000 to anyone with information about the killing.

The teenager's father, Todd Hansen also said he had distributed 500 flyers about his daughter's murder in the hope someone with information would come forward.

'Somehow, Someone, Somewhere knows Something regarding the of my sweet daughter Rachel Hansen,' he wrote on Facebook August 25.

'Maybe some closure with how or why she died might help us,' he added in a recent interview with KNXV.

'A 19-year-old girl gets murdered in the town of Gilbert was unheard of.'

'It's just as if it just happened as if it was yesterday,' Rachel's mother, Kim Hansen, added.

'Really it's kind of unbelievable because I feel like two years have gone by and we should have something, and we have nothing.'

Rachel Hansen was just 19 years old and engaged to be married when the suspect broke into her home and gunned her down in the early hours of June 4, 2022

Rachel loved horses and wanted to pursue a career as a horse trainer, her family said

Rachel was engaged to be married when she was killed by an unknown gunman in June 2022

In another interview with Arizona Family, Kim added that her daughter had just got engaged and was looking forward to a happy future.

'She was so excited. They were both so excited. Young love, and they were just starting their lives,' she said.

Rachel was adopted at the age of six and was a keen horse trainer who wanted to make a career of her passion.

The Gilbert Police Department released a statement to Law & Crime on the anniversary of Rachel's death this year.

'As we approach the two-year mark since Rachel Hansen's unfortunate homicide, this case continues to be of utmost priority for the Gilbert Police Department,' the agency said.

'We understand how difficult lengthy investigations can be on the families and friends of victims, as well as our community.

'We want to stress that this is a highly sensitive case, and we must be cautious that any information shared does not jeopardize our investigation or our steadfast endeavor to bring justice to Rachel and her loved ones.'

Rachel Hansen's final words have been released in a redacted police transcript given to Arizona Family as part of an effort to bring the case back into the spotlight and track down the gunman. (Pictured: Hansen, who was killed in her Arizona apartment June 2022)
Unions are calling for tests on times tables and grammar to be scaled back at primary schools.

Ministers are facing pressure to make the compulsory basic maths checks in year four optional as they can be a 'waste of time'.

The most difficult grammar questions would also be removed from year six SATs, under the ideas.

The move - reportedly being put to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson as part of a review - would effectively roll back the Tory government's push for a tough elementary curriculum.

Former schools minister Nick Gibb warned it would be a 'retrograde step' and 'damage the life chances of the next generation of young people'.

Unions are calling for tests on times tables and grammar to be scaled back at primary schools (file picture)

A union source told the Sunday Telegraph: 'The times-table tests should become optional. We are not saying children shouldn't learn times tables.

'They are really helpful. But the need to have the times-table check is a bit of an unnecessary waste of time.'

On grammar tests, the source added: 'We are not saying let's abandon knowledge. But there is an awful lot in the primary curriculum.

'Do we really need primary children to know about modal verbs and fronted adverbials? Why don't we strip that back - let's do fewer things but better.'

However, Mr Gibb said: 'All the evidence is that children knowing their times tables by heart is an essential precondition for more sophisticated mathematics, particularly things like simplifying equations and algebra.

'It would be a huge mistake to abolish a very simple computer-based test which actually children enjoy doing.'

He added: 'It's interesting that critics of the explicit teaching of grammar themselves use perfect grammar in expressing their criticism.

'Children from advantaged families for whom correct grammar is in everyday use don't necessarily need specific grammar teaching at schools.

'But for children from disadvantaged families it is essential that they are taught the rules of our language so that they too can express themselves as accurately as the critics.'
'Tiger King' Joe Exotic has given an in-depth jailhouse interview discussing the impending election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Exotic, in the midst of his 21-year murder-for-hire sentence, spoke at length about how the Republican could beat Harris come November, while offering some of his own critiques.

The 55-year-old zookeeper also had some advice for the former president, like dialing back on his trademark name-calling.

Exotic was convicted of two counts of hiring hit men to murder his own critic, wildlife activist Carole Baskin, in 2019. He was also jailed for violating federal conservation laws, following the bust of his illegal big cat petting zoo.

The 2020 Netflix smash hit Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness told the story of Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Allen Maldonado, and the spiral that led to his conviction. He now wants a pardon, and a high-ranking government position.

' Tiger King ' Joe Exotic gave an in-depth jailhouse interview about the impending election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris this week, The former zookeeper is seen here during another interview given in July

In it, he spoke at length about how the Republican could beat Harris come November, while offering some of his own critiques

'[Trump] has to explain to the people what we can do to better the lives of the American people,' Exotic told Newsweek from FMC Fort Worth in Texas.

'We can't afford gas, we can't afford rent, we can't afford food.

'We have to give back to where the American people can take care of the American people,' the former Oklahoma zoo owner said.

'If he would just explain some of this to the American public, he would win on a landslide.'

The convict added how he is hoping to secure a place on Trump's cabinet should he eke out a win.

To do so, Trump will need to 'keep his mouth shut [and] get on track,' he said.

'Concentrate on explaining to the American people [the value of] drilling our own oil, our gas, and our own coal,' he told the outlet over the phone.

'Get back to how we're going to sustain America without having to pay every other country for the same thing that we can provide here.'

Harris, he said, will 'never' get his support. He said of the past three-and-a-half years, 'We can't afford gas, we can't afford rent, we can't afford food... We have to give back to where the American people can take care of the American people'

The words of advice come a year-and-a-half after Exotic announced his own candidacy for president as a Democrat, before suspending his campaign amid efforts to appeal his conviction.

On July 15, 2021, a U.S. appeals court ruled his sentence for two murder attempts were wrongly treated as separate, reducing it from 22 years to 21.

In a rare interview in July, Exotic - revealing he now has prostate cancer - said he is not satisfied with that outcome, and is seeking an appeal to the entire case.

'I'm actually appealing my whole case, to overturn my conviction,' he told News Channel 8 from a prison in Florida at the time, before being transferred to the federal pen in Fort Worth.

Of the past five years, he said: 'It's been rough, it really has.'

Speaking to Newsweek, he said he's also hoping to secure a presidential pardon from the former president, despite already doing so toward the end of his first term.

He also expressed his wish to become the head of the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service, even though the agency does not allow even regular employees that have felony convictions.

'I want to be the director of the Fish and Wildlife Service,' he said. 'I can save this country several million dollars because it's over regulated.

The 55-year-old also had some advice for the former president, like dialing back on his trademark name-calling

'We're regulating animals that don't even belong in America,' he continued, before citing one of the federal laws he himself violated.

'And the Endangered Species Act is something that I specialize in. I can almost recite it, word for word.'

The Netflix documentary showed him needlessly killing tigers in his Oklahoma zoo, G.W. Zoo, shooting them point blank in their skulls.

Millions worldwide went on to brand him an animal abuser, leading to his conviction on 17 federal charges of animal abuse.

The bulk of the sentence, however, stems from two counts of attempted murder, for the failed plot to kill nemesis and Big Cat Rescue owner Baskin.

The series focused on this and long-running feud between the self-proclaimed animal activist and Exotic, who himself is a flamboyant polygamist and then-owner of a private petting zoo.

It also showed how Baskin's second husband, multi-millionaire Don Lewis, suddenly vanished without a trace in August 1997, from the Florida wildlife sanctuary the pair co-owned.

The then-59-year-old has never been found, nor has any evidence to suggest he was murdered. That said, cops have said they don't believe he disappeared on his own.

The infamous 2021 Netflix documentary showed him needlessly killing tigers in his Oklahoma zoo, G.W. Zoo, shooting them point blank in their skulls

The series focused on this and his long-running feud between the self-proclaimed animal activist Carole Baskin, who has stayed away from interviews since the series aired

The zookeeper was jailed for hiring men to murder Baskin and operating his illegal roadside petting zoos in Oklahoma

The zookeeper also said he has prostate cancer and possibly cancer of the lung as well, and for the first time aired his desire for a new attempt at a presidential pardon.

This week, he said Trump's team 'know that I would like to be in his cabinet as the director of the Federal Fish and Wildlife [Service]', and have yet to rebuff his offer.

Citing how he briefly became a police officer in small-town Kansas before setting out on his dubious career as a petting zoo owner, he said 'I used to be a police chief, so I have law enforcement experience, and I could do the job.

'And I think I could do the job a whole lot cheaper and a whole lot better for the American people.'

Exotic, meanwhile, has accused Baskin of killing his and feeding him to her own tigers - accusations he maintained a few weeks ago in his filmed phone call.

'I just wanted her out of my hair and to leave me alone,' he said about the anti big cat owner activist.

'I still think that she is bats**t crazy and that she killed her husband.'

The zookeeper was jailed for his hiring of two men to murder Baskin, who brought attention to his illegal roadside petting zoos in Oklahoma.

In his interview with Newsweek, he said the recent furor surrounding Harris will die down as the election - and his potential presidential pardon - inches closer.

'I think over the next 60 days, the momentum on Harris will die down and people will start seeing and hearing the truth,' he said.

'I'm not going to stop talking... I still believe Trump can pull this off if he gets on track, you know, and starts talking about policies and how he's going to fix the country, instead of all of his name-calling.'

Harris, he added, 'will never [get his] support.'
A glamorous yoga instructor is being blasted for hopping over a safety railing and performing risky poses on a fragile Zion National Park rock.

National Park enthusiasts shared a video of the woman to the Tourons of National Parks Instagram - a page dedicated to documenting instances of 'tourist morons.'

The woman stepped over the barrier that separates the walking path and the edge of the cliff to show off her yoga skills.

With nothing behind her to stop her from falling, the yogi performs a dancer pose which sees her balancing on one leg while she pulls the other behind her head.

After completing her pose, the woman then sits down on the ledge and dangles her legs off the rock.

A woman is being slammed for hopping over a safety railing in Zion National Park and performing a risky yoga pose

The woman stepped over the barrier that separates the walking path and the edge of the cliff

Critics have slammed the woman for putting her safety at risk and ignoring Zion's safety rules.

'She should be arrested and banned from posting at any national park! How dangerous and misleading. There are rules for a reason. If someone falls others lives are in danger rescuing them,' said one person.

'The level of f**k around and find out is crazy. Honestly really dislike people that blatantly disregard safety rails and signs. If she fell to her death thats on her. But I dont want a recovery team to be put at risk for her stupidity,' a second person said.

A third person said, 'I'm sick of these people who think the rules are not for them. They put others at risk of they need to be rescued. Lots of these morons end up dead from doing these stunts.'

'Park service needs to mega fine that foolish woman,' said another.

Zion National Park advises visitors to stick to the trails, stay back from cliff edges and observe posted warnings.

'Your safety depends on your own good judgment, adequate preparation, and constant awareness. Your safety is your responsibility,' the national park said on its website.

'Falls from cliffs on trails have resulted in death. Loose sand or pebbles on stone are very slippery. Be careful of edges when using cameras or binoculars. Never throw or roll rocks. There may be hikers below you. Be aware of the hazards to keep you, others, and park resources safe during your visit.'

Others criticized the woman for disrespecting nature and putting herself and others at risk just so she can get a video.

'This is not what yoga teaches us about honoring other cultures, their sacred spaces, and following rules which are created for our safety,' one person said.

'I think we by now are so sick of these self centered attention seekers that not having them in a beautiful picture of nature would be so much more pleasant. Please STOP with the selfie,' said another.

'People who adore themselves as much as these idiots do cannot be cured,' a third person said.

'What a complete d**b a** ! But it is motivated wholly by social media and a need for clicks/likes/money all of which are not worth the cost of a body recovery,' a fourth said.
A suspect is in custody after an early morning shooting in Pennsylvania left one person dead and two others injured, police say.

Around 4 a.m. on Sunday shots were fired in the 400 block of State Street in Clairton, Allegheny County Police told KDKA.

Police arrived to a chaotic scene with multiple people fighting in the street.

One man was shot but was able to flee the area. While leaving the scene, he crashed his car, flipping the vehicle and hitting a utility pole across from a Speedway gas station, according to WPXI.

One man was shot and tried to flee the scene. He crashed his car, flipped the vehicle and hit a utility pole across from a Speedway gas station

One man was pronounced dead at the scene and two other victims were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds

He was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other male victims- one who was shot in the arm and another in the leg - were taken to the hospital and are in stable condition.

Allegheny County Police took one person into custody and are continuing to investigate.

Clairton is a small city located nearly 15 miles outside of Pittsburgh with a population of approximately 6,000.
Mark Cuban was curious whether his followers on X think that Donald Trump or Kamala Harris is a better role model for children.

Despite the billionaire's vocal opposition to Trump over the years, the former president overwhelmingly won the informal social media poll.

'Who's persona and character would you like to see young children grow up to have,' Cuban posed to his 8.8 million followers with the options being the 2024 Republican and Democratic candidates.

Of the 804,173 votes cast in the survey posted to X on Friday, 68.9 percent say that they would prefer their kids look up to Trump and 31.1 percent said Harris.

The poll earned a flurry of comments, including Trending Politics co-owner Collin Rugg posting a video of Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy explaining why people don't need to personally like a person they vote for as president.

Billionaire Shark Tank host Mark Cuban's poll on X asked followers and users if they would rather their children have Donald Trump or Kamala Harris as a role model

The poll earned more than 800,000 votes and resulted in 68.9 percent preferring Trump as a role model over the 31.1 percent who said Harris was their preference

'Some people don't like President Trump and I know some people don't like Vice President Harris. But I would remind folks that you're not picking a spouse here or a life partner. You're picking the President of the United States,' the Republican Senator said in the video.

Kennedy concluded: 'And that decision  your decision  should be based on the candidates' policies and their records.'

Several MAGA users repeated right-wing claims that Harris slept her way into top positions within California politics as a reason why they wouldn't want their daughters looking up to the vice president.

Cuban said that he was an initial supporter of Trump when he launched his 2016 campaign and even said at the time in 2015 that he would consider being his running mate.

Trending Politics co-owner Collin Rugg posted a video of Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy in response to Cuban's post explaining why people don't need to personally like a person they vote for as president

Many responses were aimed at attacking Vice President Kamala Harris' professional history and claims that she 'slept her way to the top' in California politics

The Dallas Mavericks minority owner and Shark Tank host spoke with former 2024 candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on August 7 on X spaces and explained: 'In 2015, I was like, 'He's great. He's not a typical Stepford candidate.' I thought that was a positive.'

'A big part of that is I didn't think he had a chance,' he went on. 'I just wanted to kind of screw things up in traditional politics, which I'm not a fan of.'

But Cuban was quick this summer to back Harris when she became the presumptive nominee at the end of July.

Valentina Gomez, who lost her Republican bid for Missouri Secretary of State earlier this month, was among those who responded to Cuban's post on Friday with criticism of Harris' professional history.

'Mark, you have daughters,' she wrote. 'Would you like your daughters to sleep with billionaires to get into powerful positions in politics, sports, or business? If you don't, Trump is your answer.'
READ MORE: Tradie killed in horror motorbike crash in the Philippines

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Was on diving expedition with her husband

An Australian woman has collapsed and died just minutes into a group dive at a popular tourist hotspot in Bali.

Kay Phillips, 67, became unresponsive shortly after she arrived at Manta Point, a popular diving spot near the island off Nusa Penida in Indonesia, around 10am on Saturday.

She was the second Australian to die in Bali in as many days.

Ms Phillips and her husband are understood to have checked in with Two Fish Divers 90 minutes prior to the tragedy, police told local media.

The couple, who are understood to be experienced divers, registered for the trip before they boarded a boat with 11 other tourists to travel to the scenic location.

Ms Phillips and others received a briefing about the dive and their equipment was checked by tour guides en route to the diving spot.

Their equipment was checked again upon arrival and the divers were given the all clear to head into the water.

Ms Philip and her husband were among 11 others, who went on the diving trip at Manta Point, a popular diving spot near Nusa Penida, in Indonesia, on Saturday morning (stock image)

Just eight minutes later, Ms Phillips resurfaced after she reportedly began to experience a shortness of breath and told a dive guide that she was finding it 'hard to breathe'.

Ms Philip collapsed and lost consciousness while being assisted back onto the boat.

The crew administered CPR before she was transported to the nearby Nusa Medica Clinic but couldn't be revived.

Klungkung Police spokesperson Agus Widiono said her body was sent to Sanglah Hospital, in Denpasar, for further examination.

An autopsy will be conducted when the body returns home to Australia.

'The victim's body was sent directly to Sanglah. [The] information is that the family will conduct an autopsy on the victim in [their] home country,' Mr Widiono said.

It's understood the couple were staying at the Pandawa Hotel in Nusa Penida.

Ms Phillips was due to celebrate her 68th birthday in November.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they are 'providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Bali'.

'We send our deepest condolences to their family and friends at this difficult time,' the spokeswoman said.

'Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.'

Manta Point is one of the southernmost dive sites in Bali and is surrounded by high cliffs.

The popular tourist destination, which is famous for catching glimpses of Manta Rays, is only recommended for experienced divers.

The water is around 15 metres deep and the currents along with the sea conditions can be very rough.

The visibility underwater is also low and the water temperature is colder than other locations.

Ms Phillips death occurred just one day after another Aussie died in Bali after a horror motorbike crash.

Australian couple Thomas Cossins, 30, and Jasmine Sparreboom were on the holiday island to attend a friend's wedding when they went out for a ride on Friday morning.

The couple had left Seminyak at about 6.30am to travel to Canggu where they met up with another rider, before they headed to the mountains near Gitgit.

According to a friend, Mr Cossins, an experienced bike rider, was in full riding gear and rounding a bend on a Kawasaki Ninja when he lost control and slammed into a concrete pillar. He couldn't be revived and died at the scene.

Indonesia is the top overseas holiday destination for Aussies after the country overtook New Zealand as the preferred place for short-term trips.

Around 1.37 million Australians visited Indonesia in 2023 compared to 1.26 million people, who visited New Zealand, according to figures from the ABS.
The Post Office has handled a record amount of cash as customers continue to flock to its branches following the closure of thousands of Britain's high street banks.

Customers have been forced to use the Post Office in many cases because it is the only option available to them after 6,000 bank branches shut their doors since 2015.

The rate of closure has been around 50 branches a month, and it shows no sign of slowing down as customers continue to gravitate to online banking.

However a sizeable portion of the population continues to need access to brick and mortar banking, causing them to use the Post Offices basic cash handling services.

In July customers deposited or withdrew more than 3.7bn, which beats previous record highs set in May, April and December.

The Post Office handled a record amount of cash in July as customers continue to flock to its branches following the closure of thousands of Britain's high street banks (stock image)

Customers have been forced to use the Post Office in many cases because it is the only option available to them after 6,000 bank branches shut their doors since 2015. Pictured: A closed Lloyds bank branch in Plymouth, Devon

A sizeable portion of the population continues to need access to brick and mortar banking, causing them to use the Post Offices basic cash handling services (stock image)

Around 10 million visits are made to the Post Office each week in the UK, and many of them are using it as a local alternative due to real bank branches disappearing.

Consumer group Which? said the number of bank branches that have closed since 2015 equates to over 60 per cent of the UK network.

In May MailOnline revealed that by the end of this year, 33 parliamentary constituencies will be without a single bank branch - such as Bolton West, York Outer, Newport East and Reading West.

Others include Barnsley East, Warrington North, Glasgow North East and Swansea East.

Some locals reported they needed to take two buses to get to their nearest bank, while others claimed the closures were about 'control and monitoring people's finances'.

Elderly people have been left feeling isolated by closures - with some not being online, worrying that using ATMs is unsafe and not wanting to bank on their phones.

While the rate of closures had initially appeared to slow down since it reached a peak in 2017, the researchers said that in 'recent years there has been a troubling surge'.

Despite the lack of access to cash, some firms insist on cash payments to avoid paying bank charges

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Bank and building society losses from January 2015 to the end of 2025 (including scheduled)

Bank bosses have been accused of 'engaging in a race to close branches' after the Government announced plans in 2020 for laws to protect access to cash, which could make it harder to close a branch if alternative cash provision is lacking.

In an effort to provide service, banking hubs have begun to crop up in towns that have lost their last bank branch.

They are community banks that, under one roof, offer basic services for personal and small business customers of all the mainstream banks.

Their set-up costs are funded by the big banks via an organisation called Cash Access UK and are run by the Post Office.

Staff from the big banks are on hand once a week to offer face-to-face advice. So far, 147 have been given the go ahead although only 71 are open for business (finding suitable premises is often a nightmare).

But Which? said the 'rollout is progressing too slowly', adding that this total was less than half of the recommended 130 banking hub locations to have opened so far.

The Post Office has an agreement with many banks, allowing their customers to carry out everyday banking over its counters.

Prior to the election Which? said it believes that the next government should commit to delivering at least 200 shared banking hubs in the first two years of government.

Pictured: A closed Natwest branch in Victoria, Westminster, London

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A closed Halifax branch in Maidenhead, Berkshire

A closure notice for a Santander branch in Harwich, Essex

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A map showing the constituencies that are set to have no bank branches by the end of the year

It added that as bank branch closures are likely to continue in the coming years, any target may need to be revised upwards to keep pace.

Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, said in May: 'This milestone of more than 6,000 bank branch closures in just nine years underscores the seismic shift that has taken place in terms of our banking habits and the character of the British high street.

'While some may hardly notice the closure of their local branch as they seamlessly switch to online banking, for others reliant on face-to-face services, the impact can be disastrous.

'It's not about halting closures altogether, but ensuring that essential banking services remain accessible to those who still rely on them.'

Which? also pointed out that some banks still insist on customers coming into the branch to carry out services such as registering power of attorney.

It added that several high street banks have fared poorly when registering power of attorney, with waiting for in-branch appointments potentially adding delays to the process  and banking hubs not always offering such services.
A tiny town in Colorado is being sued following the approval of a 195-foot-tall cell phone tower.

The construction, set to be erected on the edge of town, would help cell phone service in rural Villa Grove, but nearly a third of those who live there do not want it.

They claim service would only be improved within a five-mile radius, and that there could be unknown health impacts from the installation.

Citizens are also complaining about the prospective construction's aesthetic, as it will loom over homes located just a few hundred feet away.

Several citizens have found this unacceptable, and spoke to 9 News Friday about how they have filed a suit hoping to halt the project.

Scroll down for video:

The construction, set to be erected on the edge of Colorado's Villa Grove (seen here), would help cell phone service in the rural area, but nearly a third of those who live there do not want it

They claim service would only be improved within a five-mile radius, and that there could be unknown health impacts from the installation. Pictured, Paula Maez, one of the plaintiffs suing commissioners in Saguache County

'Even our trees, which are the tallest things in town, are only about 60 feet,' said Paula Maez, one of the plaintiffs suing commissioners in Saguache County.

'I've never sued anyone in my life, but I felt strongly enough about this that I stood up and will continue to stand up.'

'We don't have a lot in Villa Grove,' added Marquita Oliver, a local reverend who doubles as the operator of the town's marijuana dispensary.

'We have pottery, pot, pie, a post office, and upholstery,' the self-professed budtender said.

As for the assertions the tower would increase service in the area, several said they are happy with the reception they currently get now.

'I have a $49 Walmart phone that works great,' fellow full-time resident Kim McDaniel said. 'I get good reception.'

'I haven't done enough studies to know if it's going to radiate me or anything, but if it is, I'm not for it,' added Carol Sperry, of the telecommunication tower's radio unseen frequency waves.

'Cellular service is not a part of our life,' added Philip Earing, the longtime owner of the town's only upholstery business.

They claim service would only be improved within a five-mile radius, and that there could be unknown health impacts from the installation. Pictured, Paula Maez, one of the plaintiffs suing commissioners in Saguache County

'I haven't done enough studies to know if it's going to radiate me or anything, but if it is, I'm not for it,' added Carol Sperry, of the telecommunication tower's radio unseen frequency waves

'We don't need an 195-foot tower sitting there,' Philip Earing, the longtime owner of the town's only upholstery business, said after filing the suit. 'We don't'

'Real ugly', said this local, one of several who have taken issue with the telecommunications tower. 'Everyone has cell phone service in this area. For many miles'

'It's not necessary', other residents said of the proposed construction, citing how they already have perfectly good phone reception without it. 'I have a $49 Walmart phone that works great,' full-time resident Kim McDaniel (right) said. 'I get good reception'

'I know for a lot of people it is. For people out in the city, they want to be connected all the time.

'We don't want to be connected,' he proclaimed.

'We just don't want it to be in town,' Earing said. 'We're not against the tower, just not in town.'

Earing, Maez and almost a third of the town - which has just 30 residents - are all plaintiffs in the new filing, which was first reported Friday by the NBC affiliate.

All have lived there for years, and all were outraged by the county's decision to pass off on the tower last month.

For those in a town that hasn't changed much in the last century let alone the past few years, such projects are concerning.

'It will change the face of our tiny little historic town,' Maez said during a gathering of residents taking part in the suit last week.

'Basically right on top of our little town,' she said. '195 feet of metal monstrosity.'

As of writing, the lawsuit is currently making its way through the local circuit court, 'Our lawyer is waiting for all the evidence to come to him,' said Maez, as a date for the project has yet to be announced

In the meantime, residents of remote Villa Grove will continue life as usual on their idyllic patch of land along Highway 285 near, the northern tip of the San Luis Valley

'We don't need an 195-foot tower sitting there,' added Earing. 'We don't'.

As of writing, the lawsuit is currently making its way through the local circuit court,

'Our lawyer is waiting for all the evidence to come to him,' said Maez, as a date for the project has yet to be announced.

In the meantime, residents of remote Villa Grove will continue life as usual on their idyllic settlement along Highway 285, near the northern tip of the San Luis Valley.

Allen Yarmark runs the pottery shop in town. He's one of the few who wants the tower.

'If it provides better cell service in the area, then I'm all for it,' Allen Yarmark, one of the few in favor of the tower, told 9 News Friday.

'The people who are in direct line of sight don't want it,' the proprietor of the town's only pottery shop said. 'The people who aren't in the line of sight - don't really care.'

An attorney for the county reportedly refused to speak with 9 News.
Two county lines drug dealers who posed with guns and bundles of cash in photos, while boasting about making 'mad bread', have been jailed.

Alexi Da'Costa, 24, and Tyrone James, 23, ran a crack cocaine and heroin operation but were captured thanks to incriminating photos and messages on their phones.

Mobile phone snaps showed the pair flaunting their wealth by posing with wads of cash and wielding deadly firearms at their homes.

A court heard the pair had been been best friends until they had a falling out  and one stabbed the other leading to a series of events which then led to their arrest.

Detectives found messages on phones linked to the 'Rocky' and 'Mitch' lines, run by the duo, included damning texts from Da'Costa.

One read 'I got to make a profit. I ain't trapping for nothing' and another said: 'I'm making mad bread.'

There was also messages showing how he actively tried to recruit others to join his team with one saying: 'You want to trap? Who for? Me.'

James, of Yardley, Birmingham, and Da'Costa, of Corby, were found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at Leicester Crown Court.

Alexi Da'Costa and Tyrone James posing with the cash they earned from drug dealing

Tyrone James pictured with the cash made by the gang - he has been jailed for five years and four months

A court heard the pair (pictured) had been been best friends until they had a falling out  and one stabbed the other leading to a series of events which then led to their arrest

Da'Costa was jailed for seven years and James was jailed for five years and four months at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday, August 29.

Sentencing, His Honour Judge William Harbage KC said: 'Drug dealing is an evil trade.

'It causes misery to the end users, the addicts who take drugs. It affects their health and causes them to fall into debt. Often threats are made, often threats of violence.

'There were photographs found in a number of phones of the two of you posing with bundles of cash enjoying the trappings of drug dealing.

'There were photographs of the two of you with firearms.

'Mr James when you were interviewed you said you'd moved out of Corby because Mr Da'Costa had stabbed you.

Tyrone James holding a gun in a photo which was later found on his phone

'Before that you'd been the best of friends. You were operating together as equal partners.'

Letters written by relatives had described Da'Costa's most recent offending as an 'aberration' but Judge Harbage said: 'It was not an aberration.

'It was a pattern of offending which you have been engaged in for at least four years.

'You were described as vulnerable but you are not quite so vulnerable as you make out.

'At trial, you interrupted the prosecution to make your point in cross examination.

'You're not as suggestible as you are made out to be.

'There were obviously others above you in the chain and some pressure but you were not compelled to do what you did.

'You enjoyed the money you made and you had plenty of opportunity to stop if you wished to do so.'

The court heard the pair, along with other members of their gang, were rumbled when police raided a property in Corby and found drugs and phones 'ringing off the hook'.

Weapons used by the gang laid out on a mattress

The drug lines supplied crack cocaine and heroin to addicts across Corby and further afield into the West Midlands and Norfolk.

After the case, neighbours told how the men brought trouble to the quiet, suburban streets they lived in.

A man living close to where Da'Costa lived said: 'They were in and out at all hours with different people visiting, none of them desirable.

'This is a nice street and people pay good money to live here.

'He was arrested several times and you often saw the police driving by. It's awful to think of what was going on in that house. We don't want our kids around drugs.'

Detective Inspector Torie Harrison said: 'Tackling drug harm is a matter of priority for Northamptonshire Police and we hope that this investigation demonstrates that drug dealing is taken seriously by both police and the courts.

'We hope that the successful conviction of these men also sends out a clear message to those involved in the illegal drugs trade.

'Whether you're a street level dealer or orchestrating wholesale supply, if you choose to go down this route, we will disrupt your activities and bring you to justice.'
Washington state has sparked fury with its new home loan program that offers a whopping $150,000 in assistance - but only if you're the right race.

The Covenant Homeownership Program, launched on July 1, claims to be fighting racial discrimination by helping first-time home buyers snag a 0 percent interest loan for down payments and closing costs.

But there's a catch - you've got to belong to specific minority groups to qualify.

Applicants must be at or below the local median income as well as fit into select minority categories like Black, Hispanic, or Native American  omitting white people and other groups.

The program also excludes other groups that have faced historical housing discrimination as their website states 'the data is limited when it comes to documenting the lasting impacts of historical discrimination.'

The Covenant Homeownership Program, launched on July 1, claims to be fighting racial discrimination by helping first-time home buyers snag a 0 percent interest loan for down payments and closing costs

Applicants must be at or below the local median income as well as fit into select minority categories like Black, Hispanic, or Native American  omitting white people

The program, born from the state's 2023 Covenant Homeownership Act, targets individuals with 'deep roots' in Washington.

That means being related to someone who lived there before the 1968 Fair Housing Act.

'The Covenant program's initial eligibility criteria are intentionally narrowly tailored,' The Covenant Homeownership Program writes on their website. 'While many racial, ethnic and religious groups in Washington were subject to unjust and egregious housing discrimination, the Covenant program considers not only this history but also its current impacts.'

'Some of the groups discriminated against continue to show much lower homeownership rates compared with the general white population. These are named in the initial eligibility criteria. However, for other groups (such as Jewish residents), the data is limited when it comes to documenting the lasting impacts of historical discrimination.'

The state's Housing Finance Commission, tasked with this racial juggling act, claims they're just trying to reverse 'racial disparities in home ownership.'

But critics call it reverse discrimination.

'WTF? It's affirmative action for housing that most still can't afford,' one user wrote on X.

The state's Housing Finance Commission, tasked with this racial juggling act, claims they're just trying to reverse 'racial disparities in home ownership.' But critics call it reverse discrimination

Another angry user commented: 'New homeownership assistance program for everyone other than white people.'

'Thanks, @WaHouseGOP. You never fail to screw us.'

Defenders of the program argue it's a necessary step to right historical wrongs.

But the site explains the program does not 'represent a formal reparations effort.'

'The Covenant Homeownership Act is one small effort to remedy past and ongoing discrimination and its impacts on access to credit and homeownership for BIPOC and other historically marginalized communities in Washington state. It does not represent a formal reparations effort.'
George Clooney yesterday said that all credit belonged to President Joe Biden for stepping aside from the race for the White House.

Clooney, whose op-ed in the New York Times appeared to be one of the prompts for Biden to quit running, said: The person who should be applauded is the President, who did the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington, and thats true.

All the machinations that got us there, none of that is going to be remembered, and it shouldnt be.

What should be remembered is the selfless act. Its very hard to let go of power, we have seen it around the world.

For someone to say: I think there is a better way forward - all the credit goes to him. All the rest will be forgotten. He added: Im very proud of where we are in the state of the world right now which many people are surprised by, and I think we are very excited for the future.

George Clooney (pictured at the Venice Film Festival) said: The person who should be applauded is the President, who did the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington'

The current US President Joe Biden. Clooney's op-ed in the New York Times called for President Biden to step aside for a new nominee. It appeared to be one of the prompts which caused Biden to quit the race

In the op-ed, titled, I love Joe Biden but we need a new nominee he wrote: Im a lifelong Democrat; I make no apologies for that. Im proud of what my party represents and what it stands for. As part of my participation in the democratic process and in support of my chosen candidate, I have led some of the biggest fund-raisers in my partys history. Barack Obama in 2012. Hillary Clinton in 2016. Joe Biden in 2020. Last month I co-hosted the single largest fund-raiser supporting any Democratic candidate ever, for President Bidens re-election. I say all of this only to express how much I believe in this process and how profound I think this moment is.

I love Joe Biden. As a senator. As a vice president and as president. I consider him a friend, and I believe in him. Believe in his character. Believe in his morals. In the last four years, hes won many of the battles hes faced.

But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time. None of us can. Its devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe big F-ing deal Biden of 2010. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.
Body camera footage captured the moment a Florida mother was arrested in bandages after leaving her young son alone for hours so she could get cosmetic surgery.

Jessica Renteria, 25, was charged with child neglect after Doral Police found her three-year-old son wandering an apartment complex on the 8400 block of Northwest 104th Avenue on June 27.

Surveillance video captured Renteria leaving her Airbnb rental apartment around 10 a.m., then several hours later her son walked out the door carrying a cell phone, reported WSVN.

Neighbors called the police when they found the boy in the halls, and body camera footage shows officers working to find his family.

'Hey, little buddy, what's your name?' an officer said. 'Do you know where you live? Do you know where Papi and Mami are?'

Body camera footage shows Jessica Renteria (pictured) being arrested while still in bandages after leaving her 3-year-old son alone while she was getting plastic surgery

Renteria (pictured), 25, was charged with child neglect after Doral Police found her 3-year-old son wondering an apartment complex

Cops asked neighbors if they had seen the child before or know who his parents were.

'You said you saw him right here?' an officer said to one person. 'My neighbor saw him there. He was sleeping,' the neighbor responded.

'Hello, by any chance, are you missing a kid?' an officer asked another resident.

One person is heard on camera comparing the situation to Ohio mother Kristel Candelario who left her 16-month-old daughter home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer so she could go on vacation.

'This is like the girl, the lady, that left her daughter to go on vacation,' an officer said.

Surveillance video captured Renteria leaving her Airbnb rental apartment around 10 a.m., then several hours later her son (pictured) walked out the door

Neighbors told police they saw the boy sleeping in the hallway

Police eventually found Renteria several miles away at a surgery center. Video shows her being arrested in the back of a cop car wearing a robe with bandages wrapped around her head.

Arrest documents obtained by NBC Miami state that Renteria claimed a friend was supposed to watch her son - which her friend denies.

'He [the friend] knows the defendant but at no point in time was he told to take care of a juvenile,' court documents said.

Renteria appeared in court for a bond hearing in June where she became emotional while wearing an orange jumpsuit with her hair in long braids when the judge admonished her.

Renteria (pictured) claimed a friend was supposed to watch her son - which her friend denies

'I mean honestly, if she had time to go take care of her own personal issues at a cosmetic surgery center without regard to the child, I'm concerned,' the judge said.

She was released from jail on June 28 on a $1,000 bond. She was a hearing scheduled for September 24 and a trail date of December 2.
The boss of Oklahoma public schools has hit back at a woke school that tried to ban students from flying the American flag from their trucks last week.

Republican State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters issued a statement on X days after Edmond North High School boycotted Old Glory from pupil vehicles.

'No school in Oklahoma should tell students they can't wave an American flag,' Walters said.

'We've had Americans die for that flag, die for students to have the right to carry the flag, to wave the flag, to be proud of that American flag.

'My department right now is working on guidelines that we will be issuing to districts to ensure that no student is ever targeted for having an American flag and also that our schools will promote patriotism.'

Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has hit back at a woke school which tried to ban students from flying the American flag from their trucks last week

Locals said they were outraged by the decision, as one protestor said the flag 'represents us as one and it's our freedom, we have people that fight and die for that flag every day'

Walters' outrage was echoed by parents and students at Edmond North High School, who launched a patriotic protest in response to the ban.

Caleb Horst, a senior at the school, said he was left confused by the school telling him to stop flying the stars and stripes on his pickup, particularly as he had already been 'flying it for quite a while.'

'I've never really had problems with it before, and it's our First Amendment, so it's kind of hard for them to infringe upon our rights,' Horst told KOCO last week.

The protest involved the group flying a number of American flags on campus in support of the student.

Since Horst spoke out about the order from his school, he has received an outpouring of support from other students, parents, and local lawmakers demanding it is reversed.

Edmond Public Schools said that the district prohibits the flying of any flags on vehicles.

'This is designed to prevent disruptions and distractions during the school day,' the school district told KOCO.

'It is also done in an effort to provide a safe school environment as flying flags on vehicles creates safety issues in the parking lot as well as can cause damage to other vehicles.'

Caleb Horst, a senior at Edmond North High School in Oklahoma, sparked a local protest after he was banned from flying an American flag on his truck on campus

Edmond High School said it will handle any discipline on a case-by-case basis

The protests in Edmond even drew support from Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider, who released a video to Facebook saying he was 'applauding' the student's efforts.

'These are the kinds of people that we need to continue not only support, but to shout their names and their patriotism from our rooftops,' Schneider said.

'Caleb, you're doing a great job... keep doing it, and I want you all to continue to back this wonderful young man.'

Meanwhile, Walters previously made headlines for ordering teachers to incorporate the Bible into lessons and keep a copy of the holy book in every classroom.

Republican State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters made the decree on Thursday.

'Effective immediately, all Oklahoma schools are required to incorporate the Bible, which includes the Ten Commandments, as an instructional support into the curriculum across specified grade levels, e.g. grades 5 through 12,' Walters said.

Adherence to the mandate is compulsory and 'immediate and strict compliance is expected.'

Republican State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters ordered teachers to incorporate the Bible into lessons and keep a copy of the book in every classroom

Effective immediately, all Oklahoma schools will have to use the Bible, which includes the Ten Commandments, as an instructional support into the curriculum for grade levels 5 through 12

'The Bible is an indispensable historical and cultural touchstone,' Walters added.

'Without basic knowledge of it, Oklahoma students are unable to properly contextualize the foundation of our nation which is why Oklahoma educational standards provide for its instruction.'

Oklahoma law already explicitly allows Bibles in the classroom and lets teachers use them in instruction, said Phil Bacharach, a spokesman for state Attorney General Gentner Drummond.

It's not clear if Walters has the authority to mandate that schools teach it and critics have spoken out against the order.
A beauty queen that hounded out of the Miss South Africa contest was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday.

Chidimma Adetshina, 23, withdrew from the country's competition 'for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I' after a backlash that exposed anti-foreigner sentiment in South Africa.

Adetshina was born to a Nigerian father in South Africa, where she has citizenship.

Minutes after being crowned she said: 'This journey has been a tough journey for me and I am so proud of myself and I'm really grateful for the love and the support.

'This is something that I've always wanted, and I'm really glad that I have a second shot as well at achieving it.'

Chidimma Adetshina, 23 has been crowned Miss Universe Nigeria months after being hounded out of Miss South Africa

Adetshina being crowned Miss Universe Nigeria at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre in Lagos

Adetshina, 23, receiving her crown. She withdrew from Miss South Africa for her and her family's safety

The winner posing with her crown alongside other contestants

Her Nigerian heritage attracted vicious xenophobic attacks and sparked controversy when she was announced as a finalist for the Miss South Africa contest in July, as the government said it was investigating a claim that her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman.

South Africa's minister of sports, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie posted on X saying: 'We truly cannot have Nigerians compete in our Miss SA competition.

'I wanna get all facts before I comment but it gives funny vibes already.'

In another post he wrote: 'South Africans shouldn't be shamed and accused simply because they are asking needed questions of the lady that wants to represent them as Miss South Africa.'

Despite not being in the country in 20 years, organisers of the Nigerian contest invited her to join their final, saying it was a chance for her to 'represent your father's native land on an international stage'.

Adetshina was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father, but was the subject of xenophobic comments when she reached the final of the nation's contest

An investigation is ongoing into the claim that Adetshina's mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman

'We all need to stop with the xenophobia... with the tribalism,' first runner-up Paula Ezendu told AFP.

'We're all one family. We're all human beings,' she added.

The nationality controversy notwithstanding, Adetshina insisted she loved South Arica and was grateful for the support from the country.

She will represent Nigeria at the international Miss Universe competition in November.

'I know we are going to win,' she told reporters.
A British man has died after plunging from the sixth-floor of a building in the Palma, Majorca in front of horrified tourists.

Police are investigating the incident after the alarm was raised around 2pm today and have confirmed this evening that he was a British national. Local reports have said the he was 64-years-old.

It was not immediately clear today if he was resident in Majorca or a holidaymaker.

The ongoing probe is being led by a Spanish National Police Homicide unit, although there is no suggestion at this stage the death is being treated as suspicious.

The police force could not be reached for comment this afternoon.

A witness is said to have told police the man plunged from the skylight of a car park in the centre of Palma, near to the well-known Saratoga Hotel.

A British man has died after plunging from the sixth-floor of a building in the Palma, Majorca in front of horrified tourists. Pictured: the scene of the fatal incident

A witness is said to have told police the man plunged from the skylight of a car park in the centre of Palma, near to the well-known Saratoga Hotel. Pictured: another angle of the scene of the incident

A general view of Palma, Mallorca where the tragic incident happened

Several tourists at the hotel are said to have witnessed the tragedy.

Emergency responders raced to the scene but were unable to do anything to save the man.

On Tuesday night a British teenager was rushed to hospital 'seriously injured' after falling from the first floor of a property in Majorca.

The 15-year-old girl was stabilised at the scene before being taken to Son Espases Hospital in Palma.

The incident happened in Sant Llorenc des Cardassar near to the Love Island villa in the north-east of Majorca.

A code red is said to have been activated because of the extent of the youngster's injuries.

A Scottish teenager died in the early hours of August 20 after falling from a sixth-floor hotel balcony in Ibiza.

Emma Ramsay, 19, from Hamilton, was on holiday with friends in the party resort of San Antonio.

On Tuesday night a British teenager was rushed to hospital 'seriously injured' after falling from the first floor of a property in Majorca. Pictured: an ambulance in front of Son Espases hospital

The 15-year-old girl was stabilised at the scene before being taken to Son Espases Hospital (pictured) in Palma

The tragedy occurred at a seafront four-star adult-only hotel called Hotel Vibra District.

On August 17 a 28-year-old British holidaymaker died in a 15-foot fall at a hotel in Palmanova near Magaluf in Majorca after a night out partying.

The dead man's partner had to be treated for a panic attack later in the day.

The incident happened at the four-star Reverence Mare Hotel in Palmanova.

The alarm was raised around 7am, although the holidaymaker is believed to have fallen to his death several hours earlier.

Civil Guard investigators believe he suffered his fatal accident after trying to enter the wrong hotel following a night out partying and losing his way during an attempted short-cut.
Hard-right political party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has become the first of its ilk to win in the nation since the Second World War, exit polls showed.

AfD took between 30.5% and 33.5% of the vote in the former East German state of Thuringia, with the conservative CDU coming in second place with 24.5% of the vote.

Thuringia, a rural region and the only state currently led by the far-left Die Linke, a successor of East Germany's ruling communist party, was one of two to hold regional elections today, ahead of national elections in 2025, with AfD nearly winning in neighbouring Saxony, a conservative stronghold that is the largest in former East Germany, as well the polls showed.

While the party is unlikely to come to power in either state, as other parties have vowed to coalesce to force the far-right out of power, the result is reflective of the party's growing popularity.

Bjoern Hoecke, the controversial head of the AfD in Thuringia, told the ARD broadcaster his party was the 'people's party in Thuringia'.

'We need change and change will only come with the AfD,' he said, hailing the 'historic result'.

Bjorn Hocke (pictured), member of Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), looks on after first exit polls in the Thuringia state elections

A protestor wears a sticker against the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) during a demonstration after first exit polls in the Thuringia state elections in Erfurt, Germany

Hard-right political party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has become the first of its ilk to win in the nation since the Second World War (File image)

Hoecke is one of Germany's most controversial far-right politicians and was fined twice this year for deliberately using a banned Nazi slogan.

Alice Weidel, the co-leader of the AfD, hailed the result as a 'historic success', while the party's other co-leader, Tino Chrupalla, said the party had a 'clear mandate for government' in Thuringia.

Chrupalla said both states had sent the message that 'there should be a change of politics' and the AfD was 'ready and willing to talk to all parties'.

The contests in Thuringia and Saxony come just over a week after three people were killed in a suspected Islamist knife attack in the western city of Solingen, which has fuelled a bitter debate over immigration in Germany.

The alleged attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian man with suspected links to the Islamic State group, was slated for deportation but evaded attempts by authorities to remove him.

The government has sought to respond to the alarm by announcing stricter knife controls and rules for migrants in Germany illegally.

Tonight's exit polls also showed a good night for BSW, a new party founded by the firebrand politician Sahra Wagenknecht after she quit the far-left Die Linke.

Bjorn Hocke, member of Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) climbs up the stairs after first exit polls in the Thuringia state elections

Activists hold banners during a protest against far-right AfD (Alternative for Germany) party and its top candidate for regional elections in Thuringia

BSW scored between 14.5 and 16 percent in Thuringia and between 11.5 and 12 percent in Saxony, according to the polls.

Wagenknecht's party has appealed to voters in eastern Germany with a dovish stance towards Russia and calls for a radical crackdown on immigration.

The party scored an immediate success in June's European elections, hauling in around six percent of the German vote.

Other parties' refusal to work with the AfD potentially leaves BSW as the kingmaker in Thuringia and Saxony, despite serious policy disagreements with potential partners, especially on Ukraine.

Scholz's coalition partners, the Greens and the FDP, had a dismal night in both states, scoring even less than the SPD.

A third former East German state, Brandenburg, is also due to hold an election later in September, where polls have the AfD ahead on around 24 percent.

Created in 2013 as an anti-euro group before morphing into an anti-immigration party, the AfD has capitalised on the fractious three-way coalition in Berlin to rise in opinion polls.

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.
Tulsi Gabbard is helping prepare Donald Trump to face off with Kamala Harris next week.

The Democrat-turned-independent former congresswoman from Hawaii warned against Trump  or others  underestimating Harris on the debate stage.

In just 10 days, Trump and Harris will be on the same stage in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for their first debate.

Gabbard has experience going up against Harris in two separate debates. They were on the same stage for the second debate of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race in Detroit, Michigan in July 2019 and the fourth debate of that cycle in Westerville, Ohio on October 15, 2019.

'I think Kamala Harris has a lot of experience. She is not to be underestimated,' Gabbard told CNN host Dana Bash during an interview on State of the Union on Sunday morning.

Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard faced Kamala Harris in two separate debates in the 2020 Democratic primary cycle  and is warning Donald Trump not to 'underestimate' the vice president

She added: 'If I can be helpful to President Trump in any way it really is just in sharing the experience that I had with her on that debate stage in 2020.'

Former Trump Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, 86, also issued a warning to Trump ahead of his debate against coming across as too 'strong' against Harris.

'The only danger is Trump being big and strong and a man,' Ross said during an interview on The Cats Roundtable on Sunday morning.

He continued: 'He has to be careful not to be seen as piling on a woman. People don't like to see a woman pushed too hard.'

Gabbard was running for the Democratic nomination in 2020, but in 2022 realigned her political party affiliation to an independent.

Bash noted the irony in Gabbard once running for White House as a Democrat and now helping a Republican candidate in his debate prep against her former primary rival.

The former Hawaii lawmaker said Trump's biggest advantage would be to focus on how Harris has already tried to distance herself from her record as vice president  including her failure as Biden's 'border czar.'

On August 26 of this year, Gabbard officially endorsed Trump's bid for a second, non-consecutive White House term.

A day later, Trump named her honorary co-chair of his presidential transition team.

Of the four debates, Gabbard appeared on stage with Harris during two during the Democratic presidential primary race in the 2020 election cycle

This means Gabbard will join Trump's sons Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance leading the former president's team preparing for his transition to the White House should he win in November.

Gabbard is a Lieutenant Colonel of the Army Reserves and served as a U.S. Representative for Hawaii for four terms from 2013 to 2021 as a Democrat.

She told Bash that she has not discussed with Trump her role past the transition team  including whether or not she might serve in his administration if he wins.
A British crew member of the doomed yacht Bayesian under investigation for manslaughter and causing a disaster has insisted all 'doors and hatches were closed' ahead of a violent storm.

Chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton, 56, has told prosecutors he followed procedures and made sure all was watertight as the storm engulfed the yacht causing it to sink with the loss of seven lives.

Among those who died in the tragedy on August 19 were British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, 59, and his daughter Hannah, 18, who was due to start a degree course at Oxford University later this month.

Mr Parker Eaton, originally from Clophill, Bedfordshire, is under investigation along with the Bayesian's New Zealand captain James Cutfield, 51, and watchman Matthew Griffiths, who is British but lives in France.

The 30million yacht sank after being struck by freak weather as it anchored off the coast of the Italian island of Sicily at the village of Porticello near Palermo, leaving seven dead and 15 survivors.

Chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton, 56, has insisted all 'doors and hatches were closed' on the doomed Bayesian ahead of a violent storm

Mr Eaton is under investigation for manslaughter and has has told prosecutors he followed procedures and made sure all was watertight as the storm engulfed the yacht causing it to sink

The Bayesian's New Zealand captain James Cutfield, 51, (pictured) is being investigated for shipwreck and manslaughter

The 30million yacht (pictured) sank after being struck by freak weather as it anchored off the coast of the Italian island of Sicily at the village of Porticello near Palermo, leaving seven dead and 15 survivors

Prosecutors at Termini Imerese near Palermo are investigating whether human error may have caused the disaster with claims that 'portholes and hatches' were left open which led to the ship being engulfed by water and sinking in just 16 minutes.

But according to excerpts from Mr Parker Eaton's statement, leaked to the Italian media, he has insisted all doors and openings were shut.

He said: 'I activated the generators and the hydraulic pump for the rudder.'

When asked crucially if all portholes and hatches, including where the yacht's tender was kept, were closed he replied: 'Everything was shut.

'The only thing open was the hatch to the engine room which from my point of view would not have caused the disaster because it was at the other end from where the yacht went down.'

His statement comes after Mr Griffiths comments were also leaked. Although all three are under investigation, it does not mean that formal charges will follow - that will be up to an investigating magistrate once the file is closed.

Mr Griffiths, 22, had said: 'I woke the captain up when the wind was 20knots. He gave orders to wake everyone else.

'I then put away the cushions and plants, closed the windows of the bow lounge and some hatches.

CCTV captured the last moments of the Bayesian superyacht before it sank beneath the waves

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

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

Recaldo Thomas, chef on the Bayesian, was the first person to be recovered after the yacht sunk last Monday

The British-flagged Bayesian superyacht (pictured) was owned by tech magnate Mike Lynch

'The ship tilted and we were thrown into the water. Then we managed to get back up and tried to rescue those we could.

'We were walking on the side of the boat. We saved who we could, Cutfield also saved the little girl and her mother,' he said referring to passenger Charlotte Golunski and her one-year-old daughter.

Griffiths said he 'monitored the weather conditions all evening' including wind that was coming in around 25mph, according to the Italian news agency Ansa.

'I then immediately woke the captain who took charge of operations. He gave the order to wake the others', the night watch said.

'We managed to get back on board and tried to form a human chain to save those who made it to the deck', Griffiths said.

He added that the captain was the first in the chain and he helped everyone.

Cutfield, the experienced 51-year-old New Zealand national, was one of 15 people who survived - nine of the 10 crew members and six of the 12 passengers.

Lynch, 59, had invited friends and family onto the boat to celebrate his recent acquittal in a huge US fraud case.

But the 56-metre (185-foot) yacht was struck by a storm as it was anchored off Porticello, near Palermo, and sank within minutes.

The bodies of Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah and friends were recovered over the subsequent days in a major search operation.

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.

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.

Cutfield exercised his right to remain silent when questioned by prosecutors on Tuesday, his lawyers said.

Mr Parker-Eaton, 56, from Bedfordshire, and fellow Briton Matthew Griffiths, 22, join Kiwi skipper James Cutfield (pictured) on the official list of those warned they are being formally investigated for shipwreck and multiple manslaughter

Chief prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio (right) is heading the investigation. He 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

They explained that he was 'worn out' and that they needed more time to build a defense case. Parker Eaton has not commented on the investigation.

Aldo Mordiglia, lawyer for Mr Cutfield, 51, told MailOnline he expected the complicated procedure of bringing the yacht to surface could 'start in October possibly' and that it would 'be vital for the investigation the yacht was raised'.

According to maritime code it is up to the owner of the yacht to sort out salvaging the Bayesian, but the judicial authorities will also play a key part.

Experts also want to raise her as quickly as possible because there are fears over the 18,000 litres of fuel onboard and an environmental ship is circling the area ready to deploy protective booms to control any potential spillage.
A Canadian steelworker has gone viral after he confronted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and told him exactly what he thinks of him.

Video footage obtained by CTV News captured the awkward moment Trudeau unsuccessfully attempted to win over the Algoma steelworker during a contentious exchange in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday.

'The 25 percent tariffs we just brought in is going to help you out  that's going to keep your job,' said Trudeau. 'I'm going to invest in you and your job.'

'What about the 40 percent taxes I am paying and I don't have a doctor,' the steelworker said, explaining that he pays for his own dental insurance as well.

The worker was seen on camera refusing to shake the Prime Minster's hand before giving him a piece of his mind.

A Canadian steelworker has gone viral after he confronted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and told him to his face exactly what he thinks of him

Video footage captured the awkward moment Trudeau unsuccessfully attempted to win over the Algoma steelworker during a contentious exchange in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday

The encounter occurred during Trudeau's carefully choreographed photo op at Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, where the prime minister was handing out donuts.

But the stern worker called Trudeau out, telling him he's struggling to make ends meet and support his wife and children - despite having a full-time job.

Taking a jab at Trudeau, the steelworker continued, saying: 'I think you are only here for another year, we won't see you around in another year.'

'That's what elections are for,' said Trudeau in response. 'I look forward to everyone exercising the right to vote.'

'We are going to invest in you and your job,' he added.

The steelworker replied: 'I don't believe you for a second.'

The encounter occurred during Trudeau's carefully choreographed photo op at Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, where the prime minister was handing out donuts

The exchange has gone viral, with millions of Canadians cheering on the worker for speaking up to the Prime Minister.

'This guy is fearless,' one user wrote on X. 'He looked him straight in the eye and told em he's a massive liar and won't be around much longer. This is exactly what we need right now. Working class men standing up to these tyrants and not backing down.'

'This is like when your manager brings pizza to thank you for coming in on a weekend, except with donuts and corrupt politician,' another commented.

'This guy destroyed Trudeau in less than a minute imagine if Canada had a media,' a third user wrote.
Human remains were discovered on the shoreline of Brooklyn Bridge Park, marking the third time in one month that police recovered bones from the iconic landmark.

New York City police officers responded to a 911 call about bone fragments along the shore of 10 Dock Street around 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Video shows the officers combing through rocks along the water across from the famous Jane's Carousel - which was built in 1922 and donated to the park in 2011 following years of restoration.

The woman who discovered the bones said she was intentionally looking around after learning about other remains being found in the same area in the previous week.

'I'm thinking how do bones happen to be by a carousel? So I'm looking at the rocks around the carousel and lo and behold,' Brooklyn resident Huntly Cooper told WABC.

Human remains were discovered on the shoreline of Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday

A woman found part of a spine, police found a skull and other bone fragments and another person discovered a femur and smaller bones

Cooper said she found part of a spine. Patrol officers found a skull and other fragments, while another onlooker found a femur and smaller bones near the carousel.

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner is notified and responding. The investigation remains ongoing, the NYPD told DailyMail.com.

On August 19, a city Parks Department enforcement officer found a skull and some bones along the same shoreline.

Photos from the scene show members of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner bagging the remains on a rocky shoreline.

On August 19 a city Parks Department enforcement officer found a skull and some bones along the same shoreline (pictured)

Others, as well as members of the New York Police Department, were then seen scouring through the rocks with cadaver dogs in their effort to find more remains.

One woman told News 12 Brooklyn she was able to see the crews handle a skull, hip bone and femur.

A few days later on August 21 a femur and a couple of smaller bones were discovered in the same area.

Police told the local news station both sets of bones found before Saturday came from the same person.
Tim Walz appeared to make a quick escape Saturday when asked about the discovery of six slain hostages in the Gaza Strip.

The Minnesota governor was posed the question at his home state's state fair in St. Paul, hours after the bodies were found in an underground tunnel in the Rafah area of the city.

From the footage, it was unclear whether the potential vice president heard the inquiry, but as soon as it was uttered, he bid onlookers farewell.

The captives - identified Saturday as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sgt Ori Danino - were among the more than 200 taken by militants on October 7.

Five were taken from the targeted Israeli music festival, and another from a nearby farming community. The IDF said all were 'brutally' murdered 'a short while' before troops were able to locate them.

Scroll down for video:

Tim Walz appeared to make a quick escape Saturday when asked about the discovery of six slain hostages in the Gaza Strip

The six hostages (clockwise from top left): Alex Lobanov, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Master Sgt Ori Danino, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat

'What's your reaction to the six hostages found in Gaza,' the unseen journalist asks in the clip, which shows Walz clutching a milkshake as he made rounds during his brief drop-in at the 12-day event.

At that point, a staffer for the politician appears to motion to him that it's time to leave, leading Walz to announce his departure.

'All right, thanks everybody!' he tells the crowd, before walking off to a round of applause.

Joined by his wife, Gwen, and their daughter Hope, the politician was swiftly surrounded by a security detail before being whisked away.

At another point during his visit, the 60-year-old munched on a porkchop on a stick - a local delicacy.

'For those not from Minnesota, just to be clear, there's a lot of great state fairs in the country, this is the best one,' Walz told reporters, in another light exchange.

'I can say that having tried pork chops in Iowa,' he went on to joke,

'I'm so happy I got a day out here.'

From the footage, it was unclear whether the potential vice president heard the inquiry, but as soon as it was uttered, he bid onlookers farewell

Walz is seen munching on some street food at the event alongside daughter Hope (left) and wife Gwen (right). He did not field any questions concerning policy during their brief visit

Sharing video of him eating the street food at the festival frequented by local farmers, he posted on Twitter: 'Breakfast of champions: pork chop on a stick.'

The visit also saw Walz repeatedly highlight his state's farming sector, as local ranchers and landowners championed their products.

In all, he spent about an hour there, before leaving ahead of a planned meeting with union leaders in Milwaukee Monday.

Staying away from subjects like policy, he told local outlet mprnews of how he's balanced his role as Governor amid his and Harris's whirlwind campaign. 'I got a good team being able to manage my schedule,' he told onlookers.

Meanwhile, overseas, the bodies of the long-missing hostages were located.

A senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, insisted Israel was responsible for their deaths, as it has refused to sign a ceasefire deal.

Such sentiments were echoed Saturday by a group representing the families of those held hostage, who demanded Netanyahu 'address the nation and take responsibility for abandoning the hostages'.

'The delay in signing the deal has led to their deaths and those of many other hostages,' they wrote.

Late last week, Walz and running mate Kamala Harris both stopped short of saying they would alter Biden's policy toward arm sales to Israel - a sticking point to some voters. Neither have commented on the recent discovery overseas

They further claimed that all six captives were 'murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity'.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said Saturday that Israel would not rest until those responsible were brought to justice.

'Whoever murders hostages - does not want a deal,' he proclaimed.

The IDF added that the location the bodies were discovered was a little over half a mile from a tunnel where another hostage was rescued alive days earlier, two days after Walz appeared alongside running mate Kamala Harris for an interview on CNN.

During the sitdown, both stopped short of saying they would alter Biden's policy toward arm sales to Israel - a sticking point to some voters.

Despite airing some desired changes to some policies, Harris said her policy on arming Israel will not change if she is elected president.

In the days since, neither have commented on the recent discovery.
A woman has been charged with the murder of a six-year-old boy at a home in south Wales.

Alexander Zurawski, six, was found dead at a home on Cwm Du Close, Swansea, on Thursday at around 8.30pm.

Karolina Zurawska, 41, from Gendros, has since been charged with murder, as well as attempted murder in connection with an incident involving a 67-year-old man earlier the same day.

The 41-year-old is set to appear at Swansea Magistrates Court tomorrow.

South Wales Police have confirmed that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Alexander Zurawski, six, (Pictured) was found dead at a home on Cwm Du Close on August 29

Karolina Zurawska has since been charged with murder in connection to the incident as well as attempted murder of a 67-year-old man (Pictured: Police at the scene)

Chief Superintendent Chris Truscott, divisional commander for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, said: 'This is a distressing incident which has been a tremendous shock to the local community.

'The local community has been outstanding in their support of our investigation, and we would like to thank all of them for their patience during what has been a traumatic few days.

'A police presence will be retained in the local area over the coming days in order to provide advice and reassurance.

'Our thoughts are with Alexander's family and friends at this difficult time.'

Alexander's family and friends have since released touching tributes to the 'delightful and determined' little boy.

Bethan Peterson, who was Alexander's headteacher at Whitestone Primary School said: 'We're devastated to learn of the tragic death of Alexander.

Police at the scene in Swansea where a six-year-old boy was found dead

'Alexander was a delightful, determined little boy whose tenacity and positive demeanour ensured his success in all he undertook.

'He was an extremely loved and popular boy amongst his peers, staff and with all who knew him. He will be sadly missed.

'Appropriate support will be made available to children, staff and all those within our school community who are affected.

'We would ask that our school community's privacy be respected at this difficult time.'

Alexander's family have released a statement, where they paid tribute to the 'very kind' child, who loved playing with his little sister and dog.

Their statement read: 'Alexander was a very kind child. He loved playing with his little sister and playing with his dog "Daisy".

Neighbours claimed the woman and young child had moved into the property within the past year and were originally from Poland (Pictured: Police at the scene)

'Alexander was always well behaved and never naughty. He was very clever and very mature for his age. He had great understanding of facts.

'Alexander was always helpful. Always eager to assist with cooking and cleaning.

'Alexander spoke both English and Polish and would often correct his parents with their English if they got words wrong. He was amazing.'

The family thanked emergency services, whilst also requesting privacy at this difficult time.

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Council tax could soar by up to 11 per cent to help plug a funding black hole of around 400million  with two-thirds of local authorities planning increases.

The stark forecast for 2025/26 comes amid a row between SNP ministers and council chiefs over the freeze on council tax ordered by former First Minister Humza Yousaf last year.

Mr Yousaf announced the freeze at the SNP conference in October 2023, vowing to re-energise our work to reform council tax - but no progress has been made.

Ministers scrapped a proposal to hike council tax for larger properties after a consultation that received more than 15,000 responses found only 4 per cent of the public were supportive.

Last night Scottish Tory finance spokesman Liz Smith, said: It is no surprise that so many of Scotlands local authorities are considering huge council tax hikes, given systematic under-funding by the SNP has left them all cash-strapped.

Former First Minister Humza Yousaf sparked controversy last year after announcing a Scotland-wide council tax freeze at the SNP conference

SNP ministers cannot keep passing the buck and repeatedly asking councils to deliver services with fewer and fewer resources.

After a one-year freeze that was imposed on councils but not funded by the SNP, hard-pressed Scots are going to be asked to pay more for less.

Inverclyde Council almost scuppered Mr Yousafs freeze by pledging to increase council tax by 8.2 per cent this year, but all local authorities in Scotland eventually agreed to the policy - despite it not being fully funded by the SNP Government.

Analysis by Scotland on Sunday revealed 22 out of Scotlands 32 local authorities plan to hike council tax in the 2025/26 financial year as they attempt to resolve multi-million-pound funding gaps.

A plan drawn up by Falkirk Council envisages hiking council tax by 11 per cent next year, while 10 per cent rises could be imposed in East Lothian and Angus.

Many councils warn that charges will rise this year to plug a gap in funding to provide services such as bin collections

Council bosses in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Clackmannanshire, Moray, Inverclyde, West Lothian and the Scottish Borders are examining raising the charge by more than 5 per cent, while several others, including Glasgow, Perth and Kinross and Highland Council, are planning to raise council tax by 5 per cent next year.

The City of Edinburgh Council has forecast having to raise council tax by 7.8 per cent next year.

Despite setting balanced budgets for this 2024/25 financial year, almost all of Scotlands local councils are facing gaping holes in their budgets next year.

According to figures when this years budget was set, Glasgow City Council needs to close a 35.5million budget deficit next year.

The gap in Edinburgh is 29.8million and Aberdeen needs to save 28.4million.

But the financial strain is not limited to Scotlands cities, with Aberdeenshire forecasting a 29.8million gap, Highland Council facing a 25.8million deficit, South Lanarkshire at 21.9million, and Fife looking at 16.2million of savings.

Although the deficits are likely to change before next years budgets are agreed, local authorities have been complaining about a raw deal from the SNP Government for years.

This years settlement for local authorities saw revenue increase in real terms by 5.7 per cent, but most of the increase is being used to deliver Scottish Government priorities and agreed pay deals.

Katie Hagmann, resources spokesman for Cosla, the council umbrella body, said: Councils continue to face significant financial challenges and it is vital to plan for the forthcoming Scottish budget.

Councils have a responsibility to set a balanced budget, and a key part of this is to consider options for council tax.

As we have stated, council tax should be a decision for local authorities and there should be no freeze or national cap applied in 2025/26 and beyond.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: We recognise the important contribution of local taxation to fund the public services on which we all rely.

We are committed to a fairer, more inclusive and fiscally sustainable form of local taxation, and we are exploring council tax reform jointly with local government.
A British grandfather has revealed he may be arrested by police after social media trolls used his face to spread racist bile across the internet.

Nigel Addison, a 68-year-old former councillor from Droitwich, Worcestershire, has unwillingly been the face of a racism-espousing Twitter/X profile that went by the fake name of Barry Stanton since 2017.

The account, which had nearly 115,000 followers before it was suspended from X on Friday, would regularly share anti-Semitic and racist messages with Nigel's face, often with a crudely drawn Hitler-esque moustache attached to his face.

One viral tweet from 2017 read: 'Just picked my lad up from school. he tells me he was forced to read the korma in religion class. Bloody outrage.'

Nigel told the Mirror: 'It makes me frightened for their safety. If people saw that and genuinely believed that was me and then they put that together with the photos of my grandchildren then that can lead people to be abusive toward them.'

He added that he was particularly scared in the wake of countless arrests made during the far-right riots that plagued the UK in August.

Nigel Addison, a 68-year-old former councillor (pictured) from Droitwich, Worcestershire, has unwillingly been the face of a racism-espousing Twitter /X profile

Addison said he was worried that he would be arrested for the tweets (File image)

He said: 'I can't underestimate how, scared is a strong word, that I could get a knock on my door by the police saying "you're under arrest for posting all these racist remarks".

'A woman up in Liverpool posted some remark and has now been sent to prison. I think, that could happen to me because of this person who is trying to stir up racial hatred.'

He previously revealed that he was once on the verge of tears as a result of the hatred he was getting for being the face of the racist account.

'I must have got 30 messages the other night and it was just constant,' he told Worcester News.

'It was just so overwhelming I could have cried. I was just thinking what the hell is going on?'

Elon Musk, who finalised the deal to buy Twitter in October 2022, stripped back many of the content moderation systems in place before he took over, leaving racist, sexist and anti-Semitic behaviour to grow on his social media platform.

He has also been forced to apologise himself for endorsing an anti-Semitic theory that Jewish people have been pushing a 'dialectical hatred against whites.'

He said in response to the post in November: 'You have said the actual truth.'

In January, he visited Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland to apologise and lay a wreath at the wall of death, before taking part in a short memorial ceremony.
The mother of a badly burnt baby says she is having panic attacks while a stranger who poured hot coffee on her nine-month-old son is still at large.

The infant 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 on Tuesday, as police search for the man.

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.'

But the woman aid she was still reeling from the incident and was fearful of another.

'I play it over in my head constantly,' she said.

The nine-month-old baby boy (pictured) was attacked in a Brisbane park on Tuesday

Police on Thursday morning released a second photo (pictured) of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the alleged assault in a Brisbane park

'Last night, I had a panic attack, thinking that he's going to hurt someone else because he's out there.

'If he can do this to an innocent baby, he can do a lot worse. I don't want any more harm to anyone.'

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 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 $93,000 on Friday.

'It's restored my faith in the community and there is kindness out there,' the mother said.

The man was wearing glasses, a shirt, shorts and a black hat.

He is believed to be aged about 30 to 40 with a proportionate build and tanned skin.
Business confidence is collapsing under Labour, bosses warned last night.

Optimism about the economy has been 'snuffed out' by fears of a tax-raising Budget next month and concern about Labour's plans for a union-friendly package of workers' rights.

It fuels worries that downbeat statements on the economy from Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves risk becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Despite Britain recording the fastest growth in the G7, the Chancellor claimed last month that Labour had inherited 'the worst set of circumstances since the Second World War'.

The Prime Minister said the situation was so bad that a 'painful' tax-raising Budget would be needed next month, adding: 'Things will get worse before they get better.'

Ministers have fuelled speculation about higher taxes on wealth and investment, including hikes to capital gains tax and inheritance tax. Financial advisers have reported a 'frenzy' among investors seeking to sell off assets ahead of a possible rise in taxes next month.

Sir Keir Starmer (right) and Chancellor Rachel Reeves (left) have been making downbeat statements on the economy that risk becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy

Ministers have fuelled speculation about higher taxes on wealth and investment, including hikes to capital gains tax and inheritance tax

Commons leader Lucy Powell refused to rule out a hike in employers' National Insurance contributions in the Budget, despite warnings it would destroy job creation.

Firms have also been spooked by Labour's 'New Deal for Working People', which will tear up anti-strike laws.

Anna Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors (IoD), said a recent recovery in business confidence had been 'snuffed out over the summer', with bosses now significantly more cautious about the prospects for job creation and investment. 'The news in recent weeks on employment rights and autumn tax rises has dented confidence in the environment for business in the UK,' she added.

Ms Leach urged ministers to delay the workers' rights package and 'take time to get the policy design right for the long term'.

She said the Chancellor should aim to 'deliver the stable tax and policy framework needed to drive business confidence and investment'.

The IoD's monthly Economic Confidence Index was minus-14 in June as investment decisions were put on hold ahead of the election, but it recovered to a three-year high of plus-7 in July after the poll result. But the survey of business leaders fell back to minus-12 last month as the reality of Labour's agenda became clearer.

Expectations for investment and employment growth fell particularly sharply, but forecasts for revenues, exports and wages all fell back, while concerns about costs rose.

Tory business spokesman Kevin Hollinrake said: 'It's becoming increasingly clear that, far from pursuing their manifesto pledge of a 'stable policy environment' for businesses, Labour's tidal wave of workplace reforms and forthcoming tax rises are already denting business confidence in the UK, jeopardising growth and the resilient economy they inherited.

Commons leader Lucy Powell (pictured) refused to rule out a hike in employers' National Insurance contributions in the Budget, despite warnings it would destroy job creation

Tory business spokesman Kevin Hollinrake said: 'It's becoming increasingly clear that, Labour's tidal wave of workplace reforms and forthcoming tax rises are already denting business confidence in the UK'

Mr Hollinrake said Rachel Reeves' attempt to blame her decision to raise taxes in October on her economic inheritance from the Conservatives 'will not wash with the public' (stock image)

'The Chancellor's attempt to blame her decision to raise taxes in October  tax rises she had always planned  on her economic inheritance will not wash with the public.

'In the election, Labour promised over 50 times they would not raise people's taxes and we will hold them to account for their promises, as will voters.'

Sir Martin Sorrell, the City grandee and chief executive of marketing firm S4 Capital, acknowledged that ministers had 'very little wiggle room' in balancing the books.

But he added that he was 'not sure that high public sector wage settlements, increases in taxation and geo-political issues help matters'. 'Neither do changes in work practice. [It] all adds up to uncertainty  which is bad for business.'

Lord Bilimoria, the Cobra beer founder and former president of the Confederation of British Industry, said the Government's negative rhetoric was 'pretty unprecedented'.

The crossbench peer said many of his friends from overseas were packing their bags because of feared tax rises  and urged ministers to focus on growth rather than soaking business and the better-off.

'The reality is investors are not going to come here if you keep putting up taxes,' he said. 'If they put up capital gains tax, it will be such a short-sighted move. It will not bring in more money; in fact, money will fly from this country.'

Tech investor Brent Hoberman, the co-founder of booking website lastminute.com, said: 'Labour campaigned on a platform of stability. It does not make sense to scare off business investment.'

Mr Hoberman, who was in Paris yesterday, said he was already seeing 'people holding off plans for UK investment and moves due to budget fears'.

The warnings will be a concern for Ms Reeves, who is due to host a major summit next month designed to persuade international firms to invest in the UK.

Sir Martin Sorrell (pictured), the City grandee and chief executive of marketing firm S4 Capital, acknowledged that ministers had 'very little wiggle room' in balancing the books

Lord Bilimoria, the Cobra beer founder and former president of the Confederation of British Industry, (left) takes part in a question and answer session with Sir Keir Starmer (right) in 2021

Tech investor Brent Hoberman, the co-founder of booking website lastminute.com, said he was already seeing 'people holding off plans for UK investment and moves due to budget fears'

Writing in the Observer, Ms Reeves (pictured in Paisley, Renfrewshire) warned again that there would be 'more tough choices on spending, welfare and tax at the Budget'

Under Labour's workers' rights agenda, which has been championed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, staff will have the right to demand 'flexible working', including from home (stock image)

Labour MP Lucy Powell yesterday made the incredible claim that the economic situation was so dire that Britain could have faced a 'run on the pound' if Ms Reeves had not axed winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners  a measure which will save only around 1.5 billion.

Left-wing economist Jonathan Portes dismissed the claim as 'total bull**** scaremongering (which) just makes it harder to have a remotely sensible discussion of fiscal policy.'

Writing in the Observer, Ms Reeves warned again that there would be 'more tough choices on spending, welfare and tax at the Budget' on October 30.

But, in a sign of concern that the downbeat rhetoric may be backfiring, she acknowledged that Britain's economy remained 'strong'.

Business leaders have also signalled growing concern about Labour's workers' rights agenda, which has been championed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

The package will tear up a string of measures designed to avert strikes, including removing minimum thresholds in ballots on industrial action. Staff will also have the right to demand 'flexible working', including from home and doing a four-day week.

Firms are said to be also alarmed by plans to introduce a new 'right to switch off' which would discourage employers from contacting staff outside their set working hours.
Labour will scrap one-word Ofsted judgments despite warnings it could harm pupils by dumbing down standards.

From today, all new school inspections will no longer brand them 'outstanding', 'good', 'requires improvement' or 'inadequate'.

Instead, schools will get ratings for individual sub-categories  and from next year the grading system could be scrapped altogether.

The move has delighted teaching unions, which have campaigned for it but were snubbed by the previous Tory government. Yesterday, shadow education secretary Damian Hinds said scrapping the 'vital' headline inspection outcome 'is not in the best interest of pupils or parents'.

And former Tory schools minister Nick Gibb added: 'If the Ofsted judgments are not crystal clear, the danger is they cease to be something parents look at when choosing a school. You run the risk of overall standards declining.'

Shadow education secretary Damian Hinds said scrapping 'vital' headline inspection outcomes was 'not in the best interest of pupils or parents'

Former Tory schools minister Nick Gibb said the move 'runs the risk of schools declining'

For Ofsted inspections in this academic year, parents will see four grades across the existing sub-categories  quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

It is understood the change will not be applied retrospectively to inspections already undertaken. The Government plans to change the system again for September 2025, replacing the format with a 'report card'.

It said this will 'provide parents with a full and comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing and ensure inspections are more effective in driving improvement'.

Details of the proposals, which will be subject to consultation, were not announced. But there are fears it could do away with ratings altogether, making it harder to understand.

Mr Gibb said it could be the 'worst possible' option, adding: 'The danger is that it's full of jargon, or too wordy and like a theatre review.

'A school can pick out the phrases that it wants to publicise and omit in its publicity the more negative phrases in the report.'

Unions have long campaigned for Ofsted reform but it gathered momentum after the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life while waiting for an Ofsted report which had downgraded her school.

Support for Ofsted reform gathered momentum following the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life while waiting for a report

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said that removing the headline one-word terms was a 'landmark moment for children, parents and teachers'

In April, the previous Tory government insisted the ratings must stay because they brought 'significant benefits'.

But last night, the Labour-run Department for Education said they 'fail to provide a fair and accurate assessment' of overall school performance and are supported only by a 'minority' of parents and teachers.

For now, Ofsted will still be able to use the sub-categories to see which schools are doing badly and need intervention.

The worst-performing ones will still be required to convert to academies and take on new management. But there will be a new system of improvement for those that are struggling but have not hit rock bottom.

Instead of changing management, the Government will prioritise 'rapidly getting plans in place to improve the education and experience of children'.

From early 2025, the Government will also introduce 'Regional Improvement Teams' to work with struggling schools.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The removal of headline grades is a generational reform and a landmark moment for children, parents and teachers.'

Paul Whiteman, at the National Association of Headteachers, said 'one-word judgments are harmful and we are pleased the Government has taken swift action to remove them'.

The teachers' union NASUWT and the National Education Union both described the announcement as 'a step in the right direction'.
An ex-civil servant, who left top secret documents containing the locations of British special forces in Kabul at a bus stop, has been asked to join a review of UK defences.

Angus Lapsley, 54, left the highly classified Ministry of Defence (MoD) papers - which at Kent bus stop in June last year.

The 50-page dossier marked 'Secret UK eyes only', which also included details of elite US soldiers in Afghanistan, was picked up by a member of the public before being handed to the BBC.

A Whitehall source previously claimed the hapless incident sparked a transatlantic spat and left American 'furious' as fears were raised that the breach could endanger US servicemen and women, many of whom were in the same location as their British counterparts.

Now, Lapsley has been appointed to help with the 'root and branch' review of Britain's defence, which will analyse troop numbers and technological capabilities in the current international climate.

Angus Lapsley, (Pictured) who left top secret documents containing the locations of British special forces in Kabul at a bus stop, has been asked to join a review of UK defences

Labour has been slammed by Greg Smith - the Conservative MP for Buckingham - who said: 'Well now know just how weak they [Labour] are by reading about it on a train seat' (Pictured: Starmer and Lord Robertson)

It comes amid fears whether if the new Labour government could afford to pay for military projects including Tempest.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had pledged to increase defence spending from 2.2 per cent to 2.5 by 2030 amid talk with NATO allies earlier this year,

Sunak made the pledge to boost defence spending by an extra 75 billion when he visited Warsaw in April.

He warned that the world is the 'most volatile' for years and industry must go on a 'war footing'.

Current Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also promised to reach this 2.5 per cent target but has not outlined a clear timeline of when it will be implemented.

It was previously revealed that the top secret MoD papers included details of a Royal Navy warship's passage through Crimea's disputed territorial waters.

Such sensitive intelligence is not allowed to be taken from government buildings unless properly logged out and securely stored.

However, according to a source who spoke with The Times, Lapsley picked up the pages from the in-tray on his desk and took them home with him.

The 50-page dossier marked 'Secret UK eyes only', which also included details of elite US soldiers in Afghanistan , was picked up by a member of the public before being handed to the BBC

A Whitehall source previously claimed the hapless incident sparked a transatlantic spat as fears were raised that the breach could endanger US servicemen and women (Pictured: soldiers leaving Afghanistan in 2014)

It was the following morning when they fell out of his bag as he was rushing to work, before they were found wet and piled up at the bus stop, before being dried out and handed over.

Despite the security breach, Lapsley didn't lose his Service job and was not prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act.

Following the incident, he was transferred to the Foreign Office, according to The Telegraph.

In 2022, he then left the Civil Service and went to work with NATO and is currently their Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning.

Prior to leaving the highly-classified dossier at a bus stop he was tipped to be the UK's NATO ambassador.

A the time of his appointment to NATO in 2022, Colonel Richard Kemp, who served for the British Forces in Afghanistan told the Telegraph: 'It is very concerning that Lapsley has been appointed to such a senior position within Nato and could now have access to highly classified information again.

'It's wrong that Lapsely faced so few sanctions for his actions, especially when more junior officials have faced prosecution for much lesser breaches.'

Lapsley's appointment in the Government's Strategic Defence Review, has been dubbed a 'poor show' by an ex-senior minister.

Laplsey's appointment amid fears whether if the new Labour government could afford to pay for military projects including Tempest (Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer)

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had pledged to increase defence spending from 2.2 per cent to 2.5 by 2030 amid talk with NATO allies

Greg Smith, who is the Conservative MP for Buckingham said: 'Labour have never been strong on defence, but I guess well now know just how weak they are by reading about it on a train seat. Could not make it up.'

Leader of the current review, Lord Robertson said: 'As the threats facing Britain continue to evolve, we must be clear-eyed about the defensive capabilities we need for the future.

'The work of our review is already underway and will deliver a clear vision for UK defence.

'I am delighted this expert team have agreed to make time to consider the profound challenges facing our country and how they can be countered.

'They provide an incredibly valuable range of experience across the defence and security sectors, both in the UK and internationally. Their role in this review process will be invaluable.'

It was announced on Sunday that Mr Lapsley as well as , ex-defence minister Sir Jeremy Quinn had been appointed to help with the review.

'The work of our review is already underway and will deliver a clear vision for UK defence,' said Lord Robertson who is leading the review

Jean-Christophe Gray, who was formerly a spokesperson for David Cameron, Robin Marshall of Bain Capital and Edward Dinsmore, who has been appointed to previous defence reviews, are also part of the team.

A Downing Street source has told The Telegraph tat they had full faith in the 'highly experienced and extremely qualified team' that has been formed.

An MoD spokesperson said: 'Angus Lapsley brings a huge amount of experience from his time at the FCDO and as the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning.

'As Lord Robertson has said, the Review team provide an incredibly valuable range of experience across the defence and security sectors, both in the UK and internationally.'
A married mother-of-six who worked as an Ozarks police officer was killed in a high-speed pursuit through Missouri highways early Saturday morning.

Phylicia Carson, 33, was on patrol just before 1:20am when she noticed a vehicle speeding down US 54 near Passover Road, Osage Beach Police Chief Todd Davis announced.

She then activated her lights and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the unidentified driver sped off, Fox 2 Now reports.

As Carson was trying to chase down the suspect, her patrol car began to skid, and she went off-road, crashing into a tree.

Her patrol car caught fire, and Carson - who had just joined the police department last year - died in the crash, Davis said.

Osage Beach Police Officer Phylicia Carson, 33, was killed in a high-speed pursuit over the weekend

The suspect, meanwhile, crashed his own vehicle minutes later on State Highway A and was taken into custody.

He may now face felony charges for fleeing a traffic stop under the state's new Valentine's Law, Camden County Prosecuting Attorney Richelle Grosvenor said.

'Rest assured, your Camden County Prosecutor's Office is going to review the facts,' she told Ozarks First.

'We are going to charge appropriately and we are going to pursue this with the resources that we have.'

Carson had just joined the police department last year. Her death marks the department's first line-of-duty loss in 30 years

In the meantime, the Osage Police Department and community members gathered over the weekend to remember the fallen officer.

Staff at the police department noted that her favorite color was pink, and to honor Carson, members of the public stopped by the police department on Saturday to drop off pink flowers on a police cruiser.

Her death marked the police department's first line-of-duty loss in 30 years, according to KY3.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson shared his condolences in the aftermath, saying he and his wife 'lift up her family and the Osage Beach community in our prayers.'

'Officer Carson will not be forgotten,' he wrote on X.

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe also said he and his wife 'extend our heartfelt condolences to Officer Carson's husband, their six children and fellow officers.

'We must remember those in law enforcement who courageously serve their communities, despite the threats they face,' he wrote.

'May Officer Carson never be forgotten.'

Carson was remembered online as a loving wife to her husband, Grant

Cira Clement Monnig wrote that Carson 'absolutely lived for' her six children

Others remembered Carson as a caring mother and wife to her husband, Grant.

'Phylicia Carson has always been one of those women who inspire you for the person that she has been... God-loving, momma bear, funny, outspoken [and a] ball of joy,' Cira Clement Monnig wrote on Facebook.

'My heart is broken for her, Grant Carson and their kids that she absolutely lived for.

'Please lift this family up and ask God to wrap them in peace.'

Summer Trowbridge also said she first met Carson a few months ago, and the two became fast friends.

'Daily she would send me Snapchat videos of her talking about her shift or her off-duty days, she would take about how proud she was of her children's achievements or her husband's as well,' Trowbridge wrote.

'She would always make the room light up with her laughter or jokes,' she continued. 'When you're upset, she was very [good] at making you feel better.

Community members gathered at the police department over the weekend to leave pink flowers on a patrol car in memory of Carson

'I'm blessed to have gotten to know her for the time that I did,' Trowbridge concluded.

'She will be missed, loved and never forgotten.'

Nadine Kelsay, meanwhile, wrote that: 'When I first heard Phylicia was training to be a police officer, I thought that was the perfect job for her! She was always that type of person that would love deeply and would go to the mat to protect those she loved.

'Though I wouldn't say I was close to her, I shared some wonderful memories as a new mother with her (well I was, she was on her fourth)!

'I always enjoyed her intensity and rawness, I always feltlike she was someone I could trust to tell the truth, even if it might've rubbed someone the wrong way.

'Phylicia Carson, I never told you this, but thank you for your service,' Kelsay concluded.

'As a wife and mom of six kids, I truly saw it as selfless to take on protecting an entire community as well!

'I'm grateful to you and Grant Carson and all the others at the Osage Beach PD who choose to protect my family and our community.

'Your sacrifice is not in vain and will be remembered for many, many years.'
A young man has drowned after going for a swim at Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

The 24-year-old drowned after entering the water from the Rye Pier at about 2.45pm.

Emergency services located him in the water at 3.15pm, but he died at the scene.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

A man has died after being pulled from the water near Rye Pier on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula
An early-morning fire has erupted under a bridge at Wentworth Park in Sydney.

Fire crews were called to the bridge near Glebe in the city's Inner West at 6.40am on Monday after receiving a triple-zero call.

A dozen firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames just before 7am.

Daily Mail Australia understands there is a homeless camp underneath the bridge.

A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesperson said sleeping gear and personal belongings belonging to the homeless community were found at the scene.

Trams in and out of the inner west on the L2 Dulwich Hill to Pyrmont line were temporarily stalled while firefighters fought the blaze.

A NSW Police spokesperson said the fire isn't being treated as suspicious.

'About 6:45 today (Monday 2 September 2024), emergency services were called to Sydneys Inner West following reports of a fire,' police said in a statement.

'Officers attached to Leichhardt Police Area Command attended Wentworth Park, Glebe, and found belongings on fire in the park.

A fire has erupted under a bridge at Wentworth Park in Sydney (pictured)

'Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze; no one was injured in the incident.'

Warm weather and strong winds have triggered a total fire ban in Sydney and the Illawarra as the NSW SES urges homeowners to be fire-safe.

Residents have been told to trim tree branches and secure any loose structures around their homes such as outdoor furniture and trampolines.

Damaging wind gusts that could bring down trees and power lines will average between 60km/hour and 70km/hour and could get up to 100km/hour.

Sydney will be a balmy 25C on Monday and 29C on Thursday and Friday as forecasters predict temperatures will be warmer than average this Spring.

Last week, Australia recorded its highest winter temperature since records began.
It was the oddest friendship: a future king-emperor, and the penniless son of an Irish prison official with 'no money and no brain.'

Yet the rascally Edward 'Fruity' Metcalfe was to become the most important man in the life of David, Prince of Wales, who would go on to briefly be King Edward VIII.

Drawn together by their love of late nights, fast horses and faster women, for twenty years the pair were inseparable  they thought, dressed, ate, and talked alike.

The Prince gave Fruity official Court status by appointing him his aide de camp - 'and his family are furious about it,' a friend confided to her diary.

And no wonder. Fruity was constantly getting into hot water.

'Metcalfe visited a house of ill repute but, finding himself unable to pay, was chased from the premises by the lady who had been entertaining him, minus his trousers, which she had stolen,' recalled the writer Duff Hart-Davis.

On another occasion, visiting a New York bordello, Fruity drunkenly left behind a wallet containing private letters from the Prince.

Edward 'Fruity' Metcalfe became the most important man in the life of David, Prince of Wales - the future King Edward VIII. Above: Metcalfe (left) with the Prince (centre) and Lord Louis Mountbatten in the costumes of Japanese coolies aboard HMS Renown during the royal's tour of Japan and the Far East, 1922

Marriage of Lady Alexandra 'Baba' Curzon and Major Edward Dudley 'Fruity' Metcalfe at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace, 1925. Baba was the daughter of Lord Curzon, and was for a time the mistress of Oswald Mosley

This disgusted the Prince's prim private secretary, the forthright Alan 'Tommy' Lascelles.

Fearing that the scandal would become public and ruin the product of years of burnishing the Prince's image, he denounced Metcalfe as 'an absolute bounder'.

The result was as unexpected as it was comical - Fruity was fired, but instead of apologising, went round to Lascelles' house and floored him.

It was a measure of the strength of his relationship with the Prince that nobody bothered to tell him off.

Handsome, horsy, with a beguiling Irish brogue, Fruity would never take no for an answer.

From relatively humble beginnings, he entered the rarefied world of royalty only by a freak of chance - but was determined once he got there to hang on to his position.

Women both craved him  such a bad boy!  and loathed him.

Either way, they talked about him - and before too long he'd landed himself a rich and aristocratic wife, Lady Alexandra 'Baba' Curzon, daughter of the grandest-ever Viceroy of India, Marquess Curzon.

Later Fruity was to say, 'I don't know why she married me  I've got no money and I've got no brain.'

But his reputation in the bedroom probably offered a clue as to why a woman 17 years his junior fell under his spell.

The Royal Family hated him. When he married Baba, his close bond with the Prince of Wales  and Baba's elevated position in society  meant they were allowed to hold the ceremony in the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace.

The Prince of Wales with Sir Walter Peacock and Captain Allen 'Tommy' Lascelles, the Prince's private secretary

The wedding party at the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the best man was 'Fruity' Metcalfe standing next to Edward VIII

Major Dudley Metcalfe with his wife Lady Alexandra Curzon in France for the wedding of the former King Edward VIII and and Wallis Simpson

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor visiting Metcalfe's country house in Coleman's Hatch, Ashdown forest in Sussex in 1939

'But the royal family, shockingly, is not coming to the wedding,' wrote the MP Chips Channon in his diary.

'Their hatred of this, their son's greatest friend, is fantastic in its intensity.

'All the prince's escapades are down to his influence. Fruity is stupid and weak, the Prince is stupid and determined  and both are quite, quite charming. But he [Fruity] is to blame.

'The King and Queen sent no presents and refused to come to the wedding, and rumour has it His Majesty forbade any member of the family to attend.'

The two men met when the Prince toured India in 1922 and the Irishman was serving as an officer in an obscure cavalry regiment, the Skinner's Horse.

'No other friend did the prince have [after that]', according to Channon.

For a time, Fruity's official job was to look after the Prince's horses and organise his equestrian life.

But when his boss reluctantly gave up riding, Metcalfe had less to do, and so more time to find mischief where he could.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this long-established friendship started to wane around the time Wallis Simpson came on the scene.

Jealous of all her new lover's friends, the American divorcee had a particular dislike of Fruity and his excessively masculine ways. So he found himself being squeezed out. It hurt.

However, during the 1936 Abdication crisis, while Wallis was temporarily separated from the King (as he had become 11 months earlier), Fruity stepped into the breach.

And prior to Wallis and David's wedding in 1937, he offered to fly out to the Schloss Enzesfeld in Austria - where the former King was staying.

There, the new Duke of Windsor paced the floor, alone, waiting for Wallis's divorce to come through.

Wallis didn't like the prospect of Fruity joining her beau one bit.

'You cannot be alone with Fruity,' she wrote commandingly. 'He is not capable of handling the mail and dealing with servants, etc.'

'It's more likely that she feared Fruity's influence with the Duke,' wrote the biographer Anne de Courcy.

'They had shared a past long before Wallis came on the scene, and a word or phrase could set them off into uncontrollable schoolboy giggles.'

As she waited to join her future husband, Wallis nagged David daily over the telephone about spending so much time with his old playmate.

Nevertheless, it was Fruity who was invited to be best man at their 1937 wedding  mainly because no royal was prepared to be photographed in their company.

The latter fact meant that the guest-list was tiny.

Edward 'Fruity' Dudley Metcalfe attends a polo match at the Ranelagh Club, Barne Elms, with American dancer Irene McLaughlin, 1930

Major Metcalfe with his wife Lady Alexandra Metcalfe and Mrs Cripps

So while the new Duke and Duchess of Windsor settled into a life of exile in France, Fruity returned to London.

But the old friends were reunited on the outbreak of war, when David donned Army uniform and was given the job of inspecting the troops in northern France.

Once again, Fruity became David's aide-de-camp, based in Paris.

But the morning after the Germans invaded France, Fruity telephoned the Duke only to discover the Windsors had fled to Biarritz, leaving no message.

'Fruity, who'd worked for months with no pay, doing everything he could to support the Duke and make the lives of the Windsors easier, found himself abandoned, without a single word from the man he considered his best friend,' said de Courcy.

Humiliated and depressed, Fruity wrote to his wife: 'After 20 years I am through  I despise him!

'I've fought and backed him up, knowing what a swine he was, for 20 years, but now it is finished.

'He deserted his job in 1936. Now he's deserted his country, at a time when every office boy and cripple is trying to do what he can. It is the end.'

Through selfishness and his disregard for personal loyalty, the former king had lost his only friend.
They had conceded, with no small regret, that they would probably never hear from their old friend again, resigned to believing that once-strong ties had been severed beyond repair. Yet from out of the blue, the phones of a select band of Prince Harrys former confidants have recently been pinging with conciliatory messages. To their astonishment, the royal runaway had reached out to them through WhatsApp, four years after he left the UK for California.

It was a genuinely big surprise, one source told The Mail on Sunday.

Common among his friends was the belief that in Montecito, the Duke of Sussex, ill-suited to the lifestyle there, had transformed into a strangely sulky figure, given to sermonising and self-centred psychobabble, and  worse  taking pot-shots at his family.

That at least was the narrative weaved by some and shared by many and is perhaps why Harry, angered by the criticism, was selective in whom he contacted.

Curiously, many of those yet to receive an olive branch are among his oldest companions, including fellow Etonians. Of those favoured, a number were friends acquired in more recent times.

Sources close to the Duke of Sussex have said that he has taken steps towards 'rehabilitation and, possibly, a partial return to the royal fold

But, as The Mail on Sunday reveals today, Harry didnt simply message old chums. He has consulted at least one former aide from his days as a working royal  indicating perhaps that not everything is as sunny in California as he might have us believe.

Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates, said a source. He is clearly reaching out thinking, I need to do something different because what Im doing is clearly not working.

The overtures herald what sources refer to as early steps towards what they hope will be Harrys rehabilitation and, possibly, a partial return to the royal fold. Willing to forgive and forget, friends have responded positively and want to actively help him smooth a path back to the UK.

Some refer to their task as Operation Bring Harry In From The Cold. The title is only semi-serious as a permanent move is out of the question.

But rather than secretly slipping in and out of the country, fugitive-like, as he does now, the hope is that Harry will be able to spend what the source called quality time in the UK.

Friends noted with approval his last-minute visit to attend the memorial of his uncle, Lord Fellowes, last week. Encouragingly it lasted at least four days and may yet prove a pivotal moment.

Much work is needed to mend bridges and reclaim friendships. But The Mail on Sunday has learned that a plan for a way forward has already been prepared.

One friend has devised a strategy for how Harry might begin to start moving in UK circles again. He has put together a blueprint and will show it to Harry if and when theres an appropriate moment, said the source. This person believes there is a real chance Harry could even carry out very low-key royal duties again one day.

He believes if Harry comes back to the UK with zero fuss, and does zero publicity and attends very mundane events, he could prove himself and win over the British public again. He would have to accept, though, that he might be reduced to ribbon cutting for a long period. But it would give him purpose to work again. It could happen, one day, if certain members of the family could find it in themselves to allow it.

In his memoir Spare, Harry suggested that Kate was cold towards Meghan and that William once physically attacked him at Nottingham Cottage

As matters stand, it is hard to imagine Prince William welcoming the plan  or indeed any potential peace offering. Too raw are the barbs in Spare, Harrys vitriolic memoirs, in which he suggested Kate was cold towards Meghan and that William once physically attacked him, knocking him to the floor at Nottingham Cottage. Making plain the depth of their rift, it was last month claimed that William does not plan to invite his brother to his Coronation.

But as some have noted, only semi-jokingly, if the warring Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher can reconcile, then anyone can.

Friends want a commanding figure to lead the comeback campaign, someone around whom Harrys key lieutenants will coalesce. Emerging as the clear frontrunner is the Dukes former right-hand man Edward Lane Fox, whom he first met on military duties. One friend described him as the operations great white hope.

Another source told this newspaper: If anyone can do it, Edward can. Last time I saw him I wanted to take him by the shoulders and say, Ed, please bring our boy home. Its the right time now.

As Harrys private secretary, Mr Lane Fox, a former captain in the Household Cavalry, was credited with helping the Prince improve his image after he was photographed naked on a trip to Las Vegas in 2012. Mr Lane Fox was also a great help settling former actress Meghan into royal life. She reportedly described him as a godsend.

Asked about leading the campaign, Mr Lane Fox told the MoS: Its not something Ive got a view on Im afraid.

Much has changed of course since the two men last worked together in 2018, when Harry and Meghans stock was high in the UK. Now the couple languish near the bottom of a poll of favourite royals  hence the desire to draw on the wisdom of aides from the old school for whom duty and discretion are watchwords.

Harry, who turns 40 later this month, is said to be at a crossroads. A former aide said: All he does is spend time looking back. If only he could wrench his neck around and look forwards.

Harry did not cut all ties when he moved to California. He remained in touch with Charlie van Straubenzee, a friend from prep school, and Mark Dyer, a former equerry to the King.

Harry has decided against both updating the paperback version of his book and giving interviews to publicise it

But otherwise the source said: He is so cut off from his oldest  and in theory closest  friends. It got to a point where he became so disconnected that he felt he couldnt liaise directly with his old mates. Theres a feeling back at home that its unsustainable. Its simply time to return to the way things were.

Many of Harrys friends were supportive of the US move, believing that the motives behind it were largely sound. Who could blame him for wanting to settle down and start a family in a peaceful environment, they argued, away from the dizzying whirl of royal life and its attendant pressures? Theres nothing wrong with wanting those things and seeking a fresh start, said the source. His friends recognise that his aims were noble.

It was the undignified way he and Meghan executed their departure, however, that caused dismay. That turned to anger when Harry began publicly criticising his family.

Charles was portrayed as an emotionally stunted father who married Camilla despite his sons pleas not to let her fill the role of wicked stepmother, and who was jealous of his sons popularity. In an interview with CBS, Harry said he had viewed Camilla as a villain who left bodies in the street in her quest to boost her image.

It is a measure of their capacity for clemency that Harrys friends, unlike William, are now able to overlook these deeply wounding comments. A source said: It is because his original intention was not malicious that theres a path to forgiveness for him.

Before his marriage, Harry was protected by a praetorian guard in the UK. In addition to rallying in times of crisis, these loyalists actively helped him find a new girlfriend after he broke up with Chelsy Davy. When he began dating Cressida Bonas they settled her into his world by introducing her, gently, to Prince William.

A source said: His friendship circle can be quite a force for good when they come together with Harrys best interests at heart.

For his own part, Harry has seemed notably less embittered lately. Indeed there are indications of a softening, a reluctance to poke the House of Windsor further.

There had been concern that the forthcoming paperback version of Spare would bring new revelations. But to his familys relief, Harry has decided against both updating it and giving interviews to publicise it.

Repairing his relationship with his father, if not his brother, is seen as an achievable aim, and an outcome both desire. The MoS revealed last week that the King received advice from spiritual leaders that led him to contemplate healing their rift. There were fears he would never see his grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet again because Harry refuses to bring his family to the UK.

That situation may yet change, said a source.

Whats significant is that the first steps have been taken.
The moment that Apple fans have been waiting for is finally almost here, with the iPhone 16 set to be revealed to the world next month.

The tech giant is hosting an event on September 9 titled 'It's Glowtime', where it's expected to unveil its latest flagship devices.

Beyond the tagline and an animation of its logo, Apple has remained tight-lipped about what to expect from the event.

However, rumours about the iPhone 16 are already rife  with leaks flying left, right, and centre on everything from the price to key features.

Here's everything we know so far about Apple's latest flagship.

Apple is hosting an event on 9 September at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, where it is expected to unveil a series of new iPhones - and potentially a special new watch

When will the iPhone 16 be unveiled?

Apple has confirmed that it is hosting a launch event on Monday 9 September at its headquarters in Cupertino, California.

The invite confirms that the event will take place at 10:00 PT (18:00 BST).

This date - a Monday - comes as somewhat of a surprise, with Apple having hosted the majority of its previous iPhone launch events on Tuesdays.

'It's Glowtime. Please join us in person for a special Apple Event at Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park. September 9, 2024 10:00a.m. PT,' the full invite reads.

Apple's invite includes the classic Apple logo with a redesigned twist.

An animation sees the logo swirl between hues of blue, purple, orange, and pink, seemingly in reference to the 'It's Glowtime' tagline.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to come in blue, green, white, black and pink

The Pro models will likely come in slightly more muted tones  white, black, grey, and bronze

While the reason for this feature remains unclear, it could be a tease for the full release of Apple's highly anticipated AI system, Apple Intelligence.

MailOnline will be covering the launch event live on 9 September, or you can watch it at apple.com or on the Apple TV app.

When will the iPhone 16 go on sale?

If the iPhone 16 is unveiled at the September 9 event, pre-orders will likely go live on Friday September 13, with the first devices sent out the following week, on Friday September 20.

What devices do we expect in the iPhone 16 lineup?

Rumours suggest that we can expect four new iPhone models called the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to be sticking with the current 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes.

However, rumours suggest we'll see larger iPhone 16 Pro models this year, with the iPhone 16 Pro expected to measure 6.3-inches and the iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.9-inches.

Rumours suggest the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will have the same camera setup as their predecessors, with a 48MP main lens alongside a 12MP ultra-wide lens on the rear, and a 12MP front-facing camera

What is Apple Intelligence? Apple Intelligence is essentially a snazzy brand name for Apple's new-found focus on AI, triggered by the huge success of the ChatGPT chatbot 18 months ago. The tech giant announced Apple Intelligence with great reverence as 'the personal intelligence system that combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver intelligence'. To put it more simply, it's an umbrella term for all the jobs AI will be able to do on your iPhone, iPad and Mac computer - as long as it has the upcoming iOS 18 software and an all-important AI chip inside the device. The biggest part of Apple Intelligence is the integration of OpenAI's hugely popular chatbot ChatGPT with Siri, Apple's in-built virtual assistant. It also includes tools like AI-generated emoji, an image generator and a 'Clean Up tool' that makes subtle edits to photos. Advertisement

What colours will the iPhone 16 come in?

When it comes to colours, leaked images suggest that fans will have a range of stunning hues to choose from.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to come in blue, green, white, black and pink.

Meanwhile, the Pro models will likely come in slightly more muted tones  white, black, grey, and bronze.

How much will the iPhone 16 cost?

Leakers disagree over the iPhone 16 pricing.

Some claim that it could be the same price as its predecessor, the iPhone 15, which starts at 799/$799.

However, with the cost of phone components increasing, others argue that the iPhone 16 will be at least 100/$100 more than the iPhone 15  putting starting prices at 899/$899.

If this is the case, the iPhone 16 Plus could be 999/$999, while the iPhone 16 Pro could be 1,099/$1,099, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max 1,299/$1,299.

What camera will the iPhone 16 have?

Rumours suggest the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will have the same camera setup as their predecessors, with a 48MP main lens alongside a 12MP ultra-wide lens on the rear, and a 12MP front-facing camera.

However, upgrades are expected to come in the form of improved AI-powered editing tools, like those seen in recent rival devices, including the Google Pixel 9.

Meanwhile, the Pro models are expected to have larger sensors, allowing for brighter, more colourful photos.

'Apple Intelligence' refers to a slew of new AI-powered features coming on Apple's upcoming software update, iOS 18, from AI-generated emoji to a new version of Siri that uses ChatGPT, OpenAI's notorious chatbot

Are there any new features we expect?

Last year, Apple introduced a brand-new button on the two iPhone 15 Pro models, called the Action Button.

This replaced the long-standing mute switch, and allowed users to access almost any shortcut with the touch of a button.

Rumours suggest the Action Button could be included on all four iPhone 16 models this year.

What's more, a second new button is also tipped to be included, dubbed the 'Capture' button, which could allow users to quickly trigger the camera app's shutter.

However, the biggest changes to this year's iPhones are expected to come in the form of software.

Back in June, Apple announced a new AI architecture dubbed Apple Intelligence, which will feature in the iPhone 16.

The biggest part of Apple Intelligence is the integration of OpenAI's hugely popular chatbot ChatGPT with Siri, Apple's in-built virtual assistant.

Back in June, Apple announced a new AI architecture dubbed Apple Intelligence , which will feature in the iPhone 16

Users will be able to press and hold the side button to activate Siri as normal, but with ChatGPT behind it, Siri will be able to 'answer thousands of questions about how to do something' that it couldn't before.

For example, you could say, 'Play that podcast that Jamie recommended' and Siri will locate and play the episode, without the user having to remember whether it was mentioned in a text or an email.

Or you could ask, 'When is mum's flight landing?' and Siri will find the flight details and cross-reference them with real-time flight tracking to give an arrival time.

Meanwhile, one of the more fun parts of Apple Intelligence is AI-generated emoji, which Apple has called 'Genmoji' (a mix of 'generated' and 'emoji').

In the Messages app, you can type a short description of the emoji you want  such as 'smiley relaxing wearing cucumbers' or 'squirrel DJ'.

Apple is preparing to release the 'Apple Watch X' which could feature a radical redesign, according to a leaker

Will Apple announce any other devices?

Apple is preparing to release the 'Apple Watch X' which could feature a radical redesign, according to a leaker.

Akin to the iPhone X in 2017 that celebrated a decade of the iPhone, Apple Watch X could mark 10 years since the world glimpsed the first Apple Watch.

The claim comes from respected Apple tipster Mark Gurman based in California, who says Apple is 'preparing a big update' in his weekly newsletter.

'Apple Watch is nearing its 10th birthday and the company has a chance to mark the occasion,' he says.

'With the X model, Apple designers are working on a thinner watch case and have explored changing the way bands are attached to the device.'

Gurman says the watch could have a larger display and 'other enhancements under the hood' in terms of hardware.

For example, new AI-capable chips 'could lay the groundwork for some AI enhancements down the road'.
A white beluga whale who was first spotted near Russian waters wearing a harness and ignited rumours he may be a Moscow spy, has been found dead.

Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported the whale carcass was found floating at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway on Saturday by a father and son who were fishing.

The beluga, named Hvaldimir, a combination of the Norwegian word for whale - hval - and Russian President Putin's first name Vladimir, was lifted out of the water with a crane and taken to a nearby harbour where experts will examine it.

Marine biologist Sebastian Strand told NRK: 'Unfortunately, we found Hvaldimir floating in the sea.

'He has passed away but it's not immediately clear what the cause of death is,' adding that no major external injuries were visible on the animal.

Hvaldimir, a white beluga whale who was first spotted near Russian waters wearing a harness and ignited rumours he may be a Moscow spy, has been found dead

The 14ft whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingoya, not far from the Arctic city of Hammerfest, in April 2019

Hvaldimir was spotted off the coast of Norway in 2019. The whale would follow close to boats

OneWhale worked with the Norwegian government to integrate Hvaldimir into a nearby pod

Mr Strand, who has monitored Hvaldimir's adventures for the past three years on behalf of the Norway-based Marine Mind non-profit organisation, said he was deeply affected by the whale's sudden death.

'It's absolutely horrible,' Mr Strand said. 'He was apparently in good condition as of (Friday). We just have to figure out what might have happened here.'

The 14ft whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingoya, not far from the Arctic city of Hammerfest, in April 2019 wearing a harness and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle marked with the text: 'Equipment St Petersburg.'

That sparked allegations that the beluga was 'a spy whale'. Experts said the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes.

When Hvaldimir was found he was wearing a harness and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle marked with the text: 'Equipment St Petersburg.'

The harness and camera mount sparked allegations that the beluga was 'a spy whale'. Experts said the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes

Over the years, the beluga was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it quickly became clear that he was very tame and enjoyed playing with people, NRK said

Hvaldimir was estimated to be between 12 and 20 years old and weighed 2,700 pounds

Over the years, the beluga was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it quickly became clear that he was very tame and enjoyed playing with people, NRK said.

Marine Mind said on its site that Hvaldimir was very interested in people and responded to hand signals.

'Based on these observations, it appeared as if Hvaldimir arrived in Norway by crossing over from Russian waters, where it is presumed he was held in captivity,' it said.

Norwegian media have speculated whether Hvaldimir could have been used as 'a therapy whale' of some sort in Russia.
Adrien Brody and his girlfriend Georgina Chapman look utterly loved-up at The Brutalist's Venice Film Festival premiere on Sunday.

The American actor, 51, and the English fashion designer, 48, who began dating in 2019, were never more than a few inches apart.

Georgia, the ex-wife of Harvey Weinstein, wore a gorgeous plunging bejewelled indigo dress, from her brand Marchesa, which trailed the floor.

The dress had cape-like sleeves and ranged from opaque to sheer and it showed off Georgia's figure, cinching in at the waist.

Adrien's film The Brutalist chronicles 30 years in the life of Laszlo Toth (Adrien), a Hungarian-born Jewish architect who survived the Holocaust.

Adrien Brody, 51, and his girlfriend Georgina Chapman, 48, look utterly loved-up at The Brutalist's Venice Film Festival premiere on Sunday

The American actor and the English fashion designer who began dating in 2019 , were never more than a few inches apart

Georgia, the ex-wife of Harvey Weinstein, wore a gorgeous plunging bejewelled indigo dress, from her brand Marchesa, which trailed the floor

Also starring are Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, and Taylor Swift's ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn.

For the premiere, Adrien wore a black suit with a black shirt and bowtie. He wore shiny black shoes and dressed up his look with an eye-catching silver broach.

Georgia also accessorised with silver, wearing gorgeous earrings, rings, and finishing her look with platform silver heels.

Adrien has said his character and the story was something he felt an 'immediate kinship and understanding for.'

His real-life mother, photographer Sylvia Plachy, was a Hungarian immigrant who fled in 1956 during the anti-Soviet revolution to restart and attempt to build a life as an artist.

Adrien said: 'Even though it's fiction, it feels very real and very real to me. That's so important for me to embody a character and make it real.'

Running 215-minutes (with a 15-minute intermission) and presented in 70mm, The Brutalist arrived in Venice with expectations high.

Wearing sunglasses, its director Brady Corbet was feeling emotional speaking about the film, which he'd worked on for seven years.

Brady Corbet directed the film and wrote the script with his wife Mona Fastvold, who is also a filmmaker (pictured: Adrien and Felicity Jones in the film)

The dress had cape-like sleeves and ranged from opaque to sheer and it showed off Georgia's figure, cinching in at the waist

Adrien's film The Brutalist chronicles 30 years in the life of Laszlo Toth (Adrien), a Hungarian-born Jewish architect who survived the Holocaust

For the premiere, Adrien wore a black suit with a black shirt - done up to the top - and a black bowtie

He wore shiny black shoes and dressed up his smart all-black look with an eye-catching silver broach

Georgia also accessorised with silver, wearing gorgeous earrings, rings, and finishing her look with platform silver heels

Adrien laughed to himself as Georgia honed in on the cameras (left). Georgina divorced the disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein in 2021 (pictured right in 2017)

Georgia was married to disgraced film producer Harvey from 2007 to 2021. Harvey, 72, is currently serving a 23-year sentence for sex offences

Adrien dated Chris Hemsworth's current wife, Spanish actress Elsa Pataky, 48, from 2006 to 2009

The Brutalist is Adrien's, the youngest actor to win Best Actor at the Academy Awards, only project of the year

'This film does everything that we are told we are not allowed to do,' said Brady. He added that conversations about runtime are 'silly.'

'I've read great novellas, I've read great multi-volume masterpieces,' Brady said.

'Maybe the next thing I make will be about 45 minutes, and I should be allowed to do that.  As Harmony Korine once said, cinema is stuck in the birth canal. And I agree with him.'

Brady wrote the script with his wife Mona Fastvold, who is also a filmmaker. Brady thanked the Venice Film Festival for supporting him.
Antonio Banderas looked dapper in a white dinner jacket as he joined his partner Nicole Kimpel at the amfAR Gala in Venice on Sunday.

The Spanish actor, 64, paired his jacket with black trousers and held the hand of investment banker Nicole, 43.

He wore red-lensed sunglasses and Nicole, who appeared to be braless, paired her floor-length dress with heeled gold sandals and gold chandelier earrings.

Antonio took off his sunglasses for an indoor shot, expertly smizing next to Nicole as the pair wrapped their arms around each other.

The Shrek actor and Nicole have been together for 10 years, getting together after Antonio and Melanie Griffith's marriage broke down.

Antonio Banderas, 64, looked dapper in a white jacket as he joined his partner Nicole Kimpel, 43, braless in a slinky gold dress, to the amfAR Gala Venezia 2024 in Venice on Sunday

The Spanish actor paired his jacket with black trousers and held the hand of investment banker Nicole

Neither have confirmed if they are married, but Nicole goes by 'Nicole Banderas' on Instagram.

Just on Friday, the couple stunned at the Venice Film Festival premiere of Babygirl starring Antonio and Nicole Kidman.

Antonio, who stars as Jacob in the erotic thriller, looked handsome in a black tuxedo suit as he put on a loved-up display with his partner Nicole, who wore red, on the red carpet.

During the event, Antonio was joined by his co-star Nicole, 57, who stars as high-powered CEO Romy in the movie.

In the film, Nicole's high-powered New York business executive 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.

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.'

He wore red-lensed sunglasses and Nicole paired her floor-length dress with heeled gold sandals and gold chandelier earrings

Antonio took off his sunglasses for an indoor shot, expertly smizing next to Nicole as the pair wrapped their arms around each other

Just on Friday, the couple stunned at the Venice Film Festival premiere of Babygirl starring Antonio and Nicole Kidman, 57

'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.'
The Block's heartthrob Ricky Recard has been branded a love rat by his jilted ex after he dumped her on the eve of their dream trip overseas to hook up with a married make-up artist he met on the show.

The 34-year-old plumber broke up with Lauren Smith after she had waited three months at home for him while he filmed the new series of Nine's reno show on Phillip Island.

Just days after the split, he revealed he was now dating married mother-of-two Erin Lee who had broken up with her heartbroken husband to be with the show's star.

To add insult to injury, Recard jetted stright off on holiday with his new lover, leaving Lauren to go on their romantic getaway to Mexico for her 30th by herself.

'I was absolutely blindsided,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'I spent three months looking after his dogs and his house while also helping his employee with the business.'

Ms Smith said the couple had an overseas holiday arranged to celebrate her milestone birthday, which would have been the first trip away from her young daughter.

'We were due to go at the beginning of July for my 30th birthday but we broke up about two weeks after he got back from filming,' she said.

'I found out while I was in Mexico that he had apparently begun a relationship with Erin during the time I was away.'

Ricky Recard has hooked-up with married mum-of-two Erin Lee

His heartbroken ex-girlfriend Lauren Smith says she was 'blindsided' after dog-sitting and minding his house for three months whilst he was busy filming on The Block

Ricky Recard, left, has made an impression with female fans after joining The Block alongside his best mate Haydn Wise (pictured) on the Yellow Team

Recard, from Melbourne, has proudly boasted of his budding relationship with 40-year-old mum-of-two on social media.

The couple flew to Port Douglas in Far North Queensland last month and 'hard launched' their relationship on his private Instagram page.

He posted an image of the couple together with the caption: 'Beach time with this stunner.'

On Thursday Ms Lee also shared of her with Recard, with the message: 'Sometimes the path we never planned leads us to brighter things and the happiness we always needed.

'Trust the journey.'

Ms Lee's estranged husband Lucas Day - who is a lookalike for love rival Recard - insists his wife only hooked up with the Block tradie after their marriage ended

'We are separated now and I've dealt with it,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'They got together after we split when he got back from Mexico in July and we were done then.'

Day also agreed he bears a striking resemblance to Ms Lee's new lover, calling the similarity between the pair as 'strange'.

'It is a bit strange, it definitely is,' he said.

Lauren shared a gushing post about her now ex on Instagram

Recard and his new love enjoyed a getaway to Port Douglas together last month

Lucas Day (right) admits he bares a striking resemblance to his ex's new lover Recard

In a recent interview with New Idea, Recard confirmed his new lover, but didn't identify her.

Biazrrely though, despite her working as a make-up artist on The Block, he claimed she not know of his role on the show.

'I can definitely say she was impressed, and why wouldn't she be?' he said.

'The reason why she was impressed was not because I'm on The Block. She thinks it's pretty funny.

'She didn't know I was on The Block when we started seeing each other.'

He even claimed she poked fun at him and joked she was now dating 'someone famous'.

Recard also responded to viewers who have called him the heartthrob on this year's hotly-anticipated 20th anniversary series.

He has won female fans, with many viewers naming him their all-time celebrity crush as they swooned over his rugged looks.

Fans have also been left charmed by his positive attitude and cheeky sense of humour, taking to social media to claim Ricky's Yellow Team as their favourites.

The plumber laughed off being called a celebrity crush as he insisted he is not famous enough to be given the label.

'I don't know if I consider myself a celebrity, seriously,' he told Yahoo Lifestyle.

'I think as a celebrity, you've got to have a fair resume, right? Like Shelley [Craft], she's got The List - Saturday Disney for years, Funniest Home Videos, The Block.

'She's an Australian icon and I'm just an absolute nobody. But if people want to have a crush on me, that's cool. I appreciate the love.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Recard and Nine Network for comment.
Sydney Sweeney has admitted that her signature blonde locks are now 'fried.'

The Anyone But You star, 26  who recently flaunted her toned legs in a skimpy wetsuit  told The Strategist she has banned herself from using dye after it led to hair damage from constant use for various movie roles.

And now she is giving her tendrils a break so it gets a chance to bounce back to its natural brunette shade.

'I'm trying to grow my hair out. I'm on a hair-health journey,' she told the outlet.

'My hair has been very damaged and fried from constantly dyeing it for different characters and red carpets, so I decided to trim off all the dead hair, stop coloring it, and let it grow out,' the actress said.

Sydney Sweeney admitted her signature locks were 'fried' while talking to The Strategist on Thursday; seen in 2023

Now she is giving her hair a break so it gets a chance to bounce back to its natural brunette shade; seen in 2011

The Immaculate star shared she is no longer sweeping her locks up with hair ties  instead she opts for claw clips.

She added: 'My hairstylist was also telling me to stop using hair ties when I'm not working, so I've started wearing hair clips.

'I love Emi Jay's because there's so many fun designs and colors and sizes. I probably have almost all of them. I have one in right now.

'It's just a fun accessory to add to your outfit,' she shared.

Sydney went light blonde for summer, with her hairstylist sharing how she was keen to 'change it up majorly' and get away from her darker roots.

Celebrity hairdresser Rita Hazan  who has styled Beyonce, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey  told People: 'She feels most like herself when shes blonde.'

She has experimented with different hair colors such as jet black for the 2024 Met Gala

She added: 'My hairstylist was also telling me to stop using hair ties when I'm not working, so I've started wearing hair clips'; seen in 2017

Back in May, the actress explained that hair is a storytelling tool and that 'if the character really asks for it,' she will 'fully commit myself' to a role; seen in 2024

In a 2021 Webtoon commercial, she blew fans away rocking a neon pink bob

The Madame Web starlet wanted to stick with her side-swept, middle parted bangs, and her hairdresser made sure they were part of the hair makeover process.

Rita explained: 'Im not a big fan of just doing "money pieces". I like for the hairline to be light, but it should also be blended with the rest of the hair.'

Sydney has experimented with different hair colors such as bleach blonde for Paris Fashion Week 2023, jet black for the 2024 Met Gala and strawberry blonde for Pretty Little Liars.

And in a 2021 Webtoon commercial, she blew fans away rocking a neon pink bob.

Back in May, the actress explained that hair is a storytelling tool and that 'if the character really asks for it,' she will 'fully commit myself' to a role.

Even if means changing her locks drastically, as she has proved.

Sydney also quipped that all the heat styling and color changes over time 'probably fried any emotional memories that my hair has held onto'; seen in 2024

Sydney went light blonde for summer, with her hairstylist sharing how she was keen to 'change it up majorly' and get away from her darker roots; seen in 2018

The actress added: 'Ive always felt that my hair represents just how Im feeling and who I am at that time. Its like an accessory to whatever you want to wearthe personality that you want to have that day'; seen in 2024

She told Vanity Fair, 'Ive always been terrified of just cutting my hair super, super short, just because it takes so long to grow. If the character really asks for it, I always go for it. Im going to fully commit myself and Ill do itand then after Ill be like, "Why did I do that?"'

Sydney also quipped that all the heat styling and color changes over time 'probably fried any emotional memories that my hair has held onto.'

The actress added: 'Ive always felt that my hair represents just how Im feeling and who I am at that time. Its like an accessory to whatever you want to wearthe personality that you want to have that day. If utilized, you can have a lot of fun with it, which is like Cassie in Euphoria

'She transforms into so many looks because of her hair. I think that people forget that its not just makeup. Your hair can actually transform you too,' she said referring to her role in the hit drama.
Former Ten political reporter Tegan George has reached a settlement in her case against the network after claiming she suffered severe trauma after bushfire reporting.

Daily Mail Australia understands Ms George finally reached an undisclosed settlement this month after being on sick leave for more than two years.

The former Canberra-based reporter, 39, sued the network in the ACT Supreme Court for negligence and breach of duty in care, claiming she was left suicidal and struggling with alcohol addiction after reporting on the deadly 2019-2020 NSW South Coast bushfires.

She reported suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and nightmares and turned to alcohol after witnessing scenes of dead livestock killed in the blaze and terrified families vacating their homes.

George said the trauma of the bushfires in Bega, Bermagui, Merimbula and Cobargo which she covered between January 1-5 in 2020 wrecked her mental health and in turn her career.

She alleged she was 'required' to file a distressing report on a father and son who died while trying to protect their dairy farm from fire.

She also witnessed a panic-stricken local threaten to start shooting at others during a row over fuel as they desperately tried to escape the flames, court documents revealed.

George alleged that TV bosses made her drive into danger zones at the height of the crisis as ash was falling from the sky.

Tegan George says the trauma of the bushfires in Bega, Bermagui, Merimbula and Cobargo which she covered between January 1-5 in 2020 wrecked her mental health and career

George alleged TV bosses ordered her to drive into danger zones at the height of the fire crisis despite safety fears and ash falling from the black skies above her

She claimed she and a colleague ignored an instruction from news chiefs in Canberra to drive into Bermagui which had already been evacuated due to the imminent danger.

But they still had to zigzag through remote backroads to try to reach safety - and never knew if their course would leave them trapped by fire, she alleged.

She said Ten failed in its duty of care by not giving her adequate training in advance of being sent out to cover the blazes, failing to minimise the risk of injury and failing to identify the risk to her health and safety.

Her legal action stated she could not sleep after the assignment, struggles to concentrate or focus her attention, has 'numbness on the left hand side of her body' and at one point had to be admitted to full-time psychiatric care.

'A reasonable person would have seen a person of normal fortitude might suffer a recognised psychiatric illness if reasonable care was not taken,' the lawsuit alleged.

'But for the [trauma], she would not have developed the psychological response to subsequent workplace events that she ultimately did - which culminated in her being George said the trauma left her intermittently incapacitated for work from February 27, 2020 and then totally incapacitated for work since June 7, 2021.

Ten's defence in the civil case denied all allegations of negligence and said George's claim relies on the 'benefit of hindsight'.

It added: 'No contemporaneous "warning signs" were reasonably apparent to the defendant.'

Ten news reporter Tegan George was left suicidal and turned to booze after she was traumatised by the devastating 2019-20 bushfires

She and a colleague had to dodge flames by zigzagging through remote backroads to try to reach safety - and never knew if they were driving into an inferno

Her settlement comes ahead of a civil trial over her claims of sexual discrimination against the network, which is now set to begin on February 3 next year, more than three years after first lodging her claim.

An expanded statement of claim filed with the Federal Court claimed that the network breached the Sex Discrimination Act because she was required to work in an environment that was hostile to women.

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Jude Law cut a dapper figure in a black suit as he attended The Order premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday evening.

The actor, 51, who stars as lone FBI agent Terry Husk in the thriller movie, sported a black vest top underneath his smart blazer.

Rather than opting for a simple shirt and tie combo, Jude mixed things up a little bit as he wore a loose-fitting navy tie and showed off a glimpse of his chest hair.

He teamed a pair of smart shiny leather shoes with his red carpet ensemble and enthusiastically interacted with fans as he signed his autograph.

Meanwhile, his co-star Nicholas Hoult, 34, who stars as radical, charismatic leader Bob Matthews in the movie, looked handsome in a black tuxedo suit.

Jude Law cut a dapper figure in a black suit as he attended The Order premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday evening

The actor, 51, sported a black vest top underneath his smart blazer

The smart ensemble boasted satin notch lapels, a bow tie, a crisp white shirt, a satin waistcoat, and tailored trousers.

Canadian actor Phillip Forest Lewitski, 27, also attended the red carpet event and cut a quirky figure in a vibrant teal suit.

Opting to go shirtless underneath his blazer and waistcoat, Phillip sported a western-style necktie.

Meanwhile, Jurnee Smollett, 37, stole the spotlight in a navy blue silk floor-length gown which boasted draped off-the-shoulder sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, and a long train.

Tye Sheridan, 27, who stars as Jamie Bowen in the movie, also attended and cut a dapper figure in a deep purple tuxedo.

The Order is directed by Justin Kirzel and written by Zach Baylin and is based on the 1989 non-fiction book The Silent Brotherhood by Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt.

The movie is set In 1983 and features a series of increasingly violent bank robberies, counterfeiting operations and armored car heists frightening communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.

As baffled law enforcement agents scrambled for answers, a lone FBI agent (Jude), stationed in the sleepy, picturesque town of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, comes to believe the crimes are not the work of traditional, financially motivated criminals but a group of dangerous domestic terrorists, inspired by a radical, charismatic leader (Nicholas), plotting a devastating war against the federal government of the United States.

Jude stars as lone FBI agent Terry Husk in the thriller movie

Rather than opting for a simple shirt and tie combo, Jude mixed things up a little bit as he wore a loose-fitting navy tie and showed off a glimpse of his chest hair

The Holiday actor teamed a pair of smart shiny leather shoes with his red carpet ensemble and beamed as he posed up a storm for the cameras

During the event, he also enthusiastically interacted with fans as he signed his autograph

He was also pictured pointing out to someone in the crowd and seemed surprised to see them

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.

A host of A-listers have already arrived in the city and many more are expected to descend 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 in attendance at the September 1 screening.

Brad's ex-wife Angelina Jolie arrived in Venice on Thursday to promote her film Maria, in which she plays opera legend Maria Callas.

Meanwhile, his co-star Nicholas Hoult, 34, who stars as radical, charismatic leader Bob Matthews in the movie, looked handsome in a black tuxedo suit

Canadian actor Phillip Forest Lewitski, 27, also attended the red carpet event and cut a quirky figure in a vibrant teal suit

Meanwhile, Jurnee Smollett, 37, stole the spotlight in a navy blue silk floor-length gown which boasted draped off-the-shoulder sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, and a long train

Tye Sheridan, 27, who stars as Jamie Bowen in the movie, also attended and cut a dapper figure in a deep purple tuxedo

Nicholas, Jurnee, director Justin Kurzel, Jude, Tye, and Phillip pictured on the red carpet (L-R)

Sources indicate that the schedules had been arranged so that the warring couple - who continue to be embroiled in legal action eight years after they split - would not be attending the film festival simultaneously.

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 attended the screening of her erotic thriller Babygirl on August 30.

Pupi Avati's The American Backyard will close the festival on September 7.
Reality TV star Angie Kent has opened up about her father Matt's gruelling battle with blood cancer.

The Gogglebox Australia star, 34, told this week's Stellar Magazine that her parents kept her dad's diagnosis a secret until she returned home during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

'Mum and Dad had known for a while but they only told me when I got home because they know how emotional I am. Seeing somebody that you've always seen as strong go through that was so hard,' she said.

Angie confessed she became emotional at the reality of the disease, which took her grandfather when she was just 11.

'[Dad] was like a skeleton and his hair started falling out in clumps, so he shaved it all off,' she added.

Angie went on to say that her father, who is normally quite independent and liked to work, did not deal with the illness well.

'He hated being in bed 24/7 and got really cranky. Then the pain got so bad he couldn't really talk for a while and just shut down,' she revealed.

But after he received a bone marrow transplant to treat his cancer, Angie said her dad has 'bounced back'.

Reality TV star Angie Kent has opened up about her father Matt's gruelling battle with blood cancer

'He's like a cockroach  truly, the way he's bounced back from the bone marrow transplant has blown everyone away... he has bounced back like a champion.'

Angie appeared on Gogglebox Australia from 2015 to 2018, where the reality show captured her reactions to TV programs alongside her friend Yvie Jones.

The pair would later appear on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2019, where Angie was the tenth celebrity to leave the jungle.

Later that same year, the blonde beauty appeared on the fifth season of dating show, The Bachelorette, where she ultimately ended up in a relationship with influencer Carlin Sterritt.

The pair broke up in June 2020, less than a year after they began their relationship.

The Gogglebox Australia star told Stellar Magazine that her parent's were keeping her father's health battle a secret until she returned home during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic

Following the breakup, Angie revealed that she is pansexual.

Speaking to The Herald Sun, the TV star said she had previously only dated men because it was societally expected of her.

'I have always been pansexual but I guess I have never really spoken about it,' she told Confidential.

'It is a society thing. I never really got to explore it and now I am like, "go girl, get amongst it".'

Pansexuality refers to an attraction towards people regardless of their sex or gender identity.

'I don't care what you are, as long as we connect. Gender is not a massive thing for me and never really has been,' Angie said.

'I have always dated dudes because it was expected of me,' she admitted.